JP2009098260A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely and simply perform visual inspection of display of a display, input of a control parameter, etc. by various users by freely displacing a control panel, in an image forming apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: The control panel is supported to freely change its attitude by a panel support structure arranged on one side of a machine body. The panel support structure comprises a rigid connector, a fist hinge body connecting the connector and the machine body, and a second hinge body connecting the connector and the control panel. The control panel is supported to be rotatable around the rotation axis of the first hinge body and simultaneously to be rotatable around the rotation axis of the second hinge body. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus represented by a copying machine, a facsimile machine, etc., for an operation panel for inputting parameters such as copying conditions and facsimile conditions, or displaying input data or data selected by a user. The support structure is improved.

  Most of the operation panels provided in the conventional image forming apparatus of this type are fixed to the front upper surface of the machine body. For this reason, depending on the user's standing position, it may be difficult to visually recognize the data displayed on the display, or the condition selection using the touch panel and the data input operation using the input button may be hindered. In order to improve such inconvenience, an operation panel support structure has been proposed in which the attitude and orientation of the operation panel can be changed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

  In the image forming apparatus of Patent Document 1, a support column is erected on one side of the front surface of the machine body, and an operation panel is supported in a tiltable manner through a hinge structure provided at the upper end of the support column. The support column is supported by a pair of upper and lower brackets fixed to the airframe so as to be able to turn around the vertical axis, and is configured so that an arbitrary turning position can be held by a clamping spring externally fitted to the support column. Similarly, the hinge structure provided at the upper end of the support column is also configured to hold an arbitrary tilt position.

  In the image forming apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, a pair of left and right support arms project from the left and right sides of the operation panel, and the support panels are moved up and down at the same time, so that the operation panel is raised and lowered in a horizontal posture and a vertical posture. I can do it. Specifically, the support arms on both sides of the rear portion are connected to the linear portion in the vertical direction of the belt wound in an L shape, and the support arms on both sides of the front portion are connected to the linear portion in the front and rear direction of the belt. When the belt is rotated in one direction while the operation panel is tilted horizontally, the support arms on both sides of the rear are lifted upward, and the support arms on both sides of the front simultaneously move backward. Can stand. When the belt is rotationally driven in the reverse direction, the operation panel can be returned from the standing posture to the lying posture. The belt is driven to rotate manually or by motor power.

JP 2001-356540 A (paragraph number 0065, FIG. 5) JP 2007-206157 (paragraph number 0019, FIG. 2)

  According to the support structure of Patent Literature 1, the operation panel can be displaced around two axes that are perpendicular to the vertical axis and the horizontal axis. Therefore, by turning the support column to the left and right, and further tilting the operation panel back and forth, the operation panel can be directed toward the user, and the operation panel can be displaced to a posture that is easy for the user to see. However, the area where the operation panel can be displaced is limited to a high position around the upper end of the column, and although the operation panel can be tilted backwards, the column cannot be tilted forward because the column is in the way. It becomes difficult to operate the operation panel. For example, for a user sitting in a wheelchair, an operation panel that is provided at a high position and cannot be tilted forward toward a low position is extremely difficult to operate and may be painful to operate.

  In that respect, according to the support structure of Patent Document 2, since the operation panel can be displaced up and down at a relatively low position, the operation panel can be operated even from a low position sitting on a wheelchair, and the display of the operation panel can be clearly recognized. However, since it is necessary to absorb the shift of the connection point between the front and rear support arms and the belt at the time of undulation, it is necessary to connect one of the front and rear support arms so as to be movable relative to the belt. Further, the belt that supports the operation panel is easily bent and deformed inward and outward between the guide pulleys. For this reason, it is difficult to support the operation panel in a stable state in most parts of the undulation region. For example, when operating the operation panel tilted obliquely, the operation panel may swing. If the front and rear support arms are moved and guided by the guide rail, the operation panel can be supported in a stable state, but the support structure becomes complicated and the cost increases accordingly.

  An operation panel display in an image forming apparatus in recent years tends to increase in size as the amount of information to be displayed increases. In this type of display, for example, a plurality of pages of image data read by the scanner function can be reduced and displayed as a list, or a print preview of selected image data can be displayed. As the display becomes larger in this way, the space occupied by the operation panel in the aircraft increases, so it becomes difficult to fit the operation panel within the outline of the aircraft with the conventional equipment arrangement. Yes.

  If the conventional device arrangement is common sense, it is unavoidable that the operation panel protrudes greatly from the front of the machine body, and various problems are generated. For example, there is a problem that the installation space of the image forming apparatus in an office or the like is remarkably increased. It can be easily expected that the operation panel that protrudes greatly will obstruct traffic. In many cases, the image forming apparatus is shipped in a state where it can be used immediately. However, in the situation where the operation panel is greatly extended as described above, it is also necessary to use a wasteful cost for transferring and storing the product.

  The object of the present invention is to support the operation panel in a stable state at all times while allowing the operation panel to be operated more freely. Therefore, for all users, it is possible to ensure visual recognition of the display and input of control parameters. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus including an operation panel that can be easily and easily used. An object of the present invention is to eliminate an operation panel that normally protrudes from one side of the aircraft by accommodating the entire operation panel within the outline of the aircraft when necessary, or to obstruct the passage of the operation panel, or An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of reducing a distribution cost by reducing a space for transferring and storing a product.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, an operation panel arranged on one side of the machine body is supported by a panel support structure provided between the machine body and the operation panel so that the posture can be freely changed. The panel support structure includes a rigid coupling tool, a first hinge body that couples the coupling tool and the machine body, and a second hinge body that couples the coupling tool and the operation panel. The operation panel is supported so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis of the first hinge body, and at the same time, is supported to be rotatable about the rotation axis of the second hinge body.

  In a state where the coupling tool is displaced to the lower swing limit, a part of the operation panel protrudes from one outer surface of the machine body. When the operation panel and the hinge main body are swung upwardly and rotated about the rotation axis of the first hinge body, and the operation panel is swung and rotated about the rotation axis of the second hinge body, the entire operation panel Can be accommodated within the outline of the aircraft as viewed from the side.

  A 1st hinge body and a 2nd hinge body are comprised by the friction hinge which can hold | maintain a displacement attitude | position in arbitrary displacement positions.

  Specifically, the first hinge body and the second hinge body are fixed to the airframe or the operation panel, the hinge piece integral with the connector, the hinge shaft for connecting the bracket and the hinge piece, and the hinge piece. It is comprised with the frictional resistance provision tool which provides a frictional resistance between brackets.

  The coupling tool is swingable and displaceable between a vertical posture extending upward and a tilting posture of lowering forward about the rotation axis of the first hinge body. A cover that covers the bracket of the first hinge body is attached to the airframe, and a groove is formed in the cover to allow the swinging displacement of the hinge piece of the first hinge body. When the hinge piece comes into contact with the end portion of the groove, the backward swinging displacement in the vertical posture of the connecting tool and the downward swinging displacement in the tilting posture of the connecting tool are restricted.

  A mounting portion to which the bracket and the cover of the first hinge body are fixed is provided at the front of the airframe. The connector is supported at the front end of the attachment portion in the inclined posture.

  Outer pieces whose upper surfaces are inclined downward toward the front are provided on the left and right ends of the mounting portion, respectively. When the coupling tool is in an inclined posture and the operation panel is inclined forward and downward, the lower surface of the operation panel is supported by the upper surface of the outer piece.

  The coupling tool is swingable and displaceable between a vertical posture extending upward and an inclined posture of lowering forward about the rotation axis of the first hinge body. When the coupling tool is in an inclined posture, the operation panel is tilted in a reverse direction from a state where the operation surface of the operation panel is tilted forward and downward, with the rotation axis of the second hinge body as the center, through a state of standing straight To allow rotational displacement.

  The coupling tool is swingable and displaceable between a vertical posture extending upward and an inclined posture of lowering forward about the rotation axis of the first hinge body. When the coupling tool is in a vertical posture, the operation panel can be rotationally displaced between a state where the operation panel is inclined downward and a state where the operation panel is erected straight about the rotation axis of the second hinge body.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the present invention, a rigid support, a first hinge body that connects the connection tool and the body, and a second hinge body that connects the connection tool and the operation panel constitute a panel support structure. The operation panel was supported to be rotatable about the rotation axis of the first hinge body, and at the same time, was supported to be rotatable about the rotation axis of the second hinge body. As described above, when the operation panel is supported so as to be rotatable about two rotation axes, the operation panel can be freely displaced in response to various requests of the user as compared with the conventional panel support structure. Therefore, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus having an easy-to-use operation panel that can be surely and simply performed for all users to visually confirm the display on the display and to input control parameters.

  When the connector or the hinge main body is displaced to the lower swing limit, the operation panel is swung upwardly about the first rotation axis in a use form in which a part of the operation panel is projected on the outer surface of one side of the machine body. According to the panel support structure in which the entire operation panel can be accommodated within the outline of the fuselage when viewed from the side in a state of being moved and erected and swung around the second rotation axis. Since the space occupied by the image forming apparatus during use can be reduced, the space for transporting and storing products can be reduced to reduce the distribution cost. In addition, the operation panel can be prevented from obstructing traffic.

  According to the panel support structure in which the first hinge body and the second hinge body are constituted by friction hinges, the operation panel can be held in a stable displacement posture at an arbitrary displacement position. Input and the like can be performed reliably and simply, and the usability of the operation panel can be further improved.

  Between the hinge piece and the bracket, the first hinge body and the second hinge body are fixed to the machine body or the operation panel, the hinge piece integral with the connector, the hinge shaft for connecting the bracket and the hinge piece, When configured with a frictional resistance imparting device that imparts frictional resistance, the bracket, the hinge shaft, and the frictional resistance imparting device can be made into a common part, thereby reducing the cost required for manufacturing the panel support structure and manufacturing the image forming apparatus. Cost can be reduced. In addition, if the hinge piece is formed integrally with the connector, an increase in the number of parts can be suppressed, which can also reduce the manufacturing cost.

  By attaching the cover, the hinge structure including the bracket of the first hinge body can be covered and the appearance of the image forming apparatus can be improved. Further, by defining the swing limit of the coupling tool by the groove formed in the cover, it is possible to prevent the coupling tool and the operation panel from inadvertently contacting and colliding with the machine body and being damaged.

  When the connector is tilted, the hinge piece not only contacts the lower end of the groove of the cover, but if the connector is supported by the front end of the mounting portion, only the lower end of the groove It is possible to eliminate the load due to the weight, and to prevent the cover and the like from being deformed or damaged when a large downward force is applied to the operation panel or the coupling tool. Further, if the coupling tool is supported at a plurality of locations, it can contribute to stabilization of the attitude of the operation panel.

  When the connecting tool is in an inclined posture and the operation panel is inclined forward and downward, the lower surface of the operation panel is supported by the upper surfaces of the outer pieces provided at the left and right ends of the mounting portion. Since the operation panel can be supported in a stable state without wobbling, the operation panel does not swing when the operation panel is pressed to input parameters, and parameters can be input reliably and comfortably. .

  If the operation panel is configured so that it can be rotationally displaced from a state where the operation surface is tilted forward to a state where the operation panel is erected straight when it is in a tilted position where the connecting tool is tilted forward, it is inverted and tilted. For example, for a user who wants to operate the operation panel at a low position, such as a user sitting in a wheelchair, the operation panel can be rotationally displaced and placed in front of the line of sight. Therefore, any user can easily operate the operation panel and clearly see the display or the like.

  If the operation panel is configured to be able to rotate and displace between a state where the control panel is tilted forward and a straight position when the connector is in a vertical position, the user can operate the operation panel at an upper position. Also, the operation panel can be rotationally displaced and placed in front of the line of sight. Therefore, the display on the operation panel can be clearly seen without bending the waist.

(Embodiment) FIGS. 1 to 7 show an embodiment in which the image forming apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a multifunction machine having a copy function and a facsimile function. In FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus includes a recording unit 1 including an image recording device, a fixing device, and the like, an image reading unit 2 provided above the recording unit 1, and an automatic document conveying unit ( ADF) 3 and an operation panel 5 provided on the front surface of the image reading unit 2.
In the present embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the direction indicated in each drawing is defined as the left-right direction or the front-rear direction.

  Inside the recording unit 1, there is provided a paper transport path from the paper feed cassette 6 to the paper discharge space S through the image recording device and the fixing device. The recording unit 1 includes a rectangular box-shaped housing 7 in which the paper feed cassette 6 is assembled, and a side housing 8 that is continuously provided upward from the right end of the housing 7, and is provided between the housing 7 and the image reading unit 2. A paper discharge space S is formed in the front. A decorative panel 9 is mounted on the front surfaces of the housings 7 and 8. A front cover 10 is mounted on the front surface of the decorative panel 9 above the paper feed cassette 6. The front cover 10 is supported by a hinge (not shown) and swings upward with respect to the housing 7. It is configured to be possible.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, a panel support mechanism mounting portion 12, which will be described later, is provided above the side housing 8 in the front portion of the image forming portion 2. The attachment portion 12 has a vertical wall and a horizontal wall extending forward from the lower end of the vertical wall, and outer pieces 13 whose upper surfaces are inclined downward toward the front are provided at the left and right ends, respectively. . The front end portion of each outer piece 13 is located on the rear side of the front end position of the front cover 10 in the closed state. The recording unit 1, the image reading unit 2, the ADF 3, the housings 7 and 8, the attachment unit 12, the outer piece 13, and the like constitute a multifunction machine body.

  The operation panel 5 is configured by arranging a touch panel display 15 and a group of input buttons 16 on the upper surface of a flat rectangular box-shaped panel body 14. The front-rear dimension of the panel body 14 is set larger than that of the outer piece 13. The left-right dimension of the panel body 14 is set to be larger than the left-right facing interval between the outer pieces 13 and 13 and smaller than the width dimension between the left and right outer sides of the outer pieces 13 and 13.

  A panel support mechanism that supports the operation panel 5 so that the posture can be freely changed is provided between the operation panel 5 and the mounting portion 12 so that the posture and orientation of the operation panel 5 can be changed according to the standing position of the user. Is provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the panel support structure includes a rigid connection frame (connector) 18, a pair of left and right first hinge bodies 19 that connect the connection frame 18 and the mounting portion 12, the connection frame 18, and the operation panel 5. It comprises a pair of left and right second hinge bodies 20 to be connected. By this panel support structure, the operation panel 5 is supported so as to be vertically swingable (rotatable) about the rotation axis P1 of both the first hinge bodies 19, and at the same time, centered on the rotation axis P2 of both the second hinge bodies 20. And supported so as to be swingable back and forth (rotatable). Both rotation axes P1 and P2 are parallel straight lines extending in the horizontal direction.

  The connecting frame 18 includes a press-molded base wall 21 having a rectangular plate shape that is long in the left-right direction, and a pair of left and right leg walls 22, 22 that are bent vertically from the left and right ends of the base wall 21 and extend downward. It is a product. Hinge pieces 24 and 31 constituting the first hinge body 19 and the second hinge body 20 are integrally formed at the rear end and the front end of each leg wall 22, respectively. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 40 denotes a decorative cover that is mounted so as to cover the upper, lower, left, and right sides of the connecting frame 18. The decorative cover 40 is made of a material having low resilience, and hinge pieces 24 and 31 protrude from the rear end and the front end, respectively. The space between the lower surface of the base wall 21 and the decorative cover 40 may be used as a wiring space that connects the machine body and the operation panel 5.

  The first hinge body 19 includes a pair of left and right L-shaped brackets 23 that are fixed to the mounting portion 12, a hinge piece 24 on the rear end side of each leg wall 22, and a hinge shaft 25 that couples the two 23, 24. And a frictional resistance imparting tool 26 that imparts a frictional resistance between the hinge piece 24 and the bracket 23. The connection frame 18 has a vertical posture (see FIG. 7) in which the base wall 21 extends straight upward with the first rotation axis P1 as the center, and a forward downward inclination in which the leg wall 22 contacts the front end of the mounting portion 12. Oscillating displacement is possible between the posture (see FIG. 6). Each hinge shaft 25 is formed in a bolt shape by projecting an operation head at one end of the shaft portion and forming a male screw at the other end portion of the shaft portion.

  In order to assemble the connecting frame 18 to the mounting portion 12, first, the left and right brackets 23 are fixed to the vertical wall of the mounting portion 12 with screws as shown in FIG. Next, both hinge pieces 24 are applied to the outer side surfaces of the brackets 23, and the hinge shaft 25 is inserted from the outside into the bearing holes formed in both the brackets 23 and 24. Finally, after the frictional resistance applying tool 26 is fitted on the screw shaft side of the hinge shaft 25, the nut 27 is screwed into the screw shaft.

  The frictional resistance imparting tool 26 is composed of a plurality of disc springs 28 and washers 29 interposed at both ends of the disc springs 28. Therefore, when the previous nut 27 is tightened, the plurality of disc springs 28 are elastically deformed flatly, and the entire hinge shaft 25 is pulled toward the nut 27 side. As a result, the left and right hinge pieces 24 and the bracket 23 are brought into close contact with each other to generate a predetermined frictional resistance. The frictional resistance applicator 26 allows the swinging displacement of the hinge piece 24 relative to the bracket 23 only when an external force exceeding the set value is applied.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the second hinge body 20 includes a pair of left and right L-shaped brackets 30 fixed to the panel body 14 of the operation panel 5, a hinge piece 31 on the front end side of each leg wall 22, and both A hinge shaft 32 for connecting 30 and 31, and a frictional resistance applying tool 33 for applying a frictional resistance between the hinge piece 31 and the bracket 30. The panel main body 14 has a state in which the rear portion of the lower surface of the panel main body 14 is close to the base wall 21 around the second rotation axis P2 (see FIG. 1), and the front portion of the lower surface is close to the tips of both leg walls 22. It can be tilted back and forth in the state of being engaged (see FIG. 3), that is, in the range of 180 °. Each hinge shaft 32 is formed in a bolt shape by projecting an operation head at one end of the shaft portion and forming a male screw at the other end portion of the shaft portion.

  In order to assemble the operation panel 5 to the connection frame 18, first, the left and right brackets 30 are fixed to the lower surface of the panel body 14 with screws as shown in FIG. Next, both hinge pieces 31 are applied to the outer side surfaces of the respective brackets 30, and the hinge shaft 32 is inserted from the outside into the bearing holes formed in the both 30 and 31. Finally, after the frictional resistance imparting tool 33 is externally fitted to the screw shaft side of the hinge shaft 32, the nut 34 is screwed into the screw shaft. As shown in FIG. 1, the overall front-rear length of the panel support structure is larger than half the front-rear dimension of the operation panel 5 and smaller than the front-rear dimension of the operation panel 5. Therefore, the bracket 30 of the second hinge body 20 is fastened near the majority of the lower surface of the panel body 14.

  The frictional resistance imparting tool 33 is composed of a plurality of disc springs 35 and washers 36 interposed at both ends of the disc springs 35. Accordingly, when the previous nut 34 is tightened, the plurality of disc springs 35 are elastically deformed flat, and the entire hinge shaft 32 is pulled toward the nut 34 side. As a result, the left and right hinge pieces 31 and the bracket 30 are brought into close contact with each other to generate a predetermined frictional resistance. The frictional resistance applicator 33 allows the swinging displacement of the hinge piece 31 relative to the bracket 30 only when an external force exceeding the set value is applied.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a cover 43 that covers the bracket 23, the hinge shaft 25, and the like of the first hinge body 19 is attached and fixed to the lower rear portion of the attachment portion 12. The left and right dimensions of the cover 43 are set slightly smaller than the facing distance between the left and right outer pieces 13 and 13. The cover 43 is formed with a pair of left and right grooves 44, 44 that allow the hinge piece 24 of the first hinge body 19 to swing. In the connecting frame 18 in the vertical posture shown in FIG. 7, the hinge piece 24 is in contact with the upper end 45 of the groove 44, so that the backward swing displacement is restricted. Further, in the inclined posture shown in FIG. 6, the hinge piece 24 is in contact with the lower end 46 of the groove 44, so that the downward swinging displacement is restricted.

  The panel support structure configured as described above allows the operation panel 5 to be displaced around the two rotation axes P1 and P2 to change the posture and orientation of the operation panel 5 in accordance with the user's standing position. it can. In a normal state, the operation panel 5 is used in the basic posture shown in FIG. The connecting frame 18 in the basic posture is in a forwardly inclined posture in which the hinge piece 24 contacts the lower end 46 of the groove 44 and the leg wall 22 contacts the front end of the horizontal wall of the mounting portion 12. The operation panel 5 is also tilted forward and the left and right sides of the lower surface are supported by the upper surface of the outer piece 13. At this time, as indicated by an imaginary line in FIG. 3, a part of the operation panel 5 projects outward from the front surface of the outline of the aircraft as viewed from the left and right side surfaces.

  From this basic posture, when the operation panel 5 is erected straight around the hinge rotation axis P2 of the second hinge body 20, the display 15 can be oriented forward as shown in FIG. From this state, the operation panel 5 can be tilted forward and upward so that the display 15 is directed obliquely downward and forward, so that the operation panel 5 can be easily operated from a low position sitting on a wheelchair. It becomes possible, and the display 15 can be visually recognized clearly. As described above, the operation panel 5 changes from the state in which the operation surface on the upper surface of the panel is inclined forward downward (basic posture) to the state in which the operation panel 5 is turned upside down through the state where the operation surface is erected straight. It can be rotationally displaced.

  When the user desires an operation in the upper position, as shown in FIG. 7, the connecting frame 18 is brought upright about the hinge rotation axis P1 of the first hinge body 19 to be in a vertical posture. The display 5 may be oriented obliquely upward by rotating and displacing the panel 5 so as to incline forward and downward. In this posture, the display 15 can be clearly seen from a high position standing in front of the multi-function device without bending down. In this posture, the upper end portion of the operation panel 5 is positioned above the ADF 3 and further covers the outline of the ADF 3.

  The operation panel 5 (FIGS. 6 and 7) in a state of swinging upward and forward from the basic posture (FIG. 1) is centered on the rotation axes P1 and P2 of the first hinge body 19 and the second hinge body 20. It can swing. Therefore, in the present embodiment, both the hinge bodies 19 and 20 are constituted by friction hinges so that they do not swing as much as the touch panel of the display 15 or the input button 16 is operated. Therefore, the input operation using the touch panel or the input button 16 can be performed reliably and stably.

  When the multifunction machine is shipped, as shown in FIG. 3, the connecting frame 18 is placed in a vertical posture, and the operation panel 5 is erected, so that the operation panel 5 is within the outline of the machine body as viewed from the left and right side surfaces. A compact form can be obtained. Specifically, the operation panel 5 can be positioned behind the outline of the front cover 10 that is positioned at the foremost when viewed from the left and right side surfaces. Therefore, the space occupied by the image forming apparatus when the product is transported or temporarily stored can be reduced, and the cost required for transportation or storage can be reduced.

  As described above, according to the image forming apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to support the operation panel 5 in a stable state while allowing the operation panel 5 to be further freely displaced as compared with the conventional support structure. For all users, the visual recognition of the display 15 and the input of control parameters can be performed reliably and simply. Furthermore, the operation panel 5 that normally projects to one side of the aircraft is accommodated within the outline of the aircraft when necessary, so that the operation panel 5 is not obstructed by traffic or the product It is possible to reduce the distribution cost by reducing the space during transport and storage.

  In the above embodiment, the first hinge body 19 and the second hinge body 20 are provided as a pair on the left and right, but this is not necessary, and the pair of left and right first hinge bodies 19 can be configured as one hinge body. . Similarly, the pair of left and right second hinge bodies 20 can be configured as one hinge body. Moreover, it can replace with the connection frame 18 which has the base wall 21 and the leg wall 22, and can use a pair of connection arm as a connection tool of a panel support structure. The operation panel 5 in the basic posture may be supported by a panel support mechanism, or may be supported by the housing 7 or 8 or the decorative panel 9. Positioning protrusions that restrict the swing displacement of the hinge piece 24 of the connecting frame 18 can be provided at regular intervals in the groove 44 of the cover 43. The frictional resistance applicators 26 and 33 use the disc springs 28 and 35 as element members. However, the frictional resistance applicators 26 and 33 are not necessary, and the frictional resistance applicators 26 and 33 are made of coil springs, rubber, plastic materials having rubber elasticity, etc. 33 can be configured.

It is a partially broken side view which shows a panel support structure. 1 is a perspective view of an image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a side view of the image forming apparatus in a state where an operation panel is stored. It is a perspective view of a panel support structure. It is a partially broken top view of a panel support structure. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 5, illustrating an example of the attitude displacement of the operation panel. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 5, showing another example of the attitude displacement of the operation panel.

Explanation of symbols

5 Operation panel 18 Connector (connection frame)
19 First hinge body 20 Second hinge body 23 Bracket 24 Hinge piece 25 Hinge shaft 26 Friction resistance applicator 30 Bracket 31 Hinge piece 32 Hinge shaft 33 Friction resistance applicator

Claims (9)

An operation panel disposed on one side of the machine body is an image forming apparatus supported by a panel support structure provided between the machine body and the operation panel so that the posture can be freely changed.
The panel support structure includes a rigid connector, a first hinge body that connects the connector and the machine body, and a second hinge body that connects the connector and the operation panel.
The operation panel is supported so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis of the first hinge body, and is simultaneously supported so as to be rotatable about the rotation axis of the second hinge body. . In a state in which the coupling tool is displaced to the lower swing limit, a part of the operation panel protrudes from one outer surface of the body,
In a state where the operation panel and the coupling tool are swung upwards about the rotation axis of the first hinge body, and the operation panel is swung upright about the rotation axis of the second hinge body, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the entire operation panel can be accommodated within an outline of the machine body when viewed from the side.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first hinge body and the second hinge body are constituted by friction hinges capable of maintaining a displacement posture at an arbitrary displacement position.   The first hinge body and the second hinge body are a bracket fixed to the machine body or the operation panel, a hinge piece integral with the connector, a hinge shaft for connecting the bracket and the hinge piece, The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a frictional resistance imparting tool that imparts a frictional resistance between the hinge piece and the bracket. The connector is swingable and displaceable between a vertical posture extending upward and a tilted posture of lowering forward about the rotation axis of the first hinge body,
A cover that covers the bracket of the first hinge body is attached to the airframe, and a groove is formed on the cover to allow the swinging displacement of the hinge piece of the first hinge body.
When the hinge piece comes into contact with the end of the groove, the backward swinging displacement of the connector in the vertical posture and the downward swinging displacement of the connector in the inclined posture are restricted. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. A mounting portion to which the bracket of the first hinge body and the cover are fixed is provided at a front portion of the airframe,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the connector is supported at a front end of the attachment portion in the inclined posture. Outer pieces whose upper surfaces are inclined downward toward the front are provided at the left and right ends of the mounting portion, respectively.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the lower surface of the operation panel is supported by the upper surface of the outer piece when the coupling tool is in the inclined posture and the operation panel is inclined forward and downward. The connector is swingable and displaceable between a vertical posture extending upward and a tilted posture of lowering forward about the rotation axis of the first hinge body,
When the connector is in the inclined posture, the operation panel is moved straight up from a state in which the operation surface of the operation panel is inclined forward and downward with the rotation axis of the second hinge body as a center. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus can be rotationally displaced in a state of being inverted and inclined. The connector is swingable and displaceable between a vertical posture extending upward and a tilted posture of lowering forward about the rotation axis of the first hinge body,
The operation panel can be rotationally displaced between a state in which the operation panel is inclined downward and a state in which the operation panel is erected straight about the rotation axis of the second hinge body when the connector is in the vertical posture. Or the image forming apparatus according to 2;

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