Image forming system

Abstract

To solve the problem in which: a display of a conventional operation unit forms an angle of substantially 90 degrees with respect to a placement surface on which a support stand is placed and may be difficult to see from a viewpoint at a high position; meanwhile, when the display is made parallel to the placement surface, it may be difficult to see from a low viewpoint.SOLUTION: An image forming system has a housing that has a top surface, and an operation unit that is placed freely with respect to the top surface and receives an operation performed by a user in performing image formation. The operation unit includes a display panel having a display surface that displays information on the image formation, and a support stand that supports the display panel so that the inclination angle of the display surface with respect to the top surface becomes 5 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system having an operation unit that can be freely placed on a top surface of a housing. [Background technology]

[0002] Image forming apparatuses such as copiers have an operation unit that allows the user to change operations and operate detailed settings for each operation, etc. Even in a system (image forming system) in which optional devices such as a paper feed unit, a transport unit, and a post-processing unit are connected to the image forming apparatus, the user uses the operation unit to perform setting operations for various optional devices.

[0003] In the case of a large-scale image forming system having a long overall length in which multiple optional devices are connected as described above, a user may perform operations on the optional devices at a location distant from the image forming apparatus in which the operation unit is installed, and it is troublesome for the user to move back and forth between these optional devices every time they operate the optional devices and the operation unit.

[0004] In view of this, for example, an operation unit has been proposed that can be installed not only in an image forming apparatus but also in an optional device (Patent Document 1). The operation unit described in Patent Document 1 has a display that displays information to a user, an arm that supports the display, and a support base that supports the display via the arm. The display supported by the arm extending from the support base is at a predetermined angle with respect to the placement surface on which the support base is placed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-243977 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, the display of the operation unit of the image forming apparatus of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is angled at about 90 degrees with respect to the placement surface on which the support stand is placed, which may make it difficult to see from a high viewpoint. On the other hand, if the display were parallel to the placement surface, it may be difficult to see from a low viewpoint. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an image forming system according to the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, a first housing having a top surface and a transport unit that transports the sheet, and an operation unit that is movably placed on the top surface and receives operations by a user, the operation unit having a second housing that is separate from the first housing, a display surface that displays information related to image formation, and a rotation unit that supports the second housing and rotates in a predetermined direction, and when the operation unit is placed on the top surface, In a first state in which the angle between the rotation portion and the top surface is a first angle, The display surface and the top surface is a second Form an angle. When the operation unit is placed on the top surface, in a second state in which an angle between the rotation unit and the top surface is a third angle, the display surface and the top surface form a fourth angle larger than the second angle, and the rotation unit further has a contact portion that contacts the top surface in the second state and does not contact the top surface in the first state. It is characterized by: Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, by positioning the display panel of the operation unit so that it is at an angle of 5 degrees to 45 degrees with respect to the support surface of the operation unit which is placed on the top surface of the image forming device, the information displayed on the display panel can be easily viewed from both a high and a low viewpoint. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an image forming system. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an image forming system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a control configuration of an operation unit in the image forming system. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation unit placed on the top surface of a housing of the image forming system, to the left of a reading device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an operation unit placed on the top surface of a housing of the image forming system to the right of a reading device. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an operation unit. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining the operation unit when the inclination angle of the display surface with respect to the top surface is changed. [Figure 9] 11A to 11C are diagrams for explaining visibility when the display surface of the operation unit is viewed from viewpoints at different heights. [Figure 10] 4A and 4B are diagrams for explaining an arm provided on a support base that supports an operation unit. [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining adjustment of the inclination angle of the display surface relative to the top surface by rotating the arm. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the operation unit for explaining a rotating arm. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the operation unit for explaining a rotating arm. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] 13A and 13B are diagrams for explaining a mechanism for adjusting the inclination angle of the display surface relative to the top surface using legs having threaded threads. [Figure 16] FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a numerical value input unit which is an optional device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the dimensions, materials, shapes, relative positions, and the like of the components described below are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention unless otherwise specified.

[0011] (Image forming device) Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 17. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the front side facing the image forming apparatus 2 is defined as the front direction F, the back side (rear side) is defined as the rear direction B, the left side is defined as the left direction L, the right side is defined as the right direction R, the upper side is defined as the upward direction U, and the lower side is defined as the downward direction D.

[0012] (Image forming device) As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming system 1 of the present embodiment includes an image forming device 2, which is, for example, a printer, and a post-processing device 103 that is arranged adjacent to the left direction L side of the image forming device 2 and can stack sheets S on which images are formed. In this embodiment, the image forming device 2 and the post-processing device 103 are defined as a housing. The top surface 109 that can be used as a work space is provided on the upper surface of the image forming device 2. In this embodiment, the top surface 109 is configured to be wider than the maximum size (e.g., A3 size) of the sheet S on which the image forming device 2 can form an image. A user who uses the image forming system 1 spreads, for example, a drawing or the like on the top surface 109 and performs work such as drawing. Therefore, the top surface 109 is a horizontal surface that is as flat as possible. Here, the area indicated by the reference numeral 1010 in FIG. 4 described later is an example of the work space. If the image forming system 1 is installed horizontally, the work space 1010 is also horizontal. In addition, this area is designed to have no unevenness such as grooves, and is configured to be as flat as possible. Note that the term "horizontal" used here does not mean horizontal in the strict mathematical sense, but is a concept that includes horizontality to an extent that can be regarded as horizontal in practical terms, that is, approximately horizontality.

[0013] In this embodiment, a tandem type full color printer is described as an example of the image forming apparatus 2. However, the present invention is not limited to the tandem type image forming apparatus 2, but may be an image forming apparatus of another type, and is not limited to being full color, but may be monochrome or mono color.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the image forming device 2, which is an example of a housing, can be divided into two parts: an image forming unit housing 2a and a conveying unit housing 2b. The conveying unit housing 2b conveys the paper on which an image is formed in the image forming unit housing 2a toward a post-processing device 103 (not shown). The image forming unit housing 2a and the conveying unit housing 2b are also examples of housings. The image forming unit housing 2a has a top surface 109a, and the conveying unit housing 2b has a top surface 109b. The image forming unit housing 2a and the conveying unit housing 2b can be connected to each other, and the top surface 109a and the top surface 109b are also connected to each other to form a single flat top surface 109. In this way, the image forming unit housing 2a and the conveying unit housing 2b can be connected and separated from each other, so that when transporting to a high-rise floor of a building, for example, they can be placed in an elevator in a separated state and transported to a predetermined floor. In this way, even if the image forming system 1 is large and has a long overall length, it can be easily transported to a predetermined floor in a building using an elevator or the like.

[0015] The device includes a toner supply unit 20, a sheet feeding section 30, an image forming section 40, a sheet transport section 50, a sheet discharge section 60, an electrical unit 70, and an operation unit 80. The sheet S, which is a recording material, is a material on which a toner image is formed, and specific examples thereof include plain paper, a synthetic resin sheet that is a substitute for plain paper, cardboard, and a sheet for an overhead projector.

[0016] The sheet feeding section 30 is disposed at the bottom of the image forming apparatus 2 and includes a sheet cassette 31 for stacking and storing sheets S, and a feeding roller 32, and is configured to feed the sheets S to the image forming section 40.

[0017] The image forming section 40 includes an image forming unit 41, a toner bottle 42, an exposure device 43, an intermediate transfer unit 44, a secondary transfer section 45, and a fixing device 46, and is configured to form an image.

[0018] The image forming unit 41 includes four image forming units 41y, 41m, 41c, and 41k for forming toner images of four colors, yellow (y), magenta (m), cyan (c), and black (k). Each of these is detachable from the image forming device 2 by a user. For example, the image forming unit 41y includes a photoconductor drum 47y for forming a toner image, a charging roller 48y, a developing sleeve 49y, a drum cleaning blade (not shown), and toner. Toner is supplied to the image forming unit 41y from a toner bottle 42y filled with toner. The other image forming units 41m, 41c, and 41k have the same structure as the image forming unit 41y except for the color of the toner, so detailed description will be omitted.

[0019] The exposure device 43y serves as an exposure unit that exposes the surface of the photosensitive drum 47y to light to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 47y.

[0020] The intermediate transfer unit 44 is disposed in the downward direction D of the image forming unit 41. The intermediate transfer unit 44 includes a plurality of rollers, such as a driving roller 44a and primary transfer rollers 44y, 44m, 44c, and 44k, and an intermediate transfer belt 44b wound around these rollers. The primary transfer rollers 44y, 44m, 44c, and 44k are disposed opposite the photosensitive drums 47y, 47m, 47c, and 47k, respectively, and are adapted to abut against the intermediate transfer belt 44b. By applying a positive transfer bias to the intermediate transfer belt 44b by the primary transfer rollers 44y, 44m, 44c, and 44k, the toner images having negative polarity on the photosensitive drums 47y, 47m, 47c, and 47k are sequentially transferred in a multi-layer manner to the intermediate transfer belt 44b. As a result, a full-color image is formed on the intermediate transfer belt 44b.

[0021] The secondary transfer section 45 includes a secondary transfer inner roller 45a and a secondary transfer outer roller 45b. A positive secondary transfer bias is applied to the secondary transfer outer roller 45b to transfer the full-color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 44b to the sheet S. The secondary transfer inner roller 45a stretches the intermediate transfer belt 44b inside the intermediate transfer belt 44b, and the secondary transfer outer roller 45b is disposed at a position facing the secondary transfer inner roller 45a with the intermediate transfer belt 44b in between.

[0022] The fixing device 46 includes a fixing roller 46a and a pressure roller 46b. As the sheet S is sandwiched and transported between the fixing roller 46a and the pressure roller 46b, the toner image transferred to the sheet S is pressurized and heated, and fixed to the sheet S. In the present embodiment, the transport unit housing 2b includes the fixing device 46, but this is not limiting. For example, the image forming unit housing 2a may include the fixing device 46, and the transport unit housing 2b may not include the fixing device 46. Naturally, each of the housings may include a fixing device.

[0023] The sheet conveying section 50 is adapted to convey the sheet S fed from the sheet feeding section 30 from the image forming section 40 to the sheet discharge section 60, and is provided with a pre-secondary transfer conveying path 51, a pre-fixing conveying path 52, a discharge path 53, and a re-conveying path 54.

[0024] The sheet discharge section 60 includes a pair of discharge rollers 61 arranged downstream of the discharge path 53, and a discharge outlet 62 arranged on the side of the image forming apparatus 2 in the left direction L. The pair of discharge rollers 61 feeds the sheet S conveyed from the discharge path 53 from a nip portion and discharges the sheet S from the discharge outlet 62. The discharge outlet 62 is capable of feeding the sheet S to a post-processing device 103 arranged on the left direction L side of the image forming apparatus 2.

[0025] As shown in Fig. 3, the electrical unit 70 incorporates an image controller 71, which is a control board including a control unit, and a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 72, which is a removable large-capacity storage device. The image controller 71 is configured by a computer, and includes, for example, a CPU 73, a ROM 74 that stores programs that control each unit, a RAM 75 that temporarily stores data, and an input / output circuit (I / F) 76 that inputs and outputs signals to and from the outside. The HDD 72 is a removable large-capacity storage device for storing electronic data, and can mainly store image processing programs, digital image data, and supplementary information for the digital image data. When an image is formed, image data is read from the HDD 72.

[0026] The CPU 73 is a microprocessor that is responsible for the overall control of the image forming apparatus 2, and is the main part of the system controller. The CPU 73 is connected to the sheet feeding section 30, the image forming section 40, the sheet transport section 50, the sheet discharge section 60, the HDD 72, and the operation unit 80 via an input / output circuit 76, and is adapted to exchange signals with each section and control the operation. The image controller 71 can be operated or set by a user in response to a command from a computer (not shown) connected to the image forming apparatus 2, or by operating the operation unit 80.

[0027] The operation unit 80 is provided separately from the image forming apparatus 2, and is capable of operating each part of the image forming apparatus 2. The operation unit 80 includes a driver board 81 and a display panel 82. The display panel 82 displays information necessary for the user to operate the image forming apparatus 2, such as the remaining amount of sheets S and toner supplied to the image forming apparatus 2, warning messages when these consumables run out, and display of procedures for replenishing consumables. The display panel 82 also receives user operation inputs, such as the size and basis weight of the sheets S, image density adjustment, and setting of the number of copies to be output.

[0028] The operation unit 80 is connected to the electrical unit 70 of the image forming apparatus 2 by a cable 90 so as to be electrically connected thereto. The cable 90 is a bundle of a signal line 90a and a power line 90b, but the signal line 90a and the power line 90b may be separate cables. The signal line 90a connects the input / output circuit 76 of the image controller 71 to the driver board 81, and the power line 90b connects the power source 12 of the image forming apparatus 2 to the driver board 81.

[0029] Next, an image forming operation in the image forming apparatus 2 configured as above will be described.

[0030] When the image forming operation is started, first, the photoconductor drums 47y, 47m, 47c, and 47k rotate and the surfaces are charged by the charging rollers 48y, 48m, 48c, and 48k. Then, the exposure devices 43y, 43m, 43c, and 43k emit laser light to the photoconductor drums 47y, 47m, 47c, and 47k based on image information, and electrostatic latent images are formed on the surfaces of the photoconductor drums 47y, 47m, 47c, and 47k. Toner adheres to the electrostatic latent images, which are developed and visualized as toner images and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 44b.

[0031] Meanwhile, in parallel with such a toner image forming operation, the feed roller 32 rotates and separates and feeds the topmost sheet S of the sheet cassette 31. Then, in synchronization with the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 44b, the sheet S is transported to the secondary transfer unit 45 via the secondary pre-transfer transport path 51. Furthermore, an image is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 44b to the sheet S, and the sheet S is transported to the fixing device 46, where the unfixed toner image is heated and pressurized to be fixed on the surface of the sheet S. The sheet S is then discharged from a discharge outlet 62 by a pair of discharge rollers 61 and supplied to a post-processing device 103.

[0032] (Operation unit) Next, the electrical component unit 70, the operation unit 80, the cable 90, the cover 101, and the opening 102 will be outlined.

[0033] The electrical component unit 70 is provided on the back of the image forming apparatus 2, and a connector (not shown) provided at one end of a cable 90 is connected to the electrical component unit 70. The cable 90 transmits a control signal for controlling the operation unit 80 from the transmission unit 70 to the operation unit 80. The cable 90 serves to connect the image forming apparatus 2 and the operation unit 80 so that they can communicate with each other. The other end of the cable 90 is provided with a connector (not shown) and is connected to the operation unit 80. In this way, although the operation unit 80 is connected to the image forming apparatus 2 by a cable, it is not fixed to the top surface 109. Therefore, the user can freely place the operation unit 80 at any position on the top surface 109 within the range where the cable extends. In this way, "free" as used here means that the operation unit 80 is not fixed to the top surface 109 by, for example, a screw or the like, that is, the operation unit 80 is configured to be freely placed on the top surface 109.

[0034] 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining positions where the operation unit 80 can be placed on the top surface 109. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the operation unit 80 can be placed in the space near the document reading device 115 on the top surface 109 of the image forming device 2, and as shown in FIG. 5, the operation unit 80 can also be placed in the space on the top surface 106 of the paper feeder 105. Even if the operation unit 80 is placed in a location not shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 5, the operation unit 80 can be placed on the top surface of the image forming system, such as on the top surface 104 of the post-processing device 103. Even in a space other than the top surface of the image forming system, a workbench or the like can be installed near the image forming system, and the operation unit 80 can be placed on the workbench (not shown).

[0035] 6(a) is a diagram of the operation unit 80 viewed vertically from above, FIG. 6(b) is a diagram of the bottom surface of the operation unit 80, and FIG. 6(c) is a side view of the operation unit 80. FIG.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 6(a), the operation unit 80 has a display panel 82 which is a liquid crystal touch panel. A cable 90 extends from the rear of the operation unit 80. Also, as shown in FIG. 6(b), rubber feet 85 (85a, 85b1) which are an example of an elastic member are provided on the bottom surface of the operation unit 80. These rubber feet 85 are also an example of the first contact portion to the fourth contact portion, and can come into contact with the top surface 109. The rubber feet 85 are the parts which come into contact with the top surface 109 when the operation unit 80 is placed on the top surface 109. The rubber feet 85 are made of an elastic member with a high coefficient of friction on the surface, and are configured to bend slightly when the operation unit 80 is placed on the top surface 109. Therefore, it is possible to support the operation unit 80 at four points as in this embodiment. In reality, the plane is determined by three points, but if any of the rubber feet 85 bends, all four points come into contact with the top surface 109. In the operation unit 80 of this embodiment, the front rubber feet 85a are provided in two locations on the front side and the rear rubber feet 85b1 are provided in two locations on the rear side, thereby reducing the risk of the operation unit 80 tilting or becoming unsteady even if the user presses any part of the display panel 82.

[0037] 6(b), the four rubber feet 85 are arranged so as to surround the center of gravity G of the operation unit 80. In other words, the center of gravity G is located within an area surrounded by the four rubber feet 85. By arranging them in this manner, the operation unit 80 is stably supported by the four rubber feet 85, improving operability for the user. When the operation unit 80 is viewed from above along the vertical direction, the rubber foot 85a is located upstream of the center of gravity G and the rubber foot 85b1 is located downstream of the center of gravity G in a direction perpendicular to both a direction perpendicular to a display surface 820 (described later) and a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and in a direction perpendicular to the display surface 820, which is a direction climbing the inclination of the display panel 82.

[0038] Furthermore, one of the two rubber feet 85b1 is provided at the right end of the bottom surface of the operation unit 80, and the other is provided at the left end. Here, since it is assumed that the operation unit 80 placed on the top surface 109 is viewed from the bottom side of the operation unit 80, the left side of the paper is defined as the right side of the operation unit 80, and the right side of the paper is defined as the left side of the operation unit 80. Assuming that the width of the operation unit 80 in the left-right direction is L1, it is preferable that one rubber foot 85b1 is located in the rightmost area (one end side) when L1 is divided into four, and the other rubber foot 85b1 is located in the leftmost area (the other end side) when L1 is divided into four. In this way, by arranging the two rubber feet 85b1 at a distance from each other, the stability of the operation unit 80 when placed on the top surface 109 can be improved.

[0039] The left-right direction here refers to a direction perpendicular to both a direction perpendicular to a display surface 820 (described later) and a vertical direction, and is the width direction of the operation unit 80.

[0040] 6(c) is a side view of operation unit 80 placed on top surface 109. The surface that is created when rubber feet 85 conform to top surface 109 when operation unit 80 is placed is called the rubber foot surface, and is shown as surface B in the figure. Since operation unit 80 is a rigid body, if rubber feet 85 were rigid, a flat surface would be formed at three of the four feet due to part tolerances, but in the case of four feet, at least two or more points are made of elastic material, so that rubber feet 85 conform to top surface 109 as a support part.

[0041] Here, the display panel 82 has a pressing range in the front-rear direction of the device. Since the user operates the display panel 82 perpendicularly, the pressing force on the front side of the device is designated as F1a and the pressing force on the rear side of the device as F1b, and the lines extending from the respective forces to the rubber feet, i.e., the lines of the pressing directions, are designated as the pressing direction line on the front side of the device as K1a and the pressing direction line on the rear side of the device as K1b. If the front end of the front rubber foot 85a is designated as P (referred to as the front rubber end) and the rear end of the rear rubber foot 85b1 is designated as M1 (referred to as the rear rubber end), the arrangement of the front rubber end P and the rear rubber end M1 is set so that the front pressing direction line K1a and the rear pressing direction line K1b are between the front rubber end P and the rear rubber end M1.

[0042] In order to satisfy this condition, as described below, when the front rubber end P of the operation unit is used as the reference, the position of the rear rubber end M1 needs to be positioned further back as the angle of inclination A increases, and the operation unit 80 needs to be enlarged toward the rear when the front side is used as the reference.

[0043] As a result, even if the display panel 82 is pressed, the operation unit 80 rotates around the front rubber end P or the back rubber end M as a fulcrum, and the back rubber foot 85b1 or the front rubber foot 85a on the opposite side do not float up, preventing a deterioration in operability. If the weight of the operation unit 80 is increased to prevent it from rotating when the operation unit is moved, it becomes difficult to move the operation unit 80, and operability decreases.

[0044] The angle A between the rubber foot surface B and the panel surface C is assumed to be 30 degrees, which is set to a predetermined angle that provides good operability as described below. Here, the panel surface C is a parallel imaginary plane that is aligned with the display surface 820 (described below) of the display panel 82. Also, the rubber foot surface B is a surface that is parallel to the top surface 109. However, the term "parallel" as used here does not mean parallel in the strict mathematical sense, but is a concept that includes parallel to an extent that can be considered parallel in practical terms, that is, approximately parallel.

[0045] Here, the advantage of the cable 90 extending from the rear of the operation unit 80 will be described with reference to Fig. 6(c). As shown in Fig. 6(c), when the operation unit 80 is viewed vertically, the cable 90 extends from the operation unit 80 in a direction climbing up the display panel 82. In other words, the cable 90 extends from the operation unit 80 in a direction that is perpendicular to both a direction perpendicular to a display surface 820 (described later) and the vertical direction (the front-to-back direction of the paper), and a direction perpendicular to the display surface 820, and that climbs the slope of the display panel 82.

[0046] In this way, the cable 90 extends backward from the back side of the operation unit 80, so that the connection portion between the cable 90 and the operation unit 80 is invisible to the user operating the operation unit 80. This makes it possible to improve the design of the operation unit 80.

[0047] (The inclination angle of the display surface of the operation unit relative to the top surface of the housing) 7(a) is a perspective view of the operation unit 80 and an enlarged schematic diagram of the display panel 82. As shown in the figure, the operation unit 80 has a support base 821 having rubber feet 85. By providing the support base 821, the display panel 82 is tilted at a predetermined angle with respect to the top surface 109. In addition, the support base 821 has an arm 822 on which a rubber foot 85b1 is provided. This arm 822 is rotatable with respect to the support base 821. By rotating the arm 822 with respect to the support base 821, the tilt angle of the display panel 82 with respect to the top surface 109 can be adjusted.

[0048] The display panel 82 has a display surface 820 capable of displaying information related to image formation and screens for setting printing conditions, such as a button for starting copying, a screen for setting paper size, a screen for setting the number of prints, and a screen for displaying the remaining toner amount. In this embodiment, the display surface 820 is provided on a portion of the display panel 82 excluding the end portion, but information related to image formation and a screen for print setting may be displayed on the entire surface of the display panel 82. In either case, however, the inclination angle of the display surface 820 with respect to the top surface 109 means the angle that the vicinity of the center of the display panel 82 (the area corresponding to the display surface 820 in FIG. 7(a)) forms with respect to the top surface 109. By setting the inclination angle of the display surface 820 with respect to the top surface 109 measured in this manner to be 5 degrees or more and 45 degrees or less, good visibility for the user can be ensured.

[0049] First, the lower limit of the inclination angle A, "inclination angle A = 5 degrees", will be described. In the case of a freely mountable operation unit 80 like the operation unit 80, the front side of the operation unit 80 can be placed not only on the device front side F side but also at a position rotated by 90 degrees or 180 degrees with respect to the device front side F. In that case, if the angle is made closer to a flat surface as the lower limit of the inclination angle A, and the inclination angle A is assumed to be 0, the user standing on the device front side F side cannot recognize the front side of the operation unit 80. Therefore, there is a possibility that the user will operate the operation unit 80 at an angle rotated by 90 degrees or 180 degrees. In addition, when the operation unit 80 is moved so that the front side of the operation unit 80 is in front of the image forming system 1, it is difficult to recognize which direction the front side of the operation unit is.

[0050] Therefore, a certain degree of inclination angle A is provided. This allows the user to recognize which side of the operation unit 80 is the near side even from a position some distance away. FIG. 8(a) shows a side view of the operation unit 80 when the inclination angle A is, for example, 5 degrees. Here, if the inclination angle is less than 5 degrees, when the operation unit 80 is moved, it may become difficult to tell which side is actually the near side, and it may become difficult to distinguish the operation direction. Therefore, it is desirable for the angle to be 5 degrees or more.

[0051] Even when the inclination angle is 5 degrees, the front side pushing force F2a and the rear side pushing force F2b are defined using the same concept as in the above example of an inclination angle of 30 degrees. Then, the lines extending from each of these forces to the rubber feet, that is, the lines of the pushing directions, are defined as the front side pushing direction line K2a and the rear side pushing direction line K2b. The front side rubber end P and the rear side rubber end M2 are positioned so that the intersections of the front side pushing direction line K2a and the rear side pushing direction line K2b with the top surface 109 are between the front side rubber end P and the rear side rubber end M2.

[0052] Even in this case, when the display panel 82 is pressed, the operation unit 80 rotates around the front rubber end P or the rear rubber end M2 as a fulcrum, and the rear rubber foot 85b2 or the front rubber foot 85a on the opposite side do not lift up, preventing deterioration of operability.

[0053] Moreover, the height from the floor surface of the floor on which the image forming system 1 is installed to the top surface 109 is generally 900 to 1100 mm. Here, in the statistics of the height of men, 90% or more are 1600 to 1790 mm, and 90% or more of women are 1500 to 1690 mm. Therefore, for example, when it is assumed that the display surface 820 is viewed from a viewpoint 1500 mm above the floor surface, if the height of the top surface 109 is assumed to be 1100 mm, the difference is 400 mm. Since such a user views the operation unit 80 from a relatively low viewpoint, the visibility of the display surface 82 is reduced unless the inclination angle with respect to the top surface 109 is 5 degrees or more. By setting the inclination angle to 5 degrees or more, the display surface 820 can be viewed in a relatively easy posture.

[0054] For these reasons, it is preferable that the inclination angle of display surface 820 with respect to top surface 109 is set to 5 degrees or more.

[0055] Next, the upper limit of the inclination angle A, 45 degrees, will be described with reference to FIG. 8(b). Even when the inclination angle is 45 degrees, the front side pushing force F3a and the rear side pushing force F3b are defined in the same way as the example of the inclination angle of 30 degrees described above. Then, the lines extending from each of these forces to the rubber feet, that is, the lines of the pushing directions, are defined as the front side pushing direction line K3a and the rear side pushing direction line K3b. The front side rubber end P and the rear side rubber end M3 are positioned so that the intersections of the front side pushing direction line K3a and the rear side pushing direction line K3b with the top surface 109 are between the front side rubber end P and the rear side rubber end M3.

[0056] As a result, even if the display panel 82 is pressed, the operation unit 80 rotates around the front rubber end P or the rear rubber end M3 as a fulcrum, and the rear rubber foot 85b3 or the front rubber foot 85a on the opposite side do not lift up, preventing deterioration of operability.

[0057] Figure 8(c) shows the front rubber end P of the operation unit 80, and in addition to an example of an inclination angle of 5 degrees (Figure 8(a)) and an example of an inclination angle of 45 degrees (Figure 8(b)), an additional figure of an inclination angle of approximately 60 degrees is added as an example of an inclination angle exceeding 45 degrees.

[0058] In the case of a 60 degree inclination angle, the front side pushing force F4a and the rear side pushing force F4b are defined using the same concept as in the case of a 30 degree inclination angle described above. Then, the lines extending from each of these forces to the rubber feet, that is, the lines of the pushing directions, are defined as the front side pushing direction line K4a and the rear side pushing direction line K4b. The front side rubber end P and the rear side rubber end M4 are positioned so that the intersections of the front side pushing direction line K4a and the rear side pushing direction line K4b with the top surface 109 are between the front side rubber end P and the rear side rubber end M4.

[0059] Here, in terms of the depth dimension of the operation unit 80, the depth of the operation unit at 5 degrees is referred to as N2 (referred to as the 5 degree operation unit depth), the depth of the operation unit at 45 degrees is referred to as N3 (referred to as the 45 degree operation unit depth), and the depth of the operation unit at 60 degrees is referred to as N4 (referred to as the 60 degree operation unit depth).

[0060] As can be seen from the figure, when the inclination angle P is used as the base, as the inclination angle becomes steeper, the rear rubber end is positioned from position M2, via M3, to position M4, and the depth of the operation unit also increases to N2, N3, and N4. In particular, when the inclination angle is 45 degrees or more, the expansion ratio of the depth direction N of the operation unit increases, so the operation unit 80 becomes larger and the setting location becomes limited, so it is desirable for the upper limit of the inclination angle A to be 45 degrees.

[0061] Also, assuming that the user's viewpoint is 1790 mm and the height of top surface 109 from the floor surface is 900 mm, the difference is 890 mm. In this case, if the inclination angle of display surface 820 with respect to top surface 109 is too steep, it will be difficult for the user to view display surface 820 without bending down. Therefore, by setting the inclination angle of display surface 820 with respect to top surface 109 to 45 or less, even a user who views display surface 820 from a relatively high viewpoint can easily view display surface 820.

[0062] Therefore, by setting the inclination angle A of the display surface 820 with respect to the top surface 109 to be equal to or greater than 5 degrees and equal to or less than 45 degrees, good visibility and operability can be ensured.

[0063] (Optimal angle of inclination A) The inclination angle A is set to an optimal angle within the above upper and lower limits, taking into consideration the height at which the operation panel is placed and the visible height depending on the height of the operator, and taking into consideration the visibility of the display panel 82. In the embodiment of the present invention, the inclination angle A is set to an angle at which both tall and short users can view the display when the operation unit 80 is placed on the top surface 109.

[0064] This embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a side view of operation unit 80 placed on work space 1010 on top surface 109. In this embodiment, it is assumed that top surface 109 is about 1040 mm high from the floor, and tilt angle A is set to a visible angle of 30 degrees when operation unit 80 is placed on top of it.

[0065] Here, the liquid crystal portion of the display panel 82 has a range (viewing angle) in which a certain level of contrast is ensured. In Fig. 11, a line drawn perpendicular to the liquid crystal portion is G, the range of the field of view on the rear side is I, and the range of the field of view on the front side is H, and the angle between G and I is the rear viewing angle θi, and the angle between G and H is the front viewing angle θh. In this embodiment, liquid crystal components with viewing angles θi and θh of 50 deg are used.

[0066] In addition, if the eye positions of a user of average height are position 87a, the eye position of a tall person is 87b, and the eye position of a short person is 87c, then by setting the height of the top surface 109 from the floor to 1040 mm and angled the operation unit at 30 degrees, the lines seen from 87a, 87b, and 87c are set to fall roughly between the viewing angles H to I, ensuring good visibility and operability.

[0067] This allows the display to be clearly visible from the eye levels of people of all statures, from tall people to short people.

[0068] In this embodiment, the height of the top surface 109 on which the operation unit 80 is placed is limited to 1040 mm, and the optimum angle of the operation unit is 30 degrees; however, there are cases where the height of the location where the operation unit 80 is moved is higher or lower than 1040 mm, and there is an optimum angle for each. However, if the height of the multifunction printer used on the floor is generally within the range of approximately 900 mm to 1100 mm, then the operation unit can be moved forward or backward, or the position can be changed, making it visible at an inclination angle of 5 to 45 degrees.

[0069] (Adjustment mechanism for operation unit angle A) The operation unit 80 is operated by touching it by users of various heights, from tall users to short users. So far, it has been stated that when the height from the floor of the top surface 109 of the image forming apparatus on which the operation unit 80 is placed is limited to 1040 mm, the optimal angle of the operation unit angle A calculated from each height is 30 degrees. However, there are cases where a taller user or a shorter user operates the operation unit 80. In addition, some users may prefer an operation unit angle A smaller or larger than 30 degrees.

[0070] In this section, assuming such a user, an operation unit 80 will be described in which the operation unit angle A can be adjusted not only to 30 degrees but also to 15 degrees as an example of an operation unit angle A that is further reduced.

[0071] Hereinafter, the adjustment mechanism for the operation unit angle A (referred to as the angle adjustment mechanism) will be described. First, the configuration of the angle adjustment mechanism will be described. FIG. 10(a) is a perspective view of the bottom side of the operation unit 80, (b) is a perspective view of the arm 86, (c) is a rear view of the arm 86, and (d) is a perspective view of the bottom side of the operation unit 80 with the arm 86 removed. As shown in FIG. 10(b) and (c), the arm 86 is provided with rubber feet 85b1, rubber feet 85c, shaft 86a, protrusion 86b, abutment surface 86c, and slit 86d. Due to the presence of slit 86d, the mounting surface 86e, which is the surface on which the shaft 86a and protrusion 86b are provided, can bend in the right direction R. The shaft 86a, protrusion 86b, abutment surface 86c, and slit 86d are also provided with similar shapes on the opposite side (right direction R) (not shown). 10(c), a bearing 88a, a protrusion 88b, and a protrusion 88c are provided on the operation unit 80 when the arm 86 is removed. The bearing 88a, the protrusion 88b, and the protrusion 88c are provided with similar shapes on the opposite side (right direction R) (not shown).

[0072] The operation unit 80 shown in Fig. 10(a) is in a state where the shaft 86a of the arm 86 in Fig. 10(b) is inserted into the bearing 88a in Fig. 10(c) and the arm 86 is assembled to the operation unit 80. When inserting the shaft 86a into the bearing 88a, the slit in the arm 86 shown in Fig. 10(b) is utilized to flex the mounting surface 86e on which the shaft 86a is provided, thereby assembling the arm 86.

[0073] Next, the opening and closing of the arm 86 will be described. Fig. 11(a) is a side view of the operation unit 80 with the arm 86 closed (the operation unit angle A is 15 degrees), Fig. 11(b) is a side view of the operation unit 80 with the arm 86 open (the operation unit angle A is 30 degrees), Fig. 12(a) is a perspective view of the lower surface of the operation unit 80 with the arm 86 closed, Fig. 12(b) is a perspective view of the lower surface of the operation unit 80 with the arm 86 intermediate between the closed and open states, and Fig. 12(c) is a perspective view of the lower surface of the operation unit 80 with the arm 86 open. Fig. 13(a) is an AA cross-sectional view in Fig. 12(a), Fig. 13(b) is a BB cross-sectional view in Fig. 12(b), and Fig. 13(c) is a CC cross-sectional view in Fig. 12(c). As described in FIG. 10, the arm 86 is attached to the operation unit 80 via a shaft 86c (an example of a rotation shaft), and can be opened and closed with the shaft 86c as the center of rotation. As shown in FIG. 13(a), when the arm 86 is closed, the rubber foot 85b1 abuts against the protrusion 88b, and as shown in FIG. 13(c), when the arm 86 is open, the abutment surface 86c abuts against the protrusion 88c. This restricts the opening and closing angle of the arm 86, so that the operation unit angle A can be adjusted to two levels, 15 degrees when the arm 86 is closed (first state of the arm 86) and 30 degrees when the arm 86 is open (second state of the arm 86), as shown in FIG. 11(a) and (b). The distance between the rotation shaft and the top surface 109 in the second state is greater than the distance between the rotation shaft and the top surface 109 in the first state.

[0074] 12(c), an accommodation space 880 for accommodating the arm 86 is provided on the bottom side of the operation unit 80. The arm 86 is accommodated in this accommodation space 880.

[0075] 13(a), when arm 86 is closed, rubber foot 85b1 abuts against protrusion 88b not only to regulate the opening / closing angle, but also to muffle noise when the abutment occurs. In this embodiment, the opening / closing angle is regulated when arm 86 is open by abutting abutment surface 86c against protrusion 88c, but the opening / closing angle may also be regulated by arranging rubber foot 85c at a position where it abuts against protrusion 88b.

[0076] Next, the retraction force of the arm 86 when switching between the first state and the second state will be described. Fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the shaft 86a of the arm 86 as viewed from the underside of the operation unit 80, in which Fig. 14(a) shows when the arm 86 is closed (cross-section DD in Fig. 13(a)), Fig. 14(b) shows when the arm 86 is in an intermediate state between the closed state and the open state (cross-section EE in Fig. 13(b)), and Fig. 14(c) shows when the arm 86 is opened (cross-section FF in Fig. 13(c)). The arrows in the upper right of Fig. 14 indicate the orientation of the operation unit 80 when placed on the top surface 109 of the image forming apparatus, with the front side facing the image forming apparatus 2 being the front direction F, the back side being the rear direction B, the left side being the left direction L, and the right side being the right direction R. As shown in FIG. 14, the protrusion 86b of the arm 86 is positioned so as to come into contact with any one of the inclined surface 88a1, horizontal surface 88a2, and inclined surface 88a3 of the bearing 88a depending on whether the arm 86 is open or closed.

[0077] 14(a), when the arm 86 is closed, the mounting surface 86e is bent in direction R, and a restoring force acts to restore the unbent state, i.e., in direction L, generating a slope pressing force FaL that presses the protrusion 86b against the slope 88a1. Since the slope pressing force FaL acts on the slope 88a1, the protrusion 86b continues to slide along the slope 88a1 along the slope direction pressing force Fa, which is the force of the slope pressing force FaL in the direction of the slope 88a1, until the opening / closing angle is regulated.

[0078] 14(c), when the arm 86 is opened, the mounting surface 86e is bent in the direction R, and a restoring force acts to restore the arm 86 to its unbent state, i.e., in the direction L, generating a slope pushing force FcL that pushes the protrusion 86b against the slope 88a3. Since the slope pushing force FcL acts on the slope 88a3, the protrusion 86b continues to slide along the slope 88a3 along the slope direction pushing force Fc, which is the force of the slope pushing force FcL in the direction of the slope 88a3, until the opening / closing angle is regulated.

[0079] As a result, the force of the protrusion 86b sliding down the inclined surface is converted into an opening and closing force of the arm 86 via the shaft 86a, generating a pulling force when the arm 86 switches between the first state and the second state.

[0080] 14(b), even when the arm 86 is in an intermediate state, neither closed nor open, the mounting surface 86e is bent in direction R, and a restoring force acts in the unbent state, i.e., in direction L, generating a horizontal plane pushing force Fb, which is a force that causes the protrusion 86b to push the horizontal surface 88a2. Since the horizontal plane pushing force Fb acts on the horizontal surface 88a2, no sliding force is generated in the protrusion 86b in direction F or direction B. Therefore, no retraction force is generated when the arm 86 is switched between the first state and the second state.

[0081] In this embodiment, four rubber feet 85 (one example of a contact portion) are provided when the operation unit 80 is placed on the top surface 109 of the image forming apparatus, but the rubber feet 85 may be connected together to provide two rubber feet. Also, the arm 86 has been described as being an integrated unit, but it may be separated into two or more pieces.

[0082] Next, a modified example of the angle adjustment mechanism described above will be described. In the case of the angle adjustment mechanism described above, the tilt angle A of the operation unit 80 can be set in only two stages. Therefore, an operation unit 80 provided with a screw foot 185a, which is a stepless angle adjustment mechanism, will be described with reference to FIG.

[0083] Figure 15(a) is a side view of the operation unit 80 with the screw foot 185a retracted (operation unit angle A is 15 degrees), (b) is a side view of the operation unit 80 with the screw foot 185a extended (operation unit angle A is 25 degrees), Figure 16(a) is a bottom oblique view of the operation unit 80 with the screw foot 185a retracted, and Figure 16(b) is a bottom oblique view of the operation unit 80 with the screw foot 185a extended.

[0084] As shown in Fig. 16(b), the screw foot 185a is attached to the operation unit 80 via a screw portion 185b. Therefore, the screw foot 185a is extendable and retractable relative to the operation unit 80, as shown in Figs. 16(a) and 16(b).

[0085] In this way, in this embodiment, the provision of the screw foot 185a allows for stepless angle adjustment, so that the user can arbitrarily adjust the operation unit angle A to make the display section 82 easy to view.

[0086] However, in the case of this mechanism, a longer screw portion 185b is required to further increase the operation unit angle A. In this case, the accommodation portion (not shown) of the screw portion 185b when the screw foot 185a is contracted needs to be accommodated within the space created by the operation unit angle A of the operation unit 80 in the contracted state of the screw portion 185a.

[0087] 16(c) shows a schematic diagram of the screw foot 185a and the screw portion 185b. The screw foot 185a and the screw portion 185b are collectively referred to as a support member. Thus, the screw portion 185b is threaded and configured to screw into a screw hole formed in the bottom of the operation unit 80. The user holds the screw foot 185a and rotates it to adjust the amount of protrusion of the screw portion 185b relative to the operation unit 80, thereby adjusting the amount of separation between the top surface 109 and the bottom surface of the operation unit 80.

[0088] (Numeric Input Unit) Next, the numerical input unit 861 will be described with reference to Fig. 17. The numerical input unit 861 is an optional external unit that can be attached or detached according to the user's wishes.

[0089] An example of a numerical input unit 861 configured in this embodiment as a hard key unit placed on the top surface 109 similarly to the operation unit 80 will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Fig. 17(a) is a top view, (b) is a right side view, (c) is a perspective view of the top surface, and (d) is a perspective view of the bottom surface.

[0090] Here, the numeric input unit 861 has a numeric keypad 861c (an example of numeric keys), a start key 861a, a stop key 861b, etc., and is configured to be operated while looking at the display panel 82 of the operation unit 80. The numeric keys 861c are hardware keys for inputting numeric information from 0 to 9. These hardware keys are exposed from a frame 871. Moreover, the numeric input unit 861 is arranged on top surface 109 by rubber feet 861d, and is configured to be movable.

[0091] Here, the operation surface J of the numerical input unit 861 is arranged substantially to the right of the display panel 82 of the operation unit 80, and in this state, the operation surface C of the operation unit 80 and the operation surface J of the numerical input unit 861 are configured to be substantially flush with each other. The operation surface J here is a surface parallel to the frame 871 located between the numeric keys 861c. This reduces the occurrence of pressing each other's keys when the user operates the numerical input unit 861 or the display panel 82, and reduces operational errors.

[0092] In particular, in the case of the numeric input unit 861 of this embodiment, since the operation is performed while viewing the display on the operation unit 80, it is better for the user to be as close as possible to the operation unit 80 for ease of operation. If there is a step between the surfaces of the operation unit 80 and the numeric input unit 861, it is necessary to increase the distance between the operation unit 80 and the numeric input unit 861 to prevent erroneous operation, which deteriorates operability.

[0093] In this embodiment, the numerical input unit 861 is placed on the right side of the operation unit 80, but the numerical input unit 861 can also be placed on the left side, which can improve operability for left-handed users.

[0094] Also, the operability for the user can be improved by making the inclination angle of the frame 871 of the numerical input unit 861 with respect to the top surface 109 slightly gentler than the inclination angle of the display surface 820 with respect to the top surface 109. If the inclination angle of the frame 871 of the numerical input unit 861 with respect to the top surface 109 is steeper than the inclination angle of the display surface 820 with respect to the top surface 109 and the user is taller, the display surface 820 may be hidden by the numerical input unit 861 from the perspective of a user standing next to the user operating the operation unit 80. The risk of such a problem occurring can be reduced by making the inclination angle of the frame 871 of the numerical input unit 861 with respect to the top surface 109 gentler than the inclination angle of the display surface 820 with respect to the top surface 109. [Explanation of symbols]

[0095] 1. Image forming system 2. Image forming device 80 Operation Unit 82 Display Panel 85 Rubber feet 86 Arm 861 Numeric Input Unit

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; a first housing having a top surface and a conveying unit that conveys a sheet; an operation unit that is movably placed on the top surface and receives operations by a user, the operation unit having a second housing that is separate from the first housing, a display surface that displays information related to image formation, and a rotation unit that supports the second housing and rotates in a predetermined direction; Equipped with When the operation unit is placed on the top surface, in a first state in which an angle between the rotation unit and the top surface is a first angle, the display surface and the top surface form a second angle; When the operation unit is placed on the top surface, in a second state in which an angle between the rotation unit and the top surface is a third angle, the display surface and the top surface form a fourth angle that is larger than the second angle; The rotating portion further includes a contact portion that is in contact with the top surface when in the second state and is not in contact with the top surface when in the first state.

1. An image forming system comprising:

2. The contact portion is a first contact portion, The image forming system according to claim 1 , wherein the operation unit further comprises a second contact portion that comes into contact with the top surface.

3. The image forming system described in Claim 2, characterized in that the operation unit further comprises a third contact portion that contacts the top surface when the operation unit is in the first state and does not contact the top surface when the operation unit is in the second state.

4. 4. The image forming system according to claim 3, wherein the center of gravity of the operation portion is located between the second contact portion and the third contact portion in a short-side direction of the display surface.

5. The image forming system according to claim 1 , wherein the operation unit includes a housing portion that houses the rotating unit when the operation unit is in the second state.

6. the first housing includes a control unit that controls the operation unit, The control unit and the operation unit are connected by a cable.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1,

7. 7. The image forming system according to claim 6, wherein the cable includes a signal line for transmitting a signal for controlling the operation unit, and a power line for supplying power to the operation unit.

8. An image forming system as described in claim 6, characterized in that when facing the operation unit, the cable is led out from behind the rotating unit.

9. the rotating portion rotates in the predetermined direction around a rotation axis supported by the second housing, the rotating portion has an abutment portion that abuts against the second housing when the rotating portion is located at a predetermined position and restricts the rotating portion from rotating in the predetermined direction.

2. The image forming system according to claim 1,

10. Both ends of the rotation shaft in the axial direction of the rotation shaft are elastically deformed in the axial direction, When both ends of the rotation shaft in the axial direction are elastically deformed in the axial direction, the abutment between the abutment portion and the second housing is released.

10. The image forming system according to claim 9.

Images