JP2010109458A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus capable of preventing the visibility and takeout property of paper ejected to a paper ejection tray from being deteriorated even if a vertical angle of an operation part is changed without miniaturizing the operation part in the image forming apparatus of a so-called intra-body paper ejection type. <P>SOLUTION: The operation part 10 includes: a first operation part 11 supported at the front side of an image reading part 5; a coupling member 30 which is oscillated so that one end is rotatably and pivotally supported by the first operation part 11; and a second operation part 12 rotatably and pivotally supported by the other end of the coupling member 30. The second operation part 12 is rotated around the first operation part 11 by the coupling member 30 and moved to a position where the front side of an ejected paper storage part 7 is opened. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of an operation unit provided in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printing machine, a FAX machine, or a multifunction machine of these, and particularly relates to a mechanism for moving the operation unit.

An image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printing machine, a FAX machine, or a multifunction machine of these is provided with an operation unit for performing display and operation. Some recent image forming apparatuses include a mechanism for changing the angle of an operation unit in order to provide an image forming apparatus that can be easily operated by a user on a wheelchair.
For example, in Patent Document 1, the operation unit is configured to be rotatable in the left-right direction and the up-down direction so that the angle of the operation surface can be changed, thereby making it easier to check and operate the operation unit and improving operability. An image forming apparatus is described. Further, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 employs a configuration (so-called in-cylinder discharge method) that discharges paper after image formation into a paper discharge storage space provided between the image reading unit and the image forming unit. The operation unit is disposed on the front side of the image reading unit.
JP 2008-135918 A

However, when the operation unit of the in-body discharge type image forming apparatus is movable, as in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, if the angle of the operation unit is tilted to near vertical, the discharge storage unit is There is a problem that the visibility and take-out performance of the discharged paper is deteriorated because it is hidden behind the operation unit.
In order to solve this problem, it is conceivable to arrange the operation unit so that the discharged paper does not become a shadow of the operation unit, or to reduce the size of the operation unit. However, according to the former method, since it is necessary to arrange the operation unit at a position that does not protrude to the front side of the paper discharge storage unit, the degree of freedom of the arrangement position or movable range of the operation unit is low, and operability is appropriately improved. There is a problem that it cannot be planned. Further, according to the latter method, there is a problem that the operability is deteriorated because the display screen and the operation buttons are made smaller and the key pitch of the operation buttons is made narrower. Further, even if the operation unit is made detachable so that it can be completely removed from the apparatus main body, a decrease in operability is inevitable.
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and maintains the operability without reducing the size of the operation unit, and does not reduce the visibility and take-out performance of discharged paper. The purpose is to provide.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an invention according to claim 1 is directed to an image reading unit that reads an image of a document, an image forming unit that is disposed below the image reading unit with a space therebetween, and the space. In the image forming apparatus, the operation unit is provided in front of the image reading unit. A first operating part supported by the part, a connecting member pivotally supported by one end of the first operating part and pivoted, and a pivotable shaft by the other end of the connecting member A second operating portion supported, wherein the second operating portion is located between a front portion of the paper discharge storage portion and a position retracted from the front portion as the connecting member swings. Is configured to be capable of advancing and retreating.
The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that one end portion of the connecting member is pivotally supported so as to rotate around an axis intersecting with the operation surface of the first operation portion.
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that one end portion of the connecting member is pivotally supported so as to rotate around a vertical axis substantially parallel to the operation surface of the first operation portion.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the connecting member includes a first arm pivotally supported at one end by the first operating portion, a second arm pivotally supported by the second operating portion, An approach / separation mechanism for moving the first arm and the second arm toward and away from each other in the longitudinal direction; and a biasing means for biasing the first arm and the second arm in the approach direction. It is characterized by providing.
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the first operation portion and the second operation portion are substantially rectangular in a front view, and left and right side surfaces or upper and lower surfaces of the first operation portion and the second operation portion. The second operation unit can be moved so that the two are adjacent to each other.
The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the first operation section is supported by the apparatus main body via a tilting means that can be rotated in the vertical direction and / or the horizontal direction.
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the first operation unit includes an operation unit that performs an operation necessary for image formation, and the second operation unit includes a display unit that performs a display necessary for image formation. Features.

  According to the present invention, the second operation unit can be rotated around the first operation unit and moved to a position where the front side of the discharge storage unit is opened. Visibility and takeout can be ensured.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. An image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied will be briefly described.
The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 5 that reads an image of a document at the top, an apparatus main body 6 that houses an image forming unit (not shown) that is disposed below the image reading unit 5 with a space therebetween, A sheet discharge tray 7 (sheet discharge storage section) that discharges a transfer material on which an image is formed is disposed in a space between the image reading section 5 and the image forming section. The image forming apparatus 1 is an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, and has an image forming unit such as a photosensitive drum, a developing device, a transfer device, a fixing device, and an optical writing device (not shown) inside the device main body 6. Yes. The transfer material on which the image is formed in the image forming unit is discharged to the paper discharge tray 7. The image reading unit 5 is provided with a contact glass (not shown) and an ADF 8 that automatically sends a document. The ADF 8 is incorporated in a cover 9 that can be opened and closed with respect to the contact glass. Note that the ADF 8 may be omitted and only the pressure plate (original presser) may be provided.
An operation unit 10 for operating the image forming apparatus 1 is attached to the front side of the image reading unit 5. In the present invention, the operation unit 10 includes a first operation unit 11 and a second operation unit 12, and a display device 13 (display unit) that displays various types of information is provided on the surface of the first operation unit 11. Various keys 14 (operation means) for operating the image forming apparatus 1 are disposed on the surface of the second operation unit 12.

[First embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a movable structure of the operation unit 10 of the image forming apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, the second operation unit 12 on the right side of the first operation unit 11 in FIG. 1 moves to the left side via the front side of the first operation unit 11. There are features.
An adjustment mechanism 20 for changing the vertical angle of the first operation unit 11 stepwise is accommodated in the first operation unit 11. The adjustment mechanism 20 illustrated in FIG. 2 is an example of a mechanism that changes the vertical angle of the operation unit 10 and is not limited to this embodiment.
The adjustment mechanism 20 includes an operation lever 21 supported so as to be swingable in the vertical direction, a pair of opening / closing pieces 22 having one end abutting against the operation lever 21 and extending toward the image reading unit, and the opening / closing piece 22 at the center. The rotary shaft 23 pivotally supported by the unit, the lock mechanism 24 provided on the other end side (image reading unit 5 side) of the opening / closing piece 22, and the operation unit 10 can be rotated in the vertical direction. And a horizontal shaft 25 that supports the shaft. The horizontal shaft 25 is supported by a bearing member fixed to the front side of the image reading unit 5.
When the operation lever 21 is moved upward or downward, the operation lever 21 side of the opening / closing piece 22 moves in a direction away from each other. In addition, the image reading unit 5 side of the opening / closing piece 22 is moved in the direction close to each other by the rotation shaft 23, and the lock mechanism 24 is unlocked. The entire operation unit 10 can be rotated around the horizontal axis 25 and moved in the vertical direction (arrow A direction). Further, when the hand is released from the operation lever 21, the operation unit is fixed at a predetermined angle by the lock mechanism 24.
Both the opening / closing piece 22 and the rotating shaft 23 are supported by a bracket 26 positioned below the opening / closing piece 22.

A connecting member 30 that connects the first operation unit 11 and the second operation unit 12 is disposed on the lower surface side of the bracket 26. One end of the connecting member 30 is pivotally supported by a tilt hinge shaft 31 so as to be rotatable in the direction of the arrow B1, and swings. Further, a tilt hinge shaft 32 is attached to the other end portion of the connecting member 30, and the second operation portion 12 is pivotally supported via the tilt hinge shaft 32 so as to be rotatable.
The tilt hinge shafts 31 and 32 have a tilt function by friction torque, that is, a function to stably and reliably stop a member connected via the tilt hinge shaft by torque resistance of the tilt hinge shaft. The tilt hinge shaft 31 holds the connecting member 30 at an arbitrary angle with respect to the first operating portion 11, and the tilt hinge shaft 32 holds the second operating portion 12 at an arbitrary angle with respect to the connecting member 30. Can do.
In the present embodiment, instead of the tilt hinge shafts 31 and 32, a hinge shaft having no tilt function may be used. However, since the second operation unit 12 can be stably and reliably stopped at an arbitrary position by using the tilt hinge shafts 31 and 32, the user moves the second operation unit 12 to a position where it can be easily used. Can be used.

3 and 4 are external perspective views of a part of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the operation unit is tilted downward from the position shown in FIG. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the second operation unit is moved from the position shown in FIG. 3 to the left side of the first operation unit.
As shown in FIG. 1, the front side of the paper discharge tray 7 is opened when the operation unit 10 is not inclined downward. However, if the operation unit 10 is tilted downward, the second operation unit 12 on the right side of the first operation unit 11 closes the front side of the discharge tray 7 as shown in FIG. .
Therefore, the second operation unit 12 is rotated clockwise (in the direction of arrow B1) around the tilt hinge shaft 31 that is an axis that intersects (in this example, orthogonal) with the operation surface 11a of the first operation unit 11. Then, the first operation unit 11 is moved to the left side so that the front side of the paper discharge tray 7 is opened (FIG. 4).

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the second operation unit 12 can be moved by swinging the connecting member 30, that is, can be moved back and forth between the front portion of the paper discharge tray 7 and the position retracted from the front portion. Thus, the front side of the paper discharge tray 7 can be opened, and the visibility and take-out performance of the paper discharged to the paper discharge tray 7 are improved. Further, since the second operation unit 12 itself rotates about the tilt hinge shaft 32, the posture (for example, button arrangement) viewed from the operator of the second operation unit 12 located in front of the apparatus main body is moved. It is maintained even before and after. The first operation unit 11 is supported on the front side of the image reading unit 5 via the adjustment mechanism 20, and the second operation unit 12 is connected to the first operation unit 11. The vertical angle of the entire operation unit 10 can be changed.

[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is an external perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged perspective view in which the operation portion is enlarged and seen through. This embodiment is characterized in that a part of the operation unit provided with an adjustment mechanism that changes the angle of the operation unit not only in the vertical direction but also in the horizontal direction can be rotated as in the first embodiment. is there. The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
As shown in FIG. 5, the operation unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 1 includes a first operation unit 41 and a second operation unit 42 that are substantially rectangular in a front view. As shown in FIG. 6, behind the operation unit 40, the first operation unit 41 is supported by the adjustment mechanism 50 on the front side of the image reading unit 5, and the second operation unit 42 is the first operation unit. The part 41 is supported by the connection mechanism 60.

A support structure of the operation unit 40 will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a structure for supporting the operation unit 40. An adjustment mechanism 50 that supports the first operation unit 40 and adjusts the angle thereof includes a bracket 51 fixed to the front side surface of the image reading unit 5, a substantially horizontal tilt hinge shaft 52 supported by the bracket 51, and a tilt hinge. A bracket 53 pivotally supported on the shaft 52 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction (arrow C direction), a tilt hinge shaft 54 supported by the bracket 53 and having an axis substantially perpendicular to the tilt hinge shaft 52, and a tilt hinge shaft 54 And a bracket 55 that is pivotally supported in the left-right direction (arrow D direction). The first operation unit 41 is fixed to the bracket 55, and the angle of the operation unit 40 can be changed in the vertical direction by the tilt hinge shaft 52. Further, the angle of the operation unit 40 can be changed in the left-right direction by the tilt hinge shaft 54.
The adjustment mechanism 50 described above is an example of a mechanism that changes the vertical and horizontal angles of the operation unit 40. Although the present embodiment will be described by using an example of an adjustment mechanism including a two-axis tilt hinge, the number of hinge axes provided in the adjustment mechanism is not particularly limited, and a single-axis tilt hinge axis or a multi-axis It may be a tilt hinge axis.

A support structure of the second operation unit 42 will be described. The second operation portion 42 is connected to the first operation portion 41 by a connecting member 60 that is pivotally supported by the bracket 55. That is, the second operation unit 42 is supported by the first operation unit 41 via the bracket 55 and the connecting member 60.
The connecting member 60 is supported by the bracket 55 and is pivotally supported so that one end of the tilt hinge shaft 61 can be rotated. Arm 62 and a tilt hinge shaft 63 attached to the other end of the arm 62. The tilt hinge shaft 63 pivotally supports the second operation portion 42.
The arm 62 includes a first arm piece 70 located on the first operation portion 41 side and a second arm piece 75 located on the second operation portion 42 side. The first arm piece 70 has a hole 71 through which the tilt hinge shaft 61 is inserted at one end in the longitudinal direction, two guide holes 72 opened along the longitudinal direction of the first arm piece 70 at the other end, Between the hole 71 and the guide hole 72, a locking piece 73 for locking one end of the coil spring 64 is provided.

The second arm piece 75 is arranged in a longitudinal direction and a locking piece 76 that locks the other end portion of the coil spring 64 to one end edge on the first operation portion 41 side in the longitudinal direction. Two connection holes 77 connected to the first arm, and a hole 78 through which the tilt hinge shaft 63 is inserted at the other end in the longitudinal direction. The guide hole 72 and the connection hole 77 are connected to each other by loosely-fitted bosses 65, and these constitute a contact / separation mechanism for moving the first arm piece 70 and the second arm piece 75 closer to and away from each other in the longitudinal direction. . In addition, the coil spring 64 (biasing means) is biased in a direction in which both end portions thereof are respectively locked by the locking pieces 73 and 76 so that the first arm piece 70 and the second arm piece 75 approach each other. To do.
Accordingly, the second operation unit 42 can rotate around the first operation unit 41 around the tilt hinge shaft 61 and change its position. At this time, since the first operating portion 41 and the second operating portion 42 are biased toward each other by the coil spring 64, the left and right side surfaces of the first operating portion 41 and the second operating portion 42. Or it can arrange | position fixedly so that an up-and-down side surface may adjoin.

An arrangement change of the operation unit of the image forming apparatus having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 to 11 are external perspective views of the image forming apparatus.
FIG. 8 shows a state in which the operation unit is tilted downward from the state of FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the second operation unit 42 is configured to block the front side of the paper discharge tray 7, and the visibility and take-out property of the paper discharged to the paper discharge tray 7 is worse than the state of FIG. 5. ing.
FIG. 9 shows that the second operation unit 42 is rotated from the state of FIG. 8 and moved to any position on the outer peripheral edge of the first operation unit 41, in this example, to the left side of the first operation unit 41. Shows the state. As shown in the drawing, the front side of the paper discharge tray 7 is opened, so that the visibility and take-out performance of the paper discharged to the paper discharge tray 7 are improved.
Further, FIG. 10 shows a state in which the angle is changed so that the operation unit 40 is rotated obliquely to the right from the state of FIG. As illustrated, since the adjustment mechanism 50 is attached to the first operation unit 41, the end of the operation unit 40 (the second operation unit 42 of the second operation unit 42) that can come into contact with the front surface of the image reading unit 5 from the adjustment mechanism 50. The distance to the right end 42b) is long, and the movable range of the operation unit 40 in the left-right direction is small. However, when the second operation unit 42 is moved to the left side of the first operation unit 41, the end of the operation unit 40 (the first operation unit 41 of the first operation unit 41 can be brought into contact with the front surface of the image reading unit 5 from the adjustment mechanism 50. Since the distance to the right end 41b) is shortened, the variable angle in the left-right direction with respect to the front surface of the image forming apparatus 1 can be increased.

Thus, according to the present embodiment, the first arm and the second arm are urged toward each other by the urging means, and therefore the first operation is performed when the second operation unit is fixed. When the second operation unit moves, the second operation unit is moved away from the first operation unit against the biasing force so that a gap necessary for movement is obtained. Easy to secure. In addition, since the variable angle in the left-right direction with respect to the front surface of the image forming apparatus can be increased, the restriction on the position when moving the second operation unit is loosened, and the degree of freedom in design and design is increased.
In addition, it is good also as a structure which is provided with the fixing means (for example, screw and butterfly bolt) for maintaining the distance of a 1st operation part and a 2nd operation part instead of a boss, and excludes a coil spring. In this case, since the length of the connecting member can be changed at the time of movement, it is possible to secure a gap necessary for movement of the second operation portion, and at a desired position or distance with respect to the first operation portion. The advantage that the second operation part can be fixed is obtained.

[Third embodiment]
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 are external perspective views of an image forming apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a partially enlarged perspective view in which a part of the operation portion is cut out and displayed. The present embodiment is characterized in that the second operation unit rotates around an axis substantially horizontal to the operation surface of the first operation unit. In the following description, the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
The adjustment mechanism 20 for changing the up-and-down angle of the operation part 80 in steps is accommodated in the inside of the 1st operation part 81 in this embodiment similarly to 1st embodiment.

The first operation unit 81 and the second operation unit 82 are connected by a long rod-shaped connection means 90 extending substantially horizontally in the horizontal direction on the image reading unit 5 side (rear end side). Both end portions of the connecting means 90 are axes extending substantially parallel to the operation surfaces 81a and 82a and extending in the vertical direction. That is, one end portion (first shaft portion 91) of the connecting means 90 is pivotally supported by the first operating portion 81, and the connecting means 90 is around the first shaft portion 91 (in the direction of arrow E in the figure). Rocks. Further, the other end portion (second shaft portion 92) of the connecting means 90 is pivotally supported by the second operation portion 82, and the second operation portion 82 is rotated around the second shaft portion 92 (in the drawing). It swings in the direction of arrow F).
A storage groove 85 for storing the connecting means 90 is provided on the operation surface 81 a of the first operation unit 81. The storage groove 85 includes a first storage groove 85a located on the right side in the drawing from the first shaft portion 91 and a second storage groove 85b located on the left side in the drawing. On the first storage groove 85a, the connection means 90 is detachably held by moving in and out of the rotation path of the connection means 90, and the connection means 90 stored in the first storage groove 85a is detachably held. A first locking member 95 is provided to prevent the opening operation. The first lock member 95 includes a blocking member 97 that moves forward and backward along a predetermined guide portion 96, and a biasing means 98 that biases the blocking member 97 so as to protrude toward the rotation path.

Further, the connecting means 90 can be freely engaged and disengaged on the rotation path of the connecting means 90 of the second operation portion 82, and the connecting means 90 stored in the first storage groove 85a is opened. A second locking member 100 is provided. The second lock member 100 includes a blocking member 102 that advances and retreats along a predetermined guide portion 101, and a biasing unit 103 that biases the blocking member 102 so as to protrude toward the rotation path.
With this configuration, when the second operation unit 82 fixed to the right side of the first operation unit 81 is lifted to the operation surface 82a side in the drawing, it protrudes on the rotation path of the connecting means 90. Thus, the blocking members 97 and 101 are retracted to open the connecting member, and the second operation portion 82 can be swung.
Further, when the connecting means 90 is pushed into the first storage groove 85a from the swingable state, the blocking members 97 and 101 protruding on the rotation path of the connecting means 90 are retracted, and the connecting means 90 is moved to the first receiving groove 85a. After being stored in the storage groove, the blocking members 97 and 101 protrude on the rotation path, and the opening operation of the connecting means 90 is blocked.
Note that the lock member that prevents the opening operation of the connecting means 90 stored in the second storage groove 85b has the same configuration as the first and second lock members, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
Thus, in this embodiment, since the 2nd operation part was able to be fixed with respect to the 1st operation part, when operating, an operation part becomes stable and it becomes easy to operate.

[Fourth embodiment]
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 is a partially enlarged perspective view in which the operation portion of the image forming apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is enlarged and seen through. In the present embodiment, a device (various keys 113) that is accompanied by a pressing operation such as a switch is arranged in the first operation unit 111 supported by the image reading unit 5, and is supported by the first operation unit 111 and the first operation unit 111 is supported. A device (display device 114) that is not accompanied by a pressing operation such as a switch is disposed in the second operation unit 112 configured to be movable with respect to the one operation unit 111.
As described above, since the device that is actually operated by pressing or the like is supported by the image reading unit 5, it is possible to easily ensure the stability of the operation of the operation unit 110 even if the connecting member 60 does not have high rigidity. it can. In addition, when the display device 114 is a device that involves an operation such as pressing a touch panel or the like, the stability of the operation unit 110 can be ensured by arranging the display device 114 in the first operation unit 111. .
In addition, when both the first operation unit 111 and the second operation unit 112 are equipped with devices that require operations such as pressing, devices that are considered to have many operations such as pressing are arranged in the first operation unit 111. In consideration of the operation load and stability, such as placing the other device in the second operation unit 112, it is determined whether the device is mounted on the first or second operation unit.
As described above, in the present embodiment, since the device accompanied by the pressing operation is arranged in the first operation unit supported by the image reading unit, the stability of the operation unit can be ensured.

1 is an external perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a movable structure of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an external perspective view of a part of an image forming apparatus. 1 is an external perspective view of a part of an image forming apparatus. It is an external appearance perspective view of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is the partial expansion perspective view which expanded and saw the operation part part. It is the figure shown about the structure which supports an operation part. It is an external appearance perspective view of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is an external appearance perspective view of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 3rd embodiment of this invention. It is the partial expansion perspective view which notched and displayed a part of operation part part. FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged perspective view in which an operation portion of an image forming apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is enlarged and seen through.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 2, 3 ... Image forming apparatus, 5 ... Image reading part, 6 ... Apparatus main body, 7 ... Paper discharge tray, 8 ... ADF, 9 ... Cover, 10 ... Operation part, 11 ... First operation part, 11a ... Operation surface, 12 ... second operation unit, 13 ... display device, 14 ... various keys, 20 ... adjustment mechanism, 21 ... operating lever, 22 ... opening / closing piece, 23 ... rotating shaft, 24 ... lock mechanism, 25 ... horizontal axis , 26 ... bracket, 30 ... connecting member, 31 ... tilt hinge shaft, 32 ... tilt hinge shaft, 40 ... operation portion, 41 ... first operation portion, 41a ... operation surface, 41b ... right end portion, 42 ... second operation. , 42b ... right end, 43 ... display device, 44 ... various keys, 50 ... adjustment mechanism, 51 ... bracket, 52 ... tilt hinge shaft, 53 ... bracket, 54 ... tilt hinge shaft, 55 ... bracket, 60 ... connecting member, 61 ... Tilt hinge shaft, 62 ... 63 ... tilt hinge shaft, 64 ... coil spring, 65 ... boss, 70 ... first arm piece, 71 ... hole, 72 ... guide hole, 73 ... locking piece, 75 ... second arm piece, 76 ... engagement Stop piece, 77 ... connecting hole, 78 ... hole, 80 ... operation part, 81 ... first operation part, 81a ... operation surface, 82 ... second operation part, 82a ... operation surface, 85 ... storage groove, 85a ... Storage groove, 85b ... Storage groove, 90 ... Connecting means, 91 ... First shaft portion, 92 ... Second shaft portion, 95 ... First lock member, 96 ... Guide portion, 97 ... Blocking member, 98 ... With 100 ... second locking member, 101 ... guide portion, 102 ... blocking member, 103 ... biasing means, 110 ... operating portion, 111 ... first operating portion, 112 ... second operating portion, 113 ... Various keys, 114 ... display device

Claims (7)

An image reading unit that reads an image of a document, an image forming unit disposed below the image reading unit with a space, a paper discharge storage unit provided in the space, and a side portion of the image reading unit In an image forming apparatus provided with an operation unit that is disposed and performs display and operation,
The operation unit includes a first operation unit supported by a front portion of the image reading unit, a connecting member that is pivotally supported at one end by the first operation unit and swings, and the connection A second operating portion pivotally supported by the other end of the member,
The second operation unit is configured to be capable of moving back and forth between a front part of the paper discharge storage part and a position retracted from the front part when the connecting member swings. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is pivotally supported at one end so as to rotate about an axis intersecting with an operation surface of the first operation unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connecting member is pivotally supported at one end so as to rotate about a vertical axis substantially parallel to an operation surface of the first operation unit.   The connection member includes a first arm pivotally supported at one end by the first operation portion, a second arm pivotally supported by the second operation portion, the first arm, and the second arm. 2. A contact / separation mechanism for moving the first arm and the second arm toward and away from each other in the longitudinal direction; and biasing means for biasing the first arm and the second arm in the approach direction. 4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3.   The first operation unit and the second operation unit are substantially rectangular in a front view, and the second operation unit is arranged such that left and right side surfaces or upper and lower surfaces of the first operation unit and the second operation unit are adjacent to each other. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is movable.   The said 1st operation part is supported by the said apparatus main body via the tilt means which can be rotated to an up-down direction and / or a left-right direction, The said 1st operation part is characterized by the above-mentioned. The image forming apparatus described.   7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first operation unit includes an operation unit that performs an operation necessary for image formation, and the second operation unit includes a display unit that performs a display necessary for image formation. The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above.

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