Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To improve work efficiency. [Solution] The device comprises a main body, an operating unit having an operating section for inputting signals to the main body, and a rotation holding section disposed on the main body and holding the operating unit so as to rotate between a first position and a second position, wherein the mounting section of the main body faces the mounting surface and the rotation axis of the rotation holding section is aligned in the vertical direction.

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an operation unit on which an operation panel is arranged. 【Background Art】 【0002】 Conventionally, an operation unit is provided in an image forming apparatus. The operation unit and the image forming apparatus main body are electrically connected by a cable. The image forming apparatus can be operated by an operation panel or the like arranged on the operation unit. 【0003】 When performing maintenance work near the operation unit, the operation unit is moved with respect to the image forming apparatus main body to form a space for maintenance work. [[ID=]17] 【0004】 In Patent Document 1, the left and right ends of the operation unit are position - regulated by a part of the image forming apparatus main body, and the operation unit is translated in parallel with respect to the image forming apparatus main body. Then, by translating the operation unit in parallel from a fixed position to the front side and temporarily holding it at a temporary holding position, a space for electrical connection is formed between the rear - side end of the operation unit and the front - side end of the image forming apparatus main body. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0005】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent Application Laid - Open No. 2004 - 54173 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0006】 However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, the operation unit is translated in parallel to the front side. Therefore, when an operator tries to access the maintenance target from the front, there is a problem that workability is poor. 【0007】 Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve workability. [Means for solving the problem] 【0008】 A typical configuration of the present invention comprises a main body of the device, an operating unit having an operating section for inputting signals to the main body of the device, and a rotating holding section disposed on the main body of the device and holding the operating unit so as to rotate between a first position and a second position, characterized in that the rotation axis of the rotating holding section is aligned vertically when the mounting section of the main body of the device faces the mounting surface. [Effects of the Invention] 【0009】 According to the present invention, it is possible to improve workability when the operating unit is moved. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0010】 [Figure 1] Perspective views of full-color and monochrome image forming apparatuses. [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of a full-color image forming apparatus [Figure 3] (a) Cross-sectional view of the full-color image forming unit, (b)(c) Cross-sectional view of the image forming station [Figure 4] Cross-sectional view of a monochrome image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] (a) Cross-sectional view of the monochrome image forming unit, (b) Cross-sectional view of the image forming station [Figure 6] (a) Perspective view of the control panel from the panel side, (b) Perspective view of the control panel from the rear side of the panel, (c) Perspective view of the control panel from the rear side with the rear cover removed. [Figure 7] This diagram shows the state in which the cable of the control unit is positioned to span across the control unit and the main body of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 8] Diagram showing the cable holder on the left side of the device body. [Figure 9] (a) Perspective view of the inside of the left side of the control unit, (b) Perspective view of the left cover of the control unit [Figure 10] (a) Perspective view of the inside of the right side of the control unit, (b) Perspective view of the right cover of the control unit [Figure 11] Perspective view of the upper cover [Figure 12] Perspective view of the front cover of the document reading device [Figure 13] Perspective view when the operation unit base plate and the operation unit sub-base plate are mounted on the main body sub-frame [Figure 14] (a)(b)(c) Schematic diagram of fastening screws [Figure 15] (b-1), (b-2), (b-3) Enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the bending portion 11 of the main body sub-frame [Figure 16] (a)(b)(c) View with the front cover and upper cover of the document reading device removed [Figure 17] View when the shape of the rotation holding portion is a cylinder and the shape of the opening of the operation unit base plate is a teardrop hole [Figure 18] View schematically showing the right rear end of the operation unit near the operation unit, cable holding portion, rotation center, and access space [Figure 19] Schematic diagram of the bending portion of the cable and the cable holding portion 【Mode for Carrying Out the Invention】 【0011】 Hereinafter, an embodiment of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensions, materials, and relative positions of the respective components of the image forming apparatus shown below do not limit the scope of the present invention only to those unless specifically described otherwise. Also, in each figure, those denoted by the same reference numerals have the same configuration or function, and duplicate descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate. 【0012】 In addition, the upward direction U, downward direction D, right direction R, left direction L, rear direction B, and front direction F used in the following description are defined as shown in FIG. 1. With respect to the image forming apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, the front side (front side, front) is the front direction F, the back side (back side, rear) is the rear direction B, the left side is the left direction L, the right side is the right direction R, the upper side is the upward direction U, and the lower side is the downward direction D. 【0013】 〔Example 1〕 (Image forming apparatus) Figure 1 is a perspective view of the full-color and monochrome image forming apparatus 100. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the full-color image forming apparatus 100. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the monochrome image forming apparatus 100. 【0014】 The image forming apparatus 100 includes a feeding unit 107, an image forming unit 102, and a fixing unit 103. The image forming unit 102 forms a toner image on a recording medium (hereinafter referred to as a sheet) S fed from the feeding unit 107. The fixing unit 103 fixes the toner image formed by the image forming unit 102 to the sheet S. Above the image forming unit 102, an automatic document feeding unit 106 is provided at the back, a document reading device 105 is provided below it, and an operation unit 1 used by the operator to operate the image forming apparatus 100 is provided at the front. That is, the operation unit 1 is provided in front of the document reading device 105. 【0015】 The automatic document feeding unit 106 feeds documents one by one from the stacked document bundle to the document scanning device 105. The document scanning device 105 reads the image of the document fed by the automatic document feeding unit 106 or the image of the document placed on the platen glass (not shown). The document scanning device 105 and the automatic document feeding unit 106 are optionally connected to the image forming unit 102. 【0016】 The feeding unit 107 is located upstream of the image forming unit 102 with respect to the sheet transport direction. The feeding unit 107 has multiple sheet storage compartments. Instead of the feeding unit 107, a manual feeding unit (not shown) or a long sheet feeding unit (not shown) capable of accommodating long sheets may be selectively connected to the image forming unit 102. In addition to the feeding unit 107, another large-capacity feeding unit (not shown), a manual feeding unit (not shown), or a long sheet feeding unit may be selectively connected in a double-header configuration. Sheets on which images have been formed in the image forming apparatus 100 are discharged to the outside of the image forming apparatus 100 from an unshown discharge tray provided in the image forming apparatus 100 or from a finisher connected to the image forming apparatus 100. 【0017】 (Full-color image forming unit) The image forming unit 102 in the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be explained using Figure 3. Figure 3(a) is a cross-sectional view of the full-color image forming unit 102. The image forming unit 102 has a yellow image forming station 200Y, a magenta image forming station 200M, a cyan image forming station 200C, and a black image forming station 200K as image forming units. 【0018】 The image forming unit 102 includes laser scanners 203Y, 203M, 203C, 203K, toner bottles (toner storage containers) 205Y, 205M, 205C, 205K, and toner supply paths 206Y, 206M, 206C, 206K. 【0019】 The subscripts Y, M, C, and K in the reference numerals represent yellow, magenta, cyan, and black, respectively. In the following explanation, the subscripts Y, M, C, and K may be omitted unless specifically necessary. 【0020】 Furthermore, the image forming unit 102 includes primary transfer rollers 207Y, 207M, 207C, 207K, an intermediate transfer belt 208, a toner recovery path 210, a recovered toner container 211, and a sheet storage unit 212. The image forming unit 102 also includes a registration roller 213, a secondary transfer inner roller 214, a secondary transfer outer roller 215, an intermediate transfer belt cleaner 216, a pre-fixing transport belt 217, and a primary transfer auxiliary roller 218. The nip between the secondary transfer inner roller 214 and the secondary transfer outer roller 215 forms the secondary transfer unit ST. The yellow imaging station 200Y forms a yellow (Y) toner image. The magenta imaging station 200M forms a magenta (M) toner image. The cyan imaging station 200C forms a cyan (C) toner image. The yellow image station 200Y, the magenta image station 200M, and the cyan image station 200C have similar structures. 【0021】 Figure 3(b) shows the yellow image station 200Y. In Figure 3(b), the reference numerals indicating the structure of the magenta image station 200M and the cyan image station 200C are shown in parentheses. The yellow image station 200Y (200M, 200C) has a photosensitive drum 201Y (201M, 201C). Around the photosensitive drum 201Y (201M, 201C) are a primary charger 202Y (202M, 202C), a developer 204Y (204M, 204C), and a photosensitive drum cleaner 209Y (209M, 209C). The primary charger 202Y (202M, 202C) is a charging roller. Figure 3(c) shows the black image station 200K. The black image station 200K forms a black (K) toner image. The black imaging station 200K has a photosensitive drum 201K. Around the photosensitive drum 201K are a primary charger 202K, a developer 204K, a pre-transfer charger 219, and a photosensitive drum cleaner 209K. The primary charger 202K is a corona charger. 【0022】 (Full-color image formation process) The image formation process in the yellow image station 200Y, magenta image station 200M, cyan image station 200C, and black image station 200K is almost identical except for the toner color. The image formation process in the yellow image station 200Y will be described below with reference to Figure 3(b). The surface of the photosensitive drum 201Y in the yellow image station 200Y is uniformly charged by the primary charger 202Y. The laser scanner 203Y emits laser light to the photosensitive drum 201Y according to the image data, forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 201Y. The developer 204Y develops the electrostatic latent image with yellow toner, forming a yellow toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 201Y. When the toner in the developer 204Y is consumed by development, yellow toner is supplied to the developer 204Y from the toner bottle 205Y via the toner supply path 206Y as needed. The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 201Y is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 208 by the primary transfer roller 207Y, which applies a predetermined pressure and electrostatic load bias. After the transfer, any small amount of toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 201Y is removed by the photosensitive drum cleaner 209Y. 【0023】 The toner removed by the photosensitive drum cleaner 209Y is collected in the toner recovery container 211 via the toner recovery path 210. Similarly, magenta toner images, cyan toner images, and black toner images are formed by the magenta imaging station 200M, cyan imaging station 200C, and black imaging station 200K. The magenta toner images, cyan toner images, and black toner images are sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 208, and the four toner images are superimposed on the intermediate transfer belt 208. 【0024】 Meanwhile, sheets S are fed one by one from the sheet storage section 212 of the image forming unit 102 and transported to the registration roller 213. The leading edge of sheet S contacts the nip of the stopped registration roller 213, forming a loop in sheet S and correcting the skew of sheet S. Subsequently, the registration roller 213 starts rotating so that the leading edge of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 208 and the leading edge of sheet S coincide at the secondary transfer unit ST, transporting sheet S to the secondary transfer unit ST. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 208 is transferred to sheet S by the secondary transfer unit ST with a predetermined pressure and electrostatic load bias applied. After transfer, any small amount of toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 208 is removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 216. The toner removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 216 is collected in the toner recovery container 211 via the toner recovery path 210. The sheet S with the transferred toner image is transported to the fuser unit 103 by the pre-fixing transport belt 217. 【0025】 (Fixing part) As shown in Figure 3(a), the fuser 301 fixes the toner image on the sheet S, which is being transported by the pre-fixing transport belt 217, by heating and pressurizing the toner image on the sheet S. 【0026】 The fixing unit 103 includes a fixing device 301, an discharge transport path 304, an discharge inversion unit 305, a double-sided inversion unit 306, and a double-sided transport path 307. 【0027】 When discharging the sheet S with its front and back sides reversed, the sheet S is switched back at the discharge reversal unit 305, the leading and trailing ends of the sheet S are swapped, and the sheet S is discharged via the discharge transport path 304 with its front and back sides reversed. 【0028】 Furthermore, when forming images on both sides of sheet S, the sheet S with the first image formed is switched back in the double-sided reversal unit 306, swapping the front and rear ends of sheet S, and the sheet S is transported to the double-sided transport path 307 with its front and back sides reversed. Then, sheet S is transported to the registration roller 213 in sequence with subsequent sheets supplied from the sheet storage unit 212 of the image forming unit 102. An image is then formed on the second side of sheet S using the same image forming process as the first side, and sheet S is discharged via the discharge transport path 304. 【0029】 As described above, the full-color image forming unit 102 includes a yellow image forming station 200Y, a magenta image forming station 200M, a cyan image forming station 200C, and a black image forming station 200K as image forming units. The full-color image forming apparatus can be converted into a monochrome image forming apparatus using only black. When the full-color image forming apparatus is converted into a monochrome image forming apparatus using only black, the yellow image forming station 200Y, magenta image forming station 200M, and cyan image forming station 200C of the full-color image forming apparatus are not installed, and only the black image forming station 200K is installed. 【0030】 Note that the fixing unit 103 is configured in the same way as in the monochrome image forming apparatus shown in Figure 5(a) and the full-color image forming apparatus shown in Figure 3(a). Here, components with equivalent functions are given the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are omitted. 【0031】 (Monochrome image formation section) The image forming unit 102 in the image forming apparatus 100 of this embodiment will be explained using Figure 5. Figure 5(a) is a cross-sectional view of the monochrome image forming unit 102. 【0032】 The image forming unit 102 has an image forming station 200 as an image forming unit. The image forming unit 102 has a laser scanner 203, a toner bottle (toner storage container) 205, and a toner supply path 206. Furthermore, the image forming unit 102 has a primary transfer roller 207, an intermediate transfer belt 208, a toner recovery path 210, a recovered toner container 211, and a sheet storage section 212. In addition, the image forming unit 102 has a registration roller 213, a secondary transfer inner roller 214, a secondary transfer outer roller 215, an intermediate transfer belt cleaner 216, a pre-fixing transport belt 217, and a primary transfer auxiliary roller 218. 【0033】 Figure 5(b) shows the image formation station 200. In Figure 5(b), the image formation station 200 forms a toner image. The image formation station 200 has a photosensitive drum 201. Around the photosensitive drum 201 are a primary charger 202, a developer 204, a pre-transfer charger 219, and a photosensitive drum cleaner 209. The primary charger 202 is a corona charger. 【0034】 (Monochrome image formation process) The image formation process in the image formation station 200 will be described below with reference to Figure 5(b). The surface of the photosensitive drum 201 in the image formation station 200 is uniformly charged by the primary charger 202. The laser scanner 203 emits laser light onto the photosensitive drum 201 according to the image data, forming an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 201. The developer 204 develops the electrostatic latent image with toner, forming a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 201. When the toner in the developer 204 is consumed by development, toner is supplied to the developer 204 from the toner bottle 205 via the toner supply path 206 as needed. The toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 201 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 208 by the primary transfer roller 207, which applies a predetermined pressure and electrostatic load bias. After transfer, any small amount of toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 201 is removed by the photosensitive drum cleaner 209. The toner removed by the photosensitive drum cleaner 209 is collected in the toner recovery container 211 via the toner recovery path 210. The toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 208, and the toner image is placed on the intermediate transfer belt 208. 【0035】 Meanwhile, sheets S are fed one by one from the sheet storage section 212 of the image forming unit 102 and transported to the registration roller 213. The leading edge of sheet S contacts the nip of the stopped registration roller 213, forming a loop in sheet S and correcting the skew of sheet S. Subsequently, the registration roller 213 starts rotating so that the leading edge of the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 208 and the leading edge of sheet S coincide at the secondary transfer unit ST, transporting sheet S to the secondary transfer unit ST. The toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 208 is transferred to sheet S by the secondary transfer unit ST with a predetermined pressure and electrostatic load bias applied. After transfer, any small amount of toner remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 208 is removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 216. The toner removed by the intermediate transfer belt cleaner 216 is collected in the toner recovery container 211 via the toner recovery path 210. The sheet S with the transferred toner image is transported to the fuser unit 103 by the pre-fixing transport belt 217. 【0036】 In this embodiment, a monochrome image forming apparatus is described as an example of an image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to a monochrome image forming apparatus, and may also be full-color or monochrome. 【0037】 (Operation Unit) Next, the configuration of the control unit 1 will be explained using Figures 1 and 6. Figure 6(a) is a perspective view of the control panel 7 from the panel section 15 side. Figure 6(b) is a perspective view of the control panel 7 from the rear side of the panel section 15. Figure 6(c) is a perspective view of the panel section 15 from the rear side with the control unit rear cover 18 removed from the control panel 7. 【0038】 The control unit 1 is movably mounted on the main frame 3 and main subframes 10a and 10b, which are the main body (housing) of the image forming apparatus 100. The control unit 1 has an operation panel 7 and a separate user access unit. The operation panel 7 is located on the control unit 1 and is an operation unit that can input signals to the main body of the apparatus. The separate user access unit is also located on the control unit 1. The control unit 1 has a user USB connection unit 8 and a power supply unit 9 as a separate user access unit from the operation panel. The control unit 1, with the operation panel 7, the user USB connection unit 8 and the power supply unit 9 integrated together, is movably mounted on the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. 【0039】 (Control panel) As shown in Figure 1, the control panel 7 is positioned approximately in the center of the control unit 1, between the user USB connection unit 8 and the power supply unit 9. 【0040】 As shown in Figures 6(a) to 6(c), the operation panel 7 comprises a panel section 15, a circuit board 16, an operation section frame 17, and an operation section rear cover 18. The panel section 15 is a roughly rectangular flat plate with a display section 19 on the front side of the image forming apparatus 100. The circuit board 16 is fastened and fixed to the back of the panel section 15 with screws and is connected to the display section 19 to transmit and receive electrical signals. The circuit board 16 is provided with a connector for connecting a cable 25 that electrically connects the control board (not shown) of the main body of the apparatus to the operation panel 7. The circuit board 16 is an electrical circuit board that controls the panel section 15 based on signals from the control unit of the main body of the image forming apparatus. The operation section frame 17 is fastened and fixed to the back of the panel section 15 with screws. As shown in Figure 7, the operation section frame 17 of the operation panel 7 is fastened and fixed to the operation section sub-base plate 4 with screws 66. 【0041】 The control panel 7 is electrically connected to the control board (not shown) of the main unit by a cable (25). 【0042】 As shown in Figure 6(b), the rear cover 18 of the control unit is fastened to the back of the panel 15 with screws and covers a portion of the circuit board 16 and the control unit frame 17. The rear cover 18 of the control unit has a cable passage opening 20 through which a cable 25 connected to a connector on the circuit board 16 passes. 【0043】 As shown in Figure 7, the cable 25 that has passed through the cable passage opening 20 passes through the cable holding portion 21a located on the operating section sub-base plate 4 and heads toward the rear side of the operating section sub-base plate 4. The cable 25 then passes through a plurality of cable holding portions 22 located on the rear side of the operating section base plate 2, heads toward the left side, passes through the cable holding portion 23 provided on the bending portion 24 of the operating section base plate, and heads toward the left side of the main body of the device. 【0044】 Figure 8 shows the cable holding member on the left side of the device body. As shown in Figure 8, the cable 25 passes through the cable holding section 23, then through a plurality of cable holding sections 26 provided on the left side of the device body, and proceeds from the front to the rear, connecting to a connector on a control board (not shown) located on the rear side of the device body. 【0045】 (User USB connection port) As shown in Figure 1, the user USB connection unit 8 is located on the left side of the operation panel 7. As shown in Figure 9(a), the user USB connection unit 8 has a USB connection connector 27 and a USB connection support plate 28. The USB connection connector 27 and the USB connection support plate 28 are fastened and fixed together with screws, and the USB connection support plate 28 is further fastened and fixed together with screws to the operation unit sub-base plate 4, so that the user USB connection unit 8 is located on the operation unit unit 1. The user USB connection unit 8 is located on the left side of the operation panel 7 in the operation unit left case section 29. 【0046】 As shown in Figure 1, the left control unit case 29 has a roughly rectangular box shape and consists of a left control unit case 30 having a bottom and sides, and a left control unit lid 31 having a top. 【0047】 As shown in Figure 9(a), the bottom surface 32 of the left case of the control unit 30 is fastened and fixed to the control unit sub-base plate 4 by screws 88. The bottom surface 32 of the left case of the control unit has a bottom opening 33. The bottom opening 33 of the left case of the control unit is positioned to avoid the user USB connection part 8, the screws 34a that fasten the control unit base plate 2 and the main frame 3, and the bent portion 11 of the main frame 3. 【0048】 Figure 9(b) is a perspective view of the left cover 31 of the operating section. As shown in Figure 9(b), the left cover 31 of the operating section has a snap-fit ​​35 on the front side and a shaft clamping portion 36 on the rear side. 【0049】 As shown in Figure 9(a), the left case 30 of the operating section has a shaft portion 37 on the rear side that corresponds to the shaft clamping portion 36, and a claw portion 38 on the front side that corresponds to the snap fit 35. 【0050】 The shaft portion 37 of the left case 30 of the operating section is clamped by the shaft clamping portion 36 of the left cover 31 of the operating section, and the snap-fit ​​35 of the left cover 31 of the operating section is engaged with the claw portion 38 of the left case 30 of the operating section, thereby fixing the left cover 31 to the left case 30 of the operating section. 【0051】 The left cover 31 of the operating section can be removed from the image forming apparatus by bending the snap-fit ​​35 to release its engagement with the claw portion 38. 【0052】 Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9(b), the left cover 31 of the control unit has a USB connection opening 80 at a position corresponding to the USB connection port of the USB connection connector 27. When the left cover 31 of the control unit is fixed to the left case 30 of the control unit, the user can connect the USB to the USB connection port of the USB connection connector 27. 【0053】 As shown in Figure 9(a), a USB connection cable 39 is connected to the USB connection connector 27. The bottom surface 32 of the left case of the control unit 30 has a bottom projection 40 that protrudes upward in a U direction towards the rear. The bottom projection 40 forms a space 41 for the USB connection cable to pass through, in a part of the space between the control unit sub-base plate 4 and the bottom surface 32 of the left case of the control unit, through which the USB connection cable 39 can pass. 【0054】 As shown in Figure 7, the USB connection cable 39 passes through the USB connection cable passage space 41 and the cable holding portion 21b of the control unit sub-base plate 4, and then heads towards the rear of the control unit sub-base plate 4. The USB connection cable 39 then passes through a plurality of cable holding portions 22 located at the rear of the control unit base plate 2, heads to the left, passes through the cable holding portion 23 provided on the bending portion 24 of the control unit base plate, and heads towards the left side of the main body of the device. 【0055】 Subsequently, as shown in Figure 8, the USB connection cable 39 passes through multiple cable holders 26 provided on the left side of the device body, moves from the front to the rear, and connects to a connector on a control board (not shown) located on the rear side of the device body. 【0056】 (Power supply unit section) As shown in Figure 1, the power supply unit 9 is located to the right of the control panel 7. The power supply unit 9 is located in the right-hand control case 49 on the right side of the control panel 7. 【0057】 As shown in Figure 1, the right case section 49 of the control unit has a roughly rectangular box shape and consists of the right case section 50 having a bottom and sides and the right cover section 51 having a top. 【0058】 As shown in Figure 10(a), the power supply unit 9 consists of a power switch 42 and a power switch support plate 43. The power switch support plate 43 is provided with screw fastening holes and is fastened with screws 79 to a self-tapping 77 (Figure 14(b)) on the bottom surface of the right case 50 of the operating unit, thereby fixing it to the right case 50 of the operating unit. The right case 50 of the operating unit has an opening at a position corresponding to the switch, which is the user-pressable part of the power switch 42, so that the user can press the power switch when the power switch support plate 43 is fixed to the right case 50 of the operating unit. In addition, an opening 60 is provided on the bottom surface of the right case 50 of the operating unit for accessing the screws 34c that fasten the operating unit base plate 2 and the main body subframe 10b. 【0059】 Figure 10(b) is a perspective view of the right cover of the operating section. As shown in Figure 10(b), the right cover 51 of the operating section has a snap-fit ​​55 on the front side and a shaft clamping portion 56 on the rear side. As shown in Figure 10(a), the right case 50 of the operating section has a shaft portion 57 on the rear side corresponding to the shaft clamping portion 56 and a claw portion 58 on the front side corresponding to the snap-fit ​​55. 【0060】 The shaft portion 57 of the right case 50 of the operating section is clamped by the shaft clamping portion 56 of the right cover 51 of the operating section, and the snap-fit ​​55 of the right cover 51 is engaged with the claw portion 58 of the right case 50 of the operating section, thereby fixing the right cover 51 to the right case 50 of the operating section. 【0061】 The right cover 51 of the operating section can be removed from the image forming apparatus by bending the snap-fit ​​55 to release its engagement with the claw portion 58. 【0062】 As shown in Figure 10(a), a power switch cable 52 is connected to the power switch 42. A power switch cable passage opening 53 is provided on the rear surface of the right case 50 of the control unit for the power switch cable 52 to pass through. The power switch cable 52 passes through a cable holding part 82 provided on the power switch support plate 43 and a cable holding part 21c provided on the bottom surface of the right case 50 of the control unit, passes through the power switch cable passage opening 53, and heads toward the rear of the main unit. As shown in Figure 7, the power switch cable 52 passes through a plurality of cable holding parts 22 located on the rear side of the control unit base plate 2, heads toward the left side, passes through a cable holding part 23 provided on the bent part 24 of the control unit base plate, and heads toward the left side of the main unit. 【0063】 Subsequently, as shown in Figure 8, the power switch cable 52 passes through a plurality of cable holding sections 26 provided on the left side of the device body, moves from the front to the rear, and connects to a connector on a control board (not shown) located on the rear side of the device body. 【0064】 The cables of the units included in the control unit 1 pass through the cable holding portion 23 provided on the bending portion 24 of the control unit base plate and head toward the left side of the main body of the device, pass through the cable holding portion 26 provided on the left side of the main body of the device and head from front to rear, and connect to the connector of the control board (not shown) located on the rear side of the main body of the device. 【0065】 Furthermore, while this configuration assumes that all cables of the units included in the control unit 1 pass through the same cable holder, it is not limited to this configuration. For example, each cable of the units included in the control unit 1 may pass through a different cable holder, or some cables of the units included in the control unit 1 may pass through the same cable holder. 【0066】 (Top cover) As shown in Figure 1, an upper cover 61 is provided on the left side of the operation unit 1, and the upper cover 61 covers the toner recovery container 211, the discharge transport path 304, and the discharge transport path substrate. 【0067】 Figure 11 is a perspective view of the upper cover 61. As shown in Figure 11, an upper cover rib 62 is positioned vertically downward on the front of the lower surface of the upper cover 61, and holes 64 for screw fastening to the main body are provided on the upper cover rib surface. Screw holes (not shown) are positioned on the main body of the image forming apparatus corresponding to the screw fastening holes 64 on the upper cover rib surface, and the upper cover 61 can be fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus by fastening the screw fastening holes 64 on the upper cover rib surface and the screw holes with screws. The upper cover 61 can also be removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus by removing the screws. 【0068】 (Front cover) As shown in Figure 1, a front cover 59 for the document scanner is provided between the document scanner 105 and the operation unit 1. The front cover 59 for the document scanner covers the cable holder 23 provided on the bending portion 24 of the operation unit base plate, the cable holder 22 provided on the operation unit base plate 2, the operation unit base plate 2, and the screws 34b and 34d of the main frame 3 (Figures 9(a) and 10(a)). 【0069】 Figure 12 is a perspective view of the front cover 59 of the document reader. As shown in Figure 12, the front cover 59 of the document reader is provided with screw holes 67a and 67b on its top and side surfaces for fastening to the main body. The main body of the image forming apparatus has screw holes positioned to correspond to the screw fastening holes 67a and 67b of the front cover 59 of the document reader. The front cover 59 of the document reader can be fixed to the main body of the image forming apparatus by fastening the screw fastening holes 67a and 67b of the front cover 59 to the screw holes of the main body of the image forming apparatus with screws. The front cover 59 of the document reader can also be removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus by removing the screws. 【0070】 (Base plate of the control unit) Now, let's describe the base plate of the control unit 1. 【0071】 As shown in Figure 1, an operation unit 1 is provided on the front side of the main body of the image forming apparatus 100. The operation unit 1 is movably attached to the main frame 3 and main subframes 10a and 10b, which are the main body (housing) of the image forming apparatus 100. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the operation unit 1 from the rear. As shown in Figure 7, the operation unit 1 has an operation base plate 2 and an operation sub-base plate 4 as base plates. 【0072】 Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the operating unit base plate 2 and operating unit sub-base plate 4 mounted on the main body subframes 10a and 10b. As shown in Figure 13, the operating unit base plate 2 is fixed to the main body subframes 10a and 10b, which are the housings of the image forming apparatus, by fastening them with screws 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d. 【0073】 The operating section sub-base plate 4 is welded to the operating section base plate 2. By arranging a hat-shaped portion 76 on the operating section sub-base plate 4, a contact portion 5 is provided where the surfaces of the operating section base plate 2 and the operating section sub-base plate 4 are in contact, and a non-contact portion 6 is provided where the surfaces of the operating section base plate 2 and the operating section sub-base plate 4 do not come into contact and there is a space between them. The contact portion 5 is where the operating section base plate 2 and the operating section sub-base plate 4 are welded together. 【0074】 In this embodiment, the control unit base plate 2 and the control unit sub-base plate 4 are fixed by welding, but this is not the only method. For example, the control unit base plate 2 and the control unit sub-base plate 4 may be fixed by screw fastening or the like. 【0075】 As shown in Figure 1, the control unit 1 includes an operation panel 7, a user USB connection port 8, a power supply unit 9, a left control unit 29, and a right control unit 49. The non-contact portion 6 of the control unit sub-base plate 4 is provided with tapped holes for fastening screws to the operation panel 7, user USB connection port 8, left control unit 29, and right control unit 49 located on the control unit 1. 【0076】 As shown in Figure 7, the control panel 7 is fastened to the control unit sub-base plate 4 with screws 66 which serve as fixing members. 【0077】 Figure 9(a) is a perspective view of the inside of the left side of the control unit. As shown in Figure 9(a), the user USB connection part 8 and the left case part 29 of the control unit are fastened to the control unit sub-base plate 4 with screws 78 which serve as fixing members. 【0078】 Figure 10(a) is a perspective view of the inside of the right side of the control unit. As shown in Figure 10(a), the right case portion 49 of the control unit is fastened to the control unit sub-base plate 4 with screws 87 which serve as fixing members. 【0079】 The right case 50 of the control unit, which has the bottom surface of the right case 49 of the control unit, has a self-tapping mechanism 77 (Figure 14(b)) for arranging the power supply unit 9, and the power supply unit 9 is fastened to the right case 50 of the control unit with screws 79 which serve as fixing members. 【0080】 Thus, the control unit 1 has a configuration in which the control panel 7, the user USB connection part 8, the left control unit case part 29, and the power supply unit part 9 are fastened together with screws 79 to the right control unit case part 49, which are fixed together with screws as fixing members. 【0081】 The operation unit 1 is exemplified as having an operation panel 7 and a user USB connection unit 8 and a power supply unit 9 as user access parts other than the operation panel, but is not limited to this configuration. The user access parts are not limited to the operation panel 7, user USB connection unit 8 and power supply unit 9, but may also include units such as an IC card reader, NFC, and keypad, as long as they are accessible to the user. In this case, the units included in the operation unit 1 are fixed to the operation unit sub-base plate 4 or either the operation unit left case 30 or the operation unit right case 50 by fastening screws or the like. 【0082】 Figure 14(a) is a schematic diagram of the screws 66, 78, 87, and 88 of the control unit sub-base plate 4, control panel 7, user USB connection unit 8, control unit left case unit 29, and control unit right case unit 49. As shown in Figure 14(a), a space 44 is provided between the non-contact portion 6 of the control unit base plate 2 and the control unit sub-base plate 4. The control panel 7, user USB connection unit 8, power supply unit 9, etc. are then fixed to the upper surface of the non-contact portion 6 of the control unit sub-base plate 4 with screws 66, 78, 87, and 88, which serve as fixing members. As a result, when the control panel 7, user USB connection unit 8, power supply unit 9, etc. are fastened to the control unit sub-base plate 4 with screws, the tips of the legs of the screws 66, 78, 87, and 88, which serve as fixing members, are positioned above the main frame 3. 【0083】 Figure 14(b) is a schematic diagram of the power switch support plate 43 of the power supply unit 9 and the screws 79 of the right case 50 of the control unit. As shown in Figure 14(b), the power switch support plate 43 of the power supply unit 9 and the right case 50 of the control unit 49 are fixed to self-tapping screws 79, which are fixing members, on the bottom surface of the right case 50 of the control unit. The self-tapping screws 77 (screws 79, which are fixing members) between the right case 50 of the control unit and the power supply unit 9 are positioned above the control unit sub-base plate 4. 【0084】 In this configuration, a space 44 is provided between the non-contact portion 6 of the control unit base plate 2 and the control unit sub-base plate 4, and the user access portion of the control unit 1, including the control panel 7, is fixed to the non-contact portion 6 of the control unit sub-base plate 4 by fixing members (screws 66, 78, 87, 88). With this configuration, when the control unit 1 is moved, the tips of the legs of screws 66, 78, 87, 88 and the self-tapping screws 77 (screw 79) do not come into contact with the main frame 3 and the main subframes 10a, 10b, and the movement of the control unit 1 is not obstructed. 【0085】 Furthermore, prior to moving the control unit 1, there is no need to loosen or remove the screws on the control unit sub-base plate 4, control panel 7, user USB connection 8, left control unit case 29, or right control unit case 49. Therefore, the amount of work required when moving the control unit 1 can be reduced. 【0086】 In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 14(a), a space 44 is provided in the non-contact portion 6 between the operating section sub-base plate 4 and the operating section base plate 2. However, the embodiment is not limited to this, and may be a single component with surfaces of different heights, as shown in Figure 14(c). Figure 41(c) is a schematic diagram of another example of screws 66, 78, 87, and 88. In this case, the operating section unit has a first surface and a second surface provided vertically above the first surface, as a base plate fixed to the main frame 3. Specifically, the base plate has a contact portion (first surface) 5 where the surface of the base plate and the surface of the main frame 3 come into contact, and a non-contact portion (second surface) 6 where the surface of the base plate and the surface of the main frame 3 do not come into contact and have a space 44. Then, tapped holes are provided in the non-contact portion (second surface) 6 of the base plate for fixing the operation panel 7, the user USB connection portion 8, the left operation unit case portion 29, and the right operation unit case portion 49 with screws. The operation panel 7 and user access portion of the operation unit 1 are then fixed to the non-contact portion (second surface) 6 with screws 66, 78, 87, and 88 as fixing members. This configuration ensures that the tips of the legs of the screws 66, 78, 87, and 88 are positioned above the main frame 3 and the main subframes 10a and 10b. With this arrangement, when the operation unit 1 is moved, the tips of the legs of the screws 66, 78, 87, and 88 do not come into contact with the main frame 3 and the main subframes 10a and 10b, allowing the operation unit 1 to rotate. 【0087】 It is not necessary for the tips of all screws (fixing members) to be positioned above the main frame 3; at least one screw (fixing member) may be positioned above the main frame 3 and the main subframes 10a and 10b. 【0088】 (Movement of the control unit) Next, using Figures 15(a), 15(b), 15(c), 16(a), 16(b), and 16(c), the configuration for moving the operating unit from the first position to the second position relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus will be explained. 【0089】 The operating unit 1 is held relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus (main frame 3) so as to rotate between a first position and a second position. When the operating unit 1 moves from the first position to the second position, it moves horizontally from the first position shown in Figure 16(a) to the position shown in Figure 16(b), and then rotates to the second position shown in Figure 16(c). 【0090】 Figures 16(a), 16(b), and 16(c) show the operation unit 1 with the front cover 59 and upper cover 61 of the document reader removed. Figure 16(a) shows the operation unit 1 in the first position before movement. Figure 16(b) shows the operation unit 1 before rotation, i.e., after moving to the center of rotation. Figure 16(c) shows the operation unit 1 in the second position after rotation. 【0091】 As shown in Figure 13, the main body subframe 10a, which is the housing of the image forming apparatus, has a rotating holding part 81 that protrudes vertically upward. The rotating holding part 81 is positioned on the main body subframe 10a of the main body frame 3 and holds the operating unit 1 so that it can rotate between a first position and a second position. 【0092】 The rotation holding portion 81 has a bent portion 11 as a shaft portion and a convex portion 12 as a restricting portion. The bent portion 11, which serves as the axis of rotation by the rotation holding portion 81, is aligned in the vertical direction (up and down direction) when the installation portion 101 of the image forming apparatus body is facing the installation surface 110 (as shown in Figures 2 and 4). The bent portion 11 contacts the operation unit 1 on one side from the left-right center of the operation unit and becomes the center of rotation (axis of rotation). The convex portion 12 holds the aforementioned one side of the operation unit at the second position, where the other side of the operation unit 1 from the left-right center is rotated to the front of the apparatus body from the first position. The convex portion 12 restricts the upward vertical movement of the operation unit 1 that is in contact with the bent portion 11 and holds the aforementioned one side of the operation unit. 【0093】 In other words, the operating unit 1 includes a first part 1A and a second part 1B (see Figure 16). The first part 1A of the operating unit 1 is the part located on one side of the center in the left-right direction of the operating unit 1 when the operating unit 1 is in the first position. The second part 1B of the operating unit 1 is the part located on the other side of the center in the left-right direction of the operating unit 1 when the operating unit 1 is in the first position. The bending part 11, which serves as the axis of rotation by the rotation holding part 81, is located on the first part 1A of the operating unit 1. As the operating unit 1 rotates from the first position to the second position, the second part 1B moves forward. 【0094】 Figures 15(a), 15(b), and 15(c) are enlarged perspective views of the vicinity of the bent portion 11. 【0095】 Figure 15(a) shows the first position of the control unit 1, Figure 15(b) shows the position of the control unit 1 after horizontal movement, which is the position before rotational movement, and Figure 15(c) shows the second position of the control unit 1 after rotational movement. 【0096】 As shown in Figure 15(a), the operating unit 1 has an opening 13 and a notch 14 in positions that avoid the bent portion 11 on the main body side when the operating unit 1 in the first position is viewed from above in the vertical direction. The opening 13 is located on the operating base plate 2 and is positioned to avoid the bent portion 11 of the main body subframe 10a. The notch 14 is located on the operating subbase plate 4 and is positioned to avoid the bent portion 11. 【0097】 As shown in Figure 15(b), before rotational movement, the operating unit 1 is moved horizontally from the first position to a position where it contacts the bent portion 11, and the opening 13 of the operating base plate 2 abuts against the bent portion 11 of the main body subframe 10a. After abutment, the operating unit 1 is rotated around the point of contact between the opening 13 of the bent portion 11, as shown in Figure 15(c). In short, the point of contact between the opening 13 of the bent portion 11 becomes the rotation center 74 when the operating unit 1 rotates. 【0098】 As shown in Figure 15(a), the rotation holding part 81 is provided so as to protrude vertically upward from the upper surface of the main body subframe 10a, and a convex portion 12 is positioned behind the bent portion 11. The rotation holding part 81 has a horizontal cross-sectional area BB at its tip that is larger than the horizontal cross-sectional area AA at its base. This prevents the opening 13 of the operating base plate 2 from coming off the bent portion 11 when the operating unit 1 rotates. 【0099】 Specifically, when the control unit 1 rotates, if it tilts forward, the portion of the control base plate 2 outside the opening 13 catches on the protrusion 12, thereby preventing the control unit 1 from falling from the image forming apparatus body. 【0100】 In this embodiment, the rotating holding part 81 (bending part 11), which serves as the rotation center of the operating unit 1, is positioned on the main body subframe 10a, which is the housing of the image forming apparatus. However, the position of the rotating holding part 81 is not limited to the main body subframe 10a, which is the housing of the image forming apparatus; it may also be positioned on the main body frame 3, or on a unit other than the housing. 【0101】 Furthermore, the shape of the rotating support portion 81 is not limited to the bent portion 11 shown in Figure 15(a), but may also be a cylinder, a rectangular prism, or the like. In that case as well, the cross-sectional area BB at the tip of the rotating support portion 81 may be made larger than the cross-sectional area AA at the base to prevent the operating unit 1 from falling. Alternatively, a screw or the like with a cross-sectional area BB at the tip larger than the cross-sectional area AA at the base may be used as the rotating support portion 81. 【0102】 If a screw is used as the rotation holding part 81, the rotation holding part 81 may also serve to fasten the operation unit 1 to the image forming apparatus body. In that case, when the operation unit 1 is rotated to the second position, the screw (rotation holding part) is loosened and the operation unit 1 is rotated. Also, the shape of the opening 13 in the operation base plate 2 is not limited to a polygon, but may be a round hole, teardrop hole, oval hole, etc. Figure 17 shows a diagram in which the shape of the rotation holding part 81 is cylindrical and the shape of the opening 13 in the operation base plate 2 is a teardrop hole 84. Even with this configuration, the same effects as those shown in Figures 15(a) to 15(c) can be expected. 【0103】 Next, we will explain the procedure for moving the control unit 1 from the first position to the second position. 【0104】 Remove the screws securing the top cover 61 to the main body of the image forming apparatus, and remove the top cover 61 from the main body of the image forming apparatus. Removing the top cover 61 from the main body of the image forming apparatus allows access to the screws 65 (Figure 8) on the side of the front cover 59 of the document reader, and prevents interference between the top cover 61 and the operation unit 1 when the operation unit 1 rotates. 【0105】 After removing the top cover 61, the screws 65 connecting the front cover 59 of the document scanner to the main body of the image forming apparatus are removed, and the front cover 59 of the document scanner is removed from the main body of the image forming apparatus. By removing the front cover 59 of the document scanner from the main body of the image forming apparatus, it becomes possible to access the screws 34b and 34d (Figure 16(a)) that fasten the operation unit base plate 2 and the main frame 3, and the front cover 59 of the document scanner and the operation unit 1 do not interfere with each other when the operation unit 1 rotates. 【0106】 The snap-fit ​​35 of the left cover 31 of the control unit is flexed to release its engagement with the claw portion 38 of the left case 30 of the control unit, and the left cover 31 of the control unit is removed from the left case 30 of the control unit. By removing the left cover 31 of the control unit from the left case 30 of the control unit, it becomes possible to access the screws 34a (Figure 9(a)) that fasten the control unit base plate 2 and the main frame 3. 【0107】 The snap-fit ​​55 of the right cover 51 of the control unit is flexed to release its engagement with the claw portion 58 of the right case 50 of the control unit, and the right cover 51 of the control unit is removed from the right case 50 of the control unit. By removing the right cover 51 of the control unit from the right case 50 of the control unit, it becomes possible to access the screws 34c (Figure 10(a)) that fasten the control unit base plate 2 and the main frame 3. 【0108】 As described above, removing the front cover 59 and upper cover 61 of the document reader secures space for the rotational movement of the operation unit 1. Additionally, removing the front cover 59 of the document reader, the left cover 31 of the operation unit, and the right cover 51 of the operation unit from the main body of the image forming apparatus provides access to the screws 34a to 34d that fasten the operation unit 1 to the main body subframes 10a and 10b. 【0109】 Next, in order to move the operation unit 1 relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus, the screws 34a to 34d that fasten the operation unit 1 to the main body subframes 10a and 10b are removed. By removing the screws 34a to 34d, it becomes possible to move the operation unit 1 relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus. 【0110】 After removing the screws, move the operating unit 1 to the rotation center as shown below and rotate it. 【0111】 First, the operating unit 1, which has become movable relative to the main body of the image forming apparatus, is moved horizontally from the first position to a position where it contacts the rotation holding unit 81. Specifically, the operating unit 1 is moved to a position where the left end face 69 of the opening 13 of the operating base plate 2 shown in Figure 15(a) and the left side surface 70 of the bent portion 11 of the main body subframe 10a are in contact, and the ridge line 71 of the opening 13 of the operating base plate 2 and the ridge line 72 of the left side surface 70 of the bent portion 11 of the main body subframe 10a are in contact (Figure 15(b)). Then, the operating unit 1 is rotated clockwise when viewed from above the image forming apparatus, around the point where the ridge line 72 of the bent portion 11 contacts the ridge line 71 of the opening 13 (Figure 15(c)). 【0112】 Since the rotation center is located on the left side of the control unit 1, when the control unit 1 is rotated clockwise, a space is created between the right side of the control unit 1 and the document reading device 105, as shown in Figure 16(c), allowing the operator to access the inside of the image forming apparatus. 【0113】 The image forming apparatus of this embodiment is the monochrome image forming apparatus shown in Figure 4. In the monochrome image forming apparatus shown in Figure 4, the image forming unit 102, which serves as the maintenance unit, is located on the opposite side in the left-right direction from the side where the rotating holding unit 81, which serves as the rotation center of the operation unit 1, is located. Therefore, by rotating the operation unit 1 with the rotating holding unit 81 as the rotation center, and moving the side where the image forming unit 102 is located forward, a space is created between the right side of the operation unit 1 and the document reading device 105. This allows the operator to access the laser scanner 203 of the image forming unit 102 shown in Figure 4 from the aforementioned space. In addition, in the second position, the left side of the operation unit 1 is held by the rotating holding unit 81, preventing it from falling from the main body of the apparatus. 【0114】 In this embodiment, the rotation center 74 of the operation unit 1 is set to the left, and by rotating the operation unit 1 clockwise, a space for accessing the maintenance section is created between the right side of the operation unit 1 and the document reader 105. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the rotation center 74 of the operation unit 1 may be set to the right, and the operation unit 1 may be rotated counterclockwise. Even with this configuration, a space for accessing the maintenance section is created between the left side of the operation unit 1 and the document reader 105. 【0115】 Next, we will explain the distance the cable holding part 23 moves when the operating unit 1 is rotated relative to the main body of the device. 【0116】 As shown in Figures 13 and 16(a), the cable holding portion 23, which is located on the operating unit base plate 2, is positioned near the rotation holding portion 81 (bending portion 11), which is the rotation center 74 of the operating unit 1. The cable holding portion (first cable holding portion) 23 is located on the first part 1A of the operating unit 1. Furthermore, the cable holding portion 23 is positioned so that the cables 25, 39, and 52 of the operating unit 1 shown in Figure 7 span across the operating unit 1 and the main body of the image forming apparatus. 【0117】 Figure 18 schematically shows the operating unit 1, the cable holding part 23, the rotation center 74, and the right rear end 75 of the operating unit 1 near the access space. In Figure 18, the operating unit 1 in the first position is shown by a solid line, and the operating unit 1 in the second position is shown by a dotted line. 【0118】 The distance β traveled from the cable holding part 23 at the first position to the cable holding part 23' at the second position can be calculated using the following formula (1), where l is the distance from the rotation center 74 to the cable holding part 23 at the first position and θ is the rotation angle of the operating unit 1. 【0119】 β = 2 × l × sin(θ / 2) …(1) 【0120】 When the distance L1 from the rotation center 74 to the cable holding part 23 at the first position is 100 mm and the rotation angle θ is 10 degrees, the travel distance β will be approximately 17 mm. 【0121】 On the other hand, the distance α traveled from the right rear end 75 of the first position to the right rear end 75' of the second position of the operating unit 1 can be calculated by the following formula (2), where L is the distance from the rotation center 74 to the right rear end 75 of the first position. 【0122】 α = 2 × L × sin(θ / 2) …(2) 【0123】 If the distance L2 from the rotation center 74 to the right rear end 75 of the first position is 600 mm and the rotation angle θ is 10 degrees, the travel distance α will be approximately 105 mm. 【0124】 In this way, the control unit 1 can be moved approximately 105 mm to the right rear access space, while the movement distance of the cable holding unit 23 can be limited to approximately 17 mm. 【0125】 There is a concern that the cables 25, 39, and 52 may be pulled and break due to the 17mm movement of the cable holding part 23. However, as shown in Figure 8, the cables 25, 39, and 52 of the operating unit 1 between the cable holding part 23 and the cable holding part 26a have a curved section 73a, which allows the 17mm movement to be subtracted. 【0126】 Details are explained below. 【0127】 Figure 19 shows schematic diagrams of the cable holding section 23 and cable holding section 26a, and the cables 25, 39, and 52 between the cable holding sections 26a and 23. In Figure 19, the solid lines represent the cables 25, 39, and 52 when the operating unit 1 is in the first position, and the dotted lines represent the cables 25, 39, and 52 when the operating unit 1 is in the second position. 【0128】 The cable holding section (second cable holding section) 26a is located on the main body of the image forming apparatus. The cable holding section 26a is located closest to the cable holding section (first cable holding section) 23. The cable holding section 26a holds the cables 25, 39, and 52, which are held by the cable holding section 23 and span the main body of the image forming apparatus and the operation unit 1, at the position closest to the cable holding section 23. 【0129】 The cable holding portion 23 located on the operation unit side has a passage space for the cable in the left-right direction (first direction) and is a first holding portion that holds the cable in the passage space. The cable holding portion 26a located on the image forming apparatus main body side has a passage space for the cable in the front-back direction (second direction) that intersects with the left-right direction and is a second holding portion that holds the cable in the passage space. 【0130】 As shown in Figure 19, when the operating unit 1 is in the first position, the cables 25, 39, and 52 between the cable holding part 23 and the cable holding part 26a have a curved portion 73a. When the operating unit 1 is in the second position, the curved portion 73a of the cables 25, 39, and 52 between the cable holding parts 26a and 23 becomes a nearly straight portion 73a' connecting the cable holding part 23 and the cable holding part 26a. 【0131】 The curved portion 73a of the cable has a length that is at least straight between the cable holding portion 23 and the cable holding portion 26a when the operating unit 1 is in the second position. The curved portion 73a of the cable is longer than the length that is straight between the cable holding portion 23 and the cable holding portion 26a when the operating unit 1 is in the first position. The curved portion 73a of the cable has a length that is at least the straight length between the cable holding portions 23 and 26a when the operating unit 1 is in the first position, plus the distance that the cable holding portion 23 moves from the first position to the second position. 【0132】 This configuration shortens the distance that cables 25, 39, and 52 must travel between cable holding section 23 and cable holding section 26a when the operating unit 1 is rotated. 【0133】 In addition, the cable passage spaces in the cable holding sections 26a and 23 are larger than the diameters of the cables 25, 39, and 52. Therefore, even when the cables 25, 39, and 52 are pulled toward the operating unit 1 by the rotational movement of the operating unit 1, they still move within the cable holding sections 23 and 26a. This shortens the distance the cables have to pass between the cable holding section 23 and the cable holding section 26a. 【0134】 Furthermore, in addition to the curved section 73a between the cable holding sections 26a and 23 mentioned above, multiple other cable curves are provided. For example, there are the cable curves 73b to 73d between the cable holding sections on the side of the image forming apparatus shown in Figure 8, and the cable curves 73e to 73g between the cable holding sections of the operation unit 1 shown in Figure 7. In these curves 73b to 73d and curves 73e to 73g, as with the curved section 73a mentioned above, the cable passage distance of the operation unit 1 can be shortened. 【0135】 In this way, even when the cable between the cable holding parts 26a and 23 is pulled by the movement of the cable holding part 23 on the operation unit 1 side relative to the cable holding part 26a on the main body side, the cable can change its path and thus avoid disconnection. 【0136】 In this embodiment, no space is provided for the excess length of the cable of the control unit, but a space for the excess length of the cable of the control unit may be provided. 【0137】 Next, the positions of the cable holding portion 23 of the operation unit 1 and the cable holding portion 26a of the image forming apparatus body will be described. 【0138】 As shown in Figure 13, the cable holding portion 26a of the image forming apparatus body is positioned near the cable holding portion 23 of the operation unit 1. It is desirable that the distance between the cable holding portion 26a of the image forming apparatus body and the cable holding portion 23 of the operation unit 1 be close, preferably within approximately 300 mm. By positioning them in this way, it is possible to avoid disconnection of the cables 25, 39, and 52 of the operation unit 1 by pinching them with other units when attaching other units to the image forming apparatus. 【0139】 In this embodiment, it is desirable that the distance from the rotating holding part 81 (bending part 11), which is the rotation center 74, to the cable holding part 23 is about 100 mm, and the distance from the cable holding part 23 to the cable holding part 26a of the image forming apparatus body is within 300 mm. As a result, it is preferable that the distance from the rotating holding part 81, which is the rotation center 74, to the cable holding part 26a of the image forming apparatus body is within 400 mm. 【0140】 In this embodiment, the rotation angle θ of the control unit 1 (see Figure 18) is set to 10 degrees, but the rotation angle θ is not limited to this and may be 90 degrees, etc. In this case, not only a part of the rear side of the control unit 1, but the entire rear side of the control unit 1 can be used as access space. 【0141】 As described above, this embodiment allows for movement of the operating unit between the first and second positions with a simple configuration, thereby improving workability when the operating unit is moved. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0142】 1 ...Operation Unit 1A…First part 1B…Second part 2 ... Control panel base plate 3…Main frame 4. Control panel sub-base plate 5 ... Contact area 6 ... Non-contact part 7. Control panel 8 ... USB connection port 9. Power supply unit 10a, 10b ... Main subframe 11 ...bending section 12 ... protruding part 13...Aperture 14 ... Notch 15 ... Panel section 21a, 21b, 21c, 22, 23, 23a, 26, 26a, 82 ... Cable holding section 24 ...Operation section base plate bending section 25, 39, 52… Cable 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 65, 66, 78, 79, 87, 88 ...bis 61... Top cover 71, 72 ...ridgeline 73a~73g…Curved part 73a′...Straight section 74 ... Center of rotation 76 ... Hat-shaped section 81 ... Rotation holding part 100 ...Image forming apparatus 101...Installation part 102 ...Image forming unit 110…Installation surface

Claims

[Claim 1] The main body of the device, An operating unit having an operating section for inputting signals to the main body of the device, The device body comprises a rotating holding unit that holds the operating unit so that it rotates between a first position and a second position, An image forming apparatus characterized in that, with the mounting portion of the apparatus body facing the mounting surface, the rotation axis of the rotation holding portion is aligned in the vertical direction. [Claim 2] The aforementioned operating unit is With the operating unit in the first position, the first portion located on one side of the center in the left-right direction of the operating unit, With the operating unit in the first position, it includes a second portion located on the other side of the center of the operating unit in the left-right direction, The rotation shaft of the rotation holding part is positioned in the first part of the operating unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the second portion moves forward as the operating unit rotates from the first position to the second position. [Claim 3] A cable that electrically connects the main body of the device and the operating unit, The first cable holding portion is located in the first part of the operating unit and holds the cable, The device body comprises a second cable holding portion located closest to the first cable holding portion and for holding the cable, The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the distance between the second cable holding portion and the rotation axis by the rotation holding portion is within 400 mm. [Claim 4] The aforementioned operating unit further includes a user access unit separate from the operating unit, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating unit and the user access unit are rotated together around the rotation axis. [Claim 5] The aforementioned operating unit is A base plate fixed to the main body of the device, It comprises a sub-base plate positioned on the upper surface of the base plate and fixed to the base plate, The sub-base plate has a contact portion that contacts the base plate and a non-contact portion that has a space without contacting the base plate. The user access portion of the operating unit is fixed to the non-contact portion of the sub-base plate by a fixing member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the fixing member fixed to the non-contact portion of the sub-base plate does not come into contact with the main body of the apparatus when the operating unit rotates. [Claim 6] The aforementioned operating unit has a base plate fixed to the main body of the device, The base plate has a first surface and a second surface located vertically above the first surface. The user access portion of the aforementioned operating unit is fixed to the second surface by a fixing member. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the fixing member fixed to the second surface does not come into contact with the main body of the apparatus when the operating unit rotates. [Claim 7] The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the rotating holding part is provided so as to protrude vertically upward from the upper surface of the apparatus body, and the cross-sectional area of ​​the horizontal cross-section at the tip is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the horizontal cross-section at the base. [Claim 8] The aforementioned rotating holding part is A shaft portion that contacts the aforementioned operating unit and becomes the rotation axis, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a restricting portion that restricts the vertical upward movement of the operating unit that is in contact with the shaft portion. [Claim 9] The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating unit is moved horizontally from the first position and then rotated to the second position about the rotation axis. [Claim 10] The aforementioned operating unit has an opening, The opening is positioned to avoid the rotation holding portion when the operating unit in the first position is viewed from above in the vertical direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that the contact portion of the rotating holding portion with the opening becomes the rotation center of the operating unit. [Claim 11] The aforementioned device body has a maintenance section inside, The maintenance unit is located on the opposite side in the left-right direction from the side of the operating unit where the rotation holding unit is located. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the first portion of the operating unit is held by the rotating holding unit at the second position, where the side on which the maintenance unit is located is rotated to a position in front of the main body of the apparatus than the first position. [Claim 12] The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the cable has a curved portion between the first cable holding portion and the second cable holding portion that is longer than the straight line connecting the first cable holding portion and the second cable holding portion. [Claim 13] The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the passage space for holding the cable in the first cable holding portion and the second cable holding portion is larger than the diameter of the cable. [Claim 14] A first holding portion having a passage space for the cable in a first direction, and holding the cable in the passage space, The cable has a passage space in a second direction intersecting the first direction of the cable, and a second holding portion that holds the cable in the passage space, The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the cable between the first holding portion and the second holding portion has a curved portion. [Claim 15] The image forming apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the curved portion has a length that is linear at least between the first holding portion and the second holding portion when the operating unit is in the second position. [Claim 16] The image forming apparatus according to claim 15, characterized in that the distance β of the first holding portion to move from the first position to the second position is calculated by β = 2 × l × sin(θ / 2), where l is the distance from the rotating holding portion to the first holding portion and θ is the rotation angle of the operating unit.

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