JP2011123218A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent moving to the position at which a power switch turns on due to the impact during the physical distribution without lowering work efficiency in device installation. <P>SOLUTION: A locking member 25 movable to the position regulating moving of a power switch 21 and the position not regulating is provided. When a door 20 is closed, the locking member 25 is engaged with the door 20 and the position thereof is regulated, thereby regulating the moving of the power switch 21. When the door 20 is opened, the locking member 25 is disengaged from the door 20 and moves to the position not regulating the moving of the power switch 21, by being energized with a spring 26. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile, or a complex machine thereof, and more particularly to a power switch of the image forming apparatus.

  Conventionally, in order to prevent damage to the process cartridge and the optical unit during transportation of the image forming apparatus, a physical distribution protection member is attached to the process cartridge and the optical unit. The physical distribution protection member needs to be surely removed before the image forming apparatus is turned on. If the power is turned on without removing the physical distribution protection member, the apparatus will operate without image formation. In such a situation, it becomes difficult for the user to determine whether it is a malfunction or the installation is not complete.

  In order to solve such a problem, a distribution protection member for the optical unit is provided in the automatic document feeder, and the distribution protection member is detached from the optical unit when the automatic document feeder is opened, and the power switch can be operated at that time. The thing of a structure is proposed (refer patent document 1).

JP 10-97114 A

  However, in the above-described conventional example, although the power switch is hidden in the automatic document feeder, the power switch is not fixed. Therefore, there is a possibility that the power switch is moved to a position where the power switch is turned on due to an impact during distribution. That is, there is a problem that the apparatus is erroneously in a power supply state at the moment when the power cable is connected.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes an opening / closing means that can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body, and a power switch that moves with respect to the apparatus main body to turn on or off the power supply to the apparatus. In the image forming apparatus for forming an image on the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus includes a restricting unit movable to a position where the movement of the power switch is restricted and a position where the power switch is not restricted, and a biasing means which biases the restricting means, and When the means is closed, the restricting means is engaged with the opening / closing means to restrict its position and restrict the movement of the power switch. When the opening / closing means is opened, the restricting means The power switch is moved to a position where it is not restricted by being disengaged from the means and being biased by the biasing means.

  As described above, according to the present invention, since the restricting means for restricting the movement of the power switch is provided, it is possible to prevent the power switch from being turned on by an impact during distribution. Moreover, since the restriction of the movement of the power switch can be released by opening the opening / closing means, usability is not impaired.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the control state of the power switch of 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the control state of the power switch of 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the state from which restrictions of the power switch of 1st Embodiment were cancelled | released. The perspective view which shows the state from which restrictions of the power switch of 1st Embodiment were cancelled | released. Sectional drawing which shows the state which closed the opening-closing means (door) in the state from which restrictions of the power switch of 1st Embodiment were cancelled | released. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the control state of the power switch of 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the control state of the power switch of 2nd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the state from which restrictions of the power switch of 2nd Embodiment were cancelled | released. The perspective view which shows the state from which restrictions of the power switch of 2nd Embodiment were cancelled | released. Sectional drawing which shows the state which closed the opening-closing means (paper feed cassette) in the state by which restrictions of the power switch of 2nd Embodiment were cancelled | released.

  DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a laser beam printer as an example of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, which is an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording material.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a laser beam printer, which includes a scanner unit 2, a process cartridge 4, a fixing device 12, a paper feed cassette 5, and the like. The process cartridge 4 integrally includes a photosensitive drum 3 on which a latent image is formed by the scanner unit 2, a developing unit that develops the latent image on the photosensitive drum 3 with toner, a cleaner that cleans residual toner on the photosensitive drum, and the like. The image forming unit 300 is configured. The process cartridge 4 is detachable from the apparatus main body.

  A sheet cassette 5 detachably attached to the laser beam printer 1 stores a sheet S. The sheet S is fed to the image forming unit 300 by a feeding roller 6 which is a sheet feeding member. The

  When an image is formed on the sheet S, the sheet S is sent out toward the image forming unit 300 by the feeding roller 6. The sheet S sent out by the feeding roller 6 is first separated and fed one by one by a separation unit constituted by the feeding roller 6 and the friction plate 7 and then conveyed to the conveying roller pair 8.

  Next, the sheet S is conveyed from the conveyance roller pair 8 to the registration roller pair 9, and after skew correction is corrected by the registration roller pair 9, the sheet S is transferred to the transfer unit 11 constituted by the transfer roller 10 and the photosensitive drum 3 at a predetermined timing. Be transported. In the transfer portion 11, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 3 so far is transferred onto the sheet S by the transfer roller 10.

  The sheet S to which the toner image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing device 12 and is heated and pressurized by the fixing device 12 to fix the toner image.

  Thereafter, the sheet S is discharged onto the sheet discharge tray 15 by the sheet discharge lower roller 13 and the sheet discharge upper roller 14.

  Next, the configuration of the power switch and the power switch regulating means, which are features of the present embodiment, will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the user unpacks and uses the apparatus from the packaged state, installation work for mounting the process cartridge 4 on the apparatus is required. Even when the process cartridge 4 is packed in a state where it is mounted on the apparatus main body, it is necessary to remove the physical distribution protection member of the process cartridge 4. That is, the user needs to take out the process cartridge 4 from the apparatus and remove the physical distribution protection member, and then install the process cartridge 4 in the apparatus main body.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 2, 20 is a door which is an opening / closing means that can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body, and 21 is a power switch that moves relative to the apparatus main body in order to turn on or off the power supply to the apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2, when the door 20 is opened, the process cartridge 4 can be attached and detached. That is, when the user attaches / detaches the process cartridge 4, the door 20 on the front side of the apparatus is opened. When the process cartridge 4 is inserted when the door 20 is opened, the process cartridge 4 is exposed, and the user can remove the process cartridge 4 from the front side of the apparatus main body. When the process cartridge 4 is not inserted, the user can insert the process cartridge 4 into the apparatus main body from the front side of the apparatus main body. The power switch 21 is provided on the right side of the door in front of the apparatus. Reference numeral 22 denotes a cover of the apparatus main body.

  First, a locked state that is a restricted state of the power switch 21 will be described. 3 and 4 are a sectional view and a perspective view showing a locked state of the power switch 21. FIG. In FIG. 4, the door 20 is not shown for easy understanding, and only a boss 20a described later is shown, and the cover 22 is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the power switch 21 is held by the cover 22 and is movable in the directions of arrows A1 and A2. In FIG. 3, a push-type switch element 23 is disposed directly below the power switch 21 (at the back of the power switch) and is held by a switch holder 24 attached to the apparatus main body.

  Between the power switch 21 and the switch element 23, there is provided a lock member 25 that is a restricting means that engages with the door 20 that can move (open and close) in the directions of arrows C1 and C2. The lock member 25 is supported by the switch holder 24 and is movable in the directions of arrows B1 and B2. That is, as will be described later, the lock member is movable between a position where the movement of the power switch 21 is restricted and a position where the movement is not restricted.

  A spring 26 is an urging means for urging the lock member 25. The lock member 25 is biased in the direction of the arrow B1 by the spring 26. However, when the door 20 is closed, the boss 20a provided on the door 20 and the hole 25a of the lock member are engaged. Does not move in the direction of the arrow B1, and its position is regulated and held. At this time, even if the power switch 21 is pushed down in the arrow A1 direction, the power switch 21 abuts against the lock member 25, so that the power switch 21 cannot be pushed.

  Next, the unlocking state in which the movement of the power switch 21 is not restricted will be described. 5 and 6 are a sectional view and a perspective view showing the unlocked state of the power switch 21. FIG. In FIG. 6, the cover 22 is omitted for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the door 20 is opened in the direction of arrow C1, the engagement of the lock member 25 is released, and the lock member 25 is pushed by the spring 26 and moves in the direction of arrow B1. The lock member 25 is provided with a hole 25 b larger than the outer diameter of the power switch 21. Therefore, in the state where the door 20 is opened, when the power switch 21 is pushed down in the direction of the arrow A1, the power switch 21 passes through the hole 25b of the lock member, and the power switch 21 pushes the switch element 23 to turn on the power supply to the apparatus. It becomes. That is, when the door 20 is closed, the lock member 25 is engaged with the door 20 to restrict its position and restrict the movement of the power switch 21. When the door 20 is opened, the lock member 25 is disengaged from the door 20 and is urged by the spring 26 to move to a position where the movement of the power switch is not restricted.

  In this way, when the lock member 25 is moved in the arrow B1 direction, that is, when the power switch is unlocked, the power switch 21 does not interfere with the lock member 25, so that the power switch 21 can move in the directions of arrows A1 and A2. Yes, the power can be turned on and off.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when the door 20 is closed in the direction of the arrow C2 in the unlocked state of the power switch 21, the position of the boss 20a of the door 20 and the position of the hole 25a of the lock member 25 are shifted. Does not engage. Accordingly, even if the power switch 21 is unlocked by opening the door 20 (first time) during installation of the apparatus and then the door 20 is opened and closed for the second and subsequent times, the power switch 21 remains unlocked. Even when the door is closed, the power can be turned on and off.

  When transporting again for repair or the like, the lock member 25 is artificially moved in the direction of the arrow B2, and the boss 20a of the door 20 and the hole 25a of the lock member 25 are engaged to lock the power switch 21. Can be done again.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the locking means of the power switch 21 is released by the operation of the user opening the door 20 in order to mount or remove the process cartridge 4. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the power switch from moving to a position where the power switch is turned on due to an impact during distribution without increasing the installation work of the apparatus.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment described in FIG. In the configuration, the same components as those described in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. Further, the description of the same configuration and function as in the first embodiment is omitted, and only the characteristic part of the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus according to this embodiment. The paper feed cassette 5 is an opening / closing means that can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body, and is a supply means for supplying a recording material to the apparatus main body. A sheet S as a recording material is accommodated in the paper feed cassette 5.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the user unpacks and uses the apparatus from the packaged state, it is necessary to pull out and open the paper feed cassette 5 to the front of the apparatus, and set a sheet as a sheet in the paper feed cassette 5. is there. A power switch 21 for turning on / off the power supply is provided on the right front side of the apparatus.

  First, the locked state of the power switch 21 will be described. 9 and 10 are a sectional view and a perspective view showing a locked state of the power switch 21. FIG. In FIG. 10, the cover 22 is omitted for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the configuration of the power switch 21 is the same as that of the first embodiment. The lock member 25 is urged in the arrow B1 direction by the spring 26. However, the lock member 25 does not move in the arrow B1 direction because the boss 5a provided in the sheet cassette 5 and the hole 25a of the lock member are engaged. Regulated and retained.

  Thus, in a state where the paper feed cassette 5 is inserted in the direction of the arrow D2, even if the power switch 21 is pushed down in the direction of the arrow A1, the power switch 21 hits the lock member 25 so that the power switch 21 cannot be pushed. It has become.

  Next, the unlocking state of the power switch 21 will be described. 11 and 12 are a sectional view and a perspective view showing the unlocked state of the power switch 21. FIG. In FIG. 12, the cover 22 is omitted for easy understanding.

  As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, when the paper feeding cassette 5 is pulled out in the direction of the arrow D1, the holding of the lock member 25 is released, and the lock member 25 is pushed by the spring 26 and moves in the direction of the arrow B1. In this state, when the power switch 21 is pushed in the direction of the arrow A1, the power switch 21 passes through the hole 25b of the lock member 25, and the power switch 21 pushes the switch element 23 to turn on the power.

  In this way, when the lock member 25 is moved in the arrow B1 direction, that is, when the power switch is unlocked, the power switch 21 does not interfere with the lock member 25, so that the power switch 21 can move in the directions of arrows A1 and A2. Yes, the power can be turned on and off.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, in the unlocked state of the power switch 21, when the paper feed cassette 5 is inserted and closed in the direction of the arrow D2, the position of the boss 5a of the paper feed cassette 5 and the hole of the lock member 25 are removed. Since the position of 25a has shifted | deviated, it does not engage. Therefore, even if the power supply switch 21 is unlocked by removing the paper feed cassette 5 during the apparatus installation work (first time) and then the paper feed cassette 5 is attached and detached for the second time and thereafter, the power switch 21 is locked. It remains unlocked. Therefore, once the paper cassette is removed, the power can be turned on / off even when the paper cassette is inserted.

  When transporting again for repair or the like, the power switch 21 is moved by manually moving the lock member 25 in the direction of the arrow B2 and engaging the boss 5a of the paper feed cassette 5 with the hole 25a of the lock member 25. Can be locked.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the lock unit of the power switch 21 is released by the user pulling out the paper feed cassette 5 in order to set paper in the paper feed cassette 5. Therefore, similarly to the first embodiment, this embodiment can also prevent the power switch from moving to a position where the power switch is turned on due to an impact at the time of distribution without increasing the installation work of the apparatus.

  In the above embodiment, a push-type power switch is used as the power switch. However, the present invention can be applied even when a seesaw-type power switch is used.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the power switch regulating means can be moved to the non-regulated position by the user opening the opening / closing means, and the power switch is turned on by an impact during distribution without impairing usability. It can prevent moving to a position.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Laser beam printer 4 Process cartridge 5 Paper feed cassette 5a Boss 20 Door 20a Boss 21 Power switch 25 Lock member 26 Spring 300 Image formation part S sheet

Claims (4)

In an image forming apparatus that has an opening / closing means that can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body, and a power switch that moves relative to the apparatus main body to turn on or off power supply to the apparatus, and forms an image on a recording material.
And a restricting means that can move between a position that restricts movement of the power switch and a position that does not restrict, and an urging means that urges the restricting means, and when the opening / closing means is closed, the restriction The means is engaged with the opening / closing means to restrict its position and restrict the movement of the power switch. When the opening / closing means is opened, the restriction means is disengaged from the opening / closing means and the urging force is applied. The image forming apparatus is moved to a position where the movement of the power switch is not restricted by being biased by the means.   2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a process cartridge that is attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body, wherein the process cartridge is attachable and detachable when the opening / closing means is opened.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening / closing means is a supply means for supplying a recording material to the apparatus main body.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the supply unit is a paper feed cassette that stores a recording material.

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