Image forming apparatus with coupling member having two rotation pivots

An image forming apparatus has an apparatus main body, a cover member, and a coupling member. The cover member is openable and closable relative to a side face of the apparatus main body. The coupling member couples the apparatus main body and the cover member together and is arranged inside the cover member when the cover member is closed. The coupling member is rotatable about a first rotation pivot relative to the apparatus main body. The cover member is rotatable about a second rotation pivot relative to the coupling member. When the cover member is opened relative to the apparatus main body, the rotation center of the cover member switches between the first and second rotation pivots during the opening operation of the cover member.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the corresponding Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-028831 filed on Feb. 18, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and facsimile machines. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to image forming apparatuses provided with a cover member that is openable and closable relative to a side face of the apparatus main body.

Conventionally, image forming apparatuses provided with a cover member that is openable and closable relative to a side face of the apparatus main body are known. Such a cover member is arranged, for example, so as to cover the front-face side of a waste toner bottle for collecting toner left unused for development, and opens and closes like a hinged door about one rotation pivot extending in the up/down direction.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an image forming apparatus is provided with an apparatus main body, a cover member, and a coupling member. The cover member is openable and closable relative to a side face of the apparatus main body. The coupling member couples the apparatus main body and the cover member together and is arranged inside the cover member when the cover member is closed. The coupling member is rotatable about a first rotation pivot relative to the apparatus main body, and the cover member is rotatable about a second rotation pivot relative to the coupling member. When the cover member is opened relative to the apparatus main body, the rotation center of the cover member switches between the first and second rotation pivots during the opening operation of the cover member.

Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the description of embodiments given below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS. 1 to 10, an image forming apparatus10such as a copier according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a post-processing device50to which sheets having undergone image formation are conveyed from the image forming apparatus10will be described.

As shown inFIG. 1, the image forming apparatus10is provided with an apparatus main body (image forming apparatus main body)1and an image reading device2arranged over it. Inside the image reading device2, an image reading section which reads image information of a document on a contact glass2ais provided. The image reading section is composed of a scanning optical system incorporating a scanner lamp which illuminates a document during copying and a mirror which changes the optical path of the reflected light from the document, a converging lens which converges and focuses the reflected light from the document, a CCD sensor which converts the focused image light into an electrical signal, and the like (none of these are illustrated), and reads a document image and converts it into image data.

In a front part of the image reading device2, an operation panel3having operation buttons and a display is provided. In an upper part of the image reading device2, a platen (not shown) which presses the document placed on the contact glass2ais provided so as to be openable and closable. On the platen, an automatic document conveying device (not shown) which automatically feeds one sheet after another out of a bunch of document sheets onto the contact glass2amay be provided.

In a front part of the apparatus main body1, a plurality of sheet feed cassettes5in which sheets are stored are provided so as to be attachable to and detachable from the apparatus main body1.

Inside the apparatus main body1, there are provided an image forming section, a fixing section, a sheet conveying section, and the like, of which none are illustrated. The image forming section forms an image by transferring a toner image to a sheet fed to it based on image data read by the image reading device2. The image forming section includes a photosensitive drum which carries an electrostatic latent image, a charging unit which electrostatically charges the surface of the photosensitive drum, an exposure unit which forms an electrostatic latent image corresponding to a document image on the surface of the photosensitive drum with a laser beam or the like, a developing unit which forms a toner image by attaching developer to the formed electrostatic latent image, a transfer roller which transfers the toner image to the sheet, a cleaning blade which removes residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum, and the like. The fixing section fixes the toner image on the sheet by applying heat and pressure to the sheet having the toner image transferred to it. The sheet conveying section extends upward along the right side face of the apparatus main body1, and conveys the sheet from a sheet feed cassette5to the image forming section.

In a lower left part of a front part of the apparatus main body1, a cover member20which opens and closes like a hinged door relative to the apparatus main body1is fitted. The cover member20is provided so as to cover the front-face side of a waste toner bottle (not shown) which collects toner that is left unused for development.

The post-processing device50is coupled to a downstream-side (left side inFIG. 1) side part of the image forming apparatus10in the sheet conveying direction, and sheets having images formed on them are conveyed from the image forming apparatus10to the post-processing device50. The post-processing device50performs post-processing, such as punch hole forming processing and binding processing, on sheets having undergone an image forming process in the image forming apparatus10.

Next, the structure of and around the cover member20will be described.

The cover member20is provided so as to be openable and closable in the horizontal direction relative to a side face of the apparatus main body1. Moreover, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, between the cover member20and the apparatus main body1, a coupling member30which couples the cover member20and the apparatus main body1together is provided. The coupling member30is arranged inside the cover member20when the cover member20is closed (in the state inFIGS. 2 and 3). In practice, two coupling members30are provided one in each of upper and lower end parts of the cover member20; however, the following description will deal with only one of them because the structure of and around each coupling member30is similar.

As shown inFIGS. 2 to 4, the coupling member30is formed in a shape bent with an obtuse angle as seen from the up/down direction, and is formed to have a step shape in the up/down direction. The coupling member30is made of resin, and is formed as one component. The coupling member30has a body-side coupling portion31which is coupled to the apparatus main body1and a cover-side coupling portion32which is coupled to the cover member20. In the body-side coupling portion31, a round-columnar first rotary shaft31a(seeFIG. 2) which extends upward is formed, and in the cover-side coupling portion32, an engagement portion32a(seeFIG. 4) which protrudes downward and has a snap-fit structure is formed.

The first rotary shaft31aof the coupling member30is inserted in an insertion hole1a(seeFIG. 2) which is provided in the apparatus main body1, and the coupling member30is rotatable about the first rotary shaft31aas sown inFIGS. 5 and 6. The insertion hole1aand the first rotary shaft31aconstitute a first rotation pivot according to the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG. 6, in the apparatus main body1, a first restricting portion1bwhich serves as a rotation stop part against the coupling member30in the opening operation of the cover member20, that is, which makes contact with the coupling member30when the cover member20is open, is provided. Moreover, as shown inFIG. 3, in the apparatus main body1, a second restricting portion1cwhich serves as a rotation stop part against the coupling member30in the closing operation of the cover member20, that is, which makes contact with the coupling member30when the cover member20is closed, is provided.

The cover member20constitutes a part of a front-face part, and a part of a left side part, of the apparatus main body1. That is, the cover member20is formed to bridge between two adjacent side faces of the apparatus main body1.

As shown inFIGS. 5 to 7, the cover member20has a plate-form portion21which extends in the horizontal direction and an engagement hole22(seeFIG. 6) which is provided in the plate-form portion21and which is engaged with the engagement portion32aof the coupling member30. The engagement hole22and the engagement portion32aconstitute a second rotation pivot according to the present disclosure.

The engagement hole22has a rotation limiting portion22awhich limits the rotation of the cover member20relative to the coupling member30and a rotating portion22bwhich does not limit the rotation of the cover member20relative to the coupling member30. Specifically, the rotation limiting portion22ais formed in a shape elongate in the elasticity direction (left/right direction inFIG. 3) of the engagement portion32awhen the cover member20is closed (in the state inFIG. 3), and limits the rotation of the engagement portion32arelative to the engagement hole22. The rotating portion22bis formed in a substantially circular shape, and does not limit the rotation of the engagement portion32arelative to the engagement hole22. Between the rotation limiting portion22aand the rotating portion22b, a narrowed portion22cis formed, so that the engagement hole22has substantially the shape of a bottle gourd.

In an end part (upper end inFIG. 8) of an exterior surface part of the cover member20, a restricting portion20awhich restricts rotation by making contact with a side face of the coupling member30in the opening operation of the cover member20is provided.

Next, the opening and closing operation of the cover member20will be described.

When the cover member20is opened relative to the apparatus main body1from a state where the cover member20is closed (the state inFIGS. 2 and 3), the coupling member30and the cover member20rotate about the first rotary shaft31arelative to the apparatus main body1. At this time, the engagement portion32aof the coupling member30is arranged in the rotation limiting portion22aof the engagement hole22of the cover member20.

As shown inFIGS. 5 to 7, immediately before the cover member20makes contact with the post-processing device50, the coupling member30makes contact with the first restricting portion1bof the apparatus main body1, and the coupling member30stops rotating.

Thereafter, the engagement portion32aof the coupling member30moves from the rotation limiting portion22aacross the narrowed portion22cto the rotating portion22b. Thus, the rotation center of the cover member20switches from the first rotary shaft31ato the engagement portion32a, and the cover member20rotates about the engagement portion32arelative to the coupling member30. Then, as shown inFIGS. 8 to 10, the restricting portion20aof the cover member20makes contact with the coupling member30, and the opening operation of the cover member20ends.

On the other hand, when the cover member20is closed relative to the apparatus main body1from a state (the state inFIGS. 8 to 10) where the cover member20is open maximally (to the end), the cover member20rotates about the engagement portion32arelative to the coupling member30.

Then, as shown inFIGS. 5 to 7, the engagement portion32aof the coupling member30moves from the rotating portion22bacross the narrowed portion22cto the rotation limiting portion22a, and the cover member20stops rotating relative to the coupling member30. Thus, the rotation center of the cover member20switches from the engagement portion32ato the first rotary shaft31a.

Thereafter, the coupling member30and the cover member20rotate about the first rotary shaft31arelative to the apparatus main body1. Then, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the coupling member30makes contact with the second restricting portion1c, and the cover member20closes. In this way, the closing operation of the cover member20ends.

Incidentally, when the cover member20is closed relative to the apparatus main body1from a state (the state inFIGS. 8 to 10) where the cover member20is open maximally (to the end), depending on the rotation load of the coupling member30, the coupling member30may rotate first about the first rotary shaft31a.

In that case, the coupling member30and the cover member20rotate about the first rotary shaft31a. Then, the coupling member30makes contact with the second restricting portion1cof the apparatus main body1, and the coupling member30stops rotating.

Thereafter, the engagement portion32aof the coupling member30moves from the rotation limiting portion22aacross the narrowed portion22cto the rotating portion22b, and the rotation center of the cover member20switches from the first rotary shaft31ato the engagement portion32a.

Then, as the cover member20rotates about the engagement portion32arelative to the coupling member30, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the cover member20closes. In this way, the closing operation of the cover member20ends.

In this embodiment, as described above, when the cover member20is opened relative to the apparatus main body1, the cover member20and the coupling member30rotate about the first rotary shaft31a, and immediately before the cover member20makes contact with the post-processing device50, the rotation center of the cover member20switches from the first rotary shaft31ato the engagement portion32a. Then, the cover member20rotates further about the engagement portion32a. Thus, even in a case where the post-processing device50is arranged outside the apparatus main body1, the cover member20can be opened sufficiently.

Moreover, as described above, when the cover member20is opened relative to the apparatus main body1, the engagement portion32aof the coupling member30moves from the rotation limiting portion22aof the engagement hole22to the rotating portion22b. Thus, after the coupling member30and the cover member20have rotated about the first rotary shaft31a, the cover member20can be rotated further easily about the engagement portion32a.

Moreover, as described above, between the rotation limiting portion22aand the rotating portion22b, the narrowed portion22cis formed. Thus, the movement of the engagement portion32afrom the rotation limiting portion22ato the rotating portion22bcan be limited, and thereby the engagement portion32acan be held in the rotation limiting portion22auntil the coupling member30makes contact with the first restricting portion1band a predetermined load acts on the engagement portion32a.

Moreover, as described above, the engagement portion32ais formed to have a snap-fit structure. Thus, the engagement portion32acan be deformed elastically to pass through the narrowed portion22c.

Moreover, as described above, in the apparatus main body1, the first restricting portion1bwhich serves as the rotation stop part against the coupling member30when the cover member20is opened relative to the apparatus main body1is provided. Thus, when the cover member20is opened relative to the apparatus main body1, immediately before the cover member20makes contact with the post-processing device50, the rotation of the coupling member30can be stopped.

Moreover, as described above, in the apparatus main body1, the second restricting portion1cwhich serves as the rotation stop part against the coupling member30when the cover member20is closed relative to the apparatus main body1is provided. Thus, it is possible to stop the rotation of the coupling member30with the second restricting portion1c, switch the rotation center of the cover member20from the first rotary shaft31ato the engagement portion32a, and to close the cover member20easily.

Moreover, as described above, the coupling member30is formed as one component. Thus, it is possible to suppress an increase in the number of components, and to achieve sufficient opening of the cover member20with a simple structure.

It should be understood that the embodiment disclosed herein is in every aspect illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined not by the description of the embodiment given above but by the appended claims, and encompasses any modifications made within the sense and scope equivalent to those of the claims.

For example, although an example where the present disclosure is applied to a copier has been take up above, this is not meant to limit the application of the present disclosure. Needless to say, the present disclosure is applicable to image forming apparatuses such as printers, multifunction peripherals, and facsimile machines.

Although the embodiment described above deals with an example where, when the cover member20is opened, first the coupling member30and the cover member20rotate about the first rotary shaft31aand then the cover member20rotates about the engagement portion32a, this is not meant to limit the present disclosure to that configuration. As an alternative, when the cover member20is opened, first the cover member20may rotate about the engagement portion32aand then the coupling member30and the cover member20may rotate about the first rotary shaft31a.

As another alternative, when the cover member20is opened, first the coupling member30and the cover member20may rotate about the first rotary shaft31a, and then the cover member20may rotate about the engagement portion32a; on the other hand, when the cover member20is closed, first the cover member20may rotate about the engagement portion32aand then the coupling member30and the cover member20may rotate about the first rotary shaft31a. This is easily achieved by providing a biasing member, such as a torsion spring, which biases the coupling member30in the opening direction (clockwise direction inFIG. 2).