JPH11119498A - Electronic image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable even a user who is not only in a standing state, but also in a seated state on a wheelchair to easily see and operate a final control element, with a simple constitution and operation, by making the installation angle of the final control element changeable to a first angle, that is, an angle within a specific range, at which the final control element is inclined downward in the horizontal direction and a second angle smaller than the first angle. SOLUTION: An image reader 33 provided with an automatic document feeder 32 for automatically carrying a document is arranged on the top part of the image forming device main body 1, in a state where the image reader 33 is placed on a strut member 34. A control panel 35 as the final control element through which the image forming device is operated is disposed to project in a full surface over the same width of that of the image reader 33. Then, in the control panel 35, its installation angle can be changed to the first angle, that is, some angle within the range of 20-30 deg., at which the panel 35 is inclined downward in the horizontal direction and the second angle smaller than the first angle.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic image apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer, and a facsimile.
Particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic imaging apparatus used in a state where the electronic imaging apparatus is installed on a floor surface, and which can be easily operated in a state of being seated in a wheelchair or the like, in addition to being operated while standing on a normal floor surface. is there.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, the above-mentioned electrophotographic apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, a printer and a facsimile is used while being installed on a floor. At that time, the user usually uses an electronic image device such as an electrophotographic copying machine by operating an operation panel while standing on the floor.

[0003] In recent years, social advancement of the physically handicapped and the like has become active, and in the office and the like, the physically handicapped and the like operate an electronic image device such as an electrophotographic copying machine while sitting in a wheelchair. Opportunities are also increasing.

[0004] However, since the above-described conventional electronic image apparatuses such as electrophotographic copying machines are manufactured on the premise that they are operated while standing on the floor, a physically disabled person or the like sits in a wheelchair. When operating an electronic imaging apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine, there is a problem that a display unit of an operation panel of the electronic imaging apparatus is hard to see or a key operation is difficult.

Therefore, as a technique capable of solving such a problem, for example, techniques disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 62-153871 and 9-6185 have already been proposed. The image forming apparatus disclosed in JP-A-62-153871 optically scans a document placed on a platen by scanning means operated in accordance with operation of an operation means provided on an operation panel, An image forming apparatus for transferring an image corresponding to an image of a document onto a transfer material includes a display unit rotatably provided on the operation panel for performing various displays, and a driving unit for driving the display unit. It is configured as follows.

Further, the multifunction device according to the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-6185 is provided with a large-sized display device as an operation unit, and has functions such as a scanner, a printer, a copy, and a facsimile. A large-sized display device supporting means is provided to enable the large-sized display device to be moved to an optimum position for operating each function.

[0007]

However, the prior art described above has the following problems. That is, in the case of the former image forming apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Sho 62-153891, a display means rotatably provided on an operation panel to perform various displays, and a driving means for driving the display means are provided. By rotating the display means to a desired angle,
Although the LCD panel can be viewed easily, it adjusts the angle of only the display means, so it is difficult for physically handicapped persons who have to operate in a wheelchair to see the operation keys, There is a problem that it is difficult.

Further, in the case of the latter multi-functional apparatus according to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-6185, a large-sized display device supporting means which can be moved to an optimum position for operating the large-sized display device when each function is operated is provided. Because it is configured to be provided, by moving the large display device to an appropriate position by the large display device support means, even a physically disabled person who has to operate in a state of sitting in a wheelchair, etc. The device can be easily seen and operated.

However, in the case of the composite apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-6185, the large-sized display device can be moved to an optimum position by the large-sized display device support means. Not only is the configuration of the device complicated, but also when the user operates a multifunction device having functions such as a printer and a copy, always adjust the position of the large display device to an optimal position suitable for oneself. Otherwise, the multifunction device cannot be used, and the degree of freedom to adjust the position of the large display device is large, but the operation of adjusting the position of the large display device is newly troublesome. In particular, it is difficult for a physically handicapped person or the like who has to operate in a wheelchair to adjust the large display device to a position where the user can easily see and operate the large display device. Still has a problem that it is impossible to improve operability for equal.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a simple configuration and a simple operation.
An electronic image with an easy-to-see and easy-to-operate operation section for ordinary users who operate while standing on the floor, as well as users who have to operate while sitting in a wheelchair. It is to provide a device.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic imaging apparatus used in a state where the electronic imaging apparatus is installed on a floor, the electronic imaging apparatus having an operation unit for operating the electronic imaging apparatus, The installation angle of the operation unit is at least a first angle inclined downward to any angle within a range of 20 to 30 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction, and a second angle smaller than the first angle. It can be changed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic image apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the first installation angle of the operation unit is set to 5 to 20 degrees. .

Further, according to a third aspect of the present invention, the operation unit has a display unit for displaying an operation condition and an operation unit for operating an electronic image apparatus. 3. An electronic image apparatus according to claim 2.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic image apparatus used in a state where the apparatus is installed on a floor surface.
An operation unit for operating the electronic imaging device, wherein when the height of the operation unit is set to the first height, the installation angle of the operation unit is at least within a range of 20 to 30 degrees. The angle can be changed to one angle, and when the electronic imaging device is set to a second height lower than the first height, the installation angle of the operation unit can be changed to 30 degrees. .

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the electronic image apparatus according to the third aspect, wherein the display means of the operation unit comprises a liquid crystal display panel.

Further, according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, at least a part of the operation means of the operation section has a shape which can be distinguished from other operation means by touching with a hand. Item 4. The electronic image device according to Item 3.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the operation section is formed to have substantially the same width as the main body of the electronic imaging device, and is installed so as to protrude from the front side of the main body of the electronic imaging device. An electronic image device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below based on an embodiment shown in the drawings.

FIG. 3 shows an image forming apparatus having functions of a copier / facsimile / printer as an electronic image apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The image forming apparatus is mounted on a floor. It is configured to be used in the installed state.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of the image forming apparatus, and image information read by an image reading device (not shown) for reading an image of a document is provided in an upper portion of the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus. An image processing apparatus 2 that performs predetermined image processing on image information sent from a personal computer or the like as necessary, and performs image exposure based on image information that has been subjected to predetermined image processing by the image processing apparatus 2. A ROS 3 (Raster Output Scanner) to be performed is arranged, and the ROS 3 performs image exposure using a laser beam LB according to image information.

As shown in FIG. 3, the ROS 3 emits a laser beam LB from a semiconductor laser (not shown) according to gradation data of image information. The laser light LB emitted from the semiconductor laser is deflected and scanned by the rotary polygon mirror 4, and is reflected by the photosensitive drum 7 via the reflection mirrors 5 and 6.
It is scanned and exposed on top.

As the photosensitive drum 7 on which the laser beam LB is scanned and exposed by the ROS 3, for example, a photosensitive body using an organic photoconductive substance is used. Is driven to rotate at a predetermined speed in the direction of the arrow. As shown in FIG. 3, the surface of the photoreceptor drum 7 is charged to a predetermined potential by a charging roll 8 in advance, and then scanned and exposed to laser light LB in accordance with image information to form an electrostatic latent image. It is formed. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is developed by the developing roll 10 of the developing device 9 to become a toner image.

The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 7 is transferred onto a transfer paper 12 by a transfer roll 11 arranged so as to come into contact with the photosensitive drum 7, and the toner image is transferred. The transfer paper 12 is discharged from the photoconductive drum 7 by being discharged by a separation charger 13 composed of a needle electrode. An AC voltage obtained by superimposing an AC voltage or a DC voltage is applied to the separation charger 13 including the needle-shaped electrodes. As shown in FIG. 3, the transfer paper 12 is fed from a plurality of paper cassettes 14, 15, and 16 disposed in a lower portion of the image forming apparatus main body 1 by a paper feed roll 17. This fed transfer paper 12
Is transported to the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 by the transport roll 18 and the registration roll 19, respectively.

The transfer paper 12 on which the toner image has been transferred from the photosensitive drum 7 is discharged from the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 by the charge removing unit 13 composed of a needle electrode, as described above. Is transported to the fixing device 20,
After the toner image is fixed on the transfer paper 12 by the heat and pressure by the fixing device 20, the toner image is discharged onto the discharge tray 22 by the discharge roll 21, and the image forming process is completed.

After the toner image transfer process is completed, the surface of the photosensitive drum 7 is cleaned of residual toner and paper dust by a cleaning device 23 having a cleaner blade, a brush, and the like, so that the next image forming operation is performed. It is prepared for the process.

In the image forming apparatus configured as described above,
In order to improve maintainability, the photosensitive drum 7 and the developing device 9 and the cleaning device 23 around the photosensitive drum 7 are CR
It is unitized as U24 and this CR
U24 is integrally detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 1.

The image forming apparatus according to this embodiment has an operation section for operating the electronic image apparatus in an electronic image apparatus used in a state where the image forming apparatus is installed on a floor surface. The angle can be changed to a first angle inclined at least to any angle within a range of 20 to 30 degrees downward with respect to the horizontal direction, and a second angle smaller than the first angle. It is configured as follows.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment is configured to be used while installed on a floor 30. The main body 1 is installed on a floor 30 via a caster 31 that allows the apparatus main body 1 to move. An image reading device 33 provided with an automatic document feeder 32 for automatically feeding a document is provided on an upper portion of the image forming apparatus main body 1 with a mounting support member 34 erected on the floor surface. It is arranged in a state of being placed on.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image reading apparatus provided with the automatic document feeder 32 includes a control panel 35 as an operation section for operating the image forming apparatus.
The control panel 35 is disposed so as to protrude over the entire width over the same width as the image reading apparatus. The installation angle of the control panel 35 is any one within a range of 20 to 30 degrees downward with respect to the horizontal direction. And a second angle smaller than the first angle.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control panel 35 displays the operation state of the image forming apparatus and has a 9.4-inch touch panel comprising a touch panel for operating the screen by pressing the screen with a finger or the like. A liquid crystal display panel 36 and operation keys 37 for operating functions as a copy, a printer, and a facsimile of the image forming apparatus are provided. The liquid crystal display panel 36 is set to have a larger screen than that of a normal image forming apparatus, and the image displayed on the liquid crystal display panel 36 is also set to be larger than that of a normal apparatus. The user can easily view the displayed image. The operation keys 3 on the control panel 35
As shown in FIG. 4, a start key 38, a stop key 39, a reset key 40, a manual reception key 4
1, numeric key 42, clear key 43, interrupt key 4
4. Various keys are provided, such as a function switching key 45, a setting confirmation key 46, a state confirmation key 47, a voice guide key 48, a volume control volume 49, a transmission setting section 50 in which facsimile transmission setting keys are arranged, and the like. . Among the various operation keys 37, a start key 38, a stop key 39, a reset key 40, a manual reception key 41, and an interruption key 44 for performing basic operations of the image forming apparatus.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the start key 38 is formed in a planar elliptical shape, and is formed in a three-dimensional shape in which a central portion is lowered, so that a user or an eye with weak vision has low vision. Even the invisible user or the like can distinguish it from other keys by touching the key with his / her hand. The stop key 39 and the reset key 40 have a flat rectangular shape and are set slightly higher than the surface 35a of the control panel 35. On the other hand, the manual reception key 41
It is a flat rectangular shape like the above, but the control panel 3
5 is set at the same height as the front surface 35a, and is configured to prevent erroneous operation. Further, around the start key 38, a prevention guide 38 for preventing erroneous operation is provided.
b is provided to prevent an erroneous operation of pressing the start key 38 by mistake when the user or the like sitting in a wheelchair or the like operates the stop key 39, the reset key 40, or the like. Further, marks 38a, 39b, and 40a are provided on the start key 38, the stop key 39, and the reset key 40 so that the keys can be identified by touching the keys.

As shown in FIG. 7, the control panel 35 is rotatably mounted on the front side of the image reading apparatus via a rotation shaft 51, and its installation angle is set in the horizontal direction. On the other hand, the first angle θ1 inclined downward at any angle within the range of 20 to 30 degrees, and 0 in the horizontal direction H smaller than the first angle.
The angle can be changed by the angle changing mechanism 52 to the second angle θ2 inclined to any angle within the range of 15 degrees. The angle changing mechanism 52 includes a support member 53 attached to the back side of the control panel 35, an operation lever 55 attached to the support member 53 via a shaft 54 so as to be tiltable, and a front side of the image reading apparatus. And an angle member 57 provided with a shaft member 56 for adjusting the angle. Further, at the tip of the operation lever 55, an angle member 5 on the image reading apparatus side is provided.
An L-shaped groove 58 is provided for engaging with an angle adjusting shaft member 56 provided in 7. When the angle changing mechanism 52 is set at the second angle θ2 close to horizontal as shown in FIG. 7, the angle adjusting shaft member 56 provided on the angle member 57 on the image reading apparatus side. Are engaged with the distal end portion 58a of the L-shaped groove 58 of the operation lever. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the operation lever 55 provided on the control panel 35 side is pushed up to the control panel 35 side by hand, and a shaft member 56 for angle adjustment is provided.
Is moved so as to come to the intermediate portion 58b of the L-shaped groove 58 of the operation lever, and by pressing down the entire control panel 35, an angle adjusting shaft member provided on the angle member 57 on the image reading apparatus side is depressed. 56 moves to the base end 58c of the L-shaped groove 58 of the operation lever 55, and as shown in FIG.
In the state set at the angle θ1.

By the way, the present inventors, when the angle at which the control panel 35 is installed can be changed between the first angle and the second angle by the angle changing mechanism 52 as described above, When the angle and the second angle are set to any angle, the user who operates the liquid crystal display panel 36 provided on the control panel 35 while sitting on a wheelchair or the like is easy to see and is provided on the control panel 35. The user who operates the operation keys 37 while sitting on a wheelchair or the like is easy to operate, and a liquid crystal display panel 36 provided on the control panel 35.
Is easy to see for the user U who operates while standing on the floor 30, and whether the user U who operates the various operation keys 37 provided on the control panel 35 while standing on the floor 30 is easy to operate. For clarification, various ergonomic studies were performed. Hereinafter, the results of the study will be described.

First, the viewable viewing angle of the liquid crystal display panel 36 provided on the control panel 35 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, the angle is 40 degrees on the near side and 25 degrees on the other side. Using such a control panel 35, as a user U, Japanese male and female users of average height stand on the floor 30 and in a wheelchair 60, At two points of the operation of “viewing the liquid crystal display panel” and the operation of “pressing the operation key”, the installation angle of the control panel 35 which is easy to operate was evaluated and determined. The evaluation viewpoint is that the operation of “viewing the liquid crystal display panel” is performed from the control panel 35 to the standing position shown in FIG. 11 and FIG.
Whether or not the screen of the liquid crystal display panel 36 can be viewed naturally and the operation of "pressing the operation key" are controlled so that the nail of the operating hand does not interfere and touch other operation keys. It was determined whether or not the operation key 37 on the panel 35 could be operated with the feeling of "push vertically" with the pad of the finger.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show that, when the height of the fulcrum of the control panel 35 is set to 890 mm, the average male and female Japanese users stand on the floor as the user U. In the state and the state where the user is sitting on the wheelchair 60, at the two points of the “viewing the liquid crystal display panel” operation of the control panel 35 and the “pressing the operation key”
It is a figure which shows the result of having performed evaluation from the said viewpoint.

As a result, the user U who operates while standing on the floor 30 can easily operate the control panel 35.
Is 5 to 20 degrees as shown in FIG. In addition, the setting angle θ of the control panel 35 that is easy to operate by the user U who operates while sitting in the wheelchair 60 was 22 degrees to 30 degrees as shown in FIG.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show that, when the height h of the fulcrum of the control panel 35 is set to 965 mm, as a user U, Japanese average male and female users are placed on the floor 30. The figure shows the result of the evaluation from the above viewpoints at two points of the operation of “viewing the liquid crystal display panel” and the operation of “pressing the operation key” of the control panel 35 while standing and sitting in a wheelchair. It is.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 13, the set angle θ of the control panel 35 which is easy for the user to operate while standing on the floor 30 was 5 to 30 degrees. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, the set angle θ of the control panel 35 which is easy to operate by the user U who operates while sitting in the wheelchair 60 was 30 degrees.

FIG. 15 shows a consideration on the height of the operation surface 35a which is easy for a male and a female of average height of Japanese to operate when the height of the fulcrum of the operation surface 35a of the control panel 35 is changed. It shows the results.

As a result of the study, it was found that when the height of the fulcrum of the operation surface 35a of the control panel 35 was higher than the elbow of the user U, the work efficiency was extremely reduced and the fatigue was increased. Further, it was found that when the height of the operation surface of the control panel 35 was lower than the elbow of the user by 150 mm or more, the workability was rather lowered. Therefore, the operation surface of the control panel 35 is 0 to 150 degrees below the elbow of the operator.
Being within the range lower by mm is a condition under which the operator can operate without feeling discomfort.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing a ratio of persons who can perform comfortable operations when the height of the operation surface of the control panel 35 is changed.

In FIG. 15, when the coverage is about 80% for men and women and about 60% for men and women, it is considered that the operation can be performed in a relatively comfortable state. Height is 890mm ~ 965mm
It can be seen that it is desirable to set the value within the range.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show the above-mentioned 89.
Control panel 35 within the range of 0 mm to 965 mm
When the height of the operation surface is set, the control panel 35 allows the user to easily perform the operations of “viewing the liquid crystal display panel” and “pressing the operation key” of the control panel 35 obtained as shown in FIGS. The setting angles of 35 are shown in the graph.

As can be seen from FIGS. 16A and 16B, the range of the installation angle θ at which the control panel 35 can be easily operated depends on the user U who operates while sitting on the wheelchair 60.
When the height of the operation surface of the control panel 35 is set to 890 mm as shown in FIG.
The Japanese male user U is 5 to 30 degrees, and the Japanese female user U is narrower, ranging from 22 to 30 degrees. When the height of the fulcrum of the operation surface of the control panel 35 is set to 965 mm, the user U of a Japanese man is 20 to 30 degrees, and the user U of a Japanese woman is
Indicates that the operability is good only at approximately 30 degrees.

On the other hand, the range of the installation angle at which the control panel 35 can be easily operated is as shown in FIG. 16B for the user U who operates while standing on the floor 30.
The height of the fulcrum of the operation surface of the control panel 35 is set to 890.
mm, the angle ranges from 5 degrees to 20 degrees together with the Japanese male and female users U. When the height of the fulcrum of the operation surface of the control panel 35 is set to 965 mm, both the Japanese male and female users U 5 degrees to 3
It can be seen that the range is widened to 0 degrees.

FIG. 17 shows the control panel 3
The height of the fulcrum of the operation surface 35a of No. 5 is 890 mm and 965 m
When m is set to two types, the range of the easy-to-view angle of the “view the liquid crystal display panel” operation of the control panel 35 obtained as shown in FIGS. 11 to 14 and the pressing of the “press operation key” operation It is the graph which illustrated the range of the easy angle about Japanese male and female user U. In FIG. 17, the distance from the control panel 35 to the head is 300 mm in the sitting position, and the distance from the control panel 35 to the head is 200 m in the standing position.
m.

As can be seen from FIG. 17, the range of angles at which the "view liquid crystal display panel" operation of the control panel 35 is easy to see is relatively wide, but the range of angles at which the "operation key press" operation is easy to press is as follows. The setting angle θ of the control panel 35 is set to an angle that is relatively narrow and satisfies both the range of the easy-to-view angle of the “view the liquid crystal display panel” operation and the range of the easy-to-press angle of the “press operation key” operation. You.

As can be seen from FIG. 17, when the height of the fulcrum of the operation surface of the control panel 35 is 890 mm and the female is sitting, the height of the fulcrum of the operation surface of the control panel 35 is 22 to 30 degrees. In the case of a female sitting position at 965 mm, only 30 degrees is used.
Degrees to 30 degrees, when the height of the fulcrum of the operation surface of the control panel 35 is 965 mm and the seat is in an elastic sitting position, 22 degrees to 30 degrees
The degree is an angle that satisfies both the range of the easy-to-view angle of the “view the liquid crystal display panel” operation and the range of the easy-to-press angle of the “press operation key” operation.

As can be seen from FIG. 17, the height of the fulcrum of the operation surface of the control panel 35 is 890 mm.
In the case of a woman sitting, the height of the fulcrum of the operation surface of the control panel 35 is 5 to 20 degrees. In the case of a woman standing, the height of the fulcrum of the operation surface of the control panel 35 is 5 to 30 degrees. If the height is 890mm and you are in an elastic sitting position,
5 degrees to 20 degrees, 5 degrees to 30 degrees when the height of the fulcrum of the operation surface of the control panel 35 is 965 mm and the user is in the elastic sitting position.
The degree is an angle that satisfies both the range of the easy-to-view angle of the “view the liquid crystal display panel” operation and the range of the easy-to-press angle of the “press operation key” operation.

The present inventors have found that, as a result of the various studies described above, the setting angle θ of the control panel 35 is changed as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 12, the user U who operates while sitting in a wheelchair can easily perform the operation of “viewing the liquid crystal display panel” of the control panel 35 and the operation of “pressing the operation key” in the horizontal direction. The first angle θ1 inclined downward at an angle of 22 degrees to the user and the user U operating while standing on the floor 30 are
5. The second angle θ2, which is smaller than the first angle θ1 and is easier to perform the operation of “seeing the liquid crystal display panel” and the operation of “pressing the operation key”, and the angle changing mechanism described above. 52 is set to be changeable in two steps. The installation angle θ of the control panel 35 may be set in three or more steps, not two steps.

In the above configuration, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is, as a matter of course, an ordinary user who operates while standing on the floor with a simple configuration and a simple operation as follows. In addition, even for a user such as a physically handicapped who has to operate in a state of sitting in a wheelchair, the operation unit is easy to see and operate.

That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is used in a state where it is installed on a floor 30 and an image reading apparatus 33 disposed above the image forming apparatus. The control panel 35 is provided so as to protrude toward the front side. By operating the control panel 35, operations such as copying, printing, and facsimile are performed in the image forming apparatus.

In recent years, social advancement of physically handicapped persons and the like has become active, and the opportunity of operating the image forming apparatus in an office or the like while the physically handicapped person or the like is sitting in a wheelchair is increasing. .

In the image forming apparatus according to this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the control panel 3 is operated by operating the operation lever 55 of the angle changing mechanism 52.
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the user U who operates the setting angle θ of the user 5 while sitting in the wheelchair 60 can easily perform the “view the liquid crystal display panel” operation of the control panel 35 and the “operation key”. The user U operating while standing on the floor 30 and the first angle θ1 inclined at an angle of 22 degrees downward with respect to the horizontal direction, which is easy to perform “press”, The angle can be changed in two stages to a second angle θ2 of 5 degrees smaller than the first angle θ1, in which the “view display panel” operation is easy and the “press operation key” operation is easy. .

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 12, when the user U operates while sitting in the wheelchair 60, the image forming apparatus operates the control lever 55 of the angle changing mechanism 52 to control the control panel. By setting the installation angle θ of the 35 to 22 degrees, even if the user U operates while sitting in the wheelchair 60, the liquid crystal display panel 36 of the control panel 35 is easy to see, and the operation keys 37 are also easy to press. The forming device can be operated very easily. In addition, the user U who operates while sitting on the wheelchair 60 receives the control panel 35
The user U, who operates while sitting on the wheelchair 60, can easily operate the control panel 35 by simply holding down the operation lever 55 provided on the back side of the device and pushing down the control panel 35. , The control panel 35 can be set automatically,
The work of adjusting the installation angle θ of the control panel 35 can be easily performed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 11, when the user U operates while standing on the floor surface 30, the image forming apparatus operates the operation lever 55 of the angle changing mechanism 52 as shown in FIG. By setting the installation angle θ of the control panel 35 to 5 degrees, even the user U who operates while standing on the floor 30 can easily see the liquid crystal display panel 36 of the control panel 35 and operate the operation keys 37. It is easy to push and the image forming apparatus can be operated very easily. In addition, the user U who operates while standing on the floor 30 simply grasps the operation lever 55 provided on the back side of the control panel 35 with his hand and pushes up the control panel 35, so that the user U can operate on the floor 30. Since the user U who operates while standing can automatically set the control panel 35 at an angle of 5 degrees at which the user can easily operate the control panel 35, the operation of adjusting the installation angle θ of the control panel 35 can be easily performed. It can be carried out.

As described above, in the image forming apparatus according to the above-described embodiment, with a simple configuration and a simple operation,
The control panel 35 is easy to see and operate, not only for a normal user U who operates while standing on the floor 30 but also for a user U such as a physically handicapped who has to operate while sitting in a wheelchair 60. Has become easier.

[0057]

As described above, according to the present invention, not only ordinary users who operate with a simple configuration and simple operation while standing on the floor, but also while sitting in a wheelchair are operated. It is possible to provide an electronic image apparatus in which the operation unit is easy to see and easy to operate even for a user such as a physically handicapped who has no choice but to do so.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing an image forming apparatus as one embodiment of an electronic image apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing a control of the image forming apparatus as an embodiment of the electronic image apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus as an embodiment of the electronic image apparatus according to the present invention.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are a plan view, a front view, and a side view, respectively, showing a control panel.

FIG. 5 is an external perspective view showing operation keys on a control panel.

FIGS. 6A to 6E are a plan view and a sectional view showing operation keys of a control panel, respectively.

FIG. 7 is a side view showing a control panel angle changing mechanism.

FIG. 8 is an external perspective view showing an angle changing mechanism of the control panel.

FIG. 9 is an external perspective view showing an angle changing mechanism of a control panel.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a viewing angle of a liquid crystal display panel of a control panel.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation state of a control panel.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation state of a control panel.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation state of the control panel.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation state of a control panel.

FIG. 15 is a graph showing the height of a fulcrum on the operation surface of the control panel.

FIGS. 16A and 16B are graphs respectively showing a relationship between an installation angle and a height of a control panel.

FIG. 17 is a graph showing a relationship between an installation angle and a height of a control panel.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: image forming apparatus main body, 30: floor surface, 35: control panel, 36: liquid crystal display panel. 37: operation keys, 5
2: Angle changing mechanism, θ1: first angle, θ2: second angle.

Claims (7)

[Claims] An electronic imaging device used in a state where the electronic imaging device is installed on a floor, the electronic imaging device having an operation unit for operating the electronic imaging device, and the installation angle of the operation unit is set at least downward with respect to a horizontal direction. An electronic imaging apparatus wherein a first angle inclined to any angle within a range of 20 to 30 degrees and a second angle smaller than the first angle can be changed. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first installation angle of the operation unit is 5 to 2 degrees.
2. The electronic image apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the angle is set to 0 degrees. 3. The electronic image apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit includes a display unit that displays an operation condition and an operation unit that operates the electronic image apparatus. 4. An electronic imaging apparatus used in a state where the electronic imaging apparatus is installed on a floor surface, comprising an operation unit for operating the electronic imaging apparatus, wherein the height of the operation unit is set to a first height. In this case, the setting angle of the operation unit can be changed to at least one angle within a range of 20 to 30 degrees, and the electronic image device is set to a second height lower than the first height. An electronic image apparatus, wherein an installation angle of the operation unit can be changed to 30 degrees. 5. The electronic image device according to claim 3, wherein the display means of the operation unit comprises a liquid crystal display panel. 6. The electronic image apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at least a part of the operation unit of the operation unit has a shape that can be distinguished from other operation units by touching with a hand. 7. The electronic imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the operation portion is formed to have a width substantially equal to that of the electronic imaging device main body, and is installed so as to protrude toward a front side of the electronic imaging device main body. An electronic imaging device according to any one of the above items.