JP4397701B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more specifically, a printing apparatus that reads an original image and forms an image on a transfer material, a copying machine that forms a toner image by an electrophotographic method, a facsimile apparatus, a printer, or the like The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral.

Conventionally, when a user seated in a wheelchair or the like operates an image forming apparatus such as a normal digital copying machine that has been set in height on the assumption that the operator operates in a standing state, FIG. As shown in the figure, it is often operated while twisting the body in a state where the wheelchair is turned sideways while being positioned in front of the copying machine 100 of the image forming apparatus.
This is because, as shown in FIG. 13, when an operation is performed relative to the front surface of the copying machine 100 of the image forming apparatus, a user's hand using a chair 101 such as a wheelchair is placed on the operation unit 102 or the document placement table 103. This is because the operability is extremely poor.
However, operation in an unnatural state as shown in FIG. 14 is inconvenient and not only deteriorates operability but also causes fatigue.
In addition, in order to save space to reduce the installation area of an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine, a copying machine having a paper discharge unit on the image forming unit and a reading device above the paper discharge unit. When a user who uses a wheelchair or the like uses a digital copying machine or the like, and the reading device is arranged so as to be operated toward the front of the device, the wheelchair or the like Since the user who uses can operate the wheelchair sideways without twisting the body, the operability is improved.
However, when a user who does not use a wheelchair or the like uses it, it is inconvenient because it is necessary to perform a forward bending operation because the operation unit and the like are in a low position.

Therefore, in such an image forming apparatus such as a digital copying machine, it is known that the image reading unit can be adjusted in the vertical direction in order to improve the usability of a user who does not use a wheelchair or the like and a user who uses a wheelchair or the like. (See Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, Patent Document 3, and the like).
In order to improve such operability, it is also known to provide a support base for supporting the reading device and to move the support base up and down by a motor (see Patent Document 3).
However, since a supporting stand for the reading apparatus is required separately from the image forming apparatus, not only the apparatus is increased in size but also the reading apparatus is difficult to move.
It is also known to form a kicking portion in the lower part of the image forming apparatus (see Patent Document 4).
However, since the amount of kicking cannot be increased, the operability is poor for operating toward the front of the image forming apparatus.
On the other hand, when the user who uses a wheelchair or the like performs a copying operation by placing a lifting device at the lower part of the copying machine, the copying machine main body should be lowered and operated for maintenance. It is also known to operate (see Patent Literature 5, Patent Literature 6, Patent Literature 7, Patent Literature 8, Patent Literature 9, Patent Literature 10, Patent Literature 11, Patent Literature 12, Patent Literature 13, Patent Literature 14, etc.) ).
However, this lifting device is costly and takes time for lifting and lowering and cannot be used quickly.
Therefore, in the conventional image forming apparatus, the operation is performed sideways or leaning forward, so that the operability is extremely bad, the size is large, it is difficult to move the document image reading apparatus to the use position, and the lifting device is also expensive. There was a problem that it took time to move up and down and that it could not be used quickly.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-122406 JP 2001-326770 A JP 2001-160883 A JP-A-6-148960 JP-A-6-148964 JP 7-157140 A JP 7-191578 A JP 7-319365 A JP-A-7-334046 JP-A-7-334064 JP-A-8-106239 JP-A-8-106240 JP-A-9-110399 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-142052

When a single image forming device is used by people who operate in a standing position, people in wheelchairs, etc., who use different conditions, operations are performed sideways or bent forward, which greatly reduces operability. . For this reason, if various measures are taken, the size of the apparatus becomes larger, it becomes difficult to move the document image reading apparatus to the use position, the lifting apparatus is expensive, the time required for lifting and lowering is low, and it cannot be used quickly. There was a problem to say.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve such problems. That is, the operability of the document image reading apparatus and the operation unit is good, and it is safe by preventing the occurrence of an erroneous operation, etc., and the original image reading apparatus can be quickly and easily moved to the use position, and can be manufactured at low cost and in a small size. The purpose is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image forming apparatus that reads an original image and forms an image , the image forming apparatus including an operation unit that operates the image forming apparatus, and an original image reading apparatus that reads the original image. and a plurality of moving an image forming unit for forming an image is disposed below the original image reading device, it is fixed to the casing of the image forming unit the original image reading device in the use position of the plurality of use conditions And a plurality of use position moving means for moving the document image reading device to a vertical position suitable for a use state in a standing posture and a use state while sitting on a chair. The automatic lift means includes a lift switch that lifts and lowers the document image reading device, and the lift switch is arranged on the side surface of the apparatus body with a lift switch that lifts the document image reading device. The most important feature that the lowering switch to lower the image reading apparatus is an image forming apparatus having a configuration in which disposed on the lower surface of the operation portion.
The present invention, in the image forming apparatus, document image reading apparatus is mainly characterized in that an image forming apparatus that moves integrally with the operating unit.
The present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the operation unit is mainly characterized in that an image forming apparatus and fixed in place in front of the operating side of the original image reading device.
This bright, in the image forming apparatus, the image forming unit is mainly characterized in that an image forming apparatus arranged Donai discharge unit between the original image reading device.
The present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the image forming unit shall be the main feature that it is an image forming apparatus for forming a toner image by an electrophotographic method.

The main feature of the present invention is that, in the above-described image forming apparatus, the up / down switch is an image forming apparatus in which an erroneous operation preventing rib for preventing an erroneous operation is formed on the outer periphery of the up switch or the down switch.
The present invention, in the image forming apparatus, a plurality use position moving means, from a normal use state in which no seated an original image reading device in a chair of the use state of the seated in the chair into the lower portion of the original image reading device A main feature is that the image forming apparatus includes a front-rear moving unit that moves the original image reading apparatus in front of the original image reading apparatus separately from the image forming unit.
The present invention, in the image forming apparatus, the front-rear moving means shall be the main feature that it is an image forming apparatus comprising a Akyuraido.

Since the present invention is configured as described below, according to the present invention , the operability is good and safe, the movement of the document image reading apparatus to the use position can be performed quickly and easily, and the size can be reduced at low cost. An image forming apparatus can be provided.
According to the present invention , the operability is good and safe, the operability of the operation unit is good, the original image reading device and the operation unit are quickly and easily moved to the use position, and the image forming apparatus is small and low in cost. Can now be provided.
According to the present invention , the operability is good and safe, the operability of the operation unit is further improved, and the original image reading apparatus and the operation unit can be quickly and easily moved to the use position, and the size can be reduced at low cost. An image forming apparatus can be provided.
According to the present invention , it is possible to provide a compact and space-saving image forming apparatus that is easy to operate, safe, and can be quickly and easily moved to a use position of a document image reading apparatus at low cost. became.
According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that is easy to operate, safe, and quickly and easily moves to the use position of the original image reading apparatus, and forms a high-quality toner image that is small, high speed, and low in cost. It became possible to provide.
According to the present invention , the operability is good and safe, and the movement to the respective use positions of the normal use state where the document image reading apparatus is not seated on the chair and the use state while sitting on the chair is quickly and easily performed. A small image forming apparatus can be provided at low cost.
According to the present invention , the operability is good and safe, and the document image reading apparatus can be quickly and easily moved to the upper and lower use positions in a normal use state where the document image reading apparatus is not seated on the chair and in a use state where the original image reading apparatus is seated on the chair. A small image forming apparatus can be provided at low cost.
According to the present invention , the operability is safe and the movement of the document image reading apparatus to the upper and lower use positions in the normal use state where the document image reading apparatus is not seated on the chair and the use state while sitting on the chair is automatically performed by the lift switch. Therefore, it is possible to provide a small-sized image forming apparatus that is quickly and easily performed at low cost.
According to the present invention , the operability is good, the raising switch is not inadvertently pressed, and it is safe to prevent an erroneous operation from occurring. The movement to the upper and lower use positions of each use state is automatically and quickly performed by the lift switch so that a small-sized image forming apparatus can be provided at low cost.
According to the present invention , the operability is good, the lowering switch is not inadvertently pressed, and it is safe by preventing the occurrence of an erroneous operation. The movement to the upper and lower use positions of each use state is automatically and quickly performed by the lift switch so that a small-sized image forming apparatus can be provided at low cost.

According to the present invention , the operability is good, the rise switch and the drop switch are not inadvertently pressed, and an erroneous operation is surely prevented. Further, the document image reading apparatus is normally not seated on the chair. In order to provide a small-sized image forming apparatus at low cost, the movement to the upper and lower use positions of the use state and the use state while sitting on a chair is automatically and quickly performed by the lift switch. became.
According to the present invention , the image forming unit and the image forming unit are located at a position in which the user is seated on a chair entering the lower part of the document image reading device from a normal use state where the document image reading device is not seated on the chair. Separation and movement of the document image reading apparatus to the front use position can be performed quickly and easily, and a small image forming apparatus can be provided at low cost.
According to the present invention , the image forming unit and the image forming unit are located at a position in which the user is seated on a chair entering the lower part of the document image reading device from a normal use state where the document image reading device is not seated on the chair. Separation and movement of the document image reading apparatus to the use position in front of the original image reading apparatus can be performed quickly and easily with a simple configuration, and a small image forming apparatus can be provided at low cost.
According to the present invention , the image forming unit and the image forming unit are located at a position in which the user is seated on a chair entering the lower part of the document image reading device from a normal use state where the document image reading device is not seated on the chair. The document image reading apparatus can be separated and moved to a use position obliquely downward in front of the document image reading apparatus quickly and easily, and a small image forming apparatus can be provided at low cost.
According to the present invention , the image forming unit and the image forming unit are located at a position in which the user is seated on a chair entering the lower part of the document image reading device from a normal use state where the document image reading device is not seated on the chair. Separation and movement of the original image reading apparatus to the use position obliquely downward toward the front side can be performed quickly and easily with a simple configuration, and a low-cost and small-sized image forming apparatus can be provided.
According to the present invention , the operation of returning the original image reading apparatus to the original position is improved, and the operability may be improved, and the normal use state in which the original image reading apparatus is not seated on the chair and the chair. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a small-sized image forming apparatus at a low cost by quickly and easily moving to each use position when the user is seated.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2, an image forming apparatus 0 that reads an original image and forms an image is disposed below the original image reading apparatus 1 that reads the original image of the original (O) and the original image reading apparatus 1. An image forming unit 2 that forms the image, a multiple use position moving unit 3 that is fixed in the housing 2a of the image forming unit 2 and moves the document image reading device 1 to a plurality of use positions in use, and a paper feeding device 6 The operability is good and safe, the document image reading apparatus 1 can be quickly and easily moved to the use position, and is low-cost and compact.
The digital copying apparatus of the image forming apparatus 0 includes an original image reading apparatus 1 that reads an original image of an original (O), and an image forming unit that is disposed below the original image reading apparatus 1 and forms a toner image by an electrophotographic method. 2 and an image forming unit 2 and a sheet feeding device 6 having a sheet feeding cassette 6a, a sheet feeding cassette 6b, a sheet feeding cassette 6c, and a sheet feeding cassette 6d. Between the apparatus 1, an in-body discharge unit 5 on which a recording sheet (P) on which a toner image is formed by an electrophotographic method in the image forming unit 2 is discharged and stacked is disposed. Therefore, the installation area is reduced to save space, and a high-quality toner image is formed at high speed.
The document image reading apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 1a, an automatic document feeder (ADF) 1b, a document discharge tray 1c for stacking documents (O) sent from the automatic document feeder (ADF) 1b, and the like. The operation unit 4 (FIG. 5) that moves integrally in front is arranged and fixed, so that the operation unit 4 can be quickly and easily moved to the use position, and the operability of the operation unit 4 is further improved. It has become.
Automatic lifting means 3a of the multi-use position moving means 3, by placing the apparatus body 1a of the original image reading device 1 onto the lifting table 3a ₂ to lift, by a fixing means such as screws (not shown), the lifting table 3a ₂ The apparatus main body 1a is fixed on the top. The operation unit 4 provided in the document image reading apparatus 1 is operated in a normal use state in which the operation unit 4 is operated in a standing position without being seated on the wheelchair 101 shown in FIG. Since it moves to each position and can be operated even when used while standing or seated on a wheelchair or the like, the operability is improved in any used state.
An automatic document feeder (ADF) 1b is supported so as to be rotatable in the direction indicated by an arrow A with respect to the apparatus main body 1a via a hinge 1b ₁ provided at a rear edge of FIG. Shows a state in which the automatic document feeder (ADF) 1b is opened, and FIG. 2 shows a state in which the automatic document feeder (ADF) 1b is closed.

The document image reading operation of the document (O) in the document image reading apparatus 1 and the toner image forming operation by the electrophotographic method in the image forming unit 2 are performed in the state shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the automatic document feeder (ADF) on the main body 1b ₂ and 1b fixed supported on platen 1b ₃ is placed original (O) is, print key (not shown) is depressed that when, by the rotation of the pickup roller 1b ₄ where the uppermost original (O) is supported on the main body 1b _2, fed to the illustrated arrow direction (B), document transport belt 1b ₅ supported to the main body 1b ₂ Is fed onto the contact glass 1a ₂ fixed to the apparatus main body 11a and stops here.
Here, the pickup roller 1b ₄ , the document conveying belt 1b _{5, and the} like, a motor (not shown), a clutch, and an electrical board that controls the motor, the clutch, and the like are the pickup roller 1 b ₄ and the document conveying belt. 1b ₅ is provided on the back surface.
The document image of the document (O) placed on the contact glass 1a ₂ is read by the reading unit 1a ₃ in the apparatus main body 1a.
The reading unit 1a ₃ includes a light source 1a ₃₁ that illuminates a document on the contact glass 1a ₂ , an optical system 1a ₃₂ that forms a document image of the document (O), and a document image of the document (O). And a photoelectric conversion element composed of the CCD 1a ₃₃ .
After reading the end of the original image of the document (O), the manuscript (O) is conveyed in the arrow (C) direction shown by the rotation of the document transport belt 1b _5, the device above the sheet discharge that is fixed to the main body 1a It is discharged onto the tray 1c.
In this way, the original (O) is fed onto the contact glass 1a ₂ one by one, the original image of the document (O) is adapted to be read by the reading unit 1a _3.

On the other hand, inside the image forming section 2 where a toner image is formed by electrophotography, a drum-shaped photosensitive drum of the image carrier 2b is rotatably supported.
The photosensitive drum 2b is driven to rotate counterclockwise in the direction of the arrow (D) shown in FIG. 2, and at this time, the surface of the photosensitive drum 2b is charged to a predetermined potential by the charging device 2c.
Further, the writing unit 2d, the light modulated laser beam (L) is emitted in response to image information read by the reading unit 1a ₃ of the original image reading apparatus 1, the laser beam (L) is charged The surface of the photosensitive drum 2b is exposed, and thereby an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2b.
The electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photoconductive drum 2b is transferred to the recording medium (P) fed between the photoconductive drum 2b and the transfer device 2f by the transfer device 2f facing when passing through the developing device 2e. ) And recorded on the recording paper.
The surface of the photosensitive drum 2b after the toner image is transferred to the recording paper of the recording medium (P) is cleaned by the cleaning device 2g to prepare for image formation in the next process.
A paper feeding device 6 is disposed below the image forming unit 2, and any one of a plurality of the paper feeding cassettes 6a, the paper feeding cassettes 6b, the paper feeding cassettes 6c, which store recording paper of a recording medium (P), The toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2b as described above is transferred from the sheet feeding cassette 6d in the direction indicated by the arrow (E) to the surface of the recording sheet of the recording medium (P). The
Next, the recording medium (P) passes through the fixing device 2h in the image forming unit 2 in the direction of the arrow (F) shown in the figure, and is transferred to the surface of the recording medium (P) by the action of heat and pressure at this time. The toner image thus fixed is fixed on the surface thereof.
The recording medium (P) that has passed through the fixing device 2h is conveyed by the discharge roller pair 2i, and is discharged into the recording medium discharge space 2j in the direction of the arrow (G) shown in the figure, and is discharged to the in-body discharge section 5. Stacked and stored.
Apparatus main body 1a is moved up and down of the automatic lifting means 3a of the multi-use position moving means 3 is fixed on the lifting table 3a _2, the lifting table 3a ₂ of the apparatus main body 1a is placed, the image forming unit A motor (not shown) attached to 2 is attached so as to be able to move up and down at a plurality of raised or lowered positions in use.
Also, raising switch _{3a 11} for elevation of the elevation switch 3a ₁ is disposed on the side surface 1a ₁ of the apparatus main body 1a as shown in FIG. 1, carelessly without being pressed the up switch _{3a 11,} misoperation It is possible to ensure the safety by preventing the occurrence of.

In FIG. 3, the back height adjustment mechanism related to the lifting table 3 a ₂ in the automatic lifting and lowering means 3 a of the multiple use position moving means 3 is a guide rail 3 a that is attached and fixed in the housing 2 a of the image forming unit 2. ₃ and the guide rail 3a ₄ fixed to the lifting table 3a ₂ are slidably engaged with each other.
Within housing 2a of the image forming unit 2, the screw 3a ₅ is fixed by the fixing member 3a _6, rotating the worm 3a ₈ and a worm 3a ₈ meshing with the worm gear 3a ₇ and worm gear 3a ₇ below the screw 3a ₅ A motor 3a ₉ that can be driven forward and reverse is attached.
Further, above the screw 3a _5, the screw 3a and ₅ meshes, slidable sliding member _{3a 21} is fixed to the elevating table 3a _2.
Therefore, when the motor 3a ₉ is rotationally driven and stopped, the screw 3a ₅ rotates, and the lifting table 3a ₂ moves up and down and stops.
In view of the above, the image forming apparatus 0 is downsized as a whole by integrally configuring the lifting table 3a _{2 on} which the apparatus main body 1a is placed and fixed within the housing 2a of the image forming unit 2. In addition, since the wiring for controlling the motor 3a ₉ and the power supply wiring for rotation driving do not come out of the housing 2a of the image forming unit 2, the document image reading apparatus Therefore, it is possible to prevent the disconnection of the wiring due to an erroneous operation at the time of movement to move to the use position of the plurality of use states, and to secure safety.
In the example shown in FIG. 4, the lowering switch 3 a ₁₂ that lowers the document image reading apparatus 1 is disposed on the lower surface 4 a of the operation unit 4.
Therefore, the image forming apparatus 0 can easily recognize the position of the lowering switch 3a ₁₂ when the user is seated on a wheelchair 101 (not shown), and the ascending position as shown in FIG. Since the position of the switch 3a ₁₁ is difficult to recognize, there is no mistake in pressing the down switch 3a ₁₂ and the up switch 3a ₁₁ , and the operability is improved. By disposing, the lowering switch 3a ₁₂ is not inadvertently touched at the time of image formation, so that safety can be ensured.
Further, since the lowering switch 3a ₁₂ on the lower surface 4a of the operation unit 4 is difficult to recognize even in an ordinary standing use operation without sitting on the wheelchair 101 (not shown), the same safety can be ensured.
Further, on the outer periphery of the ascending switch 3a ₁₁ and the descending switch 3a ₁₂ of the ascending / descending switch 3a ₁ , an erroneous operation preventing rib 3a ₁₃ is provided, and the recorded recording medium (P) is discharged into the cylinder. When taking out from the part 5, since the raising switch 3a ₁₁ and the lowering switch 3a ₁₂ of the raising / lowering switch 3a ₁ are not inadvertently touched, an erroneous operation is surely prevented to further improve safety. It can be made.
If there is room in the apparatus main body 1a or the operation unit 4, the up switch 3a ₁₁ and the down switch 3a ₁₂ of the up / down switch 3a ₁ are dropped by the height of the erroneous operation preventing rib 3a _13. The same effect can be obtained.
Therefore, both the operator who operates while seated in the wheelchair 101 and the operator who operates in the normal usage state while standing up have good operability of the document image reading apparatus 1 and the operation unit 4, and erroneous operation. It is possible to provide a small-sized image forming apparatus 0 that is safe by preventing occurrence of the image, and can be quickly and easily moved to the upper and lower use positions of the document image reading apparatus 1 at a low cost. .

5 and 6 show another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the forward / backward moving means 3b of the multiple use position moving means 3 in the image forming apparatus 0 includes the document image reading apparatus 1, the image forming section 2, and the like. The image forming unit 2 is moved to the position of the use state when sitting on the wheelchair 101 entering the lower part of the document image reading apparatus 1 from the use state in which the document image reading apparatus 1 is standing by the Accuride 3b ₁ having a simple configuration arranged between The original image reading apparatus 1 can be easily moved manually and stopped in front of the original image reading apparatus 1 in the direction of the arrow (H) shown in the figure, and then easily returned and stopped manually. It has become.
That is, as shown in FIG. 6, since the original image reading apparatus 1 can be moved in front of the original image reading apparatus 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow (H), the user sits on the chair 101 such as a wheelchair. Even if the operator who operates in all the usage states is used in front of the image forming apparatus 0, the knee does not enter the rack and the body is not twisted, so that the operability is good and the operation can be easily performed. .
Further, when an operator who operates in a normal use state without sitting on the chair 101 such as a wheelchair is used, the document image reading apparatus 1 can be easily returned and used manually.
In this way, an operator who operates in a use state while sitting on the chair 101 such as a wheelchair is easily operated by an operator who operates in a normal use state without sitting on the chair 101 such as a wheelchair. .
Accordingly, both the operator who operates in a use state while sitting on the chair 101 such as a wheelchair and the operator who operates in a normal use state without sitting on the chair 101 such as a wheelchair can be used for the manuscript image reading apparatus 1 and the operation unit. The above-described operability 4 is good, and it is safe to prevent an erroneous operation and the like, and the original image reading apparatus 1 can be quickly and easily moved to the front and rear use positions. I can do it now.

7 to 9, the forward / backward moving means 3c of the multiple use position moving means 3 in the image forming apparatus 0 is a simple link 3c ₁ arranged between the document image reading apparatus 1 and the image forming unit 2. Thus, the original image reading apparatus 1 is separated from the image forming unit 2 from the normal use state where the original image reading apparatus 1 is not seated in the wheelchair 101 to the lower position of the original image reading apparatus 1 and is in use state. The apparatus 1 can be easily moved manually and stopped obliquely downward simultaneously with the document image reading apparatus 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow (I) in the figure, and then easily returned and stopped manually. Yes.
That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the document image reading apparatus 1 can be moved obliquely downward simultaneously with the front of the document image reading apparatus 1 in the direction indicated by the arrow (I). Even if an operator who operates in the state of use of the apparatus is used in front of the image forming apparatus 0, the knee enters the rack, and the height of the document image reading apparatus 1 is the height shown in FIG. By lowering from the state of (J) to the state of height (K) shown in FIG. 9 (J> K), the position of the hand and arm of the operator who operates in the state of use while sitting on the wheelchair 101 is on the desk In this position, the operability is further improved without twisting the body, and the operation is facilitated.
Further, when used by an operator who operates in a normal use state without sitting on the wheelchair 101, the document image reading apparatus 1 can be easily returned and used manually.
In this way, an operator who operates while sitting in the wheelchair 101 can easily operate the operator who operates while standing.
Therefore, the operability of the document image reading apparatus 1 and the operation unit 4 is further improved for both an operator who operates in a use state while sitting in the wheelchair 101 and an operator who operates in a normal use state without sitting in the wheelchair 101. It is possible to provide a small-sized image forming apparatus 0 that is safe by preventing the occurrence of an erroneous operation and the like, and can be quickly and easily moved to a lower use position at the same time as the front of the document image reading apparatus 1 and at a low cost. Can be done.

10 to 12, the link 3c ₁ of the front / rear lifting / lowering moving unit 3c, which is the multiple use position moving unit 3 in the image forming apparatus 0, is stopped by the stop member of the stop unit 3d disposed at the rear of the image forming unit 2. The original image reading apparatus 1 is moved from a use state (see FIG. 12) seated on a wheelchair 101 (not shown) to a normal use state (see FIG. 11) where the document image reading apparatus 1 is not seated on the chair (101). It comes back and stops.
That is, since the stop member of the stop means 3d is arranged at the rear part of the image forming unit 2, the operator in use while sitting on the wheelchair 101 holds the document image reading device 1 with the arrow (L) shown in the figure. When the direction of FIG. 12 is returned to the state of FIG. 11, the document image reading apparatus 1 stops at a predetermined position at the rear of the image forming unit 2 and stops at a predetermined position. Thus, the operator in the use state can operate the document image reading device 1 and the operation unit 4 and return the document image reading device 1 to the original position, and the operability is further improved.
Therefore, the operability of the document image reading device 1 and the operation unit 4 is further improved for both an operator who operates in a use state while sitting in the wheelchair 101 and an operator who operates in a normal use state without sitting in the wheelchair 101. It is safe by preventing the occurrence of erroneous operations and the like, and at the same time in front of the document image reading apparatus 1, the movement to the lower use position and the movement to return the document image reading apparatus 1 to the original position can be performed quickly and easily at low cost. Thus, the small-sized image forming apparatus 0 can be provided.
The present invention can be applied not only to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus, but also to a printing apparatus other than an electrophotographic apparatus having a configuration in which an original image is read and an image is formed on a transfer material.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a main part of an image forming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged explanatory view for explaining another main part of the image forming apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view explaining the image forming apparatus which shows the other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the state of the principal part of the image forming apparatus which shows the other embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view explaining the image forming apparatus which shows the other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the state of the principal part of the image forming apparatus which shows the other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the other state of the principal part of the image forming apparatus which shows the other embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view explaining the image forming apparatus which shows the other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the state of the principal part of the image forming apparatus which shows the other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the other state of the principal part of the image forming apparatus which shows the other embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing explaining the conventional image forming apparatus. It is a perspective view explaining the conventional image forming apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

0 Image forming apparatus 1 Document image reading apparatus,
1a device body,
1a ₁ side,
1a ₂ contact glass,
1a ₃ reading unit,
1a ₃₁ light source,
1a ₃₂ optical system,
1a ₃₃ CCD,
1b Automatic document feeder (ADF),
1b ₁ hinge,
1b ₂ body,
1b ₃ platen,
1b ₄ pickup rollers,
1b ₅ document conveying belt,
1c Paper discharge tray 2 Image forming unit,
2a,
2b image carrier,
2c charging device,
2d writing unit,
2e developing device,
2f transfer device,
2g cleaning device,
2h fixing device,
2i discharge roller pair,
2j recording medium discharge space 3 multiple use position moving means,
3a Automatic lifting means,
3a ₁ lift switch,
3a ₁₁ lift switch,
3a ₁₂ down switch,
3a ₁₃ erroneous operation prevention rib,
3a ₂ lifting table,
3a ₂₁ sliding member,
3a ₃ guide rails,
3a ₄ guide rails,
3a ₅ screws,
3a ₆ fixing member,
3a ₇ worm gear,
3a ₈ warm,
3a ₉ motor,
3b means for moving back and forth,
3b ₁ Accuride,
3c means for moving back and forth up and down,
3c ₁ link,
3d Stop means 4 Operation part,
4a Lower surface 5 In-body paper discharge unit 6 Paper feed device,
6a Paper cassette
6b Paper feed cassette,
6c paper feed cassette,
6d Paper cassette 100 Copier 101 Chair 102 Operation unit 103 Document placement table

Claims (8)

In an image forming apparatus that reads an original image and forms an image,
The image forming apparatus includes an operation unit for operating the image forming apparatus, the original image reading device for reading an original image, an image forming unit that forms an image is disposed below the original image reading device, the image forming unit A plurality of use position moving means that are fixed to the housing of the document and move the document image reading device to use positions in a plurality of use states ,
The plurality of use position moving means includes automatic elevating means for moving the document image reading apparatus to a vertical position suitable for a use state in a standing posture and a use state while sitting on a chair,
The automatic lifting and lowering means includes a lift switch for lifting and lowering the document image reading device,
The raising / lowering switch has a configuration in which a raising switch for raising the document image reading apparatus is arranged on a side surface of the apparatus main body, and a lowering switch for lowering the document image reading apparatus is arranged on the lower surface of the operation unit. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document image reading apparatus moves integrally with the operation unit.   3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the operation unit is fixed in front of the operation side of the document image reading apparatus.   4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an in-body discharge section is disposed between the image forming section and the document image reading apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming unit forms a toner image by an electrophotographic method. 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the up / down switch has a configuration in which an operation prevention rib for preventing an operation error is formed on an outer periphery of the up switch or the down switch. Image forming apparatus. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of use position moving means is configured to read the document image from a position suitable for a use state with the document image reading device standing. It comprises a back-and-forth moving means for moving the document image reading device to the front of the document image reading device separately from the image forming unit at a position suitable for a use state sitting on the chair entering the lower part of the device. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the back- and- forth moving unit is made of an aclide .

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