Open / close detector and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an opening / closing detection device which can properly detect opening / closing states of two opening / closing members with one detection switch.SOLUTION: An opening / closing detection device 40 comprises a movement member 44, a first lever 46, a second lever 48 and the like. The movement member is held so as to be movable in a plane region including an initial position and a detection position by a holding member. The first lever and the second lever respectively include contact guide parts 80, 86, move the movement member in conjunction with the closing operation of the opening / closing member and guide the movement with the contact guide parts when the other lever moves the movement member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an open / close detector and an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an open / close detector and an image forming apparatus that detect the open / closed state of a first open / close member and a second open / close member that are provided so as to be openable and closable in directions perpendicular to each other. [Background technology]

[0002] An example of a conventional open / close detection device (cover open / close detection mechanism) is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The technology in Patent Document 1 includes a movable member having two acted surfaces on which a plurality of actuating members, each disposed inside a plurality of cover members (open / close members) provided on the device body so as to be freely openable and closable, act, and a cover open / close detection sensor (detection switch) provided on the device body. The movable member has a rotation shaft disposed between the two acted surfaces and is slidable toward the cover open / close detection sensor. When the actuating member acts on only one acted surface, the movable member rotates around the rotation shaft, and when the actuating member acts on both acted surfaces, the movable member slides to activate the cover open / close detection sensor. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-111896 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technology of Patent Document 1, a movable member slides in a predetermined direction along a sliding groove to turn on and off a cover open / close detection sensor. However, because the direction of movement of the movable member differs from the direction in which the cover members open and close, when one cover member is closed while the other is closed, the movable member cannot move smoothly. In particular, when the two cover members are closed simultaneously, the movable member cannot move due to the mutual reaction force, and in severe cases, the movable member may be damaged.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, a primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel open / close detection device and an image forming apparatus.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an open / close detector and an image forming apparatus that can appropriately detect the open / closed states of two open / close members with one detection switch. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The first invention is an open / close detection device that detects the open / closed state of a first open / close member and a second open / close member that are provided so as to be openable and closable in directions perpendicular to each other, and includes a detection switch, a movable member having a first abutment surface and a second abutment surface arranged in directions perpendicular to each other, a holding member that holds the movable member so as to be movable within a plane area that includes an initial position where the detection switch is not pressed and a detection position where the detection switch is pressed to put it into a detection state, and a first abutment guide portion that faces the first abutment surface, and is moved in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the first open / close member. The first opening / closing member has a first position in which it is located when the first opening / closing member is in an open state, and a second position in which it is located when the first opening / closing member is in a closed state. The second lever has a displaceable first lever and a second contact guide portion facing the second contact surface, and is interlocked with the opening and closing operation of the second opening and closing member. a third position in which the second opening / closing member is in an open state, and a fourth position in which the second opening / closing member is in a closed state; The displaceable second lever and the moving member are biased in a direction from the detection position toward the initial position, so that the first contact surface contacts the first contact guide portion and the second contact surface contacts the second contact guide portion. Single A biasing member is provided, the biasing member moves the moving member toward the first contact guide portion in accordance with the opening operation of the first opening / closing member, thereby moving the first lever to the first position, and also moves the moving member toward the second contact guide portion in accordance with the opening operation of the second opening / closing member, thereby moving the second lever to the third position; In accordance with the closing operation of the first opening / closing member, the first lever presses the first abutment surface with the first abutment guide portion to move the movable member in a first direction, and when the second lever moves the movable member, the first abutment guide portion guides the movable member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and in accordance with the closing operation of the second opening / closing member, the second lever presses the second abutment surface with the second abutment guide portion to move the movable member in the second direction, and when the first lever moves the movable member, the second abutment guide portion guides the movable member in the first direction, and when both the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member are in the closed state, the movable member moves to a detection position and the detection switch enters a detection state, in this opening / closing detection device.

[0008] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the movable member can move freely within the flat area, and the movement of the movable member by one lever is guided by the abutment guide portion of the other lever, so the levers do not exert reaction forces on each other and the movable member can be smoothly guided to the detection position. Therefore, the open / closed states of the two open / close members can be properly detected with one detection switch.

[0009] A second invention is dependent on the first invention, and the biasing member has one end attached to the moving member and the other end attached to the holding member.

[0010] A third invention is dependent on the first or second invention, and the movable member has a third abutment surface on the same side as the first abutment surface, and the holding member has a guide portion that abuts against the third abutment surface to guide movement of the movable member in the second direction.

[0011] According to the third aspect of the present invention, the moving member can be moved more smoothly.

[0012] A fourth invention is according to any one of the first to third inventions, and the holding member has a tipping prevention portion that prevents the moving member from tipping in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the moving member.

[0013] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the moving member can be moved more smoothly.

[0014] A fifth invention is dependent on any one of the first to fourth inventions, wherein the movable member has an opening penetrating in the thickness direction, and the holding member has a protrusion having a cross-sectional area smaller than the opening and inserted into the opening.

[0015] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the assembly work of the open / close detection device can be facilitated. Also, when the moving member is in the initial position, the attitude of the moving member can be stabilized.

[0016] A sixth invention is according to the fifth invention, and each of the opening and the protrusion has a rectangular cross section having two sides parallel to the first contact surface and two sides parallel to the second contact surface.

[0017] A seventh invention is an image forming apparatus comprising a first opening / closing member and a second opening / closing member that are arranged to be openable and closable in directions perpendicular to each other, and an opening / closing detection device according to any one of the first to sixth inventions that detects the open / closed state of the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] According to this invention, the movable member can move freely within the flat area, and the movement of the movable member by one lever is guided by the abutment guide portion of the other lever, so the levers do not exert reaction forces on each other and the movable member can be smoothly guided to the detection position. Therefore, the open / closed states of the two open / close members can be properly detected with one detection switch.

[0019] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus equipped with an open / close detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an open / close detection device. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the open / close detection device with the front frame removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a front view showing a moving member provided in the open / close detection device. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first lever provided in the open / close detection device. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an illustrative view schematically showing how a moving member is moved by a first lever. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a second lever provided in the open / close detection device. [Figure 9] 10 is an illustrative view schematically showing how a moving member is moved by a second lever; FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagrammatic view showing a state of the moving member (in an initial position) when both the right door and the front door are open, as viewed from the front side; FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagrammatic front view of the state of the moving member when the right door is closed and the front door is open; FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a diagrammatic front view of the state of the moving member when the right door is open and the front door is closed; FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a diagrammatic view showing the state of the moving member (at the detection position) when both the right door and the front door are closed, as viewed from the front side; FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is an illustrative view showing a state of the moving member when both the right door and the front door are open (in an initial position), as viewed from the rear side; FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is an illustrative view showing a state of the moving member when the right door is closed and the front door is open, as viewed from the rear side; FIG. [Figure 16] 10 is an illustrative view showing a state of the moving member when the right door is open and the front door is closed, as viewed from the rear side; FIG. [Figure 17] 10 is an illustrative view showing the state of the moving member (at the detection position) when both the right door and the front door are closed, as viewed from the rear side; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] [Example] 1, an image forming apparatus 10 equipped with an open / close detection device 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention forms a multicolor or monochrome image on paper (recording medium) by electrophotography. As will be described in detail later, the image forming apparatus 10 is equipped with a right door 26, which is an example of a first open / close member, and a front door 28, which is an example of a second open / close member. The open / close detection device 40 uses a single detection switch 42 to detect the open / close states of the right door 26 and the front door 28.

[0022] First, we will briefly explain the basic configuration of image forming apparatus 10. In this invention, the front side (front) is defined as the surface facing the user's standing position, i.e., the surface on which operation panel 22 is provided, and the front-to-rear direction (depth direction) of image forming apparatus 10 and its components is defined, and the left-to-right direction (horizontal direction) of image forming apparatus 10 and its components is defined based on the state when the user views image forming apparatus 10.

[0023] 1, image forming apparatus 10 is a multifunction device having a printer function, a facsimile function, a copy function, a scanner function, etc. Image forming apparatus 10 includes a device main body 12 equipped with an image forming unit 14 and a paper feeder 16, and an image reading device 18 disposed above the device main body 12.

[0024] The image forming unit 14 includes an exposure unit, a developing unit, a photosensitive drum, a charger, an intermediate transfer belt, a transfer roller, and a fixing unit. The image forming unit 14 forms an image on paper conveyed from a paper feeder 16 located below it using an electrophotographic method. Specifically, the image forming unit 14 forms an electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum according to image data using the charger and exposure unit, and then visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum with toner using the developing unit. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum is then transferred to paper using the intermediate transfer belt and transfer roller, and the toner image transferred to the paper is then thermally fixed by the fixing unit. The paper on which the image has been formed is then discharged to the internal paper discharge unit 20. The image data used to form the image on the paper may be image data read by the image reader 18 or image data transmitted from an external computer.

[0025] Although not shown, a control unit that controls the operation of each part of image forming apparatus 10 is provided at a predetermined position within apparatus body 12. The control unit includes a CPU, memory, etc., and transmits control signals to each part of image forming apparatus 10 in response to input operations by a user on operation panel 22, causing image forming apparatus 10 to perform various operations.

[0026] The image reading device 18 has a housing with a document placement table made of a transparent material on its top surface. Inside this housing, a light source, multiple mirrors, an imaging lens, a line sensor, etc. are provided. The image reading device 18 exposes the document surface to light from the light source, and the light reflected from the document surface is guided to the imaging lens by multiple mirrors. The imaging lens then forms an image of the reflected light on the light-receiving elements of the line sensor. The line sensor detects the luminance and chromaticity of the reflected light that forms an image on the light-receiving elements, and generates image data based on the image of the document surface. A CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) is used as the line sensor.

[0027] An operation panel 22 is provided on the front side of the image reading device 18 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction. The operation panel 22 is also called an operation device or an operation unit, and is formed in the shape of a horizontally long rectangular plate. A display such as a touch panel display and various hardware keys (operation buttons) are appropriately provided on this operation panel 22. In addition, a document retaining cover 24 is attached to the top surface of the image reading device 18 via a hinge or the like located on the back side so as to be able to be opened and closed freely. This document retaining cover 24 may be equipped with an ADF (automatic document feeder) that automatically feeds documents one by one to the image reading position of the image reading device 18.

[0028] The device body 12 is also provided with two opening / closing members that can be opened and closed in directions perpendicular to each other. That is, a right door 26 that opens and closes in the left-right direction is provided on the right side of the device body 12, and a front door 28 that opens and closes in the front-rear direction is provided on the front surface of the device body 12.

[0029] The right door 26 is an upward-opening door that opens at the top by pivoting rightward around its lower part, and is used for removing paper that has stopped midway through the paper transport path of the image forming unit 14. A first actuating protrusion 30 (see FIG. 3) is formed on the inner surface of the right door 26 at a position corresponding to a first actuated portion 78 of a first lever 46 (described later). The first actuating protrusion 30 has an upper surface with an inclined surface 30a that slopes upward toward the right. On the other hand, the front door 28 is an upward-opening door that opens at the top by pivoting forward around its lower part, and is used for replacing toner cartridges, etc. A second actuating protrusion 32 (see FIG. 3) is formed on the inner surface of the front door 28 at a position corresponding to a second actuated portion 84 of a second lever 48 (described later).

[0030] An open / close detector 40 is provided in the right front corner of the device body 12, i.e., the corner between the right door 26 and the front door 28. The open / close detector 40 detects the open / close states of the right door 26 and the front door 28, and is used to prevent problems caused by the right door 26 and the front door 28 being left half-closed or left half-open. The configuration of the open / close detector 40 will be described in detail below.

[0031] 2 and 3, the open / close detection device 40 includes a detection switch 42, a moving member 44, a first lever 46, a second lever 48, and a tension coil spring 50, which are held in a predetermined arrangement by a holding member 52. The holding member 52 includes a rear frame 54 disposed on the rear side and a front frame 56 disposed on the front side. The front frame 56 is formed with an insertion hole 56a into which the second actuating projection 32 is inserted.

[0032] The detection switch 42 (interlock switch) is a known limit switch, and is fixed to the rear frame 54 using fastening members such as screws. The detection switch 42 includes a switch body 42a and an actuation bar 42b (see FIG. 14). The actuation bar 42b is biased in a direction away from the switch body 42a. When the tip of the actuation bar 42b comes close to the switch body 42a against this biasing force, the switch portion of the switch body 42a is connected and enters an ON state (detection state). A signal (ON signal) indicating the ON state of the detection switch 42 is output to the control unit of the image forming apparatus 10. Based on the presence or absence of this ON signal, the control unit determines whether the detection switch 42 is in the ON state (i.e., whether both the right door 26 and the front door 28 are closed).

[0033] The movable member 44 is a member that moves toward and away from the detection switch 42 in response to the opening and closing of the right door 26 and the front door 28, thereby switching the detection switch 42 on and off. The movable member 44 is held by the rear frame 54 in front of the detection switch 42 so as to be movable within a flat area X (see FIG. 14). This flat area X is an area that extends in the vertical and horizontal directions and includes an initial position (see FIGS. 10 and 14) in which the movable member 44 does not press the detection switch 42, and a detection position (see FIGS. 13 and 17) in which the movable member 44 presses the detection switch 42 to put it into a detection state. A tip-prevention portion 90 is formed on the rear frame 54 of the holding member 52 at a position facing the upper part of the back surface of the movable member 44. The tip-prevention portion 90 prevents the movable member 44 from tipping over by restricting movement of the movable member 44 rearward, that is, in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction (front-rear, left-right direction) of the movable member 44.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the moving member 44 includes a base body 60 formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape. The base body 60 has a first contact surface 62 and a second contact surface 64 arranged perpendicular to each other. Specifically, the first contact surface 62, which contacts a first contact guide portion 80 of a first lever 46 (described later), is formed on the upper surface of the base body 60, and the second contact surface 64, which contacts a second contact guide portion 86 of a second lever 48 (described later), is formed on the right side surface of the base body 60. In this embodiment, the tip surfaces (right surface) of two protrusions formed side by side in the vertical direction on the right side surface of the base body 60 form the second contact surface 64, and the front end of the second contact surface 64 forms an inclined surface 64a that slopes upward toward the rear. Furthermore, a locking portion 66, which locks the second contact guide portion 86 of the second lever 48 when the front door 28 is opened, is formed on the lower end of the base body 60 (forward of the lower second contact surface 64). Furthermore, on the upper surface of the base body 60, third contact surfaces 68 that come into contact with guide portions 92 (see FIG. 3) formed on the rear frame 54 are formed on both the left and right sides of the first contact surface 62. In this embodiment, the tip surfaces (upper surfaces) of two protrusions formed on both the left and right sides of the first contact surface 62 serve as the third contact surfaces 68.

[0035] A pressing portion 70 (see FIG. 14) is provided on the back side of the base body 60 so as to protrude rearward. The pressing portion 70 is a portion that presses and displaces the operating bar 42b of the detection switch 42. Furthermore, a locking portion 72 that locks one end of the tension coil spring 50 is formed on the upper right portion of the front side of the base body 60.

[0036] An opening 74 is formed in the lower portion of the base 60 (i.e., on the opposite side of the locking portion 72 in the biasing direction of the tension coil spring 50) and penetrates the base 60 in the thickness direction. Meanwhile, a protrusion 94 (see FIG. 14 ) is formed in the holding member 52 to be inserted into the opening 74. The cross-sectional area of ​​the protrusion 94 is set smaller than that of the opening 74 so as not to hinder movement of the moving member 44 within the planar region X. In this embodiment, the opening 74 and the protrusion 94 are formed to have a rectangular cross-sectional shape having two sides parallel to the first abutment surface 62 and two sides parallel to the second abutment surface 64. The opening 74 and the protrusion 94 are used to temporarily fasten the moving member 44 when attaching it to the holding member 52. This facilitates the assembly of the open / close detection device 40. Furthermore, when the moving member 44 is in its initial position, the protrusion 94 locks the opening 74, thereby stabilizing the posture of the moving member 44.

[0037] 2 and 3 as well as FIG. 6, the first lever 46 is a member that displaces in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the right door 26, and moves the moving member 44 in a predetermined first direction as the right door 26 closes. Specifically, the first lever 46 is attached to the rear frame 54 so as to be rotatable about a support shaft 76 extending in the left-right direction. One end (upper end) of the first lever 46 is located at a position corresponding to the first actuating protrusion 30 of the right door 26, and a plate-shaped first actuated portion 78 extending in the front-rear direction is formed at this end. Meanwhile, the other end (lower end) of the first lever 46 is located at a position facing the first abutment surface 62 of the moving member 44, and a rod-shaped first abutment guide portion 80 extending in the up-down direction is formed at this other end.

[0038] 3 and 7 , when the right door 26 is closed, the first actuating protrusion 30 of the first lever 46 moves to get under the first actuated portion 78, causing the first actuated portion 78 to be pushed up by the inclined surface 30a of the first actuating protrusion 30. Accordingly, the first lever 46 rotates, causing the first abutment guide portion 80 to move downward, and the tip surface of the first abutment guide portion 80 presses against the first abutment surface 62 of the moving member 44, thereby moving the moving member 44 downward (first direction), which is a direction perpendicular to the first abutment surface 62 (i.e., a direction parallel to the second abutment surface 64). That is, in this embodiment, the first lever 46 converts the force of the first actuating protrusion 30 moving leftward into a downward force and transmits it to the moving member 44.

[0039] 2, 3, and FIG. 8, the second lever 48 is a member that displaces in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the front door 28, and moves the moving member 44 in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction as the front door 28 closes. Specifically, the second lever 48 is attached to the rear frame 54 so as to be rotatable about a support shaft 82 that extends in the vertical direction. The second lever 48 has a flat second acted upon portion 84 that extends rightward from the support shaft 82. The second acted upon portion 84 is positioned corresponding to the second actuating projection 32 of the front door 28. In addition, a cylindrical second abutment guide portion 86 that extends in the vertical direction is formed so as to extend rearward from the right end of the second actuated portion 84. The second abutment guide portion 86 is positioned opposite the second abutment surface 64 of the moving member 44.

[0040] 3 and 9, when the front door 28 is closed, the second actuating projection 32 of the second lever 48 pushes the second actuated portion 84 rearward. Accordingly, the second lever 48 rotates, and the second contact guide portion 86 moves rearward to the left. The side surface of the second contact guide portion 86 presses against the second contact surface 64 of the moving member 44, thereby moving the moving member 44 leftward (second direction), which is a direction perpendicular to the second contact surface 64 (i.e., a direction parallel to the first contact surface 62). That is, in this embodiment, the second lever 48 converts the rearward moving force of the second actuating projection 32 into a leftward force and transmits it to the moving member 44.

[0041] 3, the tension coil spring 50, which is an example of a biasing member, is a member that biases the moving member 44 in the upper right direction, which is the direction from the detection position toward the initial position (i.e., the direction intersecting the first abutment surface 62 and the second abutment surface 64). One end of the tension coil spring 50 is engaged with a locking portion 72 of the moving member 44, and the other end of the tension coil spring 50 is engaged with a locking portion (not shown) formed on the holding member 52.

[0042] The tension coil spring 50 urges the moving member 44 in the upper right direction, causing the first abutment surface 62 of the moving member 44 to abut against the first abutment guide portion 80 of the first lever 46, and the second abutment surface 64 of the moving member 44 to abut against the second abutment guide portion 86 of the second lever 48. Furthermore, when no force is acting on the first lever 46 or the second lever 48 from the first actuating protrusion 30 of the right door 26 or the second actuating protrusion 32 of the front door 28, the tension coil spring 50 returns the moving member 44 to its initial position, and accordingly, returns the first lever 46 and the second lever 48 to their original states (the states before the moving member 44 was moved).

[0043] Next, the operation of the open / close detection device 40 will be described with reference to Figures 10 to 17. However, Figures 10 to 13 are schematic diagrams for explaining the operation of the open / close detection device 40 in an easy-to-understand manner, and the positions of the pressing portion 70 and the opening 74 formed in the moving member 44 are different from the actual positions.

[0044] 10 and 14, when both the right door 26 and the front door 28 are open, the tension coil spring 50 biases the moving member 44 in the upper right direction, so that the moving member 44 is held in its initial position (the upper right position in the planar area X) where the pressing portion 70 is farthest from the detection switch 42. In other words, the detection switch 42 is in the OFF state (non-detection state). At this time, the first abutment surface 62, the second abutment surface 64, and the third abutment surface 68 of the moving member 44 abut against the first abutment guide portion 80, the second abutment guide portion 86, and the guide portion 92, respectively, and the opening 74 is engaged with the protrusion 94, so that the posture of the moving member 44 can be stabilized.

[0045] 11 and 15, when the right door 26 is closed and the front door 28 is open, the movable member 44 is pushed down by the first lever 46 and is held in a lower right position in the planar area X. When the movable member 44 is in the lower right position, the tip of the operating bar 42b is separated from the switch body 42a, and the detection switch 42 is in an OFF state (non-detection state).

[0046] Here, when the right door 26 is closed (transitioning from the open state to the closed state), the first abutment guide portion 80 of the first lever 46 presses the first abutment surface 62 of the moving member 44, causing the moving member 44 to move downward (in the first direction) against the biasing force of the tension coil spring 50. At this time, the second abutment guide portion 86 of the second lever 48 abuts against the second abutment surface 64 of the moving member 44, thereby restricting the moving member 44 from moving to the right and appropriately guiding the moving member 44 downward. In addition, the tipping prevention portion 90 of the holding member 52 prevents the moving member 44 from tipping over. Therefore, the moving member 44 can be moved downward smoothly.

[0047] 12 and 16, when the right door 26 is open and the front door 28 is closed, the movable member 44 is moved leftward by the second lever 48 and is held in the upper left position in the planar area X. When the movable member 44 is in the upper left position, the tip of the operating bar 42b is separated from the switch body 42a, and the detection switch 42 is in the OFF state.

[0048] When the front door 28 is closed, the second abutment guide portion 86 of the second lever 48 presses the second abutment surface 64 of the moving member 44, causing the moving member 44 to move leftward (second direction) against the biasing force of the tension coil spring 50. At this time, the first abutment guide portion 80 of the first lever 46 abuts against the first abutment surface 62 of the moving member 44, thereby restricting the upward movement of the moving member 44 and appropriately guiding the moving member 44 leftward. Similarly, the guide portion 92 of the holding member 52 abuts against the third abutment surface 68 of the moving member 44, thereby restricting the upward movement of the moving member 44 and guiding the moving member 44 leftward. In addition, the tipping prevention portion 90 of the holding member 52 prevents the moving member 44 from tipping backward. Therefore, the moving member 44 can be moved smoothly leftward.

[0049] 13 and 17, when both the right door 26 and the front door 28 are closed, the movable member 44 is moved downward and leftward by the first lever 46 and the second lever 48, and the movable member 44 is held in a detection position (lower left position in the planar area X) where the pressing portion 70 presses the detection switch 42. In other words, the detection switch 42 is in an on state (detection state) only when both the right door 26 and the front door 28 are closed.

[0050] 11 and 15 (the right door 26 is closed and the front door 28 is open), the moving member 44 is moved leftward by the second abutment guide portion 86 of the second lever 48, and this leftward movement is guided by the first abutment guide portion 80 of the first lever 46, so that the moving member 44 is smoothly moved to the detection position. Also, when the right door 26 is closed from the state shown in FIGS. 12 and 16 (the right door 26 is open and the front door 28 is closed), the moving member 44 is moved downward by the first abutment guide portion 80 of the first lever 46, and this downward movement is guided by the second abutment guide portion 86 of the second lever 48, so that the moving member 44 is smoothly moved to the detection position. 10 and 14 (when both the right door 26 and the front door 28 are open), the moving member 44 is moved downward and leftward by the first abutment guide portion 80 of the first lever 46 and the second abutment guide portion 86 of the second lever 48, and this movement is guided by the first abutment guide portion 80 of the first lever 46 and the second abutment guide portion 86 of the second lever 48. The moving member 44 is also prevented from tipping over by the tipping prevention portion 90 of the holding member 52. Therefore, the moving member 44 can be moved smoothly to the detection position.

[0051] In this way, the movable member 44 can move freely within the planar area X and move smoothly to the detection position. In other words, the movement direction of the movable member 44 is not limited to a specific direction, and the movable member 44 can move smoothly to the detection position by following multiple paths. In particular, even if the right door 26 and the front door 28 are closed at the same time, the movable member 44 can be reliably moved to the detection position without being damaged.

[0052] On the other hand, when the right door 26 and the front door 28 are opened, the open / close detection device 40 operates in the opposite direction to when the door is closed. That is, the moving member 44 moves upward and rightward due to the biasing force of the tension coil spring 50, and this movement is appropriately guided by the first abutment guide portion 80 of the first lever 46 and the second abutment guide portion 86 of the second lever 48. This allows the moving member 44 to move smoothly from the detection position to the lower right position, the upper left position, the initial position, etc.

[0053] As described above, according to this embodiment, the movable member 44 is freely movable within the planar area X, and the movement of the movable member 44 by one lever 46, 48 is guided by the abutment guide portions 80, 86 of the other lever 46, 48, so that the levers 46, 48 do not exert reaction forces on each other, and the movable member 44 can be smoothly guided to the detection position. Therefore, the single detection switch 42 can appropriately detect the open / closed states of the two open / close members 26, 28.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the right door 26 and the front door 28 are exemplified as the first and second opening / closing members, but the first and second opening / closing members may be provided on other side surfaces of the apparatus main body 12, for example, the left side surface and the front surface. Also, in the above-described embodiment, pivotable opening / closing members that open by pivoting around the lower end portion are exemplified, but the first and second opening / closing members may be drawer-type opening / closing members that open by being pulled straight out to the right or front side, for example.

[0055] In the above embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 is exemplified as a multifunction machine that combines a copier, a facsimile, a printer, etc. However, the image forming apparatus 10 may be any one of a copier, a facsimile, a printer, etc., or a multifunction machine that combines at least two of these. The image forming apparatus 10 may also be a monochrome machine.

[0056] Furthermore, the open / close detection device 40 can be applied to devices other than the image forming device 10, as long as the device has a first open / close member and a second open / close member that are provided so as to be able to open and close in directions perpendicular to each other.

[0057] The specific numerical values ​​and part shapes given above are merely examples and can be changed as needed depending on the product specifications, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 10...Image forming device 12...Device body 14...Image forming unit 18...Image reading device 26...Right door (first opening and closing member) 28... Front door (second opening and closing member) 40...Open / close detector 42 ...Detection switch 44...moving member 46...First lever 48...Second lever 50...Tension coil spring (biasing member) 52 ... Retaining member 62...First contact surface 64...Second contact surface 68...Third contact surface 74...Opening 80...First contact guide part 86…Second contact guide part 90... Fall prevention part 92…Information Department 94...Protruding part

Claims

1. An open / close detection device that detects the open / close states of a first open / close member and a second open / close member that are provided so as to be openable and closable in directions perpendicular to each other, Detector switch, a moving member having a first contact surface and a second contact surface arranged in directions perpendicular to each other; a holding member that holds the moving member so as to be movable within a plane area including an initial position where the detection switch is not pressed and a detection position where the detection switch is pressed to put the detection switch into a detection state; a first lever having a first abutment guide portion facing the first abutment surface, and displacing in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the first opening and closing member between a first position where the first opening and closing member is in an open state and a second position where the first opening and closing member is in a closed state; a second lever having a second contact guide portion facing the second contact surface, the second lever being displaced in conjunction with the opening and closing operation of the second opening and closing member between a third position where the second opening and closing member is in an open state and a fourth position where the second opening and closing member is in a closed state; and a single biasing member that biases the moving member in a direction from the detection position toward the initial position, so that the first contact surface abuts on the first contact guide portion and the second contact surface abuts on the second contact guide portion; the biasing member moves the moving member toward the first abutment guide portion in accordance with the opening operation of the first opening / closing member, thereby moving the first lever to the first position, and also moves the moving member toward the second abutment guide portion in accordance with the opening operation of the second opening / closing member, thereby moving the second lever to the third position; the first lever presses the first abutment surface with the first abutment guide portion to move the moving member in a first direction in accordance with the closing operation of the first opening / closing member, and when the second lever moves the moving member, the first abutment guide portion guides the moving member in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the second lever presses the second abutment surface with the second abutment guide portion to move the moving member in the second direction in accordance with the closing operation of the second opening / closing member, and guides the moving member in the first direction with the second abutment guide portion when the first lever moves the moving member; When both the first opening / closing member and the second opening / closing member are in the closed state, the moving member moves to the detection position and the detection switch is in the detection state.

2. 2. The open / close detector according to claim 1, wherein one end of the biasing member is attached to the moving member and the other end is attached to the holding member.

3. the moving member has a third contact surface on the same side as the first contact surface, The open / close detector according to claim 1 , wherein the holding member has a guide portion that abuts against the third abutment surface to guide the movement of the moving member in the second direction.

4. The open / close detector according to claim 1 , wherein the holding member has a tipping prevention portion that prevents the moving member from tipping in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the moving member.

5. the moving member has an opening penetrating in a thickness direction, The open / close detector according to claim 1 , wherein the holding member has a cross-sectional area smaller than that of the opening and a protrusion to be inserted into the opening.

6. The open / close detector according to claim 5 , wherein each of the opening and the protrusion has a rectangular cross section having two sides parallel to the first contact surface and two sides parallel to the second contact surface.

7. a first opening / closing member and a second opening / closing member that are provided so as to be openable and closable in directions perpendicular to each other; An image forming apparatus comprising: an open / close detector according to claim 1 that detects an open / close state of the first open / close member and the second open / close member.

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