Recording device

Abstract

To provide a technology that enables reduction of the amount of operation by a user, stabilization of the posture of a discharge tray, and securing of an operation area during sheet feeding.SOLUTION: A recording device 10 comprises a housing 1 which stores a recording part 6 for recording an image on a sheet and has an opening on a side surface through which the sheet passes, and a tray 2 that rotates around a rotation shaft with respect to the housing 1 and can take a closed position for blocking the opening at a first angle around the rotation shaft and an open position for placing the sheet at a second angle around the rotation shaft. The recording device has an urging mechanism which, when a third angle around the rotation shaft is defined as the angle between the first angle and the second angle, energizes the tray 2 toward the closed position when the angle around the rotation shaft of the tray 2 is between the first angle and the third angle, and when the angle around the rotation shaft of the tray 2 is between the third angle and the second angle, energizes the tray 2 toward the closed position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus for recording an image on a recording material. [Background technology]

[0002] Some recording devices, such as color printers, have a paper feed tray (supply tray) on the front of the device for stacking unprinted sheets and a paper output tray (output tray) near the paper output port for stacking printed sheets. Some recording devices have an opening that allows external access to the inside of the device to install and remove the recording head and ink tanks for printing, and an openable and closable access cover that covers the opening, located above the paper feed tray. For example, in the recording device described in Patent Document 1, the access cover and paper feed tray are rotatably supported on the housing, and the output tray is rotatably supported on the access cover, with the output tray's rotation fulcrum positioned at a position shifted from the rotation fulcrum of the paper feed tray and access cover, which are coaxially located. This configuration allows the output tray and paper feed tray to be stored on the same side, thereby reducing the device's size and reliably separating the input and output sheets, thereby improving sheet supply reliability. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP2013-39797 Public Relations Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional technology, the paper output tray is held by an access cover located above the paper input tray, which causes the paper output tray to obstruct the user's paper feeding operation. Also, if the paper output tray and paper input tray are moved closer together to make the main body more compact, the user's paper feeding operation area will be reduced.

[0005] By configuring the output tray to be locked in a closed position toward the housing during paper feed operations compared to when paper is ejected, it is possible to ensure a wider operating area, but the amount of manipulation required for the user to rotate the output tray increases. On the other hand, by configuring the output tray to be biased toward the main body using a tension spring or the like, it is possible to minimize the amount of movement required by the user and ensure a wider paper feed operating area. However, because the output tray is biased in the closing direction during printing, there is a concern that the output tray may close due to impact or other factors, hindering the printing operation. In other words, in order to ensure a wider paper feed operating area, it is difficult to simultaneously reduce the amount of manipulation required to open the tray and maintain the tray's position stability during paper ejection.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables a reduction in the amount of user operation, a stabilization of the posture of the discharge tray, and a secure operation area when feeding sheets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the recording apparatus of the present invention comprises: a housing that houses a recording unit that records an image on a sheet and has an opening on a side surface through which the sheet passes; a tray that rotates about a rotation axis relative to the housing and can take a closed position at a first angle about the rotation axis to cover the opening, and an open position at a second angle about the rotation axis to load sheets, a third angle about the rotation axis is an angle between the first angle and the second angle, urging the tray toward the closed position when the angle of the tray about the pivot axis is between the first angle and the third angle; When the angle of the tray about the rotation axis is between the third angle and the second angle, the tray is Open biasing mechanism for biasing the and, an opening / closing member that is rotatable relative to the housing and is located inside the housing relative to the tray and that can take a closed position that covers the opening and an open position that opens the opening; Equipped with 、 The biasing mechanism includes a tension spring, one end of which is held by the opening / closing member and the other end of which is held by the tray, so that tension for rotating the tray acts on the tray. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the amount of operation by the user, stabilize the posture of the discharge tray, and ensure an operation area when feeding sheets. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording device. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a paper discharge tray in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a paper discharge tray in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a recording device in the second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the periphery of a paper discharge tray of a recording apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a schematic side view showing the paper discharge tray during an image forming operation in the third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of an open / close detection mechanism for a paper discharge tray in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of an open / close detection mechanism for a paper discharge tray in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an enlarged side view of a sensor flag portion of the paper discharge tray in the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following describes in detail exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiments may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration of the device to which the invention is applied and various conditions. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0011] Example 1 In this embodiment, a recording apparatus using a liquid ejection method (inkjet method) that ejects a recording liquid (typically ink) onto a recording medium is exemplified. Note that the recording method of the recording apparatus is not limited to a specific method, and the present invention can also be applied to, for example, an electrophotographic recording apparatus.

[0012] "Recording" not only includes the creation of meaningful information such as characters and figures, but also the creation of images, patterns, designs, etc. on a recording medium, whether meaningful or insignificant, or the processing of the medium, regardless of whether it is visible to humans. In this example, sheet-like paper is assumed as the "recording medium," but it can also be cloth, plastic film, etc.

[0013] In the arrow directions shown in each figure, the width direction of the device is called the X direction, the depth direction of the device is called the Y direction, and the height direction of the device is called the Z direction. Furthermore, as shown by the arrows in the figures, each direction may be referred to as left and right in the X direction, front / front (front) / front edge and back / rear edge in the Y direction, and top and bottom in the Z direction. These directions are determined based on the installation surface of the recording device. For example, if the recording device is installed on a horizontal surface, as is typically assumed, the height direction, or Z direction, coincides with the vertical direction, and the X and Y directions coincide with the horizontal direction. Furthermore, each of the X, Y, and Z directions includes two directions, the positive and negative directions, which are sometimes distinguished from each other when describing the two directions.

[0014] 1(a), 1(b), and 1(c) are schematic diagrams illustrating a recording device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1(a) is a perspective view illustrating the recording device 10 in a state in which both the paper feed tray 2 and the paper discharge tray 3 are housed in the housing 1 (closed state). FIG. 1(b) is a perspective view illustrating the recording device 10 in a state in which only the paper feed tray 2 is open (the paper discharge tray 3 is closed). Of the openings in the housing 1, only the paper feed area O1 is open. FIG. 1(c) is a perspective view illustrating the recording device 10 in a state in which both the paper feed tray 2 and the paper discharge tray 3 are open. In other words, of the openings in the housing 1, both the paper feed area O1 and the paper discharge area O2 are open to the outside.

[0015] A recording device 10 according to this embodiment has a housing 1 as shown in FIG. 1(a), which rotatably holds, on one side thereof, a paper feed tray 2 for placing paper 9 before an image is formed thereon, and a paper discharge tray 3 for placing paper 9 after an image has been formed thereon. Specifically, the housing 1 houses a recording unit 6 for recording an image on a sheet, which will be described later, and has an opening on its side that allows paper 9 to be fed from outside the housing 1 to the recording unit 6 and paper 9 to be discharged from the recording unit 6 to the outside. In this embodiment, this opening is configured to be openable and closable by a triple opening / closing member. Specifically, three opening / closing members are attached to the housing 1: an access cover 4 located at the innermost position, a paper discharge tray (discharge tray) 3 located outside the access cover 4, and a paper feed tray (supply tray) located on the outermost position.

[0016] The paper output tray 3 is configured to be able to stack paper 9 (mainly paper 9 on which recording has been performed) discharged from the recording unit 6. The paper output tray 3 is supported by the housing 1 via a rotation shaft (first rotation shaft) 32 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis that extends along the lower edge of the opening at the lower end side of the opening of the housing 1. The paper output tray 3 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member, and the inner surface in the opening / closing direction is the stacking surface for paper 9 discharged from the recording unit 6.

[0017] The paper output tray 3 takes a closed position (first closed position) in a rotational phase in which the end opposite to the long side on which the rotation shaft 32 is provided is positioned substantially above the rotation shaft 32, i.e., in a state in which the plate-shaped paper output tray 3 is positioned substantially upright. In this closed position, the paper output tray 3 covers a paper output area (sheet output area) O2, which is an area of ​​the opening of the housing 1 that is not covered by the access cover 4 and through which paper 9 discharged from the recording unit 6 passes. Furthermore, the paper output tray 3 takes an open position (first open position) in which the paper output area O2 is most open to the outside, in a position in which the end on which the rotation shaft 32 is provided and the end opposite to it are aligned substantially horizontally, i.e., in a position in which the plate-shaped paper output tray 3 extends substantially horizontally.

[0018] The paper feed tray 2 is configured to be able to stack sheets to be supplied to the recording unit 6. The paper feed tray 2 is supported by the housing 1 via a rotation shaft (second rotation shaft) 22 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis that extends along the lower edge of the opening of the housing 1, below the rotation shaft 32 of the paper output tray 3. The paper feed tray 2 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member, and its inner surface in the opening / closing direction serves as a sheet stacking surface, and its outer surface forms part of the exterior surface of the housing 1.

[0019] The paper feed tray 2 assumes a closed position (second closed position) in a rotational phase in which the end opposite to the long side on which the rotation shaft 22 is provided is positioned substantially above the rotation shaft 22, i.e., in a state in which the plate-shaped paper feed tray 2 is positioned substantially upright. In this closed position, the paper feed tray 2 shields a paper feed area (sheet supply area) O1, which is an area of ​​the opening of the housing 1 that is not shielded by the paper discharge tray 3 and enables paper 9 to be fed to the recording unit 6. Furthermore, the paper feed tray 2 assumes an open position (second open position) in which the paper feed area O1 is open to the outside, in a position in which the end on which the rotation shaft 22 is provided and the end opposite to it are aligned substantially horizontally, i.e., in a position in which the plate-shaped paper feed tray 2 extends substantially horizontally.

[0020] Here, the position of the paper output tray 3 stored in the housing 1 as shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b) is referred to as the first position, and the position of the paper output tray 3 opened as shown in Figure 1(c) is referred to as the second position. The paper output tray 3 takes the first position when paper 9 is fed into the paper feed tray 2, and the second position when paper after image formation is placed on it. If the paper runs out during an image formation operation, the user needs to move the paper output tray 3 from the second position to the first position, but it is desirable to keep this operation as small as possible.

[0021] 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic diagram of a recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Paper 9 fed to a paper feed tray 2 is conveyed by a pair of conveying rollers 8 along a sheet conveying path 901 indicated by a dashed line in FIG. 2, an image is recorded on the paper by a recording unit 6 including a recording head, an ink tank 61, etc., and the paper is then discharged onto a paper output tray 3.

[0022] 3(a) and 3(b) are side views schematically showing the positions of the paper output tray 3. FIG. 3(c) is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the paper output tray 3. The paper output tray 3 is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 32 relative to the housing 1. Between the paper output tray 3 and the housing 1, a biasing mechanism that applies a biasing force to the paper output tray 3 is provided, which includes a hook 11 provided on the housing 1, a hook 31 provided on the paper output tray 3, and a tension spring 5, which is an example of elastic means, connected between the hook 11 and the hook 31. FIG. 3(a) shows the paper output tray 3 when it is in a first position, and FIG. 3(b) shows the paper output tray 3 when it is in a second position.

[0023] The discharge tray 3 has a rotation stopper 35 on the sheet stacking surface side that abuts against the housing 1 when the tray is in the closed position. The discharge tray 3 is held in the closed position by the biasing force of the tension spring 5, which keeps the rotation stopper 35 abutting against the housing 1.

[0024] The paper output tray 3 is provided so that a rotation stopper 36 on the opening side that abuts against the paper feed tray 2 when the paper output tray 3 is in the open position protrudes on the side opposite the sheet stacking surface. The paper output tray 3 is held in the open position by the biasing force of the tension spring 5, which keeps the rotation stopper 36 abutting against the paper feed tray 2. Note that in the open position, the rotation stopper 36 abuts against the paper feed tray 2 so that a gap is formed between the paper output tray 3 and the paper feed tray 2 to ensure additional stacking space in the paper feed tray 2, i.e., so that the paper feed area O1 of the opening in the housing 1 is kept open.

[0025] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram in which auxiliary lines are drawn on a side view that schematically shows the posture of the paper discharge tray 3 in order to explain the elastic means holding position.

[0026] The straight line connecting the housing-side hook 11 and the rotation center of the paper output tray 3 (the central axis of the rotation shaft 32) is indicated by a dashed-dotted line 301. Furthermore, the straight line connecting the paper output tray-side hook 31 and the rotation center of the paper output tray 3 (the central axis of the rotation shaft 32) is indicated by a solid line 302. When the paper output tray-side hook 31 is positioned on this dashed-dotted line 301, it is a dead point where the tension of the tension spring 5 does not act in the rotation direction of the paper output tray 3. When this dead point position exists between the first position and the second position, a toggle mechanism is formed in which the moment that the spring tension imparts to the paper output tray 3 is reversed as the paper output tray 3 opens or closes.

[0027] Considering the moment generated by the weight of the output tray 3, there is a position of the output tray 3 that is an apparent dead point where the moment of the weight is balanced with the tension of the spring 5, and this position will be referred to as the third position hereinafter. If the third position exists between the first and second positions, the output tray 3 can be configured to be pulled toward the first position when it is closer to the third position than it is to the closed side, and toward the second position when it is closer to the open side than the third position.

[0028] By holding the tension spring 5 in the above configuration, the retraction direction, which is generally one-way, can be reversed during the opening and closing operation of the paper output tray 3. Note that Fig. 4 shows a straight line 302 connecting the paper output tray hook 31 and the rotation center 32 of the paper output tray 3 in the third position, and an area 303 where the paper output tray 3 is retracted toward the first position and an area 304 where the paper output tray 3 is retracted toward the second position, with the line 302 as the boundary.

[0029] That is, the biasing direction of the tension spring 5 changes when the angle of the paper output tray 3 around the rotation axis 32 of the paper output tray 3 reaches a third angle (third position) between a first angle at which the paper output tray 3 is in the closed position (first position) and a second angle at which the paper output tray 3 is in the open position (second position). When the angle of the paper output tray 3 is between the third angle and the first angle, a biasing force (first biasing force) that rotates the paper output tray 3 in the closing direction from the third angle to the first angle is applied from the tension spring 5 to the paper output tray 3. When the angle of the paper output tray 3 is between the third angle and the second angle, a biasing force (second biasing force) that rotates the paper output tray 3 in the opening direction from the third angle to the second angle is applied from the tension spring 5 to the paper output tray 3.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 5, the tension spring 5 is disposed outside the rotation shaft 32 in the axial direction of the rotation shaft 32. Fig. 5(a) is a front view of the recording device 1 with the paper discharge tray 3 closed, and Fig. 5(b) is a front view of the recording device 1 with the paper discharge tray 3 open. One end of the paper discharge tray 3 is held by the housing 1, and the other end is held by the paper discharge tray 3, so that the paper discharge tray 3 is displaced across the axis of the rotation shaft 32 when rotating between the first angle and the second angle.

[0031] According to the above configuration, when the paper feed operation is performed, the paper output tray 3 is pulled toward the closing side by rotating it to the third position, thereby reducing the amount of operation required, and since the tray continues to be biased toward the second position during the image formation operation, it is possible to stabilize the position during operation.

[0032] Example 2 A recording device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. In the following description, matters common to the second embodiment and the first embodiment will be omitted. The configuration of the second embodiment that is not specifically described below is the same as the configuration of the first embodiment.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a state in which the access cover 4 has been rotated to the open side. That is, FIG. 6 shows a state in which the access area O3 of the opening of the housing 1 is open, exposing the recording unit 6 to the outside. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the recording device around the access cover 4, showing the configuration of the paper feed tray 2, the paper discharge tray 3, and the access cover 4, particularly the arrangement of their respective rotation shafts. FIG. 7(a) shows the access cover 4 in a closed state (the paper feed tray 2 and the paper discharge tray 3 are both open), and FIG. 7(b) shows the access cover 4 in an open state. The access cover 4 is supported by the housing 1 via a rotation shaft (third rotation shaft) 42, located closer to the interior of the housing 1 than the discharge tray 3, and rotatable about a rotation axis extending along the bottom edge of the opening, at a position lower than the rotation shaft 22 of the paper feed tray 2. The access cover 4 is a substantially rectangular plate-like member that assumes a closed position (third closed position) when the end opposite the long side on which the rotation shaft 42 is provided is positioned substantially above the rotation shaft 42, i.e., when the plate-like access cover 4 is positioned substantially upright. In this closed position, the access cover 4 shields the access area O3. Furthermore, the access cover 4 assumes an open position (third open position) that exposes the access area O3 to the outside when the end on which the rotation shaft 42 is provided and the end opposite it are aligned substantially horizontally, i.e., when the plate-like access cover 4 is positioned substantially horizontally.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 1(c), FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the access cover 4 is used to form an image on the paper 9. The recording unit 6 may be rotatably held on one side of the housing 1 to perform operations such as attaching and detaching the recording head provided in the recording unit 6 for recording the image data and the ink tank 61 containing recording liquid such as ink to be supplied to the recording head. With the above configuration, the ink tank 61 can be attached and detached from the same side as the paper feed and ejection operations. In the second embodiment, the rotation shaft 33 of the paper ejection tray 3 held in the housing 1 in the first embodiment is held by the access cover 4, and the biasing mechanism using the tension spring 5 or the like that was provided between the access cover 4 and the housing 1 is provided between the access cover 4 and the rotation shaft 33.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 7 , in this embodiment, the paper output tray 3 is rotatably supported relative to the access cover 4 via a rotation shaft 32. That is, in this embodiment, the paper output tray 3 is supported by the housing 1 via the access cover 4, and when the access cover 4 rotates relative to the housing 1, the paper output tray 3 changes its position in conjunction with the movement of the access cover 4. Specifically, when the access cover 4 is opened, the paper output tray 3 is in the open position and placed on the paper feed tray 2. As the access cover 4 rotates to the open position, the paper output tray 3 slides on the paper feed tray 2. Here, the paper feed tray 2 has a convex support portion 23 against which a rotation stopper 36 of the paper output tray 3 abuts. As shown in FIG. 7( a), when the access cover 4 is closed, the hook-shaped tip of the rotation stopper 36 abuts against the tip of the support portion 23 and is supported. When the access cover 4 rotates from the closed state to the open state, as shown in FIG. 7( b), the hooked tip of the rotation stopper 36 slides along the tip of the support portion 23 and drops into the rear side of the support portion 23, thereby engaging the rotation stopper 36 with the support portion 23. The support portion 23 has a convex, inclined shape, so that when the access cover 4 is returned to the closed state, the hooked tip of the rotation stopper 36 slides along the surface of the support portion 23 and returns to the state where it abuts against the tip of the support portion 23, as shown in FIG. 7( a). This configuration supports the position of the access cover 4 during opening and closing operations and stably guides its rotation. Furthermore, the positions of the three opening and closing members, the access cover 4, the paper feed tray 2, and the paper output tray 3, can be stabilized when each is open, improving the ease of maintenance and other operations on the recording unit 6.

[0036] 7(a), in this embodiment, a tension spring 5 is provided between the paper discharge tray 3 and the access cover 4 as a biasing mechanism that applies a biasing force to the paper discharge tray 3. Specifically, one end of the tension spring 5 is engaged with a hook 41 provided on the access cover 4, and the other end is engaged with a hook 31 provided on the paper discharge tray 3, connecting the paper discharge tray 3 and the access cover 4. The biasing force of the tension spring 5 changes as the paper discharge tray 3 rotates in the same way as the tension spring 5 in the first embodiment.

[0037] With the above configuration, in this embodiment, during the operation of removing or installing the ink tank 61, the paper output tray 3 is biased against the access cover 4 rather than the housing 1, so that the posture of the paper output tray 3 and the access cover 4 can be stabilized when replacing the ink tank 61.

[0038] Example 3 A recording device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 6. In the following description, matters common to the first and second embodiments will be omitted. The configuration of the third embodiment that is not specifically described below is the same as the configuration of the first and second embodiments.

[0039] 6(a), 6(b), and 6(c) are side views that schematically show the middle of an image forming operation in the third position. In the first embodiment, the tension spring 5 is provided so that when the paper output tray 3 is at the third angle, the weight of the paper output tray 9 and the tension of the tension spring 5 are balanced, and the tension does not act in a direction that rotates the paper output tray 3. When the paper output tray 3 is stationary in the third position, as shown in FIG. 6(a), the paper 9 conveyed during the image forming operation may get stuck on the paper output tray 3, causing a paper jam or other paper output malfunction. To cope with this, the magnitude of the tension of the tension spring 5 and the holding position can be adjusted to allow the paper 9 discharged from the recording unit 6 to be stacked. The third position may be adjusted to be closer to the second position so that the angle is more suitable for the sheet 9. When the above adjustment is made, as shown in Figure 6(b), even in the third position, the sheet 9 during image formation tends to climb onto the sheet output tray 3, making it less likely that a sheet output malfunction will occur.

[0040] Furthermore, the magnitude of the tension and the holding position of the tension spring 5, as well as the conveying force of the paper 9, may be adjusted so that the pressure when the paper 9 contacts the paper ejection tray 3 makes it easier for the paper ejection tray 9 to rotate. When the above adjustment is made, as shown in FIG. 6(c), the conveying force of the paper 9 makes it easier for the paper ejection tray 3 to move out of the third position and into the second position, making it less likely for paper ejection malfunctions to occur.

[0041] Example 4 A recording device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 9, 10, and 11. In the following description, a description of matters common to the first to third embodiments will be omitted. The configuration of the fourth embodiment, which will not be specifically described below, is the same as the configuration of the first to third embodiments.

[0042] 9 is an enlarged front view of the open / close detection structure of the discharge tray 3, and FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b) are enlarged perspective views of the open / close detection structure of the discharge tray 3. FIG.

[0043] The open / close detection mechanism for the discharge tray 3 includes a detection configuration consisting of an open / close detection means 7, in this embodiment a lever switch 7, a detection unit holding part 71, a lever part 72 rotatably held by the detection unit holding part 71, and a sensor flag part 33 provided on the discharge tray 3. The sensor flag 33 is provided on the discharge tray 3 in a convex shape that protrudes in the closing direction. A lever component 72 serving as a lever member is rotatably supported on the unit housing of the lever switch 7 by a lever component holder 711. The lever component 72 has a sensor flag abutment surface 721 and a movable portion abutment surface 722. The lever switch 7 has a movable portion 701. When the discharge tray 3 reaches the closed position, the sensor flag 33 of the discharge tray 3 abuts against the sensor flag abutment surface 721 of the lever component 72, causing the lever component 72 to rotate. This rotation causes the movable portion abutment surface 722 to abut against the movable portion 701, displacing the movable portion 701. This displacement of the movable portion 701 causes the lever switch 7 to output an output indicating that the discharge tray 3 is closed.

[0044] As shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b), as the sensor flag portion 33 of the discharge tray 3 approaches a more closed state (first position), it presses down on the sensor flag abutment surface 721 of the lever part 72, and the rotated lever part 72 moves the lever switch 7, thereby detecting whether the discharge tray 3 is open or closed.

[0045] 11 is an enlarged side view of the sensor lever portion 33 of the open / close detection configuration. The sensor lever portion 33 has a contact surface at its lower end that faces the axis of the rotating shaft 32 and comes into contact with the sensor lever abutment surface 721 of the lever component 72. This contact surface is configured to include inclined surfaces 331, 332 that are inclined in the circumferential direction about the axis of the rotating shaft 32 so that the contact surface approaches the axis of the rotating shaft 32 from the tip side of the sensor lever portion 33 toward the base side.

[0046] The open / close detection mechanism of this embodiment is configured as follows to prevent the reaction force of the lever switch 7 from preventing the discharge tray 3 from being fully retracted and stopping when retracting to the first position. That is, if the angle of the contact surface of the sensor lever 33 with the lever part 72 is smaller relative to the horizontal, the possibility of the discharge tray 3 being stopped by the reaction force during retraction is reduced. However, in order to fully depress the lever part 72, the sensor lever 33 must be extended further toward the housing. In a configuration in which the access cover 4 and the discharge tray 3 are located on one side, as in the device configuration of this embodiment, the range of motion of the aforementioned recording head is often located near the discharge tray 3 when closed. Therefore, extending the sensor lever 33 toward the housing 1 would result in an increase in the housing size. Therefore, in this embodiment, the sensor lever 33 is positioned at a first diagonal angle indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 11 . The sensor lever 33 is configured to include a first inclined surface 331 and a second inclined surface 332 indicated by a dashed line. According to the above configuration, the angle of the first inclined surface 331 relative to the circumferential direction around the axis of the rotating shaft 32 is small, thereby reducing the intrusion angle in the horizontal direction (first inclination angle), making it easier to retract the tip of the sensor lever 33, which is most susceptible to the switch reaction force when retracted. Meanwhile, the angle of the second inclined surface 332 relative to the circumferential direction around the axis of the rotating shaft 32 is larger than that of the first inclined surface 331 (second inclination angle), making it possible to sufficiently press down the lever component 72 even if the length of the sensor lever 33 toward the housing 1 is short. In other words, stable retraction of the output tray 3 and detection of open / closed states can be achieved without increasing the size of the housing.

[0047] The above-described embodiments can be combined with each other as long as no technical contradiction occurs. In the above-described embodiments, a toggle biasing mechanism using a tension spring 5 is provided in the paper output tray 3, but application of such a toggle biasing mechanism is not limited to the paper output tray 3. For example, the toggle biasing mechanism may be provided in the paper input tray 2 serving as the second tray. In this case, the tension spring 5 may be provided not only between the housing 1 but also between the housing 1 and the paper output tray 2 and between the housing 1 and the access cover 4. Also, a toggle biasing mechanism may be provided between the access cover 4 and the housing 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1...Housing, 2...Paper feed tray, 3...Paper output tray, 4...Access cover, 5...Tension spring, 6...Recording head, 9...Sheet (paper)

Claims

1. a housing that houses a recording unit that records an image on a sheet and has an opening on a side surface through which the sheet passes; a tray that rotates about a rotation axis relative to the housing and can take a closed position at a first angle about the rotation axis to cover the opening, and an open position at a second angle about the rotation axis to load sheets, a third angle about the rotation axis is an angle between the first angle and the second angle, urging the tray toward the closed position when the angle of the tray about the pivot axis is between the first angle and the third angle; a biasing mechanism that biases the tray toward the open position when the angle of the tray about the pivot axis is between the third angle and the second angle; an opening / closing member configured to be rotatable with respect to the housing, located inside the housing with respect to the tray, and capable of taking a closed position to cover the opening and an open position to open the opening; a tension spring having one end held by the opening / closing member and the other end held by the tray so that tension for rotating the tray acts on the tray;

2. A recording device as described in Claim 1, characterized in that the third angle is an angle at which the weight of the tray and the tension of the tension spring are balanced.

3. A recording device as described in Claim 2, characterized in that the tension spring is positioned outside the pivot shaft in the axial direction of the pivot shaft, and displaces across the axis when the tray rotates between the first angle and the second angle.

4. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the opening and closing member is an access cover for exposing the recording unit to the outside through the opening.

5. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third angle is an angle at which the tray can hold sheets discharged from the recording unit.

6. A housing that houses a recording unit that records an image on a sheet and has an opening on a side through which the sheet passes; a tray that rotates about a rotation axis relative to the housing and can take a closed position at a first angle about the rotation axis to cover the opening, and an open position at a second angle about the rotation axis to load sheets, a third angle about the rotation axis is an angle between the first angle and the second angle, urging the tray toward the closed position when the angle of the tray about the pivot axis is between the first angle and the third angle; a biasing mechanism that biases the tray toward the open position when the angle of the tray about the pivot axis is between the third angle and the second angle; the biasing mechanism includes a tension spring connecting the housing and the tray so that tension that rotates the tray acts on the tray; the tension spring is provided so that tension does not act in a direction that rotates the tray when the tray is at the third angle, A recording device characterized in that the tension of the tension spring is of a magnitude that allows the tray, which is at the third angle, to rotate toward the open position when it receives force from a sheet discharged from the recording unit.

7. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tray is held in the closed position by the biasing force of the biasing mechanism.

8. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tray is a discharge tray for stacking sheets discharged from the recording unit through the opening.

9. A recording device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a second tray that is rotatable relative to the housing and is located outside the housing further than the tray, and that can take a closed position that covers the opening and an open position that loads sheets.

10. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the second tray is a supply tray for stacking sheets to be supplied to the recording unit through the opening.

11. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tray is a supply tray for stacking sheets to be supplied to the recording unit through the opening.

12. the tray has a rotation stopper portion that abuts against the second tray so that a stacking space for sheets in the second tray is secured between the tray and the second tray at the open position; 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the tray is held in the open position with the rotation stopper abutting against the second tray by the biasing force of the biasing mechanism.

13. a detection mechanism for detecting whether the tray is in the closed position; The detection mechanism includes: a flag portion provided on the tray so as to protrude in a direction in which the tray moves from the open position to the closed position; a lever member provided on the housing so as to be displaced toward the axis of the rotation shaft upon contact with the flag portion; a detector that detects the displacement of the lever member to detect that the tray is in the closed position; Including, the flag portion has a contact surface that faces the axis of the pivot shaft and that comes into contact with the lever member, A recording device described in any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the contact surface includes a slope that is inclined in a circumferential direction centered on the axis of the pivot shaft so as to approach the axis as it moves from the tip side of the flag portion to the base side.

14. The inclined surface is a first inclined surface inclined at a first inclination angle with respect to the circumferential direction; a second inclined surface provided on the base side of the first inclined surface and inclined at a second inclination angle with respect to the circumferential direction that is larger than the first inclination angle; 14. The recording device according to claim 13, comprising:

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