Housing and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of shell and image forming device.The shell has: shell main body, with opening in one side;First cover, by being supported to the shell main body by the first rotating unit of the part of one side in the direction relative to the opening in the one side, cover at least part of the opening, and be provided with the operation part of the first cover in closed state becomes open state;And second cover, is supported to the first cover, and the operation part of the second cover in closed state becomes open state, and it is arranged in the position of the one direction from the operation part of the first cover to the first rotating unit side, the length is more than half the length between the operation part of the first cover and the first rotating unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a housing and an image forming apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an image forming apparatus comprising: an apparatus body; a first cover, which is closable and can be disposed on one side of the apparatus body, covering a first region of the side when closed; a second cover, which is closable and can be disposed on the same side of the apparatus body, covering a second region of the side when closed; and a first blocking unit that prevents the first cover from being opened when the first cover is closed, and can release the blocking when the second cover is open.

[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-173339 Summary of the Invention

[0004] The objective of this invention is to prevent the first cover from opening while the second cover is being opened, in a structure in which one side of the housing body is covered by a first cover and a second cover, and the first cover is supported in the housing body by a first rotating unit.

[0005] The housing according to the first method comprises: a housing body having an opening on one side; a first cover, which is closably supported on the housing body by a first rotating unit disposed on one side of the side opposite to the opening, covering at least a portion of the opening, and an operating part for opening the first cover from a closed state is disposed at the other end side in the same direction; and a second cover, which is closably supported on the first cover, and an operating part for opening the second cover from a closed state is disposed in one direction at a position separated from the operating part of the first cover by a length from the first rotating unit side, the length being more than half the distance between the operating part of the first cover and the first rotating unit.

[0006] The housing involved in the second method comprises: a housing body having an opening on one side; a first cover being openably and closably supported on the housing body by a first rotating unit disposed on one side of the side opposite to the opening in one direction; and a second cover being openably and closably supported on the first cover, and an operating part for opening the second cover from the closed state is disposed in the same position as the first rotating unit or closer to the first rotating unit in the same direction.

[0007] The housing involved in the third method comprises: a housing body having an opening on one side; a first cover being openably and closably supported on the housing body by a first rotating unit disposed on one side of the side opposite to the opening, and covering at least a portion of the opening; a first constraint part constraining the first cover in a closed state to the housing body with a first constraint force; a second cover being openably and closably supported on the first cover; and a second constraint part constraining the second cover in a closed state to the first cover or the housing body with a second constraint force less than the first constraint force.

[0008] According to any one of the first to third embodiments of the housing, in the housing involved in the fourth embodiment, the rotation axis of the first rotating unit extends in a direction intersecting the first direction, and the second cover is opened and closed by rotating around the rotation axis extending in the first direction.

[0009] The housing according to the fifth embodiment comprises: a housing body having an opening on one side; a first cover, which is closably supported on the housing body by a first rotating unit disposed on one side of the side opposite to the opening, covering at least a portion of the opening, and an operating part for opening the first cover from a closed state is disposed in one direction at a position separated from the first rotating unit by a length such that the length is more than half the distance between the first rotating unit and the end on the other side of the one direction; and a second cover, which is disposed on the first cover and is closably supported by a second rotating unit disposed at the end of the second cover on the operating part side of the first cover, and an operating part for opening the second cover from a closed state is disposed in one direction across the second rotating unit on the side opposite to the operating part of the first cover.

[0010] According to any one of the first to fifth embodiments of the housing, in the housing involved in the sixth embodiment, the second cover and the first cover or the housing body form a curved surface at the end of the other side of the housing body when the second cover is in a closed state, the boundary between the second cover and the first cover or the other side of the housing body is formed on the curved surface, and the end of the other side of the second cover is positioned closer to the other side than the outermost surface of the other side of the first cover or the outermost surface of the other side of the housing body when the second cover is in a closed state.

[0011] The image forming apparatus according to the seventh embodiment includes: a housing as described in any one of the first to sixth embodiments; a cartridge portion that is replaceably housed in the housing with a portion exposed from said side and that houses an ink; and an image forming unit that is housed in the housing with a portion exposed from said side and that forms an image on a recording medium using the ink, wherein a first cover covers the image forming unit and a second cover covers the cartridge portion.

[0012] Invention Effects

[0013] According to the housing involved in the first method, in a structure in which one side of the housing body is covered by a first cover and a second cover and the first cover is supported by a first rotating unit, compared with a structure in which the distance between the operating part of the second cover and the operating part of the first cover in one direction is less than half the distance between the operating part of the first cover and the first rotating unit in one direction, the action of opening the second cover and the first cover being opened is suppressed.

[0014] According to the housing involved in the second method, in a structure in which one side of the housing body is covered by a first cover and a second cover and the first cover is supported by a first rotating unit, compared with a structure in which the operating part of the second cover is provided in one direction closer to the other side in one direction than the side of the first rotating unit, the action of opening the second cover and opening the first cover is suppressed.

[0015] According to the housing involved in the third method, in a structure in which one side of the housing body is covered by a first cover and a second cover and the first cover is supported by a first rotating unit, compared with a structure in which the magnitude of the second constraint force is greater than the magnitude of the first constraint force, the action that causes the second cover to be opened is suppressed, and the first cover is opened.

[0016] According to the housing involved in the fourth method, in a structure in which the rotation axis of the first rotating unit extends in a direction intersecting a certain direction, and the second cover rotates around the axis extending in a certain direction to open and close, compared with a structure in which the operating parts of the first cover and the operating parts of the second cover are located at the same position in a certain direction, or a structure in which the magnitude of the second constraint force is greater than the magnitude of the first constraint force, the action that causes the second cover to be in an open state is suppressed, thereby preventing the first cover from being in an open state.

[0017] According to the housing involved in the fifth method, in a structure in which one side of the housing body is covered by a first cover and a second cover and the first cover is supported by a first rotating unit, compared with a structure in which the opening and closing direction of the second cover is the same as the opening and closing direction of the first cover, the action that causes the second cover to be in an open state is suppressed, thereby preventing the first cover from being in an open state.

[0018] According to the housing involved in the sixth method, in a structure in which the boundary portion of the second cover and the first cover or the housing body on the other side is formed in a curved surface, compared to a structure in which the end of the other side of the second cover in the closed state protrudes further to the other side than the outermost surface of the other side of the first cover or the outermost surface of the other side of the housing body, fingers and the like are less likely to get caught on the boundary portion of the second cover and the first cover or the housing body on the other side.

[0019] According to the image forming apparatus of the seventh method, in a structure in which one side of the housing body is covered by a first cover and a second cover and the first cover is supported by a first rotating unit, compared with a structure in which the operating parts of the first cover and the operating parts of the second cover are located at the same position in one direction or a structure in which the magnitude of the second constraint force is greater than the magnitude of the first constraint force, the opening of the first cover is suppressed when the second cover is opened in order to replace the housing part. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the following figures.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus involved in the embodiment;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a front view showing the internal structure of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a perspective view showing an enlarged portion of the image forming apparatus involved in the embodiment;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus showing the state of the second cover according to the open implementation method;

[0025] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus showing the state of the first cover in the open implementation method;

[0026] Figure 6 It is a perspective view showing the second cover in the embodiment with a portion of the first cover and the second cover broken apart and enlarged.

[0027] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 Sectional view 8-8;

[0028] Figure 8 This is a perspective view showing a housing having a second cover relative to the comparative embodiment.

[0029] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 Sectional view 9-9;

[0030] Figure 10 This is a front view showing a modified example of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment;

[0031] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 Sectional view 11-11.

[0032] Symbol Explanation

[0033] 20 - Image forming apparatus, 22 - Box portion, 30 - Image forming part, 50 - Housing, 52 - Housing body, 54 - Front side (an example of one side), 56 - First hinge (an example of the first rotating unit), 60 - First cover, 66 - Recess (an example of the operating part of the first cover), 68 - Recess (an example of the operating part of the second cover), 70 - Second cover, 72 - Second hinge (an example of the second rotating unit), 77 - End, 80 - First constraint part, 90 - Second constraint part, F1 - Magnetic force (an example of the first constraint force), F2 - Magnetic force (an example of the second constraint force), K - Boundary part, RC - Curved surface. Detailed Implementation

[0034] according to Figures 1 to 7 An example of a housing and an image forming apparatus having the housing according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0035] Furthermore, in the following description, when viewing the image forming apparatus 20 from the side where the user (illustration omitted) is standing, the vertical direction (height direction), width direction (horizontal direction), and depth direction (horizontal direction) are respectively designated as the H direction, W direction, and D direction. Moreover, when it is necessary to distinguish between one side and the other side in the vertical direction, width direction, and depth direction, when viewing the image forming apparatus 20 from the front, the upper side is designated as the +H side, the lower side as the -H side, the right side as the +W side, the left side as the -W side, the inner side as the -D side, and the side in front as the +D side.

[0036] (Image forming apparatus)

[0037] The image forming apparatus 20 according to this embodiment is an apparatus for forming an image on a sheet member P, which serves as a recording medium. Furthermore, the image forming method of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is not particularly limited; for example, inkjet printing or electrophotographic methods can be used. In this embodiment, as an example, an example of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is shown. Figure 2As shown, the image forming apparatus 20 includes a housing 50, a receiving section 12, a media supply section 14, a media discharge section 16, a transport section 18, an image forming section 30, a cartridge section 22, a fixing section 17, and a control section (not shown). The receiving section 12 is configured to include a pull-out tray retractably disposed on the bottom side of the housing 50, and has the function of receiving a sheet component P. The media supply section 14 is configured to include a supply port and a supply tray disposed on the -W side of the housing 50, and has the function of supplying the sheet component P disposed on the supply tray to the inside of the housing 50. The media discharge section 16 is configured to include a discharge port and a discharge tray disposed on the +W side of the housing 50. The transport section 18 is configured to include a plurality of transport rollers 18a, and has the function of transporting the sheet component P housed in the receiving section 12 or the sheet component P supplied from the media supply section 14 to the image forming section 30. The control section (not shown) controls the operation of each part of the image forming apparatus 20. Furthermore, details regarding the housing 50 will be described later.

[0038] (Image forming unit)

[0039] The image forming unit 30, housed within the housing 50 and located closer to the upper side than the housing portion 12, is configured to include an image forming unit 32, a toner supply portion 35, and a transfer portion 40. Furthermore, the image forming unit 30 is configured to include a cover portion 34 covering the front side of the image forming unit 30 (see reference). Figure 5 The cover 34 is detachably mounted relative to the image forming unit 30. The image forming unit 32 consists of four image forming units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. Here, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) are examples of toner colors. The toner supply unit 35 supplies the toner T from the cartridge 22 (described later) to the image forming unit 32.

[0040] Four image forming units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K are configured to each include a photosensitive drum 36. The four image forming units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K use toner T of each color (Y, M, C, K) supplied from the cartridge 22 via the toner supply unit 35 to form toner images on the outer peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 36 corresponding to each color. The toner T is an example of a pigment. The image forming units 32 are arranged in a configuration of four units in the device width direction, starting from the +W side and arranged in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K).

[0041] The transfer unit 40 is configured to include a transfer belt 41, a primary transfer roller 42 corresponding to the four image forming units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, a secondary transfer roller 43, a back-up roller 44, a drive roller 46, and a support roller 48.

[0042] The transfer belt 41 is an annular belt positioned closer to the lower side than the image forming unit 32. The inner circumferential surface of the transfer belt 41 is supported by a primary transfer roller 42, a back roller 44, a drive roller 46, and a support roller 48, and when viewed from the front (from the depth and front of the device), it forms an inverted triangular shape. When viewed from the front, the transfer belt 41 rotates counterclockwise.

[0043] The outer peripheral surface of the portion of the transfer belt 41 supported by the primary transfer roller 42 contacts the photosensitive drum 36 of each of the image forming units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K. While the transfer belt 41 rotates counterclockwise, the toner image TZ formed on the photosensitive drum 36 is transferred once.

[0044] The back roller 44 is positioned on the top of the transfer belt 41 on the lower side of the transfer belt 41, which is in an inverted triangular position, inside the transfer belt 41.

[0045] The secondary transfer roller 43 is positioned opposite the back roller 44, separated by the transfer belt 41. The secondary transfer roller 43 transfers the toner image TZ, which was initially transferred to the outer periphery of the transfer belt 41, a second time onto the sheet component P, which is then moved to a position opposite the back roller 44, separated by the transfer belt 41. Furthermore, the secondary transfer roller 43 conveys the sheet component P, which has been secondarily transferred with the toner image, to the fixing unit 17.

[0046] (Fixed Image Section)

[0047] The fixing unit 17 is disposed in a space within the housing 50 that is closer to the upper side than the receiving portion 12 and closer to the lower side than the image forming portion 30, and is configured to include a heating roller and a pressure roller. The fixing unit 17 fixes the image transferred from the image forming portion 30 to the sheet component P by heating and pressurizing it. Furthermore, the fixing unit 17 conveys the sheet component P with the fixed image to the media discharge portion 16 and discharges it from the discharge port to the discharge tray.

[0048] The fixing unit 17, the secondary transfer roller 43, and a portion of the transport roller 18a of the transport unit 18 constitute a roller unit RU in the image forming apparatus 20. The roller unit RU is configured to include a cover portion CV covering the front side of the roller unit RU (see reference). Figure 5 ).

[0049] (Box section)

[0050] The cartridge section 22 consists of five cartridge sections 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K corresponding to the colors of the toners. Cartridge sections 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K are containers that hold the toner T corresponding to each toner color and extend along the depth of the device. The cartridge section 22 is replaceably accommodated in a space within the housing 50 that is closer to the upper side than the image forming section 30 (see reference). Figure 4 and Figure 5Specifically, the housing 22 has a structure that allows it to be removed from the housing 50 by pulling it out toward the front (+D side) relative to the housing 50. The housing 22 is arranged in a configuration of five units arranged in the width direction of the device from the +W side in the order of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). In this embodiment, two black (K) housing units 22K are provided.

[0051] Boxes 22Y, 22M, 22C, and 22K supply toner T to image forming units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32K, which correspond to the colors of each toner.

[0052] (case)

[0053] like Figure 1 As shown, the housing 50 is configured to include a housing body 52, a first cover 60, and a second cover 70. Furthermore, as... Figure 5 As shown, the housing 50 includes a first constraint portion 80 and a first switch portion 82 corresponding to the first cover 60. Furthermore, as... Figure 4 As shown, the housing 50 has a second constraint part 90 and a second switch part 92 corresponding to the second cover 70.

[0054] (Main body of the casing)

[0055] like Figure 2 As shown, the housing body 52 is a box-shaped structure that houses the various parts of the image forming apparatus 20. Inside the housing body 52, from top to bottom, are sequentially housed the box section 22, the image forming section 30, the transport section 18, the fixing section 17, and the receiving section 12. Figure 5 As shown, the front side (+D side) of the housing body 52 is the front face 54. The front face 54 is an example of a single surface. The housing body 52 has an opening on the front face 54. A portion of the front side (+D side) of the cartridge 22, the image forming unit 30, and the roller unit RU is exposed through the opening on the front face 54 of the housing body 52. ​​The cartridge 22 and the image forming unit 30 can be maintained from this exposed portion.

[0056] like Figure 5 As shown, the housing body 52 has a magnet 80a of the first constraint portion 80 disposed at the +W side end of the front face 54. Furthermore, the housing body 52 has an opening 92a of the second switch portion 92 disposed at the -W side end of the front face 54, which overlaps with the box portion 22 in the vertical direction of the device. The housing body 52 also has an opening 82a of the first switch portion 82 disposed at the +W side end of the front face 54. Details regarding the magnet 80a, the opening 92a, and the opening 82a will be described later.

[0057] (First Cover)

[0058] like Figure 1As shown, the first cover 60 is a generally rectangular plate-shaped component that covers the opening 54 of the front side of the housing body 52. ​​In other words, the first cover 60 covers at least a portion of the opening of the housing body 52. Figure 5 As shown, the first cover 60 is supported by a first hinge 56 provided on the side wall of the housing body 52 on the -W side, enabling the front face 54 of the housing body 52 to be opened and closed. In other words, the first cover 60 is supported by the first hinge 56 provided on the portion of the front face 54 of the housing body 52 relative to the -W side of the opening. The first hinge 56 is arranged such that its axial portion extends in the vertical direction of the device. That is, the axis of rotation of the first hinge 56 (not a physical axis, but refers to the center of rotation of the first cover 60 relative to the housing body 52. ​​The same applies below) extends in the vertical direction of the device. The first cover 60 is opened and closed by rotating about the axis of rotation of the first hinge 56. Figure 1 The shown closed state and Figure 5 The system switches between the shown open states. The first hinge 56 is an example of the first rotating unit.

[0059] Furthermore, the manner in which the first hinge 56 relates to the present invention is not particularly limited, as long as it can support the front side 54 of the housing body 52, which is opened and closed by rotating the first cover 60 around the rotation axis. The first hinge 56 may, for example, be configured as two plates whose edges are connected by a shaft, and may also be integrally formed with the first cover 60 or the housing body 52. ​​That is, the manner in which the first rotating unit is configured is not limited to a hinge-like component, as long as it serves as a reference for the rotation of the first cover, which is opened and closed by rotation. Furthermore, the rotation axis of the first rotating unit may be an imaginary rotation axis or a structure without a shaft portion having length in the direction of the rotation axis. For example, the first rotating unit may be a structure including a recess or through hole formed along the rotation axis in the first cover or housing body, and a protrusion formed in the housing body or first cover that engages with the recess or through hole in a state of free rotation around the rotation axis. Furthermore, the position of the rotation axis of the first rotating unit may also shift as the first cover opens and closes.

[0060] In one embodiment, the first cover 60 is supported by a first hinge 56 so that it can be opened and closed from the front 54 side of the housing body 52 to the left.

[0061] like Figure 1 As shown, the first cover 60, in its closed state, has a front cover 60a along the HW plane and a side wall 60b on the +W side of the front cover 60a along the +W side of the housing body 52. ​​The side wall 60b is an example of the end of the first cover 60 on the +W side. In this embodiment, the first cover 60 is formed between the front cover 60a and the side wall 60b, and has an R-shaped curved surface 60c when viewed from the vertical direction of the device. Furthermore, as... Figure 3As shown, the first cover 60, in its closed state, has a sidewall 60d on the -W side of the front cover 60a along the -W side of the housing body 52. ​​The upper part of the front cover 60a forms a height difference portion 64 that is recessed inward relative to the lower part. The height difference portion 64 is formed at a position where it overlaps with the box portion 22 in the vertical direction of the first cover 60. A plurality of window portions 62, corresponding to the plurality of box portions 22 and the opening portion 92a, are formed on the height difference portion 64. Figure 4 As shown, when the first cover 60 is in the closed state, the box portion 22 exposed from the opening 54 on the front of the housing body 52 and the opening 92a of the second switch portion 92 are exposed from the window portion 62. Furthermore, as... Figure 1 As shown, when closed, the first cover 60 covers the image forming section 30 and the roller unit RU (see reference) exposed from the opening 54 on the front side 54 of the housing body 52 from the front side (+D side). Figure 5 In other words, the first cover 60 covers a portion of the front 54 of the housing body 52.

[0062] like Figure 1 As shown, the first cover 60 has a recess 66 formed in the sidewall 60b. In other words, the recess 66 is provided at the end side of the +W side of the first cover 60. The distance between the recess 66 and the first hinge 56 in the width direction of the device is defined as distance L1. When the first cover 60 is in the closed state, it is rotated about the axis of the first hinge 56 by hooking a finger or the like on the recess 66 and pulling it towards the front side (+D side), thereby becoming the open state (see reference). Figure 5 The recess 66 is an example of the operating part of the first cover 60.

[0063] like Figure 4 As shown, in the closed state, a magnet 90a of a second constraint portion 90 is disposed at each end of the plate surface on the front cover 60a side of the height difference portion 64 in the device width direction. Furthermore, as... Figure 5 As shown, in the closed state, the first cover 60 has a magnetic block 80b arranged on the plate surface facing the -D side, which is paired with the magnet 80a of the first constraint part 80. Furthermore, in the closed state, the first cover 60 has a protrusion 82b arranged on the plate surface facing the -D side, which is paired with the opening 82a of the first switch part 82. Details regarding the magnet 90a, the magnetic block 80b, and the protrusion 82b will be described later.

[0064] (Second cover)

[0065] like Figure 1 and Figure 4As shown, the second cover 70 is a generally rectangular plate-shaped component that covers the height difference portion 64, which is an example of a part of the first cover 60. That is, when the first cover 60 is in the closed state, the second cover 70 is positioned adjacent to the front cover 60a of the first cover 60 in the vertical direction of the device when viewed from the front cover 60a side. Figure 6 As shown, the second cover 70 is supported by a second hinge 72 provided on the height difference portion 64 of the first cover 60, enabling the height difference portion 64 of the first cover 60 to be opened and closed. In other words, the second cover 70 covers a portion of the first cover 60. The second hinge 72 is disposed on the lower side of the height difference portion 64 such that its axis extends along the width direction of the device. That is, the axis of rotation of the second hinge 72 (not a physical axis, but referring to the center of rotation of the second cover 70 relative to the first cover 60; the same applies below) extends in a direction intersecting the axis of rotation of the first hinge 56 when viewed from the front side of the first cover 60. In other words, the axis of rotation of the second hinge 72 extends along the width direction of the device. The second cover 70 rotates about the axis of rotation of the second hinge 72. Figure 1 The shown closed state and Figure 4 The system switches between the shown open states. The second hinge 72 is an example of the second rotating unit.

[0066] Furthermore, the manner in which the second hinge 72 relates to this invention is not particularly limited, as long as it can support the height difference 64 of the first cover 60 which is opened and closed by rotating the second cover 70 around the rotation axis. The second hinge 72 can, for example, be configured as two plates whose edges are connected by a shaft, and can also be integrally formed with the second cover 70 or the first cover 60. That is, the manner in which the second rotating unit is configured is not limited to a hinge-like component, as long as it serves as a reference for the rotation of the second cover which is opened and closed by rotation. Furthermore, the rotation axis of the second rotating unit can be an imaginary rotation axis or a structure without a shaft portion having length in the direction of the rotation axis. For example, the second rotating unit can be a structure including a recess or through hole formed along the rotation axis in the second or first cover and a protrusion formed in the first or second cover that engages with the recess or through hole in a state of free rotation around the rotation axis. Furthermore, the position of the rotation axis of the second rotating unit can also be displaced as the second cover opens and closes.

[0067] The second cover 70 is disposed on the first cover 60, such as Figure 5 As shown, when the first cover 60 changes from the closed state to the open state, the second cover 70 moves as a unit with the first cover 60.

[0068] like Figure 1As shown, the second cover 70, in its closed state, has a front cover 70a along the HW plane and a side wall 70b along the side wall 60b of the first cover 60. In this embodiment, the second cover 70 is formed between the front cover 70a and the side wall 70b, and has an R-shaped curved surface 70c when viewed from the vertical direction of the device. Furthermore, as... Figure 3 As shown, the second cover 70, in the closed state, has a sidewall 70d along the sidewall 60d of the first cover 60. Figure 1 As shown, when both the second cover 70 and the first cover 60 are closed, the second cover 70 covers the opening 54 on the front of the housing body 52 and the box portion 22 exposed by the window 62 of the first cover 60 from the front side (+D side). Figure 4 In other words, the second cover 70 covers a portion of the front 54 of the housing body 52. ​​(As...) Figure 3 As shown, the end of the second cover 70 on the -W side and a portion of the end on the -D side are exposed from the recess 68 formed on the end face of the first cover 60 on the -W side. In other words, the recess 68 is located closer to the first hinge 56 side in the device width direction than the recess 66. Furthermore, the recess 68 is located at the end of the first cover 60 on the -W side. Even further, the distance L between the recess 68 and the recess 66 in the device width direction is longer than half the length of L1 between the recess 66 and the first hinge 56 in the device width direction (L > 0.5 × L1). Let the distance between the recess 68 and the first hinge 56 in the device width direction be distance L2. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the second cover 70 is opened by rotating about the axis of the second hinge 72 by hooking a finger or the like onto a portion of the second cover 70 exposed from the recess 68 and pulling it toward the front side (+D side). The recess 68 and the portion of the second cover 70 exposed from the recess 68 are examples of the operating part of the second cover 70.

[0069] like Figure 1 and Figure 7 As shown, when the second cover 70 is in the closed state, the front cover 70a, side wall 70b, and curved surface 70c of the second cover 70 are approximately on the same plane as the front cover 60a, side wall 60b, and curved surface 60c of the first cover 60, respectively. That is, the outer surface of the +W side end of the second cover 70 is approximately on the same plane as the first cover 60. Figure 7As shown, in the embodiment, when the second cover 70 is in the closed state, at least a portion of the boundary K on the +W side of the first cover 60 and the second cover 70, and at least a portion of the end face 75 of the second cover 70 and the end face 65 of the first cover 60 face each other. When the second cover 70 is in the closed state, the end 77 on the +W side of the curved portion 70c of the second cover 70 is positioned closer to the -W side in the device width direction than the sidewall 60b of the first cover 60 and the outermost surface of the curved portion 60c. That is, when the second cover 70 is in the closed state, the end 77 on the +W side of the second cover 70 is positioned closer to the -W side than the outermost surface on the +W side of the first cover 60.

[0070] Specifically, the height difference between the outer surfaces of the second cover 70 and the first cover 60 at the parting line is 1 mm or less. In other words, the radius difference between the curved surface 70c of the second cover 70 and the curved surface 60c of the first cover 60 when viewed from the vertical direction of the device is 1 mm or less. Further, the eccentricity between the curved surface 70c of the second cover 70 and the curved surface 60c of the first cover 60 when viewed from the vertical direction of the device is 1 mm or less. Additionally, the outer surface of the +W side end of the second cover 70 may not be substantially on the same plane as the first cover 60. That is, the height difference between the outer surfaces of the second cover 70 and the first cover 60 at the parting line may exceed 1 mm.

[0071] Furthermore, the second cover 70 and the first cover 60 form a curved surface RC around the +W side end of the housing body 52 with curved surfaces 70c and 60c. The boundary portion K between the second cover 70 and the first cover 60 on the +W side is formed in the curved surface RC. The boundary portion K is the gap formed between the second cover 70 and the first cover 60, having a width that prevents a finger from being deeply inserted.

[0072] like Figure 4 As shown, in the closed state, the second cover 70 has two magnetic blocks 90b arranged on the plate surface facing the -D side, which are paired with the magnet 90a of the second constraint part 90. Furthermore, in the closed state, the second cover 70 has protrusions 92b on the plate surface facing the -D side, which are paired with the opening 92a of the second switch part 92. Details regarding the magnetic blocks 90b and the protrusions 92b will be described later.

[0073] (First Constraint Section)

[0074] like Figure 5As shown, the first constraint part 80 is configured to include a magnet 80a disposed on the housing body 52 and a magnetic block 80b disposed on the first cover 60. When the first cover 60 is in the closed state, the magnet 80a contacts the magnetic block 80b and attracts the magnetic block 80b using a magnetic force F1, thereby constraining the first cover 60 to the housing body 52. ​​The magnetic force F1 is an example of the first constraint force. Alternatively, the magnet 80a can also be in contact with the magnetic block 80b without contact, as long as it can attract the magnetic block 80b using the magnetic force F1 when the first cover 60 is in the closed state. The first cover 60 in the closed state is opened by rotating around the axis of the first hinge 56 by hanging a finger or the like on the recess 66 and pulling it towards the front side (+D side) with a force greater than the magnetic force F1.

[0075] (Second Constraint Section)

[0076] like Figure 4 As shown, the second constraint part 90 is configured to include two magnets 90a disposed on the first cover 60 and two magnetic blocks 90b disposed on the second cover 70. When the second cover 70 is in the closed state, the two magnets 90a are attracted to their respective magnetic blocks 90b by magnetic force F2, thereby constraining the second cover 70 to the first cover 60. Magnetic force F2 is an example of the second constraint force. Alternatively, the two magnets 90a can be in contact with the magnetic blocks 90b without contact by magnetic force F2, as long as they are attracted to their respective magnetic blocks 90b by magnetic force F2 when the second cover 70 is in the closed state. The magnetic force F2 of the second constraint part 90 is less than the magnetic force F1 of the first constraint part 80. The second cover 70 in the closed state is opened by hanging a finger or the like on a part of the second cover 70 exposed from the recess 68 of the first cover 60 and pulling it towards the front (+D side) with a force greater than magnetic force F2, thereby rotating it around the axis of the second hinge 72.

[0077] (First Switch Section)

[0078] like Figure 5 As shown, the first switch unit 82 is configured to include an opening 82a disposed on the housing body 52 and a protrusion 82b disposed on the first cover 60. The opening 82a is disposed at the +W side end of the front face 54 of the housing body 52. ​​The protrusion 82b is disposed on the first cover 60 in a manner corresponding to the opening 82a. The first switch unit 82 is connected to the control unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 20 and has the function of switching the power supply to the image forming unit 30 and the roller unit RU on and off.

[0079] When the first cover 60 is in the closed state, the protrusion 82b is inserted into the opening 82a, thereby transmitting a signal indicating the closed state of the first cover 60 to the control unit (not shown), and supplying power to the image forming unit 30 and the roller unit RU. Conversely, when the first cover 60 is in the open state, the protrusion 82b is not inserted into the opening 82a, thereby transmitting a signal indicating the open state of the first cover 60 to the control unit (not shown), and cutting off the power supply to the image forming unit 30 and the roller unit RU. The image forming unit 30 and the roller unit RU are thus in a state where maintenance work can be performed due to the power supply being cut off.

[0080] (Second Switch Section)

[0081] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the second switch 92 is configured to include an opening 92a disposed on the housing body 52 and a protrusion 92b disposed on the second cover 70. The second switch 92 is connected to the control unit (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 20 and has the function of switching the power supply to the toner supply unit 35 on and off.

[0082] When both the first cover 60 and the second cover 70 are closed, the protrusion 92b is inserted into the opening 92a, thereby transmitting a signal indicating that the second cover 70 is closed to the control unit (not shown), and supplying power to the toner supply unit 35. The toner supply unit 35, through this power supply, can supply the toner T from the cartridge 22 to the image forming unit 32. Furthermore, when the second cover 70 is open, the protrusion 92b is not inserted into the opening 92a, thereby transmitting a signal indicating that the second cover 70 is open to the control unit (not shown), and cutting off the power supply to the toner supply unit 35. By cutting off the power supply to the toner supply unit 35, the cartridge 22 can be replaced with other cartridges 22.

[0083] (other)

[0084] like Figure 5As shown, when the first cover 60 is open, the second cover 70 moves integrally with the first cover 60, so the protrusion 92b of the second cover 70 is not inserted into the opening 92a of the housing body 52. ​​Therefore, when the first cover 60 is open, the power supply to the image forming unit 30, the roller unit RU, and the toner supply unit 35 is cut off. Therefore, when the first cover 60 changes from being open to both the first cover 60 and the second cover 70 being closed, power needs to be supplied to the image forming unit 30, the roller unit RU, and the toner supply unit 35 to enable the image forming apparatus 20 to perform printing. On the other hand, when the first cover 60 is closed and the second cover 70 is open, the power supply to the toner supply unit 35 is cut off, while power is supplied to the image forming unit 30 and the roller unit RU. Therefore, when the second cover 70 changes from being open to being closed, power needs to be supplied to the toner supply unit 35 to enable the image forming apparatus 20 to perform printing. Therefore, the time required for the image forming apparatus 20 to become capable of printing from the state where only the second cover 70 is open to the state of being closed is shorter than the time required for the first cover 60 to become closed from the state of being open.

[0085] <Functions and Effects>

[0086] Next, the operation and effects of the present invention will be explained. Furthermore, in this description, when comparing the present embodiment with components such as the image forming apparatus 20 of the embodiment, the symbols and names of these components will be used directly in the description.

[0087] In the housing 50 of the embodiment, the recess 68, which serves as the operating portion of the second cover 70, is positioned closer to the first hinge 56 in the device width direction than the recess 66, which serves as the operating portion of the first cover 60. The housing 50 of the embodiment is compared with the housing 150 shown below as a first comparison method.

[0088] In the housing 150 of the first comparison method, such as Figure 8As shown, a recess 168 is formed on the end face of the first cover 60 on the +W side, exposing a portion of the second cover 70 on the -D side. That is, in the housing 150 of the first comparative embodiment, the recesses 66 and 168 are located at the same position in the device width direction. Furthermore, in the housing 150 of the first comparative embodiment, the recess 168 is located closer to the +W side in the device width direction than the side of the first hinge 56. The distance L2 between the recess 168 and the first hinge 56 in the device width direction is equal to the distance L1 between the recess 66 and the first hinge 56 (L2 = L1). The second cover 70 in the first comparative embodiment is opened by rotating around the axis of the second hinge 72 by hooking a finger or the like on the portion exposed from the recess 168 and pulling it toward the front side (+D side). Furthermore, in the housing 150 of the first comparison method, the magnetic force F2 of the second constraint part 90 is equal to the magnetic force F1 of the first constraint part 80 (F2 = F1). Apart from the above points, the housing 150 of the first comparison method has the same structure as the housing 50 of the embodiment.

[0089] In the first comparison method, when the first cover 60 and the second cover 70 change from being closed to only the second cover 70 being open, a finger or similar object is placed on the portion exposed from the recess 168 and pulled towards the front (+D side). At this time, since the second cover 70 is provided on the first cover 60, the torque F2×L2 acting on the recess 168 to open the second cover 70 is transmitted through the second cover 70 and the first cover 60 and acts on the first restraint part 80. In the first comparison method, with F2=F1 and L2=L1, when the second cover 70 is opened, a torque of magnitude F1×L1 in the direction that makes the first cover 60 open is transmitted to the first restraint part 80, so the first cover 60 may be open. That is, in the housing 150 of the first comparison method, it is possible for the first cover 60 to be open along with the action of making the second cover 70 open.

[0090] On the other hand, in the housing 50 of the embodiment, such as Figure 3 and Figure 5As shown, the recess 68, which serves as the operating part of the second cover 70, is positioned closer to the first hinge 56 in the width direction of the device than the recess 66, which serves as the operating part of the first cover 60. Therefore, the force exerted by placing a finger or similar object on the surface of the second cover 70 exposed from the recess 68 and pulling it towards the +D side is transmitted to the portion closer to the first hinge 56 than the recess 66 of the first cover 60. Consequently, in this embodiment, the torque transmitted to the first cover 60 during the action of opening the second cover 70 is smaller than in the first comparison method, making it difficult to open the first cover 60. Therefore, in the structure where the first cover 60 is supported by the first hinge 56, compared to the housing 150 in the first comparison method, the housing 50 suppresses the first cover 60 from opening during the action of opening the second cover 70. In the housing 50 of this embodiment, this effect can be achieved even when the magnetic forces F1 and F2 are equal (F1 = F2).

[0091] Furthermore, in the housing 50 of this embodiment, the distance in the device width direction between recesses 68 and 66 is longer than half the distance in the device width direction between recess 66 and the first hinge 56. When the second cover 70 is pulled to open it, the shorter the distance in the device width direction between the operating portion of the second cover 70 and the operating portion of the first cover 60, the greater the force transmitted to the operating portion of the first cover 60 via the second cover 70. Therefore, compared to a structure where the distance in the device width direction between recesses 68 and 66 is shorter than half the distance between recess 66 and the first hinge 56, the housing 50 prevents the first cover 60 from opening simultaneously with the action of opening the second cover 70.

[0092] Furthermore, in the housing 50 of the embodiment, the recess 68 is provided at the end of the first cover 60 on the same side as the first hinge 56 in the device width direction. Therefore, in the structure in which the first cover 60 is supported by the first hinge 56, compared with the housing 150 of the first comparison method, the housing 50 suppresses the first cover 60 from being opened while the second cover 70 is being opened.

[0093] Furthermore, in the housing 50 of this embodiment, the magnetic force F2 of the second constraint portion 90 is less than the magnetic force F1 of the first constraint portion 80. Therefore, in the housing 50 of this embodiment, the second cover 70 can be opened by pulling the second cover 70 with a force smaller than that required to open the first cover 60. Therefore, compared to the structure where the magnetic force F2 of the second constraint portion 90 is greater than the magnetic force F1 of the first constraint portion 80, the housing 50 of this embodiment suppresses the opening of the first cover 60 along with the action of opening the second cover 70. In the housing 50 of this embodiment, this effect can be achieved even when the distance L1 and the distance L2 are equal (L1 = L2).

[0094] Furthermore, the housing 50 of the embodiment has a structure in which the second cover 70 is supported by a second hinge 72 provided on the first cover 60. In the housing based on this structure, compared to the housing 150 of the first comparative embodiment, the housing 50 of the embodiment suppresses the opening of the first cover 60 along with the action of opening the second cover 70. Furthermore, in the housing based on this structure, compared to a structure where the magnetic force F2 of the second constraint portion 90 is greater than the magnetic force F1 of the first constraint portion 80, the housing 50 of the embodiment suppresses the opening of the first cover 60 along with the action of opening the second cover 70.

[0095] Furthermore, the housing 50 of the embodiment has a structure in which the axis of the second hinge 72 extends in a direction intersecting the axis of the first hinge 56. In the housing based on this structure, compared to the housing 150 of the first comparative embodiment, the housing 50 of the embodiment suppresses the opening of the first cover 60 along with the action of opening the second cover 70. Furthermore, in the housing based on this structure, compared to a structure where the magnetic force F2 of the second constraint portion 90 is greater than the magnetic force F1 of the first constraint portion 80, the housing 50 of the embodiment suppresses the opening of the first cover 60 along with the action of opening the second cover 70.

[0096] Furthermore, in the housing 50 of this embodiment, when the second cover 70 is in the closed state, the outer surface of the +W side end of the second cover 70 is approximately on the same plane as the first cover 60. Therefore, in the housing 50 of this embodiment, fingers or the like are less likely to get caught on the +W side end of the second cover 70. Figure 9 As shown, when a finger or the like can be hooked onto the +W side end of the second cover 70, the force pulling the second cover 70 generated by this hooking action may be transmitted to the first cover 60, causing the first cover 60 to open. Therefore, compared to a structure that allows a finger or the like to be hooked onto the +W side end of the second cover 70, the housing 50 of this embodiment prevents the first cover 60 from accidentally opening.

[0097] That is, in the housing 50 of the embodiment, when the second cover 70 is in the closed state, the +W side end of the second cover 70 is positioned closer to the -W side than the outermost surface of the +W side of the first cover 60. Therefore, in the housing 50 of the embodiment, compared to the structure in which the +W side end of the second cover 70 protrudes further towards the +W side than the outermost surface of the +W side of the first cover 60, fingers and the like are less likely to get caught on the +W side end of the second cover 70.

[0098] Furthermore, the housing 50 of this embodiment has a structure in which the boundary between the second cover 70 and the first cover 60 on the +W side is formed on the curved surface RC. Consider the following scenario: when an operator is opening the second cover 70, their left hand fingers are caught in the -W side recess 68, while their right hand is attached to the +W side of the housing body 52. ​​In this case, in the housing 50 of this embodiment, because the boundary between the second cover 70 and the first cover 60 on the +W side is formed on the curved surface RC, fingers and the like are less likely to get caught on the boundary between the second cover 70 and the first cover 60.

[0099] On the other hand, in the structure where the boundary between the second cover 70 and the first cover 60 on the +W side is formed in the sidewalls 60b and 70b, consider the following situation: An operator opens the second cover 70 while attaching their right hand to the side of the housing body 52 on the +W side. In this case, because the boundary between the second cover 70 and the first cover 60 is formed in the sidewalls 60b and 70b, the fingers of the right hand attached to the side of the housing body 52 on the +W side may accidentally get caught on this boundary. If the fingers get caught on this boundary, the pulling force generated by this catching action on the second cover 70 is transmitted to the first cover 60, which may accidentally open the first cover 60. In contrast, in the housing 50 of this embodiment, fingers are less likely to get caught on the boundary between the second cover 70 and the first cover 60 on the +W side, thereby preventing the movement of the right fingers attached to the side of the housing body 52 from accidentally opening the first cover 60.

[0100] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 20 of the embodiment includes a housing 50. Therefore, compared to the structure of the housing 150 with the first comparison method, the image forming apparatus 20 of the embodiment suppresses the opening of the first housing 60 along with the operation of opening the second housing 70. Moreover, compared to the structure of the housing where the magnetic force F2 of the second restraining portion 90 is greater than the magnetic force F1 of the first restraining portion 80, the image forming apparatus 20 of the embodiment suppresses the opening of the first housing 60 along with the operation of opening the second housing 70.

[0101] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 20 of the embodiment has a structure in which the second cover 70 covers the housing portion 22. Therefore, compared with the structure of the housing 150 having the first comparison method, the image forming apparatus 20 of the embodiment suppresses the first cover 60 from opening during the operation of opening the second cover 70 to replace the housing portion 22. Furthermore, compared with the structure in which the magnetic force F2 of the second restraint portion 90 is greater than the magnetic force F1 of the first restraint portion 80, the image forming apparatus 20 of the embodiment suppresses the first cover 60 from opening during the operation of opening the second cover 70 to replace the housing portion 22.

[0102] <Variation Example>

[0103] Next, according to Figure 10 and Figure 11 An example of a variation of the image forming apparatus having the housing according to the embodiments of the present invention, namely, an image forming apparatus 220 having a housing 250, will be described. Furthermore, regarding the variation, mainly the parts that differ from the embodiments will be described. In the description of the variation, when the same components as those described in the image forming apparatus 20 of the embodiments are used, the symbols and names of those components will be used directly in the description.

[0104] (Image forming apparatus 220, housing 250)

[0105] like Figure 10 As shown, the housing 250 of the image forming apparatus 220 has a second hinge 272 instead of the second hinge 72 in the housing 50.

[0106] The second hinge 272 is disposed at the +W side end of the height difference portion 64 of the first cover 60 with its shaft extending along the vertical direction of the device, and supports the +W side end 77 of the second cover 70. That is, the second hinge 272 is provided at the end 77 of the first cover 60 on the recess 66 side within the second cover 70. Furthermore, the second cover 70 is supported by the second hinge 272 to allow the height difference portion 64 of the first cover 60 to be opened and closed. The rotation axis of the second hinge 272 extends along the vertical direction of the device. Furthermore, the second cover 70 is supported by the second hinge 272 to allow it to be opened and closed by opening to the right from the front 54 side of the housing body 52 (see reference). Figure 11 That is, in this embodiment, the second cover 70, which opens to the right, is supported by the second hinge 272 in a way that allows it to be opened and closed relative to the first cover 60, which opens to the left.

[0107] Regarding the parts other than those mentioned above, the image forming apparatus 250 has the same structure as the image forming apparatus 20. That is, the first cover 60 has a recess 68 on its -W side end face that constitutes the operating portion of the second cover 70. In other words, the recess 68 is located closer to the first hinge 56 side in the width direction of the apparatus than the recess 66.

[0108] <Functions and Effects>

[0109] Next, the function and effect of the above-mentioned modified examples will be explained.

[0110] In the housing 250, the second cover 70 is supported in an openable and closable manner by a second hinge 272 located at the end 77 of the second cover 70 on the side of the recess 68 of the first cover 60. Furthermore, in the housing 250, the recess 68 constituting the operating portion of the second cover 70 is positioned closer to the first hinge 56 in the device width direction than the recess 66. Therefore, when viewed from the front 54 of the housing body 52, the opening and closing direction of the first cover 60 is to the left, while the opening and closing direction of the second cover 70 is to the right (see reference). Figure 11 Therefore, compared with the structure in which the opening and closing directions of the second cover 70 and the first cover 60 are the same, the housing 250 suppresses the action that causes the second cover to be in the open state while the first cover is in the open state.

[0111] Furthermore, in this modified example, an example is shown where the second cover 70 has a width equal to that of the first cover 60, but the invention is not limited to this structure. For example, the width of the second cover 70 may also be narrower than that of the first cover 60. In this case, the position of the second hinge 272 may be configured closer to the side of the first hinge 56 than the recess 66. Also, in this case, the operating portion of the second cover 70 may be configured closer to the side of the recess 66 than the first hinge 56.

[0112] As described above, specific embodiments have been described in detail, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications, alterations and improvements can be made within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0113] For example, the use of the housing involved in this invention is not limited to image forming apparatus, but can also be applied to household appliances such as refrigerators or freezers, various production devices, equipment, testing / inspection devices, etc.

[0114] Furthermore, in the housing involved in this invention, as long as the second constraint force of the second constraint part is less than the first constraint force of the first constraint part, the operating part of the second cover can also be provided in the same position as the operating part of the first cover in a direction orthogonal to the axis of the first rotating unit.

[0115] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the second cover 70 has a structure in which the height difference portion 64 of the first cover 60 is covered, and in the closed state, the outer surface of the +W side end is approximately on the same plane as the first cover 60. However, the first cover according to the present invention may not have a structure covering the box portion, that is, it may not have a structure corresponding to the height difference portion 64 in the embodiment. Furthermore, the second cover according to the present invention may also have a structure in which the outer surface of the +W side end is approximately on the same plane as the main body of the housing in the closed state.

[0116] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the first hinge 56 and the recess 68 are disposed on the -W side, and the recess 66 is disposed on the +W side. However, the housing according to the present invention may also have a structure in which the operating part of the first rotating unit and the second cover are disposed on the +W side, and the operating part of the first cover is disposed on the -W side.

[0117] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the housing portion 22 is housed in the housing 50 in a space closer to the upper side than the image forming portion 30. However, the housing portion according to the present invention can also be housed in the housing in a space closer to the lower side than the image forming portion. In this case, the first cover and the second cover according to the present invention have a structure that is symmetrical in the vertical direction relative to the first cover 60 and the second cover 70 of the embodiment.

[0118] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention may also have a structure in which the housing and the image forming apparatus are arranged in the width direction of the apparatus. In this case, the first rotating unit according to the present invention has a structure in which the shaft extends along the width direction of the apparatus.

[0119] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the axis of the second hinge 72 extends in a cross direction relative to the axis of the first hinge 56. However, the axis of the second rotating unit according to the present invention may also extend parallel to the axis of the first rotating unit.

[0120] Furthermore, the first and second constraint portions involved in this invention are not limited to being configured to include a magnetic block and a magnet; they may also have a structure in which the first or second cover is constrained by the interlocking of pairs of concave and convex portions.

[0121] Furthermore, in one embodiment, the second cover 70 is supported on the first cover 60 in an openable and closable manner by means of the second hinge 72. However, the second cover according to the present invention may also have a structure that allows it to be opened and closed by sliding relative to the first cover along one side of the housing body and in a cross direction that intersects the axis of the first rotating unit.

[0122] Furthermore, the housing 50 of the embodiment has a structure in which the first cover 60 is supported by a first hinge 56 provided on the side wall of the housing body 52 on the -W side. However, in the housing according to the present invention, the housing 50 of the embodiment is not limited as long as the opening of the first rotating unit relative to one side of one side of the housing body is provided in a direction along that side. For example, the housing according to the present invention may also have a structure in which the opening of the housing body is provided only on one side of the front of the housing body in the device width direction relative to the center line, and the first rotating unit is provided on one edge of the opening in the device width direction.

[0123] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the first cover 60 has a window 62 formed in the height difference portion 64 covered by the second cover 70. However, the first cover according to the present invention may also have a structure in which the portion covered by the second cover does not have a window, but has a button or interface, etc.

[0124] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the recess 66 is used as an example of the operating portion of the first cover 60. However, the operating portion of the first cover according to the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can hold a finger or the like, and may also be a part of the first cover exposed from the recess formed in the housing at the boundary between the housing and the first cover. Furthermore, the operating portion of the first cover according to the present invention may be a single or multiple protrusions formed in the first cover, or it may be a handle or other component provided in the first cover.

[0125] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the recess 68 and a portion of the second cover 70 exposed from the recess 68 are taken as an example of the operating part of the second cover 70. However, the operating part of the second cover according to the present invention is not particularly limited as long as it can hold a finger or the like, and can also be a recess formed in the second cover. Furthermore, the operating part of the second cover according to the present invention can be a single or multiple protrusions formed in the second cover, or it can be a handle or other component provided in the second cover. In particular, when the operating part of the second cover 70 is a protrusion or a handle or other component, the operating part can protrude further towards the -W side than the sidewall 70d on the -W side. That is, the operating part of the second cover 70 can be provided in a position closer to the -W side than the first hinge 56. A housing having a structure in which the operating part of the second cover 70 is provided in a position closer to the -W side than the first hinge 56 has the same effect as a housing 50 having a structure in which the operating part of the second cover 70 is provided in the same position as the first hinge 56 in the device width direction.

[0126] The embodiments of the present invention described above are provided for illustrative purposes. Furthermore, these embodiments do not encompass the entirety of the invention, nor do they limit the invention to the disclosed methods. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations will be readily understood. These embodiments were chosen and described to most readily explain the principles and applications of the invention. Thus, those skilled in the art can understand the invention through various modifications that are assumed to be optimized for specific uses of various embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the foregoing claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A housing comprising: The main body of the shell has an opening on one side; A first cover, which is closably supported on the housing body by means of a first rotating unit disposed on one side of one side of the surface opposite to the opening, covers at least a portion of the opening, and is provided with an operating part for opening the first cover from a closed state; and The second cover, which is closably supported on the first cover, has an operating part that opens the second cover from its closed state. This operating part is positioned in one direction at a distance from the operating part of the first cover toward the first rotating unit by a length greater than half the distance between the operating part of the first cover and the first rotating unit. When the second cover is in the closed state, the second cover and the first cover or the housing body form a curved surface at the end on the other side in the same direction. The second cover and the boundary portion on the other side of the first cover or the housing body are formed on the curved surface. When the second cover is closed, the end of the other side is positioned closer to one side in the direction than the outermost surface of the other side of the first cover or the outermost surface of the other side of the housing body.

2. A housing comprising: The main body of the shell has an opening on one side; A first cover, which is openably and closably supported on the housing body by means of a first rotating unit disposed on one side of the face opposite to the opening in one direction, and covers at least a portion of the opening; and The second cover, which is closable and supported on the first cover, and the operating part for opening the second cover from the closed state, is positioned in one direction at the same position as the first rotating unit or closer to the first rotating unit. When the second cover is in the closed state, the second cover and the first cover or the housing body form a curved surface at the end on the other side in the same direction. The second cover and the boundary portion on the other side of the first cover or the housing body are formed on the curved surface. When the second cover is closed, the end of the other side is positioned closer to one side in the direction than the outermost surface of the other side of the first cover or the outermost surface of the other side of the housing body.

3. A housing comprising: The main body of the shell has an opening on one side; The first cover is closably supported on the housing body by a first rotating unit disposed on one side of the face opposite to the opening in one direction, and covers at least a portion of the opening; The first constraint part constrains the first cover, which is in the closed state, to the main body of the housing with a first constraint force; The second cover is closable and supported on the first cover; and The second constraint part constrains the second cover, which is in the closed state, to the first cover with a second constraint force that is less than the first constraint force. When the second cover is in the closed state, the second cover and the first cover or the housing body form a curved surface at the end on the other side in the same direction. The second cover and the boundary portion on the other side of the first cover or the housing body are formed on the curved surface. When the second cover is closed, the end of the other side is positioned closer to one side in the direction than the outermost surface of the other side of the first cover or the outermost surface of the other side of the housing body.

4. The housing according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The rotation axis of the first rotating unit extends along a direction intersecting the first direction. The second cover is opened and closed by rotating about a rotation axis extending in the said direction.

5. A housing comprising: The main body of the shell has an opening on one side; A first cover, which is closably supported on the housing body by a first rotating unit disposed on one side of the face opposite to the opening in one direction, covers at least a portion of the opening, and an operating part for opening the first cover from the closed state is disposed in the one direction at a position separated from the first rotating unit by a length that is more than half the distance between the first rotating unit and the end on the other side of the one direction; and A second cover is disposed on top of the first cover. The second cover is supported in an openable and closable manner by a second rotating unit located at the end of the first cover on the operation part side. The operation part that opens the second cover from the closed state is positioned in one direction closer to the first rotating unit than the operation part of the first cover. When the second cover is in the closed state, the second cover and the first cover or the housing body form a curved surface at the end on the other side in the same direction. The second cover and the boundary portion on the other side of the first cover or the housing body are formed on the curved surface. When the second cover is closed, the end of the other side is positioned closer to one side in the direction than the outermost surface of the other side of the first cover or the outermost surface of the other side of the housing body.

6. An image forming apparatus comprising: The housing according to any one of claims 1 to 5; The box portion, partially exposed from said side, is replaceably accommodated within the housing and contains the colorant; and The image forming unit is housed within the housing with a portion exposed from said side, and forms an image on the recording medium using the pigment. The first cover covers the image forming unit. The second cover covers the box portion.

Images