JP2014081506A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus configured to store and charge a self-propelled apparatus, thereby reducing space for installing the self-propelled apparatus.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 includes a housing 110, a paper cassette 120, an image forming part 130, a first storage part 140, and a charger 150. The housing 110 constitutes an outer covering of the image forming apparatus 100. The paper cassette 120 is arranged below the housing 110 to store sheets. The image forming part 130 is arranged above the paper cassette 120 in the housing 110, to form an image on a sheet supplied from the paper cassette 120. The first storage part 140 is arranged at the bottom of the housing 110 in the housing 110, and driven by a drive part, to store a self-propelled cleaner moving on a floor in a self-propelled manner. The charger 150 is arranged in the first storage part 140 to charge the self-propelled cleaner.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that stores and charges a self-propelled device.

  In recent years, a wide variety of self-propelled devices have been developed. In particular, in the field of image forming apparatuses, a self-propelled finisher equipped with a battery that delivers printed paper to a user has been developed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-321583

  However, since the self-propelled finisher described in Patent Document 1 is disposed adjacent to the image forming apparatus, it requires a large space. Therefore, the self-propelled finisher described in Patent Document 1 is against the request for space saving of each device in the office.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a configuration capable of storing a self-propelled device and a configuration capable of charging the self-propelled device, whereby image formation capable of reducing the placement location of the self-propelled device. To provide an apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a housing, a paper feed cassette, an image forming unit, a first storage unit, and a charger.

  The housing constitutes the exterior of the image forming apparatus. The paper feed cassette is arranged at the lower part of the housing. The paper feed cassette stores paper. The image forming unit is disposed above the paper feed cassette inside the housing. The image forming unit forms an image on a sheet fed from a sheet feeding cassette. The first storage unit is disposed at the bottom of the casing inside the casing. A 1st storage part stores the self-propelled apparatus which is driven by the drive part and self-runs on a floor surface. The charger is disposed in the first storage unit. The charger charges the self-propelled device.

  In this configuration, since the self-propelled device when not in use is stored in the first storage unit, there is no need to separately provide a space for disposing the self-propelled device. Can do. Further, since the charger of the self-propelled device is arranged in the first storage unit, it is not necessary to provide a separate space for arranging the charger, so that the arrangement space of the image forming apparatus can be effectively used.

  That is, in this configuration, by storing the self-propelled device in the first storage unit in which the charger of the self-propelled device is arranged, the self-propelled device is charged while omitting the arrangement space of the self-propelled device. Therefore, the convenience of the image forming apparatus can be improved by using the image forming apparatus as a station of a self-propelled device.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a configuration capable of storing a self-propelled device and a configuration capable of charging the self-propelled device, thereby reducing the location of the self-propelled device.

1 is a perspective view illustrating a main configuration of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows the main structures of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the 1st storage part and the 2nd storage part in the image forming device concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the 1st storage part in the image forming device concerning a 4th embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the 1st storage part in the image forming device concerning a 5th embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the 1st storage part in the image forming device concerning a 6th embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a main configuration of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes a housing 110, a paper feed cassette 120, an image forming unit 130, a first storage unit 140, and a charger 150.

  The casing 110 constitutes the exterior of the image forming apparatus 100. The paper feed cassette 120 is arranged at the lower part of the housing 110. The paper feed cassette 120 stores paper fed by the paper feed unit. The paper feed cassette 120 is configured to be movable in the front-back direction of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The image forming unit 130 is disposed above the paper feed cassette 120 inside the housing 110. The image forming unit 130 forms an image on a sheet fed from the sheet feeding cassette 120. The image forming unit 130 includes a photoconductor, a charger, an exposure device, a developing device, a transfer device, and a fixing device, and forms an image on a sheet by electrophotography.

  The first storage unit 140 is disposed at the bottom of the housing 110 inside the housing 110. Accordingly, the first storage unit 140 is disposed below the paper feed cassette 120 inside the housing 110. The first storage unit 140 stores the self-propelled device 200 that is driven by the driving unit to self-propel on the floor surface. Self-propelled device 200 is a self-propelled cleaner which has a cleaning part on the bottom, for example. Hereinafter, the self-propelled device 200 will be described as the self-propelled cleaner 200.

  The charger 150 is disposed in the first storage unit 140. The charger 150 charges the self-propelled cleaner 200. The charger 150 may be connected to the self-propelled cleaner 200 to charge the self-propelled cleaner 200, or may be a contactless charger. The location of the charger 150 in the first storage unit 140 may be the top surface of the first storage unit 140 or the bottom surface of the first storage unit 140.

  As a method of supplying power to the charger 150, power may be supplied from the power source by connecting the AC cord connected to the charger 150 and the power source, or connected to a connector provided in the image forming apparatus 100. Thus, a part of the power supplied to the image forming apparatus 100 may be supplied.

  In this configuration, since the self-propelled cleaner 200 when not in use is stored in the first storage unit 140, there is no need to provide a separate space for disposing the self-propelled cleaner 200. Can be used effectively. In addition, since the charger 150 of the self-propelled cleaner 200 is disposed in the first storage unit 140, it is not necessary to provide a separate space for the charger 150, so that the arrangement space for the image forming apparatus 100 can be effectively used. Can do.

  In other words, in this configuration, the self-propelled cleaner 200 is stored in the first storage unit 140 in which the charger 150 of the self-propelled cleaner 200 is disposed, thereby omitting the arrangement space of the self-propelled cleaner 200. Since the self-propelled cleaner 200 can be charged, the convenience of the image forming apparatus 100 can be improved by using the image forming apparatus 100 as a station of the self-propelled cleaner 200.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In each of the embodiments after this embodiment, the contents described in the first embodiment are omitted as appropriate.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the main configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 preferably further includes a display panel 170.

  The display panel 170 is a display unit that displays the state of the self-propelled cleaner 200. The display panel 170 is disposed on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 100.

  In this configuration, the state of the self-propelled cleaner 200 (for example, the state of charge of the self-propelled device 200) without taking out the self-propelled cleaner 200 stored in the first storage unit 140 from the first storage unit 140. Can be confirmed. Therefore, the manageability of the self-propelled cleaner 200 can be improved.

  Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view of the first storage unit 140 and the second storage unit 180 in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  It is preferable that the image forming apparatus 100 further includes a second storage unit 180.

  The second storage unit 180 is disposed inside the housing 110. The second storage unit 180 stores accessories such as the cleaning brush 181 and the replacement side brush 182 of the self-propelled cleaner 200.

  In this configuration, since the self-propelled cleaner 200 is stored in the first storage unit 140 provided in the image forming apparatus 100, the user also stores the cleaning brush 181 and the replacement side brush 182 in the image forming apparatus 100. Therefore, the cleaning brush 181 and the replacement side brush 182 can be easily found.

  More preferably, the second storage unit 180 is disposed adjacent to the first storage unit 140.

  In this configuration, since the second storage unit 180 is disposed adjacent to the first storage unit 140 in which the self-propelled cleaner 200 is stored, the user can easily use the cleaning brush 181 and the replacement side brush 182. To find out.

  Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view of the first storage unit 140 in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  The first storage unit 140 preferably has a guide rib 141.

  The guide rib 141 is a first guide part that guides the self-propelled cleaner 200. Therefore, the guide ribs 141 are arranged as a pair at intervals slightly wider than the width of the self-propelled cleaner 200. The guide rib 141 has a height that can correct the traveling direction of the self-propelled cleaner 200.

  In this configuration, even if the traveling direction of the self-propelled cleaner 200 is shifted, the direction can be corrected. Therefore, the self-propelled cleaner 200 can be guided to an appropriate position in the first storage unit 140. .

  Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the first storage unit 140 in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

  The image forming apparatus 100 preferably further includes an open door 190.

  The open door 190 is an open portion arranged in front of the first storage unit 140. Open door 190 is opened when self-propelled cleaner 200 enters and exits. For example, the time for the self-propelled cleaner 200 to enter and leave the image forming apparatus 100 is set in the image forming apparatus 100, and the time is automatically opened based on a signal from the image forming apparatus 100 when the time is reached. That's fine.

  Further, when the image forming apparatus 100 includes the communication unit 160, the communication unit 160 communicates with the self-propelled cleaner 200, and transmits the state to the image forming apparatus 100 when the self-propelled cleaner 200 is released. Then, when the self-propelled cleaner 200 comes in, the information may be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 to be released when the self-propelled cleaner 200 approaches.

  The open door 190 bridges the arrangement surface (floor surface) of the image forming apparatus 100 and the first storage unit 140 when opened.

  In this configuration, when the image forming apparatus 100 has legs, a step is formed between the floor and the first storage unit 140. However, when the open door 190 is opened, the step is eliminated. The vacuum cleaner 200 can enter and exit smoothly.

  Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first storage unit 140 in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.

  The open door 190 preferably has a guide rib 191.

  The guide rib 191 is a second guide part that guides the self-propelled cleaner 200. Therefore, the guide ribs 191 are arranged as a pair at a slightly wider interval than the width of the self-propelled cleaner 200. The guide rib 191 has a height that can correct the traveling direction of the self-propelled cleaner 200.

  In this configuration, even if the traveling direction of the self-propelled cleaner 200 is shifted, the direction can be corrected. Therefore, the self-propelled cleaner 200 can be guided to an appropriate position in the first storage unit 140. . Further, the self-propelled cleaner 200 can be prevented from falling from the open door 190 to the floor surface while the self-propelled cleaner 200 is traveling on the open door 190.

  Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The first storage unit 140 is preferably configured to be replaceable with the paper feed cassette 120.

  In this configuration, the paper feed cassette 120 can be exchanged with the first storage unit 140 according to the application of the image forming apparatus 100, so that the convenience of the image forming apparatus 100 can be improved with a simple configuration.

  The first to seventh embodiments have been described so far, but these embodiments may be arbitrarily combined.

  Finally, the description of the above-described embodiment is to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above embodiments but by the claims. Furthermore, the scope of the present invention is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100- Image forming apparatus 110- Housing | casing 120- Paper cassette 130- Image forming part 140- 1st storage part 141- Guide rib 150- Charger 170- Display panel 180- 2nd storage part 181- Cleaning brush 182- For exchange Side brush 190-Open door 191-Guide rib 200-Self-propelled vacuum cleaner

Claims (9)

A housing,
A paper feed cassette that is disposed at the bottom of the housing and stores paper;
An image forming unit disposed above the paper feed cassette in the housing and forming an image on a paper fed from the paper feed cassette;
A first storage unit for storing a self-propelled device that is arranged at the bottom of the casing inside the casing and is driven by a driving unit to self-propell the floor;
A charger that is arranged in the first storage unit and charges the self-propelled device;
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display unit that displays a state of the self-propelled device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second storage unit that is disposed inside the housing and stores accessories of the self-propelled device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second storage unit is disposed adjacent to the first storage unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first storage unit includes a first guide unit that guides the self-propelled device. It is arranged in front of the first storage unit, and further comprises an opening part that opens when the self-propelled device enters and exits,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the opening portion bridges the floor surface and the first storage portion when opened. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the opening portion includes a second guide portion that guides the self-propelled device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first storage unit is configured to be replaceable with the paper feed cassette. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the self-propelled device is a self-propelled cleaner having a cleaning unit on a bottom surface.

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