Image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide an image forming apparatus in which a display surface is displaced with respect to an optical axis of a light source, and prevent light unevenness on the display surface.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 1 comprises a main body housing 11, a light source 33, a prism 4, and a diffusion lighting display part 5. The light source 33 emits light. The prism 4 deflects the light from the light source 33. The diffusion lighting display part 5 has a first display surface F11 exposed from the main body housing 11. The diffusion lighting display part 5 diffuses the light incident from the light source 33 through the prism 4 to light up the first display surface F11. The first display surface F11 is displaced in a first direction with respect to a light source optical axis X1 that is an optical axis of the light source 33.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus including a component that illuminates a display surface exposed from a main body housing. [Background Art]

[0002] Conventionally, as an image forming apparatus, one including a light guide for an indicator that guides light from an LED to the outside of a main body housing is known (see Patent Document 1). The indicator light guide has a light guide tip portion having a display surface, and a light guide base portion that guides light from the LED to the light guide tip portion.

[0003] A light diffusing material that diffuses light is dispersed in the light guide tip portion. The light guide base portion has a lens surface that protrudes toward the light guide tip portion, and diffuses light from the LED to guide the light to the light guide tip portion. The optical axis of the LED and the optical axis of the lens surface of the light guide base portion coincide with the center of the display surface of the light guide tip portion. [Prior Art Documents] [Patent Documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-84460 [Summary of the Invention] [Problem to be Solved by the Invention]

[0005] By the way, when the optical axis of the LED is arranged offset from the display surface, uneven brightness on the display surface may increase.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to suppress uneven brightness on the display surface in a configuration where the optical axis of the light source is offset from the display surface. [Means for Solving the Problem]

[0007] To solve the above problem, the image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a main body housing, a light source, a prism, and a diffusion lighting display component. A light source emits light. A prism refracts light from a light source. The diffused illumination indicator component has a first display surface exposed from the main housing. The diffused illumination indicator component illuminates the first display surface by diffusing light incident from a light source through a prism. The first display surface is offset in a first direction with respect to the light source optical axis, which is the optical axis of the light source.

[0008] With this configuration, even if the first display surface and the light source's optical axis are misaligned, the prism refracts the light from the light source, thereby suppressing uneven lighting on the first display surface.

[0009] Furthermore, the first display surface is a surface whose length in the first direction is longer than its length in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and at least one of the incident and exit surfaces of the prism may be a surface having positive refractive power in a cross-section perpendicular to the first direction.

[0010] This configuration makes it possible to suppress the loss of some of the light emitted from the prism to the outside of the second direction of the first display surface, thereby increasing the light emission intensity of the first display surface.

[0011] Furthermore, both the incident and exit surfaces of the prism may have positive refractive power in a cross-section perpendicular to the first direction.

[0012] Furthermore, the emission surface of the prism may be a surface that has positive refractive power in a cross-section perpendicular to the second direction.

[0013] Furthermore, the diffused illumination indicator component has a first portion having a first display surface, and the first thickness, which is the size of the first portion in a direction perpendicular to the first display surface, may become smaller as it moves away from the light source optical axis in the first direction.

[0014] With this configuration, the difference in the amount of attenuation of the light beam passing through the prism and heading toward the first display surface can be reduced at the first point, thereby suppressing uneven lighting on the first display surface.

[0015] Furthermore, the diffused illumination indicator component may have a second display surface exposed from the main housing and a second portion having a part of the second display surface. In this case, the second display surface may extend from the edge of the first display surface on the side farther from the light source optical axis in the first direction in a direction intersecting the first display surface. The second thickness, which is the size of the second portion in the direction perpendicular to the second display surface, may be smaller than the minimum value of the first thickness.

[0016] With this configuration, the difference in the amount of attenuation of the light beam passing through the prism toward the first display surface and the second display surface can be reduced in the first and second parts, thereby suppressing uneven lighting on the first and second display surfaces.

[0017] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus may be equipped with a cover that opens and closes an opening in the main housing, and the second display surface may be exposed to the outside when the cover is open, and covered by the cover when the cover is closed.

[0018] With this configuration, when the cover is open, the user can see that both the first and second display surfaces are illuminated.

[0019] Furthermore, the diffused illumination indicator component may support the prism so that it can move in a direction along the light source's optical axis.

[0020] With this configuration, when arranging the diffuse illumination indicator component and prism relative to the light source, even if the prism comes into contact with the light source in the direction of the light source's optical axis due to dimensional tolerances, the prism moves relative to the diffuse illumination indicator component, thus preventing damage to the prism or light source.

[0021] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus may also include an electronic circuit board having a light source and a power switch for the image forming apparatus, a key exposed from the main housing which is movable relative to the main housing and capable of pressing the power switch, and a wall located between the diffused illumination indicator component and the key.

[0022] According to this configuration, the wall can suppress leakage of light from the diffused lighting display component through the gap between the key and the main body housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, in a configuration where the optical axis of the display surface and the light source are misaligned, uneven light on the display surface can be suppressed. [Brief Description of Drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] Fig. 1 is a perspective view (a) showing an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment, and an enlarged perspective view (b) showing an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a broken-line circle in Fig. 1 (a). [Figure 2] Fig. 2 is a perspective view (a) showing the image forming apparatus with a cover opened, and an enlarged perspective view (b) showing an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a broken-line circle in Fig. 2 (a). [Figure 3] Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an exploded lighting display unit and the like. [Figure 4] Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing a partially broken structure around the lighting display unit of the image forming apparatus. [Figure 5] Fig. 5 is a perspective view (a) showing a prism, a side view (b) of the prism viewed from one side in the second direction, and a front view (c) of the prism viewed from one side in the first direction. [Figure 6] Fig. 6 is a perspective view (a) showing a diffused lighting display component, a bottom view (b) of the diffused lighting display component viewed from one side in the third direction, and a side view (c) of the diffused lighting display component viewed from one side in the second direction. [Figure 7] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting display unit taken along a plane orthogonal to the second direction. [Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]

[0025] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with appropriate reference to the drawings. As shown in Figure 1(a), the image forming apparatus 1 is a printer that forms images on a sheet. The image forming apparatus 1 comprises a main body housing 11, a cover 12, a key 13, and an illuminated indicator unit 2.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2(a), the main housing 11 has an opening 11A through which a cartridge (not shown) can pass. The cartridge can be attached to and detached from the main housing 11 through the opening 11A.

[0027] The cover 12 is a cover that opens and closes the opening 11A of the main body housing 11. Key 13 is a key used to turn the power of the image forming apparatus 1 ON or OFF. Key 13 is exposed from the main housing 11 and is operable by the user. Key 13 is movable relative to the main housing 11.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the illumination display unit 2 comprises an electronic circuit board 3, a prism 4, a diffuse illumination display component 5, and a holder 6. In this embodiment, the front-to-back direction of the image forming apparatus 1 is referred to as the "first direction," the left-to-right direction perpendicular to the front-to-back direction is referred to as the "second direction," and the up-and-down direction perpendicular to both the front-to-back and left-to-right directions is referred to as the "third direction." Furthermore, the arrows indicating each direction in the drawings refer to "one side" in each direction.

[0029] The holder 6 supports the electronic circuit board 3 and also supports the key 13 so that it can move in a third direction. The holder 6 has a support surface 6A that supports the electronic circuit board 3. The holder 6 and the electronic circuit board 3 are fastened together to the main housing 11 by screws SC. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the holder 6 has a wall 61 located between the diffused light indicator component 5 and the key 13 in the first direction.

[0030] The electronic circuit board 3 comprises a substrate 31, a power switch 32, and a light source 33. The substrate 31 supports the prism 4 and the diffuse illumination display component 5 from one side in the third direction. The power switch 32 is a switch for turning the power of the image forming apparatus 1 ON or OFF. The key 13 is pressable on the power switch 32.

[0031] The light source 33 is, for example, a light-emitting diode. The light source 33 emits light around its optical axis, which is the light source optical axis X1. The light source optical axis X1 is parallel to the third direction.

[0032] The prism 4 is a component that refracts light from the light source 33. The prism 4 is made of a transparent material, such as acrylic resin (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC). As shown in Figure 5(a), the prism 4 has a main body 41 and two protrusions 42. As shown in Figure 5(b), the main body 41 has a triangular base 41A, a leg 41B that protrudes from the base 41A toward one side in a third direction, and two side wall portions 41C (see also Figure 3) located at both ends of the main body 41 in a second direction.

[0033] The base portion 41A has an incident surface F1, an exit surface F2, and a surface F3. As shown in Figure 7, the incident surface F1 is the surface on which light from the light source 33 is incident. The incident surface F1 coincides with the light source optical axis X1. More specifically, the incident surface F1 coincides with the light source 33 when viewed from a third direction.

[0034] The incident plane F1 is a straight plane in a cross-section perpendicular to the second direction. The incident plane F1 is inclined with respect to the light source optical axis X1. More specifically, the incident plane F1 is inclined so that it is located on one side of the first direction as it moves toward the other side of the third direction.

[0035] The emission surface F2 is the surface from which light that has passed through the base portion 41A is emitted. The emission surface F2 is a surface that has positive refractive power in a cross section perpendicular to the second direction. In this embodiment, the emission surface F2 is a curved surface that forms an arc in a cross section perpendicular to the second direction. More specifically, the emission surface F2 is a curved surface that is convex toward the other side in the third direction. One end of the emission surface F2 in the first direction is connected to one end of the incident surface F1 in the first direction. The size of the portion of the base portion 41A between the incident surface F1 and the emission surface F2 in the third direction increases toward the other side in the first direction.

[0036] Surface F3 extends inclined with respect to the light source optical axis X1, approaching the incident surface F1 from the other end of the exit surface F2 in the first direction. The one end of surface F3 in the first direction and the other end of the incident surface F1 in the first direction are connected to the leg portion 41B.

[0037] As shown in Figure 5(c), both the incident surface F1 and the exit surface F2 are surfaces that have positive refractive power when viewed from the first direction, or in other words, in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction. In this embodiment, the incident surface F1 and the exit surface F2 are curved surfaces that form an arc in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction. Specifically, the incident surface F1 is a curved surface that is convex toward one side in the third direction. The exit surface F2 is a curved surface that is convex toward the other side in the third direction. In other words, in this embodiment, the incident surface F1 is a cylindrical surface, and the exit surface F2 is a toroidal surface. Note that the position of the vertex of the convexity on the incident surface F1 when viewed from the first direction and the optical axis X1 of the light source 33 are at the same position in the second direction.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5(b), the incident optical axis X2, which is the optical axis of the incident surface F1, is inclined with respect to the exit optical axis X3, which is the optical axis of the exit surface F2. The portion P of the exit surface F2 through which the exit optical axis X3 passes is shifted to one side in the first direction relative to the center C1 in the first direction of the first display surface F11, as shown in Figure 7. Specifically, the prism 4 is shifted to one side in the first direction relative to the center C1 in the first direction of the first display surface F11. One end of the leg portion 41B in the third direction is in contact with the substrate 31.

[0039] As shown in Figure 5(b), the side wall portion 41C protrudes from the surface F3 toward one side in the third direction and from the leg portion 41B toward the other side in the first direction. The two side wall portions 41C are spaced apart in the second direction (see Figure 3).

[0040] The projection 42 is located on the other end of the side wall portion 41C in the first direction, on the other end in the third direction. As shown in Figure 5(a), the projection 42 protrudes from each side wall portion 41C in the second direction.

[0041] As shown in Figure 6(a), the diffused illumination display component 5 is a component that diffuses light incident from the light source 33 through the prism 4 to illuminate the first display surface F11 and the second display surface F12, which will be described later. The diffused illumination display component 5 has a material that diffuses light. Examples of materials that diffuse light include opaque materials.

[0042] The diffused light indicator component 5 has a housing portion 51 that houses the main body portion 41 of the prism 4, a light guide portion 52 through which the light emitted from the prism 4 passes, and an extension portion 53 that extends from the housing portion 51 to both sides in the second direction and to one side in the first direction.

[0043] The housing section 51 is formed in a box shape that opens to one side in the third direction. As shown in Figure 6(b), the housing section 51 has a bottom wall 51A, two first side walls 51B, and two second side walls 51C. The first side walls 51B extend from each end of the bottom wall 51A in the first direction toward one side in the third direction.

[0044] The second side wall 51C extends from each end of the bottom wall 51A in the second direction toward one side in the third direction. As shown in Figures 6(b) and (c), the second side wall 51C has a slit SL that supports the projection 42 of the prism 4 so that it can move in the third direction, i.e., in the direction along the light source optical axis X1 (see also Figure 4).

[0045] As shown in Figure 6(a), the light guide portion 52 is integrally formed with the bottom wall 51A of the housing portion 51 and the first side wall 51B on the other side in the first direction. The light guide portion 52 protrudes from the bottom wall 51A toward the other side in the third direction, and also protrudes from the first side wall 51B on the other side in the first direction toward the other side in the first direction.

[0046] The light guide unit 52 has a first display surface F11 and a second display surface F12. The first display surface F11 faces the other side of the third direction. The first display surface F11 is a substantially rectangular surface whose length in the first direction is longer than its length in the second direction.

[0047] The second display surface F12 faces the other side of the first direction. The second display surface F12 is a roughly rectangular surface whose length in the third direction is longer than its length in the second direction. The lengths of the first display surface F11 and the second display surface F12 in the second direction are the same. The lengths of the first display surface F11 and the second display surface F12 in the second direction are shorter than the lengths of the incident surface F1 and the exit surface F2 of the prism 4 in the second direction.

[0048] As shown in Figure 7, the first display surface F11 is offset to the other side in the first direction with respect to the light source optical axis X1. In other words, the first display surface F11 does not intersect with the light source optical axis X1, but is separated from the light source optical axis X1 to the other side in the first direction. The second display surface F12 extends from the end of the first display surface F11 on the side furthest from the light source optical axis X1 in the first direction, in a direction intersecting the first display surface F11. More specifically, the second display surface F12 extends from the other end of the first display surface F11 in the first direction toward one side in the third direction.

[0049] The light guide portion 52 has a first portion 52A having a first display surface F11 and a second portion 52B having a part of the second display surface F12. The second portion 52B protrudes from the other end of the first portion 52A in the first direction toward one side in the third direction. The second portion 52B has the portion of the second display surface F12 toward one side in the third direction. The first portion 52A has the portion of the second display surface F12 toward the other side in the third direction.

[0050] The first thickness T1, which is the size of the first part 52A in the direction perpendicular to the first display surface F11, specifically in the third direction, decreases as it moves away from the light source optical axis X1 in the first direction. The second thickness T2, which is the size of the second part 52B in the direction perpendicular to the second display surface F12, specifically in the first direction, is smaller than the minimum value of the first thickness T1.

[0051] As shown in Figures 1(b) and 2(b), the first display surface F11 is exposed to the outside from the main housing 11 regardless of whether the cover 12 is open or closed. The second display surface F12 is exposed to the outside from the main housing 11 when the cover 12 is open, and is covered by the cover 12 when the cover 12 is closed.

[0052] As shown in Figure 6(a), the extension 53 is located at the other end of the housing 51 in the third direction. The extension 53 has a groove 53A that opens toward the other side in the third direction. The groove 53A is U-shaped so as to surround both sides of the light guide 52 in the second direction and one side in the first direction.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4, the main body housing 11 has a main body wall 111 that fits into the groove 53A of the diffused illumination indicator component 5. The main body wall 111 is located between the light guide portion 52 and the wall 61 in the first direction.

[0054] Next, we will explain how to assemble the indicator light unit 2 into the main unit housing 11. As shown in Figure 3, after the electronic circuit board 3 is placed on the support surface 6A of the holder 6, the prism 4 and diffuse illumination indicator component 5, with the projection 42 assembled into the slit SL (see Figure 6), are placed on the circuit board 31. At this time, as shown in Figure 7, due to dimensional tolerances of the prism 4 and light source 33, the prism 4 may come into contact with the light source 33. If the prism 4 comes into contact with the light source 33 in this way, the light source 33 will stop the prism 4 from moving toward the circuit board 31. However, because the projection 42 is in the slit SL, the diffuse illumination indicator component 5 moves relative to the prism 4, so the diffuse illumination indicator component 5 can be moved to the circuit board 31 without putting a load on the prism 4 or the light source 33.

[0055] Returning to Figure 3, the key 13 is then assembled to the holder 6. The holder 6 and the electronic circuit board 3 are then fastened together to the main housing 11 using screws SC. This holds the prism 4 and the diffused illumination indicator component 5 between the main housing 11 and the circuit board 31. The key 13 is also held between the main housing 11 and the holder 6.

[0056] Next, we will explain the effects of the prism 4 and the diffused lighting indicator component 5 when the light source 33 emits light. As shown in Figure 7, when the light source 33 emits light, the light is refracted by the prism 4 toward the light guide 52 and emitted from the emission surface F2 of the prism 4 toward the first display surface F11 or the second display surface F12. At this time, as shown in Figure 5(c), since the incident surface F1 and the emission surface F2 are curved surfaces that form an arc in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction, the light beam incident on the incident surface F1 so as to diverge from the light source 33 toward the second direction is refracted by the incident surface F1 with positive power, and is converted into a light beam with a weak degree of divergence relative to the light source optical axis X1 when viewed from the first direction. Subsequently, the light beam is refracted by the emission surface F2 with positive power, and is converted into a light beam with an even weaker degree of divergence. Therefore, toward the narrow first display surface F11 and the second display surface F12 toward the second display surface, the light beam has a weak degree of divergence and is approximately parallel to or converges with respect to the light source optical axis X1.

[0057] As shown in Figure 7, the size of the third direction through which light passes through prism 4 increases as it moves toward the other side of the first direction. Therefore, the light beam passing through prism 4 is attenuated more significantly for light rays located on the other side of the first direction.

[0058] Light passing through the prism 4 is incident on the light guide portion 52 of the diffuse lighting display component 5, diffused within the light guide portion 52, and emitted to the outside from the first display surface F11 and the second display surface F12. Here, the first thickness T1 of the light guide portion 52 decreases as it moves toward the other side in the first direction, and the second thickness T2 is smaller than the minimum value of the first thickness T1. Therefore, the light beam passing through the light guide portion 52 is attenuated less for light rays located on the other side in the first direction. As a result, the difference in the attenuation of the light beam after passing through the prism 4 becomes smaller after passing through the light guide portion 52, so that light unevenness is suppressed on the first display surface F11 and the second display surface F12.

[0059] As described above, the following effects can be obtained according to this embodiment. Even if the first display surface F11 and the light source optical axis X1 are misaligned, the prism 4 refracts the light from the light source 33, thus suppressing uneven lighting on the first display surface F11.

[0060] By making the incident surface F1 and the exit surface F2 of the prism 4 surfaces that have positive refractive power in a cross-section perpendicular to the first direction, it is possible to suppress the portion of the light emitted from the prism 4 from straying outwards in the second direction of the first display surface F11 and the second display surface F12, thereby increasing the light emission intensity of the first display surface F11 and the second display surface F12.

[0061] Because the first thickness T1 of the first part 52A decreases as it moves away from the light source optical axis X1 in the first direction, the difference in the amount of attenuation of the light beam that passes through the prism 4 and heads toward the first display surface F11 can be reduced in the first part 52A, thereby suppressing light unevenness on the first display surface F11.

[0062] Since the second thickness T2 of the second part 52B is smaller than the minimum value of the first thickness T1, the difference in the amount of attenuation of the light beam passing through the prism 4 toward the first display surface F11 and the second display surface F12 can be reduced in the first part 52A and the second part 52B, thereby suppressing light unevenness on the first display surface F11 and the second display surface F12.

[0063] When the cover 12 is open, both the first display surface F11 and the second display surface F12 are exposed to the outside, allowing the user to see that both the first display surface F11 and the second display surface F12 are illuminated.

[0064] By supporting the prism 4 so that it can move in a third direction, when positioning the diffuse lighting indicator component 5 and the prism 4 relative to the light source 33, even if the prism 4 comes into contact with the light source 33 in the direction of the light source's optical axis due to dimensional tolerances, the prism 4 moves relative to the diffuse lighting indicator component 5, thus preventing damage to the prism 4 or the light source 33.

[0065] Since a wall 61 is placed between the diffuse illumination indicator component 5 and the key 13, the wall 61 can suppress the leakage of light from the diffuse illumination indicator component 5 through the gap between the key 13 and the main body housing 11.

[0066] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be used in various forms as illustrated below.

[0067] In the above embodiment, both the incident and exit surfaces were defined as surfaces having positive refractive power in a cross-section perpendicular to the first direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that at least one of the incident and exit surfaces has positive refractive power in a cross-section perpendicular to the first direction. For example, one of the incident and exit surfaces may be a curved surface having positive refractive power, and the other may be a plane. Here, if the incident surface is a plane, the incident optical axis is defined as a line perpendicular to the plane and passing through the center of the plane. Similarly, if the exit surface is a plane, the exit optical axis is defined as a line perpendicular to the plane and passing through the center of the plane.

[0068] A surface having positive refractive power is not limited to a curved surface; it may also be a lens surface, such as a Fresnel lens.

[0069] The first and second display surfaces are not limited to rectangular shapes; they can be any shape. For example, the first display surface may be trapezoidal. In this case, the height direction of the trapezoid may be considered the first direction, and the direction along the base of the trapezoid may be considered the second direction.

[0070] The relationship between the first, second, and third directions and the front-to-back, left-to-right, and up-to-down directions of the image forming apparatus is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the first direction may be the left-to-right direction, the second direction the front-to-back direction, and the third direction the up-to-down direction.

[0071] In the above embodiment, a projection was provided on the prism and a slit was provided in the diffuse lighting display component to movably support the projection, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, a projection may be provided on the diffuse lighting display component and a groove may be provided on the prism to movably support the projection.

[0072] The second display surface may be exposed from the main body casing, regardless of whether the cover is open or closed.

[0073] The diffused illumination indicator component is not limited to the above embodiment; for example, it may be a transparent material that transmits light with a light-diffusing sheet attached to its illumination surface.

[0074] In the above embodiment, the present invention was applied to a printer, but the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to other image forming devices, such as photocopiers and multifunction printers.

[0075] The elements described in the above embodiments and modifications may be implemented in any combination. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 1. Image forming apparatus 4 prisms 5. Diffuse Illumination Indicator Components 11 Main unit 33 Light source F11 1st display screen X1 Light source optical axis

Claims

1. The main casing and A light source that emits light, A prism that refracts light from the aforementioned light source, A diffuse illumination display component having a first display surface exposed from the main housing, which diffuses light incident from the light source through the prism to illuminate the first display surface, wherein the first display surface is offset in a first direction with respect to the light source optical axis, which is the optical axis of the light source, The diffused illumination indicator component has a first portion having the first display surface, An image forming apparatus characterized in that the first thickness, which is the size of the first portion in a direction perpendicular to the first display surface, becomes smaller as it moves away from the light source optical axis in the first direction.

2. The first display surface is a surface whose length in the first direction is longer than its length in the second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the incident surface and the exit surface of the prism has positive refractive power in a cross-section perpendicular to the first direction.

3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that both the incident surface and the exit surface of the prism are surfaces having positive refractive power in a cross-section perpendicular to the first direction.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the emission surface of the prism is a surface having positive refractive power in a cross-section perpendicular to the second direction.

5. The aforementioned diffused light indicator component is A second display surface exposed from the main housing, the second display surface extending in a direction intersecting the first display surface from the end of the first display surface on the side farther from the optical axis of the light source in the first direction, A second portion having a part of the second display surface, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the second thickness, which is the size of the second portion in a direction perpendicular to the second display surface, is smaller than the minimum value of the first thickness.

6. The main body housing is equipped with a cover that opens and closes the opening, The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the second display surface is exposed to the outside when the cover is open and covered by the cover when the cover is closed.

7. The main body housing, A light source that emits light, A prism that refracts light from the aforementioned light source, A diffuse illumination display component having a first display surface exposed from the main housing, which diffuses light incident from the light source through the prism to illuminate the first display surface, wherein the first display surface is offset in a first direction with respect to the light source optical axis, which is the optical axis of the light source, The image forming apparatus is characterized in that the diffuse illumination indicator component supports the prism so that it can move in a direction along the optical axis of the light source.

8. An electronic circuit board having the light source and a power switch for the image forming apparatus, A key exposed from the main body housing, movable relative to the main body housing, and capable of pressing the power switch, The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a wall located between the diffuse illumination indicator component and the key.

Images