JP2021015204A - Universal coupling, image display device, and image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a universal coupling and an image display device that can change the direction of display means, compared with a case where the display means is provided fixed to an apparatus body.SOLUTION: An image display device comprises: display means that can be attached with a described universal coupling such that its angle can be freely changed; first driving means 40 that drives to change the angle of the display means along a first direction with the universal coupling as a fulcrum; and second driving means 50 that drives to change the angle of the display means with the universal coupling as the fulcrum along a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The image display device comprises a first positioning unit that performs positioning on both sides along the intersecting direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to universal joints, image display devices and image forming devices.

Conventionally, in the device such as an image forming apparatus, in order to improve the convenience when the user uses the device, it has already been proposed that the user can visually confirm the information on the state of the image forming apparatus from a distance. (Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 1 includes an image forming device, a display device, and an information processing device, and transmits state data indicating the state of the image forming device to the image forming device before the image forming device goes into sleep mode. The transmission means is provided, and the information processing device is configured to be provided with a receiving means for receiving the state data and a display control means for displaying a state screen indicating the state on the display device based on the state data. It was done.

JP-A-2018-134850

An object of the present invention is to provide a universal joint and an image display device capable of changing the orientation of the display means as compared with the case where the display means is fixedly provided on the main body of the device.

The invention according to claim 1 comprises a fixing means fixed at a mounting position and a fixing means.
A first joint means provided so that the angle can be changed in the first direction with respect to the fixing means, and
A second joint means provided so that the angle can be changed in the second direction with respect to the first joint means, and
It is a universal joint provided with.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the fixing means and the first joint means, and the first joint means and the second joint means have a recess in which one is formed of a curved surface and the other. The universal joint according to claim 1, wherein is composed of a curved surface fitted into the concave portion and has a convex portion whose angle is changed by rotating the curved surface in contact with the curved surface of the one concave portion.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the fixing means and the first joint means, and the first joint means and the second joint means are fitted into the recess formed by the curved surface and the recess. The first and second directions, which are provided on the convex portion formed of the curved surface to be combined, and which regulate the directions in which the angles are changed by being relatively engaged with the first direction and the second direction, respectively. The universal joint according to claim 2, which has a regulation portion of the above.

In the invention described in claim 4, the fixing means is formed in a short cylindrical shape having a recess on the surface.
The first joint means is formed in a substantially dish shape having a convex portion fitted into the concave portion of the fixing means on the back surface thereof and having a concave portion on the front surface thereof.
According to claim 1, the second joint means has a convex portion on the back surface thereof that is fitted into a concave portion of the first joint means, and the front surface thereof is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape. The described universal joint.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the recesses of the fixing means and the first joint means are formed of curved surfaces.
The convex portion of the first and second joint means is composed of a curved surface that is fitted into the concave portion of the fixing means and the first joint means, and the curved surface comes into contact with the curved surface of the concave portion of the fixing means. The universal joint according to claim 4, wherein the angle is changed by rotating in a state.

The invention according to claim 6 comprises a display means for which the angle can be freely changed by the universal joint according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
A first driving means that drives the display means so as to change the angle along the first direction with the universal joint as a fulcrum.
A second driving means for driving the display means so as to change the angle of the display means along a second direction intersecting the first direction with the universal joint as a fulcrum.
It is a display device provided with.

The invention according to claim 7 comprises a detecting means for detecting the position of a user using the display means and a detecting means for detecting the position of the user.
A control means that controls the first and second drive means according to the detection result of the detection means, and
The display device according to claim 6, further comprising.

The invention according to claim 8, wherein the control means controls the first and second drive means so that the display surface of the display means faces the user. Is.

In the invention according to claim 9, in the first and second driving means, both ends of the first and second driving means along the first and second directions are fixed to the back surface of the display means with the universal joint interposed therebetween. 1st and 2nd drive wires
The first and second drive wires are arranged in the middle of the first and second drive wires, respectively, and the first and second drive wires are wound to the distance to one end and the other end in a state where the first and second drive wires are wound. Wire feeding means to send so that the distance of
The display device according to claim 6.

The invention according to claim 10 is the display device according to claim 9, wherein the first and second drive wires are provided with tension acting means for applying tension, respectively.

The invention according to claim 11 includes an image forming apparatus main body and an image forming apparatus main body.
A display device attached to the image forming apparatus main body and
With
An image forming apparatus using the display device according to any one of claims 6 to 10 as the display device.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there are a fixing means in which the universal joint is fixed at the mounting position, and a first joint means in which the angle of the universal joint can be changed in a first direction with respect to the fixing means. Compared with the case where the first joint means is not provided with the second joint means provided so that the angle can be changed in the second direction, the orientation of the member fixed to the second joint means can be simplified. It can be changed.

According to the invention described in claim 2, one of the fixing means and the first joint means, and the first joint means and the second joint means have a recess formed by a curved surface, and the other is a recess. Compared to the case where the curved surface is composed of curved surfaces that are fitted into the curved surface and the curved surface does not have a convex portion that changes the angle by rotating in contact with the curved surface of one concave portion, the concave portion and the convex portion composed of the curved surface The angle can be changed depending on the combination.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the direction of changing the angle is the first direction as compared with the case where the concave portion and the convex portion formed of the curved surface are not provided with the first and second restricting portions, respectively. And can be easily regulated in the second direction.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, when the fixing means is formed in a short cylindrical shape, the first joint means is formed in a substantially dish shape, and the second joint means is not formed in a substantially hemispherical shape. In comparison, the universal joint can be miniaturized.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the concave portion of the fixing means and the first joint means is formed of a curved surface, and the convex portion of the first and second joint means is a curved surface fitted into the concave portion. It is possible to smoothly change the angles of the first and second joint means as compared with the case where they are not configured.

According to the invention described in claim 6, the orientation of the display means can be changed as compared with the case where the display means is fixedly provided on the main body of the device.

According to the invention described in claim 7, a detection means for detecting the position of a user using the display means and a control means for controlling the first and second drive means according to the detection result of the detection means. The orientation of the display means can be changed automatically as compared with the case where the display means is not provided.

According to the invention described in claim 8, the control means provides the display means to the user as compared with the case where the first and second drive means are not controlled so that the display surface of the display means faces the user. Can be changed automatically towards.

According to the invention described in claim 9, in the first and second changing means, both ends along the first and second directions of the universal joint are fixed to the back surface of the display means, respectively. The first and second drive wires are arranged between the first and second drive wires and the first and second drive wires, respectively, and the first and second drive wires are wound up to one end in a state where the first and second drive wires are wound. Compared with the case where there is no wire feeding means for feeding so that the distance and the distance to the other end change, the first and second changing means can be easily configured.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the first and second drive wires are loosened as compared with the case where the first and second drive wires are not provided with the tension acting means for applying tension, respectively. It is possible to suppress delays in changing the orientation of the display means and insufficient variation in orientation.

According to the invention described in claim 11, the orientation of the display means can be changed as compared with the case where the display device according to any one of claims 6 to 10 is not used as the display device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective configuration diagram showing an overall outline of an image forming apparatus to which the image display apparatus according to the first embodiment is applied. FIGS. (A) and (b) are schematic views showing the relationship between the user and the image forming apparatus to which the image display device according to the first embodiment is applied, and FIG. 3C is an explanation showing the viewing angle of the display panel. It is a figure. It is a perspective view which shows the front cover. It is a perspective block diagram which shows the 1st and 2nd drive mechanism. It is an exploded perspective view which shows the universal joint which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the universal joint which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the operation of the universal joint which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a perspective block diagram which shows the 1st and 2nd drive mechanism enlarged. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the operation of the 1st and 2nd drive mechanisms. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the face recognition sensor. It is a block diagram which shows the control apparatus of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the control operation of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the face of the user detected by the face recognition sensor. It is a schematic diagram which shows the position of a user's face detected by a face recognition sensor. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the operation of the image forming apparatus which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the operation of the 1st and 2nd drive mechanisms. It is a perspective view which shows the state which changed the angle of the display panel. It is sectional drawing which shows the universal joint which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 shows an overall outline of an image forming apparatus to which the universal joint and the image display apparatus according to the first embodiment are applied. In the figure, the arrow X indicates the depth direction along the horizontal direction, Y indicates the width line direction along the horizontal direction, and Z indicates the vertical direction.

<Overall configuration of image forming apparatus>
The image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment is configured as, for example, a color printer adopting an electrophotographic method. As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 1a composed of a frame, an exterior cover, and the like. An image forming means (not shown) including a plurality of image forming devices and intermediate transfer devices for forming a toner image developed by toner constituting a developer is arranged in the upper portion 2 of the apparatus main body 1a. .. In the lower part 3 of the apparatus main body 1a, a plurality of (four in the illustrated example) paper feed trays 4a to accommodate recording paper as an example of recording media of various sizes and materials in which an image is formed by an image forming means. 4d is provided.

Further, an image reading device 5 as an example of an image reading means for reading an image of a document forming an image in the image forming device 1 is arranged at an upper end portion of the device main body 1a of the image forming device 1. The front side (front side) of the image reading device 5 constitutes an operation panel 6 which is a user interface (UI) operated by a user who uses the image forming device 1. Further, between the upper portion 2 of the apparatus main body 1a and the image reading apparatus 5, an in-body ejection type paper ejection unit 7 for ejecting recording paper (not shown) on which an image is formed by an image forming means is provided. On one side (left side in the illustrated example) of the upper portion 2 of the apparatus main body 1a, a recording paper (not shown) on which an image is formed by an image forming means is ejected to a paper ejection unit 7 with the image reading apparatus 5. A paper transport unit 8 is arranged.

<Configuration of image display device>
The image forming apparatus 1 is installed not only in general offices but also in various places such as convenience stores, hospitals, and government offices in the city, and can be used for copying manuscripts, printing image information, and reading image information of fax machines and manuscripts. It is used as a multifunctional device that fulfills various functions.

The image forming apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment pays attention to the characteristics as a multifunctional apparatus installed in various places in this way, and provides information on the image forming apparatus 1 to the apparatus main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1. Not only for news and weather forecasts, but also for users (users) who use the image forming device 1 for information, advertisements, advertisements, etc., and for users in a broad sense around the image forming device 1. It can be used as a so-called "Digital Signage" that has a function as an image display device that displays and provides information.

As shown in FIG. 1, a front cover 10 as an example of an opening / closing means for covering the upper portion 2 in which the image forming means is built is provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 so as to be openable / closable. The image forming apparatus 1 is used when exchanging a toner cartridge containing toner of each color of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) for forming a full-color image, or when forming an image. The front cover 10 is opened and closed when necessary, such as when a jam such as a paper jam of recording paper occurs in the means.

A display panel 20 as an example of the display means is attached to the surface of the front cover 10 toward the front, which is one side surface of the apparatus main body 1a. The display panel 20 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display of about 15.6 inches, an organic EL (Electronic Luminescent) display, or the like. The display panel 20 displays an image including various information as well as image information related to the image forming apparatus 1.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 2, the image displayed on the display panel 20 is useful to the user U by itself, but the image forming apparatus 1 to which the display panel 20 is attached and the user U When the user U is fixed regardless of the positional relationship between the two, the position of the eyes of the user U and the vertical direction of the display panel 20 and the vertical direction of the display panel 20, such as when the user U is positioned diagonally forward of the device main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1. The angles θ and θ'with one end along the horizontal direction become small, and it may be difficult for the user U to visually recognize the image displayed on the display panel 20.

Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the image forming apparatus 1 to which the image displaying apparatus according to the first embodiment is applied includes a display panel 20 attached by a universal joint 30 so that the angle can be freely changed. The first drive mechanism 40 as an example of the first drive means for driving the display panel 20 so as to change the angle of the display panel 20 along the first direction with the universal joint 30 as a fulcrum, and the display panel 20 with the universal joint 30 as a fulcrum. The second drive mechanism 50 as an example of the second drive means for driving to change the angle of the first direction along the second direction intersecting the first direction is provided.

Further, in the first embodiment, the face authentication sensor 70 as an example of the detection means for detecting the position of the user U using the display panel 20 (particularly the position of the face) and the detection result of the face authentication sensor 70 It is configured to include a control unit 101 (see FIG. 11) as an example of the control means for controlling the first and second drive mechanisms 40 and 50 accordingly.

As shown in FIG. 3, the surface of the front cover 10 is provided with a front rectangular recess 11 for mounting the display panel 20 in a housed state. The recess 11 of the front cover 10 is formed in a front rectangular shape that is one size larger than the front shape of the display panel 20. Further, the recess 11 of the front cover 10 has a depth larger than the thickness of the display panel 20. The surface of the display panel 20 is arranged so as to form the same surface as the surface of the front cover 10 or slightly project to the front side from the surface of the front cover 10 while being housed in the recess 11 of the front cover 10. ing.

As shown in FIG. 4, the recess 11 of the front cover 10 is configured by attaching a recess forming member 13 having the recess 11 formed from the surface side to the opening 12 of the front cover 10. As shown in FIG. 3, a display panel 20 is attached to the recess 11 of the front cover 10 via a universal joint 30 whose angle can be freely changed at the center of the inner surface of the recess forming member 13.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the universal joint 30 is attached to the fixing member 31 as an example of the fixing means fixed to the inner surface of the recess 11 which is the mounting position of the display panel 20, and the fixing member 31. The first joint member 32 as an example of the first joint means provided so that the angle can be changed in the horizontal direction (Y direction), which is the first direction, and the first direction with respect to the first joint member 32. It has a second joint member 33 as an example of a second joint means provided so that the angle can be changed in the vertical direction (Z direction) which is the second direction intersecting with. The fixing member 31, the first joint member 32, and the second joint member 33 are each formed by, for example, integral molding using a synthetic resin or the like.

One of the fixing member 31 and the first joint member 32 (fixing member 31 in the illustrated example) has a recess 312 having a curved surface, and the other (the first joint member 32 in the illustrated example) has a recess 312. It has a convex portion 321 formed of a curved surface fitted to the above. The first joint member 32 rotates with respect to the fixing member 31 in a state where the convex portion 321 is in contact with the curved surface of the concave portion 312 of the fixing member 31 along the horizontal direction (Y direction) which is the first direction. It is configured so that the angle can be changed. The first joint member 32 may be provided with a concave portion, and the fixing member 31 may be provided with a convex portion.

Similarly, the first joint member 32 and the second joint member 33 have a recess 323 in which one (the first joint member 32 in the illustrated example) is formed of a curved surface and the other (in the illustrated example, the first joint member 32). The joint member 33) of 2 has a convex portion 331 formed of a curved surface that is fitted into the concave portion 323. The second joint member 33 is rotated with respect to the first joint member 32 in a state where the convex portion 331 is in contact with the curved surface of the concave portion 323 of the first joint member 32, so that the second joint member 33 is in the vertical direction (second direction). It is configured so that the angle can be changed along the Z direction). The second joint member 33 may be provided with a concave portion, and the first joint member 32 may be provided with a convex portion.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the fixing member 31 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape having a short length along the X direction, which is the depth direction in the horizontal direction. The back surface 311 of the fixing member 31 is formed of a front circular flat surface along the Y direction and the Z direction intersecting the X direction. The back surface 311 of the fixing member 31 serves as a mounting surface for mounting the universal joint 30 at a desired position. The back surface 311 of the fixing member 31 is attached to the bottom surface of the recess 11 which is the inner surface of the recess forming member 13 of the front cover 10 in a state of being fixed by means such as adhesive or adhesive, or screwing. Be done.

Further, on the surface of the fixing member 31, a recess 312 formed of a curved surface forming a part of a spherical shape having an axis in the same direction as the X direction of the fixing member 31 is provided. The recess 312 is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape. The recess 312 of the fixing member 31 is provided with a first elongated hole 313 formed elongated along the horizontal direction (Y direction). The first elongated hole 313 has a required length along the horizontal direction (Y direction) intersecting the X direction of the fixing member 31, and in the vertical direction (Z direction) intersecting the X direction of the fixing member 31. It has a required opening width along the line and a required depth (depth) along the X direction of the fixing member 31.

On the back surface of the first joint member 32, a convex portion 321 formed of a curved surface forming a part of a spherical shape having an axis in the same direction as the X direction of the first joint member 32 is provided. .. The convex portion 321 of the first joint member 32 is provided with a first boss portion 322 formed elongated along the horizontal direction (Y direction). The first boss portion 322 has a required length along the horizontal direction (Y direction) that intersects the X direction of the first joint member 32, and is vertical that intersects the X direction of the first joint member 32. It has a required protrusion width along the direction (Z direction) and a required height along the X direction of the first joint member 32. The protruding width of the first boss portion 322 is set to be shorter than the opening width of the first elongated hole 313. As a result, the first boss portion 322 can move along the longitudinal direction (Y direction) inside the first elongated hole 313 and can hold the position after the movement. That is, the first boss portion 322 is movably fitted to the first elongated hole 313 with a certain amount of frictional resistance. The first boss portion 322 and the first elongated hole 313 form a first regulating portion that regulates the direction in which the angle is changed by being relatively engaged with the first boss portion 322 in the first direction.

On the surface of the first joint member 32, a recess 323 formed of a curved surface forming a part of a spherical shape having an axis in the same direction as the X direction of the first joint member 32 is provided. As a result, the first joint member 32 is formed in a substantially dish shape having a recess 323 on its surface. The recess 323 of the first joint member 32 is provided with a second boss portion 324 formed elongated along the vertical direction (Z direction) intersecting the X direction. The second boss portion 324 has a required length along the vertical direction (Z direction) of the first joint member 32, and has a horizontal direction (Y direction) intersecting the X direction of the first joint member 32. It has a required protrusion width along the line, and has a required protrusion height along the X direction of the first joint member 32. The surface 324a of the second boss portion 324 is formed in a concave shape formed by a curved surface forming a part of the spherical shape like the concave portion 323 of the first joint member 32.

The second joint member 33 is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape having a flat surface. On the back surface of the second joint member 33, a convex portion 331 formed of a curved surface forming a part of a spherical shape having an axis in the same direction as the X direction of the second joint member 33 is provided. .. The convex portion 331 of the second joint member 33 is provided with a second elongated hole 332 formed elongated along the vertical direction (Z direction) intersecting the X-axis direction. The second slot 332 has a required length along the vertical direction (Z direction) that intersects the X direction of the second joint member 33, and intersects the X-axis direction of the second joint member 33. It has a required opening width along the horizontal direction (Y-axis direction) and a required depth (depth) along the X direction of the second joint member 33. The opening width of the second elongated hole 332 is set to be longer than the protruding width of the second boss portion 324. Further, the opening width of the second elongated hole 332 is set to be slightly larger than the width of the second boss portion 324. As a result, the second boss portion 324 can move along the longitudinal direction inside the second elongated hole 332 and can hold the position after the movement. That is, the second boss portion 324 is movably fitted to the second elongated hole 332 with a certain amount of frictional resistance. The second boss portion 324 and the second elongated hole 332 form a second regulating portion that regulates the direction in which the angle is changed by being relatively engaged with each other in the second direction.

The surface of the second joint member 33 is formed as a front circular flat surface 333 along a direction intersecting the X direction. The surface 333 of the second joint member 33 serves as a mounting surface for mounting the display panel 20. The back surface of the display panel 20 is attached to the front surface 333 of the second joint member 33 in a state of being fixed by means such as adhesion via an adhesive or an adhesive. The means for attaching the display panel 20 to the surface of the second joint member 33 is not limited to means such as adhesion via an adhesive or an adhesive, and other means such as screwing may be used. Of course.

The display panel 20 is attached to the recess 11 of the front cover 10 of the apparatus main body 1a so that the angle can be freely adjusted (changeable) along the horizontal direction and the vertical direction by the universal joint 30 configured as described above. There is.

As shown in FIG. 7A, the universal joint 30 changes the mounting angle α of the first joint member 32 with respect to the fixing member 31 via the first boss portion 322 and the first elongated hole 313. By doing so, the mounting angle α of the first joint member 32 along the horizontal direction (Y direction) with respect to the fixing member 31 is adjusted.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, the universal joint 30 sets the mounting angle β of the second joint member 33 with respect to the first joint member 32 to the second boss portion 324 and the second elongated hole 332. By changing through the above, the mounting angle β of the second joint member 33 along the vertical direction (Z direction) with respect to the first joint member 32 is adjusted.

As a result, the display panel 20 attached to the second joint member 33 of the universal joint 30 is in the horizontal direction (Y direction) with respect to the front cover 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 to which the fixing member 31 of the universal joint 30 is attached. The mounting angles α and β can be freely changed within a predetermined range so as to be a desired angle along both the vertical direction (Z direction).

As shown in FIG. 2C, the liquid crystal display and the organic EL (Electronic Luminescent) display constituting the display panel 20 are in the horizontal direction (Y direction) and the vertical direction (Z) with respect to the perpendicular line drawn in the center of the surface. It has a so-called viewing angle, which indicates how much the image can be viewed without changing its brightness and color no matter how much the angle deviates along the direction). The viewing angle depends on the performance of the display panel 20, and the angle differs between the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, but it has a size of about 140 degrees. That is, in FIG. 2, when the user U having a height is located at a position away from the front of the display panel 20, the image displayed on the display panel 20 is easily viewed with respect to the display panel 20. Of the angles formed by the face (eyes) of the user U, it is desirable that the angles θ and θ'{= (180 degrees-viewing angle) / 2} in the smaller direction be as large as possible.

On the back surface of the front cover 10, as shown in FIG. 4, from one end (right end in the drawing) along the horizontal direction (Y direction) of the front cover 10 to the back surface of the recess forming member 13. A flat plate-shaped mounting substrate 61 made of synthetic resin or the like for mounting the first and second drive mechanisms 40 and 50 arranged so as to extend is provided. The mounting substrate 61 is arranged so as to cover the back surface of the recess forming member 13 by about 1/2 to 2/3. Further, on the back surface of the recess forming member 13 and the mounting board 61, a drive board 62 made of a metal plate or the like for mounting the first and second drive mechanisms 40 and 50 is provided. The drive board 62 is recessed with respect to the first drive unit 621 mounted on the back surface side of the recess forming member 13 and the first drive unit 621 on the back surface of the recess forming member 13 and the mounting substrate 61. It has a second drive unit 622 that is continuously provided via a step portion 623 located at the boundary between the forming member 13 and the mounting board 61 and is mounted on the back surface side of the mounting board 61.

As shown in FIG. 8, the first driving portion 621 of the driving board 62 is provided with a first mounting portion 624 projecting in a front rectangular shape above the first driving portion 621. A first drive motor 401 is attached to the first attachment portion 624 in the horizontal direction (Y direction). The first drive motor 401 includes a stepping motor and the like. A first drive pulley 402 as an example of the feeding means is provided on the drive shaft of the first drive motor 401 in a fixed state. Further, a coupling member 403 is attached to the drive shaft of the first drive motor 401 at a position on the proximal end side of the first drive pulley 402. A first drive wire 404 is wound around the first drive pulley 402.

The first mounting portion 624 has a first motor mounting plate 624a that is integrally formed on the side thereof (right side in the drawing) and is bent so as to intersect the back surface side. The first motor mounting plate 624a is provided with an insertion hole (not shown) for inserting a protruding portion protruding in a circular shape on the outer circumference of the drive shaft of the first drive motor 401. The first drive motor 401 is attached by fixing the side surface of the first drive motor 401 on the drive shaft side with a means such as screwing while the protruding portion is inserted into the insertion hole.

The first drive unit 621 of the drive board 62 is provided below the first drive motor 401 in a state in which the first pulley mounting portion 621a is bent so as to intersect the back surface side by punching. A first driven pulley 405 is rotatably attached to the first pulley mounting portion 621a. The lower end of the first drive wire 404 is wound around the first driven pulley 405. A coil spring 406 as an example of the tension acting means is connected to the lower end of the first drive wire 404. The ends of the coil spring 406 include an insertion hole 625 opened in the first drive portion 621 of the drive board 62 and the mounting board 61, and an insertion hole 132 opened in the recess forming member 13 (FIG. 3B). (See), as shown in FIG. 9A, the display panel 20 is fixed to the fixing portion 201 provided in an upright state on the back surface.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a second pulley mounting portion 131a is integrally formed at the upper end portion at the substantially center of the recess forming member 13. A second driven pulley 407 is rotatably attached to the second pulley attachment portion 131a. The upper end of the first drive wire 404 is wound around the second driven pulley 407. The upper end of the first drive wire 404 is wound around the second driven pulley 407 and then passed through an insertion hole 133 (see FIG. 3B) opened in the recess forming member 13, FIG. As shown in the above, the display panel 20 is fixed to the fixing portion 202 provided in an upright state on the back surface. A coil spring as an example of the tension acting means is not connected to the upper end of the first drive wire 404 due to the installation space.

As shown in FIG. 8, the second drive unit 622 of the drive board 62 is provided with a second mounting portion 626 below the notch portion notched in a front rectangular shape in the center thereof. A second drive motor 501 is attached to the second attachment portion 626 so as to face upward along the vertical direction (Z direction). The second drive motor 501 includes a stepping motor and the like. A second drive pulley 502 as an example of the feeding means is provided on the drive shaft of the second drive motor 501 in a fixed state. Further, a coupling member 503 is attached to the drive shaft of the second drive motor 501 at a position on the proximal end side of the second drive pulley 502. A second drive wire 504 is wound around the second drive pulley 502.

The second drive unit 622 has a second motor mounting plate 626a that is bent so as to intersect the back surface side in the notch portion thereof. The second motor mounting plate 626a is provided with an insertion hole 626b through which a protruding portion 501a protruding in a circular shape is inserted on the outer periphery of the drive shaft of the second drive motor 501. The second drive motor 501 is attached by fixing the side surface of the second drive motor 501 on the drive shaft side with a means such as screwing while the protruding portion 501a is inserted into the insertion hole 626b.

The first and second drive units 621 and 622 of the drive board 62 are bent so that the third and fourth pulley mounting portions 621b and 622a intersect with each other on both sides of the second drive motor 501. It is provided in a state. The third and fourth driven pulleys 505 and 506 are rotatably attached to the third and fourth pulley mounting portions 621b and 622a. The left end of the second drive wire 504 is wound around the third driven pulley 505. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, a coil spring 507 as an example of the tension acting means is connected to the left end of the second drive wire 504. The end portion of the coil spring 507 is formed in a fixed portion 203 provided in an upright state on the back surface of the display panel 20 via an insertion hole 134 (see FIG. 3B) opened in the recess forming member 13. It is fixed. On the other hand, a coil spring 508 as an example of the tension applying member is connected to the right end of the second drive wire 504. The end of the coil spring 508 is provided in an upright state on the back surface of the display panel 20 via an insertion hole 135 (see FIG. 3B) opened in the drive substrate 62 and the recess forming member 13. It is fixed to the fixed portion 204.

As shown in FIG. 10, the apparatus main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a face recognition sensor 70 as an example of a detecting means for detecting the position of the face F of the user U who uses the image forming apparatus 1. Has been done.

As the face recognition sensor 70, for example, first and second cameras 71 and 72 that capture an image of the periphery (front) of the apparatus main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 are used. As shown in FIG. 1, the first and second cameras 71 and 72 are built in the detection window 9 on the front surface of the paper transport unit 8 provided on one side (left side in the illustrated example) of the apparatus main body 1a. It is arranged in. The detection window 9 is composed of a deflection filter or the like so that the outside can be seen from the inside but the inside cannot be seen from the outside. In the images captured by the first and second cameras 71 and 72, as shown in FIG. 10, the position of the face F of the user U is determined by image processing, and the user U with respect to the device main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 The direction (angle θ _U formed with the main body of the apparatus), height H (see FIG. 2A), and the like are measured by the measuring unit 111, which will be described later, using a triangular projection or the like.

The detection distance of the face recognition sensor 70 is at least 1 to 2 m, preferably 3 m or more. The image displayed on the display panel 20 includes various images for the purpose of advertising, advertising, etc., and is not limited to the user U who directly uses the image forming apparatus 1, but also passes through the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 1. It is desirable to widely detect the user U who may visually see the display panel 20 of the forming device 1 and display the image 21 on the display panel 20 according to the position of the user U. Even the user U who is 3 m or more away from the image forming apparatus 1 can be sufficiently visually recognized depending on the angle of the display panel 20, so that the detection distance of the face recognition sensor 70 is preferably 3 m or more.

<Control device configuration>
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a control device of the image forming apparatus 1 to which the image display apparatus according to the first embodiment is applied. The image forming apparatus 1 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, an operation / display unit 103, an image display unit 104 as an example of an image display device, an image storage unit 105, a communication unit 106, and an image reading unit. It includes 107, an image processing unit 108, an image forming unit 109, a person detecting unit 110, and a measuring unit 111. The control unit 101 and the units 102 to 111 are connected to each other via the bus 112.

The control unit 101, which functions as a control means for controlling the angle of the display panel 20, is a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), or a RAM (Random) (not shown) that collectively controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1. Access Memory) and the like are provided, and each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 is controlled by executing a program stored in the storage unit 102. The control unit 101 plays a role as a computer that executes a program stored in the storage unit 102.

The storage unit 102 includes a hard disk, various ROMs, RAMs, and the like, and stores programs, various programs, and data used by the control unit 101.

The operation / display unit 103 inputs information according to the operation of the user U to the control unit 101, and displays various information to the user U.

The image display unit 104 includes a display panel 20 and has a function of displaying various images on the display panel 20. The image displayed on the display panel 20 is selected and set according to, for example, a signal input from an external client device via the communication unit 106.

The image storage unit 105 stores image data including the image data of the image 21 to be displayed on the display panel 20. The image data stored in the image storage unit 105 may be stored in advance or may be received from the outside via the communication unit 106 and stored in the image storage unit 105.

The communication unit 106 is a communication interface connected to a communication line (not shown). The communication unit 106 communicates with a client device, another image forming device (both not shown), or the like via a communication line.

The image reading unit 107 reads the image of the original and generates image data. In this embodiment, the image reading unit 107 is configured by the image reading device 5.

The image processing unit 108 performs predetermined image processing, enlargement / reduction processing at a desired magnification, etc. on the image of the original document read by the image reading unit 107, the image stored in the image storage unit 105, and the like. Alternatively, various image processing such as continuous enlargement / reduction processing, image selection and position change are performed.

The image forming unit 109 as an example of the image forming means forms an image corresponding to the image data on a recording medium such as a recording paper. The image forming unit 109 is arranged inside the apparatus main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1, and forms an image by an electrophotographic method. Of course, the image forming unit 109 may form an image by another method.

The image forming apparatus 1 performs image reading processing, copy processing, printing processing, and facsimile transmission / reception processing. The image reading process is a process of reading an image of a document by an image reading device 5 and generating image data. The copy process is a process in which an image of a document is read by an image reading device 5 to generate image data, and an image is formed on a recording medium based on the image data. This copy process is performed by the image reading unit 107 and the image forming unit 109. The print process is a process of forming an image on a recording medium based on image data received from an externally provided client device. This printing process is performed by the communication unit 106 and the image forming unit 109. The print process also includes an operation of printing an image based on the image data stored in the image storage unit 105.

The facsimile transmission process refers to a process in which an image of a document is read by an image reading device 5 to generate image data, and the generated image data is transmitted to the facsimile device via a communication unit 106. This facsimile transmission process is performed by the image reading unit 107 and the communication unit 106. The facsimile reception process refers to a process of forming an image on a recording medium based on image data received from a facsimile machine. This facsimile reception process is performed by the communication unit 106 and the image forming unit 109.

The person detection unit 110 detects a person (user) existing around the device main body 1a of the image forming device 1. The human detection unit 110 is composed of a face recognition sensor 70 including a first camera 71 and a second camera 72.

In the first embodiment, it is basically assumed that one user U exists around the image forming apparatus 1 as a single user U, but even if there are a plurality of users U. Of course it's good. When a plurality of users U exist, they are identified by assigning convenient IDs such as U1, U2, etc. to the plurality of users U detected by the person detection unit 110, respectively. Then, the display panel 20 is directed toward the user U or the like who is the closest to the device main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 among the plurality of users U.

The measurement unit 111 determines the direction (angle θ _U ) of the face F of the user U from the device main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the position of the face F of the user U detected by the person detection unit 110. The position (height) H of the face F of the user U is measured.

<Operation of image forming device>
In the image forming apparatus 1 to which the image displaying apparatus according to the first embodiment is applied, as compared with the case where the display panel 20 is fixedly provided to the apparatus main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1, the display panel 20 is provided as follows. The orientation is changed.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the image forming apparatus 1, when the user U approaches the apparatus main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1 by the control unit 101, the face recognition sensor 70 moves around the apparatus main body 1a of the image forming apparatus 1. The user U in the room is detected, the face F of the user U is identified by the measuring unit 111 as shown in FIG. 13, and the direction of the face F of the user U and the position of the face F by the measuring unit 111 ( Height) H is measured (steps 101, 102).

Then, the control unit 101 responds to the direction (angle θ _U ) of the face F of the user U and the position (height) H of the face F from the device main body 1a of the image forming device 1 detected by the face recognition sensor 70. , The first and second drive motors 401 and 501 are controlled so that the face F of the user U is located at an arbitrary position (for example, the center) of the display panel 20, and the horizontal and vertical angles of the display panel 20. To adjust.

Specifically, when the control unit 101 measures the direction (angle θ _U ) of the face F of the user U and the position (height) of the face F, as shown in FIG. 14, the face F of the user U It is determined whether or not the position of is above the center of the screen of the display panel 20 (step 103).

Then, when the control unit 101 determines that the position of the face F of the user U is above the center of the screen of the display panel 20, the control unit 101 sets the first drive motor 401 in the required rotation direction and tilts the display panel 20 upward. It is driven by the required amount of rotation (step 104). When the first drive motor 401 is rotationally driven, the first drive wire 404 wound around the first drive pulley 402 attached to the drive shaft of the first drive motor 401 becomes the first drive motor. It is sent according to the rotation direction and rotation amount of 401.

As shown in FIG. 16, when the first drive wire 404 is sent downward in the drawing, the end portion of the first drive wire 404 connected to the center of the upper end portion of the display panel 20 is directed downward. Sent. At the same time, the lower end of the first drive wire 404 connected to the center of the lower end of the display panel 20 is fed downward and loosened from the first drive wire 404.

As a result, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 17 (a), the mounting angle of the display panel 20 is changed upward by a required angle along the vertical direction according to the feed amount of the first drive wire 404. To.

Further, when the control unit 101 measures the direction of the face F of the user U and the position (height) H of the face F, whether or not the position of the face F of the user U is to the left of the center of the screen of the display panel 20 is determined. Determine (step 105).

Then, when the control unit 101 determines that the position of the face F of the user U is to the left of the center of the screen of the display panel 20, the control unit 101 rotates the second drive motor 501 in the required rotation direction so as to tilt the display panel 20 to the left. And drive by the required amount of rotation (step 106). When the second drive motor 501 is rotationally driven, the second drive wire 504 wound around the second drive pulley 502 attached to the drive shaft of the second drive motor 501 is the first drive motor. It is sent according to the rotation direction and rotation amount of 401.

As shown in FIG. 16B, when the second drive wire 504 is sent to the right in the drawing, the end of the second drive wire 504 connected to the center of the left end of the display panel 20 is on the right. Will be sent to. At the same time, the right end of the second drive wire 504 connected to the center of the right end portion of the display panel 20 is sent to the right side of the second drive wire 504.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 17B, the display panel 20 is mounted to the left by a required angle along the horizontal direction according to the feed amount of the second drive wire 504 with the universal joint 30 as a fulcrum. The angle is changed.

Further, when the control unit 101 measures the direction of the face F of the user U and the position (height) H of the face F, whether or not the position of the face F of the user U is to the right of the center of the screen of the display panel 20 is determined. Determine (step 107).

Then, when the control unit 101 determines that the position of the face F of the user U is to the right of the center of the screen of the display panel 20, the control unit 101 rotates the second drive motor 501 in the required rotation direction so as to tilt the display panel 20 to the right. And drive by the required amount of rotation (step 108). When the second drive motor 501 is rotationally driven, the second drive wire 504 wound around the second drive pulley 502 attached to the drive shaft of the second drive motor 501 is the first drive motor. It is sent according to the rotation direction and rotation amount of 401.

As shown in FIG. 16B, when the second drive wire 504 is sent to the right in the drawing, the end of the second drive wire 504 connected to the center of the left end of the display panel 20 is on the right. Will be sent to. At the same time, the right end of the second drive wire 504 connected to the center of the right end portion of the display panel 20 is sent to the right side of the second drive wire 504.

As a result, the mounting angle of the display panel 20 is changed to the right by a required angle along the horizontal direction according to the feed amount of the second drive wire 504 with the universal joint 30 as a fulcrum.

Finally, the control unit 101 determines whether or not the position of the face F of the user U is in the center of the screen of the display panel 20 (step 109), and the position of the face F of the user U is the screen of the display panel 20. If it is determined that it is in the center, the process is terminated.

Further, when the control unit 101 determines that the position of the face F of the user U is not the center of the screen of the display panel 20, the control unit 101 returns to step 101 and executes the above-described operation again.

The control unit 101 does not necessarily have to perform the operations shown in steps 103 to 108 individually, and may execute the operations shown in steps 103 to 108 in parallel. Further, the control unit 101 does not necessarily have to control the position of the face F of the user U so as to be located at the center of the screen of the display panel 20, and the position of the face F of the user U is located at the center of the screen of the display panel 20. It may be controlled to be located in a close area.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the user U displays on the display panel 20 as compared with the case where the display panel 20 is fixedly attached to the front cover 10 of the image forming apparatus 1. The image to be displayed can be easily visually recognized, and the visibility of the display panel 20 is improved.

[Embodiment 2]
FIG. 18 shows a universal joint applied to the image display device according to the second embodiment. In the universal joint 30 according to the second embodiment, in order to reduce the sliding resistance between the fixing member and the first and second joint members, the universal joint 30 is located between the fixing member and the first joint member and first. A rolling element 341 to 344 such as a ball or a roller is interposed between the joint member of No. 1 and the second joint member, respectively.

The rolling elements 341 to 344 are rotatably housed in recesses provided in the fixing member 31 and the first joint member 32.

According to the universal joint 30 according to the second embodiment, it is possible to significantly reduce the sliding resistance when changing the angle of the display panel 20 or the like attached via the universal joint 30.

Since other configurations and operations are the same as those of the above-described embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

In the above embodiment, the face authentication sensor 70 is appropriately modified as long as it can detect the position of the face F of the user U in addition to the one including the first and second cameras. Can be used.

1 ... Image forming apparatus 1a ... Device main body 20 ... Display panel 30 ... Universal joint 31 ... Fixing member 32 ... First joint member 33 ... Second joint member 40 ... First drive mechanism 50 ... Second drive mechanism 101 ... Control unit 103 ... Operation / display unit 104 ... Image display unit

Claims (11)

Fixing means fixed at the mounting position and
A first joint means provided so that the angle can be changed in the first direction with respect to the fixing means, and
A second joint means provided so that the angle can be changed in the second direction with respect to the first joint means, and
Universal joint with. The fixing means and the first joint means, and the first joint means and the second joint means have a concave portion formed of one curved surface and the other is a curved surface fitted into the concave portion. The universal joint according to claim 1, further comprising a convex portion that is configured and whose angle is changed by rotating the curved surface in contact with the curved surface of one of the concave portions. The fixing means and the first joint means, and the first joint means and the second joint means are a concave portion formed of the curved surface and a convex portion formed of a curved surface fitted into the concave portion. The second aspect of claim 2 is provided with first and second regulating parts, which are provided on the respective parts and regulate the directions in which the angles are changed by being relatively engaged with each other in the first direction and the second direction, respectively. Universal joint. The fixing means is formed in a short cylindrical shape having a recess on the surface.
The first joint means is formed in a substantially dish shape having a convex portion fitted into the concave portion of the fixing means on the back surface thereof and having a concave portion on the front surface thereof.
According to claim 1, the second joint means has a convex portion on the back surface thereof that is fitted into a concave portion of the first joint means, and the front surface thereof is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape. The described universal joint. The recesses of the fixing means and the first joint means are formed of curved surfaces.
The convex portion of the first and second joint means is composed of a curved surface that is fitted into the concave portion of the fixing means and the first joint means, and the curved surface comes into contact with the curved surface of the concave portion of the fixing means. The universal joint according to claim 4, wherein the angle is changed by rotating in a state. A display means that can be attached so that the angle can be freely changed by the universal joint according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
A first driving means that drives the display means so as to change the angle along the first direction with the universal joint as a fulcrum.
A second driving means for driving the display means so as to change the angle of the display means along a second direction intersecting the first direction with the universal joint as a fulcrum.
A display device comprising. A detection means that detects the position of a user who uses the display means, and
A control means that controls the first and second drive means according to the detection result of the detection means, and
The display device according to claim 6, further comprising. The display device according to claim 7, wherein the control means controls the first and second drive means so that the display surface of the display means faces the user. The first and second drive means include first and second drive wires in which both ends along the first and second directions of the universal joint are fixed to the back surface of the display means, respectively. ,
The first and second drive wires are arranged in the middle of the first and second drive wires, respectively, and the first and second drive wires are wound to the distance to one end and the other end in a state where the first and second drive wires are wound. Wire feeding means to send so that the distance of
The display device according to claim 6. The display device according to claim 9, wherein the first and second drive wires are provided with tension acting means for exerting tension, respectively. Image forming device body and
A display device attached to the image forming apparatus main body and
With
An image forming apparatus using the display device according to any one of claims 6 to 10 as the display device.

Images