JP4954137B2 - Electronics - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device including a key operation unit operated for input and a display unit.

  There are various types of electronic devices of this type, and examples thereof include image forming apparatuses such as copying machines and facsimile machines.

For example, in Patent Document 1, a document placement table on which a read document is placed is provided on the upper surface of the image forming apparatus main body, and an operation panel and a display unit are arranged in a lateral direction on the front side of the document placement table. . Also, when a large document is placed on the document placement table, the document protrudes from the document placement table and covers the operation panel and display unit. Therefore, the operation panel and display unit are supported so as to be movable in the horizontal direction. In addition, the operation panel and the display unit can be moved to a position away from the large original.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-2364

  By the way, since the keys and buttons of the operation unit are operated while viewing the operation guidance displayed on the display unit, the operation unit and the display unit are often arranged close to each other. Further, since most people are right-handed, the operation unit is arranged on the right side of the display unit so that the right hand or right arm for operating the operation unit is placed on the display unit so that the display unit is not hidden.

  However, in such an arrangement of the operation unit and the display unit, when a left-handed person operates the operation unit, the left hand or the left arm is put on the display unit, the display unit is hidden, and the usability is deteriorated. In addition, a left-handed person may use the right hand to operate the operation unit, but there are people who are not good at such operation, and complicated operations become very difficult.

  In Patent Document 1, the operation panel and the display unit are supported so as to be movable in the horizontal direction. However, since the arrangement relationship that the operation panel is on the right side of the display unit is not changed, the right hand that operates the operation unit is not changed. Alternatively, the problem that the right arm is applied to the display unit is not solved.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and ensures both operability of the operation unit and visibility of the display unit, regardless of whether the person is right-handed or left-handed. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can be used.

In order to solve the above problems, an electronic device according to the present invention is an electronic device including a key operation unit operated for input and a display unit, and the key operation unit and the display unit can be moved in the horizontal direction. The key supported by the vertical guide portion, each of which is supported by the horizontal guide portion, and a vertical guide portion that supports one of the key operation portion and the display portion so as to be movable in the vertical direction. One of the operation unit and the display unit is moved in the vertical direction, and the key operation unit supported by each lateral guide unit in a state where the heights of the key operation unit and the display unit are different from each other. The display unit is moved horizontally in the vertical direction, the positions of the key operation unit and the display unit are switched, and then the one vertical position is restored .

  Further, when the key operation unit and the display unit supported by each of the horizontal direction guide units are moved horizontally in the vertical direction, the key operation unit and the display unit are switched. Interlocking means for interlocking movement in the horizontal direction is provided.

  Further, the interlocking means moves one of the key operation unit and the display unit supported by the vertical direction guide unit in the vertical direction and makes the one of the key operation unit and the display unit different in height. The first rack gear that is detachably engaged with the first rack gear and is fixed to the other of the key operation unit and the display unit, and is supported by the lateral guide unit so as to be movable in the lateral direction together with the other. A second rack gear and a transmission gear that meshes with the first and second rack gears and transmits the movement of the first and second rack gears in the lateral direction to each other.

  In the electronic device having such a configuration, the key operation unit and the display unit are movably supported so that the positions of the key operation unit and the display unit can be interchanged. The key operation unit is placed on the right side of the display unit, and the right hand or right arm that operates the operation unit is placed on the display unit so that the display unit is not hidden or used by left-handed people. The left hand or the left arm for operating the operation unit can be placed on the display unit so that the display unit is not hidden. Therefore, both right-handed and left-handed persons can ensure both the operability of the operation unit and the visibility of the display unit.

  For example, when one of the key operation unit and the display unit supported by the vertical direction guide unit is moved in the vertical direction and the heights of the key operation unit and the display unit are made different, the respective horizontal direction guide units Move the supported key operation unit and display unit horizontally in the vertical direction, swap the positions of the key operation unit and display unit, and then return one of the vertical positions back to the original position. The position of the part can be changed.

  In addition, since the lateral movement of the key operation unit and the display unit is linked, it is possible to move the key operation unit and the display unit at the same time and switch their positions.

  For example, when one of the key operation unit and the display unit is moved in the vertical direction and the height of the key operation unit and the display unit is set differently, it is movable in the lateral direction to be detachably engaged with the one. The first rack gear, the second rack gear fixed to the other one of the key operation unit and the display unit and supported so as to be movable in the lateral direction together with the other, and the first and second rack gears are engaged with each other. If a transmission gear that transmits the movement of the two rack gears in the lateral direction is provided, the movement of the key operation unit and the display unit in the lateral direction can be linked.

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

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an image forming apparatus which is an embodiment of the electronic apparatus of the present invention. An image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a multi-function machine having a copy function, a facsimile function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a document filing function, and includes an original paper transport unit (ADF) 2, an image reading unit 3, and an image reading unit 3. Are provided with an operation panel 4, an image forming unit 5, a paper feeding unit 6, a paper discharging unit 7, and the like provided along one side on the front side.

  Although only the appearance of the image forming apparatus 1 is shown here, the general operation is as follows. The manuscript paper transport unit 2 pulls out and loads the manuscripts placed on the manuscript set tray 2a one by one, and transports the manuscript to the image reading unit 3 below the manuscript paper transport unit 2. The image reading unit 3 scans and reads the image of the original, and outputs image data indicating the original image to the image forming unit 5. The image forming unit 5 copies an original image onto a recording sheet by, for example, an electrophotographic method. The image forming unit 5 inputs image data from the image reading unit 3 and uses the original image indicated by the image data as an electrostatic latent image. The electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum is developed with the toner on the drum surface, the toner image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum, the toner image is transferred from the photosensitive drum to the recording paper, and the recording paper is heated. And pressurizing to fix the toner image on the recording paper, and discharging the recording paper to the paper discharge unit 7. The paper feeding unit 6 supplies the recording paper to the image forming unit 5 in accordance with the image forming process by the image forming unit 5.

  The operation panel 4 includes a display unit 11 for displaying operation guidance and the like of the image forming apparatus 1 and a key operation unit 12 for inputting instructions to the image forming apparatus 1. Now it is supported side by side in a plane. A transparent touch panel or the like may be superimposed on the screen of the display unit 11 so that a fingertip input instruction for the screen is detected by the touch panel. The operation panel 4 has operation keys, buttons, and the like that are operated for input instructions.

  By the way, when a right-handed person operates the key operation unit 12, the key operation unit 12 is arranged on the right side of the display unit 11, and the right hand or the right arm for operating the key operation unit 12 is put on the display unit 11 and displayed. When the left-handed person operates the key operation unit 12 so that the unit 11 is not hidden, the key operation unit 12 is arranged on the left side of the display unit 11, and the left hand or the left arm for operating the key operation unit 12 is the display unit. 11, it is preferable that the display unit 11 is not hidden.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the positions of the display unit 11 and the key operation unit 12 are switched so that the key operation unit 12 can be arranged on either the right side or the left side of the display unit 11. FIGS. 2A and 2B are a plan view and a side view showing the configuration of the operation panel 4 that allows the display unit 11 and the key operation unit 12 to be interchanged in position.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the display unit 11 has a rectangular panel shape and includes a screen 11a. Two engagement sliders 13 are fixed to one side 11 b of the display unit 11, and each engagement slider 13 is slidably engaged with a slide rail 14 a on one side of the U-shaped support member 14. Thus, the display unit 11 is supported so as to be movable in the lateral direction A.

  The support pieces 14b on both sides of the U-shaped support member 14 are formed with two holes, and the cylindrical sliders 15 are fixed to these holes, and the respective columns 16 are inserted into the cylindrical sliders 15. ing. Each column 16 is protruded and fixed on the image forming apparatus 1 main body side, and each coil spring 17 is fitted into each column 16, and each cylindrical slider 15 is further fitted. That is, each cylindrical slider 15 is fitted into each column 16 and placed on each coil spring 17 to support the support pieces 14 b on both sides of the U-shaped support member 14.

  When the U-shaped support member 14 is pushed downward, the cylindrical sliders 15 of the support pieces 14b on both sides of the U-shaped support member 14 are guided by the respective columns 16 and resist the elastic force of the respective coil springs 17. Then descend. When the U-shaped support member 14 is opened, the coil springs 17 extend to the original length, and the cylindrical sliders 15 of the support pieces 14b on both sides are pushed up. Rises back to its original height. Therefore, the U-shaped support member 14 and the display unit 11 are supported so as to be movable in the vertical direction B.

  Furthermore, a respective stopper 18 is provided in the vicinity of the lower side of each column 16. When the U-shaped support member 14 is pushed downward and the support pieces 14b reach the positions of the stoppers 18, the tips of the stoppers 18 are fitted into the engagement grooves 14c on the side surfaces of the support pieces 14b. The support pieces 14b are engaged with each other, whereby the U-shaped support member 14 is positioned. Further, when the stoppers 18 are operated so that the tips of the stoppers 18 are removed from the engaging grooves 14c of the support pieces 14b, the coil springs 17 are extended and the U-shaped support members 14 are restored to their original shapes. It is supposed to return to height.

  The operation unit 12 is also a rectangular panel and includes a plurality of operation keys 12a. Two engagement sliders 21 are fixed to one side 12b of the operation unit 12, and each engagement slider 21 is slidably engaged with a slide rail 22 fixed to the image forming apparatus 1 main body side. Thus, the operation unit 12 is supported so as to be movable in the lateral direction A.

  On the other hand, a first rack gear 31 is disposed below the display unit 11, and the first rack gear 31 is supported by a guide rail 33 fixed to the image forming apparatus 1 main body so as to be movable in the lateral direction A. Yes. A second rack gear 32 is fixed to the back surface of the key operation unit 12. Further, below the display unit 11 and the operation unit 12, a transmission gear 34 that is rotatably supported on the main body side of the image forming apparatus 1 is disposed at a position between them. The second rack gears 31 and 32 are engaged with each other. The transmission gear 34 rotates when the first and second rack gears 31 and 32 move in the lateral direction A, and transmits the movement of the first and second rack gears 31 and 32 in the lateral direction A to each other.

  A notch 35 is provided in the vicinity of the left end of the first rack gear 31, and a boss 36 is provided at the left end of the display unit 11. The notch 35 and the boss 36 are arranged so as to face each other vertically.

  In the operation panel 4 having such a configuration, when the user pushes down the U-shaped support member 14 downward, the cylindrical sliders 15 of the support pieces 14b on both sides of the U-shaped support member 14 are attached to the respective support columns 16. While being guided, it descends against the elastic force of each coil spring 17. When the U-shaped support member 14 is sufficiently pushed down as shown in FIG. 3A, each support piece 14b comes to the position of the respective stopper 18 and enters the engagement groove 14c of each support piece 14b. The tip of the stopper 18 is fitted and engaged, and each support piece 14b is locked, and the U-shaped support member 14 is positioned while being lowered. At this time, the boss 36 at the left end of the display unit 11 is fitted into the notch 35 near the left end of the first rack gear 31, and the display unit 11 is locked to the first rack gear 31.

  Thus, with the display unit 11 positioned below the key operation unit 12 and the display unit 11 and the key operation unit 12 being in a different level, the user moves the key operation unit 12 along the slide rail 22 in the left lateral direction. When moved, the first rack gear 31 of the key operating unit 12 also moves leftward, the transmission gear 34 rotates counterclockwise, and the second rack gear 32 moves rightward along the guide rail 33, The display unit 11 locked to the second rack gear 32 moves in the right lateral direction along the slide rail 14 a on one side of the U-shaped support member 14. Accordingly, the key operation unit 12 moves to the left lateral direction above the display unit 11, the display unit 11 moves to the right lateral direction below the key operation unit 12, and the key operation unit 12 and the display unit 11 pass up and down. The positions of each other are reversed. As a result, the key operation unit 12 moves to the left side of the display unit 11 as shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, when the user operates the stoppers 18 and the tips of the stoppers 18 are removed from the engaging grooves 14c of the support pieces 14b, the coil springs 17 are extended to form a U-shaped support member. 14 returns to its original height. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, in a state where the key operation unit 12 is located on the left side of the display unit 11, they are supported by being arranged in a plane at the same height.

  Further, the display unit 11 is moved to the left side by the reverse operation procedure of FIGS. 4A, 4B, 3B, 3A, 2A, 2B. Thus, the key operation unit 12 can be moved horizontally to the right and the key operation unit 12 can be positioned on the right side of the display unit 11 so as to be supported in a plane at the same height.

  Here, as is apparent from a comparison between FIGS. 2A and 2B and FIGS. 4A and 4B, the positions of the display unit 11 and the key operation unit 12 are switched. Accordingly, when a right-handed person operates the key operation unit 12, the key operation unit 12 is disposed on the right side of the display unit 11. When a left-handed person operates the key operation unit 12, the key operation unit 12 is It can be arranged on the left side of the display unit 11. Thereby, even if it is a right-handed person and a left-handed person, both the operativity of an operation part and the visibility of a display part are securable.

  Note that the display unit 11 and the key operation unit 12 are connected to the image forming apparatus 1 via a harness (not shown) or the like. Alternatively, the display unit 11 and the key operation unit 12 may be connected to the image forming apparatus 1 by short-range wireless communication.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to the example which concerns. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. It is understood.

  For example, the key operation unit 12 may be supported by the slide rail 22 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction, and the display unit 11 may be supported by the U-shaped support member 14 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an image forming apparatus that is an embodiment of an electronic apparatus according to the invention. (A), (b) is the top view and side view which show the structure of the operation panel which enabled interchange of the position of a display part and a key operation part. (A), (b) is a side view which shows the exchange operation | movement procedure of the position of a display part and a key operation part. (A), (b) is the top view and side view which show the replacement | exchange operation | movement procedure following FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 2 Original paper conveyance part (ADF)
3 Image reading unit 4 Operation panel 5 Image forming unit 6 Paper feed unit 7 Paper discharge unit 11 Display unit 12 Key operation units 13 and 21 Engagement slider 14 U-shaped support members 14a and 22 Slide rail 15 Cylindrical slider 16 Column 17 Coil spring 18 Stopper 31 First rack gear 32 Second rack gear 33 Guide rail 34 Transmission gear

Claims (3)

In an electronic device including a key operation unit operated for input and a display unit,
Each lateral guide portion that supports the key operation portion and the display portion so as to be movable in the horizontal direction, and a vertical guide portion that supports one of the key operation portion and the display portion so as to be movable in the vertical direction. Prepared,
Each of the lateral directions is moved in a state where one of the key operation unit and the display unit supported by the vertical direction guide unit is moved in the vertical direction so that the heights of the key operation unit and the display unit are different. The key operation unit and the display unit supported by the guide unit are moved side by side in the vertical direction, and the positions of the key operation unit and the display unit are switched. An electronic device characterized by being returned . When the key operation unit and the display unit supported by each of the horizontal direction guide units are moved horizontally in the vertical direction, the positions of the key operation unit and the display unit are changed. The electronic device according to claim 1 , further comprising interlocking means for interlocking movement of directions. The interlocking means moves one of the key operation unit and the display unit supported by the vertical direction guide unit in the vertical direction and makes the height of the key operation unit and the display unit different from each other. A first rack gear that is movable in a lateral direction that is detachably engaged, and a second rack gear that is fixed to the other of the key operation unit and the display unit, and is supported by the lateral guide unit so as to be movable in the lateral direction. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising: a rack gear; and a transmission gear that meshes with the first and second rack gears and transmits the movement of the first and second rack gears in the lateral direction to each other. .

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