JP7147192B2 - Link Actuator and Imaging Device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a link actuating device and an image forming device.

Conventionally, techniques described in the following patent documents are known as techniques for moving an exposure unit that forms a latent image by exposure between an exposure position and a retracted position using a link mechanism. .

For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-100000 discloses a retracting mechanism for moving a latent image forming means for forming a latent image on the surface of a latent image carrier between a latent image forming position and a retracting position. a rotating member for moving the latent image forming means between the latent image forming position and the retracted position by rotating while being supported by the rotatable member; While the member is rotated to move the latent image forming means from the retracted position to the latent image forming position, the urging force of the urging means moves from the blocking direction for blocking the rotation of the rotating member to the opposite direction to the blocking direction. The retracting mechanism is configured to switch between the two directions, and includes a restricting means for restricting the rotation of the rotating member due to the biasing force of the biasing means when the latent image forming means is in the latent image forming position.

In this patent document 1, in the retracting mechanism, an opening/closing cover for opening/closing an opening of the apparatus body is hooked to a hooked portion (boss portion) of a rotating member (first link member) during the opening/closing operation of the rotating member. is provided with an operating member having a hook for rotating the opening and closing cover, and the hook of the operating member and (the hooked portion of the rotating member) are kept in a non-contact state when the opening/closing cover is closed. It is

Japanese Patent No. 6128414

According to the present invention, when a part of the moving contact means is brought into contact with a part of the rotating means supported rotatably to rotate the rotating means, the rotating means is connected to a part of the rotating means. To provide a link actuating device and an image forming apparatus using the link actuating device which can increase the amount of movement of a link means displaced with the rotation of a link member in a direction away from the rotating means.

The link actuating device of this invention (A1) is, as described in claim 1,
A body portion provided with a rotatably supported shaft portion and a rotary shaft having two contacted portions provided as projecting portions projecting in a direction along the axis of the shaft portion at different positions in the direction of rotation of the shaft portion. a moving means;
One end is connected to a part of the rotating means, the other end is connected to the moving mechanism , and is displaced in a direction toward the moving mechanism and a direction away from the moving mechanism as the rotating means rotates. a linking means;
A moving contact means that moves toward and away from the rotating means , comprising: a plate-like main body; It is composed of a member having a shape having a notched portion that expands downward at the boundary between the main body portion and the bending tip portion, and is provided at the tip of the bending tip portion. a first contact portion that contacts one contacted portion of the rotating means to rotate the rotating means when the plate-like main body moves in a direction approaching the rotating means; The inner wall surface near the first contact portion of the portion, and contacts the other contacted portion of the rotating means when moving in the direction away from the rotating means to rotate the rotating means. A second contact portion to be rotated and an inner wall surface of the recess portion on the side opposite to the first contact portion, and when moving in a direction approaching the rotating means, the a moving contact means having a third contact portion that contacts the other contacted portion of the rotating means to rotate the rotating means;
with
The rotating means is configured to rotate in one direction displacing the link means in a direction approaching the moving mechanism when the moving contact means moves in a direction approaching the rotating means. ,
In the rotating means and the moving contact means, when the moving contact means is moved in a direction approaching the rotating means, the first contact portion comes into contact with the one contacted portion and the rotating contact portion contacts the one contacted portion. After rotating the means in the one direction, the first contact portion is separated from the one contacted portion, and the third contact portion comes into contact with the other contacted portion to rotate the rotating means. is configured to continue to rotate in the one direction.

In the link actuating device of the present invention (A2), in the link actuating device of the above invention A1, an urging force is applied to rotate the rotating means in the direction in which the moving contact means moves in the separating direction. It has the means .

Further, an image forming apparatus of the present invention (B1) comprises image forming means for forming an image and the link operating device of the invention A1 or A2 .

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention (B2) is the image forming apparatus according to the invention B1, wherein the moving contact means in the link actuating device is a swing means operated to swing or a forward/backward movement operated to move back and forth. It is provided in the means.

According to the link actuating device of invention A1, when the part of the moving contact means is brought into contact with the part of the rotatably supported rotating means to rotate the rotating means, the part of the rotating means It is possible to increase the amount of movement of the link means connected to and displaced by the rotation of the rotation means in the direction away from the rotation means.
In addition, according to this link actuating device, compared to the case where the plurality of contacted portions are protruding portions protruding in different directions along the axis of the shaft portion, the size of the rotating means in the axial direction can be reduced. becomes easier. Furthermore, according to this link actuating device, it is easier to make the moving contact means a small and simple structure, compared to the case where the moving contact means is a structure in which a plurality of contact portions are distributed over a plurality of body portions. Become.
Further, according to this link actuating device, when the moving contact means is moved in the separating direction, some of the plurality of contact portions of the moving contact means are brought into a state of being out of contact with the contacted portion of the rotating means. Also, the rotating means can be rotated to return the link means to the position on the one end side of the moving range .

According to the link actuating device of the invention A2, even if the rotating means is urged by the urging means, the moving contact means is moved in the approaching direction, thereby rotating the rotating means and moving the link means. In addition, even if some of the plurality of contact portions do not come into contact with the contacted portion of the rotating means when the moving contact means is moved in the separating direction, the rotating means is energized. It is possible to secure the amount of movement of the link means by receiving the urging force of the means and rotating it.

Further, according to the image forming apparatus of the invention B1, in the link actuating device , the link means that is connected to a part of the rotating means and displaced as the rotating means rotates moves in a direction away from the rotating means. You can increase the amount.

According to the image forming apparatus of the invention B2, the link means connected to a part of the rotating means in the link actuating device can be moved by swinging the swinging means or advancing/retreating the advancing/retreating means. can.

1 is a schematic perspective view showing the appearance of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main configuration of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 as viewed in cross section along line QQ; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an image forming device and the like in the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a detachable structure portion of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 2; FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a housing and an opening/closing cover of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 1 are opened; FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows a state when it moves to a structure and each position of a moving mechanism. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the moving apparatus which integrated the moving mechanism and the link mechanism. It is a schematic perspective view showing a state where some parts of the moving device are omitted. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a contact action portion between a rotating body and an opening/closing cover, which are one part of a link mechanism that constitutes a part of a link actuating device; 10A is a side view of the rotating body in FIG. 9, and FIG. 10B is a diagram showing a state when the rotating body in FIG. 9A is viewed from the direction indicated by the arrow; FIG. (a) is a side view of the contact action part in FIG. 9, (b) is a top view of the contact action part of (a). 3 is a schematic perspective view showing an exposure device moved by a moving mechanism; FIG. 13A is a schematic perspective view showing one end portion of the exposure apparatus of FIG. 12, and FIG. 13B is a schematic perspective view showing the internal structure at one end portion of the exposure apparatus of FIG. (a) is a schematic side view showing the configuration of guide grooves and the like in a moving mechanism and a link mechanism, and (b) is a schematic side view showing the configuration of a rotary link. (a) is a schematic diagram showing the state when the exposure device is moved to the exposure position by the movement mechanism and the link actuator in the left moving device; is a schematic diagram showing the state when moved to . (a) is a schematic diagram showing the state when the exposure device is moved to the exposure position by the movement mechanism and the link actuating device of the right moving device; is a schematic diagram showing the state when moved to . FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which a moving device including a link mechanism is attached to a housing; FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an operating state of a link mechanism, etc., in the left moving device (state when the exposure device is moved to the exposure position); FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an operating state of a link mechanism, etc., in the left moving device (state when the exposure device is moved to a position between the exposure position and the retracted position); FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an operating state of a link mechanism, etc., in the left moving device (state when the exposure device has moved to the retracted position); (a) is a schematic perspective view showing the state when the first contact portion of the contact acting portion of FIG. 9 contacts the first contacted portion of the rotating body of FIG. 9; FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a state when the third contact portion contacts the second contacted portion of the rotating body; FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the state of operation of the link actuating device and the amount of movement of the connecting link connected to the rotating body; It is a schematic diagram explaining the function which prevents an erroneous operation in a link actuation device.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
1 to 4 show Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows an overview of the appearance of an image forming apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1, FIG. 2 shows an overview of the main configuration of the image forming apparatus 1, and FIG. , and FIG. 4 shows an outline of the attachment/detachment structure in the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIG.

<Overall Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus>
The image forming apparatus 1 is configured as a printer, which is an example of an image forming apparatus, and is composed of a developer (toner) based on image information such as characters, photographs, graphics, etc. input from the outside. An image is formed on recording paper 9, which is an example of a recording material.
Further, as shown in FIG. 2 and the like, the image forming apparatus 1 forms a toner image made of toner as a developer inside a housing 10 which is the main body of the apparatus by an image forming method such as an electrophotographic method. An image forming device 2 for transferring onto recording paper 9, a paper feeding device 3 for accommodating required recording paper 9 and supplying it to the transfer position of the image forming device 2, and a fixing device 4 for fixing the toner image transferred onto the recording paper 9. etc.

The housing 10 is composed of various members such as a structural member 11 and an exterior material 12, as shown in FIGS. Further, the housing 10 is provided at its upper portion with a discharge/accommodation section 13 for containing the recording paper 9 on which an image is formed and discharged. The discharge/receiving portion 13 is configured as a receiving surface including a slope portion 13a provided below the discharge port 14 provided in the housing 10 and a horizontal surface portion 13b continuing from the upper end of the slope portion 13a. The recording paper 9 ejected from 14 is accommodated in a stacked state.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the imaging device 2 includes a charging device 22, an exposure device 23, a developing device 24, a transfer device 25, a cleaning device, and a photosensitive drum 21, which rotates in the direction indicated by an arrow A. The device 26 and the like are arranged in this order.
Among these, the charging device 22 is a contact charging type device or the like that charges the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 (the peripheral surface portion serving as the image forming area) to a required polarity and potential. The exposure device 23 forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the charged peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 with light corresponding to image information (signals) input to the image forming apparatus 1 by various methods. It is a device. The developing device 24 is a device that develops the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 21 into a toner image by supplying toner as developer from the developing roll 241 . The developing device 24 is replenished with developer through a replenishment portion 244 from a developer storage container 28 that stores replenishment developer (mainly toner). The transfer device 25 is, for example, a contact transfer type device that electrostatically transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 21 to the recording paper 9 . The cleaning device 26 is a device that cleans the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 by removing unnecessary substances such as toner adhering to and remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 .

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the imaging device 2 has a structure in which the photosensitive drum 21, the charging device 22, the developing device 24, and the cleaning device 26, which are parts thereof, are integrally formed. It is configured as a detachable unit 20 (a portion surrounded by a two-dot chain line) that is detachably attached to 10 . Further, the developer storage container 28 is also configured as a detachable component detachably attached to the housing 10 as will be described later. As shown in FIG. 3, the detachable unit 20 is provided with a mounting portion 20b for mounting the developer container 28 on a part of the support frame of the unit. The mounting portion 20b has a substantially semi-cylindrical recessed shape.

The sheet feeding device 3 is arranged at a position away from the image forming device 2 on the lower side in the direction of gravity. The paper feeding device 3 includes a paper container 31 for containing a plurality of sheets of recording paper 9 of a required size, type, etc., used for forming an image, stacked on a stacking plate 31a. It is composed of a sending device 32 and the like for sending out the recording sheets 9 stored in the unit one by one.
The paper container 31 is attached to the housing 10 so that it can be pulled out, and a plurality of paper containers are provided according to the mode of use. The sheet container 31 is operated, for example, by grasping a recessed handle 316 provided on the exterior material and pulling it out. As the recording paper 9, for example, a recording medium such as plain paper, coated paper, or thick paper cut into a predetermined size is used.

The fixing device 4 is arranged at a position separated from the imaging device 2 in a substantially horizontal direction (a direction substantially parallel to the coordinate axis X). The fixing device 4 is configured by arranging a heating rotary member 41 and a pressure rotary member 42 that rotate in contact with each other inside a housing 40 provided with an inlet and an outlet.
As shown in FIG. 2, the heating rotator 41 is rotationally driven in the direction indicated by the arrow, and is heated by a heating means (not shown) to keep the peripheral surface temperature at a required temperature, such as a roll or a belt. A fixing member for heating comprising: The pressurizing rotator 42 is a pressurizing fixing member in the form of a roll, a belt, or the like, which contacts the heating rotator 41 substantially along the axial direction with a required pressure and is driven to rotate. Further, the fixing device 4 passes the recording paper 9 onto which the unfixed toner image has been transferred through the portion where the heating rotator 41 and the pressurizing rotator 42 are in contact with each other to perform the required fixing process (heating, pressing, etc.). etc.).

Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, a main paper transport path for the recording paper 9 inside the housing 10 is provided, as indicated by the dashed line Rt in FIG.
The main paper transport paths include a supply transport path Rt1 provided between the feeding device 32 of the paper feeding device 3 and the transfer position TP of the image forming device 2 (the position where the photosensitive drum 21 faces the transfer device 25), A relay transport path Rt2 provided between the transfer position TP of the imaging device 2 and the fixing processing section FN of the fixing device 4, and an ejection provided between the fixing processing section FN of the fixing device 4 and the ejection port 14 of the housing 10. These include a transport path Rt3, a double-sided transport path Rt4 provided between the end (branch portion) of the discharge transport path Rt3 and the middle (merge portion) of the supply transport path Rt1.

Of these, the supply transport path Rt1 is formed using a plurality of transport roll pairs 34a and 34b, a plurality of transport guide members (not shown), and the like. The transport roll pair 34b is configured as a so-called registration roll pair that feeds the recording paper 9 toward the transfer position TP of the image forming device 2 by starting rotation in accordance with the transfer timing.
The discharge transport path Rt3 is formed so as to be a path that curves and rises as a whole by using a plurality of transport roll pairs 35a and 35b and a plurality of transport guide members (not shown). The conveying roll pair 35 b is provided in front of the discharge port 14 and configured as a discharge roll pair for feeding the recording paper 9 after fixing to the discharge accommodating section 13 .
The double-sided transport path Rt4 includes a forward/reverse rotatable discharge roll pair 35b that constitutes the end of the discharge transport path Rt3, a plurality of transport roll pairs 36a, 36b, and 36c, and a path switching member (not shown) that switches the path destination of the recording paper 9. , a plurality of transport guide members (not shown), and the like. The transport roll pair 36a shares the drive roll with the transport roll pair 35a in the discharge transport path Rt3.

<Image forming operation by image forming apparatus>
Image formation by the image forming apparatus 1 is performed as follows. Here, a basic image forming operation when forming an image on one side of the recording paper 9 will be described as an example.
The image forming apparatus 1 forms a toner image in the image forming apparatus 2 when a control unit (not shown) receives a command (signal) to start an image forming operation from an information terminal or the like connected by various communication means. Image operation is started.

First, in the imaging device 2, the photosensitive drum 21 starts rotating, and the charging device 22 charges the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 21 to a predetermined polarity and potential (negative polarity in this example). The charged peripheral surface of the drum 21 is exposed based on image information to form an electrostatic latent image having a desired pattern. After that, the developing device 24 supplies toner, which is a developer charged to a required polarity (negative polarity in this example), from the developing roll 241 to the electrostatic latent image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 . Then, development is performed to visualize the electrostatic latent image as a toner image. Thereby, a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 21 .

Subsequently, in the image forming device 2 , the rotationally driven photosensitive drum 21 conveys the toner image to the transfer position TP facing the transfer device 25 . On the other hand, in the paper feeding device 3, the operation of feeding the recording paper 9 to the supply transport path Rt1 and supplying it to the transfer position TP of the image forming device 2 is performed in accordance with this transfer timing. At the transfer position TP of the image forming device 2 , the transfer device 25 forms a transfer electric field to electrostatically transfer the toner image on the photosensitive drum 21 onto one side of the recording paper 9 . In the imaging device 2, the cleaning device 26 continues to clean the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 21 during a period including after the transfer.

Subsequently, the recording paper 9 onto which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 4 through the relay conveying path Rt2 while receiving a conveying force while being sandwiched between the photosensitive drum 21 and the transfer device 25 which are driven to rotate. be done. In the fixing device 4, the recording paper 9 is introduced and passed through the fixing processing section FN between the rotating heating rotator 41 and the pressing rotator 42 which are driven to rotate. When passing through the fixing processing section FN, the toner of the toner image on one side of the recording paper 9 is heated under pressure and melted, thereby being fixed to the recording paper 9 .

Finally, the recording paper 9 on which fixing has been completed is conveyed from the fixing processing section FN of the fixing device 4 to the discharge conveying path Rt3, and then discharged from the discharge port 14 of the housing 10 by the discharge roll pair 35b. As a result, it is finally accommodated in the discharge accommodation section 13 .

As described above, a single-color image composed of toner of one color is formed on one side of one sheet of recording paper 9, and the image forming operation for one side is completed. When a command to perform the image forming operation for a plurality of sheets is issued, the series of operations described above are similarly repeated for the number of sheets.

In the double-sided image forming operation for forming images on both the front and back sides of the recording paper 9, the toner image transferred to one side (first side: front side) is fixed after the one-sided image forming operation is performed in the same manner. The recording paper 9 for which the printing has been completed is sent to the double-sided transport path Rt4.

At this time, the recording paper 9 after the fixing of the toner image on one side is stopped while being temporarily discharged from the discharge port 14 in a state in which the forward side portion during transport is sandwiched between the discharge roll pair 35b. After that, a displacement operation for switching the course of the course switching member and an operation of reverse rotation of the pair of discharge rolls 35b, that is, a so-called switchback type conveying operation is performed, so that both sides of the sheet are printed from the rear end during the conveying. is sent to the transport path Rt4 for the printer.

Subsequently, the recording paper 9 sent to the double-sided transport path Rt4 is transported via the double-sided transport path Rt4, and then transported so as to join the transport roll pair 34b in front of the supply transport path Rt1. . As a result, the recording paper 9 is sent to the supply transport path Rt1 with its front and back surfaces reversed.
Finally, the recording paper 9 re-fed to the supply transport path Rt1 is sent to the transfer position TP of the image forming device 2 at the timing of transfer, and the other side (the second side) is sent to the transfer position TP in the same manner as in the case of the single-sided image forming operation. : back surface), and then conveyed to the fixing device 4 to fix the toner image. Finally, the recording paper 9 on which images are formed on both sides thereof is ejected and accommodated in the ejection/accommodation section 13 in the same manner as described above.

As described above, single-color images composed of one-color toner are formed on both the front and back sides of one sheet of recording paper 9, and the image forming operation for both sides is completed.

<Configuration of detachable structure>
In the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 4, the attachment/detachment unit 20 and the developer storage container 28, which constitute a part of the image forming apparatus 2, are detachably attached to the housing 10. there is

The attachment/detachment (operation) of the attachment/detachment unit 20 and the developer storage container 28 is performed after opening the opening/closing cover 15 provided on a part of the housing 10 as shown in FIGS. done.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the opening/closing cover 15 swings in the directions indicated by arrows B1 and B2 with a fulcrum shaft 16 provided on one side surface (for example, an operation front surface) of the housing 10 as a fulcrum. It opens and closes by When the opening/closing cover 15 is opened by swinging in the direction indicated by the arrow B1, a portion of one side surface of the housing 10 and a portion of the upper surface thereof (the horizontal surface portion 13b of the discharge/accommodation portion 13 exist). part) can be exposed to the outside (FIGS. 4 and 5).

In the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 4, a first attachment/detachment passage is provided inside the housing 10 to serve as a passage for the developer storage container 28 to pass through when the developer storage container 28 is attached/detached. A passage space S1 and a second attachment/detachment passage space S2 serving as a passage for the attachment/detachment unit 20 to pass when the attachment/detachment unit 20 is attached/detached are provided.

The first attachment/detachment passage space S1 is configured as a space that obliquely extends from the mounting portion 20b of the developer container 28 toward a portion of the upper surface portion of the housing 10. As shown in FIG. As a result, the developer storage container 28 is moved in the oblique directions indicated by arrows 01 and 02, which are also directions substantially along the longitudinal direction of the first attachment/detachment passage space S1, so that the attachment and detachment are performed.
The second attachment/detachment passage space S2 is configured as a space that obliquely extends from the attachment portion of the attachment/detachment unit 20 toward a part of one side surface of the housing 10 . As a result, the attachment/detachment unit 20 is attached and detached by moving in the oblique directions indicated by the arrows D1 and D2, which are directions substantially along the longitudinal direction of the second attachment/detachment passage space S2.
Further, the first attachment/detachment passage space S1 and the second attachment/detachment passage space S2 overlap each other with the lower part of the first attachment/detachment passage space S1 biting into a part of the second attachment/detachment passage space S2. This is because the mounting portion 20b for mounting the developer container 28 is provided in a part of the detachable unit 20 as described above.

Here, in the image forming apparatus 1, when the developer storage container 28 is attached and detached, the developer storage container 28 can be attached and detached independently using the first attachment/detachment passage space S1 without any trouble. .
On the other hand, when attaching/detaching the attaching/detaching unit 20, it is necessary to attach/detach the attaching/detaching unit 20 using the second attaching/detaching passage space S2 after removing the developer container 28. FIG.
Even if an attempt is made to attach/detach the detachable unit 20 with the developer storage container 28 attached, a part of the developer storage container 28 protrudes from the second attachment/detachment passage space S2, resulting in a second failure. This is because the attachment/detachment unit 20 comes into contact with the surrounding components surrounding the second attachment/detachment passage space S2 and interferes with the passage of the attachment/detachment unit 20 in the second attachment/detachment passage space S2.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, when the detachable unit 20 is attached and detached, the exposure device 23, which does not constitute the detachable unit 20, is located at a position (Fig. 4) of the exposure device indicated by the two-dot chain line.
Therefore, in the image forming apparatus 1, when the detachable unit 20 is attached and detached, the exposure position P1 (indicated by the solid line in FIG. 2 or 4) to the retracted position P2 (the position of the exposure device 23 indicated by the solid line in FIG. 4) so as not to interfere with the movement of the detachable unit 20. ing.

<Configuration of moving mechanism>
The moving mechanism 5 of the exposure device 23, as shown in FIG. It is a mechanism for moving between a retracted position P2 as a position of .

As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the moving mechanism 5 includes a first projection 51 and a second projection 52 provided at different positions on the exposure device 23, and moving the first projection 51 to the exposure position P1, which is the first position. and the retracted position P2, which is the second position, and guides the second protrusion 52 between the exposure position P1, which is the first position, and the retracted position P2, which is the second position. It is provided with at least the second guide groove 54 to do.
Further, the moving mechanism 5 includes two left and right moving mechanisms 5A and 5B (specifically, a left moving mechanism 5A and a right moving mechanism 5A and a right moving mechanism) which are divided into two positions facing the longitudinal ends of the exposure device 23, respectively. 5B).

Further, the moving mechanism 5 (5A, 5B) is configured to move the exposure device 23 between the exposure position P1 and the retracted position P2 in conjunction with the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing cover 15. FIG.
In order to realize this interlocking function, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a link mechanism 6, which will be described later, as means for converting the rocking motion of the open/close cover 15 during the opening/closing operation into power for the moving operation of the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B and transmitting the power. We are hiring.

Both the first guide groove 53 and the second guide groove 54 in the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B are curved guide grooves each having a required length, but their overall shapes are different from each other.
As for the retracted position P2, which is the second position, as shown in FIG. It is set at a position that is part of the space S5.

Further, the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B are interlocked with the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing cover 15 and operate as follows.
First, when opening the opening/closing cover 15, as shown in FIGS. 4, 13(b), 14(b), etc., the movement mechanisms 5A and 5B move the exposure device 23 to the exposure position in conjunction with the opening operation. It operates to move from P1 to the retracted position P2.
On the other hand, when the opening/closing cover 15 is closed, as shown in FIGS. 2, 13(a), 14(a), etc., the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B move the exposure device 23 to the retracted position in conjunction with the closing operation. It operates to move from P2 to exposure position P1.

Further, the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B are provided in the housing 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 as a moving device 17 integrated with the link mechanism 6, as shown in FIGS.
In the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, etc., a moving device 17 in which the moving mechanism 5 (5A, 5B) and the link mechanism 6 (6A, 6B) are integrated is a housing of the image forming apparatus 1. Two lateral moving devices 17A and 17B (specifically, the left moving device 17A and the left moving device 17A and the left moving device 17A and the left moving device 17A and the left moving device 17A and the left moving device 17B) are mounted on the upper portions of two side portions (for example, left and right side portions) 113 and 114 of the body 10 facing the longitudinal ends of the exposure device 23. It is mounted as a right moving device 17B).

The left and right side portions 113 and 114 of the housing 10 are composed of substantially rectangular main body portions 113a and 114a and bent portions (side bent portions 113b and 114b and an upper portion) obtained by bending outward about four sides of the main body portion. 113c, 114c, etc.). Further, the left and right side portions 113 and 114 are provided with cutout portions (not shown) for securing a range of movement by the moving mechanism 5 of the exposure device 23 in the body portion thereof.
Reference numeral 112 in FIG. 5 denotes a bottom portion that is a part of the housing 10, reference numeral 115 denotes a side connecting portion that connects the left and right side portions 113 and 114 at the lower portion of the side portion, and reference numeral 116 denotes the left and right side portions 113 and 114. at a portion of the top surface, respectively.

The moving devices 17A and 17B include first support members 171A and 171B attached to the outer surfaces of the left and right side portions 113 and 114 so as to face the cutout portions (not shown), and the left and right side portions 113 and 171B. , 114 and have second support members 175A, 175B mounted so as to be positioned outside the first support members 171A, 171B.
7, illustration of the right first support member 171B is omitted. In FIG. 8, only the left first support member 171A is illustrated, and the illustration of the right first support member 171B and the left and right second support members 175A and 175B are omitted.

A part of the moving mechanism 5 (5A, 5B) and a part of the link mechanism 6 (6A, 6B) are placed between the first supporting members 171A, 171B and the second supporting members 175A, 175B. It is
12 to 14, the first support members 171A and 171B are provided with the first guide grooves 53 and the second guide grooves 54 of the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B, respectively. . The first guide groove 53 and the second guide groove 54 may be provided in a plate-like support member arranged to face at least both ends of the exposure device 23 in the longitudinal direction.

<Configuration of link mechanism>
As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, 12, 13, and 14, the link mechanism 6 has two left and right link mechanisms 6A and 6B (specifically is configured as a left link mechanism 6A and a right link mechanism 6B).
The link mechanisms 6A and 6B include two left and right power input portions 61A and 61B for inputting the rocking motion of the opening/closing cover 15 as power, and the power obtained from each of the power input portions 61A and 61B to the moving mechanism 5. It is provided with two left and right power transmission units 65A and 65B that convert and transmit power for moving motion.

5, 7 to 9, 13, 14, etc., the power input portions 61A and 61B are two contact acting portions 18A and 18B provided corresponding to the opening/closing cover 15, respectively. It is composed of two left and right rotating bodies 62A and 62B that rotate when they come into contact with each other.
The left rotating body 62A is rotatably supported by the second supporting member 175A of the left moving device 17A so as to exist on the outer surface side of the upper corner of the left side surface 113 facing the opening/closing cover 15. As shown in FIG. The right rotating body 62B is rotatably supported by the second supporting member 175B of the right moving device 17B so as to exist on the outer surface side of the upper corner of the right side surface portion 114 facing the opening/closing cover 15 .

<Link actuator>
Further, the power input units 61A and 61B constitute a part of the link actuating device as described below.
First, as shown in FIGS. 15 to 18 and the like, the link actuating device 60 has a rotatably supported shaft portion and a plurality of contacted portions provided at different positions in the rotating direction. rotating bodies 62A and 62B, which are examples of moving means; link means connected to a part of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B and displaced as the rotating bodies 62A and 62B rotate; The apparatus includes at least contact acting portions 18A and 18B, which are examples of moving contact means having a plurality of contact portions that sequentially contact the contact portions to rotate the rotating bodies 62A and 62B.
Also, this link actuating device 60 is configured as two left and right link actuating devices 60 (specifically, a left link actuating device 60A and a right link actuating device 60B) corresponding to the two left and right link mechanisms 6A and 6B. there is

The power input portions 61A and 61B constitute the rotating means and the moving contact means in the link actuating devices 60A and 60B. Further, as the link means of the link actuating device 60 in Embodiment 1, connecting links 67A and 67B, which will be described later, in the power transmission portions 65A and 65B are applied. Further, the contact acting portions 18A and 18B of the link actuating device 60 in Embodiment 1 are arranged so as to move toward and away from the rotating bodies 62A and 62B. In Embodiment 1, the contact acting portions 18A and 18B are provided on the opening/closing cover 15 which swings in the directions indicated by arrows B1 and B2 to perform opening/closing operations, as will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 and 18, the rotating bodies 62A and 62B are rotatable by being fitted on rotating shafts (not shown) provided on the second support member 175A and the right side surface portion 114, respectively. It has disk-shaped main bodies 620A and 620B formed with cylindrical shafts 621A and 621B to be supported.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 and 18, each of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B includes the contact acting portions 18A and 18A of the opening/closing cover 15 around the shaft portions 621A and 621B of the main body portions 620A and 620B. 18B, the first contact portions 622A, 622B and the second contact portions 623A, 623B that are brought into contact with a part of the power transmission portion 65A, 65B; Spring mounting portions 625A and 625B for mounting shafts 624A and 624B and one ends of extension springs 63A and 63B, which will be described later, are provided.

Both the first contact portions 622A and 622B and the second contact portions 623A and 623B are arranged along the axis JL of the shaft portion 621A (621B) as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10B. are provided as protruding portions that protrude in the direction JL2 on the same side with the body portion 620A (620B) as a boundary. In the first embodiment, the first contacted portions 622A and 622B are semi-cylindrical projections, and the second contact portions 623A and 623B are cylindrical projections.
On the other hand, both the spring mounting portions 625A and 625B are arranged in a direction along the axis JL of the shaft portion 621A (621B) as shown in FIG. It is provided as a protruding portion that protrudes in the direction JL1 opposite to the side where the contacted portion 622A (622B) and the like are present.

Further, one ends of extension springs (eg, coil springs) 63A, 63B are attached to respective spring attachment portions 625A, 625B of the rotating bodies 62A, 62B. As a result, the rotating bodies 62A and 62B are continuously pulled in desired directions with desired tensions (TA and TB), respectively, as shown in FIGS.
Further, when the spring attachment portions 625A and 625B of the main body portions 620A and 620B are viewed in the order of the rotation direction C1 indicated by the dashed arrow C1 described later, the rotating bodies 62A and 62B are arranged so that the spring attachment portions 625A and 625B are aligned with the second contact portions 623A and 623A. 623B, the first contacted portions 622A and 622B, and the spring mounting portions 625A and 625B are arranged in this order at positions spaced apart from each other. In other words, the spring mounting portions 625A and 625B are arranged at portions between the first contacted portions 622A and 622B and the spring mounting portions 625A and 625B of the tension springs 63A and 63B in the main body portions 620A and 620B. ing.

The tension springs 63A and 63B in the first embodiment are configured to move the rotating bodies 62A and 62B in the direction in which the contact acting portions 18A and 18B move away from the rotating bodies 62A and 62B (swinging motion when the opening/closing cover 15 is opened). It is provided as biasing means for exerting biasing forces (biasing forces) MA and MB to rotate in the same direction as the direction B1.

15 and 16, the tension springs 63A and 63B exert forces (biasing forces) MA2 and MB2 that bias the rotary links 66A and 66B when the exposure device 23 is at the exposure position P1. is weaker than the urging forces (urging forces) MA1 and MB1 when the exposure device 23 is at the retracted position P2 (MA2<MA1, MB2<MB1).
One ends of the tension springs 63A and 63B are attached to the spring attachment portions 625A and 625B of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B, and the other ends are attached to the left support member 175A and the right side surface portion 114 of the housing 10. It is attached to portions 178 , 632b , and the like. When the exposure device 23 is moved from the retracted position P2 to the exposure position P1, the extension springs 63A and 63B are partially rotated on the shaft portions 621A and 621B of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B. They are positioned so that they come to rest close together until they contain the center. The arrangement of the tension springs 63A, 63B can be realized by selecting fixing positions of both ends of the tension springs 63A, 63B in the longitudinal direction. As a result, the tension springs 63A and 63B are configured so that when the exposure device 23 is at the exposure position P1, the urging force relationship thereof satisfies the above relationship (MA2<MA1, MB2<MB1).

5, 9, 11, 15, and 16, the contact action portions 18A and 18B of the opening/closing cover 15 are located at predetermined positions on the left and right ends of the inner wall surface of the opening/closing cover 15, as shown in FIGS. a plate-shaped main body portion 180 arranged in an upright shape, a bent tip portion 181 extending obliquely downward toward the tip side of the main body portion 180, and a shape expanding downward at the boundary portion between the main body portion 180 and the bent tip portion 181 It is composed of a member having a shape having a recessed portion 182 cut out by . Among them, the main body portion 180 and the bending tip portion 181 are configured as one continuous member with a recess portion 182 interposed therebetween as shown in FIGS. 5 and 11 .

9 and 11, each of the contact action portions 18A and 18B is provided with a first contact portion 183 at the tip of the bent tip portion 181. As shown in FIGS. The first contact portion 183 is formed as a substantially planar end face at the tip of the bent tip portion 181 .
The first contact portion 183 rotates when the contact action portions 18A and 18B move in the direction approaching the rotating bodies 62A and 62B as the opening/closing cover 15 swings in the closing direction indicated by the arrow B2. It functions as a contact portion for pushing that is used in contact with the first contacted portions 622A and 622B of the moving bodies 62A and 62B (see FIGS. 15 and 16, etc.).

Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, each of the contact acting portions 18A and 18B has an inner wall surface near the contact surface portion 183 of the recess portion 182 formed of a sloped surface that is inclined downward and outward. They are formed as second contact portions 184 that come into contact with the action projections 623A and 623B of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B when the cover 15 is opened. Moreover, the inner wall surface of the recessed portion 182 on the side opposite to the contact surface portion 183 is formed of a sloped surface that is inclined downward and outward. 623B are formed as third contact portions 185, respectively.
The second contact portion 184 is arranged so that the contact acting portions 18A and 18B move away from the rotating bodies 62A and 62B as the opening/closing cover 15 swings in the opening direction indicated by the arrow B1. It is configured to function as a drawer contact portion used in contact with the second contacted portions 623A, 623B in 62A, 62B (see FIGS. 15, 16, etc.). Further, when the contact acting portions 18A and 18B move toward the rotating bodies 62A and 62B as the opening/closing cover 15 swings in the closing direction indicated by the arrow B2, the third contact portion 185 It is configured to function as a contact portion for pushing that is used in contact with the second contacted portions 623A and 623B of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B (see FIGS. 15 and 16, etc.).

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. A passage port 117 is provided for allowing the contact acting portions 18A and 18B to pass therethrough. Further, the rotating bodies 62A and 62B are arranged at positions close to the passage opening 117. As shown in FIG.
Reference numeral 19 in FIG. 5 denotes a flexible connecting part of the opening/closing cover 15 and part of the side bent portion 113b with a predetermined length in order to maintain the posture of the opening/closing cover 15 when opened. It is a member of sexuality.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 8, 15, 16, etc., the power transmission units 65A and 65B are provided with two left and right rotating links 66A and 66B that rotate (or swing) in the vicinity of the moving mechanism 5. , two left and right connecting links 67A, 67B that connect a part of the rotating bodies 62A, 62B and a part of the rotating links 66A, 66B in the power input parts 61A, 61B, and other parts of the rotating links 66A, 66B. It is composed of two left and right connecting links 68A and 68B that connect a part and the first projection 51 guided by the first guide groove 53 in the moving mechanism 5. As shown in FIG.

The two left and right rotating links 66A and 66B are plate-like members whose entirety is substantially triangular. The fulcrum shafts 661A and 661B near one top of the rotating links 66A and 66B are inserted into the support grooves 172A and 172B provided in the first support members 171A and 171B of the left moving device 17A and the right moving device 17B. Each is rotatably supported.
Further, when the first coupling shafts 662A and 662B provided near the other top portions of the rotary links 66A and 66B move between two points, the guide grooves 173A provided in the first support members 171A and 171B respectively move. , 173B.

The two left and right connecting links 67A and 67B are elongate plate-like members bent into a desired shape. One end of each connecting link 67A, 67B is rotatably attached to coupling shafts 624A, 624B provided on a part of the rotating bodies 62A, 62B, and the other end of each of the rotating links 66A, 66B is connected to another shaft of the rotating link 66A, 66B. It is rotatably attached to first coupling shafts 662A and 662B provided near the top.

The two left and right connecting links 68A and 68B are plate-like members having a substantially elliptical shape. The connection links 68A, 68B have one end rotatably attached to second coupling shafts 663A, 663B, which are other parts of the rotary links 66A, 66B and are provided near the tops of the other remaining parts. A first protrusion 51 is rotatably attached to the portion. The first projection 51 is attached via a guided portion 681 (FIGS. 6 to 8) guided by the first guide groove 53 in a state where the first projection 51 is fitted.

As shown in FIG. 7, the second support members 175A and 175B have auxiliary first guide grooves of the same shape at positions corresponding to the first guide grooves 53 of the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B provided in the first support members 171A and 171B. Guide grooves 176A and 176B are provided. Guided portions 681A and 681B of the connection links 68A and 68B are fitted into the first auxiliary guide grooves 176A and 176B and are guided in an auxiliary manner.
As shown in FIG. 7, the second support members 175A and 175B have auxiliary support grooves 177A and 177B of the same shape at positions corresponding to the support grooves 172A and 172B provided in the first support members 171A and 171B. is provided. The fulcrum shafts 661A and 661B (auxiliary members 664 for fitting the fulcrum shafts 661A and 661B) of the rotary links 66A and 66B of the link mechanisms 6A and 6B are fitted into the auxiliary support grooves 177A and 177B for auxiliary guidance. be done.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the second support member 175A is provided with a fixed mounting portion 178 for mounting and fixing the other end of the tension spring 63A. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 16(b), the fixed mounting portion 178 is positioned away from the rotating body 62A toward the rotating link 66A and is substantially at the same height as the rotation center of the rotating body 62A in the horizontal direction. It is located in
Incidentally, the other end portion of the tension spring 63B is attached to a spring attachment portion 632b provided in a part of the body portion 114a of the side portion 114 of the housing 10. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 15(a), the fixed mounting portion (not shown) is located at a position further downward than the rotating body 62B and opposite to the rotation link 66B from the center of rotation of the rotating body 62B. It is installed in a position shifted to the side.

<Detailed Components of Link Mechanism>
The link mechanism 6 (6A, 6B) has the fulcrum shafts 661A, 661B, the first coupling shafts 662A, 662B, and the second coupling shafts 663A, 663B. A link mechanism portion (of the link mechanisms 6A and 6B) provided with rotating pivot links 66A and 66B and first support members 171A and 171B provided with the guide grooves 173A and 173B and the support grooves 172A and 172B. Part) 60 further adopts the following configuration.
That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the guide grooves 173A and 173B are circular arcs having a radius equal to the separation distance R between the fulcrum shafts 661A and 661B of the rotary links 66A and 66B and the first coupling shafts 662A and 662B. It is configured to have a long-side guide portion 174 having a shape with a larger curvature than the curvature. As shown in FIG. 14(a), the support grooves 172A and 172B are long grooves extending in a direction N2 intersecting the direction N1 in which the long-side guide portions 174 of the guide grooves 173A and 173B extend. is doing.

In Embodiment 1, the guide grooves 173A and 173B are arranged in the exposure apparatus in which the first coupling shafts 662A and 662B are moved by the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B, as shown in FIGS. It is configured to guide the first coupling shafts 662A and 662B when moving between two points (P10, P20) corresponding to the exposure position P1 and the retraction position P2 of 23. As shown in FIG.
As for the long side guide portion 174, as shown in FIG. 14(a), the guide grooves 173A and 173B are linearly shaped along a straight line (N1) connecting two points for guiding the first coupling shafts 662A and 662B. It is formed into a shape. Further, the long-side guide portion 174 is provided on the long-side portion farther from the support grooves 172A and 172B of the two long-side portions of the long-groove-shaped guide grooves 173A and 173B.
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 14A, the support grooves 172A and 172B are formed as long grooves extending along a vertical line passing through the central point CP in the longitudinal direction (N1) of the guide grooves 173A and 173B. ing.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 12, and 13, the exposure device 23 attached to the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B includes an exposure main body portion 231 and a support member 232 which supports the exposure main body portion 231 and has a substantially U-shaped cross section. It consists of Both ends 238 of the exposure main body 231 are supported by mounting members 236 so as to be movable (displaceable) in directions indicated by arrows J1 and J2. A light emitting portion 233 from which light is emitted at the time of exposure is arranged on a portion of the exposure body portion 231 opposite to the support member 232 side. Here, the support member 232 and the mounting member 236 are configured as support means for the exposure device 23 .
Also, as shown in FIG. 13 and the like, the exposure device 23 is configured such that the support member 232 is sandwiched between two left and right mounting members 236 provided with the first projection 51 and the second projection 52, and the leaf spring is held in place. It is fixed to the exposure main unit 231 via 234 .

Reference numeral 235 in FIGS. 12, 13, etc. denotes a fixing screw for fixing the leaf spring 234 (the other end side) of which one end side is attached to the exposure main body 231 to the supporting member 232 . Reference numeral 237 in FIG. 13 denotes a compression spring provided between the lower surface of the mounting member 236 and the exposure main body 231 to bias the exposure main body 231 on the mounting member 236 toward the exposure position P1. coil spring) that increases the biasing force. Reference numeral 238 in FIG. 13 denotes end portions in the longitudinal direction of the exposure body portion 231 (actually, both end portions existing on the left and right). When the exposure device 23 moves to the exposure position P1, this end portion contacts a positioning portion (not shown) provided on the detachable unit 20 or the like and is used for positioning. Further, reference numeral 239 in FIG. 12 denotes a protective cover that covers and protects portions of the plate spring 234 exposed from both ends of the support member 232 in the longitudinal direction.

The first guide grooves 53 and the second guide grooves 54 of the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B provided on the first supporting members 171A and 171B of the moving devices 17A and 17B are arranged as shown in FIGS. 2, they are formed so that they are close to each other in a region M1 on the side closer to the exposure position P1, which is the first position, and are gradually separated in a region M2 on the side closer to the retraction position P2, which is the second position. there is
Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 14(a), the second guide groove 54 is configured as a single arc-shaped guide groove. Moreover, in the first guide groove 53 at this time, the arc-shaped portion 53c curved in the same direction as the arc-shaped portion existing on the exposure position P1 side of the second guide groove 54 and the second guide groove 54 is formed as a guide groove having an arc-shaped portion 53d that curves in the opposite direction to the arc-shaped portion that exists on the retracted position P2 side.

Moving devices 17A and 17B (excluding the exposure device 23) provided with moving mechanisms 5A and 5B and link mechanisms 6A and 6B are attached to the housing 10 as shown in FIGS. It is attached at a position on the upper end side of the outer surface of the side portions 113 and 114 and in a biased state so as to approach the side surface of the opening/closing cover 15 .

Specifically, the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B are arranged at positions within a range including the exposure position P1 and the retracted position P2 of the exposure device 23 in the image forming device 2 (removable unit 20) on the outer surfaces of the side portions 113 and 114. .
Further, the power input portions 61A and 61B (actually rotating bodies 62A and 62B) in the link mechanisms 6A and 6B are provided with passage openings 117 for the side bent portions 113b and 114b on the outer surfaces of the side portions 113 and 114. placed in close proximity to the site where the
Further, power transmission portions 65A and 65B (actually connecting links 67A and 67B and rotating links 66A and 66B) in the link mechanisms 6A and 6B are connected to the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B and the power It is arranged at a position between the input portions 61A and 61B and close to the upper bent portions 113c and 114c.

<Moving operation of exposure apparatus by moving mechanism, link mechanism, etc.>
As described above, the moving devices 17A and 17B operate the link mechanisms 6A and 6B in conjunction with the opening/closing operation of the opening/closing cover 15, thereby moving the exposure device 23 between the exposure position P1 and the retracted position P2 in the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B. to move with.

◎ Operation when opening the open/close cover:
First, the operation of opening the closed cover 15 will be described. The opening/closing cover 15 is opened when the developer storage container 28 and the attachment/detachment unit 20 are attached/detached for replacement work or the like.

In this case, when the opening/closing cover 15 is closed, the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B move to the exposure device 23 as shown in FIGS. to the exposure position P1 has been completed.

From this state, when the opening/closing cover 15 is swung in the direction indicated by the arrow B1 to start opening, as shown in FIG. The second contacting portion 184 as the contacting portion 623A, 623B of the rotating body 62A, 62B of the power input portion 61A, 61B (or the link moving device 60A, 60B) of the link mechanism 6A, 6B. Then, the rotating bodies 62A and 62B start rotating in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow C1.

As a result, the power generated by the rotary motion generated by rotating the rotating bodies 62A and 62B in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow C1 is transmitted to the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B via the power transmission portions 65A and 65B in the link mechanisms 6A and 6B. transmitted.

That is, when the rotating bodies 62A and 62B rotate in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow C1, the connecting links 67A and 67B of the power transmission portions 65A and 65B move away from the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow D1. The movement of the connecting links 67A, 67B causes the first coupling shafts 662A, 662B of the rotary links 66A, 66B to move along the guide grooves 173A, 173B in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow E1.

Here, the action of contacting the contact action portions 18A and 18B of the opening/closing cover 15 swinging in the direction indicated by the arrow B1 to rotate the rotating bodies 62A and 62B in the direction indicated by the broken arrow C1 is the action indicated by the broken line arrow C1. At a position before the first coupling shafts 662A, 662B moving in the direction indicated by E1 reach one end side of the guide grooves 173A, 173B, the opening/closing cover 15 begins to be opened, and the contact acting portions 18A, 18B are moved to the rotating bodies 62A, 62B. It disappears when it is separated from the second contacted portions 623A and 623B.

However, the rotation of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow C1 is caused by the tensions TA1 and TB1 of the tension springs 63A and 63B as shown in 15(b) and FIG. 16(b). , 62B in the direction of arrow C1.
In the link moving devices 60A and 60B at this time, as shown in FIG. 19, the second contact portions 184 of the contact acting portions 18A and 18B are replaced by the second contacted portions 623A and 623A of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B. Only when it is in contact with 623B, the rotating bodies 62A and 62B are rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow C1.

Subsequently, the first coupling shafts 662A and 662B are moved in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow E1, so that the rotary links 66A and 66B move in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow G1 about the fulcrum shafts 661A and 661B. As the rotating links 66A and 66B rotate, the second coupling shafts 663A and 663B also move in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow G1. At this time, the second coupling shafts 663A and 663B move from the lower position to the upper position so as to draw a trajectory including a substantially arcuate curve.

Subsequently, the power generated by the rotary motion when the second coupling shafts 663A and 663B of the rotary links 66A and 66B move (swing) in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow G1 is transmitted through the connection links 68A and 68B to the exposure apparatus. It is transmitted to the first projection 51 at 23 .
As a result, the first protrusion 51 moves while being guided by the first guide groove 53 in the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B, and moves from a position below the first guide groove 53 to a position above the first guide groove 53. Let me. Along with the movement of the first projection 51, the second projection 52 of the same exposure device 23 moves while being guided by the second guide grooves 54 of the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B. position to a position above the second guide groove 54 .

Therefore, when the opening/closing cover 15 is opened, the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B move the exposure device 23 to the position shown in FIGS. (from the exposure position P1) to the retracted position P2 as shown in FIG.
The exposure device 23 moved to the retracted position P2 by the movement mechanisms 5A and 5B has its exposure main body 231 (the light exit surface 233 thereof) facing obliquely upward as shown in FIGS. It is held in a stopped position. The obliquely upward direction is, for example, an upward direction along the longitudinal direction of the second attachment/detachment passage space S2.

Incidentally, the reason why the exposure device 23 stops and stays at the retracted position P2 is based on the following mechanism.
That is, at this stage, the contact acting portions 18A and 18B of the opening/closing cover 15 are completely separated from the rotating bodies 62A and 62B. However, as shown in FIGS. 13(b) and 14(b), the rotating bodies 62A and 62B in the link mechanisms 6A and 6B have tensions TA1 and TB1 by the tension springs 63A and 63B. The urging forces MA1 and MB1 for rotating in the direction C1 are continuously received, thereby maintaining the rotation in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow C1. Therefore, the rotational motion (power) of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B when they continue to rotate in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow C1 is transmitted to the rotating links 66A and 66B by the power transmission portions 65A and 65B as indicated by the dashed arrow G1. are transmitted as forces FA1 and FB1 that keep rotating in the directions indicated by .
As a result, the rotating links 66A and 66B are kept rotating in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow G1. , and held in a position above the second guide groove 54 .

Then, the exposing device 23 is moved to the retracted position P2 by the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B, so that, as shown in FIG. It will be.

Accordingly, in the image forming apparatus 1 , the attachment/detachment (movement) work of the attachment/detachment unit 20 using the second attachment/detachment passage space S<b>2 is performed without being hindered by the presence of the exposure device 23 . When the exposure device 23 is at the retracted position P2, the exposure main body (light emitting portion) 231 is not in a stop posture facing the second attachment/detachment passage space S2. There is no risk that the exposure main body 231 will be damaged due to the detachable unit 20 accidentally contacting it.

Further, in the image forming apparatus 1, when the exposure device 23 is at the retracted position P2, the main exposure unit 231 (the light output unit 233) of the exposure device 23 is directed toward the upper opening of the housing 10 opened by the opening/closing cover 15. Get into a stopped position. Therefore, if there is no other component (in other words, an obstacle) between the exposure device 23 at the retracted position P2 and the upper opening of the housing 10, , it becomes possible to clean the exposure main body 231 (the light exit surface 233 thereof) of the exposure device 23 while visually observing it.

In addition, in the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B in the image forming apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. It is constructed so that the stop posture can be moved to a posture rotated by 90° or more with respect to the stop posture at the exposure position P1. At this time, the attitude rotated by 90° or more is when the robot is rotated so that the intersection angle θ of two straight lines K1 and K2 formed by two-dot chain lines is 90° or more, as shown in FIG. is the attitude of
Therefore, in the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B, it is possible to rotate the stop postures of the exposure device 23 at the exposure position P1 and the retracted position P2 by 90 degrees or more and change them to different postures.

◎ Operation when closing the open/close cover:
Next, the operation for closing the open/close cover 15 that has been opened will be described.

In this case, while the opening/closing cover 15 is open, the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B move the exposure device 23 to the retracted position P2 as shown in FIGS. It is kept in the completed state.

From this state, when the opening/closing cover 15 is swung in the direction indicated by the arrow B2 and starts to close, as shown in FIG. 15, FIG. 16, and FIG. 18A, 18B are connected to the first contacted portions 622A, 622B of the rotating bodies 62A, 62B of the power input portions 61A, 61B (or the link moving devices 60A, 60B) of the link mechanisms 6A, 6B. After contact, the rotating bodies 62A and 62B start rotating in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow C2.

As a result, the power generated by the rotary motion generated by rotating the rotating bodies 62A and 62B in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow C2 is transmitted to the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B via the power transmission portions 65A and 65B of the link mechanisms 6A and 6B. transmitted.

That is, when the rotating bodies 62A and 62B rotate in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow C2, the connection links 67A and 67B of the power transmission units 65A and 65B approach the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B as indicated by the dashed arrow D2. be moved in the direction Thereafter, due to the movement of the connecting links 67A, 67B, the first coupling shafts 662A, 662B of the rotary links 66A, 66B are moved along the guide grooves 173A, 173B in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow E2.

Here, in the link moving devices 60A and 60B, part of the contact acting portions 18A and 18B of the opening/closing cover 15 swinging in the direction indicated by the arrow B2 come into contact with each other to move the rotating bodies 62A and 62B as indicated by the dashed arrow C2. The operation of rotating in the indicated direction is performed by the following two-stage (two-step) operation.

That is, in the link moving devices 60A and 60B, as shown in FIGS. 20, 21(a) and 22, the first contact portions 183 of the contact acting portions 18A and 18B are the first contact portions of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B. 18, 21(b), and as shown in the middle part of FIG. When the third contact portion 185 is brought into contact with the second contacted portions 623A and 623B of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B, the rotation is switched to the second stage operation.

When switching from the operation of the first step to the operation of the second step, as shown in FIG. is in contact with the contacted portions 622A and 622B of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B , as shown in FIG. It is designed to disappear (cancel) at the stage when it starts contacting the portions 623A and 623B.

At this time, in the link moving devices 60A and 60B, the first contact portions 183 and the second contact portions 185 of the contact acting portions 18A and 18B are moved to the first contact portions 622A and 622B and the first contact portions 622A and 622B of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B. By sequentially contacting the second contacted portions 623A and 623B, the rotating bodies 62A and 62B are rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow C2.

As a result, as for the amount of rotation of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow C2, for example, the first contact portion 183 of the contact acting portions 18A and 18B is moved to the first contacted portion of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B. Compared to the case where the portions 622A and 622B are only brought into contact (the case where only the first stage operation is performed), the number of the members can be increased.
In FIG. 22, symbol CS indicates the center of rotation (the position through which the axis JL passes) of the shaft portion 621B of the rotating body 62B. For example, when the straight line connecting the rotation center CS of the connecting shaft 624B immediately before the first contact portion 183 contacts the first contacted portion 622B is taken as a reference line, the amount of rotation is It can also be understood as the size of the central angle between the rotation center CS at each position of the coupling shaft 624B when the rotating body 62B rotates in the direction of the arrow C2.

Increasing the amount of rotation (or the central angle) of this rotating body 62B (62A) means that, as shown in FIG. ), the amount (distance) U moving in the direction (D2) away from ) is increased. Moreover, increasing the amount of rotation (or the central angle) of the rotating body 62B (62A) increases the rotation of the rotating link 66B (66A) that rotates as the connecting link 67B moves in the directions of the arrows D1 and D2. Since this also increases the amount of movement, it is also possible to increase the amount of movement of the exposure device 23 by the movement mechanisms 5A and 5B, which reflects the amount of rotation of the rotary link 66B (66A). Connect.

In FIG. 22, regarding the moving amount U of the connecting link 67B, a virtual center extending along the gravitational direction of the coupling shaft 624A of the rotating body 62B connected to one end of the connecting link 67B and the rotation center CS of the rotating body 62B It is shown as a distance from the line GL.
As illustrated in FIG. 22, a link moving device 60B (connecting link 6 in 60A
The moving amount U of 7B is the first moving amount (U1+U2) in the first stage operation, and the second moving amount (U3) in the second stage operation. In this way, the movement amount U of the connecting link 67B when performing the motion up to the second stage is increased by the movement amount U3 compared to the first movement amount when performing only the motion of the first stage. Become.

Subsequently, the first coupling shafts 662A and 662B are moved in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow E2, so that the rotary links 66A and 66B move in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow G2 about the fulcrum shafts 661A and 661B. As the rotating links 66A and 66B rotate, the second connecting shafts 663A and 663B also move in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow G2. At this time, the second coupling shafts 663A and 663B move so as to draw a substantially arcuate trajectory from the upper position to the lower position.

Subsequently, the power generated by the rotational movement of the second coupling shafts 663A and 663B in the rotary links 66A and 66B when moving in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow G2 is applied to the first joint shafts 663A and 663B in the exposure device 23 via the connection links 68A and 68B. It is transmitted to the protrusion 51 .
20 to 18, the first protrusion 51 moves while being guided by the first guide groove 53 in the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B, and the upper side of the first guide groove 53 moves. position to a position below the first guide groove 53 . Along with the movement of the first projection 51, the second projection 52 of the same exposure device 23 moves while being guided by the second guide grooves 54 of the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B. position to a position below the second guide groove 54 .

Therefore, when the opening/closing cover 15 is closed, the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B move the exposure device 23 in conjunction with the closing operation of the opening/closing cover 15 as shown in FIGS. (from the retracted position P2) to the exposure position P1.
Further, the exposure device 23 moved to the exposure position P1 by the movement mechanisms 5A and 5B has its exposure main body 231 (the light exit surface 233 thereof) obliquely downward (the photosensitive drum) as shown in FIGS. 21 (exposure position: electrostatic latent image formation position), and is kept in a stationary posture.

At this time, the reason why the exposure device 23 stops and stays at the exposure position P1 is based on the following mechanism.

First, the exposure device 23 moved to the exposure position P1 while being guided by the first guide grooves 53 and the like in the movement mechanisms 5A and 5B has a portion (bottom portion and side portion) of both end portions 238 of the exposure main body portion 231 thereof as a detachable unit. 20 or the like, and comes into contact with a positioning portion 29 (not shown), and stops moving at that point.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 15A and 16A, the rotating links 66A and 66B are rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow G2 through the link mechanisms 6A and 6B by the closing operation of the opening/closing cover 15. Since the moving forces FA2 and FB2 continue to be received, the forces FA2 and FB2 are transmitted from the second connecting shafts 663A and 663B to the first protrusion 51 via the connecting links 68A and 68B.
As a result, the mounting member 236 provided with the first protrusion 51 is pressed toward the positioning portion. Further, along with this, the compression spring 237 is further compressed. Therefore, in the exposure device 23, the exposure main body 231 is urged by the compression spring 237 so as to be displaced relative to the mounting member 236 in the direction indicated by the arrow J2 (FIG. 13) and is strongly pressed against the positioning portion. , becomes firmly positioned.

At this time, the rotation links 66A and 66B continue to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow G2 via the link mechanisms 6A and 6B due to the closing operation of the opening/closing cover 15, so that the connection links 68A and 68B are rotated as shown in FIG. ) or as shown in FIG. 16(a), the mounting member 236 of the exposure device 23, which is stopped in contact with the positioning portion, continues to swing in the direction indicated by the arrow H2 with the first projection 51 as a fulcrum. .
As a result, the connecting links 68A, 68B are such that the second connecting shafts 663A, 663B of the rotating links 66A, 66B cross over the straight lines connecting the fulcrum shafts 661A, 661B of the rotating links 66A, 66B and the first projections 51. It moves to the side area and touches the stopping portion 179, and becomes a stopped posture at that point. At this time, the second coupling shafts 663A and 663B pass through the dead point where they intersect the straight line. Further, in the rotating links 66A, 66B and the connection links 68A, 68B at this time, the lines connecting the fulcrum shafts 661A, 661B, the second coupling shafts 663A, 663B, and the first protrusions 51 are the second coupling shafts 663A, 663B. The position is shifted in the direction indicated by the arrow G2 or the arrow H2 from the above straight line, and the position is projected, and the line is bent in a doglegged shape as a whole.

21, the connecting links 68A and 68B at this time cause the mounting member 236 to recoil due to the biasing force of the compression springs 237 at both ends 238 of the exposure body 231. receive from Further, the mounting member 236 is pushed back in the direction indicated by the arrow J1 as shown in FIGS. 15(a) and 16(a).
As a result, the connection links 68A and 68B are maintained in a state in which part of the ends of the rotary links 66A and 66B on the side connected to the second coupling shafts 663A and 663B are in contact with a stop portion (not shown). posture is maintained.

As a result, the rotating links 66A and 66B are stopped without rotating in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrow H2 by receiving the recoil generated in the mounting member 236 by the urging force of the compression spring 237. maintained in posture. As a result, the exposure device 23 is kept in contact with the positioning portion 29 of the attachment/detachment unit 20 with the exposure main body 231 kept stopped at the exposure position P1.

Incidentally, when the rotating links 66A and 66B are kept stopped, the rotating links 66A and 66B do not receive the rotating forces FA2 and FB2 that rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow G2.
That is, at this time, in the link mechanisms 6A, 6B and the link actuating devices 60A, 60B, as shown in FIGS. It is in an extended state compared to the position P2, but until a part of the tension springs 63A and 63B includes the rotation center (CS) of the shaft portions 621A and 621b of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B. It can also come close and stand still.
Therefore, the tensions TA2 and TB2 of the tension springs 63A and 63B at this time do not act as an urging force to rotate the rotating bodies 62A and 62B in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow C2. in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow C1.
Therefore, at this time, the rotating bodies 62A and 62B receive the tensions TA2 and TB2 of the tension springs 63A and 63B and are rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow C1. , the rotational motion (power) of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B is transmitted by the power transmission portions 65A and 65B as forces FA2 and FB2 that keep rotating the rotating links 66A and 66B in the directions indicated by arrows G2. never

When the opening/closing cover 15 is completely closed (locked state), the contact acting portions 18A and 18B of the opening/closing cover 15 are as shown in FIGS. The second contacted portions 623A and 623B of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B are present in the middle of the recessed portion 182 (FIG. 9) and are kept out of contact with the second contacted portions 623A and 623B. It's like

For example, this is configured as follows.
That is, when the open/close cover 15 is closed, it overstrokes to the end position of the swing, which is shifted by several millimeters in the closing direction indicated by the arrow B2 beyond the fixed position where it is locked by a locking means (latch mechanism, etc.) (not shown). It is configured to be able to swing, and is configured to receive a slight biasing force that is slightly returned in the opening direction indicated by arrow B1 by biasing means (such as a spring) (not shown).
As a result, in the process of closing the opening/closing cover 15, the third contact portions 185 of the contact acting portions 18A and 18B contact the second contacted portions 623A and 623B of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B, and the connection links 68A and 68B are closed. The contact is continued until the above-described stopping posture is reached. However, when the connection links 68A and 68B receive the reaction and are kept in a state of being stopped, the rotating bodies 62A and 62B are stopped due to the relationship between the link mechanisms 6A and 6B as a whole, while the opening/closing cover 15 is closed. is returned to the fixed position from the swing end position by receiving the biasing force. As a result, the contact acting portions 18A and 18B slightly move in the direction indicated by the arrow B1 as the opening/closing cover 15 swings, so that they are separated from the second contacted portions 623A and 623B of the rotating bodies 62A and 62B. become.

Then, the exposing device 23 is moved to the exposure position P1 by the moving mechanisms 5A and 5B, so that an electrostatic latent image can be formed on the photosensitive drum 21 by exposure, as shown in FIG. .

In the first embodiment, when the opening/closing cover 15 is opened in the image forming apparatus 1 to move the exposure device 23 to the retracted position P2, the passage opening 117 provided in the housing 10 is exposed to the outside and opened. become. For this reason, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 23, an article 200 such as a rod or a plate that can pass through the passage opening 117 is intentionally or accidentally rotated through the passage opening 117 in the direction indicated by the arrow C2 by the rotating body 62A (62B). By moving, there is a possibility that an erroneous operation of moving the exposure device 23 to the exposure position P1 is performed.
However, since the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with the link actuating device 60A (60B), as shown in FIG. Even if the first contact portion 622A is brought into contact with the article 200 and the article 200 is rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow C2, the second contact portion 623A of the rotating body 62A will not move the article 200 as shown in FIG. comes into contact with part of the
As a result, in the image forming apparatus 1, the article 200 cannot be further pushed inward and the rotating body 62A cannot be rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow C2. As a result, the rotating body 62A cannot be rotated in the direction indicated by the arrow C2 by the necessary amount, and the exposure device 23 cannot be moved to the exposure position P1 and fixed.

Further, in Embodiment 1, the path of the first guide groove 53 and the trajectory of the first coupling shafts 663A, 66B in the rotary links 66A, 66B during swinging are different from each other. However, in the moving mechanisms 5A, 5B and the link mechanisms 6A, 6B in Embodiment 1, the first projection 51 provided on the mounting member 236 of the exposure device 23 and guided by the first guide groove 53 and the rotation link 66A, Since the connection links 68A and 68B connect the second coupling shaft 663 of 66B, the exposure device 23 can smoothly move between the exposure position P1 and the retracted position P2.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the link mechanism portion 60 of the link mechanisms 6A and 6B has the long side guide portion 174 as described above for the guide grooves 173A and 173B, and the support grooves 172A and 172B are configured as described above. (Fig. 14).

As a result, when the rotary links 66A and 66B rotate about the fulcrum shafts 661A and 661B, the fulcrum shafts 661A and 661B are positioned within the support grooves 172A and 172B as shown in FIGS. , the guide grooves 173A and 173B are temporarily displaced (moved) in the direction T away from the guide grooves 173A and 173B, and at the same time, the first coupling shafts 662A and 662B move between the two points (P10 and P20). It is guided to move linearly by the long-side guide portion 174 in (see FIG. 19).
As a result, the portions 665A, 665B of the rotating links 66A, 66B where the first connecting shafts 662A, 662B are present move the first connecting shafts 662A, 662B above as the rotating links 66A, 66B rotate. The amount ( 19) is reduced.
Accordingly, in the image forming apparatus 1, the link mechanism portion 60 can be easily arranged in a state of being close to the upper bent portions 113d and 114d, which are examples of the inner wall surfaces of the side portions 113 and 114 of the housing 10. (Figs. 15 to 18).

[Other embodiments]
In Embodiment 1, the rotating body 62, which is an example of the rotating means in the link moving device 60, has the two contacted parts 622 and 623, but the rotating means has three or more contacted parts. It may have a part. Also, as the rotating means, the rotating body 62 having the disk-shaped main body part 620 was exemplified, but the rotating means may have a main body part having a different shape or may have no main body part and the shaft part may also serve as the main body. It doesn't matter if it's something else.

In the first embodiment, the rotating body 62 as the rotating means is provided with the two contacted portions 622 and 623 as projecting portions projecting in the same direction (JL2) along the axis line JL of the shaft portion 621. However, if necessary, a plurality of contacted portions may be provided as projecting portions projecting in different directions (JL1, JL2) along the axis line JL of the shaft portion. It is possible.
However, the rotating means is arranged on the same side in the direction along the axis JL of the shaft rather than in the case where the plurality of contacted portions are provided as projecting portions projecting in directions on different sides in the direction along the axis JL of the shaft. It is easier to reduce the dimension of the rotating means in the axial direction JL when it is provided in the direction.
Further, in Embodiment 1, the contact acting portion 18, which is an example of the moving contact means in the link moving device 60, has three contact portions 183 to 185, but the moving contact means may have two or four. It may have the above contact portions.

In addition, as a moving contact means, a structure in which three contact parts 183 to 185 are provided in one main body part 180 (including the bending tip part 181) was exemplified, but as the moving contact means, A structure in which a plurality of contact portions are distributed to a plurality of body portions may be used. However, the moving contact means is preferably a structure in which a plurality of contact portions are provided in one body portion rather than a structure in which a plurality of contact portions are distributed and provided in a plurality of body portions. , the moving contact means can be easily made into a small and simple structure.

Further, in the first embodiment, when the opening/closing cover 15 is closed as the link moving device 60 , the first contact portion 183 and the third contact portion 185 of the contact acting portion 18 are connected to the first contacted portion 622 of the rotating body 62 . and the second contacted portion 623 sequentially to rotate the rotating body 62 . A configuration example in which the rotating body 62 is rotated by contacting the portion 623 is shown. However, in the link moving device 60, even when the opening/closing cover 15 is opened, any of the two or more contacting portions of the contact acting portion 18 sequentially contact any of the two or more contacted portions of the rotating body 62. may be configured to rotate the rotating body 62.

Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 has a configuration example in which the opening/closing cover 15, which is an example of the rocking means in the link moving device 60, is provided with the contact acting portion 18, which is an example of the moving contact means. However, in addition to this, for example, the contact acting portion 18, which is an example of the moving contact means, may be provided in a swinging means such as an operation lever operated to swing, or may be configured to move back and forth. It may be configured to be provided in advance/retreat means such as an operating lever to be operated, a cleaning member, or a paper feed cassette.

In addition, in Embodiment 1, a configuration example in which the link moving devices 60A and 60B are used in the image forming apparatus 1 is shown. However, the link moving devices 60A and 60B may be applied to any device other than the image forming device as long as it is a device that utilizes link means that is connected to a part of the rotating means and displaced as the rotating means rotates. is also possible.
Further, in the embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 adopting the electrophotographic method is exemplified as the image forming apparatus to which the link moving devices 60A and 60B are applied. However, if the image forming apparatus to which the link moving devices 60A and 60B are applied is an image forming apparatus using link means that is connected to a part of the rotating means and is displaced as the rotating means rotates, other image forming apparatuses can be used. The image forming apparatus may adopt the image forming method (ink ejection method, etc.) and configuration of the above.

1 ... Image forming apparatus 2 ... Image forming device (an example of image forming means)
15... Opening and closing cover (an example of swinging means)
60 Link actuating device 62 Rotating body (an example of rotating means)
63 Tension spring (an example of biasing means)
67 ... Connection link (an example of link means)
180... Contact action part (an example of moving contact means)
182... Recessed portion 183... First contact portion (an example of contact portion)
184... Second contact portion (an example of a contact portion and a wall surface portion)
185... Third contact portion (an example of a contact portion and a wall surface portion)
621 ... Shaft (an example of a shaft)
622... First contact portion (an example of contact portion)
623 . . . Second contact portion (an example of contact portion)
B1 . . . Rotating direction when the opening/closing cover is opened (an example of the direction away from the rotating means)
B2 . . . Swing direction when closing the opening/closing cover (an example of the direction in which the opening/closing cover approaches the rotating means)
C1, C2... Rotating direction of rotating body JL... Axis line

Claims (4)

A body portion provided with a rotatably supported shaft portion and a rotary shaft having two contacted portions provided as projecting portions projecting in a direction along the axis of the shaft portion at different positions in the direction of rotation of the shaft portion. a moving means;
One end is connected to a part of the rotating means, the other end is connected to the moving mechanism , and is displaced in a direction toward the moving mechanism and a direction away from the moving mechanism as the rotating means rotates. a linking means;
A moving contact means that moves toward and away from the rotating means , comprising: a plate-like main body; It is composed of a member having a shape having a notched portion that expands downward at the boundary between the main body portion and the bending tip portion, and is provided at the tip of the bending tip portion. a first contact portion that contacts one contacted portion of the rotating means to rotate the rotating means when the plate-like main body moves in a direction approaching the rotating means; The inner wall surface near the first contact portion of the portion, and contacts the other contacted portion of the rotating means when moving in the direction away from the rotating means to rotate the rotating means. A second contact portion to be rotated and an inner wall surface of the recess portion on the side opposite to the first contact portion, and when moving in a direction approaching the rotating means, the a moving contact means having a third contact portion that contacts the other contacted portion of the rotating means to rotate the rotating means;
with
The rotating means is configured to rotate in one direction displacing the link means in a direction approaching the moving mechanism when the moving contact means moves in a direction approaching the rotating means. ,
In the rotating means and the moving contact means, when the moving contact means is moved in a direction approaching the rotating means, the first contact portion comes into contact with the one contacted portion and the rotating contact portion contacts the one contacted portion. After rotating the means in the one direction, the first contact portion is separated from the one contacted portion, and the third contact portion comes into contact with the other contacted portion to rotate the rotating means. in the one direction. 2. A link actuating device according to claim 1, further comprising biasing means for biasing said rotating means to rotate said moving contact means in said separating direction . an imaging means for forming an image;
A link actuating device according to claim 1 or 2;
image forming apparatus. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said moving contact means in said link actuating device is provided in a rocking means operated to rock or an advancing/retreating means operated to move back and forth .

Images