Image forming apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure aims to provide an image forming apparatus with forward paper output that can suppress paper collisions with the control panel during paper output while simultaneously achieving both an enlarged display area on the control panel and improved visibility of the indicator lamp. [Solution] The image forming apparatus 1 is characterized in that the operation panel 20 has a touch panel 21 and an alert lamp 22, and in a side view, it is provided above the paper output tray 7 Z1 so as to protrude forward Y1 from the main body of the apparatus 3, and in a front view, it is positioned at one end 3a of the apparatus, and below the touch panel 21 of the operation panel 20, the alert lamp 22 is positioned at one end 20b of the operation panel, and a rectangular cutout 23 is formed at the other end 20c of the operation panel.

Description

Technical Field

[0006] , ,

[0005] ,

[0001] The present disclosure relates to image forming apparatuses such as copiers, multifunction peripherals, printers, and facsimile apparatuses.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, small-sized image forming apparatuses with reduced sizes in the width direction and the depth direction have been provided. Further, in many of such image forming apparatuses, in order to reduce the width direction, the paper is configured to be discharged forward (front discharge). Further, in such an image forming apparatus with front discharge, the operation panel is separate from the housing and is disposed near the paper outlet.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 below discloses an image forming apparatus with front discharge. In the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, the operation panel is attached at a position above the paper discharge tray on which the discharged paper is placed and outside the paper discharge width.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004] <​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​On the other hand, if the dimensions of the device are reduced in the width and depth directions, and the control panel is positioned to fit within the width of the device body, the control panel will protrude into the paper output opening. Furthermore, if the control panel protrudes into the paper output opening, there is a risk that the paper ejected from the device may collide with the control panel, causing malfunctions such as paper bending or jamming. For example, if a relatively large control panel (e.g., a control panel of 4 inches or more) is installed so as to protrude into the paper output opening, and the device is configured to be small in the depth direction, when relatively large paper (e.g., legal paper) is ejected, the leading edge of the paper may protrude from the paper output opening and collide with the control panel. As a result, there is a risk that the leading edge of the paper may bend upon collision with the control panel, or that the trailing edge of the paper may not be ejected from the paper output roller, causing a jam (paper jam).

[0007] To suppress malfunctions caused by paper colliding with the control panel (such as paper bending and jamming), possible measures include: (1) positioning the control panel higher up, (2) extending the control panel further forward, (3) fixing the display surface of the control panel facing upward, (4) reducing the number of sheets that can be placed on the output tray to reduce the space above the output tray, and (5) making the control panel smaller.

[0008] However, as mentioned in (1) above, attempting to position the control panel further upward is difficult due to issues with the strength of the sheet metal used for mounting the control panel and internal structural problems. Also, as mentioned in (2) above, extending the control panel further forward increases the front-to-back dimensions including the device panel, resulting in a larger overall device size. Furthermore, as mentioned in (3) above, fixing the control panel facing upward makes it difficult for users to see the control panel depending on the height at which the image forming apparatus is installed (e.g., on a tabletop). In addition, as mentioned in (4) above, reducing the number of sheets that can be loaded into the output tray reduces user convenience.

[0009] Thus, methods (1) to (4) result in problems such as increased device size and reduced visibility of the control panel. However, as shown in (5) above, if the control panel is made smaller, it can be configured so that it does not protrude from the paper output slot. On the other hand, in recent years there has been a demand for larger display areas on touch panels.

[0010] Furthermore, some image forming apparatuses are equipped with indicator lamps (notification lamps) that indicate the status of the apparatus, such as when printing is ready, using a predetermined light emission pattern. It is desirable to improve the visibility of these indicator lamps by placing them in easily visible locations.

[0011] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide an image forming apparatus with forward paper output that can suppress paper collision with the control panel during paper output while simultaneously achieving both an enlarged display area on the control panel and improved visibility of the indicator lamp. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To solve the aforementioned problems, the present disclosure provides an image forming apparatus comprising: an apparatus body equipped with a paper output tray for placing paper to be discharged forward; and an operation panel, wherein the operation panel includes a touch panel for receiving operations on the apparatus and an indicator lamp for informing the status of the apparatus, and having a horizontally elongated shape in a front view, with a length in the left-right direction greater than the length in the up-down direction, and is positioned above the paper output tray so as to protrude forward from the apparatus body in a side view, and is positioned at one of the left and right outer ends of the apparatus body in a front view, and the indicator lamp is positioned at one end of the operation panel which is closer to the one end of the apparatus, below the touch panel of the operation panel, and a rectangular cutout is formed at the other end of the operation panel. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the image forming apparatus of the present disclosure, in an image forming apparatus with forward paper output, it is possible to suppress collisions of paper with the control panel during paper output while simultaneously achieving both an enlarged display area on the control panel and improved visibility of the indicator lamp. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the inside of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is a front view of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a side view of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] Figure 1 is a front view showing the control panel of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 6] Figure 1 is a side view showing the change in the position of the paper full detection bar in the image forming apparatus. [Figure 7] Figure 1 is a side view showing the paper full detection bar of the image forming apparatus in the position where the maximum number of sheets is detected. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0015] Hereinafter, an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of this disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed descriptions of them will not be repeated.

[0016] [Image forming apparatus] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the image forming apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing the inside of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0017] Image forming apparatus 1 is a multifunction device having copying, scanning, facsimile, and printing functions. As shown in Figure 1, image forming apparatus 1 includes a document feeder 2 and a main unit 3.

[0018] In this specification, the left - right direction (the width direction of the image forming apparatus 1) in the state where the image forming apparatus 1 is installed is described as the "left - right direction X". Also, the left side in the left - right direction X is described as "left side X1", and the right side is described as "right side X2". In this specification, the front - rear direction in the state where the image forming apparatus 1 is installed is described as the "front - rear direction Y". Also, the front in the front - rear direction Y is described as "front Y1", and the rear is described as "rear Y2". In this specification, the up - down direction in the state where the image forming apparatus 1 is installed is described as the "up - down direction Z". Also, the upper side in the up - down direction Z is described as "upper side Z1", and the lower side is described as "lower side Z2".

[0019] The image forming apparatus 1 transmits the image of the document read by an image reading unit (not shown) to the outside. Also, the image forming apparatus 1 forms an image of the document image read by the image reading unit or the image received from the outside on a sheet P such as recording paper in color or monochrome. The image forming apparatus 1 may be a monochrome image forming apparatus. Also, the image forming apparatus 1 may be another type of color image forming apparatus.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus main body 3 includes an image forming unit 4, a paper feed cassette 5, and a housing 10. Also, the image forming apparatus / 1 includes an image reading unit (not shown), an optical scanning device, an intermediate transfer belt device, a secondary transfer device, a fixing device, etc. The image forming apparatus 1 has a configuration in which the image forming unit 4, the paper feed cassette 5, etc. are accommodated inside the housing 10.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 2, a paper conveyance path C is formed inside the housing 10 of the image forming apparatus 1. The sheet P supplied from the paper feed cassette 5 has an image formed on it by the image forming unit 4 and is conveyed on the paper conveyance path C via a fixing device or the like. The sheet P on which the image has been formed is discharged from the discharge port 6 to the discharge tray 7 by the discharge roller 8.

[0022] [Embodiment] Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. Figure 3 is a front view of the image forming apparatus 1. Figure 4 is a side view of the image forming apparatus 1. Figure 5 is a front view of the operation panel 20.

[0023] As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 comprises an image forming unit 4 and a housing 10. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the image forming apparatus 1 also includes a paper output tray 7, an operation panel 20, and a paper full detection bar 30. Additionally, as shown in Figure 4, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a power button 33.

[0024] As shown in Figure 2, in the image forming apparatus 1, the paper P is discharged from the discharge port 6 toward the front Y1. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1 has a forward paper discharge system in which the paper P is discharged from the rear Y2 toward the front Y1 (discharge direction B). Also, as shown in Figure 2, the housing 10 has a paper discharge space S formed in front Y1 of the discharge port 6 through which the paper P is discharged. As shown in Figure 1, the housing 10 of the main body of the apparatus 3 has a paper outlet 11 formed in front Y1 of the paper discharge space S as an opening for removing the paper P.

[0025] The output tray 7 holds the paper to be discharged P. As shown in Figure 2, the output tray 7 is located above Z1 the image forming unit 4. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, an output space S is formed above Z1 the image forming unit 4, and the output tray 7 is located below Z2 the output space S.

[0026] The control panel 20 is separate from the main unit 3 and is located at the paper outlet 11 of the main unit 3. More specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the control panel 20 is located above the paper outlet 11 and is positioned to protrude forward Y1 from the paper outlet 11.

[0027] As shown in Figure 5, the control panel 20 is equipped with a touch panel 21 and an alarm lamp 22. The control panel 20 is a single component in which the touch panel 21 and the alarm lamp 22 are integrally formed. As shown in Figure 5, the control panel 20 has a roughly rectangular appearance with a notch (notch portion 23) formed in a front view. The position and configuration of the notch portion 23 will be described in detail later.

[0028] The touch panel 21 receives instructions for the device. The touch panel 21 is a liquid crystal display that accepts operations when the user touches and selects various display buttons shown on the display. The touch panel 21 accepts various operations related to the functions of the image forming apparatus 1, such as printing, sending faxes, and copying.

[0029] The notification lamp 22 indicates the status of the device. The notification lamp 22 is equipped with an LED as a light source. The notification lamp 22 indicates the status of various devices by combinations of light color and lighting mode (on, flashing, and off). In other words, the notification lamp 22 is a lamp that indicates various information by lighting mode such as on, flashing, and light color.

[0030] As shown in Figure 5, the notification lamp 22 has a shape in which the length in the left-right direction X is greater than the length in the vertical direction Z. In other words, the notification lamp 22 has a horizontally elongated shape. In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the notification lamp 22 is capable of emitting two colors of light (blue light and orange light). For example, the notification lamp 22 emits blue light when it is able to perform normal operation and emits orange light when any error occurs.

[0031] As shown in Figure 5, the touch panel 21 occupies most of the area of ​​the front view of the operation panel 20. Specifically, the size of the touch panel 21 in the left-right direction X (total length D2 of the touch panel) occupies more than half (more than 1 / 2) of the size of the operation panel 20 in the left-right direction X (total length D1 of the operation panel), and is less than or equal to 9 / 10.

[0032] In this embodiment of the image forming apparatus 1, the touch panel 21 is 4 inches in size. The total length D2 of the touch panel 21 should be at least 2 / 3 of the total length D1 of the control panel. Furthermore, the touch panel 21 should be 4 inches or larger. This allows for maximizing the size of the touch panel 21 while minimizing the size of the control panel 20.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the operation panel 20 is pivotable relative to the apparatus body 3. Specifically, as shown in Figure 4, the operation panel 20 is pivotable so that its lower portion 20a moves upward Z1. In its normal state, the operation panel 20 is tilted diagonally along the paper output opening 11. When the lower portion 20a of the operation panel 20 is moved upward Z1, it is in a nearly horizontal, upward position (see the operation panel 20 shown by the dashed line in Figure 4).

[0034] In the following explanation, the orientation of the control panel 20 will be described as follows: the state in which the lower part 20a is at a downward Z2 position will be referred to as the "normal position," and the state in which the lower part 20a has swung upward Z1 (a nearly horizontal upward position) will be referred to as the "upward position."

[0035] When the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on a table or the like, the control panel 20 will be located at the user's eye level. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on a table or the like, the control panel 20 will be easily visible if it is in its normal position. On the other hand, when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on the floor or the like, the control panel 20 will be located below the user's eye level Z2. Therefore, when the image forming apparatus 1 is installed on the floor or the like, the control panel 20 will be easily visible from above Z1 if it is in an upward position.

[0036] The paper full detection bar 30 detects when the number of sheets of paper P on the output tray 7 reaches a predetermined number. As shown in Figure 6, the paper full detection bar 30 is located within the output space S. The rear end (base end 31) of the paper full detection bar 30 is attached to the device body 3. Specifically, the paper full detection bar 30 is attached to the device body 3 at a position (mounting position A1) in front of the output port 6 Y1 and above the output tray 7 Z1.

[0037] As shown in Figure 6, the paper full detection bar 30 is pivotable with mounting position A1 as the pivot point. That is, the front end (tip 32) of the paper full detection bar 30 is a free end, and the tip 32 can be displaced from downward Z2 to upward Z1.

[0038] When there are no sheets of paper P on the output tray 7, the paper full detection bar 30 is positioned such that its leading edge 32 is in contact with the upper surface of the output tray 7, tilting downward Z2. On the other hand, as the number of sheets of paper P on the output tray 7 increases, the paper full detection bar 30 is positioned so that its leading edge 32 is located upward Z1. Furthermore, when the number of sheets of paper P on the output tray 7 reaches the maximum number of sheets of paper in the image forming apparatus 1, and its leading edge 32 reaches a predetermined height, the paper full detection bar 30 detects that the number of sheets of paper P on the output tray 7 has reached the maximum number.

[0039] In this specification, the position of the leading edge 32 that detects when the number of sheets of paper P on the output tray 7 has reached the maximum number will be referred to as the "maximum number detection position A2".

[0040] The power button 33 accepts the ON / OFF status of the device. In this embodiment, the power button 33 is a rocker switch that switches ON / OFF by pressing one side of the switch, which causes the opposite side to lift. This improves the user experience. Note that the power button 33 is not limited to a rocker switch; various types such as a slide switch or push switch can be selected.

[0041] [First Embodiment] The notch 23 will be explained in more detail. As shown in Figure 5, the operation panel 20 has a notch 23 formed in which a rectangular portion is missing. As shown in Figure 5, the notch 23 is formed in the lower right part of the operation panel 20 when viewed from the front.

[0042] In this specification, one of the outer ends of the device body 3, the left X1 and the right X2 (in this embodiment, the outer end of the left X1), will be referred to as "device end 3a" (see Figure 3).

[0043] In this specification, of the two ends of the operation panel 20 in the left-right direction X, the portion that is proximal to the first end 3a of the device (the left side of the device body 3 in this embodiment) (the left side of the operation panel 20 in this embodiment) will be referred to as the first end 20b of the operation panel, and the other end (the right side of the operation panel 20 in this embodiment) will be referred to as the other end 20c of the operation panel (see Figure 3).

[0044] In this specification, of the end faces in the left-right direction X that constitute the thickness of the operation panel 20, the left end face X1 is referred to as the "lateral end face 24a". Also, of the end faces in the up-down direction Z that constitute the thickness of the operation panel 20, the lowest end face Z2 is referred to as the "lower end face 24b". Furthermore, in this specification, of the end faces that constitute the thickness of the operation panel 20 and that constitute the notch 23, the end face in the left-right direction X is referred to as the "first notch end face 24c", and the lower Z2 end face is referred to as the "second notch end face 24d".

[0045] In the image forming apparatus 1, the maximum paper size that can be handled is legal size (215.9 x 355.6 millimeters). In the following explanation, legal-sized paper P may sometimes be simply referred to as "legal paper." In the image forming apparatus 1, the length in the longitudinal direction of the legal paper can be said to be the maximum allowable length.

[0046] As described above, the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment has a front paper output, where the paper P is ejected to the front Y1. In the image forming apparatus 1 with front paper output, when legal paper is ejected to the front Y1, the leading edge of the legal paper may reach Y1, which is further forward than the housing 10. In that case, there is a concern that the leading edge of the legal paper may collide with the operation panel 20 located outside the housing 10.

[0047] The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment comprises a device body 3 equipped with a paper output tray 7 on which paper P discharged toward the front Y1 is placed, and an operation panel 20. In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the operation panel 20 has a touch panel 21 for receiving operations on the apparatus, and an indicator lamp 22 that notifies the status of the apparatus and has a horizontally elongated shape in which the length in the left-right direction X is greater than the length in the up-down direction Z when viewed from the front. In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the operation panel 20 is provided above the paper output tray 7 Z1 so as to protrude toward the front Y1 from the device body 3 when viewed from the side. In a front view, the operation panel 20 is located at one of the outer ends of the device body 3, which is the left end of the device body 3 (in this embodiment, the left part of the device body 3). Below the touch panel 21 of the operation panel 20, an alarm lamp 22 is positioned at one end of the operation panel 20b (the left side of the operation panel 20 in this embodiment), which is closer to the device end 3a, at both ends in the left-right direction X. A rectangular notch 23 is formed at the other end of the operation panel 20c (the right side of the operation panel 20 in this embodiment).

[0048] In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the operation panel 20 is located on the left side of the apparatus (one end 3a of the apparatus) and above the paper output tray 7 at Z1. This allows the image forming apparatus 1 to improve the visibility of the paper P on the paper output tray 7 and the ease with which the paper P can be grasped with the right hand.

[0049] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the notification lamp 22 is positioned below Z2 of the touch panel 21, and a portion of the operation panel 20 is cut out (notch 23). In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the notch 23 is provided in the operation panel 20 to avoid the leading edge of the legal paper when legal paper of the maximum allowable length is discharged. As a result, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, even when legal paper of the maximum allowable length is discharged, it is possible to suppress the leading edge of the paper P from colliding with the operation panel 20 during discharge, which can cause the leading edge of the paper P to bend or the trailing edge to jam because it cannot be ejected from the paper discharge roller 8.

[0050] Thus, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the width of the apparatus is made as small as possible, and the touch panel 21 is provided by making maximum use of the area of ​​the operation panel 20, while avoiding problems such as the ejected paper P colliding with the operation panel 20 and causing the paper P to bend at the leading edge or jam. Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1, an indicator lamp 22 that notifies the status of the apparatus is provided next to the notch 23 on the operation panel 20, which is frequently viewed by the user, so that the visibility of the indicator lamp 22 can be improved while suppressing the enlargement of the operation panel 20. Accordingly, according to the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, in an image forming apparatus 1 with forward paper ejection, it is possible to suppress the paper P colliding with the operation panel 20 during paper ejection, while simultaneously achieving both an enlarged display area (touch panel 21) of the operation panel 20 and improved visibility of the indicator lamp 22.

[0051] In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the notification lamp 22 also serves to indicate that the machine is ready to print when the power is turned on, and that there is a printing load. Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the power button 33 is located on either side of the output tray 7 from the notification lamp 22. In other words, the power button 33 is positioned close to the notification lamp 22. As a result, when the power button 33 is operated, the notification lamp 22 is more easily visible to the user, improving the visibility of the notification lamp 22.

[0052] [Second Embodiment] In this embodiment, the first notched end face 24c, which is the end face in the left-right direction X that constitutes the notch 23 among the end faces that make up the thickness of the operation panel 20, is located outward in the left-right direction X from the left and right edges of the paper P when the largest size of paper P that can be handled by the image forming apparatus 1 is ejected. Here, "largest size of paper P that can be handled" means that the width, length, or area of ​​the paper P is larger than that of other sizes of paper P that can be handled. In this embodiment, legal paper has a width, length, and area that are all larger than those of other sizes of paper P that can be handled.

[0053] As described above, the maximum paper size that the image forming apparatus 1 can handle is legal size. When legal paper (paper P) is ejected from the image forming apparatus 1, it is ejected within the range of the paper ejection area R (see Figure 3). Also, as shown in Figure 3, in the image forming apparatus 1, the end face in the left-right direction X that constitutes the notch 23 (the first notch end face 24c) is located to the left X1 (outward) of the paper ejection area R. In other words, in the image forming apparatus 1, when legal paper is ejected, the first notch end face 24c is located to the left X1 (outward) of the left edge of the legal paper. To put it another way, in the image forming apparatus 1, when the maximum size of paper P that can be handled is ejected, the first notch end face 24c is located outward from the position through which the paper P passes.

[0054] Therefore, even when the largest possible size of paper P (legal paper) is ejected, the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment can avoid the paper P colliding with the operation panel 20.

[0055] [Third Embodiment] Next, the relationship between the position of the notch 23 and the maximum sheet detection position A2 of the paper full detection bar 30 will be explained with reference to Figure 6. Figure 6 is a side view showing the paper full detection bar 30 when it is located at the maximum sheet detection position A2.

[0056] The image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a paper full detection bar 30 that detects when the number of sheets of paper P on the output tray 7 has reached a predetermined maximum number. In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the paper full detection bar 30 is pivotable around its base end 31. In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the other end (tip 32) pivots upward to reach a maximum number detection position A2 at a predetermined height, thereby detecting the maximum number of sheets. The second notched end face 24d, which is the lower Z2 end face constituting the notch 23 among the end faces that make up the thickness of the operation panel 20, is located Z1 above the maximum number detection position A2.

[0057] If the maximum number of sheets is detected, the ejection of the paper P is stopped. Therefore, the paper P is never ejected from a position higher than the tip 32 of the paper full detection bar 30. In other words, in the image forming apparatus 1, the paper P is never ejected from a position higher than the maximum height from which it can be ejected (maximum number of sheets detection position A2). As shown in Figure 6, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, when the operation panel 20 is in its normal position, the position (height) of the second end face 24d of the notch is located above the maximum number of sheets detection position A2 at Z1. Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, when the paper P is ejected, it is possible to avoid the paper P colliding with the operation panel 20.

[0058] [Fourth Embodiment] In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the length of the exposed surface of the notification lamp 22 in the vertical direction Z (total vertical length D4 of the notification lamp) is 2 / 3 or more of the length of the notch portion 23 in the vertical direction Z (total vertical length D5 of the notch portion).

[0059] The exposed surface of the alarm lamp 22 refers to the portion of the alarm lamp 22 that is exposed from the housing of the control panel 20. In other words, the length of the exposed surface of the alarm lamp 22 in the vertical direction Z or the horizontal direction X refers to the apparent length of the alarm lamp 22.

[0060] As shown in Figure 5, the vertical Z length of the notch 23 (total vertical Z length of the notch D5) refers to the vertical Z distance from the lower end 24e of the lower end face 24b to the lower end 24f of the second end face 24d of the notch. In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the total vertical Z length of the alarm lamp 22, which is the total vertical Z length of the exposed surface, is 2 / 3 or more of the total vertical Z length of the notch D5. More specifically, in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the total vertical Z length of the alarm lamp D4 is the same size as the total vertical Z length of the notch D5.

[0061] In other words, the notification lamp 22 is sized to occupy most of the upper and lower portion of the lower end of the operation panel 20, excluding the notch 23 (the left end). To put it another way, in the image forming apparatus 1, a notch (notch 23) is formed in the operation panel 20, and in the remaining portion (the lower left side of the operation panel 20), a notification lamp 22 is placed that occupies most of the remaining portion in the vertical direction Z.

[0062] As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment can ensure the vertical Z-size of the notification lamp 22 to improve the visibility of the notification lamp 22, and can also prevent the ejected paper P from colliding with the operation panel 20.

[0063] [Fifth Embodiment] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 has an alert lamp 22 such that the length of the exposed surface in the left-right direction X (total length D3 of the alert lamp) is 1 / 2 or more of the length of the touch panel 21 in the left-right direction X (total length D2 of the touch panel).

[0064] As shown in Figure 5, in this embodiment, the total length D3 of the notification lamp 22 is 1 / 2 or more and 3 / 4 or less of the total length D1 of the control panel. Thus, unlike lamps that are small and installed within the control panel 20, the notification lamp 22 provided in the image forming apparatus 1 is sized to be easily noticed by the user.

[0065] Therefore, according to the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the notification lamp 22 is more likely to catch the user's eye, making it easier to notice the notification. In this way, the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment ensures the size of the notification lamp 22 in the left-right direction X, improving visibility while avoiding the ejected paper P colliding with the operation panel 20.

[0066] [Sixth Embodiment] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 has an alarm lamp 22 that extends in the left-right direction X between the first notched end face 24c, which is the end face in the left-right direction X that constitutes the notched portion 23 among the end faces that constitute the thickness of the operation panel 20, and the lateral end face 24a, which is the end face at one end of the apparatus among the end faces that constitute the thickness of the operation panel 20.

[0067] More specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the notification lamp 22 is positioned between the left X1 side end face (lateral end face 24a) of the operation panel 20 and the end face that constitutes the notch 23 (first notch end face 24c), and is configured to fill the distance between these end faces. In other words, the notification lamp 22 is sized to occupy most of the left and right portions of the lower end of the operation panel 20, excluding the notch 23 (left end). To put it another way, in the image forming apparatus 1, a notch (notch 23) is formed in the operation panel 20, and in the remaining portion (lower left side of the operation panel 20), a notification lamp 22 is positioned that occupies most of the remaining portion in the left-right direction X.

[0068] In the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the operation panel 20 is configured such that the notification lamp 22 occupies the area other than the area where the touch panel 21 is provided, thereby maximizing the size of the notification lamp 22 in the left-right direction X. Therefore, the visibility of the notification lamp 22 can be improved in the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment.

[0069] [Seventh Embodiment] In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 has an operation panel 20 that does not have hardware keys.

[0070] According to the image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to secure the size of the touch panel 21 located on the operation panel 20, while reducing the size of the operation panel 20, resulting in a simple configuration that is easy to operate and can be made smaller (miniaturized).

[0071] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented in various other ways. Therefore, these embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be constrained. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the claims and is not restricted by the text of the specification. Furthermore, any variations or modifications within the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 1. Image forming apparatus 3. Main unit of the device 3a One end of the device 7. Paper output tray 20 Control Panel 20b One end of the control panel 21 Touch panel 22. Alarm lamp 23 Notch 24a Side end face 24b Lower end face 24c Notch first end face 24d Second end face of the notch 30 Paper full detection bar 31 Proximal end 32 Tip A2 Maximum number of sheets detection position D2 Touch Panel Left and Right Overall Length D3 Warning Lamp Left and Right Overall Length D4 Total length of the upper and lower alarm lamps D5 Notch upper and lower total length P paper

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus comprising a main body equipped with a paper output tray for placing paper ejected forward, and an operation panel, The aforementioned control panel is A touch panel that accepts input for the device, It has an indicator lamp that notifies the status of the device and has a horizontally elongated shape in which the length in the left-right direction is greater than the length in the up-down direction when viewed from the front, In a side view, it is provided above the paper output tray so as to protrude forward from the main body of the device, In a front view, it is positioned at one end of the device, which is one of the left and right outer ends of the main body of the device, An image forming apparatus characterized in that, below the touch panel of the control panel, the notification lamp is positioned at one end of the control panel that is closer to one end of the apparatus, and a rectangular cutout is formed at the other end of the control panel.

2. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, An image forming apparatus characterized in that the first notched end face, which is one of the end faces constituting the thickness of the control panel and is a left-right end face constituting the notch, is located outward in the left-right direction from the left and right edges of the paper when the maximum size of paper that can be handled by the image forming apparatus is ejected.

3. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The paper tray is equipped with a paper full detection bar that detects when the number of sheets of paper on the output tray reaches a predetermined maximum number. The aforementioned paper full detection bar is pivotable around its base end, and the other end pivots upward to reach a predetermined height for detecting the maximum number of sheets, thereby detecting the maximum number of sheets. An image forming apparatus characterized in that the second notched end face, which is the lower end face constituting the notch among the end faces constituting the thickness of the control panel, is located above the maximum number detection position.

4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the length of the exposed surface of the notification lamp is 2 / 3 or more of the length of the notch in the vertical direction.

5. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the length of the exposed surface of the notification lamp in the left-right direction is 1 / 2 or more of the length of the touch panel in the left-right direction.

6. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the notification lamp is configured to extend in the left-right direction between a first notch end face, which is a left-right end face that constitutes the notch among the end faces that constitute the thickness of the operation panel, and a lateral end face, which is a end face at one end of the device among the end faces that constitute the thickness of the operation panel.

7. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the control panel does not have hardware keys.

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