JPH10252740A - Opening closing cover brake mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an opening closing cover brake mechanism excellent in durability. SOLUTION: An opening closing cover brake mechanism comprises a friction slide part 20B integrally molded and an opening closing cover 16 openably arranged at a device body; and a hinge member 22 to couple the opening closing cover 16 to a device body and having twin arms 25B and 25C abutting to the friction slide member 20B and resiliently deformed and integrally molded by using a material having durability. When the opening closing cover 16 is opened and closed, the friction slide member 20B is moved and generates a dynamic friction force as the arms 25B and 25C are brought into pressure contact, a dynamic friction force is generated, and the opening closing cover 16 is braked. Since the hinge member 22 is molded by using a material, such as polyacetar, having durability, durability (wear resistance) of the hinge member 22 is improved. Since a dynamic friction force of the hinge member 22 against side walls 24C and 24D is changed by the opening closing angle θ1 of the opening closing cover 16, optimum brake torque corresponding to the opening closing angle θ1 to the opening closing cover 26 is generated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an opening / closing cover braking mechanism for an opening / closing cover which can be opened / closed with respect to a housing of a printer or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG.
The conventional open / close cover 82 disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 40 is arranged to be able to open and close with respect to the housing 80. Openable cover 8
2, one end of a substantially C-shaped elastic portion 82B is integrally formed with a support shaft 82A serving as a rotation center thereof. This elastic part 8
A portion of the housing 80 corresponding to 2B has a linear wall 80A.
Is formed, and the end portion corresponds to the outer periphery of the elastic portion 82B. The opening / closing cover 82 is formed of ABS (a non-crystalline thermoplastic resin including three components of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene).

When the cover 82 is opened, the elastic part 8
2B presses against wall 80A. Therefore, a frictional force is generated by the elastic force of the elastic portion 82 </ b> B, and the frictional force generates a resistance to the rotational movement of the opening and closing cover 82. Therefore, the opening / closing cover 82 is gently opened. Similarly, when the cover 82 is closed, resistance to the rotational movement of the cover 82 is generated and the cover 82 is closed gently.

[0004]

By the way, the pressing portion 82
B has a drawback that it has poor durability (wear resistance) because it is formed of ABS or the like, like the main body of the opening / closing cover 82.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide an open / close cover braking mechanism having excellent durability.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an opening / closing cover braking mechanism, wherein a friction sliding portion is formed, and the opening / closing cover is arranged to be openable and closable with respect to a housing. A hinge member formed with an elastic portion connected to the housing and elastically deforming in contact with the friction sliding portion, wherein the friction sliding portion is pressed against the elastic portion by the opening / closing operation of the open / close cover. The opening / closing cover is braked by dynamic frictional force generated at a portion where the frictional sliding portion and the elastic portion come into pressure contact with each other while moving.

In the opening / closing cover braking mechanism according to the first aspect,
When the cover is opened, the friction sliding portion moves while pressing the elastic portion of the hinge member. A kinetic friction force is generated at a portion where the friction sliding portion and the elastic portion are pressed against each other during the movement, and the opening / closing cover is braked by the kinetic friction force. Also, when closing the opening / closing cover, similarly, resistance to the rotational movement of the opening / closing cover is generated and the opening / closing cover is gently closed.

Therefore, according to the opening / closing cover braking mechanism of the first aspect, the rotation of the opening / closing cover is buffered by the elastic portion of the hinge member, so that the durability is improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an opening / closing cover braking mechanism according to the first aspect, wherein the elastic portion is formed such that a dynamic friction force changes depending on an opening / closing angle of the opening / closing cover.

According to the opening / closing cover braking mechanism, the dynamic friction force with respect to the elastic portion changes according to the opening / closing angle of the opening / closing cover, so that an optimal dynamic friction force corresponding to the opening / closing angle of the opening / closing cover can be obtained. The opening / closing cover can be stopped at an arbitrary angle. When the opening / closing cover is stopped halfway, a static friction force is generated between the friction sliding portion and the elastic portion.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the opening / closing cover braking mechanism according to the first or second aspect, the friction sliding portion is formed in a rod shape, and the elastic portion is constituted by a pair of double-supported arms. The friction sliding portion is fitted into a long hole formed by these arms.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the friction sliding portion moves while being in contact with (pressing against) the arm, durability (wear resistance) is improved.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(First Embodiment) Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 7, a configuration relating to an opening / closing cover braking mechanism according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. 1 is an overall perspective view of a printer 10 to which an opening / closing cover braking mechanism is applied, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the opening / closing cover braking mechanism shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. It is sectional drawing.

FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view showing a state in which the opening / closing cover shown in FIG. 1 is opened to a predetermined angle, and FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the open / close cover is opened up to a predetermined angle θ1, FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the open / close cover is opened until it comes into contact with an apparatus body as a housing, and FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the state further opened from the state of FIG. In the drawings, an arrow FR indicates a forward direction, an arrow RB indicates a backward direction, an arrow RW indicates a right direction, an arrow LW indicates a left direction, an arrow UP indicates an upward direction, and an arrow DN indicates a downward direction.

(Outline of Overall Configuration of Printer 10) An outline of the configuration of the printer 10 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 1, an apparatus main body 12 as a housing of a printer 10 is provided.
, A paper feed cassette 14 for accommodating a plurality of unillustrated papers is arranged below the paper feed cassette. An opening / closing cover 16 is rotatably supported at an upper portion of the apparatus main body 12 via an opening / closing cover braking mechanism S.

The opening / closing cover 16 has a tray 16
A is integrally formed. A handle (not shown) is formed at a front portion of the opening / closing cover 16, and the opening / closing cover 16 is opened by the handle.

The paper in the paper feed cassette 14 is transported by a paper transport device (not shown) or the like, and is discharged to a tray 16A of an opening / closing cover 16 provided on an upper portion of the apparatus main body 12. A rear cover 18 is rotatably supported at the rear side of the opening / closing cover 16 to open the inside of the apparatus main body 12 in the event of a paper jam or the like.

A process cartridge (not shown) is disposed on the side of the opening / closing cover 16 in the apparatus main body 12. The process cartridge includes a photosensitive drum on which an electrostatic latent image is formed by being irradiated with a light beam. It consists of a charging roller for charging the photoconductor drum, a developing device for visualizing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photoconductor drum, and a cleaning blade for scraping the toner remaining on the photoconductor drum into a collection space. ing.

(Structure of Tray Braking Mechanism S) The structure of the opening / closing cover braking mechanism S according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 3, a hinge portion 20 integrally formed with the opening / closing cover 16 is formed on the rear cover 18 side of the opening / closing cover 16, and the hinge portion 20 (including the opening / closing cover 16) is made of ABS. (Amorphous thermoplastic resin composed of three components of acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene).

The hinge portion 20 is substantially U-shaped and protrudes rearward. A cylindrical support shaft 20A is provided at the tip of the hinge portion 20 outside the opening / closing cover 16 (right side in FIG. 2). It protrudes toward. A cylindrical friction sliding portion 2 is provided on the top portion 20C of the hinge portion 20, which is a U-shaped bent portion.
0B protrudes toward the outside of the opening / closing cover 16 (to the right in FIG. 2) in a direction parallel to the support shaft 20A.

Incidentally, as shown in FIG.
B and the length of the support shaft 20A in the left-right direction are the same. As shown in FIG. 5, the diameter dimension of the friction sliding portion 20B is a length L5.

As shown in FIG. 1, a hinge member 22 having a side wall 22B is fixed to the apparatus main body 12 with a plurality of (two in the first embodiment) screws 23. The hinge member 22 is durable. It is formed of a material having a property such as polyacetal. In FIG. 2, the illustration of the screw 24 is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 3, the hinge member 22 includes
On the left side of the side wall 22B (see FIG. 2), a support bearing portion 22A is formed in a substantially U-shaped and groove shape at a position corresponding to the support shaft 20A of the hinge portion 20. The support portion 22A is slightly longer than the diameter of the support shaft 20A, and the support shaft 20A is inserted into the support portion 22A so that the opening / closing cover 16 is centered on the axis P1 of the support shaft 20A (support support portion 22A). To rotate.

The hinge section 20 and the hinge member 22 are located on the left side of the opening / closing cover 16 and the apparatus main body 12 (FIG. 1).
(See arrow LW), whereby the opening / closing cover 16 rotates with respect to the apparatus main body 12.

A long hole 24 is formed in the hinge member 22 in a substantially arc shape corresponding to the friction sliding portion 20B of the hinge portion 20. The long hole 24 is formed between the long hole 2 and the support bearing portion 22A.
4A is provided between a doubly supported arm 25B as a narrow and arcuate elastic portion and a doubly supported arm 25C constituting an outer edge of the hinge member 22.

The radius of curvature L3 of one side wall 24C of the elongated hole 24 on the axis P1 side is determined by the rotation center of the opening / closing cover 16 (the support shaft 20A).
Of the frictional sliding portion 20B from the tangent to the side wall 24C.

One side wall 24 away from the axis P1 of the long hole 24
One end 2 is provided on the other side wall 24D on the side farther than C.
A substantially triangular protrusion 24E is provided on the 4A side (rear side) so as to protrude toward the axis P1. In addition, the protrusion 24 of the side wall 24D
The radius of curvature L1 on the front side of C is a distance obtained by adding the radius of curvature L3 and the distance L2. Note that the distance L2 is shorter than the diameter L5 (see FIG. 5) of the friction sliding portion 20B.

That is, the distance L2 from the top of the projection 24E to one side wall 24C of the long hole 24 passing through the top and the axis P is:
It is smaller than the diameter L5 of the friction sliding portion 20B (see FIG. 3). Therefore, the frictional sliding portion 20B is formed by the protrusion 24E.
As shown in FIG. 5, when passing through the front side, the side wall 24D is elastically deformed on the side of the other side wall 24D of the frictional sliding portion 20B.
The distance between C and 24D is expanded to the diameter L5 of the friction sliding portion 20B and elastically deforms, and a braking force is generated by the friction due to this elastic deformation. In this case, the side wall 24C may be elastically deformed.

That is, as shown in FIG.
The movement (falling) torque of the opening / closing cover 16 at Tθ
(Here, T is the side walls 24C and 2C of the friction sliding portion 20B.
Assuming that the braking torque is Sθ, Tθ ≦ Sθ is sufficient to prevent the opening / closing cover 16 from dropping rapidly.

Assuming that the dynamic friction coefficient is μ, the braking torque Sθ
Is Sθ = L3 × μ × X1 + L4 × μ × X2 = μX (L
3 + L4). Here, X1 or X2 indicates the normal force with which the friction sliding portion 20B presses the side walls 24C and 24D, and X1 and X2 are represented as X because X1 and X2 have the same value.

As described above, the shapes of the side walls 24C and 24D of the long hole 24 may be set so that the braking torque Sθ is slightly larger than the drop torque Tθ at each angle of the opening / closing cover 16. By the side walls 24C and 24D set as described above,
The opening / closing cover 16 closes smoothly (slowly closes).

As shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7, the radius of curvature of both ends 24A and 24B of the other side wall 24D and the other side wall 24D of the other end 24B is longer than the radius of curvature L4.
That is, the length is equal to or greater than the total length of the radius of curvature L3 and the diameter L5 of the friction sliding portion 20B, and the friction sliding portion 20B and the other side wall 24D facing the friction sliding portion 20B are separated or have a large resistance. It does not give power.

When the cover 16 is closed (the state shown in FIG. 3), the friction sliding portion 20B is
Since the structure is not pressed against D, no load is applied to the side wall 24D other than the elongated hole 24 in a state where the normal opening / closing cover 16 is closed. Therefore, one end 24A of the long hole 24
Does not deform due to creep.

On the other hand, the opening / closing cover 16 in the opened state (see FIG. 6) tends to rotate in the closing direction (in FIG. 6, the direction of the arrow CCW) due to its own weight. Friction sliding part 20
The opening / closing cover 16 is gently closed by the braking force when B contacts (presses) the other side wall 24D on the front side of the protrusion 24E.

In this embodiment, the tray section 16A is formed integrally with the opening / closing cover 16. However, if a tray for holding the sheet conveyed by a sheet conveying device (not shown) is provided as a separate body. , Tray unit 1 of the present embodiment
6A becomes unnecessary.

(Operation of Paper Feeding Device) The operation of the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

In order to attach / detach or repair a process cartridge (not shown) or the like, the closed cover 16 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 is rotated to an angle θ1 to open it shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. That is, when the friction sliding portion 20B passes through the front side of the projection 24E, the friction sliding portion 20B moves while pressing the side walls 24C and 24D of the long hole 24 of the hinge member 22. A dynamic frictional force (braking torque Sθ) is generated at a position where the friction sliding portion 20B and the side walls 24C and 24D are pressed against each other during the movement, and the opening / closing cover 16 is braked by the braking torque Sθ.

When it is further rotated clockwise (in the direction of arrow CW in FIG. 5) from the state shown in FIG. 5, the friction sliding portion 20B and the other side wall 24D facing the friction sliding portion 20B separate from each other, and the braking torque Sθ Is smaller than in the open state shown in FIGS. In the state shown in FIG. 6 (the state in which the opening / closing cover 16 is in contact with the rear cover 18), the process cartridge and the like are attached / detached and repaired.

When the cover 16 is closed,
Similarly, resistance to the rotational movement of the opening / closing cover 16 is generated, and the cover 16 is gently closed. That is, when the opening / closing cover 16 rotates counterclockwise (the direction of the arrow CCW) from the state of FIG. 6 to the state of FIG. 5, the relationship between the drop torque Tθ and the braking torque Sθ is Tθ ≦ Sθ, The opening / closing cover 16 is gently closed.

The rear cover 18 shown in FIG. 4 is rotated to open the rear upper portion of the apparatus main body 10, and as shown in FIG. 7, the openable cover 16 in the state shown in FIG. Then, the friction sliding portion 20B comes into contact with the other end 24B of the elongated hole 24 and stops.

According to the first embodiment, since the hinge member 22 is formed of a durable material such as polyacetal, the durability (wear resistance) of the hinge member 22 is improved. According to the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the dynamic frictional force on the side walls 24C and 24D of the hinge member 22 changes according to the opening / closing angle θ1 of the opening / closing cover 16, so that the opening / closing angle of the opening / closing cover 16 is changed. An optimum braking torque Sθ corresponding to θ1 or the like can be obtained.

Further, according to the first embodiment, the side walls 24C and 24D, that is, the arms 25B,
As compared with the conventional example of FIG. 11, the stress to 25C is less concentrated and the pressure by the friction sliding portion 20B is dispersed, so that the durability (wear resistance) is improved. In addition, according to the first embodiment, the hinge member 22 is simply formed integrally with a synthetic resin, so that the cost is low.

(Second Embodiment) A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the second embodiment is a modification in which the durability of the friction sliding portion 30 is further improved from that of the first embodiment. The same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the second embodiment, the shape of the one side wall 24C of the friction sliding portion 30 is substantially rectangular, and the surface 30A of the one side wall 24C is formed of the one side wall 24C.
Are arc-shaped along the peripheral surface of. Other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment.

According to the second embodiment, the surface 30A of the frictional sliding portion 30 is formed in an arc shape so as to follow the peripheral surface of the one side wall 24C, so as to contact the peripheral surface of the one side wall 24C as shown in FIG. The contact area is larger than that of the first embodiment. Therefore, the load applied to one side wall 24C is dispersed,
The durability of the hinge member 22 is further enhanced.

The cover 16 in the closed state shown in FIG.
It is rotated to the angle θ1 to make the open state shown in FIG. The surface 30A and the side wall 24C of the friction sliding portion 30 at the time of opening are
Has a wider contact area than that of the first embodiment, so that the load applied to one side wall 24C is dispersed, and the durability of the hinge member 22 is further increased.

When further rotated clockwise (in the direction of arrow CW in FIG. 9) from the state of FIG. 9, as shown in FIG. 10, the frictional sliding portion 20B and the other side wall facing the frictional sliding portion 20B are formed. 24D are separated from each other. The other operation and effect are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

The housing of the present invention may be a housing of a copying machine or the like as long as it has an opening / closing cover in addition to the printer shown in FIG.

[0050]

According to the present invention having the above-described structure, an open / close cover braking mechanism having excellent durability can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall perspective view of a printer 10 to which an opening / closing cover braking mechanism according to a first embodiment of the invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the opening / closing cover braking mechanism shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the opening / closing cover braking mechanism shown in FIG. 2 taken along line 3-3.

FIG. 4 is an overall perspective view showing a state where the opening / closing cover shown in FIG. 1 is opened to a predetermined angle.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the opening / closing cover shown in FIG. 3 is opened to a predetermined angle θ1.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the opening / closing cover is opened until it comes into contact with an apparatus main body as a housing.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the opening / closing cover is further opened from the state of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a friction sliding portion according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the open / close cover shown in FIG. 8 is opened to a predetermined angle θ1.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the opening / closing cover shown in FIG. 8 is opened until it comes into contact with an apparatus main body as a housing.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a conventional open / close cover braking mechanism.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Printer 12 Device main body (housing) 16 Opening / closing cover 20 Hinge part 20B Friction sliding part 22 Hinge member 24 Long hole 24C One side wall (elastic part) 24D Other side wall (elastic part) 25B Doubly supported arm (elastic part) 25C Both Holding arm (elastic part) 30 Friction sliding part 30A Surface of friction sliding part S Opening / closing cover braking mechanism

Claims (3)

[Claims] An opening / closing cover which is formed so as to be openable and closable with respect to a housing; and wherein the opening / closing cover is connected to the housing and is brought into contact with the friction sliding portion. A hinge member formed with an elastic portion that is elastically deformed; and the friction sliding portion and the elastic portion when the friction sliding portion moves while being pressed against the elastic portion by the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing cover. Wherein the opening / closing cover is braked by a kinetic frictional force generated at a portion where the cover comes into pressure contact with the opening / closing cover. 2. The opening / closing cover braking mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portion is formed such that a dynamic friction force changes according to an opening / closing angle of the opening / closing cover. 3. The friction sliding part is formed in a rod shape, and the elastic part is constituted by a pair of two-sided arms, and the friction sliding part is fitted into a long hole formed by these arms. The opening / closing cover braking mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: