JP4139256B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a facsimile machine, a printer, and the like, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus in which a unit having an operation panel can be added to an image forming apparatus main body having an operation panel.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When a unit equipped with an operation panel B different from the operation panel A of the image forming apparatus main body provided in the image forming apparatus main body is added to the image forming apparatus, the operation panel A that was originally installed is not used. By making the operation panel B share the function of the operation panel A, the operation panel B can be used after the addition of the units.
[0003]
Conventionally, after the addition of the unit, the operation panel B that can be used for both the image forming apparatus and the unit is exclusively used, and the operation panel A is not used. As described above, the operation panel A is left attached to the main body of the image forming apparatus although it is not used.
[0004]
When there are these two operation panels A and B, the operator is confused about which operation panel to use and causes confusion during operation. In order to avoid this, conventionally, a blindfold sticker is pasted on the display portion of the operation panel A for displaying the status of the image forming apparatus main body, or a decal with a logo is pasted for differentiation.
[0005]
However, as described above, the operation panel A that is no longer needed is left attached and remains buried by sticking a blindfold seal on it, causing a cost increase and differentiation. Therefore, even if a logo was put on the blindfold seal, there was no improvement in functionality.
[0006]
In addition, a part of the operation panel is composed of an operation unit unit that can be attached to and detached from the operation panel, and only the unit that has been damaged or has reached the end of its life can be replaced by making it detachable. Can be reused, or a concave dummy case is used instead of the operation unit, and this dummy case is used as a clip case (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
[0007]
However, the technique of Patent Document 1 relates to partial replacement of the operation panel. Also, when using a dummy case, there is only one concave shape that can be stored and there is no illustration of the stored items, so various items of different materials will be mixed and stored in the dummy case. When reusing or destroying waste, it was necessary to separate it.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 07-099553 [0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
An object of the present invention is to reduce the cost of an image forming apparatus by effectively using an operation panel, and to increase the practical value of a panel cover that can be substituted for the operation panel.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has the following configuration in order to achieve the above object.
(1). An image forming apparatus that is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body and has a main body operation panel having an operation function for operating the image forming apparatus main body. panel it is possible to add more auxiliary units associated with the image forming equipped with this accessory operation panel has operation function for operating the said supplementary unit and the image forming apparatus, wherein in the expanded state in the image forming apparatus comes control panel and said control panel is aspects coexist, the control panel installation position of the image forming apparatus, in place of the control panel, the cover panel having no operation function Is removable (Claim 1).
(2). In the image forming apparatus according to (1), the cover panel has a plurality of concave portions on the front side .
(3). In the image forming apparatus according to ( 2), the sizes of the plurality of concave portions are different from each other .
(4). The image forming apparatus according (2) or (3), before Ki凹 shaped portion or its periphery, was the picture representing the object to be accommodated in the concave portion is described (claim 4).
(5). ( 4) In the image forming apparatus described in ( 4), the picture is integrally formed with the cover panel .
(6). In the image forming apparatus according to (5), the picture is drawn on a decal to be attached to the cover (claim 6).
(7). In any one of (4) to (6), the illustration was der Rukoto represents a needle clip or staple (claim 7).
(8). A cover panel that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, is compatible with a main body operation panel having an operation function for operating the main body of the image forming apparatus, and has no operation function. The cover panel according to any one of Items 2 to 7 is provided (Claim 8) .
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention reduces the cost of the apparatus by enabling the mounting of a cover panel having no operation panel function (operation unit or electrical component) in place of the main body operation panel. Further, the cover panel has a clip or staple needle. It is characterized by the addition of a new function of separately storing etc. to increase the practical value.
[0012]
[1] Image forming apparatus main body and accessory unit to which the present invention is applied Referring to FIG. 1, an example of a color image forming apparatus main body will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus having a printer function.
[0013]
The color image forming apparatus main body 1 includes a plurality of drum-shaped drums in order from the upstream side in the moving direction (conveying direction) of the transfer belt along the transfer belt 15 that conveys the transfer paper 8 that is an example of a sheet-like medium. The photoconductors K, Y, C, and M are arranged in a so-called tandem type.
[0014]
The photosensitive member K forms an image of black, the photosensitive member M is magenta, the photosensitive member Y is yellow, and the photosensitive member C is cyan, and an image forming unit including process members arranged around the photosensitive member is formed. The only difference is the color of the image, and the internal configuration is the same for each image forming unit.
[0015]
One end of the transfer belt 15 is driven and rotated by a driving roller 18, and the other end is supported by a driven roller 19, and is supported by another driven roller. The transfer belt 15 is an endless belt, and is rotated in the direction of the arrow in accordance with the rotation of the driving roller 18. Below the transfer belt 15, paper feed trays 20 and 21 in which the transfer paper 8 is stored are provided. In some cases, a paper feed tray is provided below.
[0016]
For example, the transfer paper 8 at the uppermost position among the transfer papers 8 stored in the paper feed tray 20 is sent out at the time of image formation and is temporarily kept on standby by the registration roller 23, and is synchronized with the image formation on the photoconductor K. And is attracted to the transfer belt 15 by electrostatic attraction. In this way, the transfer paper 8 adsorbed to the transfer belt 15 is conveyed to the first photoconductor M, where a magenta image is transferred.
[0017]
A transfer device 5M is disposed on the back side of the upper stretched portion of the transfer belt 15, and an optical scanning device as means for forming an electrostatic latent image by irradiating and scanning the exposure light L on the photoconductor M. 16 is provided. Data for image formation from an external device such as a personal computer is input to the optical scanning device 16 via a control unit, and based on this, optical scanning can be performed to form a latent image on the photosensitive member. Yes.
[0018]
When forming a color image, the photosensitive member M is uniformly charged by a charging device (not shown) in the dark on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive member M, and then the exposure corresponding to the black image from the optical scanning device 16 is performed. Is exposed to light Lb for use, and an electrostatic latent image is formed. The electrostatic latent image is visualized with magenta toner in the developing device 24M, and a magenta toner image is formed on the photoreceptor M.
[0019]
The toner image coincides with the transfer paper 8 at a position where the photosensitive member M and the transfer paper 8 on the transfer belt 15 contact each other, so-called transfer position, and is transferred onto the transfer paper 8 by the operation of the transfer device 5M. A monochromatic (magenta) image is formed on top. After the transfer, the unnecessary toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photoconductor M is removed by the cleaning device 25M, and the photoconductor M is prepared for the next image formation.
[0020]
In this way, the transfer paper 8 onto which the single color (magenta) is transferred from the photoconductor M is conveyed to the next photoconductor C by the transfer belt 15. On the photoconductor C, the cyan toner image formed on the photoconductor C by the same process as that on the upstream photoconductor M is transferred onto the magenta toner image on the transfer paper 8.
[0021]
The transfer paper 8 is further conveyed to the next photoconductor Y, and the yellow toner image formed on the photoconductor Y is similarly transferred to the magenta and cyan toner images already formed on the transfer paper 8. The Similarly, on the next photoconductor K, a black toner image is overlaid and a full color image is obtained.
[0022]
The transfer paper 8 on which the full-color superimposed image is formed in this way passes through the photosensitive member K, and is fixed while being peeled off from the transfer belt 15 and then passed through the fixing device 17, and then to the paper discharge tray 14 or the tray. The paper is ejected.
[0023]
When a paper size type or the like that does not exist in the paper feed trays 20 and 21 is used, the manual paper feed tray 13 that is configured to be rotatable with one end portion as a fulcrum is raised up and transferred from the manual paper feed tray 13. You can send paper.
[0024]
When the double-sided image forming mode is set, the transfer paper 8 is sent to the double-side reversing unit 30 and switched back as indicated by a broken line so that the double-sided conveying unit 32 is moved from the double-sided reversing unit 30 with the image side down. Then, the toner image is transferred again to the photosensitive member, and an image is formed on the back surface. After fixing, the toner image is discharged to the paper discharge tray 14 or the like.
[0025]
In the color image forming apparatus main body 1 shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 2, a reading device 2, a post-processing device 3 and the like can be added as incidental units related to image formation. As is well known the reader 2 includes a document placing glass 2-2 can that since it is covered with the pressure plate 2-1, a first scanner 2-3 provided below the original placing glass 2-2 , A second scanner 2-4, an imaging lens 2-5, a CCD substrate 2-6 for electrically recording a read image, and the like. In this example, an automatic document feeder (so-called ADF) is also provided. The image information taken into the CCD substrate 54e in the reading device 2 can be sent to the already described optical scanning device 16 laser light source control means to form an image.
[0026]
Further, in this example, the post-processing device 3 can be added to the left side of the color image forming apparatus main body 1 shown in FIG. 1 as an auxiliary unit related to image formation as shown in FIG.
[0027]
The post-processing device 3 is adjusted to the level of the inlet 3-1 so that the transfer paper discharged from the paper discharge roller 34 provided in the color image forming apparatus main body 1 can be received. Inside the post-processing apparatus 1, a punch unit 3-2, a stapler 3-3 and the like for drilling are arranged, and pre-stack tray 3-4, staple tray 3-5, branch claw as ancillary members 3-6, conveyance belts 3-7 and 3-8, and a feed roller.
[0028]
The transfer paper processed by passing through the punch unit 3-2 or the stapler 3-3 by the action of the feed roller, the branch claw 3-6, etc. is transferred to the upper tray 3-9 by the feed roller, the transport belt 3-7, etc. Then, it is discharged to the lower tray 3-10.
[0029]
[2] State Before Expansion First, the state before expansion, that is, the configuration of only the image forming apparatus main body 1 will be described.
[0030]
The image forming apparatus main body 1 is used as a printer before the addition shown in FIG. 1, that is, before the reading apparatus 2 and the post-processing apparatus 3 are added as shown in FIGS. Under the condition to be used as a printer in the construction of only the image forming apparatus main body 1 as shown in FIG. 1, as shown in FIG. 3, the main body attached to the front upper cover 1-1 of the image forming apparatus main body 1 It is possible to change or confirm the printer settings through the operation panel 1-2.
[0031]
As described above, the front upper cover 1-1 is provided at the top of the image forming apparatus main body 1 shown in FIGS. Only the front upper cover 1-1 is taken out and shown in FIG. 4A and 4B are views of the front upper cover 1-1. FIG. 4A is a front view and FIG. 4B is a plan view.
[0032]
In Figure 3, the position where the operation panel 1-2 top portion substantially central portion of the front upper cover 1-1 corresponds to the site that is mounted, a rectangular opening 1-1 a as shown in FIG. 4 formed Has been.
[0033]
In the image forming apparatus main body 1, in the opening 1-1 a, the control panel 1-2 is attached. The main body operation panel 1-2 can be attached to and detached from the opening 1-1a formed in the front upper cover 1-1 that forms a part of the main body of the image forming apparatus. The dimensions are matched to the outer shape and dimensions of the opening 1-1a. Therefore, the main body operation panel 1-2 can be fitted in the opening 1-1a.
[0034]
Details of the main body operation panel 1-2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 (a), (b), (c), and (e). FIG. 5 is a four-side view of the main body operation panel 1-2. 5A is a front view of the main body operation panel 1-2, FIG. 5B is a top view thereof, FIG. 5C is a bottom view thereof, and FIG. 5D is a left side view thereof.
[0035]
On the main body operation panel 1-2, as shown in FIG. 5A, menus such as a push button switch 35 used for forcibly discharging the transfer paper on the transport path, a registration position, and an image density are displayed. A button switch 36 to be displayed on the unit 39, a reset push button switch 37 for canceling data, etc., a push button switch 38 for displaying the status by switching the printer online and offline and turning on / off, a push button switch 42 for returning the setting state to the front, Operation units such as a push button switch 43 and advancing / retreating operation switch 44 for confirming settings, a display unit such as a display unit 39, a power on / off display, an alarm display, a data-in display, and the like. It is also provided with electrical components for functioning the display unit and the operation unit.
[0036]
On the back side of the main body operation panel 1-2, four claws 1-2a that can be elastically deformed integrally with the main body operation panel 1-2 are provided at the tip of the columnar state. As shown in FIG. 6, when the main body operation panel 1-2 is attached to the opening 1-1a of the front upper cover 1-1, the step 40 is formed on the rib 45 formed on the edge of the opening 1-1a. The position in the depth direction is determined by contact, and at this time, the four claws 1-2a are elastically deformed, and the claws 1-2a are hooked on the lower ends of the ribs 45, and are secured and fixed.
[0037]
When removing the main body operation panel 1-2 from the front upper cover 1-1, an external force is applied to elastically deform the four claws 1-2a to disengage the rib 45, and then the main body operation panel 1- It can be removed by lifting 2 upward.
[0038]
As described above, the main body operation panel 1-2 is detachable from the image forming apparatus main body 1, and has operation functions such as a switch and a display for operating the image forming apparatus main body 1. .
[0039]
[3] State after expansion The state after expansion will be described. By adding a reading device 2 and the like as an accessory unit to the image forming apparatus main body 1, not only a printer function but also a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a FAX, and a scanner are provided. In this example, as described with reference to FIG. 2, the reading device 2 and the post-processing device 3 are added to the image forming apparatus main body 1 as accessory units.
[0040]
At the time of expansion, as shown in FIG. 3, an L-shaped rack 50 is used, and the reading device 2 is attached to the upper portion of the rack 50 in a cantilevered manner. It arrange | positions so that it may be located on the main body 1. FIG. In this example, the post-processing device 3 is also added at the same time. In FIG. 2, since the rack 50 is not shown, the reading device 2 appears to float above the image forming apparatus main body 1, but the reading device 2 is rack 50 with a slight gap therebetween. It is supported by.
[0041]
Usually, the attached reading panel 2 is also equipped with an attached operation panel 4. The attached operation panel 4 has an operation function for operating both the added accessory unit (reading device 2 and post-processing device 3) and the image forming apparatus main body 1. In this example, the image forming apparatus main body 1, the reading apparatus 2, the post-processing apparatus 3, and the like have operation functions.
[0042]
An attached operation panel 4 attached to the reading device 2 has operation functions of the image forming apparatus main body 1, the reading device 2, the post-processing device 3, and the like. The operation unit and the display unit are used for copying, FAX, scanner, and the like. In addition to these functions, various settings can be changed and confirmed. Therefore, the operation panel 1-2 of the image forming apparatus main body 1 used before the addition becomes unnecessary, and if left as it is, the operator may be wondering which panel to operate.
[0043]
Therefore, in this example, after the additional unit is added, the main body operation panel 1-2 is removed, and the operation unit and the operation unit are installed in the same place as the main body operation panel 1-2 in the front upper cover 1-1. Attach an inexpensive cover panel that is not equipped with electrical components. That is, the main body operation panel 1-2 is replaced. A cover panel that does not have an operation function or a display function and therefore does not include expensive electrical components is mounted.
[0044]
Thus, the cover panel is compatible with the main body operation panel 1-2 with respect to attachment to the opening 1-1a. That is, a plate-like member having a simple configuration that includes the mounting step 40 and the claws 1-2a and basically does not have operation buttons or electrical components.
[0045]
Thus, by attaching a cover panel that does not have an operation function (electrical component), the operator does not get lost in the operation. The removed main body operation panel 1-2 can be collected and reused, which contributes to cost reduction of the image forming apparatus main body.
[0046]
In this example, the cover panel is configured as a clip case 60 as shown in FIG. FIG. 8 shows a cross section thereof. 7A is a front view of the clip case 60, FIG. 7B is a bottom view, FIG. 7C is a top view, and FIG. 7D is a left side view. 8A is a sectional view taken along the line XX in FIG. 7A, and FIG. 8B is a sectional view taken along the line YY in FIG. 7A.
[0047]
In these drawings, the clip case 60 includes four elastically deformable claws 1-2a and a stepped portion 40, similar to the above-described main body operation panel 1-2. -2 is manufactured in the same manner as the main body operation panel 1-2, and the opening 1-1a of the front upper cover 1-1 is fixed in the same manner as described in FIG. Is possible.
[0048]
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, two concave portions are provided on the front side of the clip case 60 as indicated by reference numerals 60a and 60b. This is an example, and a plurality of three, four, etc. can be provided. Of course, one may be used.
[0049]
As described above, by providing a plurality of the concave shaped portions 60a and 60b, it becomes possible to separately store the stored items.
[0050]
The concave shape portion 60a is larger than the concave shape portion 60b, and the sizes of the concave shape portion 60a and the concave shape portion 60b are different. In a cover panel (clip case) having a plurality of concave shaped portions, if each concave shaped portion has a different size and the size of the concave shaped portion is determined by the size of the stored item, one concave shaped portion Eliminates the problem of overflowing only with storage.
[0051]
A clip picture 70 and a staple needle picture 72 are shown as objects to be stored on the bottom of the concave shaped part 60a and the bottom of the concave shaped part 60b, respectively. By writing the picture of the stored item in this way, it is possible to reliably sort without storing the stored item. Note that these pictures are not limited to the bottom of the concave shape portion, and it is sufficient if they have an instruction function even around the concave shape portion. The clip case 60 can be made of resin, and these pictures may be integrally formed with the clip case, thereby reducing the cost.
[0052]
Alternatively, these pictures may be attached with decals (seal, label) on which the pictures are drawn. If it is a decal, the operator can freely select and paste an illustration that he wants to store other than the clip case or staple needle, and if it is a plain decal, it can be freely written and pasted .
[0053]
By placing illustrations of clips and staples on the concave shape and its periphery, the user of the image forming apparatus can remove them around the apparatus and separate and store clips and staples that are often difficult to place. It becomes possible, and reuse and destruction are possible without separation.
[0054]
By attaching such a clip case in place of the main body operation panel, it is possible to prevent the operator from being confused and to reuse the main body operation panel.
[0055]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, by attaching a cover panel having no operation function, the operator does not get lost in the operation. Further, the removed main body operation panel can be reused, which contributes to the cost reduction of the image forming apparatus main body.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the cost of the apparatus and to separate and store the stored items by mounting the cover panel which is not mounted with electrical parts and has a plurality of concave shaped portions.
In the invention according to claim 3, if the size of each concave portion of the cover having a plurality of concave shapes is different, and if the size of the concave portion is determined by the size of the stored item, only one concave portion is stored. Eliminates problems such as overflowing with things.
In the invention according to the fourth aspect, since the illustration of the stored item is described in the concave shape portion or the periphery thereof, the stored item can be reliably separated without being mixed. According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the cost by integrally forming the picture with the cover panel.
The invention according to claim 6 is that it is possible to arrange a combination of illustrations that suits the customer without limiting the items stored in the concave shape by pasting the decal on which the illustration is drawn on the cover. Become.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, it becomes possible for the user of the image forming apparatus to remove the clip around the apparatus and to separate and store the staples of clips and staples, which are often difficult to place, without separating reuse and disposal. It becomes possible.
In the invention described in claim 8, it is possible to replace an inexpensive cover panel with the main body operation panel.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus main body.
FIG. 2 is an overall front view when a reading device and a post-processing device are added to the image forming apparatus main body.
FIG. 3 is an overall perspective view when a reading device and a post-processing device are added to the image forming apparatus main body.
4A is a front view of a front upper cover, and FIG. 4B is a plan view of the same.
5 (a) is a front view of the main body operation panel 1-2, FIG. 5 (b) is a top view thereof, FIG. 5 (c) is a bottom view thereof, and FIG. 5 (d) is a left side view thereof. is there.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a main body operation panel or a cover panel is attached to the image forming apparatus main body.
7 (a) is a front view of the clip case, FIG. 7 (b) is a bottom view, FIG. 7 (c) is a top view, and FIG. 7 (d) is a left side view.
8A is a cross-sectional view taken along line XX of the clip case in FIG. 7A, and FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view taken along line YY of the clip case in FIG. 7A. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus main body 1-2 Main body operation panel 2 Reading apparatus 3 Post-processing apparatus 60 Cover panel

Claims (8)

An image forming apparatus that is detachably attached to the image forming apparatus main body and has a main body operation panel having an operation function for operating the image forming apparatus main body. panel it is possible to add more auxiliary units associated with the image forming equipped with this accessory operation panel has operation function for operating the said supplementary unit and the image forming apparatus, wherein in the expanded state In the image forming apparatus in which the attached operation panel and the main body operation panel coexist .
An image forming apparatus characterized in that, instead of the main body operation panel, a cover panel having no operation function is detachably attached to the main body operation panel mounting portion of the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover panel has a plurality of concave portions on the front side. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
The image forming apparatus, wherein each of the plurality of concave-shaped portions has a different size. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2 or 3,
An image forming apparatus, wherein a picture representing an object stored in the concave shape portion is written on or around the concave shape portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the picture is integrally formed with the cover panel. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the picture is drawn on a decal attached to the cover. (4) The image forming apparatus according to any one of (6) to (6) , wherein the illustration represents a clip or staple needle.   A cover panel that is detachable from the main body of the image forming apparatus, is compatible with a main body operation panel having an operation function for operating the main body of the image forming apparatus, and has no operation function. A cover panel comprising the structure of the cover panel according to any one of Items 2 to 7.

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