Electronic device

Abstract

To provide an electronic apparatus which improves operability of an operation unit.SOLUTION: A recording device 1 includes a housing 2 and an operation unit 100, and the operation unit 100 includes an operation panel 110 having a front side 110a and a back side 110b, and a rotation shaft 113 provided to protrude from the back side 110b and supported by the housing 2. The image forming apparatus includes the rotatable arm portion 111, the slide member 140 fixed to the housing 2 and having the guide surface 140s, and the lock pin 130 supported by the arm portion 111 and biased to come into contact with the guide surface 140s, the arm portion 111 rotates about the rotation shaft 113 to displace the operation panel 110 between the storage posture in which the front surface 110a faces the - Z direction and the first posture raised from the storage posture, the lock pin 130 moves along the guide surface 140s, and the guide surface 140s includes the first restriction portion 141 that engages with the lock pin 130 to restrict the rotation of the arm portion 111 in the first posture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, electronic devices equipped with operation units have been known. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an image forming apparatus in which the tilt angle of the operation unit can be changed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2019-202505 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the device described in Patent Document 1 had a problem in that it was difficult to improve the operability of the operation unit. When the home key or touch panel was pressed with the operation panel raised, the operation unit was prone to falling over, making it difficult to operate. In other words, there was a need for an electronic device that improved the operability of the operation unit. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The electronic device comprises a housing and an operation unit disposed in the housing, the operation unit comprising an operation panel having a front and a back surface, a rotatable arm protruding from the back surface of the operation panel and having a rotation axis supported by the housing, a slide member fixed to the housing and having a guide surface, and a lock pin supported by the arm and biased to abut against the guide surface of the slide member, the arm rotating on the rotation axis displacing the operation panel between a storage position in which the front surface faces in a direction opposite to the vertical direction and a first position raised relative to the storage position, the lock pin moving along the guide surface when the operation panel displaces from the storage position to the first position, and the guide surface comprising a first regulating portion that engages with the lock pin to restrict the rotation of the arm in the first position. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the printer. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an operation unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an operation unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a first attitude of the operation panel. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a second attitude of the operation panel. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a detailed configuration of a lock pin and a slide member. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of each component in a second posture. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of each component in a first posture. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of each component in a first position. [Figure 12]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of each component in the process of returning to the storage position. [Figure 13] 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the arrangement of the groove and the tip portion in the process of returning to the storage position. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of each component in the process of returning to the storage position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In the following embodiments, a multi-function recording device equipped with an inkjet printer and a scanner is used as an example of an electronic device, and the description will be given with reference to the drawings. In each of the following drawings, mutually orthogonal coordinate axes, X, Y, and Z, are attached, and the direction indicated by each arrow is the + direction, and the direction opposite to the + direction is the - direction.

[0008] In this embodiment, the recording device is installed on a horizontal surface. In this state, the -Z direction corresponds to the vertical direction. The +Z direction is sometimes referred to as the up direction, and the -Z direction is sometimes referred to as the down direction. In the following figures, the sizes of the components are different from the actual sizes for the sake of convenience.

[0009] 1, a recording device 1 according to this embodiment includes a housing 2, an operation unit 100, a scanner 10, and a printer 30. The housing 2 houses the scanner 10 and the printer 30. The operation unit 100 is disposed in the housing 2.

[0010] The recording device 1 also includes a control unit (not shown). The control unit is electrically connected to each component of the recording device 1 and comprehensively controls various operations of the recording device 1. The control unit includes hardware such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), and RAM (Random Access Memory). The control unit controls the recording device 1 by executing a predetermined control program using the CPU. The ROM is a non-volatile storage device that stores the control program executed by the CPU and data processed by the control program. The RAM forms the work area of ​​the CPU. The CPU loads the control program read from the ROM or the like into the RAM and executes the loaded control program to control the recording device 1.

[0011] The housing 2 includes housings 2A and 2B, which are roughly rectangular parallelepipeds. The housings 2A and 2B are stacked vertically along the Z axis. The housing 2A is located on top and houses the scanner 10. The housing 2B is located on the bottom and houses the printer 30. The housings 2A and 2B are made of, for example, resin or metal.

[0012] In the housings 2A and 2B, the surface facing the +X direction is the front surface, the surfaces facing the +Y and -Y directions are side surfaces, and the surface facing upward is the top surface. The front surface is along the YZ plane, and the top surface is along the XY plane. The front of the housing 2B is called the front surface 2S. The user basically faces the recording device 1 directly and operates the recording device 1 from the front side.

[0013] In a plan view from above, the planar shape of housing 2A is smaller than the planar shape of housing 2B. Therefore, the top surface of housing 2B in the +X direction does not overlap with the top surface of housing 2A and is exposed in a substantially rectangular shape. On the top surface of housing 2B in the +X direction, operation panel 110 of operation unit 100 is disposed approximately in the center in the direction along the Y axis.

[0014] 1 shows operation panel 110 in the stored position. In the stored position of operation panel 110, upper surface 110a of operation panel 110 is exposed upward and faces the +Z direction, which is opposite to the vertical direction. In other words, in the stored position, the normal direction to surface 110a is roughly along the Z axis.

[0015] A user operates recording device 1 via an information terminal such as a personal computer or operation panel 110. When operating recording device 1 using operation panel 110, it may be difficult to see or operate operation panel 110 in the stored position, depending on the user's posture, height, etc. In contrast, with recording device 1, the user can manually raise operation panel 110 from the stored position and operate it.

[0016] The scanner 10 acquires image data of a document when making a copy of the document. The scanner 10 includes a cover 11, a document insertion slot 13, a document transport mechanism 15, a reading unit 17, and a document discharge slot 19.

[0017] Cover 11 has a rotation shaft 12. When viewed from the +X direction, cover 11 can rotate clockwise around rotation shaft 12. When a document is inserted into scanner 10, cover 11 is rotated to the position shown by the dashed line to open document insertion slot 13. When documents are placed in a stack on top of the rotated cover 11, the documents are drawn one by one into document insertion slot 13 by document transport mechanism 15. The documents are transported in the +Y direction by document transport mechanism 15, turned around near the end of housing 2A in the +Y direction, and transported in the -Y direction until they reach a glass surface (not shown).

[0018] The reading unit 17 reads the document. The reading unit 17 is disposed at the bottom inside the housing 2A. The reading unit 17 scans the document on the glass surface in directions along the X axis and the Y axis. The reading unit 17 acquires image data of the document through the glass surface. For example, a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) type or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type scanner sensor is used for the reading unit 17.

[0019] The image data is sent to the control unit of the recording device 1. The control unit processes the image data into print data. The printer 30 prints according to the print data, and a copy is produced. The image data can also be sent to an information terminal. The document from which the image data has been read is transported in the -Y direction from the glass surface by the document transport mechanism 15 and accumulated in the document discharge port 19.

[0020] The scanner 10 can also acquire image data of each document sheet at a time without using the document transport mechanism 15. Although not shown, the scanner 10 has a door that exposes the glass surface. The door is opened upward, a document is placed on the exposed glass surface, and the door is closed to acquire image data. Once the document has been read, the door is opened and the document is removed.

[0021] The printer 30 prints on cut sheets of paper based on print data corresponding to the object to be copied and print data sent from the information terminal. This produces copies or printed materials. The printer 30 includes an opening 30i, a paper feed cassette 31, a paper output tray 32, an ink tank 35, a tank cover 35a, a waste liquid absorber 36, and a waste liquid box cover 36a.

[0022] The opening 30i is a substantially rectangular opening when viewed from the +X direction, and is located approximately in the center of the front surface 2S of the housing 2B. The paper feed cassette 31 and the paper discharge tray 32 are located in the opening 30i. The tank cover 35a and the waste liquid box cover 36a are located on the top surface.

[0023] The paper feed cassette 31 is arranged near the bottom surface of the housing 2B in the opening 30i. The paper feed cassette 31 stores cut sheets used for printing. The paper feed cassette 31 is roughly plate-shaped, with its main surface aligned with the XY plane. The paper feed cassette 31 can be pulled out in the +X direction from the front 2S. The paper feed cassette 31 is pulled out to replenish or replace cut sheets. In the paper feed cassette 31, the cut sheets are arranged with their longitudinal direction aligned with the X axis. Examples of cut sheets include A-size and B-size copy paper, and postcards.

[0024] The paper output tray 32 is disposed above the paper feed cassette 31 in the opening 30i. The paper output tray 32 accumulates copies and printouts. The paper output tray 32 is generally plate-shaped, with its main surface aligned with the XY plane. The paper output tray 32 can be pulled out in the +X direction from the front 2S. When making copies or printouts, the paper output tray 32 is pulled out in the +X direction and used.

[0025] The ink tank 35 is built into the housing 2B and is disposed in the -Y direction of the opening 30i when viewed from the +X direction. The ink tank 35 stores inks of various colors, such as black, cyan, magenta, and yellow, individually. These inks are supplied to inkjet heads (described later) for printing. Each color ink is, for example, a water-based ink. The ink tank 35 is formed from, for example, resin.

[0026] The tank cover 35a covers the top of the ink tank 35. In a plan view from above, the tank cover 35a is disposed in the -Y direction, which is one side of the operation unit 100. The tank cover 35a can be removed from the housing 2B to refill the ink tank 35 with ink.

[0027] The waste liquid absorber 36 is built into the housing 2B and is disposed in the +Y direction of the opening 30i when viewed from the +X direction. The waste liquid absorber 36 absorbs waste ink generated during cleaning of the inkjet head, etc. The waste liquid absorber 36 is formed of, for example, nonwoven fabric.

[0028] The waste liquid box cover 36a covers the upper side of the waste liquid absorber 36. In a plan view from above, the waste liquid box cover 36a is disposed in the +Y direction, which is the other side of the operation unit 100. The waste liquid box cover 36a can be removed from the housing 2B to replace the waste liquid absorber 36.

[0029] When the operation panel 110 is in the storage position, the surface 110a of the operation panel 110, the upper surface of the tank cover 35a, and the upper surface of the waste liquid box cover 36a are all flush with each other. The surface 110a of the operation panel 110, the upper surface of the tank cover 35a, and the upper surface of the waste liquid box cover 36a form the upper surface of the +X direction of the housing 2B. When the operation panel 110 is in the storage position, the surface 110a, the upper surface of the tank cover 35a, and the upper surface of the waste liquid box cover 36a are all flush with each other, which gives the recording device 1 a sophisticated appearance.

[0030] In this embodiment, the composite recording device 1 is exemplified as an electronic device, but the electronic device is not limited to this.

[0031] As shown in Figure 2, printer 30 is equipped with the above-mentioned paper feed cassette 31, transport roller 41, reversing rollers 42 and 43, paper detection unit 44, paper feed rollers 46 and 47, carriage 51, platen 53, inkjet head 55, paper discharge rollers 48 and 49, and the above-mentioned paper discharge tray 32. In Figure 2, the dashed arrow indicates the direction of movement of cut sheets S as they become printed or copied. In printer 30, each component is arranged in the above order along the direction of cut sheets S movement. Note that the following explanation of Figure 2 will be viewed from the -Y direction unless otherwise specified.

[0032] The transport roller 41 transports cut sheets S one by one from the paper feed cassette 31 to the reversing rollers 42 and 43. The transport roller 41 is located above the paper feed cassette 31, near the end in the -X direction. The transport roller 41 is driven by an electric motor for the transport roller 41 (not shown), and rotates counterclockwise. The cut sheets S are transported from the paper feed cassette 31 to the reversing rollers 42 and 43, which are diagonally above. The cut sheets S stored in the paper feed cassette 31 have the printing surface, which is the surface that will be printed, facing downward.

[0033] The reversing rollers 42 and 43 reverse the movement direction of the cut paper S approximately in the +X direction. The reversing roller 43 is positioned above the reversing roller 42. The reversing rollers 42 and 43 form a pair. The reversing rollers 42 and 43 are each approximately cylindrical, with the central axis of the cylinder aligned with the Y axis. The reversing rollers 42 and 43 are rotatable about the central axis of the cylinder.

[0034] Reversing roller 42 is driven by an electric motor (not shown) for reversing roller 42 and rotates counterclockwise. Reversing roller 43 is a so-called driven roller, and rotates clockwise following the rotation of reversing roller 42. Reversing rollers 42, 43 invert the printed side of cut paper S so that it faces upward. Cut paper S is sandwiched between reversing rollers 42, 43 and sent out, and is transported in approximately the +X direction toward paper feed rollers 47, 48.

[0035] The paper detection unit 44 detects the cut paper S. The paper detection unit 44 is located between the reversing rollers 42, 43 and the paper feed rollers 46, 47, above the path along which the cut paper S moves. The paper detection unit 44 is a non-contact sensor, such as a photosensor. The paper detection unit 44 detects the leading and trailing edges of the cut paper S in the direction of its movement. This allows the printing position on the cut paper S to be adjusted.

[0036] The paper feed rollers 46 and 47 transport cut sheets S onto the upper surface of the platen 53. The paper feed roller 47 is disposed above the paper feed roller 46. The paper feed rollers 46 and 47 form a pair. The paper feed rollers 46 and 47 are each substantially cylindrical, with the central axis of the cylinder aligned with the Y axis. The paper feed rollers 46 and 47 are rotatable about the central axis of the cylinder.

[0037] The paper feed roller 46 is driven by an electric motor (not shown) for the paper feed roller 46 and rotates counterclockwise. The paper feed roller 47 is a so-called driven roller and rotates clockwise following the rotation of the paper feed roller 46. The cut sheet S is sandwiched between the paper feed rollers 46, 47 and fed out, and is transported in the +X direction toward the platen 53.

[0038] Printing is performed on the printing surface of the cut paper S on the platen 53. The top surface of the platen 53 is formed to be approximately flat along the XY plane. The platen 53 comes into contact with the backside of the printing surface of the cut paper S, supporting the cut paper S from below.

[0039] The carriage 51 supports the inkjet head 55 above the platen 53. The carriage 51 is supported by a structural member (not shown) of the recording apparatus 1 so as to be capable of reciprocating movement in the direction along the Y axis. The reciprocating movement is driven by a carriage motor (not shown).

[0040] The inkjet head 55 deposits ink on the printing surface of the cut paper S supported by the platen 53. The inkjet head 55 is supported by the carriage 51 above the platen 53 and can face the upper surface of the platen 53. The inkjet head 55, together with the carriage 51, moves back and forth along the Y axis within a range that includes the area that faces the cut paper S on the platen 53 in the vertical direction.

[0041] Although not shown in the figure, a nozzle surface is arranged on the downward-facing surface of the inkjet head 55. The nozzle surface is provided with multiple nozzle rows. Each nozzle row consists of multiple nozzles that eject ink. Each nozzle row is individually supplied with ink of each color from the ink tank 35 via piping such as a tube. During printing, each color ink is ejected from each nozzle row toward the printing surface of the cut sheet of paper S.

[0042] Inkjet head 55 uses a piezoelectric element as an actuator, which is a driving means. The driving means is not limited to this. For example, an electromechanical conversion element that displaces a diaphragm serving as an actuator by electrostatic adsorption, or an electrothermal conversion element that ejects ink as droplets by generating bubbles when heated, may be used as the driving means.

[0043] While the cut sheet S is transported in the +X direction on the platen 53, the inkjet head 55 moves back and forth along the Y axis together with the carriage 51. At this time, each color ink is deposited on the printing surface of the cut sheet S at any timing according to the print data described above. As a result, images such as pictures, photographs, text, and patterns are printed on the cut sheet S, and the cut sheet S becomes a printed matter or a copy. The copy or printed matter is pulled in the +X direction by the paper ejection rollers 48, 49.

[0044] The inkjet head 55 is not limited to a serial type that moves back and forth while being supported by the carriage 51. The inkjet head 55 may be arranged in a line along the Y axis, and may not move back and forth along the Y axis.

[0045] The paper discharge rollers 48 and 49 transport copies and printed materials to the paper discharge tray 32. The paper discharge roller 48 is disposed above the paper discharge roller 49. The paper discharge rollers 48 and 49 form a pair. The paper discharge rollers 48 and 49 are each substantially cylindrical, with the central axis of the cylinder aligned with the Y axis. The paper discharge rollers 48 and 49 are rotatable about the central axis of the cylinder.

[0046] The paper discharge roller 49 is driven by an electric motor (not shown) for the paper discharge roller 49 and rotates counterclockwise. The paper discharge roller 48 is a so-called driven roller and rotates clockwise following the rotation of the paper discharge roller 49. Copies and printed materials are sandwiched between the paper discharge rollers 48 and 49 and sent out, and are transported in the +X direction toward the paper discharge tray 32.

[0047] Copies and prints are stacked one on top of the other in the vertical direction and accumulated on the top surface of the paper discharge tray 32. In this manner, copies and prints are produced by the recording device 1.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 3, the operation unit 100 includes an operation panel 110, an arm 111, a support member 115, a lock pin 130, and a slide member 140. The operation unit 100 displaces the operation panel 110 between a storage position, a first position, and a second position, which will be described later. Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, which will be described later, show the operation panel 110 in the storage position. The description of Figs. 3 and 4 will focus on the state in the storage position.

[0049] Operation panel 110 is a generally plate-shaped member having a front surface 110a and a back surface 110b. Front surface 110a and back surface 110b are arranged facing each other in a direction along the Z axis. In a plan view from above, operation panel 110, i.e., front surface 110a and back surface 110b, are generally rectangular, with the longitudinal direction aligned with the Y axis. In the stored position, front surface 110a faces the +Z direction.

[0050] On the surface 110a, there are arranged a power button 121, a liquid crystal display device 122, and various buttons 123. The power button 121, the liquid crystal display device 122, and various buttons 123 are electrically connected to the above-mentioned control unit.

[0051] The liquid crystal display device 122 is disposed approximately in the center of the surface 110a in a plan view from above. The power button 121 is disposed in the +Y direction of the liquid crystal display device 122, near a corner of the surface 110a in the +Y direction and the -X direction. The various buttons 123 are disposed in the -Y direction of the liquid crystal display device 122.

[0052] The power button 121 is a mechanical key that is used by the user to turn the power of the recording device 1 on and off.

[0053] The liquid crystal display device 122 displays various information such as the settings and operating status of the recording device 1. When viewed from above, the liquid crystal display device 122 is a rectangle with its longitudinal direction along the Y axis. The liquid crystal display device 122 is a touch panel type liquid crystal display, and in addition to displaying various information, it also accepts input and changes of various settings by the user.

[0054] The various buttons 123 are mechanical keys that accept operational inputs other than those of the power button 121 and the liquid crystal display device 122. The operational inputs include, for example, manually feeding and ejecting cut sheets S, selecting information to be displayed on the liquid crystal display device 122, and moving forward / back on the display screen of the liquid crystal display device 122.

[0055] Arm 111 supports operation panel 110. Arm 111 is provided to protrude in the -Z direction from rear surface 110b of operation panel 110. Arm 111 has a pair of rotation shafts 113. Arm 111 extends in the +X direction from its lower end in the +Y direction and its lower end in the -Y direction. The pair of rotation shafts 113 are arranged in the region of arm 111 extending in the +X direction.

[0056] Each rotation shaft 113 is substantially cylindrical. In a pair of rotation shafts 113, portions corresponding to the bottom surfaces of the cylinders face each other in the direction along the Y axis. In the pair of rotation shafts 113, the center of the cylinder coincides with the axis Ax. The pair of rotation shafts 113 are supported by bearings (not shown) provided in the housing 2B so as to be rotatable about the axis Ax as the center of rotation. This allows the arm 111 to rotate about the axis Ax of the rotation shaft 113 relative to the housing 2B, and also allows the operation panel 110 to rotate about the rotation shaft 113.

[0057] The support member 115 is fixed to the center between the lower end in the +Y direction and the lower end in the −Y direction on the surface facing the +X direction of the arm portion 111. The support member 115 supports a lock pin .

[0058] The lock pin 130 protrudes in the +X direction from the support member 115. The lock pin 130 is supported by the arm portion 111 via the support member 115. The lock pin 130 is capable of coming into contact with the slide member 140.

[0059] The slide member 140 is disposed in the +X direction of the lock pin 130 and is fixed to the housing 2B. Here, being supported or fixed to the housing 2B also includes the case where another member is interposed between the housing 2B and the target member.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 2B has a third restricting portion 2p. In the stored position, the third restricting portion 2p restricts the rotation of the arm 111 about the rotation axis 113. The third restricting portion 2p is disposed to protrude below the back surface 110b so as to overlap a portion of the back surface 110b in a plan view from above. The third restricting portion 2p contacts the back surface 110b to support the operation panel 110 from below. Because the back surface 110b contacts the upper surface of the third restricting portion 2p, the clockwise rotation of the operation panel 110 and the arm 111 is restricted when viewed from the -Y direction. In the stored position, the force applied when pressing the power button 121, the LCD display device 122, and the like is received by the third restricting portion 2p.

[0061] The slide member 140 has a guide surface 140s that corresponds to the lock pin 130. In FIG. 4, the guide surface 140s is indicated by a dashed line. The guide surface 140s comes into contact with a tip portion 130t (described later) of the lock pin 130, and guides the displacement of the lock pin 130 when the arm portion 111 rotates. The guide surface 140s includes a first restricting portion 141 and a second restricting portion 142. Details of the guide surface 140s, including the first restricting portion 141 and the second restricting portion 142, will be described later.

[0062] The lock pin 130 is biased by the biasing member 117 so as to come into contact with the guide surface 140s of the slide member 140. When the operation panel 110 is in the storage position, the direction in which the lock pin 130 is biased is the +X direction.

[0063] In this embodiment, a coil spring is used as the biasing member 117. One end of the biasing member 117 is fixed to the support member 115, and the other end abuts against the end of the lock pin 130 in the −X direction. The biasing member 117 is not limited to a coil spring.

[0064] Lock pin 130 has a tip 130t that is convex in the direction in which it is urged by urging member 117. Tip 130t has a rounded convex shape when viewed from the -Y direction. Tip 130t slides against guide surface 140s when arm 111 rotates. The rotation of arm 111 is guided by guide surface 140s, allowing the position of operation panel 110 to change smoothly.

[0065] 5, a posture in which the operation panel 110 is raised relative to the stored posture is defined as a first posture. As described above, the arm 111 rotates about a pair of rotation shafts 113 to displace the operation panel 110 between the stored posture and the first posture. In the first posture, the surface 110a of the operation panel 110 faces the +X direction, which is the horizontal direction. In the first posture, the surface 110a of the operation panel 110 is aligned along the YZ plane and protrudes forward in the +X direction relative to the front surface 2S of the housing 2B.

[0066] In the first position, when the user presses the power button 121, the liquid crystal display device 122, or the like, a force acts on the operation panel 110 in the -X direction. In the past, the operation panel was prone to tipping over due to this force, making the operation panel difficult to operate. In contrast, in the recording device 1, the first restricting unit 141, which will be described later, makes it difficult for the operation panel 110 to tip over in the -X direction from the first position, improving the operability of the operation panel 110. The user can operate the liquid crystal display device 122 and the like in the first position without worrying about the operation panel 110 tipping over.

[0067] 6, the second posture is a posture in which operation panel 110 is raised from the stored posture and reclined more than the first posture. As described above, arm 111 rotates about a pair of rotation shafts 113 to displace operation panel 110 from the stored posture to the second posture. In the second posture, the angle formed between surface 110a of operation panel 110 and the XY plane is not particularly limited, but is, for example, approximately 45°.

[0068] In the second position, when the user presses the power button 121, the liquid crystal display device 122, or the like, a force acts on the operation panel 110, pressing it diagonally downward. In the recording device 1, the second restriction unit 142, which will be described later, makes it difficult for the operation panel 110 to fall from the second position to the storage position, improving the operability of the operation panel 110. The user can operate the liquid crystal display device 122 and the like in the second position without worrying about the operation panel 110 falling over.

[0069] The operation panel 110 is displaced from the stored position to the first position via the second position. This displacement is irreversible, and it is difficult to displace from the first position to the second position, and from the second position to the stored position. To return the operation panel 110 to the stored position, it is displaced from the first position, as will be described in detail later. The configuration related to the displacement of the operation panel 110 is described below.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 7, guide surface 140s of slide member 140 has, arranged from bottom to top, first inclined surface 151, flat surface 171, and second inclined surface 152. When viewed from the -Y direction, flat surface 171 is aligned with the +X direction, first inclined surface 151 forms a depression angle θ1, and second inclined surface 152 forms an elevation angle θ2. In the following description of Fig. 7, the state viewed from the -Y direction will be described unless otherwise specified.

[0071] Tip 130t of lock pin 130 moves along guide surface 140s when operation panel 110 is displaced from the storage position to the second position and then from the second position to the first position. Because lock pin 130 is biased toward guide surface 140s by biasing member 117, tip 130t slides along guide surface 140s.

[0072] The second restricting portion 142 has a concave shape formed by the flat surface 171 and the lower end of the second inclined surface 152. The second restricting portion 142 has a concave shape, and the tip portion 130t of the lock pin 130 described above has a convex shape. When viewed from the -Y direction, the width dimension of the concave shape of the second restricting portion 142 is larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the convex shape of the tip portion 130t. Therefore, the tip portion 130t easily engages with the second restricting portion 142 and is less likely to slip off the second restricting portion 142. A first protrusion 161 is disposed in the region where the first inclined surface 151 and the flat surface 171 are connected.

[0073] The first restricting portion 141 is disposed on a surface 172 that extends in the +X direction, which is the horizontal direction, from the upper end of the second inclined surface 152. The first restricting portion 141 includes a second protrusion 162. The second protrusion 162 is disposed between the upper end of the second inclined surface 152 and the end of the surface 172 in the -X direction. The second protrusion 162 protrudes upward relative to the surface 172.

[0074] The slide member 140 includes a third protrusion 163, a third inclined surface 153, a fourth inclined surface 154, and a groove (not shown).

[0075] The third protrusion 163 is formed in the +X direction relative to the surface 172 of the first restricting portion 141. The third protrusion 163 protrudes upward relative to the surface 172. The third inclined surface 153 is provided on the third protrusion 163. The fourth inclined surface 154 is disposed corresponding to the lower end of the guide surface 140s when viewed from the -Y direction. The groove is disposed in the +Y direction of the guide surface 140s. The displacement of the operation panel 110 will be described in detail later.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 8, the tip 130t of the lock pin 130 is composed of three tips 130t1, 130t2, and 130t3. The three tips 130t1, 130t2, and 130t3 are arranged in this order in the +Y direction and are spaced apart from one another. In the following description, the tips 130t1, 130t2, and 130t3 may be collectively referred to simply as tip 130t. Note that Fig. 8 shows the arrangement of the operation panel 110 in the storage position.

[0077] The guide surface 140s consists of three guide surfaces 140s1, 140s2, and 140s3. The three guide surfaces 140s1, 140s2, and 140s3 are arranged in this order in the +Y direction and are spaced apart from one another. In the following description, the guide surfaces 140s1, 140s2, and 140s3 may be collectively referred to simply as guide surfaces 140s.

[0078] The arrangement of the guide surfaces 140s corresponds to the arrangement of the tip portions 130t. In the storage position, the guide surfaces 140s1 and 140s2 abut against the tip portions 130t1, the guide surfaces 140s2 and 130t2, and the guide surfaces 140s3 and 130t3. The distance along the Y axis between adjacent tip portions 130t is longer than the distance along the Y axis between adjacent guide surfaces 140s. The dimension of the guide surfaces 140s in the direction along the Y axis is longer than the dimension of the tip portions 130t.

[0079] In this embodiment, the number of combinations of the guide surfaces 140s and the tip portions 130t is three, but the present invention is not limited to this and may be one, two, four or more combinations.

[0080] The groove 180 is formed parallel to the guide surface 140s, which is the path along which the tip portion 130t of the lock pin 130 extends from the second restricting portion 142 to the first restricting portion 141. Two grooves 180 are arranged, one between the guide surface 140s1 and the guide surface 140s2 and the other between the guide surface 140s2 and the guide surface 140s3. When viewed through from the -Y direction, the shapes of the two grooves 180 are the same and are smaller than the shape of the guide surface 140s. In the direction along the Y axis, the length of the groove 180 is longer than the length of the tip portion 130t. The tip portion 130t can fit into the groove 180 and move while being engaged with the groove 180.

[0081] In the present embodiment, the guide surface 140s and the groove 180 are formed continuously, but this is not limiting. The guide surface 140s and the groove 180 may be discontinuous as long as the tip end 130t does not deviate. Furthermore, the number of grooves 180 is not limited to two, and may be provided according to the number of tip ends 130t and guide surfaces 140s.

[0082] Support member 115 includes a biasing mechanism 119 and a stopper (not shown). Biasing mechanism 119 biases lock pin 130 in the -Y direction relative to support member 115. When an external force acts in the +Y direction, lock pin 130 can be displaced in the +Y direction against the biasing force in the -Y direction by biasing mechanism 119. Biasing mechanism 119 is, for example, an elastic member such as a leaf spring.

[0083] The stopper restricts the lock pin 130 from further displacement in the −Y direction from the state shown in Fig. 8. Therefore, the lock pin 130 does not displace in the −Y direction from the position shown in Fig. 8.

[0084] Corresponding to the three guide surfaces 140s, three first restricting portions 141, three second restricting portions 142, three second protrusions 162, and three third protrusions 163 are also arranged. Each of the third protrusions 163 has a third inclined surface 153 arranged thereon.

[0085] The third inclined surface 153 guides the tip portion 130t into the groove 180. The third inclined surface 153 is a planar section that intersects with the side surface of the third protrusion 163 facing the -Y direction. The third inclined surface 153 is disposed so as to move away from the side surface of the third protrusion 163 in the +X direction in a plan view from above. In the plan view, the angle formed between the side surface of the third protrusion 163 facing the -Y direction and the third inclined surface 153 is, for example, approximately 45°.

[0086] As will be described in detail later, to return operation panel 110 from the first position to the stored position, operation panel 110 is moved substantially in the +X direction. As operation panel 110 moves, tip 130t of lock pin 130 moves in the +X direction from first restricting portion 141. At this time, tip 130t first comes into contact with third inclined surface 153. Because third inclined surface 153 is disposed obliquely with respect to third protrusion 163 in a plan view from above, tip 130t is guided by third inclined surface 153, deviates from guide surface 140s, and moves to groove 180 adjacent to guide surface 140s in the +Y direction.

[0087] Since the groove 180 is not arranged in the +Y direction of the guide surface 140s3, the tip 130t closest to the +Y direction does not move to the groove 180 but deviates from the guide surface 140s and is in a floating state. An additional groove 180 may be provided corresponding to the tip 130t closest to the +Y direction.

[0088] A user can manually raise operation panel 110 from the stored position to the second position shown in Fig. 9. When shifting from the stored position to the second position, tip portion 130t of lock pin 130 slides against first inclined surface 151, causing arm portion 111 to rotate counterclockwise when viewed from the -Y direction. Then, tip portion 130t rides over first protrusion 161 and engages with second restricting portion 142, causing operation panel 110 to assume the second position.

[0089] In the second position, second restricting portion 142 engages with tip portion 130t of lock pin 130. Lock pin 130 is held by second restricting portion 142 in an oblique state when viewed from the -Y direction. At this time, second restricting portion 142 restricts clockwise rotation of arm portion 111 and operation panel 110 when viewed from the -Y direction.

[0090] Also, when viewed from the -Y direction, second restricting portion 142 has a concave shape, and tip portion 130t has a convex shape. As a result, when a user operates operation panel 110, arm portion 111 is less likely to move clockwise in the second posture, and operation panel 110 is less likely to tip in the -X direction. This further improves the operability of operation panel 110.

[0091] When tip 130t of lock pin 130 engages with second restricting portion 142, first protrusion 161 restricts movement of lock pin 130 toward first inclined surface 151. Since first protrusion 161 is provided in addition to second restricting portion 142, operation panel 110 is even less likely to tip over in the second position.

[0092] The user can manually raise operation panel 110 further from the second position to the first position shown in FIG. 10. When shifting from the second position to the first position, tip 130t of lock pin 130 leaves second restricting portion 142 and moves substantially upward while sliding on second inclined surface 152. At this time, arm 111 rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the -Y direction. Then, tip 130t passes over second protrusion 162 and engages with first restricting portion 141, and operation panel 110 assumes the first position.

[0093] In the first position, first restricting portion 141 engages with tip portion 130t of lock pin 130. Lock pin 130 is held by first restricting portion 141 in a vertical state when viewed from the -Y direction. At this time, first restricting portion 141 restricts clockwise rotation of arm portion 111 and operation panel 110 when viewed from the -Y direction.

[0094] When viewed from the -Y direction, first restricting portion 141 and third protrusion 163 form a concave shape, and the width dimension of this concave shape is larger than the cross-sectional dimension of the convex shape of tip portion 130t. Therefore, tip portion 130t easily engages with first restricting portion 141 and is less likely to slip off first restricting portion 141. When a user operates operation panel 110, arm portion 111 is less likely to move clockwise in the first position, and operation panel 110 is less likely to tip in the -X direction. This further improves the operability of operation panel 110.

[0095] The second protrusion 162 engages with the tip 130t of the lock pin 130 and restricts the movement of the lock pin 130 toward the second inclined surface 152. Therefore, in the first position, the operation panel 110 is even less likely to tip over.

[0096] In the present embodiment, the guide surface 140s is illustrated as having the first restricting portion 141 and the second restricting portion 142. In addition to the first restricting portion 141 and the second restricting portion 142, the guide surface 140s may also have other restricting portions with which the tip portion 130t engages. This makes it possible to hold the operation panel 110 in positions other than the first position and the second position, improving the degree of freedom in the position of the operation panel 110 and operability.

[0097] The procedure for returning operation panel 110 from the first position to the storage position will be described below. As shown in Fig. 11, in the first position, first restricting portion 141 and tip portion 130t of lock pin 130 are engaged. To return operation panel 110 from the first position to the storage position, the user first pulls operation panel 110 in the +X direction.

[0098] When operation panel 110 is pulled in the +X direction, each tip 130t of lock pin 130 slides along surface 172, moves in the +X direction, and abuts against third inclined surface 153. Then, as shown in FIG. 12 , each tip 130t is guided by third inclined surface 153, disengages from surface 172, and falls into groove 180.

[0099] At this time, the force with which the user pulls operation panel 110 in the +X direction is sufficiently large compared to the biasing force of biasing mechanism 119. Therefore, lock pin 130 is guided by third inclined surface 153, moves in the +Y direction relative to support member 115, and deviates from surface 172. In addition, because the biasing force of biasing member 117 in the -Z direction also acts on lock pin 130, each tip 130t that deviates from surface 172 enters groove 180.

[0100] From the above, when operation panel 110 in the first position is pulled in the +X direction, which is the horizontal direction in which surface 110a faces, tip 130t is guided from first restricting portion 141 to groove 180 via third inclined surface 153. Next, the user simply pushes the upper part of operation panel 110 in the -X direction. In the process of changing operation panel 110 from the first position to the stored position, tip 130t moves downward along groove 180.

[0101] As shown in FIG. 13, groove 180 has a gentle slope. Groove 180 guides tip 130t when operation panel 110, which is in the first position, is brought to the storage position. When operation panel 110 is pushed in the -X direction, tip 130t slides along groove 180 and moves substantially downward. Groove 180 does not have any restricting portion or protrusion that limits the movement of lock pin 130. The user can smoothly move operation panel 110 from the first position to the storage position.

[0102] When the user further presses the upper end of the operation panel 110 in the −X direction, the tip 130t comes into contact with the fourth inclined surface 154.

[0103] 14, a fourth inclined surface 154 is provided at the bottom end of each groove 180. As described above, there is no groove 180 corresponding to the tip 130t3 arranged furthest in the +Y direction, but a fourth inclined surface 154 corresponding to the tip 130t3 is also provided. The fourth inclined surfaces 154 are arranged corresponding to the number of tip portions 130t.

[0104] When returning the operation panel 110 to the storage position, the fourth inclined surface 154 guides the tip portions 130t1 and 130t2 from each groove 180 to the corresponding guide surface 140s. The tip portion 130t3 is guided by the fourth inclined surface 154 from a floating state to the guide surface 140s3.

[0105] The lock pin 130 moves in the -Y direction relative to the support member 115 due to the biasing force in the -Y direction by the biasing mechanism 119 and the guide of the fourth inclined surface 154. Then, the tip 130t returns to the guide surface 140s, and the operation panel 110 assumes the storage position. When returning the operation panel 110 to the storage position, the tip 130t is moved to the guide surface 140s, thereby preparing to raise the operation panel 110 next time.

[0106] According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0107] This can improve the operability of the operation unit 100. More specifically, in the first position, the first restricting portion 141 engages with the tip 130t of the lock pin 130, restricting movement of the lock pin 130 along the guide surface 140s, making it difficult for the arm 111 to rotate. Therefore, when the operation panel 110 is in the first position, even if the user presses the power button 121, the liquid crystal display device 122, or the like, the arm 111 does not move easily against the pressing force, making it difficult for the operation panel 110 to fall over. Therefore, it is possible to provide a recording device 1 with improved operability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 1...recording device as electronic device, 2B...casing, 2p...third regulation part, 2S...front face, 35...ink tank, 35a...tank cover, 36...waste liquid absorber, 36a...waste liquid box cover, 100...operation unit, 110...operation panel, 110a...surface, 110b...back face, 111...arm part, 113...rotation shaft, 130...lock pin, 130t, 130t1, 130t2, 130t3 0t3...tip portion, 140...slide member, 140s, 140s1, 140s2, 140s3...guide surface, 141...first regulating portion, 142...second regulating portion, 151...first inclined surface, 152...second inclined surface, 153...third inclined surface, 154...fourth inclined surface, 161...first protrusion, 162...second protrusion, 163...third protrusion, 171...flat surface, 172...surface, 180...groove, θ1...depression angle, θ2...elevation angle.

Claims

1. a housing and an operation unit disposed in the housing; The operation unit includes: an operation panel having a front surface and a back surface; a rotatable arm portion provided to protrude from the rear surface of the operation panel, the arm portion having a rotation axis supported by the housing; a slide member fixed to the housing and having a guide surface; a lock pin supported by the arm portion and biased to contact the guide surface of the slide member, the arm portion rotates about the rotation axis to displace the operation panel between a storage position in which the surface faces a direction opposite to a vertical direction and a first position raised relative to the storage position; the lock pin moves along the guide surface when the operation panel is displaced from the storage position to the first position, The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the guide surface includes a first restricting portion that engages with the lock pin to restrict the rotation of the arm portion in the first position.

2. In the first position, the surface of the operation panel faces horizontally, the arm portion raises the operation panel from the stored position and displaces the operation panel to a second position that is more reclined than the first position, the guide surface includes a second restriction portion that engages with the lock pin to restrict the rotation of the arm portion in the second posture, The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the housing has a third restricting portion that restricts the rotation of the arm portion in the stored position.

3. The lock pin has a tip portion that is convex in the biasing direction, The guide surface has a first inclined surface, a flat surface, and a second inclined surface arranged from bottom to top, When the operation panel is in the storage position, the flat surface is aligned with the direction in which the lock pin is biased, the first inclined surface forms a depression angle, and the second inclined surface forms an elevation angle, The electronic device according to claim 2 , wherein the second restricting portion has a concave shape formed by the flat surface and the second inclined surface.

4. a first protrusion is disposed in a region where the first inclined surface and the flat surface are connected; The electronic device according to claim 3 , wherein the first protrusion restricts movement of the lock pin toward the first inclined surface when the lock pin engages with the second restricting portion.

5. The electronic device according to claim 3 , wherein the first restricting portion is disposed on a surface extending horizontally from an upper end of the second inclined surface.

6. the first restricting portion includes a second protrusion, The electronic device according to claim 5 , wherein the second protrusion engages with the tip of the lock pin and restricts movement of the lock pin toward the second inclined surface.

7. The electronic device according to claim 2 , wherein in the first position, the surface of the operation panel protrudes forward relative to a front surface of the housing.

8. In a plan view, a tank cover that covers an ink tank is disposed on one side of the operation unit, and a waste liquid box cover that covers a waste liquid absorber is disposed on the other side. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein when the operation panel is in the storage position, the surface of the operation panel, an upper surface of the tank cover, and an upper surface of the waste liquid box cover are all flat.

9. The slide member is a groove formed in parallel with the guide surface, the groove being used to guide the tip of the lock pin when the operation panel is moved from the first position to the storage position; a third protrusion formed in the direction in which the lock pin is biased relative to the first restricting portion when the operation panel is in the storage position; a third inclined surface provided on the third protrusion and guiding the tip portion into the groove, 4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the operation panel in the first position is pulled toward the user in the horizontal direction toward which the front surface faces, so that the tip portion is guided from the first restricting portion into the groove via the third inclined surface.

10. The electronic device according to claim 9 , wherein the slide member includes a fourth inclined surface provided at a lower end of the groove and configured to guide the tip portion from the groove to the guide surface when the operation panel is returned to the storage position.

Images