JP7172313B2 - image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

In general, in image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers, and facsimiles, an operation panel is placed on the outer surface of the apparatus main body in consideration of the user's line-of-sight position and ease of input operation. fixed at an angle of However, in some cases, the visibility may deteriorate due to the reflection of indoor fluorescent lights or the like on the display section provided on the operation panel or due to some reflection. Alternatively, the operation surface of the operation panel may become difficult to operate depending on the user's posture, line-of-sight position, and height.

In order to deal with such problems, there has been proposed an image forming apparatus provided with an angle variable mechanism (tilt mechanism) so that the display section of the operation panel or the entire operation panel can be changed in angle with respect to the apparatus main body. . When the operation panel swings, it is essential that the exterior surface of the apparatus main body be relieved so that it does not interfere with the trajectory of the outer shape of the cover of the operation panel. Depending on the angle of the operation panel to be installed, the gap may become very large in some parts, and there is concern that the quality of the appearance will be impaired. In addition, there is a concern that foreign matter, dust, etc., may fall through this gap and affect the operation of the device, causing trouble.

As an example, an angle adjustment device for an operation panel is described in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2004-198741 (Patent Document 1). Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-14825 (Patent Document 2) describes a structure that prevents the distribution lines of the operation panel from being exposed while allowing the operation panel to be freely displaced.

JP-A-2004-198741 JP 2010-14825 A

It is desirable that the operation panel of the image forming apparatus employs a tilting method in order to improve usability. Furthermore, by providing a device that can set a large tilt angle, it is possible to provide an angle that is easy for anyone to use. However, when the tilt angle increases, depending on the angle of the operation panel to be installed, the gap may partially become very large, resulting in a situation in which the gap or opening cannot be completely closed. It is required to solve these problems.

The angle adjustment device described in Patent Document 1 has a small angle variable width and cannot cope with large angle changes. For example, it was not possible to raise the operation panel from a nearly horizontal state to a vertical position.

The device described in Patent Document 2 has a large cover and is not suitable for miniaturization of the device. Moreover, the impression of the appearance was complicated.

The operation panel of the image forming apparatus is an entrance for the user to access the image forming apparatus. should be improved. Therefore, a design can be considered in which the operation panel is floated from the main body of the image forming apparatus to clarify the user's touch points. In a configuration in which the operation panel is floated and the tilt angle is set large, it is required to block the opening around the operation panel, prevent the wiring of the operation panel from being damaged, and prevent deterioration of the appearance quality.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which the tilt angle of an operation panel can be set large and an opening around the operation panel can be closed.

To achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes an apparatus main body, and an operation panel connected to the apparatus main body via a hinge so that the angle can be changed with respect to the apparatus main body. a fixed cover fixed to the operation panel as part of a member covering the hinge portion; and a movable cover that covers the hinge portion while being displaced in conjunction with a change in angle of the fixed cover.

According to the present invention, the tilt angle of the operation panel can be set large and the opening around the operation panel can be closed.

1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, with only some components taken out; FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a state in which the operation panel 3 is raised vertically from the state shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of what is shown in FIG. 3 as seen obliquely from behind; 5 is a perspective view of the state shown in FIG. 4 with some parts removed; FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the state shown in FIG. 5 with some parts further removed; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the state shown in FIG. 6 with some parts further removed; Figure 8 is a side view of the one shown in Figure 7; FIG. 9 is a side view of the support arm shown in FIG. 8 with the support arm laid down; 1 is a perspective view of a combination of a fixed cover and a movable cover provided in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fixed cover provided in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a movable cover provided in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, viewed from a first direction; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the movable cover provided in the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, viewed from a second direction; FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the operation panel of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and structures in the vicinity thereof when the operation panel is in a first posture; FIG. 4 is a first cross-sectional view of the operation panel of the image forming apparatus and structures in the vicinity thereof in Embodiment 1 according to the present invention when the operation panel is in a second posture; FIG. 7 is a second cross-sectional view of the operation panel of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention and structures in the vicinity thereof when the operation panel is in the second posture; FIG. 10 is a side view of a combination of a fixed cover and a movable cover provided in a modification of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. 17; FIG. 5 is a side view of a movable cover provided in a modification of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a diagram of a movable cover provided in a modification of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, viewed from a first direction; It is the figure which looked at the movable cover provided in the modification of the image forming apparatus in Embodiment 1 based on this invention from the 2nd direction. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fixed cover provided in a modification of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fixed cover first portion provided in a modification of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fixed cover second portion provided in a modification of the image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an operation panel of an image forming apparatus and structures in the vicinity thereof according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of rotation of an operation panel and nearby structures of an image forming apparatus in a second embodiment according to the present invention; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an operation panel of an image forming apparatus and structures in the vicinity thereof according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an operation panel of an image forming apparatus and structures in the vicinity thereof in Embodiment 3 according to the present invention, with the operation panel facing downward; FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a state in which the second portion of the movable cover is removed from FIG. 28; FIG. 29 is a perspective view of a state in which the movable cover first portion is removed from FIG. 28;

(Embodiment 1)
(Constitution)
An image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 16. FIG. FIG. 1 shows the appearance of an image forming apparatus 101 according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 101 includes an apparatus main body 50 and an operation panel 1 . The apparatus main body 50 has a main body side cover 6 . The operation panel 1 is installed on the upper front side of the apparatus main body 50 . FIG. 2 shows the operation panel 1 and the main body side cover 6 removed from the image forming apparatus 101 . In this state, the operation panel 1 is arranged along the body side cover 6 . FIG. 3 shows a state in which the operation panel 3 is raised vertically. The angle of the operation panel 1 can be adjusted to an appropriate angle for easy operation by the user.

FIG. 4 shows the state shown in FIG. 3 as seen obliquely from behind. The operation panel 1 has a panel back cover 7 on the back. The panel rear cover 7 includes a panel rear cover first portion 7a and a panel rear cover second portion 7b. A fixed cover 3 is connected to the panel rear cover 7 . The fixed cover 3 does not move relative to the operation panel 1 . When the operation panel 1 is displaced, the fixed cover 3 is also displaced integrally with the operation panel 1 . A movable cover 5 is connected to the fixed cover 3 .

An image forming apparatus 101 according to the present embodiment includes an apparatus main body 50, an operation panel 1 connected to the apparatus main body 50 via a hinge portion 2 so that the angle thereof can be changed with respect to the apparatus main body 50, a hinge A fixed cover 3 fixed to the operation panel 10 and a movable cover 5 covering the hinge part 2 while being displaced in conjunction with a change in the angle of the fixed cover 3 are provided as a part of the member covering the part 2 .

FIG. 5 shows a state where the movable cover 5 is removed from the one shown in FIG. The opening 6a is exposed. A gap 10 is provided in the fixed cover 3 .

FIG. 6 shows the structure shown in FIG. 5 with the panel rear cover 7 removed. The fixed cover 3 includes a first fixed cover portion 3a and a second fixed cover portion 3b. A gap 10 can be seen in the center of the fixed cover 3 .

FIG. 7 shows an oblique front view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6 with the operation panel 1 and the fixed cover 3 removed. A support arm 2b for supporting the operation panel 1 is visible. The body-side cover 6 has an exterior surface 6b. FIG. 8 shows a side view of the device shown in FIG. The hinge portion 2 includes a support portion 2a, a support arm 2b and a fulcrum 2c. The support arm 2b is connected to the support portion 2a via a fulcrum 2c. The support arm 2b can rotate around the fulcrum 2c, thereby changing the angle relative to the support portion 2a.

In FIG. 8, the support arm 2b is erected vertically, but FIG.

FIG. 10 shows the fixed cover 3 and the movable cover 5 taken out. In FIG. 10, the insides of the fixed cover 3 and the movable cover 5 are mainly visible. The fixed cover first portion 3a and the fixed cover second portion 3b are adjacent to each other with a gap 10 therebetween. The movable cover 5 has claws 5a. The movable cover 5 is combined with the fixed cover 3 with the claws 5a inserted into the gaps 10.例文帳に追加FIG. 11 shows a state in which only the fixed cover 3 is taken out. FIG. 12 shows a state in which only the movable cover 5 is taken out. FIG. 13 shows a view of the movable cover 5 from the direction of arrow 91 in FIG. The claw 5a has a snap-fit shape. When the movable cover 5 is displaced with respect to the fixed cover 3, the claw 5a moves along the gap 10 while maintaining the state of entering the gap 10 shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 shows a cross-sectional view of the operation panel 1 of the image forming apparatus 101 and the structures in the vicinity thereof. In FIG. 14, the operation panel 1 is arranged along the body side cover 6 . The movable cover 5 has a projection 5b. The body side cover 6 has a projection 6c. FIG. 15 shows a state in which the operation panel 1 is raised. As a result of the movable cover 5 rotating about the fulcrum 2c, the projection 5b of the movable cover 5 comes into contact with the projection 6c of the main body side cover 6, so that the movable cover 5 cannot rotate further. Even if the rotation of the movable cover 5 is restricted, the fixed cover 3 and the operation panel 1 can still be rotated. there is That is, the wire 11 is connected so as to connect one place on the back side of the operation panel 1 and one place on the support portion 2a. The wire 11 is omitted from FIG. 14 . In FIG. 15 the wire 11 is in a taut state. Since the wire 11 is connected in this manner, the fixed cover 3 and the operation panel 1 cannot move away from the supporting portion 2a beyond a certain distance, so that the rotatable angle is regulated and the upper limit of the tilt angle is naturally determined.

FIG. 16 shows a cross-sectional view when the cut surface in FIG. 15 is shifted to the front side of the paper surface. In FIG. 15, the part visible as the fixed cover 3 is the second fixed cover part 3b, but in FIG. 16, the part visible as the fixed cover 3 is the first fixed cover part 3a. As shown in FIG. 16, the cable 12 is arranged inside the fixed cover 3 . Cable 12 is for communication between device main body 50 and operation panel 1 . The wire 11 is arranged inside the fixed cover second part 3b, whereas the cable 12 is arranged inside the fixed cover first part 3a. Since the wire 11 and the cable 12 are arranged in different places, they are not entangled.

(action/effect)
In this embodiment, the tilt angle of the operation panel 1 can be set large and the opening around the operation panel 1 can be closed. In this embodiment, since the operation panel 1 is connected to the device main body 50 via the fixed cover 3 and the movable cover 5, the operation panel 1 can be floated from the device main body 50. FIG.

The gap 10 may be an elongated through hole or a groove.
As shown in the present embodiment, image forming apparatus 101 preferably includes body-side cover 6 that is fixed to apparatus body 50 and covers hinge portion 2 . By adopting this configuration, the appearance of the apparatus main body 50 in the vicinity of the operation panel 1 can be made neat.

As shown in this embodiment, the operation panel 1 can take a first posture lying along the device main body 50 and a second posture standing up from the device main body 50. When the operation panel 1 is in the second posture, it is preferable that at least a part of the movable cover 5 protrude outside the device body 50 when the operation panel 1 is in the second posture. By adopting this configuration, the tilt angle can be increased because the movable cover 5 is appropriately displaced in accordance with the change in posture of the operation panel 1 . 14 shows the operation panel 1 in the first posture, and FIGS. 15 and 16 show the operation panel 1 in the second posture.

As shown in this embodiment, the movable cover 5 is preferably arranged so as to cover at least a portion of the fixed cover 3 . By adopting this configuration, the fixed cover 3 can be displaced inside the movable cover 5, and the fixed cover 3 and the movable cover 5 can be stored compactly when the operation panel 1 is laid down.

As shown in this embodiment, the movable cover 5 has the first engaging portion, the fixed cover 3 has the second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion, and the movable cover 5 has the above-described It is preferable that the first engaging portion is displaced while being engaged with the second engaging portion. The claw 5a corresponds to the first engaging portion. The gap 10 corresponds to the second engaging portion. By adopting this configuration, the movable cover 5 can be displaced continuously while maintaining the engagement state with respect to the fixed cover 3 .

As shown in this embodiment, the movable cover 5 preferably has a stopper that regulates the displacement range of the movable cover 5 . In this embodiment, the protrusion 5b corresponds to a stopper. Since the movable cover 5 is provided with a stopper in this way, it is possible to prevent the situation in which the movable cover 5 is displaced too much and comes off.

As shown in the present embodiment, the operation panel 1 has a linear member that defines the maximum angle at which the operation panel 1 separates from the apparatus main body 50, and one end of the linear member is connected to the operation panel 1 or the fixed cover 3. , The other end of the linear member is fixed to the device main body 50, and the movable cover 5 is preferably disposed so as to be displaced while housing the linear member inside. By adopting this configuration, it is possible to appropriately regulate the maximum tilt angle of the operation panel with a simple structure. In this embodiment, the wire 11 corresponds to the linear member.

As shown in this embodiment, the movable cover 5 has a projection for snap-fitting, the fixed cover 3 has a linear recess or groove, and the projection engages the recess by snap-fitting. Preferably, the protrusions are snap fit and movable along the recesses or grooves. By adopting this configuration, it is possible to flexibly change the angle of the operation panel while appropriately combining the movable cover 5 and the fixed cover 3 . In this embodiment, the claw 5a corresponds to the convex portion.

As shown in the present embodiment, hinge portion 2 preferably has fulcrum 2 c , and fulcrum 2 c is preferably arranged inside device body 50 . By adopting this configuration, it is possible to smoothly change the angle of the operation panel 1 while keeping the appearance neat.

(Modification)
A modification of the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 17 shows the fixed cover 3 and the movable cover 5 provided in this image forming apparatus. FIG. 18 shows a cross-sectional view taken along line XVIII-XVIII in FIG. The movable cover 5 has projections 5d in place of the claws 5a. FIG. 19 shows the movable cover 5 alone. FIG. 20 shows a view of the movable cover 5 in the direction of arrow 92 in FIG. The protrusion 5d has a T shape when viewed in this direction. FIG. 21 shows the movable cover 5 viewed in the direction of arrow 93 in FIG.

FIG. 22 shows the fixed cover 3 alone. FIG. 23 shows the fixed cover first portion 3a taken out alone. FIG. 24 shows the fixed cover second portion 3b taken out by itself. In this modified example, the projection 5d corresponds to the first engaging portion, and the gap 10 corresponds to the second engaging portion.

(Embodiment 2)
(Constitution)
An image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26. FIG.

The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has the same basic configuration as the image forming apparatus 101 described in the first embodiment, but differs in the following points. In the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment, operation panel 1 is supported so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction and also rotatable in the left-right direction. FIG. 25 shows the operation panel 1 and the hinge portion 2 taken out.

A round hole 15 is provided in the support portion 2 a of the hinge portion 2 . As shown in FIG. 26, the stepped screw 16 is inserted into the circular hole 15 to fix the supporting portion 2a to the device main body 50. As shown in FIG. By doing so, it is possible to rotate the support portion 2a in the left-right direction as indicated by an arrow 94. As shown in FIG. The operation panel 1 is rotatable in the front-rear direction due to the structure already described in the first embodiment, and is also rotatable in the left-right direction by means of the stepped screw 16 .

(action/effect)
In this embodiment, the operation panel 1 is rotatable both in the front-rear direction and in the left-right direction, and the user can easily adjust the operation panel 1 to the optimum posture. be able to.

(Embodiment 3)
(Constitution)
An image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 27 to 30. FIG.

The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment has the same basic configuration as the image forming apparatus 101 described in the first embodiment, but differs in the following points. In the image forming apparatus of this embodiment, the movable cover 5 is divided into a plurality of parts so that it can be folded. In this embodiment, the movable cover 5 includes a first movable cover portion 5e and a second movable cover portion 5f. The back side of the operation panel 1 has a structure in which a fixed cover 3, a first movable cover portion 5e, and a second movable cover portion 5f are connected. In Embodiment 1, the structure described as the engagement relationship between the fixed cover 3 and the movable cover 5 is replaced by the engagement relationship between the fixed cover 3 and the movable cover first portion 5e in the present embodiment. adopted as. Furthermore, a similar engagement relationship is employed between the first movable cover portion 5e and the second movable cover portion 5f.

(action/effect)
Also in this embodiment, the effect described in the first embodiment can be obtained. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the back side of the operation panel 1 has a structure in which three members, that is, the fixed cover 3, the first movable cover portion 5e, and the second movable cover portion 5f, are arranged in a row. can be secured to a large extent. For example, as shown in FIG. 28, it is also possible to tilt the operation panel 1 downward from the vertical direction. For example, it can be oriented downward by 20° from the vertical direction.

FIG. 29 shows a state in which the movable cover second portion 5f is removed from the state shown in FIG. The movable cover first portion 5 e has a gap 17 . FIG. 30 shows a state in which the movable cover first portion 5e is removed from the state shown in FIG. A projection 18 provided on the second portion 5f of the movable cover is inserted into the gap 17. As shown in FIG. When the first movable cover portion 5e is displaced relative to the second movable cover portion 5f, the protrusion 18 slides along the gap 17. As shown in FIG.

The gap 17 may be an elongated through hole or a groove.
Here, an example in which the movable cover 5 is configured by connecting two parts is shown, but it may be configured by connecting three or more parts.

It should be noted that a plurality of the above embodiments may be appropriately combined and employed.
With the configuration described above, the angle of the operation panel can be changed with the hinge configuration, the fixing surface of the operation panel side of the hinge is fixed approximately in the center of the operation panel, and the arm of the hinge fixed to the operation panel side of the hinge is normal. When vertical, the operation panel protrudes to the operation panel side through the exterior opening of the main body. The image forming apparatus can be floated from the main body of the image forming apparatus, the presence of the operation panel, which is the entrance for the user to access the image forming apparatus, can be emphasized, the touch points of the operation unit can be clarified, and the image forming apparatus has excellent operability. can be provided.

In addition, the hinge part of the operation panel equipped with the angle variable mechanism, that is, the tilt mechanism, is covered with a fixed cover and a movable cover, and the fixed cover also serves as a guide for the cable and a guide for the wire for angle regulation, resulting in a simple structure. Even with a device with a large tilt angle, it is possible to completely block the opening around the hinge. Furthermore, it is possible to prevent the wiring from being scratched and to prevent the wiring or wire from being caught during tilting, so that it is possible to provide an apparatus excellent in operability and reliability.

It should be noted that the above embodiments disclosed this time are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the claims, and includes all changes within the meaning and range of equivalents to the claims.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 operation panel 2 hinge 2a support 2b support arm 2c fulcrum 3 fixed cover 3a fixed cover first portion 3b fixed cover second portion 5 movable cover 5e movable cover first portion 5f movable Cover second portion 5a Claw 5b Projection 5d Projection 6 Body side cover 6a Opening 6b Exterior surface 6c Projection 7 Panel rear cover 7a Panel rear cover first portion 7b Panel rear cover second portion 10, 17 gap, 11 wire, 12 cable, 15 round hole, 16 shoulder screw, 18 projection, 50 device main body, 91, 92, 93, 94 arrow, 101 image forming device.

Claims (13)

a device body;
an operation panel connected to the device body via a hinge portion so that the angle can be changed with respect to the device body;
a fixed cover fixed to the operation panel so as to protrude from the operation panel in an arc shape, as a part of a member covering the hinge portion;
An image forming apparatus, comprising: an arc-shaped movable cover that covers the hinge portion while being displaced in conjunction with a change in angle of the fixed cover. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a main body side cover fixed to said apparatus main body and covering said hinge portion. The operation panel can take a first posture lying along the device main body and a second posture standing up from the device main body,
When the operation panel is in the first posture, the movable cover is housed inside the device main body, and when the operation panel is in the second posture, at least part of the movable cover is outside the device main body. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus protrudes. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said movable cover is arranged to cover at least part of said fixed cover. The movable cover has a first engaging portion, the fixed cover has a second engaging portion that engages with the first engaging portion, and the movable cover engages the first engaging portion with the second engaging portion. 5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is displaced while being engaged with the joint. 6. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said movable cover includes a stopper that regulates a displacement range of said movable cover. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said movable cover is divided into a plurality of parts so as to be foldable. a linear member that defines the maximum angle at which the operation panel separates from the device main body;
One end of the linear member is connected to the operation panel or the fixed cover, the other end of the linear member is fixed to the apparatus main body, and the movable cover extends the linear member inside. 8. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, arranged so as to be displaced while being housed. the movable cover has a protrusion for snap fitting,
The fixed cover has a linear recess or groove, the protrusion is snap-fitted to the recess, and the protrusion is movable along the recess or groove in a snap-fit state. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 10. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said hinge portion has a fulcrum, and said fulcrum is arranged inside said apparatus main body. 11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the operation panel is supported so as to be rotatable in the front-rear direction and also rotatable in the left-right direction. a device body;
an operation panel connected to the device body via a hinge portion so that the angle can be changed with respect to the device body;
a fixed cover fixed to the operation panel as part of a member covering the hinge;
a movable cover that covers the hinge portion while being displaced in conjunction with a change in the angle of the fixed cover;
a linear member that defines the maximum angle at which the operation panel separates from the device main body;
One end of the linear member is connected to the operation panel or the fixed cover, the other end of the linear member is fixed to the apparatus main body, and the movable cover extends the linear member inside. An image forming apparatus arranged to be displaced while being housed. a device body;
an operation panel connected to the device body via a hinge portion so that the angle can be changed with respect to the device body;
a fixed cover fixed to the operation panel as part of a member covering the hinge;
a movable cover that covers the hinge portion while being displaced in conjunction with a change in the angle of the fixed cover;
The movable cover has a protrusion for snap-fitting, the fixed cover has a linear recess or groove, the protrusion is snap-fitted to the recess, and the protrusion snaps into place. An imaging device that is movable along the recess or groove while fitted.

Images