Multifunction printer, maintenance method for multifunction printer, and manufacturing method for multifunction printer

Abstract

To provide a complex machine whose recording part can be easily replaced without removing a scanner, a complex machine maintenance method and a complex machine manufacturing method.SOLUTION: A main body frame 50 of a complex machine 11 has first and second frames 51 and 52 whose surfaces parallel to a Z-axis face each other. A recording head is arranged between the first and second frames 51 and 52, and s fixed to the main body frame 50. An ejection tray 61 is fixed to the main body frame 50, at a side closer to a +Z side than the recording head. A scanner 20 is fixed to the main body frame 50, at a side closer to the +Z side than the ejection tray 61 to form an ejection space DS between the ejection tray 61 and the scanner. The recording head performs recording on a medium being conveyed in a first direction which is an in-plane direction of the first frame 51. The ejection tray 61 is configured to be removable in a second direction which is an in-plane direction of the first frame 51, with the scanner 20 fixed to the main body frame 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a multifunction printer, a maintenance method for the multifunction printer, and a manufacturing method for the multifunction printer. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a multifunction machine with a replaceable recording unit. When replacing the recording unit in this multifunction machine, an operator removes the scanner unit, automatic sheet feeder, and operation unit from the device body of the printer unit. As a result of this removal, the recording unit is removed from an opening formed in the device body. The replaced recording unit is then installed into the device body through the opening. After that, the operation unit, automatic sheet feeder, and scanner unit are installed into the device body. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-107622 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The multifunction machine described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the scanner unit and the like must be removed in order to replace the printing unit, making it difficult to replace. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A multifunction printer that solves the above problem includes a main body frame having a first frame and a second frame that face each other and each have a surface parallel to a Z axis perpendicular to the installation surface of the multifunction printer, where the multifunction printer side with respect to the installation surface is the +Z side and the opposite side is the -Z side, a recording head arranged between the first frame and the second frame and supported by the main body frame, an output tray that is fixed to the main body frame on the +Z side of the recording head and places media that is output after being recorded by the recording head, and a scanner that is fixed to the main body frame on the +Z side of the output tray and forms an output space between itself and the output tray, wherein the recording head records on media that is transported in a first direction, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame, and the output tray is configured to be removable in a second direction, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame, with the scanner fixed to the main body frame.

[0006] A maintenance method for a multifunction device that solves the above problem includes removing the output tray in the second direction, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame, while the scanner is fixed to the main body frame, and removing the recording head in a third direction, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame, while the scanner is fixed to the main body frame.

[0007] A manufacturing method for a multifunction device that solves the above problem includes mounting the recording head facing a third direction, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame, with the scanner fixed to the main body frame, and mounting the output tray facing the second direction, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame, with the scanner fixed to the main body frame. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional front view showing the configuration of a printer unit of the multifunction peripheral. [Diagram 3]FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration including a main body frame of the multifunction peripheral. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the multifunction peripheral with its exterior removed. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which the tray unit is removed from the multifunction peripheral. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the tray unit in an installed state. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a state in which the tray unit is removed. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional front view of a main part showing a state in which the tray unit is removed. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a fixing structure of the tray unit to the apparatus main body. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing a fixing structure of the tray unit to the apparatus main body. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the rear surface of the tray unit. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a tray unit with stays. [Figure 17] FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing the recording head when in a recording position. [Figure 20] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view showing the recording head when it is in a detached position. [Figure 21] 4 is a flowchart showing a maintenance method for the multifunction peripheral. [Figure 22] 4 is a flowchart showing a method for manufacturing a multifunction peripheral. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. The multifunction device has multiple functions including, for example, an image reading function (scanning function) for reading an image from a document and outputting it as image data, a copy function for printing the image from the document onto a medium, and a print function for printing characters and images onto a medium. The multifunction device may also have a facsimile function.

[0010] In the drawings, the multifunction device 11 is placed on a horizontal installation surface F. Of the Z axis perpendicular to the installation surface F of the multifunction device 11, the side of the multifunction device 11 with respect to the installation surface F is the +Z side, and the opposite side is the -Z side. In addition, two orthogonal axes among the in-plane directions of the installation surface F are the X axis and the Y axis, respectively. The directions parallel to the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis are called the X-axis direction, the Y axis direction, and the Z axis direction, respectively. The X-axis direction includes both the +X direction and the -X direction. The Y axis direction includes both the +Y direction and the -Y direction. The Z axis direction includes both the +Z direction and the -Z direction. The Z axis direction, which is parallel to the Z axis, is also called the vertical direction Z. The X axis direction is the width direction when the multifunction device 11 is viewed from the front. Therefore, the direction parallel to the X axis is also called the width direction X. Here, the front of the multifunction device 11 is the side on which the operation unit 14, which is operated by the user to give instructions to the multifunction device 11, is located. The Y axis is parallel to the depth direction of the multifunction device 11. For this reason, the Y axis direction is also called the depth direction Y.

[0011] <Configuration of multifunction device> As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 11 includes a rectangular parallelepiped device body 12 and a scanner 20 disposed on the upper portion of the device body 12. The scanner 20 includes a document table 21 on which a document is placed, and an automatic document feeder 22 (Auto Document Feeder (ADF)) as an example of an opening / closing body that is provided so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document table 21. The automatic document feeder 22 is configured so as to be openable and closable with respect to the document table 21, with a pivot point as the center. The automatic document feeder 22 has a function of automatically feeding a document. The document table 21 is fixed to the upper end of the device body 12. The automatic document feeder 22 of this embodiment is mounted integrally with a document table cover 23. That is, the lower portion of the automatic document feeder 22 that faces the document table 21 is the document table cover 23. Therefore, the document table cover 23 is opened and closed by rotating the automatic document feeder 22 with respect to the document table 21, with the pivot point as the center.

[0012] The device body 12 constitutes a printer unit 13. The multifunction device 11 has a configuration in which the printer unit 13, a document table 21, and an automatic document feeder 22 are stacked from the bottom in the vertical direction Z. The multifunction device 11 is placed on an installation surface F with a plurality of casters 12B provided on the bottom of the device body 12 touching the ground.

[0013] The scanner 20 is configured to be able to read images such as characters and photographs recorded on the document D. The automatic document feeder 22 has a document tray 24 on which the document D (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 1) can be placed. The scanner 20 has a feed method for reading the document D fed from the document tray 24 by the automatic document feeder 22, and a flatbed method for reading the document D placed on the document table 21 (see FIG. 3), as a method for reading the document D. The automatic document feeder 22 includes a document tray 24 on which the document D is placed, a feed mechanism 25 for feeding the document placed on the document tray 24, and a discharge tray 26 on which the document D read by the feed method is stacked. The document tray 24 may have a pair of edge guides 27 that are operated when positioning the document D in the width direction. When reading the original D using the flatbed method, the original D is placed on the upper surface of the original table 21, which is exposed when the automatic original feeder 22 is opened, and the original D is pressed down by the original table cover 23 when the automatic original feeder 22 is closed. Then, the scanner 20 reads the original D on the original table 21.

[0014] An operation unit 14 that is operated when giving instructions to the multifunction device 11 is provided at the top of the front surface 12F of the device body 12. The operation unit 14 may be an operation panel having a display unit 14A. The display unit 14A may have a screen made of a touch panel, for example. A touch panel is a display panel that allows instructions to be given to the multifunction device 11 by touching the screen. The operation unit 14 may have operation buttons, or may be configured only with operation buttons. In this example, the surface of the device body 12 that the surface of the operation unit 14 (for example, the panel surface) faces is the front surface.

[0015] The multifunction device 11 includes a cassette 15 (medium storage section) that stores a plurality of media. The cassette 15 stores a plurality of sheets of media M (see FIG. 2) in a stacked state. The multifunction device 11 includes a plurality of tiers (for example, two tiers) of cassettes 15 arranged in a state overlapping in the vertical direction Z at the bottom of the device body 12. The plurality of cassettes 15 are detachably inserted into the device body 12. The cassettes 15 have handles 15A that are used when the user pulls out the cassettes. The number of tiers of the cassettes 15 is not limited to two tiers, and may be one, three, four, five, or the like. The plurality of tiers of cassettes 15 may be an expansion unit that is optionally added in part or in whole.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, a first cover 16 and a second cover 17 are provided on a side surface 12S of the device body 12 in an openable and closable state. Each cover 16, 17 has a handle 16A, 17A that the user uses when opening and closing the cover. Each cover 16, 17 is used by opening and closing to clear a jam of a medium M that occurs on a conveyance path T in the device body 12. The first cover 16 has a feed tray 18 on which a medium can be placed in an openable and closable state. A user can feed a medium placed on the feed tray 18 by opening the feed tray 18 using the handle 18A. Each cover 16, 17, together with a body frame 50 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) and an exterior member 12C (see FIG. 3) that constitute the device body 12, which will be described later, constitute the housing 12A of the printer unit 13. Details of the body frame 50 will be described later.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 1, a recording head 45 for recording on a medium (see FIG. 2) is disposed in the housing 12A. The recording head 45 records on the medium M fed from the cassette 15 or the medium M fed from the feed tray 18 at a recording position along the transport path T (see FIG. 2). A liquid supply source 19 for containing a liquid such as ink is contained in the housing 12A. The recording head 45 has a head portion 45H for recording on the medium M using the liquid such as ink supplied from the liquid supply source 19. A user can visually check the remaining amount of the liquid supply source 19 through a window portion 12W provided in the housing 12A. The liquid supply source 19 may be constituted by a plurality of tanks or cartridges each containing different types of liquid such as ink.

[0018] A concave discharge space DS is provided between the device body 12 and the scanner 20. A discharge tray 61 is disposed at the bottom of the discharge space DS. The recorded medium M discharged from the discharge port 12D (see FIG. 4) of the device body 12 is loaded on the upper surface of the discharge tray 61.

[0019] <Printer section configuration> Next, the configuration of the printer unit 13 will be described with reference to FIG. A transport mechanism 30 that transports the medium M along the transport path T is provided within the device body 12. Also provided within the device body 12 are a medium width sensor 101 that detects the medium M transported along the transport path T, a recording head 45 that records on the medium M, a liquid supply source 19 that supplies liquid such as ink to the recording head 45, a waste liquid storage unit 103 that stores waste liquid such as ink, and a control unit 100 that controls the operation of each unit of the multifunction device 11. The recording head 45 includes a head unit 45H that ejects liquid such as ink onto the medium M. The head unit 45H ejects liquid such as ink supplied from the liquid supply source 19 through a tube (not shown) from a nozzle (not shown).

[0020] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the head portion 45H is disposed in a position inclined with respect to the horizontal. That is, the head portion 45H is disposed in a position in which the nozzle surface on which the nozzles for ejecting liquid are open is inclined with respect to the horizontal. The head portion 45H faces the transport surface of the transport unit 34. The angle at which the head portion 45H is inclined with respect to the horizontal can be changed as appropriate. For example, the head portion 45H and the transport unit 34 may be disposed horizontally (tilt angle 0°). The transport unit 34 includes, for example, a pair of rollers 37 and a transport belt 34A wound around the outer periphery of the pair of rollers 37. The surface of the transport belt 34A on which the medium M is transported is the transport surface. The recording head 45 may be a recording head of a recording method other than the head portion 45H that ejects liquid. For example, the recording head 45 may be a recording head of a dot impact recording method, a thermal recording method, or a laser recording method that records with toner. The recording head 45 of this embodiment is a line head of a line recording method.

[0021] In the multifunction device 11, the medium M is transported through a transport path T shown by a dashed line in FIG. 1. The AB coordinate system shown on the XZ plane is an orthogonal coordinate system. The A direction is the transport direction of the medium M at a recording position facing the head unit 45H constituting the recording head 45 on the transport path T. The direction toward the upstream of the A direction is called the -A direction, and the direction toward the downstream is called the +A direction. In this embodiment, the A direction is inclined so that the +A direction is located closer to the +Z direction than the -A direction. Specifically, it is inclined in the range of 50° to 70° with respect to the horizontal direction, and more specifically, it is inclined by approximately 60°. In this way, the transport direction of the medium M at the recording position of the recording head 45 is an inclined direction that intersects with both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction Z.

[0022] The B direction is an example of a moving direction in which the recording head 45 having the head portion 45H moves. That is, the B direction is a moving direction in which the recording head 45 advances and retreats relative to the transport unit 34. The direction in which the head portion 45H approaches the transport path T in the B direction is called the +B direction, and the direction in which it moves away from the transport path T is called the -B direction. The -B direction is obliquely upward along the direction in which the recording head 45 moves away from the transport surface of the transport unit 34. In this embodiment, the B direction is a direction inclined so that the -B direction is located in the +Z direction rather than the +B direction, and is perpendicular to the A direction. The recording head 45 moves in the B direction on a path that passes through multiple positions including the replacement position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 and the recording position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1. The B direction is a direction in which the recording head 45 is displaced, and is a direction that includes a component of the Z direction, which is the height direction. The moving direction of the recording head 45 may be any direction that forms a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal. The moving direction of the recording head 45 is also called the lifting direction because the movement of the recording head 45 causes displacement of the recording head 45 in the vertical direction Z and involves rising and falling.

[0023] The multifunction device 11 has a housing 12A that constitutes an exterior portion of the device main body 12. An ejection space DS into which the medium M after recording is ejected is formed in the +Z direction from the center of the housing 12A in the Z direction. In addition, a plurality of cassettes 15 are removably provided in the housing 12A. A plurality of sheets of the medium M are stored in the plurality of cassettes 15. The medium M stored in each cassette 15 is transported along a transport path T by a pick roller 31, a separation roller pair 32, and a transport roller 33. A transport path T1 through which the medium M is carried in from an external device and a transport path T2 through which the medium M is transported from a feed tray 18 provided in the housing 12A join together in the transport path T.

[0024] In addition, the transport path T is provided with the aforementioned transport unit 34, a number of flaps 36 that switch the path along which a number of transport roller pairs 35 that transport the medium M are transported, and a medium width sensor 101 that detects the width of the medium M in the Y-axis direction.

[0025] The transport path T is curved in a region facing the medium width sensor 101, and extends obliquely upward from the medium width sensor 101, i.e., in the direction A. Downstream of the transport unit 34 on the transport path T, there are provided a transport path T3 and a transport path T4 leading to the discharge space DS, and a reversing path T5 for reversing the front and back of the medium M. The transport mechanism 30 includes a discharge roller pair 38 that discharges the medium M from the transport path T3, and a discharge roller 39 that discharges the medium M from the transport path T4. The recorded medium M discharged from the transport path T3 to the discharge space DS by the discharge roller pair 38 is loaded onto a discharge tray 61 of the tray unit 60. In addition, a discharge tray (not shown) is provided in the discharge space DS in accordance with the transport path T4.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2, the device body 12 includes a cap carriage 49 that maintains the nozzles of the head portion 45H. The cap carriage 49 can move back and forth along the direction A. When not recording, the cap carriage 49 moves to a position facing the recording head 45 and caps the head portion 45H. With the head portion 45H capped, cleaning is performed to forcibly discharge liquid such as ink from the nozzles of the head portion 45H. As shown in FIG. 2, the recording head 45, a mechanism for moving the recording head 45, the cap carriage 49, a mechanism for moving the cap carriage 49, and a wiper carriage (not shown) for wiping the nozzle surface where the nozzles of the head portion 45H are opened are configured as a motion unit 40 (see also FIG. 8), which is a unit body assembled together.

[0027] 2, the multifunction device 11 includes a discharge tray 61 that constitutes the bottom of the discharge space DS. The discharge tray 61 is a rectangular plate-shaped member, and has a loading surface 63 on which the discharged medium M is loaded. The discharge tray 61 is provided downstream of the transport unit 34 on the transport path T of the medium M and on the +Z side of the recording head 45 in the Z-axis direction. Note that each component of the multifunction device 11 is shown in a simplified manner in FIG. 2.

[0028] The control unit 100 includes a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), and a storage device (not shown). The control unit 100 controls the printer unit 13 and the scanner 20. The control unit 100 controls the transport of the medium M in the multifunction device 11 and the recording operation of the recording head 45 on the medium M. The control unit 100 also controls the automatic document feeder 22 and the reading unit, etc., of the scanner 20 to perform the reading operation of the document D. The control unit 100 also controls the recording head 45 and the transport mechanism 30 (see FIG. 2) of the printer unit 13 to control the transport of the medium M and the recording on the medium M. The control unit 100 is not limited to performing software processing for all the processes it executes. For example, the control unit 100 may be provided with a dedicated hardware circuit (for example, an application specific integrated circuit: ASIC) that performs hardware processing for at least a part of the processes it executes. That is, the control unit 100 may be configured as a circuit including one or more processors operating according to a computer program (software), one or more dedicated hardware circuits that execute at least a part of various processes, or a combination thereof. The processor includes a CPU and memory such as RAM and ROM, and the memory stores program code or instructions configured to cause the CPU to execute processes. Memory, i.e., computer-readable medium, includes any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or dedicated computer.

[0029] Next, the configurations of the main body frame 50 and the motion unit 40 will be described with reference to FIG. The motion unit 40 shown in Fig. 3 includes the recording head 45, a cap carriage 49 (see Fig. 8), and a wiper carriage (not shown) shown in Fig. 2. The recording head 45 is a unit including a head portion 45H, and is provided so as to be motor-drivable in the B direction.

[0030] 3, the motion unit 40 includes a first side frame 41 and a second side frame 42 located in the +Y direction relative to the first side frame 41. The first side frame 41 and the second side frame 42 are formed from a metal plate material and form a frame surface along the AB plane.

[0031] The first side frame 41 and the second side frame 42 are connected by a plurality of connection frames 43 extending in the Y-axis direction. The plurality of connection frames 43 are formed by bending a metal plate material.

[0032] In this embodiment, the multiple connection frames 43 are joined to the first side frame 41 and the second side frame 42 by welding. The multiple connection frames 43 are bent so that a part or all of the cross section of the multiple connection frames 43 taken along the AB plane is rectangular, thereby improving the overall rigidity of the motion unit 40.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 3, the device body 12 includes a body frame 50 and an exterior member 12C. The body frame 50 has a first frame 51 and a second frame 52 that each have a surface parallel to the Z axis and face each other. The first frame 51 is located at an end of the body frame 50 in the -Y direction and is disposed along the XZ plane. The second frame 52 is located at an end of the body frame 50 in the +Y direction and is disposed along the XZ plane. The first frame 51 and the second frame 52 form the base of the device body 12.

[0034] The first frame 51 includes a front frame 53 at the end of the main body frame 50 in the -Y direction. The second frame 52 includes a rear frame 54 at the end of the main body frame 50 in the +Y direction. The front frame 53 and the rear frame 54 are made of a metal material. The motion unit 40 is disposed between the front frame 53 and the rear frame 54, and both ends of the motion unit 40 in the Y-axis direction are fixed to the front frame 53 and the rear frame 54. That is, the first side frame 41, which is the end of the motion unit 40 in the -Y direction, is fixed to the front frame 53, and the second side frame 42, which is the end of the motion unit 40 in the +Y direction, is fixed to the rear frame 54.

[0035] The first frame 51 in this embodiment is composed of a front frame 53 and a first side frame 41. The second frame 52 in this embodiment is composed of a rear frame 54 and a second side frame 42. The front frame 53 and the rear frame 54 are made of a metal material. The motion unit 40 is fixed to the front frame 53 and the rear frame 54 by screws in this embodiment, but may be fixed by welding.

[0036] 3, the motion unit 40 includes a recording head 45. The recording head 45 is disposed between a first frame 51 and a second frame 52, and is supported by a main body frame 50.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, the first frame 51 is aligned along the XZ plane parallel to the front surface 12F of the main frame 50. The transport mechanism 30 shown in FIG. 2 transports the medium M at the recording position of the recording head 45 in a first direction, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame 51. In this embodiment, this first direction is the A direction. For this reason, hereinafter, the first direction is also referred to as the "first direction A." In this manner, the recording head 45 performs recording on the medium M being transported in the first direction A, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame 51. Note that the first direction is not limited to the A direction, and may be any in-plane direction of the first frame 51.

[0038] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, a first frame 51 constituting the main body frame 50 opens the discharge space DS. Also, a second frame 52 constituting the main body frame 50 closes the discharge space DS. As shown in Figure 3, the device main body 12 opens the discharge space DS on its front side 12F and closes the discharge space DS on its rear side 12R.

[0039] 4, the first frame 51 and the second frame 52 are connected at their +X-direction ends via a first side plate 55A, a second side plate 55B, and a third side plate 55C that extend in the Y-direction at different positions in the Z-direction. The first frame 51 and the second frame 52 are connected at their -X-direction ends via a plurality of side plates 56A, 56B, etc. that extend in the Y-direction at different positions in the Z-direction. The plurality of side plates 56A, 56B, etc. are disposed at a height that avoids openings (not shown) that face the covers 16 and 17 of the main frame 50.

[0040] 4, the scanner 20 is fixed to the main body frame 50 on the +Z side of the discharge tray 61. The scanner 20 extends in the +X direction so as to cover the upper side (+Z direction) of the discharge tray 61. Therefore, a discharge space DS is formed between the scanner 20 and the discharge tray 61.

[0041] The main body frame 50 has an opening 50A (see also FIG. 5) in a region facing in the Z-axis direction to a discharge space DS formed between the device body 12 and the scanner 20. The discharge tray 61 is placed on the bottom of the discharge space DS relative to the main body frame 50. The discharge tray 61 is placed on a placement surface 57A consisting of at least a part of the surfaces of the portion of the main body frame 50 that is parallel to the XY plane and surrounds the opening 50A, so as to cover the opening 50A of the main body frame 50.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, a mounting plate 57 extending in the Y-axis direction is fixed to the end of the opening 50A of the main frame 50 on the +X direction side. The upper surface of the mounting plate 57 is a mounting surface 57A on which the tray unit 60 is mounted in a predetermined position. The tray unit 60 is supported at its downstream end (front end) in the conveying direction via a pair of stays 58 fixed on the mounting surface 57A. The pair of stays 58 constitute a part of the main frame 50. Note that the surface on which the main frame 50 mounts the tray unit 60 may be any surface facing the +Z side of the periphery of the opening 50A, and is not necessarily limited to the mounting surface 57A located at the end of the opening 50A in the +X direction. However, for convenience, the surface is referred to as the mounting surface 57A here, including cases in which other mounting surfaces are included. The main frame 50 also has an opening 50B in which the cassette 15 is inserted, at the bottom of its front surface (the surface on the -Y side).

[0043] FIG. 5 shows a state in which the tray unit 60 is removed from the multifunction device 11 shown in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the motion unit 40 including the recording head 45 is disposed in the main body frame 50 at a position lower than the opening 50A. That is, the discharge tray 61 shown in FIG. 4 is fixed to the main body frame 50 on the +Z side of the recording head 45. The discharge tray 61 places the medium M discharged after recording by the recording head 45. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the medium M after recording by the recording head 45 is transported in the +Z direction along the transport path T3 to the height position of the discharge space DS and then discharged into the discharge space DS in the +X direction. Therefore, the discharge tray 61 can place the medium M discharged to the discharge space DS after recording by the recording head 45 located in the -Z direction (lower) than the opening 50A.

[0044] The multifunction device 11 of this embodiment includes a tray unit 60 in which an ejection tray 61 and a driving source 66 are integrated into one unit. The tray unit 60 is fixed to the main body frame 50 in a removable state. That is, the tray unit 60 is removable between an attached state shown in FIG. 4 in which the tray unit 60 is placed on the placement surface 57A of the main body frame 50 while covering the opening 50A, and a detached state shown in FIG. 5 in which the opening 50A is exposed. The opening 50A is used as a head removal port for removing the recording head 45 from the main body frame 50 for maintenance such as repair or replacement of the recording head 45. In addition, in FIG. 5, the recording head 45 is disposed at the lower back inside the device main body 12 from the opening 50A.

[0045] When the recording head 45 moves in the -B direction from the recording position PH1 (see FIG. 19), it moves to the mounting / removal position PH2 (see FIG. 20) corresponding to the opening 50A. That is, the recording head 45 moves in the -B direction from the recording position shown by the solid line in FIG. 2 to the mounting / removal position shown by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 2. In the state where the tray unit 60 shown in FIG. 5 is removed, the recording head 45 in the mounting / removal position can be removed and attached through the opening 50A exposed at the bottom of the discharge space DS.

[0046] 5, when the tray unit 60 is removed, an opening 50A is exposed in the mounting area of ​​the tray unit 60 in the main frame 50. The recording head 45 (indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5) of the motion unit 40 is located at the back of the opening 50A. The opening 50A has a size that allows the recording head 45 having the head portion 45H to be removed.

[0047] <Before and after frames> Next, the configurations of the front frame 53 and the rear frame 54 will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7. First, the front frame 53 will be described with reference to FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, the front frame 53 has a predetermined shape with a recess 53A for opening the discharge space DS toward the front surface 12F (see FIG. 1). The front frame 53 has a large opening for mounting components of the multifunction device 11. The front frame 53 has a large opening 53B to which the motion unit 40 is mounted, an opening 53C to which a mounting portion for mounting the liquid supply source 19 is mounted, and an opening 53D to which the waste liquid storage portion 103 is mounted. The front frame 53 also has an opening 53E to which the drive roller 38A (see FIG. 17) constituting the discharge roller pair 38 is mounted. By mounting the motion unit 40 to the front frame 53, one end of the recording head 45 having the head portion 45H in the −Y axis direction is supported by the first frame 51. The +X end and the -X end of the front frame 53 are bent at approximately right angles in the same direction, and are reinforced by the respective bent shapes.

[0048] Next, the rear frame 54 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The rear frame 54 is configured to include a first metal plate 54A located at the bottom, a second metal plate 54B located above the first metal plate 54A, and a third metal plate 54C located above the second metal plate 54B. In addition, the end portion in the +X direction and the end portion in the -X direction of the rear frame 54 are bent at approximately right angles in the same direction, and are reinforced by the respective bent shapes. In this embodiment, the first metal plate 54A, the second metal plate 54B, and the third metal plate 54C are all formed of metal plate material having the same plate thickness, and are formed by press working.

[0049] The first metal plate 54A, the second metal plate 54B, and the third metal plate 54C have a number of openings formed therein for mounting components of the multifunction device 11. The motion unit 40 described above is mounted in the largest opening 54D formed in the second metal plate 54B. By mounting the motion unit 40 to the front frame 53, the recording head 45 having the head portion 45H has one end in the +Y-axis direction supported by the second frame 52.

[0050] In addition, opening 54E in first sheet metal 54A is an opening for attaching a movement control unit (not shown). This movement control unit acts to absorb the impact and pull each cassette 15 to the mounting position when the first and second cassettes 15 are inserted into device body 12 and butted against the mounting position. Also, openings 54F and 54G are openings for attaching a size detection unit (not shown) for detecting the size of media stored in first and second cassettes 15 from the bottom.

[0051] Moreover, the opening 54H is one of the openings for attaching a driving means (not shown) for lifting up the bottom plate (not shown) of the first cassette 15. Moreover, the opening 54I is one of the openings for attaching a driving means (not shown) for lifting up the bottom plate (not shown) of the second cassette 15. The first sheet metal 54A, the second sheet metal 54B, and the third sheet metal 54C each have the same plate thickness. At each joining line between the first sheet metal 54A, the second sheet metal 54B, and the third sheet metal 54C, a flat frame surface with almost no steps is formed.

[0052] <Motion unit configuration> 8, the motion unit 40 includes a first side frame 41 and a second side frame 42 located in the +Y direction relative to the first side frame 41. The first side frame 41 and the second side frame 42 are formed from a metal plate material and form a frame surface along the AB plane.

[0053] The first side frame 41 and the second side frame 42 are connected by a plurality of connection frames 43 extending in the Y-axis direction. The plurality of connection frames 43 are formed by bending a metal plate. In this embodiment, the plurality of connection frames 43 are joined to the first side frame 41 and the second side frame 42 by welding. The plurality of connection frames 43 are bent so that a part or all of the cross section when cut on the AB plane is rectangular. This improves the overall rigidity of the motion unit 40.

[0054] 8, the first side frame 41 and the second side frame 42 have a pair of head rails 48 on their inner surfaces facing each other, which guide the recording head 45. The pair of head rails 48 are fixed to the inner surfaces of the first side frame 41 and the second side frame 42, respectively. The head rails 48 guide the recording head 45 along direction B. Direction B is a direction that has a component in the Z-axis direction. In this respect, the head rails 48 guide the recording head 45 in a direction along the Z-axis direction.

[0055] Further, the head rail 48 has two rail portions 48A that guide the recording head 45 in the Z-axis direction at the attachment / detachment position PH2 (see FIG. 20) where the recording head 45 has moved in the -B direction along the head rail 48. The first frame 51 is formed by fixing the first side frame 41 to the front frame 53, and the second frame 52 is formed by fixing the second side frame 42 to the rear frame 54. In this regard, in this embodiment, the first frame 51 and the second frame 52 have the head rail 48 that guides the recording head 45 along the Z-axis.

[0056] The recording head 45 has a pair of support plates 46 (only one side is shown in FIG. 8) on both sides in the Y-axis direction. The pair of support plates 46 has a rack 46A that meshes with a pinion 47A fixed to a shaft 47 that rotates forward or backward by the power of a motor 47M (see FIG. 19). A roller 46B is rotatably supported at the tip of a shaft portion that protrudes outward in parallel with the Y-axis from the pair of support plates 46. Two rollers 46B (only one is shown in FIG. 8) are provided on each side of the Y-axis direction of the recording head 45, and two rollers 46B are engaged with a pair of head rails 48 in a rotatable state. When the pinion 47A rotates forward, the recording head 45 descends in the +B direction, and when the pinion 47A rotates backward, the recording head 45 ascends in the -B direction.

[0057] The motion unit 40 also has a cap carriage 49. The cap carriage 49 is guided by a cap rail 49R (see FIG. 19) and is configured to be able to reciprocate along the A direction. The cap carriage 49 has a cap 49A and a liquid receiving portion 49B (flushing box) on a surface that can face the head portion 45H of the recording head 45. The head portion 45H is cleaned by forcibly discharging liquid such as ink from the nozzles of the head portion 45H in a state where the head portion 45H is capped with the cap 49A. In addition, liquid that has thickened in the nozzles is removed by idle ejection from the nozzles of the head portion 45H toward the liquid receiving portion 49B, thereby suppressing the occurrence of ejection defects.

[0058] The stop positions of the recording head 45 guided in the B direction by the head rail 48 may include a recording position PH1 during recording and an attachment / detachment position PH2 in the head replacement mode, as well as other appropriate positions as necessary. For example, the stop positions may include any one or all of a capping position when the recording head 45 is capped with the cap 49A, a wiping position when the wiper carriage wipes the recording head 45, and a temporary retraction position when changing the position of the recording head 45. In addition, a plurality of recording positions may be set as the recording positions of the recording head 45, including a first recording position when the medium M is thin paper and a second recording position when the medium M is thick paper.

[0059] <Installation structure of ejection tray> As shown in FIG. 9, the discharge tray 61 is fixed by a screw 75 to the surface of the stay 58, which is the surface of the main frame 50 facing the second direction TD. In detail, a pair of stays 58 are fixed by a screw to the placement surface 57A at positions spaced apart in the Y-axis direction. A mounting bracket 62B is provided at the lower part of the end (tip) in the +X direction of the tray unit 60. The tip of the tray unit 60 is supported at a position higher in the +Z direction than the placement surface 57A by fixing the mounting bracket 62B to the end of the pair of stays 58 in the +Z direction with a screw 75. Meanwhile, the upstream end of the tray unit 60 in the discharge direction ED is held at the same height position as the placement surface 57A of the main frame 50, or at a height position higher in the -Z direction than the placement surface 57A. The discharge tray 61 is arranged in an attitude inclined with respect to the horizontal plane in a direction positioned in the +Z direction as it moves downstream in the discharge direction ED.

[0060] As shown in FIG. 9, a first rail member 71 and a second rail member 72 are attached to the main body frame 50 on both sides of the discharge space DS in the Y-axis direction. The first rail member 71 is located in the -Y direction from the placement area of ​​the tray unit 60, and the second rail member 72 is located in the +Y direction from the placement area of ​​the tray unit 60. The first rail member 71 covers the side surface of the tray unit 60 in the -Y direction at a position lower than the top surface of the tray unit 60. Therefore, the first rail member 71 opens the discharge space DS. The first rail member 71 has a first tray rail 71A that guides the end of the bottom of the discharge tray 61 in the -Y direction.

[0061] On the other hand, the second rail member 72 is separated into two members, one above the other. That is, the second rail member 72 is composed of a rail member 73 and a wall member 74. The second rail member 72 blocks the discharge space DS from the +Y side. That is, the second rail member 72 forms a surface portion located in the +Y direction among the wall surfaces that divide the discharge space DS. The rail member 73 has a second tray rail 73A. The first tray rail 71A and the second tray rail 73A are formed with approximately the same path in which the paths of the respective rail surfaces overlap each other in a front view seen from the Y-axis direction. The second rail member 72 corresponds to an example of a rail member, and the second tray rail 73A corresponds to an example of a tray rail.

[0062] 9, the tray unit 60 of this embodiment includes a lifting / lowering rib mechanism 64 at the center of the width of the loading surface 63 of the discharge tray 61. The lifting / lowering rib mechanism 64 has a lifting / lowering rib 65 at the center of the width of the loading surface 63 of the discharge tray 61. The lifting / lowering rib mechanism 64 is controlled by the control unit 100 based on the recording conditions. For example, if the medium M discharged onto the loading surface 63 has been recorded under recording conditions that make it easy for the medium to curl, the control unit 100 raises the lifting / lowering rib 65, and otherwise lowers the lifting / lowering rib 65.

[0063] 9, the recorded medium M discharged in the discharge direction ED from the discharge port 12D by the discharge roller pair 38 is loaded on the loading surface 63 of the discharge tray 61. At this time, the medium M recorded under recording conditions that tend to curl is loaded on the loading surface 63 with its widthwise center portion pushed up by the raised lifting rib 65. In addition, since the loading surface 63 of the discharge tray 61 is inclined toward the +Z side toward the downstream side in the discharge direction ED, the medium M discharged onto the loading surface 63 falls toward the upstream in the discharge direction ED under its own weight. The rear end of the fallen medium M collides with the standing wall 12E consisting of a surface perpendicular to the X-axis, and is aligned in the discharge direction ED.

[0064] 9 from the mounting surface 57A of the main body frame 50, the screws 75 are removed to release the fastening between the mounting brackets 62B and the pair of stays 58. Then, the tray unit 60 is pulled out in the second direction TD (see FIG. 11) along the tray rails 71A, 73A.

[0065] Fig. 10 shows a state in which the tray unit 60 is removed. As shown in Fig. 10, the first and second tray rails 71A, 73A have at least a portion that forms an inclined path that inclines with respect to the horizontal plane in a direction positioned in the +Z direction as it moves downstream in the ejection direction. The tray unit 60 is guided by the inclined path of the first and second tray rails 71A, 73A. As a result, in the attached state, the tray unit 60 is held in a posture that inclines with respect to the horizontal plane in a direction positioned in the +Z direction as it moves downstream in the ejection direction, as shown in Fig. 9.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 10, the first and second tray rails 71A and 73A have a first guide surface 76A extending substantially horizontally in a portion near the end in the +X direction, an inclined second guide surface 76B, and a third guide surface 76C extending substantially horizontally. The first to third guide surfaces 76A to 76C are arranged in this order along a direction toward the upstream of the ejection direction. An opening 72A (recess) is formed at the lower end of the second rail member 72 for inserting a connector 69 on the tray unit 60 side into a connector 77 (see FIG. 11) on the device body 12 side described later. Therefore, the second tray rail 73A is cut at the opening 72A, but the cut length is short, so that the guide performance for guiding the tray unit 60 is not significantly affected.

[0067] 11, the tray unit 60 is configured to be removable in a second direction TD, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame 51, by being guided by the first and second tray rails 71A, 73A. In the second direction TD, the tray unit 60 moves obliquely upward while remaining in an inclined posture in an area guided by the second guide surface 76B during the removal process, and is guided horizontally in an area guided by the first guide surface 76A. Therefore, although the direction of the second direction TD changes during the removal process, it remains an in-plane direction of the first frame 51. In this example, the second direction TD, which is the removal direction of the tray unit 60, is also a direction along the ejection direction ED.

[0068] 11, the discharge tray 61 has a fitting portion 68 facing a first side in the second direction TD. The first side in the second direction TD refers to the upstream side in the removal direction of the discharge tray 61. In other words, the first side in the second direction TD refers to the downstream side in the attachment direction (the direction opposite to the second direction TD) when the discharge tray 61 is attached. The discharge tray 61 has the fitting portion 68 facing the attachment direction at the tip end in the attachment direction when attached to the main body frame 50.

[0069] 12, the discharge tray 61 has a pair of fitting portions 68 facing the first side in the second direction TD at two positions spaced apart in the Y-axis direction. The main body frame 50 has a pair of mounting brackets 78 at positions corresponding to the pair of fitting portions 68 of the discharge tray 61.

[0070] 13, the pair of mounting brackets 78 are formed with fitting holes 78A into which the fitting portions 68 can fit. When the pair of fitting portions 68 fit into the fitting holes 78A, the discharge tray 61 is positioned relative to the main body frame 50 in two directions, that is, the Y-axis direction (depth direction Y) and the Z-axis direction (vertical direction Z).

[0071] <Tray unit configuration> Next, the detailed configuration of the tray unit 60 will be described with reference to FIGS. Fig. 14 shows the front surface of the tray unit 60, and Fig. 15 shows the back surface of the tray unit 60. As shown in Fig. 14, the tray unit 60 has a discharge tray 61 having a function of stacking media M, and a lifting rib mechanism 64 assembled to the discharge tray 61. The lifting rib mechanism 64 has a long lifting rib 65 extending along the discharge direction at the center of the width direction perpendicular to the discharge direction of the media M on the loading surface 63, so as to be able to rise and fall relative to the loading surface 63.

[0072] The loading surface 63 of the discharge tray 61 has a first surface 63A that supports the stacked media M, and a second surface 65A that supports the stacked media M and whose protrusion amount from the first surface 63A can be changed by driving from a driving source 66 (see FIG. 15). That is, in the tray unit 60, the surface area of ​​the loading surface 63 other than the lift-down ribs 65 is the first surface 63A, and the upper surface of the lift-down ribs 65 of the loading surface 63 is the second surface 65A.

[0073] The lifting rib 65 moves up and down between a lowered position (retracted position) where the protrusion amount from the first surface 63A is a first protrusion amount, and an elevated position where the protrusion amount from the first surface 63A is a second protrusion amount larger than the first protrusion amount. The protrusion amount of the lifting rib 65 from the first surface 63A may be adjusted to an intermediate protrusion amount between the lowered position and the elevated position. The second surface 65A, which is the upper surface of the lifting rib 65, is disposed at a height position according to the protrusion amount of the lifting rib 65 from the first surface 63A. When the lifting rib 65 is in the lowered position, the second surface 65A is disposed at a first height that is the same height as or lower than the first surface 63A. When the lifting rib 65 is in the elevated position, the second surface 65A is disposed at a second height that is higher than the first height from the first surface 63A. In addition, when the lifting rib 65 is configured to be able to lift and lower to three or more different heights, the second surface 65A may be disposed at one or more third heights between the first height and the second height. The first height of the second surface 65A may be higher than the first surface 63A.

[0074] The discharge tray 61 is made of synthetic resin as a whole member having the loading surface 63 as a surface thereof. The lifting ribs 65 attached to the discharge tray 61 are also made of synthetic resin. The discharge tray 61 has a tray portion 61A made of synthetic resin on the loading surface 63 side, and a metal plate 62 made of sheet metal that covers almost the entire back surface of the tray portion 61A shown in FIG.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 15, the plate 62 that almost covers the back surface of the discharge tray 61 has a cover 62A that protrudes toward the back surface. The cover 62A is in a state of covering a driving source 66 such as a motor that outputs a driving force to the lifting rib mechanism 64. The driving system components including the driving source 66 are protected by the cover 62A. In addition, a lifting mechanism 67 that lifts and lowers the lifting rib 65 is assembled in a built-in state in an area corresponding to the lifting rib 65 on the back surface of the discharge tray 61. For example, when the driving source 66 is driven in the forward direction, the lifting rib 65 is lifted via the lifting mechanism 67. In addition, when the driving source 66 is driven in the reverse direction, the lifting rib 65 is lowered via the lifting mechanism 67. In this way, the control unit 100 controls the driving source 66, thereby controlling the amount of protrusion of the lifting rib 65.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 15, a mounting bracket 62B is formed at the tip of the plate 62 by bending. The mounting bracket 62B has screw insertion holes 62C on both sides spaced apart by a distance corresponding to the distance between the pair of stays 58. The plate 62 also has an extension plate portion 62D at its rear end, which is inclined toward the front side and extends over a predetermined length toward the upstream side (rear end side) in the discharging direction ED. A pair of fitting portions 68 extend from both ends of the width direction of the extension plate portion 62D toward the upstream side in the discharging direction. The direction in which the pair of fitting portions 68 face is the first side of the second direction TD. A wiring connected to the driving source 66 extends from the cover 62A, and a connector 69 is connected to the tip of the wiring. When the tray unit 60 is attached to the main body frame 50, the connector 69 is connected to a connector 77 (see FIG. 11) on the main body frame 50 side.

[0077] <Features of the tray unit mounting structure> Next, a characteristic configuration when the tray unit 60 is attached to the main body frame 50 will be described.

[0078] 17, a part of the discharge tray 61 is between the first frame 51 and the second frame 52. In the example shown in FIG. 17, a part of the discharge tray 61 on the upstream side in the discharge direction ED is located between the first frame 51 and the second frame 52. More specifically, an end of the discharge tray 61 on the upstream side in the discharge direction ED is located between the front frame 53 and the rear frame 54. In addition, a lower end of a cover 62A that covers the driving source 66 on the rear surface of the discharge tray 61 is also located between the front frame 53 and the rear frame 54. The discharge roller pair 38 is composed of a driving roller 38A and a driven roller 38B.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 18, the recording head 45 has a rack 46A. The rack 46A is engaged with a pinion 47A. When the pinion 47A is rotated forward or backward by the power of a motor 47M (see Fig. 19), the recording head 45 is guided by a head rail 48 to move down in the +B direction or up in the -B direction.

[0080] The discharge tray 61 covers the head rail 48. The opening 50A in the placement area of ​​the tray unit 60 is an outlet for the recording head 45. The head rail 48 is arranged on a first path that can guide the recording head 45 toward the opening 50A, which is the outlet, and a second path that can move the recording head 45 to the +Z side along the Z axis at the attachment / detachment position PH2 (see FIG. 20). That is, the head rail 48 has a main rail portion that extends along the B direction to form the first path, and a plurality of rail portions 48A that branch off from the rail portion and extend along the Z axis to form a second path toward the opening 50A, which is the outlet. Therefore, the discharge tray 61 that covers the opening 50A is in a state of covering the head rail 48.

[0081] 18, the discharge tray 61 is inclined toward the +Z side as it moves toward the downstream side in the discharge direction ED. The downstream end (tip) of the tray unit 60 in the discharge direction ED is supported at a position above the placement surface 57A via a pair of stays 58 fixed on the placement surface 57A. The tray rail 71A (see FIG. 12) and the tray rail 73A are inclined toward the +Z side as they move toward the downstream side in the discharge direction ED. Therefore, the discharge tray 61, which is supported by the stays 58 and placed on the placement surface 57A while being guided by the tray rails 71A and 73A, is inclined toward the +Z side as it moves toward the downstream side in the discharge direction ED.

[0082] Also, below the discharge tray 61, there are arranged a fan unit 105 attached to the opening 53C (see FIG. 6) of the first frame 51, and a duct 106 which is a passage for cooling air sent from the fan unit 105 to the recording head 45. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the fan unit 105 and the duct 106 do not protrude above the placement surface 57A and the opening surface of the opening 50A.

[0083] The recording head 45 shown in Fig. 18 is located slightly in the +B direction from the mounting / detaching position PH2 (see Fig. 20). The mounting / detaching position PH2 is the position where the recording head 45 is slightly raised in the -B direction from the position shown in Fig. 18. Therefore, the recording head 45 located at the mounting / detaching position PH2 is in a state where a part of the recording head 45 protrudes upward from the opening 50A, which is the removal opening.

[0084] In addition, parts and members may be arranged in the space below the discharge tray 61. For example, an ink tube and a head duct may be arranged in the space below the discharge tray 61. A tube that supplies liquid such as ink from the liquid supply source 19 to the recording head 45 is piped in a path along the head rail 48. A part of this tube may be arranged in the space below the discharge tray 61. In addition, a part of the duct 106, which is a passage for cooling air that is blown from the fan unit 105 to the recording head 45, may be arranged in the space below the discharge tray 61. In addition, a part of the fan unit 105 may be arranged in the space below the discharge tray 61. The space below the discharge tray 61 here refers to a space that is formed on the +Z side of the opening surface of the opening 50A or the placement surface 57A (horizontal surface) and on the -Z side of the discharge tray 61 by setting the discharge tray 61 in an inclined position in a direction that is located on the +Z side toward the downstream side in the discharge direction.

[0085] As shown in FIG. 18, when the discharge tray 61 covers the head rail 48, the range R1 that the discharge tray 61 occupies in the Z-axis direction only partially overlaps with the range R2 that the head rail 48 occupies in the Z-axis direction. Here, the range R1 is the range in the Z-axis direction from the upper end surface of the loading surface 63 of the discharge tray 61 to the lower end 62E (see also FIG. 15) of the portion that extends downward from the plate 62. Moreover, the range R2 is the range from the upper end of the removal rail portion 48A of the head rail 48 to the lower end of the head rail 48. As shown in FIG. 18, the range R1 and the range R2 overlap in the Z-axis direction by a range OL. The range R1 is equal to the range that the tray unit 60 including the discharge tray 61 and the lifting rib mechanism 64 occupies in the Z-axis direction.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 18, the tray rails 71A and 73A guide the discharge tray 61 toward the +Z side as it moves toward the downstream side in the discharge direction ED. In detail, as shown in FIG. 10, the tray rails 71A and 73A have a second guide surface 76B, which is an inclined surface that guides the discharge tray 61 toward the +Z side as it moves toward the downstream side in the discharge direction ED, and a first guide surface 76A, which is a horizontal surface that guides the discharge tray 61 in the X-axis direction. The second guide surface 76B, which is an inclined surface of each of the tray rails 71A and 73A, guides the discharge tray 61 toward the +Z side as it moves toward the downstream side in the discharge direction ED. In addition, the first guide surface 76A of each of the tray rails 71A and 73A is provided to hold the discharge tray 61, which has been guided diagonally upward by the second guide surface 76B of the tray rails 71A and 73A and has been removed halfway, so that it does not fall to its original position along the second guide surface 76B, which is an inclined surface, due to its own weight. In other words, the first guide surface 76A formed by the horizontal surface of the tray rails 71A, 73A has the function of preventing the discharge tray 61, which the user has removed partway along the tray rails 71A, 73A, from falling back to its original position.

[0087] It should be noted that first guide surface 76A needs only to be a substantially horizontal surface, and may be inclined at a small angle, for example, 10° or less, from the horizontal. In short, the angle that first guide surface 76A makes with respect to the horizontal should be an angle that is smaller (including 0°) than the inclination angle of second guide surface 76B and that can prevent the object from falling down under its own weight along second guide surface 76B.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 17, the discharge tray 61 is configured to be removable in a second direction TD, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame 51, with the scanner 20 fixed to the main body frame 50. The tray unit 60 is guided by the front tray rail 71A and the rear tray rail 73A along a path indicated by a solid arrow in FIG. 11, and is removed as shown in FIG. 11. Here, the second direction TD indicated by the arrow in FIG. 11 is an in-plane direction of the first frame 51. As shown in FIG. 11, the second direction TD is not limited to one of the in-plane directions of the first frame 51, but may be a combination of multiple directions, or may be a direction that changes continuously depending on the position on the removal path of the discharge tray 61.

[0089] 9, 10, and 17, rail members 71, 72 (73) having tray rails 71A, 73A form a discharge space DS. In addition, a tray rail 73A that guides the discharge tray 61 along the second direction TD is fixed to the second frame 52.

[0090] 17, the main body frame 50 has a fitting hole 78A as an example of a fitted portion facing the second side in the second direction TD. The fitting restricts movement of the discharge tray relative to the main body frame 50 in a direction intersecting the second direction. Note that the direction intersecting the second direction may be at least one direction. Also, by moving the discharge tray 61 relative to the main body frame 50 along the second direction TD, the fitting between the fitting portion 68 and the fitting hole 78A is released.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 19, during recording, the recording head 45 is located at a recording position PH1. During non-recording, the recording head 45 is located at a standby position moved in the -B direction from the recording position PH1. At the standby position, the cap carriage 49 is at a position where the recording head 45 and the cap 49A face each other in the B direction, and the head portion 45H of the recording head 45 is capped by the cap 49A. When replacing the recording head 45, the tray unit 60 is removed as shown in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20. Then, the user selects the head replacement mode by operating the operation unit 14 or the host device connected to the multifunction device 11, and issues a head removal instruction. The control unit 100 that has received the head removal instruction drives the motor 47M to move the recording head 45 to the attachment / detachment position PH2 shown in FIG. 20. At this attachment / detachment position PH2, the recording head 45 is located in a position adjacent to the opening 50A. The user removes the recording head 45 from the opening 50A. In this manner, the recording head 45 of the present embodiment is configured to be removable in the third direction HD in the plane of the first frame 51 with the scanner 20 fixed to the main body frame 50 after the discharge tray 61 is removed. Here, the third direction HD is the direction in which the recording head 45 is guided along the rail portion 48A of the head rail 48, and is a direction along the Z axis. The pair of head rails 48 are fixed to the surface of the first frame 51 and the surface of the second frame 52 parallel to the first frame 51, respectively, so the third direction HD is a direction in the plane of the first frame 51 and a direction along the Z axis.

[0092] 19, a cap rail 49R that guides the cap carriage 49 to reciprocate in the direction A extends along the direction A. A rack 49C of the cap carriage 49 meshes with a pinion 49D that is rotated by a motor 49M. The control unit 100 drives and controls the motor 49M to move the cap carriage 49 to a plurality of positions including a retracted position shown in FIG. 19 where the cap carriage 49 is retracted from a position facing the recording head 45 in the direction B, and a cap position where the cap 49A caps the head unit 45H.

[0093] <Operation of the embodiment> The operation of the multifunction device 11 of this embodiment will now be described. <Function of the tray unit> A user performs recording or copying using the multifunction device 11 equipped with an output tray unit. When recording on a medium M, recording data is sent from a host device operated by the user to a control unit 100 of the multifunction device 11. When copying, image data obtained by the scanner 20 reading an original D set by the user on the original tray 24 or original table 21 is sent to the control unit 100.

[0094] The control unit 100, which has received the instruction, performs recording control to record an image based on the recording data or image data on the medium M. The control unit 100 first feeds the medium M from the cassette 15. The fed medium M is transported along the transport path T by the transport mechanism 30. The recording head 45 records characters or images on the medium M by ejecting liquid such as ink toward the medium M. The recorded medium M is discharged from the transport path T3 by the discharge roller pair 38 through the discharge port 12D to the discharge space DS. The discharged medium M is stacked on the stacking surface 63 of the discharge tray 61.

[0095] The control unit 100 controls the lifting and lowering of the lifting rib 65 by controlling the driving source 66. More specifically, the control unit 100 controls the lifting and lowering rib 65 based on the recording condition data. The recording condition data is data related to the recording conditions selected by the user through the operation of the operation panel or the host device (not shown) when instructing recording (including copying). The host device is, for example, a personal computer, in which a printer driver (software) is installed. The printer driver displays a setting screen on the display unit of the host device. The user sets the recording conditions by operating a pointing device such as a mouse on the setting screen. The recording conditions of the recording mode include a plurality of recording condition items such as the type of medium, size, recording quality mode, and recording color (color / monochrome, etc.). The recording conditions of the copy mode include a plurality of recording condition items such as the type of medium, size, recording quality mode, and recording color (color / monochrome, etc.).

[0096] When the recording conditions are such that curling of the medium M is likely to occur as a result of determination based on the recording condition information included in the recording data, the control unit 100 raises the lifting and lowering ribs 65. More specifically, when a parameter indicating the likelihood of curling exceeds a threshold value, the control unit 100 drives the drive source 66 to raise the lifting and lowering ribs 65. An example of the parameter indicating the likelihood of curling is the amount of liquid discharged per unit area onto the medium M. By controlling the lifting and lowering ribs 65 in this way, curling of the medium M after recording that is loaded onto the discharge tray 61 is suppressed.

[0097] <How to maintain your multifunction printer> Next, a maintenance method for the multifunction device 11 will be described with reference to Fig. 19 to Fig. 21. Each step in Fig. 21 corresponds to a procedure of a maintenance method in which the user replaces the recording head 45. When the recording head 45 breaks down or reaches the end of its useful life, maintenance is performed to repair the recording head 45 or replace it with a new one.

[0098] First, in step S11, with the scanner 20 fixed to the main body frame 50, the discharge tray 61 is removed in the second direction TD, which is the in-plane direction of the first frame 51. More specifically, the user loosens the screws 75 with a tool such as a screwdriver to release the connection between the discharge tray 61 and the pair of stays 58. With the scanner 20 fixed to the main body frame 50, the user grasps the discharge tray 61 and pulls it out in the second direction TD along the tray rails 71A, 73A. This removes the discharge tray 61 from the main body frame 50.

[0099] In the next step S12, with the scanner 20 fixed to the main frame 50, the recording head 45 is removed in the third direction HD, which is the in-plane direction of the first frame 51. In more detail, the user operates, for example, the operation unit 14 or the host device to set the head replacement mode and instructs the movement of the recording head 45 to the mounting / removal position PH2. Then, the control unit 100 drives the motor 47M to move the recording head 45 to the mounting / removal position PH2. The recording head 45 rises to a position where it is partially exposed to the opening 50A, which is the removal opening. Next, the user removes the recording head 45 from the main frame 50 by lifting the recording head 45 upward along the rail portion 48A.

[0100] <Manufacturing method of multifunction printer> Next, a method for manufacturing the multifunction device 11 will be described with reference to Figures 19, 20, and 22. The steps in Figure 22 show the procedure for the method for manufacturing the multifunction device 11, but they are also the procedures for installing a repaired or new recording head 45 in a maintenance method for the multifunction device 11 in which the user replaces the recording head 45.

[0101] First, in step S21, with the scanner 20 fixed to the main frame 50, the recording head 45 is attached facing in the opposite direction to the third direction HD, which is the in-plane direction of the first frame 51. More specifically, after the rollers 46B of the recording head 45 are engaged with the rail portions 48A, the recording head 45 is slowly dropped and inserted into the main frame 50. By this insertion, the rollers 46B are guided by the rail portions 48A, and the recording head 45 moves in the direction opposite to the third direction HD, which is the head removal direction, and is disposed at the attachment / detachment position PH2.

[0102] In the next step S22, with the scanner 20 fixed to the main frame 50, the discharge tray 61 is attached in a direction opposite to the second direction TD, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame 51. More specifically, the user holds the discharge tray 61 and slowly pushes the discharge tray 61 along the tray rails 71A and 73A in a direction opposite to the second direction TD. By being guided by the tray rails 71A and 73A, the pair of fitting parts 68 located at the tip of the discharge tray 61 in the pushing direction are inserted into the pair of fitting holes 78A on the main frame 50 side. By pushing the discharge tray 61 all the way in, the pair of fitting parts 68 are fitted into the pair of fitting holes 78A. As a result, the discharge tray 61 is placed on the placement surface 57A while being positioned in two directions, the Y-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Next, the user fixes the discharge tray 61 to the main body frame 50 while maintaining the inclined posture by fixing the screw 75 inserted through the screw insertion hole 62C of the mounting bracket 62B at the tip of the discharge tray 61 to the stay 58. Note that while attaching the discharge tray 61 to the main body frame 50 or after the discharge tray 61 is fixed to the main body frame 50, the connector 69 of the tray unit 60 is connected to the connector 77 on the main body frame 50 side.

[0103] As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. (1) The multifunction device 11 has a Z axis perpendicular to the installation surface F of the multifunction device 11, with the multifunction device 11 side relative to the installation surface F being the +Z side and the opposite side being the -Z side. The multifunction device 11 includes a main body frame 50 having a first frame 51 and a second frame 52 each having a surface parallel to the Z axis and facing each other. The multifunction device 11 includes a recording head 45 disposed between the first frame 51 and the second frame 52 and supported by the main body frame 50, and a discharge tray 61 fixed to the main body frame 50 on the +Z side of the recording head 45 and on which a medium discharged after recording by the recording head 45 is placed. The multifunction device 11 further includes a scanner 20 fixed to the main body frame 50 on the +Z side of the discharge tray 61 and forming a discharge space between the scanner 20 and the discharge tray 61. The recording head 45 records on a medium being transported in a first direction A, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame 51. The discharge tray 61 is configured to be removable in the second direction TD, which is the in-plane direction of the first frame 51, with the scanner 20 fixed to the main body frame 50. With this configuration, the discharge tray 61 can be removed in the in-plane direction with the scanner 20 fixed, making it easy to expose the space between the first frame 51 and the second frame 52. Since the space between the first and second frames 52 can be easily exposed, it is easy to replace the recording head 45 between the frames 51, 52.

[0104] In addition, compared to a configuration in which an opening for removing the recording head is provided in a frame having a surface, the strength of the device is easier to ensure. If an opening is provided in the surface portion of the frame, the strength is reduced. In this embodiment, since there is no need to provide an opening in the first frame 51 and the second frame 52 for removing the recording head 45, the strength of the device is easier to ensure.

[0105] In addition, the frame of the device body is composed of three upper and lower stages, and the middle stage frame to which the recording head is fixed is configured to be slidable relative to the upper stage frame and the lower stage frame to which the scanner is fixed, and a working space is secured for removing the recording head by sliding the middle stage frame. In the configuration of this comparative example, it is necessary to prevent the device body from falling over due to the weight when the middle stage frame is pulled out. Compared to the configuration of this comparative example, the configuration of this embodiment stabilizes the posture of the device when removing the recording head 45.

[0106] (2) A portion of the discharge tray 61 is located between the first frame 51 and the second frame 52. This configuration allows the multifunction device 11 to be made smaller in size in the Z axis direction. In other words, by fitting the discharge tray 61 between the first and second frames, it is easy to ensure the maximum number of sheets that can be loaded on the discharge tray 61, and it is easy to make the multifunction device smaller in size in the Z axis direction.

[0107] In a comparative example in which the discharge tray 61 is not between the first and second frames 51, 52, the discharge tray 61 can be moved in a direction intersecting the surface of the first frame 51. However, since it is difficult to slide the discharge tray 61 diagonally to the horizontal and pull it out, it is necessary to remove it by a path that includes lifting and horizontal movement toward the front. For this reason, it is necessary to secure an open area on the front side of the discharge space DS that is larger than necessary, which causes the multifunction device 11 to become larger. In contrast, in the multifunction device 11 of this embodiment, a part of the discharge tray 61 is between the first and second frames 51, 52, so the discharge tray 61 can be pulled out diagonally upward to the horizontal. In addition, since a part of the discharge tray 61 can be arranged between the first and second frames 51, 52, the volume arranged in the places other than between the first and second frames 51, 52 is reduced, and the multifunction device 11 can be prevented from becoming larger.

[0108] (3) The first frame 51 and the second frame 52 have a head rail 48 that guides the recording head 45 along the Z axis. The discharge tray 61 covers the head rail 48. With this configuration, the head rail 48 makes it easy to move the recording head 45. Because the discharge tray 61 covers the head rail 48, the head rail 48 can be easily exposed by removing the discharge tray 61 in the in-plane direction of the first frame 51. This makes it easy to replace the head that is guided by the head rail 48.

[0109] (4) When the discharge tray 61 covers the head rail 48, the range R1 that the discharge tray 61 occupies in the Z-axis direction only partially overlaps with the range R2 that the head rail 48 occupies in the Z-axis direction. With this configuration, the recording head 45 and the discharge tray 61 can be brought closer to each other, thereby preventing the device from becoming too large in the Z-axis direction.

[0110] Also, because the discharge tray 61 and the head rail 48 are in a positional relationship in which the ranges they occupy in the Z-axis direction only partially overlap, it is necessary to pull out the discharge tray 61 in an upward diagonal direction relative to the horizontal. For this reason, it is easier to prevent collision between the recording head 45 and the discharge tray 61 compared to a configuration in which the discharge tray 61 slides horizontally.

[0111] (5) The first frame 51 opens the discharge space, and the second frame 52 closes the discharge space DS. With this configuration, since the second frame 52 closes the discharge space DS, the second frame 52 can easily support the weight of the scanner 20. This stabilizes the posture of the scanner 20. Since the first frame 51 opens the discharge space DS, it is easy to work on fixing the discharge tray 61, and it is easy to access the media in the discharge space.

[0112] Since the feed mechanism 25 of the automatic document feeder 22 (ADF) of the scanner 20 is located on the +Z side of the discharge space DS, the center of gravity of the scanner 20 is located in the discharge space DS when viewed in a plane. Therefore, the second frame 52 is configured to block the discharge space DS, so that the scanner 20 is supported by the second frame 52. For example, if the second frame 52 is configured to open the discharge space DS, the portion (cross-sectional area) of the second frame 52 that can support the automatic document feeder 22 becomes small, so that the scanner 20 cannot be stably supported. In contrast, since the second frame 52 is configured to block the discharge space DS, the portion of the scanner 20 equipped with the automatic document feeder 22 on the side of the feed mechanism 25, which is relatively heavy, can be supported by the second frame 52. Therefore, the posture of the scanner 20 is stable.

[0113] (6) The discharge tray 61 has a fitting portion 68 facing a first side in the second direction TD. The main body frame 50 has a fitting hole 78A, which is an example of a fitted portion, facing a second side in the second direction TD. By moving the discharge tray 61 along the second direction TD relative to the main body frame 50, the fitting portion 68 and the fitting hole 78A are released from the fitting, and the fitting restricts the movement of the discharge tray 61 relative to the main body frame 50 in a direction intersecting the second direction TD. According to this configuration, the fitting portion 68 and the fitting hole 78A can determine the position of the discharge tray 61 relative to the main body frame 50. In other words, the positional deviation of the discharge tray 61 relative to the main body frame 50 can be restricted.

[0114] (7) The discharge tray 61 is fixed to one of the faces of the main body frame 50 that faces the second direction TD with screws 75. According to this configuration, the screw fixing work can be easily performed from the second direction TD.

[0115] (8) The second tray rails 73A that guide the discharge tray 61 along the second direction TD are fixed to the second frame 52. According to this configuration, the discharge tray 61 can be moved along the second tray rails 73A, and therefore the discharge tray 61 can be easily removed or installed.

[0116] (9) The second rail member 72 having the second tray rail 73A forms the discharge space DS. With this configuration, the second rail member 72 has the function of forming the discharge space DS, so the number of parts can be reduced. For example, the number of parts can be reduced compared to a case where the rail member 72 does not have the function of also serving as a member forming the wall surface of the discharge space DS and a separate member that forms the discharge space DS is newly added.

[0117] (10) The second tray rail 73A guides the discharge tray 61 toward the +Z side as it moves toward the downstream side in the discharge direction. The recording head 45 moves toward the +Z side as it moves toward the downstream side in the discharge direction. With this configuration, the guide direction of the second tray rail 73A and the movement direction of the recording head 45 are similar, so it is easy to arrange the respective spaces at high density. Therefore, it is easy to make the multifunction device 11 smaller in the Z axis direction.

[0118] (11) The discharge tray 61 is inclined toward the +Z side as it moves downstream in the discharge direction. With this configuration, the inclination of the discharge tray 61 makes it easy to provide space on the -Z side of the discharge tray 61. Mechanisms other than the discharge tray 61 can be disposed there.

[0119] (12) The discharge tray 61 is inclined toward the +Z side as it moves toward the downstream side in the discharge direction. The recording head 45 moves toward the +Z side as it moves toward the downstream side in the discharge direction. With this configuration, the direction of inclination of the discharge tray 61 and the direction of movement of the recording head 45 are similar, so it is easy to arrange the respective spaces (the arrangement space of the discharge tray 61 and the movement direction of the recording head 45) at high density. Therefore, it is easy to miniaturize the device in the Z axis direction.

[0120] (13) After the discharge tray 61 is removed, the recording head 45 is configured to be removable in the third direction HD in the plane of the first frame 51 with the scanner 20 fixed to the main body frame 50. This configuration makes it easy to replace the recording head 45 arranged between the frames 51 and 52.

[0121] (14) A maintenance method for the multifunction device 11. With the scanner 20 fixed to the main body frame 50, the discharge tray 61 is removed in the second direction TD, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame 51 (step S11). With the scanner 20 fixed to the main body frame 50, the recording head 45 is removed in the third direction HD, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame 51 (step S12). According to this method, it is not necessary to remove the scanner 20 in order to remove the recording head 45, so the recording head 45 can be easily removed. This makes it easy to perform maintenance on the multifunction device 11.

[0122] (15) A method for manufacturing the multifunction device 11. With the scanner 20 fixed to the body frame 50, the recording head 45 is attached facing the third direction HD, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame 51 (step S21). With the scanner 20 fixed to the body frame 50, the discharge tray 61 is attached facing the second direction TD, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame 51 (step S22). According to this method, when manufacturing the multifunction device 11, the scanner 20 can be fixed to the body frame 50 first, and then the recording head 45 can be attached to the body frame 50. By attaching the recording head 45, which is a delicate part, later, it is possible to prevent the recording head 45 from being subjected to an impact when attaching a large part such as the scanner 20 to the body frame 50. In other words, the recording head 45, which is a delicate part, is less likely to be subjected to an impact if it is attached as late as possible, and it is easy to specify the order of attachment of the recording head 45 in an order that is less likely to receive such an impact. This manufacturing method also includes a manufacturing method (maintenance method) associated with maintenance by attaching a maintained recording head 45 or a new recording head 45 to the main body frame 50 after removing the recording head 45 during maintenance to replace the recording head 45 (for example, the maintenance method for the multifunction device 11 described above). In this case, since there is no need to remove the scanner 20 to attach the recording head 45, it is easy to attach the recording head 45. Therefore, maintenance of the multifunction device 11 can be easily performed.

[0123] The above embodiment can be modified to the following modified examples. Further modified examples can be appropriately combined with the above embodiment and the following modified examples, or further modified examples can be appropriately combined with each other.

[0124] The discharge tray 61 has the form of a tray unit that includes a drive source that realizes functions other than the function of a tray for loading the medium M to be discharged, but it may be a discharge tray that does not take the form of a tray unit and has only a tray function.

[0125] The recording head 45 is configured as a unit including part of the lifting mechanism such as the rack 46A and the rollers 46B, and is configured to move between the recording position PH1 and the mounting / detaching position PH2, but the recording head 45 may be configured not to move to the mounting / detaching position PH2. In this case, the recording head 45 may be supported so as to be movable to a position required for the recording function, such as a capping position other than the mounting / detaching position PH2, relative to the main body frame 50, or may be fixed to the main body frame 50. Even with these configurations, the recording head 45 can be removed from the opening 50A that is exposed when the discharge tray 61 is removed.

[0126] Although the scanner 20 includes the automatic document feeder 22, the scanner 20 may not include the automatic document feeder 22. In other words, the scanner 20 may include the document table 21 and the document table cover 23.

[0127] Although the feeding section of the automatic document feeder 22 is located above the discharge space DS, the document tray 24 of the automatic document feeder 22 may be located above the discharge space DS. It is sufficient that head rail 48 has a rail portion that guides along the Z axis. Head rail 48 may guide in a direction other than parallel to the Z axis. It is sufficient that the direction in which head rail 48 guides recording head 45 has at least a Z-axis component.

[0128] The head rail 48 may be formed by fixing a resin-molded plastic rail member to the first and second frames 51, 52, or by bending the first and second frames 51, 52.

[0129] For example, the second tray rail provided along the surface of the second frame 52 may be the only tray rail provided.

[0130] The main body frame 50 is not limited to being made of metal, and may be made partially or entirely of carbon fiber reinforced plastic. For example, the main body frame 50 may be a rigid body made of carbon fiber reinforced plastic.

[0131] The first direction A and the second direction TD may be the same or different. The first direction A and the third direction HD may be the same or different. The second direction TD and the third direction HD may be the same or different.

[0132] In the above embodiment, the discharge tray 61 is configured to be removable in the in-plane direction of the first frame 51, but it may be configured to be removable in the in-plane direction of a plane perpendicular to the plane of the first frame 51. The discharge space DS is open on the +X side, which is the direction toward the downstream of the discharge direction, and on the -Y side, which is the direction toward the front of the multifunction device 11. The removal direction of the discharge tray 61 may be set to a direction that allows the user to pull out the discharge tray 61 from the opening of the discharge space DS.

[0133] The method of fixing the scanner 20 to the main body frame 50 is not limited to screw fixing, but may be welding. Also, a combination of welding and screw fixing may be used. Fixation with an adhesive such as a strong adhesive may also be used.

[0134] The main body frame 50 may have not only a surface parallel to the Z axis, but also a surface perpendicular to the Z axis. Furthermore, the main body frame 50 may be made up of one member or multiple members.

[0135] The recording head is not limited to a line head, and may be a serial recording head. In the serial recording method, a recording head is provided on a carriage that can move back and forth in the main scanning direction, and the recording head records on the medium M while moving in the width direction of the medium M. In the serial recording method, a transport operation in which the transport mechanism 30 transports the medium M to the next recording position and a recording operation in which the carriage moves in the main scanning direction and the recording head records on the next recording position on the medium M are alternately performed. In such a serial recording method, a scanning mechanism that movably supports the carriage is fixed between the first frame 51 and the second frame 52, and the recording head 45 is supported by the first frame 51 and the second frame 52.

[0136] In the above embodiment, the recording head 45 is removed from the opening 50A of the main body frame 50, which is exposed when the discharge tray 61 is removed, while the scanner 20 remains fixed. However, in addition to the recording head 45, the cap carriage 49 may also be removed from the opening 50A while the scanner 20 remains fixed. Also, in addition to the recording head 45, the wiper carriage (not shown) may also be removed from the opening 50A while the scanner 20 remains fixed. Note that one of the recording head 45, the cap carriage 49, and the wiper carriage may also be removed from the opening 50A while the scanner 20 remains fixed.

[0137] In the multifunction device 11, the second cover 17 may be provided with an inlet that can be connected to an external feeding device, which is a large-capacity paper feed unit, and the medium M may be fed from the large-capacity paper feed unit to the transport path T within the device main body 12 via the inlet.

[0138] The medium M is not limited to cut sheets of paper, but may be rolled paper. The medium M is also not limited to paper, but may be a sheet or film made of plastic, metal, laminate, or ceramic. Furthermore, the medium M may be fabric (including woven fabric, nonwoven fabric, and knitted fabric).

[0139] The technical ideas and effects obtained from the above-described embodiment and modified examples will be described below. (A) A multifunction printer is a multifunction printer comprising: a main frame having a first frame and a second frame facing each other, each having a surface parallel to a Z axis perpendicular to an installation surface of the multifunction printer, where the multifunction printer side relative to the installation surface is the +Z side and the opposite side is the -Z side of the Z axis; a recording head arranged between the first frame and the second frame and supported by the main frame; a discharge tray fixed to the main frame on the +Z side of the recording head and on which media discharged after being recorded by the recording head is placed; and a scanner fixed to the main frame on the +Z side of the discharge tray and forming a discharge space between the recording head and the discharge tray, wherein the recording head records on media being transported in a first direction, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame, and the discharge tray is configured to be removable in a second direction, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame, with the scanner fixed to the main frame.

[0140] With this configuration, the ejection tray can be removed in the in-plane direction while the scanner is fixed, making it easy to expose the space between the first and second frames. Because the space between the first and second frames can be easily exposed, it is easy to replace the recording head between the frames.

[0141] (B) In the multifunction device, a portion of the discharge tray may be located between the first frame and the second frame. This configuration allows the multifunction device to be made smaller in size in the Z-axis direction. In other words, by fitting the discharge tray between the first and second frames, it is easy to ensure the maximum number of sheets that can be stacked on the discharge tray, making it easy to make the multifunction device smaller in size in the Z-axis direction.

[0142] (C) In the multifunction device, the first frame and the second frame may have a head rail that guides the recording head along a Z axis, and the discharge tray may cover the head rail.

[0143] With this configuration, the head rail makes it easy to move the recording head. The ejection tray covers the head rail, so the head rail can be easily exposed by removing the ejection tray toward the in-plane direction of the first frame. This makes it easy to replace the head that is guided by the head rail.

[0144] (D) In ​​the multifunction device, when the ejection tray covers the head rail, the area occupied by the ejection tray in the Z axis direction may only partially overlap the area occupied by the head rail in the Z axis direction.

[0145] According to this configuration, the recording head and the discharge tray can be placed closer to each other, which makes it easier to reduce the size in the Z-axis direction. (E) In the multifunction device, the first frame may open the ejection space, and the second frame may close the ejection space.

[0146] With this configuration, the second frame blocks the ejection space, so the second frame can easily support the weight of the scanner. The scanner's posture is stable. The first frame opens the ejection space, so it is easy to work on fixing the ejection tray and easy to access the media in the ejection space.

[0147] (F) In the above multifunction device, the output tray has an engaging portion facing a first side of the second direction, and the main body frame has a fitted portion facing a second side of the second direction, and by moving the output tray along the second direction relative to the main body frame, the engagement between the engaging portion and the fitted portion is released, and the engagement restricts movement of the output tray relative to the main body frame in a direction intersecting the second direction.

[0148] According to this configuration, the position of the discharge tray with respect to the main body frame can be determined by the fitting portion and the fitted portion, which means that the positional deviation of the discharge tray with respect to the main body frame can be restricted. (G) In the multifunction device, the ejection tray may be fixed with a screw to one of the faces of the main body frame that faces the second direction. With this configuration, the screw fixing work can be easily performed from the second direction.

[0149] (H) In the multifunction peripheral, a tray rail that guides the ejection tray along the second direction may be fixed to the second frame. According to this configuration, the discharge tray can be moved along the rails, so that the discharge tray can be easily removed or installed.

[0150] (I) In the above multifunction device, a rail member having the tray rail may form the ejection space. According to this configuration, the rail member has a function of forming the discharge space, so that the number of parts can be reduced.

[0151] (J) In the multifunction device, the tray rail may guide the discharge tray toward the +Z side as it moves toward the downstream side in the discharge direction, and the recording head may move toward the +Z side as it moves toward the downstream side in the discharge direction.

[0152] With this configuration, the guide direction of the tray rail and the movement direction of the recording head are similar, so that it is easy to arrange the spaces for each at high density, and therefore it is easy to make the device smaller in the Z-axis direction.

[0153] (K) In the above multifunction device, the discharge tray may be inclined toward the +Z side as it moves toward the downstream side in the discharge direction. According to this configuration, it is easy to provide space on the -Z side of the discharge tray due to the inclination direction of the discharge tray, where mechanisms other than the discharge tray can be placed.

[0154] (L) In the above multifunction device, the discharge tray may be inclined toward the +Z side as it moves toward the downstream side in the discharge direction, and the recording head may move toward the +Z side as it moves toward the downstream side in the discharge direction.

[0155] With this configuration, the direction of inclination of the discharge tray and the direction of movement of the recording head are similar, so it is easy to arrange the respective spaces (the arrangement space of the discharge tray and the movement direction of the recording head) at high density, which makes it easy to miniaturize the device in the Z-axis direction.

[0156] (M) In the above multifunction device, the recording head may be configured to be removable in a third direction in the plane of the first frame after the output tray is removed and with the scanner fixed to the main body frame.

[0157] With this configuration, the recording head disposed between the frames can be easily replaced. (N) A maintenance method for the above-mentioned multifunction device, comprising the steps of: removing the output tray in the second direction, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame, while the scanner is fixed to the main body frame; and removing the recording head in the third direction, which is an in-plane direction of the first frame, while the scanner is fixed to the main body frame.

[0158] According to this configuration, since there is no need to remove the scanner in order to remove the recording head, the recording head can be easily removed, which makes it easier to perform maintenance on the multifunction device. (O) A method for manufacturing the above-mentioned multifunction device, wherein, with the scanner fixed to the main body frame, the recording head is attached facing a third direction which is an in-plane direction of the first frame, and with the scanner fixed to the main body frame, the output tray is attached facing the second direction which is an in-plane direction of the first frame.

[0159] According to this method, when manufacturing the multifunction machine, the scanner can be fixed to the main body frame first, and then the recording head can be attached to the main body frame. By attaching the recording head, which is a delicate component, later, the recording head is not subjected to shocks that occur when larger components such as the scanner are attached to the main body frame. In other words, the recording head, which is a delicate component, is less likely to be subjected to shocks if it is attached as late as possible, and it is easy to specify the order in which the recording heads are attached in an order that is least likely to be subjected to such shocks.

[0160] This manufacturing method also includes a manufacturing method (maintenance method) associated with maintenance by attaching a maintained or new recording head to the main body frame after removing the recording head for maintenance to replace the recording head (for example, the maintenance method for the multifunction printer described above). In this case, since there is no need to remove the scanner to attach the recording head, it is easy to attach the recording head. Therefore, maintenance of the multifunction printer is easy to perform. [Explanation of symbols]

[0161] 11...multifunction device, 12...device body, 12A...housing, 12B...caster, 12C...exterior member, 12D...discharge port, 12E...standing wall, 12F...front, 12R...rear, 12S...side, 12W...window, 13...printer section, 14...operation panel, 14A...display section, 15...cassette, 16...first cover, 16A...handle, 17...second cover, 17A...handle, 18...feed tray, 18A...handle, 19...liquid supply source, 20...scanner, 21...original table, 21A...top, 22...automatic original feed section, 23...original table cover, 24...original tray, 25...feed mechanism, 26...discharge tray, 27...edge guide, 30...transport mechanism, 31...pick roller, 32...separation roller pair, 33...transport roller, 34...transport unit, 34A...conveyor belt, 35...conveyor roller pair, 36...flap, 37...roller, 38...discharge roller pair, 38A...drive roller, 38B...driven roller, 39...discharge roller pair, 40...motion unit, 45...recording head, 45H...head portion, 46...support plate, 46A...rack, 46B...roller, 49...cap carriage, 49A...cap, 49B...liquid receiving portion, 47M...motor, 48...head rail, 48A...rail portion, 50...main body frame, 50A...opening, 51...first frame, 52...second frame, 53...front frame, 54...rear frame, 55A...first side plate, 55B...second side plate, 55C...third side plate, 56A,56B...side plate, 57...mounting plate, 57A...mounting surface, 58...stay, 60...tray unit, 61...ejection tray, 61A...tray portion, 62...plate, 62A...cover, 62B...mounting bracket, 62C...screw insertion hole, 62D...extension plate portion, 63...loading surface, 63A...first surface, 64...lifting rib mechanism, 65...lifting rib, 65A...second surface, 66...driving source, 67...lifting mechanism, 68...fitting portion, 69...connector, 71...first rail member, 71A...first tray rail, 72...second rail member as an example of a rail member, 73...rail rail member, 73A...second tray rail as an example of a tray rail, 75...screw, 77...connector, 78...mounting bracket, 78A...fitting hole, 100...control unit, 101...media width sensor, 103...waste liquid storage unit, DS...discharge space, T...transport path, T1-T4...transport path, T5...reversal path, D...original, M...medium, F...installation surface, X...width direction, Y...depth direction, Z...vertical direction, ED...discharge direction, A...first direction, TD...second direction, HD...third direction, R1...range of discharge tray, R2...range of head rail, OL...overlap range.

Claims

1. A multifunction machine, wherein a Z axis perpendicular to an installation surface of the multifunction machine is If the multifunction device side is the +Z side and the opposite side is the -Z side, A first frame and a second frame each having a surface parallel to the Z-axis and facing each other. a main body frame having a frame; The first frame is supported by the main body frame between the first frame and the second frame, and the first A recording method in which recording is performed on a medium being transported in a first direction that is an in-plane direction of the frame. Head and The recording head is fixed to the main body frame on the +Z side of the recording head. a discharge tray for receiving the medium discharged after being recorded by the recording device; The discharge tray is fixed to the main body frame on the +Z side of the discharge tray. A scanner forming an ejection space between the scanner and the ejection space; The ejection tray is fixed to the first frame, and the ejection tray is moved in an in-plane direction of the first frame. a first tray rail for guiding in a second direction; A second tray is fixed to the second frame and guides the discharge tray in the second direction. With Irelle, Equipped with The ejection tray is configured to eject the first The tray rail and the second tray rail are guided to pick up the tray in the second direction. A multifunction peripheral configured to be removable.

2. A part of the discharge tray is located between the first frame and the second frame.

2. The multifunction machine according to claim 1 .

3. The first frame opens the discharge space, The composite device according to claim 2, wherein the second frame closes the discharge space. Machine.

4. The first frame and the second frame guide the recording head along the Z axis. A head rail is provided.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the discharge tray covers the head rail. The multifunction printer described.

5. When the discharge tray covers the head rail, the discharge tray is The range it occupies overlaps only a portion of the range that the head rail occupies in the Z-axis direction.

5. The multifunction machine according to claim 4, further comprising:

6. The first frame and the second frame guide the recording head along a Z axis. A head rail is provided. The discharge tray can be removed from the state where it covers the head rail toward the +Z side. can be, When the discharge tray covers the head rail, the discharge tray is The range it occupies is such that it partially overlaps the range that the head rail occupies in the Z-axis direction.

4. The multifunction peripheral according to claim 1, further comprising:

7. the ejection tray has a fitting portion facing a first side in the second direction, the main body frame has a fitted portion facing a second side in the second direction, The discharge tray is moved along the second direction relative to the main body frame. The engagement between the engaging portion and the engaged portion is released, and the engaging portion is disengaged from the engaged portion in a direction intersecting the second direction. The movement of the discharge tray relative to the main body frame in the direction of the discharge tray is restricted. The multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. the ejection tray has a fitting portion facing a first side in the second direction, the main body frame has a fitted portion facing a second side in the second direction, The discharge tray is The fitting portion is fitted to the fitted portion, thereby Movement in a direction intersecting the second direction is restricted, By moving in the second direction, the engagement between the engagement portion and the engaged portion is released. The multifunction peripheral according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising:

9. The ejection tray is fixed to a surface of the main body frame facing the second direction by a screw.

9. The multifunction peripheral according to claim 1, further comprising:

10. The rail member having the second tray rail forms the discharge space. The multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The second tray rail is configured to move toward the downstream side in the ejection direction of the medium toward the +Z side. Guides the output tray, The recording head is characterized in that it moves toward the +Z side as it moves toward the downstream side in the discharge direction. The multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,

12. The discharge tray is inclined toward the +Z side as it moves toward the downstream side in the discharge direction.

12. The multifunction machine according to claim 11.

13. the discharge tray is inclined toward the +Z side as it moves toward the downstream side in the discharge direction of the medium, The recording head is characterized in that it moves toward the +Z side as it moves toward the downstream side in the discharge direction. The multifunction peripheral according to any one of claims 1 to 11,

14. After the ejection tray is removed, the scanner is moved to the main body frame. The first frame is fixed to the first frame and is removable in a third direction in the plane of the first frame.

14. The multifunction peripheral according to claim 1, wherein the multifunction peripheral is configured as follows:

15. A maintenance method for a multifunction peripheral according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising the steps of: With the scanner fixed to the main body frame, the ejection tray is moved to the first removing the frame in the second direction, which is an in-plane direction of the frame; With the scanner fixed to the main body frame, the recording head is and removing the frame in a third direction, which is an in-plane direction of the frame.

13. A maintenance method for a multifunction device, comprising:

16. A method for manufacturing the multifunction device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising the steps of: With the scanner fixed to the main body frame, the recording head is The mounting member is attached in a third direction that is an in-plane direction of the frame; and With the scanner fixed to the main body frame, the ejection tray is moved to the first and attaching the frame in the second direction, which is an in-plane direction of the frame. A method for manufacturing a multifunction printer, comprising:

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