Operation unit and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To prevent breakage of a support part even if an excessive load is applied to the support part in an open state in an operation unit including the support part which can change an angle of a display.SOLUTION: An operation unit comprises: a display; and a support part which supports the operation unit by being in contact with an arrangement surface such that a display surface of the display forms a first angle or a second angle larger than the first angle with respect to the arrangement surface on which the operation unit is arranged, and is provided rotatably in the operation unit. The support part comprises: a shaft part; and an attachment part in which the shaft part is provided in a protruding manner. The operation unit comprises: a bearing part which rotatably supports the shaft part; a regulation part which is provided at a position different from the bearing part in the axial direction and regulates rotation in the first direction of the support part by being in contact with the attachment part at a position where the operation unit becomes the second angle when the support part is rotated in the first direction heading toward the second angle from the first angle; and a contact part which is provided on the side opposite to the regulation part via the bearing part in the axial direction and is in contact with the bearing part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an operation unit and an image forming apparatus equipped with the operation unit. [Background technology]

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

[0003] In the case of a large-scale image forming system in which multiple optional devices are connected and the overall length is long, a user may need to perform operations on the optional devices in a location far from the image forming device where the operation unit is installed. If this operation is frequently performed, it is inefficient to return to the image forming device to operate the operation unit.

[0004] Therefore, an operation unit that can be installed not only in the image forming apparatus but also in an optional device has been proposed (Patent Document 1). In the image forming apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the operation unit is connected to the image forming apparatus by a cable, and is installed on the top surface of the image forming apparatus so that it can be moved to a location that is easy for the user to operate, within the range allowed by the cable length. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-243977 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the operation unit described in Patent Document 1, the display panel (display) that displays information is fixed to a stand, which means that the user cannot change the angle of the display panel to make it easier to operate the operation unit, making it difficult to say that the configuration is excellent in operability.

[0007] It is also conceivable to provide the operation unit with a retractable stand that allows the angle of the display panel to be changed, but with this configuration, there is a risk that the stand will break if an overload exceeding a predetermined load is applied to the display panel of the operation unit when the retractable stand is open.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to prevent damage to an operation unit equipped with a stand that can change the angle of a display panel, even if an overload is applied to the display panel of the operation unit when the stand is open. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] A representative configuration of the present invention is an operation unit used to operate an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, the operation unit comprising: a display that displays information related to image formation; and a support portion that abuts against a placement surface on which the operation unit is placed and supports the operation unit so that a display surface of the display forms a first angle or a second angle larger than the first angle with respect to the placement surface, the support portion being rotatably provided on the operation unit, the support portion having a shaft portion that serves as a rotation center, and a mounting portion from which the shaft portion protrudes and that is elastically deformable when subjected to an overload exceeding a predetermined load, the operation unit having a bearing portion that rotatably supports the shaft portion, and an axis of the shaft portion. a restricting portion that is provided at a position different from the bearing portion in the axial direction and that abuts against the mounting portion at a position where the display surface forms the second angle with respect to the arrangement surface when the support portion is rotated in a first direction from the first angle toward the second angle, thereby restricting the rotation of the support portion in the first direction; and a contact portion that is provided on the opposite side of the restricting portion across the bearing portion in the axial direction and abuts against the shaft portion, so that when a rotational force in the first direction due to the overload is applied to the support portion that is restricted to the position where the second angle is formed, the mounting portion elastically deforms in the axial direction in a direction opposite to the direction in which the shaft portion protrudes, thereby releasing the abutment between the restricting portion and the mounting portion. When the contact between the mounting portion and the restricting portion is released by the rotational force in the first direction at the position where the support portion is at the second angle, the support portion is rotated to a position where it does not protrude from the operation unit to the placement surface. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present invention, even if a rotational force in the first direction due to an overload is applied to the support part that is restricted to a position at a second angle, the mounting part is elastically deformed and the abutment between the restricting part and the mounting part is released, thereby preventing damage to the support part and the restricting part. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] Perspective view of an image forming system [Figure 2] Cross-sectional view of an image forming system [Figure 3] Block diagram of an image forming apparatus equipped with an operation unit [Figure 4] (a)(b) Top view of the image forming system with the operation unit [Figure 5] (a)(b)(c) Schematic diagram of the operation unit [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are perspective views of an operation unit according to a first embodiment; [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are perspective views of an operation unit according to a first embodiment; [Figure 8] (a) (b) (c) Side views of the operation unit according to the first embodiment [Figure 9] 1A, 1B, and 1C are perspective views of the bottom surface of the operation unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] (a), (b), and (c) are schematic cross-sectional views of an operation unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 11] (a), (b), and (c) are partial cross-sectional views of the operation unit according to the first embodiment as viewed from the bottom side. [Figure 12] 1A, 1B, and 1C are explanatory diagrams of an operation unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams of an operation unit according to the first embodiment; [Figure 14] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams of an operation unit according to the first embodiment; [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the bottom side of the operation unit according to the second embodiment; [Figure 16] (a), (b), and (c) are side views of an operation unit according to a second embodiment. [Figure 17] 10A, 10B, and 10C are perspective views of an operation unit according to a third embodiment. [Figure 18] 10A and 10B are perspective views of the bottom surface of the operation unit according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 19] 10A and 10B are perspective views of the bottom surface of the operation unit according to the fourth embodiment. [Figure 20] 10A and 10B are perspective views of an operation unit according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the following examples may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the present invention is applied and various conditions, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to these alone.

[0013] Example 1 An image forming system 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the front side (front side, front side) of the image forming apparatus 2 is defined as the forward direction F, and the back side (rear side, rear side) is defined as the rear direction B. The left side of the image forming apparatus 2 where the post-processing device 103 is located is defined as the left direction L, and the right side of the image forming apparatus 2 where the feeding device 105 is located is defined as the right direction R. The left-right direction defined here is a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. Furthermore, the vertically upward (upward) direction perpendicular to (or perpendicular to) the front-rear direction and the left-right direction defined here is defined as the upward direction U, and the vertically downward (downward) direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction defined here is defined as the downward direction D. The defined front direction F, rear direction B, right direction R, left direction L, upward direction U, and downward direction D are also shown in FIGS. 2 and 4.

[0014] (Configuration of image forming system) 1, the image forming system 1 of this embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 2, which is, for example, a printer, and a post-processing apparatus 103 that is disposed adjacent to the left side L of the image forming apparatus 2 and is capable of stacking sheets S on which images have been formed. An upper surface 109 that can be used as a work space is provided on the top surface of the image forming apparatus 2. The upper surface 109 is wider than the maximum size (e.g., A3 size) of sheets S on which the image forming apparatus 2 can form images.

[0015] A user spreads a drawing on the top surface 109 to perform work such as drafting. Therefore, assuming that the floor on which the image forming system 1 is installed is level, the top surface 109 is also configured to be level. Additionally, the top surface 109 is configured to be as flat as possible. Here, the area indicated by reference numeral 1010 in FIG. 4(a), which will be described later, is an example of a workspace. If the image forming system 1 is installed horizontally, the workspace 1010 will also be horizontal. Furthermore, since this area is part of the top surface 109, it is flat. A "flat surface" refers to a surface designed to minimize irregularities such as grooves, excluding connection points between components that are unavoidable due to the design of the exterior of the image forming system 1. The workspace 1010 is sufficient if it has an area large enough to spread an A3-sized sheet of paper, as long as a flat surface is ensured within this area. The top surface 109 is, for example, made of a resin plate, and even if there is some wobble or undulation that is unavoidable due to manufacturing, it is considered to be a "flat surface." Furthermore, the term "horizontal" used here does not refer to horizontal in the strict mathematical sense, but rather to a level that can be considered horizontal in practical terms, that is, a concept that includes approximately horizontal.

[0016] 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 monocolor.

[0017] 2, the image forming apparatus 2 includes an image forming apparatus main body (hereinafter referred to as the apparatus main body) 10. The apparatus main body 10 also includes a toner supply unit 20, a sheet feeding section 30, an image forming section 40, a sheet conveying 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 include plain paper, a synthetic resin sheet that is a substitute for plain paper, cardboard, and an overhead projector sheet.

[0018] The sheet feeding section 30 is disposed at the bottom of the apparatus main body 10 and includes a sheet cassette 31 for stacking and accommodating sheets S, and a feeding roller 32, and feeds the sheets S to the image forming section 40.

[0019] 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 forms an image on the sheet S.

[0020] The image forming unit 41 includes four image forming units 41y, 41m, 41c, and 41k for forming toner images in four colors: yellow (y), magenta (m), cyan (c), and black (k). Each of these units is detachably attached to the apparatus main body 10 by the user. For example, the image forming unit 41y includes a photosensitive drum 47y for forming a toner image, a charging roller 48y, a developing sleeve 49y, a drum cleaning blade (not shown), toner, and other components. 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, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0021] The exposure device 43y is 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.

[0022] The intermediate transfer unit 44 is disposed below the image forming unit 41 in the direction D. The intermediate transfer unit 44 includes a plurality of rollers, such as a drive 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 in contact with 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 negative toner images on the photosensitive drums 47y, 47m, 47c, and 47k are sequentially transferred in a multi-layered manner onto the intermediate transfer belt 44b. This forms a full-color image on the intermediate transfer belt 44b.

[0023] The secondary transfer unit 45 includes an inner secondary transfer roller 45a and an outer secondary transfer roller 45b. A positive secondary transfer bias is applied to the outer secondary transfer roller 45b to transfer the full-color image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 44b to the sheet S. The inner secondary transfer roller 45a stretches the intermediate transfer belt 44b inside the intermediate transfer belt 44b, and the outer secondary transfer roller 45b is disposed in a position facing the inner secondary transfer roller 45a with the intermediate transfer belt 44b sandwiched therebetween.

[0024] The fixing device 46 includes a fixing roller 46a and a pressure roller 46b. As the sheet S is sandwiched and conveyed between the fixing roller 46a and the pressure roller 46b, the toner image transferred onto the sheet S is fixed to the sheet S by being pressurized and heated.

[0025] The sheet conveying section 50 is configured 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.

[0026] 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 apparatus body 10 on the left side in the L direction. 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 side in the L direction of the apparatus body 10.

[0027] 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 saving 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.

[0028] The CPU 73 is a microprocessor that controls the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 2, and is the main system controller. The CPU 73 is connected to the sheet feeding section 30, the image forming section 40, the sheet conveying section 50, the sheet discharging section 60, the HDD 72, and the operation unit 80 via an input / output circuit 76, and exchanges signals with each section and controls their operation. The image controller 71 can be operated and set by the user in response to commands from a computer (not shown) connected to the apparatus main body 10, or by operating the operation unit 80.

[0029] The operation unit 80 is used to operate the image forming apparatus 2. The operation unit 80 is provided separately from the apparatus main body 10 and is capable of operating each part of the apparatus main body 10. The operation unit 80 includes a driver board 81 and a display (liquid crystal touch panel) 82. The display 82 displays information (information related to image formation) necessary for the user to operate the image forming apparatus 2, such as the remaining amount of sheets S and toner supplied to the apparatus main body 10, warning messages when these consumables run out, and instructions for replenishing consumables. The display 82 also accepts user inputs, such as the size and basis weight of the sheets S, image density adjustment, and output number setting. In this embodiment, the display 82 is a liquid crystal touch panel. That is, the display 82 can accept touch operations by the user. A touch operation is an operation of touching the display 82 with a fingertip, and is a general term for actions such as flicking and scrolling.

[0030] The operation unit 80 is connected to the electrical unit 70 of the apparatus main body 10 by a cable 90 so as to be electrically connected. 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 supply 12 of the apparatus main body 10 to the driver board 81.

[0031] Next, the image forming operation in the image forming apparatus 2 configured as above will be described with reference to FIG.

[0032] When the image formation operation starts, first, the photosensitive drums 47y, 47m, 47c, and 47k rotate, and their 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 photosensitive drums 47y, 47m, 47c, and 47k based on image information, forming electrostatic latent images on the surfaces of the photosensitive drums 47y, 47m, 47c, and 47k. Toner adheres to this electrostatic latent image, which is developed into a visualized toner image and transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 44b.

[0033] Meanwhile, in parallel with this toner image formation operation, the feed roller 32 rotates, separating and feeding 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 pre-secondary 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 pressed to be fixed on the surface of the sheet S. The sheet S is then discharged from the discharge port 62 by a pair of discharge rollers 61 and supplied to the post-processing device 103.

[0034] (Operation unit placement) Here, the electrical unit 70, the operation unit 80, the cable 90, the cover 101, and the opening 102 will be outlined with reference to FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b).

[0035] The electrical unit 70 is provided on the back of the device main body 10, and a connector (device main body side connection part, not shown) provided at one end of a cable 90 is connected to the electrical unit 70. The cable 90 serves to connect the device main body 10 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 (operation unit side connection part, not shown) and is connected to the operation unit 80.

[0036] Although the operation unit 80 is connected to the apparatus main body 10 by a cable 90, it is not fixed to the top surface 109 of the image forming apparatus 2. The operation unit 80 is provided separately from the apparatus main body 10 and is arranged so that it can be moved relative to the top surface 109. Therefore, the user can freely place the operation unit 80 in any position on the top surface 109 as long as it is within the range of the extension of the cable 90. In this way, "free" here means that the operation unit 80 is not fixed to the top surface 109 with, for example, screws, or the like, i.e., it is configured so that the position of the operation unit 80 can be freely changed on the top surface 109.

[0037] In this embodiment, the device main body 10 and the operation unit 80 communicate bidirectionally via the cable 90. Therefore, as described above, the position of the operation unit 80 can be freely changed within the range of the cable length of the cable 90.

[0038] 4(a) and 4(b) are diagrams for explaining positions where the operation unit 80 can be placed on the upper surface 109. For example, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the operation unit 80 can be placed in a space near the document reading device 115 on the upper surface 109 of the image forming apparatus 2. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the operation unit 80 can also be placed in a space on the upper surface 106 of the feeder device 105. Even if the operation unit 80 is placed in a location not shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), it can be placed on the upper surface of the image forming system 1, such as on the upper surface 104 of the post-processing device 103. Furthermore, even in a space other than the upper surface of the image forming system 1, it is also possible to place the operation unit 80 on a workbench or the like installed near the image forming system (not shown).

[0039] (Cover installation position) Next, the mounting posture of the cover 101 will be described.

[0040] 4(a), when the operation unit 80 is disposed on the top surface 109 of the image forming apparatus 2 near the document reading device 115 and on the front side, the cover 101 is attached in a first attachment position in which an opening 102 provided in the cover 101 is disposed on the front side. The cable 90 connected to the electrical unit 70 by a connector (connection portion on the apparatus main body side, not shown) passes under the cover 101, passes through the opening 102 provided in the cover 101, and is connected to the operation unit 80 by a connector (connection portion on the operation unit side, not shown).

[0041] 4(b), when the operation unit 80 is disposed on the upper surface 106 of the feeding device 105, the cover 101 is attached in a second attachment position in which an opening 102 provided in the cover 101 is disposed on the rear side of the image forming apparatus 2. The cable 90 connected to the electrical unit 70 by a connector (connection portion on the apparatus main body side, not shown) does not pass under the cover 101 and through the opening 102, but passes through an opening on the main body side (not shown) provided in the image forming apparatus 2, and is connected to the operation unit 80 by a connector (connection portion on the operation unit side, not shown).

[0042] The reason for changing the mounting position of the cover 101 is that when the operation unit 80 is placed on the front side as shown in FIG. 4( a), the cable 90 needs to be passed through the opening 102 to be regulated. In a configuration where the cable 90 is not passed through the opening 102 as shown in FIG. 4( b), if the opening 102 is on the front side of the device, there is a possibility that the user may accidentally drop a component into the opening 102. It also looks bad. Therefore, in a configuration where the cable 90 is not passed through the opening 102, the opening 102 is on the rear side of the device, so that the opening 102 is not on the front side of the device, in order to prevent components from dropping and to improve the appearance.

[0043] 4(a) and 4(b), the cover 101 can be attached in either the first attachment position or the second attachment position. Depending on the position of the operation unit 80, when the cover 101 is in the second attachment position, the cable 90 may pass only through the opening 102 without passing under the cover 101.

[0044] (Angle of the operation unit) 5(a) is a view of the operation unit 80 viewed vertically from above, FIG. 5(b) is a view of the bottom surface of the operation unit 80, and FIG. 5(c) is a side view of the operation unit 80. FIG.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5(a), the operation unit 80 has a display 82. In this embodiment, the display 82 of the operation unit 80 is a liquid crystal touch panel. In other words, the display 82 can accept touch operations by the user. A touch operation is an operation of touching the display 82 with a fingertip, and is a general term for operations such as flicking and scrolling. A cable 90 extends from the rear of the operation unit 80.

[0046] 5(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. The rubber feet 85 (85a, 85b1) are the portions (feet) that come into contact with the upper surface 109 when the operation unit 80 is placed on the upper surface 109. The rubber feet 85 are made of an elastic member with a high surface friction coefficient. In 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, for a total of four locations.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 5(c), when the operation unit 80 is placed on the upper surface 109 serving as the placement surface, the surface formed by the rubber feet 85 conforming to the upper surface 109 is referred to as rubber foot surface B. Because the operation unit 80 is rigid, if the feet are also rigid, then a flat surface will be formed at three of the four feet due to component tolerances. Therefore, in the case of four feet, at least two or more feet are made of elastic material, allowing the feet to conform to the placement surface. This allows the user to stably operate the operation unit 80 on the upper surface 109.

[0048] The display 82 has a display surface 820 capable of displaying information related to image formation, such as a copy start button, a paper size setting screen, a print count setting screen, and a toner remaining amount display screen. Here, the display surface 820 of the display 82 is referred to as a panel surface C formed by the display 82. In this embodiment, the display surface 820 is provided on the entire surface of the display 82, excluding the edges. However, the entire surface of the display 82 may display information related to image formation and a screen for print settings. In either case, however, the inclination angle of the display surface 820 relative to the top surface 109 refers to the angle A that the center of the display 82 (the area corresponding to the display surface 820 in FIG. 5(a)) forms with the top surface 109. In other words, the angle A formed by the operation unit 80 is the angle formed by the rubber foot surface B (top surface 109) and the panel surface C (display surface 820).

[0049] The display 82 has a pressing range in the front and rear directions. As shown in FIG. 5(c), because the user operates the display 82 vertically, the pressing force F1a on the device's front side and the pressing force F1b on the device's rear side are defined as the lines extending from the rubber feet 85, i.e., the pressing direction lines, which are defined as the pressing direction line K1a on the device's front side and the pressing direction line K1b on the device's rear side. The front end of the front rubber foot 85a is defined as P (referred to as the front rubber end) and the rear end of the rear rubber foot 85b1 is defined as M1 (referred to as the rear rubber end). Then, the positions of the front rubber end P and the rear rubber end M1 are 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.

[0050] As a result, even if the display 82 is pressed, the operation unit 80 rotates with the front rubber end P or the back rubber end M1 as a fulcrum, and the back rubber foot 85b1 or the front rubber foot 85a on the opposite side does not float up, preventing deterioration of operability.

[0051] Furthermore, when the front rubber end P of the operation unit is used as a reference, the larger the angle A formed by the rubber foot surface B and the panel surface C, the more the rear rubber end M1 must be positioned further back, and the operation unit 80 must be enlarged toward the rear when the front side is used as a reference. In particular, when the angle A formed by the operation unit 80 is 45 degrees or more, the expansion ratio of the depth of the operation unit increases, so the operation unit 80 becomes larger and the installation location becomes limited.

[0052] Therefore, the upper limit of the angle A formed by the operation unit 80 is set to 45 degrees. In this embodiment, the angle A formed by the operation unit is set in the range of 0 to 45 degrees. More preferably, the angle A formed by the operation unit 80 is set in the range of about 5 to 45 degrees. This ensures good operability without increasing the size of the operation unit.

[0053] (Changing the angle of the control unit) The operation unit 80 is touched and operated by users of various heights, from tall users to short users. Up to this point, when the height from the floor of the top surface 109 of the image forming apparatus 2 on which the operation unit 80 is placed is limited to a predetermined height (1040 mm), the optimal angle A formed by the operation unit 80 calculated for each height is 30 degrees. However, there are cases where taller users and shorter users operate the operation unit 80. Furthermore, some users may prefer an angle A smaller or larger than 30 degrees.

[0054] In this embodiment, assuming such a user, an operation unit 80 will be described in which the angle A formed by the operation unit 80 can be adjusted not only to 30 degrees but also to an even smaller angle of 15 degrees.

[0055] In this embodiment, the angle adjustment mechanism described below is configured so that the panel surface C formed by the display 82 of the operation unit 80 forms a first angle (15 degrees) in the range of 0 to 45 degrees with respect to the rubber foot surface B, or a second angle (30 degrees) greater than the first angle.

[0056] Here, the example shows a configuration in which the operation unit 80 can be adjusted to two different angles A, but this is not limited to this and the operation unit 80 may be configured to be adjustable to three or more different angles as necessary. Also, the first angle is set to 15 degrees and the second angle is set to 30 degrees, but this is not limited to this and the angles can be set as appropriate.

[0057] The mechanism for adjusting the angle A formed by the operation unit 80 (referred to as an angle adjusting mechanism) will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0058] First, we will explain the configuration of the angle adjustment mechanism of the operation unit 80. Fig. 6(a) is a perspective view of the underside of the operation unit 80, Fig. 6(b) is a perspective view of the foot 86 of the operation unit 80, Fig. 7(a) is a rear view of the foot 86, and Fig. 7(b) is a perspective view of the operation unit 80 from the underside with the foot 86 removed.

[0059] The operation unit 80 includes an angle adjustment mechanism, which includes a foot 86, a bearing 88a, a protrusion 88b, and a restricting portion 88c.

[0060] The operation unit 80 has feet 86 rotatably provided on the operation unit 80. The feet (supports) 86 abut against the top surface 109 (rubber foot surface B) of the image forming apparatus, which is the placement surface, and support the operation unit 80 so that a panel surface C formed by the display 82 forms a first angle or a second angle larger than the first angle with respect to the top surface 109.

[0061] FIG. 8(a) is a side view of the operation unit 80 with the foot portion 86 closed. FIG. 8(a) is a side view of the operation unit 80 in a state where the foot portion 86 is rotated to a position at a first angle (angle A is 15 degrees). FIG. 8(b) is a side view of the operation unit 80 with the foot portion 86 open. FIG. 8(b) is a side view of the operation unit 80 in a state where the foot portion 86 is rotated to a position at a second angle (angle A is 30 degrees).

[0062] Also, FIG. 9(a) is a perspective view of the lower surface side of the operation unit 80 with the foot portion 86 closed. FIG. 9(b) is a perspective view of the lower surface side of the operation unit 80 in an intermediate state between the state where the foot portion 86 is closed and the state where it is open. FIG. 9(c) is a perspective view of the lower surface side of the operation unit 80 with the foot portion 86 open. FIG. 10(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in FIG. 9(a), FIG. 10(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in FIG. 9(b), and FIG. 10(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in FIG. 9(c).

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 6(b) and 7(a), the foot portion 86 has a shaft (shaft portion) 86a serving as a rotation center and a mounting portion 86e provided with the shaft 86a protruding in the axial direction (left-right direction). The shaft 86a is provided protruding in the axial direction on the mounting surface 86f of the mounting portion 86e. The mounting portion 86e is provided so as to be elastically deformable. Here, since the mounting portion 86e has a slit 86d on the side opposite to the side where the shaft 86a is provided in the axial direction, it is possible to bend in the axial direction (left-right direction) of the shaft 86a. In other words, the mounting portion 86e has a plate-like configuration in which the length h1 in the axial direction (left-right direction) is shorter than the length h2 in the up-down direction orthogonal to the axial direction (left-right direction) in FIG. 6(b) (h1 < h2). Therefore, the mounting portion 86e can bend in the axial direction (left-right direction) of the shaft 86a. As will be described later, the mounting portion 86e can be elastically deformed in the axial direction (left-right direction) of the shaft 86a by an overload exceeding a predetermined load.

[0064] The mounting portion 86e has an abutting portion 86c that abuts against the restricting portion 88c of the operation unit 80 at a position where the second angle is achieved (the position shown in FIG. 8(b)). When the foot portion 86 is rotated in the first direction from the first angle toward the second angle, the abutting portion 86c abuts against the restricting portion 88c, thereby restricting the foot portion 86 to a position where the second angle is achieved. This holds the operation unit 80 in the position shown in FIG. 8(b).

[0065] Here, the first direction is the direction of arrow w1 shown in Figure 10(b). The first direction is a rotation direction in which the foot 86 rotates from a position corresponding to the first angle shown in Figure 10(a) to a position corresponding to the second angle shown in Figure 10(c). The second direction is a rotation direction opposite to the first direction, and is the direction of arrow w2 shown in Figure 10(b). The second direction is a rotation direction in which the foot 86 rotates from a position corresponding to the second angle shown in Figure 10(c) to a position corresponding to the first angle shown in Figure 10(a).

[0066] The foot 86 also has a protrusion 86b that comes into contact with a bearing (bearing portion) 88a (described later). The protrusion 86b is provided on a mounting surface 86f of a mounting portion 86e so as to protrude in the same direction as the shaft 86a.

[0067] 7(a), the length from the mounting surface 86f to the tip of the protrusion 86b in the axial direction (left-right direction) is shorter than the length over which the shaft 86a is supported by the bearing 88a. In other words, the length over which the protrusion 86b protrudes in the axial direction is shorter than the length over which the shaft 86a is supported by the bearing 88a.

[0068] Furthermore, foot portion 86 has rubber foot 85b1 and rubber foot 85c. When operation unit 80 is in a position where it forms a first angle as shown in Fig. 8(a), rubber foot 85c comes into contact with upper surface 109 together with rubber foot 85a to form rubber foot surface B. When operation unit 80 is in a position where it forms a second angle as shown in Fig. 8(b), rubber foot 85b1 comes into contact with upper surface 109 together with rubber foot 85a to form rubber foot surface B.

[0069] Note that, although the example shown here is a configuration in which rubber feet 85c are provided on foot portion 86, the present invention is not limited to this. Rubber feet 85c are rubber feet that come into contact with upper surface 109 together with rubber feet 85a to form rubber foot surface B when operation unit 80 is in the position forming the first angle shown in Fig. 8(a), and therefore may be configured to be provided on the operation unit 80 side.

[0070] In addition, in this embodiment, a configuration has been described in which four rubber feet 85 are provided to be installed when the operation unit 80 is placed on the top surface 109 of the image forming apparatus, but this is not limited to this, and for example, the rubber feet 85 may be connected to each other to reduce the number to two.

[0071] As described above, the foot 86 is provided with rubber feet 85b1, rubber feet 85c, shafts 86a, protrusions 86b, abutment portions 86c, slits 86d, and mounting portions 86e. Note that Fig. 6(b) only shows the configuration of one side of the foot 86 in the left-right direction (right direction R), and does not show the opposite side (the other side in the left-right direction (left direction L)). However, as shown in Fig. 7(a), the other side in the left-right direction of the foot 86 (left direction L) also has rubber feet 85b1, rubber feet 85c, shafts 86a, protrusions 86b, abutment portions 86c, slits 86d, and mounting portions 86e, which are provided symmetrically.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 7(a), the operation unit 80 has a bearing (bearing portion) 88a, a protrusion 88b, a restricting portion 88c, a guide portion 88d, and an abutting portion 88e.

[0073] The bearing 88a serving as a bearing portion rotatably supports the shaft 86a of the foot portion 86. As shown in Fig. 12(a), the bearing 88a has a second inclined surface 88a1, a horizontal surface 88a2, and a first inclined surface 88a3. As will be described later, as shown in Figs. 11(a) to 11(c), the bearing 88a is positioned such that the protrusion 86b comes into contact with any one of the inclined surface 88a1, the horizontal surface 88a2, or the inclined surface 88a3 of the bearing 88a in response to the rotation of the foot portion 86.

[0074] The horizontal surface 88a2 is provided at a position where it abuts against the protrusion 86b of the foot 86 between the position where the first angle is formed and the position where the second angle is formed. The horizontal surface 88a2 abuts against the protrusion 86b, elastically deforms the mounting portion 86e in the direction opposite to the direction in which the protrusion 86b protrudes, and continues to maintain this elastic deformation.

[0075] The first inclined surface 88a3 is provided at a position where it abuts against the protrusion 86b between the horizontal plane 88a2 and the position at the second angle. The first inclined surface 88a3 is an inclined surface that restores the elastically deformed mounting portion 86e to the direction in which the protrusion 86b protrudes from the horizontal plane 88a2 toward the position at the second angle. The first inclined surface 88a3 is inclined toward the front from the front end of the horizontal plane 88a2 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0076] The second inclined surface 88a1 is provided at a position where it abuts against the protrusion 86b between the horizontal plane 88a2 and the position at the first angle. The second inclined surface 88a1 is an inclined surface that restores the elastically deformed mounting portion 86e to the direction in which the protrusion 86b protrudes from the horizontal plane 88a2 toward the position at the first angle. The second inclined surface 88a1 is inclined rearward from the rear end of the horizontal plane 88a2 in the front-to-rear direction.

[0077] The protrusion 88b comes into contact with the rubber feet 85b1 of the foot 86 that has been rotated to a position that forms the first angle, thereby restricting the foot 86 to the position that forms the first angle. Here, when the foot 86 is closed as shown in Fig. 10(a), the rubber feet 85b1 of the foot 86 come into contact with the protrusion 88b, so this configuration not only restricts the position of the foot, but also serves to muffle noise when the rubber feet come into contact with the protrusion 88b.

[0078] When the foot 86 is rotated in a first direction from the first angle to the second angle, the restricting portion 88c comes into contact with the abutting portion 86c of the mounting portion 86e at a position where the operation unit 80 is at the second angle, thereby restricting the rotation of the foot 86 in the first direction. The restricting portion 88c is provided at a position different from the bearing 88a in the axial direction (left-right direction) of the shaft 86a. As shown in Figures 12(a) to 12(c), the restricting portion 88c is provided more inward than the bearing 88a in the axial direction.

[0079] The contact portion 88e is a contact portion that comes into contact with the shaft 86a. The contact portion 88e is provided on the opposite side of the bearing 88a from the restricting portion 88c in the axial direction (left-right direction). As shown in Figures 12(a) to 12(c), the contact portion 88e is provided outside the bearing 88a in the axial direction.

[0080] 7(b) and 12(a), the guide portion 88d is provided on the side surface of the restricting portion 88c that is provided to protrude from the operation unit 80. The guide portion 88d guides the mounting portion 86e, which has been released from contact with the restricting portion 88c due to a rotational force in the first direction applied to the foot portion 86 at a position that forms the second angle, to a position where it can be restricted by the restricting portion 88c.

[0081] The guide portion 88d is shaped to come into contact with the mounting portion 86e and elastically deform the mounting portion 86e in the axial direction opposite to the direction in which the shaft 86a protrudes when the foot portion 86 is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction. Furthermore, the guide portion 88d is shaped to release the contact and restore the mounting portion 86e to a position where it can be restricted by the restricting portion 88c.

[0082] As described above, the operation unit 80 is provided with a bearing 88a, a protrusion 88b, a restricting portion 88c, a guide portion 88d, and an abutment portion 88e. Note that Fig. 7(b) only shows the configuration of one side in the left-right direction of the operation unit 80 (right direction R), and does not show the opposite side (the other side in the left-right direction (left direction L)). However, the other side in the left-right direction of the operation unit 80 (left direction L) also has a bearing 88a, a protrusion 88b, a restricting portion 88c, a guide portion 88d, and an abutment portion 88e, which are provided symmetrically.

[0083] The operation unit 80 shown in Fig. 6(a) is in a state where the shaft 86a of the foot 86 shown in Fig. 6(b) is inserted into the bearing 88a shown in Fig. 7(b) and the foot 86 is assembled to the operation unit 80. When inserting the shaft 86a into the bearing 88a, the slit 86d of the foot 86 shown in Fig. 7(a) is used to flex the mounting portion 86e on which the shaft 86a is provided, thereby assembling the foot 86.

[0084] As described with reference to FIGS. 6(a) to 7(b), the foot 86 is attached to the operation unit 80 via the shaft 86a, and can therefore be opened and closed around the shaft 86a as shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b). When the foot 86 is closed, as shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 10(a), the rubber foot 85b1 abuts against the protrusion 88b. When the foot 86 is opened, as shown in FIGS. 8(c) and 10(c), the abutment portion 86c abuts against the restricting portion 88c. This restricts the angle of the foot 86 to the position shown in FIG. 10(a) and the position shown in FIG. 10(c). Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 8(a) and 8(b), the angle A of the operation unit can be adjusted to two positions: a first angle (15 degrees) when the foot 86 is closed and a second angle (30 degrees) when the foot 86 is opened.

[0085] As mentioned above, when the legs 86 are closed as shown in FIG. 10(a), the rubber feet 85b1 abut against the protrusions 88b not only to regulate the angle but also to reduce noise when they abut.

[0086] Next, the retraction force when switching the foot 86 to a position that results in the first angle or a position that results in the second angle will be described. Figures 11(a) to 11(c) are cross-sectional views of the vicinity of the shaft 86a of the foot 86 when viewed from the underside of the operation unit 80. Figure 11(a) is a cross-sectional view of the foot 86 in a closed state, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in Figure 10(a). Figure 11(b) is a cross-sectional view of the foot 86 in an intermediate state between the closed state and the open state, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in Figure 10(b). Figure 11(c) is a cross-sectional view of the foot 86 in an open state, which is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in Figure 10(c).

[0087] Arrows F, B and arrows L, R shown in Figures 11(a) to 11(c) indicate the directions when operation unit 80 is placed on top surface 109 of the image forming apparatus. As described above, the front side as viewed from the side of image forming apparatus 2 is the front direction F, the back side (dorsal side) is the rear direction B, the left side is the left direction L, and the right side is the right direction R. As shown in Figures 11(a) to 11(c), protrusion 86b of foot 86 is positioned so as to come into contact with inclined surface 88a1, horizontal surface 88a2, or inclined surface 88a3 of bearing 88a depending on whether foot 86 is open or closed.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 11(b), when the foot 86 is in an intermediate state that is neither closed nor open, the protrusion 86b of the foot 86 abuts against the horizontal surface 88a2. Therefore, the mounting portion 86e is bent in the left direction L, which is the opposite direction from the protruding direction of the shaft 86a, and a restoring force acts in the right direction R, generating a horizontal surface pushing force Fb, which is a force that the protrusion 86b presses against the horizontal surface 88a2. Because the horizontal surface pushing force Fb acts in a direction perpendicular to the horizontal surface 88a2, no sliding force is generated in the protrusion 86b in the forward direction F or the backward direction B. Therefore, while the protrusion 86b is in contact with the horizontal surface 88a2, no retraction force is generated.

[0089] As described above, the length from the mounting surface 86f to the tip of the protrusion 86b in the axial direction (left-right direction) is shorter than the length over which the shaft 86a is supported by the bearing 88a. Therefore, even if the protrusion 86b abuts against the horizontal surface 88a2 of the bearing 88a and the mounting portion 86e is bent, the shaft 86a remains supported by the bearing 88a.

[0090] The foot 86, whose mounting portion 86e has elastically deformed, is rotated in a second direction (the direction of arrow w2 shown in FIG. 10(b)) toward a position at a first angle from the horizontal plane 88a2. In other words, the foot 86 is rotated in the closing direction. As a result, the mounting portion 86e is bent in the left direction L, and a restoring force acts in the right direction R, so that a slope pressing force FaR is generated, which is a force that causes the protrusion 86b to press the second inclined surface 88a1 in the axial direction, as shown in FIG. 11(a). Because the slope pressing force FaR acts on the second inclined surface 88a1, the protrusion 86b continues to slide on the second inclined surface 88a1 due to the pressing force Fa in the inclination direction of the second inclined surface 88a1 until the opening / closing angle is restricted. As a result, the force Fa of the protrusion 86b sliding down the second inclined surface 88a1 is converted into a force (rotational force in the second direction) that closes the foot 86 via the axis 86a, and a retraction force is generated when the foot 86 is switched to a position that forms the first angle.

[0091] Similarly, the foot 86, whose mounting portion 86e has elastically deformed, is rotated in a first direction (the direction of arrow w1 shown in FIG. 10(b)) toward a position at a second angle from the horizontal plane 88a2. In other words, the foot 86 is rotated in the opening direction. As a result, the mounting portion 86e is bent in the left direction L, and a restoring force acts in the right direction R, so that a slope pressing force FcR, which is a force by which the protrusion 86b presses the first slope 88a3, is generated, as shown in FIG. 11(c). Because the slope pressing force FcR acts on the first slope 88a3, the protrusion 86b continues to slide along the first slope 88a3 due to a pressing force Fc in the inclination direction of the first slope 88a3 until the opening / closing angle is restricted. As a result, the force Fc of the protrusion 86b sliding along the first inclined surface 88a3 is converted into a force (rotational force in the first direction) that opens the foot 86 via the axis 86a, and a retraction force is generated when the foot 86 is switched to a position that forms the second angle.

[0092] (Behavior of the feet when an overload is applied to the panel surface of the operation unit) Next, the behavior of the feet 86 when an overload is applied to the panel surface C of the operation unit 80 will be described. As shown in FIG. 8B, an overload exceeding a predetermined load is applied to the panel surface C of the operation unit 80 when the feet 86 are in an open state. For example, an extremely strong force exceeding 1.5 N (predetermined load), which is the general operating force of the display 82, is applied as the overload. Then, a force that tries to open the feet 86 further, which is a rotational force in the first direction (the direction of arrow w1 shown in FIG. 10B), is applied to the feet 86 that are restricted to a position corresponding to the second angle. In such a case, the overload is transmitted to the restricting portion 88c on the operation unit 80 side through the abutting portion 86c of the feet 86, which may damage the restricting portion 88c.

[0093] Therefore, the operation unit 80 of this embodiment is equipped with a function to prevent damage to the restricting portion 88c that restricts the opening and closing angle of the foot portion 86, assuming the above-mentioned overload.

[0094] The damage prevention behavior when an overload is applied to the panel surface C of the operation unit 80 with the feet 86 in the open state will be explained using Figures 12(a) to 12(c), 13(a), 13(b), 14(a), and 14(b).

[0095] Fig. 12(a) is a perspective view of the bearing and its surroundings of the operation unit 80 excluding the foot portion. Figs. 12(b) and 12(c) are cross-sectional views of the bearing and its surroundings of the operation unit 80 including the foot portion 86, and are cross-sectional views taken along the line G-G in Fig. 12(a). Figs. 13(a) and 14(a) are explanatory views of the bearing and its surroundings of the operation unit 80 when the foot portion 86 is restricted to the second position. Figs. 13(b) and 14(b) are explanatory views of the bearing and its surroundings of the operation unit 80 when the restriction on the foot portion 86 is released.

[0096] 13(a) and 14(a) are perspective views of the vicinity of the restricting portion 88c when the foot portion 86 is in an open state (position forming the second angle). Fig. 13(b) and 14(b) are perspective views of the vicinity of the restricting portion 88c when an overload is applied to the panel surface C of the operation unit 80 when the foot portion 86 is in an open state.

[0097] Figure 8(c) is a side view of the operation unit 80 in a state where an overload is applied to the panel surface C of the operation unit 80 with the foot portion 86 open, and the abutment portion 86c of the foot portion 86 comes out of contact with the regulating portion 88c that regulates the opening and closing angle.

[0098] In the operation unit 80, the restricting portion 88c is provided at a position different from the bearing 88a in the axial direction (left-right direction) of the shaft 86a, as shown in Figures 12(b) and 12(c). The abutting portion 88e is provided on the opposite side of the bearing 88a from the restricting portion 88c in the axial direction. The restricting portion 88c is provided on the inner side of the bearing 88a in the axial direction, and the abutting portion 88e is provided on the outer side.

[0099] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 12(b), in the direction intersecting the axial direction, the first abutment portion x1 of the regulating portion 88c with which the abutting portion 86c abuts at a position forming a second angle and the second abutment portion x2 of the abutment portion 88e with which the shaft 86a abuts are positioned opposite each other via the contact portion x3 of the bearing 88a with which the shaft 86a contacts.

[0100] 13(a) and 14(a), when the foot 86 is in the open state as shown in Fig. 10(c), the abutment portion 86c of the foot 86 abuts against the restriction portion 88c that restricts the opening and closing angle, and is restricted to a position where the second angle is formed. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 13(b) and 14(b), when an overload is applied to the panel surface C of the operation unit 80 in the open state of the foot 86, the mounting portion 86e of the foot 86 bends significantly in the left direction L.

[0101] Specifically, the foot 86, which is restricted to a position forming the second angle shown in FIG. 10(c), operates as follows when an overload exceeding a predetermined load is applied to the operation unit 80. A rotational force in the first direction due to the overload is applied to the foot 86, which is restricted to a position forming the second angle, in the direction of arrow w1 shown in FIG. 10(c). At this time, the abutting portion 86c of the mounting portion 86e receives a reaction force in the downward direction D from the restricting portion 88c, and further, the shaft 86a receives a force in the upward direction U from the abutting portion 88e. Then, the mounting portion 86e is bent in the left direction L by the reaction force in the downward direction D and the force in the upward direction U, with the contact portion x3 of the bearing 88a, with which the shaft 86a contacts, as a fulcrum. That is, the mounting portion 86e is elastically deformed in the axial direction opposite to the direction in which the shaft 86a protrudes. As a result, the contact between the restricting portion 88c and the attachment portion 86e is released as shown in FIG. 12(c), and the operation unit 80 is in the state shown in FIG. 8(c).

[0102] In other words, when the foot 86 is at the second angle and the contact between the mounting portion 86e and the restricting portion 88c is released by the rotational force in the first direction, the foot 86 is in the state shown in Fig. 8(c) At this time, the foot 86 is rotated to a position where it does not protrude from the upper surface 109 of the operation unit 80.

[0103] 8(c), in the operation unit 80 in a state where the abutment portion 86c of the foot portion 86 is disengaged from the restricting portion 88c that restricts the opening and closing angle, the foot portion 86 does not protrude from the surface D formed by the front rubber foot 85a and the ground contact point 89. In this state, even if an overload is applied to the panel surface C, no force is applied to the foot portion 86, so that the restricting portion 88c that restricts the opening and closing angle of the foot portion 86 can be prevented from being damaged.

[0104] Furthermore, when the contact is released from the state in which the operation unit 80 is restricted to the position corresponding to the second angle, the axial length over which the shaft 86a is supported by the bearing 88a is longer than the axial length over which the restricting portion 88c maintains contact with the mounting portion 86e. As a result, even when the restriction between the abutting portion 86c and the restricting portion 88c is released, the amount of engagement of the shaft 86a with the bearing 88a does not become zero or less. Therefore, the foot 86 does not come off the operation unit 80.

[0105] When the foot 86 is returned in the closing direction with the abutment portion 86c disengaged from the restriction portion 88c, the attachment portion 86e is guided by the guide portion 88d, causing the attachment portion 86e to bend in the left direction L along the guide portion 88d, and the abutment portion 86c of the foot 86 abuts against the restriction portion 88c again, returning to its original state.

[0106] In addition, in this embodiment, when the abutment portion 86c of the foot 86 comes off the regulating portion 88c, the amount of engagement of the shaft 86a with the bearing 88a is not made less than 0 so that the foot 86 can easily return to its original state, and the foot 86 does not come off the operation unit 80; however, the amount of engagement may become less than 0 so that the foot 86 may come off the operation unit 80.

[0107] According to this embodiment, even if an excessive load causes a rotational force in the first direction to be applied to the foot 86 that is restricted to the position that forms the second angle, the mounting portion 86e is elastically deformed, and the contact between the restricting portion 88c and the mounting portion 86e is released, thereby preventing damage to the foot 86 and the restricting portion 88c.

[0108] Furthermore, after the foot 86 is released from the restricting portion 88c, when the foot 86 is returned in the closing direction, the foot is guided by the guide portion 88d, and the abutting portion 86c of the foot 86 abuts against the restricting portion 88c again, returning to the original state.

[0109] Example 2 In the above-mentioned Example 1, the first angle of the angle A of the operation unit 80 was set to 15 degrees and the second angle was set to 30 degrees, but in this example, the first angle of the angle A of the operation unit is set to 0 degrees and the second angle is set to 20 degrees.

[0110] The operation unit of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figure 15 and Figures 16(a) to 16(c). Note that in the operation unit of this embodiment, members having equivalent functions are given the same reference numerals.

[0111] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the underside of the operation unit 80 with the foot portions 86 closed. FIG. 16(a) is a side view of the operation unit 80 with the foot portions 86 closed. FIG. 16(a) is a side view of the operation unit in a position forming a first angle, with 0 degrees being an example of the first angle. FIG. 16(b) is a side view of the operation unit 80 with the foot portions 86 open. FIG. 16(b) is a side view of the operation unit in a position forming a second angle, with 20 degrees being an example of the second angle. FIG. 16(c) is a side view of the operation unit 80 with the abutment portion (not shown) of the foot portions 86 disengaged from the restriction portion (not shown) that restricts the opening and closing angle.

[0112] In the above-described first embodiment, it was explained that the lower limit of the angle A of the operation unit is preferably 5 degrees so that a user standing on the front side of the device can easily recognize the direction of the front of the operation unit 80. However, if characters or the like that supplement the functions of the operation unit 80 are printed on the panel surface C of the operation unit 80, making it easy to recognize the orientation of the operation unit 80, the lower limit of the angle A of the operation unit 80 may be 0 degrees, as shown in Figures 15 and 16(a) to 16(c).

[0113] In the first embodiment described above, the rubber feet 85c are provided on the foot portion 86, but in this embodiment, the rubber feet 85c are provided on the operation unit 80.

[0114] As described above, as long as the angle of the operation unit (the angle between the display surface 820 (panel surface C) of the display 82 and the upper surface 109 (rubber foot surface B) which is the placement surface) is in the range of 0 to 45 degrees, the same effect as in the above-mentioned Example 1 can be obtained even if the first angle and the second angle are changed.

[0115] Example 3 Fig. 17(a) is a perspective view of the underside of the operation unit 80, Fig. 17(b) is a perspective view of the foot 86, and Fig. 17(c) is a perspective view of the operation unit 80 seen from the underside with the foot 86 removed. Note that in the operation unit of this embodiment, members having equivalent functions are given the same reference numerals.

[0116] In the above-described first embodiment, a configuration has been described in which slits 86d are provided in the foot portions 86 and the mounting portions 86e are bent in order to assemble the foot portions 86 to the operation unit 80 and to generate a pulling force when opening and closing the foot portions 86. However, as shown in Figures 17(a) to 17(c), a configuration may be adopted in which slits 88g are provided in the vicinity of the bearing 88a of the operation unit 80 so that the vicinity of the bearing 88a of the operation unit 280 is bent in the right direction R (the opposing portion of the same shape is bent in the left direction L).

[0117] In other words, the operation unit 80 of this embodiment has a second mounting portion 88h provided with a bearing 88a, a restricting portion 88c, and an abutting portion 88e, and is elastically deformable by an overload exceeding a predetermined load.

[0118] With this configuration, when an excessive load causes a rotational force in the first direction to be applied to the foot 86, which is restricted to a position forming the second angle, the second mounting portion 88h is elastically deformed in the axial direction in which the shaft 86a protrudes, thereby releasing the contact between the restricting portion 88c and the mounting portion 86e, and providing the same effect as in the above-described embodiment.

[0119] Example 4 In the above-described first embodiment, a configuration with one foot 86 has been exemplified. However, as shown in Figures 18(a) to 19(b), the foot 86 may be separated into multiple parts. In other words, the operation unit 80 of this embodiment has multiple rotatable feet 386. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate components with equivalent functions in the operation unit of this embodiment.

[0120] Fig. 18(a) is a perspective view of the underside of the operation unit 80 with the foot parts 86 closed (the angle A of the operation unit is 0 degrees). Fig. 18(b) is a perspective view of the underside of the operation unit 80 with the foot parts 86 in an intermediate state between the closed and open states. Fig. 19(a) is a perspective view of the underside of the operation unit 80 with the foot parts 86 open (the angle A of the operation unit is 20 degrees). Fig. 19(b) is a perspective view of the underside of the operation unit 80 with the abutment parts of the foot parts 86 disengaged from the protrusions that regulate the opening and closing angle.

[0121] As described above, even if a plurality of legs 86 are provided rotatably, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0122] Example 5 20(a) is a perspective view of the foot 86, and FIG. 20(b) is a perspective view of the operation unit 80 with the foot 86 removed, viewed from below. The telescopic protrusion 86g in FIG. 20(b) is biased from the inside in the left direction L by a spring. When a pushing force greater than the biasing force is generated in the right direction R, the telescopic protrusion 86g fits into the operation unit 80. The shaft 86a of the foot 86 shown in FIG. 20(a) is inserted into the bearing 88a in FIG. 20(b) so that the foot 86 is attached to the operation unit 80. Then, the multiple holes 86h of the foot 86 engage with the telescopic protrusions 486g shown in FIG. 20(b), and the opening and closing angle of the foot 86 is regulated according to this position.

[0123] In the first embodiment described above, the opening and closing angle of the foot 86 is restricted by abutting the foot 86 against the protrusion 88b or by abutting the abutment portion 86c against the restricting portion 88c. However, as shown in Figures 20(a) and 20(b), an extendable protrusion 86g biased from the inside by a spring and a plurality of holes 86h that engage with the protrusion 86g may be provided, so that both the vicinity of the bearing 88a of the operation unit 80 and the foot 86 do not bend.

[0124] Even with the above-described configuration, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] A...angle B...Rubber foot surface C...Panel surface x1 ... First contact part x2 ... Second contact part x3…Contact part 1. Image formation system 2...Image forming device 10...Device body 80...Operation unit 82...Display 85a, 85b1, 85c ... rubber feet 86...foot 86a …axis 86b…Protrusion 86c ...butting part 86d...slit 86e ... Mounting part 86f...Mounting surface 86g…Extendable protrusion 86h...hole 88a...Bearing 88a1 ...Second slope 88a2…Horizontal surface 88a3 ...First slope 88b…Protrusion 88c ...Regulation Department 88d ... Guide section 88e…Abutment part 88h ... Second mounting point 109...Top surface

Claims

1. An operation unit used to operate an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, a display that displays information regarding image formation; a support portion that abuts against a placement surface on which the operation unit is placed and supports the operation unit so that a display surface of the display forms a first angle or a second angle greater than the first angle with respect to the placement surface, the support portion being rotatably provided on the operation unit; The support portion is A shaft portion that serves as the center of rotation; a mounting portion provided so as to protrude from the shaft portion and capable of elastically deforming when subjected to an overload exceeding a predetermined load; The operation unit includes: a bearing portion that rotatably supports the shaft portion; a restricting portion that is provided at a position different from the bearing portion in the axial direction of the shaft portion, and that restricts the rotation of the support portion in the first direction by abutting on the mounting portion at a position where the display surface is at the second angle with respect to the arrangement surface when the support portion is rotated in a first direction from the first angle toward the second angle; a contact portion that is provided on the opposite side of the restricting portion with respect to the bearing portion in the axial direction and that contacts the shaft portion, When a rotational force in the first direction due to the overload is applied to the support portion restricted to a position at the second angle, the mounting portion is elastically deformed in the axial direction in a direction opposite to the direction in which the shaft portion protrudes, and the contact between the restricting portion and the mounting portion is released, An operation unit characterized in that when the support portion is at the second angle and the abutment between the mounting portion and the regulating portion is released by a rotational force in the first direction, the support portion is rotated to a position where it does not protrude from the operation unit onto the placement surface.

2. The operation unit according to claim 1, characterized in that in a direction intersecting the axial direction, a first abutment portion where the regulating portion abuts on the mounting portion and a second abutment portion where the abutment portion abuts on the shaft portion are positioned opposite each other via a contact portion of the bearing portion with the shaft portion.

3. The operation unit according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the operation unit has a guide portion that guides the mounting portion, which has been released from contact with the regulating portion by a rotational force in the first direction at a position where the second angle is achieved, to a position where it can be regulated by the regulating portion.

4. The operating unit according to claim 3, characterized in that the guide portion is shaped so that when the support portion is rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction, it abuts against the mounting portion, elastically deforming the mounting portion in the axial direction opposite to the direction in which the shaft portion protrudes, and releases the abutment, restoring the mounting portion to a position that can be regulated by the regulating portion.

5. An operation unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that when the contact is released from a state in which the operation unit is restricted to a position at the second angle, the axial length over which the shaft portion is supported by the bearing portion is longer than the axial length over which the restricting portion maintains contact with the mounting portion.

6. the mounting portion has a protrusion that protrudes in the same direction as the shaft portion and abuts against the bearing portion, 6. An operating unit as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the bearing portion abuts against the protrusion between the position where the first angle is formed and the position where the second angle is formed, and has a plane that elastically deforms the mounting portion in the axial direction in the opposite direction to the direction in which the protrusion protrudes, a first inclined surface that restores the elastically deformed mounting portion to the direction in which the protrusion protrudes from the plane toward the position where the second angle is formed, and a second inclined surface that restores the elastically deformed mounting portion to the direction in which the protrusion protrudes from the plane toward the position where the first angle is formed.

7. The operation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the display surface of the display forms the first angle or a second angle greater than the first angle in the range of 0 to 45 degrees with respect to the placement surface on which the operation unit is placed.

8. 8. The operation unit according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is connected to the image forming apparatus by a cable.

9. 9. The operation unit according to claim 1, wherein the support portions are rotatably provided in the operation unit.

10. An operation unit used to operate an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet, a display that displays information regarding image formation; a support portion that abuts against a placement surface on which the operation unit is placed and supports the operation unit so that a display surface of the display forms a first angle or a second angle greater than the first angle with respect to the placement surface, the support portion being rotatably provided on the operation unit; The support portion is A shaft portion that serves as the center of rotation; a mounting portion from which the shaft portion is provided so as to protrude, The operation unit includes: a bearing portion that rotatably supports the shaft portion; a restricting portion that is provided at a position different from the bearing portion in the axial direction of the shaft portion, and that restricts the rotation of the support portion in the first direction by abutting on the mounting portion at a position where the display surface is at the second angle with respect to the arrangement surface when the support portion is rotated in a first direction from the first angle toward the second angle; a contact portion that is provided on the opposite side of the bearing portion from the restricting portion in the axial direction and that contacts the shaft portion; a second mounting portion provided with the bearing portion, the restricting portion, and the abutting portion, the second mounting portion being elastically deformable by an overload exceeding a predetermined load, When a rotational force in the first direction due to the overload is applied to the support portion restricted to a position at the second angle, the second mounting portion is elastically deformed in the axial direction in a direction in which the shaft portion protrudes, and the contact between the restricting portion and the mounting portion is released, An operation unit characterized in that when the support portion is at the second angle and the abutment between the mounting portion and the regulating portion is released by a rotational force in the first direction, the support portion is rotated to a position where it does not protrude from the operation unit onto the placement surface.

11. an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; An image forming apparatus comprising: an operation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images