JP4888019B2 - Opening / closing mechanism and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an opening / closing mechanism and an image forming apparatus.

  As a conventional image forming apparatus, an image forming apparatus provided with an opening / closing cover as an opening / closing portion attached to the apparatus main body so as to be openable / closable is known. In this image forming apparatus, by opening the open / close cover, it is possible to eliminate jams (paper jams) that occur in the conveyance path and to replace the components inside the apparatus.

  In order to assist the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing cover and to prevent the opening / closing cover from being suddenly opened, a configuration is known in which an opening resistance is given to the opening / closing cover by a frictional resistance such as foam rubber or an oil damper. . In this configuration, the open resistance applied to the open / close cover varies greatly with changes in the elastic force due to environmental changes, and there is a problem that the open resistance cannot be applied quantitatively.

In addition, a configuration is known in which a tension spring that generates a load is connected to an opening / closing cover to provide an opening resistance to the opening / closing cover (see Patent Document 1). In this configuration, in order to obtain an excessive load, it is necessary to increase the wire diameter or to increase the size of the spring, which causes a problem of mounting space.
JP 2003-241466 A

  By the way, it is desired that the opening / closing mechanism of the opening / closing part can be easily opened when opening / closing the opening / closing part.

  In view of the above facts, an object of the present invention is to provide an opening / closing mechanism that can be easily opened and closed.

An opening / closing mechanism according to a first aspect of the present invention includes an opening / closing part attached to the apparatus main body so as to be openable / closable, a holding part provided in the apparatus main body for holding an elastic member in a compressible manner, and toward the holding part. A moving member that moves and compresses the elastic member, one end portion is rotatably connected to the opening and closing portion, the other end portion is rotatably connected to the moving member, and the opening and closing portion is An arm member for moving the moving member toward the holding portion, and a connecting portion between the arm member and the moving member are provided, and the movement of the arm member accompanying the opening of the opening / closing portion is delayed and transmitted to the moving member. A delay transmission means configured to open the opening / closing portion so that at least a part of the arm member overlaps in the moving direction of the moving member and the arm member in a closed state of the opening / closing portion, and the amount of overlap is reduced. In Wherein that arm member moves I, characterized in that said arm member moves the movable member in contact with the moving member toward the holding portion.

  According to this configuration, when the opening / closing part attached to the apparatus main body so as to be openable / closable is opened, the arm member whose one end is rotatably connected to the opening / closing part moves the moving member toward the holding part.

  At this time, the delay transmission means provided in the connecting portion between the arm member and the moving member delays the movement of the arm member that accompanies the opening of the opening / closing portion and transmits it to the moving member.

  When the moving member moves toward the holding unit, the elastic member held by the holding unit is compressed. A reaction force that compresses the elastic member acts on the opening / closing part via the moving member and the arm member, and the opening / closing part is gently opened.

  Thus, in the configuration of the first aspect, since the movement of the arm member accompanying the opening of the opening / closing portion is delayed and transmitted to the moving member, the elastic member is not compressed and smooth in the initial opening stage of the opening / closing portion. When the opening and closing part is opened, the elastic member is compressed and the opening and closing part is gradually opened. For this reason, it is easy to open the opening / closing part.

The opening / closing mechanism according to a second aspect of the present invention is the opening / closing mechanism according to the first aspect, wherein the delay transmission means includes a shaft portion provided at one of the other end portion of the arm member and the moving member, and the arm. The other end portion of the member and the other of the moving members are formed along the expansion / contraction direction of the elastic member, and the shaft portion is configured to include a long hole that is slidably inserted. And

  According to this configuration, the movement of the arm member accompanying the opening of the opening / closing portion can be delayed and transmitted to the moving member with a simple configuration.

An opening / closing mechanism according to a third aspect of the present invention includes an opening / closing part attached to the apparatus main body so as to be opened / closed, a holding part provided in the apparatus main body for holding an elastic member in a compressible manner, and toward the holding part. A moving member that moves and compresses the elastic member, one end portion is rotatably connected to the opening and closing portion, the other end portion is rotatably connected to the moving member, and the opening and closing portion is An arm member that moves the moving member toward the holding portion; and guide means that guides the moving member along the expansion / contraction direction of the elastic member, and at least one of the arm members in the closed state of the opening / closing portion. The arm member moves in accordance with the opening of the opening / closing portion so that the overlapping portion decreases in the moving direction of the moving member and the arm member, and the overlapping amount decreases, so that the arm member moves to the moving portion. Contact is moved toward the moving member to the holding portion, along the movable member in the stretching direction of the elastic member, the guide means, characterized in that guide.

  According to this configuration, when the opening / closing part attached to the apparatus main body so as to be openable / closable is opened, the arm member whose one end is rotatably connected to the opening / closing part moves the moving member toward the holding part. At this time, the guide means guides the moving member along the central axis of the elastic member.

  When the moving member moves toward the holding unit, the elastic member held by the holding unit is compressed. A reaction force that compresses the elastic member acts on the opening / closing part via the moving member and the arm member, and the opening / closing part is gently opened.

  Thus, in the structure of Claim 2, since the moving member moves along the central axis of the elastic member, the reaction force of the elastic member acts on the opening / closing part without loss. For this reason, variation does not occur in the opening operation of the opening / closing part, and the opening operation of the opening / closing part is easy.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the opening / closing mechanism according to the third aspect, wherein the guide means includes a rail member in which a guide groove is formed and slidably supports the moving member along the guide groove; And a sliding member provided between the member and the rail member.

  According to this configuration, the moving member slides along the guide groove formed in the rail member. The sliding member provided between the moving member and the rail member improves the sliding when the moving member slides.

  Thereby, a moving member moves smoothly and it becomes easy to open / close an opening / closing part.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the fourth aspect, the rail member is provided on both sides of the moving member.

  According to this configuration, since the rail member is provided on both sides of the moving member, the moving operation of the moving member is stabilized.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the configuration of the fourth or fifth aspect, the rail member is inclined toward the open / close center side of the open / close portion.

  According to this configuration, when the opening / closing part is opened, the arm member having one end connected to the opening / closing part is pulled toward the opening / closing center side of the opening / closing part. The moving member connected to the other end of the arm member also moves the rail member while being pulled toward the opening / closing center side of the opening / closing portion. Therefore, by tilting the rail member toward the opening / closing center side of the opening / closing portion, Resistance when sliding can be reduced.

  An opening / closing mechanism according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the opening / closing mechanism according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein the lower portion of the opening / closing portion is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body and is opened / closed by tilting. It is characterized by that.

  According to this configuration, the lower part of the opening / closing part is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body, and is opened and closed by tilting. For this reason, although the opening speed is increased by the weight of the opening / closing part, the opening speed is moderated by the elastic member, so that the opening operation is easy.

  An opening / closing mechanism according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the configuration of any one of the first to seventh aspects, the opening / closing portion includes at least a fixing device.

  According to this configuration, since the opening / closing unit includes at least the fixing device, the opening speed is increased, but the opening speed is moderated by the elastic member, and the opening operation is easy.

  An image forming apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention includes the opening / closing mechanism according to any one of the first to eighth aspects.

  Since the present invention has the above-described configuration, the opening / closing part can be easily opened.

Below, an example of an embodiment concerning the present invention is described based on a drawing.
(Whole structure of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment)
First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an apparatus main body 12 in which each component is accommodated. The apparatus main body 12 includes a controller 14 constituted by a microcomputer, and an IPS (image processing system) 16 whose operation is controlled by the controller 14.

  The IPS 16 converts image data input from an external host computer or the like into image data for forming a latent image, and outputs the image data to the laser drive circuit 18 at a predetermined timing. The laser drive circuit 18 outputs a laser drive signal to the exposure device 30 in accordance with the input image data. The exposure device 30 emits a laser beam L for image writing in accordance with the laser drive signal.

  Above the exposure device 30, a single photosensitive drum 32 is disposed as an image holding body for holding a toner image. The photosensitive drum 32 is rotationally driven in a predetermined direction (A direction in FIG. 1), and the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 is uniformly charged by the charging roll 22 and then exposed at a predetermined latent image writing position. Exposure scanning is performed by the laser beam L of the apparatus 30 to form an electrostatic latent image.

  When forming a full-color image, electrostatic latent images corresponding to four color images of K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) are sequentially formed. Only the electrostatic latent image corresponding to the (black) image is formed. The surface of the photosensitive drum 32 on which the electrostatic latent image is formed rotates and moves sequentially through the development area and the primary transfer area.

  Above the exposure device 30, there is disposed a rotary developing device 34 containing a plurality of color developing devices for converting the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 32 into a toner image. The rotary developing device 34 has four color developing devices 34A and 34B of K (black), Y (yellow), M (magenta), and C (cyan) that sequentially rotate and move to the developing region as the rotating shaft rotates. , 34C, 34D. Each color developing device 34A, 34B, 34C, 34D has a developing roll 24 for transporting the developer to the developing area, and develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 32 passing through the developing area into a toner image. .

  The developing containers of the developing devices 34A, 34B, 34C, and 34D are configured to be supplied with toner of each color from the toner supply cartridge 35, respectively.

  An intermediate transfer belt 36 as an intermediate transfer member that moves in contact with the photosensitive drum 32 is disposed obliquely above the photosensitive drum 32. The intermediate transfer belt 36 is formed of an endless elastic belt and is wound around the photosensitive drum 32.

  The intermediate transfer belt 36 includes a plurality of driven rolls 38, a wrap-in roll 40 disposed at a winding start position, a primary transfer roll 26 to which a primary transfer bias is applied, a wrap-out roll 42 disposed at a winding end position, and The backup rolls 39 and 44 are rotatably supported. During the image forming operation, the intermediate transfer belt 36 is circulated (rotated) in a predetermined direction (in the direction of arrow B in FIG. 1) following the photosensitive drum 32 that is rotationally driven.

  When forming a full-color image, an electrostatic latent image of the first color is formed at the latent image writing position, and a toner image of the first color is formed in the development area. When the toner image passes through the primary transfer region between the wrap-in roll 40 and the wrap-out roll 42, the toner image is electrostatically primary-transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 36 by the primary transfer roll 26. Thereafter, similarly, the second, third, and fourth color toner images are sequentially superimposed and transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 36 holding the first color toner image, and finally the full-color multiplex is performed. A toner image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 36.

  In the case of forming a monochrome monochrome image, only the K (black) developer is used, and the monochrome toner image is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 36. The residual toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 32 after the primary transfer is cleaned by the drum cleaner 46.

  A secondary transfer roll 28 is disposed at a position facing the backup roll 44 with the intermediate transfer belt 36 therebetween. A secondary transfer area is formed by the contact area between the backup roll 44 and the secondary transfer roll 28.

  Further, the secondary transfer roll 28 is disposed so as to be freely separated from (separated from and brought into contact with) the intermediate transfer belt 36. When a color image is formed, the unfixed toner image of the final color is transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 36. The intermediate transfer belt 36 is separated until the primary transfer is performed.

  A sheet feeding tray 48 that accommodates a recording sheet S as a recording medium is disposed at the lower part of the apparatus main body 12. The recording sheet S in the sheet feeding tray 48 is picked up by a sheet loading plate 47 and the uppermost surface of the sheet is picked up. It is held at a paper feed position that contacts the roll 45.

  The recording sheet S accommodated in the paper feed tray 48 is taken out by the pickup roll 45 at a predetermined timing, separated one by one by the feed roll 43 and the retard roll 41, and registered roll by the conveyance roll pair 11 </ b> A of the sheet conveyance path 15. It is conveyed to 37.

  The recording sheet S set on the manual paper feed tray 13 is conveyed to the registration roll 37 by the manual paper feed roll 33. The recording sheet S conveyed to the registration roll 37 is conveyed to the secondary transfer area at the same timing as the multiple toner image or single color toner image that has been primarily transferred moves to the secondary transfer area.

  In the secondary transfer region, the secondary transfer roll 28 is supplied with a secondary transfer voltage having a polarity opposite to the charging polarity of the toner used in the developing device 34, and electrostatically transfers the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 36 to the recording sheet S. Secondary transfer to. The residual toner is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 36 after the secondary transfer by a cleaning device 49 described later.

  The recording sheet S on which the toner image has been secondarily transferred is conveyed to a fixing area constituted by an area (nip) where the heating roll 25 and the pressure roll 23 of the fixing device 27 are in pressure contact with each other. The recording sheet S passing through the fixing area is heated and fixed by the fixing device 27. The recording sheet S on which the toner image is heated and fixed is conveyed to a sheet discharge roll 21 and discharged to a discharge tray 19 formed on the upper part of the image forming apparatus 10.

  At the time of double-sided printing, it is switched back by the sheet discharge roll 21, conveyed through the sheet reversing path 17, and retransmitted to the registration roll 37 with the front and back sides of the recording sheet S reversed, and an image is formed on the opposite side in the same manner as described above. Is done.

In this embodiment, the photosensitive drum 32, the charging roll 22, the drum cleaner 46, the intermediate transfer belt 36, the plurality of driven rolls 38, the wrap-in roll 40, the primary transfer roll 26, the wrap-out roll 42, and the backup roll 39. 44 and the cleaning device 49 are supported by a single frame (not shown) and unitized, and can be detached from the apparatus main body 12 as an exchange unit.
(Configuration of the opening / closing part and the opening / closing mechanism of the opening / closing part)
Next, an opening / closing cover as an opening / closing part provided in the apparatus main body 12 and an opening / closing mechanism of the opening / closing cover will be described.

  FIG. 2 shows a state in which the opening / closing cover 50 according to the present embodiment is opened, and FIG. 3 shows an opening / closing mechanism 60 of the opening / closing cover 50 according to the present embodiment in an exploded perspective view. For convenience of explanation, the side on which the opening / closing cover 50 is attached will be described as the front of the apparatus, and the opposite side will be described as the rear of the apparatus.

  As shown in FIG. 2, an opening / closing cover 50 as an opening / closing portion is attached to the apparatus main body 12 so as to be openable / closable. The opening / closing cover 50 has a lower portion supported rotatably by the support unit 51 with respect to the apparatus main body 12, an open position for opening the inside of the apparatus main body 12, and a closed position for closing the inside of the apparatus main body 12. , Move between.

  As a result, the opening / closing cover 50 moves from the apparatus main body 12 side to the apparatus outer side (in the direction B in FIG. 2) and tilts to the open position, thereby opening the inside of the apparatus main body 12.

  Further, the opening / closing cover 50 moves from the state in which the inside of the apparatus main body 12 is opened toward the apparatus main body 12 (in the direction A in FIG. 2), and stands vertically to the closed position, thereby closing the inside of the apparatus.

  Since the inside of the apparatus main body 12 is opened, the components arranged inside the apparatus can be detached and replaced. Further, the sheet conveyance path 15 is opened, and a jam (paper jam) generated in the sheet conveyance path 15 can be eliminated.

  A fixing device 27 is provided above the opening / closing cover 50 and is opened and closed integrally with the opening / closing cover 50. For this reason, the center of gravity of the opening / closing cover 50 is high, and the position of the center of gravity of the opening / closing cover 50 fluctuates drastically due to the opening / closing thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the opening / closing mechanism 60 of the opening / closing cover 50 includes a pair of rail members 64 in which guide grooves 66 are formed. The pair of rail members 64 are made of sheet metal and face each other at a constant interval. The pair of rail members 64 are screwed to the side surface of the apparatus main body 12.

  The pair of rail members 64 is also provided on the opposite side surface of the apparatus main body 12, but in FIGS. 2 and 3, only one of the two pairs of rail members 64 is provided. It is shown.

  As for a pair of rail member 64, the edge part (right edge part in FIG.2 and FIG.4) of the front side is inclined below. That is, the rail member 64 is inclined toward the opening / closing center side (supporting portion 51 side) of the opening / closing cover 50, and the guide groove 66 is similarly inclined toward the opening / closing center side of the opening / closing cover 50.

  A holding portion 64 </ b> A that holds a compression spring 62 as an elastic member in a compressible manner is provided on the upper portion on the front side of the rail member 64. One end portion of the compression spring 62 is fitted and held in the holding portion 64A.

  The guide groove 66 is provided with a resin-made sliding member 72 that enhances slidability. The sliding member 72 is disposed at the edge of the guide groove 66 and the upper end of the rail member 64.

  Between the pair of rail members 64, a slider 68 is provided as a moving member that moves toward the holding portion 64 </ b> A and compresses the compression spring 62.

  The slider 68 includes a pair of plates 68A in which elongated holes 67 are formed along the direction of expansion and contraction of the compression spring 62, and a slide portion 68B provided on the upper rear side of the pair of plates 68A. .

  A resin-made sliding member 73 that enhances slidability is provided on the lower surface of the sliding portion 68 </ b> B. The sliding member 73 is placed on a sliding member 72 provided at the upper end of the rail member 64.

  The pair of rail members 64 are provided on both sides of the slider 68 so as to sandwich the slider 68, and the slider 68 slides on a sliding member 72 provided on the pair of rail members 64.

  The sliding member 72 disposed at the upper end portion of the rail member 64 and the guide groove 66 of the rail member 64 are provided along the expansion / contraction direction of the compression spring 62, and the slider 68 is along the central axis of the compression spring 62. To be guided.

  A holding portion 69 that holds the compression spring 62 in a compressible manner is formed on the slide portion 68B of the slider 68. The other end of the compression spring 62 is fitted into the holding portion 69 and held.

  A pair of arm members 56 are provided between the opening / closing cover 50 and the apparatus main body 12. 2, 3 and 4, only one arm member 56 is shown. One end of the arm member 56 is rotatably connected to the opening / closing cover 50. The other end of the arm member 56 is disposed between the plates 68 </ b> A of the slider 68 and is rotatably connected to the slider 68.

  The connecting portion between the other end of the arm member 56 and the slider 68 is such that the shaft portion 56A provided at the other end of the arm member 56 is inserted into the long hole 67 of the slider 68, so The end is rotatably connected to the slider 68.

  The shaft portion 56 </ b> A of the arm member 56 is inserted into the long hole 67 of the slider 68 and the guide groove 66 of the rail member 64, and can slide along the long hole 67 and the guide groove 66.

  As the opening / closing cover 50 is opened, the arm member 56 moves from the apparatus main body 12 to the outside of the apparatus (in the direction C in FIGS. 2 and 4B), and moves the slider 68 toward the holding portion 64A. It has become.

  At this time, since the shaft portion 56A of the arm member 56 slides the long hole 67 and then hits the edge of the long hole 67 and moves the slider 68, the movement of the arm member 56 accompanying the opening of the opening and closing cover 50 is as follows. The signal is transmitted to the slider 68 with a delay.

  In addition, the arm member 56 moves from the outside of the apparatus to the apparatus main body 12 with the closing of the opening / closing cover 50, and is stored in the apparatus main body 12. When the arm member 56 is housed, the compression springs 62 are arranged in parallel so that at least a part of the compression spring 62 overlaps the arm member 56 when viewed from the direction intersecting the moving direction of the arm member 56. It has come to be.

(Operation of this embodiment)
Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.

  When the opening / closing cover 50 is opened (see FIG. 4B) from the state in which the opening / closing cover 50 is closed (see FIG. 4A), the arm member 56 moves along with the opening of the opening / closing cover 50. To the outside of the apparatus (in the direction C in FIGS. 2 and 4B).

  When the arm member 56 moves, the shaft portion 56 </ b> A provided on the arm member 56 slides along the long hole 67 and the guide groove 66. At the initial stage of opening the opening / closing cover 50, the shaft portion 56A runs idle through the long hole 67, and the compression spring 62 does not act.

  When the opening / closing cover 50 is opened by a predetermined amount, the shaft portion 56A hits the edge of the long hole 67 and the slider 68 moves toward the holding portion 64A. As a result, the compression spring 62 is compressed between the slider 68 and the rail member 64.

  The reaction force that compresses the compression spring 62 acts on the opening / closing cover 50 via the slider 68 and the arm member 56, and the opening / closing cover 50 is gently opened.

  In this embodiment, since the movement of the arm member 56 accompanying the opening of the opening / closing cover 50 is delayed and transmitted to the slider 68, the compression spring 62 is not compressed and opened smoothly at the initial opening stage of the opening / closing cover 50. When the opening / closing cover 50 is opened, the compression spring 62 is compressed and the opening / closing cover 50 is gently opened. For this reason, it is easy to open the opening / closing part.

  In addition, by adjusting the length of the long hole 67, the starting position where the compression spring 62 acts can be easily set.

  Further, when the opening / closing cover 50 is opened, the arm member 56 moves while being pulled downward (opening / closing center side of the opening / closing cover 50), so the slider 68 is also pulled toward the opening / closing center side of the opening / closing cover 50, and the slider 68 is moved downward. A tilting force is applied.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, the inclination of the slider 68 is regulated by the rail member 64, and the slider 68 moves along the central axis of the compression spring 62. Therefore, the reaction force of the compression spring 62 acts on the opening / closing cover 50 without loss, and the opening operation of the opening / closing cover 50 does not vary and the opening / closing cover 50 can be easily opened.

  In this embodiment, since the rail member 64 is inclined toward the opening / closing center side of the opening / closing cover 50, the resistance when the slider 68 is slid can be reduced.

  In this embodiment, since the sliding members 72 and 73 are provided between the slider 68 and the rail member 64, the sliding when the slider 68 slides is improved.

  In this embodiment, since the rail member 64 is provided on both sides of the slider 68, the moving operation of the slider 68 is stabilized.

  In the present embodiment, the compression spring 62 is disposed in parallel to the arm member 56 when the arm member 56 is accommodated in the apparatus main body 12, and therefore, compared to the case where the compression spring 62 is disposed on the rear side of the arm member 56. The size of the opening / closing mechanism can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the lower part of the opening / closing cover 50 is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body 12 and tilted and opened. However, the opening / closing part of the present invention is not limited to this, For example, a laterally open / close cover that is rotatably supported by the apparatus body 12 and that is laterally opened and closed may be used.

  In the above embodiment, the slider 68 is provided with the long hole 67 and the arm member 56 is provided with the shaft portion 56A. However, the arm member 56 is provided with a long hole (delay transmission means) and the slider 68 is provided with the shaft portion (delay transmission). Means) may be provided.

  The present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications, changes, and improvements can be made.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the opening / closing cover according to the present embodiment is opened. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing the opening / closing mechanism of the opening / closing cover according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4A is a side view showing the opening / closing mechanism in a state in which the opening / closing cover according to the present embodiment is closed, and FIG. 4A is an opening / closing operation in a state in which the opening / closing cover according to the present embodiment is opened. It is a side view which shows a mechanism.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Image forming apparatus 12 Apparatus main body 27 Fixing apparatus 50 Opening / closing cover (opening / closing part)
56 Arm member 56A Shaft (delay transmission means)
60 Opening / closing mechanism 62 Compression spring (elastic member)
64 Rail member (guide means)
64A Holding portion 66 Guide groove 67 Long hole (delay transmission means)
68 Slider (moving member)
72 Sliding member (guide means)
73 Sliding member (guide means)

Claims (9)

An opening / closing part attached to the apparatus body so as to be openable and closable;
A holding portion provided in the apparatus main body and holding the elastic member in a compressible manner;
A moving member that moves toward the holding portion and compresses the elastic member;
One end is rotatably connected to the opening / closing portion, the other end is rotatably connected to the moving member, and the moving member is moved toward the holding portion as the opening / closing portion is opened. Members,
A delay transmission means provided at a connecting portion between the arm member and the moving member, and delaying the movement of the arm member accompanying the opening of the opening / closing portion and transmitting the movement to the moving member;
With
In the closed state of the opening / closing part, at least a part of the arm member overlaps with the moving direction of the moving member and the arm member, and the arm member moves as the opening / closing part opens so that the amount of overlap decreases. Thus, the arm member abuts on the moving member to move the moving member toward the holding portion . The delay transmission means includes
A shaft provided on one of the other end of the arm member and the moving member;
The other end of the arm member and the other of the moving members are formed along the expansion / contraction direction of the elastic member, and are configured to include a long hole into which the shaft portion is slidably inserted. The opening / closing mechanism according to claim 1. An opening / closing part attached to the apparatus body so as to be openable and closable;
A holding portion provided in the apparatus main body and holding the elastic member in a compressible manner;
A moving member that moves toward the holding portion and compresses the elastic member;
One end is rotatably connected to the opening / closing portion, the other end is rotatably connected to the moving member, and the moving member is moved toward the holding portion as the opening / closing portion is opened. Members,
Guide means for guiding the moving member along the expansion / contraction direction of the elastic member;
With
In the closed state of the opening / closing part, at least a part of the arm member overlaps with the moving direction of the moving member and the arm member, and the arm member moves as the opening / closing part opens so that the amount of overlap decreases. Thus, the arm member contacts the moving member and moves the moving member toward the holding portion,
An opening / closing mechanism characterized in that the guide means guides the moving member along the expansion / contraction direction of the elastic member . The guide means includes
A rail member formed with a guide groove and slidably supporting the moving member along the guide groove; and a sliding member provided between the moving member and the rail member. The opening / closing mechanism according to claim 3.   The opening / closing mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the rail member is provided on both sides of the moving member.   The opening / closing mechanism according to claim 4, wherein the rail member is inclined toward an opening / closing center side of the opening / closing portion.   The opening / closing mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a lower portion of the opening / closing portion is rotatably supported by the apparatus main body and is opened / closed by being inclined.   The opening / closing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing unit includes at least a fixing device.   An image forming apparatus comprising the opening / closing mechanism according to claim 1.

Images