Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus that can prevent a reduction in visibility of an image to be output.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus comprises: a fulcrum shaft 32 that is provided between an operation display unit and a housing of the image forming apparatus and rotates integrally with the operation display unit; and a bearing unit that rotatably supports the fulcrum shaft 32. The fulcrum shaft 32 is regulated by a display unit fixing plate 31 for the rotation centered on an axis and the movement toward one side in a first direction D4 of the fulcrum shaft 32. The fulcrum shaft 32 is regulated by a rotary positioning plate 33 fixed to the display unit fixing plate 31 for the movement toward the other side in the first direction D4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0004] ,

[0006] , , ,

[0005] , , ,

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

Background Art

[0002] An image forming apparatus such as a printer includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display having a horizontally long display surface (see, for example, Patent Document 1). An output target image or the like is displayed on the display unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in a conventional image forming apparatus, when the output target image is a vertically long image, the output target image is reduced so that the entire output target image fits within the display surface. As a result, the visibility of the output target image is reduced. On the other hand, when the output target image is a vertically long image, a configuration in which the output target image is rotated 90 degrees and the rotated output target image is displayed on the display unit can be considered. However, in this configuration, when the output target image is a vertically long document image, the visibility of the output target image is reduced.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing a decrease in visibility of an output target image.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a display unit. The display unit has a display surface that is long in one direction and is supported so as to be rotatable about a first axis extending along a first direction orthogonal to the display surface.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the decrease in visibility of the output image. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows the configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the configuration of the operation display unit of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows the configuration of the operation display unit of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the configuration of the operation display unit of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the configuration of the support mechanism of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the configuration of the support mechanism of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the configuration of the support mechanism of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the configuration of the support mechanism of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows the configuration of the support mechanism of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows the configuration of the support mechanism of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows the configuration of the shaft portion of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows the configuration of the shaft portion of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows the configuration of the shaft portion of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14]FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of the shaft portion of the image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments are an example of embodying the present invention and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[0010] [Configuration of Image Forming Apparatus 100] First, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described while referring to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0011] Here, FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the operation display unit 5 of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the operation display unit 5 whose posture is adjusted to a posture different from that in FIG. 2. Further, FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the operation display unit 5 whose posture is adjusted to a posture different from those in FIGS. 2 and 3. Note that FIGS. 2 to 4 show the image forming apparatus 100 in a state where the ADF 1 is removed.

[0012] For the sake of convenience of explanation, in the installable state (the state shown in FIG. 1) in which the image forming apparatus 100 can be used, the vertical direction is defined as the up-down direction D1. Further, the front-rear direction D2 is defined with the front side (front surface) of the image forming apparatus 100 on the front side of the paper surface shown in FIG. 1 as the front (front surface). Further, the left-right direction D3 is defined based on the front of the image forming apparatus 100 in the installable state.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 100 has a printing function of forming an image based on image data. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 is a multifunction device having a plurality of functions such as a scan function, a fax function, and a copy function together with the printing function. Note that the present invention is not limited to a multifunction device and may be applied to image forming apparatuses such as a printer, a fax machine, and a copy machine.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) 1, an image reading unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, an operation display unit 5, a housing 6, and a support mechanism 7.

[0015] The ADF 1 conveys the document whose image is to be read by the image reading unit 2. The ADF 1 includes a document set unit, a plurality of conveyance rollers, a document presser, and a paper discharge unit.

[0016] The image reading unit 2 realizes the scanning function. The image reading unit 2 includes a document table, a light source, a plurality of mirrors, an optical lens, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). The image reading unit 2 reads an image from the document conveyed by the ADF 1 and outputs image data including the read image. Also, the image reading unit 2 reads an image from the document placed on the document table and outputs image data including the read image.

[0017] The image forming unit 3 realizes the printing function. Specifically, the image forming unit 3 forms an image by an electrophotographic method. The image forming unit 3 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging roller, an optical scanning device, a developing device, a transfer roller, a cleaning device, and a fixing device. The image forming unit 3 forms an image based on the image data output by the image reading unit 2. Also, the image forming unit 3 forms an image based on the image data input from an external information processing device.

[0018] The paper feeding unit 4 supplies sheets to the image forming unit 3. The paper feeding unit 4 includes a plurality of paper feeding cassettes and a plurality of conveyance rollers. The image forming unit 3 forms an image on the sheet supplied from the paper feeding unit 4.

[0019] The operation display unit 5 is a user interface of the image forming apparatus 100. The operation display unit 5 has a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that displays various information according to a control instruction from a control unit (not shown), and an operation unit such as an operation key or a touch panel that inputs various information to the control unit according to the user's operation.

[0020] The operation display unit 5 has a display surface 5A (see Figure 2) that is elongated in one direction. The display surface 5A is a rectangular plane that is elongated in one direction. Output images such as printable images and transmission images are displayed on the display surface 5A.

[0021] The housing 6 houses the image reading unit 2, the image forming unit 3, and the paper feeding unit 4 (see Figures 1 and 2). As shown in Figure 2, the housing 6 is formed in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped extending in the vertical direction D1. The ADF 1 is provided on the upper side of the housing 6. The operation display unit 5 is provided on the upper front of the housing 6.

[0022] The support mechanism 7 supports the operation display unit 5 at the upper front of the housing 6.

[0023] Incidentally, an image forming apparatus is known that has an operation display unit 5 having a horizontally oriented display surface 5A. In this image forming apparatus, when the output target image is a vertically oriented image, the output target image is reduced in size so that the entire output target image fits within the display surface 5A. As a result, the visibility of the output target image is reduced. In contrast, a configuration can be considered in which, when the output target image is a vertically oriented image, the output target image is rotated by 90 degrees and the rotated output target image is displayed on the operation display unit 5. However, in this configuration, when the output target image is a vertically oriented document image, the visibility of the output target image is reduced.

[0024] In contrast, the image forming apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention makes it possible to suppress the decrease in the visibility of the output image, as will be explained below.

[0025] Specifically, the operation display unit 5 is rotatably supported around a pivot shaft 32 (see Figure 5) that extends along a first direction D4 (see Figures 2 to 4) perpendicular to the display surface 5A. The pivot shaft 32 is provided between the operation display unit 5 and the housing 6. Here, the operation display unit 5 is an example of a display unit of the present invention. The pivot shaft 32 is an example of a first axis of the present invention. The housing 6 is an example of a housing of the present invention.

[0026] [Configuration of support mechanism 7] The configuration of the support mechanism 7 will be described below with reference to Figures 5 to 14.

[0027] Here, Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the support mechanism 7 fixed to the back surface 5B of the operation display unit 5. Figures 6 and 7 are perspective views showing the configuration of the support mechanism 7. Figure 8 is a front view showing the configuration of the support mechanism 7. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in Figure 8. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX in Figure 8. Figures 11 and 12 are perspective views showing the configuration of the shaft portion 30. Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the shaft portion 30 with the display unit fixing plate 31 removed. Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the shaft portion 30 with the rotation positioning plate 33 removed. In Figures 11 to 14, the pivot shaft 32 is shown with the biased portion 32C removed.

[0028] The support mechanism 7 supports the operation display unit 5 so that it can rotate around a left rotation axis 13 and a right rotation axis 14 (see Figure 6) that extend along the horizontal plane. The support mechanism 7 also supports the operation display unit 5 so that it can rotate around a pivot shaft 32. Hereinafter, the rotation direction around the left rotation axis 13 and the right rotation axis 14 will be referred to as the "first rotation direction D6" (see Figure 3). The rotation direction around the pivot shaft 32 will be referred to as the "second rotation direction D7" (see Figure 4).

[0029] As shown in Figure 5, the support mechanism 7 comprises a bearing support portion 10, a bearing portion 20, and a shaft portion 30.

[0030] The bearing support portion 10 is provided on the upper front of the housing 6. The bearing support portion 10 supports the bearing portion 20 so that it can rotate around a left rotation axis 13 and a right rotation axis 14 (see Figure 6) that extend along the horizontal plane. Here, the left rotation axis 13 and the right rotation axis 14 are examples of the second axis of the present invention.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6, the bearing support section 10 comprises a left main body fixing plate 11, a right main body fixing plate 12, a left rotation shaft 13, and a right rotation shaft 14.

[0032] As shown in Figure 6, the left main body fixing plate 11 and the right main body fixing plate 12 are provided symmetrically on both the left and right sides of the pivot shaft 32. The left pivot shaft 13 and the right pivot shaft 14 are also arranged symmetrically on both the left and right sides of the pivot shaft 32.

[0033] The left main body fixing plate 11 is formed from a sheet metal member having a predetermined thickness. As shown in Figure 6, the left main body fixing plate 11 comprises a front fixing portion 11A, a top fixing portion 11B, and a shaft support portion 11C. The front fixing portion 11A and the top fixing portion 11B are formed along the shape of the corner formed by the front and top surfaces of the housing 6. The front fixing portion 11A is screwed to the front of the housing 6. The top fixing portion 11B is screwed to the top surface of the housing 6. The shaft support portion 11C is provided at the left end of the top fixing portion 11B. The shaft support portion 11C is formed in a flat plate shape perpendicular to the left-right direction D3. The shaft support portion 11C supports the left rotation shaft 13 extending in the left-right direction D3.

[0034] The right main body fixing plate 12 is formed from a sheet metal member having a predetermined thickness. As shown in Figure 6, the right main body fixing plate 12 comprises a front fixing portion 12A, a top fixing portion 12B, and a shaft support portion 12C. The front fixing portion 12A and the top fixing portion 12B are formed along the shape of the corner formed by the front and top surfaces of the housing 6. The front fixing portion 12A is screwed to the front of the housing 6. The top fixing portion 12B is screwed to the top surface of the housing 6. The shaft support portion 12C is provided at the right end of the top fixing portion 12B. The shaft support portion 12C is formed in a flat plate shape perpendicular to the left-right direction D3. The shaft support portion 12C supports the right rotation shaft 14 which extends in the left-right direction D3.

[0035] The left-hand pivot shaft 13 is made of metal. The left-hand pivot shaft 13 is fixed so as not to rotate by the shaft support portion 11C. The right-hand pivot shaft 14 is made of metal. The right-hand pivot shaft 14 is fixed so as not to rotate by the shaft support portion 12C.

[0036] The bearing portion 20 rotatably supports the pivot shaft 32. The bearing portion 20 is supported by the bearing support portion 10 so as to be rotatable around the left pivot axis 13 and the right pivot axis 14. Alternatively, the bearing portion 20 may be supported by the bearing support portion 10 in a way that prevents rotation.

[0037] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the bearing portion 20 comprises a first bearing plate 21, a second bearing plate 22, and a third bearing plate 23.

[0038] The first bearing plate 21 is formed from a sheet metal member having a predetermined thickness. The first bearing plate 21 includes a first flat plate portion formed in a flat shape perpendicular to the first direction D4. As shown in Figure 6, the left arm portion 21A and the right arm portion 21B are provided at both ends of the first flat plate portion in the left-right direction D3, extending toward the housing 6 side (the side away from the operation display portion 5) in the first direction D4. The central part of the first flat plate portion in the left-right direction D3 is provided with an axial hole portion 21C (see Figures 9 and 10) through which the pivot shaft 32 is inserted.

[0039] The left arm portion 21A and the right arm portion 21B are formed symmetrically on both the left and right sides of the shaft hole portion 21C (see Figure 6). The left arm portion 21A and the right arm portion 21B are provided between the shaft support portion 11C and the shaft support portion 12C. The left arm portion 21A is formed in the shape of a flat plate perpendicular to the left-right direction D3. The left arm portion 21A has a shaft hole portion (not shown) through which the left rotation shaft 13 is inserted. The left arm portion 21A is rotatably supported by the left rotation shaft 13 fixed to the shaft support portion 11C. The right arm portion 21B is formed in the shape of a flat plate perpendicular to the left-right direction D3. The right arm portion 21B has a shaft hole portion (not shown) through which the right rotation shaft 14 is inserted. The right arm portion 21B is rotatably supported by the right rotation shaft 14 fixed to the shaft support portion 12C. The first bearing plate 21, including the left arm portion 21A and the right arm portion 21B, is rotatably supported by the left rotation shaft 13 and the right rotation shaft 14.

[0040] The left pivot shaft 13 may be fixed immovably to the shaft hole of the left arm portion 21A. In this case, the left pivot shaft 13 only needs to be rotatably supported by the shaft support portion 11C. The right pivot shaft 14 may be fixed immovably to the shaft hole of the right arm portion 21B. In this case, the right pivot shaft 14 only needs to be rotatably supported by the shaft support portion 12C.

[0041] The second bearing plate 22 is formed from a sheet metal member having a predetermined thickness. The second bearing plate 22 is positioned closer to the housing 6 in the first direction D4 than the first bearing plate 21. As shown in Figure 6, the second bearing plate 22 comprises a second central flat plate portion, a second left flat plate portion, and a second right flat plate portion, each formed in a flat plate shape perpendicular to the first direction D4. Hereinafter, the surface of the second central flat plate portion that is perpendicular to the first direction D4 and faces the housing 6 side will be referred to as the "fourth surface 22B" (see Figure 6).

[0042] The second central flat plate portion is positioned at a distance from the first flat plate portion of the first bearing plate 21 toward the housing 6 in the first direction D4. The fourth surface 22B of the second central flat plate portion is provided with a shaft hole portion 22C (see Figures 9 and 10) (an example of a shaft hole portion of the present invention) through which the pivot shaft 32 is inserted. The shaft hole portion 22C is provided in the center of the second central flat plate portion in the left-right direction D3. The pivot shaft 32 protrudes from the shaft hole portion 22C toward the housing 6 (see Figure 6).

[0043] The second left flat plate portion is connected to the second central flat plate portion via a stepped portion that bends from the left end of the second central flat plate portion toward the operation display portion 5 in the first direction D4. The second left flat plate portion is in surface contact with the first flat plate portion of the first bearing plate 21. The second right flat plate portion is connected to the second central flat plate portion via a stepped portion that bends from the right end of the second central flat plate portion toward the operation display portion 5 in the first direction D4. The second right flat plate portion is in surface contact with the first flat plate portion of the first bearing plate 21.

[0044] The third bearing plate 23 is formed from a sheet metal member having a predetermined thickness. The third bearing plate 23 is positioned on the side of the operation display unit 5 in the first direction D4 than the first bearing plate 21. The third bearing plate 23 includes a third flat plate portion formed in a flat shape perpendicular to the first direction D4. Hereinafter, the surface of the third flat plate portion perpendicular to the first direction D4 and facing the operation display unit 5 will be referred to as the "third surface 23D" (see Figure 7).

[0045] At both ends of the third flat plate-shaped portion in the left-right direction D3, there are left contact portions 23A and right contact portions 23B (see Figure 8) that protrude in the left-right direction D3. At the center of the third flat plate-shaped portion in the left-right direction D3, there is an axial hole portion 23E (see Figures 9 and 10) through which the pivot shaft 32 is inserted. The third flat plate-shaped portion is in surface contact with the first flat plate-shaped portion of the first bearing plate 21.

[0046] The second left flat portion of the second bearing plate 22, the first flat portion of the first bearing plate 21, and the third flat portion of the third bearing plate 23 are fixed to each other by screws. The second right flat portion of the second bearing plate 22, the first flat portion of the first bearing plate 21, and the third flat portion of the third bearing plate 23 are fixed to each other by screws. The first flat portion of the first bearing plate 21 is sandwiched between the second left flat portion and the second right flat portion of the second bearing plate 22 and the third flat portion of the third bearing plate 23. The second bearing plate 22 and the third bearing plate 23 rotate together with the first bearing plate 21 by being fixed to the first bearing plate 21, which is rotatably supported by a left rotation shaft 13 and a right rotation shaft 14.

[0047] The shaft holes 21C of the first bearing plate 21, 22C of the second bearing plate 22, and 23E of the third bearing plate 23 are arranged in a straight line along the first direction D4. The shaft holes 21C, 22C, and 23E function as bearings that rotatably support the pivot shaft 32.

[0048] Here, the left main body fixing plate 11 of the bearing support section 10 includes a first range defining section 11D as shown in Figures 6 and 7. The first range defining section 11D is provided at the front end of the shaft support section 11C. The right main body fixing plate 12 of the bearing support section 10 also includes a first range defining section 12D as shown in Figures 6 and 7. The first range defining section 12D is provided at the front end of the shaft support section 12C. The first range defining sections 11D and 12D are provided symmetrically on both the left and right sides of the pivot shaft 32.

[0049] The first range defining portion 11D defines the range of rotation of the left contact portion 23A, which rotates as part of the bearing portion 20. The first range defining portion 11D comprises a first contacted portion 11D1 (see Figure 8) and a second contacted portion 11D2 (see Figures 6 and 8). The first contacted portion 11D1 contacts the left contact portion 23A, which rotates in the third rotation direction D8 (see Figure 6), which is one of the first rotation directions D6 (see Figure 3), and locks the movement of the left contact portion 23A downstream in the third rotation direction D8. The second contacted portion 11D2 contacts the left contact portion 23A, which rotates in the opposite direction to the third rotation direction D8, and locks the movement of the left contact portion 23A upstream in the third rotation direction D8.

[0050] The first range defining section 12D defines the range of rotation of the right contact section 23B, which rotates as part of the bearing section 20. The first range defining section 12D comprises a first contacted section 12D1 (see Figure 6) and a second contacted section 12D2 (see Figure 6). The first contacted section 12D1 contacts the right contact section 23B, which rotates in the third rotation direction D8 (see Figure 6), and locks the right contact section 23B from moving downstream in the third rotation direction D8. The second contacted section 12D2 contacts the right contact section 23B, which rotates in the opposite direction to the third rotation direction D8, and locks the right contact section 23B from moving upstream in the third rotation direction D8. This defines the range of rotation of the operation display section 5 along the first rotation direction D6 (see Figure 3).

[0051] The shaft portion 30 includes the pivot shaft 32 and is fixed to the rear side of the operation display unit 5. The shaft portion 30 is supported by the bearing portion 20 so as to be rotatable around the pivot shaft 32.

[0052] As shown in Figure 11, the shaft portion 30 includes a display unit fixing plate 31, a pivot shaft 32, and a rotation positioning plate 33.

[0053] The pivot shaft 32 is provided between the operation display unit 5 and the housing 6 and rotates integrally with the operation display unit 5. The pivot shaft 32 is made of metal. The pivot shaft 32 has a cylindrical portion formed in a cylindrical shape along the first direction D4. At the end of the cylindrical portion on the operation display unit 5 side, a specific end face 32A (see Figure 13) is formed perpendicular to the first direction D4 and facing the operation display unit 5 side. The end of the cylindrical portion on the housing 6 side protrudes toward the housing 6 side from the fourth surface 22B of the second bearing plate 22 (see Figure 6).

[0054] The pivot shaft 32 is provided with a fitting projection 32B as shown in Figure 13. The fitting projection 32B extends toward the operation display unit 5 side from a plane including the specific end face 32A, encompassing a portion of the inside and outside of the specific end face 32A but excluding a portion of the edge of the specific end face 32A. In other words, a portion of the fitting projection 32B is located outside the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion (see Figure 14). The portion of the fitting projection 32B located outside the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion is supported by the portion located inside the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion. Furthermore, a portion of the edge of the specific end face 32A is covered by the fitting projection 32B, and the remainder is exposed toward the operation display unit 5 side (see Figure 13). Therefore, the shape of the fitting projection 32B as seen from the operation display unit 5 side is different from the circular shape concentric with the axis of the cylindrical portion of the pivot shaft 32. For example, the fitting projection 32B is formed in a long, approximately elliptical shape in a direction perpendicular to the first direction D4 (see Figure 13).

[0055] The pivot shaft 32 includes a biased portion 32C as shown in Figure 6. The biased portion 32C protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the projection from the axial hole 22C of the second bearing plate 22 in the cylindrical portion. For example, the biased portion 32C is formed by a nut attached to the tip of the cylindrical portion on the housing 6 side, with an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion.

[0056] For example, the pivot shaft 32 is manufactured in the following steps. First, a metal pipe to be used as raw material is prepared. Next, the outer circumference of the pipe is cut to a predetermined thickness, excluding one end in the direction of extension of the pipe. This forms the cylindrical portion with one end formed in a flange shape. Next, both the left and right ends of the flange-shaped end are cut vertically at a position inside the cylindrical portion in the left-right direction. Finally, the nut is attached to the tip of the cylindrical portion on the housing 6 side. This manufactures the pivot shaft 32. The nut may be attached to the cylindrical portion after it has been inserted through the through hole 33C of the rotation positioning plate 33.

[0057] The pivot shaft 32 may be manufactured by a method other than the manufacturing method described above. Also, the shape of the fitting projection 32B is not limited to the shape shown in Figure 13. Furthermore, the biased portion 32C may have a shape in which only a part of the circumferential region of the outer circumference of the cylindrical portion protrudes radially outward.

[0058] The display unit fixing plate 31 is fixed to the back of the operation display unit 5. The display unit fixing plate 31 is an example of a fixing part of the present invention.

[0059] The display unit fixing plate 31 is formed from a sheet metal member having a predetermined thickness. As shown in Figure 14, the display unit fixing plate 31 comprises a fourth flat plate portion, a left rear fixing portion 31A, and a right rear fixing portion 31B, each formed in a flat plate shape perpendicular to the first direction D4. Hereinafter, the surface of the fourth flat plate portion that is perpendicular to the first direction D4 and faces the housing 6 side will be referred to as the "first surface 31C" (see Figure 14).

[0060] As shown in Figure 14, the first surface 31C of the fourth flat plate portion is provided with a fitting hole 31D into which the fitting projection 32B of the pivot shaft 32 is fitted. The fitting hole 31D is formed in a shape corresponding to the fitting projection 32B (a substantially elliptical shape that is elongated in the direction perpendicular to the first direction D4). The fitting hole 31D is provided in the center of the fourth flat plate portion in the left-right direction D3. The left rear fixing portion 31A is connected to the fourth flat plate portion via a stepped portion that bends from the left end of the fourth flat plate portion toward the operation display portion 5 in the first direction D4. The left rear fixing portion 31A is in surface contact with the back surface 5B of the operation display portion 5. The left rear fixing portion 31A is screwed to the back surface 5B of the operation display portion 5. The right rear fixing portion 31B is connected to the fourth flat plate portion via a stepped portion that bends from the right end of the fourth flat plate portion toward the operation display portion 5 in the first direction D4. The right rear fixing portion 31B is in surface contact with the back surface 5B of the operation display portion 5. The right rear fixing portion 31B is screwed to the back surface 5B of the operation display portion 5.

[0061] As shown in Figures 12 and 14, the display unit fixing plate 31 is provided with a contact portion 31E. The contact portion 31E is formed protruding toward the housing 6 side along the first direction D4 from the upper end of the right rear fixing portion 31B. The contact portion 31E protrudes toward the housing 6 side beyond the first surface 31C, the rotation positioning plate 33, and the third bearing plate 23.

[0062] Here, the third bearing plate 23 of the bearing portion 20 includes a second range defining portion 23C (see Figure 6). The second range defining portion 23C is provided at the end of the third flat plate portion in a direction perpendicular to the first direction D4, along the second rotation direction D7 (see Figure 4). The second range defining portion 23C defines the rotation range of the contact portion 31E that rotates as part of the shaft portion 30. The second range defining portion 23C includes a third contacted portion 23C1 (see Figure 6) and a fourth contacted portion (not shown). The third contacted portion 23C1 contacts the contact portion 31E which rotates in the fourth rotation direction D9 (see Figure 6), which is one of the directions of the second rotation direction D7, and locks the downstream movement of the contact portion 31E in the fourth rotation direction D9. The fourth contacted portion contacts the contact portion 31E, which rotates in the opposite direction to the fourth rotation direction D9, thereby locking the upstream movement of the contact portion 31E in the fourth rotation direction D9. This defines the rotation range of the operation display unit 5 along the second rotation direction D7 (see Figure 4).

[0063] The rotational positioning plate 33 is fixed to the first surface 31C of the display unit fixing plate 31. The rotational positioning plate 33 is an example of a locking part of the present invention.

[0064] The rotational positioning plate 33 is formed from a sheet metal member having a predetermined thickness. As shown in Figures 11 and 13, the rotational positioning plate 33 includes a disc-shaped portion formed in a disc shape perpendicular to the first direction D4. Hereinafter, the surface of the disc-shaped portion perpendicular to the first direction D4 and facing the operation display unit 5 side will be referred to as the "contact surface 33A" (see Figure 13). The surface of the disc-shaped portion perpendicular to the first direction D4 and facing the housing 6 side will be referred to as the "second surface 33B" (see Figure 11). The second surface 33B faces the third surface 23D of the third flat plate portion of the third bearing plate 23.

[0065] A through-hole 33C (see Figures 11 and 13) is provided in the center of the disc-shaped portion through which the pivot shaft 32 is inserted. The through-hole 33C is formed in a circular shape corresponding to the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion of the pivot shaft 32. The through-hole 33C is also formed in a circular shape that prevents the fitting projection 32B of the pivot shaft 32 from being inserted (see Figure 13). The contact surface 33A contacts both the fitting projection 32B, which is fitted into the fitting hole 31D of the display unit fixing plate 31, and the edge (first surface 31C) of the fitting hole 31D (see Figures 13 and 14). The disc-shaped portion is fastened to the first surface 31C of the display unit fixing plate 31 with screws.

[0066] Here, as described above, the fitting projection 32B is formed in a shape that extends toward the operation display unit 5 from a plane including the specific end face 32A, encompassing a portion of the inside and outside of the specific end face 32A but excluding a portion of the edge of the specific end face 32A.

[0067] As a result, a portion of the edge of the specific end face 32A is exposed to the operation display unit 5 side (see Figure 13). Therefore, when the fitting projection 32B is fitted into the fitting hole 31D of the display unit fixing plate 31, a portion of the edge of the specific end face 32A and the edge of the fitting hole 31D (first surface 31C) come into contact (see Figure 9). Consequently, the movement of the pivot shaft 32 toward the operation display unit 5 in the first direction D4 is restricted.

[0068] Furthermore, the fitting projection 32B is formed in a shape different from the circular shape concentric with the axis of the cylindrical portion of the pivot shaft 32 (see Figure 13). Therefore, the fitting projection 32B, when fitted into the fitting hole 31D of the display unit fixing plate 31, cannot rotate relative to the display unit fixing plate 31 around the cylindrical portion. Consequently, the relative rotation of the pivot shaft 32 with respect to the display unit fixing plate 31 is restricted.

[0069] Furthermore, a portion of the fitting projection 32B is located outside the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion (see Figure 14). Therefore, when the cylindrical portion of the pivot shaft 32 is inserted through the through hole 33C of the rotational positioning plate 33, the portion of the fitting projection 32B located outside the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion comes into contact with the contact surface 33A of the rotational positioning plate 33 (see Figure 10). Consequently, the movement of the pivot shaft 32 toward the housing 6 in the first direction D4 is restricted.

[0070] The rotational positioning plate 33 is fixed to the first surface 31C such that the contact surface 33A and both the fitting projection 32B and the first surface 31C, which are fitted into the fitting hole 31D, are in contact. This restricts both the rotation of the pivot shaft 32 relative to the display unit fixing plate 31 and the rotational positioning plate 33, and its movement along the first direction D4. Therefore, compared to, for example, the case where the shaft portion 30 is integrally formed by die casting, it is possible to manufacture the shaft portion 30 without using special manufacturing equipment. Furthermore, compared to a configuration in which the movement along the first direction D4 is restricted by the pivot shaft 32 being sandwiched between the display unit fixing plate 31 and the rotational positioning plate 33, it is possible to reduce the distance between the surface of the fourth flat plate-shaped portion of the display unit fixing plate 31 on the side of the operation display unit 5 and the second surface 33B of the rotational positioning plate 33 in the first direction D4. The shaft portion 30 may also be integrally formed by die casting.

[0071] The second surface 33B of the disc-shaped portion is provided with a positioning projection 33D, as shown in Figure 11. The positioning projection 33D is provided so as to protrude from the second surface 33B toward the housing 6. For example, two positioning projections 33D are provided on the second surface 33B (see Figure 11). The number of positioning projections 33D provided on the second surface 33B may be one or three or more.

[0072] Here, the third bearing plate 23 of the bearing portion 20 is provided with a positioning recess 23F (see Figure 8).

[0073] The positioning recess 23F is formed on the third surface 23D of the third bearing plate 23 at a position opposite to the rotation path R1 of the positioning projection 33D (see Figure 8), so as to be able to fit with the positioning projection 33D. Specifically, the positioning recess 23F is positioned to fit with the positioning projection 33D when the operation display unit 5 is in the first position shown in Figure 3. The first position is when the display surface 5A is horizontally elongated. The positioning recess 23F is also positioned to fit with the positioning projection 33D when the operation display unit 5 is in the second position shown in Figure 4. The second position is when the display surface 5A is vertically elongated. In the image forming apparatus 100, two positioning recesses 23F corresponding to the two positions are provided for one positioning projection 33D. For example, four positioning recesses 23F corresponding to two positioning projections 33D are provided on the third surface 23D (see Figure 8). The number of positioning recesses 23F for a single positioning protrusion 33D may be one or three or more.

[0074] Furthermore, the shaft portion 30 includes a biasing member 34 (see Figure 6) and a movement restricting portion 35 (see Figure 9).

[0075] The biasing member 34 biases the biased portion 32C in a second direction D5 (see Figure 6) along the first direction D4, from the operation display unit 5 side towards the housing 6 side, between the fourth surface 22B of the second bearing plate and the biased portion 32C. For example, the biasing member 34 is a coil spring.

[0076] The shaft portion 30, which includes the biased portion 32C, is biased in the second direction D5 by the biasing member 34. As a result, the rotational positioning plate 33 comes into contact with the third bearing plate 23. Therefore, when the operation display unit 5 is in the first or second position, the rotation of the operation display unit 5 is restricted by the positioning projection 33D which fits into the positioning recess 23F. Thus, it is possible to stabilize the position of the operation display unit 5. In addition, the user can switch the position of the operation display unit 5 by pulling the operation display unit 5 towards them to separate the rotational positioning plate 33 from the third bearing plate 23. Note that the support mechanism 7 does not necessarily have to include the positioning projection 33D, the positioning recess 23F, the biased portion 32C, and the biasing member 34.

[0077] The movement restricting section 35 restricts movement of the shaft section 30 in the direction opposite to the second direction D5, beyond a predetermined reference position. Specifically, the reference position is the position where the protruding end of the contact section 31E faces the second range defining section 23C of the third bearing plate 23.

[0078] Specifically, the movement restricting portion 35 is provided between the second bearing plate 22 and the first bearing plate 21, protruding radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the pivot shaft 32. For example, the movement restricting portion 35 is a screw fastened to a screw hole 32D (see Figure 11) provided on the outer circumferential surface of the pivot shaft 32 (see Figures 9 and 10).

[0079] The movement restricting unit 35 contacts the first bearing plate 21 when the shaft portion 30 is moved in the direction opposite to the second direction D5, thereby restricting the movement of the shaft portion 30 beyond the reference position in the direction opposite to the second direction D5. This prevents the user from pulling the operation display unit 5 too hard and releasing the rotation restriction of the shaft portion 30 by the second range defining unit 23C.

[0080] Furthermore, a cable 43 (see Figure 10) is arranged inside the shaft portion 30. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a cable 43 that is routed from a first connection portion 41 provided on the housing 6 side, through the inside of the pivot shaft 32, to a second connection portion 42 provided on the operation display unit 5 side (see Figure 10). For example, the first connection portion 41 is a control board that functions as the control unit. The second connection portion 42 is a control board that controls the operation display unit 5. This makes it possible to suppress the movement of the cable 43 in conjunction with the adjustment of the attitude of the operation display unit 5, compared to a configuration in which the cable 43 is arranged outside the pivot shaft 32. Note that the cable 43 does not necessarily have to be arranged inside the shaft portion 30.

[0081] Thus, in the image forming apparatus 100, the operation display unit 5 is supported so as to be rotatable around a pivot shaft 32 (see Figure 5) that extends along a first direction D4 (see Figures 2 to 4) perpendicular to the display surface 5A. This makes it possible to switch the orientation of the operation display unit 5 from the first orientation to the second orientation when the output target image is a vertically elongated image. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the visibility of the output target image.

[0082] Furthermore, in the image forming apparatus 100, the pivot shaft 32 rotates integrally with the operation display unit 5. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the pivot shaft 32 rotates relative to the operation display unit 5, there is no need to provide a bearing on the operation display unit 5 side. Consequently, the size of the operation display unit 5 in the first direction D4 can be reduced. Note that the pivot shaft 32 may rotate relative to the operation display unit 5.

[0083] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to electrophotographic image forming apparatuses, but may also be applied to image forming apparatuses capable of forming images using other image forming methods such as inkjet methods. [Explanation of symbols]

[0084] 1 ADF 2 Image reading unit 3 Image forming unit 4 Paper feed section 5 Operation display section 6 cabinets 7 Support mechanism 10. Bearing support section 11 Left main unit fixing plate 12 Right main unit fixing plate 13 Left rotation axis 14 Right-hand pivot shaft 20 Bearing section 21. First bearing plate 22. Second bearing plate 23. Third bearing plate 30 Shaft section 31 Display unit fixing plate 32 Pivot shaft 33 Rotation positioning plate 34. Biasing member 35 Movement Control Department 100 Image forming apparatus

Claims

1. The display unit has a display surface that is elongated in one direction and is supported so as to be rotatable about a first axis that extends along a first direction perpendicular to the display surface. An image forming apparatus, The image forming apparatus is The first shaft is provided between the display unit and the housing of the image forming apparatus and rotates integrally with the display unit, A bearing portion that rotatably supports the first shaft, Equipped with, The first axis has a specific end face perpendicular to the first direction and facing the display unit side, and a fitting projection extending toward the display unit side from a plane including the specific end face, including a part of the inside and outside of the specific end face but not including a part of the edge of the specific end face. The image forming apparatus is A fixing portion having a first surface perpendicular to the first direction and facing the housing side, and a fitting hole formed on the first surface into which the fitting projection is fitted, and fixed to the back of the display portion, A locking portion having the fitting projection and a contact surface that contacts the first surface, and fixed to the first surface, An image forming apparatus equipped with the following features.

2. The locking portion has a second surface perpendicular to the first direction and facing the housing side, and a positioning projection that protrudes from the second surface toward the housing side. The bearing portion has a third surface facing the second surface, a positioning recess formed on the third surface at a position opposite to the rotation path of the positioning projection so as to be able to fit with the positioning projection, a fourth surface perpendicular to the first direction and facing the housing side, and a shaft hole formed on the fourth surface through which the first shaft protrudes toward the housing side. The first shaft is provided with a biased portion that protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the portion protruding from the shaft hole, The image forming apparatus includes a biasing member between the fourth surface and the biased portion that biases the biased portion in a second direction toward the housing side from the display portion side toward the housing side along the first direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The housing is provided with a bearing support portion that supports the bearing portion so as to be rotatable around a second shaft extending along a horizontal plane, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The first shaft is formed in a cylindrical shape, The image forming apparatus includes a cable that is routed from a first connection point provided on the housing side, through the inside of the first axis, to a second connection point provided on the display unit side. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

Images