JP2002156874A - Cover member and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an inexpensive cover member which is capable of supressing to scattering of light emitted by luminous bodies and improving the visual recognizability of the light emitted by the luminous bodies. SOLUTION: The cover member 6 has translucent parts 8a and 8b which are respectively pervious to the light emitted by the plural luminous bodies 7a and 7b adjacent to each other and at least the translucent parts 8a and 8b consist of resins which are transparent or translucent and ought to cover the luminous bodies 7a and 7b. The translucent parts 8a and 8b are provided with gaps 9 at the boundaries of the respective segments of the luminous bodies 7a and 7b ought to be respectively pervious to the light so that the gaps 9 shut off the light L from the adjacent luminous bodies 7a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cover member for covering a light emitter, provided with a light transmitting portion for transmitting light emitted from a plurality of light emitters adjacent to each other, and a copier including the cover member. And electrical equipment such as printers.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, display lamps such as LEDs (light emitting diodes) have been used in display units and the like of electric equipment such as image forming apparatuses (copiers). When the display unit and the operation unit are integrated with each other, the integrated resin cover member covers the display unit and the operation unit so that the operation with a finger is easy. There are times when you do. Also in the mechanism for determining the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank of the ink jet printer, the storage case of the ink tank is formed by a cover member made of resin, and the light of the luminous body, which is a light source, is transmitted through the cover member. Irradiation is performed on the ink liquid surface via an optical unit, and the amount of reflected light is detected to determine the remaining amount of ink.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a cross section of an example of such a cover member. This cover member 8
Has light-transmitting portions 8a and 8b for the LEDs 7a and 7b, which are light emitters, and the light emitted from the LEDs 7a and 7b is output via the light-transmitting portions 8a and 8b. It has become.

[0004]

In the conventional cover member 8 as described above, when the light emitted from the light-emitting members 7a and 7b is displayed or detected through the cover member 8, the light-emitting member
a, 7b is scattered, and the other light-emitting body 7 adjacent thereto is scattered.
There is a problem that the light is leaked to the display portion or the detection portion, which is the light transmitting portion 8b, 8a of b, 7a, and that the other adjacent light emitters 7b, 7a are erroneously recognized as being emitting light or are erroneously detected. This is because when the light is irradiated through the resin, the scattered light L refracted and scattered at the interface of the resin is propagated to an unnecessary part.

As a technique for solving the above problems,
Inside the resin cover, a dummy chip is provided to block scattered light from the irradiation light source that irradiates unnecessary parts, and the surface of this dummy chip is mirror-finished to reduce the amount of light at the part that should be irradiated. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-167780 discloses a "light leakage prevention structure for a surface-mounted light-emitting element" in which reflected light from a dummy chip is added to increase light leakage to unnecessary portions. .

However, in this "light leakage prevention structure", it is necessary to provide a dummy chip between the adjacent irradiation light sources, so that the cost of parts is increased, and the reflected light from the dummy chip to be increased in light amount is required. Is obliquely incident on a portion to be illuminated, so that a user who looks at the illuminating light source from the front has a small contribution to improving the visibility. The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above,
In the first and second inventions, the scattering of light emitted from the light emitter is suppressed,
It is another object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive cover member capable of improving the visibility of light emitted from a light emitter. A third object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive cover member that can improve the visibility of the indicator lamp on the display unit. In a fourth aspect, an object is to provide an electric device including the cover member according to the first to third aspects.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cover member having a light transmitting portion for transmitting light emitted from a plurality of light emitting bodies adjacent to each other, at least the light transmitting portion being transparent or translucent. In a cover member made of a resin to cover the light emitting body, the light transmitting portion is provided with a void at a boundary between respective portions through which the light emitting body transmits light, and the void is adjacent to the light emitting body. It is characterized in that it is adapted to block light from the luminous body.

In this cover member, the light-transmitting portion transmits light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting members adjacent to each other, and at least the light-transmitting portion is transparent or translucent, and is made of resin to cover the light-emitting member. I have. The light-transmitting portion is configured such that a gap is provided at a boundary of each portion through which the light-emitting body transmits light, and the gap blocks light from an adjacent light-emitting body. Thus, it is possible to realize an inexpensive cover member that can suppress the scattering of light emitted from the light emitter and increase the visibility of light emitted from the light emitter without increasing the number of components.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the cover member, the boundary surface forming the gap has an inclination angle determined based on each refractive index of the resin and the air with respect to the incident direction of light from the luminous body. And characterized in that it is adapted to reflect the light.

[0010] In this cover member, the boundary surface forming the gap has an inclination angle with respect to the incident direction of light from the luminous body, which is determined based on the respective refractive indexes of the resin and the air constituting the cover member. Since the angle of incidence consisting of the vertical direction of the boundary surface and the direction of light incidence is greater than the critical angle and is configured to reflect light from the illuminant, without increasing the number of parts, Suppress the scattering of light emitted by the luminous body,
Further, it is possible to realize an inexpensive cover member that can improve the visibility of light emitted from the light emitter.

[0011] A cover member according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the plurality of illuminants are indicator lights provided on a display unit for displaying a state of an electric device, and cover the display unit. I do.

[0012] In this cover member, the plurality of illuminants are indicator lamps provided on the display unit for displaying the state of the electric equipment, and are configured to cover the display unit. And an inexpensive cover member which can be improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electric apparatus.
And a cover member described in any of the above.

[0014] In this electric apparatus, since the cover member according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is provided, the scattering of light emitted from the luminous body is suppressed without increasing the number of parts, and the light emission is suppressed. The visibility of light emitted from the body can be improved.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below.
This will be described with reference to the drawings showing the above. Embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of an image forming apparatus (copier) 1 which is an embodiment of a cover member and an electric device according to the present invention. In the image forming apparatus 1, a document table 2 made of transparent glass is provided on an upper surface of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing, and a cover 2 a for pressing a document placed on the document table 2 is provided so as to cover the document table 2. ing.

An operation panel 5 serving as an operation section and a display section of the image forming apparatus 1 is provided at an end of the upper surface of the housing which is not covered by the front cover 2a to be operated by the user. It is covered with a resin cover member 6. A paper cassette 3 is inserted in a lower part on the right side when viewed from the front side, and a paper discharge tray 4 is provided in a lower part on the left side when viewed from the front side.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing details of the operation panel 5. The operation panel 5 switches a preheating lamp 10 indicating that preheating is in progress, a warning lamp 11 for displaying a warning such as toner shortage, paper jam, paper shortage, and the like, and a method of setting the copy density, and displays the switched setting method. Density switching key / indicator lamp 12, tray during paper feeding and tray position / paper jam position indicator lamp 13 for displaying the jam position, and independent zooming of the vertical lever, and independent zooming for displaying the independent zooming. A key / display lamp 14, an interrupt key / display lamp 15 for instructing an interrupt and displaying the interrupt, and a numeric keypad 16
A copy number display section 17, a density key / display lamp 18 for instructing copy density and displaying the instructed density, and a zoom lamp 19 for displaying that a zoom operation is being performed.
All release key 20 for releasing all settings, start key 21, and clear key 22 for releasing some settings
And a magnification selection key / display lamp 23 for selecting a copy magnification and displaying the selected copy magnification.

The operation panel 5 has a document size designation key / display lamp 24 for designating a document size and displaying the designated document size, and a paper automatic display for displaying that the paper is being automatically selected. A selection display lamp 25, a paper size display lamp 26 for displaying a paper size, a tray selection key 27 for selecting a paper feed tray, and an instruction to automatically select a copy magnification, indicating that the copy magnification is being automatically selected. Magnification automatic selection key / display lamp 28 for display,% key 29 for designating zoom magnification, 1 set 2 copies, 1 set 2 for displaying that 1 set 2 copies are in progress A copy key / display lamp 30, a zoom key 31 for continuously changing and specifying the zoom magnification,
A paper size setting key 32 for setting a paper size is provided, and LEDs (light emitting diodes) are used as display lamps.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the structure of the embodiment of the cover member according to the present invention. This cover member 6
It is made of resin and has a light transmitting portion 10a for transmitting light of the preheating lamp 10, a light transmitting portion 11a for transmitting each light of the warning lamp 11, and a display lamp of the density switching key / display lamp 12. Each light-transmitting portion 12a for transmitting each light, a hole 12b for a density switching key, and each light-transmitting portion 1 for transmitting each light of the tray position / paper jam position display lamp 13
3a, each translucent portion 14a for transmitting each light of the display lamp of the independent variable key / display lamp 14, a hole 14b for the independent variable key, and the display lamp of the interrupt key / display lamp 15. A light transmitting portion 15a for transmitting light, a hole 15b for an interrupt key, and each hole 1 for a numeric keypad 16.
6a and a translucent section 17a for the copy number display section 17.

The cover member 6 includes a light-transmitting portion 18 a for transmitting each light of the display lamp of the density key / display lamp 18, a hole 18 b for each density key, and a zoom lamp 19. A light-transmitting portion 19a for transmitting light, a hole 20a for an all-release key 20, a hole 21a for a start key 21, a hole 22a for a clear key 22, a magnification selection key / display lamp 23 And a hole 23b for each magnification selection key.

The cover member 6 includes a light transmitting portion 24a for transmitting light of each display lamp of the document size designation key / display lamp 24, a hole 24b for the document size designation key, and a paper automatic A light-transmitting portion 25a for transmitting the light of the selection display lamp 25, a light-transmitting portion 26a for transmitting each light of the paper size display lamp 26, a hole 27a for the tray selection key 27, an automatic magnification. Light-transmitting part 28 for transmitting the light of the display lamp of the selection key / display lamp 28
a, a hole 28b for an automatic magnification selection key, and a% key 2
9 and a light-transmitting portion 30 for transmitting the light of the display lamp of the one set of two copy keys / display lamp 30.
a, one set 2 holes 30b for a copy key, a hole 31a for a zoom key 31, and a paper size setting key 32
And a light-transmitting portion is transparent or translucent.

FIG. 4A schematically shows a cross section of a light transmitting portion for transmitting each light of a plurality of adjacent display lamps such as the light transmitting portions 11a, 12a and 13a of the cover member 6 described above. FIG. In this light-transmitting portion, transparent or translucent light-transmitting portions 8a and 8b for transmitting respective lights of LEDs 7a and 7b which are adjacent display lamps are provided.
The light emitted from the EDs 7a and 7b is transmitted to the respective light transmitting portions 8a and 8a.
8b. Translucent part 8
a and 8b are provided with a void 9 at the boundary thereof, for example, L
The scattered light L in the light emitted from the ED 7a is prevented from leaking to the adjacent light transmitting portion 8b.

FIG. 4B is an enlarged view showing the peripheral portion A of the above-mentioned gap 9 in an enlarged manner. The two opposing boundary surfaces 9 b forming the gap 9 are respectively formed on the front surface 9 of the cover member 6.
a and 90 ° -θ. However, surface 9a
Is parallel to the direction in which the scattered light L is incident on the boundary surface 9b, that is, the boundary surface 9b
b and 90 ° -θ. Here, if θ is made larger than the critical angle determined by the refractive index of the resin forming the cover member 6 and the refractive index of the air, the scattered light L is reflected by the boundary surface 9b, and the light transmitting portion 8a that should be transmitted originally In the periphery, the gap 9 is transmitted through the surface 9a isolated by the gap 9 and around the adjacent light-transmitting portion 8b.
Does not ooze out on the surface 9a isolated by the above.

FIG. 5 shows the above-described image forming apparatus (copier).
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a cross section inside 1. The image forming apparatus 1 has a document table 2 made of transparent glass on the upper surface, and a scanner optical system directly below the document table 2. The scanner optical system forms an exposure light source 42 provided so as to be able to reciprocate along the document table 2, a plurality of reflecting mirrors 45 for guiding reflected light from the document, and an image of reflected light guided by the reflecting mirror 45. Imaging lens 43 and imaging lens 43
And a CCD 4 (charge-coupled device) for photoelectrically converting the image formed by the image forming apparatus.

The original image data photoelectrically converted by the CCD 4 is subjected to image processing, then converted into laser light by a laser scanning unit 46, and
To form an electrostatic latent image. The photoconductor 47 has a drum shape to be driven to rotate in the direction of the arrow.
Around the photoreceptor 47, the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 47, which has been exposed by the laser, is turned into a visible image by toner from the laser irradiation point on the peripheral surface of the photoreceptor 47 toward the rotation direction of the photoreceptor 47. A developing device 48 for developing; a transfer charger 49 for transferring a toner image on the surface of the photoconductor 47 to a sheet;
Cleaning device 50 for removing residual toner on surface 7
And a main charger 51 for charging the surface of the photoreceptor 47 to a predetermined potential, and the laser scanning unit 46 described above are arranged in the order described.

The transfer paper is stored in a paper cassette 3, and a leading end of the paper cassette 3 is provided with a half-moon roller 53 for supplying the transfer paper. Downstream from the half-moon roller 53 (for convenience, the paper cassette 3 side is the upstream side)
And a registration roller 54 for aligning the toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 47 with the transfer paper based on a detection signal of the pre-registration detection switch (not shown) for detecting the passage of the transfer paper. And the above-mentioned transfer charger 49, an upper fixing roller 55 and a lower fixing roller 56 for fixing the toner image on the transfer paper by heat, and not shown for detecting that the transfer paper has passed through each of the fixing rollers 55 and 56. A fixing paper detection switch, a discharge detection switch (not shown) for detecting that the transfer paper has passed just before a discharge roller 57 described later, and a discharge roller 57 for discharging the transfer paper are described in this description. They are provided in order.

An image forming apparatus (copier) having such a configuration.
In FIG. 1, the original placed on the original table 2 is
The reflected light is guided to the image forming lens 43 by the plurality of reflecting mirrors 45, and the image forming lens 43 forms an image of the reflected light. The image formed by the imaging lens 43 is photoelectrically converted by the CCD 4. The document image data photoelectrically converted by the CCD 4 is subjected to image processing, then converted into laser light by a laser scanning unit 46, and radiated to a photoconductor 47 charged to a predetermined potential by a main charger 51. An electrostatic latent image is formed.

The electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photoreceptor 47 exposed by the laser is developed by a developing device 48 into a visible image with toner, and the developed toner image is transferred to a sheet by a transfer charger 49. The residual toner on the surface of the photoconductor 47 is removed by the cleaning device 50.

On the other hand, the transfer paper is taken in from the paper cassette 3 by the half-moon roller 53, and the taken-in transfer paper is aligned with the toner image on the surface of the photoreceptor 47 by the registration roller 54, and then, the above-described operation is performed. As described above, the toner image is transferred by the transfer charger 49. The transfer paper on which the toner image has been transferred is fixed on the toner image by heat by the upper fixing roller 55 and the lower fixing roller 56,
7, the sheet is discharged to the sheet discharge tray 4.

[0030]

According to the cover member according to the first and second aspects of the present invention, scattering of light emitted from the illuminant is suppressed and visibility of the light emitted from the illuminant is improved without increasing the number of components. Inexpensive cover member that can be realized.

According to the cover member of the third aspect, an inexpensive cover member capable of improving the visibility of the indicator lamp of the display unit can be realized.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress the scattering of the light emitted from the illuminant and increase the visibility of the light emitted from the illuminant without increasing the number of components.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an image forming apparatus as an embodiment of a cover member and an electric device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing details of an operation panel.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a configuration of an embodiment of a cover member according to the present invention.

4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a light transmitting portion of the cover member shown in FIG. 3 for transmitting each light of a plurality of adjacent display lamps.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram schematically showing an internal cross section of an image forming apparatus which is an embodiment of the electric apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view schematically showing a cross section of an example of a conventional cover member.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image forming apparatus (electric apparatus, copying machine) 5 Operation panel 6 Cover member 7a, 7b LED (light-emitting body, indicator light) 8a, 8b Translucent part 9 Void part 9b Boundary surface L Scattered light

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI Theme coat II (reference) // B41J 29/42 B41J 29/42 E 5F041 F term (reference) 2C061 AP04 AQ05 AQ06 CQ05 CQ22 CQ41 2H027 GA29 2H071 AA48 4E360 AB05 AB12 BA02 BA15 EA18 EE02 GA36 GB48 GC08 5C096 AA01 BA01 BA04 CA06 CB07 CC06 CG16 5F041 AA06 DC22 EE25 FF11

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A cover comprising a light-transmitting portion for transmitting light emitted from a plurality of light-emitting members adjacent to each other, wherein at least the light-transmitting portion is transparent or translucent, and made of a resin to cover the light-emitting member. In the member, the light-transmitting portion is provided with a void portion at a boundary of each portion through which the light-emitting body is to transmit light, and the void portion is configured to block light from the adjacent light-emitting body. A cover member characterized by the above-mentioned. 2. A boundary surface forming the void has an inclination angle determined based on each refractive index of the resin and air with respect to an incident direction of light from the light emitting body, and reflects the light. 2. The cover member according to claim 1, wherein the cover member is provided. 3. The cover member according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of illuminants are indicator lights provided on a display unit for displaying a state of an electric device, and cover the display unit. 4. An electric device comprising the cover member according to claim 1.