Image forming apparatus

Abstract

In a configuration where the closed state of an opening / closing member that can be opened and closed relative to the main body of the device is maintained by two or more locking parts, the opening / closing member is made more likely to be closed even if one locking part begins to lock first. [Solution] The image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body for performing image forming, an opening / closing member that can be opened and closed relative to the apparatus body, a first locking part provided on one side of the opening / closing member that locks the opening / closing member while sliding against a locking part on one side of the apparatus body, and a second locking part provided on the other side of the opening / closing member that locks the opening / closing member with the locking part on the other side of the apparatus body when the sliding resistance is less than or no sliding resistance than the sliding resistance of the first locking part against the locking part on one side.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes adopting a toggle mechanism in which a locking member can automatically perform a locking / unlocking operation on a locked portion as the cover is opened and closed. And Patent Document 1 describes a problem that the engagement play is suddenly eliminated before and after the locking member passes through the neutral point of the toggle mechanism, and abnormal noise is generated due to the collision between the locking portion and the locked portion. Therefore, in Patent Document 1, in order to solve this problem, a configuration is described in which the locked member is pressed and clamped by the locking member at a timing before reaching the neutral point of the toggle mechanism.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] As an opening / closing member that opens and closes with respect to the apparatus main body, for example, in a cover disposed on the left side of the apparatus, there is a case where a handle for the opening / closing operation is provided with a front-side locking portion on the front side of the apparatus and a rear-side locking portion on the rear side of the apparatus. Here, with this configuration, when the cover is deformed so as to be twisted on the front side and the rear side, a state where the rear-side lock is not applied occurs. An object of the present invention is to make it easy for an opening / closing member to be in a closed state even when one locking portion starts to be locked first in a configuration in which the closed state of the operation of the opening / closing member that can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body is maintained by two or more locking portions.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The invention described in claim 1 is an image forming apparatus comprising: an apparatus body for performing image forming; an opening / closing member that can be opened and closed relative to the apparatus body; a first locking portion provided on one side of the opening / closing member, which locks the opening / closing member while sliding against a locking portion on one side of the apparatus body; and a second locking portion provided on the other side of the opening / closing member, which locks the opening / closing member by the locking portion on the other side of the apparatus body when the sliding resistance is less than or no sliding resistance than the sliding resistance of the first locking portion against the locking portion on one side. The invention described in claim 2 is an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first locking portion has an inclined surface that contacts the one-sided locked portion in response to the closing operation of the opening / closing member and then slides against the one-sided locked portion, the inclined surface lifts up as it slides against the one-sided locked portion, the inclined surface moves over the one-sided locked portion and locks, and the second locking portion operates in conjunction with the operation of the first locking portion and locks against the other-sided locked portion. The invention described in claim 3 is an image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the second locking portion does not contact the other locking portion when the first locking portion contacts the one locking portion. The invention described in claim 4 is an image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the first locking portion and the second locking portion are configured as an integral part, and the other side of the apparatus body is provided with an assist mechanism for assisting the closing operation of the opening / closing member. The invention described in claim 5 is an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first locking portion has a slope that contacts the one-sided locked portion in response to the closing operation of the opening / closing member and then slides against the one-sided locked portion, and operates by sliding against the one-sided locked portion, and the slope overcomes the one-sided locked portion and locks, and the second locking portion has a slope of a different shape or material than the first locking portion that contacts the other-sided locked portion in response to the closing operation of the opening / closing member and then slides against the other-sided locked portion, and operates by sliding against the other-sided locked portion, and the slope overcomes the other-sided locked portion and locks. The invention described in claim 6 is an image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the slope of the second locking portion has a smaller gradient than the slope of the first locking portion. The invention described in claim 7 is an image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the inclined surface of the second locking portion has a lower coefficient of friction than the inclined surface of the first locking portion. The invention described in claim 8 is an image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the sliding resistance of the second locking portion when it slides against the other locking portion is made smaller than the sliding resistance of the first locking portion when it slides against the one locking portion, by changing the locking portion on the other side from the locking portion on the one side. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the invention described in claim 1, in a configuration in which the closed state of an opening / closing member that can be opened and closed relative to the main body of the device is maintained by two or more locking parts, even if one locking part begins to lock first, it is possible to suppress the opening / closing member from easily becoming closed. According to the invention described in claim 2, the sliding resistance to the other locked portion can be reduced compared to the case where the first locking portion does not move in conjunction with the movement of the first locking portion. According to the invention described in claim 3, when the first locking portion comes into contact with one of the locked portions, the impact received by the opening and closing member can be reduced compared to when the second locking portion comes into contact with the other locked portion. According to the invention described in claim 4, the closing operation can be performed with less force compared to a case where an assist mechanism for assisting the closing operation is not provided. According to the invention described in claim 5, the sliding resistance of the second locking portion against the other locked portion can be reduced compared to the case in which a slope of a different shape or material from the first locking portion is not used. According to the invention described in claim 6, the sliding resistance can be reduced by simply modifying the second locking portion. According to the invention described in claim 7, the sliding resistance can be reduced without changing the shape of the second locking portion. According to the invention described in claim 8, the sliding resistance can be reduced without changing the second locking portion. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This figure shows the configuration of an image forming apparatus to which this embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates the positional relationship between the handle, the first locking part, and the second locking part. [Figure 3] This is a diagram illustrating the first locking part and the second locking part. [Figure 4] (a) and (b) are diagrams illustrating the configuration related to the closing operation of the housing and cover. [Figure 5] Figures (a) and (b) show the state in which the inclined surface of the first locking part is in contact with the inclined surface of the first locked part. [Figure 6] Figures (a) and (b) show the state in which the bottom surface of the first locking part is in contact with the top surface of the first locked part. [Figure 7] Figures (a) and (b) show the state in which the first locking part and the second locking part are locked. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0009] Figure 1 shows the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 to which this embodiment is applied. The image forming apparatus 1 forms an image on a recording medium such as paper P using an electrophotographic method or the like.

[0010] The image forming apparatus 1 comprises a housing 2, which is an outer casing covering the outer surface of the image forming apparatus 1, and a cover 3 that can be opened and closed relative to the housing 2. The housing 2 and the cover 3 are connected via a cover rotation shaft 81 that rotatably connects the housing 2 and the cover 3. Note that the housing 2 is an example of the apparatus body, and the cover 3 is an example of an opening and closing member.

[0011] The image forming apparatus 1 has various devices for forming an image on a sheet P inside a housing 2. As main components, the image forming apparatus 1 has sheet storage units 51, 52, 53 for storing the sheet P, an image forming unit 54 for forming an image on the sheet P, a discharge roll 55 for discharging the sheet P on which the image is formed, and a main body control unit 56 for controlling the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming unit 54 forms an image on the sheet P conveyed from the sheet storage units 51, 52, 53. As the image forming unit 54, for example, an electrophotographic method is adopted in which toner attached to a photoreceptor is transferred onto the sheet P to form an image.

[0012] The housing 2 has a first locked portion 21 and a second locked portion 22 for locking the cover 3 when the cover 3 is closed. The first locked portion 21 is provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the second locked portion 22 is provided on the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1. Further, on the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1, there is a toggle mechanism 30 as an example of an assist mechanism for assisting the closing operation when the cover 3 is closed. Here, the front side is, for example, the side where an operation panel for the user to operate the image forming apparatus 1 is installed, and is the front side when the user operates the image forming apparatus 1. Also, the front side is the operation side when replacing a toner cartridge or the like housed in the housing 2. Further, the rear side is the opposite side of the front side and is the back side when the user operates the image forming apparatus 1. Note that the front side is an example of one side, and the rear side is an example of the other side.

[0013] Cover 3 is opened and closed when performing operations inside the apparatus, such as when the user opens and closes it to handle paper jams that occur in the conveyance path inside the image forming apparatus 1 when the paper P is jammed. In the present embodiment, cover 3 is provided on the left side surface when viewed from the front side. Cover 3 has a first locking portion 11 that protrudes toward the housing 2 side and engages with the first engaged portion 21. Further, cover 3 has a second locking portion 12 that protrudes toward the housing 2 side and engages with the second engaged portion 22. The first locking portion 11 is provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the second locking portion 12 is provided on the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1. Furthermore, cover 3 has a suspension spring 13 that suspends the first locking portion 11 and the second locking portion 12 from the upper direction to the lower direction of cover 3. The upper direction is the direction away from the cover rotation axis 81 along the back surface of cover 3. The lower direction is the direction approaching the cover rotation axis 81 along the back surface of cover 3.

[0014] Further, cover 3 has a toggle action member 40 that protrudes toward the housing 2 side and acts on the toggle mechanism 30. Toggle action member 40 pushes in toggle mechanism 30 when cover 3 is closed, and then is drawn into toggle mechanism 30.

[0015] Note that the II direction shown in FIG. 1 is the direction of viewing cover 3 from the surface, and the III direction is the direction of viewing cover 3 from the side of housing 2, which is the inside of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the positional relationship among the handle 4, the first locking portion 11, and the second locking portion 12, and is a diagram of cover 3 viewed from the II direction shown in FIG. 1 on the surface side. The cover 3 has a handle 4 that serves as a grip for the user to open and close it. The handle 4 is positioned towards the front of the center of the cover 3, improving user convenience when opening and closing the cover 3 from the front. However, when the handle 4 is positioned off-center from the center of the cover 3, the impact on the cover 3 from user operation is not symmetrical. In other words, in this embodiment, the front of the cover 3 is more susceptible to the force applied by the user during the closing operation, while the rear of the cover 3 is less susceptible to the force applied by the user during the closing operation compared to the front.

[0017] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the first locking portion 11 and the second locking portion 12, and is a view of the cover 3 from direction III shown in Figure 1. In this embodiment, the handle 4, the first locking portion 11, and the second locking portion 12 are integrally constructed and formed, for example, by integral molding of resin. As a result, the first locking portion 11 and the second locking portion 12 can operate in conjunction in the vertical direction. This vertical movement is performed by the user lifting or lowering the handle 4. Furthermore, this vertical movement is performed in response to the closing operation of the cover 3, as explained in Figures 4 to 7, by the inclined surface 11a (described later) of the first locking portion 11 sliding against the inclined surface 21a (described later) of the first locked portion 21, or by the bottom surface 11b (described later) of the first locking portion 11 releasing contact with the top surface 21b (described later) of the first locked portion 21.

[0018] Furthermore, a downward force acts on the first locking portion 11 and the second locking portion 12 due to the elastic force of the suspension spring 13. Therefore, when no upward force is acting on the first locking portion 11 and the second locking portion 12, the first locking portion 11 and the second locking portion 12 are fixed in the closed position, which is the position where they lock with the first locked portion 21 and the second locked portion 22. In this embodiment, the first locking portion 11 and the second locking portion 12 are configured as a single unit, but it is not necessary to configure the first locking portion 11 and the second locking portion 12 as a single unit.

[0019] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) illustrate the configuration related to the closing operation of the housing 2 and cover 3. Figure 4(a) is a view of the housing 2 and cover 3 from the IVA direction (see Figure 3), which is the direction from the rear to the front, and shows the configuration of the front side of the housing 2 and cover 3. Figure 4(b) is a view of the housing 2 and cover 3 from the IVB direction (see Figure 3), which is the direction from the rear to the front, and shows the configuration of the rear side of cover 3.

[0020] As shown in Figure 4(a), the first locking portion 11 of the cover 3 has a sloped surface 11a that slides after contacting the sloped surface 21a of the first locked portion 21 in response to the closing operation of the cover 3. The sloped surface 11a is provided between the tip of the first locking portion 11 on the housing 2 side and the bottom surface 11b. The first locking portion 11 also has a bottom surface 11b that slides after contacting the upper surface 21b of the first locked portion 21. The bottom surface 11b is provided below the first locking portion 11. Furthermore, the first locking portion 11 has an insertion opening 11c for locking onto the first locked portion 21. The insertion opening 11c has a recessed shape from the bottom to the top of the first locking portion 11. The first locking portion 11 also has an upper surface 11d above it.

[0021] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(a), the first locking portion 21 of the cover 3 has a sloped surface 21a that slides after contacting the sloped surface 11a. The sloped surface 21a is provided between the tip of the first locking portion 21 on the cover 3 side and the upper surface 21b. The first locking portion 21 also has an upper surface 21b that slides after contacting the bottom surface 11b of the first locking portion 11. The upper surface 21b is provided above the first locking portion 21.

[0022] Next, as shown in Figure 4(b), the second locking portion 12 of the cover 3 has a slope 12a that opposes the slope 22a of the second locked portion 22 in response to the closing operation of the cover 3. The slope 12a is provided between the tip of the second locking portion 12 on the housing 2 side and the bottom surface 12b. The second locking portion 12 also has a bottom surface 12b that opposes the upper surface 22b of the first locked portion 21. The bottom surface 12b is provided below the second locking portion 12. Furthermore, the second locking portion 12 has an insertion opening 12c for locking the second locked portion 22. The insertion opening 12c has a recessed shape from the bottom to the top of the second locking portion 12. The second locking portion 12 also has an upper surface 12d above it.

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(b), the second locking portion 22 of the housing 2 has a sloped surface 22a that slides after contacting the sloped surface 12a of the second locking portion. The sloped surface 22a is provided between the tip of the second locking portion 22 on the cover 3 side and the upper surface 22b. The second locking portion 22 also has an upper surface 22b that slides after contacting the bottom surface 12b of the second locking portion. The upper surface 22b is provided above the second locking portion 22.

[0024] Here, the inclined surface 11a of the first locking portion 11 and the inclined surface 12a of the second locking portion 12 are configured with different shapes. In this embodiment, the inclined surface 12a of the second locking portion 12 is configured to have a smaller gradient than the inclined surface 11a of the first locking portion 11. That is, the angle from the tip of the second locking portion 12 on the housing 2 side to the bottom surface 12b of the second locking portion 12 is smaller than the angle from the tip of the first locking portion 11 on the housing 2 side to the bottom surface 11b of the first locking portion 11.

[0025] Due to this difference in gradient, the angle at which the inclined surface 11a of the first locking part 11 and the inclined surface 21a of the first locked part 21 oppose each other is different from the angle at which the inclined surface 12a of the second locking part 12 and the inclined surface 22a of the second locked part 22 oppose each other. That is, the angle at which the inclined surface 11a of the first locking part 11 and the inclined surface 21a of the first locked part 21 oppose each other is closer to the horizontal direction. Also, the angle at which the inclined surface 12a of the second locking part 12 and the inclined surface 22a of the second locked part 22 oppose each other is closer to the right direction. In other words, because the opposing angles are different, the sliding resistance of the second locking part 12 is lower than that of the first locking part 11. Alternatively, because the opposing angles are different, a sliding resistance state is achieved in which the first locking part 11 has sliding resistance, but the second locking part 12 does not.

[0026] Furthermore, due to this difference in gradient, the distance between the upper surface 12d and the bottom surface 12b of the second locking portion 12 is smaller than the distance between the upper surface 11d and the bottom surface 11b of the first locking portion 11. As a result, the sliding resistance is smaller or nonexistent when the bottom surface 12b of the second locking portion 12 and the upper surface 22b of the second locking portion 22 are in opposition compared to when the bottom surface 11b of the first locking portion 11 and the upper surface 21b of the first locking portion 21 are in opposition.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(b), the toggle mechanism 30 of the housing 2 has an elastic toggle spring 31. The toggle spring 31 expands and contracts along its axis. The axis is a straight line passing through the center of the toggle spring 31 along the winding direction of the toggle spring 31. The toggle spring 31 is also rotatable about a pivot point P1. The toggle mechanism 30 also has a push-in receiving member 32 that contacts the push-in portion 41 of the cover 3 in response to the closing operation of the cover 3. Furthermore, the toggle mechanism 30 has a retraction member 33 that contacts the retraction receiving portion 42 of the cover 3 in response to the closing operation of the cover 3. The toggle mechanism 30 also has a holding member 34 that holds the toggle spring 31, the push-in receiving member 32, and the retraction member 33. The retaining member 34 is rotatable around the pivot point P2, and this retaining member 34 causes the toggle spring 31, the push-in receiving member 32, and the pull-in member 33 to operate in conjunction.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4(b), the toggle operating member 40 of the cover 3 has a push portion 41 that contacts the push receiving member 32 in response to the closing operation of the cover 3, and a pull receiving portion 42 that opposes the pull-in member 33 in response to the closing operation of the cover 3.

[0029] Next, using Figures 4 to 7, the operation of the first locking part 11 and the second locking part 12 in locking the first locked part 21 and the second locked part 22 during the closing operation of the cover 3 will be explained. The closing operation of the cover 3 refers to the operation in which the first locking part 11 and the second locking part 12 move closer to the first locked part 21 and the second locked part 22, for example, when a user performs a closing operation.

[0030] Figures 4(a) and 4(b) above show the state before the first locking portion 11 comes into contact with the first locked portion 21. Figures 5(a) and 5(b) show the state when the inclined surface 11a of the first locking portion 11 comes into contact with the inclined surface 21a of the first locked portion 21, and Figures 6(a) and 6(b) show the state when the bottom surface 11b of the first locking portion 11 comes into contact with the top surface 21b of the first locked portion 21. Furthermore, Figures 7(a) and 7(b) show the state when the first locking portion 11 and the second locking portion 12 are locked together.

[0031] When the cover 3 is closed from the state shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), the inclined surface 11a of the first locking part 11 and the inclined surface 21a of the first locked part 21 come into contact on the front side of the cover 3, as shown in Figure 5(a). After contact, when the closing operation continues, the inclined surface 11a of the first locking part 11 slides against the inclined surface 21a of the first locked part 21. This sliding causes the first locking part 11 to lift along the inclined surface 11a of the first locking part 11 from the state shown in Figure 5(a).

[0032] On the other hand, in Figure 5(b), which shows the rear side of cover 3, at the same time as in Figure 5(a), the inclined surface 12a of the second locking part 12 and the inclined surface 22a of the second locked part 22 are not in contact. Furthermore, when the closing operation is performed, the second locking part 12 rises in conjunction with the lifting of the first locking part 11, from the state shown in Figure 5(b). During this closing operation, the inclined surface 12a of the second locking part 12 and the inclined surface 22a of the second locked part 22 are not in contact. Therefore, during this closing operation, sliding resistance is generated between the inclined surface 11a of the first locking part 11 and the inclined surface 21a of the first locked part 21, but no sliding resistance is generated between the inclined surface 12a of the second locking part 12 and the inclined surface 22a of the second locked part 22.

[0033] Next, as the inclined surface 11a of the first locking part 11 slides against the inclined surface 21a of the first locked part 21 and then the closing operation is performed, the first locking part 11 and the second locking part 12 are lifted further. As they are lifted, the load on the first locking part 11 gradually increases. At this time, the inclined surface 12a of the second locking part 12 is not in contact with the inclined surface 22a of the second locked part 22.

[0034] Then, as shown in Figure 6(a), the inclined surface 11a of the first locking part 11 overcomes the inclined surface 21a of the first locked part 21, and the bottom surface 11b of the first locking part 11 comes into contact with the top surface 21b of the first locked part 21. Further closing action causes the bottom surface 11b of the first locking part 11 to slide against the top surface 21b of the first locked part 21. At this time, the load on the first locking part 11 is only the resistance of the frictional force when the bottom surface 11b of the first locking part 11 slides against the top surface 21b of the first locked part 21, and is smaller than the load when the inclined surface 11a of the first locking part 11 slides against the inclined surface 21a of the first locked part 21.

[0035] On the other hand, in Figure 6(b), which shows the rear side of the cover 3, at the same time as in Figure 6(a), the bottom surface 12b of the second locking portion 12 is not in contact with the top surface 22b of the second locked portion 22. Therefore, even when the cover 3 is closed, sliding resistance occurs between the bottom surface 11b of the first locking portion 11 and the top surface 21b of the first locked portion 21, but no sliding resistance occurs between the bottom surface 12b of the second locking portion 12 and the top surface 22b of the second locked portion 22.

[0036] Next, when the cover 3 is closed from the state shown in Figure 6(a), the bottom surface 11b of the first locking part 11 passes over the top surface 21b of the first locked part 21 on the front side of the cover 3. As the bottom surface 11b is released from contact with the top surface 21b, the first locking part 11 descends under the force of the suspension spring 13, resulting in the state shown in Figure 7(a).

[0037] In the state shown in Figure 7(a), the insertion opening 11c of the first locking part 11 contacts the upper surface 21b of the first locked part 21, and the key shape of the first locking part 11 catches on the first locked part 21. As a result, the first locking part 11 locks the front side of the cover 3.

[0038] On the other hand, when the cover 3 is closed from the state shown in Figure 6(b), the bottom surface 12b of the second locking part 12 passes over the top surface 22b of the second locked part 22 in conjunction with the movement of the first locking part 11 on the rear side of the cover 3. At this time, the bottom surface 12b of the second locking part 12 is not in contact with the top surface 22b of the second locked part 22. Then, while remaining in a state of non-contact, the second locking part 12 descends along with the first locking part 11, resulting in the state shown in Figure 7(b).

[0039] In the state shown in Figure 7(b), the insertion opening 12c of the second locking part 12 comes into contact with the upper surface 22b of the second locked part 22, and the key shape of the second locking part 12 catches on the second locked part 22. As a result, the second locking part 12 locks the rear side of the cover 3.

[0040] Furthermore, from the state shown in Figures 7(a) and 7(b), the user can lift the handle 4 (see Figure 2), which will raise the first locking part 11 and the second locking part 12, releasing the lock on the cover 3. The user can then open the cover 3 by performing an opening operation from the released state.

[0041] Next, the retraction action of the cover 3 by the toggle mechanism 30 will be explained using Figures 4 to 7. The closing operation of cover 3 is usually performed by the user from the front side of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in Figure 2, if cover 3 is pushed from the front side of its center, the rear side of cover 3 will not receive the force required for the closing operation, and misalignment due to twisting of cover 3 may occur. In such cases, even if the front side is pushed, the second locking part 12 will not be able to hook onto the second locking part 22 of the housing 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, a toggle mechanism 30 is provided on the rear side to assist in the closing operation of cover 3.

[0042] First, in the state shown in Figure 4(b), the push-in portion 41 of the toggle operating member 40 provided on the cover 3 is in contact with the push-in receiving member 32. Subsequently, when the cover 3 is closed, as shown in Figure 5(b), the push-in portion 41 pushes the push-in receiving member 32, causing the axis of the toggle spring 31 to rotate in a direction approaching the pivot point P2. As this rotation occurs, the toggle spring 31 is pulled along its axis.

[0043] Subsequently, when the closing operation is performed from the state shown in Figure 5(b), the axis of the toggle spring 31 reaches the pivot point P2 as the inclined surface 11a of the first locking part 11 crosses over the inclined surface 21a of the first locked part 21. At this time, the axis of the toggle spring 31 is almost in a straight line with the pivot point P2, and the toggle spring 31 is pulled to its maximum extent. Then, when the closing operation of the cover 3 is performed from this position of the toggle spring 31, the toggle spring 31 goes beyond the pivot point P2, and as the toggle spring 31 compresses, the retraction of the retraction receiving part 42 by the retraction member 33 begins, resulting in the state shown in Figure 6(b).

[0044] In the state shown in Figure 6(b), the retraction member 32 retracts the retraction receiving portion 42, thereby retracting the rear side of the cover 3. In other words, this retraction assists in the closing operation of the rear side of the cover 3. Next, when the closing operation is performed further from the state shown in Figure 6(b), the holding member 34 stops at a predetermined stopping position, the retraction of the cover 3 by the retraction member 33 is completed, and the state shown in Figure 7(b) is reached.

[0045] In this embodiment, when the cover 3 is being retracted by the toggle mechanism 30, the second locking portion 12 is not in contact with the second locked portion 22, and there is no load on the second locking portion 12. Therefore, the retraction force required for the second locking portion 12 to catch on the second locked portion 22 is smaller than when a load is applied to the second locking portion 12.

[0046] In this embodiment, in response to the closing operation of the cover 3, the first locking portion 11 on the front side of the cover 3 slides against the first locked portion 21 and then catches on the first locked portion 21. On the other hand, in response to the closing operation of the cover 3, the second locking portion 12 on the rear side of the cover 3 catches on the second locked portion 22 without sliding against it. In other words, during the closing operation of the cover 3, the rear side of the cover 3 does not experience frictional resistance. As a result, the rear side of the cover 3 is easier to lock, even though it is less susceptible to the force applied by the user during the closing operation than the front side of the cover 3.

[0047] In this embodiment, the inclined surface 12a of the second locking portion 12 is designed to have no sliding resistance against the inclined surface 22a of the second locked portion 22, but this is not the only possible design. For example, the inclined surface 12a of the second locking portion 12 may be designed to have a sliding resistance smaller than that of the first locking portion 11 when it slides against the first locked portion 21. Furthermore, the inclined surface 11a of the first locking portion 11 and the inclined surface 12a of the second locking portion 12 may be made of different materials. For example, the material used for the inclined surface 12a of the second locking portion 12 may be such that the friction coefficient of the first locking portion 11 is smaller than that of the second locking portion 12. Moreover, the first locked portion 21 and the second locked portion 22 may be different. For example, the inclined surface 12a of the second locking portion 12 may be changed to a roller or the like to make the sliding resistance of the second locking portion 12 with respect to the second locked portion 22 less than the sliding resistance of the first locking portion 11 with respect to the first locked portion 21.

[0048] <Note> (((1))) The main body of the image forming apparatus, A switching member that can be opened and closed relative to the main body of the device, A first locking portion is provided on one side of the opening / closing member and locks the opening / closing member while sliding against a locking portion on one side of the device body, A second locking portion is provided on the other side of the opening / closing member, and locks the opening / closing member by the other locking portion on the device body side when the sliding resistance of the first locking portion is less than or no sliding resistance than the sliding resistance of the locked portion on the first side, An image forming apparatus having (((2))) The first locking portion has a slope that, in response to the closing operation of the opening / closing member, contacts the one-sided locked portion and then slides relative to the one-sided locked portion, and as the slope slides relative to the one-sided locked portion, it lifts up, and the slope moves over the one-sided locked portion and locks in place. The second locking portion operates in conjunction with the operation of the first locking portion and locks with the other locked portion. The image forming apparatus described in (((1))) characterized by the following. (((3))) The image forming apparatus according to (((2))), characterized in that the second locking portion does not come into contact with the other locking portion when the first locking portion comes into contact with the one locking portion. (((4))) The first locking portion and the second locking portion are configured as a single unit. The image forming apparatus according to (((3))), characterized in that the other side of the apparatus body is provided with an assist mechanism for assisting the closing operation of the opening and closing member. (((5))) The first locking portion has a slope that contacts the one-side locked portion in response to the closing operation of the opening / closing member and then slides against the one-side locked portion, and operates by sliding the slope against the one-side locked portion, and the slope overcomes the one-side locked portion and locks, The image forming apparatus according to (((1))), characterized in that the second locking portion has a slope of a different shape or material from the first locking portion that contacts the other locked portion in response to the closing operation of the opening / closing member and then slides against the other locked portion, and operates by the sliding of the slope against the other locked portion, and the slope overcomes the other locked portion to lock. (((6))) The image forming apparatus according to (((5))), characterized in that the slope of the second locking portion is less steep than the slope of the first locking portion. (((7))) The image forming apparatus according to (((5))), characterized in that the inclined surface of the second locking portion has a lower coefficient of friction than the inclined surface of the first locking portion. (((8))) The image forming apparatus according to (((1))), characterized in that the locking portion on the other side is different from the locking portion on the one side, thereby making the sliding resistance of the second locking portion sliding against the other locking portion smaller than the sliding resistance of the first locking portion sliding against the one locking portion.

[0049] According to the image forming apparatus described in (((1))), in a configuration in which the closed state of an opening / closing member that can be opened and closed relative to the apparatus body is maintained by two or more locking parts, even if one locking part begins to lock first, it is possible to suppress the opening / closing member from easily becoming closed. According to the image forming apparatus described in (((2))), the sliding resistance to the other locked portion can be reduced compared to the case where the first locking portion does not move in conjunction with the movement of the first locking portion. According to the image forming apparatus described in (((3))), when the first locking portion comes into contact with one of the locked portions, the impact received by the opening and closing member when the first locking portion comes into contact with one of the locked portions can be reduced compared to when the second locking portion comes into contact with the other of the locked portions. According to the image forming apparatus described in (((4))), the closing operation can be performed with less force compared to a case where an assist mechanism to support the closing operation is not provided. According to the image forming apparatus described in (((5))), the sliding resistance of the second locking portion against the other locked portion can be reduced compared to the case in which a slope of a different shape or material from the first locking portion is not used. According to the image forming apparatus described in (((6))), the sliding resistance can be reduced by simply modifying the second locking part. According to the image forming apparatus described in (((7))), the sliding resistance can be reduced without changing the shape of the second locking portion. According to the image forming apparatus described in (((8))), the sliding resistance can be reduced without changing the second locking part. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 2...Housing, 3...Cover, 11...First locking part, 12...Second locking part, 21...First locked part, 22...Second locked part, 30...Toggle mechanism, 40...Toggle operating member

Claims

1. The main body of the image forming apparatus, A switching member that can be opened and closed relative to the main body of the device, A first locking portion is provided on one side of the opening / closing member and locks the opening / closing member while sliding against a locking portion on one side of the device body, A second locking portion is provided on the other side of the opening / closing member, and locks the opening / closing member by the other side of the device body when the sliding resistance of the first locking portion is less than or no sliding resistance than the sliding resistance of the locked portion on the first side, An image forming apparatus having

2. The first locking portion has a slope that contacts the one-side locked portion in response to the closing operation of the opening / closing member and then slides relative to the one-side locked portion, and as the slope slides relative to the one-side locked portion it lifts up, the slope moves over the one-side locked portion and locks in place. The second locking portion operates in conjunction with the operation of the first locking portion and locks with the other locked portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the following:

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the second locking portion does not contact the other locked portion when the first locking portion contacts the locked portion on one side.

4. The first locking portion and the second locking portion are configured as a single unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the other side of the apparatus body is provided with an assist mechanism for assisting the closing operation of the opening / closing member.

5. The first locking portion has a slope that contacts the one-side locked portion in response to the closing operation of the opening / closing member and then slides against the one-side locked portion, and operates by sliding the slope against the one-side locked portion, and the slope overcomes the one-side locked portion and locks, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second locking portion has a slope of a different shape or material from the first locking portion that contacts the other locked portion in response to the closing operation of the opening / closing member and then slides against the other locked portion, and operates by the sliding of the slope against the other locked portion, and the slope overcomes the other locked portion to lock.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the slope of the second locking portion has a smaller gradient than the slope of the first locking portion.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the inclined surface of the second locking portion has a lower coefficient of friction than the inclined surface of the first locking portion.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking portion on the other side is different from the locking portion on the one side, thereby making the sliding resistance of the second locking portion sliding against the other locking portion smaller than the sliding resistance of the first locking portion sliding against the one locking portion.

Images