JPH06320836A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform smooth operation and display easy to see corresponding to the arrangement state of an image forming apparatus having an operation panel for the state display and operation input of the apparatus. CONSTITUTION:In an image forming apparatus 1 equipped with an image forming mechanism forming an image on a sheet, a control part controlling the image forming mechanism and an operation panel 5 having a display panel and an operation indicating key, the control part alters the display direction of the operation panel 5 corresponding to the arrangement direction of the apparatus 1 or attaches the operation panel 5 to the arbitrary attaching part among a plurality of the attaching parts 60-62 provided in the apparatus 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

(Table of Contents) Industrial Application Field of the Prior Art Problems to be Solved by the Invention Means for Solving the Problems (FIG. 1) Action Example (a) Description of the First Example (FIGS. 2 to 5) 11) (b) Description of the second embodiment (FIGS. 12 to 16) (c) Description of the third embodiment (FIGS. 17 to 19) (d) Description of the fourth embodiment (FIGS. 20 to 20) FIG. 22) (e) Description of another embodiment Effect of the invention

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus having an operation panel for displaying the status of the apparatus and inputting operation.

Many image forming apparatuses such as copiers, printers and facsimiles are provided in offices and the like due to their small size and low cost. In such an image forming apparatus, for example,
In an electrophotographic apparatus, an electrostatic latent image is formed on a photosensitive drum or the like. Then, the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum is developed with a powder developer to form a visible image. Further, the powder developed image on the photosensitive drum is transferred to a sheet, the sheet is separated, and the powder developed image on the sheet is fixed.

In this image forming apparatus, the apparatus installation environment is diversified, such as on a desk, under the desk, on a computer or the like.
Therefore, this image forming apparatus is required to have a degree of freedom in installation, and an operation panel for displaying operation instructions and a state thereof is adapted to the installation state, and the display is easy to understand and operate. It is required to be easy to handle.

[0005]

2. Description of the Related Art As such an image forming apparatus, for example, in an electrophotographic printer apparatus, a photosensitive drum is charged by a pre-charging device and exposed by an exposing device to form an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the exposed image. A developing device is arranged to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum. This developing device conveys an internal powder developer (for example, one-component magnetic toner, two-component developer) to the photosensitive drum to develop the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum. The developed image on the photosensitive drum is transferred by the transfer device onto the paper fed from the paper cassette. Then, the transferred sheet is sent to a fixing device and the developed image on the sheet is fixed. On the other hand, the photosensitive drum after transfer is cleaned with a cleaner.

By the way, normally, such an image forming apparatus is
Designed to operate in a horizontal installation. Further, there has been proposed an image forming apparatus designed to operate in this horizontal installation state, which can be conveyed and stored in a vertical state by holding a handle (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-130345, practically open). 60-184061 specification). Further, in order to reduce the area occupied by the device, there has been proposed a device which operates the device in a vertically installed state (for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
84176, etc.).

On the other hand, the device has a status display and an operation.
An operation panel is provided. This operation panel is provided with a display panel and operation keys. In the conventional image forming apparatus, the installation position of the operation panel is fixed and the display direction is fixed.

[0008]

However, the prior art has the following problems. With the spread of image forming apparatuses in recent years, the degree of freedom in the installation direction of the apparatus is required. For example, if the device is installed horizontally, stable installation is possible and the height required for the device is small. On the other hand, if the device is installed vertically, the area occupied by the device is reduced and the desk or the like can be effectively used. In response to such requirements, in the conventional position and display direction of the operation panel,
The operation is difficult and the display is difficult to see.

Due to the requirement of the degree of freedom in the installation direction of the device,
When the device is installed on the desk, under the desk, on the computer, etc., the operation panel at the fixed position is difficult to operate and the display is difficult to see. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus for performing smooth operation and easy-to-see display according to the installation state of the apparatus.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus for changing the display direction so that it can be easily viewed according to the installation direction. Furthermore, the present invention, depending on the installation state,
An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus for changing an operation panel to a position where it is easy to operate.

[0011]

FIG. 1 shows the principle of the present invention. According to claim 1 of the present invention, an image forming device including an image forming mechanism 2 for forming an image on a sheet, a control unit 4 for controlling the image forming mechanism 2, and an operation panel 5 having a display panel and operation instruction keys. In the device, the control unit 4 is
The display direction of the operation panel 5 is changed according to the installation direction of the device.

According to claim 2 of the present invention, in claim 1,
An image forming operation is possible in the horizontally installed state and the vertically installed state, and the operation panel 5 displays horizontally on the display panel in the horizontally installed state and vertically on the display panel in the vertically installed state. The feature is that it is written and displayed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, an installation direction detecting means 42 for detecting the installation direction of the apparatus is provided, and the control section 4 includes the installation direction detecting means 42.
The display direction of the operation panel 5 is changed according to the detection direction of.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, an image forming mechanism 2 for forming an image on a sheet, a control section 4 for controlling the image forming mechanism 2, and an operation panel 5 having a display panel and operation instruction keys are provided. The image forming apparatus has a plurality of mounting portions 60 to 62 to which the operation panel 5 is attached, and the operation panel 5 is attached to the mounting portions 60 to 62 at arbitrary positions of the apparatus.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect,
The plurality of mounting parts 60 to 62 are provided on different surfaces of the device. According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth or fifth aspect, the operation panel 5 is removable from the mounting portions 60 to 62, and is electrically connected to the operation panel 5 and the mounting portions 60 to 62. It is characterized in that a contact for is provided.

According to claim 7 of the present invention, in claim 4,
A character generation circuit 48 for generating a character pattern of the operation panel 5 is mounted. According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the seventh aspect, the control unit 4 accesses the character generation circuit 48 to obtain a character pattern for the image formation.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh or eighth aspect, the operation panel 5 is constructed so that it can be tilted at a desired angle with respect to the device. It is characterized by that.

[0018]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, by changing the display direction of the operation panel according to the installation state of the device, the display of the operation panel can be easily viewed as the display orientation corresponding to the installation state of the device. is there. According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the installation direction of the device is automatically detected and the display direction of the operation panel is changed, the display direction can automatically correspond to the installation direction according to the installation direction of the device.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the installation states of the apparatus are various, there is an optimum operation panel arrangement position according to each installation position of the apparatus. Therefore, the apparatus is provided with a plurality of mounting portions, The operation panel is arranged at an arbitrary position of its mounting position.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, since the optimum arrangement position is a different surface of the device depending on each installation position of the device, each mounting portion is provided on a different surface. According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the electrical contacts are provided in the respective mounting portions of the device, the operation panel can be easily attached and detached.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since the operation panel is provided with the character generation circuit, the characters can be displayed stably even if it is removed or attached. According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, since the control unit also uses the character generation circuit for generating characters for image formation, the number of characters stored in the character generation circuit on the device side can be reduced. According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the operation panel is further tiltable, it is easier to see and operate. In particular,
This is effective when a liquid crystal display panel is used as the operation panel.

[0022]

【Example】

(A) Description of the First Embodiment FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a printer of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a horizontal installation state diagram of the printer of FIG. FIG. 5 is a vertical installation state diagram of the printer of FIG. 3, showing a cleanerless electrophotographic printer.

In FIG. 2, FIG. 2A shows a horizontally installed state of the printer 1, and FIG. 2B shows a vertically installed state of the printer 1. An operation panel 5 is provided on the side surface of the printer 1. The operation panel 5 includes a display panel 50 such as a liquid crystal panel and operation keys 51 and 52 for inputting reset, form feed, online and the like.
It has and.

In the horizontally installed state of FIG. 2A, the state and the like are horizontally displayed on the display panel 50 of the operation panel 5. In the figure, “preparing” indicating that the device is being prepared is horizontally displayed. On the other hand, in the vertically installed state of FIG. 2B, the state and the like are vertically displayed on the display panel 50 of the operation panel 5. In the figure, “preparing” indicating that the device is being prepared is vertically displayed. As described above, when the apparatus is installed horizontally, the display on the display panel 50 of the operation panel 5 is displayed horizontally because it is easy to understand the horizontal display for displaying characters in the horizontal direction. On the other hand, when the apparatus is installed vertically, the display on the display panel 50 of the operation panel 5 is displayed vertically because it is easy to understand the vertical display for displaying characters in the vertical direction.
As will be described later with reference to FIG. 11, the control unit 4 recognizes the installation state of the apparatus and executes such control.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, an image forming apparatus capable of operating in a horizontal installation state and a vertical installation state will be described.

In FIG. 2, 20 is a photosensitive drum,
A function-separated type organic photoconductor is applied to an aluminum drum in a thickness of about 26 μm, has an outer diameter of 24 mm, and is rotated counterclockwise by an arrow at a peripheral speed of 25 mm / s. Reference numeral 21 denotes a pre-charger, which uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 20, and is a non-contact type charger composed of a scorotron. The surface of the photosensitive drum 20 is -650V.
It is one that is electrically charged. An optical unit 22 forms an electrostatic latent image by imagewise exposing the uniformly charged photosensitive drum 20, and uses an LED optical system in which an LED array and a Selfoc array are combined. The optical unit 22 exposes the photosensitive drum 20 according to an image pattern to expose the photosensitive drum 20.
An electrostatic latent image of −50 to −100 V is formed at 0.

Reference numeral 23 is a developing device, which supplies charged toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 20 to visualize it.
It will be described later with reference to FIG. A developing roller 24 conveys a developer to the photosensitive drum 20.
A toner cartridge 25 is filled with magnetic toner and is replaceably attached to the developing device 23. The toner cartridge 25 is replaced when the toner is empty and supplies magnetic toner to the developing device 23.

Reference numeral 26 is a transfer device, which is composed of a corona discharger. The transfer device 26 electrostatically transfers the toner image on the photosensitive drum 20 onto a sheet of paper. A voltage of +5 to +10 kV is applied to the corona wire by a power source to generate an electric charge by corona discharge, and the paper is transferred. The back surface is charged and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 20 is transferred onto the paper P.
It is desirable that the power supply be a constant current power supply that can reduce a decrease in transfer efficiency due to the environment by supplying a constant amount of charge to the paper.

Reference numeral 27 denotes a fixing device for thermally fixing the toner image on the sheet, which is composed of a heat roller having a halogen lamp as a heat source therein and a pressure roller (backup roller). By heating, the toner image is fixed on the paper.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a scatter (uniformizing) brush, which is composed of a conductive brush. This scatter brush 28
Contacts the photosensitive drum 20 and disperses the concentration of the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 20, facilitating the collection by the developing device 23. Further, by applying an AC voltage to the distribution brush 28, the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 20 is peeled off, and a reciprocating motion for returning it again is generated, so that the residual toner can be dispersed appropriately. or,
This can prevent filming. Further, by applying a voltage equal to or higher than the discharge start voltage, the photosensitive drum 20
It also has the effect of eliminating static electricity, and can remove a positive afterimage due to residual charges.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a paper cassette, which accommodates paper and is attachable to and detachable from the apparatus. This paper cassette 1
0 is provided at the bottom of the device and can be attached and detached from the front of the device, which is the left side of the figure. A pick roller 11 is for picking the paper in the paper cassette 10. Reference numeral 12 is a registration roller, which is pressed against the picked paper,
The leading ends of the sheets are aligned and conveyed to the transfer unit 26.
A sheet discharge roller 13 is provided for stacking the sheet after fixing.
To be discharged to. A stacker 14 is provided on the upper surface of the apparatus and stacks ejected sheets.

Reference numeral 15 is a printed board on which a control circuit for the apparatus is mounted. Reference numeral 16 denotes a power supply, which supplies electric power to each part of the apparatus. 17 is an I / F connector, which is connected to an external cable and inserted into the device,
It is connected to the connector of the printed board 15. 1
Reference numeral 8 is an option board for mounting another type of emulator circuit, font memory, and the like.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. The surface of the photosensitive drum 20 is moved to −6 by the scorotron charger 21.
By uniformly charging to 50 V and then performing image exposure with the LED optical system 22, an electrostatic latent image with a background portion of −650 V and a printing portion of −50 to −100 V is formed on the photosensitive drum 20. A developing bias voltage (-300 V) is applied to the sleeve of the developing roller 24 of the developing device 23. Therefore, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 23 with the polymerized toner that is negatively charged by stirring with the carrier in advance to form a toner image.

On the other hand, the sheet is picked from the sheet cassette 10 by the pick roller 11, the leading ends of the sheets are aligned by the registration roller 12, and is conveyed toward the transfer device 26. Then, the toner image on the photosensitive drum 20 is transferred onto the sheet by the transfer device 26 by electrostatic force. The toner image on the sheet is fixed on the sheet by the fixing device 27, passes through the U-shaped conveyance path, and is ejected by the sheet ejection roller 13 into the stacker 14.
Is discharged to.

After the transfer, the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 20 is scattered by the scattering brush 28, and the residual charge is removed. Then, the residual toner on the photosensitive drum 20 passes through the scorotron charger 21 and the LED optical system 22, reaches the developing device 23, and is collected by the developing roller 24 at the same time as the next developing process. It is reused at 23.

In such a cleanerless process,
No mechanism for discarding toner is required, device can be downsized, space for storing waste toner is not required, toner that does not contribute to printing is eliminated, and it is economical. Therefore, in order to remove the toner on the photosensitive drum 20 with a cleaner, which is environmentally friendly, the photosensitive drum 20 is scraped with a cleaner, but since the cleaner is not used, the life of the photosensitive drum 20 is extended. There is.

In this recording process, the transfer residual toner on the photoconductor 20 is dispersed by the scatter (uniformizing) brush 28, and then the corona charger 21 with the toner adhered on the photosensitive drum 20. , The LED optical system 22 performs image exposure, and the developing device 23 collects the untransferred toner and develops the toner at the same time. The toner distribution by the homogenizing brush 28 reduces the toner amount per unit area by dispersing the toner concentrated in a part.
The recovery by the developing device 23 is facilitated, and further, the corona charger 2
1 has the effect of suppressing the ion shower and the filter effect in the image exposure process.

The point of this recording process is to collect the toner on the photosensitive drum 20 at the same time as the developing process. Then, the photoreceptor 20 is negatively charged, and the toner
Also, it will be explained with a negatively charged one. The surface potential of the photoconductor 20 is -500 to -1000V by the charger 21.
Is set to 0, and the exposed area where the potential is lowered by image exposure is 0 to
-The potential drops to several tens of volts and an electrostatic latent image is formed. Here, at the time of development, a developing bias voltage (for example, -300 V) approximately in the middle of the surface potential and the latent image potential is applied to the developing roller of the developing device 23.

In the developing step, the negatively charged toner attached to the developing roller is attached to the electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor 20 by the electric field formed by the developing bias and the latent image potential, and the toner is attached to the toner. Forming an image. In the cleanerless process, at the same time as this developing step, the transfer residual toner dispersed on the photosensitive drum 20 in the homogenizing process by the scattering brush 28 is formed by the electric field formed by the surface potential and the developing bias, and thus the photosensitive member. It is collected on the developing roller from above 20.

This apparatus can be made extremely small because it does not have a cleaner. In the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the length of the apparatus including the paper cassette 10 is 350 mm and the width is 345 mm. , The height is 130 mm. Therefore, it can be easily installed on a desk as a printer for personal use.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the paper cassette 10
It can be installed horizontally with the installation surface horizontal. In this figure, reference numeral 5 denotes an operation panel, which is provided on the side surface of the device and is used for instructing the operation of the device and displaying the state of the device. A sheet guide 30 is provided at the tip of the stacker 14. This paper guide 30 is used for the stacker 1
There is an effect that the leading edge of the sheet discharged to the sheet 4 is pressed and the leading edge is aligned. In this embodiment, the paper cassette 10 can be attached and detached from the front of the apparatus, and the operation panel 19 can be operated. Further, the ejected paper is ejected to the front of the apparatus.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, the I of the apparatus of FIG.
An image can be formed by vertical installation in which the / F connector 17 side is the installation surface and the paper cassette 10 is perpendicular to the installation surface.
This can reduce the installation area. At this time, by providing the stacker 14 with the paper retainer 31 for suppressing the collapse of the sheets discharged to the stacker 14, the collapse of the sheets can be prevented even when installed vertically. Further, by providing the stand 32 on the installation surface side of the device, the device can be stably installed even when installed vertically.

Further, even when the cleanerless process is performed, the pre-charger 21 and the transfer device 26 are constituted by the non-contact type discharger, so that the toner on the photosensitive drum 20 does not adhere to these units and is stable. Uniform charging and transfer can be performed.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the developing device of FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 is FIG.
8 is a sectional view of the main part of the developing device of FIG. 8, FIG. 8 is a vertical installation state diagram of the developing device of FIG. 3, FIG. 9 is a toner supply operation explanatory view, and FIG.

In FIG. 6, the developing roller 24 comprises a metal sleeve and a magnet roller having a plurality of magnetic poles provided inside the sleeve. The developing roller 24 fixes a magnet roller inside the sleeve and conveys a magnetic developer described later by rotating the sleeve.
The developing roller 24 has a diameter of 16 mm and rotates at three times the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 20 (75 mm / s).

A developing chamber 230 is provided around the developing roller 28.
The developing chamber 230 is filled with a 1.5-component developer which is a mixture of a magnetic carrier and a magnetic toner. This developing chamber 230 has a partition member 230-
1 and the bottom portion 230-2 of the lower portion, and has a constant volume. Therefore, when a certain amount of magnetic carrier is put in the developing chamber 230, the amount of magnetic toner in the developing chamber 230 also becomes constant. As a result, when the consumed magnetic toner is supplied from the toner hopper 231, the developer amount in the developing chamber 230 is constant, so that the toner concentration is constant, and it is not necessary to control the toner concentration. That is, by filling the developing chamber 230 with a carrier amount corresponding to the toner density control point, the toner density is automatically controlled within a predetermined range.

Further, in the developing chamber 230, the developer is always
Since the developer is filled around the developing roller 24, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the developer in the developing chamber 230 is biased and the developer cannot be sufficiently supplied to the developing roller 24 even when the apparatus is installed vertically.

The developer has a magnetic carrier and an average particle size of 40.
A magnetic toner manufactured by using a polymerization method having an average particle size of 7 microns is used as the magnetic toner using a micron magnetite carrier. This polymerized toner has a uniform particle size,
Since the particle size distribution is sharp, the adhesion between the toner image on the photosensitive drum 20 and the paper becomes uniform in the transfer process. Therefore, the electric field at the transfer portion becomes uniform, so that the transfer efficiency can be improved as compared with the toner obtained by the conventional pulverization method. The transfer efficiency, which was 60 to 90% in the pulverized toner, is improved to 90% or more in the polymerized toner. For this toner, a suitable toner concentration is 5 to 60 wt%, but in this embodiment, it is set to 30 wt%.

Reference numeral 234 denotes a doctor blade, which prevents the amount of developer supplied from the developing roller 24 to the photosensitive drum 20 from being excessively supplied to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 20.
On the contrary, it adjusts so that the supply will not become insufficient.
The adjustment is performed by the gap between the edge of the doctor blade 234 and the surface of the developing roller 24, and the normal gap is 0.1
It is adjusted to about 1.0 mm.

Reference numeral 231 denotes a toner hopper, which is filled only with magnetic toner and has a supply roller 232 inside. The toner is supplied to the developing chamber 230 by the rotation of the supply roller 232.

The toner supplied into the developing chamber 230 is agitated in the developing chamber 230 by the developer conveying force of the sleeve of the developing roller 24, the magnetic force of the developing roller 24 and the developer regulating function of the doctor blade 234. By rubbing with the carrier, it is charged to a predetermined polarity and charge amount. In this embodiment, the charge series of the carrier and the toner is adjusted so as to be negatively charged.

Further, on the upstream side of the blade 234, the partition member 230-1 makes the distance from the developing roller 24 smaller than the height of the magnetic brush formed on the developing roller 24. Here, as shown in FIG. 7, the distance a is 2.0 m.
It is set to m. As a result, the magnetic brush on the developing roller 24 is regulated by the partition member 230-1, and the magnetic brush receives a force as the developing roller 24 rotates.
For this reason, the stirring property of the developer in the developing chamber 230 is enhanced, and a stable toner charge amount can be obtained even in a high toner concentration range. Further, by keeping this interval constant around the developing roller 24, the charging effect does not change even if it is installed horizontally or vertically.

Between the toner hopper 231 and the developing chamber 230, the tip and bottom 230-2 of the partition member 230-1 are provided.
A toner supply path 235 formed by and is provided.
The width b of the toner supply path 235 is as shown in FIG.
It is 1.5 mm. The toner in the toner hopper 231 is supplied to the developing chamber 230 through the toner supply path 235.

The bottom portion 230-that forms the developing chamber 230
The toner supply path 235 includes a protruding portion 230-3 that protrudes toward the toner hopper 231. Further, the bottom portion 230-2 forms an inclined surface that extends upward from the photosensitive drum 20 side. The distance c between the tip of the protruding portion 230-3 and the tip of the partition member 230-1 is set to 1.0 to 1.5 mm, as shown in FIG. 7. That is, it is inclined by this amount. Furthermore,
The distance d between the tip of the partition member 230-1 and the developing roller 24 is set to 4.5 to 6.0 mm.

The angle between the wall surfaces of the toner cartridge 25 and the toner hopper 231 is about 4 with respect to the direction of gravity.
It is set to 5 degrees and the toner flowing direction is 45 degrees. As a result, as will be described later, the toner can be smoothly supplied even if the apparatus is installed vertically.

Next, the operation of the developing device will be described. FIG. 6 shows the state of the developing device 23 when the apparatus shown in FIG. 4 is installed horizontally, and the angle between the toner cartridge 25 and the wall surface of the toner hopper 231 is shown. , About 45 degrees with respect to the direction of gravity. Therefore, the toner flows toward the bottom of the toner hopper 231 and is smoothly supplied to the supply roller 232.

In this horizontal installation, the toner hopper 2
At 31, the toner has fluidity in the bottom direction due to gravity, so the supply roller 232 scrapes up the toner on the bottom side of the toner hopper 231. At this time, as shown in FIG. 9A, the toner pushed up by the supply roller 232 once hits the partition member 230-1 by the protruding portion 230-3 of the bottom portion 230-2, and the toner supply path 235.
Get in. As a result, only the toner supplied by the toner supply roller 232 enters the toner supply path 235, and the corresponding portion of the partition member 230-1 functions as a buffer, and the pushing force of the toner supply roller 232 directly supplies the toner. It does not affect the road 235. Therefore,
Too much toner can be prevented from being pushed in, and toner is supplied by the amount of toner that has run out in the developing chamber 230.

In this case, the bottom portion 230-2
Is inclined upward with respect to the rotation direction of the developing roller 24, so that the developing roller 24 after passing through the photosensitive drum 20.
The magnetic brush of the
It does not leak from the toner supply path 235 to the toner supply chamber 231 through 0-2. Therefore, the starter carrier in the developing chamber 230 can be prevented from decreasing, and stable 1.5 component development can be performed.

On the other hand, even in the state of the developing unit 23 when the apparatus shown in FIG. 5 of FIG. 8 is installed vertically, the angle between the toner cartridge 25 and the wall surface of the toner hopper 231 is about 45 degrees with respect to the direction of gravity. , Even if installed vertically
The toner can be smoothly supplied to the supply roller 231. The angle between the wall surface of the toner cartridge 25 and the wall surface of the toner hopper 231 is set in order to favorably convey the toner by its own weight.
Considering the angle of repose with respect to the direction of gravity, about 45 ° ± 10 ° is suitable, and about 45 ° ± 5 ° is preferable, and a good result is obtained.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the toner stays on the toner hopper 231 side of the partition member 230-1,
The toner is easily dropped from the toner supply path 235 into the developing chamber 230. However, as shown in FIG.
Since the protrusion 230-3 of 30-2 regulates the fall of the toner in the toner supply path 235, the fall of the toner hardly occurs. Therefore, the toner is supplied by the rotational force of the toner supply roller 232.

That is, as shown in FIG. 9B, the toner pushed by the supply roller 232 is temporarily separated by the protrusion 230-3 of the bottom 230-2.
And then enters the toner supply path 235. As a result, only the toner supplied by the toner supply roller 232 enters the toner supply path 235, and the corresponding portion of the partition member 230-1 functions as a buffer, and the pushing force by the toner supply roller 232 directly supplies the toner. It does not help. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the excessive toner from being pushed in, and the toner is supplied by the amount of the toner that is insufficient in the developing chamber 230.

This means that there is no change in the toner supply capacity to the developing chamber 230 regardless of whether the apparatus is installed horizontally or vertically. Therefore, even if the apparatus is installed horizontally or vertically, the toner density in the developing chamber 230 does not change, and the change in image density can be prevented.

Further, if installed vertically, the developer may drop from the developing device 23, but since a magnetic developer is used as the developer, the developer is not attached to the developing roller 24.
Since it is held by the magnetic force, the developer hardly drops even when installed vertically. In particular, when the magnetic carrier and the magnetic toner are used, both the carrier and the toner are held by the magnet roller of the developing roller 24, so that the developer can be prevented from further falling, and the stable development can be achieved even in such a vertical installation. Is possible.

FIG. 10 is a characteristic diagram showing a change in toner concentration Tc when the apparatus is installed horizontally (horizontally) for printing and then the apparatus is installed vertically (vertically) for printing. First,
The apparatus was installed horizontally, a predetermined amount of start carrier was put in the developing chamber 230 of the developing device 23, and the developing device 23 was operated to perform printing. As a result, the toner is gradually supplied from the toner hopper 231 to the developing chamber 230, so that the toner density increases as the number of printed sheets increases, and the developing chamber 230
When the carrier and the toner were full, the toner concentration was 30 wt%. After that, even if the number of prints increases,
There was no change in toner density.

Next, in this state, the apparatus was changed to vertical installation and printing was performed. As a result, the toner concentration did not change from that when horizontally installed. In the configuration according to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-252686, the toner density becomes high when installed vertically, as shown by the white circle in the figure, and the toner density changes between horizontal installation and vertical installation, and the image density changes. This supports the above-described stabilizing effect of toner supply of the present invention. As a result, it is possible to form an image with no change in image density regardless of whether the apparatus is installed horizontally or vertically, and it is possible to realize an image forming apparatus capable of both horizontal installation and vertical installation.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 11A, 4 is a control unit, which is composed of a processor 40 and a font ROM 41 for character generation. The processor 40 is the printer mechanism 2
Control panel and recognize the installation direction
The display data is edited horizontally or vertically and output to the operation panel 5. Reference numeral 42 denotes an installation direction detector that detects the installation direction of the device.
This will be described in (C). Reference numeral 5 denotes the above-mentioned operation panel, which is used for inputting operation instructions to the processor 40 and displaying display data from the processor 40. Two
Is the above-mentioned printer mechanism, which is composed of the photosensitive drum 20 and the like, and performs an image forming operation in response to a command from the processor 40.

As shown in FIG. 11B, the installation direction detector 42 has a pendulum 420 which rotates about a rotation shaft 421.
And a photo sensor 422 shielded by the pendulum 420. The installation direction detector 42 includes a photo sensor 422.
Is fixed to the device. As shown in FIG. 11 (B),
When the device is installed horizontally, the photo sensor 422 is below the rotary shaft 421. Therefore, the photo sensor 422 is blocked by the pendulum 420 that descends in the direction of gravity, and the horizontal installation can be recognized from the output of the photo sensor 420. When the apparatus is installed vertically, the photo sensor 422 is beside the rotating shaft 421 as shown in FIG. Therefore,
The pendulum 420 that descends in the direction of gravity does not block the photo sensor 422, and the vertical installation can be recognized from the output of the photo sensor 420.

Next, the operation of the configuration of FIG. 11A will be described. The processor 40 receives the detection output from the installation direction detector 42 and determines whether the installation is horizontal installation or vertical installation. Then, the direction of the display character data on the operation panel 5 is controlled according to the determination result. That is, a necessary character pattern is extracted from the font ROM 41 and edited. At this time, when writing the character pattern in the display memory, the character pattern is written horizontally in a horizontal installation, and vertically in a vertical installation. Therefore, FIG.
In horizontal installation, as shown in Fig. 2, as shown in Fig. 2 (A),
Status display characters and the like are displayed horizontally on the display panel 50 of the operation panel 5, and in a vertical installation, the status display characters and the like are displayed vertically on the display panel 50 of the operation panel 5 as shown in FIG. 2B. Is displayed.

In this way, since the display direction of the display panel 50 of the operation panel 5 is changed according to the installation direction of the image forming apparatus 1, it is possible to display in the optimum character direction in the installation direction, and the display is easy to see. Therefore, it becomes easy to grasp the state of the device. In this example, the installation direction of the device is automatically detected, but as another method, the installation direction may be input from the operation keys of the operation panel 5 to cause the processor 40 to recognize it. (B) Description of the second embodiment

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of the second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is an overall block diagram of the operation panel 5 of the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 14 to 16 are portions of the operation panel of FIG. It is a block diagram.

In FIG. 12, reference numerals 60 to 62 denote operation panel attachment portions for attaching the operation panel 5 shown in FIG. 13 and thereafter. The operation panel attachment parts 60 to 62 have contacts for electrical connection with the operation panel 5 and engagement holes for mechanically holding the operation panel 5. The arrangement positions of the mounting portions 60 to 62 will be described. The mounting portion 60 is on the surface of the paper cassette 10 which is the front surface of the printer 1, the mounting portion 61 is on the stacker 14 surface which is the upper surface of the printer 1, and the mounting portion 62 is , Is arranged on the side surface of the printer 1.

The operation panel 5 attached to the attachment portions 60 to 62 is replaceable, and the operation panel 5 shown in FIGS.
Will be described. As shown in the front view of the operation panel of FIG. 13A, the operation panel 5 is provided with a dot matrix liquid crystal panel 50 and a pair of operation keys 51 and 52.

The liquid crystal panel 50 and the operation keys 51 and 52
Is disposed on the printed circuit board 53 as shown in the front view of FIG. 14A and the sectional view of FIG. 14B. As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 14B and the rear view of FIG. 14C, a ribbon connector 54 is provided on the back surface of the printed board 53. The liquid crystal panel 50 and the operation keys 51 and 52 are electrically connected to the ribbon connector 54.

The connector board 55 provided below the printed board 53 has a cross-sectional view of FIG.
As shown in the back view of (B), the ribbon connector 5 is provided on the front surface.
6 is provided, and a large number of connectors 57 are provided on the back surface. In the figure, 40 connectors 57 are provided and are connected to the ribbon connector 56. The connector 57 has a case 570 that fixes the leaf spring 572 and holds the connection bar 571 so as to be vertically movable.
Therefore, the connection bar 571 is restricted from moving downward with respect to the case 570 by the stopper 571a and elastically restricted from moving upward by the plate spring 572. As a result, the connection bar 571 is attached to the attachment portion 6
When the contact point of 0 to 62 is contacted, the contact point is pushed upward, but the leaf spring 572 is urged in the contact point direction to maintain the electrical connection with the contact point.

A bottom plate 58 that supports the printed circuit board 55.
As shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 16 (A) and the rear view of FIG. 16 (B), has a hole 58a into which the lower part of the printed circuit board 55 is fitted, and is attached to the frame body. Is provided with three engaging claws 59. This engaging claw 59
Is inserted into the engaging holes of the mounting portions 60 to 62 described above,
It is mechanically locked by the claw.

As shown in FIG. 13B, the connector board 55 is fitted into the hole 58a of the bottom plate 58, the printed board 53 is provided on the connector board 55, and the ribbon connectors 54 and 56 are connected to each other. The operation panel 5 is completed. In addition, in FIG. 13B, the case portion of the operation panel 5 is omitted.

The mounting position of the operation panel 5 will be described. First, in the horizontally installed state of the printer 1 shown in FIG. 12A, the positions of the mounting portions 60 and 61 are easy to operate. Next, in the vertically installed state of the printer 1 shown in FIG. 12B, the positions of the mounting portions 60 and 62 are easy to operate. Further, in a side surface installed state in which a side surface (not shown) of the printer 1 (for example, a surface facing the mounting portion 62) is used as a mounting surface, the positions of the mounting portions 61 and 62 are easy to operate.

As described above, depending on the installation state of the device, there are positions where the operation is easy and the display is easy to see. Therefore, the operation panel 5 can be mounted on any of the mounting portions 60 to 62 of the printer 1 according to the user's preference. Install. In this mounting, the engaging claw 59 of the operation panel 5 is inserted into the engaging holes of the mounting portions 60 to 62 and mechanically locked by the claw. In this state, the contact points of the mounting portions 60 to 62 and the connection bar 571 of the operation panel 5 are not separated from each other by the leaf spring 57.
2. Contact with an appropriate contact force. This leaf spring 5
The operation panel 5 is entirely urged upward by the urging force of the connector board 55 via the connector substrate 55.
9 is tightly engaged around the engagement holes of the attachments 60-62.

In this way, by changing the mounting position of the operation panel 5 according to the installation state of the apparatus,
It is possible to bring the operation panel 5 to a position where the user can easily operate and see. Therefore, even if the installation position of the apparatus is changed, the operation panel 5 can be easily operated by the user and easily viewed.

Even if the operation panel 5 is detachable, the electrical connection can be guaranteed, the mechanical holding is sure, and the detachment is easy. (C) Description of Third Embodiment FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of the font ROM of FIG. 17, and FIG. 19 is a configuration of another example of the font ROM of FIG. It is a figure.

In FIG. 17, reference numeral 46 denotes a controller, which receives status information (paper out, ready, online, paper, that is, out of toner, etc.) from the control unit 40 in FIG. 11 and displays a display character corresponding to the control information. The control unit 4 outputs the information to the display panel 50 of the operation panel 5, detects the pressing of the operation keys 51 and 52 of the operation panel 5, and outputs the corresponding control information (online, form feed, reset, etc.).
It outputs to 0.

Reference numeral 47 is a message character string ROM, which stores each character code (8 bits) of the display character string corresponding to the status information, and 48 is a font ROM,
It is composed of a memory for storing font information corresponding to a character code, and outputs font information (character pattern) corresponding to an input character code in response to a trigger. As shown in FIG. 18, the font ROM 48 becomes chip enable by a trigger and outputs 64-bit font information corresponding to an input 8-bit character code.

The controller 46, the message character string ROM 47, and the font ROM 48 are mounted on the detachable operation panel 5. For example, FIG. 13 (B) and FIG.
It is mounted on the back surface of the printed circuit board 53 shown in FIG.

This operation will be explained below.
When the status information is received from the control unit 40, the CPU extracts the character code of the character string corresponding to the status information from the message character string ROM. When the controller 46 outputs this character code to the font ROM 48 together with the trigger, the corresponding font information (character pattern) is output from the font ROM 48. In response to a write signal from the controller 46, this is written in the display memory provided in the liquid crystal panel 50. Thereby, the liquid crystal panel 50
A character string corresponding to the status information is displayed at.

Further, the controller 46 uses the operation keys 51,
When the pressing of 52 is detected, a control code such as online is output to the control unit 40. For example, pressing the operation key 51 outputs online, and pressing the operation key 52 causes
A form feed is output, and a reset is output by simultaneously pressing the operation keys 51 and 52.

As described above, when the font ROM 48 is mounted on the operation panel 5, the load on the control unit 40 is reduced, and even if the font ROM 48 is detachable, the control unit 40 can perform processing without being aware of it.

Further, in this embodiment, the operation panel 5 is
The control unit 40 directly accesses the font ROM 48 installed in the CPU, obtains the corresponding font information, and uses it for image formation. Therefore, the font R
The OM 48 is provided with a trigger signal line and a character code output line from the control unit 40, and an output line for supplying the output of the font ROM 48 to the control unit 40. As a result, the font ROM 48 is selected by the trigger from the control unit 40 and outputs the font information corresponding to the input character code to the control unit 40.

By doing so, the number of font information stored in the ROM 41 attached to the control unit 40 can be reduced. Therefore, the font ROM 48 provided on the operation panel 5
Can be used effectively.

Another example of the font ROM 48 shown in FIG. 19 is composed of an 8-bit output font ROM 48a and a 3-bit counter 48b. The counter 48b is
The output enable signal of the font ROM 48a is counted, and together with the 8-bit character code, the font ROM 4
8a is accessed. Therefore, for one character code,
The font information is output every 8 bits in 8 steps. In this way, the output line for font information may be 8 bits. That is, the font ROM 4 on the operation panel 5
It is possible to reduce the number of output lines when the control unit 40 is equipped with 8a. As a result, the number of connectors 57 provided on the operation panel 5 can be reduced, and the operation panel 5 is not made large. (D) Description of the fourth embodiment

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 21 is an explanatory view of a modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 22 is another modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. Figure 2
As shown in 0, a platform 5a is provided for the operation panel 5. Then, the spring pin 500 provided in the hole 501 of the base 5a is inserted into the operation panel 5, and the operation panel 5 is rotatably held. By doing so, as shown in FIG. 20B, the operation panel 5 can be rotated at an arbitrary angle with respect to the platform 5a and can be tilted. Furthermore, the spring pin 50
The friction force of 0 allows the inclination to be maintained at any angle.

By doing so, the operation panel 5 can be tilted at an angle that is easy to see and operate. In particular, when a liquid crystal panel is used as the display panel 50 of the operation panel 5, the display becomes difficult to see due to the angle, and this tilt has a great advantage. For example, in the horizontally installed mounting portion 61 of FIG. 12 (A), it is easier to see and operate the operation panel 5 mounted here when it is tilted by a predetermined angle.
Even in the vertical installation, the mounting portion 6 shown in FIG.
At 0, the same is true.

As described above, by giving an arbitrary inclination to the exchangeable operation panel 5, the display is easy to see and the operation is easy. 21 (A), (B), and (C) show another example in which the operation panel 5 is rotatably attached to the base 5a. In FIG. 21 (A), the hexagon socket head cap screw 502 is inserted into the hole 501 of the base 5 a, and the hexagon nut 5 is inserted into the operation panel 5.
04, and a disc spring washer 503 is provided therebetween. Even in this case, similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 20, the operation panel 5 can be tilted at an arbitrary angle and the tilt can be maintained.

In the example of FIG. 21B, a spring 505 is provided instead of the above-mentioned disc spring washer 503. Even in this case, similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 20, the operation panel 5 can be tilted at an arbitrary angle and the tilt can be maintained. Similarly, in the example of FIG. 21C, a washer 506 with a surface groove is used instead of the above-mentioned disc spring washer 503.
A washer 507 with a potch and a washer 503 with a plate are provided. Even in this case, similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 20, the operation panel 5 can be tilted at an arbitrary angle and the tilt can be maintained.

22A to 22D show another example in which the operation panel 5 is rotatably held on the base 5a. FIG. 22
As shown in (A) and (B), the operation panel 5 is rotatably attached to the base 5a by a rotary shaft 501, the operation panel 5 is provided with a ratchet mechanism 5c, and the base 5a is provided with a claw 5d of the ratchet mechanism 5c. . This way,
Since the ratchet is used, there is an advantage that the angle does not change even if the force is applied to some extent.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 22C and 22D,
The operation panel 5 is rotatably attached to the base 5a by the rotary shaft 501, and the operation panel 5 has a shallow guide groove 5f.
And a pedestal 5a is provided with a rotatable rod 5e. By doing so, as shown in FIG. 20 (D), the operation panel 5 is supported by the rod 5e, so that there is an advantage that the angle does not change even if the operation is performed with some force. (E) Description of other embodiments

In addition to the above embodiment, the present invention can be modified as follows. Although the image forming mechanism has been described as an electrophotographic mechanism in the above-described embodiments, a latent image forming mechanism for transferring a toner image (for example,
An electrostatic recording mechanism or the like), a thermal transfer recording mechanism, a thermal recording mechanism, an inkjet recording mechanism or the like may be used. Further, the sheet is not limited to paper, and other medium can be used. Further, the photosensitive drum is not limited to the drum shape and may be a belt shape.

Although the image forming apparatus has been described as a printer,
It may be another image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a facsimile. Although a 1.5-component developer that is a combination of a magnetic carrier and a magnetic toner is used as the developer, only the magnetic toner may be used as the developer. In this case, the magnetic toner is
The toner is supplied to the toner hopper 231 by being agitated by the supply roller 232 and charged. Therefore, the supply roller 232 serves as an agitator.

In the developing roller 24, only the sleeve is rotated, but the magnet roller may be rotated. Although the LED optical system is used as the image exposure unit, a laser-optical system, a liquid crystal shutter optical system, an EL (electroluminescence) optical system, or the like may be used. Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention, and these modifications are not excluded from the scope of the present invention.

[0099]

As described above, according to the present invention,
It has the following effects. By changing the display direction of the operation panel according to the installation state of the image forming apparatus, the display of the operation panel can be easily viewed as the display orientation corresponding to the installation state of the image forming apparatus.

Since the image forming apparatus is provided with a plurality of mounting portions and the operation panel is arranged at an arbitrary position of the mounting position, the optimum arrangement of the operation panel can be obtained according to the installation position of the image forming apparatus. It is easy to see and operate.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a principle diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a horizontal installation state diagram of the apparatus of FIG.

5 is a vertical installation state diagram of the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram of the developing device in FIG.

7 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the developing device in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a vertical installation state diagram of the developing device of FIG.

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory view of the developing device in FIG.

10 is a printing characteristic diagram of the apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an overall configuration diagram of an operation panel according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a partial configuration diagram (1) of the operation panel of FIG.
Is.

FIG. 15 is a partial configuration diagram (2) of the operation panel of FIG.
Is.

16 is a partial configuration diagram (3) of the operation panel of FIG.
Is.

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

18 is a configuration diagram of the font ROM of FIG.

19 is a diagram showing another example configuration of the font ROM shown in FIG.

FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory view of another modification of the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Image Forming Apparatus (Printer) 4 Control Section 5 Operation Panel 10 Paper Cassette 14 Stacker 50 Display Panel 51, 52 Operation Keys 60 to 62 Attachment Section

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Hideo Kato 1015 Kamiodanaka, Nakahara-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Fujitsu Limited

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An image forming mechanism (2) for forming an image on a sheet, a control unit (4) for controlling the image forming mechanism (2), an operation panel (5) having a display panel and operation instruction keys. An image forming apparatus comprising: an image forming apparatus, wherein the control unit (4) changes a display direction of the operation panel (5) according to an installation direction of the apparatus. 2. An image forming operation is possible in a horizontal installation state and a vertical installation state of the apparatus, and the operation panel (5) horizontally displays on the display panel in the horizontal installation state and in the vertical installation state. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein vertical display is performed on the display panel. 3. An installation direction detecting means (42) for detecting an installation direction of the device is provided, and the control section (4) controls the operation panel (5) according to a detection direction of the installation direction detecting means (42). The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display direction of is changed. 4. An image forming mechanism (2) for forming an image on a sheet, a control unit (4) for controlling the image forming mechanism (2), an operation panel (5) having a display panel and operation instruction keys. An image forming apparatus having a mounting part (6) to which the operation panel (5) is mounted.
0 to 62), and the operation panel (5) is attached to the attachment portion (60 to 62) at an arbitrary position of the apparatus. 5. The plurality of mounting portions (60-62)
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatuses are provided on different surfaces of the apparatus. 6. The operation panel (5) is removable from the mounting portion (60 to 62), and is electrically connected to the operation panel (5) and the mounting portion (60 to 62). 6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the contact is provided. 7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a character generation circuit (48) for generating a character pattern of the operation panel (5). 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control unit (4) accesses the character generation circuit (48) to obtain a character pattern for the image formation. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation panel (5) is configured to be tiltable at a desired angle with respect to the apparatus. .