JP2008021436A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily change specifications of the peripheral parts of a power switch in accordance with need of a user. <P>SOLUTION: A power switch 17 to switch on and off a power supply is disposed in a switch storing recessed part 16 provided in an outer cover member 15. An opening and closing cover body mounted so that it can be freely opened and closed to take a closed position for covering the power switch 17 and to take an open position for making the power switch 17 switchable, and an operation area releasing cover body 20 which is mounted in a fixed state and in which an opening part 20e for operation corresponding to the switching part of the power switch 17 is formed, are made selectively mountable in the switch storing recessed part 16. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that can cope with specifications of a peripheral portion of a power switch in accordance with user needs.

  Usually, a user who frequently turns on / off a power switch is required to have an image forming apparatus configured to be able to directly turn on / off the power switch, and a user who hardly turns on / off once the power is turned on. Therefore, there is a demand for an image forming apparatus having a structure that can be opened and closed so as not to accidentally turn off the power in order to prevent damage such as data loss.

  Therefore, conventionally, in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile machine, a power switch as a main power source is arranged in an exposed state so that it can be directly turned on / off, or covers and opens / closes the power switch. A flexible cover body is provided, and one of the structures is adopted in which the cover body is opened when the power switch is operated and the cover body is held closed when the power switch is not operated.

  There has also been proposed an apparatus having a structure in which a cover body that can be opened and closed covering a power switch is locked in a closed position (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2004-341947 A

  However, when manufacturing an image forming apparatus having a structure in which the power switch is exposed as described above and an image forming apparatus having a structure that covers the power switch and is openable and closable, respectively, There was a drawback of poor productivity.

  For users who hardly turn on / off the power switch once energized, an image forming apparatus having a cover body that can be opened and closed is provided, and for users who frequently turn on / off the power switch. Although it is conceivable to provide an image forming apparatus in a state in which the cover body that can be opened and closed is removed, since the design is provided with the cover body, the appearance may be deteriorated when the cover body is removed. At the same time, there is a possibility that a knee or the like hits the power switch and erroneously turns off the power.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can easily cope with the specifications of the peripheral portion of a power switch in accordance with the needs of a user.

  The technical means for solving the above-mentioned problem is an image forming apparatus in which a power switch for turning on / off a power source is disposed in a switch housing recess provided in the apparatus main body. An opening / closing operation cover body that can be freely opened and closed in a closed position that covers the power switch and an open position that allows the power switch to be turned on / off, and a power switch that is mounted in a fixed state. The operation area release cover body in which the operation opening is formed in the operation area corresponding to the off operation portion is selectively attachable.

  The opening / closing operation cover body may be detachably attached to the switch housing recess.

  Further, the operation opening portion of the operation area release cover body has an operation guide surface in which the opening area is gradually narrowed from the outside toward the power switch arranged in the switch housing recess. It is good also as a structure.

  The switch housing recess may be provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body.

  Further, the switch housing recess may be provided in an exterior cover member provided in the apparatus main body, and the exterior cover member and the operation portion opening cover may be made of the same resin.

  The opening / closing operation cover body and the operation area release cover body may be formed in a color different from that of the apparatus main body.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, the switch housing recess is opened / closed so that it can be opened / closed in a closed position covering the power switch and an open position where the power switch can be turned on / off. An operation cover body and an operation area release cover body which is mounted in a fixed state and has an opening for operation formed in an operation area corresponding to the on / off operation portion of the power switch can be selectively mounted. Therefore, for users who turn on / off the power switch once and do not turn it on / off once, turn on / off the power switch frequently. Therefore, it is only necessary to select and attach the operation area release cover body, and there is an advantage that the specification of the peripheral portion of the power switch can be easily adapted to the user's needs.

  In this case, it is only necessary to manufacture the opening / closing operation cover body and the operation area release cover body, which are small parts, and it can be easily handled. In addition, in the state where the operation area release cover is attached, the structure is such that only a relatively narrow portion corresponding to the on / off operation portion of the power switch is exposed from the opening for operation. Inadvertent contact such as a knee can be effectively prevented, and malfunction of the power switch can be effectively prevented.

  In addition, if the opening / closing operation cover body is configured to be detachably mounted in the switch housing recess, the opening / closing operation cover body may be removed and the operation area release cover body may be mounted as necessary. The specification of the peripheral part of the power switch can be easily adapted to the user's needs at a later date.

  Furthermore, the operation opening portion of the operation area release cover body has a structure having an operation guide surface that gradually decreases from the outside toward the power switch arranged in the switch housing recess. For example, when the power switch is operated while the operation area release cover is attached, the fingertip is naturally guided to the on / off operation portion of the power switch, and there is an advantage of excellent operability.

  Further, if the switch housing recess is provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body, the power switch can be easily accessed and the operability for the power switch can be secured well.

  Further, the switch housing recess is provided in an exterior cover member provided in the apparatus main body, and if the exterior cover member and the operation unit opening cover are made of the same resin, they are integrated with the same resin. Convenient.

  Further, if the opening / closing operation cover body and the operation area release cover body are formed in a color different from that of the apparatus main body, there is an advantage that the power switch portion can be easily recognized due to the difference in color.

  DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a facsimile apparatus 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus of the present invention. In this facsimile apparatus 1, a reading unit 3 for reading a document is arranged at the upper part of the apparatus main body 2, and a recording unit 4 for recording data read by the reading unit 3 is arranged at the lower part.

  The recording unit 4 is provided with a recording device unit 5 and a plurality of paper feed cassette units 6 at the top and bottom, respectively, and feeds the paper placed in the corresponding paper feed cassette unit 6 to the recording device unit 5. After recording, the recording paper is discharged to the recording paper discharge tray 7.

  Further, a document pressing cover 8 configured to be openable and closable is disposed above the reading unit 3, and has a structure in which the document placed at a predetermined position on the upper surface of the reading unit 3 is pressed from above by the document pressing cover 8. Has been. Then, the placed document is scanned by the reading unit 3 to read the document.

  Further, an automatic document feeder (ADF device) 9 for automatically feeding a document is provided at one end of the document pressing cover 8, and the automatic document feeder 9 is placed on the document supply tray 10. The read originals are picked up one by one, conveyed to a predetermined position of the reading unit 3, and after reading image information consisting of characters and the like displayed on the surface of the original by the reading unit 3, so-called original contents are supplied. The document is discharged to a document discharge tray 11 disposed below the tray 10.

  That is, the reading unit 3 is used as a flat bed type scanner that scans a reading document (not shown) to read a stationary document, and as a sheet feed type scanner that reads a document while fixing the position of the reading device. It is comprised so that it can be used.

  In addition, an operation key panel 12 for operating the facsimile apparatus 1 is arranged in front of the reading unit 3, and by operating various operation keys of the operation key panel 12, the contents of the original are read or the read contents are displayed. It is configured to set a transmission destination when performing facsimile transmission, and to record received contents and read contents.

  Further, in the present embodiment, a main power supply unit 14 for turning on / off the power of the facsimile apparatus 1 is disposed on the front surface of the apparatus main body 2 corresponding to the lower part of the recording apparatus unit 5.

  That is, the main power supply unit 14 is disposed on one side of the exterior cover member 15 provided in the apparatus main body 2 as shown in FIGS. The exterior cover member 15 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin such as ABS resin or polycarbonate, and includes a rectangular concave switch housing recess 16 on one side.

  A rectangular opening 16a is formed on the bottom surface of the switch housing recess 16 and is a switch that is an on / off operation portion of the power switch 17 such as a seesaw switch fixed to a mounting frame or the like of the apparatus body 2. The operation portion 17a is configured to project in the switch housing recess 16 through the opening 16a.

  Further, an opening / closing operation cover body 18 is detachably attached to the opening end on the front side of the switch housing recess 16, and as shown by a solid line in FIGS. 1 and 3, the power switch 17 is closed. As shown by the phantom lines in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the opening and closing operation can be freely performed between the posture and the open posture in which the power switch 17 is opened so that it can be turned on / off.

  That is, the opening / closing operation cover body 18 includes a substantially rectangular cover main body portion 18a corresponding to the opening end portion of the switch housing concave portion 16, and a hemisphere formed in a side projecting manner on both sides of the lower end portion of the cover main body portion 18a. And a hook portion 18c formed so as to protrude inward of the switch housing recess 16 from the center in the width direction of the upper edge of the cover main body 18a. Further, an opening / closing operation portion 18d formed in a bulging shape in the opposite direction to the engagement hook portion 18c is provided at the center portion in the width direction of the upper end edge portion of the cover main body portion 18a. The opening / closing operation cover body 18 is made of the same resin as that of the exterior cover member 15 and is formed of a synthetic resin such as ABS resin or polycarbonate.

  On the other hand, support holes 16b that rotatably support the fulcrum protrusions 18b are formed in the inner surface portions on both sides corresponding to the both fulcrum protrusions 18b of the opening / closing operation cover body 18 at the opening end of the switch housing recess 16. At the same time, an engagement piece portion 16c is formed in the upper surface portion of the switch housing recess 16 by a notch or the like so that the engagement hook portion 18c of the opening / closing operation cover body 18 is detachably engaged.

  Then, using the flexibility of the exterior cover member 15 and the opening / closing operation cover body 18, both fulcrum protrusions 18 b of the opening / closing operation cover body 18 are detachably fitted into both support holes 16 b of the switch housing recess 16. It is supported. The engagement hook portion 18c is detachably engaged with the engagement piece portion 16c by a turning operation around both fulcrum projections 18b of the opening / closing operation cover body 18.

  Due to the engagement state of the engagement hook portion 18c of the opening / closing operation cover body 18 and the engagement piece portion 16c of the switch housing recess 16, the opening / closing operation cover body 18 is held in a closed position covering the power switch 17, and the switch from the outside The operation unit 17a cannot be directly operated.

  Further, when the engagement between the engagement hook portion 18c and the engagement piece portion 16c is released and the opening / closing operation cover body 18 is tilted forward of the apparatus main body 2 as shown by the phantom lines in FIGS. The switch operation unit 17a is in an open position in which the switch operation unit 17a is opened, and the power switch 17 can be turned on and off.

  Further, in the present embodiment, an operation area release cover body 20 having a shape as shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 is provided, and this operation area release cover body 20 is made of the same resin as the exterior cover member 15, For example, it is formed of a synthetic resin such as ABS resin or polycarbonate.

  The operation area release cover body 20 is configured to be selectively mountable with the opening / closing operation cover body 18 in the switch housing recess 16, that is, to be mountable instead of the opening / closing operation cover body 18.

  Therefore, the operation area release cover body 20 is formed in a laterally protruding manner on both sides of the cover main body portion 20a having the same size as the cover main body portion 18a and the lower end portion of the cover main body portion 20a, like the opening / closing operation cover body 18. The formed hemispherical support protrusion 20b is formed, and a locking hook portion 20c is formed so as to protrude inward of the switch housing recess 16 from the center in the width direction of the upper edge of the cover main body 20a. .

  The two support protrusions 20b are formed in substantially the same shape at positions corresponding to the both fulcrum protrusions 18b of the opening / closing operation cover body 18. Further, the locking hook portion 20 c is formed at a position corresponding to the engagement hook portion 18 c of the opening / closing operation cover body 18. At this time, the upper surface of the locking hook portion 20c is provided with a locking portion 20d that protrudes more than the upper protruding amount of the engaging portion 18e that protrudes on the upper surface of the engaging hook portion 18c. Has been.

  Further, in the cover main body portion 20a of the operation region release cover body 20, an operation opening 20e is formed in a portion corresponding to the operation region for turning on / off the switch operation portion 17a of the power switch 17. . Further, the operation opening 20e has a structure having an operation guide surface 20f around which the opening region gradually narrows from the outside, that is, from the front side of the apparatus main body 2 toward the power switch 17. ing.

  Similarly to the opening / closing operation cover body 18, when the operation area release cover body 20 is attached to the switch housing recess 16 using the flexibility of the exterior cover member 15 and the operation area release cover body 20, the operation area release is performed. Both support protrusions 20b of the cover body 20 are fitted and supported in both support holes 16b of the switch housing recess 16, and as shown in FIG. 7, a locking hook portion 20c is engaged with the engagement piece portion 16c. It will be stopped. At this time, since the locking portion 20d of the locking hook portion 20c protrudes more than the engaging portion 18e of the engagement hook portion 18c, the engagement piece portion 16c and the locking hook portion 20c are caught. The amount is increased, the locked state is obtained more firmly, and inadvertent separation can be effectively prevented.

  When the power switch 17 is turned on / off in a state where the operation area release cover body 20 is mounted, the switch operation portion 17a may be operated through the operation opening 20e.

  The present embodiment is configured as described above, and an open / close operation cover body 18 that can be freely opened and closed with respect to the switch housing recess 16 in the main power supply unit 14 of the apparatus main body 2 and an operation region that is mounted in a fixed state. Since the release cover body 20 can be selectively attached, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 for a user who hardly turns on / off once the power switch 17 is turned on and energized once. In addition, the opening / closing operation cover body 18 may be selected and attached.

  In this case, if the opening / closing operation cover body 18 is set in the open position and the power switch 17 is turned on / off, and then the opening / closing operation cover body 18 is set in the closed position, an inadvertent on / off operation of the power switch 17 becomes effective. Can be prevented.

  For a user who frequently turns on / off the power switch 17, as shown in FIG. 7, the operation area release cover body 20 may be selected and mounted. In this case, when the power switch 17 is turned on / off, the switch operation portion 17a exposed to the outside through the operation opening 20e may be directly operated through the operation opening 20e. At this time, in a state where the operation area release cover body 20 is mounted, only a relatively narrow portion of the switch operation portion 17a corresponding to the on / off operation portion of the power switch 17 is exposed from the operation opening 20e. Therefore, the appearance is not impaired, and inadvertent contact with the power switch 17 such as a knee can be effectively prevented, and malfunction of the power switch 17 can be effectively prevented.

  Here, there is an advantage that the specification of the peripheral portion of the power switch 17 can be easily adapted to the user's needs.

  Then, it is only necessary to manufacture the opening / closing operation cover body 18 and the operation area release cover body 20 which are small parts, respectively, and there is an advantage that it is excellent in productivity and can be easily dealt with.

  Further, since the opening / closing operation cover body 18 is detachably mounted in the switch housing recess 16, the opening / closing operation cover body 18 is previously mounted in the switch housing recess 16 in the production line, and the user's request, etc. If necessary, the opening / closing operation cover body 18 may be removed and the operation area release cover body 20 may be attached. Even in this case, the specifications of the peripheral part of the power switch 17 can be easily adapted to the user's needs at a later date. Can respond.

  Further, since the operation opening 20e of the operation area release cover body 20 has an operation guide surface 20f whose opening area gradually decreases from the front side of the apparatus body 2 toward the power switch 17, When the power switch 17 is turned on / off with the region release cover body 20 mounted, the fingertip is naturally guided to the switch operation portion 17a of the power switch 17 by the operation guide surface 20f. There is an advantage of excellent operability.

  Further, since the power switch 17 disposed in the switch housing recess 16 is provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 2, the power switch 17 is easily accessed, and the operability for the power switch 17 can be ensured.

  Furthermore, the exterior cover member 15 provided with the switch housing recess 16 and the opening / closing operation cover body 18 and the operation area release cover body 20 are formed of the same resin, so there is no need to separate each of them during recycling. It ’s convenient. In particular, when the operation area release cover body 20 is attached and integrated, it is more convenient for recycling.

  Further, if the opening / closing operation cover body 18 and the operation area release cover body 20 are formed in a different color from the exterior cover member 15 of the apparatus body 2, for example, a different color such as red or yellow, the color difference Thus, there is an advantage that the power switch 17 portion can be easily recognized.

  In addition, in the said embodiment, although the main power supply part 14 has shown the structure with which the front surface of the apparatus main body 2 was equipped, the structure with which a side etc. are equipped may be sufficient and it is not limited to the position of embodiment at all.

  Further, the shape of the switch housing recess 16, the opening / closing operation cover body 18 and the operation area release cover body 20, and the mounting structure of the opening / closing operation cover body 18 and the operation area release cover body 20 with respect to the switch housing recess 16 are also limited to the embodiments. Not.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the structure applied to the facsimile apparatus 1 as an image forming apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to other image forming apparatuses such as a copying machine and a scanner apparatus. it can.

1 is a perspective view of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of a power supply part. It is sectional explanatory drawing of the power supply part in the state with which the opening / closing operation cover body was mounted | worn. It is a perspective view of an opening / closing operation cover body. It is a perspective view of the switch accommodation recessed part of an exterior cover member. It is a perspective view of an operation area release cover body. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a power supply portion in a state where an operation area release cover body is mounted. It is a front view of an operation area release cover body. It is the IX-IX sectional view taken on the line of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile apparatus 2 Apparatus main body 15 Exterior cover member 16 Switch accommodating recessed part 16a Opening part 16b Support hole 16c Engagement piece part 17 Power switch 17a Switch operation part 18 Opening / closing operation cover body 18a Cover main body part 18b Supporting protrusion 18c Engagement hook part 20 operation area release cover body 20a cover body 20b support projection 20c locking hook 20e operation opening 20f operation guide surface

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus in which a power switch for turning on / off a power source is disposed in a switch housing recess provided in the apparatus main body,
An opening / closing operation cover body that can be freely opened and closed in a closed position that covers the power switch and an open position that allows the power switch to be turned on / off, and a power supply that is mounted in a fixed state in the switch housing recess An image forming apparatus, wherein an operation area release cover body having an operation opening formed in an operation area corresponding to an on / off operation portion of a switch is selectively mountable. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the opening / closing operation cover body is detachably attached to the switch housing recess. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The operation opening of the operation area release cover body has an operation guide surface that gradually decreases from the outside toward the power switch arranged in the switch housing recess. A featured image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the switch housing recess is provided in front of the apparatus main body. 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The switch housing recess is provided in an exterior cover member provided in an apparatus main body, and the exterior cover member and the operation portion opening cover are made of the same resin. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the opening / closing operation cover body and the operation area release cover body are formed in a color different from that of the apparatus main body.

Images