JP2018092043A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that can appropriately project information required by an operator with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 100 comprises: an apparatus body including an image forming part that forms an image on a sheet; and an operation part that is provided on the outside of the apparatus body to receive an input of an instruction on the operation of the image forming part. The image forming apparatus has projection means 1 that, when a lateral face on which the operation part is arranged is taken as the front side of the image forming apparatus, projects operation guide to a plurality of projection objects arranged on the front side of the image forming apparatus, from a projection part 14 arranged on the front side of the image forming apparatus and above the projection objects.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that displays an operation guide for notifying an operator of an operation procedure such as handling of a paper jam or replacement of consumables.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine using an electrophotographic method requires operations by an operator such as a paper jam (jamming) process, replacement of consumables and parts, developer supply, and paper supply. Sometimes. For this reason, in the image forming apparatus, an operation guide is displayed on the screen of the operation unit to inform the operator of information such as a work procedure, the state of the apparatus, or precautions.

  However, since the screen provided on the operation unit is small or the screen of the operation unit is far from the operation location, it may be difficult for the operator to recognize the operation procedure and the operation location.

  Therefore, Patent Document 1 proposes that an image forming apparatus is provided with a plurality of screens, and an operation guide is projected from a projector onto one of the screens according to an operation location.

JP 2010-128120 A

  However, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to install a plurality of screens. Further, since a means for changing the direction of the projection means and a means for adjusting the magnification are required to perform appropriate display on the plurality of screens, the apparatus is greatly complicated and consequently expensive. In addition, depending on the location of the screen and the operator's work position, the operation guidance projected from the projector may be blocked by the operation target or the operator, making it difficult to recognize the operation guidance.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of appropriately projecting operation guidance onto a plurality of projection targets with a simple configuration.

  The above object is achieved by the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In summary, the present invention includes an apparatus main body that includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, and an operation unit that is provided outside the apparatus main body and that inputs instructions regarding the operation of the image forming unit. When the side surface on which the operation unit is disposed is a front side of the image forming apparatus, the front surface of the image forming apparatus is projected onto a plurality of projection targets disposed on the front side of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus includes a projection unit that projects an operation guide from a projection unit disposed on the side and above the projection target.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to appropriately project operation guidance onto a plurality of projection targets with a simple configuration.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus. It is sectional drawing of a process unit. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus viewed from the side and a cross-sectional view viewed from above. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus and a cross-sectional view seen from above. It is the perspective view and side view of the image forming apparatus of another example. FIG. 6 is a front view and a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus of still another example as viewed from the side.

  The image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the drawings.

[Example 1]
1. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment is a multifunction machine that can form a full-color image using an electrophotographic system and has functions of a copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile machine.

  Here, regarding the image forming apparatus 100, the front side of the sheet of FIG. 1 is referred to as “front (or front)”, and the back side of the sheet is referred to as “back (or rear)”. The depth direction (front-rear direction) connecting the front side and the back side of the image forming apparatus 100 is substantially parallel to the rotation axis direction of the photosensitive drum 203 described later. The left-right direction with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 refers to the left-right direction when the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the front side. The vertical direction with respect to the image forming apparatus 100 refers to the vertical direction of the gravitational direction, but does not mean just above or directly below, but includes an upper side and a lower side from a horizontal plane passing through the element or position of interest. These directions refer to directions in a state where the image forming apparatus 100 is installed so that it can be used normally.

  The image forming apparatus 100 includes an apparatus main body 101. The apparatus main body 101 includes an image forming unit 102, a sheet feeding device 103, a manual feeding unit 104, a document reading unit 105, a sheet conveying unit 107, a control unit C, and the like.

  The image forming unit 102 includes a process unit 121, a laser scanner unit 122, an intermediate transfer unit 123, a secondary transfer roller 124, a fixing device 125, a discharge roller 126, a toner cartridge 127, a collection container 128, and the like. In this embodiment, four process units 121 are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction. The configuration of these four process units 121 is substantially the same except that the colors of toner used for image formation are different. FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing one process unit 121 in more detail as a representative.

  The process unit 121 includes a drum unit 201 and a developing unit 202. The drum unit 201 includes a photosensitive drum 203 that is a drum-type (cylindrical) photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member), a charging roller 204, a drum cleaner 205, a drum unit container 206 that supports them, and the like. The developing unit 202 includes a developing roller 207, a conveying screw 208, a developing unit container 209 that supports these and accommodates a developer. In this embodiment, the developing unit 202 uses a two-component developer including a toner (nonmagnetic toner particles) and a carrier (magnetic carrier particles) as a developer. The drum unit 201 and the developing unit 202 can be individually inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body 101. The intermediate transfer unit 123 includes an intermediate transfer belt 210 stretched by a plurality of stretch rollers, a primary transfer roller 211 provided corresponding to each photosensitive drum 203 on the inner peripheral surface side of the intermediate transfer belt 210, and a belt cleaner 212. And so on. In this embodiment, four toner cartridges 127 are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction corresponding to the four process units 121. Each toner cartridge 127 contains toner of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K). Each toner cartridge 127 can be individually inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body 101.

  The sheet feeding device 103 includes a plurality of sheet accommodating portions 131 as accommodating members that accommodate sheets (transfer materials, recording materials) S such as recording paper, and a feeding roller 132 that feeds out the sheets S accommodated in the sheet accommodating portion 131. And so on. The sheet storage portion 131 can be pulled out to the front side of the apparatus main body 101.

  The manual feed unit 104 includes a manual feed tray 141 on which sheets S are stacked, a manual feed roller 142 that sends out the sheets S stacked on the manual feed tray 141, and the like. The manual feed tray 141 is provided on the right side surface of the apparatus main body 101 so as to be opened and closed. When the manual feed unit 104 is used, the manual feed tray 141 is opened and protruded to a position where the sheet S can be fed, and the sheet S is stacked on the protruding manual feed tray 141.

  The document reading unit 105 includes a platen glass 151 serving as a document placement table, a reading device 152, and the like. The reading device 152 optically reads a document placed on the platen glass 151 and converts it into an electrical signal. Further, in FIG. 1, an automatic document feeder 106 that feeds a document to the upper part of the document reading unit 105 is arranged to enable a reading device 152 to continuously read a plurality of documents. 3 to 7 show a state in which a pressure plate 153 for holding a document placed on the platen glass 151 is attached instead of the automatic document feeder 106.

  The sheet conveying unit 107 includes a sheet feeding device 103, a sheet conveying path 171 that conveys the sheet S sent from the manual feeding unit 104, a correction of skew of the sheet S, and a control of the sheet S conveying timing. A pair 172 and the like are included.

  The collection container 128 is a container that collects toner as waste discharged from the image forming unit 102. The collection container 128 can be inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body 101.

  In the present embodiment, the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 100 is comprehensively controlled by the control unit C provided in the apparatus main body 101.

2. Image Forming Operation Next, the image forming operation of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described by taking a copying operation as an example. When an image reading signal is output from the control unit C to the image reading unit 105, an image of the original is read by the image reading unit 105 and image information is sent to the image forming unit 102. In the image forming unit 102, the surface of the photosensitive drum 203 uniformly charged by the charging roller 204 is irradiated with laser light corresponding to the image information from the laser scanner unit 122, and an electrostatic latent image (on the photosensitive drum 203 ( An electrostatic image) is formed. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 203 is developed (visualized) by supplying toner by the developing unit 202, and a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 203. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 203 is primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 210 by the action of the primary transfer roller 211 in a primary transfer portion where the intermediate transfer belt 210 and the photosensitive drum 203 are in contact with each other. For example, during the formation of a full-color image, yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images formed on the respective photosensitive drums 203 are sequentially primary-transferred so as to be superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 210.

  On the other hand, when a sheet feeding signal is output from the control unit C to the sheet feeding device 103, the sheet S is sent out from the sheet storage unit 131 by the feeding roller 132. When a sheet feeding signal is output from the control unit C to the manual feeding unit 104, the sheet S is sent out from the manual feeding tray 141 by the manual feeding roller 142. Thereafter, the sheet S is transported through the sheet transport path 171, and skew feeding is corrected by the registration roller pair 172 and at the same time as the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 210, the intermediate transfer belt 210 and the secondary transfer roller 124. Is sent to the secondary transfer section where the contact is made.

  The toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 210 is secondarily transferred onto the sheet S by the action of the secondary transfer roller 124 in the secondary transfer portion. The sheet S on which the toner image has been secondarily transferred is heated and pressed by the fixing device 125 so that the toner image is fixed (melted and fixed). The sheet S on which the toner image is fixed is discharged and stacked by a discharge roller 126 onto a discharge tray 111 serving as a stacking unit provided outside the apparatus main body 101.

  Further, toner (primary transfer residual toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum 203 after the primary transfer process is removed from the photosensitive drum 203 by the drum cleaner 205 and collected. Further, the toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 210 after the secondary transfer (secondary transfer residual toner) is removed from the intermediate transfer belt 210 by the belt cleaner 212 and collected. The toner recovered by the drum cleaner 205 and the belt cleaner 212 is accommodated in the recovery container 128 via a recovery toner conveyance path (not shown). Further, the image forming unit 102 is provided with a toner hopper (not shown) that stores the toner supplied from the toner cartridge 127 and replenishes the developing unit 202 with the toner consumed by the development. When the toner in the toner hopper is consumed by the development, the toner is supplied from the toner cartridge 127 to the toner hopper.

3. Operation Unit Next, the operation unit 2 provided on the outside of the apparatus main body 101 and for inputting an instruction regarding the operation of the image forming unit 102 will be described. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the front, right side, and top surface of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. FIG. 3A is a state in which a front door 3 to be described later is closed, and FIG. Indicates a state in which the front door 3 is opened. In this embodiment, when the openable / closable door member is closed and the retractable housing member is housed, the image forming apparatus 100 can be viewed from the front side surface and the back side surface when viewed from above. Are substantially parallel, and the left side surface and the right side surface have a substantially rectangular shape.

  In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 sends various settings such as processing conditions for the sheet S and an instruction to start an image forming operation to the control unit C on the front side surface, particularly the front side surface of the image reading unit 105. An operation unit 2 for inputting is provided. In this embodiment, the operation unit 2 is provided so as to protrude forward from the front side surface of the image reading unit 105. In this embodiment, the operation unit 2 is provided on the right side of the center in the left-right direction when the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the front side.

  The operation unit 2 includes a button (switch) 21 as an input unit for inputting an instruction to the control unit C, and a display (liquid crystal display) as a display unit for displaying information to an operator such as a user or a maintenance person. Screen) 22 and the like. In the present embodiment, the display 22 is configured by a touch panel and also has a function of an input unit. The operator can usually input necessary items to the control unit C and start an image forming operation by operating the operation unit 2 from the front side of the image forming apparatus 100.

  The image forming apparatus 100 can perform maintenance (maintenance / replacement) from the front side of the image forming apparatus 100 provided with the operation unit 2. In other words, the front door 3 as an openable door member for exposing at least a part of the image forming unit 102 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 is provided on the side surface on the front side of the image forming apparatus 100. By operating the front door handle 4, the front door 3 can be opened by rotating downward from above about a rotation axis substantially parallel to the horizontal direction, and can be closed by rotating upward from below. It is like that. When the front door 3 is opened, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a small door 8 for exposing the front end of the toner cartridge 127 and the front end of the process unit 121 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100. Exposed outside. In this embodiment, corresponding to the four process units 121, four toner cartridges 127 and four small doors 8 are arranged in a substantially horizontal direction. The toner cartridge 127 can be attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 101 by operating the cartridge handle 7 provided at the end on the front side to be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction. Further, by opening the small door 8, the drum unit 201 and the developing unit 202 can be individually attached to and detached from the apparatus main body 101 in the front-rear direction. The small door 8 is pivoted from above to be opened around a pivot axis substantially parallel to the horizontal direction, and is opened by being pivoted upward from below. In this embodiment, the small door 8 also serves as a lever as an operated portion that changes the drum unit 201 and the developing unit 202 between a detachable state and a set state.

  Further, on the front side of the image forming apparatus 100, a storage unit outer side surface 5 that is a side surface on the front side of the sheet storage unit 131 is disposed. In this embodiment, the four accommodating portion outer surfaces 5 are arranged in the vertical direction, and the horizontal size of the uppermost accommodating portion outer surface 5 is larger than the horizontal size of the other accommodating portion outer surfaces 5. Is also getting smaller. The sheet storage portion 131 can be pulled out and stored in the apparatus main body 101 by operating the storage portion handle 6 provided on the storage portion outer surface 5 to be inserted and removed in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 5 (a) and (b)).

  A collection door 10 is provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus 100 as an openable door member for exposing the collection container 128 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100. The collection door 10 can be opened by rotating downward from above about a rotation axis substantially parallel to the horizontal direction, and can be closed by rotating upward from below (FIG. 5A). )reference). By opening the collection door 10, the collection container 128 can be inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body 101 in the front-rear direction (see FIG. 5B).

4). Projector Unit Next, a description will be given of projection means for projecting operation guidance (guidance display, guidance display) in this embodiment. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view seen from the right side of the image forming apparatus 100 in a state where the front door 3 is opened. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 as viewed from above the discharge tray 111 in a state where the front door 3 is opened and the toner cartridge 127 is pulled out. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the image forming apparatus 100 as viewed from above the discharge tray 111 in a state where the front door 3 is opened and the drum unit 201 (or the developing unit 202) is pulled out. FIG. 5A is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 100 in a state where the collection door 10 is opened and the uppermost sheet storage portion 131 is pulled out. FIG. 5B shows a cross section viewed from above the discharge tray 111 of the image forming apparatus 100 in a state where the collection door 10 is opened, the collection container 128 is pulled out, and the uppermost sheet storage portion 131 is pulled out. FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 has a projector unit 1 as a projection unit that projects operation guidance onto a plurality of projection targets arranged on the front side when the side surface on which the operation unit 2 is arranged is the front side. Have The projector unit 1 projects operation guidance on a plurality of projection objects arranged on the front side from a projection unit (projection port) arranged on the front side and above the projection object. The projection unit is arranged so that the operation guidance can be projected onto a plurality of projection targets at the same time. Note that the projector unit 1 only needs to be able to project operation guides simultaneously from above on a plurality of projection targets arranged on the front side of the image forming apparatus 100, and may actually project them simultaneously or individually (selectively). You may project. In addition, projecting from above is not limited to projecting from above in the vertical direction to below in the vertical direction, but also includes projecting downward at an angle with respect to the vertical direction. For example, when the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the front side, the image may be projected from the upper left to the lower right and from the upper right to the lower left, or when the image forming apparatus is viewed from the right, the upper rear side. May be projected from the lower front side to the lower front side and from the upper front side to the lower rear side. The operation guidance may be in any form such as lighting, characters, symbols, figures, still images (pictures) or moving images (animations) that indicate or explain the operation location, operation direction, operation method, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, in this embodiment, the projector unit 1 is provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus 100, particularly on the front side of the image reading unit 105. In the present embodiment, at least a part of the projector unit 1 is provided so as to protrude forward from the front side surface of the image reading unit 105. The projector unit 1 includes a projector 11, a reflection mirror 12, and a projector cover 13 that accommodates these, and a projection port 14 as a projection unit is formed below the projector cover 13. In the present embodiment, the projection port 14 is provided on the left side of the center in the left-right direction when the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the front side. In the present embodiment, the light projected toward the front by the projector 11 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 12 so that the light is projected downward through the projection port 14. That is, the projection port 14 is positioned in front of a plurality of projection targets within the projectable area A capable of projecting operation guidance at the same time, and projects a plurality of projections by projecting light downward from the projection port 14. It is possible to project the operation guidance on the object at the same time.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the projector unit 1 projects light downward from the operation unit 2, and the projection port 14 of the projector unit 1 is disposed at substantially the same height as the operation unit 2. ing. Here, the fact that the projection port 14 is substantially the same height as the operation unit 2 is not limited to the completely same height. For example, the casing in which the projection port 14 is formed and the casing of the operation unit 2 It is considered that the heights are substantially the same when at least a part of each overlaps in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the projection optical axis of the projector unit 1 (the optical axis of the projection image projected from the projection port 14) is directed substantially downward in the vertical direction. Here, “being substantially downward in the vertical direction” includes not only the case of being completely downward in the vertical direction but also the case of being deviated from the vertically lower side in a range of about an error (for example, about 10 degrees).

  As shown in FIG. 3A, in the state where the front door 3 and the collection door 10 are closed and the sheet storage portion 131 is stored, the operation guidance can be simultaneously projected onto the next projection target. The outer surface of the front door 3, the front door handle 4, the housing portion outer surface 5, the housing portion handle 6, the outer surface of the collection door 10, and the floor surface F on which the image forming apparatus 100 is installed. The four accommodating portion outer surfaces 5 can simultaneously project the operation guidance on all of them. In other words, when the operation guidance is projected onto any two of the projection targets at the same time, the arrangement of the projector unit 1 and the projection target is such that the shadow of one projection target does not completely hide the other projection target. It has become a relationship. In the state of FIG. 3A, for example, the operator simultaneously operates on the projection target in order to guide where the operator should open for necessary operations such as replacement of consumables and replenishment of the sheet S. It is effective to be able to project guidance.

  In the state where the front door 3 is opened as shown in FIG. 4A, the operation guide can be simultaneously projected onto the cartridge handle 7, the small door 8, and the screen 9 provided on the inner side of the front door 3. The four cartridge handles 7 and the four small doors 8 can simultaneously project operation guidance on all of them. Further, the screen 9 may be the inner surface itself of the front door 3 or a member attached to the inner side of the front door 3. Also in this case, when the operation guidance is projected onto any two of the projection targets at the same time, the projector unit 1 and the projection target are arranged such that the shadow of one projection target does not completely hide the other projection target. It becomes the arrangement relation of. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, all of the small doors 8 arranged below the cartridge handle 7 are not hidden by the shadow K of the cartridge handle 7. For example, even when the toner cartridge 127 is pulled out as shown in FIG. 4B, most of the horizontal direction of the screen 9 disposed below the toner cartridge 127 is not hidden by the shadow of the toner cartridge 127. It has become. Similarly, even when the small door 8 is opened and the drum unit 201 (or the developing unit 202) is pulled out as shown in FIG. 4C, for example, most of the screen 9 arranged in the left and right direction below the unit is left and right. It is not hidden behind the unit. 4 (a) to 4 (c), for example, in order to guide the toner cartridge 127 to be replaced and the small door 8 to be opened, and to display a description of the work procedure on the screen 9, the above projection target is used. It is effective to be able to project operation guidance simultaneously.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, in a state where the collection door 10 is opened and the uppermost sheet storage portion 131 is pulled out, the inside surface of the collection door 10, the inside of the sheet storage portion 131 (or the stored sheet S). ) Can simultaneously project an operation guide. 5B, when the collection door 10 is opened and the collection container 128 and the sheet storage portion 131 are pulled out, the upper surface of the collection container 128, the inside of the sheet storage portion 131 (or the storage state). Operation guidance can be simultaneously projected on the sheet S). In these cases as well, when the operation guidance is projected onto two projection targets at the same time, the arrangement relationship between the projector unit 1 and the projection target is such that the shadow of one projection target does not completely hide the other projection target. It has become.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the projector unit 1 is disposed on the front side of the image forming apparatus 100 and above the projection target. The projector unit 1 is configured to be able to simultaneously project operation guidance from above on a plurality of projection objects arranged on the front side of the image forming apparatus 100. More specifically, the projection port 14 of the projector unit 1 has other projection targets in the depth direction when viewed from the front side, due to the shadow of one projection target among a plurality of projection targets on which operation guidance can be simultaneously projected. It is placed in a position that is not completely hidden. Further, also in the left-right direction when viewed from the front side, the projection port 14 of the projector unit 1 has the other projection target completely covered by the shadow of one projection target among the plurality of projection targets on which the operation guidance can be simultaneously projected. It is placed in a position that does not hide.

  Thereby, according to the present embodiment, the operation guidance can be appropriately projected onto a plurality of projection targets with a simple configuration. That is, according to the present embodiment, by projecting the operation guide from the upper side to the lower side on the front side of the image forming apparatus 100, the light projected on the plurality of projection targets is blocked by other projection targets and the operator. It can project without. Further, according to the present embodiment, by projecting the operation guide from the upper side to the lower side on the front side of the image forming apparatus 100, no means for changing the direction of the projection means and no means for adjusting the magnification are required. As a result, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to project the operation guidance without blocking the projected image and creating the blind spot of the projection unit itself in a small and simple configuration.

[Example 2]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The basic configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, elements having the same or corresponding functions or configurations as those of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment and detailed description thereof is omitted. .

  FIG. 6A is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment. FIG. 6B is a partially transparent side view seen from the right side of the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, and shows a state where the front door 3 is opened.

  In the present embodiment, the projector unit 1 is provided below the operation unit 2 on the front side of the image forming apparatus 100. In the present embodiment, the projector 11 is housed inside the cover of the apparatus main body 101 below the operation unit 2, the reflection mirror 12 is housed in the lower part of the cover of the operation unit 2, and is projected on the lower part of the cover of the operation unit 2. A mouth 14 is formed. In the present embodiment, the projection port 14 is provided on the right side of the center in the left-right direction when the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the front side. In the present embodiment, the light projected upward by the projector 11 is reflected by the reflecting mirror 12 so that the light is projected downward through the projection port 14. Thereby, also in this embodiment, the projector unit 1 can simultaneously project the operation guidance from above on a plurality of projection targets provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus 100.

  In this embodiment, the projection port 14 of the projector unit 1 is disposed on the left side of the discharge tray 111 when the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the front side. Therefore, in this embodiment, the visibility of the sheet S discharged onto the discharge tray 111 when the operation guide is projected by the projector unit 1 is better than that in the first embodiment.

[Example 3]
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The basic configuration and operation of the image forming apparatus of this embodiment are the same as those of the first and second embodiments. Therefore, in the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, elements having the same or corresponding functions or configurations as those of the image forming apparatuses according to the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment and detailed description thereof will be given. Omitted.

  FIG. 7A is a front view of the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment. FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view as viewed from the right side of the image forming apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment, showing a state in which the sheet storage unit 131 is pulled out.

  In the present embodiment, the projector unit 1 is provided at the front end of the discharge tray 111. In the present embodiment, the projector 11 and the reflection mirror 12 are accommodated in a projector cover 13 provided on the front side of the discharge tray 111 whose upper surface constitutes a part of the discharge tray 111, and projection is performed on the projector cover 13. A mouth 14 is formed. In the present embodiment, the projection port 14 is provided at the approximate center in the left-right direction when the image forming apparatus 100 is viewed from the front side. In the present embodiment, the light projected forward from the projector 11 is turned back by the reflection mirror 12 so that the light is projected downward through the projection port 14. Thereby, also in this embodiment, the projector unit 1 can simultaneously project the operation guidance from above on a plurality of projection targets provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus 100.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the projector unit 1 projects light below the discharge tray 111, and the projection port 14 of the projector unit 1 is disposed at substantially the same height as the discharge tray 111. ing. Here, the fact that the projection port 14 is substantially the same height as the discharge tray 111 is not limited to being completely the same height. For example, at least one of the casing in which the projection port 14 is formed and the discharge tray 111 is used. When the portions overlap in the vertical direction, it is considered that the height is substantially the same.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, even when the operator is working while sitting, the projection port 14 of the projector unit 1 is below the operator's line of sight. Therefore, in this embodiment, the operator who is sitting is less likely to be dazzled by the light from the projector unit 1 than in the first and second embodiments.

[Others]
As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated according to the specific Example, this invention is not limited to the above-mentioned Example.

  As the projection target provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus, the following is exemplified in the above-described embodiment. The outside of the door member that can be opened to the front side of the image forming apparatus (the outer surface and handle of the front door 3, the small door 8, and the collection door 10). The inside of the door member (the front surface of the front door 3 and the collection door 10 and the screen). The outside of the housing member that can be pulled out to the front side of the image forming apparatus (the outer surface or handle of the sheet housing portion 131). The inside of the storage member in the state where the storage member is pulled out (inside the sheet storage portion 131). The stored item (sheet S in the sheet storage unit 131) stored in the storage member in a state in which the storage member is pulled out. Consumables (toner cartridge 127, cartridge handle 7) that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus with the door member opened. An operated portion (small door 8) that is operated for attaching and detaching consumables in a state where the door member is opened. Floor surface F on the front side of the image forming apparatus. In addition to these, for example, the following can be further exemplified. Consumables that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus with the door member opened (drum unit 201, developing unit 202, and collection container 128). A sheet conveying unit (a sheet conveying path, a conveying member, etc.) in a state where the door member is opened. An operated portion (such as a lever or a knob for moving the sheet conveyance path or moving (rotating) the conveyance member) operated to remove the sheet from the sheet conveyance unit. A sheet (such as a recording paper in which a paper jam has occurred) in the sheet conveyance unit in a state where the door member is opened. Note that the plurality of projection targets that can simultaneously project the operation guidance may be one of the above examples.

  In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to a color image forming apparatus including a plurality of image forming units. However, the present invention is an image forming apparatus for a single color (for example, black) including a single image forming unit. The same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Projector unit 2 Operation part 3 Front door 4 Front door handle 9 Inside of front door 7 Cartridge handle 8 Small door 6 Storage part handle 10 Collection door 100 Image forming apparatus S Sheet

Claims (11)

In an image forming apparatus, comprising: an apparatus main body provided with an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; and an operation unit that is provided outside the apparatus main body and inputs an instruction regarding an operation of the image forming unit.
When the side surface side on which the operation unit is arranged is the front side of the image forming apparatus, a plurality of projection targets arranged on the front side of the image forming apparatus are connected to the front side of the image forming apparatus and the projection target. An image forming apparatus comprising: a projection unit that projects an operation guide from a projection unit disposed above.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projection unit is arranged so that operation guidance can be simultaneously projected onto the plurality of projection targets.   In the depth direction when the image forming apparatus is viewed from the front side, the projection unit completely hides another projection target by a shadow of one projection target among the plurality of projection targets from which operation guidance can be simultaneously projected. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is disposed at a position where no problem occurs.   In the left-right direction when the image forming apparatus is viewed from the front side, the projection unit completely hides another projection target by the shadow of one projection target among the plurality of projection targets on which the operation guidance can be simultaneously projected. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is disposed at a position where no problem occurs.   The projection target is the outside of a door member that can be opened to the front side of the image forming apparatus, the inside of the door member, the outside of a housing member that can be pulled out to the front side of the image forming apparatus, and the housing member pulled out. An inside of the housing member in a state, an accommodation housed in the housing member in a state in which the housing member is pulled out, a consumable that can be attached to and detached from the image forming apparatus in a state in which the door member is opened, To be operated to attach / detach the consumable item when the door member is opened, a sheet conveying unit that conveys a sheet when the door member is opened, and for removing a sheet from the sheet conveying unit The operated part, the sheet in the sheet conveying part in a state where the door member is opened, or the floor surface on the front side of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to any one of 1 to 4.   The consumable is a cartridge containing a developer used in the image forming unit, a unit including a photoconductor used in the image forming unit, or a collection for collecting waste discharged from the image forming unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus is a container.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the storage member is a sheet storage unit in which a sheet is stored.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projection unit projects light downward from the operation unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the projection unit is disposed at substantially the same height as the operation unit.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the projection unit projects light downward from a stacking unit on which a sheet on which an image is formed by the image forming unit is stacked. .   The image forming apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the projection unit is disposed at substantially the same height as the stacking unit.

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