Image formation device

Abstract

To provide an image formation device capable of reliably maintaining an operation panel in an initial position.SOLUTION: A lock mechanism 13 of an image formation device comprises: a cap 31 that rotates integrally with an operation panel 21; a rotary member 33 by which the cap 31 is rotatably supported; a fixed member 35 by which the rotary member 33 is rotatably supported; a first coil spring 37 that connects the rotary member 33 to the cap 31; and a second coil spring 39 that connects the rotary member 33 to the fixed member 35, and has a winding direction opposite to that of the first coil spring 37. When a force is applied to the operation panel 21 in one direction, a force is applied to the first coil spring 37 in a direction of loosening thereof via the cap 31 to rotate the operation panel 21. When a force is applied to the operation panel 21 in the other direction, a force is applied to the second coil spring 39 in the direction of loosening thereof to rotate the operation panel 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an operation panel that is rotatably supported on a main body of the apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] An operation panel that allows various operations associated with the image forming operation to be manually input is rotatably supported on the main body of the image forming apparatus. The operation panel is maintained in a predetermined initial position and cannot be rotated from the initial position unless a certain load is applied.

[0003] In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a washer is disposed between a screw member provided coaxially with the rotation shaft and a fixed member fixed to the operation panel. This generates a frictional force between the screw member and the fixed member, and the rotation of the fixed member is braked by this frictional force, so that the operation panel can be stopped at any angle. In another configuration, the apparatus includes a gear portion provided on the operation panel, a gear provided on the device body and meshing with the gear portion, and a biasing member that biases the gear along the axial direction of the rotation shaft, and the biasing member biases the gear to generate a frictional force between the gear and the device body, and the frictional force brakes the rotation of the gear, thereby braking the rotation of the gear portion, i.e., the operation panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-34011 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The above-described configuration supports the operation panel in a predetermined position by frictional force generated by the washer and the biasing member. However, the frictional force is unstable and susceptible to fluctuations due to the surrounding environment and changes over time. For this reason, there is a risk that the operation panel cannot be maintained in a constant position for a long period of time.

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE In consideration of the above circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus that can reliably maintain an operation panel in an initial position. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus of the present invention is an image forming apparatus equipped with a lock mechanism that maintains an operation panel rotatably supported on an apparatus main body in an initial position, the lock mechanism comprising: a cap that is rotatable together with the operation panel; a rotating member on which the cap is rotatably supported; a fixed member that is fixed to the apparatus main body and on which the rotating member is rotatably supported; a first coil spring that is fitted onto the rotating member and connects the rotating member to the cap; and a second coil spring that connects the rotating member to the fixed member and has a winding direction opposite to that of the first coil spring, and when a force is applied to the operation panel in one direction, the lock mechanism locks the operation panel. When the cap is turned on, a force in a loosening direction is applied to the first coil spring via the cap, the first coil spring elastically deforms and the operation panel rotates together with the cap, and when the force is released, the first coil spring elastically returns to its original position and the operation panel returns to its initial position; when a force is applied to the operation panel in the other direction, a force in a loosening direction is applied to the second coil spring via the cap and the rotating member, the second coil spring elastically deforms and the operation panel rotates together with the cap and the rotating member, and when the force is released, the second coil spring elastically returns to its original position and the operation panel returns to its initial position.

[0008] In the present invention, when a force is applied to the operation panel in another direction, a force in a tightening direction is applied to the first coil spring via the cap, the first coil spring is tightened to the rotating member, and the rotating member becomes rotatable integrally with the cap, and a force in a loosening direction is applied to the second coil spring via the cap and the rotating member. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, when a force is temporarily applied to the operation panel, the operation panel rotates, but when the force applied to the operation panel is released, the elastic restoring forces of the first coil spring and the second coil spring return the operation panel to its initial position, so that the operation panel can always be maintained in its initial position. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 2 is a side view showing an operation panel in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a left rotation shaft of an operation panel in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3B] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a right rotation shaft of an operation panel in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a lock mechanism in the image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a lock mechanism in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6A] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a cap of a locking mechanism in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6B] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a cap of a locking mechanism in an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 7A]4 is a perspective view showing a rotating member of a lock mechanism in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 7B] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a rotating member of a lock mechanism in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8A] 4 is a perspective view showing a fixing member of a locking mechanism in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 8B] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a fixing member (hinge portion) of a locking mechanism in an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 9] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation panel supported by a lock mechanism in the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 10] 4 is a perspective view showing a first coil spring and a second coil spring of a lock mechanism in an image forming apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0012] First, the overall configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a front view showing the image forming apparatus 1. Fr, Rr, L, and R shown in each drawing indicate the front side, rear side, left side, and right side of the image forming apparatus 1, respectively.

[0013] The image forming device 1 includes an image forming unit 3, a document reading unit 5 disposed above the image forming unit 3, and a document transport unit 7 disposed above the document reading unit 5. An internal paper discharge space 9 is formed between the image forming unit 3 and the document reading unit 5. The depth (length along the front-rear direction) of the image forming unit 3 is longer than the depths of the document reading unit 5 and the document transport unit 7.

[0014] An operation panel 11 is supported via a lock mechanism 13 on the upper surface of the device body 3a of the image forming unit 3, ahead of the internal paper discharge space 9.

[0015] Next, the operation panel 11 will be described with reference to Figures 2, 3A, and 3B. Figure 2 is a side view showing the operation panel 11, and Figures 3A and 3B are perspective views showing the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls of a leg portion 23 of the operation panel 11. The operation panel 11 has a main body portion 21 provided with a touch panel, buttons, etc. that can input various operations associated with the image forming operation, and a leg portion 23 provided on the lower part of the main body portion 21. The leg portion 23 is of a roughly semicylindrical hollow shape, has front and rear side walls and left and right side walls, and is open on the bottom.

[0016] As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, left and right rotating shafts 25L, 25R are formed coaxially along the left-right direction on the inner surfaces of the left and right side walls. As shown in Figure 3A, the left rotating shaft 25L is cylindrical, and as shown in Figure 3B, the right rotating shaft 25R has a D-shaped cross section.

[0017] Next, the lock mechanism 13 will be described with reference to Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing the lock mechanism 13, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the lock mechanism 13. The lock mechanism 13 includes a cap 31 that rotates integrally with the operation panel 11, a rotating member 33 on which the cap 31 is rotatably supported, a fixed member 35 fixed to the device body 3a on which the rotating member 33 is rotatably supported, a first coil spring 37 that connects the cap 31 and the rotating member 33, and a second coil spring 39 that connects the rotating member 33 and the fixed member 35.

[0018] First, the cap 31 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5, as well as Figures 6A and 6B. Figure 6A is a perspective view showing the cap 31, and Figure 6B is a cross-sectional view showing the cap 31. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, the cap 31 is a cylindrical member with a bottom, having a cylindrical portion 41 and an annular portion 43 that are coaxially arranged.

[0019] A protrusion 45 is formed on the outer surface of the annular portion 43. An axial hole 47 having a D-shaped cross section is formed in the protrusion 45 coaxially with the cylindrical portion 41. A through hole 49 is formed in the annular portion 43 along the axial direction of the cylindrical portion 41. Three hook pieces 51 are formed at an edge of the cylindrical portion 41 at equal intervals along the circumferential direction. Each hook piece 51 is deformable in the radial direction of the cylindrical portion 41, and an inward hook is formed at the tip.

[0020] Next, the rotating member 33 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5, as well as Figures 7A and 7B. Figure 7A is a perspective view showing the rotating member 33, and Figure 7B is a cross-sectional view showing the rotating member 33. The rotating member 33 is a cylindrical member having a small diameter cylindrical portion 61 and a large diameter cylindrical portion 63 that are coaxially provided, and an annular portion 65 between the small diameter cylindrical portion 61 and the large diameter cylindrical portion 63.

[0021] The small diameter cylindrical portion 61 has a uniform inner diameter. A flange portion 67 that protrudes outward along the circumferential direction is formed at approximately the center of the small diameter cylindrical portion 61 in the axial direction. The end face of the flange portion 67 on the tip side is inclined toward the outside in the radial direction of the small diameter cylindrical portion 61. In addition, a protrusion 69 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the small diameter cylindrical portion 61 is formed at the tip of the small diameter cylindrical portion 61. The large diameter cylindrical portion 63 has an inner diameter larger than that of the small diameter cylindrical portion 61. Three hook pieces 71 are formed at equal intervals along the circumferential direction on the edge of the large diameter cylindrical portion 63. Each hook piece 71 is elastically deformable in the radial direction of the large diameter cylindrical portion 63, and an inward hook is formed at the tip. The inner diameter of the annular portion 65 is larger than the inner diameter of the small diameter cylindrical portion 61 and smaller than the inner diameter of the large diameter cylindrical portion 63. A through hole 73 is formed along the axis of the annular portion 65.

[0022] Next, the fixing member 35 will be described with reference to Figs. 4 and 5, as well as Figs. 8A and 8B. Fig. 8A is a perspective view showing the fixing member 35, and Fig. 8B is a cross-sectional view showing a hinge portion 83 of the fixing member 35. As shown in Fig. 8A, the fixing member 35 has a fixing plate 81 that is rectangular in plan view and is fixed to the upper surface of the device body 3a, and a cylindrical hinge portion 83 supported by the fixing plate 81. The hinge portion 83 is supported by a leg portion 81a formed along one long side of the fixing plate 81.

[0023] The hinge portion 83 has a large diameter cylindrical portion 85 and a small diameter cylindrical portion 87 that are arranged coaxially. A flange portion 89 that protrudes outward in the circumferential direction is formed at approximately the center in the axial direction of the large diameter cylindrical portion 85. The end face of the flange portion 89 on the tip side is inclined toward the outside in the radial direction of the large diameter cylindrical portion 85. Furthermore, a protrusion 91 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the large diameter cylindrical portion 85 is formed at the tip of the large diameter cylindrical portion 85. The small diameter cylindrical portion 87 is fixed to the leg portion 81a of the fixing plate 81.

[0024] Next, the first coil spring 37 and the second coil spring 39 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The winding direction of the first coil spring 37 is clockwise when viewed from the right side. One end 37a of the first coil spring 37 is bent along the axial direction of the first coil spring 37. The winding direction of the second coil spring 39 is counterclockwise when viewed from the right side, which is opposite to the winding direction of the first coil spring 37. One end 39a of the second coil spring 39 is bent along the axial direction of the second coil spring 39.

[0025] Next, an example of an assembly method of the cap 31, the rotating member 33, the fixed member 35, the first coil spring 37, and the second coil spring 39 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 5. First, the second coil spring 39 is fitted from the tip side onto the large diameter cylindrical portion 85 of the hinge portion 83 of the fixed member 35. Then, the other end of the second coil spring 39 is fixed to the flange portion 89 of the large diameter cylindrical portion 85. Meanwhile, the first coil spring 37 is fitted from the tip side onto the small diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the rotating member 33. Then, the other end of the first coil spring 37 is fixed to the flange portion 67 of the small diameter cylindrical portion 61. The inner diameters of the first coil spring 37 and the second coil spring 39 are formed slightly smaller than the outer diameters of the small diameter cylindrical portion 61 and the large diameter cylindrical portion 85 that are fitted from the tip side, respectively, in a natural state where no external force is applied. When fitting the coil springs, the first coil spring 37 and the second coil spring 39 tighten the small diameter cylindrical portion 61 and the large diameter cylindrical portion 85 by their elastic force.

[0026] Next, the rotating member 33 is connected to the fixed member 35 (hinge portion 83). More specifically, the large diameter cylindrical portion 63 of the rotating member 33 is fitted into the large diameter cylindrical portion 85 of the hinge portion 83. At this time, one end 39a of the second coil spring 39 fitted onto the large diameter cylindrical portion 85 of the fixed member 35 is inserted into the through hole 73 formed in the annular portion 65 of the rotating member 33. As a result, the fixed member 35 and the rotating member 33 are connected by the second coil spring 39. In addition, the protrusion 91 (see FIGS. 8A and 8B) of the large diameter cylindrical portion 85 of the hinge portion 83 is fitted into the annular portion 65 (see FIGS. 7A and 7B) of the rotating member 33. Furthermore, the three hook pieces 71 of the rotating member 33 are engaged with the flange portion 89 of the hinge portion 83 of the fixed member 35. At this time, each hook piece 71 is guided along the inclined side surface of the flange portion 89 and elastically deforms radially outward, and when the hook separates from the flange portion 89, the hook elastically returns to its original shape and is locked to the flange portion 89. As a result, the rotating member 33 is prevented from coming off the fixed member 35 and is rotatable relative to the fixed member 35.

[0027] Next, the cap 31 is connected to the rotating member 33. In detail, the cap 31 is placed on the small diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the rotating member 33. At this time, one end 37a of the first coil spring 37 fitted onto the small diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the rotating member 33 is inserted into the through hole 49 formed in the annular portion 43 of the cap 31. As a result, the rotating member 33 and the cap 31 are connected by the first coil spring 37. Also, the protrusion 69 of the small diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the rotating member 33 is fitted into the annular portion 43 of the cap 31. Furthermore, the three hook pieces 51 of the cap 31 are engaged with the flange portion 67 of the rotating member 33. At this time, each hook piece 51 is guided along the inclined side surface of the flange portion 67 and elastically deforms radially outward, and when the hook separates from the flange portion 67, the hook elastically returns to its original shape and is engaged with the flange portion 67. As a result, the cap 31 is prevented from coming off the rotating member 33, and is also rotatable relative to the rotating member 33. The lock mechanism 13 is thus configured by assembling the cap 31, the rotating member 33, the fixed member 35, the first coil spring 37, and the second coil spring 39.

[0028] Next, the operation panel 15 supported by the locking mechanism 13 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the operation panel 15 supported by the locking mechanism 13, seen from behind. When viewed from the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, the locking mechanism 13 is disposed with the cap 31 facing to the right, and the fixing plate 81 of the fixing member 35 is fixed to the upper surface of the device body 3a of the image forming unit 3.

[0029] The left rotating shaft 25L formed on the left side wall of the leg 23 of the operation panel 15 is inserted into the small diameter cylindrical portion 87 of the hinge portion 83 of the fixing member 35. Furthermore, the right rotating shaft 25R formed on the right side wall is inserted into the shaft hole 47 of the cap 31. This allows the operation panel 15 to rotate around the rotating shafts 25L and 25R. Furthermore, since the right rotating shaft 25R and the shaft hole 47 have a D-shaped cross section, the cap 31 can rotate integrally with the operation panel 15. At this time, the orientation of the right rotating shaft 25R and the shaft hole 47 (the orientation of the D) is set so that the operation panel 15 is inclined at a desired angle (see FIG. 2) with respect to the upper surface of the device main body 3a.

[0030] Although the force of the weight of the operation panel 15 is applied to the first coil spring 37 and the second coil spring 39, the spring force of both springs 37, 39 is set to be larger than this force, and both springs 37, 39 are not elastically deformed. Therefore, the rotation of the rotating member 33 relative to the fixed member 35 is restricted by the second coil spring 39, and the rotation of the cap 31 relative to the rotating member 33 is restricted by the first coil spring 37. As a result, the operation panel 15 is maintained in an initial position (see FIG. 2) inclined at a desired angle with respect to the upper surface of the device body 3a. As an example, when the force applied to the operation panel 15 is 10 N or less, the spring force of both springs 37, 39 is set so that the operation panel 15 is maintained in the initial position without rotating.

[0031] The operation of the lock mechanism 13 having the above configuration will be described with reference to Figs. 2, 4, 9, etc. Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing the first coil spring 37 and the second coil spring 39. When a backward force (see arrow A in Fig. 2, clockwise direction as viewed from the right) is applied to the operation panel 15 due to the touch of a user's hand or a document, as described above, if the force is 10N or less, the operation panel 15 is maintained in the initial position by both springs 37 and 39 and does not rotate. However, if the force applied to the operation panel 15 is greater than 10N, a backward force (clockwise direction in Fig. 4) is also applied to the cap 31 that rotates integrally with the operation panel 15. Then, one end 37a of the first coil spring 37 fixed to the cap 31 moves in the clockwise direction (see arrow A1 in Fig. 10), and the first coil spring 37 elastically deforms so as to loosen. As a result, the first coil spring 37 slides against the small diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the rotating member 33, causing the cap 31 to rotate in the clockwise direction, thereby enabling the operation panel 15 to rotate backward.

[0032] When the force applied to the operation panel 15 is released, the force applied to the cap 31 is also released, and the first coil spring 37 elastically returns to its original position. As a result, the cap 31 rotates counterclockwise, and the operation panel 15 rotates forward and returns to its initial position.

[0033] On the other hand, even if a forward force (see arrow B in FIG. 2, counterclockwise direction when viewed from the right side) is applied to the operation panel 15, the operation panel 15 is maintained in the initial position by both springs 37 and 39 if the force is 10 N or less. However, if the force applied to the operation panel 15 is greater than 10 N, a forward force (counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4) is also applied to the cap 31 that rotates integrally with the operation panel 15. Then, one end 37a of the first coil spring 37 fixed to the cap 31 moves in the counterclockwise direction (see arrow B1 in FIG. 10), and the first coil spring 37 is elastically deformed so as to be tightened. As a result, the first coil spring 37 is tightened to the small diameter cylindrical portion 61 of the rotating member 33, and the first coil spring 37 connects the rotating member 33 to the cap 31 so as to be rotatable integrally with the cap 31.

[0034] Then, one end 39a of the second coil spring 39 fixed to the rotating member 33 moves counterclockwise via the cap 31 and the rotating member 33 (see arrow B2 in FIG. 10). Then, the second coil spring 39 elastically deforms so as to loosen. As a result, the second coil spring 39 slides against the large diameter cylindrical portion 85 of the hinge portion 83, and the rotating member 33 and the cap 31 rotate counterclockwise, allowing the operation panel 15 to rotate forward.

[0035] When the force applied to the operation panel 15 is released, the force applied to the cap 31 is also released, and the second coil spring 39 elastically returns to its original position. As a result, the cap 31 and the rotating member 33 rotate clockwise, and the operation panel 15 rotates backward and returns to its initial position.

[0036] As described above, according to the present invention, when a backward or forward force is temporarily applied to the operation panel 15, the operation panel 15 rotates, but when the force applied to the operation panel 15 is released, the operation panel 15 returns to its initial position by the elastic restoring forces of the first coil spring 37 and the second coil spring 39. Therefore, the operation panel 15 can always be maintained in its initial position.

[0037] The operation panel 15 is maintained in the initial position by the loads applied from the first coil spring 37 and the second coil spring 39. The load applied from the coil springs is less likely to fluctuate than the load applied by frictional force, and a predetermined load can be set by designing the coil springs. In addition, the change in the coil springs over time is also predictable. Therefore, the operation panel 15 can be maintained in a constant position for a long period of time. Furthermore, since the behavior of the coil springs when the operation panel 15 is rotated is stable, the operation panel 15 can be rotated smoothly.

[0038] Although the present invention has been described with respect to a specific embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The above embodiment may be variously changed, substituted, or modified without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention, and the claims include all embodiments that may be included within the scope of the technical idea. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 1. Image forming device 3a Device body 11 Operation Panel 13 Locking mechanism 31 Cap 33 Rotating parts 35 Fixing member 37 First coil spring 39 Second coil spring

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus including a lock mechanism for maintaining an operation panel rotatably supported on a main body of the apparatus in an initial position, The locking mechanism includes: a cap that is rotatable integrally with the operation panel; a rotating member on which the cap is rotatably supported; a fixed member fixed to the device body on which the rotating member is rotatably supported; a first coil spring fitted onto the rotating member to connect the rotating member and the cap; a second coil spring that connects the rotating member and the fixed member and has a winding direction opposite to that of the first coil spring, When a force is applied to the operation panel in one direction, a force in a loosening direction is applied to the first coil spring via the cap, and the first coil spring elastically deforms, causing the operation panel to rotate together with the cap. When the force is released, the first coil spring elastically returns to its original position, and the operation panel returns to its initial position. When a force is applied to the operation panel in another direction, a force in a loosening direction is applied to the second coil spring via the cap and the rotating member, causing the second coil spring to elastically deform and rotate the operation panel together with the cap and the rotating member, and when the force is released, the second coil spring elastically returns to its original position, causing the operation panel to return to its initial position.

2. The image forming apparatus of claim 1, characterized in that when a force is applied to the operation panel in another direction, a force in a tightening direction is applied to the first coil spring via the cap, the first coil spring is tightened to the rotating member, and the rotating member becomes rotatable integrally with the cap, and a force in a loosening direction is applied to the second coil spring via the cap and the rotating member.

Images