Display unit support mechanism and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To make it possible to support a display unit rotatably and to make it possible to easily adjust the force to hold the display unit in an arbitrary direction.SOLUTION: A base fixing member 42 has a shaft part 421 where a first screw part 42a is formed and a first flange part 422. A first engaging member 43 is rotatably supported by the shaft part 421, engages a second engaging member 480, and rotates as a unit mounting member 48 rotates. A connection member 46 has a shaft connection part 461 including a second screw part 46a, and a second flange part 462. The shaft connection part 461 is connected to the shaft part 421 by the second screw part 46a being screwed into the first screw part 42a. An elastic member 45 is put between the first engaging member 43 and the second flange part 462, so that it energizes the first engaging member 43 to the first flange part 422. Screw depth of the second screw part 46a into the first screw part 42a is adjusted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a display unit support mechanism that rotatably supports a display unit, and an image forming apparatus including the same. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming devices such as printers, copiers, and multifunction devices include a display unit (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The image forming device displays various menu screens, images to be printed, and the like on the display unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-258452 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, a display unit support mechanism that rotatably supports the display unit may be employed, in which case the orientation of the display unit can be adjusted.

[0005] It is desirable that the force with which the display unit support mechanism holds the display unit in any orientation can be appropriately adjusted.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a display unit support mechanism and an image forming apparatus that can rotatably support a display unit and can easily adjust the force that holds the display unit in any orientation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A display unit support mechanism according to one aspect of the present invention includes a unit mounting member, a support base member, a base fixing member, a first engagement member, an elastic member, a second engagement member, and a connecting member. The unit mounting member is mounted to a display unit. The support base member rotatably supports the unit mounting member. The base fixing member is fixed to the support base member. The first engagement member is rotatably supported by the base fixing member. The elastic member is supported by the base fixing member. The second engagement portion is fixed to the unit mounting member and engages with the first engagement portion. The connecting member is connected to the base fixing member. The base fixing member has a shaft portion and a first flange portion. The shaft portion has a first thread portion into which a portion of the connecting member is threaded, and extends in a specific direction along the rotation centerline of the display unit. The first flange protrudes from a portion of the shaft portion on a first side in the specific direction relative to the first thread portion in a direction intersecting the specific direction. The first engagement member is rotatably supported by the shaft portion, engages with the second engagement member, and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the unit mounting member. The elastic member is supported by the shaft portion on a second side in the specific direction relative to the first engagement member. The connecting member has a shaft connecting portion and a second flange. The shaft connecting portion includes a second thread portion and is connected to the shaft portion by threading the second thread portion into the first thread portion. The second flange protrudes from the shaft connecting portion in a direction intersecting the specific direction. The elastic member is sandwiched between the first engagement member and the second flange, thereby urging the first engagement member toward the first flange. The distance between the first engaging member and the second flange is adjusted by adjusting the depth of engagement of the second screw portion with the first screw portion, and the biasing force from the elastic member to the first engaging member and the frictional force acting from the first flange to the first engaging member are adjusted by adjusting the distance between the first engaging member and the second flange.

[0008] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus including a main body including a printing device for forming an image on a sheet, a display unit, and the display unit support mechanism, wherein the display unit support mechanism is fixed to the main body and rotatably supports the display unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a display unit support mechanism and an image forming apparatus that can rotatably support a display unit and easily adjust the force that holds the display unit in any orientation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of an image forming apparatus including a display unit support mechanism according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the inside of the main body of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the display unit support mechanism according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the support base member and base-mounted components in the display unit support mechanism according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a support base member and an exploded side view of base-mounted components in a display unit support mechanism according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the support base member and base-mounted components in the display unit support mechanism according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a side view of a pinion gear and a rack gear in the display unit support mechanism according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example of the present invention, and does not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0012] The display unit support mechanism 4 according to the embodiment is a mechanism that supports the display unit 3. The display unit 3 and the display unit support mechanism 4 constitute a part of the image forming apparatus 10 (see FIG. 1).

[0013] [Configuration of image forming apparatus 10] The image forming apparatus 10 is capable of executing a print process for forming an image on a sheet 9 .

[0014] The image forming apparatus 10 includes a display unit 3 capable of displaying various types of information related to the print processing (see FIG. 1). The image forming apparatus 10 further includes a display unit support mechanism 4 that supports the display unit 3 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

[0015] Image forming apparatus 10 includes a main body 1, a document transport device 2, and a display unit 3. Main body 1 includes a housing that houses the main parts of image forming apparatus 10 and components attached to the housing. Main body 1 houses a sheet storage unit 11, a sheet transport device 12, a printing device 13, and a control device 14 (see FIG. 4). In this embodiment, main body 1 also houses an image reading device 15.

[0016] The document transport device 2 is connected to the upper part of the main body 1 (see Figures 1 to 3). The document transport device 2 is supported so as to be movable between a closed position where it covers a specific area on the top surface of the main body 1 and an open position where it opens the specific area. The display unit 3 is connected to a portion of the upper part of the main body 1 that runs along the front surface of the main body 1 by a display unit support mechanism 4 (see Figures 2 and 3).

[0017] The document transport device 2 includes a document supply tray 21, a document transport mechanism 22, and a document discharge tray 23 (see FIG. 1). The document transport mechanism 22 sends out documents on the document supply tray 21 to the transport path 20, and further discharges the documents from the transport path 20 onto the document discharge tray 23.

[0018] The sheet storage unit 11 can store a plurality of sheets 9. The sheet transport device 12 feeds the sheets 9 one by one from the sheet storage unit 11 to the transport path 100, and further transports the sheets 9 along the transport path 100. The sheet transport device 12 further feeds the sheets 9 from the transport path 100 to a downstream device (not shown).

[0019] The printing device 13 performs the printing process on the sheet 9 conveyed along the conveying path 100. In the example shown in Fig. 4, the printing device 13 performs the printing process by electrophotography.

[0020] The printing device 13 may be a device that executes the printing process using other methods such as an inkjet method.

[0021] Image reading device 15 includes an image sensor 151 that reads an image from the document transported by document transport device 2 (see FIG. 4). Image reading device 15 also includes a scanning mechanism 152 and a platen glass 153. Scanning mechanism 152 moves image sensor 151 along the lower surface of platen glass 153. This enables image sensor 151 to read an image from the document on platen glass 153.

[0022] The control device 14 controls the document transport device 2 , the image reading device 15 , the sheet transport device 12 , the printing device 13 and the display unit 3 .

[0023] The control device 14 receives a print request from another device through a communication device (not shown), and causes the sheet transport device 12 and the printing device 13 to execute the print process corresponding to the print request.

[0024] The display unit 3 can display various information and images. For example, the display unit 3 is a touch panel unit including a panel display device and a touch panel. The panel display device can be a liquid crystal display panel or an organic electroluminescent display.

[0025] The display unit 3 has a rectangular screen 3a and a rectangular outline that corresponds to the outer shape of the screen 3a (see FIG. 1). The shape of the screen 3a and the outline of the display unit 3 may be a rectangle with some or all of the four corners chamfered.

[0026] The control device 14 displays various menu screens, images to be printed, etc. on the display unit 3. Fig. 1 shows the display unit 3 supported by the display unit support mechanism 4 in a position where the screen 3a is horizontally long.

[0027] Incidentally, the image forming apparatus 10 employs a display unit support mechanism 4 that rotatably supports the display unit 3. Therefore, the orientation of the display unit 3 can be adjusted.

[0028] It is desirable that the force with which the display unit support mechanism 4 holds the display unit 3 in any orientation can be appropriately adjusted.

[0029] The display unit support mechanism 4 has a mechanism that can easily adjust the force that holds the display unit 3 in any orientation. The display unit support mechanism 4 will be described below.

[0030] [Display unit support mechanism 4] The display unit support mechanism 4 includes a support base member 41 and a unit mounting member 48 (see FIG. 3). The display unit support mechanism 4 further includes a plurality of mounting components attached to the support base member 41.

[0031] The unit mounting member 48 is mounted to the display unit 3. For example, the unit mounting member 48 is fixed to the display unit 3 by a plurality of screws (not shown).

[0032] The plurality of mounting parts includes a base fixing member 42, a pinion gear 43, a spring 45, a connecting member 46, and a shaft fixing screw 47. The plurality of mounting parts further includes a washer 44.

[0033] The support base member 41 is fixed to the main body 1. For example, the support base member 41 is fixed to the main body 1 by a plurality of screws (not shown). By fixing the support base member 41 to the main body 1, the display unit support mechanism 4 is fixed to the main body 1.

[0034] The support base member 41 supports the unit mounting member 48 so that the unit mounting member 48 can rotate about a rotation center line L1 (see FIG. 3). When the unit mounting member 48 rotates, the display unit 3 rotates together with the unit mounting member 48.

[0035] The support base member 41 has a pair of support shafts 410 that rotatably support the unit mounting member 48 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). The center line of the pair of support shafts 410 is a rotation center line L1. The rotation center line L1 is also the center of rotation of the display unit 3.

[0036] In this embodiment, the rotation center line L1 is a straight line parallel to the screen 3a of the display unit 3. That is, the display unit support mechanism 4 supports the display unit 3 so that it can tilt and rotate.

[0037] The rotation center line L1 may be a straight line perpendicular to the screen 3a of the display unit 3. In this case, the display unit support mechanism 4 supports the display unit 3 so that it can pivot.

[0038] The base fixing member 42 is fixed to the support base member 41 (see FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the base fixing member 42 is fixed to a pedestal portion 411 of the support base member 41 by a fixing screw 40 (see FIG. 4). The pedestal portion 411 is formed inside the support base member 41.

[0039] The base fixing member 42 has a shaft portion 421, a first flange portion 422, and a fixed portion 423 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The shaft portion 421 is formed to extend along a specific straight line L2 that is aligned with a specific direction D1. The specific direction D1 is a direction that is aligned with the rotation center line L1 of the unit mounting member 48.

[0040] In this embodiment, the specific straight line L2 is a straight line parallel to the rotation center line L1. That is, the specific straight line L2 is a straight line along the specific direction D1 at a position spaced apart from the rotation center line L1.

[0041] The shaft portion 421 is formed with a first screw portion 42a into which a part of the connecting member 46 is screwed (see FIG. 5). The first flange portion 422 protrudes from a portion of the first screw portion 42a of the shaft portion 421 on a first side D11 in the specific direction D1 in a direction intersecting the specific direction D1.

[0042] Fixed portion 423 is a portion that is continuous with first flange 422 and fixed to base 411. In this embodiment, fixed portion 423 and first flange 422 are sheet metal members. Shank 421 is connected to first flange 422 by being crimped to the edge of a hole formed in first flange 422.

[0043] The pinion gear 43 is rotatably supported by the base fixing member 42. The pinion gear 43 has a through hole 430 and gear teeth 431 formed on the outer periphery. The shaft portion 421 of the fixed portion 423 is inserted into the through hole 430, and the pinion gear 43 is rotatably supported by the shaft portion 421.

[0044] Spring 45 is a coil spring. Shaft portion 421 is inserted into the hollow portions of spring 45 and washer 44. As a result, spring 45 and washer 44 are supported by shaft portion 421 of fixed portion 423. Spring 45 is an example of an elastic member.

[0045] The washer 44 is supported by the shaft portion 421 on the second side D12 in the specific direction D1 relative to the pinion gear 43. The spring 45 is supported by the shaft portion 421 on the second side D12 in the specific direction D1 relative to the pinion gear 43 and the washer 44.

[0046] The connecting member 46 has a shaft connecting portion 461 including a second screw portion 46a, and a second flange portion 462 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). The shaft connecting portion 461 is connected to the shaft portion 421 by threading the second screw portion 46a into the first screw portion 42a.

[0047] The second flange 462 projects from the shaft connecting portion 461 in a direction intersecting the specific direction.

[0048] The shaft fixing screw 47 has a third screw portion 47a and a third flange portion 472 (see FIG. 5). The third flange portion 472 protrudes from the third screw portion 47a in a direction intersecting with the specific direction D1. The shaft portion 421 of the base fixing member 42 further has a fourth screw portion 42b corresponding to the third screw portion 47a (see FIG. 5). The third screw portion 47a is connected to the shaft portion 421 by being threadedly engaged with the fourth screw portion 42b.

[0049] The shaft portion 421 of the base fixing member 42 is formed along the specific direction D1. The shaft portion 421 has a screw hole 420 into which the third screw portion 47a is inserted. In the base fixing member 42, the first screw portion 42a is formed on the outer periphery of the shaft portion 421. Meanwhile, the fourth screw portion 42b is formed inside the screw hole 420 in the shaft portion 421.

[0050] With the shaft connecting portion 461 inserted into the hollow portion of the spring 45, the second screw portion 46a is threadedly engaged with the first screw portion 42a (see FIG. 6). By threading the second screw portion 46a into the first screw portion 42a, the shaft connecting portion 461 is connected to the shaft portion 421 (see FIG. 6).

[0051] In this embodiment, the spring 45 is supported by a shaft portion 421 and a shaft connecting portion 461 connected to the shaft portion 421 (see FIG. 6).

[0052] When the second screw portion 46a is threadedly engaged with the first screw portion 42a, the spring 45 is sandwiched between the pinion gear 43 and the second flange portion 462 of the connecting member 46. When the spring 45 is sandwiched between the pinion gear 43 and the second flange portion 462 of the connecting member 46, the spring 45 biases the pinion gear 43 toward the first flange portion 422.

[0053] The distance between the pinion gear 43 and the second flange 462 is adjusted by adjusting the depth of engagement of the second screw portion 46a with the first screw portion 42a.

[0054] By adjusting the distance between the pinion gear 43 and the second flange 462, the biasing force from the spring 45 to the pinion gear 43 is adjusted, and the frictional force acting from the first flange 422 to the pinion gear 43 is also adjusted.

[0055] In this embodiment, the spring 45 biases the pinion gear 43 via the washer 44. Therefore, by adjusting the distance between the pinion gear 43 and the second flange 462, the frictional force acting on the pinion gear 43 from the washer 44 and the first flange 422 is adjusted.

[0056] The connecting member 46 has a through hole 460 through which the third screw portion 47a is inserted (see FIG. 5). The third screw portion 47a is inserted into the through hole 460 and is screwed into the fourth screw portion 42b (see FIG. 6).

[0057] The third screw portion 47a is screwed into the fourth screw portion 42b so that the third flange portion 472 biases the connecting member 46 toward the first side D11 in the specific direction D1 (see FIG. 6). As a result, the shaft fixing screw 47 fixes the connecting member 46 to the shaft portion 421 (see FIG. 6).

[0058] The display unit support mechanism 4 further includes a rack gear 480 fixed to the unit mounting member 48 (see FIGS. 3 and 7). The rack gear 480 is an arc-shaped gear arranged along an arc centered on the rotation center line L1 of the unit mounting member 48 (see FIGS. 3 and 7).

[0059] The rack gear 480 engages with the pinion gear 43 (see FIG. 7). That is, gear teeth 481 of the rack gear 480 mesh with gear teeth 431 of the pinion gear 43. Therefore, when the unit mounting member 48 rotates, the pinion gear 43 rotates accordingly.

[0060] In other words, the pinion gear 43 engages with the rack gear 480 and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the unit mounting member 48. In this embodiment, the pinion gear 43 and the rack gear 480 are metal members.

[0061] The static friction force acting from the washer 44 and the first flange 422 to the pinion gear 43 acts as a force to hold the display unit 3 in a fixed orientation. In this embodiment, the base fixing member 42 including the first flange 422 and the washer 44 are metal members. Note that if the first flange 422 is a resin member, another metal washer may be disposed between the first flange 422 and the pinion gear 43.

[0062] In the display unit support mechanism 4, the force with which the display unit 3 is held in the orientation can be adjusted by the simple task of changing the depth of engagement of the second screw portion 46a with the first screw portion 42a.

[0063] As described above, the shaft portion 421 is disposed parallel to the rotation center line L1 of the unit mounting member 48. As a result, the rotation moment according to the static friction force acting on the pinion gear 43 and the distance from the rotation center line L1 to the shaft portion 421 acts on the unit mounting member 48 as a holding force in a direction.

[0064] Therefore, the display unit support mechanism 4 can use the elastic force of the spring 45 more efficiently as a force for holding the orientation of the unit mounting member 48 than when the shaft portion 421 is arranged along the rotation center line L1.

[0065] In the display unit support mechanism 4, the pinion gear 43 is an example of a first engagement member that is rotatably supported by the base fixing member 42. The rack gear 480 is an example of a second engagement member that is fixed to the unit mounting member 48 and engages with the first engagement portion.

[0066] In the display unit support mechanism 4, engagement mechanisms other than the pinion gear 43 and the rack gear 480 may be employed as the first engagement member and the second engagement member. For example, one of the first engagement member and the second engagement member has a convex portion, and the other of the first engagement member and the second engagement member has a concave portion into which the convex portion fits.

[0067] Furthermore, a leaf spring or the like other than a coil spring may be adopted as the spring 45.

[0068] The shaft fixing screw 47 is an example of a shaft fixing member that fixes the connecting member 46 to the shaft portion 421. In the display unit support mechanism 4, a member other than a screw may be used as the shaft fixing member.

[0069] For example, the connecting member 46 may have a cylindrical portion that protrudes from the second flange portion 462 to the second side D12 in the specific direction D1. In this case, the through-hole 460 passes through the shaft connecting portion 461, the second flange portion 462, and the cylindrical portion.

[0070] In the above case, the shaft portion 421 is formed with a length that passes through the through-hole 460 of the connecting member 46. A threaded hole that communicates with the outside of the cylindrical portion and the through-hole 460 is formed in the cylindrical portion. A fixing screw (not shown) is fastened to the threaded hole of the cylindrical portion so that the tip of the fixing screw reaches the shaft portion 421 inside the through-hole 460. In this way, the connecting member 46 is fixed to the shaft portion 421.

[0071] [Notes on the Invention] The following is a summary of the invention extracted from the above-described embodiment. Note that the configurations and processing functions described in the following supplementary notes can be selected and combined as desired.

[0072] <Appendix 1> a unit mounting member to be mounted on the display unit; a support base member that rotatably supports the unit mounting member; a base fixing member fixed to the support base member; a first engagement member rotatably supported by the base fixing member; an elastic member supported by the base fixing member; a second engaging member fixed to the unit mounting member and engaging with the first engaging portion; a connecting member connected to the base fixing member, The base fixing member is a shaft portion having a first screw portion into which a part of the connecting member is screwed, the shaft portion extending in a specific direction along a rotation center line of the display unit; a first flange portion that protrudes from a portion of the shaft portion on a first side in the specific direction relative to the first thread portion in a direction that intersects with the specific direction, the first engaging member is rotatably supported by the shaft portion, engages with the second engaging member, and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the unit mounting member; the elastic member is supported by the shaft portion on a second side in the specific direction relative to the first engagement member, The connecting member is a shaft connecting portion including a second screw portion, the second screw portion being threadedly engaged with the first screw portion to be connected to the shaft portion; a second flange portion extending from the shaft connecting portion in a direction intersecting the specific direction, the elastic member is sandwiched between the first engagement member and the second flange portion to bias the first engagement member toward the first flange portion; a distance between the first engaging member and the second flange portion is adjusted by adjusting the depth of engagement of the second screw portion with the first screw portion; A display unit support mechanism in which the distance between the first engagement member and the second flange portion is adjusted, thereby adjusting the biasing force from the elastic member to the first engagement member and the frictional force acting from the first flange portion to the first engagement member.

[0073] <Appendix 2> a shaft fixing member having a third screw portion that is screwed onto a part of the shaft portion and a third flange portion that protrudes from the third screw portion in a direction that intersects with the specific direction, the shaft portion has a fourth screw portion that is threadedly engaged with the third screw portion, the connecting member has a through hole through which the third screw portion is inserted, The display unit support mechanism described in Appendix 1, wherein the third screw portion is threaded into the fourth screw portion so that the third flange portion urges the connecting member toward the first side in the specific direction, thereby causing the shaft fixing member to fix the connecting member to the shaft portion.

[0074] <Appendix 3> the shaft portion has a screw hole formed along the specific direction and into which the third screw portion is inserted, the first screw portion is formed on the outer periphery of the shaft portion, 3. The display unit support mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the fourth screw portion is formed in the screw hole of the shaft portion.

[0075] <Appendix 4> 4. The display unit support mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the shaft portion is arranged parallel to a rotation center line of the unit mounting member.

[0076] <Appendix 5> the first engagement member is a pinion gear, The support mechanism described in any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the second engagement member is an arc-shaped rack gear arranged along an arc centered on the rotation center line of the unit mounting member.

[0077] <Appendix 6> a main body containing a printing device that forms an image on a sheet; A display unit; An image forming apparatus comprising: a display unit support mechanism according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 5, which is fixed to the main body and rotatably supports the display unit. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1: Main unit 3: Display unit 4: Display unit support mechanism 10: Image forming device 13: Printing device 40: Fixing screw 41: Support base member 42: Base fixing member 42a: First screw part 42b: 4th screw part 43: Pinion gear (first engaging member) 44: Washer 45: Spring 46: Connecting member 46a: Second screw part 47: Shaft fixing screw (shaft fixing member) 47a: Third screw part 48: Unit mounting member 410: Support shaft 420: screw hole 421: Shaft 422: First flange 423: Fixed part 460:Through hole 461: Shaft connection part 462: Second flange 472: Third flange 480: Rack gear (second engaging member)

Claims

1. a unit mounting member to be mounted on the display unit; a support base member that rotatably supports the unit mounting member; a base fixing member fixed to the support base member; a first engagement member rotatably supported by the base fixing member; an elastic member supported by the base fixing member; a second engaging member fixed to the unit mounting member and engaging with the first engaging portion; a connecting member connected to the base fixing member, The base fixing member is a shaft portion having a first screw portion into which a part of the connecting member is screwed, the shaft portion extending in a specific direction along a rotation center line of the display unit; a first flange portion that protrudes from a portion of the shaft portion on a first side in the specific direction relative to the first thread portion in a direction that intersects with the specific direction, the first engaging member is rotatably supported by the shaft portion, engages with the second engaging member, and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the unit mounting member; the elastic member is supported by the shaft portion on a second side in the specific direction relative to the first engaging member; The connecting member is a shaft connecting portion including a second screw portion, the second screw portion being threadedly engaged with the first screw portion to be connected to the shaft portion; a second flange portion extending from the shaft connecting portion in a direction intersecting the specific direction, the elastic member is sandwiched between the first engaging member and the second flange portion to bias the first engaging member toward the first flange portion; a distance between the first engaging member and the second flange portion is adjusted by adjusting the depth of engagement of the second screw portion with the first screw portion; A display unit support mechanism in which the distance between the first engagement member and the second flange portion is adjusted, thereby adjusting the biasing force from the elastic member to the first engagement member and the frictional force acting from the first flange portion to the first engagement member.

2. a shaft fixing member having a third screw portion that is screwed onto a part of the shaft portion and a third flange portion that protrudes from the third screw portion in a direction that intersects with the specific direction, the shaft portion has a fourth screw portion that is threadedly engaged with the third screw portion, the connecting member has a through hole through which the third screw portion is inserted, 2. The display unit support mechanism of claim 1, wherein the third screw portion is threadedly engaged with the fourth screw portion so that the third flange portion biases the connecting member toward the first side in the specific direction, thereby causing the shaft fixing member to fix the connecting member to the shaft portion.

3. the shaft portion has a screw hole formed along the specific direction and into which the third screw portion is inserted, the first threaded portion is formed on an outer periphery of the shaft portion, The display unit support mechanism according to claim 2 , wherein the fourth screw portion is formed in the screw hole of the shaft portion.

4. The display unit support mechanism according to claim 1 , wherein the shaft portion is disposed parallel to a rotation center line of the unit mounting member.

5. the first engagement member is a pinion gear, 4. The display unit support mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the second engagement member is an arc-shaped rack gear arranged along an arc centered on a rotation center line of the unit mounting member.

6. a main body containing a printing device that forms an image on a sheet; A display unit; An image forming apparatus comprising: a display unit support mechanism according to claim 1 , the display unit support mechanism being fixed to the main body and rotatably supporting the display unit.

Images