Image forming apparatus including image projector

An image forming apparatus includes a main assembly, a first openable portion provided on a first side of the main assembly, a second openable portion provided on a second side of the main assembly, a single projector portion, a first projecting portion configured to project the image from above the first openable portion onto a projection object provided on the first side or onto the first openable portion when the first openable portion is open, and a second projecting portion configured to project the image from above the second openable portion onto a projection object provided on the second side or onto the second openable portion when the second openable portion is open.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for displaying operation guidance for notifying an operator of an operation procedure such as clearance of paper jam or exchange of consumables.

Conventionally, in the image forming apparatus, such as a copying machine, of an electrophotographic type, in some cases, there is a need for an operator to perform operations such as the clearance of paper jam (jamming), the exchange of the consumables and parts, supply of a developer, supply of sheets, and the like. For that reason, in the image forming apparatus, on a screen of an operating portion, operation guidance for notifying the operator of pieces of information on an operation procedure, a state of the image forming apparatus and matters to be attended to has been displayed.

However, in some cases, an operator does not readily recognize an operation procedure and an operation position due to a small screen provided at an operating portion and a remoteness of the operation position from the screen of the operating portion.

Therefore, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application (JP-A) 2010-128120 proposes that an image forming apparatus is provided with a plurality of screens and operation guidance is projected from a projector onto either of the screens depending on the operation position.

In the image forming apparatus disclosed in JP-A 2010-128120, operation contents are displayed on the screen by the projector. However, in order to cause the operator to intuitively recognize the operation guidance, it is desirable that the following operation guidance is displayed by projection from the projector. For example, a grip of a door to be operated or a grip portion of a unit to be pulled out is illuminated with light, or at a position close to an operation object, an arrow indicating an operation direction or an image or motion pictures explaining an operation method is displayed.

As regards the image forming apparatus, in consideration of an operation from a front side where an operating portion is provided, exchange of consumables and setting of sheets from the front side are enabled. Further, in some cases, in the image forming apparatus, clearance of paper jam and manual setting of the sheets from a side surface (for example, a right (side) surface as seen from the front side) different from the front side are enabled.

Accordingly, an image forming apparatus capable of projecting operation guidance onto projection objects, provided at different side surfaces, by a single projector has been desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A principal object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of properly projecting operation guidance onto projection objects, provided at different side surfaces, by a single projector.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus comprising: a main assembly including an image forming portion configured to form an image on a recording material; a first openable portion provided on a first side of the main assembly and capable of being pulled out from the first side or being rotated relative to the first side; a second openable portion provided on a second side of the main assembly and capable of being pulled out from the second side or being rotated relative to the second side; a single projector portion configured to project an image; a first projecting portion configured to project the image from the projector portion, from above the first openable portion onto a projection object provided on the first side or onto the first openable portion when the first openable portion is open; and a second projecting portion configured to project the image from the projector portion, from above the second openable portion onto a projection object provided on the second side or onto the second openable portion when the second openable portion is open.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

1. General Structure of Image Forming Apparatus

FIG. 1is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus100in this embodiment. The image forming apparatus100in this embodiment is a multi-function machine which is capable of forming a full-color image by using an electrophotographic type and which has functions of a copying machine, a printer and a facsimile machine.

Here, as regards the image forming apparatus100, a front side of the surface of the drawing sheet ofFIG. 1is a “front surface (or front)”, and a rear side of the surface of the drawing sheet ofFIG. 1is a “rear (surface) (or back (surface))”. A depth direction (front-rear direction) connecting the front side and the rear side of the image forming apparatus100is substantially parallel to a rotational axis direction of a photosensitive drum203(described later). Further, a left-right direction as to the image forming apparatus100is a left-right direction in the case where the image forming apparatus100is seen from the front side. Further, an up-down direction as to the image forming apparatus100refers to an up-down direction, but does not mean only just above and just below, and includes an upper side and a lower side with respect to a horizontal plane passing through a noted element or position. These directions refer to directions in a state in which the image forming apparatus100is installed so that the image forming apparatus100can be normally used.

The image forming apparatus100includes an apparatus main assembly101. In the apparatus main assembly101, an image forming portion102, a sheet feeding device103, a manual feeding portion104, an original reading portion105, a sheet feeding (conveying) portion107, a controller C and the like are provided.

The image forming portion102includes a process unit121, a laser scanner unit122, an intermediary transfer unit123, a secondary transfer roller124, a fixing device125, a discharging roller126, a toner cartridge127, a collecting container128and the like. In this embodiment, four process units121are provided and arranged substantially in a horizontal direction. These four process units121have substantially the same constitution except that colors of toners used for image formation are different from each other.FIG. 2is a sectional view specifically showing a single process unit121as being representative.

The process unit121includes a drum unit201and a developing unit202. The drum unit201is constituted by a photosensitive drum203which is a drum-shaped (cylindrical) photosensitive member (electrophotographic photosensitive member), a charging roller204, a drum cleaner205, and a drum unit container206for supporting these members. The developing unit202is constituted by a developing roller207, a feeding screw208, and a developing unit container209for supporting these members and accommodating a developer. In this embodiment, the developing unit202uses, as the developer, a two-component developer containing toner (non-magnetic toner particles) and a carrier (magnetic carrier particles). The drum unit201and the developing unit202are individually detachably mountable to the apparatus main assembly101by being inserted into and pulled out from the apparatus main assembly101. The intermediary transfer unit123is constituted by an intermediary transfer belt210stretched by a plurality of stretching rollers, primary transfer rollers211provided in an inner peripheral surface side of the intermediary transfer belt210so as to be disposed correspondingly to the respective photosensitive drums203, and a belt cleaner212and the like. In this embodiment, correspondingly to the four predetermined units121, four toner cartridges127are provided and arranged substantially in the horizontal direction. In the toner cartridges127, toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C) and black (K) are accommodated, respectively. The respective toner cartridges127are individually detachably mountable to the apparatus main assembly101by being inserted into and pulled out from the apparatus main assembly101.

The sheet feeding device103is constituted by a plurality of sheet accommodating portions131as accommodating members for accommodating sheets (transfer materials, recording materials) S such as recording sheets, a feeding roller132for feeding the sheets S accommodated in the sheet accommodating portion131, and the like. The sheet accommodating portion131is capable of being pulled out toward the front side of the apparatus main assembly101.

The manual feeding portion104is constituted by a manual feeding tray141on which the sheets S are stacked, a manual feeding roller142for feeding (sending) the sheet(s) S stacked on the manual feeding tray141, and the like. The manual feeding tray141is provided on a right-hand side surface of the apparatus main assembly101so as to be openable. In the case where the manual feeding portion104is used, the manual feeding tray141is opened and projected to a position where the sheets S are feedable, and the sheets S are stacked on the projected manual feeding tray141.

The original reading portion105is constituted by a platen glass151as an original carriage, a reading device152, and the like. The reading device152optically reads an original stacked (put) on the platen glass151and converts the read data into an electric signal. InFIG. 1, in order to permit continuous reading of a plurality of originals by the reading device152, at an upper portion of the original reading portion105, an automatic original (document) feeding device106is provided. InFIGS. 3 and 4, a state in which in place of the automatic original feeding device106, a pressure plate153for pressing the original put on the platen glass151is mounted is shown.

The sheet feeding portion107is constituted by the surface feeding device103, a sheet feeding path171along which the sheet S is sent from the manual feeding portion104, a registration roller pair172for carrying out correction of oblique movement of the sheet S and control of feeding timing of the sheet S, and the like.

The collecting container128is a container for collecting the toner discharged as waste from the image forming portion102. The collecting container128is detachably mountable to the apparatus main assembly101by being inserted into and pulled out from the apparatus main assembly101.

In this embodiment, operations of the respective portions of the image forming apparatus100are subjected to centralized control by the controller C provided in the apparatus main assembly101.

2. Image Forming Operation

An image forming operation of the image forming apparatus100will be described by taking a copying operation as an example. When an image reading signal is outputted from the controller C to the image reading portion105, an image of the original is read by the image reading portion105, and image information is sent to the image forming portion102. In the image forming portion102, the surface of the photosensitive drum203electrically charged uniformly by the charging roller204is irradiated with laser light corresponding to the image information from the laser scanner unit122, so that an electrostatic latent image (electrostatic image) is formed on the photosensitive drum203. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum203is developed (visualized) by being supplied with the toner by the developing unit202, so that a toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum203. The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum203is primary-transferred, at a primary transfer portion where the intermediary transfer belt210and the photosensitive drum203are in contact with each other, onto the intermediary transfer belt210by the action of the primary transfer roller211. For example, during full-color image formation, the toner images of yellow, magenta, cyan and black are successively primary-transferred superposedly from the respective photosensitive drums203onto the intermediary transfer belt210.

On the other hand, when a sheet feeding signal is outputted from the controller C to the sheet feeding device103, the sheet S is fed from the sheet accommodating portion131by the feeding roller132. When the sheet feeding signal is outputted from the controller C to the manual feeding portion104, the sheet S is sent from the manual feeding tray141by the manual feeding roller142. Thereafter, the sheet S is conveyed along the sheet feeding path171, and not only the oblique movement of the sheet S is corrected by the registration roller pair172but also the sheet S is timed to the toner images on the intermediary transfer belt210, and then the sheet S is sent to a secondary transfer portion where the intermediary transfer belt210and a secondary transfer roller124are in contact with each other.

At the secondary transfer portion, the toner images formed on the intermediary transfer belt210are secondary-transferred onto the sheet S by the action of the secondary transfer roller124. The sheet S on which the toner images are secondary-transferred is heated and pressed by the fixing device125, so that the toner images are fixed (melt-fixed) on the sheet S. The sheet S on which the toner images are fixed is discharged and stacked by the discharging roller126on a discharge tray111as a stacking portion provided at an outer portion of the apparatus main assembly101.

Further, toner (primary transfer residual toner) remaining on the photosensitive drum203after a primary transfer step is removed and collected from the photosensitive drum203by the drum cleaner205. Further, toner (secondary transfer residual toner) remaining on the intermediary transfer belt210after a secondary transfer step is removed and collected from the intermediary transfer belt210by a belt cleaner212. The toners collected by the drum cleaner205and the belt cleaner212are accommodated in a collecting container128through a collecting toner feeding path (not shown). Further, the image forming portion102is provided with a toner hopper (not shown) in which the toner supplied from the toner cartridge127is stored and from which the toner in an amount corresponding to an amount of the toner consumed by the development is supplied to the developing unit202. When the toner in the toner hopper is consumed by the development, the toner is supplied from the toner cartridge127to the toner hopper.

3. Operating Portion and the Like

Parts (a) and (b) ofFIG. 3are perspective views of the image forming apparatus100of which a front surface, a right side surface and an upper surface are shown, wherein part (a) ofFIG. 3shows a state in which an openable door member (described later) is closed and a pullable accommodating member is accommodated, and part (b) ofFIG. 3shows a state in which the openable door is open and the accommodating member is pulled out. Incidentally, inFIG. 3, within the image forming apparatus100, a projector unit1(described later) is shown in an unmounted state. In this embodiment, in a state in which the openable front door3is closed and a pullable accommodating member is accommodated, in the case where the image forming apparatus100is seen from above, the image forming apparatus100has a substantially rectangular shape such that a front side surface and a rear side surface are substantially parallel to each other and that a left side surface and a right side surface are substantially parallel to each other.

In this embodiment, the image forming apparatus100includes, on the front side surface, particularly on the front side surface of the image reading portion105, an operating portion107for permitting input of various settings such as a process condition of the sheet S, a start instruction of the image forming operation, and the like to the controller C. In this embodiment, the operating portion107is provided so as to project from the front side surface of the image reading portion105toward the front side. Further, in this embodiment, when the image forming apparatus100is seen from the front side, the operation portion107is provided in a right side more than a central portion with respect to a left-right direction.

The operating portion107is constituted by buttons (switches)171as input means for permitting input of instructions to the controller C, and a display (liquid crystal screen)172as a display means for displaying information for an operator such as a user or a maintenance person. In this embodiment, the display172is constituted by a touch panel and also has a function of an input means. The operator operates, in general, the operating portion107from the front side of the image forming apparatus100, so that the operator can input necessary items to the controller C and can cause the image forming apparatus100to start the image forming operation.

Further, the image forming apparatus100is configured so that the operator can perform maintenance (exchange) from the front side of the image forming apparatus100where the operator portion107, provided outside the image forming apparatus100, for inputting an instruction regarding the operation of the image forming apparatus100is provided. That is, on the front side surface of the image forming apparatus100, a front door112as a door member openable for exposing at least a part of the image forming portion102to the outside of the image forming apparatus100is provided. The front door112is connected with the apparatus main assembly101rotatably by a hinge provided at a lower-side end portion. By operation of a front door grip (recess-shaped portion)112a, the front door112can be opened by being rotated from above toward below about a rotational axis substantially parallel to the horizontal direction and can be closed by being rotated from below toward above about the rotational axis (horizontal direction hinge).

When the front door112is opened, end portions of the toner cartridges127in the front side and small doors114for exposing end portions of the process units121in the front side to an outside of the image forming apparatus100are exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus100. In this embodiment, four toner cartridges127and four small doors114are provided and arranged substantially in the horizontal direction correspondingly to four process units121. Each of the toner cartridges127can be mounted into and demounted from the apparatus main assembly101by being inserted into and pulled out from the apparatus main assembly101in the front-rear direction by operating a cartridge grip (portion)127aprovided at the end portion thereof in the front side. Further, by opening the small door114, the drum unit201and the developing unit202can be mounted into and demounted from the apparatus main assembly101by being individually inserted into and pulled out from the apparatus main assembly101in the front-rear direction. The small door114is opened by being rotated from above toward below about a rotational axis substantially parallel to the horizontal direction, and is closed by being rotated from below toward above about the rotational axis. In this embodiment, the small door8also functions as a lever as a portion-to-be-operated for changing the state of the drum unit201and the developing unit202between a detachably mountable state and a set state.

In the front side of the image forming apparatus100, accommodating portion outer surfaces131awhich form a front side surface of the sheet accommodating portion131are provided below the front door112. In this embodiment, four accommodating portion outer surfaces131aare disposed and arranged in an up-down direction, and a size of the uppermost accommodating portion outer surface131awith respect to a left-right direction is smaller than a size of other accommodating portion outer surfaces131awith respect to the left-right direction. The sheet accommodating portions131can be pulled out from and accommodated in the apparatus main assembly101by being pulled out and inserted along a front-rear direction through an operation of accommodating portion grips131bprovided on the accommodating portion outer surfaces131a. In the sheet accommodating portion131, in a state in which the sheet accommodating portion131is pulled out from the apparatus main assembly101, the sheets S are set (accommodated).

Further, on the front side of the image forming apparatus100, a collecting door115as a door member openable for exposing the collecting container128to an outside of the image forming apparatus100is provided below the front door112. The collecting door115can be opened by being rotated from above toward below about a rotational axis substantially parallel to the horizontal direction and can be closed by being rotated from below toward above about the rotational axis. By opening the collecting door115, the collecting container128can be mounted into and demounted from the apparatus main assembly101by being inserted into and pulled out from the apparatus main assembly101.

Further, at an upper portion of the image reading portion105, a pressure plate153(or an automatic document feeder106(FIG. 1) having a function of pressing the original (document)) for pressing the original put on a platen glass151when the image on the original is read is provided. The pressure plate153(or the automatic document feeder106) is connected with the apparatus main assembly101rotatably by a hinge provided at a rear end portion. Further, the original can be put on the platen glass151by being opened in the upward direction about a rotational axis substantially parallel to the horizontal direction.

On the other hand, on the right side of the image forming apparatus100, a right(-hand) door116openable for clearance of a jam (i.e., removal of the jammed sheet S) in a sheet feeding path171is provided. The right door116is connected rotatably with the apparatus main assembly101by a hinge provided at a lower end portion thereof. The right door116is opened by operation a right door grip116aso as to be rotated from above toward below about a rotational axis substantially parallel to the horizontal direction. By opening the right door116, the sheet S positioned in the sheet feeding path171can be removed. The right door116is provided with a manual feeding portion104. The manual feeding tray141of the manual feeding portion104is connected rotatably with the right door116by the hinge provided at the lower end portion of the right door116. As regards the manual feeding tray141, by operation a manual feeding tray grip141a, the manual feeding tray141can be opened by being rotated from above toward below about the rotational axis substantially parallel to the horizontal direction and can be closed by being rotated from below toward above about the rotational axis. On the manual feeding tray141, in an open state, the sheets S are set (mounted).

In the front side, a cylindrical surface108between the operating portion107and the front door112with respect to the up-down direction is a fixed surface which is not operated by an opening and closing operation. Further, at the right side surface of the image forming apparatus100, the right side surface of the image reading portion105and a side surface to the rear of the right door116are fixed surfaces which are not operated by the opening and closing operation.

4. Problem in Case where Operation Guidance is Projected onto a Plurality of Side Surfaces by Single Projector

A problem in the case where the operation guidance is projected from above onto the projection objects disposed on two (side surface) sides, adjacent to each other, of the image forming apparatus by the single projector will be described further. Parts (a) to (d) ofFIG. 14are schematic views for illustrating one constitution assumed in that case.

In order to project the operation guidance from above onto the projection objects on the front side and the right side by a single projector501, as shown inFIG. 14, it would be considered that the projector501is provided at a position protruded from the image forming apparatus100toward the upper side, the front side and the right side. This is because projection regions (91and92in part (b) ofFIG. 14) including the projection objects on both of the front side and the right side are ensured.

In the case of such a constitution, also a supporting member for supporting the projector501on the image forming apparatus100is protruded together with the projector501. For that reason, when the operator intends to perform an operation, there is a liability that the supporting member constitutes an obstacle to the operation. Further, in such a case, on the front side, the projection by the projector501is carried out so as to extend from the left side toward the right side, and therefore, in the case where the operation is carried out with a right hand of the operator, there is a liability that a shadow of the right hand generates on a projected image. Further, on the right side surface, the projection is carried out so as to extend from the front side toward the rear side, and therefore, in the case where the operator stands in front of the image forming apparatus100and performs the operation, there is a liability that the shadow by the hand of the operator generates on the projected image.

Further, in such a case, in order to ensure the projection regions (91and92of part (b) ofFIG. 14) including the projection objects on both of the front side and the right side, there is a need to prepare a large projectable region (93of part (b) ofFIG. 14) of the projector501. For that reason, there is a liability that a pixel per unit area is roughened and an image or moving images (pictures) for the operation guidance become a roughened image which is difficult to understand.

5. Projector Unit

Next, a projecting means for projecting the operation guidance (guidance display, guiding display) will be described.

Part (a) ofFIG. 4is a perspective view showing the front side surface, the right side surface and the upper surface of the image forming apparatus100in which the projector unit1described below is mounted, and part (b) ofFIG. 4is a partially enlarged view of part (a) ofFIG. 4. InFIG. 4, a state in which the front door112is open, the sheet accommodating portions131are pulled out, a part of the small doors114is open, and the manual feeding tray141is open is shown.

In this embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4, the projector unit1is mounted on the cylindrical surface108((b) ofFIG. 3) at the front side surface of the image forming apparatus100, at the lower portion of the operating portion107, and on the right side surface of the image reading portion105of the image forming apparatus100. The projector unit1is capable of projecting the operation guidance from above onto each of the projection object disposed on a front side surface (first side surface)100A side of the image forming apparatus100and the projection object disposed on a right side surface (second side surface)100B side of the image forming apparatus100. In part (a) ofFIGS. 4, P1and P2are projectable regions including the front side projection object and the right side projection object, respectively, of the image forming apparatus100. The projector unit1includes a projector cover4accommodating therein a projector2(described later), and a lens-barrel (tube body) casing5(a lens-barrel casing body5aand a lens-barrel cover5b) accommodating elements of a lens-barrel unit3(described later) and constituting a part of the lens-barrel unit3.

Incidentally, the projection from above is not limited to projection from above toward below with respect to a vertical direction, but may also include projection toward below with an angle with respect to the vertical direction. For example, as regards the projectable region P1on the front side, the following can be said. That is, in the case where the image forming apparatus100is seen from the front side, the projection may be carried out from upper left toward lower right and from upper right toward lower left, and in the case where the image forming apparatus100is seen from the right side, the projection can be carried out from above on the rear side toward below on the front side and from above on the front side toward below on the rear side. This is also true for the right side projectable region P2. In this embodiment, as regards the front side projectable region, a projection optical axis (optical axis of a projection image to be projected through a first projection opening11(described later)) of the projector unit1extends downward with respect to a substantially vertical direction. Here, “extends downward with respect to a substantially vertical direction” includes not only the case where the optical axis extends downward with respect to a completely vertical direction but also the case where the optical axis is deviated from the downward direction with respect to the vertical direction within an approximate error range (for example, about ±10 degrees). Further, as regards the right side projectable region P2, the projection optical axis (optical axis of a projection image to be projected through a second projection opening12(described later)) of the projector unit1is inclined with respect to the vertical direction so as to extend from above on the rear side toward below on the front side when the image forming apparatus100is seen from the right side. Further, the operation guidance may also be in any form such as illumination, characters, symbols, figures (diagrams), still images (pictures) or moving images (animation), for instructing or illustrating an operating portion, an operating direction, an operating method or the like.

FIG. 5is a perspective view showing the projector unit1in a state in which the projector cover4and the lens-barrel cover5b(FIG. 4) constituting an outside surface of the lens-barrel casing5are removed. The projector unit1is constituted by the projector2and a lens-barrel unit3including a lens through which a light beam for forming an image projected from the projector2passes and including a mirror.

In this embodiment, the projector2is constituted so as to be also usable as a projection device alone. The projector2is disposed on the cylindrical surface108on the front side surface of the image forming apparatus100. The projector2is supported by the apparatus main assembly101or the lens-barrel casing5. The projector2is disposed so as to project the image upward. That is, the projector2is disposed so that a projection opening2athereof faces upward (toward the operating portion107side).

The lens-barrel unit3includes a lens-barrel portion7through which the light beam projected from the projector2passes. The lens-barrel portion7is formed by the lens-barrel casing5. The lens-barrel portion7includes a first lens-barrel portion8extending in the up-down direction substantially parallel to an optical axis direction (projection direction) of the projector2. Further, the lens-barrel portion7includes a second lens-barrel portion9separated from the first lens-barrel portion8and extending in the leftward direction substantially parallel to the horizontal direction and includes a third lens-barrel portion10separated from the first lens-barrel portion8and extending in the rightward direction substantially parallel to the horizontal direction.

That is, the first lens-barrel portion extending upward, i.e., toward a downstream side with respect to an optical axis direction, is separated into two directions substantially parallel to the optical axis direction. The second lens-barrel portion9as one of the two lens-barrel portions extending in the two directions extends in the leftward direction substantially parallel to the front side surface of the image forming apparatus100on the lower side of the operating portion107, i.e., extends toward a substantially central portion of the image forming apparatus100with respect to the left-right direction. Thus, the first and second lens-barrel portions8and9are disposed on the front side surface of the image forming apparatus100. Further, the third lens-barrel portion10as the other one of the two lens-barrel portions extending in the two directions extends in the rightward direction substantially parallel to the front side surface of the image forming apparatus100on the lower side of the operating portion107, i.e., extends toward the right side surface of the image forming apparatus100. Further, the third lens-barrel portion10is folded at substantially right angles, along a corner portion formed by the front side surface and the right side surface of the image forming apparatus100, toward the rear side of the image forming apparatus100and extends toward the rear side along the right side surface of the image reading portion105. Thus, the third lens-barrel portion10is constituted by a first portion10aprovided on the front side surface of the image forming apparatus100and a second portion10bprovided on the right side surface of the image forming apparatus100.

At a free end portion (left side end portion) of the second lens-barrel portion9, the first projection opening11for permitting projection of an image from above onto the projection object disposed on the front side of the image forming apparatus100is formed. Further, at a free end portion (rear side end portion) of the second portion10bof the third lens-barrel portion10, a second projection opening12for permitting projection of an image from above onto the projection object disposed on the right side of the image forming apparatus100is formed.

The lens-barrel unit3will be further described specifically. In this embodiment, the image projected from the projector2is magnified (enlarged) with an increasing distance from the projector2along the optical axis direction. That is, a light beam, projected from the projector, for forming the image has an angle toward a diverging direction from an optical axis center. For that reason, the lens-barrel unit3includes a lens unit13as a collimating portion as described below. The lens unit13changes the image, projected from the projector2, to an image which is not magnified (or reduced) irrespective of a distance from the lens unit13. That is, the lens unit13refracts the light beam forming the image from a state in which the angle diverges from the optical axis center to a state in which the light beam is substantially parallel to the optical axis.

FIG. 6is a front view of the lens-barrel unit3in the neighborhood of the lens unit13. The lens unit13can be constituted by a single lens or a plurality of lenses. In this embodiment, the lens unit13is constituted by including two convex lenses. The lens unit13is supported by the lens-barrel casing5so as to approach a projection opening2aof the projector2at an upstream end portion of the first lens-barrel portion8with respect to the optical axis direction. By providing the lens unit13, there is no need to magnify the lens-barrel portion, the mirror or the lens correspondingly to magnification of the image depending on the distance from the projector2, so that downsizing of the projector unit1can be realized. In this embodiment, a projector portion14for projecting an image which is not magnified irrespective of the distance from the projector14is constituted by including the projector2and the lens unit13.

Incidentally, “substantially parallel to the optical axis” may only require that the light beam is sufficiently parallel to the optical axis so as not to generate problematic image magnification (or reduction) in terms of an optical path length in the image forming apparatus, and therefore, includes not only the case where the light beam is completely parallel to the optical axis, but also the case where the light beam has an angle with respect to the optical axis within an approximate error range (for example, about ±10 degrees).

The lens-barrel unit3includes a distribution reflection unit15, provided downstream of the lens unit13with respect to the optical axis direction, as a distributing portion for distributing the image, projected from the projector portion14, to a first direction and a second direction. That is, the distribution reflection unit15distributes the image, projected from the projector2, to the two directions consisting of the first direction passing through the second lens-barrel portion9and the second direction passing through the third lens-barrel portion10. In this embodiment, the distribution reflection unit15reflects the light beam, passing through the lens unit13and extending toward above with respect to the substantially vertical direction, at right angles in the left-right direction.

FIG. 7is a perspective view of the lens-barrel unit3in the neighborhood of the distribution reflection unit15. The distribution reflection unit15includes a first distribution reflection member16and a second distribution reflection member17. The first distribution reflection member16includes a first distribution reflection portion16awhich is a reflection surface for reflecting an image, of images projected from the projector2, projected toward the first direction A onto the projection object disposed in the front side of the image forming apparatus100. The second distribution reflection member17includes a second distribution reflection portion17awhich is a reflection surface for reflecting an image, of images projected from the projector2, projected toward the second direction B onto the projection object disposed in the right side of the image forming apparatus100. That is, the first distribution reflection portion16areflects one image, of the images projected from the projector2, eliminated by a boundary surface BO inFIG. 7so that the light beam passes through an inside of the second lens-barrel portion9. Further, the second distribution reflection portion17areflects the other image, of the images projected from the projector2, eliminated by a boundary surface BO inFIG. 7so that the light beam passes through an inside of the third lens-barrel portion10. The first and second distribution reflection members16and17are supported by the lens-barrel casing5.

In this embodiment, each of the first and second distribution reflection members16and17is constituted by a prism. Each of the prisms has a surface formed with an angle of 45° with respect to the optical axis. On the surfaces of the prisms, the first and second distribution reflection portions16aand17awhich are reflection surfaces are formed, respectively, by deposition of aluminum. However, the first and second distribution reflection portions16aand17aare not limited to the above-described constitution, but may also be prepared by forming the reflection surfaces on a member of glass, resins or metals, through the deposition of aluminum. In this embodiment, the first and second distribution reflection portions16aand17aare formed on the first and second distribution reflection members16and17which are separate members, but may also be formed on a single member so as to be integrally constituted.

The lens-barrel unit3includes, at a downstream end portion (left side end portion) of the second lens-barrel portion9with respect to the optical direction, a first projection unit18as a first projecting portion for projecting the image, distributed in the first direction by the distribution reflection unit15, from above onto the projection object disposed on the front side. The first projection unit18is disposed at a substantially central portion on the front side surface of the image forming apparatus100with respect to the left-right direction. The first projection unit18reflects and magnifies the image reflected by the distribution reflection unit15toward the substantially central portion, with respect to the left-right direction, along the front side surface of the image forming apparatus100, and then projects the image downward (in the substantially vertical direction) through the first projection opening11.

FIG. 8is a perspective view of the lens-barrel unit3in the neighborhood of the first projection unit18. The first projection unit18includes a first planar mirror (flat surface mirror)19as a first reflection member. The first planar mirror19includes a first reflection portion (mirror surface)19awhich is a reflection surface for reflecting the image from the distribution reflection unit15toward the projection object disposed on the front side of the image forming apparatus100, i.e., downward with respect to the substantially vertical direction in this embodiment. Further, the first projection unit18includes a first magnifying lens20as a first magnifying portion on a side downstream of the first planar mirror19with respect to the optical axis direction. The first magnifying lens20changes the image, reflected by the first planar mirror19, to an image magnified with an increasing distance from the first magnifying lens20. That is, the first magnifying lens20refracts the light beam, for forming the image, from a state substantially parallel to the optical axis to a state having a diverging angle from the optical axis center. In this embodiment, the first magnifying lens20is constituted by a concave lens. The image passes through the first magnifying lens20and is projected through the first projection opening11toward the projection object disposed on the front side of the image forming apparatus100. The first planar mirror19and the first magnifying lens20are supported by the lens-barrel casing5.

In this embodiment, the first projection unit18is constituted by the planar mirror and the lens (concave lens) for magnifying and projecting the image. However, the first projection unit18is not limited to such a constitution, but may also be constituted by including a reflection magnification member31as shown inFIG. 11. The reflection magnification member31includes a reflection magnification portion (mirror surface)31awhich is a reflection surface formed in a curved shape so as to provide a convex central portion. The reflection magnification portion31anot only reflects the image from the distribution reflection unit15toward the projection object disposed on the front side of the image forming apparatus100, i.e., downward with respect to the substantially vertical direction in this embodiment, but also changes the image to the image magnified with the increasing distance from the reflection magnification portion31a. That is, the first reflection magnification portion31achanges the light beam forming the image from a state substantially parallel to the optical axis to a state having a diverging angle from the optical axis center.

In this embodiment, the first reflection member19is constituted by a planar mirror having a reflection surface formed on a glass member. However, the first reflection member19is not limited to such a constitution, but may also be prepared by forming a reflection surface on, e.g., a member of resin or metal, through the deposition of aluminum. Similarly, also the reflection magnification member31as shown inFIG. 11may also be prepared by forming a reflection surface on, e.g., a member of glass, resin or metal, through the deposition of aluminum.

The lens-barrel unit3includes a deflection reflection unit21at a connecting portion between a downstream end portion (right side end portion) of the first portion10aof the third lens-barrel portion10with respect to the optical axis direction and an upstream end portion (front side end portion) of the second portion10bof the third lens-barrel portion10with respect to the optical axis direction. The deflection reflection unit21reflects the image, reflected by the distribution reflection unit15toward the right side surface along the front side surface of the image forming apparatus100, at substantially right angles toward the rear side of the image forming apparatus100along a corner portion formed by the front side surface and the right side surface of the image forming apparatus100.

FIG. 9is a perspective view of the lens-barrel unit3in the neighborhood of the deflection reflection unit21. The deflection reflection unit21includes a deflection planar mirror22as a deflection reflection member. The deflection planar mirror22includes a deflection reflection portion (mirror surface)22awhich is a reflection surface for reflecting the image, distributed by the distribution reflection unit15in the second direction along the front side surface of the image forming apparatus100, in a direction toward a second projection unit23, described later, along the right side surface. The deflection planar mirror22is supported by the lens-barrel casing5so that a surface of the deflection reflection portion22ahas an angle of 45° with respect to the optical axis. The deflection reflection member22may also have the same constitution as the first planar member19.

The lens-barrel unit3includes, at a downstream end portion (right side end portion) of the second portion10bof the third lens-barrel portion10with respect to the optical direction, a second projection unit23as a second projecting portion for projecting the image, distributed in the second direction by the distribution reflection unit15, from above onto the projection object disposed on the right side. The second projection unit23is disposed at a rear side end portion on the right side surface of the image forming apparatus100. The second projection unit23reflects and magnifies the image reflected by the deflection reflection unit21toward the rear side, along the right side surface of the image forming apparatus100, and then projects the image downward (from above on the rear side toward below on the front side) through the second projection opening12.

FIG. 10is a perspective view of the lens-barrel unit3in the neighborhood of the second projection unit23. The second projection unit23has the same constitution as the first projection unit18and includes a second planar mirror (flat surface mirror)24as a second reflection member. The second planar mirror24includes a second reflection portion (mirror surface)24awhich is a reflection surface for reflecting the image from the distribution reflection unit15toward the projection object disposed on the right side of the image forming apparatus100, i.e., downward from above on the rear side toward below on the front side. Further, the second projection unit24includes a second magnifying lens25as a second magnifying portion on a side downstream of the second planar mirror24with respect to the optical axis direction. The second magnifying lens25changes the image, reflected by the second planar mirror24, to an image magnified with an increasing distance from the second magnifying lens25. That is, the second magnifying lens25refracts the light beam, for forming the image, from a state substantially parallel to the optical axis to a state having a diverging angle from the optical axis center. In this embodiment, the second magnifying lens25is constituted by a concave lens. The image passes through the second magnifying lens25and is projected through the second projection opening12toward the projection object disposed on the front side of the image forming apparatus100. The second planar mirror24and the second magnifying lens25are supported by the lens-barrel casing5. The second planar mirror24may also have the same constitution as the first planar mirror19. Further, similarly as the first projection unit18, also as regards the second projection unit23, a constitution in which the image is not only reflected but also magnified using the reflection magnification member31as shown inFIG. 11can be employed.

As shown in (a) ofFIG. 4, on the front side surface of the image forming apparatus100, by the first projection unit18, the image constituting the operation guidance is magnified so as to include an operation portion (position) to be guided. Similarly, also on the right side surface, by the second projection unit23, the image constituting the operation guidance is magnified so as to include an operation portion to be guided. For example, on the front side, in the case where opening of the front door112is guided, light is projected onto the front door grip112a. Further, in the case where exchange of consumables is guided, an operation procedure is displayed on an inside surface112bof the opened front door112or light is projected onto the consumables exposed to the front side of the apparatus main assembly101. Further, on the right side surface, in the case where opening of the right door116is guided, light is projected onto the right door grip116a. In the case where a procedure of clearance of a paper jam is guided, guidance indicating the operation portion or the like is displayed on an inside surface of the opened right position116or on the sheet feeding portion107. At this time, the image magnification is carried out on each of the front side and the right side of the image forming apparatus100, and therefore, the projection region does not largely include an unnecessary area. For that reason, it is possible to suppress difficulty of discrimination of the operation guidance due to a roughened image pixel.

In this embodiment, in the front side of the image forming apparatus100, the projection is not carried out from above on the right side toward below on the left side. In the right side of the image forming apparatus100, the projection is not carried out from above on the front side toward below on the rear side. For that reason, on the front side of the image forming apparatus100, in the case where the operator performs the operation with a right hand, a possibility of generation of a shadow of the right hand of the operator on the projected image is reduced. Further, on the right side of the image forming apparatus100, in the case where the operator stands in front of the image forming apparatus100and performs the operation, a possibility of generation of a shadow of the hand of the operator on the projected image is reduced. In this embodiment, the first projection unit18is disposed at the substantially central portion with respect to the left-right direction on the front side of the image forming apparatus100, but an effect similar to that described above is obtained when the first projection unit18is disposed at the substantially central portion or on a left side rather than the central portion with respect to the left-right direction as seen from the front side. In this embodiment, the second projection unit23is disposed at the rear side end portion, but an effect similar to that described above is obtained when the second projection unit23is disposed at the substantially central portion or on a rear side with respect to the depth direction as seen from the front side.

As the projection objects, including the above-described projection objects, for the operation guidance by the projector unit1, the following objects can be cited as an example. The projection objects may include outer portions (the outside surfaces and the grips of the front door112, the small doors114, the collecting door115, the right door116, and the manual feeding tray141) of the door members openable on one of side surfaces of the image forming apparatus; inner portions (the inside surfaces and the front door112, the small doors114, the collecting door115, the right door116, and the manual feeding tray141and screens provided on the inside surfaces) of the door members; outer portions (the outside surface and the grip of the sheet accommodating portion131) of the accommodating member pullable in one side surface side of the image forming apparatus; an inner portion (of the sheet accommodating portion131) of the accommodating member in a state of being pulled out; an accommodated member (the sheet S in the sheet accommodating portion131) accommodated in the accommodating member in the state of being pulled out; consumables (the toner cartridges127, the drum units201, the developing units202) detachably mountable to the image forming apparatus in a state in which the door members are open; a portion-to-be-operated (the small doors114) operated for mounting and demounting the consumables in the state in which the door members are open; sheet feeding portions (the sheet feeding path, the feeding members and the like) in the state in which the door members are open; portions-to-be-operated (the levers, the knobs and the like for moving the sheet feeding path and for moving (rotating) the feeding member) operated for removing the sheet from the sheet feeding portion; sheets (the recording sheet causing the paper jam and the like) on the sheet feeding portion in the state in which the door members are open; and a floor surface on one of the side surface sides of the image forming apparatus. Incidentally, a single projection object or a plurality of projection objects may be independently one of the above-cited members (portions). In a preferred example, the image projected onto the projection object disposed on the first side surface side is the operation guidance regarding an operation object disposed on the first side surface side, and the image projected onto the projection object disposed on the second side surface side is the operation guidance regarding an operation object disposed on the second side surface side. As a result, the operation guidance regarding the operation object can be displayed in the neighborhood of the operation object.

In this embodiment, the image can be simultaneously projected on the front side and the right side of the image forming apparatus100. However, the projection of the image on the front side of the image forming apparatus100and the projection of the image on the right side of the image forming apparatus100may also be carried out in a switching manner. In that case, in place of the distribution reflection unit15in this embodiment, a constitution of a distributing portion as shown in parts (a) to (c) ofFIG. 12can be used. In an example ofFIG. 12, the lens-barrel unit3includes a rotatable mirror32as the distribution reflection member. The mirror32includes a distribution reflecting portion (mirror surface)32amovable between a first position (part (a) ofFIG. 12) where the image from the projector2is reflected toward the first direction A and a second position (part (b) ofFIG. 12) where the image from the projector2is reflected toward the second direction B. In this case, as shown in part (c) ofFIG. 12, depending on the operation guidance to be projected, the controller C controls a driving source M so as to rotate the mirror32through a drive transmission member (not shown). As a result, the image can be projected selectively on the front side and the right side of the image forming apparatus100in a switching manner.

Further, as shown in parts (a) to (c) ofFIG. 13, the projector portion14may also be moved between a first position (part (a) ofFIG. 13) in the case of projecting the image onto the projection object on the front side and a second position (part (b) ofFIG. 13) in the case of projecting the image onto the projection object on the right side. The projector portion14can employ the constitution including the projector2and the lens unit13similarly as this embodiment. In this case, as shown in part (c) ofFIG. 13, depending on the operation guidance to be projected, the controller C controls the driving source M so as to change the direction of the projector portion14through the drive transmission member (not shown), and thus changes the projection direction (optical axis direction). As a result, it is possible to selectively project the image on the front side and the right side of the image forming apparatus100in a switching manner. The image projected from the projector portion14may be projected directly onto the first and second projection portions18and23and may also be guided to the first and second projection portions18and23by reflecting portions (mirrors) appropriately provided. In this case, a distributing portion for distributing the image, projected from the projector portion14, into the first and second directions is constituted by including the driving source M and the like as a moving means for moving the projector2.

In this embodiment, the projector2is also configured to be used alone as a projection device by being demounted from the projector unit1. However, as the projector2, a portion obtained by removing the projection lens portion, for magnifying and projecting the image, from the projector2in this embodiment may also be used. That is, the projector unit1can employ a constitution including a projector projecting the image which is not magnified (or reduced) irrespective of a distance from the projector. In this case, the lens-barrel unit3is not required to be provided with the lens unit13.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the projector unit1is disposed at (in) the side surface of the image forming apparatus100. In this embodiment, the optical path along which the light beam forming the image projected from the projector portion14is not magnified with the increasing distance from the projector portion14along the optical axis direction. For that reason, the lens-barrel unit3can be constituted so as not to largely protrude from the side surface of the image forming apparatus100. In this embodiment, on the front side of the image forming apparatus100, the image is projected from above toward below substantially at the central portion with respect to the left-right direction, and therefore, in the case where the operator performs the operation with the right hand, the possibility of the generation of the shadow of the right hand on the projected image can be reduced. Further, in this embodiment, on the right side of the image forming apparatus100, the image is projected from above on the front side toward below on the rear side and therefore in the case where the operator stands in front of the image forming apparatus100and performs the operation, a possibility of generation of a shadow of the hand of the operator on the projected image can be reduced. In this embodiment, on each of the front side and the right side, the image magnification is carried out correspondingly to a necessary projection region including the projection objects, and therefore, it is possible to suppress that the projected image or the projected moving images are not readily in sight due to a roughened pixel per unit area. Accordingly, according to this embodiment, in the constitution in which the operation guidance is projected onto the projection objects on different side surface sides by the single projector, it is possible to suppress that the constitution as to the projection constitutes the obstacle to the operation, so that easy-to-understand operation guidance can be displayed.

Other Embodiments

As described above, the present invention was explained based on the specific embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, the projector portion was disposed on the front side surface of the image forming apparatus, but may also be disposed on the right side surface of the image forming apparatus, for example. In this case, it is only required that not only also the distributing portion is disposed on the right side surface but also the second lens-barrel portion through which the image distributed in the first direction is constituted by the first portion on the front side surface and the second portion on the right side surface and the third lens-barrel portion through which the image distributed in the second direction is disposed on the right side surface.

In the above-described embodiment, the projection means was the projection means projecting the image on the front side and the right side of the image forming apparatus, but the side surfaces, of the image forming apparatus, where the projection means projects the image are not limited to those on the front side and the right side. For example, the image may also be projected on the front side and the left side of the image forming apparatus. Further, for example, to the constitution of the above-described embodiment, a reflecting portion for reflecting the image, distributed in the second direction, toward the left side along the rear side surface on the rear side of the image forming apparatus or the like portion is added, so that the image may also be projected on the rear side of the image forming apparatus.

In the above-described embodiments, the present invention was applied to the color image forming apparatus, including the plurality of the image forming portions, but is also applicable to an image forming apparatus for a single color (for example, black), in which a single image forming portion is provided, so that it is possible to obtain effects similar to those in the above-described embodiment.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-236259 filed on Dec. 5, 2016, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.