Housing structure, recording apparatus, and holding method

Abstract

To provide a housing structure, a recording apparatus, and a holding method, which can easily access into a housing.SOLUTION: A housing structure comprises: a housing 21 to which an open is provided; and a scanner unit 3 that can switches a posture thereof from a closing posture for closing the open of the housing 21 with an open posture that opens the open of the housing 21 by rotating to the housing 21 around a rotational shaft as a center. The scanner unit 3 includes a first projection part. The housing 21 includes a third support part, and the scanner unit 3 is opened from the closing posture by 52° or more, and the first projection part can be moved to a direction along the rotational shaft with the scanner unit 3. By moving the first projection part in the direction along the rotational shaft, the first projection part and the third support part can be engaged. By engaging the first projection part with the third support part, the scanner unit 3 is kept in the open posture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a housing structure, a recording device, and a holding method. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a printer in which a scanner unit is disposed on the upper side of a housing. In this printer, the scanner unit can be opened and closed relative to the housing, and when performing maintenance, the scanner unit can be opened upward to access the inside of the housing. In addition, this printer is provided with a support rod for holding the scanner unit in the open state in order to improve workability when performing maintenance. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2018-134792 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the printer described in Patent Document 1, the support rod supports the open end of the scanner unit, i.e., the end that moves up and down when opening and closing. For this reason, depending on the type of work, the support rod may obstruct access to the inside of the housing. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The housing structure includes a housing having an opening, and an opening / closing unit that can switch its position between a closed position in which the opening of the housing is closed and a first open position in which the opening of the housing is opened by rotating around a rotation axis relative to the housing, wherein the opening / closing unit has a first engagement portion, the housing has a second engagement portion, and when the opening / closing unit opens from the closed position by a first angle or more, the first engagement portion or the second engagement portion becomes movable in a direction along the rotation axis, when the first engagement portion or the second engagement portion moves in a direction along the rotation axis, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion become engageable with each other, and when the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion engage with each other, the opening / closing unit is held in the first open position.

[0006] A recording device includes the above-described housing structure and a recording section that is housed in the housing and performs recording on a medium.

[0007] The holding method is a holding method for holding an opening / closing unit that can switch its posture between a closed posture in which the opening of the housing is closed and a first open posture in which the opening of the housing is opened by rotating the opening / closing unit around a rotation axis relative to a housing having an opening, in the first open posture, the holding method comprising the steps of opening the opening / closing unit by opening the opening / closing unit a first angle or more from the closed posture, and moving the opening / closing unit in a direction along the rotation axis when the opening / closing unit is open by the first angle or more, and engaging a first engagement portion of the opening / closing unit with a second engagement portion of the housing when the opening / closing unit has moved in the direction along the rotation axis. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. [Diagram 2] Top view of the printer. [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the printer with the scanner unit opened at 25 degrees. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the printer with the scanner unit opened at 45 degrees. [Diagram 5]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the printer with the scanner unit removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the scanner unit as viewed from the bottom side. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of a first support part of the housing. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of a first protrusion of the scanner unit. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the opening and closing mechanism when the opening angle is 25°. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the opening and closing mechanism when the opening angle is 55°. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the opening and closing mechanism when the opening angle is 25°. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the opening and closing mechanism when the opening angle is 55°. [Figure 13] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the opening / closing mechanism when the scanner unit is opened to 55° and moved in the +X direction. [Figure 14] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing the opening and closing mechanism in a state where the scanner unit is lowered after being moved in the +X direction. FIG. [Figure 15] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the first support part when the opening angle is 45°. FIG. [Figure 16] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing the vicinity of the second support part when the opening angle is 45°. FIG. [Figure 17] 11 is a flowchart for explaining a holding method for holding the scanner unit in an open position with an open angle of 45°. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] The printer 1 of this embodiment will be described below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the printer 1, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the printer 1. As shown in FIG. The printer 1 is an inkjet printer that performs recording by ejecting a liquid, typically ink, onto a medium, typically recording paper. The printer 1 is an example of a recording device.

[0010] Each diagram shows an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are perpendicular to one another. The X-axis is parallel to the surface on which the printer 1 is installed, and corresponds to the width direction of the printer 1. The Y-axis is parallel to the surface on which the printer 1 is installed, and corresponds to the depth direction of the printer 1. The Z-axis is perpendicular to the surface on which the printer 1 is installed, and corresponds to the height direction of the printer 1.

[0011] Hereinafter, the +X direction parallel to the X axis is the left direction when facing the front of the printer 1. The -X direction parallel to the X axis is the opposite direction of the +X direction. The +Y direction parallel to the Y axis is the direction from the rear to the front of the printer 1. The -Y direction parallel to the Y axis is the opposite direction of the +Y direction. The +Z direction parallel to the Z axis is the direction upward from the surface on which the printer 1 is installed. The -Z direction parallel to the Z axis is the opposite direction of the +Z direction.

[0012] The printer 1 is a multifunction device that includes a device body 2 and a scanner unit 3. The scanner unit 3 is disposed on the top of the device body 2. The scanner unit 3 is an example of a reading device that reads a document. The device body 2 has a box-shaped housing 21, and includes various components inside and outside the housing 21. The device body 2 and the scanner unit 3 are configured so that their side surfaces in the ±X direction and ±Y direction are substantially flush with each other.

[0013] The device body 2 has a function of recording on a medium, and the scanner unit 3 has a function of reading a document. The device body 2 is equipped with an ink ejection head 22, which is an example of a recording section. The ink ejection head 22 records on a medium by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid. The ink ejection head 22 is mounted on a carriage 23 that moves in the ±X directions. Ink is supplied to the ink ejection head 22 from an ink storage section 26, which is an example of a liquid storage section described below, via an ink tube (not shown).

[0014] The scanner unit 3 includes a unit body 31 and an original feeding device 32. The upper surface of the unit body 31 serves as an original table (not shown) made of a glass plate or the like. The unit body 31 includes a reading sensor 31a extending in the ±Y direction below the original table. In this embodiment, the reading sensor 31a is configured as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor), and reads an original placed on the original table while moving in the ±X direction.

[0015] The document feeder 32 is disposed on the upper part of the unit body 31. The document feeder 32 is connected to the unit body 31 via a hinge (not shown) provided on the rear side of the printer 1. The rotation axis of the hinge is parallel to the ±X direction. The document feeder 32 can be opened and closed relative to the unit body 31 by this hinge. A user can set a document on the document table or remove a document by opening the document feeder 32 to expose the document table.

[0016] An openable top cover 32a is disposed on the top surface of the document feeder 32. When reading a document using the document feeder 32, the document is set in a paper feed port (not shown) that is exposed when the top cover 32a is opened, and is transported onto the document table. The reading sensor 31a reads the document being transported while stopped at the end of the document table in the +X direction. In this case, the first side of the document is read by the reading sensor 31a, and the second side opposite to the first side is read by a reading sensor (not shown) provided inside the document feeder 32.

[0017] An operation panel 33 for performing various setting operations is provided on the front of the printer 1. In this embodiment, the operation panel 33 is supported by the unit body 31 of the scanner unit 3, not by the device body 2 (see FIG. 3). However, the operation panel 33 may be provided on the device body 2. The device body 2 has an openable and closable front cover 24 below the operation panel 33. When the front cover 24 is opened, a paper output tray 25 (see FIG. 3) that receives the medium that is discharged after recording, and a media storage cassette (not shown) located below it are revealed.

[0018] The medium cassette contains multiple media before recording. The media contained in the medium cassette is sent out in the -Y direction by a feed roller (not shown), turned over, and transported in the +Y direction while recording is performed, and then discharged onto the paper output tray 25. Note that when closed, the front cover 24 and the operation panel 33 are approximately flush with each other, as shown in FIG.

[0019] An ink storage section 26, which is an example of a liquid storage section, is provided on the -X side of the front surface of the device body 2. A plurality of ink tanks (not shown) are provided inside the ink storage section 26, and each ink tank contains ink of a different color. A remaining amount visualizing section 27 that allows the remaining amount of each ink to be visually confirmed is provided below the ink storage section 26.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the printer 1 with the scanner unit 3 open. 3, the printer 1 of this embodiment is configured so that the scanner unit 3 can be opened and closed relative to the device main body 2, i.e., the housing 21. The housing 21 is provided with an opening facing upward, i.e., in the +Z direction, and in addition to the ink ejection head 22 and carriage 23 described above, a movement mechanism (not shown) that moves the carriage 23 in the ±X directions, a transport mechanism (not shown) that transports the medium, and the like are housed inside the housing 21. By opening the scanner unit 3, the opening of the housing 21 is opened, and access to the inside of the housing 21 is possible through the opening. Also, by closing the scanner unit 3, the opening of the housing 21 is closed.

[0021] When a paper jam occurs inside the housing 21, the user can remove the jammed paper by opening the scanner unit 3. An opening / closing mechanism 5 (see FIG. 4) for opening and closing the scanner unit 3 is provided on the rear side of the housing 21, i.e., on the -Y side, and the scanner unit 3 can be opened by lifting the front side, i.e., the end on the +Y side, of the scanner unit 3. The opening / closing mechanism 5 is a mechanism for rotating the scanner unit 3 around a rotation axis along the ±X direction. That is, the scanner unit 3 can be switched between a closed position in which the opening of the housing 21 is closed and an open position in which the opening of the housing 21 is opened by rotating around the rotation axis relative to the housing 21. The scanner unit 3 is an example of an opening / closing part. A structure including the housing 21 and the scanner unit 3 that can be opened and closed relative to the housing 21 is an example of a housing structure.

[0022] The printer 1 is provided with a long plate-shaped holding plate 4 extending in the vertical direction, and the housing 21 and the scanner unit 3 are connected via the holding plate 4. In other words, the holding plate 4 is connected to both the housing 21 and the scanner unit 3. The holding plate 4 is disposed at the end of the printer 1 in the +Y direction and at the end in the +X direction. Therefore, compared to when the holding plate 4 is disposed in the center in the ±X direction, the holding plate 4 is less likely to obstruct access to the inside of the housing 21. The upper end of the holding plate 4 is supported by the scanner unit 3 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis along the ±X direction. When the scanner unit 3 is closed, the lower end of the holding plate 4 is located inside the device main body 2. On the other hand, when the scanner unit 3 is opened by a predetermined angle, the lower end of the holding plate 4 is locked by a locking portion 28 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 5) provided on the housing 21, and the scanner unit 3 cannot be opened any further. In other words, the holding plate 4 limits the opening of the scanner unit 3 to a predetermined angle.

[0023] When the scanner unit 3 is opened to nearly the above-mentioned predetermined angle and then lowered slightly, the lower end of the holding plate 4 is guided by the locking portion 28 to be positioned above the holding plate support portion 29 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 5) provided on the housing 21. At this time, the scanner unit 3 is supported by the holding plate support portion 29 via the holding plate 4. In this state, the scanner unit 3 is held in an open state even if the user does not lift it. Therefore, the user can use both hands to perform work such as removing a medium. In this embodiment, the opening angle of the scanner unit 3 when the scanner unit 3 is held by the holding plate 4 is about 25°. The opening angle is the angle at which the scanner unit 3 is rotated from the closed position. The position of the scanner unit 3 when the opening angle is about 25° is an example of the second opening position. The holding plate 4 is also an example of a holding portion that holds the scanner unit 3 in the second opening position. The second opening position is a position in which the opening angle of the scanner unit 3 is smaller than the first opening position described later.

[0024] When the user finishes the work and slightly lifts scanner unit 3, the lower end of holding plate 4 is guided by locking portion 28 from above holding plate support portion 29 to a position where the bottom is open. When the user lowers scanner unit 3 in this state, holding plate 4 moves downward inside housing 21, and scanner unit 3 enters a closed state.

[0025] As described above, the printer 1 of this embodiment can hold the scanner unit 3 at an open angle of approximately 25° so that a user can perform simple tasks. Furthermore, the printer 1 can also open the scanner unit 3 at an open angle sufficiently larger than 25° so that a worker of the manufacturer can perform more complicated maintenance tasks, repairs, and the like. In other words, tasks at an open angle of approximately 25° are intended to be performed by a user, and tasks at an open angle larger than 25° are intended to be performed by a worker of the manufacturer.

[0026] The holding plate 4 is made of, for example, synthetic resin, and has a rigidity capable of supporting the scanner unit 3 while having an elasticity sufficient to allow twisting deformation around the longitudinal axis. When an operator twists the lower end side of the holding plate 4 while lifting the scanner unit 3 until the opening angle is about 25°, the locking by the locking portion 28 is released. In other words, the holding plate 4 is detachable from the housing 21. By removing the holding plate 4 from the housing 21, the scanner unit 3 can be opened at an opening angle larger than 25°.

[0027] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the printer 1 with the scanner unit 3 opened at 45 degrees. 4, when the scanner unit 3 is opened to 45 degrees, access to the inside of the device body 2 is easier than when it is opened to 25 degrees. Also, the lower end of the holding plate 4 is removed from the housing 21 and hangs downward from the scanner unit 3. An opening / closing mechanism 5 that opens and closes the scanner unit 3 is provided on the rear side of the printer 1, i.e., the -Y side.

[0028] Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the printer 1, i.e., the device main body 2, with the scanner unit 3 removed. Fig. 6 is a perspective view showing the scanner unit 3 from the bottom side. The coordinate axes shown in Fig. 6 are those when the scanner unit 3 is closed. Hereinafter, when explaining the shape etc. of the scanner unit 3, these coordinate axes will be used. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the opening / closing mechanism 5 includes a fixed side mechanism 5a provided in the housing 21 and a movable side mechanism 5b provided in the scanner unit 3.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 5, the fixed side mechanism 5a includes a first support portion 51 and a second support portion 52 that protrude in the +Z direction as a whole. The first support portion 51 and the second support portion 52 are spaced apart in the ±X direction, and the second support portion 52 is disposed in the +X direction with respect to the first support portion 51. A through hole 51a that penetrates in the ±X direction is formed at the end of the first support portion 51 on the +Z side. Meanwhile, a concave opening portion 52a that is recessed in the -X direction is formed at the end of the second support portion 52 on the +Z side on the +X side. That is, the housing 21 has the through hole 51a and the opening portion 52a. The through hole 51a and the opening portion 52a are both circular in shape when viewed from the +X side. The through hole 51a and the opening portion 52a are an example of a bearing portion. In addition, approximately U-shaped recesses 51b and 52b recessed in the +Y direction are formed on the -Y side surface of the first support portion 51 and the -Y side surface of the second support portion 52, respectively.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 6, the scanner unit 3 includes a plate-shaped support member 34 that constitutes the bottom of the unit body 31. The support member 34 has a first protrusion 61 and a second protrusion 62 that protrude in the -Y direction on the inner side, i.e., on the -Y side. The first protrusion 61 and the second protrusion 62 are provided integrally with the scanner unit 3 and constitute the movable-side mechanism 5b. The first protrusion 61 and the second protrusion 62 are spaced apart in the ±X direction, and the second protrusion 62 is disposed in the +X direction from the first protrusion 61. A cylindrical first shaft portion 61a that protrudes in the -X direction is formed on the -X side surface at the end of the -Y side of the first protrusion 61. In addition, a cylindrical second shaft portion 62a that protrudes in the -X direction is formed on the -X side surface at the end of the -Y side of the second protrusion 62. That is, the scanner unit 3 has a first shaft portion 61a protruding from the first protruding portion 61 and a second shaft portion 62a protruding from the second protruding portion 62. The first shaft portion 61a and the second shaft portion 62a are an example of shaft portions, and configure a rotation axis for opening and closing the scanner unit 3. The ±X directions correspond to the directions along the rotation axis.

[0031] In a state where the scanner unit 3 is attached to the device body 2, the first protrusion 61 of the scanner unit 3 is located on the +X side of the first support part 51 of the housing 21, and the second protrusion 62 of the scanner unit 3 is located on the +X side of the second support part 52 of the housing 21. The first shaft part 61a fits into the through hole 51a formed in the first support part 51, and the second shaft part 62a fits into the opening part 52a formed in the second support part 52. When the scanner unit 3 is opened or closed, the first shaft part 61a slides in the circumferential direction against the inner surface of the through hole 51a, and the second shaft part 62a slides in the circumferential direction against the inner surface of the opening part 52a.

[0032] The opening / closing mechanism 5 of the present embodiment includes a holding mechanism that holds the scanner unit 3 in an open state at only 45°. This holding mechanism eliminates the need for an operator to support the scanner unit 3 in a state where it is more open than the second open position, facilitating maintenance and repair.

[0033] Specifically, when an operator removes the holding plate 4 from the housing 21, lifts the scanner unit 3, and sets the opening angle of the scanner unit 3 to 52° or more, the scanner unit 3 becomes movable in the +X direction relative to the device body 2. Then, when the scanner unit 3 is lowered after moving the scanner unit 3 in the +X direction by a predetermined distance, a part of the fixed side mechanism 5a and a part of the movable side mechanism 5b engage with each other, and the scanner unit 3 is held in a position with an opening angle of about 45°. The position of the scanner unit 3 when the opening angle is about 45° is an example of the first opening position. In this way, the scanner unit 3 of this embodiment can be switched between a closed position in which the opening angle is 0°, a second opening position in which the opening angle is about 25°, and a first opening position in which the opening angle is about 45°.

[0034] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of the first support portion 51 of the housing 21, and FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the periphery of the first protrusion portion 61 of the scanner unit 3. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, a third support portion 54 is provided on the +X side of the first support portion 51, separated by a gap 53, and is integrally formed with the housing 21. That is, the housing 21 has the third support portion 54. The third support portion 54 has a protrusion 55 on its -X side. The protrusion 55 is a plate-like shape substantially parallel to the YZ plane, and protrudes in a direction having a +Y component and a +Z component. In addition, the protrusion 55 has an inclined surface 55a whose normal direction is the protruding direction. The third support portion 54 can be engaged with a first protrusion 61 provided on the scanner unit 3 at the protrusion 55. The first protrusion 61 is an example of a first engagement portion, and the third support portion 54 is an example of a second engagement portion.

[0035] 8, a concave groove 63 recessed in the +Y direction and extending in the ±Z directions is formed at the -Y direction end of the first protrusion 61 of the scanner unit 3. The first protrusion 61 engages with the third support portion 54 by the protrusion 55 fitting into this groove 63. The width of the groove 63, i.e., the dimension in the ±X directions, is larger than the width of the protrusion 55, i.e., the dimension in the ±X directions.

[0036] Furthermore, the width of the first protrusion 61, i.e., the dimension in the ±X directions, is smaller than the width of the gap 53 between the first support part 51 and the third support part 54, i.e., the dimension in the ±X directions. Usually, the first protrusion 61 is located in this gap 53, and the scanner unit 3 is opened and closed with the first protrusion 61 located in the gap 53.

[0037] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the opening / closing mechanism 5 when the opening angle is 25°, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the opening / closing mechanism 5 when the opening angle is 55°. As shown in FIG. 9, when the opening angle of the scanner unit 3 is smaller than 52°, the first protrusion 61 of the scanner unit 3 is sandwiched between the first support portion 51 and the third support portion 54 of the housing 21. That is, when viewed from the +X side, the first protrusion 61 overlaps with the third support portion 54, and the scanner unit 3 cannot move in the +X direction. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when the opening angle of the scanner unit 3 is 52° or more, the first protrusion 61 of the scanner unit 3 does not overlap with the third support portion 54 when viewed from the +X side. That is, the scanner unit 3 is released from the restriction by the third support portion 54 and can move in the +X direction. In this way, when the scanner unit 3 is not opened by 52° or more from the closed posture, the first protrusion 61 and the third support portion 54 interfere with each other, and the movement of the scanner unit 3 in the +X direction is restricted. On the other hand, when the scanner unit 3 is opened by 52° or more from the closed posture, the scanner unit 3 can move in the +X direction. 52° is an example of the first angle.

[0038] 10, when the scanner unit 3 is opened to 55°, the cover member 31b constituting the rear surface of the unit body 31 abuts against the recess 51b of the first support part 51 and the recess 52b of the second support part 52. For this reason, the scanner unit 3 cannot be opened larger than 55°. In other words, the cover member 31b, the first support part 51, and the second support part 52 are an example of a restricting part that restricts the scanner unit 3 from opening to 55° or more. 55°, which is an angle larger than 52°, is an example of the second angle.

[0039] Figures 11 to 14 are cross-sectional views showing the opening / closing mechanism 5 when viewed from the front along the inclined surface 55a, where Fig. 11 is a view when the opening angle is 25°, Fig. 12 is a view when the opening angle is 55°, Fig. 13 is a view showing the state where the scanner unit 3 has been opened to 55° and moved in the +X direction, and Fig. 14 is a view showing the state where the scanner unit 3 has been moved in the +X direction and then lowered.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 11, when the opening angle is 0° or more and less than 52°, the first protrusion 61 cannot move in the ±X direction because it is sandwiched between the first support 51 and the third support 54. As shown in FIG. 12, when the operator opens the scanner unit 3 until the opening angle is 52° or more, the +X side of the first protrusion 61 is opened, so that the scanner unit 3 can move in the +X direction. As shown in FIG. 13, when the operator moves the scanner unit 3 by a predetermined distance D in the +X direction, the first protrusion 61 moves by the distance D in the +X direction together with the scanner unit 3. Then, the groove 63 of the first protrusion 61 and the convex portion 55 of the third support 54 face each other, and the first protrusion 61 and the third support 54 are in an engageable state. After that, as shown in FIG. 14, when the scanner unit 3 is lowered from this state, the first protrusion 61 and the third support 54 are engaged with each other. As a result, the scanner unit 3 is supported by the housing 21 via the first protrusion 61 and the third support portion 54. At this time, the open angle of the scanner unit 3 is approximately 45°. In other words, the scanner unit 3 is held in a position where the open angle is 45° without being supported by the operator (see FIG. 4).

[0041] Thus, in the printer 1 of this embodiment, the scanner unit 3 opens from the closed posture by 52° or more, which allows the first protrusion 61 to move in the +X direction. Furthermore, the first protrusion 61 moves in the +X direction by a distance D, which allows the first protrusion 61 to engage with the third support portion 54. Then, by the first protrusion 61 engaging with the third support portion 54, the scanner unit 3 is held in a posture where the opening angle is 45°.

[0042] With the first protrusion 61 and the third support portion 54 engaged, the convex portion 55 of the third support portion 54 fits into the groove 63 of the first protrusion 61. Therefore, when the scanner unit 3 is moved in the ±X direction in this state, the side surface of the convex portion 55 abuts against the inner wall of the groove 63. In other words, the first protrusion 61 and the third support portion 54 interfere with each other, restricting the movement of the scanner unit 3 in the ±X directions.

[0043] Figures 15 and 16 are cross-sectional views of the opening / closing mechanism 5 seen from the rear side when the opening angle is 45°, with Figure 15 showing the vicinity of the first support part 51 and Figure 16 showing the vicinity of the second support part 52. As shown in Fig. 15, even when the scanner unit 3 moves by the distance D in the +X direction and the first protrusion 61 and the third support portion 54 are engaged with each other, the first shaft portion 61a maintains a state of fitting into the through hole 51a. Similarly, as shown in Fig. 16, even when the first protrusion 61 and the third support portion 54 are engaged with each other, the second shaft portion 62a maintains a state of fitting into the opening portion 52a. Therefore, even when the scanner unit 3 is moved by the distance D in the +X direction, the operation of opening and closing the scanner unit 3 can be stably performed.

[0044] FIG. 17 is a flowchart for explaining a holding method for holding the scanner unit 3 in an open position with an opening angle of 45°. As shown in FIG. 17, first, the operator lifts the scanner unit 3 in the closed position and opens the scanner unit 3 until the opening angle from the closed position becomes about 25° (step S101). Next, the operator twists the holding plate 4 to remove the holding plate 4 from the housing 21 (step S102). After that, the operator further lifts the scanner unit 3 and opens the scanner unit 3 until the opening angle from the closed position becomes 52° or more (step S103). Next, the operator moves the scanner unit 3 in the +X direction by a distance D while the scanner unit 3 is open by 52° or more (step S104). Finally, while the scanner unit 3 has moved by the distance D in the +X direction, the operator lowers the scanner unit 3 and engages the first protrusion 61 with the third support 54 (step S105). As a result, the scanner unit 3 is held in a state where the opening angle is 45°.

[0045] After performing necessary work such as maintenance or repair, the worker can return the scanner unit 3 to the closed state by performing the reverse operation to the above. That is, in a state where the open angle of the scanner unit 3 is held at 45° (see FIG. 14), the worker lifts the scanner unit 3 until the open angle becomes 52° or more (see FIG. 13) and moves it in the −X direction (see FIG. 12). Then, the worker lowers the scanner unit 3, and when the open angle becomes close to 25° (see FIG. 11), the worker twists the lower end side of the holding plate 4 to engage with the locking portion 28 and places the holding plate 4 on the holding plate support portion 29. Furthermore, when the worker lifts the scanner unit 3 slightly and then lowers it, the holding plate 4 moves downward inside the housing 21, and the scanner unit 3 is in a closed state.

[0046] As described above, the housing structure, printer 1, and holding method of this embodiment provide the following advantages.

[0047] According to this embodiment, the scanner unit 3 having the first protrusion 61 is moved in the +X direction to engage the first protrusion 61 with the third support portion 54, thereby holding the scanner unit 3 in the 45° open position. This makes it unnecessary to provide a member for supporting the scanner unit 3 at the end on the open side, thereby facilitating access to the inside of the housing 21.

[0048] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by moving the scanner unit 3 in the +X direction, the first protrusion 61 and the third support portion 54 can be engaged with each other, making it easier to maintain the scanner unit 3 in the 45° open position.

[0049] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the opening angle of the scanner unit 3 is smaller than 52°, the first protrusion 61 and the third support portion 54 interfere with each other, restricting the movement of the scanner unit 3 in the +X direction. This makes it possible to prevent the scanner unit 3 from moving unintentionally. Furthermore, since the movement of the scanner unit 3 is restricted by the first protrusion 61 and the third support portion 54 for engagement, there is no need to add a restricting member, and the structure can be simplified.

[0050] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the first protrusion 61 is engaged with the third support portion 54, the first protrusion 61 and the third support portion 54 interfere with each other, thereby restricting movement of the scanner unit 3 in the +X direction. This makes it possible to prevent the scanner unit 3 from moving unintentionally and becoming disengaged. Furthermore, since the movement of the scanner unit 3 is restricted by the first protrusion 61 and the third support portion 54 for engagement, there is no need to add a member for restriction, and the structure can be simplified.

[0051] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even when the scanner unit 3 moves in the +X direction and the first protrusion 61 engages with the third support portion 54, the first shaft portion 61a fits into the through hole 51a and the second shaft portion 62a fits into the opening portion 52a. This makes it possible to stabilize the scanner unit 3 in the 45° open position.

[0052] Moreover, according to this embodiment, the first shaft portion 61a, which is the rotation shaft of the scanner unit 3, protrudes from the first protrusion portion 61 that engages with the third support portion 54. That is, the scanner unit 3 and the housing 21 engage with each other in the vicinity of the rotation shaft. Therefore, in the 45° open position, the opening of the housing 21 can be opened wider, making it easier to access the inside of the housing 21. Also, since the first shaft portion 61a and the first protrusion portion 61 are integral with each other, the housing structure can be simplified compared to a configuration in which the first shaft portion 61a and the first protrusion portion 61 are separate.

[0053] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the cover member 31b of the scanner unit 3 abuts against the recess 51b of the first support part 51 and the recess 52b of the second support part 52, thereby restricting the scanner unit 3 from opening to an angle of 55° or more. This makes it possible to prevent the scanner unit 3 from opening too wide unintentionally and causing the printer 1 to tip over.

[0054] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the scanner unit 3 can be held in an open position of 45° and can also be held in an open position of 25° by the holding plate 4, so an appropriate position can be selected depending on the work content, etc. In particular, when performing simple work, there is no need to open the scanner unit 3 more than necessary.

[0055] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the holding plate 4 is detachable from the housing 21, by removing the holding plate 4, the scanner unit 3 can be opened wider.

[0056] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the scanner unit 3 can be opened and closed relative to the housing 21. The scanner unit 3 is heavier than a simple open / close cover, so it is difficult for an operator to perform maintenance, etc. while supporting it. In other words, by holding the scanner unit 3 in a predetermined open position, the workability during maintenance, repair, etc. is improved.

[0057] This embodiment is based on the above configuration, but it is possible to partially change or omit the configuration without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, this embodiment and the modified examples described below can be combined with each other within a technically compatible range. The modified examples are described below.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the scanner unit 3, which is rotatable relative to the housing 21, is configured to move along the rotation axis, but the housing 21 may be configured to move along the rotation axis. In other words, the third support part 54, which is provided integrally with the housing 21, may move along the rotation axis together with the housing 21.

[0059] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to a configuration in which the first protrusion 61 moves integrally with the scanner unit 3, and may be a configuration in which the first protrusion 61 is movable along a rotation axis relative to the scanner unit 3. That is, instead of moving the entire scanner unit 3 to engage the first protrusion 61 with the third support portion 54, only the first protrusion 61 may be moved. Alternatively, only the third support portion 54 may be moved relative to the housing 21.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the scanner unit 3 has the first shaft portion 61a and the second shaft portion 62a, and the housing 21 has the through hole 51a and the opening 52a that fit with the first shaft portion 61a and the second shaft portion 62a, respectively, but the configuration may be reversed. That is, the housing 21 may have the first shaft portion 61a and the second shaft portion 62a, and the scanner unit 3 may have the through hole 51a and the opening 52a.

[0061] In addition, when the scanner unit 3 has the through hole 51a and the opening 52a, it is preferable that the through hole 51a and the opening 52a are formed in the first protrusion 61 of the scanner unit 3. According to this configuration, the scanner unit 3 and the housing 21 engage with each other near the rotation axis. Therefore, as in the above embodiment, in the 45° open position, it is possible to open the opening of the housing 21 widely, making it easier to access the inside of the housing 21. Also, compared to a configuration in which the through hole 51a and the opening 52a are formed in a member separate from the first protrusion 61, the housing structure can be simplified.

[0062] In the above embodiment, the holding plate 4 is detachable from the housing 21, but it may be detachable from the scanner unit 3, or it may be detachable from both the housing 21 and the scanner unit 3. In other words, it is sufficient that the holding plate 4 is detachable from at least one of the housing 21 and the scanner unit 3.

[0063] In the above embodiment, when the opening angle of the scanner unit 3 is less than 52°, the first protrusion 61 and the third support portion 54 interfere with each other to restrict the movement of the scanner unit 3 in the +X direction, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the movement may be restricted by interference between different parts of the first protrusion 61 and the third support portion 54.

[0064] In the above embodiment, when the first protrusion 61 and the third support portion 54 are engaged with each other, the first protrusion 61 and the third support portion 54 interfere with each other to restrict the movement of the scanner unit 3 in the ±X directions, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the first protrusion 61 and the third support portion 54 may be configured to restrict the movement by interference between different portions.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the scanner unit 3 becomes movable in the +X direction when it is opened to a first angle of 52° or more. Then, the scanner unit 3 is held in the first open position with an open angle of 45° by moving in the +X direction. Thus, in the above embodiment, the first angle (52°) at which the scanner unit 3 is movable in the +X direction is larger than the open angle (45°) of the first open position, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, the first angle may be the same as the open angle of the first open position, or may be smaller than the open angle of the first open position. For example, the scanner unit 3 may be movable in the +X direction in a state where the scanner unit 3 is opened to a first angle or more that is smaller than the open angle of the first open position, and after the movement, the scanner unit 3 may be opened further to be in the first open position.

[0066] In the above embodiment, the scanner unit 3 is configured to be openable and closable relative to the housing 21, but a unit different from the scanner unit 3 may be configured to open and close, or a simple cover member may be configured to open and close. Also, in the above embodiment, the scanner unit 3 may be configured not to include the document feeder 32. In this case, an openable and closable cover is provided on the top surface of the unit body 31 of the scanner unit 3.

[0067] In the above embodiment, the printer 1 is a device that records on a medium, and may be a serial printer, a lateral printer, a line printer, a page printer, etc. The printing method is not limited to the inkjet method, and may be a thermal method, a dot impact method, a laser method, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1... printer, 2... device main body, 3... scanner unit, 4... holding plate, 5... opening / closing mechanism, 5a... fixed side mechanism, 5b... movable side mechanism, 21... housing, 22... ink ejection head, 23... carriage, 24... front cover, 25... paper output tray, 26... ink storage section, 27... remaining amount visualizing section, 28... locking section, 29... holding plate support section, 31... unit main body, 31a... reading sensor, 31b... Cover member, 32...document feeding device, 32a...top cover, 33...operation panel, 34...support member, 51...first support portion, 51a...through hole, 51b...recess, 52...second support portion, 52a...opening, 52b...recess, 53...gap, 54...third support portion, 55...convex portion, 55a...inclined surface, 61...first protrusion, 61a...first shaft portion, 62...second protrusion, 62a...second shaft portion, 63...groove, D...distance.

Claims

1. A housing having an opening; an opening / closing unit that is capable of switching its posture between a closing posture in which the opening of the housing is closed and a first opening posture in which the opening of the housing is opened by rotating about a rotation axis with respect to the housing, The opening / closing portion has a first engagement portion, The housing has a second engagement portion, When the opening / closing unit is opened from the closed position by a first angle or more, the first engagement unit or the second engagement unit becomes movable in a direction along the pivot axis, When the first engagement portion or the second engagement portion moves in a direction along the rotation axis, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion can be engaged with each other, The opening / closing unit is held in the first open position by the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion engaging with each other. A housing structure characterized by:

2. the first engagement portion is provided on the opening / closing portion and moves together with the opening / closing portion in a direction along the rotation axis; The housing structure according to claim 1 .

3. When the opening / closing unit is not opened from the closed posture by the first angle or more, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion interfere with each other, thereby restricting the movement of the opening / closing unit in a direction along the rotation axis. The housing structure according to claim 2 .

4. When the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion are engaged with each other, the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion interfere with each other, thereby restricting movement of the opening / closing portion in a direction along the rotation axis. The housing structure according to claim 2 .

5. one of the housing and the opening / closing unit has a shaft portion that constitutes the rotation shaft, the other of the housing and the opening / closing part has a bearing part that fits with the shaft part, Even when the opening / closing part moves in a direction along the rotation axis and the first engagement part and the second engagement part are engaged with each other, the shaft part is fitted into the bearing part. The housing structure according to claim 2 .

6. The opening / closing portion has the shaft portion, The shaft portion protrudes from the first engagement portion. The housing structure according to claim 5 .

7. The opening / closing unit has the bearing unit, The bearing portion is formed in the first engagement portion. The housing structure according to claim 5 .

8. The opening / closing unit further includes a restricting unit that restricts the opening / closing unit from opening to a second angle or more that is greater than the first angle. The housing structure according to claim 1 .

9. a holder that holds the opening / closing unit in a second open position in which the angle of the opening / closing unit is smaller than the first open position, The housing structure according to claim 1 .

10. The holding portion is connected to both the opening / closing unit and the housing, The housing is detachable from at least one of the opening / closing unit and the housing. The housing structure according to claim 9 .

11. A housing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 10, a recording unit that is housed in the housing and that records on a medium; Equipped with A recording apparatus comprising:

12. The opening / closing unit is a reading device that reads a document.

12. The recording apparatus according to claim 11 .

13. A holding method for holding an opening / closing unit that is switchable between a closed position in which the opening of the housing is closed and a first open position in which the opening of the housing is opened by rotating the opening / closing unit about a rotation axis with respect to the housing, in the first open position, the method comprising: The opening / closing unit is opened from the closed position by a first angle or more, In a state in which the opening / closing unit is opened by the first angle or more, the opening / closing unit is moved in a direction along the rotation axis, a first engaging portion of the opening / closing portion and a second engaging portion of the housing are engaged with each other in a state in which the opening / closing portion has moved in a direction along the rotation axis; A holding method comprising:

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