JP2010267282A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems that, in a conventional push button mechanism, a nail of a finger of an operator is caught at the rim of a button hole prepared in a case member that is a surrounding enclosure, when a push button is pressed. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming device includes a case member 35 having a button hole on an operation face, and a push button 34 to be pressed toward the inside of the button hole from the surface of the case member. The top surface of the push button is substantially flush with the surface of the case member. A protrusion and a recess different in shape are formed at the front side and deep side of the operation face, respectively. The protrusion and recess may be a curved recess 34-C prepared on the front side of the operation face, and may be a protrusion 34-E prepared at the deep side of the operation face, respectively. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a push button mechanism in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some printing apparatuses have a structure in which discharged print media are integrated on top of a top cover in order to reduce the size of the apparatus. The top cover is provided so that it can be pivoted. When a problem such as clogging of printing media occurs during printing, or when replacing consumables, the top cover is opened more than 90 degrees to access the inside of the device. Easy structure. That is, the operator presses a push button for opening and closing the top cover on the front surface of the apparatus to open the top cover, and removes a print medium clog and replaces consumables.
JP 2005-1797 A

  However, such a conventional push button mechanism has a problem that when the push button is pressed, the operator's claw is caught on the edge of the button hole provided in the case member which is the surrounding casing.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a push button mechanism in which an operator's claw is not caught on an edge of a button hole provided in a case member which is a surrounding casing.

As a means for solving the above problems rotation, the image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the appended claims, and the case member having a button hole on the operating surface, provided on the operation surface near side inside the case member There is a push button that rotates about a fulcrum and is pressed from the surface of the case member toward the inside of the button hole, and the upper surface of the push button is arranged substantially the same as the surface of the case member, and the push button On the upper surface of the, an uneven surface having different shapes is formed on the front side of the operation surface and the back side of the operation surface , and a push button mechanism having a recess on the rotation fulcrum side provided on the front side of the operation surface is provided .

  In the present invention, since the upper surface of the push button has uneven shapes with different shapes on the front side and the back side of the operation surface, the operator can depress the push button with care. In other words, since the operation is performed with the fingertip placed as close to the operation surface as possible, even when an operator with a long claw, it is possible to prevent the claw from being caught on the edge of the button hole provided in the case member, which is the surrounding housing. can do. Further, since the convex portion is formed on the back side of the operation surface, there is an effect of suppressing the hook of the nail on the edge of the case member when the push button is pressed.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a push button mechanism in a cover closed state according to the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the push button mechanism in the cover open state.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 1 includes four large units, ie, image forming units 2K, 2Y, 2M, and 2C, and transfer rollers 10K, 10Y, 10M, and 10C corresponding to the large units. A transfer unit 27 including a conveying belt 18, a belt driven roller 16, and a belt driving roller 17.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 separates and takes out recording sheets one by one by using a paper cassette 24 for inserting a plurality of recording papers and sequentially taking out the recording papers, and a separating tongue from the paper cassette 24. Sheet feeding roller 11, entrance sensor 12, writing sensor 13, conveying rollers 14 and 15, and a fixing roller that has a heating element such as a halogen lamp inside and heats and presses the recording paper to fix the developer on the recording paper. 19 and a fixing unit 28 including a fixing backup roller 20.

  The image forming units 2K, 2Y, 2M, and 2C include LED heads 3K, 3Y, 3M, and 3C for printing black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, respectively, and a photosensitive drum 4K, 4Y, 4M, and 4C, charging rollers 5K, 5Y, 5M, and 5C (only 5K is shown), developing rollers 6K, 6Y, 6M, and 6C (only 6K is shown), and toner tanks 7K, 7Y, and 7M 7C, developing blades 8K, 8Y, 8M, and 8C (reference numeral 8K only shown) and toner supply sponge rollers 9K, 9Y, 9M, and 9C (reference numeral only 9K shown).

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a top cover 29, and the top cover 29 is rotatable about a fulcrum 30, and the image forming units 2 </ b> K, 2 </ b> Y, 2 </ b> M, 2 </ b> C are rotated by the rotation of the top cover 29. The transfer unit 27 and the fixing unit 28 are detachable. Reference numeral 35 denotes a front case, and 34 denotes a push button for opening and closing a top cover 29 described later.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a top cover 29 is provided above the front case 35 of the image forming apparatus 1, and an operation panel 36 for setting various functions of the image forming apparatus 1 is further provided. . A push button 34 for opening and closing the top cover 29 is provided adjacent to the operation panel 36.

Next, the configuration of the push button mechanism of the present embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, an inner plate 31 made of a metal plate is fixed to the top cover 29, and an urging member such as a torsion spring (not shown) is placed on the inner plate 31 at the position of the fulcrum 30 (see FIG. 2). Is provided. The top cover 29 is biased about the fulcrum 30 in the direction of arrow C, that is, the direction in which the top cover 29 opens. Opening and closing of the top cover 29 is regulated by a lock lever 32 as a cover opening / closing regulating member provided to regulate the top cover 29. The inner plate 31 is provided with an opening 31 -A and engages with a claw portion 32-A serving as a cover restricting portion provided on the lock lever 32. That is, when the top cover 29 is closed, the claw portion 32-A of the lock lever 32 is inserted into the opening 31-A, and the top cover 29 is locked.

Here, the lock lever 32 is provided so as to be rotatable about a fulcrum 32-B, and when the push button 34 is pressed, the bottom of the push button 34 is engaged with an action surface 32-C as an actuated portion of the lock lever 32. And can be rotated in the direction of arrow B. The lock lever 32 is urged by a spring 33 in a direction to lock the opening 31-A of the inner plate 31, and is locked with the top cover 29 closed. Further, the push button 34 for releasing the locked state of the top cover 29 has a working rib that is in contact with the fulcrum 34-A supported by the front case 35 as a housing and the working surface 32-C of the lock lever 32. 34-B is provided. Further, the surface (upper surface) of the push button 34 is disposed on the surface side of the front case 35 through the button hole 35 -A of the front case 35.

  Here, the reason for providing the fulcrum 34-A on the front side of the operation surface is that if the fulcrum 34-A is provided on the back side of the operation surface as viewed from the operator, the direction in which the push button 34 is pushed down is the bending operation of the operator's finger The operation of pushing in against the direction is performed, and the operability is impaired. Therefore, the fulcrum 34-A is provided on the front side of the operation surface for the purpose of emphasizing operability.

By depressing the surface (upper surface) of the push button 34 around the fulcrum 34-A, the surface of the push button 34 enters inside the surface of the front case 35, and the push button 34 rotates around the fulcrum 34-A. To do. As the push button 34 rotates, the action rib 34 -B provided at the bottom of the push button 34 pushes the action surface 32 -C of the lock lever 32 against the urging force of the spring 33 . A fulcrum 32-B of the lock lever 32 is provided on the side facing the fulcrum 34-A of the push button 34 via the action surface 32-C of the lock lever 32. When the action surface 32-C is pressed, the lock lever 32 rotates in the arrow B direction. As a result, the claw portion 32-A of the lock lever 32 is disengaged from the opening portion 31-A, and the top cover 29 is unlocked (see FIG. 4).

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a curved concave portion 34 -C is provided on the front surface (upper surface) of the push button 34 toward the front side of the operation surface. The shape of the curved concave portion 34 -C is formed in a curved surface shape that fits the fingertip 40, desirably symmetrically. Further, since the surface (upper surface) of the push button 34 is disposed on the front side of the operation surface of the device on the upper surface side of the front case 35 which is the housing, it is a part of the surface as the housing. A surface substantially identical to the surface of the front case 35 is formed. However, it is desirable that the surface (upper surface) of the push button 34 does not protrude so much from the surface of the front case 35 so that the operator does not inadvertently press the button.

  The basic operation of the push button mechanism of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the image forming apparatus 1, when replacing consumables such as the image forming units 2K, 2Y, 2M, and 2C, the transfer unit 27, and the fixing unit 28, or when a failure such as a print medium clogging occurs during printing, The operator opens and closes the top cover 29.

  First, the fingertip 40 is set as shown in FIG. 1 in the curved recess 34-C provided on the surface of the push button 34, and the push button 34 is pressed. Then, the push button 34 pushes the action surface 32 -C of the lock lever 32 against the urging force of the spring 33 around the fulcrum 34 -A. Further, through the button hole 35 -A of the front case 35, the surface of the push button 34 enters below the surface of the front case 35 and rotates in the direction of arrow A.

  Here, the lock lever 32 rotates about the fulcrum 32-B in the direction of the arrow B, so that the claw portion 32-A is disengaged from the opening 31-A of the inner plate 31. Then, the inner plate 31 is opened in the direction of arrow C by the urging force of a urging member such as a torsion spring (not shown) around the fulcrum 30 to be in the state shown in FIG.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4, a curved recess 34 -C is formed on the surface of the push button 34 toward the front side of the operation surface. Therefore, when the top cover 29 is opened, the curved recess 34 -C Since the fingertip 40 is set, the claw 41 (particularly a long claw) is formed on the edge of the button hole 35-A of the front case 35 when the surface (upper surface) of the push button 34 enters the button hole 35-A of the front case 35. It won't get caught. Thus, the recess formed on the button surface functions as a guide part (guide) for guiding the fingertip 40 to the front of the button so that the fingertip 40 of the operator touches the front of the button.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, the curved portion 34 -C is formed on the front surface (upper surface) of the push button 34 toward the front side of the operation surface, that is, the front side of the operation surface as viewed from the operator. Therefore, the claw 41 (particularly a long claw) can be prevented from being caught on the edge of the button hole 35-A of the front case 35.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 2, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the push button mechanism in the cover closed state according to the second embodiment, FIG. 6 is a top view of the operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 7 is the push button mechanism in the cover open state. It is sectional drawing. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as a 1st Example, the description is used by providing the same code | symbol.

  The push button 34 for opening and closing the top cover 29 of the image forming apparatus 1 is provided adjacent to the operation panel 36 for setting various functions, as shown in FIG. 6, as in the first embodiment. It has been. In the present embodiment, a concave step 34-D is provided on the surface of the push button 34 on the front side of the operation surface, and a convex step 34-E is provided on the back side of the operation surface. The boundary between the concave step 34-D and the convex step 34-E is not a straight line but may be slightly curved toward the convex step 34-E so as to match the shape of the fingertip 40 of the operator.

  In the image forming apparatus 1, when consumables such as the image forming units 2K, 2Y, 2M, and 2C, the transfer unit 27, and the fixing unit 28 are replaced, or when a failure such as a print medium clogging occurs during printing. The operator opens and closes the top cover 29.

  First, when the fingertip 40 is set on the convex portion 34 -E provided on the surface of the push button 34 as shown in FIG. 5 and the push button 34 is depressed, the push button 34 is centered on the fulcrum 34 -A and the action rib 34. -B descends the working surface 32-C of the lock lever 32 against the urging force of the spring 33. Through the button hole 35 -A of the front case 35, the surface (upper surface) of the push button 34 enters below the surface of the front case 35 and rotates in the direction of arrow A. Other operations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  Here, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, since the convex portion 34 -E is formed on the surface of the push button 34 toward the back of the operation surface, when the operator opens the top cover 29, the operator The fingertip 40 hits the convex portion 34 -E, and the fingertip 40 is set without going further to the back side. Therefore, when the surface of the push button 34 enters the button hole 35 -A of the front case 35, the front case 35 The claw 41 (particularly a long claw) is not caught on the edge of the button hole 35-A.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, since the convex portion 34 -E is formed on the surface of the push button 34 toward the back side of the operation surface, the fingertip 40 is formed on the convex portion 34 -E. Therefore, the claw 41 (particularly a long claw) can be prevented from being caught on the edge of the button hole 35-A of the front case 35.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the push button mechanism in the third embodiment. In the present embodiment, the surface of the push button 34 is inclined upward from the front side of the operation surface (the right side in FIG. 8) toward the back side (also the left side).

  That is, with respect to the surface 35-B of the front case 35 indicated by a broken line in the drawing, the trough portion 34-F is formed on the front side of the operation surface, and the crest portion 34-G is formed on the back side of the operation surface. The valley portion 34-F is a concave portion in the pressing direction of the push button 34 from the surface 35-B, and the peak portion 34-G is a convex portion in the direction opposite to the pressing direction of the push button 34 from the surface 35-B. It has become. In the meantime, the slope is inclined upward from the valley 34-F on the front side of the operation surface toward the peak 34-G on the back side.

  With such a structure, the operator's fingertip 40 is set in the valley portion 34 -F of the push button 34, and at the same time, the operator's fingertip 40 hits the mountain portion 34 -G of the push button 34. It is possible to prevent the claw 41 (particularly a long claw) from being caught on the edge of the button hole 35-A.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9A is a cross-sectional view of the push button mechanism in the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a top view of the push button. In the present embodiment, a notch 34 -I with a width that does not allow the operator's fingertip 40 to enter is provided on the back side of the operation surface of the push button 34.

  That is, with respect to the surface 34-H of the push button 34, the front side of the operation surface is flat as it is, but a notch 34-I is formed on the back side of the operation surface. The shape of the surface 34-H of the push button 34 is a circle shape larger than a semicircle as shown in FIG. The distance L1 from the button hole 35-A formed by the notch 34-I must be such that the operator's fingertip 40 does not enter.

  With this structure, the operator's fingertip 40 depresses the surface 34-H of the push button 34, and at the same time, the operator's fingertip 40 does not enter the notch 34-I of the push button 34. Absent.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10A is a cross-sectional view of the push button mechanism in the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 10B is a top view of the push button. This embodiment is a modification of the fourth embodiment, and the notches 34-I and 34- have a width that does not allow the operator's fingertip 40 to enter the periphery of the surface 34-H of the push button 34. J is provided.

  That is, the surface 34-H of the push button 34 is a plane, but a notch is formed around the surface 34-H. The notch is formed around the entire circumference of the surface 34-H. Therefore, the push button formed by the surface 34-H forms an “island” state. Between the edge of the button hole 35-A of the front case 35 and the surface 34-H, it is desirable that the distance L2 on the rear side of the operation surface is larger than the distance L-3 on the front side of the operation surface.

  With this structure, the operator's fingertip 40 presses the surface 34 -H of the push button 34, and at the same time, the operator's fingertip 40 moves to the notches 34 -I and 34 -J of the push button 34. Never get in.

  In the description of the best mode for carrying out the present invention, the mechanism in which the push button 34 is provided with a fulcrum 34-A and the push button 34 rotates when the top cover 29 of the image forming apparatus 1 is opened and closed is described. However, a structure in which the push button 34 is movable perpendicularly to the front case 35 or the push button surface may be employed. In this embodiment, the push button mechanism disposed on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 1 has been described. However, the push button mechanism disposed on the side surface or the front surface of the apparatus is also effective.

It is sectional drawing of the pushbutton mechanism of the cover closed state in 1st Embodiment. 1 is a configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a top view of an operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the pushbutton mechanism of a cover open state. It is sectional drawing of the pushbutton mechanism of the cover closed state in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 10 is a top view of an operation unit of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the pushbutton mechanism of a cover open state. It is sectional drawing of the pushbutton mechanism in 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the push button mechanism in the fourth embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a top view of the push button. FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the push button mechanism in the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 5B is a top view of the push button.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 29 Top cover 34 Push button 34-A Support point 34-C Curved recessed part 34-D Recessed part 34-E Convex part 34-F Valley part 34-G Mountain part 34-H Surface 34-I, 34-J Notch Part 35 Front case

Claims (5)

A case member having a button hole on the operation surface;
It has a push button that rotates around a rotation fulcrum provided on the front side of the operation surface inside the case member and is pressed toward the inside of the button hole from the surface of the case member,
The upper surface of the push button is arranged substantially the same as the surface of the case member, and the upper surface of the push button is provided with uneven shapes on the front side of the operation surface and the back side of the operation surface, and provided on the front side of the operation surface. An image forming apparatus comprising a push button mechanism having a recess on the side of the rotation fulcrum . A cover that can be opened and closed with respect to the case member;
An actuated portion that engages with the bottom of the push button; and a cover restricting portion that engages with the cover to restrict opening and closing of the cover when the cover is closed, and rotates inside the case member A cover opening / closing regulating member provided in a possible manner,
When the push button is pressed, the cover opening / closing regulating member rotates when the bottom portion of the push button is engaged with the operated portion, and the engagement with the cover is released by this rotation. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The recess image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that it is formed in a compatible curved fingertips. The unevenness comprises a concave step provided on the front side of the operation surface and a convex step provided on the back side of the operation surface, and the boundary between the concave step and the convex step forms a curved shape. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the concave portion is formed. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cover opening / closing regulating member is provided with a rotation fulcrum on a side facing the rotation fulcrum of the push button through the operated part .

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