Display device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

In an image forming apparatus having a touch panel on which a touch operation can be performed, a liquid such as alcohol may be ejected onto a surface of the touch panel for the purpose of cleaning the surface of the touch panel. At this time, depending on the structure of the touch panel or the amount of the ejected liquid, the liquid may enter the inside of the touch panel and cause an operation unintended by the user.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprising an operation unit configured to receive a touch operation by a user, the operation unit being capable of performing an operation related to image formation, wherein the operation unit includes an operation receiving region that is a region for receiving the touch operation by the user, and a groove for holding liquid that has entered an inside of the operation unit, and the groove is provided along at least a part of an outer periphery of the operation receiving region.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display device suitable for an image forming apparatus, and an image forming apparatus equipped with a display device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, image forming apparatuses are known that have a display unit capable of displaying the operating status and image forming conditions. Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus that has an operation unit with a touch panel that accepts touch operations by the user. By performing touch operations using the touch panel, the user can perform operations more intuitively. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-142780 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is installed in a place such as an office, an unspecified number of users touch the touch panel of the operation unit to operate it. At this time, a liquid such as alcohol may be applied to the surface of the touch panel in order to clean it. In this case, depending on the structure of the touch panel, the liquid applied to the surface may seep into the interior of the touch panel, causing an operation unintended by the user.

[0005] In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus in which malfunctions of the touch panel caused by liquid entering the inside are reduced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming device of the present invention is an image forming device that forms an image on a recording medium, and is characterized in that it has an operation unit that accepts touch operations by a user and is capable of performing operations related to image formation, and the operation unit has an operation reception area that is an area that accepts touch operations by a user, and a groove that retains liquid that has entered the inside of the operation unit, and the groove is provided along at least a portion of the outer periphery of the operation reception area. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus in which malfunction of the touch panel caused by liquid entering the inside is reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a control block diagram for explaining a control unit in the embodiment. [Figure 4] 5A and 5B are diagrams for explaining an angle adjustment mechanism of an operation panel unit in the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of an operation panel unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a display device of an operation panel unit in the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an operation panel unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a touch panel according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an operation panel unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an operation panel unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an operation panel unit according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The display device of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, an image forming device suitable for using the display device of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The image forming device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an electrophotographic full-color laser printer. In the following description, the side of the device main body 10 on which the operation panel unit 30 is located (the right front side in FIG. 1) will be referred to as the "front (or front)" and the opposite side will be referred to as the "rear." Additionally, the right hand side of the device main body 10 as viewed from the front will be referred to as the "right," and the left hand side of the device main body 10 as viewed from the front will be referred to as the "left."

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 generally comprises an apparatus main body 10 and an image reading unit 20 disposed above the apparatus main body 10. The apparatus main body 10 has an image forming unit 101 (see FIG. 2) built in, and an image is formed by the image forming unit 101 on a recording material S fed from a feeding cassette 27. Then, the recording material S on which the image has been formed is discharged to a discharge tray 19. Note that examples of the recording material S include various types of sheet materials such as plain paper, cardboard, rough paper, textured paper, coated paper, glossy paper, photographic paper, plastic film, cloth, etc.

[0011] An operation panel unit 30 is disposed on the top of the apparatus body 10, allowing the user to operate the image forming apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the operation panel unit 30 is provided on the apparatus body 10 so that it can be tilted up and down around a left-right axis (see FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) described below). The operation panel unit 30 is also provided with a display device 70 capable of displaying a screen and a light-emitting display device 40 capable of surface emission and displaying information depending on its light-emitting state. Details of the operation panel unit 30 will be described later (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The display device 70 may be a touch panel that allows the user to input information related to image formation, such as the type and size of the recording material S, by touch operation. Although not shown here, the operation panel unit 30 may also be provided with user-operable buttons, switches, a numeric keypad, and the like.

[0012] 2, the image reading unit 20 that reads image information from a document has a reading device main body 21 equipped with a platen glass, and a platen cover 22 that can be opened and closed relative to the reading device main body 21. The document placed on the platen glass is scanned by a scanning optical system built into the reading device main body 21, and image information is extracted.

[0013] The image forming unit 101 forms an image based on image information received from the image reading unit 20 or an external device (not shown) (for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, a personal computer, etc.). The image forming unit 101 is housed inside a housing that forms the framework of the apparatus main body 10. In this embodiment, the image forming unit 101 is configured as a so-called tandem intermediate transfer system, and includes four image forming units PY, PM, PC, and PK. The image forming units PY, PM, PC, and PK form toner images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively, and form the images on the recording material S via the intermediate transfer belt 7.

[0014] Each of the image forming units PY, PM, PC, and PK has a charger, developer, and cleaner (not shown) arranged around a photosensitive drum 2 made of a photosensitive material such as an organic photoconductor (OPC). The surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is uniformly charged by the charger, and then exposed to laser light from an exposure device 3, forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface. The developer uses a developer to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 into a toner image. The toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 2 is primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 7 by applying a primary transfer voltage to a primary transfer roller 5 that faces the photosensitive drum 2 across the intermediate transfer belt 7.

[0015] The intermediate transfer belt 7 is driven to rotate in the conveyance direction (upward in the drawing) of the recording material S at the secondary transfer portion T2. ​​A full-color toner image is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 by superimposing and transferring single-color toner images formed by the image forming units PY, PM, PC, and PK. The toner image formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 7 is secondarily transferred onto the recording material S at the secondary transfer portion T2 formed between the secondary transfer roller 13 and the opposing roller 9. At this time, a secondary transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 13.

[0016] In accordance with this image forming process, recording material S is supplied to image forming unit 101. That is, feeding unit 25 provided in the lower part of apparatus main body 10 includes feeding cassette 27 that stores recording material S, and feeding roller 26 that separates and conveys recording material S stored in feeding cassette 27 one by one.

[0017] The recording material S sent by the feed roller 26 is subjected to skew correction by the registration roller pair 12 and transported toward the secondary transfer unit T2 in accordance with the timing of the toner image transfer. The recording material S, on which an unfixed toner image has been formed at the secondary transfer unit T2, is transported to a fuser 14 having a roller pair and a heating source, and is subjected to heat and pressure. This melts and fixes the toner, fixing the toner image to the recording material S. The recording material S, on which the toner image has been fixed, is discharged by a discharge roller pair 18 onto a discharge tray 19 provided above the image forming unit 101. In the case of double-sided printing, the recording material S is switched back and transported by the discharge roller pair 18, and then transported again to the image forming unit 101 by multiple double-sided transport roller pairs 17. The recording material S, on which an image has been formed on the back side at the secondary transfer unit T2 and the fuser 14, is then discharged by the discharge roller pair 18 onto the discharge tray 19.

[0018] The image forming apparatus 1 also includes a control unit 200 as shown in Fig. 1. The control unit 200 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. However, in addition to those shown in the figure, various devices such as a motor and a power supply for operating the image forming apparatus 1 are connected to the control unit 200, but as this is not the main focus of the invention, illustration and description of these devices will be omitted here.

[0019] 3, the control unit 200 is driven by receiving power from the main power supply unit 300. The main power supply unit 300 is a power source for supplying power to each unit of the image forming apparatus 1, and has a power switch that can be operated by the user. When the power switch is turned on, each unit of the image forming apparatus 1, including the control unit 200, becomes operable, and when the power switch is turned off, each unit of the image forming apparatus 1, including the control unit 200, becomes inoperable.

[0020] The control unit 200 performs various controls such as image forming operations, and includes, for example, a CPU 201 (Central Processing Unit) and a memory 202. The memory 202 is configured with a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The memory 202 stores various programs and various data for controlling the image forming apparatus 1. The memory 202 can also temporarily store the results of arithmetic processing associated with the execution of various programs.

[0021] The CPU 201 is capable of executing various programs stored in the memory 202, and can operate the image forming apparatus 1 by executing the various programs. In the present embodiment, the CPU 201 is capable of executing an "image formation job (program)" stored in the memory 202, etc. The control unit 200 controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 in accordance with the execution of the image formation job. Note that an image formation job is a series of operations from the start of image formation to the completion of the image formation operation based on a print signal for forming an image on the recording material S. Specifically, it refers to the period from pre-rotation after receiving the print signal (preparatory operation before image formation) to post-rotation (operation after image formation), and includes the image formation period and the paper interval.

[0022] The control unit 200 is connected to the display device 70 and the light-emitting unit 60 of the light-emitting display device 40 (see FIG. 6 described later). The CPU 201 controls the display device 70 to display various screens, such as a display screen (not shown) for information related to image formation. The CPU 201 also controls the light-emitting unit 60 in accordance with the startup status and operating status of the image forming apparatus 1, to cause the light-emitting display device 40 to emit light.

[0023] In this specification, the startup status refers to whether the power switch of the main power supply unit 300 is on or off, that is, whether power is being supplied from the main power supply unit 300 (power-on state) or not (power-off state). The operating status refers to whether the image forming operation has started and is currently in progress as a result of execution of an image formation job by the CPU 201 (referred to as a normal state), or whether the image forming operation cannot be started for some reason (referred to as an error state). Causes of an error state include, in addition to a malfunction, for example, when a front door (not shown) provided on the apparatus main body 10 is open, when a jam has occurred, or when the feeding cassette 27 or the like does not contain recording material S of a size appropriate for image formation.

[0024] In this embodiment, the CPU 201 causes the light-emitting display device 40 to emit light when the device is in a power-on state where power is supplied from the main power supply unit 300. The CPU 201 also causes the light-emitting display device 40 to emit light when the device is in a normal state or an error state. However, the light-emitting position of the light-emitting display device 40 is made different between the power-on state, normal state, and error state so that the user can easily recognize the light-emitting state and understand the power-on state, normal state, and error state.

[0025] Here, an overview of an angle adjustment mechanism (so-called tilt mechanism) for tilting the operation panel unit 30 up and down so that the angle can be adjusted will be described using Figures 4(a) and 4(b). The operation panel unit 30 is provided so that it can be swung up and down to any angle (tilt angle) within a predetermined range (e.g., 10 degrees to 60 degrees) based on the horizontal plane in order to accommodate a wide range of viewing heights, from tall users to users in wheelchairs. Figure 4(a) shows the operation panel unit 30 swung to the minimum tilt angle (e.g., 10 degrees) assuming a tall user, while Figure 4(b) shows the operation panel unit 30 swung to the maximum tilt angle (e.g., 60 degrees) assuming a wheelchair user.

[0026] To achieve this, the operation panel unit 30 is supported by a swing support member 80, which serves as a swing support means capable of freely adjusting the angle. The swing support member 80 includes an operation panel support portion 81 that supports the operation panel unit 30, a long, device-side fixed portion 83 that is fixed to the device body 10 with screws, and a swing portion 82 that swings the operation panel support portion 81 relative to the device-side fixed portion 83. The swing portion 82 is provided with a free-stop hinge that maintains a desired angle through friction. There are several types of free-stop hinges, but this embodiment uses a pipe-type hinge in which a metal shaft is press-fitted into a resin pipe. Note that the angle adjustment mechanism for the operation panel unit 30 is not limited to a free-stop hinge; it may be any mechanism that allows the operation panel unit 30 to be adjusted to a desired angle by rotating it around a desired rotation axis.

[0027] The light-emitting display device 40 of this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. As shown in FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the light-emitting display device 40 is provided integrally with the display device 70 to constitute the operation panel unit 30. Therefore, an exterior member 50 of the light-emitting display device 40 forms part of the exterior cover of the operation panel unit 30 that holds the display device 70. In other words, part of the exterior cover of the operation panel unit 30 forms the exterior member 50. In the light-emitting display device 40 of this embodiment, a light-guiding member 401 is detachably provided on the outside of the exterior member 50, and a light-emitting unit 60 (see FIG. 6), which will be described later, is disposed inside the exterior member 50. As will be described in detail later, the light-emitting unit 60 is provided with an array of multiple LEDs as light-emitting elements, and a light-guiding member 401 is provided to guide light from the LEDs so that the light is emitted from an emission surface in response to appropriate light emission from these LEDs.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 6, the light-emitting unit 60 has a plurality of LEDs (light sources) arranged on a substrate at intervals in the left-right direction. Here, a first LED 61 (first light-emitting element), a second LED 62 (second light-emitting element), and a third LED 63 are arranged in this order from right to left. The exterior member 50 has a first opening 51 at a position corresponding to the first LED 61, a second opening 52 at a position corresponding to the second LED 62, and a third opening 53 at a position corresponding to the third LED 63, along the longitudinal direction (the direction in which the LEDs are arranged). Here, the openings (51-53) are formed so that the LEDs (61-63) are positioned at the center in the longitudinal direction. The first opening 51 passes light emitted from the first LED 61, the second opening 52 passes light emitted from the second LED 62, and the third opening 53 passes light emitted from the third LED 63. Since the exterior member 50 is a light-blocking member, the remaining portions of the exterior member 50 excluding the first opening 51, the second opening 52, and the third opening 53 form a light-blocking portion 59 that does not transmit light emitted from the first LED 61, the second LED 62, and the third LED 63. In this embodiment, green LEDs that emit green light are used as the first LED 61 and the third LED 63, and a red LED that emits red light is used as the second LED 62. Furthermore, the emitted light intensity of these LEDs (61 to 63) is the same.

[0029] The light-guiding member 401 is a light-guiding body made of resin such as acrylic resin, and is capable of emitting light from the light-emitting unit 60. In this embodiment, the light-guiding member 401 is formed in an elongated shape extending in the arrangement direction of the first LED 61, the second LED 62, and the third LED 63 in the light-emitting unit 60 and is elastically deformable. The light-guiding member 401 is provided on the exterior member 50 so as to cover the first opening 51, the second opening 52, and the third opening 53 from the outside. Therefore, when the LEDs (61 to 63) are activated, light that has passed through the first opening 51, the second opening 52, and the third opening 53 is incident on the light-guiding member 401 from a first surface facing the light-emitting unit 60. The light-guiding member 401 converts the light that has entered from the first surface and passed through the first opening 51, the second opening 52, and the third opening 53 into diffused light, and emits the diffused light from a second surface (front surface) opposite to the first surface (rear surface). In this way, when the plurality of LEDs (61 to 63) arranged inside the exterior member 50 are made to emit light, the light that enters through the plurality of openings (51 to 53) formed corresponding to the respective LEDs (61 to 63) is emitted from a plurality of different positions in the light-guiding member 401. By emitting light from a plurality of different positions in the light-guiding member 401, it is possible to perform different displays according to the operating status and startup status of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0030] In this embodiment, the size (area) of the range in light-guiding member 401 through which light that has passed through second opening 52 is emitted (for convenience, referred to as an emission region) is the same as the size of the emission region for light that has passed through third opening 53. The size and brightness of the emission regions for light that has passed through second opening 52 and third opening 53 in light-guiding member 401 are larger and brighter than the emission region for light that has passed first opening 51. In this embodiment, in order to make the sizes and brightness of the emission regions of light-guiding member 401 different when the LED is emitting light, the opening area of ​​first opening 51 is made different from the opening areas of second opening 52 and third opening 53. Specifically, the opening area of ​​first opening 51 is smaller than the opening areas of second opening 52 (and third opening 53).

[0031] In this embodiment, to indicate a power-on state as the startup status of the image forming apparatus 1, the first LED 61 is turned on, and light passing through the first opening 51 is emitted from a portion of the light-guiding member 401. To indicate a normal state as the operating status of the image forming apparatus 1, the third LED 63 is turned on (or blinks), and light passing through the third opening 53 is emitted from a portion of the light-guiding member 401. To indicate an error state as the operating status of the image forming apparatus 1, the second LED 62 is turned on (or blinks), and light passing through the second opening 52 is emitted from a portion of the light-guiding member 401. The light-emitting surface of the light-guiding member 401 differs depending on whether the first LED 61, the second LED 62, or the third LED 63 is turned on. In this way, the light-guiding member 401 emits light from different positions depending on whether the image forming apparatus 1 is in a power-on state, normal state, or error state. In this case, the size of the emission area and the emitted color are made different depending on the power-on state, normal state, and error state of the image forming apparatus 1. In particular, the size of the emission area is made different between the power-on state and the normal state of the image forming apparatus 1, which emits the same color (green in this case).

[0032] The configuration of operation panel unit 30 in this embodiment will be specifically described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the components that make up operation panel unit 30. Operation panel unit 30 includes operation unit upper cover 103, touch panel 104, sealing member 105, LCD unit 101, spacers 106a-d, gasket 107, operation unit support plate 108, and operation unit lower cover 109.

[0033] The touch panel 104 is a panel that is operated by the user by touching it. In this embodiment, the touch panel 104 is attached to an operation unit upper cover 103 that corresponds to the exterior of the display device 1.

[0034] The detailed structure of the touch panel 104 in this embodiment is shown in Figures 8 and 9. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of the touch panel 104. In this embodiment, the touch panel 104 employs a resistive film system as an example, and is configured by bonding two electrodes formed on transparent films, glass, or the like. In a resistive film touch panel, the panel deforms in response to pressure from a touch, and the upper electrode and the lower electrode come into contact, establishing electrical continuity and detecting input. In this embodiment, a flexible transparent electrode film (ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) film) 104c forms the upper electrode together with the upper electrode film 104a. Furthermore, a glass member 104b is provided below the upper electrode as a lower electrode. The glass member 104b has higher rigidity than the transparent electrode film. This also serves to ensure the rigidity of the entire touch panel 104.

[0035] To ensure a gap between the upper electrode and the lower electrode, multiple insulator dot spacers 104g are disposed between the upper electrode and the lower electrode. When a user touches the touch panel 104, the upper electrode corresponding to the touched position bends. In particular, if a touch is made without the dot spacers 104g, the upper electrode bends and comes into contact with the lower electrode. As a result, the touched position becomes conductive, and the coordinates of the touched position on the touch panel 104 can be detected based on the voltage value.

[0036] The touch panel 104 in this embodiment is composed of an operation reception area 21, which is an area that receives user operations, and a decorative area 31, which is an area arranged around the operation reception area 21 and forms the edge of the touch panel 104. The operation reception area 21 is configured to include an upper electrode film 104a and a transparent electrode film 104c. As described above, the transparent electrode film 104c, together with the upper electrode film 104a, constitutes the upper electrode. That is, the upper electrode constituted by the transparent electrode film 104c and the upper electrode film 104a corresponds to the first electrode. Note that the lower electrode is also constituted by the transparent electrode film 104c, just like the upper electrode. Therefore, the lower electrode constituted by the glass member 104b and the transparent electrode film 104c corresponds to the second electrode. An X-coordinate circuit is formed in the transparent electrode film 104c on the upper electrode side, and a Y-coordinate circuit is formed in the transparent electrode film 104c on the lower electrode side. The X-coordinate circuit on the upper electrode and the Y-coordinate circuit on the lower electrode each have a different voltage gradient. Therefore, by measuring the voltage at the touched position and applying it to the voltage gradient, it is possible to detect the coordinates of the touched position.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 9, the decorative region 31 includes an upper electrode film 104a, the transparent electrode film 104c described above, a decorative layer 104f, and a wiring pattern 104e.

[0038] A wiring pattern 104e for supplying power to the coordinate circuit is provided around the operation reception area 21 described above. The decorative layer 104f is a layer made of conductive colored ink printed on the bottom surface of the transparent electrode film 104c. The colored ink is provided corresponding to the wiring pattern 104e and has the effect of making the wiring pattern 104e less visible to the user. From the perspective of reducing the visibility of the wiring pattern 104e, it is desirable for the colored ink to be a dark color such as black or gray. In this embodiment, carbon ink is used as the decorative layer 104f. By reducing the visibility of the wiring pattern 104e with colored ink, the device configuration can be simplified compared to a configuration in which the wiring pattern 104e is covered with a housing.

[0039] The operation unit upper cover 103 is a member corresponding to the exterior of the operation panel unit 30. A cross-sectional view of the periphery of the touch panel 104 in this embodiment is shown in Figure 10. The touch panel 104 is attached to the operation unit upper cover 103 with double-sided tape 110.

[0040] Incidentally, when an unspecified number of people touch the touch panel 104, a liquid such as alcohol may be sprayed onto the touch panel 104 in order to clean it. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 10 , a gap a exists between the touch panel 104 and the operation unit upper cover 103 due to assembly precision. Depending on the size of the gap a and the amount of sprayed liquid, there is a risk that the liquid may seep into the interior of the touch panel 104 through the gap a. If the liquid that has seeped into the interior of the touch panel 104 reaches between the transparent electrode film 104c of the upper electrode and the transparent electrode film 104c of the lower electrode, it may electrically connect the transparent electrode films 104c together, causing an operation unintended by the user.

[0041] To address the above-described problems, the present invention provides grooves 11 inside the touch panel 104 to reduce the risk of liquid that has entered the touch panel 104 electrically connecting the transparent electrode film 104c. The width b of the grooves 11 is wider than the gap a between the touch panel 104 and the operation unit upper cover 103. This allows the grooves 11 to retain liquid that has entered the touch panel 104, reducing the risk of the liquid reaching the transparent electrode film 104c. In this embodiment, the grooves 11 are formed along the entire periphery of the touch panel 104, but they may also be formed on a portion of the entire periphery of the touch panel 104. In particular, liquid sprayed on the surface of the touch panel 104 flows downward due to gravity. Therefore, the grooves 11 can be effective when they are provided at least along the lower edge of the touch panel 104.

[0042] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a water-absorbing member 111 provided in the groove 11. Depending on the surface tension of the liquid that has entered the inside of the touch panel 104, there is a risk that the liquid will reach the transparent electrode film 104c without dripping into the groove 11. In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a water-absorbing member 111 may be provided in the groove 11 as shown in FIG. 11. The water-absorbing member 111 is a member made of a sponge or the like, and has the function of retaining liquid by absorbing it. As described above, even if the liquid that has entered the groove 11 does not drip, the water-absorbing member 111 can absorb the liquid, thereby reducing the risk that the liquid that has entered will reach the transparent electrode film 104c.

[0043] As described above, in this embodiment, grooves 11 are provided to retain liquid that has entered the interior of the touch panel 104, with the aim of reducing the risk of liquid that has entered the interior of the touch panel 104 electrically connecting the transparent electrode films 104c to each other.

[0044] In this embodiment, a groove shape is used as the shape for retaining the infiltrated liquid, but other shapes are also acceptable as long as they are capable of retaining the liquid.

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus for forming an image on a recording material, an operation unit that receives touch operations by a user and allows the user to perform operations related to image formation; the operation unit includes an operation reception area that is an area that receives a touch operation by a user, and a groove that retains liquid that has entered the operation unit; The groove is provided along at least a part of the outer periphery of the operation reception area. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

2. the operation reception area includes a first electrode and a second electrode; 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode are pressed in response to a touch operation by a user to become conductive.

3. the first electrode and the second electrode have different voltage gradients; 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

4. the image forming apparatus includes a control unit that measures a voltage between the conductive first electrode and the conductive second electrode; the control unit identifies the coordinates touched by the user in the operation reception area according to the measured voltage value.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

5. The groove is provided along the entire outer periphery of the operation reception area.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

6. The operating unit is capable of rotating around a rotation axis.

2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

7. The groove is provided along a lower side of the operation reception area.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is a recording medium.

Images