JP5966074B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image forming apparatus that forms an image on a sheet is known that includes an in-body sheet discharge unit. In such an image forming apparatus, an in-body discharge unit is formed between an image forming unit disposed below and a reading unit disposed above. The user can take out the sheet on which the image has been formed and discharged from the in-body discharge unit. The image forming apparatus also includes an operation unit for inputting printing conditions such as the number of printed sheets and enlargement / reduction. The user can set suitable printing conditions from the operation unit.

  On the other hand, a user who uses the image forming apparatus has various characteristics such as height, dominant hand, or standing or using a wheelchair. For this reason, when the operation unit is fixed at a specific location of the image forming apparatus, the operability of the operation unit may be significantly lowered depending on the characteristics of the user. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique in which an operation unit can be moved in the horizontal direction above the in-body discharge unit. Patent Document 2 discloses a technique in which an operation unit extending along the width direction of the in-cylinder discharge unit is arranged in front of the in-cylinder discharge unit. The operation unit can be attached to and detached from a position above the in-cylinder sheet discharge unit and a position below the in-cylinder sheet discharge unit.

JP 2005-234222 A Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-316438

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the operation unit is always disposed above the in-body discharge unit. For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to use the operation unit for a user with a short height or a user who uses a wheelchair. In the technique described in Patent Document 2, since the operation unit is arranged at a plurality of positions, the operation unit needs to be detached from the apparatus main body once. Also in this case, there is a problem that it is difficult for a user who uses a wheelchair to change the position of the operation unit. Further, since the operation buttons of the operation unit are always arranged on the right side of the apparatus, there is a problem that it is difficult for left-handed users to input print information.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and in an image forming apparatus including an in-body sheet discharge unit, an operation unit that can be moved to a suitable position according to various features of a user. An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus including the above.

  An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an apparatus main body including a pair of side walls and a front surface portion that are respectively disposed on one end side and the other end side opposite to the one end side. A lower casing disposed below the upper casing at an interval; and the upper casing and the lower casing are arranged in a vertical direction on the one end side of the upper casing and the lower casing. An apparatus body including a continuous portion that discharges a sheet on which an image is formed, and a space surrounded by the upper housing, the lower housing, and the continuous portion, and the front portion being open. An in-cylinder sheet discharge unit that discharges the sheet on which the image is formed in the discharge direction from the one end side toward the other end side, and an image forming unit that forms an image on the sheet. And the front side of the apparatus main body toward the front An operating unit to which image forming information is input, and a moving path that extends so as to surround the front surface portion of the in-body sheet discharge unit and allows the operation unit to move, the upper housing The operation section moving path having a first moving path extending in the horizontal direction on the front surface of the sheet, and the sheet that is detachable from the front with respect to the in-body sheet discharge section and discharged from the continuous section Is disposed on the other end side of the first movement path in conjunction with a transport unit that transports the transport unit to the other end side of the apparatus main body, and detachment of the transport unit from the in-body discharge section. And an interlocking part that moves the operation part to the one end side of the first movement path.

  According to this configuration, even when the operation unit is disposed on the other end side of the first movement path, the operation unit is moved to one end side of the first movement path in conjunction with the detachment of the transport unit. The For this reason, detachment | desorption of a conveyance unit is not prevented by the operation part. Further, the maintenance work of the transport unit after detachment can be realized stably.

  In the above configuration, the interlocking portion is disposed on the upper surface portion of the transport unit and the protruding portion that protrudes downward from the operation portion, and from the other end side to the one end as it advances from the front to the rear. A guide portion that extends toward the side and engages with the protruding portion, and the protruding portion is engaged with the guide portion as the transport unit is detached from the in-body discharge portion. In addition, it is preferable that the transport unit moves the operation unit to the one end side along the first movement path via the protrusion.

  According to this configuration, the operating portion is stably moved by the protrusion and the guide portion in conjunction with the detachment of the transport unit.

  In the above configuration, the transport unit includes a raised portion that is erected along the discharge direction in front of the guide portion and closes a front upper end portion of the in-body discharge portion, and the raised portion includes: In a cross-sectional view that intersects with the discharge direction, it has an inclined surface that slopes upward from the front to the rear, and the protruding portion is immersible toward the inside of the operating portion, and the protruding portion is operated by the operation And a protrusion urging means for urging in a direction protruding downward from the portion, and the protrusion comes into contact with the inclined surface with the detachment operation of the transport unit from the in-body discharge portion. It is desirable that the projecting part is immersed toward the inside of the operation part so that the projecting part can get over the raised part and be engaged with the guide part.

  According to this configuration, the front upper end portion of the in-body sheet discharge portion is covered with the raised portion, and the appearance of the apparatus main body is favorably maintained. Further, as the transport unit is detached, the protruding portion can get over the raised portion and engage with the guide portion.

  In the above-described configuration, the operation part moving path is provided continuously with the second moving path extending in the horizontal direction on the front surface of the lower housing, and with the first and second moving paths. And a third movement path extending in the vertical direction on the front surface of the unit, and preferably extending so as to surround the front surface of the in-body discharge unit.

  According to this configuration, the operation unit is movable on the operation unit moving path that extends so as to surround the front surface portion of the in-body sheet discharge unit. The operation part moving path includes a first moving path, a second moving path, and a third moving path. The first moving path extends in the horizontal direction on the front surface of the upper housing. The second moving path extends in the horizontal direction on the front surface of the lower housing. The third moving path is connected to the first and second moving paths and extends in the vertical direction on the front surface of the connecting section. Therefore, the user can place the operation unit at a predetermined position in the area surrounding the in-body sheet discharge unit. As a result, the operation unit is arranged at a suitable position for a user having various characteristics such as height, dominant hand, or standing or using a wheelchair. In addition, since the movement path for the operation unit is arranged so as to surround the in-cylinder discharge unit, the position of the operation unit can be changed in order to ensure the visibility of the sheet discharged to the in-cylinder discharge unit. Can do.

  In the above configuration, the operation portion moving path is a rail groove formed in a front surface portion of the apparatus main body, and the first and second moving paths each include at least one rail groove, The third movement path includes two rail grooves that are connected to the first and second movement paths, respectively, and extend in the vertical direction with a first interval in the discharge direction. Comprises a pair of first fixing members that protrude toward the front portion of the apparatus main body and are arranged at the first interval in the discharge direction, and the pair of first fixing members of the operation portion. It is desirable that the operating portion moves along the operating portion moving path while a member engages with the rail grooves of the first, second and third moving paths.

  According to this configuration, the movement of the operation unit along the operation unit moving path is stably realized by the pair of first fixing members protruding from the operation unit.

  In the above configuration, the first and second movement paths are respectively connected to the two rail grooves of the third movement path, and are arranged at a second interval in the vertical direction. A pair of rail grooves, wherein the operation portion protrudes toward the front surface portion of the apparatus main body and is arranged at a second interval in the vertical direction with respect to the pair of first fixing members. A second fixing member, and the pair of first and second fixing members of the operating portion engages with the rail grooves of the first, second, and third moving paths, and the operating portion is operated by the operating portion. It is desirable to move along the part movement path.

  According to this configuration, the movement of the operation unit along the operation unit moving path is more stably realized by the pair of second fixing members further protruding from the operation unit.

  Said structure WHEREIN: The said operation part is equipped with the auxiliary | assistant fixing member which can be projected and retracted in the said 1st movement path between said pair of 1st or 2nd fixing members, The said apparatus main body is the said auxiliary | assistant fixing member. In the protruding state of the first movement path, the operating portion is supported from below via the auxiliary fixing member, and the first movement is performed between the two rail grooves of the third movement path. It is desirable to have a support wall that defines a portion of the path.

  According to this structure, even if it is a case where an operation part is arrange | positioned in the area | region where the 1st movement path and the 3rd movement path are connected, it is suppressed that an operation part falls below.

  In the above configuration, it is preferable that the apparatus further includes a switching unit that is arranged in the operation unit and switches the operation of the auxiliary fixing member to the first movement path.

  According to this configuration, the switching unit suitably switches between the fixing of the operation unit and the downward movement of the operation unit in the region where the first moving path and the third moving path are connected.

  In the above configuration, the switching unit includes a support plate that supports the auxiliary fixing member, and a first biasing unit that biases the support plate in a direction in which the auxiliary fixing member protrudes into the first movement path, A gripping portion disposed on the support plate for enabling the support plate to move in a direction in which the auxiliary fixing member separates from the first movement path against the biasing force of the first biasing means; It is desirable to provide.

  According to this configuration, the switching of the operation unit is suitably realized by the support plate, the first urging means, and the gripping unit.

  In the above configuration, a plurality of the auxiliary fixing members are arranged along the discharge direction between the pair of first or second fixing members, and the support plate supports the plurality of auxiliary fixing members. It is desirable.

  According to this configuration, the operation unit is stably fixed in the region where the first moving path and the third moving path are connected by the plurality of auxiliary fixing members.

  In the above configuration, the upper surface portion of the lower casing is defined, and the sheet is inclined toward the lower end toward the connecting portion, and has a discharge surface on which the sheet discharged to the in-body discharge portion is placed. Of the two rail grooves of the second movement path, the upper rail groove is a curved portion that partially curves downward facing the region where the discharge surface and the connecting portion intersect. The second fixing member is disposed above the first fixing member, is disposed in the operation portion, and the operation portion is moved from the one end side to the other end side of the second movement path. It is desirable to further have a retracting means for moving the second fixing member to the first fixing member side and passing the curved portion in conjunction with the operation.

  According to this configuration, the operating unit can stably pass through the bending portion of the second moving path by the retracting unit.

  In the above-described configuration, the retracting means includes a fulcrum part, supports the second fixing member on the opposite side of the fulcrum part, and is capable of rotating around the fulcrum part; A second urging means for urging the support piece around the fulcrum part in a direction in which the fixing member moves away from the first fixing member, and along with the movement of the second movement path of the operation part, When the second fixing member comes into contact with the curved portion and is restricted to the first fixing member, the support piece is rotated around the fulcrum portion against the urging force of the second urging means. It is desirable.

  According to this configuration, the retracting means is configured by the support piece including the fulcrum part and the second urging means, and the operation part can pass through the bending part stably.

  In the above configuration, the support pieces extend from the fulcrum portions in different directions, and are arranged in a pair so as to support the pair of second fixing members, and the second urging means includes the pair of biasing means. It is desirable that the spring member is spanned between regions between the fulcrum portion of the support piece and the second fixing member.

  According to this configuration, the pair of second fixing members can be moved by the pair of support pieces and the second urging means.

  According to the present invention, an image forming apparatus provided with an in-body sheet discharge unit is provided with an operation unit that can be moved to a suitable position according to various characteristics of the user.

1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention with the transport unit removed. In the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is a front view of a state where a transport unit is mounted. In the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, it is a front view showing the movement path of the operation unit. It is a front view which shows the inside of the operation part which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the rocking | swiveling unit of the operation part which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows the inside of the operation part which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a sectional side view which shows the inside of the operation part which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view of the conveyance unit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a user takes out a sheet from a conveyance unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view which shows arrangement | positioning of the conveyance unit which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, and an operation part. It is the sectional side view which showed a mode that the conveyance unit was detached | desorbed from the apparatus main body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is the partial front view which showed a mode that the conveyance unit was detached | desorbed from the apparatus main body which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing an internal structure of an image forming apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1 with a later-described transport unit 55 removed. FIG. 3 is a front view of the image forming apparatus 1 with the transport unit 55 attached.

<Description of Image Forming Apparatus>
The image forming apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 10 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing structure, and an automatic document feeder 20 disposed on the apparatus main body 10.

  The apparatus main body 10 is delimited by the left side 10L on the left side and the right side 10R by the right side. In other words, the apparatus main body 10 includes a pair of right side surface 10R and left side surface 10L (side wall) disposed on one end side (right end side) and the other end side (left end side) opposite to the one end side. Further, the front surface of the apparatus main body 10 is defined by the front surface portion 10F. The apparatus main body 10 according to the present embodiment has a structure including a so-called in-body discharge section. The apparatus main body 10 includes an upper housing 10A, a lower housing 10B, and a connecting portion 10T (continuous portion). The upper housing 10 </ b> A corresponds to the upper part of the apparatus main body 10. Further, the lower housing 10B is disposed below the upper housing 10A at an interval, and corresponds to the lower portion of the apparatus main body 10. The connecting portion 10T connects the upper housing 10A and the lower housing 10B vertically in the right (one end side) and the rear of the upper housing 10A and the lower housing 10B. In a space surrounded by the upper housing 10A, the lower housing 10B, and the connecting portion 10T, an in-cylinder space 10S (FIG. 2) (in-cylinder paper discharge unit) in which the front surface portion 10F is opened is formed. In addition, the sheet P is discharged from the connecting portion 10T to the in-body space 10S in a discharge direction from the one end side to the other end side (a direction from the right side to the left side). At this time, the discharged sheet is placed on the paper discharge surface 10S1. The paper discharge surface 10S1 defines an upper surface portion of the lower housing 10B, and is disposed to be inclined downward toward the connecting portion 10T.

  In the apparatus main body 10, a reading unit 25 that optically reads a document image to be copied, an image forming unit 30 that forms a toner image (image) on a sheet, and a fixing unit 60 that fixes the toner image on the sheet; The sheet feeding unit 40 for storing the standard sheet conveyed to the image forming unit 30, the sheet feeding tray 46, and the standard sheet from the sheet feeding unit 40 or the sheet feeding tray 46 via the image forming unit 30 and the fixing unit 60. A conveyance path 50 that conveys the sheet to the sheet discharge port 10 </ b> E and a conveyance unit 55 that internally includes a sheet conveyance path that forms a part of the conveyance path 50 are accommodated.

  The reading unit 25 is disposed in the upper housing 10A. Further, the image forming unit 30 and the paper feeding unit 40 are arranged in the lower housing 10B. Further, the fixing unit 60 is disposed in the connecting unit 10T. The transport unit 55 can be attached to and detached from the in-body space 10S.

  An automatic document feeder (ADF) 20 is rotatably attached to the upper surface of the apparatus body 10. The ADF 20 automatically feeds a document sheet to be copied toward a predetermined document reading position in the apparatus main body 10. On the other hand, when the user manually places the document sheet on a predetermined document reading position, the ADF 20 is opened upward. The ADF 20 includes a document tray 21 on which a document sheet is placed, a document transport unit 22 that transports a document sheet via an automatic document reading position, and a document discharge tray 23 that discharges a document sheet after reading. .

  The reading unit 25 passes through a contact glass for reading a document sheet automatically fed from the ADF 20 on the upper surface of the apparatus body 10 or a contact glass (not shown) for reading a manually placed document sheet. Is read optically. In the reading unit 25, a scanning mechanism including a light source, a movable carriage, a reflection mirror, and the like, and an image sensor are accommodated (not shown). The scanning mechanism irradiates the original sheet with light and guides the reflected light to the image sensor. The image sensor photoelectrically converts the reflected light into an analog electric signal. The analog electric signal is converted into a digital electric signal by an A / D conversion circuit and then input to the image forming unit 30.

  The image forming unit 30 performs a process of generating a full-color toner image and transferring it onto a sheet. Yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (Bk) arranged in tandem. An image forming unit 32 including four units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32Bk for forming the respective toner images, an intermediate transfer unit 33 disposed adjacent to the image forming unit 32, and an intermediate transfer unit 33. And a toner replenishing section 34 disposed in the.

  Each of the image forming units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32Bk includes a photosensitive drum 321 and a charger 322, an exposure device 323, a developing device 324, a primary transfer roller 325, and a cleaning device disposed around the photosensitive drum 321. 326.

  The photosensitive drum 321 rotates about its axis, and an electrostatic latent image and a toner image are formed on its peripheral surface. As the photosensitive drum 321, a photosensitive drum using an amorphous silicon (a-Si) material can be used. The charger 322 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 321. The exposure device 323 includes a laser light source and optical system devices such as a mirror and a lens, and forms an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 321 with light based on image data of a document image. .

  The developing device 324 supplies toner to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 321 in order to develop the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 321. The developing device 324 is for a two-component developer and includes a screw feeder, a magnetic roller, and a developing roller.

  The primary transfer roller 325 forms a primary transfer nip portion with the photosensitive drum 321 across the intermediate transfer belt 331 provided in the intermediate transfer unit 33, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum 321 is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 331. Primary transfer. The cleaning device 326 includes a cleaning roller and the like, and cleans the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 321 after the toner image is transferred.

  The intermediate transfer unit 33 includes an intermediate transfer belt 331, a driving roller 332, and a driven roller 333. The intermediate transfer belt 331 is an endless belt that is stretched around a driving roller 332 and a driven roller 333, and toner images from a plurality of photosensitive drums 321 are superimposed on the same portion on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 331. Are transferred (primary transfer).

  A secondary transfer roller 35 is disposed to face the peripheral surface of the drive roller 332. At the secondary transfer nip portion between the driving roller 332 and the secondary transfer roller 35, the full-color toner image overcoated on the intermediate transfer belt 331 is transferred onto the sheet. A secondary transfer bias potential having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image is applied to one of the driving roller 332 and the secondary transfer roller 35, and the other roller is grounded.

  The toner supply unit 34 includes a yellow toner container 34Y, a magenta toner container 34M, a cyan toner container 34C, and a black toner container 34Bk. These toner containers 34Y, 34C, 34M, and 34Bk respectively store toner of each color, and are supplied to the developing devices 324 of the image forming units 32Y, 32M, 32C, and 32Bk corresponding to each color of YMCBk through a supply path (not shown). Supply toner of each color. Each toner container 34Y, 34C, 34M, 34Bk is provided with a transport screw 341 for transporting the toner in the container to a toner discharge port (not shown). The conveying screw 341 is rotationally driven by a driving unit (not shown), so that toner is supplied into the developing device 324.

  The sheet feeding unit 40 includes a two-stage first sheet feeding cassette 40A and a second sheet feeding cassette 40B that store a standard sheet P among sheets subjected to image forming processing. These paper feed cassettes can be pulled out from the front of the apparatus body 10 toward the front.

  The first sheet feed cassette 40A includes a sheet storage unit 41 that stores a sheet bundle formed by stacking the standard sheets P, and a lift plate 42 that lifts the sheet bundle for sheet feeding. A pickup roller 43 and a roller pair of a paper feed roller 44 and a retard roller 45 are disposed on the upper right side of the paper feed cassette 40A. By driving the pickup roller 43 and the sheet feeding roller 44, the uppermost sheet P of the sheet bundle in the sheet feeding cassette 40 </ b> A is fed out one by one and carried to the upstream end of the conveyance path 50. The second paper feed cassette 40B has the same configuration as the first paper feed cassette 40A.

  A sheet feeding tray 46 for manual sheet feeding and a sheet feeding roller 461 are arranged on the right side surface 10 </ b> R of the apparatus main body 10. The paper feed tray 46 is attached to the apparatus main body 10 at its lower end so as to be openable and closable. When performing manual sheet feeding, the user opens the sheet feeding tray 46 as shown in the drawing and places a sheet thereon. The sheet placed on the paper feed tray 46 is carried into the transport path 50 by driving the paper feed roller 461 and the transport roller pair 462.

  The conveyance path 50 includes a main conveyance path 50A that conveys the sheet P from the paper feeding unit 40 to the exit of the fixing unit 60 through the image forming unit 30, and a sheet that is printed on one side when performing duplex printing on the sheet. A reverse conveyance path 50B for returning the sheet to the image forming unit 30, a switchback conveyance path 50C for directing the sheet from the downstream end of the main conveyance path 50A to the upstream end of the reverse conveyance path 50B, and the downstream of the main conveyance path 50A. And a horizontal conveyance path 50D that conveys the sheet in the horizontal direction from the end to the sheet discharge port 10E provided on the left side surface 10L of the apparatus main body 10. Most of the horizontal conveyance path 50 </ b> D is configured by a sheet conveyance path provided inside the conveyance unit 55.

  A registration roller pair 51 is disposed on the upstream side of the secondary transfer nip portion of the main conveyance path 50A. The sheet is temporarily stopped by the resist roller pair 51 in a stopped state, and skew correction is performed. Thereafter, the registration roller pair 51 is rotationally driven by a drive unit (not shown) at a predetermined timing for image transfer, whereby the sheet is sent out to the secondary transfer nip portion. In addition, a plurality of sheet conveyance rollers 52 for conveying the sheet are arranged in the main conveyance path 50A.

  A paper discharge roller 53 is disposed at the most downstream end of the transport path 50. The paper discharge roller 53 feeds the sheet through a sheet discharge port 10E to a post-processing device described later disposed on the left side surface 10L of the apparatus main body 10. In the image forming apparatus to which the post-processing apparatus is not attached, a sheet discharge tray (not shown) is provided below the sheet discharge port 10E.

  The transport unit 55 is a unit that transports the sheet unloaded from the fixing unit 60 to the sheet discharge port 10E. In the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the fixing unit 60 is disposed on the right side 10R side of the apparatus main body 10, and the sheet discharge port 10E is disposed on the left side 10L side of the apparatus main body 10 opposite to the right side 10R. Has been. Accordingly, the transport unit 55 transports the sheet in the horizontal direction from the right side surface 10R of the apparatus main body 10 toward the left side surface 10L.

  The image forming apparatus 1 further includes a post-processing device (not shown). As described above, the post-processing apparatus is disposed on the left side surface 10L of the apparatus main body 10. The post-processing device receives the sheet from the sheet discharge port 10E, performs a predetermined post-processing on the sheet, and then stacks the sheet. The post-processing for the sheet includes stapling processing, booklet binding processing, and the like. In other words, the transport unit 55 described above corresponds to a transport path that connects the apparatus main body 10 and the post-processing apparatus.

  The fixing unit 60 is an induction heating type fixing device that performs a fixing process for fixing a toner image on a sheet, and includes a heating roller 61, a fixing roller 62, a pressure roller 63, a fixing belt 64, and an induction heating unit 65. A pressure roller 63 is pressed against the fixing roller 62 to form a fixing nip portion. The heating roller 61 and the fixing belt 64 are induction-heated by an induction heating unit 65, and give the heat to the fixing nip portion. As the sheet passes through the fixing nip portion, the toner image transferred to the sheet is fixed to the sheet.

  Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation unit 7. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the operation unit 7 is disposed to protrude forward from the front surface part 10 </ b> F of the apparatus main body 10. The operation unit 7 includes a display unit 7G. The user can set printing conditions (image formation information) such as the number of printed sheets and enlargement / reduction from the operation unit 7 and set suitable printing conditions. These printing conditions and various types of notification information are displayed on the display unit 7G.

  In the present embodiment, the operation unit 7 includes an operation unit moving path 100 (first horizontal moving path 101, vertical movement) extending so as to surround the front surface portion of the in-body space 10S in the front surface portion 10F of the apparatus main body 10. The path 102 and the second horizontal movement path 103) can be moved. Next, these movement paths will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view of the operation unit moving path 100 disposed on the front surface portion 10F of the apparatus main body 10.

  The operation unit moving path 100 includes a first horizontal moving path 101 (first moving path), a vertical moving path 102 (third moving path), and a second horizontal moving path 103 (second moving path). The first horizontal movement path 101 extends in the horizontal direction on the front surface of the upper housing 10A. The second horizontal movement path 103 extends in the horizontal direction on the front surface of the lower housing 10B. The vertical movement path 102 is connected to the first horizontal movement path 101 and the second horizontal movement path 103, and extends in the vertical direction on the front surface of the connecting portion 10T.

  The first horizontal movement path 101 extends in the horizontal direction from the left side surface 10L side to the right side surface 10R side of the upper housing 10A. The first horizontal movement path 101 is composed of two rail grooves, an eleventh horizontal path 101A and a twelfth horizontal path 101B. The eleventh horizontal path 101A and the twelfth horizontal path 101B are extended in parallel at a predetermined interval (second interval) in the vertical direction. Since the first fixing pin 7A, the second fixing pin 7B, the third fixing pin 7C, and the fourth fixing pin 7D of the operation unit 7 described later are engaged, the eleventh horizontal path 101A and the twelfth horizontal path 101B are engaged. The rail groove is formed so as to expand inside the upper housing 10A. That is, the flange portion of each fixing pin is engaged with the back surface portion of the front surface portion of the upper housing 10A in the eleventh horizontal path 101A and the twelfth horizontal path 101B. The shape of the rail groove is the same in the vertical movement path 102 and the second horizontal movement path 103 described later.

  The vertical movement path 102 extends in the vertical direction from the right side surface 10R side of the upper casing 10A to the right side surface 10R side of the lower casing 10B via the connecting portion 10T. The vertical movement path 102 includes two rail grooves, a first vertical path 102A and a second vertical path 102B. The first vertical path 102A and the second vertical path 102B extend in parallel at a predetermined interval (first interval) in the left-right direction (the discharge direction).

  The second horizontal movement path 103 extends in the horizontal direction from the left side surface 10L side to the right side surface 10R side of the lower housing 10B. In other words, the second horizontal movement path 103 extends in the horizontal direction from the lower side of the in-body space 10S to the lower side of the connecting portion 10T in the lower housing 10B. The second horizontal movement path 103 includes two rail grooves, a 21st horizontal path 103A and a 22nd horizontal path 103B. The 21st horizontal path 103 </ b> A is disposed above the second horizontal movement path 103. The twenty-second horizontal path 103 </ b> B is disposed below the second horizontal movement path 103. The twenty-second horizontal path 103B extends in the horizontal direction. On the other hand, the 21st horizontal path 103A is partially extended so that the interval with respect to the 22nd horizontal path 103B changes.

  Specifically, the 21st horizontal path 103A includes a first area 103A1, a second area 103A2, a third area 103A3, a fourth area 103A4, and a fifth area 103A5. The first region 103A1 constitutes the left side surface 10L side of the second horizontal movement path 103 and extends below the in-body space 10S. The distance between the first region 103A1 and the twenty-second horizontal path 103B in the vertical direction corresponds to the distance (second distance) between the eleventh horizontal path 101A and the twelfth horizontal path 101B of the first horizontal movement path 101. The second area 103A2 and the third area 103A3 (both of which are curved portions) have a shape in which the 21st horizontal path 103A is partially curved downward, facing the area where the paper discharge surface 10S1 and the connecting portion 10T intersect. . In particular, the second region 103A2 is arranged to be inclined downward toward the connecting portion 10T, that is, inclined downward from the left to the right. The third region 103A3 is connected to the right end of the second region 103A2, and is inclined upward from the left to the right. The fourth region 103A4 is connected to the right end portion of the third region 103A3 across the first vertical path 102A. The fourth region 103A4 extends in the horizontal direction. The vertical interval between the fourth region 103A4 and the twenty-second horizontal path 103B is set to be narrower than the interval between the first region 103A1 and the twenty-second horizontal path 103B. The fifth area 103A5 corresponds to the right end of the fourth area 103A4, and is an area where the right end of the 21st horizontal path 103A and the second vertical path 102B intersect.

  As to the first horizontal movement path 101, the vertical movement path 102, and the second horizontal movement path 103, the eleventh horizontal path 101A and the twelfth horizontal path 101B are respectively located on the right side surface 10R side of the upper housing 10A. It intersects with the vertical path 102A and the second vertical path 102B, and is connected to the first vertical path 102A and the second vertical path 102B. Further, the 21st horizontal path 103A and the 22nd horizontal path 103B intersect the first vertical path 102A and the second vertical path 102B on the right side surface 10R side of the lower housing 10B, respectively, and the first vertical path 102A. And the second vertical path 102B.

  The operation unit 7 is movable through the first horizontal movement path 101 between the left side surface 10L side (region A1 in FIG. 4) and the right side surface 10R side (region A2 in FIG. 4) of the upper housing 10A. . Further, the operation unit 7 passes through the vertical movement path 102 between the right side surface 10R side of the upper housing 10A (region A2 in FIG. 4) and the right side surface 10R side of the lower housing 10B (region A3 in FIG. 4). It can be moved. Further, the operation unit 7 can move through the second horizontal movement path 103 between the right side surface 10R side (region A3 in FIG. 4) and the left side surface 10L side (region A4 in FIG. 4) of the lower housing 10B. Is done. The user can hold the housing 70 described later and move the operation unit 7 along the operation unit moving path 100 described above.

  Thus, in the present embodiment, the operation unit 7 is movable on the operation unit moving path 100 extending so as to surround the in-body space 10S. For this reason, even when a user of various heights or a user using a standing posture, a sitting posture, or a wheelchair accesses the operation unit 7, the operation unit 7 can be disposed at a suitable position. Become. Further, when the operation unit 7 is disposed at the position of the area A1 in FIG. 4, the visibility of the sheet P discharged to the in-body space 10S may be lowered. Even in such a case, the visibility of the sheet P is suitably ensured by retracting the operation unit 7 to the areas A2, A3, A4, and the like in FIG.

  Next, the structure of the operation unit 7 for enabling movement on the operation unit moving path 100 will be described. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the inside of the operation unit 7 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the swing unit 71 of the operation unit 7 according to the present embodiment. 7 and 8 are a plan view and a side sectional view showing the inside of the operation unit 7. FIG.

  The operation unit 7 includes a housing 70. The housing 70 is a housing that defines the appearance of the operation unit 7. The upper surface portion of the housing 70 is disposed to be inclined downward toward the front. The above-described display portion 7G (FIG. 2) is disposed on the upper surface portion. Further, an insertion opening 70 </ b> H (FIG. 8) is opened on the bottom surface of the housing 70. The insertion opening 70 </ b> H is an opening that opens in front of the bottom surface and in the center in the left-right direction. The insertion opening 70H allows the outside and the inside of the housing 70 to communicate with each other.

  The operation unit 7 includes a first fixing pin 7A, a second fixing pin 7B, a third fixing pin 7C, a fourth fixing pin 7D, a first auxiliary pin 7E, and a second auxiliary pin 7F. Each of these pins protrudes from the rear surface portion of the housing 70 toward the front surface portion 10F of the apparatus main body 10.

  The first fixing pin 7A and the second fixing pin 7B (both are the second fixing members) are a pair of fixing pins arranged at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction in the upper portion of the housing 70. The interval between the first fixed pin 7A and the second fixed pin 7B corresponds to the interval (first interval) between the first vertical path 102A and the second vertical path 102B of the vertical movement path 102. As described above, the first fixing pin 7A and the second fixing pin 7B include the flange portion 7R at the tip end portion (rear end portion). The flange portion 7 </ b> R is engaged with each rail groove of the operation unit moving path 100.

  The third fixing pin 7C and the fourth fixing pin 7D (both are first fixing members) are a pair of fixing pins that are arranged at a predetermined interval in the left-right direction in the lower portion of the housing 70. The interval between the third fixing pin 7C and the fourth fixing pin 7D also corresponds to the first interval. The third fixing pin 7C and the fourth fixing pin 7D are disposed below the first fixing pin 7A and the second fixing pin 7B at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction. The interval corresponds to the interval (second interval) between the eleventh horizontal path 101A and the twelfth horizontal path 101B of the first horizontal movement path 101. The third fixing pin 7C and the fourth fixing pin 7D also include the flange portion 7R.

  The first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F (both auxiliary fixing members) are arranged at a predetermined interval in the discharge direction (left-right direction) between the third fixing pin 7C and the fourth fixing pin 7D. Is done. The first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F do not include the flange portion 7R like the first fixing pin 7A. The first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F can be brought into and out of the operation unit moving path 100, particularly the twelfth horizontal path 101B of the first horizontal moving path 101 by a later-described drawer unit 72. The

  Further, the operation unit 7 includes a first plate 701, a swing unit 71 (retraction means), a drawer unit 72 (switching means), and a protrusion 73.

  The first plate 701 is disposed inside the housing 70 and has a function of supporting each member. The first plate 701 includes an eleventh plate portion 701A and a twelfth plate portion 701B. The eleventh plate portion 701 </ b> A is a substantially rectangular plate-like member that extends along the bottom surface of the housing 70. The twelfth plate portion 701B is a wall portion extending upward from the rear end portion of the eleventh plate portion 701A. The above-described third fixing pin 7C and fourth fixing pin 7D are fixed to the twelfth plate portion 701B. Further, the standing wall portion 701T is disposed on the eleventh plate portion 701A of the first plate 701. The standing wall portion 701T is a plate-like member that protrudes upward in a portion slightly rearward of the central portion in the front-rear direction of the first plate 701. In addition, a communication opening 701H is formed in front of the standing wall 701T of the first plate 701. The communication opening 701 </ b> H is an opening that opens to face the insertion opening 70 </ b> H of the housing 70.

  The swing unit 71 is disposed inside the housing 70. The oscillating unit 71 moves the first fixing pin 7A and the second fixing pin 7B to the first fixing pin 7B in conjunction with the operation of the operation unit 7 being moved from the right side surface 10R side to the left side surface 10L side of the second horizontal movement path 103. The third fixing pin 7C and the fourth fixing pin 7D are moved (arrows D51 and D52 in FIG. 5). With the function of the swing unit 71, the operation unit 7 can pass from the second region 103A2 to the fifth region 103A5 of the second horizontal movement path 103.

  5 and 6, the swing unit 71 includes a fulcrum portion 710, a first swing portion 711 (support piece), a second swing portion 712 (support piece), and a first spring 713 ( Second urging means). Further, facing the swing unit 71, a first long hole 701C and a second long hole 701D (FIG. 5) are opened in the twelfth plate portion 701B of the first plate 701.

  The fulcrum part 710 is disposed at a substantially central part of the twelfth plate part 701B of the first plate 701. The fulcrum part 710 serves as a fulcrum part in the rotation of the first swing part 711 and the second swing part 712.

  The first oscillating part 711 and the second oscillating part 712 are plate-like members extending from the fulcrum part 710, respectively. The first swing part 711 and the second swing part 712 extend from the fulcrum part 710 in different directions. In addition, the 1st rocking | swiveling part 711 and the 2nd rocking | swiveling part 712 are each made rotatable with the fulcrum part 710 as a fulcrum. The first oscillating portion 711 and the second oscillating portion 712 support the first fixing pin 7A and the second fixing pin 7B described above at the tip portion opposite to the fulcrum portion 710. At this time, the first fixing pin 7A and the second fixing pin 7B protrude from the rear surface portion of the housing 70 through the first elongated hole 701C and the second elongated hole 701D, which are elongated holes formed in the twelfth plate portion 701B. Is done. The first swinging portion 711 and the second swinging portion 712 include a first stretching piece 711A and a second stretching piece 712A between the first fixing pin 7A and the second fixing pin 7B and the fulcrum portion 710. . The first tension piece 711 </ b> A and the second tension piece 712 </ b> A are projecting pieces that project forward from the first swing part 711 and the second swing part 712. The first tension piece 711 </ b> A and the second tension piece 712 </ b> A are formed with notches for bridging a first spring 713 to be described later.

  The first spring 713 is a spring member that spans between the first tension piece 711A and the second tension piece 712A. The first spring 713 supports the first rocking portion 711 and the second rocking portion 712 in a direction in which the first fixing pin 7A and the second fixing pin 7B are separated from the third fixing pin 7C and the fourth fixing pin 7D. Energize around part 710.

  The drawer unit 72 (FIG. 7) is disposed inside the housing 70 and on the upper surface of the eleventh plate portion 701 </ b> A of the first plate 701. The drawer unit 72 switches the operation of the first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F with respect to the first horizontal movement path 101. The drawer unit 72 includes a second plate 720 (support plate) and a second spring 721 (first biasing means).

  The second plate 720 is a main body portion of the drawer unit 72. The second plate 720 includes a 21st plate portion 720A and a 22nd plate portion 720B. The 21st plate portion 720A is a plate-like member extending in the front-rear direction, and is disposed on the 11th plate portion 701A of the first plate 701. The 22nd plate portion 720B is a wall portion erected upward from the rear end portion of the 21st plate portion 720A. The twenty-second plate portion 720B is disposed so as to spread outside the twenty-first plate portion 720A in the left-right direction. The first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F are protruded rearward from the rear surface portion of the 22nd plate portion 720B. That is, the 22nd plate portion 720B supports the first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F. The twelfth plate portion 701B of the first plate 701 has a hole (not shown) through which the first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F can be inserted. The second plate 720 includes a first opening 720H (gripping part) and a second opening 720I. The first opening 720H is an opening that opens to the 21st plate portion 720A so as to face the insertion opening 70H and the communication opening 701H. The first opening 720H is 22nd in the direction in which the first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F are separated from the first horizontal movement path 101 against the urging force of the second spring 721 (arrow D71 in FIG. 7). It functions as a gripping part for enabling the plate part 720B to move. The second opening 720I is an opening formed so that a standing wall 701T standing from the eleventh plate 701A of the first plate 701 can be inserted.

  The second spring 721 is a spring member that is compressed and disposed between the 22nd plate portion 720B of the second plate 720 and the standing wall portion 701T of the first plate 701. The second spring 721 biases the 22nd plate portion 720B in the direction in which the first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F protrude into the first horizontal movement path 101.

  The protrusion 73 is a pin member that protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the housing 70. The protruding portion 73 is disposed on the left side and the rear portion of the bottom surface portion of the housing 70. The protrusion 73 moves the operation unit 7 disposed on the left side surface 10L side of the first horizontal movement path 101 to the right side surface of the first horizontal movement path 101 in conjunction with the detachment of the transport unit 55 from the in-body space 10S. It functions as a part of the interlocking unit 80 that moves to the 10R side. The projecting portion 73 is movable in the direction of immersing in the bottom surface of the housing 70. The protrusion 73 includes a third spring 73S (protrusion urging means) and a protrusion 73T. The third spring 73 </ b> S is a spring member that is compressed and disposed between the upper end portion of the protruding portion 73 and a wall portion (not shown) in the housing 70. The third spring 73S biases the protruding portion 73 in a direction protruding downward from the operation portion 7. The protrusion 73 </ b> T is a protrusion that protrudes rightward from the protrusion 73 within the housing 70. The protrusion 73 </ b> T is engaged with the inner wall of the housing 70 to prevent the protrusion 73 from being detached from the housing 70.

  Next, a mode in which the operation unit 7 is moved along each moving path will be described. The user holds the housing 70 of the operation unit 7 and moves the operation unit 7 along the first horizontal movement path 101, the vertical movement path 102, and the second horizontal movement path 103. At this time, the operation portion 7 is moved while the first fixing pin 7A, the second fixing pin 7B, the third fixing pin 7C, and the fourth fixing pin 7D are engaged with the rail grooves of the operation portion moving path 100. The

  In particular, in the present embodiment, a pair of third fixing pins 7C and a fourth fixing pin 7D projecting from below the operation portion 7, and a pair of first fixing pins 7A projecting from above the operation portion 7. And the operation part 7 is supported by the front part 10F of the apparatus main body 10 by the 2nd fixing pin 7B. For this reason, the movement of the operation part 7 is implement | achieved stably.

  When the operation unit 7 is disposed in the area A2 of FIG. 4, the first fixed pin 7A and the third fixed pin 7C are disposed in the first vertical path 102A of the vertical movement path 102. Further, the second fixed pin 7 </ b> B and the fourth fixed pin 7 </ b> D are disposed on the second vertical path 102 </ b> B of the vertical movement path 102. In this case, there is a concern that the operation unit 7 is moved downward by its own weight, and the operation unit 7 is not held in the area A2. Even in such a case, according to the present embodiment, the first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F are between the third fixed pin 7C and the fourth fixed pin 7D. 101 protrudes and engages with a twelfth horizontal path 101B of 101. In other words, the apparatus main body 10 includes the support wall 10X. The support wall 10X defines a part of the twelfth horizontal path 101B between the rail grooves of the first vertical path 102A and the second vertical path 102B of the vertical movement path 102. The support wall 10X allows the operation unit 7 to be viewed from below via the first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F in a state in which the first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F protrude to the twelfth horizontal path 101B. To support. For this reason, it is suppressed that the operation part 7 arrange | positioned in area | region A2 falls below.

  When the operation unit 7 is moved from the region A2 to the region A3, the first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F are separated from the twelfth horizontal path 101B by the above-described drawer unit 72. Specifically, an operator such as a user inserts a finger into the first opening 720H via the insertion opening 70H and the communication opening 701H in FIG. 8, and grips the first opening 720H. When the second plate 720 is pulled forward, the first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F supported by the twenty-second plate portion 720B against the urging force of the second spring 721 are Separated from the horizontal path 101B. As a result, the operation unit 7 can be moved downward.

  By releasing the operation of the operator pulling out the second plate 720 forward, the first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F enter the rail groove of the operation unit moving path 100 again. At this time, the first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F are inserted into the fourth region 103A4 of the twenty-first horizontal path 103A, so that the operation unit is positioned one step higher than the twenty-second horizontal path 103B described later. 7 can be fixed.

  Furthermore, the operation unit 7 is positioned at the lower end of the second horizontal movement path 103, and the first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F are engaged with the right end of the 22nd horizontal path 103B, so that the operation unit 7 Is arranged in a region A3 of FIG. As described above, from the region A3 to the region A4, a part of the 21st horizontal path 103A has a shape curved downward. Even in such a case, according to the present embodiment, the first fixing pin 7A and the second fixing pin 7B approach the third fixing pin 7C and the fourth fixing pin 7D by the swing unit 71 described above. It is possible to move. Specifically, as the operation unit 7 moves along the second horizontal movement path 103, the first fixing pin 7A and the second fixing pin 7B come into contact with the first region 103A1 and the third region 103A3 (curved portion), and When the third fixed pin 7C and the fourth fixed pin 7D are restricted, the first swinging portion 711 and the second swinging portion 712 are rotated around the fulcrum portion 710 against the urging force of the first spring 713. The Therefore, the third fixing pin 7C and the fourth fixing pin 7D can move in the 21st horizontal path 103A that is partially curved. Note that the above-described effect is also exhibited when the second fixing pin 7B moves in the fourth region 103A4 and the fifth region 103A5.

  Next, the transport unit 55 according to this embodiment will be described in detail. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the transport unit 55 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the transport unit 55 according to the present embodiment is pulled out from the apparatus main body 10 and the user takes out the sheet P from the transport unit 55.

  As described above, the conveyance unit 55 conveys the sheet P discharged from the connecting portion 10T to the left side surface 10L side of the apparatus main body 10. The transport unit 55 is detachable from the front with respect to the in-body space 10 </ b> S of the apparatus body 10. At this time, the movement of the transport unit 55 in the front-rear direction is guided by a rail (not shown) arranged in the transport unit 55.

  The sheet P discharged from the connecting portion 10T is carried into the conveyance unit 55 from the sheet carry-in portion 55L in FIG. The sheet P carried into the transport unit 55 is transported from the right to the left along the horizontal transport path 50D. The transport unit 55 includes a unit main body 55A and a unit cover 55B. A horizontal conveyance path 50D is disposed between the unit main body 55A and the unit cover 55B. As shown in FIG. 10, the unit cover portion 55B can be opened and closed with respect to the unit main body portion 55A with the rear as a fulcrum. Therefore, when the sheet P is jammed in the horizontal conveyance path 50D inside the conveyance unit 55, the conveyance unit 55 is pulled forward from the in-body space 10S and the unit cover portion 55B is opened (see FIG. 10). Arrow D101), sheet P is removed. At this time, the user pulls out the transport unit 55 by gripping the unit gripping portion 55H disposed on the front surface of the unit main body portion 55A.

  On the other hand, when the above-described operation unit 7 is disposed in the vicinity of the area A1 in FIG. 4, the pulling-out operation of the transport unit 55 and the operation of opening the unit cover unit 55B in the transport unit 55 pulled forward are prevented. In this case, it is preferable that the operation unit 7 is disposed in the area A2 in FIG. 4 (see the operation unit 7 in FIG. 10). In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an interlocking unit 80. The interlocking unit 80 moves the operation unit 7 disposed on the left side surface 10L side of the first horizontal movement path 101 to the right side surface of the first horizontal movement path 101 in conjunction with the detachment of the transport unit 55 from the in-body space 10S. Move to the 10R side.

  The interlocking unit 80 includes the above-described protrusion 73 disposed in the operation unit 7 and a guide unit 55R. The protruding portion 73 protrudes downward from the operation portion 7.

  As illustrated in FIG. 9, the guide portion 55 </ b> R is disposed on the upper surface portion of the transport unit 55. The guide portion 55 </ b> R extends from the left side surface 10 </ b> L side to the right side surface 10 </ b> R side of the apparatus main body 10 as it advances from the front to the rear, and engages with the protrusion 73. Specifically, the guide portion 55R includes a first guide portion 55R1 and a second guide portion 55R2. The first guide portion 55R1 is a guide wall extending perpendicularly to the unit cover portion 55B from the front and left portion of the transport unit 55 toward the rear and right portion. The second guide portion 55R2 is a guide wall that extends from the rear end portion of the first guide portion 55R1 so as to incline in the direction of the left side surface 10L with respect to the unit cover portion 55B with a slight length. . The second guide portion 55R2 is disposed above the rear end portion of the sheet carry-in portion 55L.

  Next, the movement mode of the operation unit 7 accompanying the detaching operation of the transport unit 55 will be described. FIG. 11 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the transport unit 55 and the operation unit 7 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 12 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the transport unit 55 is detached from the in-body space 10S of the apparatus body 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 13 is a partial front view showing a state where the transport unit is detached from the apparatus main body 10 according to the present embodiment.

  In addition to the guide portion 55R, the transport unit 55 further includes an upper end portion 55F (a raised portion) (FIG. 12). The upper end portion 55F is erected along the left-right direction (discharge direction) in front of the guide portion 55R and closes the front upper end portion of the in-body space 10S. The upper surface portion of the transport unit 55 is arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction with respect to the lower surface portion of the upper housing 10 </ b> A of the apparatus main body 10. In other words, the guide portion 55R is formed at the interval. And since the upper end part 55F closes the said space | interval, the external appearance of the apparatus main body 10 is suitably hold | maintained.

  The upper end portion 55F includes a first inclined surface 551 (inclined surface), an upper end surface 552, and a second inclined surface 553. The first inclined surface 551 is a wall portion extending rearward from the upper end portion of the front surface portion of the transport unit 55. In other words, the first inclined surface 551 is formed of an inclined surface that is inclined upward from the front to the rear in a cross-sectional view (a cross-sectional view including the front-rear and vertical directions) intersecting the discharge direction. The upper end surface 552 is connected to the first inclined surface 551 and extends substantially in the horizontal direction. The second inclined surface 553 is connected to the upper end surface 552 and is an inclined surface that is inclined downward from the front toward the rear. As described above, the protruding portion 73 can be immersed toward the inside of the housing 70 of the operation portion 7. The third spring 73 </ b> S biases the projecting portion 73 in a direction projecting from below the operation unit 7.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the transport unit 55 starts to be pulled out (begins to be detached) from the in-body space 10 </ b> S of the apparatus main body 10, downward from the left side and the rear part of the operation unit 7. The protruding portion 73 that protrudes contacts the first inclined surface 551. The protrusion 73 is gradually pressed upward by the first inclined surface 551. As a result, the protruding portion 73 is immersed toward the inside of the operation portion 7 against the urging force of the third spring 73S. Further, when the transport unit 55 is pulled out, the protruding portion 73 gets over the upper end portion 55F along the upper end surface 552 and the second inclined surface 553. Then, again, due to the urging force of the third spring 73S, the protruding portion 73 protrudes downward from the operation portion 7 and is in a state in which it can engage with the guide portion 55R.

  Further, when the transport unit 55 is pulled out (arrow D111 in FIG. 11), the projecting portion 73 engages with the first guide portion 55R1 of the guide portion 55R. As a result, due to the operating force with which the transport unit 55 is pulled forward, the operating portion 7 is moved to the right along the first horizontal movement path 101 while the protruding portion 73 is along the first guide portion 55R1 (arrow in FIG. 11). D112). Eventually, the protruding portion 73 of the operation portion 7 is moved along the second guide portion 55R2 from the right end portion of the first guide portion 55R1. And as FIG. 13 shows, the operation part 7 is moved to the position shown by area | region A2 of FIG. 11 and FIG. 4 because the protrusion part 73 contact | abuts to the inclined surface of 2nd guide part 55R2. Therefore, the operation unit 7 prevents the operation of opening the unit cover portion 55B upward in the transport unit 55 detached from the in-body space 10S.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the operation unit 7 can move on the operation unit moving path 100 extending so as to surround the front surface portion of the in-body space 10S. The operation unit moving path 100 includes a first horizontal moving path 101, a second horizontal moving path 103, and a vertical moving path 102. The first horizontal movement path 101 extends in the horizontal direction on the front surface of the upper housing 10A. The second horizontal movement path 103 extends in the horizontal direction on the front surface of the lower housing 10B. The vertical movement path 102 is connected to the first horizontal movement path 101 and the second horizontal movement path 103, and extends in the vertical direction on the front surface of the connecting portion 10T. For this reason, the user can arrange the operation unit 7 at a predetermined position in an area surrounding the trunk space 10S. As a result, the operation unit 7 is arranged at a suitable position for a user having various characteristics such as height, dominant hand, or standing or using a wheelchair. Further, since the operation unit moving path 100 is disposed so as to surround the in-cylinder space 10S, the position of the operation unit 7 is changed in order to ensure the visibility of the sheet discharged to the in-cylinder space 10S. Can do.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the pair of third fixing pins 7C and the fourth fixing pins 7D protruding from the operation unit 7 and the pair of first fixing pins 7A and the second fixing pins 7B are used for the operation. The movement of the operation unit moving path 100 of the unit 7 is stably realized.

  In addition, according to the above-described embodiment, even when the operation unit 7 is disposed in a region where the first horizontal movement path 101 and the vertical movement path 102 are connected to each other, the first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7E The auxiliary pin 7F prevents the operation unit 7 from falling downward.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the drawer unit 72 fixes the operation unit 7 in the area where the first horizontal movement path 101 and the vertical movement path 102 are connected, and moves the operation unit 7 downward. Are suitably switched. Further, the switching of the arrangement of the operation unit 7 is suitably realized by the second plate 720, the second spring 721, and the first opening 720H. Further, the first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F as a plurality of auxiliary fixing members stably stabilize the operation unit 7 in the region where the first horizontal movement path 101 and the vertical movement path 102 are connected. Realized.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the operation unit 7 can stably pass through the second region 103A2 and the third region 103A3 (curved portion) of the second horizontal movement path 103 by the swing unit 71. In particular, the oscillating unit 71 is constituted by the fulcrum part 710, the first oscillating part 711, the second oscillating part 712, and the first spring 713, and the operation part 7 passes through the bending part stably. Can do. Further, the movement of the first fixing pin 7A and the second fixing pin 7B as the pair of second fixing members can be realized by the pair of the first swinging portion 711 and the second swinging portion 712 and the first spring 713. It is said.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, even when the operation unit 7 is disposed on the left side surface 10L side of the first horizontal movement path 101, the operation unit 7 is interlocked with the detachment of the transport unit 55. The first horizontal movement path 101 is moved to the right side 10R side. For this reason, detachment | desorption of the conveyance unit 55 is not prevented by the operation part 7. FIG. Further, the maintenance work of the transport unit 55 after detachment is stably realized. Further, the operation portion 7 is stably moved by the protrusion 73 and the guide portion 55R in conjunction with the detachment of the transport unit 55.

  Moreover, according to said embodiment, the front upper end part of the in-body space 10S is covered with the upper end part 55F, and the external appearance of the apparatus main body 10 is maintained suitably. Further, as the conveyance unit 55 is detached, the projecting portion 73 can get over the upper end portion 55F and engage with the guide portion 55R.

  The image forming apparatus 1 including the operation unit 7 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the following modified embodiment can be adopted. .

  (1) In the above embodiment, the first horizontal movement path 101 and the second horizontal movement path 103 are described as being configured by two rail grooves, but the present invention is not limited to this. Each of the first horizontal movement path 101 and the second horizontal movement path 103 may be composed of one rail groove. In this case, the vertical movement path 102 is composed of two rail grooves as in the above embodiment. The operation unit 7 does not include the first fixing pin 7A and the second fixing pin 7B, but includes the third fixing pin 7C and the fourth fixing pin 7D. Furthermore, since the operation unit 7 includes the first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F, the operation unit 7 is fixedly held in the second region A2 of FIG.

  (2) In the above embodiment, when the operation unit 7 is disposed on the second horizontal movement path 103, the user of the wheelchair can suitably operate the operation unit 7. In this case, the ADF 20 may be automatically opened with respect to the upper surface portion of the apparatus main body 10 by an operation button (not shown) arranged on the operation unit 7. For this reason, the apparatus main body 10 is provided with driving means (not shown) for opening and closing the ADF 20. With the operation buttons and the driving means, the user sitting in the wheelchair can open and close the ADF 20 without placing it, and the original can be placed on the contact glass.

  (3) In the above-described embodiment, the first auxiliary pin 7E and the second auxiliary pin 7F have been described with respect to the twelfth horizontal path 101B of the first horizontal movement path 101. However, these auxiliary pins May be disposed on the eleventh horizontal path 101A side. Further, there may be one auxiliary pin or two or more auxiliary pins.

  (4) In the above-described embodiment, the connecting portion 10T has been described as being disposed on the right side of the apparatus main body 10, but the connecting portion 10T may be disposed on the left side of the apparatus main body 10. In this case, the sheet P is discharged toward the right from the connecting portion 10T.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus 10 Apparatus main body 10A Upper housing | casing 10B Lower housing | casing 10E Sheet discharge port 10F Front part 10L Left side surface (side wall)
10R Right side (side wall)
10S In-body space (in-body discharge section)
10S1 paper discharge surface 10T connection part (continuous connection part)
10X support wall 100 moving path for operation unit 101 first horizontal moving path (first moving path)
101A 11th horizontal path 101B 12th horizontal path 102 Vertical movement path (third movement path)
102A First vertical path 102B Second vertical path 103 Second horizontal movement path (second movement path)
103A 21st horizontal path 103A1 1st area | region 103A2 2nd area | region (curved part)
103A3 third region (curved portion)
103A4 4th area | region 103A5 5th area | region 103B 22nd horizontal path 50D Horizontal conveyance path 55 Conveyance unit 551 1st inclined surface (inclined surface)
552 Upper end surface 553 Second inclined surface 55A Unit main body portion 55B Unit cover portion 55F Upper end portion (raised portion)
55H unit gripping part 55L sheet carry-in part 55R guide part 55R1 first guide part 55R2 second guide part 7 operation part 70 housing 70H insertion opening 701 first plate 701A eleventh plate part 701B twelfth plate part 701C first slot 701D Second long hole 701H Communication opening 701T Standing wall 71 Swing unit (retraction means)
710 fulcrum part 711 first swing part (support piece)
711A First tension piece 712 Second swing part (support piece)
712A Second tension piece 713 First spring (second biasing means)
72 Drawer unit (switching means)
720 Second plate (support plate)
720A 21st plate portion 720B 22nd plate portion 720H 1st opening (gripping portion)
720I Second opening 721 Second spring (first biasing means)
73 Protruding part 73S Third spring (protruding part biasing means)
73T Protrusion 7A First fixing pin (first fixing member)
7B Second fixing pin (first fixing member)
7C Third fixing pin (second fixing member)
7D Fourth fixing pin (second fixing member)
7E 1st auxiliary pin (auxiliary fixing member)
7F Second auxiliary pin (auxiliary fixing member)
7G display unit 80 interlocking unit

Claims (13)

An apparatus main body having a pair of side walls and a front surface portion disposed on one end side and the other end side opposite to the one end side, respectively, and having an upper housing and a space below the upper housing The upper casing and the lower casing are connected in the vertical direction on the lower casing and the one end side of the upper casing and the lower casing, and the sheet on which the image is formed is discharged. An apparatus main body comprising:
A space surrounded by the upper housing, the lower housing, and the connecting portion and having the front portion opened, in which the sheet on which the image is formed is in a discharge direction from the one end side toward the other end side. An in-cylinder discharge section to be discharged;
An image forming unit disposed inside the apparatus main body and forming an image on the sheet;
An operation unit that protrudes forward from the front surface of the apparatus body and receives image formation information;
A moving path that extends to the front surface of the in-body discharge section and that allows the operation section to move, and includes a first moving path that extends in the horizontal direction to the front surface of the upper casing. A moving path for the operation unit;
A transport unit that is detachable from the front with respect to the in-body discharge section, and that transports the sheet discharged from the connecting section to the other end side of the apparatus body;
In conjunction with detachment of the transport unit from the in-body discharge section, the operation section disposed on the other end side of the first movement path is moved to the one end side of the first movement path. And
An image forming apparatus comprising: The interlocking unit is
A protruding portion protruding downward from the operation portion;
A guide portion that is disposed on the upper surface portion of the transport unit, extends from the other end side toward the one end side as it advances from the front to the rear, and engages with the protruding portion;
With
With the detachment operation of the transport unit from the in-body discharge section, the projecting section engages with the guide section, and the transport unit moves the operation section through the projecting section to the first moving path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is moved to the one end side along the line. The transport unit includes a raised portion that is erected along the discharge direction in front of the guide portion and closes a front upper end portion of the in-body discharge portion,
The raised portion is provided with an inclined surface inclined upward from the front to the rear in a cross-sectional view intersecting the discharge direction,
The protrusion is immersible toward the inside of the operation unit,
A protrusion urging means for urging the protrusion in a direction protruding downward from the operation portion;
With the detachment operation of the transport unit from the in-body sheet discharge portion, the protrusion comes into contact with the inclined surface and the protrusion immerses toward the inside of the operation portion. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to be able to get over the raised portion and engage with the guide portion.   The operating portion moving path is provided in a horizontal direction on the front surface of the lower housing, and is provided in a row on the front surface of the connecting portion. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a third movement path extending in a vertical direction, and extending so as to surround a front surface portion of the in-body sheet discharge portion. The image forming apparatus described in 1. The operation part moving path is a rail groove formed in a front part of the apparatus main body,
Each of the first and second movement paths includes at least one rail groove,
The third movement path includes two rail grooves that are connected to the first and second movement paths, respectively, and extend in the vertical direction with a first interval in the discharge direction.
The operation unit includes a pair of first fixing members that are provided so as to protrude toward the front surface portion of the apparatus main body and are disposed at the first interval in the discharge direction.
The operation unit moves along the operation unit moving path while the pair of first fixing members of the operation unit engages with the rail grooves of the first, second, and third moving paths. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4. Each of the first and second moving paths includes two rail grooves that are connected to the two rail grooves of the third moving path, and are arranged at a second interval in the vertical direction.
The operation unit includes a pair of second fixing members that protrude toward the front surface portion of the apparatus main body and are arranged at a second interval in the vertical direction with respect to the pair of first fixing members. Prepared,
While the pair of first and second fixing members of the operation portion engages with the rail grooves of the first, second, and third movement paths, the operation section extends along the operation section movement path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image forming apparatus moves. The operation unit includes an auxiliary fixing member that can be moved into and out of the first moving path between the pair of first or second fixing members.
The apparatus body supports the operation unit from below through the auxiliary fixing member in a state where the auxiliary fixing member protrudes into the first movement path, and the two rails of the third movement path The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a support wall that defines a part of the first moving path between the grooves.   8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a switching unit that is disposed in the operation unit and switches the operation of the auxiliary fixing member to the first movement path. 9. The switching means is
A support plate for supporting the auxiliary fixing member;
First biasing means for biasing the support plate in a direction in which the auxiliary fixing member protrudes into the first movement path;
A gripping portion disposed on the support plate for enabling the support plate to move in a direction in which the auxiliary fixing member separates from the first movement path against the biasing force of the first biasing means;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: A plurality of the auxiliary fixing members are arranged along the discharge direction between the pair of first or second fixing members,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the support plate supports the plurality of auxiliary fixing members. Defining an upper surface portion of the lower housing, having a paper discharge surface that is inclined downward toward the connecting portion and on which the sheet discharged to the in-body paper discharge portion is placed;
Of the two rail grooves of the second movement path, the upper rail groove has a curved portion that is partially curved downward facing the region where the paper discharge surface and the continuous portion intersect. ,
The second fixing member is disposed above the first fixing member;
The second fixing member is moved to the first fixing member side in conjunction with an operation that is arranged in the operation unit and the operation unit is moved from the one end side to the other end side of the second moving path. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising a retracting unit that allows the curved portion to pass therethrough. The retracting means is
A support piece that includes a fulcrum part, supports the second fixing member on the opposite side of the fulcrum part, and is rotatable about the fulcrum part;
Second urging means for urging the support piece around the fulcrum in a direction in which the second fixing member is separated from the first fixing member;
When the second fixing member comes into contact with the bending portion and is restricted to the first fixing member as the operation portion moves along the second movement path, the support piece is moved to the second urging means. The image forming apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the image forming apparatus is rotated around the fulcrum portion against an urging force. The support pieces are extended in different directions from the fulcrum part, and are arranged in a pair so as to support the pair of second fixing members,
The image forming apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the second urging unit is a spring member that spans a region between the fulcrum portion of the pair of support pieces and the second fixing member. apparatus.

Images