Recording device

Abstract

In a front-operated recording device, the opening of the internal access section is maximized. [Solution] The system comprises a recording unit that records on a recording medium using recording material, a supply unit that supplies recording material to the recording unit, a housing that houses the recording unit and the supply unit, a fixed operating unit having an operating member and fixed to the housing on the front of the housing, a first movable member adjacent to the fixed operating unit on the front of the housing and covering up to one end of the housing and movable relative to the housing, and a second movable member adjacent to the first movable member in the height direction on the front of the housing and covering from one end of the housing to the other and movable relative to the housing.

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus. [[Background Art]]

[0002] Conventionally, a front-operation type liquid ejection printing apparatus in which an operation unit is arranged on a front surface of the apparatus has been known.

[0003] As an apparatus of this type, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a handle portion of an opening / closing member and an operation unit are provided on a front surface portion of the apparatus. [[Prior Art Literature]] [[Patent Literature]]

[0004] [[Patent Document 1]] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2020-146920 [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0005] However, when a housing cover member is provided on the front surface of a product as in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that the opening for internal access cannot be maximized.

[0006] Further, when the entire front surface of the product is configured as the opening / closing section, if an opening for inserting a cable is provided in the opening / closing section, the opening / closing operation of the opening / closing section is hindered when the cable is kept connected.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to maximize the opening of an internal access section in a front-operation type recording apparatus. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0008] A recording device according to the present invention is characterized by comprising: a recording unit that records on a recording medium using a recording material; a supply unit that supplies the recording material to the recording unit; a housing that houses the recording unit and the supply unit; a fixed operation unit having an operating member and fixed to the housing on the front surface of the housing; a first movable member adjacent to the fixed operation unit on the front surface of the housing, covering up to one end of the housing and movable relative to the housing; and a second movable member adjacent to the first movable member in the height direction on the front surface of the housing, covering from one end to the other end of the housing and movable relative to the housing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to maximize the opening of the internal access section in a front-operated type recording device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] External view of a recording device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows the internal structure of the recording device. [Figure 3] A schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the recording device in Figure 1. [Figure 4] A schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the recording device in Figure 1. [Figure 5] A perspective view showing the front feeding unit in the open position. [Figure 6] A side cross-sectional view showing the front feeding unit in the open position. [Figure 7] Perspective view of the recording unit. [Figure 8] Figure 7 shows a cross-sectional view of line BB. [Figure 9] Front view diagram of the recording device. [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view of the recording device in the Z direction. [Figure 11] Perspective view of the front feeding unit. [Figure 12] Side view with the front feeding unit cover open. [Figure 13]Figures showing an opened / closed state of a feeding tray. [Figure 14] A layout diagram of a sub feeding tray. [Figure 15] A perspective view of a front feeding unit cover in a closed state. [Figure 16] A perspective view showing an opened / closed state of a tank cover. [Figure 17] A perspective view showing an opened / closed state of a tank cover. [Figure 18] A diagram showing an opened / closed state of a cassette cover. MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the claimed invention. Although a plurality of features are described in the embodiments, not all of these plurality of features are essential to the invention, and a plurality of features may be arbitrarily combined. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same or similar configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping descriptions are omitted.

[0012] <Outline of Recording Apparatus> In the present embodiment, a case where the present invention is applied to a serial type inkjet recording apparatus will be described, but the present invention is also applicable to other types of recording apparatuses.

[0013] The term "recording" includes not only the case where meaningful information such as characters and graphics is formed, but also the case where images, patterns, etc. are widely formed on a recording medium regardless of whether they are meaningful or not, or the case where the medium is processed, and it does not matter whether the recording is visualized so that a human can visually perceive it or not. In addition, although the present embodiment assumes sheet-shaped paper as the "recording medium", the recording medium may be cloth, plastic film, or the like.

[0014] In each diagram, arrows X, Y, and Z indicate directions in which they intersect. Arrows X and Y indicate horizontal directions that are perpendicular to each other, while arrow Z indicates the vertical direction. The X direction corresponds to the width direction of the recording device 1, and the Y direction corresponds to the front-to-back direction (depth direction) of the recording device 1. The Z direction corresponds to the height direction of the recording device 1. Furthermore, the terms "downstream side" and "upstream side" refer to the transport direction of the recording medium.

[0015] Figure 1 is an external view of a recording device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the recording device 1 as seen from the X direction. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the main parts of Figure 2 in a more simplified manner, and Figure 4 is a diagram showing the state in Figure 3 with the detachable unit 40 removed.

[0016] In Figures 1 to 4, the recording device 1 comprises a main body 100, a storage cassette 2 that is detachable from the main body 100, and a detachable unit 40. The main body 100 has a roughly rectangular prism-shaped housing 101, which forms the outer wall of the recording device 1. On the front surface 101a of the housing 101, which constitutes the front of the recording device 1, are the storage cassette 2 for storing the recording medium (sheet SH), the front feeding unit cover 53 (described later), and the tank cover 65 for accessing the ink tank housing (supply unit) 64. The storage cassette 2 is located below the detachable unit 40, making it easier to secure the storage capacity of the recording medium and the feeding path.

[0017] An opening 70 is formed on the upper surface of the housing 101 that forms the upper part of the main body 100, exposing the inside of the recording device 1. The opening 70 is opened and closed by an opening / closing member 17a. In this embodiment, the opening / closing member 17a is a plate-shaped member that constitutes part of the discharge tray 17, and is a rotating member that is rotatable around a pivot axis 17b in the X direction. Figure 1(a) shows the opening / closing member 17a in the open state, with the opening 70 open. When the opening / closing member 17a is closed as shown in Figure 1(b), the opening 70 is closed.

[0018] Figures 2 to 4 show the internal structure of the recording device 1. The recording device 1 records onto a sheet SH, which is a recording medium before recording, loaded onto the feed tray 2a inside the storage cassette 2. The recording device 1 also discharges the recorded sheet SH into the discharge tray 17. The storage cassette 2 can be removed from the main body 100 of the recording device 1, and the sheet SH can be set into the feed tray 2a of the removed storage cassette 2.

[0019] A main transport path RT1 that guides the transport of the sheet SH is formed from the supply tray 2a to the discharge tray 17. The recording device 1 also has a secondary transport path RT2 that branches off from the main transport path RT1 at branching point BP. The secondary transport path RT2 is an inversion path that reverses the front and back sides of the sheet SH and returns the sheet SH to the main transport path RT1, and is used when recording both sides of the sheet SH. Note that the recording device 1 may not have a double-sided recording function for the sheet SH, in which case the secondary transport path RT2 and related configurations are unnecessary.

[0020] The main transport path RT1 and the secondary transport path RT2 are formed by path-forming members. As an example of path-forming members, Figures 3 and 4 show an upper path-forming member 40b and a lower path-forming member 40a in the section between the second feeding unit 4 and the transport unit 5. The transport path is defined by these path-forming members.

[0021] The sheets SH on the feeding tray 2a are introduced one by one into the main transport path RT1 by the first feeding unit (second supply mechanism) 3. The first feeding unit 3 is a pickup mechanism that uses a motor 22 as a driving source to pick up the sheets SH from the feeding tray 2a. The first feeding unit 3 includes a feeding roller (pickup roller) 3a, a feeding roller 3b, and a separation roller 3c.

[0022] The feeding roller 3a rotates in contact with the top surface of the sheet SH loaded on the feeding tray 2a, driven by the feeding motor 22, and begins feeding the sheet SH. Downstream of the feeding roller 3a are a feeding roller 3b, which rotates driven by the feeding motor 22, and a separation roller 3c, which forms a nip with the feeding roller 3b. The separation roller 3c is a roller equipped with a torque limiter and has rotational resistance. When two or more sheets SH enter the nip between the feeding roller 3b and the separation roller 3c, the rotational resistance of the separation roller 3c separates the sheets SH into a single sheet.

[0023] The recording device 1 comprises a second feeding unit 4 and a plurality of transport units 5 to 8. These are arranged in the order of second feeding unit 4, transport unit 5, transport unit 6, transport unit 7, and transport unit 8 from upstream to downstream in the transport direction of the sheet SH along the main transport path RT1. Transport units 61 and 62 are arranged along the secondary transport path RT2, and are arranged in the order of transport unit 61 and transport unit 62 from upstream to downstream in the transport direction of the sheet SH along the secondary transport path RT2. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the leading edge and trailing edge of the sheet SH refer to the downstream end and upstream end of the sheet SH.

[0024] The second feeding unit 4 transports the sheets SH introduced into the main transport path RT1 by the first feeding unit 3, or the sheets SH returned to the main transport path RT1 from the secondary transport path RT2, to the transport unit 5. The second feeding unit 4 includes a feeding roller 4a and a driven roller 4b which is pressed against the feeding roller 4a by a spring or the like (not shown). The feeding roller 4a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of the feeding motor 23, and the driven roller 4b is a rotating body that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the feeding roller 4a.

[0025] The sheet SH is held between the drive roller 4a and the driven roller 4b at the nip section and conveyed by the rotation of the feed roller 4a and the driven roller 4b. The feed rollers 3a and 3b are one-way rollers, and once the sheet SH has been conveyed to a position beyond the nip section of the second feed unit 4, the second feed unit 4 can continue conveying the sheet even if the drive of the first feed unit 3 is stopped.

[0026] Sensor 31 is a sensor that detects the passage of the leading and trailing ends of sheet SH, and is, for example, an optical sensor. The detection position of sensor 31 is set to a position downstream of the nip portion of the second feeding unit 4. After detecting the passage of the leading end of sheet SH, the detection result of sensor 31 can be used as a control trigger, such as stopping the drive of the first feeding unit 3 or increasing the transport speed of the second feeding unit 4.

[0027] The transport unit 5 is positioned upstream of the recording head 12, and the sheet SH is transported downstream by the transport unit 5 between the recording head 12 and the platen 15 facing the recording head 12. The transport unit 5 includes a transport roller 5a and a driven roller (pinch roller) 5b which is pressed against the transport roller 5a by a spring or the like (not shown). The transport roller 5a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of the transport motor 24, and the driven roller 5b is a rotating body that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the transport roller 5a. The sheet SH is held between the nip portion of the transport roller 5a and the driven roller 5b and transported by the rotation of the transport roller 5a and the driven roller 5b.

[0028] Sensor 32, like sensor 31, is an optical sensor that detects the passage of the leading and trailing ends of sheet SH. Since sensor 32 is located near the upstream of the transport unit 5, its detection results can be used to determine the loop length of sheet SH during register pick-up and to manage the leading end position of sheet SH.

[0029] The transport unit 6 is located downstream of the recording head 12 and transports the sheet SH, which is transported by the transport unit 5, to the downstream transport unit 7. The transport unit 6 includes a transport roller 6a and a spur 6b which is pressed against the transport roller 6a by a spring (not shown) or the like. The transport roller 6a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of the transport motor 24, and the spur 6b is a rotating body that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the transport roller 6a. In this embodiment, the transport unit 5 and the transport unit 6 share a drive source (motor 24).

[0030] Sensor 33 is an optical sensor similar to sensors 31 and 32, and is used to detect the leading and trailing ends of sheet SH.

[0031] The transport unit 7 is positioned downstream of the recording head 12 and the transport unit 6, and transports the sheet SH transported by the transport unit 6 downstream. The transport unit 7 includes a transport roller 7a and a driven roller 7b which is pressed against the transport roller 7a by a spring (not shown) or the like. The transport roller 7a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of the transport motor 25, and the driven roller 7b is a rotating body that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the transport roller 7a. The sheet SH is held between the nip portion of the transport roller 7a and the driven roller 7b and transported by the rotation of the transport roller 7a and the driven roller 7b.

[0032] The transport unit 8 is located downstream of the recording head 12 and transport units 6 and 7, and is an output unit that outputs the sheets SH transported by transport unit 7 to the output tray 17. When single-sided recording occurs, the sheets SH output to the output tray 17 are "face-down output," with the image recording side facing downwards. When double-sided recording occurs, the second recording side faces downwards. Within the main transport path RT1, the path from transport unit 6 to transport unit 8 is sometimes called the "output transport path."

[0033] The conveying unit 8 includes a conveying roller 8a and a driven roller 8b which is pressed against the conveying roller 8a by a spring (not shown) or the like. The conveying roller 8a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of the conveying motor 25, and the driven roller 8b is a rotating body that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the conveying roller 8a. The sheet SH is held between the nip portion of the conveying roller 8a and the driven roller 8b and is conveyed by the rotation of the conveying roller 8a and the driven roller 8b.

[0034] In this embodiment, the transport unit 7 and the transport unit 8 share a drive source (transport motor 25). However, the motor 25 may be eliminated, and the transport motor 24, which is the drive source for the transport unit 5 and the transport unit 6, may also be shared between the transport unit 7 and the transport unit 8.

[0035] Sensor 34 is an optical sensor similar to sensors 31-33 and is used to detect the leading and trailing ends of sheet SH. In this embodiment, after the trailing end of sheet SH is detected by sensor 34 and a predetermined amount has been transported, discharge is complete, and the detection result of sensor 34 can also be used for discharge detection.

[0036] A flapper 16 is positioned at the branching point BP. The flapper 16 switches the destination path for sheet SH between the main transport path RT1 and the secondary transport path RT2. At the positions shown in Figures 3 and 4, the flapper 16 maintains the destination path for sheet SH as the main transport path RT1, and sheet SH is discharged to the discharge tray 17 via the transport unit 8. The flapper 16 is rotatably mounted and switches paths by rotating with an actuator 27 such as an electromagnetic solenoid.

[0037] The transport unit 61 is a reversing unit that transports the sheet SH that has entered the secondary transport path RT2 from the branching point BP. The secondary transport path RT2 has a reversing path RT21 that extends upward from the branching point BP through the branching point BP', and a return path RT22 that extends from the branching point BP' to the second feeding unit 4, and constitutes a path that guides the sheet SH from the rear to the front of the recording device 1. The transport unit 61 is located in the reversing path RT21. The transport unit 61 includes a transport roller 61a and a driven roller 61b that is pressed against the transport roller 61a by a spring or the like (not shown). The transport roller 61a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of the transport motor 26, and the driven roller 61b is a rotating body that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the transport roller 61a.

[0038] The sheet SH, having entered the secondary transport path RT2 from the branching point BP, moves along the reversal path RT21. The transport roller 61a rotates bidirectionally in the R1 direction and the opposite R2 direction. As the transport roller 61a rotates in the R1 direction, the sheet SH is transported in the direction of arrow F. When the rear end of the sheet SH passes the branching point BP', the rotation direction of the transport roller 61a is switched to the R2 direction. The sheet SH is then transported in the reverse direction. The sheet SH is then reversed and introduced from the branching point BP' into the return path RT22.

[0039] The transport unit 62 is an intermediate unit located in the return path RT22. The transport unit 62 includes a transport roller 62a and a driven roller 62b which is pressed against the transport roller 62a by a spring (not shown) or the like. The transport roller 62a is a rotating body that rotates by the driving force of the transport motor 26, and the driven roller 62b is a rotating body that rotates in accordance with the rotation of the transport roller 62a. The sheet SH is held between the nip portion of the transport roller 62a and the driven roller 62b and transported by the rotation of the transport roller 62a and the driven roller 62b. In this embodiment, the transport unit 61 and the transport unit 62 share a drive source (motor 26).

[0040] Furthermore, since the conveying roller 62a is a one-way roller, once the sheet SH has been conveyed to a position beyond the nip portion of the second feeding unit 4, the second feeding unit 4 can continue conveying even if the drive of the conveying roller 62a is stopped.

[0041] <Front feeding unit> The front feeding unit 50 will be explained using Figures 5 and 6. Figure 5 shows a magnified view of a part of Figure 1(a), and shows the front feeding unit cover 53 and feeding tray 51 in the extended position. Figure 6 shows the internal structure of the front feeding unit cover 53 and feeding tray 51 in the extended position from the state shown in Figure 2.

[0042] Inside the housing 101, a front feeding unit (first feeding mechanism) 50 is positioned above the feeding tray 2a in the Z direction (+Z direction) and on the front 101a side of the recording device 1 for feeding the sheets SH. Figure 2 shows the feeding tray 51 of the front feeding unit 50 in the closed state, while Figures 5 and 6 show the feeding tray 51 in the open state. When the feeding tray 51 is closed, multiple trays are folded and housed inside the housing 101. When the feeding tray 51 is open, the folded trays are extended to a length sufficient to hold the loaded sheets SH so that they do not fall.

[0043] A loading tray 52 is positioned behind the open feeding tray 51, and both the feeding tray 51 and the loading tray 52 hold the loaded sheets SH. Behind the loading tray 52 is a feeding roller 50a that feeds the sheets SH by pressing it against them. A sensor 36 is also provided to detect whether or not sheets SH are loaded on the loading tray 52.

[0044] Sensor 36 is an optical sensor, similar to the other sensors 31-33. Unlike the other sensors, sensor 36 is not positioned to detect the front or rear end of the sheet SH, but rather to detect the presence or absence of the sheet SH. Therefore, it can be configured with, for example, a reflective sensor. In addition, side guides 56a and 56b for supporting the width direction of the loaded sheet SH are attached to the left and right sides of the loading tray 52. ​​The left and right side guides 56a and 56b are connected by a rack and pinion (not shown), so when the user operates one side guide, the opposite side guide also moves in conjunction, supporting the left and right ends of the sheet SH.

[0045] <Recording Unit> Figure 7 is a perspective view of the recording unit (recording section), and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of BB in Figure 7. The recording unit 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 3, 4, 7, and 8.

[0046] The recording unit 10 includes a recording head 12, a carriage 11, and a drive unit 14. The recording head 12 discharges liquid ink (recording material) onto a sheet SH that is transported in the direction indicated by arrow SD, thereby recording an image on the sheet SH. The recording head 12 has an ejection surface on its lower surface, which has a plurality of nozzles formed therein for discharging ink.

[0047] The ink supply method to the recording head 12 is, for example, a tube supply method from an ink tank 64a (see Figure 2) located inside a tank cover 65 separate from the carriage 11, via a tube (not shown). However, there are other ink supply methods, such as an independent ink cartridge system in which the ink cartridge is mounted on the carriage 11 together with the recording head 12, or a head cartridge system in which the ink cartridge and recording head 12 are integrated, and any of these methods is acceptable.

[0048] <Configuration of the front panel of the device> Figure 9 shows the configuration of the front and top sections of the recording device 1. Figure 9(a) shows the front view, and Figure 9(b) shows the top view. Figure 10 shows the cross-sections of the recording device 1 in the Z direction.

[0049] The front surface 101a of the recording device 1 is arranged with several movable members: a front feeding unit cover 53, a tank cover 65, a cassette cover (exterior cover) 2b that covers the front of the feeding tray 2a, and a fixed operation panel (fixed operation section) 103, and a key 103a enclosed within the fixed operation panel 103. The fixed operation panel 103 is also equipped with a terminal 103b for inserting cables that input and output electrical signals from the outside.

[0050] The housing 101 has a first side facing the fixed operation panel 103 and a second side facing the opposite side on both sides of the front 101a. Above the front 101a is the top surface 101b. Behind the top surface 101b is the output tray 17. Above the output tray 17 is the reading unit 900 for reading documents. Recording media ejected into the output tray 17 are removed through an opening between the top surface 101b and the reading unit 900. The surface where the opening is formed is set back from the front 101a of the recording device 1 towards the rear.

[0051] The front feeding unit cover 53 is adjacent to the fixed operation panel 103. The front feeding unit cover 53 and the fixed operation panel 103 form the frontmost part below the top surface 101g of the housing 101, from the end on the first side to the end on the second side. That is, as shown in the Z2-Z2 cross section, a part of the first side of the housing 101 enters the inside of the feeding unit cover 53 and is covered by the feeding unit cover 53.

[0052] The feed unit cover 53 and the cassette cover 2b adjacent to it on the underside extend from the first side edge (one end) to the second side edge (the other end) of the housing 101 at the very front of the housing 101. That is, as shown in the Z3-Z3 section, a portion of the first side and a portion of the second side of the housing 101 are inside the tank cover 2b and covered by the cassette cover 2b.

[0053] The cassette cover 2b and the tank cover 65 adjacent to it on the underside extend from the end of the first side of the housing 101 to the end of the second side at the very front of the housing. That is, as shown in the Z4-Z4 section, a portion of the first side and a portion of the second side of the housing 101 are inside the tank cover 53 and covered by the tank cover 65.

[0054] Therefore, the front of the recording device consists only of a fixed control panel equipped with operating members and a number of covers that are movable relative to the recording device.

[0055] <Configuration of the front feeding unit cover> The front feeding unit cover 53 will be described using Figure 11. The front feeding unit cover 53 is integrally constructed with surfaces 53a and 53b that are continuous with the front surface 101a and the top surface 101b of the device, respectively, and is pivotally supported on the main body 100 so as to be openable and closable. The front feeding unit 50 includes a feeding tray 51 that is enclosed within the main body 100 when the front feeding unit cover 53 is closed, and exposed from the main body 100 when the front feeding unit cover 53 is open. The feeding tray 51 has a tray link mechanism 54 that changes its position relative to the front feeding unit 50 in conjunction with the opening and closing of the front feeding unit cover 53.

[0056] <Lower end position of the front feeding unit cover> Figure 12 shows the front feeding unit cover 53 in the open state. As shown in Figure 10, the front feeding unit cover 53 is equipped with a cam portion (cam mechanism) 55. The cam portion 55 has a width that is approximately fitted with a shaft portion 57 provided on the main body 100 side of the device, and the shaft portion 57 is guided by the cam portion 55 when the front feeding unit cover 53 is opened and closed. As a result, the lower end surface Z0 of the front feeding unit cover 53 rises with the movement of the front feeding unit cover 53 opening, and is always in a position to the + Z direction from the lower end position Z1 in the closed state shown in Figure 9.

[0057] <Opening and closing the feed tray> The opening and closing of the feeding tray 51 will be explained using Figure 13. The movable feeding tray (first tray) 51 is equipped with a tray link mechanism 54 and a tray guide 58, the tray guide 58 being pivotally supported at its lower end by a rotation axis O5. The tray link mechanism 54 has a main body side link member 54a and a cover side link member 54b. The upper end of the main body side link member 54a is pivotally supported on the rotation axis 01 of the main body 100 of the device, and the lower end is pivotally supported on the cover side link member 54b by a rotation axis O3. The upper end of the cover side link member 54b is pivotally supported on the feeding tray 51 by a rotation axis O2, and the lower end is pivotally supported on the front feeding unit cover 53 by a rotation axis O4 with some play in the linear direction.

[0058] The tray guide 58 is guided to move in the Z direction along the tray guide rail 60 on the main body 100 of the device. When the front feeding unit cover 53 is opened, the feeding tray 51 moves upward in the Z direction as the rotation axis O5 at the lower end moves along the tray guide rail 60 of the tray guide 58. In addition, the main body side link member 54a and the cover side link member 54b move upward, and in conjunction with this, the rotation axis O2 moves forward in the Y direction.

[0059] When the front feeding unit cover 53 is open, as shown in Figure 13(a), the tray guide 58 is located at the first position P1, which is one end of the tray guide rail 60 on the Z-direction + side. On the other hand, when the front feeding unit cover 53 is closed, as shown in Figure 13(b), the tray guide 58 is located at the second position P2, which is one end of the tray guide rail 60 on the Z-direction - side. In this state, the feeding tray 51 is housed inside the housing. Also, when the tray guide 58 is in the second position P2, it is located inside the front feeding unit cover 53 and the cassette cover 2b, and they overlap each other in the Z-direction.

[0060] <Automatic opening of the feed / delivery sub-tray> The feeding sub-tray 511, which constitutes the feeding tray 51, will be explained using Figure 14. The feeding sub-tray 511 is pivotally supported at the Z-direction + side end of the feeding tray 51 (upstream side in the sheet transport direction) so as to be rotatable around a pivot axis extending in the X direction. As shown in Figure 14(a), when the feeding tray 51 opens in conjunction with the front feeding unit cover 53, the center of gravity position G1 is located on the Y-direction - side of the pivot position R1. Therefore, when the front feeding unit cover 53 opens, the feeding sub-tray 511 automatically opens as shown in Figure 14(b). On the other hand, when the front feeding unit cover 53 closes and the feeding tray 51 is in the stored state, the center of gravity position G1 is located on the Y-direction + side (towards the back of the device) than the pivot position R1.

[0061] <Operation switch on the top surface of the front feed unit cover> The configuration of the top surface of the front feeding unit cover 53 will be explained using Figure 15. The fixed operation panel 103 is positioned adjacent to the front feeding unit cover 53 in the X direction. The surface 53b of the front feeding unit cover 53, which forms part of the top surface 101b of the device, forms at least part of the top surface of the fixed operation panel 103. A switch 80 for changing the paper feed size (sheet type) is located on the top side of the fixed operation panel 103, and this switch 80 is covered by surface 53b when the feeding unit cover 53 is closed. Conversely, when the feeding unit cover 53 is open, the switch 80 is exposed and becomes operable.

[0062] <Partial configuration of the optional equipment sheet transport path> The sheet transport path of the optional device will be explained using Figure 16. In Figure 16(a), the front surface 101a of the device consists of a front feeding unit cover 53, a cassette cover 2b, a fixed operation panel 103, and a tank cover 65. The front feeding unit cover 53, cassette cover 2b, and tank cover 65 are arranged in that order from top to bottom in the Z direction of the device, and the fixed operation panel 103 is positioned adjacent to the front feeding unit cover 53 in the X direction.

[0063] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 16(b), the tank cover 65 is equipped with a tank cover hinge 66 that opens downward in the Z direction. Also, inside the tank cover 65, as shown in Figure 16(c), there is an optional sheet transport path 67 that connects the recording medium transported from the optional device (specifically, the recording medium supply unit) 1B, which is mounted below the recording device 1, to the main transport path RT1 formed by the attachment / detachment unit 40.

[0064] <Opening and closing operation of the tank cover> The opening and closing of the tank cover (second movable member) 65 will be explained using Figures 16 and 17. The tank cover 65 comprises a first cover pivot 71a and a second cover pivot 71b. The first tank cover hinge 71, fixed to the tank cover 65, supports the first cover pivot 71a and the second cover pivot 71b. The second tank cover hinge 71A is comprised of a device hinge 72 having a first pivot portion 72a and a second pivot portion 72b fixed to the main body 100 of the device, a first indirect hinge 73 pivotally supported by the first pivot portion 72a, a second indirect hinge 74 supported by the second pivot portion 72b, a first cover hinge 75 pivotally supported by the first indirect hinge 73 and supporting the first pivot portion 71a of the cover, and a second cover hinge 76 pivotally supported by the second indirect hinge 74 and supporting the second pivot portion 71b of the cover. The tank cover 65 can be arbitrarily positioned in the state shown in Figure 16(a), the state shown in Figure 16(b), and the state shown in Figure 16(c). Figure 16(a) shows the tank closed state in which the tank cover 65 covers the tank housing 64 inside the main body 100 of the device. Figure 16(b) shows the tank cover 65 in the open state, supported by the ground surface, allowing access to the tank housing 64 inside the main body 100 of the device. Figure 16(c) shows the recording device 1 mounted on the optional device 1B capable of supplying sheet SH, with the tank cover 65 in the open state, supported by contact with the optional device 1B, allowing access to the tank housing 64 inside the main body 100 of the device.

[0065] <Dimensions on the projection surface of the front of the device> As shown in Figure 16, the front surface 101a of the device is configured such that, in the projection direction from the front surface of the device, the ends in the X and Z directions are smaller than the outer dimensions of the recording device 1.

[0066] <Maintenance cartridge layout configuration> Figure 18 shows the cassette cover 2b in the open position. As shown in Figures 18(a) and 18(b), the cassette cover 2b is configured to cover the width of the front surface 101a of the device in the X direction. The feed tray 2a is located inside the cassette cover 2b, and a waste ink storage unit (container) 81 for storing waste ink (waste recording material) generated by the recording head 12 is located adjacent to the feed tray 2a in the X direction. The waste ink storage unit 81 is retractable from the housing 101.

[0067] As described above, according to the above embodiment, the front of the recording device consists only of a fixed operation panel equipped with an operating member and a plurality of covers that are movable relative to the recording device, making it possible to maximize the opening of the internal access section.

[0068] (Other embodiments) Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0069] The disclosures herein include the following recording devices:

[0070] (Item 1) A recording unit that records data using recording material on a recording medium, A supply unit that supplies the recording material to the recording unit, A housing that houses the recording unit and the supply unit, On the front of the housing, there is a fixed operating section having an operating member and fixed to the housing, On the front surface of the housing, adjacent to the fixed operating section, a first movable member is provided that covers the housing to one end and is movable relative to the housing, A recording device characterized by comprising a second movable member located on the front surface of the housing, adjacent to the first movable member in the height direction, covering the housing from one end to the other, and movable relative to the housing.

[0071] (Item 2) The recording device according to item 1, characterized in that the fixed operating section has an opening for inserting a cable.

[0072] (Item 3) The recording device according to item 1 or 2, further comprising a first supply mechanism for supplying a recording medium to the recording unit at the upper part of the front of the housing, and a first movable member covering the first supply mechanism, wherein the first movable member is integrally formed from the front of the housing to the top surface of the housing.

[0073] (Item 4) The recording device according to item 3, wherein the first supply mechanism comprises a movable first tray for loading recording media and a link mechanism connecting the first movable member and the first tray, wherein the first tray is housed in the housing when the first movable member is closed, and when the first movable member is opened, the first tray moves to a position for loading recording media.

[0074] (Item 5) The recording device according to item 4, further comprising a second tray on the upstream side of the first tray in the transport direction of the recording medium, the second tray being rotatable around a pivot axis extending in the width direction of the first tray relative to the first tray, wherein when the first movable member is in the open position and the first tray is in the position for loading the recording medium, the center of gravity of the second tray is in front of the housing relative to the pivot axis, and when the first movable member is in the closed position and the first tray is in the stored state, the center of gravity of the second tray is in rear of the housing relative to the pivot axis.

[0075] (Item 6) The recording device according to any one of items 3 to 5, characterized in that the fixed operating section is provided on the top surface side of the housing with an operating section for setting the type of recording medium to be loaded into the first supply mechanism, the top surface of the first movable member is configured to cover the first supply mechanism and the top surface side of the fixed operating section when closed, and the operating section for setting the type of recording medium is exposed when the first movable member is opened.

[0076] (Item 7) A recording device according to any one of items 3 to 6, comprising a housing for housing the recording medium, a cassette disposed in the housing for housing the recording medium, and a second supply mechanism for supplying the recording medium from the cassette, wherein the cassette is retractable to the front of the housing and includes an exterior cover which is the second movable member.

[0077] (Item 8) The recording device according to item 7, wherein a container for storing waste recording material generated in the recording unit is provided adjacent to the cassette, the container is retractable forward from the housing, and is covered by the exterior cover when housed in the housing.

[0078] (Item 9) The recording device according to item 7 or 8, characterized in that the first movable member, when in the closed position, has a shape that is continuous with the outer cover and extends toward the rear of the housing.

[0079] (Item 10) The recording device according to any one of items 3 to 9, characterized in that the first movable member is provided with a cam mechanism whose lower end rises upward when it moves from a closed position to an open position.

[0080] (Item 11) A recording device according to any one of items 1 to 10, characterized in that a container containing the recording material is retractable from the front of the housing, and the container is covered by a third movable member when housed in the housing.

[0081] (Item 12) The recording device according to item 11, characterized in that the third movable member opens by rotating downwards in the housing.

[0082] (Item 13) The recording device according to item 11 or 12, wherein a supply unit for mounting the recording device and supplying a recording medium can be attached below the housing, and the recording medium supplied from the supply unit is transported to the recording section from between the third movable member and the container.

[0083] (Item 14) The recording device according to item 13, characterized in that the third movable member contacts the supply unit in an open position.

[0084] (Item 15) The recording device according to any one of items 11 to 14, characterized in that the first to third movable members are configured such that, when viewed from the front of the recording device, their left-right width is smaller than the width of the recording device.

[0085] (Item 16) The recording device according to any one of claims 11 to 15, characterized in that the front surface of the housing is composed only of the fixed operating section and the first to third movable members.

[0086] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications and variations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, claims are attached to disclose the scope of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0087] 1: Recording device, 2: Cassette, 2b: Cassette cover, 53: Front feed unit cover, 65: Tank cover, 100: Main unit, 101: Housing, 103: Fixed operation panel

Claims

1. A recording unit that records data using recording material on a recording medium, A supply unit that supplies the recording material to the recording unit, A housing that houses the recording unit and the supply unit, On the front of the housing, there is a fixed operating section having an operating member and fixed to the housing, On the front surface of the housing, adjacent to the fixed operating section, a first movable member is provided that covers the housing to one end and is movable relative to the housing, A recording device characterized by comprising a second movable member located on the front surface of the housing, adjacent to the first movable member in the height direction, covering the housing from one end to the other, and movable relative to the housing.

2. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing operation section is provided with an opening for inserting a cable.

3. The recording device according to claim 1, further comprising a first supply mechanism for supplying a recording medium to the recording unit at the upper part of the front of the housing, and a first movable member covering the first supply mechanism, wherein the first movable member is integrally formed from the front of the housing to the top surface of the housing.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first supply mechanism comprises a movable first tray for loading recording media and a link mechanism connecting the first movable member and the first tray, wherein the first tray is housed in the housing when the first movable member is closed, and the first tray moves to a position for loading recording media when the first movable member is opened.

5. The recording device according to claim 4, further comprising a second tray on the upstream side of the first tray in the transport direction of the recording medium, the second tray being rotatable around a pivot axis extending in the width direction of the first tray relative to the first tray, wherein when the first movable member is in the open position and the first tray is in the position for loading the recording medium, the center of gravity of the second tray is in front of the housing relative to the pivot axis, and when the first movable member is in the closed position and the first tray is in the stored state, the center of gravity of the second tray is in rear of the housing relative to the pivot axis.

6. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the fixed operating section is provided on the top surface side of the housing with an operating section for setting the type of recording medium to be loaded into the first supply mechanism, the top surface of the first movable member is configured to cover the first supply mechanism and the top surface side of the fixed operating section when closed, and the operating section for setting the type of recording medium is exposed when the first movable member is opened.

7. The recording device according to claim 3, comprising a storage section for housing the recording medium, a cassette disposed in the storage section for housing the recording medium, and a second supply mechanism for supplying the recording medium from the cassette, wherein the cassette is retractable forward from the housing and includes an exterior cover which is the second movable member.

8. The recording device according to claim 7, wherein a container for storing waste recording material generated in the recording unit is provided adjacent to the cassette, the container is retractable forward from the housing, and is covered by the exterior cover when housed in the housing.

9. The recording device according to claim 7, characterized in that the first movable member, when in the closed position, has a shape that is continuous with the outer cover and extends toward the rear of the housing.

10. The recording device according to claim 3, characterized in that the first movable member is provided with a cam mechanism in which the lower end rises upward when it moves from a closed position to an open position.

11. The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the container containing the recording material is retractable from the front of the housing, and the container is covered by a third movable member when housed in the housing.

12. The recording device according to claim 11, characterized in that the third movable member opens by rotating downwards in the housing.

13. The recording device according to claim 11, wherein a supply unit for mounting the recording device and supplying a recording medium can be attached below the housing, and the recording medium supplied from the supply unit is transported to the recording section from between the third movable member and the container.

14. The recording device according to claim 13, characterized in that the third movable member contacts the supply unit in an open position.

15. The recording device according to claim 11, characterized in that the first to third movable members are configured such that, when viewed from the front of the recording device, their left-right width is smaller than the width of the recording device.

16. The recording device according to claim 11, characterized in that the front surface of the housing is composed only of the fixed operating section and the first to third movable members.

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