Image forming device

Abstract

To provide an image formation apparatus which can suppress increase in the size in the vertical direction of a display operation panel.SOLUTION: A display operation panel 3 of an image formation apparatus 1 comprises: a display panel 30 which is inclined; and a touch panel 10 which is thinner than the display panel 30 and is inclined so as to overlap the display panel 30 from above. A touch surface 11 comprises: a first area A1 being the first area A1 which overlaps a display surface 31 on the touch surface 11, in which display is performed by the display panel 30 and which receives an operation input by the touch panel 10; and a second area A2 being the second area A2 which does not overlap the display surface 31 on the touch surface 11, in which display is not performed by the display panel 30 and which receives an operation input by the touch panel 10. A front edge 30A of the display panel 30 is located behind and above a front edge 10A of the touch panel 10 such that the second area A2 is located before and below the first area A1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] An example of a conventional image forming apparatus is disclosed in Patent Document 1. In this image forming apparatus, a liquid crystal display panel is located on the top surface of an operation unit cover that constitutes part of the housing.

[0003] The liquid crystal display panel is a plate-like panel having a display surface on its upper surface, and is inclined so that its front edge is positioned lower than its rear edge. The liquid crystal display panel performs display.

[0004] The operation key unit is located on the top surface of the operation unit cover, in front of the liquid crystal display panel, and has a plurality of operation buttons for receiving operation inputs. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-232729 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the conventional image forming device described above, the liquid crystal display panel and the operation key section are separated from each other, but in recent image forming devices, a configuration has been adopted in which a display operation panel having a display panel and a touch panel overlapping the display panel from above is located on the top surface of the housing.

[0007] However, such a display / operation panel tends to be large in the vertical direction due to the thickness increased by the overlap of the display panel and the touch panel.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and has an object to provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent the display / operation panel from becoming large in the vertical direction. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The image forming apparatus of the present invention includes: an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; a housing that houses the image forming unit; a display operation panel located on the top surface of the housing, the display operation panel is a plate-shaped display panel having a display surface on an upper surface thereof, the display panel being inclined so that a front edge thereof is positioned lower than a rear edge thereof; a touch panel having a touch surface on its upper surface, being in the form of a plate thinner than the display panel, and being inclined so that its front edge is positioned lower than its rear edge and overlaps the display panel from above; the touch surface includes a first region that overlaps the display surface, the first region performing display by the display panel, and receiving operation input by the touch panel; a second area on the touch surface that does not overlap the display surface, the second area not displaying on the display panel, and receiving the operation input by the touch panel; The front edge of the display panel is located rearward and above the front edge of the touch panel so that the second area is located forward and below the first area.

[0010] In the image forming device of the present invention, the display panel, which is thicker than the touch panel, is concentrated in the upper portion of the display / operation panel, and the lower portion of the display / operation panel is a portion that is only the touch panel. As a result, this image forming device can prevent the lower portion of the display / operation panel from becoming bulky compared to a configuration in which the display panel and the touch panel overlap even in the lower portion of the display / operation panel.

[0011] Therefore, the image forming apparatus of the present invention can prevent the display / operation panel from becoming larger in the vertical direction, and as a result, the image forming apparatus as a whole can be prevented from becoming larger in the vertical direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a partial top view of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the cross section AA of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a part of the top cover, first to fourth sealing members, and a touch panel. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a film, a metal plate member, and a display panel. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a holder and a control board. [Figure 8] 1 is an exploded perspective view showing first to fourth sealing members, a touch panel, a film, a metal plate member, a display panel, a holder, and a control board. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] (Example) As shown in Figure 1, an image forming apparatus 1 of the embodiment is one example of a specific aspect of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. In Figure 1, the front cover 8 side of the housing 9 of the image forming apparatus 1 is the front. The width direction of the housing 9 is a direction that is perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction and extends horizontally. The side that is on the left when facing the front cover 8 is one of the width directions. The directions shown in Figure 2 and subsequent figures are all shown corresponding to the directions shown in Figure 1.

[0015] <Overall structure> As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a housing 9, an image forming section 5, a sheet cassette 4, and a display / operation panel 3.

[0016] The housing 9 is substantially box-shaped and houses, in its lower part, the sheet cassette 4. The sheet cassette 4 supports a stack of sheets on which images are to be formed.

[0017] The housing 9 also houses an image forming unit 5 above the sheet cassette 4. The image forming unit 5 forms an image on a sheet conveyed from the sheet cassette 4 by an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, or the like.

[0018] The housing 9 includes exterior covers, such as a top cover 100, a front cover 8, a rear cover 7, and side covers 6L and 6R. The top cover 100 is an example of the "cover" of the present invention. In this embodiment, the top cover 100 and the like are each a resin molded product manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin or the like.

[0019] The front cover 8 has a front wall 8F and an upper wall 8U. The front wall 8F is located higher than the front panel 4F of the sheet cassette 4. The front wall 8F of the front cover 8 and the front panel of the sheet cassette 4 form the front surface of the housing 9. The upper wall 8U is connected to the upper edge of the front wall 8F, protrudes rearward, and extends in the width direction. The upper wall 8U forms the front edge side of the upper surface 9U of the housing 9.

[0020] The rear cover 7 forms the rear edge side of the upper surface 9U of the housing 9. The side cover 6L located on one side in the width direction forms a side surface located on one side in the width direction of the housing 9. The side cover 6R located on the other side in the width direction forms a side surface located on the other side in the width direction of the housing 9.

[0021] A front edge 100A of the top cover 100 faces the rear edge of the upper wall 8U of the front cover 8. A rear edge 100B of the top cover 100 faces the front edge of the rear cover 7. The top cover 100, together with the upper wall 8U of the front cover 8 and the rear cover 7, constitutes the upper surface 9U of the housing 9.

[0022] The top cover 100 has a flat surface 100F that includes a front edge 100A and a rear edge 100B and extends substantially horizontally.

[0023] The top cover 100 also has a panel accommodating portion 103 in a portion located in the front and one of the width directions. The panel accommodating portion 103 has a portion that protrudes above the flat surface 100F and a portion that overlaps with the flat surface 100F.

[0024] The side cover 6L located on one side in the width direction has a bulging portion 6L1 located below the panel accommodating portion 103. The bulging portion 6L1 protrudes to one side in the width direction so as to be aligned with the panel accommodating portion 103.

[0025] A side edge 100L located on one side of the top cover 100 in the width direction and rearward of the panel accommodating portion 103 faces an upper edge of the side cover 6L located rearward of the bulging portion 6L1. A side edge 100R located on the other side of the top cover 100 in the width direction faces an upper edge of the side cover 6R.

[0026] The top cover 100 has a recess 100D recessed downward from the flat surface 100F.

[0027] The housing 9 has a sheet discharge opening 9H and a discharge tray 9T on its top surface 9U. The discharge tray 9T is the bottom surface of a recess 100D of the top cover 100, and is inclined downward toward the rear. The sheet discharge opening 9H is located on the rear surface that rises from the rear end of the bottom surface of the recess 100D.

[0028] The sheet on which the image is formed by the image forming unit 5 is discharged forward from the sheet discharge port 9H. The discharge tray 9T supports the sheet discharged from the sheet discharge port 9H.

[0029] 2 to 4, the display / operation panel 3 is housed in the panel housing portion 103 and is located on the upper surface 9U of the housing 9. The display / operation panel 3 is positioned offset to one side in the width direction with respect to the discharge tray 9T. A control portion (not shown) controls the display / operation panel 3 to display various information such as setting information and operating status of the image forming portion 5 on the display / operation panel 3, and obtains information on operation inputs made by the user from the display / operation panel 3.

[0030] Next, the specific configurations of the panel accommodating portion 103 and the display / operation panel 3 will be described in detail.

[0031] <Panel storage section> The top 103T of the panel accommodating portion 103 is a ridgeline that extends horizontally in the width direction at a position spaced upward from the flat surface 100F of the top cover 100.

[0032] 3 to 5, the panel accommodating section 103 has a fourth portion 140 behind the top portion 103T. The fourth portion 140 slopes steeply downward from the top portion 103T to the rear and extends in the width direction.

[0033] The fourth portion 140 has a portion that protrudes beyond the side edge 100L of the top cover 100 in one width direction, and a portion that connects to the flat surface 100F of the top cover 100.

[0034] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the panel accommodating section 103 has a fifth section 150, two first sections 110L and 110R, two second sections 120L and 120R, and a third section 130 between the top section 103T and the front edge 100A of the top cover 100.

[0035] The fifth portion 150 has a fifth upper surface 155. The fifth upper surface 155 is a flat surface that slopes gently downward from the top 103T forward and extends in the width direction.

[0036] The first portions 110L and 110R are located forward of the fifth portion 150. The first portions 110L and 110R each have a first upper surface 111.

[0037] The first upper surface 111 of the first portion 110L located on one side in the width direction is connected to one end of the fifth upper surface 155 in the width direction.

[0038] The first upper surface 111 of the first portion 110R located on the other side in the width direction is connected to the other end of the fifth upper surface 155 in the width direction.

[0039] Each first upper surface 111 is a flat surface that slopes gently downward toward the front and extends in the width direction. The fifth upper surface 155 and each first upper surface 111 are flush with each other.

[0040] The second portions 120L and 120R are located forward of the first portions 110L and 110R. Each of the second portions 120L and 120R has a second upper surface 122.

[0041] The second upper surface 122 of the second portion 120L located on one side in the width direction is connected to the first upper surface 111 of the first portion 110L and extends horizontally forward and in the width direction.

[0042] The second upper surface 122 of the second portion 120R located on the other side in the width direction is connected to the first upper surface 111 of the first portion 110R and extends horizontally forward and in the width direction.

[0043] The second upper surfaces 122 of the second portions 120L and 120R overlap the flat surface 100F.

[0044] The third portion 130 is located forward of the second portions 120L and 120R. The third portion 130 has a third upper surface 133 and a fourth upper surface 134.

[0045] The third upper surface 133 is connected to each second upper surface 122 and extends horizontally forward and in the width direction. The third upper surface 133 overlaps with the flat surface 100F.

[0046] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the fourth upper surface 134 slopes downward from the rear end edge of the third upper surface 133 located between the second upper surfaces 122.

[0047] Furthermore, each of the second portions 120L, 120R has a first side surface 121.

[0048] The first side surface 121 of the second portion 120L extends vertically downward and in the front-to-rear direction from the other side edge in the width direction of the second upper surface 122 of the second portion 120L. The first side surface 121 of the second portion 120L is connected to one end in the width direction of the fourth upper surface 134.

[0049] The first side surface 121 of the second portion 120R extends vertically downward and in the front-to-rear direction from one side edge in the width direction of the second upper surface 122 of the second portion 120R. The first side surface 121 of the second portion 120R is connected to the other end in the width direction of the fourth upper surface 134.

[0050] The panel accommodating portion 103 has a panel opening 103H. The panel opening 103H is a rectangular opening surrounded by the fifth upper surface 155, the first upper surfaces 111, the first side surfaces 121, and the fourth upper surface .

[0051] <Display and operation panel> As shown in FIGS. 4 to 8, the display / operation panel 3 includes, from top to bottom, first to fourth sealing members 81 to 84, a touch panel 10, a film 19, a metal plate member 20, a display panel 30, a holder 70, and a control board 50.

[0052] <Display panel> 8, the display panel 30 is a substantially rectangular flat plate having a substantially rectangular display surface 31 on an upper surface 30U. In this embodiment, the display panel 30 is a liquid crystal display, and has a backlight (not shown) below the display surface 31.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 4, the display panel 30 is inclined so that the front edge 30A is positioned lower than the rear edge 30B.

[0054] <Sheet metal parts> 6 and 8, the sheet metal member 20 is manufactured by punching and bending a thin steel plate, etc. The sheet metal member 20 has a rectangular hole that is larger than the outer shape of the display panel 30, and a plurality of locking pieces 21A to 21G that protrude downward from the inner peripheral edge surrounding the rectangular hole.

[0055] 4, the sheet metal member 20 sandwiches the display panel 30 by contacting the front edge 30A, the rear edge 30B, and a pair of side edges of the display panel 30 with the locking pieces 21A to 21G in an elastically deformed state. In this state, the upper surface of the sheet metal member 20 is substantially flush with the display surface 31.

[0056] <Film> 6 and 8, film 19 is a thin, generally rectangular resin film having a certain degree of rigidity. Film 19 has a rectangular hole that is slightly larger than the outer shape of display panel 30, and multiple marks 19M are printed below the rectangular hole.

[0057] Although the illustration is simplified, each mark 19M is designed so that the user can easily distinguish that it is a button display corresponding to a specific operation input. As shown in Fig. 4, the film 19 overlaps the sheet metal member 20 from above. The film 19 does not cover the display surface 31 due to its rectangular hole.

[0058] <Holder> As shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the holder 70 is a resin molded product manufactured by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin or the like.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 7, the lower surface 70D of the holder 70 has a substantially horizontal surface formed by the lower ends of a plurality of ribs connected to one another in a lattice pattern, a stepped surface having steps on the horizontal surface, and the like.

[0060] As shown in Fig. 9, the holder 70 has four screw holes 70H. As shown in Fig. 5, the panel accommodating portion 103 has four bosses 107 on its underside. As shown in Fig. 4, four screws 70S are passed through the screw holes 70H from below and screwed into the bosses 107, thereby fastening the holder 70 to the panel accommodating portion 103.

[0061] 8 and 9, the upper surface 70U of the holder 70 is inclined so that the front edge 70UA is positioned lower than the rear edge 70UB. The holder 70 has a support surface 73 on the upper surface 70U. The support surface 73 is the bottom surface of a recess that is recessed one step lower than the front edge 70UA and the rear edge 70UB of the upper surface 70U.

[0062] 4, the support surface 73 is inclined along the lower surface 30D of the display panel 30. The holder 70 supports the display panel 30 from below by means of the support surface 73.

[0063] 4 and 7, the holder 70 has a contact portion 79 located below the support surface 73. The contact portion 79 extends downward in a tapered cylindrical shape from approximately the center of the support surface 73 and further protrudes downward in a cylindrical shape from approximately the center of the lower surface 70D. The lower end 79D of the contact portion 79 is closed.

[0064] 4, the image forming apparatus 1 further includes a frame 90 within the housing 9. Although not shown in the figure, the frame 90 is located between the side cover 6L and the image forming unit 5 in the width direction, and extends in the front-rear and up-down directions. The frame 90 supports the image forming unit 5.

[0065] The frame 90 has a protrusion 97 on its upper surface. The protrusion 97 protrudes upward directly below the contact portion 79. The lower end 79D of the contact portion 79 is slightly spaced upward from the upper end of the protrusion 97 and is capable of coming into contact with the protrusion 97.

[0066] When the touch panel 10 is pressed in the first area A1 of the touch surface 11 described later, the lower end 79D of the contact portion 79 is displaced downward due to a downward force acting on the support surface 73, and comes into contact with the convex portion 97 of the frame 90 from above.

[0067] The holder 70 has a holding portion 75 on a lower surface 70D. The holding portion 75 has front end locking pieces 75A, 75B and a positioning shaft 75C located forward of the contact portion 79, and a positioning shaft 75D and fitting claws 75E, 75F located rearward of the contact portion 79.

[0068] <Control board> 7 and 8, the control board 50 is an electric circuit board that controls the operation of the display / operation panel 3. The control board 50 acquires various information such as setting information and operating status of the image forming unit 5 from a control unit (not shown), and controls the display operation of the display panel 30 to display the information on the display surface 31. The control board 50 also controls the touch panel 10 to acquire information on operation inputs made by the user, and transmits the information to a control unit (not shown).

[0069] The control board 50 has a flat plate shape with multiple recesses and notches. The control board 50 has a circular opening 50H at approximately the center. The control board 50 also has a positioning recess 50C at its front end and a positioning hole 50D at its rear end.

[0070] 7, holding portion 75 holds control board 50 as follows: That is, the assembling worker positions control board 50 below lower surface 70D of holder 70 and contact portion 79 passes through opening 50H.

[0071] Next, the assembly worker positions the front end of the control board 50 higher than the rear end so that the front end locking pieces 75A and 75B lock the front end of the control board 50 and the positioning shaft 75C fits into the positioning recess 50C.

[0072] Then, the assembly worker lifts the rear end of the control board 50 to the same height as the front end so that the snap-fit ​​engaging claws 75E and 75F engage with the rear end of the control board 50 and the positioning shaft 75D fits into the positioning hole 50D.

[0073] 4, the control board 50 extends horizontally and abuts against the lower surface 70D from below at a position lower than the display panel 30. In this state, the contact portion 79 protrudes downward to a position lower than the control board 50.

[0074] <Display operation panel first cable and control board connector> 6 and 8, the display / operation panel 3 has a first cable 35. In this embodiment, the first cable 35 is a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) in which wiring is printed on a substrate made of a flexible film or the like.

[0075] The first cable 35 has one end 35A and the other end 35B. The one end 35A of the first cable 35 is connected to the center in the width direction on the front edge 30A side of the display panel 30. The first cable 35 protrudes forward and downward from the one end 35A and further extends rearward to the other end 35B.

[0076] The control board 50 has a connector 53. The connector 53 is located on the underside of a portion of the front end of the control board 50 that is recessed rearward from the center in the width direction.

[0077] 4, connector 53 is located rearward and below front edge 30A of display panel 30 in the front-to-rear direction. The other end 35B of first cable 35 is located lower and behind end 35A. The other end 35B of first cable 35 is fitted into connector 53 and connected to control board 50.

[0078] 4 and 7, the control board 50 has a connector 54 on the rear edge side thereof. One end of a cable (not shown) that connects the control board 50 to a control unit (not shown) is fitted into the connector 54.

[0079] <Touch panel> 8, the touch panel 10 is a generally rectangular flat plate having a generally rectangular touch surface 11 on an upper surface 10U. The touch panel 10 is a user interface that determines which position on the touch surface 11 is touched by a user's finger or the like using, for example, a capacitance system or a resistive film system.

[0080] The width of the touch surface 11 is slightly greater than the width of the display surface 31. On the other hand, the front-rear length of the touch surface 11 is significantly greater than the front-rear length of the display surface 31.

[0081] The side edge located on one side in the width direction of the touch panel 10 is referred to as a first side edge 10L, and the side edge located on the other side in the width direction of the touch panel 10 is referred to as a second side edge 10R.

[0082] 4, the touch panel 10 is inclined so that the front edge 10A is positioned lower than the rear edge 10B. The touch panel 10 is placed on top of the display panel 30. In this state, the display surface 31 and the touch surface 11 are parallel to each other.

[0083] A front edge 70UA of the upper surface 70U of the holder 70 supports the front edge 10A of the touch panel 10, with the front edges of the film 19 and the sheet metal member 20 interposed therebetween.

[0084] A rear end edge 70UB of the upper surface 70U of the holder 70 supports the rear end edge 10B of the touch panel 10, with the rear end edges of the film 19 and the sheet metal member 20 interposed therebetween.

[0085] The touch panel 10 is thinner than the display panel 30. In this embodiment, the thickness of the touch panel 10 is less than half the thickness of the display panel 30.

[0086] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the panel accommodating portion 103 covers the front edge 10A, rear edge 10B, first side edge 10L, and second side edge 10R of the touch panel 10, and exposes the touch surface 11 through a panel opening 103H.

[0087] More specifically, the third portion 130 covers the front edge 10A of the touch panel 10 with a fourth upper surface 134 that slopes downward toward the touch surface 11.

[0088] The fifth portion 150 covers the rear edge 10B of the touch panel 10 with a fifth upper surface 155.

[0089] The two first portions 110L and 110R cover the first side edge 10L and the second side edge 10R of the touch panel 10 with their respective first upper surfaces 111.

[0090] The two second portions 120L and 120R cover the first side edge 10L and the second side edge 10R of the touch panel 10 with their respective second upper surfaces 122 and respective first side surfaces 121.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 4, the fifth upper surface 155 and the first upper surface 111 are inclined along the touch panel 10.

[0092] <First and second areas of the touch surface> As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the touch surface 11 has a first area A1 and a second area A2.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 4, the first area A1 is an area of ​​the touch surface 11 that overlaps with the display surface 31, where display is performed by the display panel 30 and where operation input is received by the touch panel .

[0094] A front end A1A of the first region A1 coincides with the front end of the display surface 31. A rear end A1B of the first region A1 coincides with the rear end of the display surface 31.

[0095] The second area A2 is an area of ​​the touch surface 11 that does not overlap with the display surface 31, does not display anything on the display panel 30, and receives operational inputs via the touch panel 10. The rear end of the second area A2 abuts the front end A1A of the first area A1.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 2, the user can see the marks 19M printed on the film 19 in the second area A2, and performs an operation input by touching one of the marks 19M with a finger or the like.

[0097] As shown in FIG. 4, the front edge 30A of the display panel 30 is located rearward and above the front edge 10A of the touch panel 10 so that the second area A2 is located forward and below the first area A1.

[0098] 2, the connection point between the first upper surface 111 of the first portion 110L and the second upper surface 122 of the second portion 120L is designated as J1L. The connection point between the first upper surface 111 of the first portion 110R and the second upper surface 122 of the second portion 120R is designated as J1R.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 4, an imaginary plane VP1 is defined that extends in the width direction of the housing 9, passes through two connection points J1L and J1R between each first upper surface 111 and each second upper surface 122, and is perpendicular to the touch surface 11.

[0100] The front end A1A of the first region A1 of the touch surface 11 is located closer to the rear edge 10B of the touch panel 10 than the imaginary plane VP1. In other words, when the two connection points J1L, J1R are virtually projected onto the touch surface 11 in a direction perpendicular to the touch surface 11, the front end A1A of the first region A1 of the touch surface 11 is located closer to the rear edge 10B than the projected two connection points J1L, J1R, i.e., above and behind.

[0101] <1st to 4th sealing member> 5 and 8, the first to fourth sealing members 81 to 84 are each made of a material that is easily elastically deformed, such as soft rubber, elastomer, or a foam material with closed cells. The first sealing member 81 and the second sealing member 82 extend linearly in the front-rear direction. The third sealing member 83 and the fourth sealing member 84 extend linearly in the width direction.

[0102] 3, the first sealing member 81 is located on one side in the width direction of the panel opening 103H. The first sealing member 81 seals the gap between the first side edge 10L of the touch panel 10 and the panel accommodating portion 103.

[0103] The second sealing member 82 is located on the other side of the panel opening 103H in the width direction. The second sealing member 82 seals the gap between the second side edge 10R of the touch panel 10 and the panel accommodating portion 103.

[0104] 3 and 4, the third sealing member 83 is located forward of the panel opening 103H. The third sealing member 83 seals the gap between the front edge 10A of the touch panel 10 and the panel accommodating portion 103.

[0105] The fourth sealing member 84 is located behind the panel opening 103H. The fourth sealing member 84 seals the gap between the rear edge 10B of the touch panel 10 and the panel accommodating portion 103.

[0106] The positional relationship of the first to fourth sealing members 81 to 84 with respect to the holder 70 is shown by two-dot chain lines in Fig. 9. The first sealing member 81 and the third sealing member 83 have a seam S1. The second sealing member 82 and the third sealing member 83 have a seam S2.

[0107] <Holder grooves and communication holes> As shown in FIG. 9, the holder 70 has grooves 71 and 72 and communication holes 71H and 72H.

[0108] One end of the groove 71 is recessed downward and forward of one widthwise end of the front edge 70UA of the upper surface 70U. In addition, one end of the groove 71 is located forward of the seam S1 between the first sealing member 81 and the third sealing member 83.

[0109] Groove 71 extends forward from one end, then bends and extends in the other direction to reach the other end. The other end of groove 71 is connected to communication hole 71H. Liquid that spills onto touch surface 11 and seeps into housing 9 through seam S1 moves along groove 71 along dashed arrow Y1, passes through communication hole 71H, and drips.

[0110] One end of the groove 72 is recessed downward and forward of the other end in the width direction of the front edge 70UA of the upper surface 70U. In addition, one end of the groove 72 is located forward of the seam S2 between the second sealing member 82 and the third sealing member 83.

[0111] Groove 72 extends a short distance from one end toward one side in the width direction, then bends and extends forward to the other end. The other end of groove 72 is connected to communication hole 72H. Liquid that spills onto touch surface 11 and seeps into housing 9 through seam S2 moves along groove 72 along dashed arrow Y2, passes through communication hole 72H, and drips.

[0112] 4, the frame 90 has a groove 96 that is recessed downward directly below the groove 71 of the holder 70. The groove 96 extends in the width direction and is located directly below the communication holes 71H and 72H. The groove 96 collects liquid dripping from the communication holes 71H and 72H and guides it toward the side cover 6L.

[0113] In this way, the grooves 71 and 72 of the holder 70 cooperate with the groove 96 of the frame 90 to guide liquid seeping in through the seams S1 and S2 away from the image forming unit 3.

[0114] <Action and effect> 4, in the image forming device 1 of the embodiment, the display panel 30, which is thicker than the touch panel 10, is concentrated in the upper portion of the display / operation panel 3, and only the touch panel 10 is present in the lower portion of the display / operation panel 3. As a result, this image forming device 1 can prevent the lower portion of the display / operation panel 3 from becoming bulky, compared to a configuration in which the display panel 30 and the touch panel 10 overlap even in the lower portion of the display / operation panel 3.

[0115] Therefore, the image forming apparatus 1 of the embodiment can prevent the display operation panel 3 from becoming larger in the vertical direction. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 can prevent the entire apparatus from becoming larger in the vertical direction.

[0116] 2, the panel accommodating section 103 of the image forming apparatus 1 has first portions 110L and 110R and second portions 120L and 120R. The connection point between the first top surface 111 of the first portion 110L and the second top surface 122 of the second portion 120L is designated J1L. The connection point between the first top surface 111 of the first portion 110R and the second top surface 122 of the second portion 120R is designated J1R. As shown in FIG. 4, an imaginary plane VP1 is defined, extending in the width direction of the housing 9, passing through the two connection points J1L and J1R between the first top surfaces 111 and the second top surfaces 122, and perpendicular to the touch surface 11. The front end A1A of the first region A1 of the touch surface 11 is located closer to the rear edge 10B of the touch panel 10 than the imaginary plane VP1. This configuration allows the user to easily recognize the front end A1A of the first area A1 for display and operation input using the two connection points J1L and J1R as reference points.

[0117] Furthermore, in this image forming apparatus 1, the panel accommodating section 103 further includes a third section 130 having a third upper surface 133 and a fourth upper surface 134. With this configuration, the second sections 120L, 120R and the third section 130 can preferably expose the second area A2 of the touch surface 11 below the second upper surface 122 and the third upper surface 133.

[0118] Furthermore, in this image forming apparatus 1, the display / operation panel 3 has a control board 50 located below the display panel 30, and a first cable 35. The first cable 35 has one end 35A that connects to the front edge 30A of the display panel 30, and the other end 35B that is located below and rearward of the first end 35A and connects to the control board 50, protruding forward and downward from the one end 35A and extending further rearward to the other end 35B. With this configuration, the empty space below the portion of the display / operation panel 3 where only the touch panel 10 is located can be effectively used as space for the first cable 35 to make a U-turn.

[0119] Furthermore, in this image forming apparatus 1, the control board 50 extends horizontally and has a connector 53 into which the other end 35B of the first cable 35 is fitted. The connector 53 is located rearward and below the front edge 30A of the display panel 30 in the front-to-rear direction. With this configuration, the first cable 35 makes a gentler U-turn than if the control board 50 were inclined along the display panel 30, making it easier to fit the other end 35B of the first cable 35 into the connector 53 of the control board 50. Furthermore, because the rear edge 30B of the display panel 30 and the rear edge of the control board 50 are significantly separated in the vertical direction, one end of a cable (not shown) can be easily fitted into the connector 54 located on the rear edge side of the control board 50 without being affected by the rear edge 30B of the display panel 30.

[0120] Furthermore, in this image forming apparatus 1, when the touch panel 10 is pressed down in the first area A1 of the touch surface 11, a downward force acts on the support surface 73, causing the lower end 79D of the contact portion 79 of the holder 70 to be displaced downward and come into contact with the convex portion 97 of the frame 90 from above. With this configuration, the frame 90 can effectively support the force pressing down on the touch panel 10 via the support surface 73 and the contact portion 79. As a result, this image forming apparatus 1 can prevent damage to the touch panel 10.

[0121] Furthermore, in this image forming apparatus 1, as shown in Fig. 7, holder 70 has holding portion 75 on its lower surface 70D that holds control board 50. As shown in Fig. 4, contact portion 79 protrudes downward to a position lower than control board 50, and lower end 79D can come into contact with frame 90 from above. Control board 50 has opening 50H through which contact portion 79 passes. Such opening 50H allows for greater flexibility in the layout of contact portion 79 and control board 50.

[0122] 9, the holder 70 of the image forming apparatus 1 has a groove 71 that guides liquid seeping in through the seam S1 between the first sealing member 81 and the third sealing member 83. The holder 70 also has a groove 72 that guides liquid seeping in through the seam S2 between the second sealing member 82 and the third sealing member 83. The holder 70 also has a communication hole 71H connected to the other end of the groove 71 and a communication hole 72H connected to the other end of the groove 72. The frame 90 has a groove 96 that collects liquid dripping from the communication holes 71H and 72H and guides it toward the side cover 6L. This configuration prevents malfunctions in the image forming unit 5 caused by liquid seeping in through the seam S1 between the first sealing member 81 and the third sealing member 83 and the seam S2 between the second sealing member 82 and the third sealing member 83.

[0123] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the examples, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above examples and can be modified and applied as appropriate within the scope of the invention.

[0124] In the embodiment, the display panel 30 is a liquid crystal display, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the display panel may be an organic electroluminescence (EL) display.

[0125] In the embodiment, the contact portion 79 has a cylindrical shape with a closed lower end 79D, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the contact portion may be a rib, a columnar protrusion, or the like. stomach.

[0126] In the embodiment, the rear end of the second region A2 is in contact with the front end A1A of the first region A1, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the rear end of the second region may be spaced apart from the front end of the first region A1.

[0127] In the embodiment, the opening 50H of the control board 50 is a hole, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the opening of the control board 50 may be a notch or the like.

[0128] In the embodiment, the first cable 35 is a flexible printed wiring board, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the first cable may be a flexible flat cable.

[0129] In the embodiment, the two connection points J1L, J1R between each first top surface 111 and each second top surface 122 have an angular recessed shape extending in the width direction of the housing 9, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the two connection points J1L, J1R may be connected so as to be continuous in an R-shape. In this case, the connection points J1L, J1R may be regarded as imaginary portions where the first top surface 111 and the second top surface 122 intersect when they are virtually connected, and the position of the front end A1A of the first region A1 of the touch surface 11 may be set based on the regarded connection points J1L, J1R. Alternatively, the connection points between the first top surface 111 and the R-shape or the connection points between the second top surface 122 and the R-shape may be regarded as the connection points J1L, J1R. [Industrial Applicability]

[0130] The present invention can be used in, for example, an image forming apparatus or a multifunction peripheral having a printer function and a scanner function. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 1... image forming apparatus, 5... image forming unit, 9... housing, 9U... upper surface of housing 3...display operation panel, 30...display panel, 30U...upper surface of display panel 31...display surface, 30A...front edge of display panel, 30B...rear edge of display panel 10...touch panel, 10U...top surface of touch panel, 11...touch surface 10A...Front edge of touch panel, 10B...Rear edge of touch panel A1: first area, A2: second area, 10L: first side edge of the touch panel 10R...second side edge of touch panel, 100...cover (top cover) 111...first upper surface, 110L, 110R...two first portions 122... second upper surface, 120L, 120R... two second portions J1L, J1R: Two connection points between the first and second top surfaces A1A...front end of the first region, VP1...imaginary plane, 133...third upper surface 134...fourth upper surface, 130...third portion, 50...control board 35...First cable, 35A...One end of the first cable 35B...other end of first cable, 53...connector, 90...frame 70...holder, 30D...underside of display panel, 70U...upper surface of holder 73...support surface, 79...contact portion, 70D...underside of holder 75...holding portion, 79D...lower end of contact portion, 50H...opening of control board 81...first sealing member, 82...second sealing member, 83...third sealing member S1: Seam between the first sealing member and the third sealing member S2: Seam between the second sealing member and the third sealing member 71, 72...Groove

Claims

1. an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet; a housing that houses the image forming unit; a display operation panel located on the top surface of the housing, the display operation panel is a plate-shaped display panel having a display surface on an upper surface thereof, the display panel being inclined so that a front edge thereof is positioned lower than a rear edge thereof; a touch panel having a touch surface on its upper surface, being in the form of a plate thinner than the display panel, and being inclined so that its front edge is positioned lower than its rear edge and overlaps the display panel from above; the touch surface includes a first region that overlaps the display surface, the first region performing display by the display panel, and receiving operation input by the touch panel; a second area on the touch surface that does not overlap the display surface, the second area not displaying on the display panel, and receiving the operation input by the touch panel; the front edge of the display panel is located rearward and above the front edge of the touch panel so that the second area is located forward and below the first area; a frame for supporting the image forming unit within the housing; the display operation panel has a support surface on its upper surface that fits along the lower surface of the display panel, and a holder that supports the display panel from below by the support surface; The holder is positioned below the support surface and has a contact portion that contacts the frame from above when the touch panel is pressed in the first area.

2. the housing has a cover that covers the front edge, the rear edge, the first side edge, and the second side edge of the touch panel and exposes the touch surface; the cover has a first upper surface inclined along the touch panel, and two first portions covering the first side edge and the second side edge; a second upper surface connected to the first upper surface and extending horizontally; and two second portions positioned forward of the first portions and covering the first side edge and the second side edge, 2. The image forming device of claim 1, wherein the front end of the first area of ​​the touch surface extends in the width direction of the housing, passes through two connection points between the first top surface and the second top surface, and is located closer to the rear edge of the touch panel than an imaginary plane perpendicular to the touch surface.

3. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the cover has a third upper surface connected to each of the second upper surfaces and extending horizontally, and a fourth upper surface inclined downward from the third upper surface toward the touch surface, and has a third portion covering the front edge of the touch panel.

4. The display operation panel includes: a control board located below the display panel and controlling the operation of the display operation panel; 4. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a first cable having one end connected to the front edge of the display panel, and another end located lower and rearward than the first end and connected to the control board, the first cable protruding forward and downward from the one end and extending further rearward to the other end.

5. the control board has a connector into which the other end of the first cable is fitted, the control board extends in a horizontal direction, 5. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the connector is located rearward of the front edge of the display panel in the front-rear direction.

6. the display / operation panel is located below the display panel and includes a control board that controls the operation of the display / operation panel; the holder has a holding portion on a lower surface that holds the control board, the contact portion protrudes downward to a position lower than the control board, and a lower end thereof is capable of contacting the frame from above; 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control board has an opening through which the contact portion passes.

7. the housing includes a cover that covers the front edge, the rear edge, the first side edge, and the second side edge of the touch panel and exposes the touch surface; a first sealing member that seals a gap between the first side edge of the touch panel and the cover; a second sealing member that seals a gap between the second side edge of the touch panel and the cover; a third sealing member that seals a gap between the front edge of the touch panel and the cover, 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the holder has a groove for guiding liquid that seeps in through the seam between the first sealing member and the third sealing member and the seam between the second sealing member and the third sealing member.

Images