JP2016052003A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reliably prevent an unnecessary operation to a main switch by a user in a composite type image forming apparatus including a copying function and facsimile function other than a printing function.SOLUTION: A main switch 30 includes: an operation member 31 that has an on-side pressing face 32 and an off-side pressing face 33 and can switch between an on state and off state of the main switch 30 by a see-saw operation; and a lock member 21 that can move between a lock position to be arranged to cover at least a part of the on-side pressing face 32 of the operation member 31 to lock the see-saw operation of the operation member 31 from the on side to the off side, and a retreated position to be retreated to the outside of the on-side pressing face 32 when viewed from the vertical direction of the on-side pressing face 32 to permit the see-saw operation of the operation member 31 from the on side to the off side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions including a printing function.

  Conventionally, composite type image forming apparatuses having a copying function and a facsimile function in addition to a printing function are known. In this type of image forming apparatus, a user who wants to supply power for a facsimile year-round to prepare for external reception, and to supply power for printing and copying only when necessary from the viewpoint of energy saving. There is a request. In order to meet such demands, it has been proposed to separately provide a power switch for printing and copying (hereinafter referred to as a sub switch) separately from a power switch (hereinafter referred to as a main switch) of the entire image forming apparatus. . Each switch is constituted by a seesaw type switch having an on-side pressing portion and an off-side pressing portion, for example.

  In this type of image forming apparatus, for example, if the main switch is turned off when the user returns home, there is a problem that nighttime data reception by the facsimile function cannot be performed. In order to solve this problem, for example, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the entire main switch is covered with a cover that can be opened and closed. This is supposed to prevent the user from operating the main switch unnecessarily.

JP-A-11-220559

  However, when the entire main switch is covered with an opening / closing cover as shown in Patent Document 1, the user may misunderstand the role of the opening / closing cover as a protective purpose for preventing damage. Therefore, it is not possible to prevent unnecessary operation of the main switch by the user simply by covering the entire main switch with the opening / closing cover.

  The present invention has been made in view of such points, and an object of the present invention is to eliminate the need for a main switch by a user in a composite image forming apparatus having a copying function and a facsimile function in addition to a printing function. It is to try to prevent such an operation.

  An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a main switch that switches all of a plurality of functions including a printing function on and off, and a sub switch that switches a function other than a predetermined function among the plurality of functions to on and off. It has.

  The main switch includes an operation member having an on-side pressing surface and an off-side pressing surface and capable of switching the main switch between an on state and an off state by a seesaw operation. A lock position that covers at least a part of the pressing surface and locks the seesaw operation from the ON side to the OFF side of the operating member, and from the ON side pressing surface when viewed from the vertical direction of the ON side pressing surface. And a lock member configured to be movable between a retracted position allowing the seesaw operation from the on side to the off side of the operation member by retreating outward.

  According to this configuration, the main switch cannot be switched from the on state to the off state (that is, the operating member cannot be operated from the on side to the off side) unless the user moves the lock member from the lock position to the retracted position. It has become. By preventing the user from easily switching the main switch from the on state to the off state in this way, the user can be prevented from performing the switching operation unnecessarily. It is possible to prevent (for example, a facsimile function) from being turned off unnecessarily.

  The image forming apparatus preferably further includes a biasing member that biases the lock member from the retracted position side to the lock position side.

  According to this configuration, when the user switches the main switch from the on state to the off state, the lock member moves from the retracted position to the lock position by the urging force of the urging member. Therefore, even if the user forgets the operation of moving the lock member from the retracted position to the lock position, the lock member can be automatically moved from the retracted position to the lock position by the biasing force of the biasing member.

  A switch housing recess for housing the main switch is formed on the outer wall surface of the image forming apparatus main body that performs the printing function, and a through hole through which the lock member can pass is formed in the side wall of the switch housing recess. The locking member is positioned so as to cover at least a part of the on-side pressing surface of the operation member by penetrating the through hole and projecting into the recess in the locking position. And it is preferable that the part which protrudes in the said switch accommodation recessed part in the said locking position among the said locking members is visually visibly given the display which makes a user confirm operation of a main switch.

  According to this configuration, when the lock member is in the lock position, that is, the position where the seesaw operation from the ON side to the OFF side of the operation member is locked, the main switch (operation member) can be displayed by allowing the user to visually recognize the display. Can be confirmed (whether or not the operation of the main switch that the user intends to perform is not an unnecessary operation). In this way, the user can be made to reconsider whether or not the operation of the main switch he / she is going to perform is really necessary.

  The display may be, for example, a character that calls the user's attention, such as “Operation prohibited!” Or “Confirmation required!”, Or may be a simple solid red display.

  The red color is also used for traffic lights and the like, and has an effect common to all countries that allows the user's operation to be confirmed. Therefore, by using the red solid display, there is no need to change the display language for each destination as in the case of using a character display such as “Operation prohibited!” Or “Confirmation required!”. Therefore, the same display can be used regardless of the destination of the image forming apparatus 1, and the product cost can be reduced.

  The image forming apparatus notifies a user when the detection unit detects that the lock member is in the retracted position, and the detection unit detects that the lock member is in the retracted position. And a notification unit.

  According to this configuration, when the lock member is in the retracted position, this is detected by the detection unit and the user is notified by the notification unit. Therefore, the user can recognize this when the lock member has not moved from the retracted position to the lock position after switching the main switch from the OFF state to the ON state by notification from the notification unit. Therefore, the user can easily notice and deal with failure of the operating mechanism of the lock member and forgetting to operate the lock member.

  The image forming apparatus includes: a detection unit that detects that the operation member is in the retracted position; and an external terminal that detects that the lock member is in the retracted position. It is preferable to further include a communication unit that notifies the external terminal of the fact.

  According to this configuration, when the lock member is in the retracted position, this is detected by the detection unit and is notified to the external terminal by the notification unit. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus is connected to an external terminal and used, the user of the external terminal can easily know that the lock member is in the retracted position by a notification from the notification unit. Therefore, the user can easily notice and deal with malfunction of the lock member and forgetting to operate the lock member. In addition, when the lock member is in the retracted position, the main switch may have been switched from the on state to the off state by another user, and the user using the external terminal may be notified by a notification from the notification unit. Can be recognized. Then, the user can take appropriate action by verifying whether or not the operation requires switching from the on state to the off state of the main switch.

  The predetermined function is preferably a facsimile function.

  According to this configuration, when the main switch is turned off, all functions including the facsimile function are turned off. On the other hand, when the sub switch is turned off, functions other than the facsimile function which is a predetermined function among all functions are turned off. Accordingly, by turning on the main switch and turning off the sub switch, it is possible to turn on only the fax function that needs to be received year round. Thereby, energy-saving property can be improved. In this type of image forming apparatus, when the main switch is switched from the on state to the off state by the user's hand, the fax function that requires reception throughout the year is turned off. On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus having the lock member, the main switch can be prevented from being unnecessarily switched from the on state to the off state, and the facsimile function is unnecessarily turned off. Can be prevented.

  According to the present invention, in a composite image forming apparatus having a copying function and a facsimile function in addition to a printing function, an unnecessary operation of a main switch by a user can be surely prevented.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment as viewed from the front diagonal right side. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the main switch and its peripheral portion in an enlarged manner. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for explaining an operation procedure of the lock plate. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the main switch as viewed from the opening side of the switch housing recess. FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. FIG. 8 is a view corresponding to FIG. FIG. 9 is a view corresponding to FIG. FIG. 10 is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 showing another embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to the following embodiment.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 shows an image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is a composite image forming apparatus (composite machine) having a scanner function, a fax function, and a copy function in addition to a printing function. In the following description, the front side and the rear side mean the front side and the rear side of the image forming apparatus 1, and the left side and the right side mean the left side and the right side when the image forming apparatus 1 is viewed from the front side. To do.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming apparatus main body 2 and an image reading unit 3 disposed on the upper side thereof. The image forming apparatus main body 2 includes a printing unit 4 disposed at an intermediate portion in the vertical direction and a plurality of paper feed cassettes 5 disposed below the printing unit 4. Each sheet cassette 5 contains sheets of different sizes. The printing unit 4 performs printing on the paper supplied from the paper feed cassette 5 based on predetermined image data. An electrophotographic method is adopted as a printing method in the printing unit 4. That is, the printing unit 4 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum with laser light corresponding to image data to form an electrostatic latent image, develops the electrostatic latent image with toner, and transfers it to a sheet.

  The image reading unit 3 optically reads an image of a document placed on the contact glass on the upper surface thereof. The upper surface of the image reading unit 3 is covered with a document pressing cover 6 for pressing the document so as to be opened and closed. The document pressing cover 6 is integrated with the automatic document feeder 7. The automatic document feeder 7 transports the document set on the document feed tray along a predetermined transport path, passes the image reading position set on the contact glass, and then discharges it to the document discharge tray. To do. An operation panel 8 protrudes from the front surface of the image reading unit 3. The operation panel 8 is provided with an operation unit 9 including a numeric keypad and a start key, and a display unit 10 including a liquid crystal display.

  Next, the configuration of the control system of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. A solid line in the figure represents a signal line. 2 represents the power supply system (details will be described later) of the image forming apparatus 1.

  The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 11 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus. The control unit 11 is configured by a microcomputer having a CPU, a RAM, and a ROM. The control unit 11 is connected to the reception unit 12, the image reading unit 3, the printing unit 4, the display unit 10, and the fax communication unit 13. The control unit 11 controls the operation of the image reading unit 3, the printing unit 4, the display unit 10, and the fax communication unit 13 based on an input signal from the receiving unit 12.

  The receiving unit 12 is connected to the operation unit 9 through a signal line. The receiving unit 12 receives an operation signal from the operation unit 9 and outputs the operation signal to the control unit 11. The operation signal includes a signal indicating which one of the print function, scanner function, copy function, and facsimile function is selected by the user, a signal indicating the number of prints input by the user operating the numeric keypad, and the like. included.

  When it is determined that the printing function is set based on the input signal from the receiving unit 12, the control unit 11 controls the printing unit 4 to execute a predetermined printing process, and the scanner function is set. If it is determined that the copy function is set, the image reading unit 3 is controlled to execute a predetermined image reading process. If the copy function is determined to be set, the image reading unit 3 and the printing unit 4 are controlled. When a predetermined copy process is executed and it is determined that the facsimile function is set, the fax communication unit 13 is controlled to execute a predetermined fax communication process.

  Next, the power supply system of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the broken line in FIG. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a main switch 30 and a sub switch 40 connected in series to a power supply 50. The power supply 50 is connected to the main switch 30 via the first power supply line 51. The main switch 30 is connected to the sub switch 40 via the second power supply line 52, connected to the fax communication unit 13 via the third power supply line 53, and further connected via the fourth power supply line 54. It is connected to the control unit 11. The sub switch 40 is connected to the image reading unit 3, the printing unit 4, the operation unit 9, the display unit 10, and the receiving unit 12 via the fifth power supply line 55. Therefore, when the main switch 30 is switched from the on state to the off state, the power supply to the image reading unit 3, the printing unit 4, the operation unit 9, the display unit 10, the receiving unit 12, and the fax communication unit 13 is interrupted. All functions including the printing function are switched from on to off. If only the sub switch 40 is switched from the on state to the off state while the main switch 30 is maintained in the on state, the power supply to the image reading unit 3, the printing unit 4, the operation unit 9, the display unit 10, and the receiving unit 12 is performed. Since the power is supplied only to the control unit 11 and the fax communication unit 13, the remaining three functions (the printing function, the scanner function, and the fax function (some functions) remain turned on). The copy function is turned off.

  The main switch 30 is attached to the outside of the right side wall 2a of the image forming apparatus body 2 as shown in FIG. The sub switch 40 is attached to the outside of the right side wall 3 a of the image reading unit 3. The main switch 30 includes an operation member 31 as shown in FIG. The operation member 31 of the main switch 30 switches the switch 30 between an on state and an off state by performing a seesaw operation on an on side and an off side around a support shaft (not shown). The operation member 31 includes an on-side pressing surface 32 that is pressed when the user switches the switch 30 to the on state, and an off-side pressing surface 33 that is pressed when the switch 30 is switched to the off state. Yes. Since the configuration of the sub switch 40 is the same as that of the main switch 30, its detailed description is omitted.

  The main switch 30 is housed in a switch housing recess 20 formed in the right side wall 2 a of the image forming apparatus main body 2. The switch housing recess 20 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped recess that is recessed toward the inside of the apparatus when viewed from the outside of the image forming apparatus main body 2. The operation member 31 is swingably attached to the bottom wall 20a (see FIG. 4) of the switch housing recess 20. A slit hole 20c through which a lock plate 21 (to be described later) can pass is formed in the side wall 20b rising from the front edge of the bottom wall 20a in the switch housing recess 20. A lock mechanism 100 is provided on the side of the side wall 20b opposite to the switch housing recess 20 side. As will be described later, the lock mechanism 100 has a function of locking the seesaw operation of the operation member 31 from the on side to the off side. In the present embodiment, the lock mechanism 100 is provided only for the main switch 30 and is not provided for the sub switch 40.

  The lock mechanism 100 includes a lock plate 21, a shaft member 22, and a torsion spring 23. The lock plate 21 is formed of a fan-shaped plate material having an arc angle of approximately 90 °. The lock plate 21 is preferably made of a metal material rather than a resin material in order to obtain high strength. The lock plate 21 is rotatably supported by a shaft member 22. The shaft member 22 protrudes from the inner surface of the right side wall 2 a of the image forming apparatus main body 2. The shaft member 22 extends in a direction perpendicular to the bottom wall 20 a of the switch housing recess 20. The lock plate 21 can move between a lock position and a retracted position by swinging around the shaft member 22. Here, the lock position is a position where the lock plate 21 covers a part (or all) of the on-side pressing surface 32 of the operation member 31 and locks the seesaw operation from the on-side to the off-side of the operation member 31. (Refer to the left side of FIG. 5). In other words, the lock plate 21 overlaps a part (or all) of the on-side pressing surface 32 when viewed from the vertical direction of the on-side pressing surface 32. On the other hand, the retracted position refers to the seesaw operation from the on side to the off side of the operation member 31 by the lock plate 21 retracting to the outside of the on-side pressing surface 32 when viewed from the vertical direction of the on-side pressing surface 32. This is an allowable position (see the central view and the right view of FIG. 5). In other words, the retracted position can be said to be a position where the lock plate 21 does not overlap the on-side pressing surface 32 when viewed from the vertical direction of the on-side pressing surface 32. The torsion spring 23 is supported by extrapolating a coiled torsion part to the shaft member 22, one end of which is fixed to the right side wall 2 a of the image forming apparatus main body 2, and the other end is fixed to the lock plate 21. Has been. Thus, the torsion spring 23 urges the lock plate 21 around the shaft member 22 from the retracted position side to the lock position side (clockwise in FIG. 5).

  Next, the operation procedure of the lock plate 21 will be described with reference to FIG. The left side view of FIG. 5 shows a state where the operation member 31 is in the locked position. In this state, a part of the on-side pressing surface 32 of the operation member 31 is covered with the lock plate 21, so that the seesaw operation from the on-side to the off-side of the operation member 31 is locked (regulated) by the lock plate 21. Has been. Therefore, even if the user presses the off-side pressing surface 33 of the operating member 31, the operating member 31 does not perform a seesaw operation from the on side to the off side, and the main switch 30 does not switch to the off state. In order to switch the main switch 30 to the OFF state, the user rotates the lock plate 21 counterclockwise with the user's hand as shown in the center view of FIG. Then, since the lock of the operation member 31 by the lock plate 21 is released, when the user presses the off-side pressing surface 33, the operation member 31 performs a seesaw operation from the on side to the off side, and the main switch 30 is in the on state. To the off state (see the right side of FIG. 5). In this state, as shown in FIG. 3, since the operation member 31 is located on the side of the slit hole 20c, the lock plate 21 does not advance (project) into the switch housing recess 20 from the slit hole 20c. . When the main switch 30 is switched from the off state to the on state, the operation member 31 moves from the side of the slit hole 20c to the inside of the apparatus, so that the lock plate 21 biased by the torsion spring 23 is switched from the slit hole 20c. It protrudes into the housing recess 20. As a result, a part of the on-side pressing surface 32 of the operation member 31 is covered with the lock plate 21, so that the seesaw operation from the on-side to the off-side of the operation member 31 is locked. As shown in FIG. 6, a red solid display is provided on a portion of the lock plate 21 that protrudes into the switch housing recess 20 at the lock position so as to be visible. This solid display has a function of allowing the user to check the operation of the main switch 30 (operation member 31) (to check whether or not the operation of the main switch 30 that he / she intends to perform is an unnecessary operation). doing.

  As described above, in the above embodiment, the user cannot operate the main switch 30 from the on state to the off state unless the lock plate 21 is moved from the lock position to the retracted position (the operation member 31 is changed from the on side to the off side). The seesaw cannot be operated). Thus, by preventing the user from easily switching the main switch from the on state to the off state, it is possible to prevent the user from performing the switching operation unnecessarily. As a result, it is possible to prevent a facsimile function that has to be activated year-round for data reception from being turned off by an unnecessary switch operation by the user.

  In the above embodiment, the lock plate 21 is urged from the retracted position side to the lock position side by the torsion spring 23. Therefore, when the user switches the main switch 30 from the on state to the off state, the torsion spring 23 The lock plate 21 is automatically moved from the retracted position to the locked position by the urging force. Therefore, even if the user does not manually move the lock plate 21 from the retracted position to the lock position, the lock plate 21 can be reliably moved from the retracted position to the lock position by the biasing force of the biasing member.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the lock plate 21 covers a part of the on-side pressing surface 32 of the operation member 31 by penetrating the slit hole 20c and projecting inside the recess at the lock position. It is configured. And the part which protrudes in the switch accommodation recessed part 20 in the said lock position among the lock plates 21 is given the solid red display so that visual recognition is possible.

  According to this configuration, when the lock plate 21 is at the lock position, the user can confirm the operation of the main switch 30 (operation member 31) by visually recognizing the display. Thus, it is possible to make the user reconsider whether or not the operation of the main switch 30 that he / she intends to perform is really necessary. The red color is also used for traffic lights and the like, and has an effect common to all countries that allows the user's operation to be confirmed. Therefore, by using the red solid display, there is no need to change the display language for each destination as in the case of using a character display such as “Operation prohibited!” Or “Confirmation required!”. Therefore, the same display can be used regardless of the destination of the image forming apparatus 1, and the product cost can be reduced.

<< Embodiment 2 >>
7 and 8 show the second embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the lock mechanism 100 includes a lock member detection sensor 14. The same components as those in FIGS. 2 and 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The lock member detection sensor 14 is a so-called PI sensor (Photo Interrupter Sensor), and as shown in FIG. 7, a light emitting unit 14a that emits light and a light receiving unit 14b that receives light emitted from the light emitting unit 14a. And have. When the lock plate 21 is in the retracted position, the lock member detection sensor 14 outputs a light shielding signal when the lock plate 21 blocks between the light emitting unit 14a and the light receiving unit 14b. On the other hand, in the state where the lock plate 21 is in the locked position, there is no obstruction between the light emitting part 14a and the light receiving part 14b, so that a light transmission signal is output from the lock member detection sensor 14. The lock member detection sensor 14 is connected to the control unit 11 via a signal line. When the control unit 11 receives a translucent signal from the lock member detection sensor 14, the control unit 11 displays the fact that the lock plate 21 is in the lock position on the display unit 10, while the light shielding signal from the lock member detection sensor 14. Is received, the fact that the lock plate 21 is in the retracted position is displayed on the display unit 10. The lock member detection sensor 14 functions as a detection unit that detects that the lock plate 21 is in the retracted position. The display unit 10 functions as a notification unit that notifies the user when the detection unit (the lock member detection sensor 14) detects that the lock plate 21 is in the retracted position. For example, the notification unit is not limited to the display unit 10, but may be a notification unit through hearing, such as a speaker.

  According to the above configuration, after the user switches the main switch 30 from the off state to the on state, if the lock plate 21 has not moved from the retracted position to the locked position, this is based on the display on the display unit 10. Can be recognized. Therefore, for example, a failure of the lock mechanism 100 (for example, breakage of the torsion spring 23, etc.) can be easily noticed and appropriately dealt with.

<Modification>
FIG. 9 shows a modification of the second embodiment. This modification is different from the second embodiment in that the receiving unit 12 is connected to a plurality of personal computers 15 as external terminals via a network. Note that the same components as those in FIG.

  The receiving unit 12 also functions as a communication unit between the control unit 11 and each personal computer 15. When the control unit 11 receives a light transmission signal from the lock member detection sensor 14, the control unit 11 notifies the personal computers 15 via the reception unit 12 that the lock plate 21 is in the lock position. When the control unit 11 receives the light shielding signal by the lock member detection sensor 14, the control unit 11 notifies the personal computers 15 via the reception unit 12 that the lock plate 21 is in the retracted position. The receiving unit 12 functions as a communication unit that notifies the personal computer 15 when the detection unit (the lock member detection sensor 14) detects that the lock plate 21 is in the retracted position.

  Therefore, according to this modification, the user of each personal computer 15 can easily know that the lock plate 21 is in the retracted position by a notification from the receiving unit 12. Therefore, the user of each personal computer 15 switches the main switch 30 of the image forming apparatus 1 from the off state to the on state, and if the lock plate 21 has not moved from the retracted position to the locked position, this is indicated to each personal computer 15. It can be recognized based on the display of 15 display screens. As a result, a failure or the like of the lock mechanism 100 can be easily recognized and appropriately dealt with. When the lock plate 21 is in the retracted position, there is a possibility that the main switch 30 has been switched from the on state to the off state by another user, and the user using the personal computer 15 is notified by the notification from the reception unit 12. This possibility can be recognized. Then, the user can appropriately deal with this by verifying whether or not the operation is required to switch the main switch 30 from the on state to the off state.

<< Other embodiments >>
In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the lock mechanism 100 is applied to the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 1 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be applied to, for example, the inkjet image forming apparatus 1. .

  In the above embodiment, the lock mechanism 100 is applied only to the main switch 30, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the lock mechanism 100 may be further applied to the sub switch 40. . Thereby, it is possible to prevent the sub switch 40 from being unnecessarily switched from the on state to the off state.

  In the above-described embodiment, the lock plate 21 is swung around the shaft member 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the lock plate 21 is linearly moved in the front-rear direction as shown in FIG. May be. The lock plate 21 is biased toward the operation member 31 by the coil spring 24 and moves to a position that covers the on-side pressing surface 32 when the main switch 30 is turned on.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for an image forming apparatus having a plurality of functions including a printing function, and particularly useful for an image forming apparatus having a facsimile function.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Image forming apparatus main body 10 Display part (notification part)
12 Reception Department (Communication Department)
14 Locking member detection sensor 15 PC (external terminal)
20 Switch receiving recess 20b Front side wall 20c Slit hole (through hole)
21 Lock plate (lock member)
22 Shaft member 23 Torsion spring (biasing member)
30 Main switch 31 Operation member 32 On-side pressing surface 33 Off-side pressing surface 40 Sub switch

Claims (7)

An image forming apparatus comprising: a main switch that switches all of a plurality of functions including a printing function on and off; and a sub switch that switches on and off a function other than a predetermined function among the plurality of functions.
The main switch includes an operation member having an on-side pressing surface and an off-side pressing surface and capable of switching the main switch between an on state and an off state by a seesaw operation.
A lock position that is arranged so as to cover at least a part of the on-side pressing surface of the operating member and locks the seesaw operation from the on-side to the off-side of the operating member, and viewed from the vertical direction of the on-side pressing surface And a lock member configured to be movable between a retracted position that allows the seesaw operation from the on side to the off side of the operation member by retreating outward from the on-side pressing surface. Forming equipment. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
An image forming apparatus further comprising a biasing member that biases the lock member from the retracted position side to the lock position side. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
A switch housing recess for housing the main switch is formed on the outer wall surface of the image forming apparatus main body that executes the printing function,
A through hole through which the lock member can pass is formed in the side wall of the switch housing recess,
The lock member is positioned so as to cover at least a part of the on-side pressing surface of the operation member by penetrating the through hole and projecting into the concave portion at the lock position,
An image forming apparatus in which a display for allowing a user to confirm the operation of the main switch is provided on a portion of the lock member that protrudes into the switch housing recess at the lock position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.
An image forming apparatus in which the display is a solid red display. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A detection unit for detecting that the operating member is in the retracted position;
An image forming apparatus comprising: an informing unit for informing a user when the detecting unit detects that the lock member is in the retracted position. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A detection unit for detecting that the operating member is in the retracted position;
An image forming apparatus further comprising: a communication unit that is connected to an external terminal and notifies the external terminal of the fact when the detection unit detects that the lock member is in the retracted position. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.
An image forming apparatus wherein the predetermined function is a facsimile function.

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