Image recorder

Abstract

To solve the issue that when the apparatus is installed in a location where the space above the apparatus is limited, usability becomes poor.SOLUTION: The image recorder includes: a recording unit for recording an image on a medium; a main body device for housing the recording unit; a document reading unit disposed above the main body device and having a placement surface of a document placement table on which a document is placed; a document cover configured to shift between a closed state for covering the placement surface from above and an open state for opening the upper side of the placement surface; and a holding mechanism for holding the interval between the placement surface and the document cover in the open state at at least 3 cm and 10 cm or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image recording device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, when reading a document, a device is known in which a pressure platen section serving as a document cover is opened wide, the document table glass serving as the document placement surface is opened, the document is placed, and then the pressure platen section is closed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-167889 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, since the above-mentioned device does not require the pressure platen to be held at a small angle relative to the platen glass, it is inconvenient to place a document on if the device is installed in a location with limited space above. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The image recording device is characterized by comprising a recording unit that records an image on a medium, a main body device that houses the recording unit, a document reading unit that is arranged on the upper side of the main body device and has a document placement surface of a document placement table on which a document is placed, a document cover that can be moved between a closed state that covers the placement surface from above and an open state that leaves the top of the placement surface open, and a holding mechanism that can maintain a distance between the placement surface and the document cover in the open state at 3 cm or more and 10 cm or less. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the image recording apparatus when the document reading unit is in a closed position. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the image recording device when the document reading unit is in a closed position. [Figure 3] 5A and 5B are schematic views showing the holding mechanism according to the first embodiment when the document reading unit is in a first position and a second position. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the holding mechanism according to the second embodiment when the document reading unit is in the first position. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the holding mechanism according to the third embodiment when the document reading unit is in the first position. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the holding mechanism according to the fourth embodiment when the document reading unit is in the closed position. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the holding mechanism according to the fourth embodiment when the document reading unit is in the first position. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic view showing the holding mechanism according to the fourth embodiment when the document reading unit is in the second position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The image recording device 1 will be described with reference to the drawings. Directions in the drawings will be described using a three-dimensional coordinate system. For convenience of description, the positive direction of the Z axis will be referred to as the upward direction, upward, or simply upward; the negative direction will be referred to as the downward direction, downward, or simply downward; the positive direction of the X axis will be referred to as the rightward direction, rightward, or simply right; the negative direction will be referred to as the leftward direction, leftward, or simply left; the positive direction of the Y axis will be referred to as the forward direction, forward, or simply forward; and the negative direction will be referred to as the backward direction, backward, or simply backward.

[0008] 1. Image recording device configuration 1, the image recording device 1 includes an upper document reading unit 20 and a lower main body device 10. The image recording device 1 is also called an image forming device or a multifunction peripheral. The document reading unit 20 is attached to the main device 10 so as to be able to open and close by a hinge 2. The hinge 2 rotatably connects the rear end, which is the depth direction, of the document placing table 25 of the main device 10 to the rear end of the document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20. As will be described later, the document reading unit 20 may be configured with a document cover 24.

[0009] The locking section 3 has, for example, a locking claw 3a provided on the document reading unit 20 side and a locking hole 3b provided on the main body device 10 side. When the operator closes the document reading unit 20, the locking claw 3a of the locking portion 3 engages with the locking hole 3b, thereby locking the document reading unit 20 to the main body device 10. As will be described later, the positions where the document reading unit 20 is closed are referred to as closed positions A0, B0, and C0. Also, as will be described later, when the document reading unit 20 is closed to the closed positions A0, B0, and C0, the document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20 is in a position that covers the placement surface 25a of the document placement table 25 from above. At this time, as will be described later, the second reading unit 22 of the main device 10 can read the document M on the placement surface 25a.

[0010] On the other hand, when the operator presses a button (not shown) for moving the locking claw 3a, the locking claw 3a is disengaged from the locking hole 3b, and the lock is released. The operator can then open the document reading unit 20. The locking section 3 may have the locking claw 3a disposed in the main body device 10 and the locking hole 3b disposed in the document reading unit 20. The locking section 3 may also use another locking mechanism that can be configured to have a locked state and an unlocked state.

[0011] As will be described later, the document reading unit 20 has a document support table 26 that supports the document M. The main device 10 also has an input / output unit 4. The input / output unit 4 is configured with, for example, a touch panel display, buttons, etc. The input / output unit 4 can output menus related to the document reading unit 20 and the main device 10, and can input operations by an operator related to the document reading unit 20 and the main device 10. The operator can operate the input / output unit 4 to instruct the reading of the document M and the recording of the medium P, as will be described later.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 2, the document reading unit 20 of the image recording device 1 includes a first reading section 21 and can function as a sheet feed scanner. A sheet feed scanner is also called an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) scanner. Note that the sheet feed scanner may be configured without the first reading section 21. Furthermore, the image recording device 1 includes a document reading unit 20a in the main body device 10, and can also function as a flatbed scanner.

[0013] The image recording device 1 may be configured to have the functionality of a flatbed scanner but not the functionality of a sheet-feed scanner. In this case, the document reading unit 20 is configured with the document cover 24, and is configured without the first reading section 21, document transport roller 28, etc. that realize the functionality of a sheet-feed scanner. In other words, the document reading unit 20 is configured with the document cover 24. In this case, the document reading unit 20 is replaced with the document cover 24 in the above and following descriptions.

[0014] The document reading unit 20 includes a document support table 26 that supports the document M, a separation roller 27 that separates the document M from the document support table 26, a document transport roller 28 that transports the document M along the document transport direction F2, a first reading section 21 that reads the document M, a document discharge tray 29 on which the discharged document M is placed, and a document cover 24. The document reading unit 20a is disposed on the upper side of the main device 10. The document reading unit 20a includes a document placing table 25 having a placing surface 25a on which the document M can be placed from above, a second reading unit 22 that reads the document M from below via the placing surface 25a, and a moving unit 23 that can move the second reading unit 22. The placing surface 25a is made of a light-transmitting material such as glass.

[0015] The first reading section 21 on the document reading unit 20 side and the second reading section 22 on the main body device 10 side are configured using, for example, a CISM (Contact Image Sensor Module). Alternatively, they may be configured using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor. The first reading unit 21 and the second reading unit 22 also include an LED (not shown) that irradiates light onto the document during reading.

[0016] When using the image recording device 1 as a sheet-fed scanner, the operator places the document M on the document support table 26 of the document reading unit 20 and operates the input / output unit 4. The document reading unit 20 separates the documents M on the document support table 26 one by one using separation rollers 27, and transports the documents M along the document transport direction F2 using document transport rollers 28 while changing direction. The document reading unit 20 reads the other side, that is, the back side, of the document M being conveyed by the first reading section 21, and discharges the document M onto the document discharge tray 29.

[0017] At this time, the document reading unit 20a on the main body device 10 side can read one side, i.e., the front side, of the document M passing through the document placing surface 25a from below via the document placing surface 25a of the document placing table 25 using the second reading unit 22. In this case, the moving unit 23 does not move the second reading unit 22. The second reading unit 22 reads the document M conveyed by the document conveying roller 28 at a fixed position.

[0018] Furthermore, when the operator uses the image recording device 1 as a flatbed scanner, he or she opens the document reading unit 20, places the document M on the document placing table 25 of the document reading section 20a, closes the document reading unit 20, and operates the input / output section 4. The lock section 3 is locked, and the document reading unit 20 is in the closed position A0, B0, or C0. The document M placed on the document placing table 25 is covered from above by the document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20. While the second reading unit 22 is moved forward or backward by the moving unit 23, the document M can be read from below via the placement surface 25a.

[0019] In this way, as the document reading unit 20 is opened and closed, the document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20 can be transitioned between an open state in which the upper side of the document placing surface 25a of the document placing table 25 of the document reading section 20a is left open, and a closed state in which the document placing surface 25a is covered from above. As will be described later, the document cover 24 is provided with a light 5, which is an illumination unit that can illuminate the placement surface 25a. The wiring between the main device 10 and the document reading unit 20 uses a flexible cable such as an FFC (Flexible Flat Cable) or an FPC (Flexible Printed Circuits).

[0020] Furthermore, the image recording device 1 can function as a device that records an image on a medium by means of a recording unit 11 housed in the main body device 10. The recording unit 11 is configured with, for example, an inkjet head. Recording by the recording unit 11 is started based on the operator's operation of the input / output unit 4 and the acquisition of data. Media P stored in the paper feed tray 14 are fed one sheet at a time by paper feed roller 15 and transported to the recording unit 11 by media transport rollers 16 and 17 along the media transport direction F1 while changing direction. The recording unit 11 and the platen 13 are arranged to face each other.

[0021] The transported medium P reaches a position between the recording unit 11 and the platen 13. The recording unit 11 ejects ink from above to record on the medium P while moving left and right on the carriage 12. The recorded medium P is transported by the medium discharge rollers 18 and discharged to the medium discharge tray 19. The image recording device 1 can also be configured to invert the front and back sides of the medium P using medium transport rollers 16, 17, etc. The recording unit 11 can also record on both the front and back sides of the medium P.

[0022] The following describes each holding mechanism of the document reading unit 20 according to the first to fourth embodiments. As described above, if the image recording device 1 does not have the function of a sheet feed scanner, the document reading unit 20 does not have the first reading section 21, etc., and in the following description, the document reading unit 20 is replaced with the document cover 24.

[0023] 2. Holding mechanism according to the first embodiment Fig. 3 shows dampers 31 and 32, which are a holding mechanism for the document reading unit 20 according to the first embodiment. In contrast to the closed position A0 in which the document reading unit 20 is closed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, Fig. 3 shows a state in which the locking section 3 is released and the document reading unit 20 is open and held at a first position A1. Fig. 3 also shows a state in which the document reading unit 20 is further opened to a second position A2.

[0024] The dampers 31 and 32 are provided on the upper front side of the document placing table 25 of the main device 10. In this case, the dampers 31 and 32 are provided at positions that avoid the placing surface 25a of the document placing table 25. Specifically, the dampers 31 and 32 are provided on the front side of the main device 10 at two locations, left and right, on the opposite side of the hinge 2 so as to be able to protrude upward.

[0025] The dampers 31 and 32 may be provided on the front lower side of the document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20. In this case, the dampers 31 and 32 are provided at positions that avoid the document discharge tray 29. Specifically, the dampers 31 and 32 may be provided on the front side of the document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20 at two locations on the left and right ends on the opposite side of the hinge 2 so as to be able to protrude downward. In the following description, it is assumed that the dampers 31 and 32 are provided on the document table 25 of the main device 10.

[0026] The dampers 31 and 32 have elastic members (not shown) such as springs and are configured to be expandable and contractible. The dampers 31 and 32 can act to press the document reading unit 20 upward by means of the elastic members. The dampers 31 and 32 are extendable and retractable depending on whether the document cover 24 is in the open or closed state.

[0027] 1 and 2, when the document reading unit 20 is closed and the locking section 3 is locked, the document reading unit 20 is in the closed position A0. The document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20 is in a position where it covers the document placement surface 25a of the document placement table 25 from above. Dampers 31 and 32 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) are pressed and compressed by document cover 24 of document reading unit 20. At this time, the tips of dampers 31 and 32 are retracted downward to a position at the height of document placement surface 25a of document placement table 25. In this way, the locking unit 3 can be set to a locked state in which the dampers 31 and 32 are kept in a compressed state.

[0028] 3, when the locking portion 3 is released, the dampers 31 and 32 are extended by the elastic force of the elastic members. The tips of the dampers 31 and 32 protrude from the document placement surface 25a of the document placement table 25 and push the front side of the document cover 24 upward. The document reading unit 20 opens while rotating counterclockwise around the hinge 2. In this way, the locking unit 3 can release the locked state and place the dampers 31, 32 in an unlocked state, which is an extended state. The locking unit 3 can transition the dampers 31, 32 between a locked state and an unlocked state.

[0029] Furthermore, the dampers 31 and 32 can independently hold the document reading unit 20 at the first position A1 by the elastic force of the elastic members. In this way, the locking unit 3 can be shifted between a locked state in which the dampers 31, 32 are kept in a compressed state and an unlocked state in which the locked state is released and the dampers 31, 32 are shifted to an extended state.

[0030] As described above, the holding mechanism includes dampers 31 and 32. Dampers 31 and 32 are provided on the front side of document placing table 25 or on the front side of document cover 24 of document reading unit 20, and are expandable and contractable depending on whether document cover 24 is in the closed state or the open state. The holding mechanism also includes a locking unit 3. The locking unit 3 is capable of transitioning between a locked state in which the dampers 31 and 32 are kept compressed, and an unlocked state in which the locked state is released and the dampers 31 and 32 are extended.

[0031] At first position A1 where document cover 24 of document reading unit 20 is located in the open state, the distance between document placement surface 25a of document placement table 25 and the front side of document cover 24 of document reading unit 20 is defined as distance L. Distance L is preferably in the range of 3 cm or more and 10 cm or less. In other words, at the first position A1, the dampers 31 and 32 can maintain the distance L, which is the gap between the placement surface 25a and the front side of the document cover 24 when the document cover 24 is in the open state, to be 3 cm or more and 10 cm or less. Note that the distance L is also the extension dimension of the dampers 31 and 32.

[0032] In addition, when the document cover 24 is in the open state, that is, the first position A1, the angle between the placement surface 25a and the document cover 24, with the hinge 2 as the apex, is defined as angle θ. The angle θ is preferably in the range of 5° or more and 20° or less. In other words, at the first position A1, the dampers 31 and 32 can maintain the angle θ, which is the angle between the placement surface 25a and the document cover 24 when the document cover 24 is in the open state, to be between 5° and 20°.

[0033] Incidentally, the image recording device 1 may be installed on a shelf, under a desk, or the like where the space above is limited. In this manner, when an operator attempts to place an original M on the original placement table 25 of the original reading section 20a, the operator may not be able to fully open the original reading unit 20. The document reading unit 20 opens to a limited extent. If the document reading unit 20 is not held in place, it will close due to its own weight. This requires the operator to support the document reading unit 20 with one hand while placing the document M on the document placing table 25 with the other hand, which is inconvenient.

[0034] As described above, the dampers 31 and 32 can hold the document reading unit 20 at the first position A1. At this time, the dampers 31 and 32 can maintain the distance L, which is the gap between the placement surface 25a and the front side of the document cover 24, at 3 cm or more and 10 cm or less, or the angle θ between the placement surface 25a and the document cover 24 at 5° or more and 20° or less.

[0035] As a result, the operator can insert his or her fingers between the document placement surface 25a and the document cover 24 from the front of the document reading unit 20. Furthermore, the operator does not need to support the document reading unit 20 with one hand, and can use both hands to perform tasks such as placing the document M on the document placement table 25. That is, a sufficient distance is provided between the document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20 and the document placement surface 25a of the document placement table 25 so that an operator can easily place the document M, which is convenient for use. In this way, even if the image recording device 1 is installed in a location where the space above it is limited, the operator can open the document reading unit 20 and easily place the document M from the front between the document cover 24 and the placement surface 25a.

[0036] To make it easier for the operator to see what is in front of them, the document cover 24 is provided with a light 5 such as an LED that illuminates the placement surface 25a. The light 5 can illuminate the placement surface 25a when the document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20 is in an open state. Note that the placement surface 25a may be illuminated using an LED included in the first reading section 21 of the document reading unit 20 or the second reading section 22 of the document reading section 20a, instead of the illumination 5. In this case, it is preferable that the document reading section 20a uses the moving section 23 to move the LED of the second reading section 22 to the center of the placement surface 25a for illumination.

[0037] After placing the document M on the placement surface 25a, the operator closes the document reading unit 20 and locks the locking section 3. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the document reading unit 20 is in the closed position A0. The document M can now be read by the document reading section 20a of the main device 10.

[0038] If the space above the image recording device 1 is not limited, the document reading unit 20 can be opened to the second position A2 and can be held at the second position A2 by the frictional force of the hinge 2. The second position A2 is located at a distance longer than the distance L, which is the extension dimension of the dampers 31 and 32. In this way, the document cover 24 can be held at a first position where the document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20 is located when in the open state, and at a second position A2 where the document cover 24 is held at a distance longer than the distance L, which is the extension dimension of the dampers 31, 32. The dampers 31 and 32 are movable with respect to the hinge 2 between a first position A1 where the angle of the document cover 24 relative to the placement surface 25a is small and a second position A2 where the angle is larger.

[0039] As described above, the image recording device 1 can be configured to have a flatbed scanner function, a sheet-fed scanner function, and a recording function. In this case, the main body device 10 of the image recording device 1 is configured to include a paper feed tray 14 which is a media storage section that stores the media P, media transport rollers 16, 17 which are a media feeding section that feeds the stored media P toward the recording section 11, and a media discharge tray 19 which is a media discharge section that discharges the media P on which an image has been recorded by the recording section 11.

[0040] The document reading unit 20 of the image recording device 1 is composed of a document support table 26 which is a document support section that supports the document M, a document transport roller 28 which is a document feed section that feeds the document M supported on the document support table 26, a first reading section 21 which is a reading sensor section that reads the image of the document M fed from the document transport roller 28, and a document discharge tray 29 which is a document discharge section that discharges the document M whose image has been read by the first reading section 21. In this case, the document reading unit 20 and the document cover are integrated into one unit.

[0041] Input / output unit 4, which is an operation unit that accepts operations, is disposed in the front of main body device 10. Medium transport rollers 16 and 17 of main body device 10 transport medium P in a direction from the front side of main body device 10, where input / output unit 4 is provided, toward the rear side of main body device 10. Medium transport rollers 16 and 17 discharge medium P to medium discharge tray 19 from the rear to the front of main body device 10. The document transport rollers 28 of the document reading unit 20 feed the document M from the front side to the rear side of the document reading unit 20. The document transport rollers 28 discharge the document M onto the document discharge tray 29 from the rear side to the front side of the document reading unit 20. The feeding and discharging of the medium P, the feeding and discharging of the document M, and the setting of the document M on the placement surface 25a can all be performed on the front side of the image recording device 1, making the work easy for the operator and making it easy to use. Furthermore, the operability is good even when the device is installed in a space with limited space above.

[0042] 3. Holding mechanism according to the second embodiment Fig. 4 shows dampers 31, 32, 33, and 34, which are a holding mechanism for the document reading unit 20 according to the second embodiment. In contrast to the closed position B0 in which the document reading unit 20 is closed as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, Fig. 4 shows a state in which the locking section 3 is released and the document reading unit 20 is open and held at a first position B1.

[0043] Dampers 31, 32, 33, and 34 are provided at the four upper corners of document table 25 of main device 10. The holding mechanism of the second embodiment is configured by adding dampers 33 and 34 to dampers 31 and 32 of the first embodiment, at two locations on the left and right rear side of document table 25. Dampers 33 and 34 are also provided at positions that avoid document table surface 25a of document table 25.

[0044] The dampers 31, 32, 33, and 34 may be provided at the four corners below the document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20. In this case, the dampers 31, 32, 33, and 34 are provided at positions that avoid the document discharge tray 29. In the following description, dampers 31, 32, 33, and 34 will be described as being provided on document table 25 of main device 10. Dampers 33 and 34 have the same configuration as dampers 31 and 32 described above, which have elastic members, and therefore will not be described here.

[0045] 1 and 2, when the document reading unit 20 is closed and the locking section 3 is locked, the document reading unit 20 is in the closed position B0. The document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20 is in a position where it covers the document placement surface 25a of the document placement table 25 from above. Dampers 31, 32, 33, and 34 (not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) are pressed and compressed by document cover 24 of document reading unit 20. At this time, the tips of dampers 31, 32, 33, and 34 are retracted downward to a position at the height of document placement surface 25a of document placement table 25. 4, when the locking portion 3 is released, the elastic force of the elastic members expands the dampers 31, 32, 33, and 34. The tips of the dampers 31, 32, 33, and 34 protrude from the document placement surface 25a of the document placement table 25 and press the document cover 24 upward.

[0046] The document reading unit 20 rises while maintaining a posture parallel to the document placing table 25 of the main body device 10. Furthermore, the elastic force of the elastic members of the dampers 31, 32, 33, and 34 allows the document reading unit 20 to be independently held at the first position B1 in a posture parallel to the document placing table 25. In this way, the locking unit 3 can be switched between a locked state in which the dampers 31, 32, 33, and 34 are kept in a compressed state, and an unlocked state in which the lock is released and the dampers 31, 32, 33, and 34 are switched to an extended state.

[0047] As described above, the holding mechanism includes dampers 31, 32, 33, and 34. Dampers 31, 32, 33, and 34 are provided on the front and rear sides of document placing table 25 or on the front and rear sides of document cover 24 of document reading unit 20, and are dampers that can expand and contract between a closed state and an open state. The holding mechanism also includes a locking unit 3. The locking unit 3 can be switched between a locked state in which the dampers 31, 32, 33, and 34 are held in a compressed state, and an unlocked state in which the lock is released and the dampers 31, 32, 33, and 34 are extended.

[0048] When the document reading unit 20 is in the first position B1 where the document cover 24 is open, the distance L between the document placement surface 25a of the document placement table 25 and the document cover 24 is preferably in the range of 3 cm or more and 10 cm or less. In other words, at the first position B1, the dampers 31, 32, 33, and 34 can maintain the distance L, which is the gap between the placement surface 25a and the document cover 24 when the document cover 24 is in the open state, at 3 cm or more and 10 cm or less.

[0049] As a result, the operator can insert his / her fingers between the parallel space between the placement surface 25a and the document cover 24 from the front or rear of the document reading unit 20, and can easily work using both hands. In this way, even if the space above the image recording device 1 is limited, the operator can open the document reading unit 20 and easily place the document M between the document cover 24 and the placement surface 25a from the front or rear. The document cover 24 is also provided with a light 5 such as an LED that illuminates the placement surface 25a.

[0050] After placing the document M on the placement surface 25a, the operator closes the document reading unit 20 and locks the locking section 3, and the document reading unit 20 moves to the closed position B0, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The document M can then be read by the document reading section 20a of the main device 10. In the second embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the hinge 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is not provided, and the document reading unit 20 does not open to a position corresponding to the second position A2.

[0051] 4. Holding mechanism according to the third embodiment 5 shows links 41, 42, 43, and 44, which are link members and form a holding mechanism for the document reading unit 20 according to the third embodiment. In contrast to the closed position C0 in which the document reading unit 20 is closed as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 5 shows a state in which the locking section 3 is released and the document reading unit 20 is open and held at a first position C1.

[0052] The links 41, 42, 43, and 44 are provided at the left and right ends of the document reading unit 20 and the main body device 10, moving back and forth. The links 41, 42, 43, and 44 are provided at positions that avoid the document placement surface 25a of the document placement table 25 and the document discharge tray 29 of the main body device 10. Each of the links 41, 42, 43, and 44 has one end rotatably attached to a shaft provided in the document reading unit 20, and the other end rotatably attached to a shaft provided in the main body device . Each of the links 41, 42, 43, and 44 has an elastic member (not shown) such as a spring that rotates one end counterclockwise around the other end. The links 41, 42, 43, and 44 act by their respective elastic members to move the document reading unit 20 upward and backward in parallel.

[0053] 1 and 2, when the document reading unit 20 is closed and the locking section 3 is locked, the document reading unit 20 is placed in the closed position C0. The document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20 is placed in a position where it covers the document placement surface 25a of the document placement table 25 from above. The links 41, 42, 43, and 44 (omitted in FIGS. 1 and 2) are housed in the document reading unit 20 and the main body device 10. 5, when the locking portion 3 is released, the elastic force of the elastic members causes the links 41, 42, 43, and 44 to move out from the document reading unit 20 and the main body device 10. Furthermore, the links 41, 42, 43, and 44 move the document reading unit 20 in a parallel direction upward and backward, thereby opening the document reading unit 20.

[0054] At this time, the document reading unit 20 rises upward and rearward while maintaining a parallel posture with respect to the document placing table 25 of the main body device 10. Furthermore, the links 41, 42, 43, and 44 can hold the document reading unit 20 at the first position C1 in a parallel posture with respect to the document placing table 25 due to the elastic force of the elastic members. The locking section 3 can be shifted between a locked state in which the links 41, 42, 43, and 44 are housed and held in the document reading unit 20 and the main body device 10, and an unlocked state in which the lock is released and the links 41, 42, 43, and 44 are shifted in parallel.

[0055] As described above, the holding mechanism includes link members such as links 41, 42, 43, and 44. Links 41, 42, 43, and 44 connect document platen 25 and document cover 24 of document reading unit 20, and can move document cover 24 upward relative to document platen 25 and from the front to the rear of document platen 25, transitioning from a closed state to an open state.

[0056] When the document reading unit 20 is in the first position C1 where the document cover 24 is open, the distance L between the document placement surface 25a of the document placement table 25 and the document cover 24 is preferably in the range of 3 cm or more and 10 cm or less. In other words, at the first position C1, the links 41, 42, 43, 44 can maintain the distance L, which is the gap between the placement surface 25a and the document cover 24 when the document cover 24 is in the open state, at 3 cm or more and 10 cm or less, by the elastic force of the elastic member.

[0057] As a result, fingers can be inserted between the parallel space between the placement surface 25a and the document cover 24 from the front or rear of the document reading unit 20, making it possible to easily work using both hands. In this way, even if the space above the image recording device 1 is limited, the operator can open the document reading unit 20 and easily place the document M between the document cover 24 and the placement surface 25a from the front or rear. The document cover 24 is also provided with a light 5 such as an LED that illuminates the placement surface 25a.

[0058] After placing the document M on the placement surface 25a, the operator closes the document reading unit 20 and locks the locking section 3, and the document reading unit 20 moves to the closed position C0, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The document M can then be read by the document reading section 20a of the main device 10. In the third embodiment, the hinge 2 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is not provided, and the document reading unit 20 does not open to a position corresponding to the second position A2 in the first embodiment.

[0059] 5. Holding mechanism according to the fourth embodiment 6 to 8 show the holding section 50 and guide section 60, which are holding mechanisms for the document reading unit 20 according to the fourth embodiment. In contrast to the closed position D0 in which the document reading unit 20 is closed as shown in Fig. 6, Fig. 7 shows a state in which the lock section 3 is released and the document reading unit 20 is open and held at a first position D1, and Fig. 8 shows a state in which the document reading unit 20 is further opened and held at a second position D2.

[0060] 6 to 8, the holding portion 50 is a plate-like member, and is provided on the document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20. The holding portion 50 is provided at a position that avoids the document placement surface 25a of the document placement table 25 and the document discharge tray 29 of the main body device 10. The holding portion 50 has a convex protrusion 50a that protrudes rearward between one lower end 50b and the other upper end 50c. Such a protrusion 50a is also called a dowel.

[0061] The holding mechanism also has a shaft 50d disposed on the document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20. The other end 50c of the holding part 50 is supported by the shaft 50d. An elastic member 50e, such as a torsion coil spring, is attached to the shaft 50d. The elastic member 50e of the shaft 50d applies a torque to the holding part 50 such that the one end 50b rotates clockwise around the other end 50c as a fulcrum. The holding part 50 can also rotate and move as the document reading unit 20 is opened or closed. Thus, the holding portion 50 is a plate-like member extending toward the document placement table 25. One end 50b of the holding portion 50 is rotatable around an axis 50d, and a protrusion 50a is provided midway along the extension direction of the holding portion 50.

[0062] Meanwhile, the main device 10 is formed with a guide section 60 that guides the moving holder 50. The guide section 60 is configured to include a slope 60b and a stopper 60a. The stopper 60a is formed as a surface that is the same height as the placement surface 25a of the document placement table 25, or as a slightly recessed recess or step. The guide section 60 is provided at a position that avoids the placement surface 25a of the document placement table 25 and the document discharge tray 29 of the main device 10. In this way, guide unit 60 is provided on document table 25 of main device 10 and includes inclined surface 60b, which is an insertion portion that can guide and insert holding unit 50. Guide unit 60 also includes stopper 60a, which is a protrusion support portion that can support protrusion 50a when document cover 24 is in the open state.

[0063] 6, when the document reading unit 20 is closed and the locking section 3 is locked, the document reading unit 20 is in the closed position D0. The document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20 is in a position where it covers the document placement surface 25a of the document placement table 25 from above. At this time, the holding portion 50 is housed within the guide portion 60 of the main device 10. The protrusion 50a of the holding portion 50 is positioned to abut against the inclined surface 60b of the guide portion 60. The inclined surface 60b of the guide portion 60 is a surface that slopes from the bottom-front to the top-rear direction.

[0064] Next, suppose that the worker releases the locking portion 3 and begins to open the document reading unit 20. As shown in Fig. 7, the document reading unit 20 rotates around the hinge 2, and the holding portion 50 attached to the document reading unit 20 also moves while rotating. At this time, the protrusion 50a of the holding portion 50 moves upward and backward along the inclined surface 60b of the guide portion 60 while being pushed backward by the elastic member 50e. When the protrusion 50a overcomes the inclined surface 60b, it engages with the stopper 60a. As a result, the document reading unit 20 can be held in an independent state at the first position D1. In this way, the locking portion 3 can be transitioned between a locked state in which the holding portion 50 is kept housed within the guide portion 60, and an unlocked state in which the lock is released and the protrusion portion 50a of the holding portion 50 is engaged with the stopper 60a.

[0065] When the document reading unit 20 is held at the first position D1, the distance between the front side of the document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20 and the placement surface 25a of the document placement table 25 is L. At the first position D1, the holding section 50 can maintain the distance L, which is the gap between the placement surface 25a and the front side of the document cover 24 when the document cover 24 is in an open state, to be between 3 cm and 10 cm. In addition, at the first position D1, the holder 50 can maintain the angle θ, which is the angle between the placement surface 25a and the document cover 24 when the document cover 24 is in the open state, to be between 5° and 20°.

[0066] Even if the space above the image recording device 1 is limited, the operator can open the document reading unit 20 and easily place the document M from the front between the document cover 24 and the placement surface 25a. The document cover 24 is also provided with a light 5 such as an LED that illuminates the placement surface 25a.

[0067] After placing the document M on the placement surface 25a, the operator closes the document reading unit 20 and locks the locking section 3, and the document reading unit 20 is placed in the closed position D0 as shown in FIG. At this time, the operator grasps the holding portion 50 and moves it forward. The protrusion 50a of the holding portion 50 disengages from the stopper 60a. As the document reading unit 20 closes, the protrusion 50a moves downward and forward along the inclined surface 60b of the guide portion 60, and the holding portion 50 is housed within the guide portion 60. When the document reading unit 20 is closed, the document M can be read by the document reading section 20a of the main body device 10.

[0068] 8, when the space above the image recording device 1 is not limited, the operator can further open the document reading unit 20 from the first position D1. The document reading unit 20 can be opened up to the second position D2. At this time, one end 50b of the holding portion 50 climbs over the inclined surface 60b and engages with the stopper 60a to stop, whereby the document reading unit 20 is held at the second position D2.

[0069] In this way, the document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20 can be held at a first position D1 where the document cover 24 is located in the open state, and a second position D2 where one end 50b of the holding portion 50 is supported by the stopper 60a. The second position D2 is a position where the distance between the placement surface 25a and the document cover 24 is greater than the distance L at the first position D1. The holder 50 may be configured to have a plurality of protrusions 50a between one end 50b and the other end 50c. The distance between the front side of the document cover 24 of the document reading unit 20 and the document placement surface 25a of the document placement table 25 may be set to a plurality of different distances.

[0070] According to the above-described embodiment, the image recording device 1 includes a recording unit 11 that records an image on a medium P, a main body device 10 that houses the recording unit 11, and a document reading unit 20a that is disposed above the main body device 10 and has a placement surface 25a on which a document M is placed. The image recording device 1 further includes a document cover 24 that can be moved between a closed state that covers the placement surface 25a from above and an open state that leaves the top of the placement surface 25a open, and a holding mechanism that can maintain a distance between the placement surface 25a and the document cover 24 in the open state at 3 cm or more and 10 cm or less. The image recording device 1 of this embodiment may be configured without the locking section 3. In this case, the document reading unit 20 can be brought into the closed state by its own weight.

[0071] In the above examples, the holding mechanism is dampers 31, 32 according to the first embodiment, dampers 31, 32, 33, 34 according to the second embodiment, links 41, 42, 43, 44 according to the third embodiment, and holding portion 50 and guide portion 60 according to the fourth embodiment. The above-described configuration allows the operator to insert his or her fingers between the placement surface 25a and the document cover 24. Furthermore, the operator does not need to support the document reading unit 20 with one hand, and can use both hands to perform tasks such as placing the document M on the document placement table 25. In this way, it is possible to provide an image recording device 1 that is easy to use.

[0072] The above describes the embodiments in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments, and may be changed, replaced, deleted, etc. as long as it does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. For example, the recording unit 11 may be a line-type head that is not moved by the carriage 12, or may be an electrophotographic type. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1...image recording device, 2...hinge, 3...locking section, 4...input / output section, 5...lighting, 10...main body device, 11...recording section, 20...document reading unit, 20a...document reading section, 23...moving section, 24...document cover, 25...document placing table, 25a...placing surface, 31, 32, 33, 34...damper, 41, 42, 43, 44...link, 50...holding section, 50a...protrusion, 50b...one end, 50c...other end, 50d...axis, 50e...elastic member, 60...guide section, 60a...stopper, 60b...inclined surface, A0, B0, C0, D0...closed position, A1, B1, C1, D1...first position, A2, D2...second position, F1...medium transport direction, F2...document transport direction, M...document, P...medium.

Claims

1. a recording unit that records an image on a medium; a main body device that houses the recording unit; a document reading unit disposed on an upper side of the main body device and having a document placement surface on a document placement table on which a document is placed; a document cover that can be shifted between a closed state in which the document cover covers the document placement surface from above and an open state in which the document cover exposes the document placement surface from above; an image recording device comprising: a holding mechanism capable of maintaining a distance between the placement surface and the document cover in the open state at 3 cm or more and 10 cm or less.

2. 2. The image recording device according to claim 1, a hinge that connects a depth direction end of the document placing table and a depth direction end of the document cover; The holding mechanism includes: a damper provided on a front side of the document placing table or a front side of the document cover, the damper being expandable and contractible between the closed state and the open state; An image recording device comprising: a locking section that can be shifted between a locked state in which the damper is kept contracted and an unlocked state in which the locked state is released and the damper is extended.

3. 3. The image recording device according to claim 2, The manuscript cover is a first position where the document cover is located in the open state; a first position where the document cover is held at a distance longer than the extension dimension of the damper; and a second position where the document cover is held at a distance longer than the extension dimension of the damper.

4. 2. The image recording device according to claim 1, a hinge that connects a depth direction end of the document placing table and a depth direction end of the document cover; The holding mechanism includes: a shaft disposed on the document cover and supporting the other end; a plate-like member having one end rotatable about the axis and extending toward the document table; a protrusion provided midway along the extending direction of the plate-like member; an insertion portion provided on the document placing table, through which the plate-like member can be inserted; a protrusion support portion provided on the document table, the protrusion portion being supported in the open state.

5. 5. The image recording device according to claim 4, The manuscript cover is a first position where the document cover is located in the open state; an image recording device characterized in that the one end of the plate-like member is supported by the protrusion support portion, and the document cover is held at a second position in which the distance between the document cover and the placement surface at the first position is greater than the distance between the document cover and the placement surface at the first position.

6. 2. The image recording device according to claim 1, The holding mechanism includes: dampers provided on the front and rear sides of the document placing table or the front and rear sides of the document cover, and capable of expanding and contracting between the closed state and the open state; An image recording device comprising: a locking unit that can be shifted between a locked state in which the damper is kept in a contracted state and an unlocked state in which the locked state is released and the damper is shifted to an extended state.

7. 2. The image recording device according to claim 1, The holding mechanism includes: An image recording device characterized by having a link member that connects the document placing table and the document cover and can transition from the closed state to the open state by moving the document cover from the front side of the document placing table to the rear side of the document placing table.

8. 2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a document reading unit; The main body device includes: a medium storage unit that stores the medium, a medium feeding unit that feeds the stored medium toward the recording unit, and a medium discharging unit that discharges the medium on which an image has been recorded by the recording unit, The document reading unit includes: a reading unit including an original support section that supports the original, an original feeding section that feeds the original supported by the original support section, a reading sensor section that reads an image of the original fed from the original feeding section, and an original discharge section that discharges the original whose image has been read by the reading sensor section; The document reading unit and the document cover are integrated together, an operation unit disposed at the front of the main body device and configured to receive operations; the medium feeding unit transports the medium in a direction from a front side of the main body device where the operation unit is provided to a rear side of the main body device; The medium is discharged from the rear to the front of the main body device to the medium discharge unit, the document feeding section feeds the document from the front side to the rear side of the document reading unit, The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document is discharged to the document discharge section from the rear to the front of the document reading unit.

9. 2. The image recording device according to claim 1, an illumination unit that illuminates the placement surface when the document cover is in the open state;

Images