Printing device and method for producing the same

Abstract

To facilitate attaching two units to a connection board in such a way as to not cause abnormality to occur to the connection board.SOLUTION: This printing device comprises: a connection board which is a rigid board and provided with a first storage device, a second storage device, a first connector to which the first storage device is connected directly from a first direction, and a second connector to which the second storage device is connected directly from a second direction which is different from the first direction; a printing mechanism for executing a printing process; a control board on which is mounted a control circuit for controlling the printing mechanism; and a connection mechanism by which the control board ad the connection board are connected. The control circuit causes the printing mechanism to execute the printing process on the basis of the data read out from one or both of the first and second storage devices via the connection mechanism and the connection board.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing device, a method for producing a device using a connection board, and a connection board. [Background technology]

[0002] There has long been a demand for printing devices to store print data representing images. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a printing device having two HDDs, two connectors connected to the two HDDs, and a connection board electrically connected to the connectors. HDD is an abbreviation for Hard Disk Drive. In this printing device, the two HDDs are connected to the connectors from the same direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-59085 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the above-mentioned conventional connection board, when two units, such as two HDDs, are attached to the connector from the same direction, a large force is applied to the connector and the connection board, which may cause the connection board to come off the surface to which it is fixed, or to become deformed, etc. Therefore, with the connection board of the conventional technology, there is a problem in that it is difficult to attach two units to the connection board without causing any abnormality in the connection board. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, one aspect of the printing device of the present invention comprises a first memory device, a second memory device, a first connector to which the first memory device is directly connected from a first direction, and a second connector to which the second memory device is directly connected from a second direction different from the first direction, a connection board which is a rigid board, a printing mechanism that performs a printing process, a control board on which a control circuit that controls the printing mechanism is provided, and a connection mechanism that connects the control board and the connection board, and the control circuit causes the printing mechanism to perform the printing process based on data read from one or both of the first memory device and the second memory device via the connection mechanism and the connection board.

[0006] One aspect of the method for producing a device using a connection board according to the present invention is a method for producing a device using a connection board that is a rigid board, the connection board having a first connector that directly connects a unit arranged in a first direction and a second connector that directly connects a unit arranged in a second direction different from the first direction, the method comprising a first step of directly connecting the second unit to the second connector from the second direction, and a second step of fixing the second unit to the device.

[0007] One aspect of the connection board of the present invention is a connection board that is a rigid board, and includes a first connector that directly connects a first unit arranged in a first direction, and a second connector that directly connects a second unit arranged in a second direction different from the first direction. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a printing apparatus P1 before expansion. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an additional printer P2. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a front view of the printing device P. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a rear view of the printing device P with the lid 82 removed. [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a two-point perspective view showing the state in which the storage box 824 is rotated around the axis AZ. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a view of the surface sf1 of the printing device P1 before expansion, viewed from the V1 direction to the V2 direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a view of the surface sf1 of the printer P2 after expansion, viewed from the V1 direction to the V2 direction. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a method for producing the printer P2 after expansion. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a view of the surface sf1 in the third modified example, viewed from the V1 direction to the V2 direction. [Figure 11] FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing a method for producing an additional printer P2 according to an eleventh modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, in each drawing, the dimensions and scale of each part are appropriately different from those of the actual parts. Furthermore, since the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, various technically preferable limitations are applied, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless otherwise specified in the following description to the effect that the present invention is limited.

[0010] 1. First embodiment In this embodiment, a printing device P that forms an image on a printing medium is described. The printing medium is recording paper such as plain paper. Furthermore, the printing device P in this embodiment can easily have an HDD added. In the following description, the printing device P before an HDD is added will be referred to as the "printing device P1 before addition," and the printing device P after an HDD is added will be referred to as the "printing device P2 after addition." In the following description, printing device P is a general term for both the printing device P1 before addition and the printing device P2 after addition.

[0011] 1.1.Configuration of Printer P 1 shows an example of the configuration of a pre-installed printing device P1. The printing device P is typically an inkjet printer that ejects ink to form an image on a print medium, and is also a so-called multifunction device that has a scanning function.

[0012] The printing device P is supplied with print data Img indicating the image to be formed by the printing device P and information indicating the number of copies of the image to be formed by the printing device P. The print data Img is received from a host computer such as a personal computer or digital camera. The printing device P executes a printing process to form the image indicated by the print data Img on a printing medium. The printing device P may also generate image data using a scanning function and use the generated image data as the print data Img.

[0013] 1, the pre-installed printer P1 includes a control circuit 12 mounted on a control board 10, a memory unit 20a, a printing mechanism 50, a touch panel 40, and a communication cable 60. The communication cable 60 is an example of a "connection mechanism." The pre-installed printer P1 also includes a scanning mechanism that performs scanning, but this is not shown here for the sake of simplicity.

[0014] The control board 10 is a board on which wiring is formed for transmitting various signals output from the control circuit 12, the memory unit 20, etc., and wiring for supplying power to drive the control circuit 12, etc. The control board 10 is typically a rigid board, but may also be a flexible board. Flexible boards are flexible boards such as COF, FPC, or FFC. COF is an abbreviation for Chip On Film. FPC is an abbreviation for Flexible Printed Circuits. FFC is an abbreviation for Flexible Flat Cable.

[0015] The control circuit 12 includes a CPU. CPU is an abbreviation for Central Processing Unit. However, the control circuit 12 may include a programmable logic device such as an FPGA instead of a CPU. FPGA is an abbreviation for Field Programmable Gate Array. The control circuit 12 controls the memory unit 20, the printing mechanism 50, and the touch panel 40.

[0016] In addition to the control circuit 12, the control board 10 has a communication connector 14 and a power connector 16. The communication connector 14 is directly connected to a communication cable 60. In this embodiment, "directly connected" means connected without going through another device. More specifically, the communication connector 14 and one end of the communication cable 60 are mated together, thereby directly connecting one end of the communication cable 60 to the communication connector 14. The communication connector 14 complies with the SATA standard. SATA is an abbreviation for Serial ATA. ATA is an abbreviation for Advanced Technology Attachment. ATA is an interface between a PC and a storage device. PC is an abbreviation for Personal Computer. SATA is a standard for transferring data using a serial transfer method. The SATA standard also allows for the supply of power. The power connector 16 is used after an HDD is added.

[0017] The storage unit 20a stores the control program for the printing device P, the print data Img, and other information. The storage unit 20a has a first HDD 21. The first HDD 21 is a storage device that stores data. The first HDD 21 is an example of a "first storage device" and also an example of a "first unit." One end of a communication cable 60 is directly connected to the first HDD 21.

[0018] The touch panel 40 has a function for inputting information and a function for outputting information to the outside. The touch panel 40 is formed by including a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel, an electronic paper panel, or an organic electroluminescence panel. However, instead of the touch panel 40, the printing device P may be provided with an input device such as a keyboard and an output device such as a display.

[0019] The printing mechanism 50 prints on a print medium based on instructions from the control circuit 12. More specifically, the control circuit 12 stores the print data Img in the memory unit 20a. For example, if a user of the printing device P operates the touch panel 40 to instruct the storage unit 20a to store the print data Img, the control circuit 12 stores the print data Img in the memory unit 20a. Alternatively, if the control circuit 12 determines that the print data Img should be stored in the memory unit 20a based on information indicating the number of copies of the image to be printed by the printing device P, the control circuit 12 stores the print data Img in the memory unit 20a. The control circuit 12 causes the printing mechanism 50 to print based on the print data Img read from the memory unit 20a. More specifically, the control circuit 12 supplies a drive signal Com for driving the printing mechanism 50 and a control signal SI for controlling the printing mechanism 50. The printing mechanism 50 is driven by a drive signal Com under the control of a control signal SI, and forms an image on a printing medium by ejecting ink from some or all of the multiple nozzles provided in the printing mechanism 50. As specific printing modes, the printing mechanism 50 may be any of a piezoelectric type that ejects ink using a piezoelectric element, a thermal type that ejects ink using a thermoelectric element, a thermal transfer type, a thermal type, and a laser type that melts toner with heat and fixes it to the printing medium.

[0020] 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the post-installation printer P2. The person installing the HDD installs the HDD in the pre-installation printer P1. Hereinafter, the person installing the HDD will be referred to as the "installation worker."

[0021] The post-installation printing device P2 differs from the pre-installation printing device P1 in that it has a memory unit 20b instead of the memory unit 20a and a power cable 70. The memory unit 20b differs from the memory unit 20a in that it has a second HDD 22 and an integrated circuit 35 provided on the connection board 30 in addition to the first HDD 21. The second HDD 22 is a storage device that stores data. The second HDD 22 has a flat, approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. The second HDD 22 is an example of a “second storage device” and also an example of a “second unit.” Furthermore, the additional printer P2 is an example of a “device using a connection board.”

[0022] The control circuit 12 stores the same print data Img in the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22. More specifically, this embodiment utilizes RAID, a technology that allows multiple storage devices to be recognized as a single storage device. RAID is an abbreviation for Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks. There are multiple levels of RAID, and this embodiment employs RAID1. RAID1 is also known as mirroring, and is a technology that stores the same data in multiple storage devices. With mirroring, even if a failure occurs in one of the multiple storage devices, the data can be read from the remaining storage device, thereby improving fault tolerance compared to a configuration that does not configure mirroring.

[0023] The connection board 30 is a board on which are formed wiring for transmitting various signals output from the integrated circuit 35, the first HDD 21, the second HDD 22, etc., and wiring for supplying power for driving the integrated circuit 35, the first HDD 21, the second HDD 22, etc. The connection board 30 is a rigid board.

[0024] The connection board 30 has a first connector 31, a second connector 32, a third connector 33, and a power connector 36, in addition to the integrated circuit 35. The first connector 31 is directly connected to the first HDD 21. The second connector 32 is directly connected to the second HDD 22. One end of a communication cable 60 is directly connected to the third connector 33.

[0025] The integrated circuit 35 communicates with one or both of the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22 based on communication from the control circuit 12. In other words, the control circuit 12 communicates with one or both of the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22. Therefore, the control circuit 12 can also be said to be a "communication circuit that communicates with one or both of the first unit and the second unit." The control board 10 can also be said to be a "communication board provided with a communication circuit." To achieve mirroring, when the integrated circuit 35 receives a communication indicating a write request for print data Img from the control circuit 12, the integrated circuit 35 transmits the communication indicating the write request for print data Img to the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22. Furthermore, when the integrated circuit 35 receives a communication indicating a read request for print data Img from the control circuit 12, the integrated circuit 35 transmits the communication indicating the read request for print data Img to the first HDD 21 or the second HDD 22. The integrated circuit 35 transmits the print data Img read from the first HDD 21 or the second HDD 22 to the control circuit 12.

[0026] The power cable 70 is a cable that connects the control board 10 and the connection board 30. As illustrated in Fig. 2, one end of the power cable 70 is directly connected to the power connector 16, and the other end of the power cable 70 is directly connected to the power connector 36. The power cable 70 supplies power from the control board 10 to the connection board 30 for driving the connection board 30, the first HDD 21, and the second HDD 22.

[0027] In the additional printer P2, the control circuit 12 also causes the print mechanism 50 to execute printing based on the print data Img read from the storage unit 20b, that is, the print data Img read from the first HDD 21 or the second HDD 22.

[0028] 1.2.Appearance of Printing Device P To demonstrate how the installation technician can easily install the second HDD 22, the appearance of the printing device P will be described using Figures 3, 4, and 5. Because the appearance of the printing device P is the same for the pre-installation printing device P1 and the post-installation printing device P2, the explanation will be given in Figures 3, 4, and 5 using the printing device P that collectively refers to the pre-installation printing device P1 and the post-installation printing device P2.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a front view of the printing device P. As shown in FIG. 3, the following description assumes an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis. A direction along the X-axis from an arbitrary point is referred to as the X1 direction, and a direction opposite the X1 direction is referred to as the X2 direction. Similarly, opposite directions along the Y-axis from an arbitrary point are referred to as the Y1 direction and the Y2 direction, and opposite directions along the Z-axis from an arbitrary point are referred to as the Z1 direction and the Z2 direction. The XY plane including the X-axis and the Y-axis corresponds to a horizontal plane. The Z-axis is an axis along the vertical direction, and the Z2 direction corresponds to the downward vertical direction. Note that the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis may intersect with each other at approximately 90 degrees. "Approximately 90 degrees" includes cases where the angles are exactly 90 degrees, as well as cases where they can be considered to be 90 degrees considering manufacturing errors.

[0030] The printing device P has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape overall. As illustrated in FIG. 3, in addition to the touch panel 40 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printing device P has a document tray 72, multiple paper feed trays 74, and a paper output tray 76. The document tray 72 is provided on the top surface of the printing device P. The paper feed tray 74 and the paper output tray 76 are provided on the front surface of the printing device P. The document tray 72 stores paper to be read by the scanning function. The paper feed tray 74 stores print media before an image is formed on it. The print media with an image formed on it is stacked on the paper output tray 76.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the printing device P. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the printing device P has an exterior 80 on the rear side of the printing device P. The exterior 80 houses the control board 10, the memory unit 20a or 20b, and the printing mechanism 50. The exterior 80 has a lid 82 and a lower rear member 84. The lid 82 covers an opening 821 shown in FIG. 5. The lid 82 is an example of a "first lid."

[0032] The rear lower member 84 is provided with a plurality of exhaust ports 842. The exhaust ports 842 are openings provided for discharging heat generated from the printing mechanism 50 and the like to the outside of the printing apparatus P.

[0033] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the printing device P when the lid 82 is removed from the printing device P. As illustrated in FIG. 5, removing the lid 82 from the printing device P exposes an opening 821. Inside the opening 821 are a support plate 822, a storage box 824, and an inner wall surface 826 of the printing device P. A portion of the inner wall surface 826 is covered by the storage box 824. The support plate 822 is a flat member extending along the YZ plane. Furthermore, the support plate 822 is fixed to the inner wall surface 826 at its end in the Y1 direction.

[0034] The storage box 824 is a hollow box having a width in the Y-axis direction. The storage box 824 has a door (not shown), and opening this door exposes the interior of the storage box 824. The control board 10 is stored inside the storage box 824. Furthermore, the width of the storage box 824 narrows in the Z-axis direction along the X2 direction. This narrowing of the width forms a step in the storage box 824. Furthermore, the storage box 824 is attached to a support plate 822 at its end in the X2 direction by a hinge (not shown). This hinge allows the storage box 824 to rotate around an axis AZ parallel to the Z-axis. Note that the printing device P does not need to have a support plate 822, and the storage box 824 may be attached directly to the inner wall surface 826 via the hinge. The state in which the storage box 824 is rotated around the axis AZ will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0035] Figure 6 is a two-point perspective view showing the state in which the storage box 824 has been rotated about the axis AZ in the printer P1 before expansion. To avoid cluttering the drawing, the communication cable 60, the wiring connecting the control board 10 and the touch panel 40, the wiring connecting the control board 10 and the printing mechanism 50, and the exhaust port 842 have been omitted from Figure 6.

[0036] By rotating the storage box 824 about the axis AZ, the portion of the inner wall surface 826 that was covered by the storage box 824 is exposed. The storage box 824 can also be considered a lid because it covers a portion of the inner wall surface 826. Furthermore, the storage box 824 can also be considered a door because it can cover or expose a portion of the inner wall surface 826 by rotating it about the axis AZ. The storage box 824 is an example of a "second lid."

[0037] 6, the first HDD 21 is fixed to a surface sf1 of the storage box 824. The surface sf1 is the surface of the outer wall of the storage box 824 that faces the inner wall surface 826 when the storage box 824 covers a portion of the inner wall surface 826. Alternatively, the surface sf1 can be said to be the surface that is closest to the inner wall surface 826 when the storage box 824 covers a portion of the inner wall surface 826.

[0038] The printing mechanism 50 is provided in an internal space ns1 defined by the front and rear surfaces of the printing device P and the inner wall surface 826.

[0039] In the following explanation, the U-axis and V-axis will be used as appropriate in addition to the Z-axis. The U-axis and V-axis are each perpendicular to the Z-axis. The UZ plane is parallel to the surface sf1. The direction along the V-axis is the normal direction of the surface sf1. The direction along the V-axis approaching the inner wall surface 826 is referred to as the V1 direction, and the direction opposite to the V1 direction is referred to as the V2 direction. Similarly, the direction along the U-axis approaching the axis AZ is referred to as the U1 direction, and the direction opposite to the U1 direction is referred to as the U2 direction. The state of the surface sf1 of the pre-installation printing device P1 as viewed from the V1 direction to the V2 direction will be described using Figure 7.

[0040] 7 is a view of face sf1 of the printing apparatus P1 before expansion, viewed from the V1 direction to the V2 direction. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the first HDD 21 has a flattened rectangular parallelepiped shape and is fixed to face sf1 of the storage box 824 along the UZ plane. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the first HDD 21 is fixed to face sf1 by a first fixture 210. The first fixture 210 has an HDD metal plate 211, four screws 217, and two screws 219.

[0041] The HDD metal plate 211 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed in the V2 direction. Furthermore, in order to fix the first HDD 21 to the HDD metal plate 211, screw holes (not shown) are provided near each of the four vertices of the substantially rectangular shape, corresponding one-to-one to the four screws 217. The first HDD 21 is fixed to the HDD metal plate 211 by being fastened with the four screws 217. Furthermore, the HDD metal plate 211 is provided with flanges 212 in the Z1 direction and Z2 direction, in order to fix the HDD metal plate 211 to the surface sf1. The flanges 212 are provided with screw holes (not shown) that correspond one-to-one to the two screws 219. Furthermore, the surface sf1 is also provided with screw holes (not shown) that correspond one-to-one to the two screws 219. The HDD metal plate 211 is fixed to the surface sf1 by being fastened with two screws 219. Because the HDD metal plate 211 is fixed to the surface sf1, the first HDD 21 fixed to the HDD metal plate 211 is also fixed to the surface sf1.

[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 7 , a relay metal plate 301 for fixing the connection board 30 to the surface sf1 is fixed to the surface sf1, and has an opening 825 and two screw holes 827. The relay metal plate 301 has a substantially rectangular shape when viewed from the V1 direction. The relay metal plate 301 is fixed to the surface sf1 with two screws 307. More specifically, the relay metal plate 301 has flanges 305 on both the Z1 and Z2 sides. The flanges 305 have screw holes (not shown) that correspond one-to-one to the two screws 307. The relay metal plate 301 is fixed to the surface sf1 by being screwed in with the two screws 307. Furthermore, the relay metal plate 301 has screw holes 303 near each of the four vertices of the substantially rectangular shape for fixing the connection board 30 to the relay metal plate 301. However, before the second HDD 22 is added, in a state where the connection board 30 is not attached, the relay metal plate 301 and the screws 307 do not need to be provided on the surface sf1.

[0043] The opening 825 communicates with the interior of the storage box 824. The opening 825 exposes a portion of the control board 10 provided inside the storage box 824. In FIG. 7, the outline of the control board 10 is indicated by a dashed line. The size and position of the control board 10 are not limited to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, as long as the control board 10 can be accommodated in the storage box 824. The opening 825 exposes the communication connector 14 and the power connector 16. One end of the communication cable 60 is directly connected to the communication connector 14, and the other end of the communication cable 60 is directly connected to the first HDD 21.

[0044] Two screw holes 827 are provided for fixing the second HDD 22 to the surface sf1. The elements provided on the surface sf1 of the printer P2 after installation will be described with reference to FIG.

[0045] Figure 8 is a view of the surface sf1 of the printer P2 after expansion, viewed from the V1 direction to the V2 direction. To avoid cluttering the drawing, some of the reference numerals shown in Figure 7 have been omitted from Figure 8. As illustrated in Figure 8, the first HDD 21 is directly connected to the first connector 31 from the U1 direction. The first connector 31 is provided along the edge of the connection board 30 in the U1 direction. The U1 direction is an example of a "first direction."

[0046] The mating surface of the first connector 31 that mates with the first HDD 21 is parallel to the VZ plane. On the other hand, the surface 30p of the connection board 30 that has the first connector 31 is parallel to the UZ plane. In other words, the mating surface of the first connector 31 is perpendicular to the surface 30p. A connector in which the mating surface of the connector and the surface of the board to which the connector is attached are perpendicular to each other is called a right-angle type. Therefore, the first connector 31 is a right-angle type.

[0047] Furthermore, the connection board 30 is fixed to the surface sf1 by the relay metal plate 301 and four screws 38. The four screws 38 correspond one-to-one to the screw holes 303 provided in the relay metal plate 301. The connection board 30 is fixed to the relay metal plate 301 by being fastened with the four screws 38. Because the relay metal plate 301 is fixed to the surface sf1, the connection board 30 fixed to the relay metal plate 301 is also fixed to the surface sf1. 8, in order to clearly show the connection board 30 and the relay metal plate 301, the relay metal plate 301 excluding the flange 305 is shown smaller than the connection board 30 when viewed in the V2 direction, but this is not limited to this. For example, when viewed in the V2 direction, the relay metal plate 301 excluding the flange 305 may be approximately the same size as the connection board 30, or may be larger than the connection board 30. "Approximately the same" includes cases where they are completely the same, as well as cases where they can be considered to be the same when manufacturing errors are taken into consideration.

[0048] 8, the second HDD 22 is directly connected to the second connector 32 from the U2 direction. The second connector 32 is a right-angle type, similar to the first connector 31. The first connector 31 is provided along the side of the connection board 30 in the U2 direction. The U2 direction is an example of a "second direction."

[0049] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the second HDD 22 has a flat, approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape and is fixed to the surface sf1 along the UZ plane. Furthermore, the second HDD 22 is fixed to the surface sf1 so as to face the first HDD 21 with the connection board 30 sandwiched therebetween. Two objects facing each other means that the two objects partially or completely overlap when viewed from a certain direction. In this embodiment, the second HDD 22 completely overlaps the first HDD 21 when viewed from the direction along the U axis. Note that the second HDD 22 may partially overlap the first HDD 21 when viewed from the direction along the U axis, but it is preferable that they completely overlap.

[0050] The second HDD 22 is fixed to the surface sf1 by a second fixture 220. The second fixture 220 has an HDD metal plate 221, four screws 227, and two screws 229. The HDD metal plate 221 has substantially the same shape as the HDD metal plate 211 and is substantially rectangular when viewed in the V2 direction. Furthermore, in order to fix the second HDD 22 to the HDD metal plate 221, screw holes (not shown) are provided near each of the four vertices of the substantially rectangular shape of the HDD metal plate 221, which correspond one-to-one to the four screws 227. The second HDD 22 is fixed to the HDD metal plate 221 by being screwed in with the four screws 227. Furthermore, the HDD metal plate 221 has flanges 222 in the Z1 direction and Z2 direction to fix the HDD metal plate 221 to the surface sf1. The flange 222 is provided with screw holes (not shown) that correspond one-to-one to the two screws 229. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the surface sf1 is also provided with screw holes 827 that correspond to the two screws 229. The HDD metal plate 221 is fixed to the surface sf1 by being fastened with the two screws 229. Because the HDD metal plate 221 is fixed to the surface sf1, the second HDD 22 fixed to the HDD metal plate 221 is also fixed to the surface sf1.

[0051] 2, one end of the communication cable 60 is directly connected to the communication connector 14, and the other end of the communication cable 60 is directly connected to the third connector 33. The third connector 33 is provided in a notch provided in the Z1-direction edge of the connection board 30. One end of the power cable 70 is directly connected to the power connector 16, and the other end of the power cable 70 is directly connected to the power connector 36.

[0052] 1.3. Production method of the expanded printing device P2 Using FIG. 9, a production method in which an installation worker installs a second HDD 22 in an un-installed printing apparatus P1 to produce an installed printing apparatus P2 will be described.

[0053] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a production method for the post-installation printer P2. Before performing the production method illustrated in FIG. 9, the installation worker removes the lid 82 from the pre-installation printer P1 and then rotates the storage box 824 about the axis AZ to expose the surface sf1. In step S10, the installation worker removes the communication cable 60 from the first HDD 21. Step S10 corresponds to the "third step." Next, in step S20, the installation worker directly connects the communication cable 60 to the third connector 33 of the connection board 30. Step S20 corresponds to the "fourth step." After completing step S20, in step S30, the installation worker directly connects the power cable 70 to the power connector 36 of the connection board 30. Note that the installation worker can change the order in which the cables are connected; for example, step S30 may be performed before step S10.

[0054] After step S30 is completed, in step S40, the installation worker faces in the direction U1 and directly connects the first connector 31 of the connection board 30 to the first HDD 21. Step S40 corresponds to the "fifth step." Next, in step S50, the installation worker fastens the four screws 38 to fix the connection board 30 to face sf1.

[0055] After completing step S50, in step S60, the installation worker directly connects the second HDD 22 to the second connector 32 of the connection board 30 in the U1 direction. More specifically, the installation worker directly connects the second HDD 22 to the second connector 32 by moving the second HDD 22 parallel to the connection board 30 so that it approaches the second connector 32. By directly connecting the second HDD 22 to the second connector 32 in the U1 direction, the second HDD 22 is directly connected to the second connector 32 from the U2 direction. Step S60 corresponds to the "first step."

[0056] After completing step S60, in step S70, the installation worker fixes the second HDD 22 to the surface sf1 using the second fastener 220. In step S70, before the series of steps shown in FIG. 9, the installation worker fixes the second HDD 22 to the HDD metal plate 221 by fastening four screws 227. Then, in step S70, the installation worker fixes the second HDD 22 to the surface sf1 by fastening two screws 229. However, in step S70, the installation worker may fix the second HDD 22 to the HDD metal plate 221 by fastening the four screws 227, and then fix the second HDD 22 to the surface sf1 by fastening two screws 229. Step S70 corresponds to the "second step." After completing step S70, the installation worker completes the series of steps shown in FIG. 9.

[0057] 1.4. Summary of the First Embodiment Below, a summary of the printing device P2 after expansion, a summary of the method for producing a device using the connection board 30, and a summary of the connection board 30 will be described.

[0058] 1.4.1. Summary of Printer P2 after Installation As described above, the printer P2 after expansion includes the first HDD 21, the second HDD 22, the connection board 30, which is a rigid board, the printing mechanism 50 that performs printing, the control board 10 on which the control circuit 12 that controls the printing mechanism 50 is mounted, and the communication cable 60 that connects the control board 10 and the connection board 30. The connection board 30 includes a first connector 31 to which the first HDD 21 is directly connected from the U1 direction, and a second connector 32 to which the second HDD 22 is directly connected from the U2 direction, which is different from the U1 direction. The control circuit 12 causes the printing mechanism 50 to perform printing based on the print data Img read from one of the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22 via the communication cable 60 and the connection board 30. As described above, the U1 direction in which the first connector 31 is directly connected to the first HDD 21 differs from the U2 direction in which the second connector 32 is directly connected to the second HDD 22. Generally, the magnitude of the combined force of two forces when the directions of the two forces are different is smaller than the magnitude of the combined force of two forces when the directions of the two forces are the same. Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the magnitude of the force applied to the connection board 30 is smaller than in an embodiment in which the direction in which the first connector 31 is directly connected to the first HDD 21 and the direction in which the second connector 32 is directly connected to the second HDD 22 are the same. This reduces the possibility of abnormalities occurring in the connection board 30, such as the connection board 30 being dislocated from the surface sf1 or being deformed. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is easy to attach the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22 to the connection board 30 without causing abnormalities in the connection board 30.

[0059] The first connector 31 supplies power to the first HDD 21 based on the SATA standard and also relays communication between the connection board 30 and the first HDD 21, and the second connector 32 supplies power to the second HDD 22 based on the SATA standard and also relays communication between the connection board 30 and the second HDD 22. According to the first embodiment, the first connector 31 can supply power to the first HDD 21 and relay communication between the connection board 30 and the first HDD 21. Similarly, the second connector 32 can supply power to the second HDD 22 and relay communication between the connection board 30 and the second HDD 22.

[0060] The U2 direction is opposite to the U1 direction. Because the U2 direction is opposite to the U1 direction, the force applied to the connection board 30 when the first HDD 21 is directly connected to the first connector 31 and the force applied to the connection board 30 when the second HDD 22 is directly connected to the second connector 32 cancel out. According to this embodiment, because the two forces cancel out, the possibility of the connection board 30 coming off the surface sf1 is reduced compared to an embodiment in which the direction of the force applied to the connection board 30 when the first HDD 21 is directly connected to the first connector 31 and the direction of the force applied to the connection board 30 when the second HDD 22 is directly connected to the second connector 32 are not opposite. This makes it easier to attach the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22 to the connection board 30 without causing any abnormalities in the connection board 30.

[0061] Furthermore, the mating surfaces of the first connector 31 and the second connector 32 are perpendicular to the surface of the connection board 30. That is, the first connector 31 and the second connector 32 are of a right-angle type. A connector in which the mating surface of the connector is parallel to the surface of the board to which the connector is attached is called a straight type. If the first connector 31 and the second connector 32 are straight type, the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22 are perpendicular to the connection board 30. In contrast, in this embodiment, the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22 are parallel to the connection board 30. In the embodiment in which the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22 are perpendicular to the connection board 30, the space occupied by the first HDD 21, the second HDD 22, and the connection board 30 is larger than in the embodiment in which the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22 are parallel to the connection board 30, resulting in a larger printing device P. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the printing device P can be made smaller than in the embodiment in which the first connector 31 and the second connector 32 are straight type.

[0062] The connection board 30 includes an integrated circuit 35 that communicates with one of the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22 based on communication from the control circuit 12. More specifically, in order to realize mirroring, when the integrated circuit 35 receives communication from the control circuit 12 indicating a request to write print data Img, the integrated circuit 35 transmits communication indicating the request to write print data Img to the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22. Furthermore, when the integrated circuit 35 receives communication from the control circuit 12 indicating a request to read print data Img, the integrated circuit 35 transmits communication indicating the request to read print data Img to the first HDD 21 or the second HDD 22. In this way, by realizing mirroring using the integrated circuit 35, even if a failure occurs in one of the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22, data can be read from the other HDD, thereby improving failure tolerance compared to a configuration in which mirroring is not configured.

[0063] The printer P2 after expansion further includes an exterior 80 having a lid 82 that covers the opening 821, and a storage box 824 provided within the opening 821. The storage box 824 is provided with the connection board 30, the first HDD 21, and the second HDD 22. The installation worker can remove the lid 82 and then rotate the storage box 824 about the axis AZ to expose the surface sf1 on which the connection board 30 and the second HDD 22 are attached. Therefore, according to this embodiment, compared to the configuration in which the connection board 30, the first HDD 21, and the second HDD 22 are provided within the internal space ns1 of the printer P, the installation worker can easily add the connection board 30 and the second HDD 22 to the pre-installation printer P1.

[0064] The cover 82 is provided on the rear surface of the printing device P. Generally, it is preferable that only elements that a user comes into contact with when the printing device P is printing are located on the front of the printing device P. If the contents covered by the lid 82 were located on the front of the printing device P, the user might think that exposing the contents covered by the lid 82 is necessary when changing print settings, which would reduce the operability of the printing device P. Therefore, by providing the lid 82 on the back of the printing device P, it is possible to suggest that the contents covered by the lid 82 are not necessary for print settings, thereby improving the operability of the printing device P.

[0065] The post-installation printer P2 further comprises a first fixture 210 that fixes the first HDD 21 to the surface sf1 of the storage box 824, and a second fixture 220 that fixes the second HDD 22 to the surface sf1. According to the first embodiment, the first HDD 21 can be fixed to the surface sf1 by the first fixture 210, and the second HDD 22 can be fixed to the surface sf1 by the second fixture 220.

[0066] 1.4.2. Summary of the manufacturing method of the device using the connection board 30 This embodiment can also be understood as a method for producing a device using the connection board 30. The connection board 30 is a rigid board, and includes a first connector 31 that directly connects a memory device provided in the U1 direction, and a second connector 32 that directly connects a memory device provided in the U2 direction, which is different from the U1 direction. In a state in which the first HDD21 directly connected to the first connector 31 is fixed to the surface sf1 of the pre-expansion printing device P1 and is also connected to the communication cable 60, a method of producing a device using the connection board 30 includes step S10 of removing the communication cable 60 from the first HDD21, step S20 of connecting the communication cable 60 removed in step S10 to the connection board 30, step S40 of directly connecting the first HDD21 to the first connector 31 from the U1 direction, step S60 of directly connecting the second HDD22 to the second connector 32 from the U2 direction, and step S70 of fixing the second HDD22 to the pre-expansion printing device P1. As described above, in the production method for producing the post-addition printing device P2 from the pre-addition printing device P1, there is no need to remove the first HDD 21, which was fixed to surface sf1 in the pre-addition printing device P1. In the case where the first HDD 21 is removed from the pre-addition printing device P1, static electricity may be generated when the first HDD 21 is removed, or the first HDD 21 may be installed incorrectly when reinstalled. If static electricity is generated when the first HDD 21 is removed, or if the first HDD 21 is installed incorrectly when reinstalled, the post-addition printing device P2 may not operate normally. According to this embodiment, the possibility of the post-addition printing device P2 not operating normally is reduced compared to the case where the first HDD 21 is removed from the pre-addition printing device P1.

[0067] In the process of step S60, the second HDD 22 is moved parallel to the connection board 30 so as to approach the second connector 32, thereby directly connecting the second HDD 22 to the second connector 32. The second connector 32 is a right-angle type, and both the connection board 30 and the second HDD 22 are fixed along the surface sf1, so that the second HDD 22 can be directly connected to the second connector 32 by moving the second HDD 22 parallel to the connection board 30 so as to approach the second connector 32.

[0068] In step S60, the second HDD 22 is directly connected to the second connector 32 so as to face the first HDD 21, which is directly connected to the first connector 31, with the connection board 30 sandwiched between them. Even if the magnitude of the force acting on the connection board 30 when the first HDD 21 is directly connected to the first connector 31 and the magnitude of the force acting on the connection board 30 when the second HDD 22 is directly connected to the second connector 32 are the same but in opposite directions, if the directions of these two forces are not collinear, a moment of force that causes rotation will be generated in the connection board 30. If this moment of force is large, there is a possibility that the connection board 30 will become detached from the surface sf1. Compared to an embodiment in which the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22 are not opposed to each other, the embodiment in which the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22 face each other can reduce the moment of force that causes rotation in the connection board 30, thereby reducing the possibility that the connection board 30 will become detached from the surface sf1.

[0069] In addition, in the process of step S70, the HDD metal plate 221 to which the second HDD 22 is screwed is screwed to the pre-installed printing apparatus P1, thereby fixing the second HDD 22 to the pre-installed printing apparatus P1. According to the first embodiment, the HDD metal plate 221 can be used to fix the second HDD 22 to the pre-addition printing apparatus P1.

[0070] 1.4.3. Summary of the connection board 30 In addition, the connection board 30 in this embodiment is a rigid board and is equipped with a first connector 31 that directly connects the first HDD 21 arranged in the U1 direction, and a second connector 32 that directly connects the second HDD 22 arranged in the U2 direction, which is different from the U1 direction. As described above, the connection board 30 in this embodiment makes it easier to attach the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22 to the connection board 30 compared to a connection board 30 in which the direction in which the first connector 31 is directly connected to the first HDD 21 is the same as the direction in which the second connector 32 is directly connected to the second HDD 22.

[0071] The connection board 30 further includes a third connector 33 for connecting a communication cable 60. The communication cable 60 is connected to a control circuit 12 that communicates with one or both of the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22. The third connector 33 can also be considered a collective term for the connector that is directly connected to the first connector 31 and mediates communication with the first HDD 21, and the connector that is directly connected to the second connector 32 and mediates communication with the second HDD 22.

[0072] The connection board 30 also includes an integrated circuit 35 that communicates with one or both of the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22 based on communication from the control circuit 12. By realizing mirroring using the integrated circuit 35, even if a failure occurs in one of the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22, data can be read from the other HDD, thereby improving failure tolerance compared to a configuration in which mirroring is not configured.

[0073] The first connector 31 is provided along the side of the connection board 30 in the U1 direction, and the second connector 32 is provided along the side of the connection board 30 in the U2 direction. In this way, by providing the first connector 31 and the second connector 32 along opposite sides, it is possible to cancel out the force applied to the connection board 30 when the first HDD 21 is directly connected to the first connector 31 and the force applied to the connection board 30 when the second HDD 22 is directly connected to the second connector 32. This makes it easy to attach the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22 to the connection board 30 without causing any abnormalities in the connection board 30.

[0074] 2. Variations The above-described embodiments can be modified in various ways. Some specific examples of modified embodiments are given below. Two or more embodiments selected from the following examples can be combined as appropriate to the extent that they are not mutually inconsistent.

[0075] 2-1. First modified example The direction in which the connection board 30, the first HDD 21, and the second HDD 22 are attached is not limited to that of the first embodiment. For example, they may be attached side by side on the XY plane. Even when they are attached on the UZ plane, they may be attached by rotating them or flipping them left and right as desired from the first embodiment.

[0076] 2-2. Second modified example In the above-described embodiments, RAID1 is configured using the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22, but this is not limiting. For example, RAID0 or JBOD may be configured using the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22. JBOD is an abbreviation for Just a Bunch of Disks.

[0077] 2-3.Third Modification In each of the above-described embodiments, two HDDs are connected to the connection board 30, but three or more HDDs may be connected.

[0078] Figure 10 is a view of surface sf1 in the third modified example viewed from the V1 direction to the V2 direction. To avoid cluttering the drawing, the fasteners that secure the HDD and connection board 30a to surface sf1 are omitted from Figure 10. The post-installation printing device P2a in the third modified example differs from the post-installation printing device P2 in that it has a connection board 30a instead of the connection board 30 and a third HDD 23.

[0079] The connection board 30a differs from the connection board 30 in that it has an integrated circuit 35a instead of the integrated circuit 35, and in that it has a fourth connector 34. The fourth connector 34 is provided along the side of the connection board 30 in the Z2 direction. The fourth connector 34 is also a right-angle type, like the first connector 31 and the second connector 32. The third HDD 23 is directly connected to the fourth connector 34 from the Z2 direction.

[0080] The integrated circuit 35a communicates with one or more of the first HDD 21, the second HDD 22, and the third HDD 23 based on communication from the control circuit 12. For example, the integrated circuit 35a may configure RAID5 with the first HDD 21, the second HDD 22, and the third HDD 23.

[0081] 2-4.Fourth Modification In the first embodiment, the first HDD 21 is connected to the first connector 31 from the U1 direction, and the second HDD 22 is connected to the second connector 32 from the U2 direction, which is the opposite direction to the U1 direction, but this is not limiting. For example, the second HDD 22 may be connected to the second connector 32 from the Z2 direction. In the fourth modification, the second connector 32 is provided along the side of the connection board 30 in the Z2 direction. In the fourth modified example, the Z2 direction is an example of the "second direction."

[0082] 2-5. Fifth Modification In the first embodiment, the first modification, and the fourth modification, the control circuit 12 causes the printing mechanism 50 to execute printing based on the print data Img read from the first HDD 21 or the second HDD 22, but the print data Img may be read from both the first HDD 21 and the second HDD 22. For example, the integrated circuit 35 reads a portion of the print data Img from the first HDD 21 and the remaining data of the print data Img from the second HDD 22, and generates the print data Img from the portion of the print data Img and the remaining data of the print data Img. The integrated circuit 35 then transmits the generated print data Img to the control circuit 12.

[0083] 2-6. Sixth Modification In the above-described embodiments, an example of the "first storage device" and the "second storage device" is an HDD, but they may be storage devices other than HDDs. An example of a storage device other than an HDD is an SSD. SSD is an abbreviation for Solid State Drive. Furthermore, of the two storage devices connected to the connection board 30, one may be an HDD and the other an SSD. Furthermore, a connector of a type other than SATA may be used accordingly.

[0084] 2-7. Seventh Variation In the above-described embodiments, an example of a "connection mechanism" is the communication cable 60, but this is not limiting. For example, the connection mechanism may be two communication cables and communication circuits connected to each of the two communication cables. For example, in the printer P2 after expansion in the seventh modification, one end of one of the two communication cables is directly connected to the communication connector 14, and the other end of the one communication cable is directly connected to the communication circuit. Furthermore, one end of the other of the two communication cables is directly connected to the third connector 33, and the other end of the other communication cable is directly connected to the communication circuit. Furthermore, the communication cable and the power cable that supplies power may be integrated or may be separate cables. Furthermore, the connectors used on the control board 10 before and after the expansion of the storage device may be the same, or different connectors may be used.

[0085] 2-8. Eighth Variation In each of the above-described embodiments, the lid 82 is provided on the back of the printing device P, but it may also be provided on the side of the printing device P. According to the eighth modified example, compared to an embodiment in which the lid 82 is provided on the front of the printing device P, it is possible to indicate that the contents covered by the lid 82 are not necessary for setting up the print, thereby improving the operability of the printing device P.

[0086] 2-9. 9th Variation In the above-described embodiments, the first fixture 210 includes the HDD metal plate 211, four screws 217, and two screws 219, but this is not limited to this. Some or all of the components may be different fixtures; for example, the first fixture may be an adhesive that adheres the first HDD 21 to the surface sf1. Similarly, the second fixture 220 may be an adhesive that adheres the second HDD 22 to the surface sf1. Furthermore, if the first HDD 21 and the surface sf1 can be mechanically combined and fixed, the first fixture may not be necessary. The same applies to the second fixture.

[0087] 2-10. 10th Variation In the first embodiment, the post-installation printer P2 was produced by adding the second HDD 22, which is farthest from the axis AZ, of the first and second HDDs 21 and 22. However, the post-installation printer P2 may also be produced by adding the first HDD 21, which is closer to the axis AZ. In the tenth variation, in step S60, the installation worker translates the first HDD 21 in the U2 direction to directly connect the first HDD 21 to the first connector 31. However, to translate the first HDD 21 in the U2 direction, the installation worker must grasp the first HDD 21 from the U1 direction, which may cause the installation worker's arm or other parts to come into contact with the inner wall surface 826, making the installation worker's work difficult. Therefore, the first embodiment makes it easier to produce the post-installation printer P2 than the tenth variation.

[0088] 2-11. 11th Variation In the first embodiment, the post-addition printing device P2 was produced by attaching the connection board 30 and the second HDD 22 to the pre-addition printing device P1, but this is not limited to this. For example, when the first HDD 21 is not fixed to the surface sf1, a production worker who produces the post-addition printing device P2 may perform the series of steps shown in FIG. 11 .

[0089] Fig. 11 is a flowchart showing a production method for the printer P2 after expansion in Modification 11. Before carrying out the production method shown in Fig. 9, the production worker removes the lid 82 from the printer P in which the first HDD 21, the second HDD 22, and the connection board 30 are not fixed to the surface sf1, and then rotates the storage box 824 about the axis AZ to expose the surface sf1.

[0090] In step S110, the production worker fixes the connection board 30 to surface sf1 by fastening the four screws 38. After completing step S110, in step S120, the production worker directly connects the communication cable 60 to the third connector 33 of the connection board 30. After completing step S120, in step S130, the production worker directly connects the power cable 70 to the power connector 36 of the connection board 30. As with the first embodiment, the order in which the cables are connected can be changed; for example, the production worker may perform step S130 before step S110.

[0091] After completing step S130, in step S140, the production worker connects the first HDD 21 directly to the first connector 31 of the connection board 30 in the U2 direction. By connecting the first HDD 21 directly to the first connector 31 of the connection board 30 in the U2 direction, the first HDD 21 is directly connected to the first connector 31 from the U1 direction.

[0092] After completing step S140, in step S150, the production worker fixes the first HDD 21 to surface sf1 using the first fastener 210. In step S150, similar to step S70, the production worker may fix the first HDD 21 to the HDD metal plate 211 by fastening four screws 217 before the series of steps shown in FIG. 11 . After completing step S150, in step S160, the production worker directly connects the second HDD 22 to the second connector 32 of the connection board 30 in the U1 direction. By directly connecting the second HDD 22 to the second connector 32 in the U1 direction, the second HDD 22 is directly connected to the second connector 32 from the U2 direction. In the eleventh modification, step S160 corresponds to the "first step."

[0093] After completing step S160, the production worker fixes the second HDD 22 to surface sf1 using the second fixing tool 220 in step S170. As with steps S70 and S150, in step S170, the production worker may fix the second HDD 22 to the HDD metal plate 221 by fastening the four screws 227 before the series of steps shown in FIG. 11. In the eleventh modified example, step S170 corresponds to the "second step." After completing step S170, the production worker completes the series of steps shown in FIG. 11.

[0094] The production method in the eleventh modification also includes step S160 of directly connecting the second HDD 22 to the second connector 32 from the U2 direction, and step S170 of fixing the second HDD 22 to the pre-addition printing apparatus P1. According to the eleventh modification, the additional printer P2 can be manufactured even when the first HDD 21 is not fixed to the surface sf1. In the first embodiment and the eleventh modified example, the second step is performed after the first step, but the first step may be performed after the second step. Specifically, for a printing device P in which the first HDD 21, the second HDD 22, and the connection board 30 are not fixed to the surface sf1, the production worker may fix the second HDD 22 to the surface sf1, and then connect the second connector 32 of the connection board 30 directly to the second HDD 22 in the direction U2.

[0095] 2-12. 12th Variation In each of the above-described embodiments, the printing device P does not need to have a scanning function.

[0096] 2-13. 13th Variation The printing device P exemplified in each of the above-described aspects can be used in various devices such as facsimile machines and copy machines, in addition to devices dedicated to printing.

[0097] 2-14. 14th Variation In each of the above-described embodiments, the connection board 30 is attached to the printing device P, but it may also be attached to a device that does not perform printing processing. For example, the connection board 30 may be attached to an electronic device such as a projector, a scanner, or a PC. In the fourteenth modification, this electronic device is an example of a "device using a connection board."

[0098] 2-15. 15th Variation In each of the above-described embodiments, a storage device such as an HDD is directly connected to the first connector 31 and the second connector 32 of the connection board 30 as an example of a "unit," but a unit other than a storage device may also be directly connected. The unit other than a storage device may be, for example, a communication unit that communicates with a device external to the printing device P. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 10...control board, 12...control circuit, 14...communication connector, 16...power connector, 20, 20a, 20b...storage unit, 21...first HDD, 22...second HDD, 23...third HDD, 30, 30a...connection board, 30p...surface, 31...first connector, 32...second connector, 33...third connector, 34...fourth connector, 35, 35a...integrated circuit, 36...power connector, 38...screw, 40...touch panel, 50...printing mechanism, 60...communication cable, 70...power cable, 72...document tray, 74...paper feed tray, 76...paper output tray, 80...exterior, 82...lid, 84...under the rear Component part, 210...first fixing device, 211...metal plate for HDD, 212...flange, 217, 219...screw, 220...second fixing device, 221...metal plate for HDD, 222...flange, 227, 229...screw, 301...relay metal plate, 303...screw hole, 305...flange, 307...screw, 821...opening, 822...support plate, 824...storage box, 825...opening, 826...inner wall surface, 827...screw hole, 842...exhaust port, AZ...axis, Com...drive signal, Img...printing data, P...printing device, P1...printing device before expansion, P2, P2a...printing device after expansion, SI...control signal, ns1...internal space, sf1...surface.

Claims

1. a first storage device; a second storage device; a connection board that is a rigid board and includes a first connector to which the first storage device is directly connected from a first direction and a second connector to which the second storage device is directly connected from a second direction different from the first direction; a printing mechanism for executing a printing process; a control board provided with a control circuit for controlling the printing mechanism; a connection mechanism that connects the control board and the connection board; an exterior having a first lid that covers the first opening; a second lid provided in the first opening; Equipped with the control circuit causes the printing mechanism to execute the printing process based on data read from one or both of the first storage device and the second storage device via the connection mechanism and the connection board; the second cover has an internal space and a second opening communicating with the internal space; the first storage device, the second storage device, and the connection board are fixed to an outer wall surface of the second lid; The control board is housed in the internal space, the connection mechanism connects the control board and the connection board via the second opening; Printing device.

2. the first connector supplies power to the first storage device in accordance with the SATA standard, and further relays communication between the connection board and the first storage device; the second connector supplies power to the second storage device in accordance with the SATA standard, and further relays communication between the connection board and the second storage device; The printing device of claim 1 .

3. The second direction is opposite to the first direction.

3. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a mating surface of the first connector and the second connector perpendicular to a surface of the connection board; The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The connection board is an integrated circuit that communicates with one or both of the first storage device and the second storage device based on communication from the control circuit; The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. the first cover is provided on a side or rear surface of the printing device; The printing device of claim 1 .

7. a first fastener for fastening the first storage device to the second lid; a second fastener for fastening the second storage device to the second lid; The printing device of claim 6 further comprising:

8. The first connector is provided along a side of the connection board in the first direction, The second connector is provided along a side of the connection board in the second direction. The printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A first unit; A second unit; a connection board that is a rigid board, the connection board including a first connector that directly connects the first unit provided in a first direction, and a second connector that directly connects a unit provided in a second direction different from the first direction; a printing mechanism for executing a printing process; a control board provided with a control circuit for controlling the printing mechanism; a connection mechanism that connects the control board and the connection board; an exterior having a first lid that covers the first opening; a second lid provided in the first opening; 1. A method for producing a printing device having: the second cover has an internal space and a second opening communicating with the internal space; the first unit and the connection board are fixed to an outer wall surface of the second lid, The control board is housed in the internal space, the connection mechanism connects the control board and the connection board via the second opening; a first step of directly connecting the second unit to the second connector from the second direction; a second step of fixing the second unit to an outer wall surface of the second lid; A production method having the following steps.

10. In a state in which the first unit directly connected to the first connector is fixed to an outer wall surface of the second lid and is connected to the connection mechanism, a third step of removing the connection mechanism from the first unit; a fourth step of connecting the connection mechanism removed in the third step to the connection board; a fifth step of directly connecting the first unit to the first connector from the first direction; The method of claim 9, comprising:

11. the first step is to directly connect the second unit to the second connector by moving the second unit parallel to the connection board so as to approach the second connector; 11. The production method according to claim 9 or 10.

12. the first step is to directly connect the second unit to the second connector so as to face the first unit directly connected to the first connector across the connection board; 12. The method of production according to any one of claims 9 to 11.

13. In the second step, the metal plate to which the second unit is screwed is screwed to the outer wall surface of the second lid, thereby fixing the second unit to the outer wall surface of the second lid.

13. The method of any one of claims 9 to 12.

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