JP2007047825A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve user's operability by improving visibility relative to the paper storage space of an in-body ejection type image forming apparatus so that ejected transfer paper may be easily taken out. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 100 includes: a main body housing part 120; a scanner part 200; and a paper storage part for storing the ejected paper and a first support post part 300 having an ejection function to eject the paper, which are provided between the main body housing part 120 and the scanner part 200. The first support post part 300 is arranged on the left side surface of the paper storage part as viewing the image forming apparatus 100 from the front, while the paper storage part is made open on a right side surface. The color at least at the adjacent part to the paper housing part of the first support post part 300 is made darker than the color at other parts. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, and a printer, in particular, between a scanner unit for reading discharged paper and a main body housing unit having a built-in discharge tray for discharging the paper upward. The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus accommodated in the apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, image forming apparatuses having a copying machine, a facsimile, a printer, and the like are discharged when using a paper storage unit (discharge unit) for storing transfer paper discharged when using a copying function, a facsimile function, or a printer function. There is a paper storage section (discharge section) for storing a receiving sheet.

Further, an image forming apparatus (hereinafter referred to as an in-cylinder discharge type image forming apparatus) in which the paper storage section is stored between a scanner section for reading a document and a main body housing section having a discharge tray for discharging the paper to the top. There is.)
JP 2000-289917 A

  In the in-cylinder discharge type image forming apparatus as described above, the paper is discharged between the scanner unit and the main body housing unit having a built-in discharge tray. However, the scanner unit is limited to the upper part for user operation, and the main body housing unit must house the built-in paper feed cassette and processes necessary for image formation. Space is needed. For this reason, the space between the scanner section and the main body housing section (hereinafter referred to as a housing space) becomes narrow, and it is difficult for the user to identify. Further, such an in-cylinder discharge type image forming apparatus has an image that the whole apparatus seems to be weak because there is a cavity for in-cylinder discharge.

  Further, since the colors of the scanner part, the main body housing part, and the front part of the column part between them were substantially the same, the visibility of the accommodation space was further poor.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the visibility of the accommodation space is improved, the discharged transfer paper can be easily taken, and the operability for the user is improved.

An image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a sheet storage unit that stores discharged sheets,
An image having a main body housing portion located at a lower portion of the paper storage portion, a scanner portion for reading a document at the upper portion of the paper storage portion, and a column portion existing between the scanner portion and the main body housing portion. In the forming apparatus, when the image forming apparatus is viewed from the front, the support column is disposed on either the left or right side of the sheet storage unit, while the sheet storage unit is opened on the other side. The color of at least the portion adjacent to the paper storage portion of the support column is darker than the color of other portions.

  In the above configuration, the difference in brightness between the color of the column adjacent to the paper container and the color of the other part is 3 or more in terms of the brightness difference in the Munsell chart (JIS) Munsell value. (Claim 2).

  In any of the above-described configurations, it is desirable that the color of the portion adjacent to the paper storage portion of the support column is 2 or less in terms of brightness in the Munsell chart (JIS) Munsell value (Claim 3).

  According to the present invention, since the color of the portion adjacent to the paper storage portion of the support column is darker than the color of the other portions, the shadow of the storage space and the color of the front portion of the support column are substantially integrated. Thus, the visibility of the storage space is improved, and the discharged transfer paper can be easily taken, that is, the user's operability is improved.

  Further, if the brightness difference between the color of the portion adjacent to the paper storage portion of the support column and the color of the other portion is 3 or more in terms of the brightness difference in the Munsell chart (JIS) Munsell value (Claim 2). There is an effect that the visibility of the storage space is further improved and the discharged transfer paper can be easily taken, that is, the operability for the user is improved.

  Furthermore, if the color of the portion adjacent to the paper storage portion of the support column is set to 2 or less in terms of brightness in the Munsell chart (JIS) Munsell value (Claim 3), the shadow of the storage space and the color of the support column are integrated. Therefore, the visibility of the storage space is further improved, and the discharged transfer paper can be easily taken, that is, the user operability is improved.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on specific examples shown in the accompanying drawings. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, and does not have the character which limits the technical scope of this invention.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an in-cylinder discharge type image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 basically includes a scanner unit 200, a main body housing unit 120, a first column unit 300, and a second column unit 400.

  Further, the scanner unit 200 includes an operation unit 210, and the user operates the image forming apparatus 100 by inputting to the operation unit 210. In the upper part of the main body housing part 120, the discharged paper is stored between the scanner part 200 for reading a document and the main body housing part 120 having a discharge tray for receiving the paper at the upper part. A paper storage unit is provided.

  Further, a front cover 101 and a built-in cassette 121 (a first built-in cassette 122 and a second built-in cassette 123) are housed in the lower portion of the main body housing portion 120.

  Between the main body housing part 120 and the scanner part 200, there are a first support part 300 and a second support part 400 that support the scanner part 200, respectively.

  The first support column 300 supports the scanner unit 200 while standing on the main body housing unit 120 on the left side of the image forming apparatus 100. Similarly, the second support column 400 supports the scanner unit 200 while standing on the main body housing unit 120 on the rear side of the image forming apparatus 100. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the front, the first support column 300 is disposed on the left side surface of the sheet storage unit, while the sheet is formed on the right side surface. The housing is open.

(A) 1st Embodiment 1st Embodiment by which the color of the part adjacent to a paper storage part among the main body housing part 120, the scanner part 200, and the 1st support | pillar part 300 was made darker than the color of another part. Will be described with reference to FIGS. Of the main body housing part 120, the scanner part 200, and the first column part 300, at least a part 600 adjacent to the paper storage part is darker than other parts, for example, the color of the paper cassette 121.

  A dark color means, for example, a low Munsell value defined by JIS, for example, a range of N1 to N2. Since the shadow of the storage space 500 and the color of the portion 600 adjacent to the paper storage portion are close to each other, the visibility of the storage space 500 is improved and the discharged transfer paper can be easily taken, that is, user operability. There is an effect of improving.

  In addition, since the paper storage unit is configured so that the discharged paper can be taken out from the direction in which the color difference can be recognized, the discharged transfer paper can be more easily taken. There is an effect of improving operability.

(B) Second Embodiment Of the main body housing part 120, the scanner part 200, and the first support post part 300, the color of at least the part adjacent to the paper storage part is darker than the color of other parts, and the Munsell chart (JIS) A second embodiment in which the difference in lightness in the Munsell value is 3 or more will be described with reference to FIGS. In the second embodiment, at least a portion 600 adjacent to the paper storage portion of the main body housing portion 120, the scanner portion 200, and the first support post portion 300 is darker than the other portions, for example, the color of the paper cassette 121, and Munsell The lightness difference in the Munsell value of the chart (JIS) is 3 or more.

  According to the second embodiment, the shadow of the storage space 500 and the color of the portion 600 adjacent to the paper storage portion are close to each other, and the difference in Munsell values from other portions, for example, the paper cassette 121 is 3 or more. Therefore, since the image of the portion 600 adjacent to the paper storage portion is separated from the other portions, the visibility of the storage space 500 is further improved, and the discharged transfer paper can be easily taken. There is an effect of improving the performance.

  In addition, since the paper storage unit is configured so that the discharged paper can be taken out from the direction in which the color difference can be recognized, the discharged transfer paper can be more easily taken. There is an effect of improving operability.

(C) Third Embodiment Of the main body housing part 120, the scanner part 200, and the first support post part 300, the color of at least the part adjacent to the paper storage part is set to 2 or less in the Munsell chart (JIS) Munsell value. A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the third embodiment, the Munsell chart (JIS) Munsell chart (JIS) has a color of the portion 600 adjacent to the sheet storage unit of 2 or less.

  According to the third embodiment, since the shadow of the storage space 500 and the color of the portion 600 adjacent to the paper storage portion are close to each other, the visibility of the storage space 500 is improved and the discharged transfer paper can be easily taken. In other words, there is an effect of improving user operability.

(D) Fourth Embodiment The color of the operation unit 210 provided in the scanner unit 200 is substantially the same as the color of the main body housing unit 120, the scanner unit 200, and the first support column unit 300 adjacent to the paper storage unit. An equivalent fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the fourth embodiment, the color of the operation unit 210 is substantially the same as the color of the portion 600 adjacent to the paper storage unit.

  According to the fourth embodiment, the portion 600 adjacent to the operation unit 210 and the paper storage unit is differentiated from other parts, for example, the paper cassette 121, and thus the visibility of the storage space 500 and the operation unit 210 is improved. This improves the user operability.

(E) Fifth Embodiment An in-cylinder discharge type image forming apparatus according to a fifth embodiment that satisfies the following formula will be described with reference to FIGS.
0.6 ≧ La / Lb ≧ 0.3
La: The distance between the foremost front part of the first column part located at the rear and the position of the scanner part located at the front and the position of the foremost front part of the main body housing part. Lb: Distance from the lowest position of the paper discharge tray in the paper storage

  Conventionally, in such an in-body discharge type image forming apparatus, the positions of the front portions of the scanner unit 200, the main body housing unit 120, and the first support column unit 300 are the same or substantially the same, that is, approximately La = 0 to 0. 30 (mm), Lb = 200 to 400 (mm), and La / Lb = 0 to 0.15.

  Further, conventionally, there has been no technical idea that the above formula is established and the position of the front portion of the first support column 300 is set based on the range satisfying the formula. That is, the optimal position of the front portion of the first support column 300 is not determined by the value of (La / Lb).

  Therefore, by satisfying the above mathematical formula, in the operating state (a in FIG. 4), the forefront part of the first support column 300 is not visible and is in a slightly separated position (a in FIG. 4). The front part of the forefront of the first support column 300 is in a position where it can be clearly confirmed. For example, in the in-cylinder discharge type image forming apparatus of the fifth embodiment, La = 80 (mm), Lb = 200 (mm), and La / Lb = 0.4.

  That is, the user can feel the distance between the scanner unit 200 and the main body housing unit 120 because the front part of the front of the first support column unit 300 is not visible in the operating state (a in FIG. 4). . In addition, when in a slightly separated position (a in FIG. 4), the front part of the forefront of the first support column 300 can be seen well, so that the scanner unit 200 and the main body housing unit 120 can feel unity. Can feel the strength of the entire device.

  More specifically, such an in-cylinder discharge type image forming apparatus has an image that the entire apparatus seems to be weak because there is a cavity in the in-cylinder discharge.

  Here, in the case of (La / Lb) ≧ 0.6, the forefront portion of the first support column tends to be invisible at both positions a and b in FIG. Problems arise. In the case of (La / Lb) ≦ 0.3, the forefront portion of the first support column tends to be visible at both positions a and b in FIG. 120 and the first support post 300 have a sense of unity, making it difficult to remove the paper from the in-body discharge type space.

(F) Sixth Embodiment An in-cylinder discharge type image forming apparatus according to a sixth embodiment that satisfies the following formula will be described with reference to FIGS.
0.8 ≧ La / Lc ≧ 0.6
La: The distance between the foremost front part of the first column part located at the rear and the position of the scanner part located at the front and the position of the foremost front part of the main body housing part. Lc: Average distance from the paper discharge tray in the paper storage

  For example, in the in-cylinder discharge type image forming apparatus of the sixth embodiment, La = 80 (mm), Lc = 120 (mm), and La / Lc = 0.667. As in the fifth embodiment, by satisfying the above mathematical formula, in the operating state (a in FIG. 4), the forefront portion of the first support column 300 is not visible and is in a slightly separated position ( 4A), the forefront portion of the first support column 300 is in a position where it can be clearly confirmed.

  That is, the user can feel the distance between the scanner unit 200 and the main body housing unit 120 because the front part of the front of the first support column unit 300 is not visible in the operating state (a in FIG. 4). . In addition, when in a slightly separated position (a in FIG. 4), the front part of the forefront of the first support column 300 can be seen well, so that the scanner unit 200 and the main body housing unit 120 can feel unity. Can feel the strength of the entire device.

  Here, in the case of (La / Lc) ≧ 0.8, the forefront portion of the first support post 300 tends to become invisible at both positions a and b in FIG. Problems arise. In the case of (La / Lc) ≦ 0.6, the forefront portion of the first support column 300 tends to be visible at both positions a and b in FIG. Since the unit 120 and the first support column 300 have a sense of unity, it is difficult to remove the paper from the in-body discharge type space.

1 is a perspective view showing an in-cylinder discharge type image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and showing an area. FIG. 2 is a front view of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a right side view of the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image forming apparatus 101 Front cover 120 Main body housing part 121 Built-in cassette 200 Scanner part 210 Operation part 300 1st support | pillar part 400 2nd support | pillar part 500 Storage space

Claims (3)

A paper storage section for storing discharged paper;
A main body housing portion located at a lower portion of the paper accommodating portion;
A scanner unit for reading a document at an upper part of the paper storage unit;
In the image forming apparatus having a column portion existing between the scanner portion and the main body housing portion,
When the image forming apparatus is viewed from the front, the support column is disposed on the left or right side of the sheet storage unit, while the sheet storage unit is open on the other side.
2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a color of at least a portion adjacent to the paper storage portion of the support column is darker than a color of other portions.   A difference in brightness between a color of a portion adjacent to the sheet storage portion of the support column and a color of the other portion is 3 or more in terms of a brightness difference in a Munsell chart (JIS) Munsell value. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a color of a portion adjacent to the sheet storage portion of the support portion is set to 2 or less in lightness in a Munsell chart (JIS) Munsell value.

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