JP2011203371A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve operability for an additional unit attached to an image forming apparatus later.SOLUTION: A copying machine 1 includes apparatus body 10, an image reading section 20 arranged on the upper part of the apparatus body 10 and an operation panel unit 50 arranged in front of the image reading section 20. The operation panel unit 50 includes a movable housing 51, a start button 52, a touch panel 53 and an attachment section 54 for the additional unit. To the attachment unit 54, a card reader, for example, is attached later. The operation panel unit 50 is an attitude varying type unit swinging in the vertical direction. When the card reader unit is attached to the attachment section 54, the card reader unit can have an attitude varied by following the attitude variation of the operation panel unit 50.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, a facsimile machine, or a complex machine thereof, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus provided with a movable operation unit.

  The image forming apparatus includes an operation unit that receives user operation instructions related to image forming processing, such as paper selection, processing content and option function selection, and copy operation execution instructions. In a recent copying machine or the like, this operation unit is often configured with a touch panel that displays various types of display and receives a manual operation input from a user, and operation buttons including a start key and a numeric keypad.

  In such an operation unit, as a part of universal design, there is known one capable of changing the angle of an operation surface on which the touch panel and operation buttons are arranged (for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4). In this configuration, an operation unit housing equipped with the touch panel and operation buttons is rotatably attached to an apparatus main body that houses an image forming unit, and the operation surface can be changed in posture. With such an operation unit, for example, a user with a low height position suitable for operation and visual recognition, such as a user on a wheelchair, can easily operate the touch panel and operation buttons by adjusting the angle of the operation surface. There is an advantage that it is possible to operate the touch panel or to display the touch panel in front view.

  Incidentally, various optional device units, expansion / extension units, and the like may be retrofitted to the image forming apparatus later. Some of these units include a functional unit that functions when a user accepts some operation. For example, a card reader unit that performs user authentication is often attached to an image forming apparatus as an optional device unit. In this card reader unit, the user needs to insert an authentication card into the reading unit of the unit or bring it close to the unit.

JP 11-119498 A JP 2003-345087 A JP 2005-85936 A JP 2009-98444 A

  When an additional unit having a function unit that receives an operation from a user is attached to the image forming apparatus afterwards, such as the card reader unit described above, not only the operation unit including a touch panel and operation buttons but also the additional unit. It is necessary to consider the operability for. However, the actual situation is that an image forming apparatus in which the operability with respect to the additional unit is taken into consideration has not yet been provided.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object thereof is to improve the operability with respect to an additional unit that is subsequently attached to an image forming apparatus.

  An image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes an image forming unit that forms an image on a sheet, an operation unit that receives a user operation instruction related to an image forming process performed by the image forming unit, and the image forming unit. An apparatus main body, and a movable housing that is attached to the apparatus main body so as to be capable of changing the posture, accommodates the operation section, and has a mounting section for a unit to be added later. . An additional unit that provides an additional function to the image forming apparatus is detachably attached to the mounting portion of the movable casing.

  According to this configuration, the mounting unit for the additional unit is provided in the movable housing whose posture can be changed with respect to the apparatus main body. Therefore, the user can change the posture of the additional unit in the same manner as when changing the posture of the operation unit through the movable housing.

  In the above configuration, it is desirable that the additional unit is an operation unit including a functional unit that receives an operation from a user. According to this configuration, the user can change the attitude of the operation unit through the movable housing so that the user can easily operate the operation unit. Therefore, the operability for the operation unit can be improved.

  In this case, the operation unit is preferably a card reader unit for performing user authentication. According to this configuration, an operation for reading the authentication card with respect to the card reader unit can be easily performed.

  In the above configuration, the operation unit includes an operation reception surface that receives a user operation instruction, and the movable housing swings with respect to a surface including a window portion that exposes the operation reception surface and the apparatus main body. A first side surface that can be attached; and a second side surface on which the mounting portion is provided, wherein the operation unit has an operation surface for operating the functional unit, and is attached to the mounting portion. It is desirable that the operation surface can be oriented in substantially the same direction as the operation reception surface.

  According to this configuration, since the operation surface of the operation unit and the operation reception surface are oriented in substantially the same direction, the user changes the posture of the operation reception surface for the original operation of the image forming apparatus. It is possible to set the operation unit in a posture that allows the operation unit to be easily operated. Therefore, the operability of the operation unit can be further improved.

  In the above-described configuration, it is desirable to further include a changing mechanism that changes the posture of the operation unit relative to the movable housing. According to this configuration, the operation unit can be changed in posture independently of the movable housing (operation unit). Therefore, the user can set a posture in which only the operation unit can be operated more easily.

  Alternatively, a change mechanism that changes the attitude of the operation unit relative to the movable housing is further provided, and the change mechanism is an angle adjustment mechanism that changes an angle of the operation surface with respect to an angle of the operation reception surface. (Claim 7). According to this configuration, the user can set the angle of the operation surface of the operation unit to an angle that is easier to operate.

  The change mechanism may be a slide mechanism that slides the operation unit with respect to the movable housing. According to this configuration, the operation unit can be moved linearly and simply.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to change the posture of the additional unit that is subsequently attached to the image forming apparatus through the movable housing. Therefore, for example, even a user with a low height position suitable for operation, such as a user on a wheelchair, can improve the operability with respect to the additional unit.

1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a copying machine that is an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal configuration of a copying machine. It is a figure which shows the attachment condition to the operation part of an additional unit. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a copying machine in a state where an additional unit is mounted on an operation unit. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows an example of the concrete attachment structure to the operation part of a card reader unit. It is an external appearance perspective view of a copying machine showing an example of a posture change mode of an additional unit. It is an external appearance perspective view of a copying machine showing an example of a posture change mode of an additional unit. It is an external appearance perspective view of a copying machine showing an example of a posture change mode of an additional unit. It is an external appearance perspective view of a copying machine showing an example of a posture change mode of an additional unit. It is an external appearance perspective view of a copying machine showing an example of a posture change mode of an additional unit.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a copying machine 1 as an example of an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. 1 and other drawings, the XX direction is the left-right direction, the Y-Y direction is the front-rear direction, the ZZ direction is the up-down direction, the + X direction is rightward, the -X direction is leftward, The + Y direction is referred to as the front, the -Y direction as the rear, the + Z direction as the upper side, and the -Z direction as the lower side.

  The copying machine 1 is a so-called in-body discharge type copying machine, and includes a box-shaped apparatus main body 10 in which an image forming unit and a paper feeding unit are provided, and an image reading unit disposed on the upper part of the apparatus main body 10. A sheet discharge unit 30 provided between the unit 20 (a part of the apparatus main body) and the apparatus main body 10 and the image reading unit 20, and the sheet after image formation is discharged and opened at least forward for taking out the sheet. And an operation panel unit 50 (operation unit) disposed in front of the image reading unit 20.

  A paper feeding unit 60 is provided at a lower part of the front surface 10F of the apparatus main body 10. The paper feed unit 60 is composed of four stages of paper feed cassettes, and these can be pulled forward from the front surface 10F. Various apparatus units for image formation are accommodated in the apparatus main body. These will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The image reading unit 20 is disposed on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 10 through a space for the paper discharge unit 30. The image reading unit 20 is supported by a support column 40 disposed on the upper right side of the apparatus main body 10 and a side wall disposed on the upper rear side of the apparatus main body 10. The image reading unit 20 includes an automatic document feeding unit 20B that feeds a document to be copied to a document reading position and then discharges the document, and a scanner unit 20A having an optical system that reads the document image. The scanner unit 20A and the apparatus main body 10 are an integral housing. The automatic document feeding unit 20B includes a document tray 201 on which a document sheet is placed, a document discharge tray 202 on which a document sheet after reading is discharged, and a document sheet from the document tray 201 via a document reading position. An automatic transport mechanism 203 that transports to the discharge tray 202 is provided.

  The paper discharge unit 30 is an in-body paper discharge unit that discharges paper on which an image is formed by the apparatus main body 10 based on a document image read by the image reading unit 20. And a mouth 32 (see FIG. 2). The paper discharge port 32 is an opening that is provided on the left side surface (the surface facing the paper discharge unit 30) of the support column 40 and discharges the paper after image formation from the apparatus main body 10. The paper discharge tray 31 is a paper receiving surface for receiving paper discharged from the paper discharge port 32.

  The operation panel unit 50 is a unit that receives various operation instructions related to the image forming process from the user. The operation panel unit 50 includes a movable casing 51, a start button 52 (an example of an operation unit), a touch panel 53 (an example of an operation unit / operation reception surface), and a mounting unit 54 for additional units. The operation panel unit 50 is a posture change type unit that swings in the vertical direction as indicated by a dotted line in FIG.

  The movable casing 51 is a thin box-shaped casing, and is attached to the front surface of the apparatus main body 10 (scanner unit 20A) via a hinge mechanism or the like so that the posture can be changed. The start button 52 is a button for the user to input a print execution instruction. Although not shown, an operation button such as a numeric keypad for receiving input such as the number of copies is provided adjacent to the start button 52. The touch panel 53 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like, and displays operation guide information for inputting various copying operation settings and the like, and various operation buttons and the like. The mounting portion 54 is a part that is provided in the movable casing 51 and for mounting a unit that will be added later, such as a card reader unit 90 (see FIG. 3) for performing user authentication.

  Next, the internal configuration of the copying machine 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of the copying machine 1. As described above, the copying machine 1 includes the apparatus main body 10, the image reading unit 20, the paper discharge unit 30, and the operation panel unit 50. In the apparatus main body 10, a paper feeding unit 60, an image forming unit 70, and a fixing unit 80 are provided.

  The scanner unit 20 </ b> A of the image reading unit 20 includes a moving frame 21 having an exposure lamp for irradiating light on a document. In addition, although not shown in the figure, the scanner unit 20A guides the reflected light to the CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor that photoelectrically converts the reflected light from the document to generate image data, and this CCD sensor. The optical system for this is built in. Furthermore, a first platen glass 22 for reading a placed document and a second platen glass 23 for reading an automatically fed document are provided on the upper surface of the scanner unit 20A.

  The automatic document feeding unit 20B feeds the document sheet placed on the document tray 201 to the document reading position of the second platen glass 23 by the operation of the automatic conveyance mechanism 203, and the document sheet after reading is documented. The paper is discharged to the discharge tray 202. When the user manually places the document sheet, the automatic document feeding unit 20B is opened upward and the document sheet is placed on the first platen glass 22.

  The paper feeding unit 60 feeds paper (sheets) to the image forming unit 70. The paper feed unit 60 includes first to fourth paper feed storage units 120, 130, 140, and 150 that respectively correspond to the four stages of the paper feed cassettes and store sheets of various sizes. Further, a manual paper feed unit 160 including an openable / closable manual tray 16 is provided on the right side of the apparatus main body 10. Although not shown in the drawings, the first to fourth sheet storage units 120 to 150 include a cursor for positioning the sheet bundle and a pickup roller 621 to 624 described later by resiliently lifting the sheet bundle. A lifter for contacting the upper sheet is provided.

  A paper transport path for transporting paper is provided in the path from the paper feed section 60 to the paper discharge port 32 through the image forming section 70 and the fixing section 80. Such a sheet conveyance path includes a first sheet conveyance path 611 from the first to fourth sheet feed storage units 120 to 150 to the image forming unit 70, and a second sheet conveyance path 612 from the manual sheet feeding unit 160 to the image forming unit 70. , And a third paper transport path 613 from the image forming unit 70 to the paper discharge port 32.

  Pickup rollers 621, 622, 623, and 624 for taking out the stored sheets one by one are disposed on the upper side of the first to fourth sheet storage units 120 to 150 on the sheet take-out side, and downstream thereof. A pair of paper feed rollers 631, 632, 633, and 634 are provided. Paper feed roller pairs 631, 632, 633, and 634 are for feeding the extracted paper into the first paper transport path 611.

  The first paper transport path 611 includes transport roller pairs 641, 642, 643, and 644 that transport the paper toward the image forming unit 70. The second paper transport path 612 is provided with a paper feed roller 635 that takes in the manually fed paper and a transport roller pair 645 that transports the manual paper toward the image forming unit 70. Further, a registration roller pair 65 is provided at the end position of the first paper transport path 611 for waiting the paper in front of the image forming unit 70. A discharge roller pair 66 that conveys (discharges) the sheet toward the sheet discharge unit 30 is disposed at the terminal position of the third sheet conveyance path 613. A discharge port 32 is provided along the discharge roller pair 66.

  The image forming unit 70 performs a process of transferring the toner image onto the paper conveyed from the paper feeding unit 60 based on the image data of the original obtained by the image reading unit 20. The image forming unit 70 includes a photosensitive drum 71 rotatably provided around an axis, a charger 72 arranged along the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 71, an exposure device 73, a developing device 74, and a transfer roller. 75 and a cleaning device 76.

  The photosensitive drum 71 is for forming an electrostatic latent image and a toner image along the electrostatic latent image on the peripheral surface thereof. As the photosensitive drum 71, an amorphous silicon photosensitive drum in which an amorphous silicon layer is laminated on the peripheral surface is suitable.

  The charger 72 forms a uniform charge on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 71 rotating in the clockwise direction around the drum core. As the charger 72, a charger that applies a charge to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 71 by corona discharge can be used. In addition, a charging roller that applies a charge to the photosensitive drum 71 while the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 71 rotates while being in contact with the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 71 may be employed.

  The exposure device 73 irradiates the peripheral surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 71 with laser light to which intensity is applied based on the image data. The portion of the photosensitive drum 71 that has been irradiated with the laser light has its charge erased, whereby an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the laser light irradiation pattern is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 71.

  The developing device 74 supplies toner to the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 71 via a built-in developing roller. When toner is supplied to the photosensitive drum 71, the toner adheres to the portion where the electrostatic latent image is formed, whereby a toner image is formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 71. A toner container (not shown) is detachably attached to the developing device 74, and when the toner in the developing device 74 is consumed, the toner is supplied from the toner container.

  The transfer roller 75 forms a nip portion with the photosensitive drum 71, and transfers a toner image formed on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 71 to the sheet fed into the nip portion. The toner image on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 71 is positively charged. On the other hand, the transfer roller 75 applies a negative charge having a polarity opposite to that of the toner image to the sheet. The toner image on the circumferential surface of the photosensitive drum 71 that is positively charged is peeled off toward the surface of the negatively charged paper and transferred to the paper.

  The cleaning device 76 removes and cleans the toner remaining on the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 71 after the transfer process. The peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 71 cleaned by the cleaning device 76 goes to the charger 72 again for the next image forming process.

  The fixing unit 80 performs a fixing process by heating the paper on which the toner image transfer process has been performed by the image forming unit 70. The fixing unit 80 includes a heat roller 81 in which an energization heating element is mounted, and a pressure roller 82 having a circumferential surface facing the heat roller 81. The paper after the transfer process passes through the nip portion between the heat roller 81 that is driven and rotated and the pressure roller 82 that is driven and rotated in the opposite direction to the heat roller 81, thereby obtaining heat from the heat roller 81. The fixing process is performed. The paper subjected to the fixing process is discharged to the paper discharge unit 30 through the third paper conveyance path 613 and the discharge roller pair 66.

  Next, the operation panel unit 50 and the card reader unit 90 (additional unit / operation unit) attached to the mounting portion 54 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The movable casing 51 of the operation panel unit 50 includes a surface 501 having a window 511 that exposes the touch panel 53 (operation receiving surface) and a window that allows the start button 52 to pass through, and a front surface of the apparatus main body 10 (scanner unit 20A). The first side surface 502 is swingably attached to the second side surface 503, and the second side surface 503 is provided with the mounting portion 54.

  The first side surface 502 is provided with a hinge mechanism (not shown) and is disposed on the front side of the scanner unit 20A. Therefore, the operation panel unit 50 can be changed in posture by swinging the front side of the first side surface 502 side in the up-down direction as a rotation axis. Thereby, the user can set the angle of the touch panel 53 to an angle at which the user can easily operate, and the operability of the operation panel unit 50 can be improved even for a user who has boarded the wheelchair.

  The card reader unit 90 is an optional unit attached to manage the use of the copying machine 1, and performs wireless communication with an unillustrated IC card held by the user, and the identification information stored in the IC card. Is used to authenticate whether or not the owner of the IC card has the qualification to use the copying machine 1. The identification information is, for example, data that can specify user attributes such as employee ID and department.

  The card reader unit 90 includes a unit main body 91 and a connecting portion 92 for attaching the unit main body 91 to the mounting portion 54 of the operation panel unit 50. The unit main body 91 includes a CPU for controlling the operation of the card reader unit 90 and various operations, a modulation circuit for modulating a signal wave on a carrier wave, a demodulating circuit for demodulating a signal wave from the IC card side, an IC card and a radio It incorporates an antenna that transmits and receives radio waves, an authentication CPU that performs authentication processing, and the like.

  The authentication CPU compares the authentication data stored in the memory area with the identification information of the IC card, and checks whether there is matching data in the authentication data. When the coincidence data exists, a signal indicating that the use of the copying machine 1 should be permitted is transmitted to a control unit (not shown) provided in the copying machine 1. Through such an authentication procedure, the user can use the copying machine 1. Instead of such a passive wireless card reader unit 90, a magnetic card reader unit that magnetically reads identification information stored in the magnetic card may be used.

  The connection part 92 is a part for performing mechanical connection with the mounting part 54. Various forms can be adopted as the mechanical connection, and examples thereof include simple uneven fitting, slide fitting with a lock, screw-fastening connection, press-contacting connection with elastic deformation, and the like. The shapes and structures of the connecting portion 92 and the mounting portion 54 are set so that these connections can be achieved. The connecting portion 92 may be a portion that also serves as an electrical connection with the copying machine 1 and may include, for example, a multi-pin type electrical connector or a USB connector. Needless to say, the electrical connection with the copying machine 1 may be performed by an electric cable including a communication line and a power supply line separately from the connecting portion 92.

  The card reader unit 90 has an operation surface 91H on the surface for operating the functional unit of the card reader. The user holds the IC card over the operation surface 91H to perform wireless communication between the card reader unit 90 and the IC card and execute an authentication process. In a state where the card reader unit 90 is mounted on the mounting portion 54, the operation surface 91H is oriented in substantially the same direction as the operation reception surface on which the touch panel 53 and the start button 52 of the operation panel unit 50 are provided.

  The card reader unit 90 is integrated with the operation panel unit 50 by mechanically connecting the connecting portion 92 to the mounting portion 54. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when the operation panel unit 50 swings up and down, the card reader unit 90 also swings up and down following this. Therefore, the user can set the posture of the card reader unit 90 to be easy to operate by simply changing the posture of the operation panel unit 50 for the original operation of the copying machine 1. For example, if the user who has boarded the wheelchair changes the posture of the operation panel unit 50 to an angle at which the user can easily operate, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 4, the operation surface 91H of the card reader unit 90 is also The posture is changed to an angle at which it is easy to operate. That is, the operation of holding the IC card over the operation surface 91H can be easily performed.

  Next, as an example of a specific mounting structure, FIG. 5 illustrates a card reader unit 90A that employs a screwing connection method and a mounting portion 540 corresponding to the card reader unit 90A. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the card reader unit 90A. The card reader unit 90A includes a mounting bracket 93, an upper cover 94, a lower cover 95, a card reader unit main body 96, and a spacer 97.

  The attachment fitting 93 is made of an L-shaped sheet metal, and includes a flat plate portion 931 and a bent portion 932 provided with screw holes for inserting screws 933 and 934 respectively. A mounting portion 540 corresponding to the bent portion 932 is provided on the second side surface 503 of the movable casing 51 of the operation panel unit 50A. The mounting portion 540 includes a recess 512 in which the second side surface 503 is recessed in a rectangular shape, and a screw retaining hole 541 provided in the recess 512. The recess 512 has a size corresponding to the bent portion 932, and the mounting fitting 93 is fixed to the second side surface 503 of the movable housing 51 by screwing the screw 934 into the screw fixing hole 541. . Note that a detachable cover member (not shown) that covers the recess 512 and forms the same surface as the second side surface 503 is mounted on the mounting portion 540. When the attachment fitting 93 is attached, this cover member is removed.

  The upper cover 94 and the lower cover 95 are fitted together to form one casing, and each includes a claw portion 941 and a claw hole portion 951 for the fitting. The upper cover 94 serves as an operation surface for allowing the user to approach the IC card. A washer 952 having a screw retaining hole 953 is attached to the lower cover 95. By screwing the screw 933 into the screw fixing hole 953, the lower case 95 is integrated with the movable housing 51 via the attachment fitting 93.

  The unit main body 96 has the same card reader function and authentication function as the unit main body 91 described above. An electric cable 96 </ b> C is connected from the unit main body 96, and the electric cable 96 </ b> C is drawn out from a cable hole 954 provided in the lower cover 95. The spacer 97 is interposed between the unit main body 96 and the mounting bracket 93, and is a spacer for bringing the front surface (card reading surface) of the unit main body 96 as close as possible to the back surface of the upper cover 94.

  According to the card reader unit 90A as described above, the unit main body 96 having a card reader function can be easily attached to the operation panel unit 50A later using the mounting bracket 93, the upper cover 94, and the lower cover 95. .

  Hereinafter, various aspects of the attitude change of the card reader unit will be described. 6 to 8 illustrate copying machines 1B, 1C, and 1D provided with a change mechanism that changes the posture of the card reader units 90B, 90C, and 90D relative to the operation panel units 50B, 50C, and 50D. Has been. These change mechanisms are angle adjustment mechanisms that change the angle of the card reading surface of the card reader unit with respect to the angle of the touch panel 53.

  A copying machine 1B shown in FIG. 6 shows an example in which a card reader unit 90B is rotatably attached to an operation panel unit 50B. A rotation mechanism 981 is interposed between the card reader unit 90B and the operation panel unit 50B, so that the card reader unit 90B not only changes its attitude following the change in attitude of the operation panel unit 50B. The posture can be changed independently of the operation panel unit 50B (see the dotted line in the figure). According to such a copying machine 1B, the user can set the operation panel unit 50B to an angle that is easy for the user to use, and can set the angle of the operation surface of the card reader unit 90B to an angle that is easier to operate. Become.

  A copying machine 1C shown in FIG. 7 shows an example in which a card reader unit 90C is foldably attached to an operation panel unit 50C. A hinge mechanism 982 is interposed between the card reader unit 90C and the operation panel unit 50C, whereby the card reader unit 90C has a posture parallel to the operation panel unit 50C (see the dotted line in the figure) and the operation panel unit. The posture can be changed between the posture bent 90 degrees with respect to 50C (see the solid line in the figure). For example, when performing user authentication processing, the user can operate the card reader unit 90C in a parallel posture, and in other cases, the card reader unit 90C can be retracted to the back surface side of the operation panel unit 50C.

  In the copying machine 1D shown in FIG. 8, the card reader unit 90D is rotatable with respect to the operation panel unit 50D, and the angle of the operation surface of the card reader unit 90D is irrespective of the change in the attitude of the operation panel unit 50D. An example is shown in which it is possible to make it constant. An attitude maintaining mechanism 983 is interposed between the card reader unit 90D and the operation panel unit 50D, and thereby the operation panel unit 50D can be maintained at a constant angle. The posture maintaining mechanism 983 includes a gyro device that detects the inclination of the operation panel unit 50D and a motor that rotates the card reader unit 90D in accordance with the inclination of the operation panel unit 50D. According to such a copying machine 1D, for example, the user keeps the angle of the card reader unit 90D fixed at an angle at which the card is easily held, and the angle of the operation panel unit 50D is not reflected on the touch panel. It becomes possible to adjust the angle.

  The posture changing mechanism of the card reader unit is not limited to the angle adjusting mechanism as described above, and may be a slide mechanism that slides the card reader unit with respect to the operation panel unit. A copying machine 1E shown in FIG. 9 shows an example in which a card reader unit 90E is slidably attached to an operation panel unit 50E.

  A slide mechanism 984 is interposed between the card reader unit 90E and the operation panel unit 50E, whereby the card reader unit 90E is placed on the back of the operation panel unit 50E while maintaining a posture parallel to the operation panel unit 50E. The retracted retracted position (see the solid line in the figure) and the protruding attitude (see the dotted line in the figure) protruding from the side of the operation panel unit 50E can be taken. According to such a copying machine 1E, the card reader unit 90E can be retracted to the back surface of the operation panel unit 50E when not in use, so that there is an advantage that the area occupied by the copying machine 1E can be reduced.

  Although various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and for example, the following modified embodiments can be taken.

  (1) In the above embodiment, the operation panel units 50 and 50B to 50E are all attached to the front surface of the scanner unit 20A so as to be swingable, and the posture is changed by swinging. The manner of changing the attitude of the operation panel unit is not limited to this, and may be a manner of moving by the action of the swing arm 55 as shown in FIG. In the copying machine 1 </ b> F shown in FIG. 10, a swing arm 55 extends from the upper part of the apparatus main body 10, and an operation panel unit 50 </ b> F is attached to the tip of the swing arm 55. The swing arm 55 is an arm that realizes a three-dimensional swing operation, whereby the operation panel unit 50F can be adjusted in height as shown in FIG. 10, for example. By mounting the card reader unit on the mounting portion 54 of the operation panel unit 50F, it is possible to receive the same merits as in the above embodiment.

  (2) In the said embodiment, the card reader unit was illustrated as a unit added afterwards. This is merely an example, and various attachment units, option units such as expansion / extension units, and the like can be attached to the attachment portion 54. Among these units, in particular, if the operation unit has a function unit (such as a key input unit or a card insertion unit) that accepts an operation from the user, the posture of these operation units can be adjusted to an easy-to-operate posture. preferable.

  (3) In the above embodiment, a copying machine is illustrated as an example of an image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming apparatus may be a printer, a facsimile machine, or a complex machine of these.

1, 1B-1F Copier (image forming device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Apparatus main body 20 Image reading part 50, 50A-50E Operation panel unit (operation part)
501 Surface 502 First side surface 503 Second side surface 51 Movable housing 52 Start button 53 Touch panel (operation reception surface)
54 Mounting unit 70 Image forming unit 90, 90A to 90E Card reader unit (additional unit / operation unit)

Claims (8)

An image forming unit for forming an image on a sheet;
An operation unit that receives an operation instruction of a user related to an image forming process by the image forming unit;
An apparatus main body for accommodating the image forming unit;
A movable housing that is attached to the apparatus main body so as to be capable of changing the posture, accommodates the operation section, and has a mounting section for a unit that is added later.
An image forming apparatus comprising: The image forming apparatus according to claim 1.
An image forming apparatus, further comprising an additional unit that is detachably attached to the mounting portion of the movable casing and provides an additional function to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2.
The additional unit is an operation unit that includes an operation unit that receives an operation from a user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the operation unit is a card reader unit for authenticating a user. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3 or 4,
The operation unit includes an operation reception surface that receives a user operation instruction,
The movable housing has a surface including a window portion that exposes the operation reception surface, a first side surface that is swingably attached to the apparatus main body, and a second side surface on which the mounting portion is provided. And
The operation unit has an operation surface for operating the functional unit, and the operation surface can be oriented in substantially the same direction as the operation reception surface when mounted on the mounting unit. An image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3,
An image forming apparatus, further comprising: a change mechanism that changes the posture of the operation unit relative to the movable housing. The image forming apparatus according to claim 5.
A change mechanism for changing the position of the operation unit relative to the movable housing;
The image forming apparatus, wherein the change mechanism is an angle adjustment mechanism that changes an angle of the operation surface with respect to an angle of the operation reception surface. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6.
The image forming apparatus, wherein the change mechanism is a slide mechanism that slides the operation unit with respect to the movable housing.

Images