Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus having a fall suppressing leg capable of relaxing the restriction of the installation position of the image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: The falling prevention leg includes an attachment portion attached to the main body, a contact portion capable of coming into contact with an installation surface on which the image forming apparatus can be installed, and a protrusion amount change mechanism that connects the attachment portion and the contact portion to each other and is capable of changing a protrusion amount of the contact portion from the main body in a horizontal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an image forming apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, image forming devices with anti-tip legs have been developed, as disclosed in the following Patent Document 1. These anti-tip legs are fixed to the bottom surface of the main body of the image forming device and protrude horizontally from the main body. Therefore, the anti-tip legs enable the image forming device to resist tipping moments. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-146908 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The image forming apparatus disclosed in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 cannot adjust the protrusion amount of the anti-tip legs. Therefore, the main body of the image forming apparatus must be installed at a position away from walls or other objects by the protrusion amount of the anti-tip legs. In other words, the installation location of the image forming apparatus is limited due to the protrusion amount of the anti-tip legs from the main body.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an image forming apparatus having tip-prevention legs that can alleviate restrictions on the installation location of the image forming apparatus. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming apparatus of the present disclosure is an image forming apparatus comprising a main body and a tip-prevention leg attached to the main body to prevent the main body from tipping over, wherein the tip-prevention leg includes an attachment portion attached to the main body, a contact portion that can contact an installation surface on which the image forming apparatus can be installed, and a protrusion amount change mechanism that connects the attachment portion and the contact portion and can change the amount of protrusion of the contact portion horizontally from the main body. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is a perspective view illustrating a retracted state of the tip-prevention legs of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] 10 is a bottom view illustrating a retracted state of the tip-prevention legs of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a perspective view illustrating a first protruding state of the tip-prevention legs of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a bottom view illustrating a first protruding state of the tip-prevention legs of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 is a perspective view illustrating a second protruding state of the tip-prevention legs of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 10 is a bottom view illustrating the second protruding state of the tip-prevention legs of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 3 is an exploded perspective view of a tip-over prevention leg on the left side of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a side view of a shaft portion of a tip-over prevention leg on the left side of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 1 is a front view showing a state in which a paper feed unit of a main body of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment has a single-stage paper feed tray. [Figure 11] 1 is a front view showing a state in which a paper feed unit of a main body of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment has two-stage paper feed trays. [Figure 12]1 is a front view showing a state in which a paper feed unit of a main body of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment has three stages of paper feed trays. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining the relationship between optional devices and functions of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment and the influence of the image forming apparatus in case of tipping over. [Figure 14] 10 is a diagram for explaining a weighted sum for determining the protrusion amount of the tip-over prevention legs of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 15] 10 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between weighting for determining the protrusion amount of the tip-over prevention legs of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment and the protrusion amount of the contact portion of the tip-over prevention legs. FIG. [Figure 16] 1 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 17] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment displays an actual position image showing the protrusion amount of the tip-over prevention leg on the left side in the first protrusion state. FIG. [Figure 18] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment displays an actual position image showing the projection amount of the tip-over prevention leg on the left side in the second projection state. FIG. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing marks for the positions of the contact portions of the tip-prevention leg on the left side of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment in a first protruding state and a second protruding state. [Figure 20] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a state in which the display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment displays a text image explaining the protrusion amount of the tip-over prevention leg on the left side in the first protrusion state. [Figure 21] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a state in which the display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment displays a text image explaining the protrusion amount of the fall-prevention leg on the left side in the second protrusion state. [Figure 22] 10 is a bottom view illustrating a retracted state of a modified example of the tip-prevention legs of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 23] 10 is a bottom view illustrating a first protruding state of a modified example of the tip-prevention legs of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 24]10 is a bottom view illustrating a second state of a modified example of the tip-prevention leg of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 25] 10 is a perspective view illustrating a retracted state of the tip-prevention legs of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 26] 10 is a bottom view illustrating a retracted state of the tip-prevention legs of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 27] 10 is a perspective view illustrating a first protruding state of the tip-prevention legs of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 28] 10 is a bottom view illustrating a first protruding state of the tip-prevention legs of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 29] 10 is a perspective view illustrating a second protruding state of the tip-prevention legs of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 30] 10 is a bottom view illustrating the second protruding state of the tip-prevention legs of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 31] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a tip-over prevention leg on the left side of an image forming apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 32] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment displays an actual position image showing the protrusion amount of the tip-over prevention leg on the left side in the first protrusion state. FIG. [Figure 33] 10 is a diagram showing a state in which the display / operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment displays an actual position image showing the protrusion amount of the tip-over prevention leg on the left side in the second protrusion state. FIG. [Figure 34] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing marks for the positions of the contact portions of the tip-prevention leg on the left side of the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment in the first protruding state and the second protruding state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will not be repeated.

[0009] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a front view of an image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment.

[0010] 1, image forming apparatus 100 includes a main body 1, anti-tip legs 10, and casters 20. Main body 1 includes an image reading unit 1R, an image forming unit 1F, a paper feed unit TR, and a display / operation unit 1D. Anti-tip legs 10 and casters 20 are attached to the bottom of main body 1.

[0011] The image reading unit 1R is called a scanner and reads the image attached to the captured document and generates image data. The image forming unit 1F is called a printer and forms (prints) an image corresponding to the image data using toner on paper fed from paper feed tray 1TR or 2TR. The paper feed unit TR consists of two trays, paper feed tray 1TR and paper feed tray 2TR, and paper is fed from paper feed tray 1TR or 2TR to the image forming unit 1F. The display / operation unit 1D is called an operation panel and is composed of a liquid crystal display panel that displays various information regarding the use of the image forming apparatus 100 and icons for operating the image forming apparatus 100.

[0012] The tip-over prevention legs 10 are attached to the main body 1 so as to prevent the main body 1 from tipping over. The tip-over prevention legs 10 are attached to the main body 1 so as to extend horizontally from the bottom surface of the main body 1. The tip-over prevention legs 10 are provided so as to be able to abut against the installation surface FL on which the image forming apparatus 100 is installed. In this embodiment, the tip-over prevention legs 10 include a tip-over prevention leg 10L on the left side surface and a tip-over prevention leg 10R on the right side surface.

[0013] The casters 20 are wheels for moving the image forming apparatus 100 on a floor surface FL. The casters 20 consist of two left casters 20L and two right casters 20R.

[0014] 2 and 3 are a perspective view and a bottom view, respectively, illustrating the retracted state of the tip-prevention legs 10 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. FIGS. 4 and 5 are a perspective view and a bottom view, respectively, illustrating the first protruding state of the tip-prevention legs 10 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. FIGS. 6 and 7 are a perspective view and a bottom view, respectively, illustrating the second protruding state of the tip-prevention legs 10 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. Note that in FIGS. 2 to 7, in order to make the tip-prevention legs 10 easier to see, the main body 1 is drawn with dashed lines only at the positions that show the approximate outline of the main body 1.

[0015] 2 to 7, left side tip-prevention leg 10L includes left side mounting portion 10L1 attached to main body 1, left side leg body portion 10L2 integrated with mounting portion 10L1, and left side contact portion 10L3 that is movable relative to leg body portion 10L2 and can contact the installation surface FL. Left side contact portion 10L3 includes front and left side contact portion 10L3A1 and rear and left side contact portion 10L3A2.

[0016] The mounting portion 10L1, leg body portion 10L2, and contact portions 10L3A and 10L3B are each flat-plate shaped. The mounting portion 10L1 and leg body portion 10L2 are formed as a single member. The mounting portion 10L1, leg body portion 10L2, and the contact portions 10L3A1 and 10L3A2 are formed as separate members.

[0017] 2 to 7, right side tip-over prevention leg 10R includes right side mounting portion 10R1 attached to main body 1, right side leg body portion 10R2 integrated with mounting portion 10R1, and right side abutment portion 10R3 that can contact leg body portion 10R2 and the installation surface FL. Right side abutment portion 10R3 includes front and right side abutment portion 10R3A1 and rear and right side abutment portion 10R3A2.

[0018] The mounting portion 10R1, leg body portion 10R2, and contact portions 10R3A and 10R3B are each flat plate-shaped. The mounting portion 10R1 and leg body portion 10R2 are formed as a single member. The mounting portion 10R1, leg body portion 10R2, and the contact portions 10R3A1 and 10R3A2 are formed as separate members.

[0019] 2 and 3, when the tip-prevention leg 10 is in the retracted state, the left side abutment portion 10L3 is located either inside the image forming device 100 with respect to the left side leg body portion 10L2 or at a position overlapping with the leg body portion 10L2 in a plan view. The right side abutment portion 10R3 is located either inside the image forming device 100 with respect to the right side leg body portion 10R2 or at a position overlapping with the leg body portion 10L2 in a plan view.

[0020] 4 and 5, when the tip-over prevention leg 10 changes from the stored state to the first protruding state, the left side contact portion 10L3A1 slides relative to the left side leg body portion 10L2 in the direction shown by arrow 1MLA1. When the tip-over prevention leg 10 changes from the stored state to the first protruding state, the left side contact portion 10L3A2 slides relative to the left side leg body portion 10L2 in the direction shown by arrow 1MLA2.

[0021] 4 and 5, when the tip-over prevention leg 10 changes from the stored state to the first protruding state, the contact portion 10R3A1 on the right side slides relative to the leg body portion 10R2 on the right side in the direction indicated by arrow 1MRA1. When the tip-over prevention leg 10 changes from the stored state to the first protruding state, the contact portion 10R3A2 on the right side slides relative to the leg body portion 10R2 on the right side in the direction indicated by arrow 1MRA2.

[0022] 4 and 5, in the first protruding state of the tip-prevention leg 10, the left side contact portion 10L3 protrudes further toward the front or rear of the image forming device 100 than the left side leg body portion 10L2. Also, the right side contact portion 10R3 protrudes further toward the front or rear of the image forming device 100 than the right side leg body portion 10R2.

[0023] 6 and 7, when the tip-over prevention leg 10 changes from the first protruding state to the second protruding state, the left side contact portion 10L3A1 slides relative to the left side leg body portion 10L2 in the direction shown by arrow 2MLA1. When the tip-over prevention leg 10 changes from the first protruding state to the second protruding state, the left side contact portion 10L3A2 slides relative to the left side leg body portion 10L2 in the direction shown by arrow 2MLA2.

[0024] 6 and 7, when the tip-over prevention leg 10 changes from the first protruding state to the second protruding state, the contact portion 10R3A1 on the right side slides relative to the leg body portion 10R2 on the right side in the direction indicated by arrow 2MRA1. When the tip-over prevention leg 10 changes from the first protruding state to the second protruding state, the contact portion 10R3A2 on the right side slides relative to the leg body portion 10R2 on the right side in the direction indicated by arrow 2MRA2.

[0025] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the tip-over prevention leg 10 changes from the stored state to the first protruding state and then to the second protruding state, but it may also simply change from the stored state to the first protruding state.

[0026] 6 and 7, in the second protruding state of the tip-prevention leg 10, the left side contact portion 10L3 protrudes further toward the left side and front or left side and rear of the image forming device 100 than the left side leg body portion 10L2. Also, the right side contact portion 10R3 protrudes further toward the right side and front or rear and right side of the image forming device 100 than the right side leg body portion 10R2.

[0027] Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the anti-tip leg 10L on the left side of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. Fig. 9 is a side view of the shafts 10LS1, 10LS2, and 10LS3 of the anti-tip leg 10L on the left side of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. Note that the anti-tip leg 10R on the right side is symmetrical to the anti-tip leg 10L on the left side, and therefore an exploded perspective view thereof is omitted.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 8, the left side leg body 10L2 has circular through-holes 10TH2 and 10TH3 on the rear side and circular through-holes 10TH2 and 10TH3 on the front side. The left side abutment portion 10L3 has an F-shaped through-hole 10TH23 on the rear side and an F-shaped through-hole 10TH23 on the front side. Specifically, the abutment portion 10L3A1 on the front and left side has the F-shaped through-hole 10TH23. The abutment portion 10L3A2 on the rear and left side also has a circular through-hole TH23. The upper shaft portion U of the stem 10LS2 (see FIG. 9) is inserted into the circular through-hole TH2 of the leg body 10L2. The lower shaft portion L of the stem LS2 (see FIG. 9) is inserted into the F-shaped through-hole TH23 of the abutment portions 10L3A1 and 10L3A2. The upper shaft portion U (see FIG. 9) of the shaft portion 10LS2 is fixed to the circular through-hole TH2 in the leg body portion 10L2 by a fixing device (not shown). The lower shaft portion L (see FIG. 9) of the shaft portion LS2 slides within the F-shaped through-hole TH23 in the leg body portion 10L2 and can be fixed to any position in the F-shaped through-hole TH23 by a fixing device (not shown). The upper shaft portion U (see FIG. 9) of the shaft portion 10LS3 is inserted into the circular through-hole TH3 in the leg body portion 10L2. The lower shaft portion L (see FIG. 9) of the shaft portion LS3 is inserted into the F-shaped through-hole TH23 in the abutment portions 10L3A1 and 10L3A2. The upper shaft portion U (see FIG. 9) of the shaft portion 10LS3 is fixed to the circular through-hole TH3 in the leg body portion 10L2 by a fixing device (not shown). The lower shaft portion L of the shaft portion LS3 (see FIG. 9) slides within the F-shaped through hole TH23 of the abutment portions 10L3A1 and 10L3A2, and can be fixed at any position in the F-shaped through hole TH23 by a fixing device (not shown).

[0029] The above-described leg body portion 10L2, through-holes TH2, TH3, TH23, and shaft portions 10LS2 and 10LS3 constitute a protrusion amount change mechanism A of the present disclosure.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 9, the shaft portions 10LS2 and 10LS3 are all assumed to have the same shape. Each of the shaft portions 10LS2 and 10LS3 has a cylindrical upper shaft portion U, a cylindrical central shaft portion M, and a cylindrical lower shaft portion L. The upper shaft portion U, the central shaft portion M, and the lower shaft portion L are integrated in this order so as to have the same central axis.

[0031] 8 and 9, the upper shaft portion U of the shaft portion 10LS2 is rotatably inserted into the through-hole 10TH2, and the lower shaft portion L of the shaft portion 10LS2 is slidably inserted into the through-hole 10TH23.

[0032] An upper shaft portion U of the shaft portion 10LS3 is rotatably inserted into the through-hole 10TH3, and a lower shaft portion L of the shaft portion 10LS3 is slidably inserted into the through-hole 10TH23.

[0033] The tip-over prevention leg 10 of the present embodiment described above includes a protrusion amount change mechanism A that connects the mounting portions 10L1, 10R1 and the contact portions 10L3, 10R3 and can change the amount of protrusion of the contact portions 10L3, 10R3 in the horizontal direction from the main body 1. Note that the protrusion amount change mechanism A on the right side is bilaterally symmetrical to the protrusion amount change mechanism A on the left side, and is therefore not shown in the drawings.

[0034] Therefore, the amount of horizontal protrusion of contact portions 10L3A1, 10L3A2, 10R3A1, and 10R3A2 from main body 1 can be adjusted according to the surrounding environment of image forming apparatus 100. As a result, the amount of horizontal protrusion of contact portions 10L3A1, 10L3A2, 10R3A1, and 10R3A2 from main body 1 can be minimized. This alleviates restrictions on the installation location of image forming apparatus 100 due to the horizontal protrusion of anti-tip legs 10. In other words, the anti-tip legs 10 as described above can increase the degree of freedom in the installation location of image forming apparatus 100 while preventing image forming apparatus 100 from tipping over.

[0035] The left side tip-over prevention leg 10L is configured so that the amount of protrusion of the contact portions 10L3A1, 10LA2 on the front and left side surfaces changes in stages, while the right side tip-over prevention leg 10R is configured so that the amount of protrusion of the contact portions 10R3A1, 10RA2 on the front and right side surfaces changes in stages.

[0036] The above-mentioned horizontal direction is a combination of a first horizontal direction and a second horizontal direction intersecting the first horizontal direction. In this embodiment, the first horizontal direction is a front-to-rear direction that intersects perpendicularly with the front and rear surfaces of image forming apparatus 100. In this embodiment, the second horizontal direction is a left-to-right direction that intersects perpendicularly with the left and right sides of image forming apparatus 100. Either the first horizontal direction or the second horizontal direction may be any direction as long as it is horizontal.

[0037] The left-side protrusion amount change mechanism A and the right-side protrusion amount change mechanism A each change between a stored state, a first protrusion state, and a second protrusion state. The stored state is a state in which the protrusion amounts of the contact portions 10L3A1, 10LA2, and 10R3A1, 10RA2 are smallest. The first protrusion state is a state in which the contact portions 10L3A1, 10L3A2, and 10R3A1, 10R3A2 each protrude in a first horizontal direction from the stored state. The second protrusion state is a state in which the contact portions 10L3A1, 10L3A, and 10R3A1, 10R3A2 each protrude in a second horizontal direction from the first protrusion state.

[0038] With the above configuration, the horizontal protrusion amount of each of the left-side tip-prevention leg 10L and the right-side tip-prevention leg 10R can be changed in stages. Furthermore, the protrusion amounts of the contact portions 10L3A1, 10L3A2, 10R3A1, and 10R3A2 in the two horizontal directions can be adjusted independently. Therefore, the protrusion states of the contact portions 10L3A1, 10L3A2, 10R3A1, and 10R3A2 can be appropriately adjusted.

[0039] Fig. 10 is a front view showing a state in which the paper feed unit TR of the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment has one paper feed tray 1TR. Fig. 11 is a front view showing a state in which the paper feed unit TR of the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment has two paper feed trays 1TR and 2TR. Fig. 12 is a front view showing a state in which the paper feed unit TR of the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment has three paper feed trays 1TR, 2TR and 3TR.

[0040] 10 to 12, the height of main body 1 of image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment changes when the number of paper feed trays in paper feed unit TR is changed. As the height of main body 1 of image forming apparatus 100 increases, the position of its center of gravity also increases, making it more likely to tip over due to a tipping moment. Therefore, the greater the number of paper feed trays in paper feed unit TR, the greater the horizontal protrusion amount of tip-prevention legs 10 needs to be.

[0041] Fig. 13 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between each of the optional devices and functions of image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment and the effect on the risk of image forming apparatus 100 tipping over. Fig. 14 is a diagram for explaining the weighted sum for determining the protrusion amount of tip-over prevention legs 10 of image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. Note that an optional device is a device that can be attached to another part of main body 1 of image forming apparatus 100 so as to become part of main body 1.

[0042] 13 and 14, the optional devices are paper feed trays 1TR, 2TR, and 3TR and a finisher. In Figures 13 and 14, the finisher is a device that automatically sorts printed papers so that they can be stapled. In Figures 13 and 14, RSPF stands for a duplex automatic document feeder, and DSPF stands for a simultaneous duplex scanning document feeder.

[0043] FIG. 13 shows the items of optional devices and functions, the value of the effect of each item on the height of the center of gravity of the main body 1, the value of the effect of each item on the weight of the main body 1, and the total value of these two effects. Each value in FIG. 13 indicates the magnitude of the effect on tipping. Therefore, the larger the total value, the greater the protrusion amount of the contact portions 10L3 and 10R3 required to prevent the image forming apparatus 100 from tipping. Therefore, once the optional devices and functions of the image forming apparatus 100 are determined, the total value in FIG. 13 can be calculated to determine the degree of the image forming apparatus 100's tendency to tip, and the protrusion amount of the contact portions 10L3 and 10R3 can be determined.

[0044] In Fig. 14, circles indicate the items of optional devices installed in each of device A, device B, device C, device D, device MIN, and device MAX. Also in Fig. 14, circles indicate the items of functions possessed by each of device A, device B, device C, device D, device MIN, and device MAX. The numbers in the column to the right of the circle in Fig. 14 are weighting values ​​used for determining the amount of protrusion shown in Fig. 13.

[0045] In Figure 14, an "x" indicates that the device in that column does not employ an optional device or function, and therefore the number in the column to the right of the "x" in Figure 14 is 0. In Figure 14, the weighted total value in the bottom column of each device column is the sum of all the numerical values ​​in that column. This weighted total value is used to determine the protrusion amount of the fall-prevention leg 10.

[0046] Note that device A, device B, device C, and device D in Fig. 14 are examples of devices with different numbers of paper feed trays TR. The MIN device in Fig. 14 is the device with the lowest possibility of tipping over, i.e., the device for which the horizontal protrusion amount of the tip-prevention legs 10 can be minimized. The MAX device in Fig. 14 is the device with the highest possibility of tipping over, i.e., the device for which it is preferable to maximize the horizontal protrusion amount of the tip-prevention legs 10.

[0047] The weighting values ​​for determining the protrusion amount of anti-tip legs 10 based on the presence or absence of optional devices of image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 14 are determined based on signals transmitted from optional devices, such as paper feed tray 1TR, etc. Furthermore, the weighting values ​​for determining the protrusion amount of anti-tip legs 10 corresponding to the functions of image forming apparatus 100 shown in Fig. 14 are stored in advance in the memory of control unit 1C (see Fig. 16 described later).

[0048] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the weighting for determining the protrusion amount of the tip-over prevention legs 10 of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment and the protrusion amounts of the contact portions 10L3A1, 10L3A2, 10R3A1, and 10R3A2 of the tip-over prevention legs 10.

[0049] The numbers in the left column of Fig. 15 represent the range of the total weighting values ​​in Fig. 14. When the range of the total weighting values ​​in Fig. 15 is 6-15, it can be said that image forming apparatus 100 is in a state where it is difficult for it to tip over. Therefore, it is preferable that tip-prevention legs 10 be in the state shown in Fig. 3 (stored state), that is, in the state where the protrusion amounts of contact portions 10L3A1, 10L3A2, 10R3A1, and 10R3A2 are smallest.

[0050] 15 is in the range of 16-25, it can be said that image forming apparatus 100 is in a state in which it is slightly prone to tipping over. Therefore, it is preferable that tip-prevention legs 10 be in the state shown in FIG. 5 (first protruding state), that is, a state in which the protruding amounts of contact portions 10L3A1, 10L3A2, 10R3A1, and 10R3A2 are slightly greater than in the stored state.

[0051] 15 is in a range of 26-35, it can be said that image forming apparatus 100 is in the state where it is most susceptible to tipping. Therefore, it is preferable that tip-prevention legs 10 be in the state shown in FIG. 7 (second protruding state), that is, the state where contact portions 10L3A1, 10L3A2, 10R3A1, and 10R3A2 protrude the most.

[0052] FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of an image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment.

[0053] 16, the main body 1 of the image forming apparatus 100 includes a control unit 1C that is communicatively connected to the image reading unit 1R, image forming unit 1F, paper feed unit TR, and display / operation unit 1D. The control unit 1C is called a controller and includes a memory that stores a program for controlling the image forming apparatus 100, and a processor that controls the image forming apparatus 100 based on the program stored in the memory.

[0054] Specifically, control unit 1C receives command signals from display / operation unit 1D and, based on those command signals, controls image reading unit 1R to read an image on a document or controls image forming unit 1F to print the image on paper. Control unit 1C also receives signals from each of paper feed trays 1TR, 2TR, and 3TR and Fisher F to determine whether each of paper feed trays 1TR, 2TR, and 3TR is present. Control unit 1C then displays a position image indicating the amount of protrusion of anti-tip legs 10 on the screen of display / operation unit 1D based on the height of image forming apparatus 100 corresponding to the presence or absence of each of paper feed trays 1TR, 2TR, and 3TR and Fisher F.

[0055] 16, image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment includes a speaker 1SP in addition to the above configuration. In the present embodiment, control unit 1C controls sound output unit (speaker) 1SP to output a sound that can specify the amount of protrusion of tip-over prevention legs 10, depending on the number of paper feed trays in paper feed unit TR and the presence or absence of a Fisher F.

[0056] In this embodiment, the display / operation unit 1D and the sound output unit (speaker) 1SP are combined into an alarm unit 1N that notifies the user of necessary information. Therefore, the alarm unit 1N notifies the user of protrusion amount information (position image, text image, sound) that can identify the protrusion amount of the contact portions 10L3, 10R3 determined by the control unit 1C. In this manner, the control unit 1C identifies the number of paper feed trays based on a signal transmitted from at least one paper feed tray in the paper feed unit TR, and causes the alarm unit IN to notify the protrusion amount information based on the number of paper feed trays. This allows the user to easily grasp the appropriate protrusion amount of the contact portions 10L3, 10R3 of the tip-prevention legs 10.

[0057] Fig. 17 is a diagram showing a state in which the display / operation unit 1D of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment displays an actual position image showing the protrusion amount of the left-side anti-tip leg 10L in the first protrusion state. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing a state in which the display / operation unit 1D of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment displays an actual position image showing the protrusion amount of the left-side anti-tip leg 10L in the second protrusion state.

[0058] 17 and 18 show examples of displaying an actual position image showing the protrusion amount of the left side anti-tip leg 10L. The actual position image showing the protrusion amount of the right side anti-tip leg 10R is omitted because it is symmetrical to the actual position image showing the protrusion amount of the left side anti-tip leg 10L. The same applies below.

[0059] 17 and 18 depict only the visible portions of the actual marks depicted on the contact portion 10L3A1, which will be described next with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. Marker 1S is depicted on the contact portion 10L3A1 along the outline of each end of leg body 10L2 in the first protruding state. Marker 2S is depicted on the contact portion 10L3A1 along the outline of each end of leg body 10L2 in the second protruding state.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the control unit 1C identifies the number of paper feed trays in the paper feed unit TR based on signals received from at least 11 paper feed trays in the paper feed unit TR. The control unit 1C then displays a position image on the screen of the display / operation unit 1D, indicating the amount of protrusion of the left side anti-tip leg 10L, according to the identified number of paper feed trays. After viewing the position image indicating the amount of protrusion of the left side anti-tip leg 10L, the user changes the amount of protrusion of the left side anti-tip leg 10L based on the position image. This allows the user to easily determine the appropriate amount of protrusion of the left side anti-tip leg 10L according to the number of paper feed trays TR.

[0061] By looking at the marks 1S and 2S of the contact portion 10L3A1 displayed on the display / operation unit 1D, the user can realize that the contact portion 10L3A1 can be caused to protrude to an appropriate position.

[0062] Although contact portion 10L3A1 is illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, images of contact portions 10L3A2, 10R3A1, and 10R3A2 with marks 1S and 2S are similarly displayed on the screen of display / operation portion 1D.

[0063] FIG. 19 shows marks 1S and 2S for the positions of contact portions 10L3A1 and 10L3A2 of anti-tip leg 10L on the left side surface of image forming apparatus 100 according to this embodiment in the first protruding state and the second protruding state, respectively.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 19, marks 1S and 2S are drawn on the contact portions 10L3A1 and 10L3A2. The marks 1S and 2S indicate the protruding positions of the contact portion 10L3A1 in the first protruding state and the second protruding state, respectively. Therefore, the user can protrude the contact portion 10L3A1 to the protruding positions in the first protruding state and the second protruding state. While FIG. 19 shows the marks 1S and 2S on the contact portion 10L3A1, the marks 1S and 2S are also similarly drawn on the contact portions 10L3A2, 10R3A1, and 10R3A2.

[0065] Fig. 20 is a diagram showing a state in which the display / operation unit 1D of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment displays a text image explaining the protrusion amount of the left side surface anti-tip leg 10L in the first protrusion state. Fig. 21 is a diagram showing a state in which the display / operation unit 1D of the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment displays a text image explaining the protrusion amount of the left side surface anti-tip leg 10L in the second protrusion state.

[0066] 20 and 21, protrusion amount information indicating the protrusion amount of the tip-over prevention leg 10 may be displayed as a text image on the display / operation unit 1D instead of a position image. This also allows the user to easily grasp the appropriate protrusion amount of the left side surface anti-tip leg 10L according to the number of stages of at least one paper feed tray in the paper feed unit TR.

[0067] The control unit 1C of this embodiment displays the above-mentioned character image on the display / operation unit 1D, and at the same time outputs to the speaker 1SP a sound corresponding to the character image indicating the appropriate protrusion amount of the anti-tip leg 10L on the left side surface according to the number of tiers of at least one paper feed tray in the paper feed unit TR.

[0068] 20 and 21, the control unit 1C also displays the marks 1S and 2S drawn on the contact portion 10L3A1 on the display / operation unit 1D. Therefore, the user can easily understand that the position of the contact portion 10L3A1 should be aligned with the positions of the marks 1S and 2S.

[0069] In the present embodiment, the marks 1S and 2S are lines that follow the contours of both ends of the leg body 10L2, but they may be straight lines drawn at positions indicating the tips of the protrusions. In the present embodiment, the marks 1S and 2S are drawn only at positions indicating the first and second protrusion states, but they may also be drawn at positions indicating other states. In addition to the marks 1S and 2S of one model of image forming apparatus 100, marks of other models of image forming apparatus 100 may also be drawn on the contact portions 10L3A1, 10L3A2, 10R3A1, and 10R3A2. The marks 1S and 2S are not limited to lines, and may be, for example, arrows or triangles that indicate the protrusion positions of the contact portions 10L3A1, 10L3A2, 10R3A1, and 10R3A2.

[0070] 22 to 24 are bottom views showing a modified example of tip-prevention leg 10L of image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment in a stored state, a first protruding state, and a second protruding state, respectively. In Figs. 22 to 24, arrows indicate the movement directions of contact portions 10L3A1 and 10L3A2.

[0071] As can be seen from FIGS. 22 and 23 , in this modified example, when the anti-tip leg 10L is changed from the stored state to the first protruding state, it moves a portion of its maximum movement distance in a first direction, specifically, the front-to-rear direction of the image forming apparatus 100. Then, as can be seen from FIGS. 23 and 24 , when the anti-tip leg 10L is changed from the first protruding state to the second protruding state, the contact portion 10L3 is moved in the front-to-rear direction in a bottom view, and also in a second direction, specifically, the left-to-right direction of the image forming apparatus 100. That is, when the anti-tip leg 10L is changed from the first protruding state to the second protruding state, it moves in an L-shape in a bottom view. According to the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment, it is also possible to perform such a method of moving the contact portion 10L3 of the anti-tip leg 10L.

[0072] Furthermore, when changing the tip-prevention legs 10L, 10R from the stored state to the first protruding state, only the front-side contact portions 10L3A1, 10R3A1 may be protruded without protruding the rear-side contact portions 10L3A2, 10R3A2. According to the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment, such a method of moving the contact portion 10L3 of the tip-prevention leg 10L is also possible.

[0073] As the number of paper feed trays increases, the height of the image forming apparatus 100 increases, shifting the center of gravity of the image forming apparatus 100 further upward. Furthermore, when attempting to load more paper into the paper feed tray after pulling the paper feed tray out toward the front, the center of gravity of the image forming apparatus 100 shifts toward the front of the image forming apparatus 100. For these reasons, there is a risk that the image forming apparatus 100 may tip forward. Therefore, in order to allow the anti-tip legs 10 to protrude horizontally from the main body 1 as unobtrusively as possible, it is preferable that, in the first protruding state, the front-side contact portions 10L3A1 and 10R3A1 protrude toward the front, and the rear-side contact portions 10L3A2 and 10R3A2 protrude toward the rear. Therefore, as in the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment, it is preferable that the anti-tip legs 10 be configured such that the protrusion of the front and rear sides of the anti-tip legs 10 takes precedence over the protrusion of the left and right sides of the anti-tip legs 10. From this point of view, the contact portions 10L3A1, 10R3A1, 10L3A2, and 10R3A2 are configured to be able to protrude toward the front and rear sides, but may not be able to protrude toward the left and right sides.

[0074] (Embodiment 2) Image forming apparatus 100 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 25 to 34. Note that, in the following, description of the same points as image forming apparatus 100 of the first embodiment will not be repeated. Image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment differs from image forming apparatus 100 of the first embodiment in the following points.

[0075] Figures 25 and 26 are a perspective view and a bottom view, respectively, illustrating the stored state of anti-tip legs 10 of image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. Figures 27 and 28 are a perspective view and a bottom view, respectively, illustrating the first protruding state of anti-tip legs 10L of image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. Figures 29 and 30 are a perspective view and a bottom view, respectively, illustrating the second protruding state of anti-tip legs 10L of image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment.

[0076] As can be seen from FIGS. 25 to 30, in this embodiment, contact portions 10L3B1, 10L3B2, 10RB1, and 10RB2 are provided instead of contact portions 10L3A1, 10L3A2, 10RA1, and 10RA2 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS.

[0077] As shown in Figures 29 and 30, the left side and front contact portion 10L3B1 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow 1MLB1 relative to the left side leg body portion 10L1. The left side and rear contact portion 10L3B2 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow 1MLB2 relative to the left side leg body portion 10L1. The right side and front contact portion 10R3B1 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow 1MRB1 relative to the right side leg body portion 10R1. The right side and rear contact portion 10R3B2 rotates in the direction indicated by arrow 1MLB2 relative to the right side leg body portion 10R1.

[0078] FIG. 31 is an exploded perspective view of the tip-prevention leg 10L on the left side of the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment.

[0079] As shown in Figure 31, the left leg body 10L1 has only one through-hole 10TH1. The left side contact portions 10L3B1 and 10L3B2 each have only one through-hole TH4. Therefore, only one shank LS1 (see Figure 8) is used.

[0080] The shaft portion 10LS1 of this embodiment is the same as the shaft portions 10LS2 and 10LS3 shown in Fig. 8. The shaft portion 10LS1 is inserted into the through hole TH2 and rotates within the through hole TH2, and is inserted into the through hole TH4 and rotates within the through hole TH4.

[0081] In this embodiment, leg body 10L2, through holes TH1 and TH4, and shaft 10LS1 (see FIG. 8) constitute left side and front side protrusion amount change mechanism B of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, protrusion amount change mechanism B changes so that contact portions 10L3B1 and 10L3B rotate around a rotation center axis extending along the vertical direction.

[0082] Fig. 32 is a diagram showing a state in which display / operation unit 1D of image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment displays an actual position image showing the protrusion amount of left-side anti-tip leg 10L in the first protrusion state. Fig. 33 is a diagram showing a state in which display / operation unit 1D of image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment displays an actual position image showing the protrusion amount of left-side anti-tip leg 10L in the second protrusion state.

[0083] 32 and 33 show examples of displaying an actual position image showing the protrusion amount of the left side anti-tip leg 10L. The actual position image showing the protrusion amount of the right side anti-tip leg 10R is omitted because it is symmetrical to the actual position image showing the protrusion amount of the left side anti-tip leg 10L.

[0084] Note that the marks 1S and 2S depicted in Figures 32 and 33 only depict the visible portions of the actual marks depicted on the contact portion 10L3B2, which will be described next with reference to Figure 34. Mark 1S is depicted on the contact portion 10L3B2 along the outline of each end of the leg body portion 10L2 in the first protruding state. Mark 2S is depicted on the contact portion 10L3B2 along the outline of each end of the leg body portion 10L2 in the second protruding state.

[0085] As shown in FIGS. 32 and 33, the control unit 1C identifies the number of paper feed trays in the paper feed unit TR based on signals received from at least 11 paper feed trays in the paper feed unit TR. The control unit 1C then displays a position image on the screen of the display / operation unit 1D, indicating the amount of protrusion of the left side anti-tip leg 10L, according to the identified number of paper feed trays. After viewing the position image indicating the amount of protrusion of the left side anti-tip leg 10L, the user changes the amount of protrusion of the left side anti-tip leg 10L based on the position image. This allows the user to easily determine the appropriate amount of protrusion of the left side anti-tip leg 10L according to the number of paper feed trays TR.

[0086] By looking at the marks 1S and 2S of the contact portions 10L3B1 and 10L3B2 displayed on the display / operation unit 1D, the user can realize that the contact portions 10l3b1 and 10L3B2 can be caused to protrude at appropriate positions.

[0087] FIG. 34 is a diagram showing marks for the positions of the contact portion 10L3B2 of the tip-prevention leg 10L on the left side surface of the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment in the first protruding state and the second protruding state.

[0088] 34, in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment, marks 1S and 2S are also drawn on the contact portion 10L3B2. The marks 1S and 2S indicate the protruding positions of the contact portion 10L3B2 in the first protruding state and the second protruding state, respectively. Therefore, the user can protrude the contact portion 10L3B2 to the protruding positions in the first protruding state and the second protruding state.

[0089] The horizontal protrusion amount of each of the left-side tip-over prevention leg 10L and the right-side tip-over prevention leg 10R can be changed in stages. Furthermore, the protrusion amount of each of the contact portions 10L3B1, 10LBA2, 10RBA1, and 10R3B2 in the two horizontal directions can be adjusted independently. Therefore, the protrusion state of the contact portions 10L3B1, 10L3B2, 10R3B1, and 10R3B2 can be appropriately adjusted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0090] 1 Main unit 1C Control section 1N Notification Department 1S, 2S marker 1N Notification Department 10L, 10R Fall prevention legs 10L1, 10R1 mounting part 10L2, 10R2 script body 10L3A,10L3B,10R3A,10R3B Contact part 100 Image forming device F Finisher (optional device) 1TR, 2TR, 3TR paper feed tray (optional device)

Claims

1. The main body and an anti-tip leg attached to the main body to prevent the main body from tipping over, The fall prevention legs are a mounting portion attached to the main body; a contact portion that can contact a mounting surface on which the image forming apparatus can be installed; a protrusion amount change mechanism that connects the attachment portion and the abutment portion and that can change the amount of protrusion of the abutment portion from the main body in the horizontal direction, Image forming device.

2. The tip-over prevention legs are configured to change the amount of protrusion in stages. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

3. the horizontal direction is a combination of a first horizontal direction and a second horizontal direction intersecting the first horizontal direction, The tip-over prevention legs are capable of changing between a stored state in which the protrusion amount of the contact portion is smallest, a first protruding state in which the contact portion protrudes from the stored state in the first horizontal direction, and a second protruding state in which the contact portion protrudes from the first protruding state in the second horizontal direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

4. The protrusion amount change mechanism changes so that the contact portion rotates around a rotation center axis extending along a vertical direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

5. The tip-over prevention leg has a mark indicating the protruding position of the abutment portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

6. a control unit that determines the protrusion amount of the contact portion; and a notification unit that notifies protrusion amount information that can identify the protrusion amount determined by the control unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 .

7. further comprising an optional device that can be attached to another part of the main body so as to become a part of the main body; the control unit causes the notification unit to display the protrusion amount information based on a signal transmitted from the optional device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 .

8. The control unit storing information about the functions of the image forming device; displaying the protrusion amount information on the notification unit based on information related to the function of the image forming apparatus; The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 .

Images