JPH03106676A - Cover opening and shutting device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable opening and shutting a cover easily and quickly by equipping an apparatus with an operating plate for rotating an engaging member through rotation accompanying the opening operation of an operating part to release the engagement of the engaging member with an engaging part and with a stopper member for regulating the rotation angle of an operating shaft. CONSTITUTION:An engaging member 13 is energized by a spring member 14 to engage with an engaging part 12. When an operating part 15a is operated to open in the direction of opening a cover 2, an operating shaft 15 rotates and an operating plate 16 also rotates in company therewith. By the rotation of the operating plate 16, the engaging member 13 rotates and the engagement of the member with the engaging part 12 is released thereby. The rotation angle of the operating shaft 15 is regulated by a stopper member 18 and the cover 2 is opened by the opening operation of the operating part 15a after the engagement of the engaging member 13 with the engaging part 12 has been released.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] Regarding a cover opening/closing device attached to a fuser of a laser printer, etc., the purpose of this invention is to provide an opening/closing device that allows the cover to be opened and closed easily and quickly. In the opening/closing device for a cover that is attached to be openable and closable in an arc around a support shaft, an engaging portion provided on the main body and a cover that is rotatably provided on the cover are connected to each other to close the cover. an engaging member that is capable of engaging with the engaging portion at a position; a spring member that biases the engaging member in the engaging direction; and a spring member that biases the engaging member in the engaging direction; an operating shaft that is rotatably provided parallel to the axis; an operating section that extends from the operating shaft in the outer circumferential direction of the arc and that is capable of rotating the operating shaft; and the operating shaft. an operation plate that is attached so as to rotate integrally and rotates the engagement member by the rotation accompanying the operation between the operation portion and releases the engagement between the engagement member and the engagement portion; , and a stopper member for regulating the rotation angle of the operating shaft. [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a cover opening/closing device attached to a fixing device of a laser printer, etc. Electrophotographic printers such as laser printers are rapidly becoming popular due to their features such as quiet printing, high density, and high speed, and along with this, ease of maintenance has become important. The inside of an electrophotographic printer can usually be easily opened to solve problems such as paper jams, or for cleaning or inspection. However, there are parts such as the fuser and charging parts that are dangerous due to high temperatures or high voltages, so these dangerous parts should be kept in such a way that they cannot be easily accessed by anyone other than service personnel, and if necessary, they should be kept inside. It is covered with a cover that can be opened and closed for easy inspection and parts replacement. In order to perform maintenance quickly, an opening/closing device that can easily open and close the cover is desired. [Prior Art] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a cover 51 of a conventional fixing device 50, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a mechanism of a conventional opening/closing device 52 for the cover 51. The fixing device 50 has a lamp unit (not shown) consisting of a flash lamp, a cooling fin, etc. that serves as a heat source, and the lamp unit is covered with a cover 51 to prevent light from leaking outside and to prevent high-temperature parts from being exposed. It is installed inside. The cover 51 is attached to a main body (not shown) so as to be openable and closable in a circular arc around a support shaft 6l. The opening/closing device W5 2 is a handle 62 for opening the cover 51.
and a locking device 163 for locking the cover 51 in the closed position. The locking device 63 includes an operating rod 64 that is rotatable in parallel with the axis of the support shaft 6l;
Cam plate 65 attached to the end of the operating rod 64, cam plate 6
push rod 66 that engages with 5 and moves in the vertical direction; push rod 6;
The hook 67 is rotatably connected to the end of the shaft 6 and is rotatable about a shaft 68, and an engaging portion 69 is attached to the main body (not shown) so as to be able to engage with the hook 67. These are mounted inside the cover 51, but the end of the operating rod 64 protrudes from the side surface of the cover 51 and is bent at a right angle to form an operating section 64a. To open the above-mentioned cover 51, use one hand to press the operating section 64.
When a is rotated upwards (in the direction of arrow M5 in FIG. 6) and disengages from the engaging portion 69. In this state, if you hold the handle 62 with your other hand and lift it upward (in the direction of arrow M6 in FIG. This allows the lamp unit to be exposed and inspected. [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In the conventional opening/closing device y152 described above, in order to open the cover 51, one hand operates the operating part 64a to release the locked state, and the other hand moves the handle 62 upward. I had to use both hands to lift it up. Furthermore, if the locking state of the locking device 63 and its released state are maintained in their respective states, it is possible to open the cover 51 with only one hand without using both hands. Operation of the operation part 64a and the handle 6
I had to perform two different operations in sequence. Therefore, there was a problem that opening and closing the cover 51 was troublesome and the opening and closing operations could not be performed quickly. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide an opening/closing device that can easily and quickly open and close a cover. [Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention, as shown in FIG. Possibly mounted cover 2.7
In the opening/closing device jl3,8, the main body 5. an engaging portion 12.32 provided on the lO; and an engaging member rotatably provided on the cover 2.7 and capable of engaging with the engaging portion 12.32 in the closed position of the cover 2.7; 13.33 and
a spring member 14.34 that biases the engagement member 13.33 in the engagement direction; and the support shaft 11.31 of the cover 2.7.
an operating shaft 15.35 rotatably provided in parallel to the axis of the support shaft 11.31 at a position away from the axis of the support shaft 11.31;
Operating portions 15a, 35a extend from the operating shaft 15.35 in the outer circumferential direction of the arc and are provided to rotate the operating shaft 15.35, and rotate integrally with the operating shaft 15.35. The operating portion 15a is mounted so as to be movable.
, 35a, which rotates the engagement member 13.33 and releases the engagement between the engagement member 13.33 and the engagement portion 12.32.
and a stopper member 18.38 for regulating the rotation angle of the operating shaft 15.35. [Function] The engaging member 13.33 is biased by the spring member 14.34 and engages with the engaging portion 12.32. Operation section 15a, 3
5a in the direction of opening the cover 2.7, the operating shaft 15.35 rotates, and accordingly the operating plate 16
．． 36 rotates. By rotating the operating plate 16.36, the engaging members l3, 33
rotates, thereby releasing the engagement with the engaging portions 12, 32. The rotation angle of the operating shaft 15.35 is regulated by the stopper member 18.38, and after the engagement between the engaging member 13.33 and the engaging portion 12.32 is released, the operating portion 15a,
The cover 2.7 is opened by the opening operation of 35a. [Examples] Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 shows a fixing device 1 equipped with an opening/closing device 3 according to the present invention.
This is a front view. The fixing device 1 has a lamp unit 4 which is made up of a flash lamp and cooling fins as a heat source. It is installed on. The cover 2 is attached to the main body 5 so as to be openable and closable in a circular arc about a support shaft 11. The paper onto which the toner image has been transferred by an electrophotographic process (not shown) is conveyed between the cover 2 and the main body 5 as shown by arrow M5, and is fixed by heat during this time. FIG. 1 is an enlarged front view of the opening/closing device 3 according to the present invention. The opening/closing device 3 includes an engaging portion l2 provided on the main body 5 and a shaft 13 as a locking mechanism for maintaining the closed state of the cover 2.
A hook l3 is rotatably provided on the cover 2 around a, and is capable of engaging with the engaging portion 12 in the closed position of the cover 2 (the position shown in FIG. 2), and the hook l3 is moved in the engaging direction (arrow M
a tension spring l4 that biases the cover 2 in one direction), an operating shaft 15 that is rotatable in parallel to the axis of the support shaft 11 at a position away from the axis of the support shaft 11 of the cover 2, and an operation shaft 15 at the back of the operation shaft 15. An operation plate l6 attached to the side end so as to rotate integrally with the operation shaft 15, stoppers 17 and 18 for regulating the rotation angle of the operation plate l6, and rotatably connected to the operation plate 16. A connecting rod l9 that rotates the hook 13 mentioned above.
It has etc. The front end of the operating shaft l5 protrudes from the side surface 2a of the cover 2 and is bent at right angles to the right in FIG.
It has the shape of a. Further, as an open state locking mechanism for maintaining the open state of the cover 2, an engaging portion 22 provided on the main body 5 and a shaft 23a are provided.
The cover 2 is rotatably provided around the cover 2.
a hook 23 that is engageable with the engagement portion 22 in the open position;
It includes a tension spring 24 that biases the hook 23 in the engagement direction (direction of arrow M2 in FIG. 1), and a connecting rod 25 that is rotatably connected to the operation plate 16 and that rotates the hook 23. are doing. An elongated hole 19a is provided at the end of the connecting rod 19, and a pin 13b provided on the hook l3 is fitted into the elongated hole 19a so as to be movable within the elongated hole 19a. By moving the rod l9 upward, it is possible to rotate the hook l3 to the right (in the direction opposite to the arrow M1), and even if the connecting rod 19 does not move upward, the hook 13 can be rotated to the right by external force. It is possible to rotate in any direction. The connecting rod 25 and the hook 23 also have a connecting structure similar to that of the connecting rod 19 and the hook l3, and the hook 23 and the hook l3 are opposite to each other with respect to the rotation of the operation plate l6. It is designed to perform the following actions. Next, the operation of the switchgear 3 configured as described above will be explained. The state shown by the solid line in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a state in which the cover 2 is closed and locked so that it does not open. At this time, the operating section 15a is in the closed position A in a substantially horizontal position. From this state, hold the operating section 15a in your hand and move it upward (arrow M).
3 directions), the operation shaft 15 rotates to the left in the figure, and the operation plate 16 similarly rotates to the left to close the stopper 1.
8, the operating portion 15a stops rotating at the open position B (shape shown by the chain line). By rotating the operation plate 16,
The connecting rod l9 moves upward, and the hook l3 is rotated to the right (in the direction opposite to the arrow Ml) to release the engagement with the engaging portion l2 (the state shown by the chain line). This will release the lock status. When the operating portion 15a is further lifted upward, the cover 2 rotates around the support shaft 11 along an arc in the direction of the arrow M4, and becomes open. During this time, the rotation of the operation plate 16 causes the connecting rod 25 to
moves to the left in the figure, and the hook 23 rotates in the direction of arrow M2, becoming capable of engaging with the engaging portion 22 (I1 [as shown by the line!). When the cover 2 opens about 90 degrees around the support shaft 11,
The hook 23 engages with the engaging portion 22, and the cover 2 is locked in the open position to prevent it from accidentally falling down and closing. When the cover 2 is opened, it becomes possible to inspect the lamp unit 4 and replace parts. Next, when closing the cover 2, return the operating portion 15a to the closed position A in the opposite manner as described above. This releases the engagement between the hook 23 and the engaging portion 22, so support the cover 2 by hand. While doing so, rotate it to the right to close it. Then, the hook l3 automatically engages with the engaging portion l2, returning to the original locked state. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a fixing device 6 equipped with an opening/closing device 8 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The fixing device 6 is
Like the above-mentioned fixing device 1, it has a lamp unit 9, and the lamp unit 9 is mounted inside the cover 7. The cover 7 is attached to the main body 10 so as to be openable and closable in an arc about a support shaft 31. FIG. 3 is a sectional front view of another embodiment of the opening/closing device 8 according to the present invention. The opening/closing device 8 has an engaging portion 32 provided on the main body 10 and a shaft 3 as a locking mechanism for keeping the cover 7 in the closed state.
The engaging portion 32 is rotatably provided on the cover 7 about the center 3a, and the engaging portion 32
A hook 33 that can be engaged with the hook 33, a coiled spring 34 that biases the hook 33 in the engaging direction, an operating shaft 35 that is rotatably provided in parallel with the axis of the support shaft 31, and an operation at the end of the operating shaft 35. The L-shaped operation plate 36 is attached to rotate integrally with the shaft 35, the stoppers 37 and 38 regulate the rotation angle of the operation plate 36, and the above-mentioned hook 33 and shaft 33b allow rotation. It includes a connecting rod 39 that is connected and moves diagonally downward when pushed by the rightward rotation of the operation plate 36, a detection switch 40 that detects when the hook 33 and the engaging portion 32 are engaged. are doing. The end of the operating shaft 35 protrudes from a side surface 7a of a recess 7b provided in a portion of the upper surface of the cover 7, and a substantially U-shaped operating portion 35a is provided thereto extending in the outer circumferential direction. Further, as an open state locking mechanism for maintaining the open state of the cover 7, an engaging portion 42 and a shaft 43 provided on the main body 10 are used.
a hook 43 that is rotatably provided on the cover 7 around a and can be engaged with the engaging portion 42 when the cover 7 is in the open position;
, a coiled spring 44 that biases the hook 43 in the engagement direction, and a connection that is rotatably connected to the hook 43 and the shaft 43b and is pushed and moved to the right by leftward rotation of the operation plate 36. It has a rod 45 and the like.

A free space is provided between the operation plate 36 and the upper end of the connecting rod 39 and the left end of the connecting rod 45 so that they do not come into contact with each other as the operation temporary 36 rotates. The necessary rotational movement is possible when each hook 33, 43 is engaged. Note that the stopper 38 also serves as a guide for the connecting rod 39. Guide members 46.46 are for guiding the connecting rod 45. Further, the paper is conveyed between the cover 7 and the main body lO as shown by arrow M8. Next, the operation of the opening/closing device 8 configured as described above will be explained. From the locked state shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the operating section 35a
When you hold it in your hand and pull it upward (in the direction of arrow M6), the operating shaft 35 rotates to the right in FIG. do. As the connecting rod 39 moves diagonally downward, the hook 33 rotates to the left and is disengaged from the engaging portion 32. When the operating portion 35a is further lifted upward, the cover 7 rotates in an arc in the direction of arrow M7 about the support shaft 31, and becomes open. During this time, the operating plate 36 separates from the connecting rod 45, so that the hook 43 engages with the engaging portion 42 when the cover 7 is in the open state. When closing the cover 7, contrary to the above, the operating section 35a
By operating it in the closing direction, it returns to the locked state shown in Figure 3. According to the above-described embodiment, the hook 1 can be moved by one operation of holding the operation parts 15a and 35a and pulling them upward.
3.33 and the engaging portion 12.32 are automatically released, and the cover 2.7 can be opened. Therefore, the opening operation of the cover 2.7 can be performed extremely easily and quickly with one hand. Moreover, when the cover 2.7 is open, the hook 2.
3.43 and the engaging portion 22.42 automatically engage to lock the open position, so the covers 2 and 7 may inadvertently fall down and close during inspection of the lamp unit 4.9, etc. You can perform maintenance work with peace of mind. Furthermore, closing the cover 2.7 from the open locked state can be done extremely easily and quickly with a single operation. In the above embodiment, the stopper 17.18, 37.3
8 is arranged so as to come into contact with the operation plate 16.36, but it may also be provided so as to come into contact with the operation shaft 15.35 or the operation parts 15a, 35a. Various spring members can be used instead of the tension spring 14.24 or the coiled spring 34.44. In addition, various structures, shapes, dimensions, etc. of the fixing device 1.6, the cover 2.7, and the opening/closing device 3.8 other than those described above can be adopted. The opening/closing device of the present invention can be applied to various covers other than the fixing device. [Effects of the Invention] According to the present invention, the cover can be opened and closed easily and quickly with one operation.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a switchgear according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of a fixing device equipped with a switchgear according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a front view of a switchgear according to another embodiment of the present invention. 4 is a plan view of a fixing device equipped with an opening/closing device according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a cover of a conventional fixing device; FIG. It is a diagram showing the mechanism of a conventional cover opening/closing device. In the figure, 2.7 is a cover 3.8 is an opening/closing device; 5. 10 is the main body, 11.31 is the support shaft, 12.32 is the engaging part, 13.33 is the hook (engaging member), 14 is the tension spring (spring member), 15.35 is the operating shaft, 15a, 35a are The operation section, 16.36 is an operation plate, and 18.38 is a stopper (stopper member). A plan view of a fixing device equipped with an opening/closing device according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4; a perspective view showing the external appearance of a cover of a conventional fixing device; FIG. 5; 6 Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Support shaft (11) (31) for main body (5) (10)
In the opening/closing device (3) (8) of the cover (2) (7), which is attached so as to be openable/closable in an arc centered on the main body (5) (10), )(
32), which is rotatably provided on the covers (2) and (7), and which engages the engaging portion (12) in the closed position of the covers (2) and (7).
(32), a spring member (14) (34) that biases the engaging member (13) (33) in the engaging direction, and the cover (32); 2) At a position away from the axis of the spindle (11) (31) in (7), the spindle (11) (31)
An operating shaft (15) (
35), and an operating part (15a) (35a) extending from the operating shaft (15) (35) in the outer circumferential direction of the circular arc and provided to be able to rotate the operating shaft (15) (35).
), which are attached so as to rotate integrally with the operating shafts (15) and (35), and which are attached to the engaging members (13) and (33) by the rotation accompanying the opening operation of the operating portions (15a) and (35a). )
an operation plate (16) that rotates to release the engagement between the engagement member (13) (33) and the engagement portion (12) (32);
(36); and a stopper member (18) (38) for regulating the rotation angle of the operation shaft (15) (35).