JP2011123164A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus, configured to freely detachably attach an operation panel to the apparatus body, wherein the operation panel is stably supported using a simple structure. <P>SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus 1 includes: an image-reading section 7, a plurality of first rail members 37, the operation panel 9; and a plurality of second rail members 44. The first rail members 37 are fixed to the image-reading section 7. The second rail members 44 are fixed to the operation panel 9, and the second rail members are slidably attached with respect to the first rail members 37. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus in which an operation panel is detachably attached to an apparatus main body.

  In an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile, or a printer, an operation panel is attached to the apparatus body. The operation panel is provided with an operation key used for operating the apparatus by the user and a display panel for notifying the user of the operation state.

  Generally, the operation panel is attached to the front part of the image reading unit of the image forming apparatus (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In Patent Document 1, an operation panel and an image reading unit are provided separately to improve workability when attaching an operation unit cover. Specifically, an operation unit attachment member to which an operation cover that covers the lower surface of the operation unit is attached is locked to the main body unit.

JP 2005-173175 A

  If the operation panel can be removed from the apparatus main body, the operation panel mounting structure becomes complicated. In general, since a large load may be applied to the operation panel due to the user leaning on the operation panel, the panel mounting rigidity is important. However, when the chassis that is the attachment destination is made of resin, the strength of the chassis itself is low, and as a result, it is difficult to obtain panel attachment rigidity. That is, the operation panel rattles due to external force after long-term use.

  An object of the present invention is to stably support an operation panel with a simple structure in an image forming apparatus in which the operation panel is detachably attached to the apparatus main body.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an apparatus main body, a plurality of first rail members, an operation panel, and a plurality of second rail members. The first rail member is fixed to the apparatus main body. The plurality of second rail members are fixed to the operation panel, and can be attached to the plurality of first rail members by sliding.
In this apparatus, the operation panel is attached to or detached from the apparatus main body by sliding the plurality of second rail members onto the plurality of first rail members. Here, since the plurality of first rail members and the plurality of second rail members support each other, the operation panel is stably supported with respect to the apparatus main body.

The image forming apparatus may further include a connecting member that is fixed to the apparatus main body and connects the plurality of first rail members to each other.
In this apparatus, since the first rail members are connected by the connecting member, the mounting strength of the first rail member is improved. Further, when the portion to which the plurality of first rail members are attached in the apparatus main body is made of resin and has low strength, the first rail member is connected to the connecting member, thereby acting on the apparatus main body from the operation panel. Advantageously, the force is distributed. That is, the portion where the plurality of first rail members are connected in the apparatus main body is not easily deformed.

The plurality of first rail members may have a box-shaped portion whose one surface is open.
In this apparatus, since the first rail member has a box-shaped portion, the first rail member maintains a sufficiently high strength while being reduced in weight.

The plurality of second rail members may have a box-shaped portion whose one surface is open.
In this apparatus, since the second rail member has a box-shaped portion, the second rail member maintains a sufficiently high strength while being reduced in weight.

The apparatus main body further includes a casing to which the connecting member is fixed and a scanning carriage that can travel inside the casing. The casing is formed with a groove for storing the connecting member. A guide surface on which the scanning carriage is supported so as to be able to run may be formed on the opposite side.
In this apparatus, the opposite side of the groove in which the connecting member is stored in the housing is a guide surface, that is, one structure has a plurality of functions. Therefore, the number of parts is reduced and the structure is further simplified.

The box-shaped portions of the plurality of second rail members have a bottom surface portion and a pair of side surface portions extending from both side ends of the bottom surface portion, and the plurality of second rail members extend from the end portions of the side surface portions to the outside of the side surface portions. You may have further the reinforcement part extended.
In this apparatus, since the second rail member further has a reinforcing portion, the strength of the second rail member is improved.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the operation panel is stably supported with a simple structure.

1 is an external perspective view of an entire image forming apparatus including an embodiment according to the present invention. Perspective view of image reading unit and operation panel The perspective view which shows the operation | movement which mounts an operation panel in an image reading part. The perspective view from the upper part which shows the operation | movement which mounts an operation panel (lower cover) in an image reading part. The perspective view from the lower part which shows the operation | movement which mounts an operation panel in an image reading part. The perspective view of a main body side reinforcement member. The perspective view of a 1st rail member. The perspective view of a main body side reinforcement member and a 1st rail member. The top view of the lower cover of an operation panel. The perspective view from the upper part of the 2nd rail member. The perspective view from the lower part of a 2nd rail member. The perspective view of a 1st rail member and a 2nd rail member. Sectional drawing of a 1st rail member and a 2nd rail member. Sectional drawing of a 1st rail member and a 2nd rail member.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an apparatus main body, a plurality of first rail members, an operation panel, and a plurality of second rail members. The first rail member is fixed to the apparatus main body. The plurality of second rail members are fixed to the operation panel, and can be attached to the plurality of first rail members by sliding. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.

(1) Image Forming Apparatus The image forming apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an entire image forming apparatus including an embodiment according to the present invention. Hereinafter, the left-right direction of the apparatus (the belt stretching direction and the carriage scanning direction) is referred to as “X direction”, and the front-rear direction of the apparatus is referred to as “Y direction”. Note that the X direction and the Y direction are orthogonal to each other.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper feeding unit 3, a recording unit 5, and an image reading unit 7. The image reading unit 7 reads a document supplied by the user and obtains image data. The recording unit 5 forms an image on a sheet supplied from the paper feeding unit 3 based on image data sent from another apparatus or image data obtained by the image reading unit 7. An operation panel 9 is attached to the apparatus main body 1 a of the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, the operation panel 9 is attached to the front side of the image reading unit 7.

  Since the operation panel 9 is configured independently as a single unit, it can be applied to a plurality of types of image forming apparatuses. The operation panel 9 includes a main body 9a and a lower cover 9b provided below the main body 9a. The main body 9a and the lower cover 9b are opened rearward in the Y direction. That is, the lower cover 9b extends such that the front side portion in the Y direction is fixed to the lower portion of the main body 9a and the rear side portion in the Y direction is separated downward from the lower portion of the main body 9a. In this way, the upper surface of the lower cover 9b is exposed. On the main body 9a of the operation panel 9, a liquid crystal display panel 11 and various operation keys 13 for displaying messages and the like are arranged.

  The image reading unit 7 includes an image reading device 15, a document cover 16, and an automatic document feeder 17. In the image reading device 15, a document cover 16, which is a so-called flat bed scanner, is rotatably disposed on the image reading device 15. The automatic document feeder 17 includes an apparatus main body 18, a document tray 19, and a paper discharge tray 20. The operation of the automatic document feeder 17 will be described. When the document is set on the document tray 19, the document is conveyed by the apparatus body 18 so as to face the image reading device 15. Thereafter, the document is discharged to the paper discharge tray 20.

  If the document cover 16 is rotated upward, a book or a document can be placed on the image reading device 15. In this state, the image reading device 15 reads the image information of the book.

  The paper feed unit 3 has a paper feed cassette and a transport mechanism (not shown). The paper stacked in the paper feed cassette is supplied to the paper transport path by the rotational drive of the pickup roller of the transport mechanism.

  The recording unit 5 includes a photosensitive drum, a charger, an exposure head, a developing device, a transfer roller, and a fixing roller. The photosensitive drum is uniformly charged by a charger. Next, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the photoconductive drum by exposure according to the image recording signal by the exposure head. Next, the electrostatic latent image is visualized by toner from the developing device, and the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum is further transferred onto a sheet by a transfer roller. The transferred toner image is heated and pressed by a fixing roller and fixed on the paper. The fixed sheet is carried out to the discharge tray 21 by the discharge roller. Such an image forming apparatus is a well-known one, and some further includes a reverse conveyance mechanism for performing double-sided recording.

(2) Image Reading Device The image reading device 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the image reading unit and the operation panel. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an operation of mounting the operation panel on the image reading unit. FIG. 4 is a perspective view from above showing the operation of mounting the operation panel (lower cover) on the image reading unit. FIG. 5 is a perspective view from below showing the operation of mounting the operation panel on the image reading unit.
The image reading device 15 includes a box-shaped storage unit 24 and a scanner device 25 disposed in the storage unit 24.

  The storage unit 24 includes a chassis 26, an upper surface cover 27, and a platen glass 28. The chassis 26 has a rectangular bottom surface 26a and an outer peripheral wall 26b extending from its four sides, and the inside is a storage portion 26c. The chassis 26 is made of resin, for example. The upper surface cover 27 is attached to the upper side of the chassis 26 and constitutes a storage portion 26 c together with the chassis 26. The upper surface cover 27 has a box shape with an open lower surface, and includes a planar upper surface portion 27a and side wall portions 27b extending downward from the four sides thereof. The side wall portion 27 b and the outer peripheral wall 26 b of the chassis 26 are fixed. An opening 27c is formed in the upper surface cover 27, and a platen glass 28 is fitted in the opening 27c.

  The scanner device 25 includes a scanning carriage 30 and an imaging device (not shown). The scanning carriage 30 is a device for scanning a document on the platen glass 28 and acquiring reflected light. The scanning carriage 30 is movable in the X direction within the storage portion 26c along a guide rail (described later). The imaging device is a device for converting light from the scanning carriage 30 into image data, and has an imaging lens and a CCD image sensor. Further, the scanner device 25 also has a belt drive mechanism (not shown) for driving the scanning carriage 30.

(3) Rail Mechanism The operation panel 9 is attached to the front side portion in the Y direction of the image reading unit 7 as shown in FIG. The operation panel 9 is attached to the chassis 26 of the image reading unit 7 by a rail mechanism 34. The rail mechanism 34 includes a first rail mechanism 35 provided on the chassis 26 and a second rail mechanism 36 provided on the operation panel 9.

(3-1) First Rail Mechanism The first rail mechanism 35 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 is a perspective view of the main body side reinforcing member, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the first rail member, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the main body side reinforcing member and the first rail member.

  The first rail mechanism 35 has a pair of first rail members 37 and a main body side reinforcing member 38 (connecting member). The pair of first rail members 37 are disposed away from each other in the X direction. As shown in the drawing, the first rail member 37 has a box shape but has a cross section with one surface (upper surface) opened, and extends long in the Y direction. The first rail member 37 is a sheet metal member, and includes a plate-like first portion 37a and a pair of plate-like second portions 37b extending from the sides of the first portion 37a. The second portion 37b extends upward at a right angle to the first portion 37a. Thus, since the 1st rail member 37 has a box-shaped part, the 1st rail member 37 is maintaining the high intensity | strength, ie, bending rigidity, enough while reducing weight.

  The reinforcing member 38 is disposed on the front side in the Y direction on the lower surface of the chassis 26. More specifically, it is disposed in a groove 39 formed on the lower surface of the chassis 26 on the front side in the Y direction. The groove 39 extends in the X direction. The reinforcing member 38 is a sheet metal member, and as shown in the drawing, the reinforcing member 38 is box-shaped but has a cross section with one surface (upper surface) opened, and extends long in the X direction. The reinforcing member 38 has a plate-like first portion 38a and a pair of plate-like second portions 38b extending from the side portion of the first portion 38a. The second portion 38b extends upward at a right angle to the first portion 38a. Thus, since the reinforcing member 38 has a box-shaped portion, the reinforcing member 38 maintains a sufficiently high strength while being reduced in weight.

  By providing the groove 39, the strength of the chassis 26, particularly the strength of the front portion of the chassis 26 in the Y direction is improved. Furthermore, the strength of the front side portion of the chassis 26 in the Y direction is further improved by arranging the reinforcing member 38 in the groove 39. Since the space provided with the groove 39 is a portion that has been secured in the chassis 26 conventionally, the size of the chassis 26 is not increased by the groove 39.

  The reinforcing member 38 is fixed to the chassis 26 by a plurality of first screws (screw members) 51. Specifically, the first screw 51 passes through a hole formed in the first portion 38 a and is screwed into a fixing portion (not shown) formed in the groove 39.

  The reinforcing member 38 is provided with a pair of first attachment portions 40. The first attachment portion 40 includes a first slit 40a formed in the second portion 38b on the front side in the Y direction and a second slit 40b formed in the second portion 38b on the rear side in the Y direction. The first slit 40a is a pair of slits formed in the second portion 38b so as to extend upward from the first portion 38a. The second slits 40b are a pair of slits formed so as to extend up and down at an intermediate position in the vertical direction in the second portion 38b.

  The first rail member 37 is provided with a second attachment portion 41 that is attached to the first attachment portion 40 of the reinforcing member 38. The second mounting portion 41 includes a first protrusion 41a that extends rearward in the Y direction at the end of the first rail member 37 on the rear side in the Y direction, and a second protrusion that extends further rearward in the Y direction from the first protrusion 41a. Part 41b. The first protruding portion 41 a has a third portion 37 d that is a lower side than the second portion 37 b of the first rail member 37. The 2nd protrusion part 41b is extended from the upper part of a pair of 2nd part 37b of the 1st protrusion part 41a.

  The mounting of the first attachment portion 40 and the second attachment portion 41 will be described. The first protrusion 41a of the first rail member 37 is inserted into the first slit 40a, and the second protrusion 41b is inserted into the second slit 40b. In this state, the first portion 37a of the first protrusion 41a is in contact with the first portion 38a of the reinforcing member 38. Further, the standing wall 37e serving as a boundary between the second portion 37b and the third portion 37d is in contact with the second portion 38b on the front side in the Y direction of the reinforcing member 38.

  A through hole 38 c is formed in the first portion 38 a of the reinforcing member 38, and a screw hole 37 f is formed in the first portion 37 a of the first protrusion 41 a of the first rail member 37. As shown in FIG. 13, the second screw 52 disposed below the reinforcing member 38 is screwed into the screw hole 37f through the through hole 38c. As described above, the first rail member 37 is fixed to the reinforcing member 38, and is further fixed to the chassis 26 via the reinforcing member 38.

  As described above, since the first rail members 37 are connected to each other by the reinforcing member 38, the mounting strength of the first rail member 37 is improved. That is, the reinforcing member 38 functions as a connecting member that connects the first rail members 37 to each other. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the chassis 26 to which the plurality of first rail members 37 are attached in the image reading unit 7 is made of resin and has low strength. Therefore, it is advantageous that the force acting on the image reading unit 7 from the operation panel 9 is dispersed by connecting the first rail member 37 to the reinforcing member 38. That is, partial deflection of the chassis 26 hardly occurs in the image reading unit 7.

  As shown in FIG. 13, a protruding guide surface 60 is formed on the opposite side of the groove 39 of the chassis 26 to support the scanning carriage 30 so that it can run. Thus, since one structure has a plurality of functions, the number of parts is reduced and the structure is further simplified.

(3-2) Second Rail Mechanism The second rail mechanism 36 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 is a plan view of the lower cover of the operation panel, FIG. 10 is a perspective view from above of the second rail member, and FIG. 11 is a perspective view from below of the second rail member.
The second rail mechanism 36 is attached to the upper surface of the lower cover 9b of the operation panel 9. The second rail mechanism 36 has a pair of second rail members 44. The pair of second rail members 44 are spaced apart in the X direction. The second rail member 44 is a sheet metal member, and includes a rail portion 45, a reinforcing portion 46, and a fixing portion 47.

  The rail part 45 is a box-shaped member whose one surface (lower surface) is open, and extends in the Y direction. More specifically, the rail portion 45 includes a plate-like first portion 45a and a pair of plate-like second portions 45b extending at right angles from the side portions of the first portion 45a. The rail portion 45 has the same shape as the first rail member 37, but is slightly larger than the first rail member 37. Thus, since the 2nd rail member 44 has the box-shaped rail part 45, the 2nd rail member 44 is maintaining sufficient high intensity | strength, ie, bending rigidity, while being reduced in weight.

  The reinforcing portion 46 is a structure for increasing the rigidity of the rail portion 45, and includes a plate-like first portion 46a and a plate-like second portion 46b. The first portion 46a is formed along the first portion 45a of the rail portion 45, and extends perpendicularly from the upper end portion of the first portion 45a. The second portion 46b extends at a right angle from the upper end portion of the first portion 46a, and extends (adjacent and parallel) to the outside of the first portion 45a of the rail portion 45. In this embodiment, the second portion 46b of the reinforcing portion 46 is generally triangular. Thus, since the 2nd rail member 44 further has the reinforcement part 46, the intensity | strength of the 2nd rail member 44 is improving.

  The fixing portion 47 is a structure for being directly fixed to the lower cover 9b. The fixing portion 47 extends substantially at a right angle from the oblique end portion of the second portion 46 b of the reinforcing portion 46. As is clear from FIG. 13, the fixing portion 47 extends obliquely with respect to the first portion 46 a of the rail portion 45. Specifically, in the fixing portion 47, the rear portion in the Y direction is higher than the front portion. The fixing portion 47 is seated on a protrusion (not shown) of the lower cover 9b. A through hole 47 a is formed in the fixing portion 47. The third screw 53 passes through the through hole 47a and is further screwed into the protrusion. In this way, the second rail member 44 is fixed to the lower cover 9b.

  In addition, the boundary corner of the second portion 45b of the rail portion 45 and the first portion 46a of the reinforcing portion 46, the boundary corner of the first portion 46a and the second portion 46b of the reinforcing portion 46, and the second portion 46b of the reinforcing portion 46. An uneven portion 49 is formed at each corner between the fixed portion 47 and the fixed portion 47 in order to improve rigidity. The uneven portion 49 is a portion deformed by applying a force from the outside to the inside of the boundary corner portion. Therefore, in the concavo-convex portion 49, the outside of the boundary corner portion is concave, and the inside of the boundary corner portion is convex.

  Further, a guide portion 45 c is formed at the Y rear end of the second portion 45 b of the rail portion 45 of the second rail member 44. The guide portion 45c extends substantially in the Y direction, and is further curved so as to be separated on both sides in the X direction.

(3-3) Combination State of Rail Mechanisms A combination state of the first rail member 37 and the second rail member 44 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 is a perspective view of the first rail member and the second rail member, FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the first rail member and the second rail member, and FIG. 14 is a diagram of the first rail member and the second rail member. It is sectional drawing.

The rail portion 45 of the second rail member 44 is combined so as to cover the first rail member 37 from above. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14, the first portion 45 a of the rail portion 45 covers the upper opening of the first rail member 37, and the second portion 45 b of the rail portion 45 is the first rail member 37. The second portion 37b is disposed on the outside of the side. In this state, the second rail member 44 is supported by the first rail member 37. More specifically, the first portion 45 a of the rail portion 45 is supported on the upper surface of the upper end portion of the second portion 37 b of the first rail member 37, and the second portion 45 b of the rail portion 45 is further supported by the first rail member 37. The second portion 37b of the second portion 37b is in contact with or near the outer surface.
Thus, since the 1st rail member 37 and the 2nd rail member 44 are mutually overlapped and combined, high bending rigidity is obtained. Furthermore, this combination state improves the holding property (stable support performance) of the first rail member 37 and the second rail member 44, and further improves the assembling property. Further, in the present embodiment, unlike the conventional case, since the projection and the cutout are not used as the structure for attaching the operation panel to the apparatus main body, the operability is good and the attachment strength is also high.

Next, a structure for fixing the second rail member 44 to the first rail member 37 so as not to drop off will be described.
The first rail member 37 is formed with a fixing portion 50 that is bent from one upper end of the second portion 37b and extends in parallel to the first portion 37a on the reinforcing member 38 side. The rear side portion of the first portion 45 a of the rail portion 45 of the second rail member 44 abuts on the upper surface of the fixed portion 50. A first screw hole 50a and a second screw hole 50b are formed in the fixed portion 50 from the rear side in the Y direction toward the front side. In the first portion 45a of the rail portion 45 of the second rail member 44, on the rear side in the Y direction, a first through hole 45d and a second through hole 45e are formed from the rear side in the Y direction toward the front side. Further, the chassis 26 has a fixing portion 26 d that hits the upper surface of the rear side portion in the Y direction of the first portion 45 a of the rail portion 45 of the second rail member 44. A through hole 26e is formed in the fixing portion 26d.
The fourth screw 54 passes through the through hole 26e and the first through hole 45d of the fixing portion 26d and is then screwed into the first screw hole 50a. As a result, the second rail member 44 is prevented from coming out of the first rail member 37. Furthermore, the fifth screw 55 is screwed into the second screw hole 50b through the second through hole 45e.

(3-4) Combination operation between rail mechanisms (operation panel mounting operation)
First, the position of the pair of second rail members 44 of the second rail mechanism 36 is aligned with the pair of first rail members 37 of the first rail mechanism 35.

  Next, the operation panel 9 is brought closer to the image reading device 15, and the tip of the second rail member 44 is combined with the tip of the first rail member 37. Specifically, the second rail member 44 is moved relative to the first rail member 37 so as to cover from the front side to the rear side in the Y direction. Since the guide part 45c is formed in the rail part 45 of the 2nd rail member 44 at this time, both combination is performed smoothly.

  Further, the operation panel 9 is brought closer to the image reading device 15. Then, the second rail member 44 slides on the first rail member 37 while being supported on the first rail member 37.

When the operation panel 9 is pushed to the rearmost side in the Y direction with respect to the image reading device 15, each part of the operation panel 9 hits the chassis 26. The end of the second rail member 44 on the rear side in the Y direction is inserted into a gap between the fixing portion 50 of the first rail member 37 and the fixing portion 26d of the chassis 26.
In this state, the load of the operation panel 9 acts on the first rail member 37, the reinforcing member 38, and the chassis 26. Further, the operation panel 9 does not drop off by the normal external force with respect to the image reading device 15 due to the frictional force at each contact portion generated by the load of the operation panel 9.

  From this state, the fourth screw 54 is screwed into the first screw hole 50a through the through hole 26e and the first through hole 45d. Further, the fifth screw 55 is screwed into the second screw hole 50b through the second through hole 45e.

  The operation for releasing the combination of the rail mechanisms (operation panel removal operation) is performed in the reverse order of the above-described processes.

(4) Features The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 7, a plurality of first rail members 37, an operation panel 9, and a plurality of second rail members 44. The first rail member 37 is fixed to the image reading unit 7. The plurality of second rail members 44 are fixed to the operation panel 9 and can be attached to the plurality of first rail members 37 by sliding.
In this apparatus, the operation panel 9 is attached to or detached from the image reading unit 7 by sliding the plurality of second rail members 44 to the plurality of first rail members 37. Here, since the plurality of first rail members 37 and the plurality of second rail members 44 support each other, the operation panel 9 is stably supported with respect to the image reading unit 7.

(5) Other Embodiments Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, the first rail member and the second rail member have a shape of a box having one open surface, but the present invention is not limited to the structure. The first rail member and the second rail member may have any shape as long as they can be slidably combined with each other.

  In the embodiment, there are two pairs of the first rail member and the second rail member, but the present invention is not limited to the structure. Three or more pairs of the first rail member and the second rail member may be provided.

  In the said embodiment, although two sets of the 1st rail member and the 2nd rail member were the same structures, this invention is not limited to the structure. A plurality of sets having different configurations may be included.

  In the embodiment, the reinforcing member is a single member, but the present invention is not limited to the structure. The reinforcing member may be divided into a plurality of parts.

  In the said embodiment, although the 2nd rail member was arrange | positioned on the outer side of the 1st rail member, this invention is not limited to the structure. The second rail member may be disposed inside the first rail member.

  In the above-described embodiment, the reinforcing member is a box-shaped part with one side open, but the present invention is not limited to the structure. The reinforcing member may have a plate shape, a rod shape, or other shapes.

  In the said embodiment, although the 1st rail member and the reinforcement member were combined with the slit and protrusion, this invention is not limited to the structure. The first rail member and the reinforcing member may be combined in any way as long as they are firmly fixed to each other.

  In the said embodiment, although the fixing | fixed part of the 2nd rail member inclined at a certain angle with respect to the rail part, this invention is not limited to such a structure. The fixing portion of the second rail member may be parallel to the rail portion or inclined to the opposite side as required.

  The present invention can be widely applied to an image forming apparatus in which an operation panel is detachably attached to an apparatus main body.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 1a Apparatus main body 3 Paper feed part 5 Recording part 7 Image reading part 9 Operation panel 9a Panel main body 9b Lower cover 11 Liquid crystal display panel 13 Operation key 15 Image reading apparatus 16 Document cover 17 Automatic document conveying apparatus 18 Apparatus main body 19 Document tray 20 Paper discharge tray 21 Paper discharge tray 24 Storage unit 25 Scanner device 26 Chassis (housing)
26a Bottom surface 26b Outer peripheral wall 26c Storage portion 26d Fixing portion 26e Through hole 27 Upper surface cover 27a Upper surface portion 27b Side wall portion 27c Opening portion 28 Platen glass 30 Scanning carriage 34 Rail mechanism 35 First rail mechanism 36 Second rail mechanism 37 First rail member 37a 1st part (bottom part)
37b Second part (side surface part)
37d 3rd part 37e Standing wall 37f Screw hole 38 Reinforcement member (connection member)
38a 1st part 38b 2nd part 38c Through-hole 39 Groove 40 1st attaching part 40a 1st slit 40b 2nd slit 41 2nd attaching part 41a 1st protrusion part 41b 2nd protrusion part 44 2nd rail member 45 Rail part ( Box-shaped part)
45a 1st part 45b 2nd part 45c Guide part 45d 1st through-hole 45e 2nd through-hole 46 Reinforcement part 46a 1st part 46b 2nd part 47 Fixing part 47a Through-hole 48 Projection part 50 Fixing part 50a 1st screw hole 50b Second screw hole 51 First screw 52 Second screw 53 Third screw 54 Fourth screw 55 Fifth screw 60 Guide surface

Claims (6)

The device body;
A plurality of first rail members fixed to the apparatus body;
An operation panel;
A plurality of second rail members fixed to the operation panel and capable of being attached to the plurality of first rail members by sliding;
An image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting member that is fixed to the apparatus main body and connects the plurality of first rail members to each other.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of first rail members has a box-shaped portion whose one surface is open.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of second rail members has a box-shaped portion whose one surface is open. The apparatus main body further includes a casing to which the connecting member is fixed, and a scanning carriage that can travel inside the casing,
The housing is formed with a groove for accommodating the connecting member,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a guide surface on which the scanning carriage is supported to be able to travel is formed on the opposite side of the groove of the housing. The box-shaped portions of the plurality of second rail members include a bottom surface portion and a pair of side surface portions extending from both side ends of the bottom surface portion,
5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the plurality of second rail members further include a reinforcing portion that starts from an end portion of the side surface portion and extends to the outside of the side surface portion.

Images