Image forming apparatus which prevents execution of a print process while an interlock with a cover portion is released
A control device permits execution of a print process on condition that an object sensor detects an object at a detection position. A switch mechanism, in accordance with a release operation, releases an interlock between a first displacement member and a closing operation of a cover portion. In a state where a second displacement member is located at an actuation position, a detected portion is located at the detection position. When the second displacement member is located at a retreat position, a first contact portion is not in contact with the cover portion. When the cover portion is closed, the cover portion displaces the second displacement member from a standard position to an actuation position. When the first displacement member is displaced from a first relay position to a second relay position, the first displacement member displaces the second displacement member from the standard position to the retreat position.
1. An image forming apparatus comprising:
an apparatus main body in which an attachment portion is provided and a main opening communicating with the attachment portion is formed, wherein one or more units are attached to the attachment portion, and each of the units includes a driven portion and a drive input portion, the drive input portion receiving an external force to drive the driven portion;
a cover portion supported by the apparatus main body and configured to open and close the main opening;
one or more drive output portions provided in the apparatus main body in correspondence with the drive input portions of the units, and supported in such a way as to be displaced between a predetermined first output position and a predetermined second output position;
a first interlocking mechanism provided in the apparatus main body and including a first displacement member supported in such a way as to be displaced between a predetermined first relay position and a predetermined second relay position, wherein the first interlocking mechanism causes the first displacement member to be displaced to the second relay position in conjunction with an opening operation of the cover portion, and causes the first displacement member to be displaced to the first relay position in conjunction with a closing operation of the cover portion;
a second interlocking mechanism configured to cause the drive output portions to be displaced to the first output position in conjunction with a displacement of the first displacement member to the second relay position, and cause the drive output portions to be displaced to the second output position in conjunction with a displacement of the first displacement member to the first relay position;
an object sensor disposed in the apparatus main body and configured to detect an object that is located at a predetermined detection position;
a second displacement member including a first contact portion, a second contact portion, and a detected portion and supported in such a way as to be displaced among a standard position, an actuation position, and a retreat position in the apparatus main body, the first contact portion abutting on an abutting portion formed on the cover portion when the cover portion is closed, the second contact portion abutting on the first displacement member displaced to the second relay position, the detected portion configured to proceed to the detection position;
a return elastic member configured to apply an elastic force to the second displacement member to hold the second displacement member at the standard position; and
a control device configured to permit an execution of a print process on condition that the object sensor detects the object, and prohibit the execution of the print process when the object sensor does not detect the object, wherein
the first interlocking mechanism includes a switch mechanism configured to, in accordance with a predetermined release operation, release the first displacement member from moving in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover portion, and in accordance with a predetermined enabling operation, enable the first displacement member to move in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover portion,
in a state where the second displacement member is located at the standard position, the first contact portion is located at a position where the first contact portion is in contact with the abutting portion of the cover portion, and the detected portion is located outside the detection position,
in a state where the second displacement member is located at the actuation position, the detected portion is located at the detection position,
in a state where the second displacement member is located at the retreat position, the first contact portion is located at a position where the first contact portion is not in contact with the abutting portion of the cover portion, and the detected portion is located outside the detection position,
when the cover portion is closed in the state where the second displacement member is located at the standard position, the abutting portion of the cover portion abuts on the first contact portion, and thereby displaces the second displacement member from the standard position to the actuation position, and
when the first displacement member is displaced to the second relay position in the state where the second displacement member is located at the standard position, the first displacement member abuts on the second contact portion and thereby displaces the second displacement member from the standard position to the retreat position.
2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the first interlocking mechanism includes:
a first pinion gear configured to move in conjunction with a rotary shaft of the cover portion that is rotatably supported;
a first rack gear configured to mesh with the first pinion gear and be displaced in a straight-line direction in conjunction with the first pinion gear; and
a second rack gear disposed along a displacement direction of the first rack gear,
the second interlocking mechanism includes:
one or more second pinion gears configured to mesh with the second rack gear and move in conjunction with the second rack gear to displace the one or more drive output portions,
the second rack gear is the first displacement member,
the switch mechanism includes:
a temporarily fitting member configured to be attached to and detached from the attachment portion; and
an auxiliary interlocking mechanism configured to, in a case where the temporarily fitting member has not been attached, cause the second rack gear to move in conjunction with a displacement of the first rack gear interlocked with the closing operation of the cover portion, and, in a case where the temporarily fitting member has been attached, release the second rack gear from moving in conjunction with the displacement of the first rack gear interlocked with the closing operation of the cover portion,
the release operation is an operation to attach the temporarily fitting member to the attachment portion, and
the enabling operation is an operation to remove the temporarily fitting member from the attachment portion.
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein
in a case where the attachment portion includes a plurality of second pinion gears, the second rack gear meshes with the plurality of second pinion gears.
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein
the auxiliary interlocking mechanism includes an engaging member and an engaging elastic member, the engaging member being unitized with the second rack gear, the engaging elastic member configured to apply an elastic force to the engaging member,
the engaging member is supported in such a way as to swing between an engaging attitude and a released attitude, wherein in a case where the engaging member is in the engaging attitude, the engaging member is engaged with the first rack gear that moves in conjunction with the closing operation of the cover portion, and in a case where the engaging member is in the released attitude, the engaging member is not engaged with the first rack gear,
the engaging elastic member applies an elastic force to the engaging member to hold the engaging member in the engaging attitude,
in a state where the temporarily fitting member has been attached, the temporarily fitting member locks the engaging member in the released attitude against the elastic force of the engaging elastic member, and
when the temporarily fitting member is removed, a lock of the engaging member is released.
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
each of the units includes a storage portion and the drive input portion, the storage portion storing granular developer, the drive input portion receiving the external force to open and close a shutter closing a feed-out opening from which the developer is fed out, and
each of the drive output portions, when engaged with the drive input portion of a corresponding one of the units and displaced to the first output position, opens the shutter via the drive input portion, and when engaged with the drive input portion and displaced to the second output position, closes the shutter via the drive input portion.