JP2013095085A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Even when the apparatus is in a power saving mode, a movable part of the apparatus is held in a locked state in which it cannot move from a fixed position during an earthquake.
Solenoids are basically not energized in either a normal mode or a power saving mode. Therefore, the lock mechanism 17 holds the paper feed tray 11 at the fixed position in the locked state by the biasing force of the coil spring 19. While the image forming apparatus 1 is in the normal mode, a situation where replacement of consumables (including replenishment) or a situation where a jam occurs occurs, or an unlocking operation is performed for maintenance work or the like. As a result, the solenoid 21 is energized, and the lock positions of the open / close doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 at the fixed positions are released. Further, when an occurrence (including predicted occurrence) of an earthquake with a scale larger than the standard (greater than the seismic intensity specified value) is detected, the solenoid 21 is locked in the energized OFF state, and the open / close doors 9a and 9b at fixed positions and the paper feed The trays 11 and 13 are held in a locked state.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a movable portion that can project outside a housing such as a paper tray or an opening / closing door.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, with respect to image forming apparatuses that form original images on recording paper such as printers and copiers, there have been proposed techniques for urgently stopping the operation of an apparatus or stopping energization of a heat source when a disaster such as an earthquake occurs. . According to these techniques, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a secondary failure in the apparatus due to continued operation and the occurrence of a secondary disaster caused by the apparatus due to continued energization. Alternatively, it is possible to protect security regarding data, printed matter, and the like (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

Japanese Patent No. 3416426 JP 2009-72922 A JP 2009-171199 A

  By the way, the image forming apparatus has movable parts such as a paper tray for storing recording paper and an open / close door for maintenance that can protrude outside the housing of the apparatus. Such a movable part of the image forming apparatus may be provided in each part related to the image forming process arranged inside the open / close door to facilitate maintenance. For example, a typical example is a mechanism that allows the recording paper conveyance system to be partially pulled out to check the state. Further, in the case of a stencil printing apparatus having a plate cylinder replacement function, there is also a stencil printing apparatus having a mechanism for pulling out the plate cylinder from a fixed position to facilitate replacement work. Such a mechanism is also an example of a movable part.

  If these movable parts open freely due to earthquake vibration or move from a fixed position and protrude outside the housing, they may come into contact with surrounding people and objects, so in the event of an earthquake, It is desirable to lock the movable part.

  By the way, in the image forming apparatus, for example, when the apparatus does not operate continuously for a certain period of time, a power saving mode such as a sleep mode is entered, and power supply to functional parts that are not necessary for the standby operation in the apparatus is stopped. It has been attempted to reduce power consumption during standby.

  All of the technologies described in the background art column correspond to the case where a disaster occurs during the operation of the apparatus, and therefore it is assumed that the power supply is not performed in the power saving mode. If the power saving mode is not set, power is supplied to the control system and the drive system. Therefore, it is possible to take disaster prevention measures by operating the control system and the drive system in response to the occurrence of a disaster. However, when the apparatus is in the power saving mode, power supply to the control system and the drive system that are not required for the standby operation is stopped, so that it is difficult to take disaster prevention measures by operating them even if an earthquake occurs.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to hold a movable part of a device in a locked state in which it cannot move from a fixed position during an earthquake even when the device is in a power saving mode. It is to provide a forming apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1 includes:
It has a movable part that can move from a fixed position and can protrude to the outside of the device housing, and when power-saving conditions are met, it shifts from the normal mode to the power-saving mode and power supply to functional parts unnecessary for standby operation is stopped. In the image forming apparatus
An earthquake detection means for detecting an earthquake larger than the standard,
A locking mechanism that can be engaged and disengaged with respect to the movable portion at the fixed position;
Unlocking means for releasing the locking mechanism engaged with the movable part at the fixed position from the movable part;
In the normal mode, when the unlocking condition for the movable part at the fixed position is established, the unlocking means is unlocked only when the earthquake detecting means has not detected an earthquake of the scale larger than the reference. Permission means to allow,
It is characterized by providing.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1, even in the power saving mode in which the power supply to the functional part unnecessary for the standby operation is stopped or in the normal mode in which the power supply is executed. In principle, the lock mechanism is engaged with the movable part at the fixed position, and the movable part at the fixed position is in a locked state in which it cannot move from the fixed position.

  The locked state of the movable part at the fixed position is released by the unlocking unit when the permitting unit permits the unlocking of the unlocking unit. Then, the permitting unit permits the unlocking when the unlocking condition is satisfied in the normal mode. However, unlocking is permitted only when the earthquake detection means has not detected an earthquake with a scale larger than the standard.

  Therefore, in a situation where the earthquake detection means does not detect an earthquake with a scale larger than the standard, the lock state of the movable part is released when the unlocking condition is satisfied in the normal mode. You can move to the outside of your body and perform necessary work. On the other hand, in the situation where the earthquake detection means detects an earthquake with a scale larger than the standard, regardless of whether it is in normal mode or power saving mode, the locked state of the movable part is released even if the unlocking condition is satisfied Not. For this reason, even when the apparatus is in the power saving mode, the movable part of the apparatus can be held in a locked state where it cannot move from a fixed position in the event of an earthquake.

  In addition, the earthquake detection of the scale above the standard by the earthquake detection means may be the detection of an earthquake actually occurring at the scale above the standard, or the detection of an earthquake expected to occur at a scale above the standard. May be.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 2 is the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1, wherein when the movable portion at the fixed position is requested to be released by the lock mechanism. A release operation unit to be operated is further provided, and the unlocking condition is satisfied by operation of the release operation unit.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 2, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1, the necessity to move the movable part from a fixed position is, for example, a regular maintenance work. In addition, when the error occurs regardless of the state of the apparatus, the unlocking condition can be established by using the operation of the releasing operation unit as a trigger, and the locked state of the movable part at the fixed position can be released.

  Furthermore, the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect of the present invention is the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the failure state of the mechanism used for image formation and the replenishment of consumables used for image formation are the same. Alternatively, a detection means for detecting the occurrence of at least one of the exchange request states is further provided, and the unlocking condition is satisfied by detecting the occurrence of the state by the detection means.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 3, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1 or 2, the necessity to move the movable part from a fixed position is used for image formation, for example. When a failure occurs in a mechanism and when it is necessary to restore it, or when it is necessary to replenish or replace consumables used for image formation, the occurrence of those states is used as a trigger. The unlocking condition can be established and the locked state of the movable part at the fixed position can be released.

  The image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 4 is the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the earthquake detecting means detects an earthquake of a scale larger than the reference. It is further characterized by further comprising an informing means for informing the locked state of the movable part at the fixed position by the lock mechanism.

  According to the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 4, in the image forming apparatus of the present invention described in claim 1, 2, or 3, since there is no earthquake in a normal state, when in the normal mode If the unlocking condition is satisfied, the movable part can be moved from the fixed position. On the other hand, when the earthquake detection means detects an earthquake of a magnitude greater than the reference, the movable part is held in a locked state, although there is no change in appearance from the normal state. Therefore, it is not possible to easily distinguish whether or not the movable part is in the locked state simply by visually recognizing the device housing.

  Therefore, by notifying the locked state of the movable part at the fixed position by the notification means, the user can easily recognize the locked state that cannot be distinguished from the outside.

  According to the present invention, even when the apparatus is in a power saving mode, the movable part of the apparatus can be held in a locked state where it cannot move from a fixed position in the event of an earthquake.

1 is a front view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the locking mechanism provided in the housing | casing of FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic electrical configuration of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 1. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process regarding the lock | rock of the door and paper feed tray by a lock mechanism performed according to the program stored in ROM built in the control part of FIG.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a manual feed tray 5 and a paper discharge tray 7 on the left and right sides of a rectangular housing 3. In addition, on the front surface of the housing 3, open / close doors 9 a and 9 b in which image forming units (not shown) are accommodated and paper feed trays 11 and 13 are provided. The open / close doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 are all opened by pulling forward from a fixed position shown in the figure, and project forward (outside) of the housing 3. The opening / closing doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 correspond to movable parts in claims.

  Inside the housing 3, a control unit 15 is accommodated for overall control as a component of the image forming unit (not shown). Further, inside the housing 3, opening / closing doors 9 a and 9 b and a lock mechanism 17 for the paper feed trays 11 and 13 are accommodated.

  As shown in the explanatory view of FIG. 2, the lock mechanism 17 includes a lock piece 17b pivotally supported by a support shaft 17a. A hook-shaped engagement piece 17c is formed at the tip of one side across the support shaft 17a of the lock piece 17b. In FIG. 2, the lock mechanism 17 that locks the paper feed tray 11 is shown, but the lock mechanisms 17 are also provided for the open / close doors 9 a and 9 b and the paper feed tray 13. The lock mechanism 17 is configured such that the lock piece 17b swings about the support shaft 17a so that the engagement piece 17c moves between the lock position shown in FIG. 2 and the unlock position that moves upward. It is configured.

  At the locking position of the engagement piece 17c, the engagement piece 17c engages with the paper feed tray 11 which is a fixed object to be locked at a fixed position, and the fixed position where the paper feed tray 11 is accommodated in the housing 3 (see FIG. 1). Hold in an immovable locked state. On the other hand, at the position where the engagement piece 17c is unlocked, the engagement piece 17c is retracted to an upper position where the engagement with the paper feed tray 11 at the fixed position is released, and the paper feed tray 11 is moved to the housing 3 (FIG. 1). (See Fig.).

  The other end of the coil spring 19 with one end fixed is locked between the support shaft 17a and the engagement piece 17c of the lock piece 17b described above. The coil spring 19 urges the lock piece 17b to swing clockwise around the support shaft 17a. Therefore, the engagement piece 17 c is positioned at the lock location by the urging force of the coil spring 19 and is engaged with the paper feed tray 11 at a fixed position.

  The rod 21a of the solenoid 21 is connected to the tip 17d of the lock piece 17b on the other side (opposite side of the engagement piece 17c) across the support shaft 17a. When the solenoid 21 is not energized, the rod 21a is advanced from the cylinder 21b to position the engagement piece 17c at the lock position. On the other hand, when energized, the solenoid 21 retracts the rod 21a into the cylinder 21b, and positions the engagement piece 17c at the unlock position against the urging force of the coil spring 19. That is, the solenoid 21 corresponds to the unlocking means in the claims.

  The solenoid 21 is controlled by the control unit 15 described above. As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 3, the control unit 15 is connected to an operation panel 23 provided on the top of the housing 3 in addition to the solenoid 21. The operation panel 23 includes a touch panel display 23a and various operation buttons 23b.

  On the display 23a, a screen for informing the operation state of the image forming apparatus 1 and various menus is displayed. Various input operations can also be performed by touching appropriate portions on the screen displayed on the display 23a. Various input operations can also be performed by operating the operation buttons 23b. The various input operations include a lock release operation that is performed when the lock mechanism 17 releases the lock state of the open / close doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 that are not movable from a fixed position. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the operation panel 23 corresponds to a release operation unit in the claims.

  An earthquake detector 27 and an earthquake early warning receiver 29 are connected to the control unit 15 via an input / output interface 25. The earthquake detector 27 is installed in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 1 or in the housing 3, and outputs an earthquake detection signal to the control unit 15 when an earthquake of a scale larger than the standard occurs at the installation location of the image forming apparatus 1. To do. The earthquake early warning receiver 29 may be a receiver that receives an earthquake early warning by radio waves of a television or radio, but in the present embodiment, a terminal that receives an emergency earthquake early warning distributed via a mobile phone line is used. The earthquake early warning receiver 29 receives an earthquake early warning that is announced when an earthquake is predicted to occur at a scale larger than the standard (estimated maximum seismic intensity is greater than or equal to a predetermined value), and receives an early warning signal indicating the contents thereof. Output to the control unit 15.

  Therefore, the control unit 15 has predicted that an earthquake of a scale larger than the standard has occurred or is expected to be generated by either the earthquake detection signal from the earthquake detector 27 or the early warning signal from the emergency earthquake early warning receiver 29. Can be recognized. Note that one of the earthquake detector 27 and the earthquake early warning receiver 29 may be omitted.

  Further, a consumable sensor 31 and a jam sensor 33 provided in the housing 3 are connected to the control unit 15. The consumables sensor 31 detects the out of consumables such as the recording paper out of the paper feed trays 11 and 13 and the ink out of the housing 3. The jam sensor 33 detects a paper jam (jam) on the recording paper conveyance path in the housing 3. Each of the consumable sensor 31 and the jam sensor 33 is shown as one block for convenience. However, in practice, the consumable sensor 31 and the jam sensor 33 are disposed at each position where the consumption of the consumables is detected or where the recording paper may be jammed. It is constituted by a plurality of sensors arranged respectively. In the present embodiment, the consumable sensor 31 and the jam sensor 33 correspond to detection means in the claims.

  Furthermore, an open / close sensor 35 provided in the housing 3 is connected to the control unit 15. The open / close sensor 35 indicates whether the open / close doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 are in a fixed position (closed), or whether they are in a position moved from the fixed position to the front of the housing 3 (open). To detect. The open / close sensor 35 is also shown as a single block for convenience, but actually includes a plurality of sensors corresponding to the open / close doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13, respectively. The open / close sensor 35 may be a transmissive or reflective non-contact optical sensor or a mechanical contact sensor such as a microswitch.

  Next, a procedure of processing relating to switching of the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 performed according to a program stored in a ROM built in the control unit 15 will be described with reference to a flowchart of FIG. Note that the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 1 includes a power saving mode for stopping power supply to functional parts (recording paper conveyance system, image forming system, overall control system, etc.) unnecessary for standby operation, and all functional parts. There is a normal mode for supplying power.

  The power saving mode is a mode for suppressing the power consumption of the image forming apparatus 1. When a predetermined power saving mode condition is satisfied, the operation mode is switched from the normal mode to the power saving mode. The power saving mode condition is a condition that is satisfied when the image forming apparatus does not operate continuously for a certain period of time, for example. When a request for an image forming operation (printing with a print job, copying of an original image, etc.) occurs during the power saving mode, the operation mode returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode.

  Release of the lock state of the lock mechanism 17 described above (lock release state) can be executed in a normal mode in which the solenoid 21 can be energized. Further, when various input operations are performed by operating the operation panel 23 during the power saving mode, the operation mode of the image forming apparatus returns to the normal mode using this as a trigger.

  Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG. 4, a procedure of processing related to locking of the open / close doors 9 a and 9 b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 by the lock mechanism 17 performed according to a program stored in the ROM built in the control unit 15. I will explain. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is executed in the normal mode in which power is supplied to the control unit 15 and the solenoid 21 to be controlled.

  First, the control unit 15 turns off the solenoid 21 to place the engaging pieces 17c of the lock mechanisms 17 at the lock locations, and the corresponding open / close doors 9a, 9b and the paper feed trays 11, 13 Engage (step S11). Next, based on the earthquake detection signal from the earthquake detector 27 or the early warning signal from the earthquake early warning receiver 29, the control unit 15 generates an earthquake (predicted occurrence) with a scale (standard seismic intensity value or higher) that exceeds the standard. (Including) is confirmed (step S13).

  If there is an occurrence of an earthquake (including predicted occurrence) with a scale larger than the standard (greater than the seismic intensity specified value) (YES in step S13), the control unit 15 sends a message notifying the occurrence of the earthquake to the display 23a of the operation panel 23. After the display (step S15), the process returns to step S13. When there is no occurrence of an earthquake (including predicted occurrence) with a scale larger than the standard (including the seismic intensity specified value) (NO in step S13), the control unit 15 performs an unlock operation on the display 23a and the operation button 23b of the operation panel 23. It is confirmed whether or not has been performed (step S17).

  If the unlocking operation has been performed (YES in step S17), the process proceeds to step S21 described later. If the unlocking operation has not been performed (NO in step S17), the control unit 15 causes the consumable sensor 31 to operate. Based on the output of the jam sensor 33, it is checked whether or not the consumables need to be replaced (including replenishment) or jammed (step S19).

  If it is neither situation (NO in step S19), the process returns to step S13, and if it is either situation (YES in step S19), the process proceeds to step S21. In step S <b> 21, the control unit 15 turns on the energization of the solenoid 21 to position the engagement piece 17 c of each lock mechanism 17 at the unlock position, and the corresponding open / close doors 9 a and 9 b and the paper feed tray 11. , 13 is released.

  Next, based on the output of the open / close sensor 35, the control unit 15 confirms whether the open / close doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 have moved from their home positions and are in an open state (step S23). . When the open / close doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 are not in an open state but are in a fixed position (NO in step S23), the control unit 15 has a scale larger than the standard (a seismic intensity regulation value) as in step S13. The presence / absence of the occurrence of an earthquake (including the occurrence prediction) due to the above is confirmed (step S25).

  If there is no occurrence of an earthquake (including predicted occurrence) with a scale greater than the standard (including the seismic intensity specified value) (NO in step S25), the process returns to step S23, and an earthquake of magnitude greater than the standard (greater than the seismic intensity specified value) If there is an occurrence (including predicted occurrence) (YES in step S25), the control unit 15 displays a message notifying the occurrence of an earthquake on the display 23a of the operation panel 23 (step S27), and then returns to step S13. To do.

  In step S23, when at least one of the open / close doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 is in an open state (YES in step S23), the control unit 15 determines whether the open / close sensor 35 is output. It is confirmed whether or not the open / close doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 have all been returned to the closed state (step S29).

  When at least one of the open / close doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 remains open (NO in step S29), step S29 is repeated, and the open / close doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 are repeated. When all the positions are returned to the closed state (YES in step S29), the control unit 15 needs to replace (including replenishment) the consumables based on the outputs of the consumable sensor 31 and the jam sensor 33. It is confirmed whether or not the situation in which the jam has occurred and the situation in which the jam has occurred (the consumable replacement jam has been eliminated) (step S31).

  If the consumable item replacement jam has been cleared (YES in step S31), the process returns to step S11. If the consumable item replacement jam has not been resolved (NO in step S31), the control unit 15 performs step S13 or step Similarly to S25, it is confirmed whether or not there is an earthquake (including predicted occurrence) with a scale larger than the standard (seismic intensity specified value or more) (step S33).

  If there is no occurrence of an earthquake (including predicted occurrence) with a scale greater than the standard (including the seismic intensity specified value) (NO in step S33), the process returns to step S31, and an earthquake with a scale greater than the standard (seismic intensity specified value or greater) is returned. If there is an occurrence (including predicted occurrence) (YES in step S31), the control unit 15 displays a message notifying the occurrence of an earthquake on the display 23a of the operation panel 23 (step S35), and then returns to step S13. To do.

  As is clear from the above description, in this embodiment, step S13, step S17, step S19, and step S21 in the flowchart of FIG. 4 are processing corresponding to the permission means in the claims.

  In the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above, when the solenoid 21 is not energized, each lock mechanism 17 corresponds to the open / close doors 9a and 9b at fixed positions corresponding to the biasing force of the coil spring 19 and the supply doors. The paper trays 11 and 13 are held in a locked state. Therefore, in both the normal mode and the power saving mode, the open / close doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 are basically locked in a non-movable state at fixed positions.

  While the image forming apparatus 1 is in the normal mode, there is a situation where replacement of consumables (including replenishment), a situation where a jam occurs, or an unlocking operation for maintenance work or the like. Is performed, the unlocking condition is satisfied. When the unlocking condition is satisfied during the normal mode, the solenoid 21 is energized, and the lock states of the open / close doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 at the fixed positions are released. Therefore, the doors 9a and 9b can be opened and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 can be pulled out.

  Further, when an occurrence (including predicted occurrence) of an earthquake with a scale larger than the standard (greater than the seismic intensity specified value) is detected, the solenoid 21 is locked in the energized OFF state, and the open / close doors 9a and 9b at fixed positions and the paper feed The trays 11 and 13 are held in a locked state. Therefore, even when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the power saving mode, the open / close doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 can be held in a locked state in which they cannot move from a fixed position in the event of an earthquake.

  Note that the configuration for releasing the locked state of the open / close doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 at the fixed positions by the lock mechanism 17 by the unlocking operation of the operation panel 23 may be omitted. Alternatively, instead of providing this configuration, when the consumable sensor 31 or the jam sensor 33 detects that a consumable replacement (including replenishment) is required or a jam has occurred, the lock mechanism 17 The configuration for releasing the locked state of the open / close doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 at the fixed positions may be omitted.

  In addition, when an occurrence of an earthquake (including predicted occurrence) with a scale larger than the standard (greater than the specified seismic intensity) is detected, and the open / close doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 at the fixed positions are held in a locked state Furthermore, the configuration for displaying a message notifying the occurrence of an earthquake on the display 23a of the operation panel 23 may be omitted.

  However, if it is not known whether or not an earthquake occurrence (including predicted occurrence) with a scale larger than the standard (greater than the seismic intensity specified value) has been detected, the image forming apparatus 1 can be simply visually confirmed to open and close the door. It is difficult to distinguish whether 9a, 9b and paper feed trays 11, 13 are held in a locked state.

  Therefore, as in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, when an earthquake occurs (including an expected occurrence) with a scale greater than the standard (including the seismic intensity specified value), a message for notifying the occurrence of the earthquake is displayed on the display 23a of the operation panel 23. If displayed, the user can easily recognize that the open / close doors 9a and 9b and the paper feed trays 11 and 13 at the fixed positions are held in the locked state.

  The present invention is also applicable to, for example, a stencil printing apparatus capable of exchanging a plate cylinder having a mechanism that facilitates replacement work by pulling out the plate cylinder from a fixed position. In this case, an object to be held in a locked state at a fixed position by the lock mechanism 17 can include a plate cylinder drawing mechanism. In the locked state by the lock mechanism 17, the drawer mechanism is held at a fixed position accommodated at a position in the housing 3 where the plate cylinder can be printed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 3 Case 5 Manual feed tray 7 Paper discharge tray 9a, 9b Open / close door 11, 13 Paper feed tray 15 Control part 17 Lock mechanism 17a Support shaft 17b Lock piece 17c Engagement piece 17d Tip 21 Solenoid 21a Rod 21b Cylinder 23 Operation panel 23a Display 23b Operation button 25 Input / output interface 27 Earthquake detector 29 Earthquake early warning receiver 31 Consumable sensor 33 Jam sensor 35 Open / close sensor

Claims (4)

It has a movable part that can move from a fixed position and can protrude to the outside of the device housing, and when power-saving conditions are met, it shifts from the normal mode to the power-saving mode and power supply to functional parts unnecessary for standby operation is stopped. In the image forming apparatus
An earthquake detection means for detecting an earthquake larger than the standard,
A locking mechanism that can be engaged and disengaged with respect to the movable portion at the fixed position;
Unlocking means for releasing the locking mechanism engaged with the movable part at the fixed position from the movable part;
In the normal mode, when the unlocking condition for the movable part at the fixed position is established, the unlocking means is unlocked only when the earthquake detecting means has not detected an earthquake of the scale larger than the reference. Permission means to allow,
An image forming apparatus comprising:   It further includes a release operation unit that is operated when requesting the release of the locked state by the lock mechanism of the movable part at the fixed position, and the unlocking condition is satisfied by operation of the release operation unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   It further comprises detection means for detecting the occurrence of at least one of a failure state of a mechanism used for image formation and a replenishment or replacement request state of consumables used for image formation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the unlocking condition is satisfied by occurrence detection.   The said detection means is further provided with the alerting | reporting means which alert | reports the locked state by the said locking mechanism of the movable part of the said fixed position, when the earthquake of the magnitude | size beyond the said reference | standard is detected. 2. The image forming apparatus according to 2 or 3.

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