JP2003005611A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus which is not easily overturned when an internal device unit is pulled out and can do with a pullout mechanism thereof having less strength. SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus comprises a main body of the image forming apparatus, an operating panel supported by the main body and having a top portion which projects forward beyond the front side of the image forming apparatus when the operating panel is at its initial position which is usually its operating position, the internal device unit which is disposed under the operation panel and can be pulled out forward of the image forming apparatus, and operating panel transferring means for transferring the operation panel from the initial position to a standby position which is at the side of the initial position toward the rear of the image forming apparatus, or from the standby position to the initial position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus provided with an operation panel and an internal mechanism unit that can be pulled out.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an operation panel which is supported by an image forming apparatus main body and has a front end portion protruding forward from a front side surface portion of the image forming apparatus and a fixed operation panel is disposed below the operation panel and is located in front of the image forming apparatus. An image forming apparatus including an internal mechanism unit that can be pulled out is known.

Here, a conventional image forming apparatus will be described. FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the main part of a conventional image forming apparatus. As shown in FIG. 6, the operation panel 72
Is fixed to the main body 71 of the image forming apparatus, and the front end portion 72a projects forward from the front side surface portion 76 of the main body 71 of the image forming apparatus.

The internal mechanism unit 73 is disposed below the operation panel 72, and the front side surface portion 7 of the main body 71 of the image forming apparatus.
6 can be pulled out forward along the guide rails 74 and 75. H shown in the figure is the internal mechanical unit 7
3 shows the upper range of the internal mechanical unit 73 necessary for maintenance and inspection.

In this image forming apparatus, when pulling out the internal mechanism unit 73 forward for maintenance and inspection, the amount of pulling out becomes large because it is pulled out to the position shown in FIG. 6 where it is not obstructed by the operation panel 72. I'm getting stronger. Further, since the amount of pulling out of the internal mechanism unit is large, the center of gravity of the internal mechanism unit is prevented from separating from the image forming apparatus main body 71 and the image forming apparatus is prevented from easily falling down. Etc. may be provided.

[0006]

However, as a problem of the prior art, when the internal mechanism unit is pulled out, it is necessary to increase the strength of the pulling out mechanism, and since the pulling out amount is large, the above safety device is not provided. There is a problem that it is easy to fall and the structure becomes complicated when the safety device is provided.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus having an operation panel having a front end portion protruding forward from a front side surface portion of the image forming apparatus in an initial position. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which a pull-out amount is small when the internal mechanism unit is pulled out, it is hard to fall, and the strength of the pull-out mechanism is small.

[0008]

The above object can be achieved by any of the following means.

(1) The main body of the image forming apparatus, an operation panel supported by the main body of the image forming apparatus, the front end of which protrudes forward from the front side surface of the image forming apparatus at an initial position which is a normal operation position, and the operation. An internal mechanical unit that is disposed below the panel and can be pulled out in front of the image forming apparatus, and the operation panel is displaced from the initial position to a retracted position on the rear side of the image forming apparatus from the initial position or the retracted position. And an operation panel displacing means for displacing the operation panel to the initial position.

(2) The main body of the image forming apparatus, the operation panel supported by the main body of the image forming apparatus, the front end portion of which is projected forward from the front side surface of the image forming apparatus at an initial position which is a normal operation position, and the operation. An internal mechanism unit disposed below the panel and capable of being pulled out to the front of the image forming apparatus, and the operation panel being linked from the initial position to the operation panel of the image forming apparatus from the initial position. Operation panel displacing means for displacing the operation panel from the retracted position to the initial position in conjunction with the retracting position on the rear side and interlocking with the retracting operation of the internal mechanism unit. Image forming apparatus.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS (First Embodiment) First, a schematic structure of an image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described. Figure 1
FIG. 1 is a configuration cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

This image forming apparatus comprises an image forming apparatus main body 6
0, a document reading device 9, an image forming system unit 51, a paper feeding / conveying unit 20, a fixing device 8, a paper feeding unit 30, an operation panel 41 and the like.

The image forming apparatus main body 60 is a main body corresponding to the skeleton of the image forming apparatus, and holds an operation panel, an internal mechanical unit and the like. The document reading device 9 is a device that reads a document with an optical system and converts it into image data by a CCD.

Image forming unit 5 which is an internal mechanical unit
1 can be pulled out in front of the image forming apparatus main body 60, which will be described in detail later. Also, the image forming unit 5
1 denotes a plurality of sets of image forming units 10Y arranged in a column
0M, 10C, 10K, and a semi-conductive endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer member 7 which is wound around a plurality of rollers and rotatably supported. The image forming unit 10Y that forms a yellow image has a charging unit 2Y, an exposure unit 3Y, a developing unit 4Y, a primary transfer unit 5Y, and a cleaning unit 6Y that are arranged around the image carrier (photoconductor) 1Y. Image forming unit 10M for forming a magenta image
Has an image carrier (photoconductor) 1M, a charging unit 2M, an exposing unit 3M, a developing unit 4M, a primary transfer unit 5M, and a cleaning unit 6M. The image forming unit 10C that forms a cyan image includes an image carrier (photoconductor) 1C, a charging unit 2C,
It has an exposure unit 3C, a developing unit 4C, a primary transfer unit 5C, and a cleaning unit 6C. Further, the image forming unit 10K that forms a black image has an image carrier (photoconductor) 1K, a charging unit 2K, an exposing unit 3K, a developing unit 4K, a primary transfer unit 5K, and a cleaning unit 6K.

The paper feeding unit 30 is a cassette containing the transfer paper P, and the paper feeding and transporting unit 20 is the paper feeding unit 3.
The unit is a unit that pulls out the transfer paper from 0 and feeds and conveys it to a position where an image is formed. Further, the fixing device 8 is a device that thermally fixes the transfer paper having the toner image.

The operation panel 41 is a panel having hard keys, a touch panel, a display section, etc., and the operation panel 41 is displaceable between a position for normal use and a position for retracting when the internal mechanism unit is pulled out. To do.

Now, a series of copying operations will be described. The images of the respective colors formed by the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C and 10K are transferred to the primary transfer means 5Y, 5M, 5C and 5K.
In this way, a color image which is sequentially transferred onto the rotating intermediate transfer member 7 and is synthesized is formed.

Transfer paper P stored in the paper supply unit 30
Is fed by the paper feeding means 21 and is fed by the plurality of intermediate rollers 2.
After passing through 2A, 22B, 22C, 22D and the registration roller 23, the color image is collectively transferred onto the transfer paper P by being conveyed to the secondary transfer means 5A.

The transfer paper P on which the color image has been transferred is fixed by the fixing device 8, is sandwiched by the paper discharge rollers 24, and is placed on the paper discharge tray 25 outside the machine.

At the time of double-sided image formation, the transfer paper P which is image-formed on the first side and is discharged from the fixing device 8 is branched by the branching means 2.
6 is branched from the transfer paper discharge path by 6 and passes through the lower circulation paper path 27A, 27B, 27C, and the intermediate roller 22D.
Join at. The reversely conveyed transfer paper P is conveyed to the secondary transfer means 5A via the registration roller 23, and a color image is collectively transferred onto the second surface of the transfer paper P. The transfer paper P on which the color image is transferred is fixed by the fixing device 8, is sandwiched by the paper discharge rollers 24, and is placed on the paper discharge tray 25 outside the apparatus. On the other hand, after the color image is transferred to the transfer paper P by the secondary transfer means 5A, the residual toner is removed by the cleaning means 6A from the intermediate transfer body 7 in which the transfer paper P is separated by the curvature.

Next, an operation panel, operation panel displacement means,
The internal mechanism unit and its drawing mechanism will be described. 2 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the main part of the image forming apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus showing a state in which the image forming unit is pulled out and the operation panel is retracted.

In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus main body 60 is the main body of the image forming apparatus. The operation panel 41 is a panel that is supported by the image forming apparatus main body 60 and has hard keys, a touch panel, a display unit, and the like, and includes a front end portion 41 a and a rear end portion 4.
It has 1b. The initial position of the operation panel 41, which is indicated by a chain double-dashed line, is a position for normal use, and the retracted position, which is indicated by a solid line, is a position for use when the internal mechanical unit is pulled out.

The operation panel displacement means 81 is the operation panel 4
It is a means for displacing 1 between the initial position and the retracted position. A rear end portion 41b of the operation panel 41 is pivotally supported by a shaft 42 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 60, and the operation panel 41 is rotated about the shaft 42 and displaced. The displacement between the initial position and the retracted position may be driven by a motor or the like.

The image forming system unit 51, which is one of the internal mechanical units, is arranged below the operation panel 41. Further, the image forming system unit 51 includes guide rails 52, 5
It is guided by 3 and pulled out. H shown in the figure shows the upper range necessary for maintenance and inspection by pulling out the image forming system unit 51.

The paper feeding unit 30, which is one of the internal mechanism units, is a cassette for containing the transfer paper and can be pulled out by the same method as the image forming system unit 51. Also,
The sheet feeding unit 30 can be pulled out even when the image forming system unit 51 is pulled out.

The operation of pulling out the image forming system unit 51 and performing maintenance will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the operation panel 41 at the initial position (two-dot chain line) shown in FIG. 2 is rotated around the shaft 42 to move to the retracted position (solid line) so that the operation panel 41 does not get in the way during maintenance and inspection. To do. Next, the door 66 shown in FIG. 3 is opened, the image forming system unit 51 is pulled out to the front of the image forming apparatus along the guide rails 52 and 53, and maintenance and inspection are performed.

With the above construction, when the image forming system unit 51 is pulled out, the operation panel 41 is displaced to the retracted position, so that the image forming system unit is pulled out by the conventional image forming apparatus (see FIG. 6). The length is shorter than the amount, the image forming apparatus does not easily fall, and the strength of the guide rails 52, 53, etc. is small. Furthermore, since the drawing amount of the image forming system unit 51 and the paper feeding unit 30 is small, the drawing is performed at the same time. Is possible.

(Second Embodiment) Another image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described. The image forming apparatus is mechanically the same except the operation panel and the operation panel displacing means of the first embodiment, and therefore the different parts will be mainly described. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of the main part of another image forming apparatus of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 4, the image forming apparatus main body 60
Is the main body of the image forming apparatus. The operation panel 43 includes a tip portion 43a, an operation panel surface 43b, a shaft 43c, and a shaft 43d.
have. The initial position indicated by the two-dot chain line of the operation panel 43 is normally used, and the retracted position indicated by the solid line is the position used when the internal mechanical unit is pulled out.

The operation panel displacement means 82 is means for displacing the operation panel 43 between the initial position and the retracted position without changing the direction of the operation panel surface 43b. One end of the link 44a is pivotally supported by a shaft 45a formed on the image forming apparatus main body 60, and the other end is pivotally supported by a shaft 43d formed on the operation panel 43. Similarly, one end of the link 44b is
Is supported by a shaft 45b formed on the image forming apparatus main body 60,
The other end is pivotally supported by a shaft 43c formed on the operation panel 43. The operation panel 43 is moved by the above link mechanism without changing the orientation of the operation panel surface 43b at the initial position and the retracted position. The same applies when a cam or the like is used instead of the link mechanism. Further, the displacement between the initial position and the retracted position may be driven by a motor or the like.

The image forming system unit 51, which is one of the internal mechanism units, is arranged below the operation panel 43. Further, the image forming system unit 51 includes guide rails 52, 5
It is guided by 3 and pulled out. H shown in the figure indicates an upper range necessary for maintenance and inspection of the image forming system unit 51. The paper feeding unit 30, which is one of the internal mechanism units, is a cassette that holds the transfer paper, and can be pulled out by the same method as the image forming system unit 51. Also, the image forming unit 5
The sheet feeding unit 30 can be pulled out even in the state where 1 is pulled out.

The operation of pulling out the image forming system unit 51 for maintenance and inspection will be described with reference to FIG. First, the operation panel 4 in the initial position (two-dot chain line)
3 is pushed to the rear side of the image forming apparatus, the link 44a rotates about the shaft 45a, and similarly, the link 44b moves the shaft 45a.
By rotating around b, the operation panel 43 is moved to the retracted position (solid line) so that the operation panel 43 does not get in the way during maintenance and inspection. Next, a door (not shown) is opened, the image forming system unit 51 is pulled out forward along the guide rails 52 and 53, and if necessary, the operation panel 43 is operated for maintenance and inspection.

With the above construction, when the image forming system unit 51 is pulled out, the operation panel 43 is displaced to the retracted position, so that the image forming system unit is pulled out by the conventional image forming apparatus (see FIG. 6). Since it is shorter than the amount, the image forming apparatus does not easily fall, and the guide rails 52, 53
Need less strength, and the operation panel surface 43b
Since it moves without changing the direction of the
It becomes easy to operate when operating and performing maintenance.

(Third Embodiment) Another image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described. The image forming apparatus is mechanically the same except for the operation panel and the operation panel displacement means of the first embodiment. The different parts will be mainly described.
FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing the configuration of another image forming apparatus of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus main body 60.
Is the main body of the image forming apparatus. The operation panel 46 has a front end portion 46a, a rear end portion 46b, and a cam portion 46c. The initial position shown by the two-dot chain line of the operation panel 46 is the normally used position, and the retracted position shown by the solid line is the position used when the internal mechanical unit is pulled out. The operation panel 46 is supported by a shaft 47 provided in the image forming apparatus main body 60.

The operation panel displacement means 83 is the operation panel 4
It is a means for displacing 6 to the initial position and the retracted position. The displacement of the operation panel 46 from the initial position to the retracted position is caused by the pin 51b provided on the image forming system unit 51 when the image forming system unit 51 is pulled out, and the cam surface 46c provided on the operation panel 46.
The operation panel 46 is rotated clockwise to be displaced to the retracted position. At this time, the spring 48c is charged. Further, when the operation panel 46 is displaced from the retracted position to the initial position, the operation panel 46 is rotated counterclockwise by the charged spring force of the spring 48a when the pin 51b moves when the image forming system unit 51 is housed. Move to the initial position. One end of the spring 48a is fixed to the spring hook 48b, and the other end is fixed to the rear end portion 46b of the operation panel 46.

Image forming unit 5 which is an internal mechanism unit
1 is disposed below the operation panel 46, is supported by guide rails 52 and 53, and can be pulled out. Further, the image forming system unit 51 is provided with a pin 51b. H in the figure is the upper range of the image forming system unit 51 required for maintenance and inspection.

The operation of pulling out the image forming system unit 51 for maintenance and inspection and storing the image forming system unit 51 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the door (not shown) is opened, and the image forming system unit 51, which is an internal mechanical unit.
Is pulled out by the guides of the guide rails 52 and 53. During withdrawal, the pin 51b acts on the cam portion 46c of the operation panel 46 against the spring 48a, and the initial position (two-dot chain line)
5, the operation panel 46 is rotated clockwise in FIG. 5 to automatically move the operation panel 46 to the retracted position (solid line).
Then, the maintenance and inspection is performed so that the operation panel 46 does not get in the way during the maintenance and inspection.

After the inspection, the image forming system unit 51 is housed along the guide rails 52 and 53. Pin 51 during storage
b moves the cam part 46c, and the operation panel 46 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 5 by the action of the spring 48a to return the operation panel 46 to the initial position.

With the above construction, the operation panel 46 is retracted to the rear of the image forming apparatus in conjunction with the pulling out of the internal mechanism unit, and the operation panel is returned to the initial position in conjunction with the storage of the internal mechanism unit. The amount of drawing out of the image forming system unit is shorter than the amount of drawing out of the image forming apparatus of the conventional example (see FIG. 6), so that the image forming apparatus does not easily fall and the strength of the guide rails 52, 53, etc. is small. Sumi,
Further, the operation becomes easy.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the image forming unit has been described as the retractable internal mechanism unit, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the same applies to, for example, the sheet feeding / conveying unit and the sheet feeding unit. is there.

[0042]

The above-mentioned structure has the following effects.

According to the image forming apparatus of the first aspect,
In an image forming apparatus having an operation panel that projects forward from the front side surface of the image forming apparatus at the initial position, when the internal mechanism unit is pulled out, the operation panel can be displaced to the retracted position, so that the amount of pulling out the internal mechanism unit is reduced. It is less likely to tip over, and the strength of the drawer mechanism is low.

According to the image forming apparatus of the second aspect,
In an image forming apparatus having an operation panel projecting forward from the front side surface of the image forming apparatus, when the internal mechanism unit is pulled out, the operation panel is automatically displaced to the retracted position, and when the internal mechanism unit is housed, the operation panel Automatically returns to the initial position, so that the operation is simplified in addition to the effect of the first aspect.

According to the image forming apparatus of claim 3,
The operation panel is rotated about the rear end opposite to the front end to be displaced, so that the displacement structure of the operation panel is simplified.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fourth aspect,
Since it is possible to evacuate to the rear of the device without changing the direction of the operation panel surface, when the operation panel is operated for maintenance and inspection, the operation becomes convenient.

According to the image forming apparatus of the fifth aspect,
When pulling out at least one of the image forming system unit, the sheet feeding / conveying unit, and the sheet feeding unit, the pulling amount is small.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram of a color image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus showing a state in which the image forming unit is pulled out and the operation panel is retracted.

FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of another image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of another image forming apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a configuration of a main part of an image forming apparatus of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

41, 43, 46 Operation panel 51 Image forming unit (internal mechanism unit) 60 Image forming apparatus main body 61 Front side 81, 82, 83 Operation panel displacement means

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 2C061 AP04 AQ06 AR01 AS02 BB11                       BB17 CQ07                 2H071 AA35 AA38 AA48 BA04 BA14                       BA15 BA16 BA19 DA05 DA22                       EA04

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus main body, an operation panel supported by the image forming apparatus main body, a front end portion of which is projected forward from a front side surface portion of the image forming apparatus at an initial position which is a normal operation position, and the operation panel. And an internal mechanical unit that is arranged below the image forming apparatus and can be pulled out in front of the image forming apparatus, and the operation panel is displaced from the initial position to a retracted position on the rear side of the image forming apparatus from the initial position or from the retracted position. An image forming apparatus comprising: an operation panel displacing means for displacing the operation panel to the initial position. 2. An image forming apparatus main body, an operation panel supported by the image forming apparatus main body, a front end portion of which is projected forward from a front side surface portion of the image forming apparatus at an initial position which is a normal operation position, and the operation panel. And an internal mechanism unit that is arranged below the image forming apparatus and that can be pulled out to the front of the image forming apparatus;
Displacing the operation panel from the initial position to a retracted position on the rear side of the image forming apparatus from the initial position, and
An image forming apparatus comprising: an operation panel displacing unit that displaces the operation panel from the retracted position to the initial position in association with a storage operation of the internal mechanism unit. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation panel is rotated and displaced about a rear end portion opposite to the front end portion as an axis. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation panel is displaced without changing a direction of an operation panel surface. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the internal mechanism unit includes at least one of an image forming system unit, a sheet feeding / conveying unit, and a sheet feeding unit. apparatus.