Cover member and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a device cover member capable of preventing appearance quality deterioration and erroneous operation in an inexpensive and simple way.SOLUTION: A cover member (cover member 100) to be attached to a device is provided, having a first surface (reference surface 101) and a second surface (print surface 102) to be printed, where a step (step 103) is provided at a boundary between the first surface and the second surface.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover member and an image forming apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] In an image forming apparatus, when an illustration indicating an operation position or the like is displayed on the apparatus surface using a sheet-like member or printing, scratches and abrasions occur on the surface of the sheet-like member or the printed surface, leading to a deterioration in the appearance quality and incorrect operations due to misrecognition of the displayed content. To prevent this, a concave surface is provided on the surface of the sheet-like member for attachment, or ribs are provided on the sheet-like member on the side where the claw approaches, so as to prevent the claw from hitting the sheet-like member.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a method of directly laser marking information on an exterior cover. According to this method, scratches and abrasions can be prevented by the claw hitting the printed surface, but laser marking is inferior in visibility compared to the attachment or printing of a sheet-like member, and the hurdles for equipment and technology for introducing laser marking are high and it is difficult to easily introduce.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a cover member for a device that can prevent a deterioration in appearance quality and incorrect operations by an inexpensive and simple method.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] To solve the above-described problems, the present invention is a cover member provided on a device, having a first surface, and a second surface on which printing is performed, having a step at the boundary between the first surface and the second surface, where the printing is content indicating an operation direction, The second surface is a surface that is inclined with respect to the first surface such that the step increases from the end point to the starting point of the operating direction. Furthermore, if the printed side of the cover member is considered the outside, then at least a portion of it is located outside the first surface and protrudes from the first surface. It shall be considered as such. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a cover member for equipment that can prevent deterioration of appearance quality and malfunctions in an inexpensive and simple manner. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This figure illustrates an example of the structure of a cover member according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is an external view and (B) is a cross-sectional view along line AA of (A). [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of printing applied to a printed surface. [Figure 3] This figure illustrates an example of the configuration of a cover member according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure illustrates an example of the configuration of a cover member according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure illustrates an example of the configuration of a cover member according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This figure illustrates a modified example of Figure 5. [Figure 7] This figure illustrates an example of the configuration of a cover member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This figure illustrates a modified example of Figure 7. [Figure 9] This diagram illustrates an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a diagram illustrating an exterior member and (B) is a diagram illustrating an interior member. [Figure 10] This figure illustrates an example of the configuration of the image forming section of the image forming apparatus. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. In each drawing illustrating the embodiments of the present invention, components such as members and parts having the same function or shape will be given the same reference numerals to the extent possible so that they can be identified, and their description will be omitted after they have been described once.

[0009] As mentioned above, in image forming apparatuses, if the indications on the apparatus surface regarding operation (e.g., operating position, operating direction) are designed to encourage operation with the fingertips, the fingernails may come into contact with the sheet-like material or printed area, causing scratches or abrasions to the printed surface. For example, while countermeasures exist for display methods using sheet-like materials, the use of sheet-like materials itself leads to increased parts costs. Furthermore, when refurbishing used equipment, reapplying sheet-like materials due to factors other than scratches or abrasions requires a significant amount of labor. Therefore, direct printing on the material is advantageous and desirable for display purposes. However, the same countermeasures used for sheet-like materials (such as printing on concave surfaces or adding ribs near the printed surface) cannot be implemented with screen printing, which is the primary printing method.

[0010] Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, a cover member forming the exterior or interior of the equipment is provided with a step at the boundary with the reference surface and has a printable surface that can be silk-screen printed.

[0011] One embodiment of the cover member according to the present invention is: A cover member (cover member 100) provided on the device, The first surface (reference surface 101), It has a second surface (printing surface 102) on which printing is applied, There is a step (step 103) at the boundary between the first surface and the second surface. The parts in parentheses correspond to the configuration shown in Figure 1, which will be described later, as an example. The features of the present invention described above will be explained in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration example of a cover member according to an embodiment of the present invention, (A) is an external view, and (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of (A). The cover member 100 has a reference surface 101 as a first surface that forms the exterior or interior of the device, and a printing surface 102 as a second surface on which printing is performed, and a step 103 is provided at at least a part of the boundary between the reference surface 101 and the printing surface 102.

[0013] The step 103 may have a difference of 2 mm or more at least in a part of the boundary between the reference surface 101 and the printing surface 102, and there may be a part where there is no step in the boundary between the reference surface 101 and the printing surface 102 (such as a part where the printing surface 102 is continuously connected to the reference surface 101). For example, in the case of a display that prompts an operation with a fingertip, the boundary on the side where at least the hand of the operator touches may be set to a step of 2 mm or more. Also, the printing surface 102 preferably has a portion that protrudes from the reference surface 101. For example, the printing surface 102 may have a shape that protrudes from the reference surface 101 at the boundary portion where the step 103 is formed.

[0014] For the printing applied to the printing surface 102, for example, silk screen printing may be used. The printing is assumed to have information related to the operation printed thereon, and may include the operation direction, an indication of an operation whose operation direction is a single direction, the operation position, or an indication of the operation. Thus, the printing serves as a display unit that displays information related to the operation.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the printing applied to the printing surface. FIG. 2 shows an example in which the content indicating an operation whose operation direction is a single direction is printed.

[0016] By silk screen printing on the printing surface 102 having a step 103 at the end, when operating with a fingertip, even if a nail approaches the corresponding part, the tip of the nail hits the step 103, and it is possible to prevent the tip of the nail from hitting the printing surface 102. Furthermore, since the printing surface 102 is not concave and there are no protrusions nearby, screen printing becomes possible. In this way, information can be displayed directly on the component (printing surface 102), and the shape of the area around the print can prevent deterioration of the print.

[0017] The following describes various embodiments of the cover member. Figures 3 to 8 schematically represent a cross-section along line AA shown in Figure 1.

[0018] First Embodiment Figure 3 illustrates an example of the configuration of a cover member according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The cover member 100a has a step 103 where the printed surface 102a protrudes from the reference surface 101, and the printed surface 102a is a convex surface parallel to the reference surface 101. It is preferable that the height H of the step 103 be 2 mm or more. In this way, by silkscreen printing on the printed surface 102a with a step 103 of 2 mm or more, when operating with a fingertip, even if the fingernail approaches the area, it will hit the step 103 and prevent the fingertip from hitting the printed surface 102a.

[0019] Second Embodiment Figure 4 illustrates an example of the configuration of a cover member according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The printed surface 102b is printed with information indicating the direction of operation. The cover member 100b has a step 103 on the printed surface 102b, where at least a portion of the printed surface 102b protrudes from the reference surface 101, and the printed surface 102b is inclined to become a convex surface with increasing step height relative to the reference surface 101 from the end point to the start point in the operating direction. Preferably, the height H of the step 103 is 2 mm or more. In this way, by silkscreen printing on the printed surface 102b with a step 103 of 2 mm or more, it is possible to prevent the fingernail from touching the printed surface when the fingernail approaches the area during operation with the fingertip, as it will hit the step.

[0020] In this embodiment, the printing surface 102b may be formed so that it protrudes entirely from the reference surface 101. For example, the printing surface 102b may be shaped by inclining the printing surface 102a shown in Figure 3 such that the step increases from the end point to the starting point in the operating direction relative to the reference surface 101. Alternatively, the printing surface 102b may have a step 103 with a height H of 2 mm or more at the boundary with the reference surface 101, which is the starting point in the operating direction relative to the reference surface 101, and there may be no boundary with the reference surface 101 at or around the end point in the operating direction relative to the reference surface 101. For example, the printing surface 102b may have a continuous inclined surface that is the same height as the reference surface 101 toward the end point in the operating direction.

[0021] Third Embodiment Figure 5 illustrates an example of the configuration of a cover member according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The cover member 100c has a recess (concave surface, groove) 104 at the boundary between the printed surface 102c and the reference surface 101, and by providing the recess 104, a step 103 is formed. Figure 6 illustrates a modified example of Figure 5. The cover member 100d has a printed surface 102d that protrudes from the reference surface 101, and has a recess 104 at the boundary between the printed surface 102d and the reference surface 101. By providing the recess 104, the height H of the step 103 increases. In Figures 5 and 6, it is preferable that the height H of the step 103 be 2 mm or more.

[0022] In this way, by silkscreen printing on the printed surfaces 102c and 102d which have a step 103 of 2 mm or more, it is possible to prevent the fingertip from touching the printed surface 102c and 102d when the fingernail approaches the area during fingertip operation, as it will hit the step 103. At this time, the fingertip will, for example, approach the area along the recess 104, causing the fingernail to hit the step 103.

[0023] Fourth Embodiment Figure 7 illustrates an example of the configuration of a cover member according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The cover member 100e has a recess (concave surface, inclined groove) 105 at the boundary between the printed surface 102e and the reference surface 101, which is inclined in a direction that increases the step difference towards the printing. Figure 8 illustrates a modified example of Figure 7. The cover member 100f has a printed surface 102f that protrudes from the reference surface 101, and a recess 105 at the boundary between the printed surface 102f and the reference surface 101 that is inclined in a direction in which the step becomes larger towards the printing. In Figures 7 and 8, it is preferable that the height H of the step 103 be 2 mm or more.

[0024] In this way, by silkscreen printing on the printed surfaces 102e and 102f which have a step 103 of 2 mm or more, it is possible to prevent the fingertip from touching the printed surface 102e and 102f when the fingernail approaches the area during fingertip operation, as it will hit the step 103. At this time, the fingertip will, for example, approach the area along the recess 105, causing the fingernail to hit the step 103.

[0025] Next, an image forming apparatus to which a cover member according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described. Figure 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a diagram illustrating an exterior member and (B) is a diagram illustrating an interior member. Figure 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the image forming section of the image forming apparatus. In Figure 9, the image forming apparatus 200a shown in (A) and the image forming apparatus 200b shown in (B) with the outer cover open are illustrated as examples of devices with different appearances, etc. However, when the two are not distinguished, they are referred to as the image forming apparatus 200.

[0026] The image forming apparatus 200 forms an image on a recording medium based on image data received from an external source. The image forming apparatus 200 comprises at least an image reading unit 210 with a scanner function, an image forming unit 230, a recording medium supply unit 250, an ejection unit 270, and an operation unit 290.

[0027] The image forming apparatus 200 obtains image data by reading the original image with the image reading unit 210, or by receiving it from other devices via communication. The image forming apparatus 200 processes image data in memory and stores it there. Based on an output instruction, it outputs the image data from memory to the image forming unit 230, forms an image on the recording medium supplied by the recording medium supply unit 250, and discharges it from the discharge unit 270. The image forming apparatus 200 receives various instructions from the operation unit 290.

[0028] The cover members 100, 100a to 100f described above can be used for exterior members 311 to 317 as illustrated in Figure 9(A), or interior members 331 to 334 as illustrated in Figure 9(B). Note that Figure 9 shows an example of an exterior member or interior member, and is not limited to this. The cover members 100, 100a to 100f can be used for any member to which either shape can be applied.

[0029] Next, an example of the configuration of the image forming unit 230 will be described based on Figure 10. The image forming unit 230 has a so-called tandem configuration in which four image forming units (process cartridges), each having a photosensitive drum 40Y, 40C, 40M, and 40K as an image carrier, are arranged side by side. Y represents the yellow, C represents the cyan, M represents the magenta, and K represents the black developing color.

[0030] An intermediate transfer unit 42, which has an endless belt-shaped intermediate transfer belt 41 as an intermediate transfer body, is positioned opposite the photosensitive drum of each image-forming unit. The intermediate transfer belt 41 is rotatably wrapped around a plurality of support rollers 43, 44, 45, and 46.

[0031] The intermediate transfer belt 41 is rotated in the direction of arrow L by the drive of the support roller 43 in a counterclockwise direction. Reference numeral 47 indicates a tension roller that is pressed against the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41 to apply tension to the intermediate transfer belt 41.

[0032] The photoreceptor drums 40Y, 40C, 40M, and 40K are each driven to rotate clockwise while in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41. The first photoreceptor drum 40Y, located at the uppermost position, is charged to a predetermined polarity by the charging roller 48, and its charged surface is irradiated with a light-modulated laser beam emitted from the light writing unit 49. This forms an electrostatic latent image on the first photoreceptor drum 40Y, and this electrostatic latent image is made visible as a yellow toner image by the developing device 50.

[0033] A transfer voltage is applied to the primary transfer roller 51, thereby primary transferring the toner image on the photoreceptor drum 40Y to the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41, which is rotated in the direction of arrow L. The remaining toner adhering to the photoreceptor drum 40Y after toner image transfer is removed by the cleaning device 52.

[0034] In the same manner as described above, cyan toner images, magenta toner images, and black toner images are formed on the second to fourth photoreceptor drums 40C, 40M, and 40K, respectively. Each toner image is then sequentially transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 41 on which the yellow toner image has been transferred, and the four superimposed toner images are carried on the intermediate transfer belt 41.

[0035] A paper feed cassette 12, which serves as a recording medium supply unit 250, is located at the bottom of the main body of the device. The recording medium, which is a sheet of paper P, is fed out from the paper feed cassette 12 and transported toward the secondary transfer unit at a predetermined timing by the rotation of a pair of registration rollers. The area between the portion of the intermediate transfer belt 41 supported by the support roller 43 and the secondary transfer roller 53 positioned opposite it constitutes the secondary transfer section.

[0036] A transfer voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 53, thereby transferring the overlapping toner images on the intermediate transfer belt 41 to the paper P all at once. The secondary transfer roller 53 is pressed against the support roller 43 via the intermediate transfer belt 41 and rotated counterclockwise while in contact with the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 41. The paper P onto which the toner image has been transferred is sent to the fuser unit 54, where the toner image is fixed to the paper P by the action of heat and pressure. The paper P that exits the fixing device 54 is discharged to the sheet discharge section 8 by the paper discharge roller pair 55 and stacked.

[0037] In Figure 10, reference numeral 56 indicates a toner bottle for replenishing toner in the developing device 50. After secondary transfer, toner that was not transferred remains on the intermediate transfer belt 41. To clean this remaining toner, the intermediate transfer unit 42 is equipped with a belt cleaning device 57. In the above embodiment, a tandem type intermediate transfer method was used as an example of an image forming apparatus, but the same can be implemented in a tandem direct transfer method, a method in which multiple developing means are arranged around a single photosensitive drum, a monochrome machine, and the like.

[0038] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown above. Within the scope of the present invention, each element of the above embodiments can be changed, added, or modified in ways that would be easily conceivable to those skilled in the art. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] 100, 100a~100f Cover members 101 Reference plane 102, 102a~102f printing surface 103 steps 104, 105 Recess 200, 200a, 200b Image forming device [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0040] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-128063

Claims

1. A cover member provided on the equipment, The first page, It has a second side on which printing is applied, The boundary between the first surface and the second surface has a step, The aforementioned print indicates the direction of operation. The second surface is inclined relative to the first surface such that the step increases from the end point to the starting point of the operating direction, and if the printed side of the cover member is considered the outside, at least a portion of it is located outside the first surface and protrudes from the first surface. A cover component characterized by the following.

2. A cover member provided on the equipment, The first page, It has a second side on which printing is applied, The boundary between the first surface and the second surface has a step, The aforementioned print indicates the direction of operation. The second surface is inclined relative to the first surface such that the step increases from the end point to the starting point in the operating direction, and if the printed side of the cover member is considered the outside, at least a portion of it is located outside the first surface. There is a recess parallel to the first surface at the boundary between the first surface and the second surface. A cover component characterized by the following.

3. A cover member provided on the equipment, The first page, It has a second side on which printing is applied, The boundary between the first surface and the second surface has a step, The aforementioned print indicates the direction of operation. The second surface is inclined relative to the first surface such that the step increases from the end point to the starting point in the operating direction, and if the printed side of the cover member is considered the outside, at least a portion of it is located outside the first surface. There is a recess at the boundary between the first surface and the second surface that slopes toward the second surface in a direction that increases the step difference. A cover component characterized by the following.

4. A cover member provided on the equipment, The first page, It has a second side on which printing is applied, The boundary between the first surface and the second surface has a step, The aforementioned print indicates the direction of operation. The second surface is inclined relative to the first surface such that the step increases from the end point to the starting point in the operating direction, and if the printed side of the cover member is considered the outside, at least a portion of it is located outside the first surface. The aforementioned printing indicates an operation in which the direction of operation is a single direction. A cover component characterized by the following.

5. The second surface protrudes from the first surface. The cover member according to claim 2 or 3, characterized by the above.

6. The aforementioned printing indicates an operation in which the direction of operation is a single direction. The cover member according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The aforementioned step difference must be 2 mm or more. A cover member according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the above.

8. The second surface is flat and does not have a convex shape around its periphery. The cover member according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. An image forming apparatus comprising a cover member according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

Images