JP4473884B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus in which an upper surface portion of an apparatus main body is improved in shape and structure.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a printer includes an apparatus main body 1 combined with a paper feed unit ADF 2 or a paper discharge device 3, or an image forming unit 5 as shown in FIG. There is a configuration in which a mass feeding unit 6, a paper discharge unit 7, a paper processing unit, or the like is combined at the center. There is also a large-sized image forming apparatus configured by combining a plurality of units. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, an image processing unit 9 and other units 10 are arranged beside the image forming unit 8, and the image processing unit is arranged. There is also an example in which a personal computer 11 is mounted on 9.

  As these image forming apparatuses or their surrounding environment, it is necessary to consider that in the case of performing image forming work, it is often necessary to place originals, image-formed paper, or stationery such as clips and pens around the apparatus. Conventional image forming apparatuses are not designed in consideration of the place where a document or the like is placed, so there is often a problem that there is no space. For example, in the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, the upper surface portion of the image forming apparatus main body 1 is almost occupied by the ADF 2 and the operation display device 3, and a separate table is arranged around the apparatus, or a cabinet around the apparatus. The only option was to use the top surface. In the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 2, there is no space on the image forming unit 5 and there is some space on the large-volume paper feeding unit 6 and the paper discharging unit 7, but the user is used as a work table or a storage table. Was difficult to recognize.

  In these known various image forming apparatuses, the inventors know that the front shape is flat, the planar shape of the entire apparatus is generally rectangular, and the three-dimensional shape is close to a rectangular parallelepiped. In an apparatus having such a shape, when an image forming operation is performed, it is often easy for the user's body to touch the outer surface of the image forming unit or peripheral device, particularly the outer peripheral surface, which may hinder the operation. there were. Further, it is difficult to attach a support or the like for attaching an object to be provided by projecting upward from the upper surface of the apparatus, such as a document table.

  Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus having a shape as shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, a power switch is often provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body, but it has a combined function of a printer, a facsimile, etc., and the main power is turned on all day. In the case of a device that needs to be maintained, the switch provided on the front of the device is often unintentionally accidentally turned off by the user, for example, on the way home, although it should not be turned off under normal conditions. .

The present invention improves the upper surface shape of the image forming apparatus, and an object thereof is to provide an image forming apparatus devised structure the arrangement of the power switch.

In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes an image forming apparatus main unit, a large-volume paper feeding unit, a paper discharge unit, a paper processing unit, an image processing unit, and other units. A unit is combined with the image forming apparatus main body unit to form a plurality of units, and is necessary for the image forming apparatus main body unit to keep at least the facsimile function and the power of the facsimile function kept on. Therefore, in an image forming apparatus having a main power switch that should not be turned off in a normal state, the image forming apparatus is connected to the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body unit, and an eaves portion is provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus main body unit. In order to reduce the possibility of turning off the main power switch in a normal state, In proximity to the side, characterized by comprising arranging the main power switch on the front of the image forming apparatus main unit.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the position of the eaves portion is made variable with respect to the upper surface portion of the image forming apparatus main body unit by folding, drawing or removing. .

The image forming apparatus according to the present invention, or as has been described, since by arranging the Omoden source switch just below the lateral projection provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus main unit, the image forming apparatus is a copying If there is a power switch for the required facsimile function to keep continuing to oN in conjunction with functions of the machine or printer functions of facsimile Li in those having in combination, do not cut in a normal state by lateral projection There is an effect that it is possible to make the user or the like strongly recognize that it is a thing, and to reduce the chance of being turned off by mistake.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The image forming apparatus of the illustrated example is a copying machine, and 20 in the figure is a copying machine main body unit, which is provided with detachable paper feed trays 21 to 23, ADF 24, and document discharge tray 25, and 26 in the figure is a large amount of paper supply. A paper unit 27 is a paper discharge unit. Each of the units 20, 26, and 27 has a front surface shape that is almost flat and has no unevenness as shown in the figure, and is configured such that the height and depth dimensions also coincide.

  The copying machine main body unit 20 is provided with an ADF 24 at a substantially central position of a table-like upper surface portion 28, and a document discharge tray 25 is disposed on the right side thereof, and a portion other than the portion occupied by these forms a flat surface. I have to do it. In the figure, reference numeral 29 denotes a power switch arranged in a small recess formed in the upper surface portion 28. Further, the ADF 24 that is a convex portion with respect to the upper surface portion 28 of the copying machine main unit 20 has a flat shape with a substantially constant height except for a portion that is open to feed a document. In addition, a considerable space on the upper surface of the copying machine main unit 20 is flattened together with a flat surrounding space formed by the upper surface portion 28.

  The large-volume paper feeding unit 26 includes a plurality of paper feeding stages 30 to 32. However, the upper surface portion 33 is also flattened except for a portion notched to avoid the document discharge tray 25 of the copying machine main unit 20. is there. Since the portion cut out for the document discharge tray 25 on the upper surface portion 33 is small as shown in the figure, the entire surface is flattened.

  The paper discharge unit 27 is provided with a large amount of paper discharge tray 34 on the left side so that it can move up and down, and a paper discharge tray 36 is provided by cutting out the central portion on the left edge side of the upper surface 35. Except for the portion where the tray 36 is provided, the shape is flat.

  Further, the upper surface portions 28, 33, and 35 of the units 20, 26, and 27 such as the copying machine main unit 20 are larger than the side surfaces of the units 20, 26, and 27 so as to protrude outward and form eaves. It is formed. Specifically, the upper surface portion 28 of the copying machine main body unit 20 protrudes to the front side and the rear side, and the upper surface portion 33 of the mass feeding unit 26 protrudes to the right side surface in addition to the front side and the rear surface side. In addition to the front side and the back side, the upper surface part 35 of 27 protrudes on the left side. Therefore, as an overall shape of the illustrated embodiment apparatus, the eaves portion X projects substantially uniformly over the entire circumference as shown in FIG.

  For this reason, when the units 20, 26 and 27 are connected to form a single image forming apparatus, the upper surface 28 of the copier body unit 20 and the upper surface of the ADF 24, the upper surface 33 of the large-volume feeding unit 26, and further the discharge. The upper surface portion 35 of the paper unit 27 is connected to form a very wide upper flat surface, and because of the eaves portion X, the user visually recognizes it as a work table and a storage table and works close to it. Even if the image forming operation is performed in the absence of a table or the like, there is no problem with a place where an original, an image-formed paper, a clip, a pen, or the like is placed.

  Moreover, since the eaves portion X protrudes over the entire circumference of the apparatus, the user's body contacts the outer peripheral surface of the eaves portion X when performing the image forming operation, but below the upper surface portions 28, 33, and 35. This makes it difficult to contact the outer peripheral surface of the device, which hinders work and prevents clothes from being caught.

  The eaves portion X is not provided over the entire circumference of the apparatus, but may be provided only on the side surface as shown in FIG. 6A, or may be provided over the entire circumference of the apparatus. ), The protruding amount may be non-uniform. In the latter case, in general, the approaching direction of the user to the image forming apparatus is often from the front side, so that the amount of protrusion on the front side of the apparatus is increased as shown in the figure. It is convenient.

  In any case, by providing the eaves portion X, as shown in FIG. 7, the clamp 37 is sandwiched between the edges of the eaves portion X, the support members 38 are erected, and a commercially available document table or the like is provided although illustration is omitted. It becomes possible. Of course, an operation display device formed as a separate device can be easily attached.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the copier body unit 20 or the like can be provided with a ventilation port 39 that opens to the lower side of the eaves portion X. In this way, the device can be placed in close contact with an obstacle such as the wall 40. That is, before the exhausted air W from the ventilation port 39 hits the wall 40 or the like, it can be blown out by the protruding length of the eaves portion X, and therefore the exhaust resistance does not increase.

  In FIG. 1, reference numeral 50 denotes a main power switch. Along with the power switch 29 described above, as well understood from FIG. 9, it is provided just below the eaves portion X on the front side of the copying machine main unit 20. The main power switch 50 is provided with the eaves portion X when the copying machine main unit 20 has a combination of functions such as a printer and a facsimile and it is necessary to keep the main power on all day. Users can be informed that it is something that should not be turned off in the state, so that it is less likely to accidentally turn it off.

  FIG. 10 shows a modification of such switch arrangement. In this example, a switch 51 is provided immediately above the eaves portion X. Such an arrangement can be expected to inform the user of the presence as in FIGS.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an example of the shape of the upper surface portions 28, 33, 35 of the units 20, 26, 27 such as the copying machine main unit 20. The shape of the upper surface portions 28, 33 and 35 in FIG. 1 is a substantially rectangular planar shape as shown in FIG. 11A, but as shown in FIG. In the image forming apparatus, the outer side edges of the mass feeding unit 26 and the paper discharge unit 27) may be curved so as to protrude further outward. In this way, the area of the flat surface formed by the upper surface portions 28, 33, and 35 can be further increased, and even when the user's body is touched, it is difficult to get caught. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11C, the outer side edge of the unit located on the side may be curved so as to be recessed inward. In this case, the area of the flat surface formed by the upper surface portions 28, 33, and 35 is slightly reduced, but the appearance is unique and contemporary design, and the use as a work table, a storage table, etc. can be further emphasized. .

  In FIG. 12, the eaves portion X of the upper surface portions 28, 33, and 35 of the units 20, 26, and 27 such as the copier body unit 20 is formed separately and can be folded with respect to the upper surface portions 28, 33, and 35. (FIG. 12A) can be pulled in and pulled out (FIG. 12B) or can be attached and detached (FIG. 12C). Of course, depending on the arrangement of each unit, which part of the eaves part X can be folded with respect to the unit varies. With such a configuration of the eaves portion X, it is possible to prevent damage during transportation and to make it compact.

  FIG. 13 is a perspective view schematically showing another embodiment of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the front side of each unit 20, 26, 27 such as the copying machine main unit 20 is not aligned, and is uneven as shown in the figure. They are provided so as to be aligned, and the visual recognition of the upper surface portions 28, 33, and 35 as work tables and storage tables is strengthened. Since other configurations are the same as those of the previous embodiment and each modified refrigeration, the description thereof is omitted.

Although not shown in the figure, since the area of the flat portion of the upper surface is large in the image forming apparatus as described above, the upper surface portions 28, 33, and 35 of the units 20, 26, and 27 such as the copying machine main body unit 20 are provided. A recess having a constant depth can be provided to enable use as a storage.
In addition, as described above, if an eaves portion is provided that protrudes onto at least one side surface that is continuous with the flattened upper surface of the apparatus body, the flat shape of the upper surface of the apparatus is greatly expanded compared to the conventional case. In addition to greatly increasing the work table and storage space, not only can the work efficiency be improved, but the presence of the eaves makes it possible for the user to strongly recognize the upper surface of the device as a work table, etc. The eaves portion can be used to provide a ventilation opening so that it can be disposed close to a wall or the like, or a support for attaching a document table or the like can be attached later. In addition, if the upper surface of the flattened device body is provided with a convex portion having a substantially constant height and a flat top portion or a concave portion having a substantially constant depth and a flat bottom portion, a work table, A visual impression for a user or the like as a table can be further enhanced, and at least one side surface of the flattened upper surface of the apparatus body is a curved surface that is convex outward or a curved surface that is concave inward. If it protrudes to the outside, it increases the area of the flat surface formed by the top surface, and it becomes difficult to catch even if it is touched by the user, etc. Emphasis is placed on the use as a stand. Furthermore, if the eaves part is folded with respect to the upper surface of the device body, and the position can be changed by pulling or removing, the eaves part can be folded and pulled or removed during transportation, etc., and damage due to vibration or movement during transportation. In addition, the space for packing and storage can be reduced. In addition, if the eaves part protrudes from the main body of the device that has a non-flat front shape to the front, the upper surface can be used as a work table or a storage table even more visually and visually. To be able to.

It is a perspective view which shows an example of the conventional image forming apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the conventional image forming apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of the conventional image forming apparatus. 1 is a front perspective view showing an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view conceptually showing the external shape of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a perspective view conceptually showing a modification of the external shape of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a perspective view conceptually showing the appearance of a clamp attached to the eaves portion of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view conceptually illustrating an example in which a ventilation port is provided below the eaves portion of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing an example in which the main power switch of the image forming apparatus of FIG. 4 is provided below the eaves portion. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view conceptually showing an example in which the main power switch of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 4 is provided on the upper side of the eaves portion. FIG. 5 is a perspective view conceptually showing the shape of the upper surface of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 4 and perspective views (B, C) showing other shape examples. FIG. 5 is a perspective view conceptually showing a modification of the eaves portion mounting structure of the image forming apparatus in FIG. 4. It is a perspective view which shows schematically other embodiment of the image forming apparatus which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

20: Copier body units 21 to 23: Paper feed tray 24: ADF
25: Document discharge tray 26: Mass feed unit 27: Paper discharge unit 28: Upper surface portion of copier body unit 29: Power switch 30 to 32: Paper feed stage 33 of mass feed unit: Upper surface of mass feed unit Unit 34: Mass discharge tray 35: Upper surface portion 36 of the discharge unit 36: Paper discharge tray 37: Clamp 38: Strut member 39: Ventilation port 40: Wall 50: Main power switch 51: Switch W: Exhaust air X: Eaves

Claims (2)

An image forming apparatus main body unit, a large amount of paper feeding unit, a paper discharge unit, a paper processing unit, an image processing unit and other units are combined with the image forming apparatus main body unit in parallel to form a plurality of units.
In the image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus main unit has at least a facsimile function and a main power switch that is necessary to keep the power of the facsimile function kept on and should not be turned off in a normal state.
The upper surface of the image forming apparatus main unit is connected to the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main unit, and an eaves portion is provided on the front side of the image forming apparatus main unit.
In order to reduce the possibility of the main power switch being turned off in a normal state, the main power switch is arranged on the front surface of the image forming apparatus main body unit so as to be close to the lower side of the eaves portion. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position of the eaves portion is variable with respect to the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body unit by folding, pulling in, or removing .

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