JPH11214861A - Image forming equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an opening and closing cover from largely protruding when the opening and closing cover is opened, by installing a second cover member whose base end side is pivotably attached to a free end side of a first cover member whose base end side is pivotably attached to an image forming equipment main body. SOLUTION: An opening and closing cover has a first cover member 3A and a second cover member 3B. A pair of hinge brackets 4 which are positioned being isolated from each other are fixed to a front side plate 1 of an image forming equipment main body. The base end side of the first cover member 3A is pivotably attached to the hinge brackets 4 of the image forming equipment main body via a pair of pivotably attaching pins 5 arranged on the same axial line. The free end side of the first cover member 3A is pivotably attached to the base end side of the second cover member 3B via a pair of pivotably attaching pins 8 arranged on the same axial line. The first and the second cover members 3A, 3B are constituted of, e.g. hard synthetic resin or metal plates. Both of them are attracted by magnetic force of magnetic members.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an opening / closing cover rotatably opened and closed with respect to an image forming apparatus main body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, a printing machine, or a multifunction machine having at least two functions thereof, for example, an opening / closing cover is provided on the front side thereof, The opening / closing cover is opened so that a predetermined operation can be performed at the time of maintenance and inspection of the printer, removal of jammed paper causing a transport trouble inside the printer, or supply of consumables.

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing an example of this type of conventional image forming apparatus. Reference numeral 1 denotes a front side plate constituting a frame of the image forming apparatus main body, and 2 denotes the frame. 2 illustrates an exterior cover of an image forming apparatus main body that covers various elements. F indicates the front side where the operator is located and operates the image forming apparatus. The front part of the exterior cover 2 is opened, and the front opening / closing cover 3 is located here.
Is arranged. A hinge bracket 4 is fixed to the front side plate 1, and a base end of a lower portion of the opening / closing cover 3 is pivotally connected to the hinge bracket 4 via a pivot pin 5. In this way, the opening / closing cover 3 is supported so as to be rotatable and openable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body.

Normally, the opening / closing cover 3 occupies a closed position as shown by a solid line in FIG. 6, and at this time, the opening / closing cover 3 is held at the closed position by a locking device (not shown). When performing maintenance and inspection work of elements inside the image forming apparatus, the free end side of the open / close cover 3 is pulled toward the front side F as shown by an arrow A, and the open / close cover 3 is rotated around the pivot pin 5; It is brought to the open position as indicated by the dashed line in FIG. At this time, the opening / closing cover 3 stops, for example, by hitting a corner 7A of the sheet feeding tray cover 7 that is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body. Thus, the front side of the image forming apparatus main body is opened, and in this state, the operator can perform a predetermined operation.

However, in particular, the opening / closing cover 3 shown in FIG.
In the case of a vertically open cover that is opened and closed with its lower part as the base end, when the openable cover 3 is turned to the open position, the openable cover 3 projects greatly to the front side F. I can't help but get in the way.

Further, when an external force as shown by P ₁ is applied to the free end side of the open-close cover 3, which occupies the open position, relative to the hinge bracket 4, an excessive force shown in FIG. 6 with P ₂ In addition, the hinge portion, for example, the pivot pin 5 and the hinge bracket 4 may be permanently deformed. For this reason, conventionally, the strength of the hinge portion including the pivot pin 5 and the hinge bracket 4 has been increased to prevent its deformation, but this has inevitably resulted in the disadvantage that the hinge portion becomes large and its cost increases. .

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a novel image forming apparatus which eliminates the above-mentioned conventional disadvantages.

[0008]

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having an opening / closing cover rotatably opened and closed with respect to an image forming apparatus main body.
The opening / closing cover has a first cover member pivotally attached to the base end side of the image forming apparatus main body, and a base end side pivotally attached to the free end side of the first cover member. An image forming apparatus having a second cover member is proposed (claim 1).

In the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the pivot portion of the first cover member and the second cover member is formed on one of the first cover member and the second cover member. It is advantageous if it is constituted by a hinge hole provided and a hinge pin integrally projecting from the other cover member and rotatably fitted in the hinge hole (claim 2).

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, the first cover member and the second cover member are rotated so that the first cover member and the second cover member can rotate integrally.
It is particularly advantageous to have a locking means for locking the cover member.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the locking means may include a protrusion integrally formed on one of the first cover member and the second cover member. Advantageously, it comprises a recess formed on the other cover member and removably engaged with the projection.

Further, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the locking means may include a magnet fixed to one of the first cover member and the second cover member, and the other cover. It is advantageous that the magnet is fixed to a member and is constituted by a magnet catch made of a magnetic material that is attracted to the magnet by its magnetic force.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional side view showing an image forming apparatus of this embodiment, and its basic configuration is the same as that of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. That is, the front side plate 1 and the various elements (not shown) forming the frame of the image forming apparatus main body are covered by the outer cover 2 forming the outer portion of the image forming apparatus main body. An opening / closing cover 3 supported to be rotatable and openable with respect to the image forming apparatus main body is disposed as described later, and an operator (not shown) operates the image forming apparatus at the front side F. As described above, the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 includes the opening / closing cover 3 that is rotatably opened / closed with respect to the image forming apparatus main body.

Here, the above-mentioned opening / closing cover 3 has a first cover member 3A and a second cover member 3B as shown in FIG. 2, and the front side plate 1 of the image forming apparatus main body is attached to each other. A pair of hinge brackets 4 located apart from each other are fixed. The first cover member 3 </ b> A has a base end side through a pair of pivot pins 5 arranged on the same axis.
The image forming apparatus is pivotally attached to a hinge bracket 4 of the image forming apparatus main body. The free end side of the first cover member 3A is
Through a pair of hinge pins 8 arranged on the same axis,
The second cover member 3B is pivotally connected to the base end of the second cover member 3B. The first and third cover members 3A and 3B are made of, for example, a hard synthetic resin or a metal plate.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, the open / close cover 3 has the first cover member 3A pivotally attached to the base end side of the image forming apparatus main body, and the first cover member 3A. The second end of which the base end is pivotally connected to the free end of 3A.
And a cover member 3B.

The opening / closing cover 3 normally occupies a closed position shown by a solid line in FIG. 1 and covers an open portion on the front side of the exterior cover 2.
It is held in its closed position by a locking device, not shown. The lock device is composed of, for example, a magnet provided on the image forming apparatus main body side and a magnetic body provided on the second cover member 3B, and both of them are attracted by a magnetic force, whereby the opening / closing cover 3 is held at the closed position. You. In this state, the base end side of the first cover member 3A is located on the lower side,
The free end side is located on the upper side, the base end side of the second cover member 3B is located on the lower side, and the free end side 9 is located on the upper side, and the second cover member 3A and the first cover member 3B are vertically linear. It is located in.

When opening the openable cover 3 for the purpose of removing jammed paper, performing maintenance and inspection of elements inside the image forming apparatus, or replenishing consumables, the free end 9 of the second cover member 3B must be closed. Pull to the front side F as shown by arrow A. Then, the first cover member 3A and the second cover member 3B rotate around the pivot pin 5, and as shown by a chain line in FIG.
The cover member 3A comes into contact with the corner 7A of the sheet feed tray cover 7 that is detachably mounted on the image forming apparatus main body, and stops. Next, the second cover member 3 </ b> B
A pivots around the hinge pin 8 with respect to A, and hangs downward with the free end 9 facing downward in a state of being bent with respect to the first cover member 3A.

As described above, when the open / close cover 3 occupies the open position, the second cover member 3B bends and hangs downward with respect to the first cover member 3A. The amount of overhang is extremely small. For this reason,
The operator can easily perform a predetermined operation without being obstructed by the cover 3. Moreover, the first cover member 3A
Is small in the front end F, the external force applied to the pivot pin 5 and the hinge bracket 4 is kept very small even if an external force is applied to the free end side, and these strengths are increased as in the prior art. Even if it is not set, it is possible to prevent a problem that these are permanently deformed. Therefore, the size and cost can be reduced.

After the operation is completed, the first cover member 3A and the second cover member 3B are brought to the closed position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 by rotating the open / close cover 3 in a direction opposite to the above. The front part of the image forming apparatus main body can be closed.

The above is the basic configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and corresponds to the first embodiment of the present invention.

By the way, as the hinge pin 8 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an independent member such as a stepped screw or a bushing can be used. However, in this case, the number of parts of the image forming apparatus increases, and furthermore, The assembling work of the first cover member 3A and the second cover member 3B is also complicated.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
Is formed integrally with the first cover member 3A, and a hinge hole 10 rotatably fitted to the hinge pin 8 is formed in the second cover member 3B. The hinge pin 8 and the hinge hole 10 allow the first cover member to be formed. When the pivotal connection portion between the cover 3A and the second cover member 3B is formed, it is not necessary to use an independent hinge pin separate from the opening and closing covers 3A and 3B, so that the number of parts of the image forming apparatus and its cost can be reduced.

For example, the first cover member 3A and the second cover member 3B are made of resin, and a pair of hinge pins 8 are simultaneously formed when the first cover member 3A is formed.
A pair of hinge holes 10 are respectively formed at the time of molding the second cover member 3B, and the hinge pins 8 and the hinge holes 10 are fitted together while elastically deforming both of the completed cover members. Thus, the first cover member 3A and the second cover member 3B can be assembled with one touch.

Instead of forming a hinge pin 8 on the first cover member 3A and forming a hinge hole 10 on the second cover member 3B, a hinge hole 10 is formed on the first cover member 3A and rotatably fitted therein. Hinge pin 8 and second cover member 3
You may protrude in the direction of B.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment corresponding to the first aspect, the pivotal connection portion between the first cover member 3A and the second cover member 3B is connected to the first cover member 3A. It is composed of a hinge hole 10 formed in one of the second cover members 3B and a hinge pin 8 which is integrally formed with the other cover member so as to protrude therefrom and rotatably fit in the hinge hole 10. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the cost of the image forming apparatus and improve the workability of assembling the first and second cover members. This is a second embodiment of the present invention.

When the cover 3 is pivotally opened as described above, before the first cover member 3A reaches the open position shown by the chain line in FIG. 1, the second cover member 3B is moved to the first cover member 3A. On the other hand, if it turns around the hinge pin 8, the turning operation may be somewhat difficult.

Therefore, in the image forming apparatuses of the first and second embodiments, the first cover member 3A and the second cover member 3B are connected to the first cover member 3A so that they can rotate together. By providing the locking means for locking the second cover member 3B, the above-described problem can be prevented.

This is the third embodiment of the present invention, but in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 3, the locking means is such that the first cover member 3B is in contact with the second cover member 3B.
A is formed by a protrusion 11 integrally formed on the portion A and a recess 12 formed in the second cover member 3B.
When the second cover members 3A and 3B occupy the closed position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, the protrusion 11 and the recess 12 are engaged with each other. FIG. 3 shows the protrusion 11 and the recess 12 formed at one end in the width direction of the opening / closing cover 3, but it is desirable to similarly form the protrusion and the recess at the other end.

As described above, when the openable cover 3 is opened by pulling the free end 9 of the second cover member 3B forward, the projection 1
1 and the recess 12 are engaged with each other, so that the first and second
The cover members 3 </ b> A and 3 </ b> B integrally rotate around the pivot pin 5 in a state of being extended in a straight line. And the first
After the cover member 3A reaches the open position shown by the chain line in FIG. 1, the second cover member 3B is further pressed downward to urge the second cover member 3B to rotate counterclockwise in FIG.
The portion 2 is elastically deformed, the concave portion 12 is disengaged from the protruding portion 11, and the second cover member 3B is further rotated counterclockwise around the hinge pin 8 to reach the open position indicated by the chain line in FIG.

When the cover 3 is opened as described above, the first and second cover members 3A and 3B rotate around the pivot pin 5 integrally until the first cover member 3A reaches the open position. Therefore, both cover members 3A and 3B operate without rattling, and can be opened smoothly. Moreover, after the first cover member 3A reaches the open position, the second cover member 3B further rotates around the hinge pin 8 with respect to the first cover member 3A, reaches the open position without any trouble, and opens and closes. 3 can be easily performed.

When the cover 3 is closed, the first cover member 3A is held in the open position shown by the chain line in FIG. 1, and the second cover member 3B is moved around the hinge pin 8 with respect to the first cover member 3A. After turning in the clockwise direction in FIG. 1, the protrusion 11 and the recess 12 are locked to each other, and both the cover members 3A and 3B are locked in a linearly extended state. To rotate to the closed position shown by the solid line in FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the first cover member 3A
The projection 11 is formed on the second cover member 3B, and the recess 12 is formed on the second cover member 3B.
2 may be configured such that the projections 11 are formed on the second cover member 3B, and these are locked so that the two cover members 3A, 3B can be locked in a linearly extended state.

The point is that in the third embodiment described above,
A protrusion 11 integrally formed on one of the first cover member 3A and the second cover member 3B is formed on the other cover member, and the protrusion 11 is formed on the other cover member so as to be detachably engaged with the protrusion 11. By forming the locking means with the concave portion 12 that is combined, the opening operation of the opening / closing cover 3 can be easily performed with a simple configuration. This is a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the plate-shaped magnet 13 fixed to the second cover member 3B and the plate-shaped magnet catch 14 made of a magnetic material fixed to the first cover member 3A are used as described above. A plurality of magnets 13 fixed to the second cover member 3B and a plurality of magnet catches 14 made of a magnetic material fixed to the first cover member 3A constitute a locking means, as shown in FIG. Stop means may be provided.

Also in these configurations, when the cover 3 is in the closed position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, the magnet 13 and the magnet catch 14 are attracted to each other by the magnetic force of the magnet 13. Therefore, even when the opening / closing cover 3 starts to be opened, the two cover members 3A and 3B rotate around the pivot pin 5 while maintaining the linearly extended state, and the first cover member 3A is shown by a chain line in FIG. When the second cover member 3B is further depressed further down after occupying the open position indicated by, the magnet 13 and the magnet catch 14 come off from each other, and the second cover member 3B moves the hinge pin 8 relative to the first cover member 3A. It turns around in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 to reach the open position indicated by the chain line. When closing the cover 3, the reverse operation is performed.

According to the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the locking means can be simply configured at low cost.
When the sizes and weights of the cover members 3A and 3B are large, it is conceivable that the projection 11 may be accidentally detached from the recess 12 when the cover 3 rotates. Further, by repeatedly engaging and disengaging the protrusion 11 and the recess 12, that portion may be worn over time, and the locking function of the first and second cover members 3A and 3B may be reduced. On the other hand, when the locking means shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is used, the magnetic force of the magnet 13 is strengthened, so that the magnet 13 and the magnet catch 14 can be prevented from coming off when the opening / closing cover rotates, and It is possible to prevent a decrease in the locking function due to wear of the first and second cover members 3A and 3B, and it is possible to extend the life of the first and second cover members 3A and 3B. Further, the first cover member 3A and the second
The locking of the cover member 3B can be easily released.

In the example shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the magnet 13 is fixed to the second cover member 3B, and the first cover member 3A
Although the magnet catch 14 is fixed to the first cover member 3A, the magnet 13 may be fixed to the first cover member 3A and the magnet catch 14 may be fixed to the second cover member 3B.

The point is that in the image forming apparatus of the third embodiment, the first cover member 3A and the second cover member 3
Magnet 1 fixed to one cover member of B
3 and a magnet catch 14 made of a magnetic material fixed to the other cover member and attracted to the magnet 13 by its magnetic force. This is a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, when the opening / closing cover is in the closed position, the first cover member 3A is located below the second cover member 3B, and the lower side of each of the cover members 3A and 3B is set as the base end side. The invention has been described with reference to a vertical opening type opening / closing cover for rotating and opening the image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is widely applied to an image forming apparatus including a horizontal opening type opening / closing cover for rotating the first and second cover members in a horizontal direction. Applicable.

[0041]

According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect, when the openable cover is opened, it is possible to prevent the openable cover from protruding significantly. Further, when an external force is applied to the free end side of the opening / closing cover, it is possible to prevent an excessive force from being applied to the pivot portion on the base end side of the first cover member.

According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect,
Since there is no need to use an independent member as a hinge pin for pivotally connecting the first cover member and the second cover member, the number of parts and cost can be reduced. Moreover, the first cover member and the second cover member can be easily connected.

According to the image forming apparatus of the third aspect,
When the opening / closing cover is opened and rotated, the first cover member and the second cover member are locked to each other and can be rotated integrally, so that the operability when the opening / closing cover is opened can be improved.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect,
The locking means can be easily configured at low cost.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect,
The locking function between the first cover member and the second cover member can be enhanced, and the locking function can be maintained for a long time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating an example of an image forming apparatus, in which a part of an exterior cover is cut away.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an opening / closing cover.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a first cover member and a second cover member detached therefrom.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2, showing an example in which a locking means is constituted by a magnet and a magnet catch.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2, showing an example in which locking means is constituted by another form of magnet and a magnet catch.

FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating an example of a conventional image forming apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 3 opening / closing cover 3A first cover member 3B second cover member 8 hinge pin 10 hinge hole 11 projection 12 recess 13 magnet 14 magnet catch

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus having an opening / closing cover rotatably supported on an image forming apparatus main body, wherein the opening / closing cover is pivotally attached to a base end side of the image forming apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus comprising: a first cover member; and a second cover member having a base end pivotally attached to a free end side of the first cover member. 2. The first cover member and the second cover member pivotally connected to a hinge hole formed in one of the first cover member and the second cover member and a hinge hole formed in the other cover member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a hinge pin that protrudes integrally and is rotatably fitted in the hinge hole. 3. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a locking means for locking the first cover member and the second cover member so that the first cover member and the second cover member can rotate integrally. The image forming apparatus as described in the above. 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the locking means includes a first cover member and a second cover member.
4. The projection according to claim 3, comprising a projection integrally formed on one of the cover members and a recess formed on the other cover member and removably engaged with the projection. Image forming apparatus. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the locking means includes a first cover member and a second cover member.
A magnet fixed to one of the cover members and a magnet catch made of a magnetic material fixed to the other cover member and attracted to the magnet by its magnetic force. 3
An image forming apparatus according to claim 1.