JP6589660B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including an upper casing that is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to a lower casing.

  Conventionally, a lower casing provided with a photosensitive drum, and an upper casing whose first end is supported so as to be rotatable around a predetermined axis with respect to the lower casing and is supported to be openable and closable with respect to the lower casing. 2. Description of the Related Art An image forming apparatus including a top cover that is a body is known.

  In such an image forming apparatus, there is a type in which a cartridge containing a photosensitive drum, toner, or the like is mounted on a lower housing, and an LED array that is an exposure unit for exposing the photosensitive drum is mounted on a top cover. .

  The LED array mounted on the top cover enters the lower housing when the top cover is closed and is close to the photosensitive drum, and is retracted from the lower housing when the top cover is opened. When the top cover is opened and the LED array is withdrawn from the lower housing, the upper portion of the lower housing is opened, so the cartridge must be taken out from or attached to the lower housing. Is possible.

  Further, in the image forming apparatus in which the LED array is mounted on the top cover, the first end is rotatably supported by the lower housing, and the second end is rotatably supported by the top cover and is in the open state. An arm for holding the top cover is provided. For example, an image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1.

JP 2009-251230 A

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus in which the LED array is mounted on the top cover, the weight of the top cover becomes large. Therefore, after opening the top cover and performing jam processing, replacing the cartridge, etc., the top cover is removed. When closing, the closing speed of the top cover tends to increase.

  When closing the top cover, if the speed of the top cover becomes too high, a large impact may occur when the top cover is completely closed, and the LED array mounted on the top cover may be damaged. The apparatus is equipped with braking means for braking the opening / closing operation of the top cover to reduce the closing speed of the top cover.

As the braking means, a coil spring is used that is connected to the middle part of the arm and applies a biasing force to the arm in the direction in which the top cover opens.
However, since the coil spring is connected to the middle part of the arm, the urging force in the opening direction of the top cover cannot be sufficiently applied to the arm, and the opening / closing operation of the top cover is sufficiently braked. Could not do.

  Therefore, when the speed of closing the top cover becomes excessive, such as when the user of the image forming apparatus intentionally closes the top cover, the impact applied to the LED array due to insufficient braking force by the braking means. There was a risk that the force would increase and the LED array could be damaged.

  Therefore, even when an upper casing such as a top cover that is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the lower casing is to be rotated at a high speed in the closing direction, the pivoting operation of the upper casing is sufficiently braked, There is a need for an image forming apparatus capable of preventing damage to an exposure unit such as an LED array provided in an upper housing.

An image forming apparatus that solves the above problems has the following characteristics.
In other words, the image forming apparatus includes a lower casing provided with a photoconductor, a first end supported to be rotatable about a predetermined axis with respect to the lower casing, and the lower casing. An upper housing comprising an exposure unit that is rotatable about the axis between a closed position that covers the upper portion of the lower housing and an open position that opens the upper portion of the lower housing; A slide member provided in the upper casing and slidable in a sliding direction perpendicular to the predetermined axis, a first end supported to be rotatable with respect to the lower casing, and a second end supported to the slide member comprising an arm which is rotatably supported, and a brake can brake the sliding movement of the said sliding direction of said slide member caused by the rotation of the upper housing relative to said slide member and said The arm is in the predetermined axial direction in the upper housing. Provided at an end, and the braking part is provided at a first end of the upper casing in the predetermined axial direction, and the upper casing applies a braking force generated by the braking part to the predetermined part. Ru with a braking force transmission member for transmitting to the slide member disposed in the second end of the axial direction.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the braking unit generates a braking force proportional to the rotational speed of the upper casing.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the slide member includes a rack portion, and the braking portion includes a damper gear, a rotary damper including a damper portion that generates a braking force proportional to the rotational speed of the damper gear, and the rack. A gear portion that is coupled to a portion, converts a sliding motion of the slide member into a rotational motion of a gear and transmits the rotational motion to the rotating damper, and transmits a braking force generated by the rotating damper to the rack portion. ing.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the gear portion includes a braking force transmission switching tool that allows the braking force to be transmitted to the rack portion only when the upper housing rotates in the closing direction.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the braking force transmission switching tool is provided in the middle of a gear train extending from the rack portion to the damper gear, and adjacent to the gear when the upper casing rotates in the closing direction. A pendulum gear that engages and separates from an adjacent gear when the upper casing rotates in the opening direction.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the braking force transmission switching tool is provided in the middle of a gear train from the rack portion to the damper gear, and when the upper casing rotates in the closing direction, A one-way clutch that transmits the braking force to the rack portion and does not transmit the braking force from the damper gear to the rack portion when the upper casing rotates in the opening direction.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, when the upper casing rotates in the closing direction when the upper casing is in the vicinity of the closed position, the upper casing is A spring member is provided that applies an urging force in a direction opposite to the slide direction to the slide member.

  The exposure unit may be an LED array, the first end is rotatably supported with respect to the upper casing, and the second end is spaced from the upper casing. The upper housing is configured to be rotatable between a retracted position adjacent to the upper housing, and the upper housing moves the exposure unit to the exposure position as the slide member slides with respect to the upper housing. And a link mechanism that rotates between the retracted position and the retracted position.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the support portion of the arm with respect to the lower housing is positioned below the predetermined axis.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lower casing provided with a photoconductor and a first end supported so as to be rotatable about a predetermined axis with respect to the lower casing, and covering the upper portion of the lower casing. An upper housing that is rotatable about the axis between a position and an open position that opens the upper portion of the lower housing, and that includes an exposure unit for exposing the photosensitive member; A first slide member provided on a first end side in the predetermined axial direction and slidable in a sliding direction perpendicular to the predetermined axis line; provided on a first end side in the predetermined axial direction; A first arm having an end rotatably supported with respect to the lower casing and a second end rotatably supported with respect to the first slide member; and the predetermined axis of the upper casing A second slide member provided on a second end side in the direction and slidable in the slide direction; Provided on the second end side of the constant in the axial direction, the first end rotatably supported relative to the lower housing, is rotatably supported with respect to the second end the second slide member A second arm and a braking portion provided on the first end side in the predetermined axial direction and capable of braking the sliding operation of the first slide member in the sliding direction accompanying the rotation of the upper housing; The braking force provided in the upper casing and generated by the braking portion is transmitted to the second slide member, and the second slide member in the sliding direction in accordance with the rotation operation of the upper casing. A braking force transmission member that brakes the sliding operation.

In addition, as described in claim 11 , the braking force transmission member includes a first gear that meshes with a first rack portion provided on a first slide member disposed on a first end side in the predetermined axial direction, Transmission that transmits torque by connecting a second gear meshing with a second rack portion provided on a second slide member disposed on a second end side in a predetermined axial direction, and the first gear and the second gear. A shaft.

  According to the present invention, the braking force is not insufficient even when the heavy upper housing provided with the exposure unit is closed, and it is possible to prevent the upper housing from closing suddenly and damaging the exposure unit.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with a joint cover closed. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus with a joint cover open. (A) is a central sectional view showing the image forming apparatus with the joint cover closed, and (b) is a central sectional view showing the image forming apparatus with the joint cover opened. It is a side view which shows the opening / closing mechanism of the joint cover in the state which the joint cover opened. It is a side view which shows the opening / closing mechanism of the joint cover in the state which the joint cover closed. It is a bottom view which shows the opening / closing mechanism of a joint cover. (A) is a side view which shows the inside of the braking member in the state which the gear as a braking force switching tool comprised by the pendulum gear meshes with the braking gear, (b) is the braking force switching comprised by the pendulum gear. It is a side view which shows the inside of the braking member in the state which the gear as a tool isolate | separated from the braking gear. (A) is a top view which shows the inside of the braking member which comprised the braking force switching tool by the pendulum gear, (b) is a top view which shows the inside of the braking member which comprised the braking force switching tool by the one-way clutch. It is a side view which shows a mode that the press component toward an upper part generate | occur | produces in a joint cover by the biasing force of a spring member in the state in which the joint cover was located in the closed position. It is a side view which shows the rotation mechanism of an LED array, (a) is a side view which shows the state which a LED array is located in a retracted position, (b) is a side view which shows the state where an LED array is located in an exposure position FIG. It is a bottom view showing a joint cover having a configuration in which braking members are provided on the first end side and the second end side in the direction of the axis O1, and the center portion of the transmission shaft is supported by a bearing member.

  Next, modes for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[Overall configuration of image forming apparatus]
An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and includes a lower housing 2, a joint cover 3 provided on the lower housing 2, and a joint cover 3. A reading device 4 provided above and an automatic paper feeder 5 provided on the reading device 4 are provided. The joint cover 3 is an example of an upper housing that is supported so as to be openable and closable with respect to the lower housing 2. The lower casing 2 and the joint cover 3 constitute a casing of the image forming apparatus 1. The casing houses an image forming unit for forming an image on the paper P. The image forming unit is configured as an electrophotographic image forming unit including a photosensitive unit 6 and an exposure unit.

  In the following description, the axial center O1 direction in the image forming apparatus 1 is defined as the left-right direction, the horizontal direction orthogonal to the axial center O1 direction is defined as the front-rear direction, and the opening 3b of the paper discharge tray 3a is defined. The side is defined as the front side in the front-rear direction.

  The lower housing 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having an opening 2a on the upper surface. A joint cover 3 is supported on the lower housing 2 so as to be rotatable around the axis O1. The axis O1 is an example of a predetermined axis. The lower housing 2 has a pair of side frames 22 and 23 that form a surface orthogonal to the axis O1.

  The axis O1 is located at the rear end of the lower casing 2, and the side frames 22 and 23 are respectively disposed at the left and right ends of the lower casing 2. The photosensitive unit 6 is accommodated between the side frames 22 and 23 in the lower casing 2, and a paper feed cassette 25 is disposed below the photosensitive unit 6 in the lower casing 2.

  The joint cover 3 has a rear end serving as a first end supported so as to be rotatable about the axis O <b> 1 with respect to the lower housing 2, and has a closed position and a lower housing covering the upper opening 2 a of the lower housing 2. It is configured to be rotatable around an axis O1 between an open position where the opening 2a at the top of the body 2 is opened.

  The joint cover 3 includes slide members 32 and 33 slidable in the front-rear direction, which is a direction orthogonal to the axis O1, at the left and right ends, respectively. The slide member 32 is an example of a first slide member provided on the first end side in the axis O1 direction, and the slide member 33 is an example of a second slide member provided on the second end side in the axis O1 direction.

  Arms 72 and 73 are interposed between the lower housing 2 and the joint cover 3 at the left and right ends of the image forming apparatus 1, respectively. The arm 72 is an example of a first arm provided on the first end side in the axis O1 direction, and the arm 73 is an example of a second arm provided on the second end side in the axis O1 direction.

  The arms 72 and 73 have their first ends 72a and 73a rotatably supported by the upper ends of the side frames 22 and 23 in the lower housing 2, and their second ends 72a and 73b are slid on the joint cover 3, respectively. The members 32 and 33 are rotatably supported.

A brake member 31 capable of braking the slide operation of the slide member 32 in the front-rear direction is provided on one side of the joint cover 3 on which the slide member 32 is disposed. The braking member 31 capable of braking the sliding operation of the sliding member 32 is an example of a braking unit provided on the first end side in the direction of the axis O1.
Further, the joint cover 3 includes a braking force transmission member 34 capable of transmitting a braking force generated by the braking member 31 disposed on the left and right sides to the slide member 33 disposed on the left and right other sides of the joint cover 3. It has been.

As shown in FIG. 3, the photosensitive unit 6 in the lower housing 2 includes four drum units 61, 61,. The drum units 61, 61... Are provided corresponding to the respective colors of black (B), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C), and are arranged in the conveyance direction of the paper P by the conveyance belt 63. The black (B), yellow (Y), magenta (M), and cyan (C) are arranged in this order.
The drum units 61, 61..., With respect to the inside of the lower housing 2 through the opening 2a in a state where the rotation position of the joint cover 3 is in the open position and the opening 2a of the lower housing 2 is opened. Can be installed and removed.

  Each drum unit 61 includes a photosensitive drum 61a and a developing roller 61b. The surface of the photosensitive drum 61a is uniformly charged by a charger (not shown) as the photosensitive drum 61a rotates. The photosensitive drum 61a is an example of a photosensitive member.

On the other hand, the joint cover 3 is provided with LED arrays 62, 62,... Constituting an exposure unit. The LED array 62 includes a plurality of LED elements arranged in parallel in the direction of the axis O1.
In addition, in the joint cover 3 shown in FIG. 2, description of LED array 62 * 62 ... is abbreviate | omitted.

  The LED arrays 62, 62... Are supported so that the first end (the upper end in FIG. 3A) in the direction orthogonal to the parallel direction of the LED elements is rotatable with respect to the joint cover 3. The second end (the lower end in FIG. 3A) in the direction orthogonal to the parallel direction is configured to be rotatable between an exposure position separated from the joint cover 3 and a retracted position adjacent to the joint cover 3. . Four LED arrays 62, 62,... Are provided corresponding to the respective drum units 61, 61,.

  When the joint cover 3 is located at the closed position with respect to the lower housing 2, each LED array 62 has its rotation position as the exposure position, and the second end faces the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 61 a. It is in a state (see FIG. 3A). In addition, each LED array 62 is in a state of being detached from the lower housing 2 when the joint cover 3 is in the open position with respect to the lower housing 2, and the rotation position thereof is the retracted position. (See FIG. 3B).

  The photosensitive drums 61a, 61a,... Uniformly charged by the charger are selectively exposed by the LED arrays 62, 62,. By this exposure, electric charges are selectively removed from the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 61a, 61a, etc., and electrostatic latent images are formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 61a, 61a,.

  A developing bias is applied to the developing rollers 61b, 61b, and when the electrostatic latent image faces the developing rollers 61b, 61b, the electrostatic latent image and the developing rollers 61b, 61b,. The toner is supplied to the electrostatic latent image from the developing rollers 61b, 61b,. As a result, toner images are formed on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 61a, 61a.

  The paper feed cassette 25 is disposed at the bottom of the lower housing 2, and the paper P accommodated in the paper feed cassette 25 is transported onto the transport belt 63 by various rollers. The conveyor belt 63 is stretched between a pair of driving rollers 64a and driven rollers 64b, and is disposed below the four photosensitive drums 61a, 61a,. Transfer rollers 65, 65,... Are disposed at positions facing the photosensitive drums 61a, 61a,.

  The sheet P transported on the transport belt 63 sequentially passes between the transport belt 63 and the photosensitive drums 61a, 61a,... By the transport belt 63 driven by the driving roller 64a. The toner images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 61a, 61a,... Are transferred to the paper P by the transfer bias applied to the transfer rollers 65, 65,.

  A fixing unit 66 is disposed downstream of the conveyance belt 63 in the conveyance direction of the sheet P, and the sheet P on which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit 13. In the fixing unit, the paper P is heated and pressed to fix the toner image on the paper P. The paper P on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the paper discharge tray 3a of the joint cover 3 by various rollers.

  The joint cover 3 is configured to be rotatable between a closed position and an open position about the axis O1, but the joint cover 3 is rotated to the open position so that the opening 2a of the lower housing 2 is opened. By opening, it is possible to replace the drum units 61, 61... Through the opening 2a and perform maintenance such as jam processing in the lower housing 2.

  The reading device 4 is supported so as to be rotatable around the axis O <b> 2 with respect to the joint cover 3. The axis O2 is located at the rear ends of the joint cover 3 and the reading device 4, and is parallel to the axis O1. The reading device 4 is configured to be rotatable between a closed position where the front end portion is close to the joint cover 3 and covers the upper surface of the joint cover 3 and an open position where the front end portion is separated from the joint cover 3.

  The automatic paper feeder 5 is supported so as to be rotatable about the axis O <b> 3 with respect to the reading device 4. The axis O3 is located at the rear end portion of the reading device 4 and the automatic paper feeder 5 and is parallel to the axis O1. The automatic paper feeder 5 is configured to be rotatable between a closed position in which the front end portion is close to the reading device 4 and covers the upper surface of the reading device 4 and an open position in which the front end portion is separated from the reading device 4. Yes.

[Joint cover opening and closing mechanism]
In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the sliding operation of the sliding member 32 that supports the second end 72 b of the arm 72 interposed between the lower housing 2 and the joint cover 3 is braked by the braking member 31. Thus, when the joint cover 3 rotates in the closing direction, the joint cover 3 is braked to prevent the joint cover 3 from closing suddenly, and the LED arrays 62 and 62 provided in the joint cover 3 are prevented. ... prevents damage from occurring.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the slide member 32 includes a support portion 32 a that supports the second end 72 a of the arm 72, and a rack gear that extends from the support portion 32 a toward the rear side in the slide direction of the slide member 32. 32b. The rack gear 32b is an example of a first rack part.

  When the joint cover 3 pivots from the open position side to the closed position side, the slide member 32 rotates as the arm 72 pivots toward the side where the inclination angle with respect to the lower housing 2 becomes smaller. Slide forward. Conversely, when the joint cover 3 rotates from the closed position side to the open position side, the slide member 32 rotates the arm 72 to the side where the inclination angle with respect to the lower housing 2 becomes larger. Along with this, it slides backward.

  When the joint cover 3 is located at the open position where the rotation angle with respect to the lower housing 2 is the largest, the slide member 32 is located at the rearmost slide position, and the joint cover 3 is parallel to the lower housing 2. Is located at the foremost sliding position.

  The braking member 31 is disposed on the left and right sides and the rear end portion of the joint cover 3, and includes a rotating damper 31a that generates a braking force, and a gear portion 31b that transmits the braking force generated by the rotating damper 31a to the rack gear 32b. And a housing 31c that accommodates the rotary damper 31a and the gear portion 31b.

  The rotation damper 31a is disposed in the housing 311, a shaft body (not shown) that is rotatably disposed inside the housing 311 and projects outside the housing 311, and is attached to the shaft body inside the housing 311. A rotor (not shown) that rotates integrally with the body, and a braking gear 312 that is attached to the shaft body outside the housing 311 and rotates integrally with the shaft body. The braking gear 312 is an example of a damper gear.

  The inside of the housing 311 is filled with a viscous fluid. As the viscous fluid, for example, a liquid in which various fixed particles or magnetic particles are dispersed in a liquid such as silicon oil, or a liquid in which an inorganic additive is added can be used.

  In the rotary damper 31a, when the rotor is rotated by the rotation of the shaft body, friction is generated between the rotor and the viscous fluid in the housing 311. As a result, the braking gear 312 attached to the shaft body receives a braking force in a direction to stop rotation.

The magnitude of the braking force received by the braking gear 312 is proportional to the rotational speed of the rotor. For example, the magnitude of the braking force received by the braking gear 312 increases as the rotational speed of the rotor increases. Furthermore, since both the brake gear 312 and the rotor are configured to be rotatable integrally with the shaft body, the brake member 31 generates a braking force proportional to the rotation speed of the brake gear 312. . Therefore, even when the closing speed of the joint cover 3 is increased, a braking force corresponding to the closing speed can be generated.
In the rotary damper 31a, the housing 311, the shaft body, the rotor, and the viscous fluid constitute a damper portion.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8A, the gear portion 31b is provided so as to be rotatable coaxially and integrally with the gear 313 that can mesh with the braking gear 312, the gear 314a that meshes with the gear 313, and the gear 314a. Gear 314b, a gear 315a meshing with the gear 314b, a gear 315b coaxially and integrally rotatable with the gear 315a, a gear 316a meshing with the gear 315b, and a gear 316a coaxially and integrally rotatable A gear 316b provided on the gear 316b, a gear 317a meshing with the gear 316b, and a gear 317b provided coaxially and integrally with the gear 317a so as to be rotatable.

  The gear body 314 is configured by the gear 314a and the gear 314b, the gear body 315 is configured by the gear 315a and the gear 315b, the gear body 316 is configured by the gear 316a and the gear 316b, and the gear 317a and the gear 317b Thus, a gear body 317 is configured. In the gear portion 31b, the gear 313, the gear body 314, the gear body 315, the gear body 316, and the gear body 317 are arranged in this order from the rear to the front.

An opening is formed in the front end surface of the housing 31c of the braking member 31, and the rack gear 32b can enter the housing 31c from the opening.
The rack gear 32b that has entered the housing 31c meshes with the gear 317b of the gear portion 31b.

  In this way, the braking gear 312 of the rotary damper 31a and the gear 313 of the gear portion 31b are engaged with each other, and the gear 317b of the gear portion 31b and the rack gear 32b are engaged with each other. It can be transmitted to the rack gear 32b via the part 31b.

  The gear shaft 313a of the gear 313 is supported by a long hole 318 formed in the housing 31c of the braking member 31, and is long in a range between the first end 318a and the second end 318b of the long hole 318. The inside of the hole 318 is configured to be slidable. The gear 313 meshes with the adjacent braking gear 312 when the gear shaft 313a is positioned at the first end 318a of the long hole 318, and the gear shaft 313a is positioned at the second end 318b of the long hole 318. Sometimes it is separated from the braking gear 312 and is disengaged from the braking gear 312.

  In addition, each gear of the gear portion 31b rotates as the rack gear 32b slides in the front-rear direction. When the rack gear 32b slides forward, the gear shaft 313c of the gear 313 is moved to the gear portion 31b. The rotation of each gear moves to the first end 318a of the long hole 318, and the gear 313 engages with the braking gear 312 (see FIG. 7A). Conversely, when the rack gear 32b slides backward, the gear shaft 313c of the gear 313 is moved to the second end 318b of the long hole 318 by the rotation of each gear of the gear portion 31b, and the gear 313 is moved to the braking gear. It will be separated from 312 (see FIG. 7B).

  Therefore, when the joint cover 3 rotates in the closing direction from the open position side to the closed position side, the slide member 32 slides forward, so that the rack gear 32b slides forward and the gear 313 becomes the braking gear 312. The braking force generated by the rotating damper 31a is transmitted to the rack gear 32b. As a result, the forward sliding operation of the slide member 32 is braked, and the rotational speed of the joint cover 3 from the open position side to the closed position side is suppressed, and the joint cover 3 is suddenly closed and the LED array. It is possible to prevent the 62 from being damaged.

  On the contrary, when the joint cover 3 rotates in the opening direction from the closed position side to the open position side, the slide member 32 slides backward, so that the rack gear 32b slides backward and the gear 313 becomes the braking gear. The transmission of the braking force generated by the rotary damper 31a to the rack gear 32b is cut off from the 312. As a result, the backward sliding operation of the slide member 32 is not braked by the brake member 31.

  As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that the braking force generated by the braking member 31 can be transmitted to the rack gear 32b only when the joint cover 3 rotates in the closing direction. . Therefore, it is possible to reduce the resistance when the joint cover 3 is opened while suppressing the speed when the joint cover 3 is closed.

  The gear 313 is an example of a pendulum gear that is provided in the middle of the gear train in the gear portion 31b, and the gear shaft 313a is configured to be slidable in the long hole 318. In addition, the gear 313 switches the transmission state of the braking force from the rotary damper 31a to the rack gear 32b, so that the braking force can be transmitted to the rack gear 32b only when the joint cover 3 rotates in the closing direction. It is a tool.

  In the present embodiment, the braking force switching tool that switches the transmission state of the braking force from the rotary damper 31a to the rack gear 32b is configured by the gear 313 that is a pendulum gear. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the braking force switching tool can be configured by a one-way clutch provided in the middle of the gear train in the gear portion 31b.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the joint cover 3 rotates in the closing direction between the gear 314a and the gear 314b, a braking force is transmitted from the rotary damper 31a to the rack gear 32b. A one-way clutch 319 that does not transmit a braking force from the rotary damper 31a to the rack gear 32b when the joint cover 3 rotates in the opening direction can be provided as a braking force switching tool.

In the present embodiment, the braking member that brakes the sliding operation of the sliding member 32 is configured as the braking member 31 using the rotary damper 31a. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a torque limiter is used. It is also possible to configure the brake member.
However, since the braking force generated by the torque limiter is not proportional to the rotation speed of the joint cover 3, the rotation damper 31 a that generates a braking force proportional to the rotation speed of the joint cover 3 is provided. The used brake member 31 is advantageous in order to more effectively suppress the rotational speed of the joint cover 3 when closed.

[Spring member for urging the slide member]
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a spring member 39 is provided in front of the slide member 32 in the joint cover 3. The spring member 39 is opposite to the slide direction of the slide member 32 when the joint cover 3 rotates in the closing direction when the rotation position of the joint cover 3 is in the range from the vicinity of the closed position to the closed position. It is a compression spring that applies a biasing force in the direction, that is, the rear direction, to the slide member 32.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when the rotation position of the joint cover 3 is in the open position and the slide member 32 is in the rear slide position, the slide member 32 is separated from the spring member 39. . From this state, when the joint cover 3 is rotated in the closing direction, the slide member 32 slides forward. When the rotation position of the joint cover 3 reaches the vicinity of the closed position, the slide member 32 becomes the spring member 39. Abut.

When the joint cover 3 further rotates in the closing direction, the slide member 32 slides forward to press the spring member 39, and the spring member 39 is compressed. When the spring member 39 is compressed, an urging force directed backward is generated in the spring portion 38 and applied to the slide member 32. As a result, the forward sliding operation of the slide member 32 is braked.
In this case, the slide member 32 is braked by the braking force obtained by combining the braking force of the braking member 31 and the braking force of the spring member 39 because the sliding operation is also braked by the braking member 31. The closing speed of the joint cover 3 is surely suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the joint cover 3 further rotates in the closing direction and reaches the closed position, the joint cover 3 stops. In a state where the joint cover 3 is located at the closed position, a backward biasing force by the spring member 39 acts on the slide member 32.

As shown in FIG. 9, the vertical position of the pivot fulcrum P <b> 1 of the first end 72 a in the arm 72 is located below the vertical position of the axis O <b> 1 that serves as the pivot fulcrum of the joint cover 3. The vertical position of the rotation fulcrum P2 of the second end 72a is located above the vertical position of the rotation fulcrum P1. In the present embodiment, the vertical position of the rotation fulcrum P2 and the vertical position of the axis O1 are substantially the same position.

  In this way, the joint member 3 is in the closed position, and the slide member 32 is the spring member 39 in a state where the vertical position of the rotation fulcrum P1 is positioned below the vertical position of the axis O1 and the rotation fulcrum P2. , The pressing force F directed backward acts on the slide member 32. The pressing force F includes a pressing component Fa from the rotation fulcrum P2 side toward the rotation fulcrum P1 in the direction along the straight line connecting the rotation fulcrum P2 and the rotation fulcrum P1, and the rotation fulcrum P2 and the rotation fulcrum P1. Can be decomposed into a pressing component Fb directed upward in a direction orthogonal to the straight line connecting the two.

That is, in the state where the joint cover 3 is located at the closed position, the backward pressing force F acts on the slide member 32 to generate the upward pressing component Fb, and the pressing component Fb opens the joint cover 3. The pressing force in the direction acts.
Thereby, even when the joint cover 3 is located at the closed position, it is possible to apply a force for braking the rotation operation in the closing direction to the joint cover 3.

[LED array rotation mechanism]
In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the LED arrays 62, 62... Are rotated between the exposure position and the retracted position by the link mechanism in accordance with the sliding operation of the slide member 32 with respect to the joint cover 3. It is configured as follows.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 and 10, a first guide frame 35 extending along the sliding direction of the slide member 32 is provided on the first end side in the direction of the axis O <b> 1 of the joint cover 3. A second guide frame 36 extending along the sliding direction of the slide member 33 is provided on the two end sides. The guide frame 35 is disposed inside the slide member 32 in the direction of the axis O1. Further, the guide frame 36 is disposed on the inner side in the direction of the axis O <b> 1 than the slide member 33.
5, the description of the LED arrays 62, 62... Is omitted.

  The guide frames 35, 36 are formed with guide holes 35a, 35a,... And guide holes 36a, 36a,. The guide holes 35a, 35a,... And the guide holes 36a, 36a,... Are formed in a number corresponding to the number of LED arrays 62, 62,.

  A rotation shaft 62a that can be engaged with the guide hole 35a is formed at the first end in the axis O1 direction of each LED array 62, and a rotation shaft 62d that can be engaged with the guide hole 36a is formed at the second end. Is formed. The LED array 62 is rotatably supported by the joint cover 3 by engaging the rotation shafts 62a and 62d with the guide holes 35a and 36a, respectively.

  An arm 62b extending from the rotation shaft 62a in a direction orthogonal to the axis O1 direction is formed at a first end portion in the axis O1 direction of the LED array 62, and an end of the arm 62b in the axis O1 direction is formed. A pin 62c protruding outward is formed.

  An LED array operation plate 37 extending along the slide direction of the slide member 32 is disposed on the first end side in the axis O1 direction of the joint cover 3. The LED array operation plate 37 is disposed adjacent to the inner side of the guide frame 35 in the direction of the axis O1, and is configured to be movable in the front-rear direction.

  In the LED array operation plate 37, engagement holes 37a, 37a,... For engaging the pins 62c, 62c,. A tension spring 37c is interposed between the front end portion of the LED array operation plate 37 and the joint cover 3, and the LED array operation plate 37 is urged forward by the tension spring 37c.

  A link arm 38 is supported at a substantially central portion of the guide frame 35 in the front-rear direction so as to be rotatable about a rotation shaft 38a. The link arm 38 is disposed on the inner side in the axis O1 direction with respect to the LED array operation plate 37, and an engagement hole 38b is formed at the tip of the link arm 38. The engagement hole 38b is engaged with a pin 37b that protrudes inward in the direction of the axis O1 from the LED array operation plate 37.

  The link arm 38 is formed with an operation pin 38c that protrudes outward from the guide frame 35 in the direction of the axis O1 through a guide hole 35b formed in the guide frame 35. The guide hole 35 b is formed in an arc shape centered on the rotation shaft 38 a of the link arm 38. The operation pin 38c is slidable along the guide hole 35b as the link arm 38 rotates.

  The slide member 32 is formed with a link arm operation portion 32c that can come into contact with the operation pin 38c. When the slide member 32 slides forward, the link arm operation portion 32c pushes the operation pin 38c forward. It is possible to do.

  In such a configuration, in a state where the joint cover 3 is positioned at the open side rotation position and the slide member 32 is positioned rearward, the link arm operation unit 32c is positioned behind the operation pin 38c and the operation pin 38c. It is located away from. In such a state, as shown in FIG. 10A, the LED array operation plate 37 is moved forward by the urging force of the tension spring 37c.

When the LED array operation plate 37 moves forward, the pins 62c of the LED array 62 are engaged with the engagement holes 37a of the LED array operation plate 37, so that the LED array 62 is in the direction in which the pins 62c move forward. And the second end in the direction orthogonal to the parallel direction of the LED elements is located at the retracted position close to the joint cover 3.
At this time, since the engagement hole 38b is engaged with the pin 37b of the LED array operation plate 37, the link arm 38 rotates in the direction in which the engagement hole 38b moves forward, and the operation pin 38c rotates. Located at the rear end of the moving range.

  On the other hand, when the joint cover 3 rotates from the open side to the close side and the slide member 32 slides forward, the link arm operation unit 32c approaches the operation pin 38c, and the link arm operation unit 32c and the operation pin 38c are moved. And abut. After the link arm operation part 32c abuts on the operation pin 38c, when the joint cover 3 is further rotated to the closing side, the operation pin 38c is pressed by the link arm operation part 32c, and the operation pin 38c is rotated forward. .

  When the operation pin 38c rotates forward, the link arm 38 rotates to the side where the engagement hole 38b moves rearward. When the engagement hole 38b moves rearward, the LED array operation plate 37 moves rearward because the engagement hole 38b and the pin 37b of the LED array operation plate 37 are engaged.

  When the LED array operation plate 37 moves rearward, the engagement holes 37a of the LED array operation plate 37 and the pins 62c of the LED array 62 are engaged, so as shown in FIG. The pin 62c is rotated in the rearward movement direction, and the second end in the direction orthogonal to the parallel direction of the LED elements is located at the exposure position away from the joint cover 3.

  Further, when the joint cover 3 is rotated from the closed side to the open side from the state in which the LED array 62 is located at the exposure position, the slide member 32 slides backward, and the operation pin 38c is pressed by the link arm operation unit 32c. The state is released, and the LED array operation plate 37 moves forward by the urging force of the tension spring 37c. As a result, the LED array 62 rotates in the direction in which the pins 62c move forward and moves to the retracted position.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1, the link mechanism including the LED array operation plate 37, the link arm 38, the arm 62 b of the LED array 62, and the like is formed by the tension spring 37 c and the link arm operation unit 32 c of the slide member 32. By operating, the LED array 62 is configured to rotate between the exposure position and the retracted position.

[Braking force transmission member (sliding motion synchronization member)]
In the image forming apparatus 1, the slide member 32, the arm 72, and the brake member 31 are disposed on the left and right sides of the joint cover 3, and the slide member 33 and the arm 73 are disposed on the left and right other sides. The brake force generated by the brake member 31 is transmitted to the left and right slide members 33 via the brake force transmission member 34.

  The slide member 33 includes a support portion 33 a that supports the second end 73 a of the arm 73, and a rack gear 33 b that extends from the support portion 33 a toward the rear side in the slide direction of the slide member 33. The rack gear 33b is an example of a second rack part.

  The braking force transmission member 34 connects the first gear 34a meshing with the rack gear 32b of the slide member 32, the second gear 34b meshing with the rack gear 33b of the slide member 33, and the first gear 34a and the second gear 34b. A transmission shaft 34c for transmitting torque between the two is provided.

The first gear 34a and the second gear 34b are covered and supported by a first cover 34d and a second cover 34e attached to the joint cover 3, respectively. The support portions of the first gear 34a and the second gear 34b in the first cover 34d and the second cover 34e are respectively constituted by bearing members, and the bearing members are rotated by the first gear 34a and the second gear 34b. A transmission shaft 34c serving as a shaft is supported.
The first gear 34a and the second gear 34b may be directly engaged with the rack gears 32b and 33b, or may be engaged via another gear.

  As described above, in the image forming apparatus 1, the braking force transmission member 34 is provided in the joint cover 3, and the slide member 32 and the slide member 33 are connected to each other via the braking force transmission member 34. Even when the joint cover 3 is provided only on the left and right sides of the joint cover 3, the braking force generated by the braking member 31 is transmitted to the slide members 32 and 33 on the left and right sides, and the joint cover 3 is rotated. Deformation can be suppressed.

In addition, the slide member 32 and the slide member 33 are connected via a braking force transmission member 34, so that their sliding operations are synchronized.
That is, the first gear 34a and the second gear 34b of the braking force transmission member 34 are configured to be integrally rotatable by the transmission shaft 34c, and the slide member 32 and the slide member 33 are respectively connected to the first gear 34a and the first gear 34a. Since the two gears 34b mesh with each other, the braking force generated by the braking member 31 is transmitted from the slide member 32 to the slide member 33, and the slide member 33 slides in synchronization with the slide operation of the slide member 32. Become.

  Thus, the braking force transmission member 34 functions as a slide operation synchronization member that synchronizes the slide operation of the slide member 32 and the slide member 33. The transmission shaft 34c of the braking force transmission member 34 connects the first gear 34a and the second gear 34b so as to be integrally rotatable, and synchronizes the sliding operation of the slide member 32 and the slide member 33. Is functioning as

  Then, by synchronizing the sliding operation of the slide member 32 and the slide member 33 by the braking force transmission member 34 as the slide operation synchronizing member, the braking force is also applied to the slide member 33 side where the braking member is not provided. Thus, the braking force can be applied to the right and left of the joint cover 3 in a balanced manner. Thereby, when the joint cover 3 rotates, the twist produced in the joint cover 3 is suppressed.

  The braking force transmission member 34 is not limited to the sliding member 32 not only when the braking member 31 is provided only on one side of the joint cover 3 but also when the braking member 31 is provided on both the left and right sides of the joint cover 3. It is possible to function as a slide operation synchronization member that synchronizes the slide operation with the slide member 33 and applies a braking force to the left and right of the joint cover 3 in a balanced manner.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the braking member 31 as the first braking portion is provided on the first end side in the axis O1 direction of the joint cover 3, and the second braking is provided on the second end side of the joint cover 3 in the axis O1 direction. When the braking member 31 as a part is provided, the braking force of the braking member 31 on the first end side and the braking member 31 on the second end side may be different from each other. Even when the braking force is unbalanced, the braking force is transmitted by the braking force transmission member 34 from the side where the braking force is sufficient to the side where the braking force is insufficient. It will work in a balanced manner.

In the braking force transmission member 34, the first gear 34a and the second gear 34b are configured to be supported by a bearing member 34f that is fixed to the joint cover 3 and supports the central portion of the transmission shaft 34c. The cover member that covers the gear 34a and the second gear 34b may be omitted. With such a configuration, the braking force transmission member 34 can be configured in a compact manner, and the braking force transmission member 34 can be prevented from interfering with other members.
The configuration in which the center portion of the transmission shaft 34c is supported by the bearing member 34f can also be applied to the case where the braking member 31 is provided only on the first end side in the direction of the axis O1 in the joint cover 3.

[Effects of this embodiment]
In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 is configured as described above.
That is, the image forming apparatus 1 is supported by the lower housing 2 including the photosensitive unit 6 and the rear end serving as the first end so as to be rotatable about the axis O1 with respect to the lower housing 2. A joint cover 3 having an LED array 62, which is an exposure unit, can be rotated around an axis O1 between a closed position that covers the upper portion and an open position that opens the upper portion of the lower housing 2. A slide member 32 that is slidable in a sliding direction orthogonal to the axis O1, a first end 72a is rotatably supported with respect to the lower housing 2, and a second end 72b is rotated with respect to the slide member 32. An arm 72 that is movably supported, and a braking member 31 that can brake the sliding operation of the sliding member 32 in the sliding direction accompanying the rotation of the joint cover 3 are provided.

In this way, the sliding operation of the slide member 32 that supports the second end 72b of the arm 72 interposed between the lower housing 2 and the joint cover 3 on the joint cover 3 side is braked by the braking member 31. Because of this configuration, it is possible to brake the pivoting operation of the joint cover 3 with a greater force than when the middle part of the arm is urged in the opening direction of the joint cover 3 as in the prior art.
As a result, even when the heavy joint cover 3 including the LED array 62 is closed, the braking force is not insufficient, and the joint cover 3 can be prevented from being suddenly closed to prevent the LED array 62 from being damaged.

Further, the braking member 31 is configured to generate a braking force proportional to the rotational speed of the joint cover 3.
Thus, even when the closing speed of the joint cover 3 is increased, a braking force corresponding to the closing speed can be generated. Therefore, even when the joint cover 3 is about to be suddenly closed, the closing speed of the joint cover 3 is increased. It can suppress, and it can prevent that the LED array 62 is damaged.

  The slide member 32 includes a rack gear 32b, and the brake member 31 is coupled to the rack gear 32b and a brake 312, a rotary damper 31a including a damper portion that generates a braking force proportional to the rotation speed of the brake gear 312. The slide member 32 includes a gear portion 31b that converts the slide motion of the slide member 32 into a rotational motion of the gear and transmits it to the rotary damper 31a, and transmits the braking force generated by the rotary damper 31a to the rack gear 32b.

  As a result, the braking force generated in the rotary damper 31a can be reliably transmitted to the rack gear 32b, and the closing speed of the joint cover 3 can be suppressed, and the LED array 62 can be damaged by an impact when the joint cover 3 is closed. Can be prevented.

  The gear portion 31b includes a braking force transmission switching tool that can transmit the braking force to the rack gear 32b only when the joint cover 3 rotates in the closing direction. For example, when the joint cover 3 is provided in the middle of the gear train extending from the rack gear 32b to the braking gear 312 and rotates in the closing direction, it engages with the adjacent braking gear 312 and the joint cover 3 rotates in the opening direction. A gear 313 configured as a pendulum gear that separates from the adjacent braking gear 312 can be used.

  Further, as the braking force transmission switching tool, provided in the middle of the gear train from the rack gear 32b to the braking gear 312, the braking force is transmitted from the braking gear 312 to the rack gear 32b when the joint cover 3 rotates in the closing direction. The one-way clutch 319 that does not transmit the braking force from the braking gear 312 to the rack gear 32b when the joint cover 3 rotates in the opening direction can also be used.

  Thus, by providing the gear portion 31b with a braking force transmission switching tool such as the gear 313 or the one-way clutch 319 configured as a pendulum gear, while suppressing the speed when closing the joint cover 3, the joint cover 3 The resistance when opening can be reduced, and the joint cover 3 can be opened with a small force.

  The joint cover 3 has an urging force in a direction opposite to the sliding direction of the slide member 32 when the joint cover 3 rotates in the closing direction when the rotation position of the joint cover 3 is in the vicinity of the closed position. Is provided to the slide member 32.

Thereby, when the joint cover 3 that rotates in the closing direction reaches the vicinity of the closed position, the joint cover 3 can be braked not only by the braking force by the braking member 31 but also by the biasing force by the spring member 39, It is possible to prevent the LED array 62 from being damaged by more reliably suppressing the closing speed of the joint cover 3.
Further, when the joint cover 3 is opened from the closed position, the force in the opening direction can be assisted by the urging force of the spring member 39, and the load when the joint cover 3 is opened can be reduced.

  Further, the LED array 62 as the exposure unit has a first end in a direction orthogonal to the parallel direction of the LED elements supported so as to be rotatable with respect to the joint cover 3, and a first end in the direction orthogonal to the parallel direction of the LED elements. The two ends are configured to be rotatable between an exposure position where the two ends are separated from the joint cover 3 and a retracted position close to the joint cover 3, and the joint cover 3 is accompanied by a sliding operation of the slide member 32 with respect to the joint cover 3. A link mechanism for rotating the LED array 62 between the exposure position and the retracted position.

  Accordingly, the link mechanism can be driven by the slide operation of the slide member 32 to rotate the LED array 62 between the exposure position and the retracted position, and thus the link mechanism for rotating the LED array 62. There is no need to separately provide an arm for driving, and space can be saved.

Further, the load generated on the slide member 32 when the link mechanism is driven acts as a braking force for the sliding operation on the slide member 32, and the braking force generated by the braking member 31 can be assisted.
Further, by folding the LED array 62 to the retracted position when the joint cover 3 is opened, a space for performing various maintenance operations such as replacing the photosensitive drum 61a installed in the lower housing 2 is folded. It is possible to secure a wider area than in the case of no.

Further, the rotation fulcrum P1 of the first end 72a serving as a support portion for the lower casing 2 of the arm 72 is located below the axis O1 serving as the rotation fulcrum of the joint cover 3.
Thereby, even when the joint cover 3 is located at the closed position, it is possible to apply a force for braking the rotation operation in the closing direction to the joint cover 3.

  The slide members 32 and 33 and the arms 72 and 73 are provided at both ends of the joint cover 3 in the direction of the axis O1, and the braking member 31 is provided at the first end of the joint cover 3 in the direction of the axis O1. The joint cover 3 includes a braking force transmission member 34 that transmits the braking force generated by the braking member 31 to the slide member 33 disposed at the second end of the joint cover 3 in the axis O1 direction.

  In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a lower housing 2 including the photosensitive drum 61a and a first end supported to be rotatable about the axis O1 with respect to the lower housing 2, and a closed covering the upper portion of the lower housing 2. A joint cover 3 having an LED array 62 for exposing the photosensitive drum 61a, which is rotatable about the axis O1 between the position and an open position where the upper portion of the lower housing 2 is opened; The slide member 32 is a first slide member that is slidable in a slide direction orthogonal to the axis O1, and is provided on the first end side in the axis O1 direction. The axis 72 of the joint cover 3 and the arm 72 which is a first arm 72a is rotatably supported with respect to the lower housing 2 and the second end 72b is rotatably supported with respect to the slide member 32. On the second end side of the direction A slide member 33 that is a second slide member that is slidable in the slide direction, and a second end side in the direction of the axis O1, and the first end 73a is rotatably supported with respect to the lower housing 2, The arm 73 which is a second arm whose second end 73b is rotatably supported with respect to the slide member 33, and a slide member that is provided on the first end side in the direction of the axis O1 and that accompanies the rotation of the joint cover 3 The brake member 31 capable of braking the sliding operation in the sliding direction of 32 and the joint cover 3 are provided with the braking force generated by the braking member 31 and transmitted to the slide member 33 to rotate the joint cover 3. And a braking force transmission member 34 for braking the sliding operation of the sliding member 33 in the sliding direction.

Thereby, the force which brakes the rotation operation | movement to the closing direction of the joint cover 3 can be increased, the closing speed of the joint cover 3 can be suppressed more reliably, and it can prevent that the LED array 62 is damaged. Even when the braking member 31 having a small braking force is used, the pivoting operation of the joint cover 3 can be sufficiently braked, so that the braking member 31 can be reduced in size.
Furthermore, the joint cover 3 can be supported by the arms 72 and 73 arranged at both ends in the direction of the axis O1, and even when the joint cover 3 is not so rigid, the joint cover 3 can be opened and closed or the joint cover 3 It is possible to prevent the joint cover 3 from being twisted or distorted when it is held in the open state.

  The braking force transmission member 34 is disposed on the first gear 34a meshing with the rack gear 32b provided on the slide member 32 disposed on the first end side in the axis O1 direction, and on the second end side in the axis O1 direction. A second gear 34b that meshes with a rack gear 33b provided on the slide member 33, and a transmission shaft 34c that transmits torque by connecting the first gear 34a and the second gear 34b are provided.

  Accordingly, the braking force generated by the braking member 31 on the slide member 32 can be transmitted to the slide member 33 with a simple structure. In addition, since both the first end side and the second end side in the direction of the axis O1 of the joint cover 3 are braked, the force for twisting the joint cover 3 is reduced as compared with the case where only one side is braked. Deformation when 3 rotates can be suppressed.

1 image forming apparatus,
2 Lower housing 3 Joint cover (upper housing)
31 Braking member 31a Rotating damper 31b Gear part 312 Braking gear 313 Gear (pendulum gear)
32/33 Slide member 32a / 33a Support portion 32b / 33b Rack gear 32c Link arm operation portion 34 Braking force transmission member (slide operation synchronization member)
34a First gear 34b Second gear 34c Transmission shaft (synchronous shaft)
34d First cover 34e Second cover 34f Bearing member 35/36 Guide frame 35a / 36a Guide hole 37 LED array operation plate 37a Engagement hole 37b Pin 37c Tension spring 38 Link arm 38a Rotating shaft 38b Engagement hole 38c Operation pin 39 Spring member 62 LED array 62a Rotating shaft 62b Arm 62c Pin 72/73 Arm 72a / 73a First end 72b / 73b Second end

Claims (11)

A lower housing with a photoconductor;
The first end is supported so as to be rotatable about a predetermined axis with respect to the lower casing, and is between the closed position that covers the upper part of the lower casing and the open position that opens the upper part of the lower casing. An upper housing that is rotatable about an axis and includes an exposure unit for exposing the photosensitive member;
A slide member provided in the upper housing and slidable in a slide direction perpendicular to the predetermined axis;
An arm having a first end rotatably supported with respect to the lower housing and a second end rotatably supported with respect to the slide member;
A braking unit capable of braking the sliding operation of the sliding member in the sliding direction associated with the rotational operation of the upper housing;
Equipped with a,
The slide member and the arm are provided at both ends of the upper casing in the predetermined axial direction,
The braking portion is provided at a first end of the upper casing in the predetermined axial direction,
Wherein the housing, the braking force generated by the brake unit, Ru with a braking force transmission member for transmitting to the slide member disposed on a second end of said predetermined axial,
An image forming apparatus. The braking unit generates a braking force proportional to the rotation speed of the upper casing.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The slide member is
With a rack,
The braking part is
A rotary gear including a damper gear and a damper portion that generates a braking force proportional to the rotational speed of the damper gear;
A gear portion coupled to the rack portion, converting a sliding motion of the slide member into a rotational motion of a gear and transmitting the rotational motion to the rotational damper, and transmitting a braking force generated by the rotational damper to the rack portion;
With
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The gear portion includes a braking force transmission switching tool that allows the braking force to be transmitted to the rack portion only when the upper housing rotates in the closing direction.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. The braking force transmission switching tool is provided in the middle of a gear train extending from the rack portion to the damper gear, and meshes with an adjacent gear when the upper housing rotates in the closing direction, and the upper housing opens. It is a pendulum gear that separates from the adjacent gear when rotating to
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. The braking force transmission switching tool is provided in the middle of the gear train from the rack portion to the damper gear, and transmits the braking force from the damper gear to the rack portion when the upper housing rotates in the closing direction. A one-way clutch that does not transmit the braking force from the damper gear to the rack portion when the upper housing rotates in the opening direction.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. The upper casing is
When the rotational position of the upper casing is in the vicinity of the closed position, the urging force in the direction opposite to the sliding direction of the slide member when the upper casing rotates in the closing direction is Comprising a spring member to be applied to,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The exposure unit is an LED array;
A first end is rotatably supported with respect to the upper casing, and a second end is configured to be rotatable between an exposure position that is separated from the upper casing and a retracted position that is close to the upper casing. Has been
The upper casing is
A link mechanism that rotates the exposure unit between the exposure position and the retracted position in accordance with a sliding operation of the slide member with respect to the upper housing,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. A support portion for the lower housing of the arm is positioned below the predetermined axis;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. A lower housing with a photoconductor;
The first end is supported so as to be rotatable about a predetermined axis with respect to the lower casing, and is between the closed position that covers the upper part of the lower casing and the open position that opens the upper part of the lower casing. An upper housing that is rotatable about an axis and includes an exposure unit for exposing the photosensitive member;
A first slide member provided on a first end side of the upper casing in the predetermined axis direction and slidable in a sliding direction perpendicular to the predetermined axis;
Provided on the first end side in the predetermined axial direction, the first end is rotatably supported with respect to the lower housing, and the second end is rotatably supported with respect to the first slide member. A first arm,
A second slide member provided on the second end side in the predetermined axial direction of the upper casing and slidable in the slide direction;
Provided on the second end side in the predetermined axial direction, the first end is rotatably supported with respect to the lower housing, and the second end is rotatably supported with respect to the second slide member. A second arm,
A braking portion provided on the first end side in the predetermined axial direction and capable of braking the sliding operation of the first slide member in the sliding direction accompanying the rotation operation of the upper housing;
The braking force provided in the upper casing and generated by the braking portion is transmitted to the second slide member, and the second slide member in the sliding direction in accordance with the rotation operation of the upper casing. A braking force transmission member that brakes the sliding motion;
Comprising
An image forming apparatus. The braking force transmission member is
A first gear meshing with a first rack portion provided on a first slide member disposed on a first end side in the predetermined axial direction;
A second gear meshing with a second rack portion provided on a second slide member disposed on the second end side in the predetermined axial direction;
A transmission shaft for transmitting torque by connecting the first gear and the second gear;
Comprising
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.

Images