JP7196705B2 - image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

Image forming apparatuses are often configured as MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) that can be used as printers, facsimiles, scanners, and copiers. In recent years, in order to save space, an image forming apparatus has a so-called cylinder, in which a scanner is placed on top of a printer, an opening is provided between the scanner and the printer, and discharged paper is placed in the opening. An internal discharge type is known.

In a configuration in which an internal paper discharge type image forming apparatus is provided with an operation panel for displaying the operation status of the apparatus and for performing operation input for executing an operation, there is a need to prevent obstruction when taking out the paper from the opening. A device in which an operation panel is movably attached is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus, user maintenance is progressing, in which a user replaces units such as a process cartridge, a toner bottle, and a waste toner collection container. Therefore, the replacement procedure and the like are displayed on the operation panel, and the user can work while watching this.

In the above work, since the unit to be replaced by the user is located below the internal paper ejection unit, the user can check and operate the operation panel from a low position (for example, from a squatting position). Must be able to operate. Securing visibility and operability from such a low position is also required for short users and wheelchair users.

Visibility and operability from a low position can be ensured by ensuring that the display surface of the panel is substantially perpendicular to the installation surface of the device.
However, in order to save space when packed, the operation panel is designed so that the horizontal projection area of the housing is minimized and that it does not protrude above the scanner when the screen is held horizontally. With conventional single-axis hinge arms, the display surface cannot be positioned vertically due to restrictions on the axis position and the screen size of the operation panel. There was a problem of doing so.

On the other hand, in the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1, the operation panel is held within a movement range defined by a link mechanism formed by a plurality of rotating shafts and a first arm and a second arm. is a range in which the operation panel does not enter the area where the recording medium is ejected in the opening provided inside the housing, and does not protrude outside the side surface of the housing in the state of being supported vertically, A configuration has been proposed in which the range does not protrude above the scanner placed above the opening when held horizontally.

Since the operation panel provided in the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1 moves backward while the display surface is vertical, it may be difficult for the user to intuitively move the operation panel, unlike general tilt operations. There is
In addition, the link mechanism itself may enter the area for taking out the paper from the internal paper discharge section, thereby interfering with the taking out of the paper.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus having an operation panel that ensures sufficient visibility and operability from a low position, does not interfere with the paper discharge area, and is easy to move. With the goal.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an image forming apparatus of the present invention includes: an in-body paper ejection section formed so that at least a part of the front surface of a housing is open, and on which an ejected recording medium is placed; an operation panel movably held by an arm connected to a portion of the front surface of the housing, the arm having two four-bar linkages formed by five links and seven rotation shafts. death,
A first four-bar link mechanism of the two four-bar link mechanisms forms a connection point with the housing, a first link having a first rotation shaft forming a connection point with the housing. A second link having a second rotation shaft, a third link connected to the first link via a third rotation shaft, and a third link connected to the second link via a fourth rotation shaft formed,
A second four-bar link mechanism of the two four-bar link mechanisms includes the second link, the third link, and a fourth link connected to the second link via a fifth rotation shaft, and a fifth link connected to the operation panel, connected to the third link via a sixth rotation shaft, and connected to the fourth link via a seventh rotation shaft. characterized by

According to the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus having an operation panel that ensures sufficient visibility and operability from a low position, does not interfere with the paper discharge area, and is easy to move. can be done.

1 is an external perspective view showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention; FIG. It is a front view which shows an example of an operation panel. 3 is an external perspective view showing an arm of the operation panel of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention; FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically a motion of the arm which concerns on this embodiment. It is an explanatory view showing typically composition of an arm concerning this embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a link mechanism of an arm according to this embodiment; 4 is an explanatory view schematically showing movements of an operation panel and an arm of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention; FIG.

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown below, and can be changed within the scope of those skilled in the art, such as other embodiments, additions, modifications, deletions, etc. is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as the functions and effects of the present invention are exhibited.

FIG. 1 is an external view showing an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention.
The image forming apparatus 1 is an MFP that can be used as a printer, a facsimile machine, a scanner, and a copier by having an imaging function, an image forming function, a communication function, and the like.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 2 denotes an operation panel, reference numeral 11 denotes an internal paper ejection section, reference numeral 12 denotes a paper ejection tray, reference numeral 14 denotes a scanner (image reading device), reference numeral 15 denotes a paper feed tray, and reference numeral 16 denotes a front cover. show.

Between the body of the image forming apparatus 1 and the scanner 14, there is an internal paper ejection section 11, and the ejected recording medium (transfer paper, etc.) is placed on the paper ejection tray 12. FIG.
An openable and closable front cover 16 is provided on the front of the apparatus, and by opening the front cover 16, it is possible to replace the internal photoreceptor unit (PCDU), toner bottle, waste toner collection container, and the like.

The operation panel 2 is a member having a display function for displaying the operation status of the image forming apparatus and an explanation of the operation method, and an input function for inputting operation instructions. ing.
The operation panel 2 transmits print job execution and job settings to the image forming apparatus 1 based on user operations. The operation panel 2 is loaded with programs and the like for transmitting command information for operating various functions to the image forming apparatus 1 .

An automatic document feeder (ADF) for automatically feeding and discharging a plurality of documents to and from the scanner 14 may be provided in the upper part of the image forming apparatus 1 together with the scanner 14 .
A recording medium (hereinafter referred to as "paper") is supplied to the paper feed tray 15 or a manual feed tray, and in the case of a printer, image data and its print command (print mode, number of sheets, which tray to print from, etc.) are input from an external device such as a PC. ), the paper is fed from the specified tray at a predetermined timing so as to pass through the transport path inside the device. In the case of copying with a multifunction machine, after reading the image with the scanner 14, performing various settings on the operation panel 2, and giving an instruction to start printing, the paper is sent from the designated tray at a predetermined timing through the transport path inside the machine. Paper is fed in the same way.

Inside the image forming apparatus 1, an image is transferred to the image carrier based on the image data and the print command in the image forming process, and the image is transferred to the paper fed on the transport path. The paper on which the image has been transferred is conveyed to the fixing unit, and the toner is fixed by heat. The sheet on which the image is formed is then discharged to the discharge tray 12 . In the case of double-sided printing, the paper after single-sided printing is conveyed to the double-sided conveying path by the reversing rollers before being discharged to the paper discharge tray 12, and the leading edge of the back side is returned to the conveying path again, and the same process is performed. After the fixing of the image on the back side is completed, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray 12 .

FIG. 2 is a front view schematically showing an example of the operation panel 2. As shown in FIG.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 denotes a liquid crystal screen (touch panel), reference numeral 22 denotes a housing (exterior), and reference numeral 23 denotes a light guide member.
A plurality of light guide members 23 are provided on the outer periphery of the housing 22, and are members for notifying the user by lighting or blinking of a light source such as an LED. A member 25 for notifying, a member 26 for notifying warnings, various abnormalities, and errors (toner end, jam, etc.) for prompting confirmation of the state are provided.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing the arm of the operation panel of the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the movement of the arm.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the operation panel 2 is movably held by an arm 30 (a pair of arms 30a and 30b) connected to a portion of the front surface of the housing of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG.

The operation panel 2 according to this embodiment can display large-sized characters, and can display a large amount of information at once. Therefore, convenience for the user of the image forming apparatus 1 can be improved.
However, when such a large-sized operation panel 2 is arranged on the front surface of the image forming apparatus 1, especially when it is set up vertically to ensure visibility from a low position, the paper discharge tray 12 is provided. In some cases, the operation panel 2 interferes with the internal paper ejection portion 11, which is an opening formed in the body, and it is difficult to take out the paper that has been ejected to the paper ejection tray 12 and placed thereon.

The operation panel according to this embodiment is held by an arm having two four-bar link mechanisms connected via two links as shown in FIG. retained. By applying a link mechanism that rotates on an imaginary point, the operation panel 2 does not enter the internal paper discharge section 11 and interfere with the paper discharge area.

A tilt mechanism provided in the arm 30 that movably holds the operation panel 2 in the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, the arm 30 has two four-bar link mechanisms 31 and 32 formed by five links (L1-L5) and seven rotary shafts (A1-A7).
The first four-bar link mechanism 31 constitutes a connection point with the housing of the image forming apparatus 1, a first link L1 having a first rotation axis A1 constituting a connection point with the housing of the image forming apparatus 1. A second link L2 having a second rotation axis A2 and a first link L1 are connected via a third rotation axis A3, and the second link L2 is connected via a fourth rotation axis A4. is formed by the third link L3.
The second four-bar link mechanism 32 is connected to the second link L2, the third link L3, the fourth link L4 connected to the second link L2 via the fifth rotation axis A5, and the operation panel 2. , the third link L3 through a sixth rotation axis A6, and the fourth link L4 through a seventh rotation axis A7.
A movement range of the operation panel 2 is defined by the first four-bar link mechanism 31 and the second four-bar link mechanism 32 .

As shown in the change from FIG. 6(A) to FIG. 6(B), when the first four-bar linkage mechanism 31 is deformed so as to fall down, the second four-bar linkage is formed via the second link L2 and the third link L3. The link mechanism 32 is also interlocked and deformed, and the fifth link L5 connected to the operation panel 2 moves so as to fall down, and the operation panel 2 rises substantially perpendicularly to the installation surface.
In this manner, the operation panel 2 moves forward of the image forming apparatus 1 and is raised substantially vertically without interfering with the internal paper discharge section 11 .

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the trajectory of movement of the links L1 to L5 and the rotary shafts A1 to A7 that constitute the operation panel 2 and the arm.
As shown in FIG. 7, in the present embodiment, the operation panel 2 and the arm 30 (a pair of arms 30 a and 30 b ) are moved within a range in which they do not interfere with the internal paper discharge section 11 .
Further, the moving operation for raising the operation panel 2 vertically is the same as a general tilting operation, which is intuitive and easy for the user.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the operation panel 2 does not protrude above the scanner (image reading device) 14 when held substantially horizontally with respect to the installation surface of the image forming apparatus 1. Space saving is realized. In addition, it is possible to prevent a part of the document protruding from the scanner 14 from coming into contact with the operation panel 2 and causing the document to float above the document reading surface.

The arm 30 is, for example, a member made of metal and may be coated with resin.
Further, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which a frictional resistance portion that imparts frictional resistance is provided to any one of the seven rotating shafts (A1 to A7) of the arm 30. FIG.
The frictional resistance part gives the rotating shafts (A1 to A7) frictional resistance exceeding the rotational torque due to their own weight.

The frictional resistance imparting portion can be configured by incorporating, for example, a disc spring, a washer, a nut, etc., and the movement range defined by the first four-bar link mechanism 31 and the second four-bar link mechanism 32 is The operation panel 2 can be held at any position on the track.

With the above configuration, the operation panel 2 provided in the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment ensures sufficient visibility and operability from a low position, does not interfere with the paper ejection area, and is movable. Easy to operate.

Further, the operation panel 2 according to the present embodiment can be applied to both electrophotographic and inkjet image forming apparatuses.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 image forming apparatus 2 operation panel 11 internal paper discharge section 12 paper discharge tray 13 paper discharge area 14 image reading device (scanner)
15 Paper feed tray 16 Front cover 30 Arm 31 First four-bar link mechanism 32 Second four-bar link mechanism A1 to A7 Rotating shaft L1 to L5 Link

JP 2018-13571 A

Claims (5)

an in-body paper ejection unit formed so that at least a part of the front surface of the housing is open, and on which the ejected recording medium is placed;
an operation panel movably held by an arm connected to a portion of the front surface of the housing,
The arm has two four-bar linkages formed by five links and seven rotating shafts,
A first four-bar link mechanism of the two four-bar link mechanisms forms a connection point with the housing, a first link having a first rotation shaft forming a connection point with the housing. A second link having a second rotation shaft, a third link connected to the first link via a third rotation shaft, and a third link connected to the second link via a fourth rotation shaft formed,
A second four-bar link mechanism of the two four-bar link mechanisms includes the second link, the third link, and a fourth link connected to the second link via a fifth rotation shaft, and a fifth link connected to the operation panel, connected to the third link via a sixth rotation shaft, and connected to the fourth link via a seventh rotation shaft. An image forming apparatus characterized by: 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movement range of the operation panel is a range that does not interfere with the internal paper discharge section. The operation panel is held by the pair of arms,
3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the movement range of the pair of arms accompanying the movement of the operation panel is a range that does not interfere with the in-body paper discharge section. An image reading device is provided on the upper part of the in-body paper discharge unit,
4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation panel does not protrude above the image reading device when the operation panel is held substantially horizontally with respect to the installation surface of the image forming device. Device. Having a friction resistance part that imparts frictional resistance to any of the seven rotating shafts,
5. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the frictional resistance section applies a frictional resistance to the rotating shaft exceeding a rotational torque due to its own weight.

Images