Image forming apparatus

An image forming apparatus includes an apparatus body having a cartridge accommodation portion, an opening/closing member attached to the apparatus body and being movable between a first position at which the cartridge accommodation portion is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus and a second position at which the opening/closing member covers the cartridge accommodation portion and an operation panel unit for operating the image forming apparatus. The operation panel unit has a sheet portion and a switch portion to transmit a user's operation to the image forming apparatus via the sheet portion. The sheet portion is provided in the opening/closing member and is disposed at such a position as to at least partially overlap the cartridge accommodation portion on an insertion/removal trajectory of the cartridge and to cover the switch portion provided in the apparatus body in a state in which the opening/closing member is at the second position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a configuration of an operation panel unit of an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine, a printer, or a facsimile machine.

Description of the Related Art

In recent years, the size of an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a facsimile machine has been decreasing, and there is an increasing demand for usability and design. From the viewpoint of usability, an operation panel unit of an apparatus body is often disposed in an upper part of a front surface of an image forming apparatus. However, in a compact monochrome page printer illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B, for example, a cartridge accommodation portion11for accommodating a cartridge2is provided inside the apparatus body of an image forming apparatus S as illustrated inFIG. 1A. A cartridge door10as an opening/closing member that opens and closes to expose the cartridge accommodation portion11to the outside of the apparatus or conceal the cartridge accommodation portion11from the outside is provided in an upper part of the front side of the image forming apparatus S. In this manner, the cartridge is also taken out of the upper part of the front side of the image forming apparatus in order to realize front access which improves the usability. Furthermore, the operation panel unit12is disposed on the outer side in a left-right direction of the cartridge accommodation portion11of a housing1of the image forming apparatus S.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the image forming apparatus illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1B, when the operation panel unit12is disposed in an area on the outer side of the cartridge accommodation portion11in the above-described manner, the larger the operation panel unit12, the larger becomes the size of the image forming apparatus S in the width direction.

When the operation panel unit12is disposed to overlap the cartridge accommodation portion11in the width direction of the image forming apparatus S, an insertion/removal trajectory of the cartridge2overlaps the operation panel unit12and the cartridge2is not removed. Therefore, it is not possible to dispose the operation panel unit12so as to overlap the cartridge accommodation portion11in the width direction of the image forming apparatus S, and it is difficult to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus S.

An object of the present invention is to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus S while maintaining the usability of the operation panel unit12of the image forming apparatus S.

In order to attain the object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:

an apparatus body having a cartridge accommodation portion capable of accommodating a cartridge used for forming an image;

an opening/closing member attached to the apparatus body and being movable between a first position at which the cartridge accommodation portion is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus and a second position at which the opening/closing member covers the cartridge accommodation portion; and

an operation panel unit for operating the image forming apparatus, the operation panel unit including:

a sheet portion; and

a switch portion having a switch substrate that transmits a user's operation to the image forming apparatus via the sheet portion,

wherein the sheet portion is provided in the opening/closing member,

wherein the switch portion is provided in the apparatus body, and

wherein, in a state in which the opening/closing member is at the second position, the sheet portion is at such a position as to at least partially overlap the cartridge accommodation portion on an insertion/removal trajectory of the cartridge and cover the switch portion.

In order to attain the object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:

an apparatus body having a cartridge accommodation portion capable of accommodating a cartridge used for forming an image;

an opening/closing member attached to the apparatus body and being movable between a first position at which the cartridge accommodation portion is exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus and a second position at which the opening/closing member covers the cartridge accommodation portion; and

an operation panel unit for operating the image forming apparatus, the operation panel unit including:

a user interface portion operated by a user; and

a switch portion having a switch substrate that transmits a user's operation to the image forming apparatus via the user interface portion,

wherein the user interface portion is provided in the opening/closing member,

wherein the switch portion is provided in the apparatus body, and

wherein, in a state in which the opening/closing member is at the second position, the user interface portion is at such a position as to at least partially overlap the cartridge accommodation portion on an insertion/removal trajectory of the cartridge and cover the switch portion.

In order to attain the object, an image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes:

an apparatus body having a guide for guiding a cartridge used for forming an image to an inner side of the apparatus body in order to accommodate the cartridge;

an opening/closing member attached to the apparatus body and being movable between a first position at which the inner side of the apparatus body is exposed to the outside and a second position at which the opening/closing member covers the inner side of the apparatus body; and

an operation panel unit for operating the image forming apparatus, the operation panel unit including:

a user interface portion operated by a user; and

a switch portion having a switch substrate that transmits a user's operation to the image forming apparatus via the user interface portion,

wherein the user interface portion is provided in the opening/closing member,

wherein the switch portion is provided in the apparatus body, and

wherein, when seen in a direction of pressing the switch portion in a state in which the opening/closing member is at the second position, the user interface portion is at such a position as to at least partially overlap the guide and cover the switch portion.

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus S while maintaining the usability of the operation panel unit12of the image forming apparatus S.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a description will be given, with reference to the drawings, of embodiments (examples) of the present invention. However, the sizes, materials, shapes, their relative arrangements, or the like of constituents described in the embodiments may be appropriately changed according to the configurations, various conditions, or the like of apparatuses to which the invention is applied. Therefore, the sizes, materials, shapes, their relative arrangements, or the like of the constituents described in the embodiments do not intend to limit the scope of the invention to the following embodiments.

An image forming apparatus to which the present invention is applied is an apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium and includes a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile machine, or the like which uses an electrophotographic system.

FIG. 14is a cross-sectional view illustrating an entire configuration of an image forming apparatus S according to the present invention.

An image forming process which uses an electrophotographic system is performed in the following manner, for example. First, the surface of a photosensitive member34as an image bearing member is uniformly charged to a predetermined polarity by a charging device. After that, a latent image is formed on the photosensitive member34by an exposure device35such as a laser on the basis of image data of an image formed on the recording medium.

When a developing device33causes toner as a developer to adhere to the latent image formed on the photosensitive member34, this latent image is developed as a toner image to become a visible image.

The toner image formed on the photosensitive member34is conveyed up to a transfer nip formed by a transfer roller37and the photosensitive member34. Moreover, a recording medium accommodated in the image forming apparatus is transported up to the transfer nip. A high voltage of a polarity opposite to the normal charging polarity of toner is applied at the transfer nip whereby the toner image on the photosensitive member34is transferred to the recording medium.

Finally, the recording medium having the toner image transferred thereto is transported up to a fixing device38which is an image heating device and is heated and pressurized, whereby the toner image is fixed to the recording medium. With the above-described processes, an image is formed on the recording medium.

Since some extraneous matters such as toner having different polarities remain on the photosensitive member after the toner image is transferred thereto, the extraneous matters on the surface of the photosensitive member after passing through the transfer nip are removed by a cleaning device39or the like. After that, the image forming apparatus waits in preparation for a next image forming process.

The image forming apparatus S of the present embodiment includes a process cartridge in which the photosensitive member34, the charging device, the developing device33, the cleaning device39, and a handle36are integrated. The process cartridge is detachably attached to an apparatus body including the housing of the image forming apparatus. A configuration in which the above-mentioned components are integrated as a cartridge is not limited to the above-described configuration. Examples of the integrated configuration include a drum cartridge in which a drum which is a photosensitive member and the cleaning device are integrated, a developing cartridge in which a developing device such as a developing roller and a developer storage are integrated, and a toner cartridge in which a developer storage can be detached separately.

Description of Configuration

A configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 3A and 3B,FIGS. 6A and 6B, andFIG. 7.

FIG. 6Ais a perspective view illustrating a state in which a cartridge door20as an opening/closing member of the image forming apparatus S according to the present embodiment is open,FIG. 6Bis a perspective view illustrating a state in which the cartridge door20is closed, andFIG. 7illustrates a B-B cross-section onFIG. 6Bof an operation panel unit22.

As illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6B, in a configuration of the present embodiment, the cartridge door20as an opening/closing member capable of pivoting about a pivot center26is provided on a front surface side of an upper part of the image forming apparatus S. The cartridge door20is held in the housing1so as to be movable between a first position (FIG. 6A) and a second position (FIG. 6B). Here, the first position is a position at which a cartridge accommodation portion21which is a space capable of accommodating such a cartridge as illustrated in a dotted portion surrounded by a dot line inFIG. 6Ais exposed to the outside of the image forming apparatus S. Here, the portion surrounded by a dot line inFIG. 6Ais an opening of the cartridge accommodation portion21and the cartridge accommodation portion21has a structure depressed further toward the bottom surface of the apparatus. That is, the housing forms the cartridge accommodation portion21, and the cartridge accommodation portion21includes an opening of the housing and a concave portion and is configured to be capable of accommodating a cartridge. The cartridge passes through the opening and is attached into the concave portion. When the cartridge door20is closed, the position of the cartridge in the cartridge accommodation portion21is determined, and an image forming operation can be performed. The second position is a position at which the cartridge accommodation portion21is concealed from the outside of the image forming apparatus S.

As illustrated inFIG. 3B, the operation panel unit22includes a user interface portion22jand a switch portion22k.In the present embodiment, a sheet portion22bformed of a sheet member including a button frame22hcorresponds to the user interface portion22j.A plurality of members including buttons such as a button member22c,a switch unit22d(here, the switch unit22dindicates a combination of a switch22fand a switch substrate22gillustrated inFIG. 3B), and a holder member22ecorresponds to the switch portion22k.In the present embodiment, the user interface portion22jis disposed on the cartridge door20, and the switch portion22kis disposed on the housing1. That is, the user interface portion22jis attached to a sheet member attachment area24of the cartridge door20. The switch portion22kis disposed on the outer side of a cartridge insertion/removal area of the cartridge accommodation portion21provided in an apparatus body of the image forming apparatus S and is fixed to the housing1by a holding member (not illustrated).

Next, a configuration on the side of the cartridge door20and the configuration on the side of the housing1of the operation panel unit22according to the present embodiment will be described.

Configuration on Cartridge Door20of Operation Panel Unit22

First, the configuration on the cartridge door20of the operation panel unit22will be described with reference toFIGS. 3A and 3BtoFIG. 7.

An opening22ais formed in the cartridge door20(seeFIG. 7) so that the switch portion22kand the cartridge door20do not interfere with each other when the cartridge door20is at the second position (at which the cartridge door20is closed) illustrated inFIG. 6B.

Furthermore, a sheet member attachment area24for attaching the sheet portion22bis provided around the opening22aof the cartridge door20at a position which is one step lower than the circumference of the opening22a.The sheet member attachment area24is a depth such that the sheet portion22bdoes not protrude from the cartridge door20when the sheet portion22bis attached to the cartridge door20.

The sheet member attachment area24has an area capable of securing a peeling strength such that the sheet member attachment area24does not peel off even when a user applies a maximum operating force of operating the sheet portion22b.The peeling strength is measured when the sheet portion22bis attached to the sheet member attachment area24by a double-sided tape or an adhesive.

Here, the size of the sheet portion22bof the present embodiment and the functions of the respective portions will be described with reference toFIGS. 4 and 5. The sheet portion22bincludes a sheet deforming region22b1, a pasting region22b2, and an icon region22b3.

As illustrated inFIG. 5, the sheet deforming region22b1is a region necessary for the sheet portion22bto be deformed by a necessary distance C (the sum of a clearance23and a moving distance from an OFF position to an ON position of the switch22f).

Moreover, the pasting region22b2is a region necessary for securing a peeling strength such that the sheet portion22bdoes not peel off the holder member22ewhen the sheet portion22bis pressed by an operation of a user.

Furthermore, the icon region22b3is a region in which an icon as a display portion indicating a button of the operation panel unit22and an operation thereof to be executed by the image forming apparatus S is disposed. Therefore, when respective buttons are arranged in a depth direction of the image forming apparatus S as illustrated inFIG. 4, a user can easily understand the functions of buttons immediately when the icon region22b3is disposed at a position adjacent to the side of each button (that is, a portion that covers a button portion of the switch portion22kto be described later). Moreover, the size of an icon is preferably large from the viewpoint of usability. The sheet portion22bneeds to be deformed by the necessary distance C (seeFIG. 5) so that the switch22fis turned on. Therefore, as a sheet member that forms the sheet portion22b,a plastic sheet having a thickness of 0.3 mm or smaller (for example, polycarbonate or polyethylene terephthalate) is preferably used.

The dimension in a front-rear direction and a left-right direction of the image forming apparatus S of the sheet member attachment area24may be larger by approximately 0.3 mm than the dimensions in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the image forming apparatus S of the sheet portion22bby taking variations of components into consideration. Therefore, a gap25between the sheet portion22band the sheet member attachment area24can be suppressed to 0.6 mm or smaller.

Configuration of Switch Portion22k

Next, a configuration of the switch portion22kattached to the housing1of the operation panel unit22will be described with reference toFIGS. 3A and 3B,FIGS. 6A and 6B, andFIG. 7.

As described above, the switch portion22kincludes the button member22c,the switch unit22d,and the holder member22e.A dimensional relation between the button member12cand the button member22cis the same as the dimensional relation between the switch unit12dand the switch unit22d.Here, the switch unit22dindicates a combination of the switch substrate22gand the switch22fas a switch portion pressed by the button member22cillustrated inFIG. 3B. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the holder member22efor holding the switch portion22kat a predetermined position of the housing1fixes the switch unit22dto the inner side of the holder member22eusing a fixing member (not illustrated). Furthermore, the button member22cas a button portion of the switch portion22kthat can slide up and down so as to be moved away from and closer to the switch22fis disposed on the switch22fon the switch unit22d.The button member22cis held in the holder member22eso as to protrude toward the outer side of the holder member22efrom a button member opening22iformed in the holder member22e.

Positional Relation Between User Interface Portion22jand Switch Portion22kwhen Cartridge Door20is Closed

Next, a positional relation between the user interface portion22jand the switch portion22kwhen the cartridge door20as an opening/closing member is at the second position (at which the cartridge door20is closed) (that is, when the operation panel unit22is in an operable state) will be described with reference toFIG. 7.

In the configuration of the present embodiment, in a state in which the cartridge door20is at the second position (at which the cartridge door20is closed), the button member22cis under the opening22aformed in the cartridge door20as illustrated inFIG. 7. The button frame22hof the sheet portion22bis disposed to overlap an upper portion of the button member22ccorresponding to the button portion of the switch portion22k.The clearance23for causing the sheet portion22bto prevent the switch22ffrom maintaining the ON state in a state in which the sheet portion22bis not operated is provided between the sheet portion22band the button member22c.Furthermore, a protrusion27for maintaining a constant distance between the cartridge door20and the holder member22eis formed on the cartridge door20(seeFIGS. 6A and 6B).

Operation Method of Operation Panel Unit22

The button frames22hcorresponding to respective operations are printed on the sheet portion22b,and a user presses on the button frame22hcorresponding to a selection operation in a downward direction of the image forming apparatus S. By doing so, the sheet portion22bis deformed in the pressing direction as illustrated inFIG. 5to make contact with the button member22cof the switch portion22kpositioned under the sheet portion22b.Furthermore, when the user presses the sheet portion22bfurther, the button member22cpresses the switch22fand the switch22fenters into the ON state, whereby an operation selected by the user is executed by the image forming apparatus S. That is, the switch portion22kdisposed under the sheet portion22btransmits the user's operation to the image forming apparatus S via the sheet portion22bwhich is the user interface portion22j.

Description of Advantage of Reduction in Size of Image Forming Apparatus S

According to Embodiment 1

Next, advantages of reduction in the size of the image forming apparatus S according to the present embodiment will be described by comparing the sizes in the width direction of the image forming apparatuses S of a comparative example and the present embodiment with reference toFIGS. 1A and 1BtoFIGS. 3A and 3B,FIGS. 6A and 6B, andFIGS. 8A and 8B.

First, an operation panel unit when the user interface portion12jand the switch portion12kare integrated will be described as a comparative example.FIG. 2illustrates a perspective view of the A-A cross-section inFIG. 1Bof the operation panel unit12, andFIGS. 3A and 3Billustrate exploded views of the operation panel units12and22of the comparative example and Embodiment 1.FIG. 4illustrates a diagram for describing the functions of respective portions of the sheet portions12band22bof a comparative example and Embodiment 1, andFIG. 5illustrates a schematic diagram before and after the sheet portion12bis deformed.

The operation panel unit12of the comparative example includes a user interface portion12jand a switch portion12kas illustrated inFIG. 3A. Similarly to the present embodiment, the sheet portion12bcorresponds to the user interface portion12j,and a configuration including the button member12c,the switch unit12d,and the holder member12ecorresponds to the switch portion12k.

The sheet portion12bis attached to the sheet member attachment area14provided in the holder member12e,and the switch unit12dis fixed to the inner side of the holder member12eby a fixing member (not illustrated). Moreover, the button member12cis provided between the switch unit12dand the sheet portion12b.The button member12cis held by a holder member12eso as to be slidable in an up-down direction in a state of protruding from a button member opening12iwhich is one step lowered from the sheet member attachment area14.

In a state in which the respective components are attached to the holder member12ein the above-described manner and a pressing force is not applied to the sheet portion12b,a clearance13for causing the sheet portion12bto prevent the switch12ffrom maintaining the ON state is provided between the sheet portion12band the button member12c.

Here, in the comparative example, as will be described later, the user interface portion12jand the switch portion12kare integrated and are held on the side of the housing1. As illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1BandFIG. 2, an opening12ais formed in the cartridge door10so that the user can operate the operation panel unit12when the cartridge door10is in a second state (a closed state).

A material of the sheet portion12band a method of operating the operation panel unit12are similar to those of Embodiment 1, and the redundant description thereof will be omitted.

Here,FIGS. 8A and 8Billustrate cross-sectional views of the operation panel unit of the image forming apparatus S when the comparative example and the present embodiment are used.FIG. 8Aillustrates the A-A cross-section inFIG. 1B, andFIG. 8Billustrates the B-B cross-section inFIG. 6B.

In the comparative example, it was difficult to reduce the size of the operation panel unit12from the viewpoint of visibility and operability as usability and the peeling strength of the sheet portion12bfrom the holder member12e.As illustrated inFIG. 2andFIG. 3A, since the sheet portion12bis attached directly to the sheet member attachment area14of the holder member12e,it was not possible to reduce the size of the holder member12eto be smaller than the sheet portion12b.As a result, the size of the operation panel unit12increases. When the operation panel unit12is disposed in an area on the outer side of the cartridge accommodation area, the larger the size of the operation panel unit12, the larger becomes the size of the image forming apparatus S in the width direction.

As understood fromFIGS. 8A and 8B, since the cartridge accommodation portion11also serves as an insertion/removal area of the cartridge2, it was not possible to dispose the operation panel unit12so as to overlap the cartridge accommodation portion11in the width direction of the image forming apparatus S and to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus S due to a layout.

As illustrated inFIGS. 1A and 1BandFIG. 2, the operation panel unit12of the comparative example has the user interface portion12jand the switch portion12kwhich are integrated and held in the housing1. Due to this, the opening12ais formed in the cartridge door10so that the user can operate the cartridge door10even when the cartridge door10is closed. Moreover, since the cartridge door10and the operation panel unit12are separate members, the opening12aneeds to be larger by approximately 1 mm to 2 mm than the operation panel unit12so that the operation panel unit12does not interfere with the cartridge door10when the cartridge door10rotates.

Therefore, as illustrated inFIG. 1B, when the cartridge door10is at the second position (the closing position), a gap15is formed between the cartridge door10and the operation panel unit12. This gap15forms a shadow and a brightness difference occurs between the gap15and the surrounding thereof. Moreover, the design performance deteriorates since unevenness of the gap15is not maintained due to accuracy reasons in manufacturing processes.

However, in the present embodiment, as described above, first, the sheet portion22bof the user interface portion22jis attached to the sheet member attachment area24of the cartridge door20. The switch portion22kis attached to the side of the housing1and the switch portion22kand the sheet portion22bare separated from each other. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the switch portion22kto be smaller than the sheet portion22b.In other words, the area of the sheet portion22bis larger than the area of the switch portion22kwhen the sheet portion22bis projected in a direction in which the button portion of the switch portion22kis pressed, and the sheet portion22bis attached to the cartridge door20which is an opening/closing member.

By doing so, when the cartridge door20is closed (that is, when the cartridge door20is at the second position), the user interface portion22jis disposed at such a position as to cover the switch portion22kas illustrated inFIG. 7. In this case, the user interface portion22jextends toward the cartridge accommodation portion21, and a portion of the sheet member overlaps an insertion/removal trajectory of the cartridge as illustrated inFIG. 7andFIGS. 8A and 8B.FIG. 9illustrates an enlarged view of a portion near one end of the cartridge2when the cartridge door20is open (that is, when the cartridge door20is at the first position), and when seen from an insertion/removal direction of the cartridge. As illustrated inFIG. 9, a portion of a wall surface facing the cartridge accommodation portion21on the side where the switch portion22kamong wall surfaces of the housing1protrudes as an upper guide1aand a lower guide1b.On the other hand, a protruding portion2athat protrudes toward a wall surface on the side where the switch portion22kis provided is formed on the cartridge2. When the cartridge2is attached to or detached from the image forming apparatus S, the upper guide1aand the lower guide1bserve as a guiding portion, and the cartridge2is guided toward the cartridge accommodation portion21or the outside of the apparatus in a state in which the protruding portion2ais received between the two guides. Since the upper guide1aand the lower guide1bprotrude toward the cartridge accommodation portion21as described above, when the cartridge door20is closed, the user interface portion22jalso overlaps partially the upper and lower guides1aand1b.A similar guiding portion is provided in the housing where the switch portion22kis not present so that the cartridge2is guided toward the cartridge accommodation portion21or the outside of the apparatus. Here, the insertion/removal trajectory of the cartridge is a trajectory in the insertion direction and the removal direction of the cartridge on the side close to the cartridge accommodation portion21using a dot line α inFIG. 7and FIGS.8A and8B as a boundary line. InFIG. 7, a diagonal line portion on the upper surface forms a portion of the insertion/removal trajectory of the cartridge. That is, inFIG. 7, a region that the diagonal line portion on the upper surface moves in an up-down direction corresponds to an insertion/removal trajectory. On the other hand, when the cartridge2is inserted into the image forming apparatus S or is removed from the image forming apparatus S, the user interface portion22jretracts from the insertion/removal trajectory of the cartridge2together with the cartridge door20(seeFIG. 6A). Due to this, the user interface portion22jand the cartridge accommodation portion21can be disposed at a position where they overlap each other in the width direction of the image forming apparatus S in a state in which the cartridge door20is closed. In other words, the user interface portion22jand the cartridge accommodation portion21can be disposed so as to overlap on the insertion/removal trajectory of the cartridge2in a state in which the cartridge door20is closed.

From the above, when the size of the holder member22eis reduced, the operation panel unit22can be moved toward the center of the image forming apparatus S by the width of the icon region22b3serving as a display portion. As a result, the width of the image forming apparatus S can be reduced by the distance D.

As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, the user interface portion22jand the switch portion22kof the operation panel unit22are disposed separately on the side close to the cartridge door20and the side close to the housing1. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size in the width direction of the image forming apparatus S while satisfying the usability of the operation panel unit22. Moreover, since the sheet portion22bas the user interface portion22jcovers the opening22aof the cartridge door20, the gap between the cartridge door and the operation panel unit which occurs in the comparative example is substantially not visible. As a result, it is possible to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus S and to provide a compact image forming apparatus having excellent design performance and which prevents a large gap resulting from unevenness between the cartridge door and the operation panel unit.

In Embodiment 1, a flexible sheet member is used for the user interface portion22jattached to the cartridge door20of the operation panel unit22to form the sheet portion22b.In Embodiment 2, an example in which a plastic member (that is, a rigid member) having larger thickness and higher rigidity than the sheet member is used for a user interface portion32jwill be described. The switch portion22kof the present embodiment is the same as that of Embodiment 1, and the redundant description thereof will be omitted.

When the configuration of the present embodiment is used, by using a rigid plastic member for the user interface portion32j,it is possible to realize an operation panel unit compatible with design of a higher degree of freedom. As a result, as illustrated inFIG. 10, the user interface portion32jcan be disposed at a position shifted in the width direction of the image forming apparatus S with respect to the switch portion22k.

In the present embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 11(an exploded view of the operation panel unit32of Embodiment 2), the operation panel unit32includes the user interface portion32jand the switch portion22ksimilarly to Embodiment 1. Moreover, the user interface portion32jis disposed on the side close to the cartridge door30which is an opening/closing member and the switch portion22kis disposed on the side close to the housing1.

Configuration on Cartridge Door30of Operation Panel Unit32

Next, a configuration on the side close to the cartridge door30of the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 10 to 13.FIG. 10illustrates a top view when the cartridge door30of the present embodiment is at the second position (the closed state), andFIG. 11illustrates an exploded view of the operation panel unit32of the present embodiment.FIGS. 12A and 12Billustrate an E-E cross-section inFIG. 10, illustrating the user interface portion32jand the switch portion22kof the present embodiment.FIG. 13illustrates an enlarged perspective view when the user interface portion32jof the cartridge door30is seen from the back side.

In a configuration in which a flexible sheet member is used for the user interface portion22jsimilarly to Embodiment 1, the sheet portion22bis deformed so that the button portion of the switch portion22kis pressed by the sheet portion22b.That is, the button frame22hof the user interface portion22jneeds to be disposed immediately above the switch portion22k.Therefore, as illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11, there is a limitation on design that the entire user interface portion32jcannot be disposed to be shifted from the switch portion22k.

In the present embodiment, a rigid plastic member illustrated inFIGS. 12A and 12Bis used for the user interface portion32jto form a user interface button32b.By doing so, as illustrated inFIG. 10, the operation panel unit32in which the user interface portion32jand the switch portion22kare shifted in the width direction of the image forming apparatus S is realized.

Configuration of User Interface Portion32j

Next, a configuration of the user interface portion32jof the present embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 12A and 12BandFIG. 13.

As illustrated inFIGS. 12A and 12B, the user interface button32bincludes a user operating portion32b1and a button pressing portion32b2. The user operating portion32b1is disposed to protrude from an opening30aformed in the cartridge door30on the cartridge accommodation portion31so that the user can press the user operating portion32b1. On the other hand, the button pressing portion32b2is disposed above the button member22con the housing1. The user operating portion32b1and the button pressing portion32b2are connected by a connecting portion32b3.

As illustrated inFIGS. 12A and 12BandFIG. 13, the user interface button32bhas a pivoting center32b4and is held in the cartridge door30so as to be pivotable about a pivot shaft30bformed on the cartridge door30. When the user operating portion32b1is pressed in the direction indicated by arrow F, the user interface button32bpivots in a counter-clockwise direction about the pivoting center32b4and the button pressing portion32b2presses the button member22c.As a result, the switch22fis turned on, and a user's operation is executed by the image forming apparatus S.

As illustrated inFIG. 13, a stopper30cfor restricting pivoting of the user interface button32bis formed at a position corresponding to a distal end32b5of the user interface button32bof the cartridge door30. By doing so, even when the cartridge door30is in an open state, the user interface button32bis held at the position illustrated inFIG. 11without being removed from the cartridge door30. In Embodiment 2, although the user interface button32bis configured to pivot, a guide may be provided in the cartridge door30so that the cartridge door30is held so as to be slidable in the up-down direction of the image forming apparatus S.

As described above, by using a highly rigid plastic member for the user interface portion32j,it is possible to provide an operation panel unit compatible with design of a higher degree of freedom. The design of a higher degree of freedom means such a design that the user interface portion32jand the switch portion22kof the operation panel unit are disposed to be completely shifted from each other. Alternatively, the design means such a design that a pressing region of the user interface portion32jand the position of the button portion of the switch portion22k(more specifically, the position of the switch portion pressed by the button portion of the switch portion22k) are disposed so as not to overlap each other.

In the present embodiment, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus having the cartridge door30having a more integrated design in which the gap25is not formed between the sheet member and the cartridge door which occurs in Embodiment 1.

This application claims the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-010092, filed on Jan. 24, 2018, and No. 2019-002946, filed on Jan. 10, 2019, which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.