JP2015114345A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus including a large-scale operation display part and enabling prevention of an erroneous operation and damage in replacing an internal unit.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus includes: an operation panel whose one end is rotatably supported to the apparatus body and that has an operation part on the other end; an open-close member that moves between a closed position to conceal a body interior and an open position exposing the interior; and lock means for holding the operation panel between a first retention position of retaining the operation panel inside a zone where the open-close member moves, and a second retention position of retaining the operation panel outside the zone where the open-close member moves. Further, the lock means has an interference zone interfering with an operation of opening the open-close member in the state of the operation panel being retained at the first retention position so as to enable movement of the open-close member by retracting to outside of the interference zone in association with an operation to move to the second retention position.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

  An operation panel having a paper transport mechanism, an open / close cover that is opened and closed to expose the inside of the paper transport mechanism, and an operation reception and device information display function, wherein the movable area of the open / close cover or the movable area An operation panel that moves in an area including an interference area that interferes with at least one of the upper areas, a lock mechanism that restricts and locks the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing cover, a panel position detection unit that detects the position of the operation panel, and a panel There is known an image forming apparatus including a control unit that locks an opening / closing cover in a closed state when a position of an operation panel detected by a position detection unit is in an interference region (Patent Document 1).

JP 2010-39391 A

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it provides an image forming apparatus capable of preventing erroneous operation and damage when replacing an internal unit.

In order to solve the above problem, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1,
An operation panel having one end side rotatably supported by the apparatus body and having an operation unit on the other end side;
An opening / closing member that moves between a closed position that hides the interior of the apparatus body and an open position that exposes the interior;
Locking means for holding the operation panel between a first holding position for holding the operation panel inside the area where the opening / closing member moves and a second holding position for holding the operation panel outside the area where the opening / closing member moves. And comprising
The locking means has an interference region that interferes with an operation of opening the opening / closing member in a state where the operation panel is held at the first holding position, and cooperates with an operation of moving to the second holding position. The opening / closing member can move by retracting out of the interference area.
It is characterized by that.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect,
The locking means is formed on a support shaft that rotatably supports the operation panel to the apparatus main body and protrudes in a direction intersecting the axis of the support shaft.
It is characterized by that.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect,
The opening / closing member is a front cover of the apparatus main body;
It is characterized by that.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first or second aspect,
The opening / closing member is an upper cover of the apparatus main body;
It is characterized by that.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to prevent erroneous operation and breakage when replacing the internal unit while providing a large operation display section.
According to the second aspect of the invention, the operability of the image forming apparatus can be kept good at low cost.
According to the third and fourth aspects of the invention, it is possible to prevent the opening / closing member and the replacement part of the apparatus main body from being damaged.

1 is a front external view of an image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a plan external view of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. (A) is a partial perspective view for explaining a structure for attaching the operation panel 80 to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1, and (b) is a partial perspective view in a state where the operation panel 80 is rotated 90 degrees in the horizontal direction. (A) is a partial plan view of the image forming apparatus 1 to which the operation panel 80 is attached, and (b) is a partial front view of the image forming apparatus 1 to which the operation panel 80 is attached. It is a fragmentary perspective view for demonstrating the lock mechanism of a modification.

Next, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.
Also, in the description using the following drawings, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratio of each dimension and the like are different from the actual ones, and are necessary for the description for easy understanding. Illustrations other than the members are omitted as appropriate.

(1) Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus FIG. 1 is a front external view of an image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a plan external view of the image forming apparatus 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an internal configuration.
Hereinafter, the overall configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1.1) System Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control device 10, a paper feeding device 20, a photosensitive unit 30, a developing device 40, an exposure device 50, a transfer device 60, a fixing device 70, and an operation panel 80. The image reading device 90 is provided.
A front cover 1a as an example of an opening / closing member that opens the inside of the image forming apparatus 1 forward (X direction) when a consumable or the like is replaced is rotatably supported on the front surface of the image forming apparatus 1.
A rear cover 1b that opens the inside of the image forming apparatus 1 is rotatably supported on the rear surface of the image forming apparatus 1 when a paper jam or an internal inspection is performed.
On the upper surface (Z direction) of the image forming apparatus 1, an upper cover 1c serving as a discharge tray for discharging and storing a sheet on which an image is recorded is formed.

  The control device 10 includes an image forming device control unit 11 that controls the operation of the image forming device 1, a controller unit 12 that prepares image data according to a print processing request, and an exposure control unit that controls lighting of the light source of the exposure device 50. 13, power supply device 14 and the like. The power supply device 14 applies a voltage to a charging roller 32, a developing roller 42, a transfer roller 61, and the like, which will be described later, and supplies power to the exposure device 50.

The controller unit 12 converts image data input from the image reading device 90 or print information input from an external information transmission device (for example, a personal computer) into image information for forming a latent image, and a preset timing. Then, the drive signal is output to the exposure control unit 13.
The operation panel 80 is used for inputting various settings and instructions and displaying information. That is, it corresponds to a so-called user interface, and is specifically configured by combining a liquid crystal display panel, various operation buttons, a touch panel, and the like.

(1.2) Configuration and Operation of Image Forming Unit A paper feeding device 20 is provided at the bottom of the image forming apparatus 1. The paper feeding device 20 includes a paper cassette 21 that stores paper as a recording medium, and a large number of papers are stacked on the upper surface of the paper cassette 21. The paper loaded in the paper cassette 21 and positioned in the width direction by a regulating plate (not shown) is pulled out from the top one by one by the paper pulling portion 22 and then conveyed to the nip portion of the registration roller pair 23. .

  The photoreceptor unit 30 includes a photoreceptor drum 31 that is provided above the sheet feeding device 20 and is driven to rotate. A charging roller 32, a developing device 40, a transfer roller 61, and a cleaning blade 34 are arranged along the rotation direction of the photosensitive drum 31. A cleaning roller 33 for cleaning the surface of the charging roller 32 is disposed opposite to and in contact with the charging roller 32.

  The developing device 40 includes a developing housing 41 in which a developer is accommodated. In the developing housing 41, a developing roller 42 disposed opposite to the photosensitive drum 31 and a paddle wheel 43 that stirs and conveys the developer to the developing roller 42 side are disposed obliquely below the back side of the developing roller 42. Has been. Further, a pair of augers 44 and 45 for stirring and conveying are disposed on the back side of the paddle wheel 43. A layer regulating roll 46 that regulates the layer thickness of the developer is disposed adjacent to the developing roller 42.

  The exposure apparatus 50 includes a laser beam emitting means 51 used as a light source, and a rotary polygon mirror (polygon mirror) 52 that deflects and reflects the laser beam LB from the laser beam emitting means 51 according to image data to be formed. The surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is scanned with the modulated laser beam LB.

  The surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 31 is charged by the charging roller 32, and an electrostatic latent image is formed by the laser beam LB emitted from the exposure device 50. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 31 is developed as a toner image by the developing roller 42.

  The transfer device 60 includes a rear cover 1b that supports the transfer roller 61 so as to be separable from the photosensitive drum 31, and a transfer roller 61 that forms a nip with the photosensitive drum 31. A transfer voltage is applied to the transfer roller 61 from the power supply device 14 controlled by the image forming apparatus control unit 11, and the toner image on the photoconductive drum 31 is transferred to a sheet passing between the photoconductive drum 31 and the transfer roller 61. To do.

  Residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is removed by the cleaning blade 34 and collected in the housing that supports the photosensitive drum 31. Thereafter, the surface of the photosensitive drum 31 is recharged by the charging roller 32. Residue that cannot be completely removed by the cleaning blade 34 and adheres to the charging roller 32 is captured and accumulated on the surface of the cleaning roller 33 that rotates in contact with the charging roller 32.

The fixing device 70 includes a pair of fixing rollers 71 and 72, and a fixing region is formed by a pressure contact region between the pair of fixing rollers 71 and 72.
The sheet on which the toner image is transferred by the transfer roller 61 is conveyed to the fixing device 70 via the conveyance guide 62 in a state where the toner image is not fixed. The toner image is fixed on the sheet conveyed to the fixing device 70 by the action of pressure bonding and heating by a pair of fixing rollers 71 and 72. The sheet on which the fixing toner image is formed is guided by the conveyance guides 73a and 73b and is discharged from the discharge roller pair 74 to the upper cover 1c on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus 1.

(1.3) Operation Panel Moving Operation The operation panel 80 is arranged in the vertical direction (Z direction: in FIG. 3) in the upper left side (refer to FIG. 1) of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 and the lower left side (refer to FIG. 2). It is erected so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction (see the arrow R) and in the horizontal direction (XY plane direction: see the arrow R in FIG. 2).
The user interface unit 81 configured by combining a liquid crystal display panel, various operation buttons, and the like is rotated and moved in the horizontal direction in order to avoid interference with the front cover 1a when the front cover 1a is opened and closed (arrow in FIG. 2). R).

(2) Operation Panel FIG. 4A is a partial perspective view for explaining a structure for attaching the operation panel 80 to the main body of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing the operation panel 80 rotated 90 degrees in the horizontal direction. 5A is a partial plan view of the image forming apparatus 1 to which the operation panel 80 is attached, and FIG. 5B is a partial front view of the image forming apparatus 1 to which the operation panel 80 is attached. It is.
Hereinafter, the configuration of the operation panel 80 will be described with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 4, the outer cover is omitted to illustrate the internal structure of the lock mechanism.

(2.1) Configuration of Operation Panel The operation panel 80 is used for inputting various settings and instructions and displaying information, and includes a user interface unit 81 that combines a liquid crystal display panel, various operation buttons, and the like, and a user interface unit 81. The column 82 is configured to support the column 82 so as to be rotatable in the horizontal direction, and the tilt unit 83 that supports the user interface unit 81 so as to be rotatable upward with respect to the column 82.

  The support column 82 has a first holding position for holding the operation panel 80 inside the area where the front cover 1a moves, and a second holding position where the operation panel 80 is held outside the area where the front cover 1a moves. It has a lock mechanism 84 as an example of a lock means for holding between.

(2.2) Lock mechanism The lock mechanism 84 includes a claw-shaped plate member 85 fixed to the support 82 and a recess 86 provided on one end side of the front cover 1a so as to face the claw-shaped plate member 85. It is configured.

  As shown in FIG. 4 (a), the claw-shaped plate member 85 is a plate member made entirely of sheet metal, a fixed portion 85a to the support post 82 is formed at one end, and a protruding portion bent at the other end. 85b is formed.

  The bent protrusion 85b is fitted in a slit-like recess 86 formed on one end of the front cover 1a (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). In the state where the operation panel 80 is rotated to the outside (side surface side) direction of the image forming apparatus 1 (see FIG. 4B) in the first holding position that interferes, the first position that does not interfere with the opening / closing direction of the front cover 1a. 2 holding position.

(3) Opening / Closing Operation of Front Cover The image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes an operation panel 80 including a large user interface unit 81 used for inputting various settings and instructions and displaying information.
When the front cover 1a is rotated to open the front side (Y direction) of the image forming apparatus 1, the front cover 1a and the user interface unit 81 of the operation panel 80 come into contact with each other to open the front cover 1a. I can't.

Therefore, prior to the opening operation of the front cover 1a, the operation panel 80 is rotationally moved to the second holding position that does not interfere with the opening / closing direction of the front cover 1a on the side surface side of the image forming apparatus 1. Due to the erroneous operation, the front cover 1a and the user interface unit 81 of the operation panel 80 may come into contact with each other, and the front cover 1a and the operation panel 80 may be damaged.
In order to prevent the user's erroneous operation, when detecting the position of the operation panel 80 and notifying the user, position detection means, state detection means of the front cover 1a, electrical lock means, control means, etc. This increases the cost, and there is a risk that the configuration of the operation panel 80 becomes complicated and a lot of space is required.

The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a claw-shaped plate member 85 fixed to a support column 82 that rotatably supports an operation panel 80, and a claw-shaped plate member 85 on one end side of the front cover 1a. It has a locking mechanism composed of a recessed portion 86 provided.
The claw-shaped plate member 85 has one end fixed to the support 82 and a bent portion 85b formed at the other end, so that it rotates together with the support 82 as the operation panel 80 rotates.

When the operation panel 80 faces the front side of the image forming apparatus 1 and is in the operation state, the protruding portion 85b is fitted in a slit-like recess 86 formed on one end side of the front cover 1a. The first holding position interferes with the opening / closing direction of the front cover 1a.
When the operation panel 80 is rotationally moved toward the side surface of the image forming apparatus 1, the operation panel 80 rotates together with the operation panel 80 to become a second holding position that does not interfere with the opening / closing direction of the front cover 1a.

As a result, when the operation panel 80 is at the first position that interferes with the opening / closing direction of the front cover 1a, the front cover 1a cannot be opened / closed, and the operation panel 80 rotates to the side of the image forming apparatus 1. When it is moved, it rotates with the operation panel 80 and is positioned at the second holding position where it does not interfere with the opening / closing direction of the front cover 1a, so that the front cover 1a can be opened and closed.
Therefore, the user only needs to rotate the operation panel 80 to open the front cover 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 without being in contact with the operation panel 80, so that the consumables mounted inside the image forming apparatus 1 are used. Etc. can be exchanged, and the operability of the image forming apparatus 1 can be kept good.

"Modification"
In FIG. 6, the upper cover 1 c is provided with a recess 86 </ b> A into which the protruding portion 85 b of the claw-shaped plate member 85 is fitted to prevent damage due to contact between the replacement part mounted inside the image forming apparatus 1 and the operation panel 80. 4 is a partial perspective view showing a lock mechanism 84. FIG.
The image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a claw-shaped plate member 85 fixed as a lock mechanism 84 and fixed to a support column 82 that rotatably supports the operation panel 80, and a claw-shaped plate member on one end of the upper cover 1c. A recessed portion 86A into which the 85 protruding portions 85b are fitted may be provided.

Specifically, when the operation panel 80 faces the front of the image forming apparatus 1 and is in an operation state, the protruding portion 85b is fitted in a slit-like recess 86A formed on one end side of the upper cover 1c. Thus, the first holding position interferes with the opening / closing direction of the upper cover 1c.
When the operation panel 80 is rotationally moved in the side surface direction of the image forming apparatus 1, the operation panel 80 rotates together with the operation panel 80 to become a second holding position that does not interfere with the opening / closing direction of the upper cover 1 c.

As a result, when the operation panel 80 is in the first position that interferes with the opening / closing direction of the upper cover 1c, the upper cover 1c cannot be opened / closed, and the operation panel 80 rotates in the side surface direction of the image forming apparatus 1. When it is moved, it rotates with the operation panel 80 and is positioned at the second holding position where it does not interfere with the opening / closing direction of the upper cover 1c, so that the upper cover 1c can be opened / closed.
Therefore, when the user rotates the operation panel 80 to replace the consumables mounted in the image forming apparatus 1, the replacement part prevents the replacement part and the operation panel 80 from colliding with each other. Can be suppressed, and the operability of the image forming apparatus 1 can be kept good.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Image forming apparatus 1a ... Front cover 1c ... Upper cover 10 ... Control device 20 ... Paper feeding device 30 ... Photoconductor unit 40 ... Developing device 50 ... Exposure Device 60 ... Transfer device 70 ... Fixing device 80 ... Operation panel 81 ... User interface unit 82 ... Stand 83 ... Tilt unit 84 ... Lock mechanism 85 ... Claw-shaped plate Member 85a ... fixed part (claw-shaped plate member)
85b ... projecting part (claw-shaped plate member)
86 ... Recess (front cover)
86A ... recess (upper cover)

Claims (4)

An operation panel having one end side rotatably supported by the apparatus body and having an operation unit on the other end side;
An opening / closing member that moves between a closed position that hides the interior of the apparatus body and an open position that exposes the interior;
Locking means for holding the operation panel between a first holding position for holding the operation panel inside the area where the opening / closing member moves and a second holding position for holding the operation panel outside the area where the opening / closing member moves. And comprising
The locking means has an interference region that interferes with an operation of opening the opening / closing member in a state where the operation panel is held at the first holding position, and cooperates with an operation of moving to the second holding position. The opening / closing member can move by retracting out of the interference area.
An image forming apparatus. The locking means is formed on a support shaft that rotatably supports the operation panel to the apparatus main body and protrudes in a direction intersecting the axis of the support shaft.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The opening / closing member is a front cover of the apparatus main body;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. The opening / closing member is an upper cover of the apparatus main body;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus.

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