JP2003125139A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device to the main body of which an operation panel is removably provided at positions at different height that can replace mount of the operation panel at different height for preparation for operations by a standing operator or for operations by the operator taking a seat on a wheelchair and automatically make connection of a signal transmission system or the like when the operation panel is attached/detached. SOLUTION: Two panel mounts 20, 21 respectively at higher and lower positions are placed to a front side of the image forming device 1 so that the operation panel 10 can be mounted in matching with the operating position of the operator. The operating panel 10 is configured to automatically connect the signal transmission system to a controller of the device main body. Further, the image forming device is configured such that the operation of mounting the operating panel automatically activates a lock means to facilitate detaching.

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 constructed so that an operation panel can be attached at two positions, an elevation position and an operation position.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile machine, or a multi-function machine having a plurality of functions, an operation panel is arranged at a height where an operator can easily operate in a standing position. . The operation panel is provided with copy and facsimile function selection buttons, a numeric keypad and many other input buttons, and is also provided with a display window for displaying the contents of work. Position (height) where the operator can stand and see easily
It is arranged so as to improve the operation performance.

[0003]

However, in recent years, it has been required that even an operator using a wheelchair can freely operate the image forming apparatus. However, an ordinary person can operate the image forming apparatus while standing. The operation panel provided at a height that is easy to operate has a drawback that it is difficult to operate in a stretched state. However, among the image forming apparatuses that have been generally used conventionally, the ratio of those operated by wheelchair users is very small, so it is not possible to newly develop an image forming apparatus exclusively for wheelchair users. However, it is not a good idea in terms of the manufacturing cost of the device.

In the present invention, the mounting position of the operation panel is
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus configured so that it can be mounted at a low position corresponding to a wheelchair from a height that is easy for a healthy person to operate.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in which the mounting position of an operation panel is variable. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the operation panel is detachably provided on the apparatus main body, and the panel mounting portion is provided at the mounting position at the first height and at the second mounting position lower than the first height position. It is provided that the operation panel can be selectively attached to either the first or second attachment position.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a lock mechanism is provided at a position where the operation panel is mounted.

With the above-mentioned configuration, the mounting position of the operation panel can be easily changed according to the general operator and the user of the wheelchair, and the operation is easy according to the state of each operator. It can be set to height.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The configuration of the apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the illustrated example. The example shown in FIG. 1 shows an example of a device provided with an FBS (flatbed scanner) as a reading device, and FIG. 2 shows an example of a device equipped with a combination of an ADF (automatic document feeder) and an FBS. In the image forming apparatus 1, the reading device 2 is arranged above the image forming unit 5 arranged on the upper part of the apparatus main body to read the image of the original set on the platen, as in the case of a general image forming apparatus. Is configured as follows. Further, below the image forming unit 5, a paper feeding unit 6 for mounting a plurality of paper feeding trays 7, 7 ... Is arranged, and paper of an arbitrary size is selectively selected from the paper feeding tray 7. The image forming unit 5 is configured to feed the sheet and to record the sheet.

The image forming apparatus 1 can be configured as an apparatus in which a facsimile function and a copying machine function, a printer function, or the like are combined, as in the conventional multifunction peripheral. An operation panel 10 is provided for arbitrarily selecting and operating the functions, and the operation panel 10 is detachably provided on the front side of the image forming unit 5 so that the apparatus can be operated at a high position and a low position. It is configured to be operable. The operation panel 10 is provided with a display window 11 for displaying a menu of selected functions, a ten-key pad 12, a key panel (speed dial) 13 for facsimile transmission,
The operation panel 10 can be arbitrarily attached to the panel attachment portions 20 and 21 provided at two places, the upper portion and the lower portion of the image forming portion 5.

Operation panel 1 provided in the image forming apparatus 1
In the panel mounting portions 20 and 21 for mounting 0,
Two insertion holes 23, 23a are arranged at intervals in the lateral direction so that the operation panel 10 to be mounted can be stably held. The portion where the operation panel 10 is mounted on the panel mounting portion 20 is mounted and fixedly held as shown in FIG. 3, and the side cover 22 of the apparatus body (image forming portion 5) is provided.
And the insertion hole 23 provided inside the device, the operation panel 1
The insertion portion 15 of 0 is inserted so that it can be fixed and held by the locking means 16. Further, by mounting the insertion portion 15 of the operation panel 10 on the apparatus main body, the operation panel 10
The panel side connector 26 provided at the main body side connector 25 is coupled to the main body side connector 25 so that information can be transmitted between the operation panel 10 and the control device provided at the reading device 5.

In order to attach / detach / hold the insertion portion 15 of the operation panel 10 to / from the reading device 5, a lock means 16 is provided in the insertion portion 15 of the operation panel 10. The locking means 16 is provided with a lock claw 18, and when the insertion part 15 is inserted into the insertion hole 23, the biasing member 19 raises the lock claw 18 so that the claw engages with the locking surface of the insertion hole. It is configured to automatically lock. When the operation panel 10 is mounted, the lock lever 17 provided at a position exposed on the front side of the operation panel 10 is pushed down to lower the lock claw 18 against the biasing force of the biasing member 19 to release the lock. Then, the operation panel 10 can be pulled out.

The locking means 16 is provided in each of the two insertion portions 15 ... Corresponding to the insertion holes 23 .. It is also possible to simultaneously operate the lock levers corresponding to the respective insertion parts when removing. In addition, the locking means 1 is attached to one of the two insertion portions 15 of the operation panel 10.
It is possible to provide 6 by using one interlocking mechanism so that one lock lever 17 is operated to release the lock, and two lock means can be released by operating one lock lever 17. Is.

As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 in which the operation panel 10 can be mounted at two positions, high and low.
In the above, when the operator operates in a standing position, the operation panel 10 can be mounted on the upper panel mounting portion 20 to perform the work. Further, for an operator using a wheelchair or the like, the operation panel 10 can be operated at a low position by reattaching the operation panel 10 to the panel mounting portion 21 at a low position. When the mounting position of the operation panel 10 with respect to the image forming apparatus 1 is changed, the lock lever 17 is pushed to unlock the locking means 16, and the panel mounting portion 21 is remounted. An operation of mounting the operation panel 10 on the panel mounting portion,
The control means can be connected automatically at the same time.

Therefore, in a state in which the operation panel 10 is mounted on the panel mounting portion 21 provided at a lower position of the apparatus main body, the operator operates the display window 1 provided on the operation panel 10.
1, the ten-key pad 12, the key panel 13 can be seen in a sitting position, and the operation can be easily performed. Then, the key button and other operation buttons can be easily operated according to the information displayed on the display window 11 without being forced to take an unreasonable posture.

Further, in the image forming apparatus in which the mounting position of the operation panel 10 is changeable, the height of the reading apparatus 2 arranged at the upper part of the apparatus body cannot be changed. Therefore, when setting a document on the platen of the reading device, it is necessary to extend the platen cover to reach the platen and set the document on the platen even when sitting. However, FB with ADF3
In the reading device provided in combination on S,
Only when setting the original on the original tray, the operator only needs to reach for the work, and therefore the operator's burden can be reduced. When operating the image forming apparatus, it is possible to attach the operation panel 10 to a position where the operator can easily operate and use the keys of the operation panel 10 or the like to easily operate.

In the image forming apparatus in which the mounting position of the operation panel 10 is changeable, the position of the panel mounting portion provided in the main body of the apparatus for mounting the operation panel is the same as in the case of the conventionally used apparatus. In addition, a high position is provided at a position where a general operator can easily operate while standing. On the other hand, the panel mounting portion 2 to be placed at a low position
1 is a position where the user of the wheelchair can easily use when seated, and when the lower panel mounting portion 21 cannot be set within the height range of the image forming portion 5, the paper feeding tray of the paper feeding portion is You may arrange | position the panel mounting part 21 in the predetermined part in between. Further, since the body side connector 25 is provided inside the insertion holes 23 provided in the panel mounting portions 20 and 21, it is possible to inadvertently insert a metal member to short-circuit the electric system. It is necessary to arrange an openable / closable cover member or the like so that there is no opening. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a cover that closes the insertion hole 23 so that it is opened when the insertion portion 15 of the operation panel 10 is inserted and is automatically closed when the insertion portion 15 is taken out.

In the image forming apparatus in which the operation panel 10 is detachable, the operation panel 10 may have the same structure as the conventional operation panel, and the display member and the keys may be used. It is possible to use the input means such as buttons and buttons, and the ones in which all other functions necessary for operating the image forming apparatus are arranged. Further, the structure of the insertion portion for mounting the operation panel on the main body of the apparatus and the mechanism of the locking means for locking and unlocking the lock panel are the same as those shown in the figure. , A mechanism having any configuration can be used.
Further, as the connector for connecting the signal transmission system, any conventionally known connecting means or mechanism can be used.

[0018]

Since the device of the present invention is constructed as described above, the mounting position of the operation panel can be easily changed according to the general operator and the user of the wheelchair, and the operator's position can be changed. It is possible to set the height to be easy to operate according to the state. Then, by the operation of mounting the operation panel on the panel mounting portion, the signal transmission system can be automatically connected to the control device provided in the main body of the image forming apparatus. can do.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an example of an image forming apparatus in which an ADF is provided in a reading device.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an example of a mechanism for fixing the operation panel to the panel mounting portion.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 image forming apparatus, 2 reader, 3 AD
F, 5 image forming unit, 6 paper feeding unit, 7 paper feeding tray, 10 operation panel, 11 display window, 1
2 numeric keypad, 13 key panel, 15 insertion part, 16 locking means, 17 locking lever,
18 lock claws, 19 biasing members, 20 ・ 21
Panel mounting part, 22 side cover, 23 insertion hole, 25 body side connector, 26 panel side connector.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An operation panel is removably provided on the main body of the apparatus, and a panel mounting portion is provided at a mounting position at a first height and at a second mounting position lower than the first height position. The image forming apparatus is characterized in that it can be selectively attached to either the first or the second attachment position. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lock mechanism at a position where the operation panel is mounted.