Multifunction machine

Abstract

To provide a multifunction machine which can secure strength which withstands pressing force acting on a control panel without connecting a panel housing to an upper housing and enables reduction of the number of housing components stored when multiple models are manufactured in a structure which enables the control panels of different sizes to be assembled to the upper housing.SOLUTION: A multifunction machine 1 includes: an image forming unit 5; an image reading unit 2; a control panel 18; a lower housing 50; an upper housing 20; a panel housing 10 located above the lower housing 50 and in front of the upper housing 20; a connection part 60 connecting the lower housing 50 and the upper housing 20 with each other; and a support part 19 located between the lower housing 50 and the panel housing 10 in a vertical direction and in front of the upper housing 20 and the connection part 60, the support part 19 supporting the panel housing 10. The support part 19 is formed having: a first support part 100 fixed to the panel housing 10; and a second support part 200 fixed to the lower housing 50 and connected to the first support part 100.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a multifunction peripheral. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional multifunction printer. In this multifunction printer, an upper housing that houses an image reading unit is located higher than a lower housing that houses an image forming unit. A panel housing that houses an operation panel is located higher than the lower housing and protrudes forward from the front end of the upper housing. It is unclear whether at least a portion of the panel housing is formed integrally with the upper housing, but in general, at least a portion of the panel housing is often formed integrally with the upper housing. A connecting portion connects the lower housing and the upper housing.

[0003] This multifunction device is required to support the operation panel with enough strength to withstand the pressure acting on the operation panel that receives operational inputs. For this reason, in this multifunction device, the front end of the connecting part is positioned between the lower housing and the panel housing in the vertical direction, and is positioned forward of the upper housing to support the panel housing.

[0004] In another example of a conventional multifunction printer, the front end of the connecting part is located behind the panel housing, and does not support the panel housing. In this multifunction printer, at least a portion of the panel housing is formed integrally with the upper housing, ensuring strength to withstand pressure acting on the operation panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 7310454 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, in the above-mentioned conventional multifunction peripherals, there are cases where product development is adopted in which operation panels of different sizes are combined with an upper housing to produce a product.

[0007] In order to realize such product development in a configuration in which at least a portion of the panel housing is formed integrally with the upper housing, it is necessary to design, manufacture, and store multiple types of upper housing parts each having a shape that matches the size of the operation panel.As a result, not only is it difficult to respond when the production plan differs from demand, but there is also the problem that space is required to store multiple types of upper housing parts.

[0008] Even if we try to develop such a product in a configuration where the front end of the connecting part supports the panel housing, we would have to design, manufacture, and stock multiple types of connecting part parts with shapes that match the various sizes of operation panels, which would pose the same problem.In this case, the problem becomes even more serious if at least a part of the panel housing is formed integrally with the upper housing.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and aims to provide a multifunction machine that, in a configuration in which operation panels of different sizes are combined with an upper housing, can ensure strength to withstand the pressing force acting on the operation panel without connecting the panel housing to the upper housing, and can reduce the number of housing parts that need to be stored when manufacturing multiple types. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The multifunction peripheral of the present invention comprises: an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; an image reading unit that reads an image of a document; an operation panel for receiving operation input; a lower housing that houses the image forming unit; an upper housing located above the lower housing and housing the image reading unit; a panel housing located above the lower housing and forward of the upper housing, the panel housing accommodating the operation panel; a connecting portion that connects the lower housing and the upper housing; a support portion that is located between the lower housing and the panel housing in the vertical direction and is located forward of the upper housing and the connecting portion, and that supports the panel housing; The support portion is characterized by comprising a first support portion fixed to the panel housing, and a second support portion fixed to the lower housing and connected to the first support portion.

[0011] In the multifunction device of the present invention, multiple varieties are prepared for at least one of the first support portion and the second support portion according to different sizes of operation panels, and a panel housing that accommodates an operation panel of any size can be supported by a support portion that is configured to have a first support portion and a second support portion appropriately selected according to the size of the operation panel.

[0012] For example, if using a certain type of first support part results in a large overhang of the panel housing or the overhang becomes uneven, using a different type of first support part can reduce the overhang and its unevenness. Also, when supporting a heavy panel housing, first support parts and second support parts of higher strength types can be used.

[0013] As a result, this multifunction device can ensure the strength to withstand the pressure acting on the operation panel without connecting the panel housing to the upper housing.

[0014] As a result, with this multifunction device, it is necessary to design, manufacture, and store multiple types of panel housing parts having shapes that match each size of the operation panel, but it is not necessary to design, manufacture, and store multiple types of upper housing parts having shapes that match each size of the operation panel, or to design, manufacture, and store multiple types of connecting part parts having shapes that match each size of the operation panel.

[0015] Therefore, in a configuration in which operation panels of different sizes are combined with an upper housing, the multifunction device of the present invention can ensure the strength to withstand the pressing force acting on the operation panel without connecting the panel housing to the upper housing, and can reduce the number of housing parts that need to be stored when manufacturing multiple types.

[0016] As a result, this multifunction printer can reduce the amount of discarded parts. Conventionally, panel housings have been designed, manufactured, and stored according to product model changes, and the panel housings before a model change became unusable and had to be discarded. However, with this invention, the panel housings before a model change can be used even after a model change. In other words, this multifunction printer is highly sustainable, which means sustainable development for humans, society, and the global environment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0017] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment, showing a combination of a large-sized upper housing and a large-sized panel housing. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the multifunction peripheral of the embodiment, showing a combination of a large-sized upper housing and a large-sized panel housing. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view similar to FIG. 1, showing a state in which the document cover is removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the joint cover. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the joint cover. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a partial top view showing the multifunction peripheral of the embodiment with the document cover removed, illustrating the combination of the large-sized upper housing and the large-sized panel housing. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a partial top view similar to FIG. 6, showing a combination of a small-sized upper housing and a small-sized panel housing. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a partial top view similar to FIG. 6, showing a combination of a large-sized upper housing and a medium-sized panel housing. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view similar to FIG. 2, showing a state in which the exterior cover has been removed. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the cross section AA of FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the cross section BB of FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the panel housing and the first support portion. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the panel housing. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the first support portion. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the first support portion. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the second support portion. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the second support portion. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a top view of the second support part. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a partial perspective view of the exterior cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0019] (Example) As shown in Figure 1, the multifunction device 1 of the embodiment is one example of a specific aspect of the multifunction device of the present invention. In Figure 1, the side of the operation panel 18 of the multifunction device 1 is the front. The side that is to the left when facing the operation panel 18 is the left side. The directions shown in Figure 2 and subsequent figures are all displayed in accordance with the directions shown in Figure 1.

[0020] The width direction of the multifunction device 1 is a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, and is parallel to the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the left side is one of the width directions, and the right side is the other of the width directions. The width direction is an example of the "second direction" in the present invention. In this embodiment, one of the width directions is the same as one of the second directions, and the other of the width directions is the same as the other of the second directions. The width directions shown in Figure 2 and subsequent figures are all shown corresponding to Figure 1.

[0021] <Housing, connecting part and upper housing> The multifunction device 1 includes a lower housing 50 and an upper housing 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, and a connecting portion 60 shown in FIGS.

[0022] 1, the lower housing 50 is substantially box-shaped and has a joint cover 59 on its upper surface. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the joint cover 59 extends in the front-rear and width directions and covers the internal space of the lower housing 50 from above. In this embodiment, the joint cover 59 is a resin member manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin or the like.

[0023] 4, a discharge tray 50T is formed in the center in the width direction on the upper surface of the joint cover 59. The discharge tray 50T slopes upward and forward from the rear end side of the joint cover 59, and then extends forward approximately horizontally toward the front edge of the upper surface of the lower housing 50.

[0024] The connecting portion 60 is formed integrally with the joint cover 59. The connecting portion 60 has a first connecting portion 60L, a second connecting portion 60R, and a third connecting portion 60B.

[0025] The first connecting portion 60L protrudes upward and extends in the front-to-rear direction from a position on the joint cover 59 to the left of the discharge tray 50T. The second connecting portion 60R protrudes upward and extends in the front-to-rear direction from a position on the joint cover 59 to the right of the discharge tray 50T.

[0026] The third connecting portion 60B protrudes upward from a position on the joint cover 59 rearward of the discharge tray 50T and extends in the width direction. The left end of the third connecting portion 60B is connected to the rear end of the first connecting portion 60L. The right end of the third connecting portion 60B is connected to the rear end of the second connecting portion 60R.

[0027] 5, the lower housing 50 has a base 52. The base 52 is formed in a position forward of the front end of the first connecting portion 60L of the joint cover 59 and to the left of the front portion of the discharge tray 50T. The top surface of the base 52 extends horizontally. The base 52 is provided with four screw holes 52F, a plurality of recesses, etc.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3, the upper housing 20 is located higher than the lower housing 50. The upper housing 20 has a flat base 21 and a top cover 22. The flat base 21 is a flat, approximately box-shaped body whose vertical length is significantly smaller than that of the lower housing 50, and its top side is open. The top cover 22 is attached to the top side of the flat base 21. A front wall 20F of the upper housing 20 extends in the width direction at a position spaced rearward from the front surface of the lower housing 50.

[0029] In this embodiment, the flat base 21 and the top cover 22 are resin members manufactured by injection molding of thermoplastic resin or the like.

[0030] The first connecting portion 60L, the second connecting portion 60R, and the third connecting portion 60B shown in FIG. 4 connect the lower housing 50 and the upper housing 20 while being covered with multiple exterior covers, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0031] <Image forming section> As shown in Fig. 1, the multifunction device 1 includes an image forming unit 5. A lower housing 50 houses the image forming unit 5. The image forming unit 5 has a well-known configuration, so illustration and description thereof will be simplified. The image forming unit 5 forms an image on a sheet by an inkjet method, an electrophotographic method, or the like, and discharges the sheet onto a discharge tray 50T.

[0032] <Image reading unit> 3, the multifunction device 1 includes an image reading unit 2. An upper housing 20 houses the image reading unit 2. The image reading unit 2 includes a document glass 2G and a reading sensor 2S.

[0033] The document glass 2G is disposed on the upper surface of the upper housing 20. The top cover 22 covers the outer periphery of the document glass 2G. The document glass 2G has a document placement surface 2G1 that faces upward and is surrounded by the top cover 22. A document to be read is placed on the document placement surface 2G1.

[0034] The reading sensor 2S moves in the left-right direction, ie, the sub-scanning direction, below the document placement surface 2G1, and reads the image of the document in a line shape in the front-rear direction, ie, the main scanning direction.

[0035] <Manuscript cover> 1 and 2, the multifunction device 1 is provided with a document cover 30. The document cover 30 is located above the upper housing 20. The document cover 30 can be opened and closed by connecting its rear end to the upper housing 20 via a hinge (not shown).

[0036] The document cover 30 covers the document placement surface 2G1 when closed. On the other hand, although not shown, the document cover 30 exposes the document placement surface 2G1 when opened. In this state, a user can place a document on the document placement surface 2G1 or remove a placed document.

[0037] <Size of lower and upper housings> 1 to 3 and 6 to 8, in this embodiment, the multifunction device 1 has only one size for the lower housing 50. On the other hand, the multifunction device 1 has two sizes for the upper housing 20, a "large" size shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, 6 and 8, and a "small" size shown in FIG. 7, depending on the size of the document to be read.

[0038] The multifunction device 1 also has two sizes of document cover 30, a "large" size shown in Figures 1 and 2 and a "small" size (not shown), corresponding to the two sizes of upper housing 20. Note that the joint cover 59 only has one size, and the connecting portion 60 is adapted to accommodate the "large" and "small" sizes of upper housing 20.

[0039] <Operation panel and panel housing> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the multifunction peripheral 1 includes an operation panel 18 and a panel housing 10.

[0040] Operation panel 18 has a well-known configuration and will not be described here, but it has a transparent touch panel and a display unit located on the back side of the touch panel. Operation panel 18 receives operation inputs made by the user for setting and issuing operational instructions to image forming unit 5, image reading unit 2, etc. Operation panel 18 also displays images showing the operating status and settings of image forming unit 5, image reading unit 2, etc.

[0041] The direction of the pressing force F1 acting on the operation panel 18 that receives the operation input is a downward direction along the vertical direction. The downward direction along the vertical direction is an example of the "first direction" in the present invention.

[0042] As shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 9, the panel housing 10 is located above the lower housing 50 and in front of the upper housing 20. The panel housing 10 is supported by a support portion 19, which will be described later. The rear end of the panel housing 10 is adjacent to a portion of the front wall 20F of the upper housing 20 that is located on the left end side. The panel housing 10 is inclined so that the front end is located lower than the rear end.

[0043] 10 to 13, the panel housing 10 has a panel base 11 and a panel cover 12. The panel base 11 is a flat, box-shaped body with an open top. The panel cover 12 is attached to the top of the panel base 11.

[0044] In this embodiment, the panel base 11 and the panel cover 12 are resin members manufactured by injection molding of thermoplastic resin or the like.

[0045] 3 and 10, the panel housing 10 houses an operation panel 18. The panel cover 12 covers the outer periphery of the operation panel 18.

[0046] 12 and 13, the panel base 11 has a base portion 11B. The base portion 11B is located at the center in the width direction of the bottom wall of the panel base 11, and is formed by a portion that bulges downward from the center in the front-rear direction to the rear end.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 10, the underside of base 11B is inclined so that the front end is positioned lower than the rear end. As shown in Fig. 13, four screw holes 11F are formed in base 11B. In addition, a substantially rectangular opening 11H is formed in base 11B.

[0048] The opening 11H is for pulling out the wire harness 10W and the ground wire 10E from the inside to the outside of the panel housing 10. The wire harness 10W is a collection of multiple electrical wires connected to the operation panel 18. The ground wire 10E is also connected to the operation panel 18.

[0049] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 13, a portion 12B located on the rear and left end side of the panel cover 12 is a substantially rectangular plate-like piece that protrudes further rearward than the other portion of the rear end side of the panel cover 12.

[0050] As shown in Figures 3 and 11, part 12B of panel cover 12 covers the front and left corners of top cover 22 from above, with its top surface being flush with the top surface of top cover 22.

[0051] In this embodiment, the multifunction device 1 has three sizes for the operation panel 18: a "large" size shown in Figures 1, 3, 6 and 10, a "small" size shown in Figure 7, and a "medium" size shown in Figure 8. Correspondingly, the multifunction device 1 has three sizes for the panel housing 10: a "large" size shown in Figures 1 to 3, 6 and 9 to 13, a "small" size shown in Figure 7, and a "medium" size shown in Figure 8.

[0052] 6 and 8, the left side of the "large" and "medium" size panel housings 10 is substantially flush with the left side of the "large" size upper housing 20. As shown in Fig. 7, the left side of the "small" size panel housing 10 is substantially flush with the left side of the "small" size upper housing 20. In other words, the left side of the upper housing 20 and the left side of the panel housing 10 are made substantially flush with each other so that the combination of the upper housing 20 and the panel housing 10 does not create a sense of incongruity in design.

[0053] <Support part> 9, the multifunction device 1 includes a support portion 19. The support portion 19 is located between the lower housing 50 and the panel housing 10 in the vertical direction, and is located forward of the upper housing 20 and the first connecting portion 60L of the connecting portion 60.

[0054] 9 to 11, the support portion 19 supports the panel housing 10. The support portion 19 will be described in detail below.

[0055] The support part 19 is configured to have a first support part 100 and a second support part 200. As shown in Fig. 9, the support part 19 has two pairs of a first fitting part 221 and a first fitted part 121. As shown in Fig. 11, the support part 19 has two pairs of a second fitting part 112 and a second fitted part 222.

[0056] Each of the first fitting portions 221 and each of the second fitting portions 112 is an example of a "fitting portion" in the present invention. Each of the first fitted portions 121 and each of the second fitted portions 222 is an example of a "fitted portion" in the present invention.

[0057] <1st support part> 12, 14, and 15, the first support part 100 integrally includes a first fixing part 110 and a first attachment part 120. In this embodiment, the first support part 100 is a resin member manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin or the like.

[0058] 14, the first fixing portion 110 has a generally flat plate shape extending along the lower surface of the base portion 11B of the panel housing 10. The first fixing portion 110 is formed with four screw insertion holes 110F and a C-shaped rib 110C.

[0059] The C-shaped rib 110C protrudes upward from a portion of the first fixing part 110 located either in the front or width direction, and extends along the inner peripheral edge of the opening 11H of the base part 11B. The C-shaped rib 110C is generally C-shaped when viewed from above.

[0060] 12, the first fixing portion 110 is fastened to the base portion 11B of the panel base 11 by inserting four screws into the screw insertion holes 110F and screwing them into the screw holes 11F of the panel base 11. In this way, the first fixing portion 110 is fixed to the panel base 11 of the panel housing 10.

[0061] The first mounting portion 120 is connected to the first fixed portion 110 and extends downward and in the front-to-rear direction. A first side surface 120S of the first mounting portion 120 is a flat surface that faces the other width direction and extends in the front-to-rear and up-to-down directions. As shown in FIG. 11 , the first mounting portion 120 extends toward the base portion 52 of the lower housing 50.

[0062] 15, first mounting portion 120 has multiple ribs that intersect with each other on the side opposite first side surface 120S, thereby increasing its rigidity. Bottom surface 120D of first mounting portion 120 is formed by the lower end surfaces of the multiple ribs that are located lowest among the ribs, ensuring a large length in the width direction.

[0063] Four screw insertion holes 120F are formed in the first mounting portion 120. Two of the screw insertion holes 120F located at the front end of the first mounting portion 120 are spaced apart in the vertical direction. Two of the screw insertion holes 120F located at the rear end of the first mounting portion 120 are also spaced apart in the vertical direction.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 15, the first support portion 100 has guide portions 100W1, 100W2, and 100W3.

[0065] The guide portions 100W1, 100W2, 100W3 are formed by some surfaces of a plurality of ribs formed on the side of the first attachment portion 120 opposite to the first side surface 120S, or by gaps between the ribs.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 9, the guide portions 100W1, 100W2, and 100W3 guide the wire harness 10W that has passed through the opening 11H of the panel housing 10 to the rear and lower corner of the first attachment portion 120 while bending the wire harness 10W multiple times.

[0067] <Second fitting part> 12 and 14, two second fitting portions 112 are formed on the first fixed portion 110 of the first support portion 100. Each second fitting portion 112 protrudes in the fitting direction from the right edge of the first fixed portion 110 located on the other side in the width direction.

[0068] The fitting direction is perpendicular to the direction of the pressing force F1 acting on the operation panel 18, i.e., the downward direction along the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the fitting direction is parallel to the width direction. Each second fitting portion 112 protrudes toward the other side in the width direction.

[0069] 10 and 12, each second fitting portion 112 has a flat plate extending substantially horizontally in the front-rear and width directions, and a plurality of ribs protruding downward from the underside of the flat plate and extending in the width direction. The front second fitting portion 112 is located lower than the rear second fitting portion 112.

[0070] <First mated part> 12 and 15, two first fitted portions 121 are formed on the first mounting portion 120 of the first support portion 100. Each first fitted portion 121 is recessed in the fitting direction from the first side surface 120S of the first mounting portion 120. Each first fitted portion 121 is recessed from the first side surface 120S toward one side in the width direction and penetrates the first mounting portion 120.

[0071] The first fitted portion 121 located on the rear end side of the first attachment portion 120 is a hole having a cylindrical inner circumferential surface.

[0072] The first fitted portion 121 located on the front end side of the first attachment portion 120 is an elongated hole having a receiving portion 121T and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The receiving portion 121T is formed by forming a lower portion of the inner circumferential surface of the first fitted portion 121 into a flat shape.

[0073] <Second support part> 16 to 18, the second support part 200 integrally includes a second fixing part 210, a second attachment part 220, and a cover part 230. In this embodiment, the second support part 200 is a resin member manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin or the like.

[0074] 11 and 16, the second fixing portion 210 extends in the front-rear and width directions along the base portion 52 of the lower housing 50. The second fixing portion 210 has a plurality of ribs that intersect with each other, and increases rigidity by ensuring a large thickness in the up-down direction.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 18, the second fixing portion 210 has screw insertion holes 210F formed at four corners on the lower surface side thereof.

[0076] The second fixing portion 210 is fastened to the base portion 52 of the joint cover 59 by inserting four screws into the screw insertion holes 210F and screwing them into the screw holes 52F of the base portion 52. In this way, as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the second fixing portion 210 is fixed to the base portion 52 of the lower housing 50.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 16, the upper surface 210U of the second fixing portion 210 has a large width, similar to the bottom surface 120D of the first attachment portion 120.

[0078] The second mounting portion 220 is connected to the second fixing portion 210 and extends upward and in the front-rear direction. A second side surface 220S of the second mounting portion 220 is a flat surface that faces one side in the width direction and extends in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction.

[0079] 10 and 11, the second mounting portion 220 extends toward the panel base 11 of the panel housing 10. The lower edge of the second side surface 220S is connected to the other edge in the width direction of the upper surface 210U.

[0080] 16, four screw holes 220F are formed in the second mounting portion 220. Two of the screw holes 220F located at the front end of the second mounting portion 220 are spaced apart in the vertical direction. Two of the screw holes 220F located at the rear end of the second mounting portion 220 are also spaced apart in the vertical direction.

[0081] As shown in Figures 16 to 18, the cover portion 230 is connected to the front end portion of the second fixing portion 210 and the front end portion of the second mounting portion 220, and to the other end portion in the width direction of the second mounting portion 220, and forms the exterior surface of the second support portion 200.

[0082] The portion of the cover portion 230 that extends rearward beyond the second attachment portion 220 forms an exterior surface that covers a portion of the first connecting portion 60L.

[0083] A first cover support portion 231 and a second cover support portion 232 are formed on the upper edge of the cover portion 230. The first cover support portion 231 and the second cover support portion 232 are an example of the "cover support portion" in the present invention.

[0084] The front end of the first cover support part 231 is located at the left end of the portion of the upper edge of the cover part 230 that curves in an arc shape at the front. The rear end of the first cover support part 231 is located at the middle of the portion of the upper edge of the cover part 230 that extends in the front-to-rear direction.

[0085] The second cover support portion 232 is located at a portion of the upper edge of the cover portion 230 that extends in the width direction at the front and left and protrudes in a generally trapezoidal shape.

[0086] <First fitting part> 16, two first fitting portions 221 are formed on the second mounting portion 220 of the second support portion 200. Each first fitting portion 221 protrudes in the fitting direction from the second side surface 220S of the second mounting portion 220. Each first fitting portion 221 protrudes from the second side surface 220S to one side in the width direction.

[0087] The first fitting portion 221 located on the rear end side of the second attachment portion 220 is a cylindrical projection having an outer diameter large enough to fit into the first fitted portion 121 .

[0088] The first fitting portion 221 located on the front end side of the second attachment portion 220 is a generally prismatic protrusion having a contact portion 221T, and extends in the front-to-rear direction. The contact portion 221T is formed by forming a lower portion of the outer circumferential surface of the first fitting portion 221 into a flat shape.

[0089] <Second mated part> Two second fitted portions 222 are formed on the second mounting portion 220 of the second support portion 200. Each second fitted portion 222 is located above the second side surface 220S of the second mounting portion 220 and is recessed in the fitting direction from a peripheral portion 220N located away from the second side surface 220S on the other side in the width direction. Each second fitted portion 222 is recessed from the peripheral portion 220N toward the other side in the width direction.

[0090] 10, each second fitted portion 222 has a rectangular shape when viewed in the width direction. The front second fitted portion 222 is located lower than the rear second fitted portion 222.

[0091] <Connection between the first support part and the second support part> The first support part 100 in a state where the first fixing part 110 is fixed to the panel base 11 of the panel housing 10, and the second support part 200 in a state where the second fixing part 210 is fixed to the base part 52 of the lower housing 50 are connected as follows.

[0092] First, the worker performing the assembly work holds the first support part 100 at a position spaced apart on one side in the width direction and above the second support part 200. Then, the worker brings the bottom surface 120D of the first mounting part 120 into contact with the upper surface 210U of the second fixing part 210, with the first side surface 120S of the first mounting part 120 spaced apart on one side in the width direction from the second side surface 220S of the second mounting part 220.

[0093] Next, the worker moves the first mounting portion 120 toward the other side in the width direction, bringing the first side surface 120S closer to the second side surface 220S. As a result, the front first fitting portion 221 is inserted into the front first fitted portion 121. The rear first fitting portion 221 is inserted into the rear first fitted portion 121. The front second fitting portion 112 is inserted into the front second fitted portion 222. The rear second fitting portion 112 is inserted into the rear second fitted portion 222.

[0094] Then, as shown in FIG. 11, the worker brings the first side surface 120S and the second side surface 220S into contact with each other in the width direction.

[0095] 9, the front first fitted portion 121 is fitted into the front first fitting portion 221. At this time, the receiving portion 121T of the front first fitted portion 121 receives the abutting portion 221T of the front first fitting portion 221 from below.

[0096] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the rear first fitted portion 121 is fitted into the rear first fitting portion 221.

[0097] 10 and 11, the front second fitted portion 222 is fitted into the front second fitting portion 112. As shown in Fig. 10, the rear second fitted portion 222 is fitted into the rear second fitting portion 112. The front set of second fitting portions 112 and second fitted portions 222 are positioned lower than the rear set of second fitting portions 112 and second fitted portions 222.

[0098] Finally, as shown in Figures 9 and 11, the worker fastens the first mounting portion 120 to the second mounting portion 220 by inserting four screws into the respective screw insertion holes 120F of the first mounting portion 120 and screwing them into the respective screw holes 220F of the second mounting portion 220.

[0099] As a result, the first support portion 100 and the second support portion 200 are connected with the first mounting portion 120 positioned to one side of the width direction relative to the second mounting portion 220 and the first side surface 120S and the second side surface 220S abutting in the width direction, and the support portion 19 supports the panel housing 10.

[0100] When the first support part 100 and the second support part 200 are connected, the bottom surface 120D of the first attachment part 120 and the upper surface 210U of the second fixing part 210 face each other with a first gap G1 in the vertical direction.

[0101] The first gap G1 is set to a size that allows contact when a pressing force F1 is applied to the operation panel 18. In this embodiment, the first gap G1 is approximately several tenths of a millimeter to several tenths of a millimeter.

[0102] 9 and 10, the first cover support part 231 is located apart from the first support part 100 in the width direction and abuts against the panel base 11 from below to support the panel housing 10. The second cover support part 232 is located forward of the first support part 100 and abuts against the panel base 11 from below to support the panel housing 10.

[0103] As shown in Figure 9, the wire harness 10W passes through the opening 11H of the panel housing 10, then passes only through the first support portion 100 of the support portion 19, and then passes through the left side surface of the first connecting portion 60L of the connecting portion 60 and is routed to the inside of the lower housing 50.

[0104] In this embodiment, as shown in Figures 9 to 11 and 16 to 18, the multifunction device 1 has only one type of second support portion 200. On the other hand, as shown in Figures 6, 7, 9 to 12, 14 and 15, the multifunction device 1 has two types of first support portions 100: a first type corresponding to the operation panel 18 and panel housing 10 of "large" and "small" sizes, and a second type corresponding to the operation panel 18 and panel housing 10 of "medium" size, as shown in Figure 8.

[0105] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first fixing portion 110 of the first type first support portion 100 is located at the center in the width direction of the operation panel 18 and panel housing 10 of the "large" and "small" sizes.

[0106] If it is assumed that the first type of first support part 100 is applied to a "medium" size operation panel 18, the first fixing part 110 of the first type of first support part 100 will be biased to the other side in the width direction of the "medium" size operation panel 18 and the panel housing 10.

[0107] In this regard, as shown in FIG. 8, the first fixing portion 110 of the second type first support portion 100 extends further in one width direction than the first fixing portion 110 of the first type first support portion 100, and is therefore positioned in the widthwise center of the "medium" size operation panel 18 and panel housing 10.

[0108] Furthermore, in this embodiment, although not shown, when supporting a heavy panel housing 10, high-strength first support parts 100 and second support parts 200 are used.

[0109] <Exterior cover> 2 and 11, the multifunction device 1 includes an exterior cover 80. The exterior cover 80 is located on one side of the width direction relative to the first connecting portion 60L, the first support portion 100, and the second support portion 200 of the connecting portion 60, and extends in the up-down and front-rear directions.

[0110] The exterior cover 80 forms an exterior surface that covers the first connecting portion 60L and the first support portion 100. In this embodiment, the exterior cover 80 is a resin member manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin or the like.

[0111] As shown in Fig. 19, a cover fixing portion 85 is formed at the lower end of the exterior cover 80 so as to protrude downward. A screw insertion hole 85F is formed in the cover fixing portion 85. Although Fig. 19 shows one front cover fixing portion 85, the exterior cover 80 has multiple cover fixing portions 85 lined up in the front-rear direction.

[0112] Two cover abutment portions 86 and two cover protrusions 87 are formed on the upper end side of the exterior cover 80.

[0113] Each cover abutment portion 86 is a convex portion that protrudes toward the other width direction from the rear surface facing the other width direction of the exterior cover 80. Each cover abutment portion 86 is spaced apart in the front-rear direction.

[0114] Each cover protrusion 87 protrudes a short distance in the other width direction from a position higher than each cover abutment portion 86 on the rear surface of the exterior cover 80, and protrudes above the upper edge of the exterior cover 80. Each cover protrusion 87 is spaced apart in the front-rear direction.

[0115] As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of screw holes 59F are formed in the left end surface of the joint cover 59, which is located on one side of the first connecting portion 60L and the base portion 52 in the width direction, and are aligned in the front-rear direction.

[0116] Each cover fixing portion 85 is fastened to the left end surface of the joint cover 59 by inserting a plurality of screws into each screw insertion hole 85F and screwing them into each screw hole 59F of the joint cover 59. In this way, the lower end side of the exterior cover 80 is fixed to the lower housing 50. As shown in Fig. 11 , each cover abutting portion 86 abuts against the first mounting portion 120 in the width direction.

[0117] 11 to 13, the panel base 11 has an opposing wall 11W. As shown in Fig. 11, the opposing wall 11W is located on one side in the width direction relative to the upper end of the exterior cover 80 and the cover protrusions 87, protrudes downward, and extends in the front-rear direction.

[0118] As shown in FIG. 2, the upper end of the exterior cover 80 and each of the cover projections 87 are opposed to the opposing wall 11W and are therefore not exposed.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 11, the lower end of the opposing wall 11W faces the upper end of the exterior cover 80 and each of the cover protrusions 87, with a second gap G2 in the width direction.

[0120] The second gap G2 is set to a size that allows contact when the pressing force F1 acts biasedly on one side of the panel housing 10 in the width direction.

[0121] <Action and effect> In the multifunction device 1 of the embodiment, as shown in Figures 6 to 8, two varieties of the first support part 100 out of the first support part 100 and the second support part 200 are prepared according to different sizes ('large', 'medium', and 'small') of the operation panel 18, and the panel housing 10 that houses the operation panel 18 of any size can be supported by the support part 19 that is composed of the second support part 200 and the first support part 100 appropriately selected according to the operation panel 18 of any size.

[0122] For example, if using the first type first support part 100 shown in Figures 6 and 7 with a "medium" size operation panel 18 and panel housing 10 results in a large imbalance in the overhang of the panel housing 10, using the second type first support part 100 shown in Figure 8 with a "medium" size operation panel 18 and panel housing 10 can reduce the imbalance in the overhang.

[0123] Furthermore, when supporting a heavy panel housing 10, the first support portion 100 and the second support portion 200 of high strength type can be used.

[0124] As a result, the multifunction device 1 can ensure the strength to withstand the pressing force F1 acting on the operation panel 18 without connecting the panel housing 10 to the upper housing 20.

[0125] As a result, with this multifunction device 1, it is necessary to design, manufacture, and store multiple types of parts for the panel housing 10, i.e., panel bases 11 and panel covers 12, each shaped to fit the size of the operation panel 18, while it is not necessary to design, manufacture, and store multiple types of parts for the upper housing 20, i.e., flat bases 21 and top covers 22, each shaped to fit the size of the operation panel 18, or to design, manufacture, and store multiple types of parts for the connecting portion 60, i.e., joint covers 59, each shaped to fit the size of the operation panel 18.

[0126] Therefore, in the multifunction device 1 of the embodiment, in a configuration in which operation panels 18 of different sizes are combined with the upper housing 20, the strength to withstand the pressing force F1 acting on the operation panel 18 can be ensured without connecting the panel housing 10 to the upper housing 20, and the number of housing parts to be stored when manufacturing multiple types can be reduced.

[0127] As a result, this multifunction device 1 can reduce the amount of discarded parts. Conventionally, the panel housing 10 has also been designed, manufactured, and stored in accordance with product model changes, and the panel housing 10 before the model change became unusable and had to be discarded, but according to this embodiment, the panel housing 10 before the model change can be used even after the model change. In other words, this multifunction device 1 has high sustainability, which is the sustainable development of humans, society, and the global environment.

[0128] 9, in the multifunction peripheral 1, each first fitting portion 221 formed on the second support portion 200 protrudes in the fitting direction. Each first fitted portion 121 formed on the first support portion 100 is recessed in the fitting direction to fit into each first fitting portion 221. As shown in FIG. 12, each second fitting portion 112 formed on the first support portion 100 protrudes in the fitting direction. As shown in FIG. 10, each second fitted portion 222 formed on the second support portion 200 is recessed in the fitting direction to fit into each second fitting portion 112. The fitting direction is perpendicular to the pressing force F1 acting on the operation panel 18. With this configuration, the pressing force F1 does not act in a direction to remove the first fitting portions 221 from the first fitted portions 121, and does not act in a direction to remove the second fitting portions 112 from the second fitted portions 222, so that the support portion 19 can preferably receive the pressing force F1. Furthermore, with this multifunction device 1, the positional relationship between the first support portion 100 and the second support portion 200 is determined simply by fitting the first fitting portions 221 into the first fitted portions 121 and fitting the second fitting portions 112 into the second fitted portions 222, which simplifies the assembly work.

[0129] 9 and 11, in the multifunction peripheral 1, when the first support portion 100 and the second support portion 200 are connected, the first side surface 120S of the first mounting portion 120 and the second side surface 220S of the second mounting portion 220 abut against each other in the width direction, and the bottom surface 120D of the first mounting portion 120 and the top surface 210U of the second fixing portion 210 face each other with a first gap G1 in the vertical direction. The first gap G1 is set to a size that allows abutment when a pressing force F1 is applied to the operation panel 18. With this configuration, even if the first support portion 100 is twisted relative to the second support portion 200 by the pressing force F1 acting on the operation panel 18, the first gap G1 becomes zero and the bottom surface 120D of the first mounting portion 120 abuts against the top surface 210U of the second fixing portion 210, thereby being able to withstand the twisting. As a result, the multifunction device 1 can suppress deformation of the support portion 19.

[0130] 9, in the multifunction peripheral 1, when the first support portion 100 and the second support portion 200 are connected, the first attachment portion 120 is located on one side in the width direction relative to the second attachment portion 220. Each first fitting portion 221 protrudes from the second side surface 220S of the second attachment portion 220 in one side in the width direction. Each first fitted portion 121 is recessed from the first side surface 120S of the first attachment portion 120 in one side in the width direction and is fitted into each first fitting portion 221. As shown in FIG. 12, each second fitting portion 112 protrudes from the first fixing portion 110 in the other side in the width direction. 10 and 11 , each second fitted portion 222 is located above the second side surface 220S of the second attachment portion 220, and is recessed in the other width direction from a peripheral portion 220N located away from the second side surface 220S in the other width direction, to be fitted into each second fitting portion 112. The fitting direction is a direction toward one width direction for each first fitting portion 221 and each first fitted portion 121, and a direction toward the other width direction for each second fitting portion 112 and each second fitted portion 222. With this configuration, even if the first support portion 100 is twisted relative to the second support portion 200 by the pressing force F1 acting on the operation panel 18, the configuration in which the first support portion 100 and the second support portion 200 are connected by fitting at multiple locations can reliably withstand the twisting.

[0131] 9, the multifunction device 1 is provided with two sets of first mating portions 221 and first mated portions 121. In the rear set of first mating portions 221 and first mated portions 121, the first mating portions 221 are cylindrical protrusions, and the first mated portions 121 are holes with cylindrical inner circumferential surfaces. In the front set of first mating portions 221 and first mated portions 121, the first mating portions 221 are protrusions with abutting portions 221T, and the first mated portions 121 are holes with receiving portions 121T that receive the abutting portions 221T from below. These two sets of first mating portions 221 and first mated portions 121 enable the positional relationship between the first support portion 100 and the second support portion 200 to be determined with high precision.

[0132] 10 , the panel housing 10 of the multifunction peripheral 1 is inclined so that its front end is positioned lower than its rear end. Two sets of second mating portions 112 and second mated portions 222 are provided. The front set of second mating portions 112 and second mated portions 222 are positioned lower than the rear set of second mating portions 112 and second mated portions 222. By arranging the two sets of second mating portions 112 and second mated portions 222 with a step in accordance with the inclination of the panel housing 10 in this way, the pressing force F1 acting on the operation panel 18 can be easily released to the base portion 52 of the lower housing 50.

[0133] Furthermore, in this multifunction peripheral 1, as shown in FIG. 19 , a cover fixing portion 85 that is fixed to the lower housing 50 is formed on the lower end side of the exterior cover 80. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 19 , two cover abutment portions 86 that abut against the first mounting portion 120 in the width direction are formed on the upper end side of the exterior cover 80. As shown in FIG. 11 , the lower end of the opposing wall 11W of the panel housing 10 faces the upper end of the exterior cover 80 and each cover protrusion 87, with a second gap G2 in the width direction. The second gap G2 is set to a size that allows abutment when the pressing force F1 acts biasedly on one side of the panel housing 10 in the width direction. With this configuration, even if an overhanging portion of the panel housing 10 on one side of the width direction is pressed and the panel housing 10 is twisted, the second gap G2 becomes zero, and the lower end of the opposing wall 11W abuts against the upper end of the exterior cover 80 and each cover protrusion 87, so that the panel housing 10 can withstand the twisting. As a result, the multifunction device 1 can suppress deformation of the panel housing 10.

[0134] 6 to 8, in this multifunction device 1, a portion 12B located on the rear and left end side of the panel cover 12 covers from above a corner on the front and left end side of the top cover 22. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the boundary between the rear end of the panel cover 12 and the front end of the top cover 22 of the upper housing 20 from being conspicuous. This configuration also makes it possible to reduce the sense of incongruity in design even when operation panels 18 of different sizes are combined with the upper housing 20.

[0135] 9 and 10, in this multifunction peripheral 1, a first cover support portion 231 and a second cover support portion 232 are formed on the upper edge of the cover portion 230, which abut against the panel housing 10 from below to support the panel housing 10. With this configuration, even if a pressing force F1 acts on the operation panel 18, rattling of the panel housing 10 can be suppressed by the first cover support portion 231 and the second cover support portion 232 of the second support portion 200.

[0136] Furthermore, in this multifunction device 1, the first cover support part 231 is located away from the first support part 100 in the width direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, and extends in the front-rear direction. The second cover support part 232 is located forward of the first support part 100 and extends in the width direction. With this configuration, even if a pressing force F1 acts on the operation panel 18, the first cover support part 231 and the second cover support part 232 can reliably suppress rattling of the panel housing 10.

[0137] 9, in the multifunction peripheral 1, the wire harness 10W passes through the opening 11H formed in the base 11B of the panel housing 10, is guided by the guide portions 100W1, 100W2, and 100W3 of the first support portion 100, passes through only the first support portion 100 of the support portions 19, and then passes through the first connecting portion 60L of the connecting portion 60 to be routed into the lower housing 50. In other words, the wire harness 10W does not pass through the second support portion 200 fixed to the base portion 52 of the lower housing 50. Therefore, by assembling the first support portion 100 to the second support portion 200 in a state in which the first support portion 100 is fixed to the panel housing 10 and the guide portions 100W1, 100W2, and 100W3 of the first support portion 100 guide the wire harness 10W, the task of routing the wire harness 10W into the lower housing 50 can be simplified.

[0138] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the examples, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above examples and can be modified and applied as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0139] In the embodiment, the mating direction is parallel to the width direction, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the mating direction may be parallel to the front-rear direction. [Explanation of symbols]

[0140] 1...multifunction device, 5...image forming unit, 2...image reading unit 18...operation panel, 50...lower housing, 20...upper housing 10... panel housing, 60... connecting portion, 19... support portion 100...first support part, 200...second support part 221, 112... fitting portion (221... first fitting portion, 112... second fitting portion) 121, 222...Mated part (121...First mated part, 222...Second mated part) 110...first fixing portion, 120...first mounting portion 210... second fixing portion, 220... second mounting portion 120S…1st side, 220S…2nd side 120D...Bottom surface of first mounting part, 210U...Top surface of second fixing part G1...First gap, 221T...Abutment part, 121T...Receiving part 80...exterior cover, 85...cover fixing part 86...cover contact portion, 11B...base portion, 11W...opposing wall G2: Second gap, F1: First direction pressure 2G...Document glass, 2G1...Document placement surface 22...Top cover, 12...Panel cover 12B: Part of the rear end of the panel cover, 230: Cover part 231, 232... Cover support portion (231... First cover support portion, 232... Second cover support portion) 10W...Wire harness, 11H...Opening of panel housing 100W1, 100W2, 100W3...Guidance section

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; an image reading unit that reads an image of a document; an operation panel for receiving operation input; a lower housing that houses the image forming unit; an upper housing located above the lower housing and housing the image reading unit; a panel housing located above the lower housing and forward of the upper housing, the panel housing accommodating the operation panel; a connecting portion that connects the lower housing and the upper housing; a support portion that is located between the lower housing and the panel housing in the vertical direction and is located forward of the upper housing and the connecting portion, and that supports the panel housing; The multifunction device is characterized in that the support portion is configured to have a first support portion fixed to the panel housing and a second support portion fixed to the lower housing and connected to the first support portion.

2. the support portion includes a fitting portion formed on one of the first support portion and the second support portion, the fitting portion protruding in a fitting direction perpendicular to a first direction in which the operation panel is pressed; 2. The multifunction device according to claim 1, further comprising: a mating portion formed on the other of the first support portion and the second support portion, the mating portion being recessed in the mating direction and mated with the mating portion.

3. the first support portion has a first fixing portion extending along the panel housing and fixed to the panel housing, and a first attachment portion connected to the first fixing portion and extending toward the lower housing, the second support portion has a second fixing portion extending along the lower housing and fixed to the lower housing, and a second attachment portion connected to the second fixing portion and extending toward the panel housing, When the first support portion and the second support portion are connected, a first side surface of the first mounting portion and a second side surface of the second mounting portion abut against each other in a second direction parallel to the fitting direction, and a bottom surface of the first mounting portion and an upper surface of the second fixing portion face each other with a first gap in the up-down direction, 3. The multifunction peripheral according to claim 2, wherein the first gap is set to a size that allows the operation panel to come into contact with the first gap when pressed in the first direction.

4. When the first support portion and the second support portion are connected to each other, the first attachment portion is located on one side of the second attachment portion in the second direction, the fitting portion has a first fitting portion that protrudes from the second side surface of the second attachment portion in one direction in the second direction, and a second fitting portion that protrudes from the first fixing portion in the other direction in the second direction, the fitted portion includes a first fitted portion recessed from the first side surface of the first mounting portion toward one side in the second direction and fitted into the first fitting portion, and a second fitted portion recessed from a portion of the second mounting portion located above the second side surface toward the other side in the second direction and fitted into the second fitting portion, The multifunction device according to claim 3, wherein the mating direction is a direction toward one of the second directions in the first mating portion and the first mated portion, and a direction toward the other of the second directions in the second mating portion and the second mated portion.

5. two sets of the first fitting portion and the first fitted portion are provided, In one set of the first fitting portion and the first fitted portion, the first fitting portion is a cylindrical protrusion, and the first fitted portion is a hole having a cylindrical inner circumferential surface, The multifunction machine of claim 4, wherein in the other set of the first engaging portion and the first engaged portion, the first engaging portion is a protrusion having a contact portion formed on a flat portion of its outer surface, and the first engaged portion is a hole having a contact portion formed on a flat portion of its inner surface and receiving the contact portion from below.

6. the panel housing is inclined so that the front end is positioned lower than the rear end, the second direction is a width direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, two sets of the second fitting portion and the second fitted portion are provided, 5. The multifunction device according to claim 4, wherein the second engaging portion and the second receiving portion of one set are positioned forward and below the second engaging portion and the second receiving portion of the other set.

7. the second direction is a width direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction, When the first support portion and the second support portion are connected to each other, the first attachment portion is located on one side of the second attachment portion in the width direction, an exterior cover that is located on one side of the width direction relative to the connecting portion, the first support portion, and the second support portion and extends in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction; a cover fixing portion that is fixed to the lower housing is formed on the lower end side of the exterior cover; a cover abutment portion that abuts against the first mounting portion in the width direction is formed on an upper end side of the exterior cover; the panel housing has a base to which the first fixing portion is fixed, and an opposing wall that is located on one side in the width direction relative to the upper end of the exterior cover, protrudes downward, and extends in a front-rear direction; a lower end of the opposing wall and an upper end of the exterior cover face each other with a second gap in the width direction, 7. The multifunction peripheral according to claim 3, wherein the second gap is set to a size that allows contact when the pressing force in the first direction acts biasedly on one side of the width direction of the panel housing.

8. the image reading unit includes an original glass disposed on an upper surface of the upper housing, the original glass having an original placement surface on which an original to be read is placed, the upper housing has a top cover that covers an outer periphery of the document glass, the panel housing has a panel cover that covers an outer periphery of the operation panel, 7. The multifunction peripheral according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the rear end of the panel cover covers a portion of the front end of the top cover from above.

9. the second support portion has a cover portion that forms an exterior surface of the second support portion, 7. The multifunction peripheral according to claim 1, wherein a cover support portion is formed on an upper edge of the cover portion so as to abut against the panel housing from below and support the panel housing.

10. the cover support portion is positioned apart from the first support portion in a width direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the front-rear direction and extends in the front-rear direction; The multifunction peripheral according to claim 9 , further comprising: a second cover support portion positioned forward of the first support portion and extending in the width direction.

11. a wire harness which is a collection of a plurality of electrical wirings connected to the operation panel; the wire harness passes through an opening formed in the bottom wall of the panel housing, then passes through only the first support portion of the support portions, and further passes through the connecting portion to be routed into the lower housing; 7. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the first support portion has a guide portion that guides the wire harness.

Images