JP4241019B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms a visible image on a recording medium, and relates to an image forming apparatus that can be suitably used even in a state where an operator is standing or in a state where the operator is seated in a wheelchair or the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, people with physical disabilities have become active in society, and this has led to opportunities for wheelchair users to use image forming devices such as copiers, printers, and facsimiles while sitting in wheelchairs in offices, etc. It is increasing.
[0003]
Normally, the operator operates the image forming apparatus while standing in front of the housing. However, when the wheelchair user operates the image forming apparatus while sitting on the wheelchair, the operator faces the front of the housing. Since the leg rest of the wheelchair protrudes forward, the distance between the upper body of the operator and the image forming apparatus is increased. In addition, since the position of the upper body is low when sitting, the image reading unit and the operation unit provided above the housing are difficult to see. For this reason, it becomes difficult for the operator to reach the operation unit while sitting down, or to set an original on the image reading unit.
[0004]
In view of such a situation, as an image forming apparatus having good operability for wheelchair users, the display panel of the operation unit is made larger than usual, and the operation unit is installed so as to protrude from the front surface of the housing. There is known a configuration in which the installation angle of the part can be changed downward (see Patent Document 1 below). In addition, there is known one in which a concave kick-in portion is formed at a predetermined position of a pedestal portion on which the image forming apparatus is placed (see Patent Document 2 below). In these apparatuses, the footrest part of a wheelchair can be penetrated under the operation part. For this reason, the position of the operator is hardly restricted by the footrest portion of the wheelchair, and the operation can be easily performed by approaching the operation portion.
[0005]
On the other hand, an image reading unit and an operation unit that are supported by a support member so as to be movable in the vertical direction are known (see Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4 below). Further, there is known a device in which an elevating device is provided at a lower portion of the apparatus main body, and the apparatus main body moves in the vertical direction by driving the elevating apparatus (see Patent Document 5 below). In these apparatuses, the image reading unit and the operation unit can be moved downward so that an operator who is sitting can easily operate.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-119498 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-6-148960 [Patent Document 3]
JP 2001-160883 A [Patent Document 4]
JP 2001-326770 A [Patent Document 5]
JP-A-7-157140 [0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above apparatus has the following problems.
In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, since the operation unit protrudes to the front of the housing, the image forming apparatus is discharged when the installation space of the apparatus increases or a paper discharge tray is provided below the image reading unit. It becomes difficult to remove the recording paper. Further, when the operator is positioned in front of the operation unit, the distance to the document placement table becomes long, and it becomes difficult to place the document on the document placement table. Further, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 2, the apparatus is increased in size to form the kick-in portion, and the storage space for the recording paper is limited.
[0008]
On the other hand, in the image forming apparatuses described in Patent Document 3 and Patent Document 4, in order to move the operation unit and the image reading unit in the vertical direction, the length of the support member must be adjusted while supporting these weights. For this reason, it is not realistic to perform such a work every time an operator, a child, or the like who is sitting in a wheelchair or who is incapable of finger movement uses it. Further, in the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 5, the use of the lifting device increases the size of the apparatus and increases the cost.
[0009]
The invention according to the present application has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus that is easy to operate for a seated operator such as a wheelchair user with a simple configuration. That is.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an invention according to claim 1 includes an image reading unit that reads image information from a document and converts the image information into an image signal, and an image forming unit that forms a visible image on a recording sheet based on the image signal. The image reading unit is provided at the top, and an operation unit for inputting an operation signal of the image forming device is provided in front of the image reading unit, and the image reading unit The operation unit is supported so as to be able to move forward, and the operation unit is connected to the image reading unit at the rear, and can be rotated around a horizontal axis. There is provided an image forming apparatus characterized in that, as the image reading unit moves forward with respect to the image forming unit, the front portion of the operation unit is lowered to change the inclination angle .
[0011]
An operator seated in a wheelchair or the like is positioned so as to face the front of the apparatus main body, and moves the image reading unit and the operation unit forward, thereby allowing the image reading unit and the operation unit to approach the operator. it can. Thereby, even if the footrest part of the wheelchair protrudes forward, the operator can approach the image reading part and the operation part and easily perform operations, document setting, and the like.
[0012]
Since the rear part of the operation unit is connected to the image reading unit, they can be simultaneously moved forward. Then, the operation part rotates around the axis of the connected part and tilts so that the front part descends, so that the operation part approaches the operator, and the operator and height The tilt angle is easy to operate for a low operator or easy to see the display on the operation unit. For this reason, even an operator whose position of the upper body is low can be suitably operated.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus further includes a support member coupled to the operation unit, and the support member contacts a housing in which the image formation unit is accommodated. The image reading unit moves along the housing when moving forward, and the inclination angle of the operation unit varies depending on the shape of the portion of the housing in contact with the support member .
[0014]
In the image forming apparatus, when the operator pulls the image reading unit and the operation unit forward, they approach the operator, and the operation unit is interlocked and gradually changes to an inclination angle that is easy for the operator to see. .
[0015]
The invention according to claim 3 is an image forming apparatus including an image reading unit that reads image information from a document and converts the image information into an image signal, and an image forming unit that forms a visible image on a recording sheet based on the image signal. The image reading unit is provided at the top, an operation unit for inputting an operation signal of the image forming apparatus is provided in front of the image reading unit, and the image reading unit and the operation unit are The operation part is supported by a connection support member, and the connection support member is supported at a position that is behind the operation part and at a right angle to the front-rear direction. A shaft is rotatably connected to the image reading unit, and the connection support member rotates about the support shaft as the image reading unit moves forward relative to the image forming unit. To provide an image forming apparatus, wherein by the operation unit is one that changes the inclination angle with lowered.
[0016]
Since the operation unit moves downward as it moves forward, the operation unit is easy to see and operate for a sitting operator or a short operator. Further, since the image reading unit moves forward, the seated operator can approach the image reading unit in a state where the operator is positioned to face the front surface of the apparatus main body.
[0017]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image forming apparatus according to the third aspect, the connection support member contacts a housing in which the image forming unit is accommodated, and the image reading unit moves forward. It moves along a housing, The operation part descends according to the shape of the part which the support member of the housing contacts, and the inclination angle shall change .
[0018]
In conjunction with the forward movement of the image reading unit, the connection support member moves along the stationary part of the image forming apparatus, and the connection support member rotates to move the operation unit downward. Thereby, it becomes easy for the operator whose position of the upper body is low to see the operation unit, and the operation becomes easy.
[0019]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the image forming apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects further includes a drive motor that moves the image reading unit and the operation unit forward.
[0020]
Even an operator who is difficult to draw the image reading unit and the operation unit by his / her own power, such as a wheelchair user or a child, can be easily moved forward by the drive motor.
[0021]
The invention according to claim 6 is the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the lever is movable back and forth, the operation of the lever, the image reading unit, and the operation unit. And an interlocking mechanism that interlocks the movement of the image reading unit and the interlocking mechanism so that the image reading unit and the operation unit move forward when the lever moves backward.
[0022]
It may be difficult for an operator or the like who is sitting in a wheelchair or who is unable to move a finger to pull out the image reading unit and the operation unit forward, but in the image forming apparatus, the lever is moved backward. That is, the image reading unit and the operation unit can be moved forward by pressing. In addition, the image reading unit or the operation unit can be returned to the original position by directly pushing it back.
[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention according to the present application will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an image forming apparatus which is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 1 or claim 2 .
In the image forming apparatus, a housing 1 forms a toner image based on an image signal and fixes the image on the recording paper, and a recording paper storage unit that sequentially supplies the recording paper to the image forming unit 2 3, an image reading unit 4 that reads an image of a document is provided at the top of the housing 1, and an operation unit 5 that operates an image forming operation is provided in front of the image reading unit 4.
[0024]
The image forming unit 2 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum with image light based on the image signal generated by the image reading unit 4 or an image signal input from the outside, and causes latent surface due to a difference in electrostatic potential on the surface. An image is formed and the latent image is visualized by selective adhesion of toner to form a toner image. Then, the toner image is transferred and fixed to the recording paper conveyed from the recording paper storage unit 3 to form an image.
[0025]
A plurality of the recording paper storage units 3 are arranged in the vertical direction, and recording papers of different sizes are stored therein. Then, the recording paper corresponding to the image size recognized by the image reading unit 1 or the image size input from the outside is sent from one of the recording paper storage units 3 to the image forming unit 2.
[0026]
The image reading unit 4 includes an original platen glass (not shown) and an original cover 4b covering the original platen glass, and irradiates the original placed on the original platen glass from below. Then, the reflected light is detected by a sensor and converted into an image signal.
[0027]
The operation unit 5 is provided with a display 5a and operation keys 5b. The display 5a displays the operation state of the image forming apparatus and operates the functions of the image forming apparatus as a copy, printer, or facsimile by pressing the screen with a finger. The operation key 5b includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, a numeric key, and the like, and operates an operation of the image forming apparatus. Information input in the operation unit 5 is transmitted to the image forming unit, whereby the image forming apparatus performs a predetermined operation.
[0028]
The image reading unit 4 and the operation unit 5 are movable forward of the housing 1, and this mechanism will be described with reference to FIGS.
A guide roll 4 a is provided at the bottom of the image reading unit 4, and the guide roll 4 a rolls back and forth along the guide rail 1 a provided on the housing 1. The operation unit 5 has a rear part connected to the front part of the image reading unit 4 and a shaft member 11, and can rotate around the axis of the shaft member 11. Further, a support member 12 is provided between the image reading unit 4 and the operation unit 5, and the support member 12 is a member in which two members are rotatably connected, and one end is the image reading unit 4. The other end is joined to the operation unit 5 so as to be rotatable. The connecting portion is provided with a position restricting roll 12a, and the position restricting roll 12a is formed on the housing 1 along the restricting surface 1b having a downward inclined portion at the front portion. Roll back and forth.
[0029]
The operation unit 5 is restrained from rotating by the support member 12 during normal use, and is supported at a predetermined angle with respect to the upper surface of the housing 1. On the other hand, when the image reading unit 4 and the operation unit 5 are pulled out to the front of the housing 1 along the guide rail 1a, the position restricting roll 12a of the support member 12 is moved forward along the restricting surface 1b. Furthermore, it moves downward along the inclined portion. As shown in FIG. 3, the support member 12 and the image reading unit 4 and the joint between the support member 12 and the operation unit 5 rotate, and the operation unit 5 is supported by the support member 12 while the shaft member 11 is supported. It rotates around the axis, the front part of the operation part 5 is lowered, and the inclination angle changes.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 3A, the image reading unit 4 and the operation unit 5 may be capable of being pulled out to a position where the position restricting roll 12a reaches the front end of the restricting surface 1b, or as shown in FIG. 3B. The position restricting roll 12a may be capable of being pulled out to a position ahead of the front end of the restricting surface 1b. In the latter case, when the position restricting roll 12a deviates from the guide of the restricting surface 1b, the operation portion 5 is not restricted by the support member 12 and is inclined until it becomes substantially vertical.
[0031]
In such an image forming apparatus, an operator seated in a wheelchair or the like is positioned so as to face the front of the apparatus main body, and moves the image reading unit and the operation unit forward, thereby moving the image reading unit and the operation unit. And the operation unit can be inclined at an easy-to-see angle. Then, it is possible to easily operate the operation unit and set a document on the image reading unit without being forced to take an unreasonable posture.
[0032]
FIG. 4 is a side view of an image forming apparatus which is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 3 or claim 4 .
As in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus includes an image forming unit 42 and a recording paper storage unit 43 housed in a housing 41, and an image reading unit 44 and an operation unit disposed above the housing 41. 45 are installed. The guide roll 44 a attached to the image reading unit 44 rolls along the guide rail 41 a formed on the housing 41, so that the image reading unit 44 and the operation unit 45 can move back and forth of the housing 41. Yes.
[0033]
The image reading unit 44 and the operation unit 45 are connected by a connection support member 46. The connection support member 46 has a bent portion at the center, the front end is joined to the operation unit 45, and the rear end is an image. It is joined to the reading part 44 so that rotation is possible. On the other hand, the housing 41 is formed with a regulating surface 42a having a downward inclined portion at the front portion of the housing 41, and the bent portion of the connection support member 46 slides along the regulating surface 42a.
[0034]
With such a configuration, when the image reading unit 44 is moved in front of the housing 41, the connection support member 46 descends along the inclined portion of the regulating surface 42a. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 5, the joint between the image reading unit 44 and the connection support member 46 is rotated, and the operation unit 45 is lowered. The operator can pull out the image reading unit 44 until the operation unit 45 reaches a desired height, and can comfortably use the operation unit 45 and the image reading unit 44 even when sitting down. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, it is desirable that the position where the operation unit 45 is lowered most is higher than the position of the upper surface of the uppermost tray 43 a of the recording paper storage unit 43, thereby lowering the operation unit 45. Even in this state, it is possible to supply paper.
[0035]
Figure 7 is a schematic perspective view and an enlarged cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention according to claim 6.
This image forming apparatus is obtained by adding a drive unit to the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4, and an endless belt 24a stretched in the front-rear direction of the housing 21 and a pulley 24b that supports the endless belt 24a. And a lever 24c for driving the endless belt 24a. The endless belt 24a is engaged with a connecting member 22a fixed to the image reading unit 22. The drive unit 24 is configured to drive the endless belt 24a by moving the lever 24c forward and backward of the housing. By pushing the lever 24c to the rear of the housing 21, the image reading unit 22 is moved forward of the housing 21. It is supposed to move.
[0036]
For an operator who sits in a wheelchair or has difficulty in finger movement, it may be difficult to pull the image reading unit 22 and the operation unit 23 forward. In this image forming apparatus, the operator is positioned in front of the housing 21 and can easily pull out the image reading unit 22 forward by pushing the lever 24c backward. Further, when the image reading unit 22 is returned to the rear, it can be returned to the original position by pushing the main body of the image reading unit 22 to the rear.
[0037]
In the drive unit 24, the lever 24c is provided and driven by the operator's force. Instead, the pulley 24b may be rotationally driven by a drive motor. An image forming apparatus provided with this drive motor is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 5 .
[0038]
FIG. 8A is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing another example of a drive unit that can be used in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.
The drive unit is provided at the bottom of the image reading unit 31 along the moving direction of the image reading unit 31 and is provided in parallel with the first rack 31a and moves in the axial direction thereof. A second rack 32 that is possible, a pinion 33 that is pivotally supported on the housing side and meshed with both the first rack 31a and the second rack 32, and an operator holds the second rack 32 The main part is comprised with the lever 34 for moving.
[0039]
In this drive unit, the pinion 33 is rotated by the movement of the second rack 32, and this rotational driving force is transmitted to the first rack 31a, so that the first rack 31a is driven in the front-rear direction. . Therefore, the operator can move the image reading unit 31 together with the first rack 31a to the front of the housing by pushing the lever 34 to the rear of the housing.
[0040]
Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, a drive motor 36 is disposed in place of the second rack 32 and the lever 34, and the pinion 33 is rotated by the drive motor 36, and the first rack 31a is rotated by this rotation. At the same time, the image reading unit 31 may be moved.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, the image reading unit and the operation unit are supported so as to be able to move forward, and the operator pulls them out while sitting, The image reading unit and the operation unit can be approached without being obstructed by the leg unit. In addition, when the operation unit moves forward, the front part descends and the angle is changed, or the operation unit moves downward, so that the operator who is seated is not forced to take an unreasonable posture. Operation and setting of a document on the image reading unit can be easily performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an image forming apparatus which is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 1 or claim 2 ;
2A and 2B are a front view and a side view of an image reading unit and an operation unit included in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.
3 is a diagram illustrating a moving mechanism of an image reading unit and an operation unit shown in FIG. 2. FIG.
FIG. 4 is a side view of an image forming apparatus which is an embodiment of the invention according to claim 3 or claim 4 ;
5 is a diagram illustrating a moving mechanism of an image reading unit and an operation unit included in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.
6 is a diagram illustrating a moving mechanism of an image reading unit and an operation unit included in the image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG.
7 is a schematic perspective view and an enlarged cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention according to claim 6.
8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing another example of a drive unit that can be used in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1 or FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
1, 21, 41 Housing 2, 42 Image forming unit 3, 43 Recording paper storage unit 4, 22, 31, 44 Image reading unit 5, 23, 45 Operation unit 11 Shaft member 12 Support member 24 Drive unit 36 Drive motor 46 connection Support member

Claims (6)

An image forming apparatus comprising: an image reading unit that reads image information from a document and converts the image information into an image signal; and an image forming unit that forms a visible image on a recording sheet based on the image signal.
The image reading unit is provided at the top,
An operation unit for inputting an operation signal of the image forming apparatus is provided in front of the image reading unit,
The image reading unit and the operation unit are supported to be able to move forward ,
The operation unit has a rear portion connected to the image reading unit, and can rotate around a horizontal axis.
As the image reading unit moves forward with respect to the image forming unit, the front portion of the operation unit is lowered to change the inclination angle. A support member connected to the operation unit;
The support member contacts the housing in which the image forming unit is accommodated, and moves along the housing when the image reading unit moves forward.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an inclination angle of the operation portion changes depending on a shape of a portion of the housing that contacts the support member . An image forming apparatus comprising: an image reading unit that reads image information from a document and converts the image information into an image signal; and an image forming unit that forms a visible image on a recording sheet based on the image signal.
The image reading unit is provided at the top,
An operation unit for inputting an operation signal of the image forming apparatus is provided in front of the image reading unit,
The image reading unit and the operation unit are supported to be able to move forward ,
The operation unit is supported by a connection support member, and the connection support member is pivotally joined to the image reading unit by a horizontal support shaft perpendicular to the front-rear direction at a position behind the operation unit. Has been
As the image reading unit moves forward with respect to the image forming unit, the connection support member rotates about the support shaft, and the operation unit is lowered and the inclination angle is changed. An image forming apparatus. The connection support member contacts the housing in which the image forming unit is accommodated, and moves along the housing when the image reading unit moves forward.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the operation unit descends and an inclination angle changes depending on a shape of a portion of the housing that contacts the support member . 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a drive motor that moves the image reading unit and the operation unit forward. A lever that can move back and forth,
An interlocking mechanism that interlocks the movement of the lever and the movement of the image reading unit and the operation unit;
5. The interlocking mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the interlocking mechanism interlocks so that the image reading unit and the operation unit move forward when the lever moves backward. The image forming apparatus described.

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