Operation expansion unit and image forming device

Abstract

To provide an operation extension unit that is able to hold mounting strength with respective to an operating portion of a device body without using a long insertion pin.SOLUTION: An operation expansion unit to be mounted in a mounting direction perpendicular to a mounting surface of an operating portion of a device body, includes: at least a pair of protrusions that can be respectively fitted into at least a pair of positioning holes formed in the mounting surface of the operating portion; and a gripping portion extending in the mounting direction beyond distal end parts of the protrusions and can grip a to-be-gripped portion, disposed inside the operating portion, by sandwiching the to-be-gripped portion from both front and rear sides in the mounting direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation extension unit such as a numeric keypad device that can be detachably attached to an operation panel of an image forming apparatus or the like, and to an image forming apparatus equipped with the operation extension unit. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Some image forming apparatuses, such as copiers, printers, facsimiles, or combination machines thereof, are provided with an optional, detachable operation expansion unit such as a numeric keypad.

[0003] For example, the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 (JP 2021-86035 A) has, as shown in Fig. 1, a numeric keypad device 20 as an operation extension unit removably attached to a side edge of an operation panel 10 located at the upper front of the image forming apparatus 1. This numeric keypad device 20 has a pair of insertion pins and one hook disposed between the pair of insertion pins.

[0004] The pair of insertion pins are inserted into a pair of pin insertion holes at the side edges of the operation panel 10, and the hooks are passed through the hook holes at the side edges of the operation panel 10 to engage with the engagement portions inside the operation panel 10. In this manner, the numeric keypad device 20 is attached to the operation panel 10. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, because the insertion pins of the numeric keypad device 20 extend long to the side, they are prone to tilting when an external force is unexpectedly applied to them. The insertion pins are also prone to tilting due to variations in the tolerances of parts. When the insertion pins tilt, it becomes difficult to insert the insertion pins into the pin insertion holes of the operation panel 10.

[0006] Furthermore, in order to firmly support the long insertion pins on the numeric keypad device 20 side so that they do not easily tilt, it is necessary to extend the base ends of the insertion pins deep inside the numeric keypad device 20. However, this means that the base ends of the insertion pins occupy the internal space of the numeric keypad device 20, reducing the space available for arranging the components of the numeric keypad device 20. Dead space also occurs on the operation panel 10 side due to the long insertion pins.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an operation extension unit that can maintain attachment strength to the operation section of the device main body without using a long insertion pin. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the operation extension unit of the present invention is an operation extension unit that is attached from an attachment direction perpendicular to the attachment surface of the operation part of the device main body, and is characterized by having at least a pair of protrusions that can be fitted into at least a pair of positioning holes formed on the attachment surface of the operation part, and a gripping part that extends beyond the tip of the protrusions in the attachment direction and is capable of gripping the gripped part arranged inside the operation part by clamping it from both the front and back in the attachment direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, the attachment strength to the operating section of the device main body can be maintained without using a long insertion pin. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a front view of the image forming apparatus to which the numeric keypad device is attached. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state before the numeric keypad device is attached to the operation panel. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a first metal fitting and a second metal fitting that are externally attached to the numeric keypad device. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state after the numeric keypad device is attached to the operation panel. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side view of the main part of FIG. 5. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged side view of the hook portion of FIG. 6. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

[0012] (●Outline of image forming device) 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus 1 as an apparatus main body according to this embodiment. The image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction machine equipped with functions such as a printer, a facsimile, and a copier. However, the image forming apparatus may be equipped with any one of these functions, or any combination thereof.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 1 includes a paper feed unit 4 equipped with a paper feed tray, a document reading unit 5, a paper discharge unit 6 equipped with a paper discharge tray 61, and an image carrier, a transfer unit, a fixing device, etc. inside the apparatus.

[0014] When a printing operation is started, paper as a recording medium is supplied from the paper feed unit 4 into the image forming apparatus 1. Then, an image is transferred from the image data of the print job onto an image carrier in an image creation process.

[0015] The image is transferred from the image carrier onto the paper that has been conveyed along the conveyance path. After transfer, the paper is conveyed to the fixing device, where the toner of the image on the paper is fixed, and the paper is then discharged onto the paper output tray 61.

[0016] An operation panel 10 serving as a main body operation unit is provided on the upper front surface of the image forming apparatus 1. The operation panel 10 is an operation portion through which an operator inputs printing commands and the like, and in this embodiment, a touch panel type is used. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation panel may be, for example, a button type.

[0017] A numeric keypad device 20 serving as an operation expansion unit or function expansion device is detachably provided on the operation panel 10. Many recent operation panels 10 are, for example, of the touch panel type. However, the touch panel type may not provide a satisfactory operational feel, or may require several steps of operation before the numbers 0 to 9 are displayed on the panel and can be input.

[0018] Operators who are not familiar with the touch panel method may prefer the physical switches of the numeric keypad device 20. Therefore, by optionally installing the numeric keypad device 20 on the operation panel 10, the operability of the operation panel 10 of the image forming apparatus 1 can be improved.

[0019] The numeric keypad device 20 is provided with approximately the same vertical width (longitudinal width of the numeric keypad device 20) as the operation panel 10. When the numeric keypad device 20 is attached to the operation panel 10, the panel surface of the operation panel 10 and the surface of the main body of the numeric keypad device 20 are at approximately the same height. By virtue of these features, or by virtue of either one of these features, the design of the operation section provided on the front part of the main body of the image forming apparatus 1 can be improved when the numeric keypad device 20 is attached.

[0020] The operation panel 10 has a pair of positioning holes 11 and a horizontally elongated opening 13 on its side. A USB insertion hole and the like are also provided on the side of the operation panel 10. The positioning holes 11 are holes into which protrusions 21, which will be described later, are fitted. The horizontally elongated opening 13 is used to insert a grip G, which will be described later, into the operation panel 10.

[0021] (● Details of the numeric keypad device) 3, the numeric keypad device 20 includes a main body 29, a pair of protrusions 21, a pair of grips G, and a numeric keypad 24. The protrusions 21 and the grips G are integrally disposed on a first metal fitting 40, as described below, and are attached to one side of the main body 29 via a second metal fitting 50. The reason for using the two metal fittings 40, 50 is that various types of numeric keypads 24 can be easily connected to the operation panel 10 by changing the shape of the rear end of the second metal fitting 50.

[0022] The numeric keypad 24 is arranged on the top surface of the main body 29, and this top surface is the operation surface of the numeric keypad device 20. The longitudinal and lateral directions of the main body 29 are parallel to this operation surface. The operator presses the numeric keypad 24 in pressing direction B.

[0023] (Protrusion) The protrusion 21 has a cylindrical shape, and a tapered surface 21a is formed at the tip of the protrusion 21, the diameter of which decreases toward the tip. The tapered surface 21a facilitates insertion and fitting into the pair of positioning holes 11 of the operation panel 10.

[0024] The protrusion 21 is a metal member. By configuring the protrusion 21 with a conductor, when the numeric keypad device 20 is inserted into the positioning hole 11 of the operation panel 10 and electrically connected, it is possible to ensure grounding through the protrusion 21.

[0025] The protrusion 21 extends in the short-side direction of the main body 29 (the mounting direction A of the numeric keypad device 20 relative to the operation panel 10). In other words, the protrusion 21 extends in a direction parallel to the upper surface of the main body 29 on which the numeric keypad 24 is arranged, and in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the main body 29.

[0026] The pair of protrusions 21 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the main body 29, and are provided symmetrically on one side and the other side with respect to the center position in the longitudinal direction of the main body 29. In particular, in this embodiment, the protrusions 21 are provided near one end and the other end of the main body 29 in the longitudinal direction, respectively.

[0027] (●Gripping part) The gripping portions G are arranged in a pair on the left and right sides in the longitudinal direction of the main body 29. That is, the pair of left and right gripping portions G are provided symmetrically on one side and the other side of the longitudinal center position of the main body 29 between the pair of protrusions 21. The gripping portions G extend in the mounting direction A beyond the tips of the pair of protrusions 21 and are configured to be able to grip gripped pins 15 as gripped portions arranged inside the operation panel 10 from both the front and rear sides in the mounting direction A. By arranging the gripping portions G in a pair on the left and right, the connecting force of the numeric keypad device 20 to the operation panel 10 can be increased.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 4, the pair of protrusions 21 and the pair of gripping portions G are arranged on a first metal fitting 40 for externally attaching to the numeric keypad device 20. The first metal fitting 40 is made of a horizontally long sheet metal, and the pair of protrusions 21 are fixed to both ends in the longitudinal direction.

[0029] 4 into opening 48 of first fitting 40, and both fittings 40, 50 are integrated by screwing together with aligning screw holes 43-45 with screw holes 53-55. When inserting second fitting 50 in the direction of the arrow, the tip of extension 56 of second fitting 50 abuts against rising portion 42 of first fitting 40 so that screw holes 43-45 and screw holes 53-55 are aligned, making it easy to align the screw holes.

[0030] After the first metal fitting 40 and the second metal fitting 50 are screwed together, the screws inserted into the screw holes 51 and 52 of the second metal fitting 50 are screwed into the underside of the numeric keypad device 20. Also, the screw inserted into the screw hole 41 of the first metal fitting 40 is screwed into the upper surface of the numeric keypad device 20. This allows the pair of protrusions 21 and the pair of gripping portions G to be integrated with the numeric keypad device 20 via the first metal fitting 40 and the second metal fitting 50.

[0031] The first metal fitting 40 has a pair of left and right arms 46 that are located between the pair of protrusions 21 and protrude forward (in the mounting direction A), and a gripping portion G is disposed on the arms 46. The gripping portion G has a hook member 23 that can engage with the grippable pin 15 from the front side in the mounting direction A in Figure 3, an elastic biasing member such as a spring that biases the hook member 23 in an engagement direction to engage with the grippable pin 15, a receiving portion 46a that fits onto the grippable pin 15 from the rear side in the mounting direction A, and an inclined portion 46b on the entrance side of the receiving portion 46a.

[0032] The receiving portion 46a is a semicircular recess formed at the tip of the arm portion 46. The inclined portion 46b allows the gripped pin 15 to be smoothly guided to the receiving portion 46a. The receiving portion 46a forms a restraining means that prevents the gripping portion G from shifting in position in a direction (the up-and-down direction in FIG. 7, i.e., the pressing direction B of the numeric keypad 24 in FIGS. 3 and 5) perpendicular to the mounting direction A and the spacing direction of the positioning holes 11 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 7).

[0033] (●Installation of the numeric keypad device) 5 is a diagram showing the state in which the numeric keypad device 20 is attached to the operation panel 10. For ease of viewing, FIG. 5 shows only the frame portion of the operation panel 10 that supports the protrusion 21 and the surrounding structure such as the gripped pin 15.

[0034] 5, the protrusion 21 is inserted into the positioning hole 11 of the operation panel 10. As a result, the protrusion 21 abuts against a frame portion inside the operation panel 10, and the load of the numeric keypad device 20 is supported by the operation panel 10.

[0035] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the length of protrusion 21 in mounting direction A is significantly shorter than the insertion pin described in Patent Document 1 (JP 2021-86035 A). Conventional insertion pins extend long in mounting direction A of numeric keypad device 20, and the base end of the insertion pin extends deep inside numeric keypad device 20. For this reason, the total length of conventional insertion pins was at least 12 to 15 cm.

[0036] In contrast, in the embodiment of the present invention, the total length of protrusion 21 is only 2 to 3 cm at most. This length (2 to 3 cm) is about one-fifth the length of a conventional insertion pin (12 to 15 cm). Because the total length of protrusion 21 can be extremely short, there is almost no dead space on the operation panel 10 side due to protrusion 21.

[0037] Furthermore, there is no need to extend the base end of the protrusion 21 into the interior of the numeric keypad device 20, and the interior space of the numeric keypad device 20 is not sacrificed. Also, there is no risk that the protrusion 21 will bend or tilt due to an unexpected external force.

[0038] Arm portion 46 has a pivotal support portion 47, and hook member 23 is supported on this pivotal support portion 47 so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction in FIG. 6 (the direction of the arrow in FIG. 7). Hook member 23 is biased to rotate clockwise about pivotal support portion 47 by a biasing member. The biasing member can be formed, for example, by a torsion spring wound around pivotal support portion 47.

[0039] First inclined portion 23a and second inclined portion 23b are formed at the tip of hook member 23. When hook member 23 moves in mounting direction A toward graspable pin 15, first inclined portion 23a moves hook member 23 in the direction opposite to the engagement direction against the biasing member while contacting graspable pin 15. Furthermore, after first inclined portion 23a climbs over graspable pin 15, when hook member 23 moves in the engagement direction due to the biasing member, second inclined portion 23b moves hook member 23 in mounting direction A while contacting graspable pin 15.

[0040] 6, the first inclined portion 23a has a gentle downward inclination toward the front toward the mounting direction A, and the second inclined portion 23b has a steep upward inclination toward the front toward the mounting direction A. The first inclined portion 23a and the second inclined portion 23b are adjacent to each other in the mounting direction A of the numeric keypad device 20, and the boundary between the first inclined portion 23a and the second inclined portion 23b is the vertex 23c of the hook member 23.

[0041] The receiving portion 46a of the arm portion 46 is formed to be located on the rear side of the apex 23c of the hook member 23. This receiving portion 46a receives the gripped pin 15 disposed inside the operation panel 10 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 when the movement of the numeric keypad device 20 in the installation direction A in FIG. 3 is completed.

[0042] 6 and 7, hook member 23 is rotated upward around pivot portion 47 by the biasing member to return, and gripped pin 15 is sandwiched between second inclined portion 23b and receiving portion 46a of hook member 23. Therefore, in this sandwiched state, gripped pin 15 cannot move in the direction in which numeric keypad device 20 is removed (the direction opposite to installation direction A).

[0043] Furthermore, since the grippable pin 15 is sandwiched between the second inclined portion 23b and the receiving portion 46a and the elastic force of the biasing member acts on the grippable pin 15 at the second inclined portion 23b, the hook member 23 and therefore the numeric keypad device 20 are pulled in the mounting direction A. In this way, the grippable pin 15 is sandwiched and held from both the front and rear sides in the mounting direction A by the hook member 23 and the receiving portion 46a.

[0044] This ensures a high-quality connection between the numeric keypad device 20 and the operation panel 10, preventing rattle of the numeric keypad device 20, particularly in the installation direction A. Furthermore, by fitting the grippable pin 15 into the semicircular receiving portion 46a and fitting the pair of protrusions 21 into the pair of positioning holes 11, rattle of the numeric keypad device 20 in the up / down and left / right directions is also prevented.

[0045] As described above, in this embodiment, the numeric keypad device 20 can be attached to the operation panel 10 with high quality and without rattle simply by inserting the protrusion 21 into the positioning hole 11 in the attachment direction A and engaging the hook member 23 with the gripped pin 15. Therefore, operations such as screw fastening are not required, and the numeric keypad device 20 can be easily attached to and detached from the operation panel 10.

[0046] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the image forming apparatus of the present invention is not limited to electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, but can also be applied to inkjet image forming apparatuses, for example. Furthermore, although the present embodiment has been described using a button-type numeric keypad as the operation expansion unit, the operation expansion unit may of course be a touch panel-type numeric input device.

[0047] Furthermore, the operation extension unit is not limited to a numeric keypad device, and may be, for example, an authentication device such as an IC card reader, a keyboard, etc. Recording media include paper (plain paper), as well as cardboard, postcards, envelopes, thin paper, coated paper (coated paper, art paper, etc.), tracing paper, overhead projector sheets, plastic film, prepreg, copper foil, etc. Furthermore, although a pair of gripping portions G are provided on the left and right sides in the above embodiment, a single gripping portion G may be provided in the longitudinal center of the numeric keypad device 20 (the middle portion between the pair of protrusions 21). [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1: Image forming device 4: Paper feed section 5: Document reading section 6: Paper ejection section 10: Operation panel 11: Positioning hole 13: Opening 15: Gripped pin 20: Numeric keypad device 21: Protrusion 21a: Tapered surface 23: Hook member 23a: First slope part 23b: Second slope part 23c: Vertex 24: Numeric keypad 29: Main body 40: First metal fitting 41, 43-45: Screw holes 42: Raised part 46: Arm part 46a: Receiving part 46b: Inclined part 47: Axial support 48: Opening 50: Second metal fitting 51~55: Screw holes 56: Extension 61: Paper output tray A: Installation direction B: Press down direction G: Grip part [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0049] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-86035

Claims

1. An operation extension unit that is attached from a mounting direction perpendicular to the mounting surface of the operation unit of the device main body, At least one pair of protrusions that can be fitted into at least one pair of positioning holes formed on the mounting surface of the operation unit, respectively; a gripping portion that extends beyond the tip of the protrusion in the mounting direction and is capable of gripping a gripped portion disposed inside the operation portion by sandwiching the gripped portion from both the front and rear sides in the mounting direction; An operation expansion unit comprising:

2. 2. The operation expansion unit according to claim 1, wherein the gripping portion is provided with a restraining means for preventing positional deviation in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction and the spacing direction of the positioning holes.

3. 3. The operation expansion unit according to claim 2, wherein the grip portion is disposed between the pair of protrusions.

4. 4. The operation expansion unit according to claim 1, wherein the gripping portions are arranged in pairs between the pair of protrusions in the spacing direction of the protrusions.

5. 5. The operation expansion unit according to claim 1, wherein the tip of the protrusion has a tapered surface that narrows in diameter toward the tip.

6. 6. An operation expansion unit according to claim 1, wherein the gripped portion is configured as a gripped pin extending parallel to the spacing direction between the pair of positioning holes.

7. The operation expansion unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the operation expansion unit has a numeric keypad or an authentication device.

8. An operation expansion unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the operation expansion unit has a first fitting having the protrusion and the gripping portion, and a second fitting that is detachably connected to the first fitting, and the second fitting is configured to be detachably attached to the main body of the operation expansion unit.

9. An image forming apparatus as the apparatus main body to which the operation expansion unit according to any one of claims 1 to 8 can be detachably attached.

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