Image recording device

Abstract

To provide an image recording device configured to facilitate access from a front side of an enclosure to an ejection port of a conveyance path, while being downsized.SOLUTION: An image recording device 10 comprises an enclosure 21 having an internal space that opens to a front surface, a conveyance path 51 whose ejection port 36 communicates with the internal space and through which a sheet 6 is conveyed, and an operation panel 110 having an operation part 113 including an operation surface 112, positioned at an opening 22. The operation panel 110 can move to a first position where the panel conceals the ejection port 36, to a second position where the operation surface 112 points upward in an oblique forward direction and to a third position where the operation surface 112 is positioned upper than the second position, when viewed along a longitudinal direction 8 from a front side of the enclosure 21. A lower end 110A of the operation panel 110 at the third position is positioned upper than the ejection port 36, when viewed along the longitudinal direction 8 from the front side of the enclosure 21.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that records an image on a sheet. Background Art

[0002] As an image recording apparatus that records an image on a sheet, for example, the printing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is known. The printing apparatus of Patent Document 1 includes a lid portion provided on a front side of a housing, and an operation portion slightly inclined forward relative to the horizontal. The lid portion is rotatable forward at two hinges. The operation portion is movable upward and rearward while being kept parallel by a parallel link mechanism.

[0003] In the above printing apparatus, the lid portion is first rotated forward, and then the operation portion is moved upward and rearward. This makes the interior of the housing accessible from the front side of the housing, enabling maintenance inside the housing. Prior Art Documents Patent Documents

[0004] Patent Document 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-53760 Summary of the Invention Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the above printing apparatus, since the interior of the housing is accessed from the front side of the housing, it is necessary to move both the operation portion and the lid portion away from the access path. Therefore, there are problems that the number of work steps for accessing the interior of the housing increases, and the number of components such as hinges and link mechanisms for moving the operation portion and the lid portion also increases.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an image recording apparatus that can easily access an outlet of a conveyance path from the front side of a housing while achieving size reduction of the apparatus. Means for Solving the Problem

[0007] (1) The image recording device according to the present invention comprises a housing having an internal space opening to the front, a transport path through which a sheet is transported with an outlet leading to the internal space, and an operating panel located at the opening having an operating surface. The operating panel is movable to a first position that conceals the outlet when viewed from the front of the housing along the front-to-back direction, a second position in which the operating surface is angled diagonally upward and forward, and a third position in which the operating surface is located higher than the second position. The lower end of the operating panel in the third position is located above the outlet when viewed from the front of the housing along the front-to-back direction.

[0008] The control panel can be moved to a second position where the operating surface is angled diagonally forward and upward, making it easy for the user to operate the control section from the front of the housing. By simply moving the control panel to a third position, the discharge port of the transport path is exposed to the outside through the opening, reducing the number of parts such as hinges and linkage mechanisms, allowing for a smaller device, and providing easy access to the discharge port of the transport path from the front of the housing through the opening.

[0009] (2) The image recording device may further include an inner cover located behind the control panel. The inner cover may be movable between a fourth position that conceals the outlet and a fifth position that does not conceal the outlet when viewed from the front of the housing in the front-to-back direction.

[0010] For example, the inner cover in the fourth position can prevent users from accessing the discharge port of the transport path through the opening when transporting sheets, or prevent sand and dust from entering the discharge port of the transport path through the opening. For example, by moving the operation panel to the third position and then moving the inner cover from the fourth position to the fifth position, the discharge port of the transport path can be exposed to the outside through the opening.

[0011] (3) The inner cover may have a first handle. The first handle may be exposed to the outside when the operation panel is in the third position.

[0012] When the control panel is in the third position, it becomes easier to move the inner cover from the fourth position to the fifth position.

[0013] (4) The first handle portion may be located below the lower end of the operation panel at the third position and above the lower end of the operation panel at the second position.

[0014] When the control panel is in the third position, the first handle becomes more visible, making it easier to move the inner cover from the fourth position to the fifth position. On the other hand, when the control panel is in the second position, the first handle becomes less visible, which discourages the user from moving the inner cover from the fourth position to the fifth position, for example, when transporting the seat.

[0015] (5) The operation panel at the second position may be located on the movement trajectory of the inner cover between the fourth position and the fifth position. The operation panel at the third position may not be located on the movement trajectory.

[0016] When the control panel is in the second position, for example, when transporting a seat, it is more difficult for the user to move the inner cover from the fourth position to the fifth position. On the other hand, when the control panel is in the third position, it becomes easier to move the inner cover from the fourth position to the fifth position.

[0017] (6) The control panel may be rotatable around a first rotation axis that extends in a left-right direction intersecting the front-rear direction. The inner cover may be rotatable around a second rotation axis that is parallel to the first rotation axis and located below the first rotation axis, in a direction in which its upper end moves forward and downward.

[0018] This makes it easier to design a structure where it is difficult to move the inner cover from the fourth to the fifth position unless the control panel is moved to the third position.

[0019] (7) The inner cover described above may be rotatable about a third rotation shaft extending in the up-down direction.

[0020] Since the inner cover at the fifth position becomes easily noticeable, forgetting to close the inner cover can be suppressed.

[0021] (8) The operation panel described above may be rotatable about a first rotation shaft extending in the left-right direction intersecting the front-rear direction described above. The inner cover described above may be rotatable such that its lower end moves forward and upward about a fourth rotation shaft that is parallel to the first rotation shaft and positioned below the first rotation shaft. The inner cover described above may include a second grip portion positioned below the lower end of the operation panel at the first position.

[0022] When a user rotates the inner cover from the fourth position to the fifth position by holding the second grip portion, the operation panel is rotated to the third position by being pushed by the inner cover. Therefore, the discharge opening of the conveyance path can be exposed to the outside through the opening with a single rotation operation, which simplifies the work of exposing the discharge opening of the conveyance path through the opening.

[0023] (9) The operation panel described above may have a first protruding portion protruding rearward. The inner cover described above may have a second protruding portion protruding forward. When the operation panel moves from the second position toward the third position in a state where the inner cover is at the fourth position, the first protruding portion may abut against the second protruding portion from the front, and the inner cover may move from the fourth position to the fifth position.

[0024] Since the inner cover moves from the fourth position toward the fifth position in conjunction with the movement of the operation panel, the work of exposing the discharge opening of the conveyance path to the outside through the opening is simplified.

[0025] (10) The image recording apparatus described above may further include a lock mechanism that holds the inner cover at the fourth position. The lock mechanism may release the lock in conjunction with the first protruding portion abutting against the second protruding portion.

[0026] Movement of the inner cover by a user erroneously from the fourth position to the fifth position is suppressed. Since the lock of the inner cover is released in conjunction with the movement of the operation panel, the work of exposing the discharge outlet of the transport path to the outside through the opening is simplified.

[0027] (11) The inner cover may be detachably attached to the housing, and may move between the fourth position and the fifth position by being attached to and detached from the housing.

[0028] It becomes easy to access the discharge outlet of the transport path from the front of the housing through the opening.

[0029] (12) The operation panel may have a wall extending rearward. When the operation panel is in the second position, the wall may hide the discharge outlet when viewed along the front-rear direction from the front of the housing. [Functions and Effects] For example, access by a user to the discharge outlet of the transport path through the opening during sheet transportation is suppressed by the wall in the second position. Effects of the Invention

[0030] According to the present invention, the discharge outlet of the transport path can be easily accessed from the front of the housing while reducing the size of the apparatus. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0031] [Figure 1] Fig. 1 is an external perspective view of the multifunction peripheral 10 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal configuration of a printer unit 11 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a state where a rib 115 hides the discharge outlet 36 at the operation position of the operation panel 110 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a state where the discharge outlet 36 is exposed when the operation panel 110 according to the first embodiment is in the open position. [Figure 5]Figure 5 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the printer unit 11 of the second embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows the state in which the inner cover 210 of the second embodiment is concealing the outlet 36. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows the inner cover 210 of the second embodiment in a state where the discharge port 36 is exposed. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows the operation method of the operation panel 110 and inner cover 210 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows how to open the left inner cover 210A and the right inner cover 210B of the inner cover 210 in the third embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the printer unit 11 of the fourth embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the printer unit 11 of the fifth embodiment. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a magnified view of the area including the locking mechanism 218 shown in Figure 11. [Figure 13] Figure 13 shows a modified example in which the inner cover 210 has been removed from the second drive shaft B. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0032] [First Embodiment] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The embodiments described below are examples of the present invention, and the embodiments may be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention. In the following description, the vertical direction 7 is defined based on the state in which the multifunction printer 10 is installed for use, as shown in Figure 1. The front-to-back direction 8 is defined with the side on which the operation panel 110 is provided as the front of the multifunction printer 10. The left-to-right direction 9 is defined when viewing the multifunction printer 10 from the front. The vertical direction 7, the front-to-back direction 8, and the left-to-right direction 9 are orthogonal to each other.

[0033] [Overview of Multifunction Printer 10] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the multifunction device 10 (an example of an image recording device) comprises a printer unit 11 located at the bottom and a scanner unit 12 located at the top. The multifunction device 10 has functions such as printing, scanning, copying, and wireless communication with external devices. The scanner unit 12 reads images recorded on documents such as recording paper using an image sensor (not shown) to acquire image data. The scanner unit 12 is configured as a so-called flatbed scanner, but a detailed explanation of the internal configuration of the scanner unit 12 is omitted here.

[0034] The multifunction printer 10 has a housing 21 with a roughly rectangular shape. The housing 21 has a front wall 33 that forms the front of the rectangular shape. An opening 22 is formed on the front surface 33A of the front wall 33, opening the internal space of the housing 21 to the outside. The opening 22 is located midway along the left-right direction 9 of the front wall 33. The opening 22 is rectangular in shape, longer in the left-right direction 9 than in the up-down direction 7. The opening 22 extends from the top to the bottom of the front wall 33. An operation panel 110 is located at the position of the opening 22. Details of the operation panel 110 will be described later.

[0035] A partition wall 34 is formed in the internal space of the housing 21, separating the printer unit 11 and the scanner unit 12 in the vertical direction 7. The partition wall 34 is flat and extends in the front-to-back direction 8 and the left-to-right direction 9.

[0036] A pair of side frames 35, 35 are formed extending rearward from the rear surface of the front wall 33. The front ends of the pair of side frames 35, 35 are connected to the rear surface of the front wall 33 at positions along both ends of the opening 22 in the left-right direction 9. The pair of side frames 35, 35 are flat plates that extend in the front-rear direction 8 and the up-down direction 7. The pair of side frames 35, 35 extend in the up-down direction 7 from the lower end of the partition wall 34 to the lower end of the housing 21.

[0037] The printer unit 11 includes a paper feed cassette 30, a paper feeding unit 40, a transport unit 50, and a recording unit 60, which are arranged between a pair of side frames 35, 35 in the internal space of the housing 21.

[0038] [Paper feed cassette 30] The paper feed cassette 30 comprises a main tray 31 that holds the sheet 6 before image recording and an output tray 32 that holds the sheet 6 after image recording. The paper feed cassette 30 is located in the lower part of the internal space of the housing 21, between a pair of side frames 35, 35. The paper feed cassette 30 can be inserted and removed through the opening 22. The output tray 32 is located above the main tray 31.

[0039] [Feeding section 40] The feeding unit 40 includes a support shaft 41 rotatably supported by a pair of side frames 35, 35, an arm 42 whose one end is rotatably supported by the support shaft 41, and a feeding roller 43 rotatably supported at the other end of the arm 42. The arm 42 is provided with a plurality of gears 44 that transmit the rotation of the support shaft 41 to the feeding roller 43. When the support shaft 41 is rotated by a drive motor (not shown), the feeding roller 43 rotates and the sheet 6 is sent to the conveying path 51.

[0040] [Conveying section 50] The conveying unit 50 includes a guide member (not shown) and a platen that constitute the conveying path 51, a pair of conveying rollers 55, and a pair of discharge rollers 56. The conveying path 51 includes a curved path 52 shown by a dashed line and a straight path 53 shown by a dashed line. The curved path 52 curves upward, with the upper end of the rear end of the main tray 31 in the front-rear direction 8 as its base. The straight path 53 extends straight forward from the end of the curved path 52. A discharge port 36 is formed at the end of the straight path 53.

[0041] The discharge port 36 is formed by the upper partition wall 37, the lower partition wall 38, and the housing 21. The upper partition wall 37 is located above the end of the straight track 53. The upper partition wall 37 is flat and extends in the vertical direction 7 and the left-right direction 9. The upper end of the upper partition wall 37 is connected to the lower end of the partition wall 34. Both ends of the upper partition wall 37 in the left-right direction 9 are connected to the left-right inner surface of the housing 21. The lower end of the upper partition wall 37 defines the upper end of the discharge port 36. The lower partition wall 38 is located below the end of the straight track 53. The lower partition wall 38 is flat and extends in the vertical direction 7 and the left-right direction 9. Both ends of the lower partition wall 38 in the left-right direction 9 are connected to the left-right inner surface of the housing 21. The lower end of the lower partition wall 38 is separated upward from the upper surface of the paper output tray 32. The upper end of the lower compartment wall 38 defines the lower end of the discharge port 36. Both ends of the discharge port 36 in the left-right direction 9 are defined by the inner surfaces of the housing 21 in the left-right direction 9.

[0042] The paper discharge space 37 is formed by the upper partition wall 37, the lower partition wall 38, a pair of side frames 35, 35, the partition wall 34, and the upper surface of the paper discharge tray 32. The paper discharge space 37 is in communication with the transport path 51 through the discharge port 36. The sheets 6 that have passed through the discharge port 36 fall through the paper discharge space 37 and are supported on the upper surface of the paper discharge tray 36.

[0043] The platen 54 forms part of the underside of the straight track 53. An image is recorded on the sheet 6 on the platen 54.

[0044] The transport roller pair 55 is located behind the platen 54. Driven by a drive motor (not shown), the transport roller pair 55 grips the sheet 6 on the transport path 51 and transports the sheet 6 in the transport direction indicated by the dashed arrow in Figure 2.

[0045] The discharge roller pair 56 is located on the front side of the platen 54. Driven by a drive motor (not shown), the discharge roller pair 56 grips the sheet 6 in the transport path 51 and transports the sheet 6 in the transport direction indicated by the dashed arrow in Figure 2.

[0046] The sheet 6 is intermittently transported on the platen 54 by the transport roller pair 55 and the discharge roller pair 56, and an image is recorded on it by the recording unit 60. The sheet 6 with the recorded image is discharged to the output tray 32 by the discharge roller pair 56.

[0047] [Record Section 60] The recording unit 60 comprises a carriage 61 positioned above the platen 54 and a recording head 62 mounted on the carriage 61. The carriage 61 is supported by guide rails (not shown) so as to be able to reciprocate in the left-right direction 9 and is moved back and forth in the left-right direction 9 by a drive motor (not shown). Ink is supplied to the recording head 62 from an ink cartridge (not shown). The recording head 62 ejects the supplied ink as ink droplets onto the sheet 6 on the platen 54.

[0048] [Control panel 110] The control panel 110 comprises a thin, rectangular box-shaped housing 111 in the front-to-back direction 8, and an input unit 113 (an example of an operation unit) and a display unit 114 located inside the housing 111 and exposed to the outside through an opening (not shown) provided on the front surface 112 (an example of an operation surface) of the housing 111. The length of the housing 111 in the left-to-right direction 9 is slightly shorter than the length of the opening 22 in the left-to-right direction 9. The length of the housing 111 in the up-to-down direction 7 is the length from a position close to the upper end of the opening 22 to the vicinity of the upper surface of the paper output tray 32. The upper end of the housing 111 is fixed to a first rotation axis A that extends along the left-to-right direction 9. The first rotation axis A is located near the upper end of the opening 22. Both ends of the first rotation axis A are rotatably supported on the front wall 33 on a surface 33a that defines both ends of the opening 22 in the left-to-right direction 9.

[0049] The input unit 113 is a key. When this key is pressed, an instruction for the operation of the multifunction device 10 is input. Although only one input unit 113 is shown in Figure 1, it goes without saying that multiple input units 113 may be provided. Furthermore, the input unit 113 is not limited to a key; it may also be a dial, lever, or the like.

[0050] The display unit 114 is a liquid crystal panel. Information related to the multifunction device 10, such as images, is displayed on this liquid crystal panel. The liquid crystal panel may also be a touch panel. In this case, the touch panel has both the function of a display unit 114 and the function of an input unit 113.

[0051] A rib 115 (an example of a wall) extending backward is formed on the rear surface of the housing 111. The rib 115 is located at the lower end of the housing 111. The rib 115 is formed from one end to the other in the left-right direction 9 of the housing 111. The protruding end of the rib 115 is formed as a curved surface that bulges backward.

[0052] The control panel 110 is rotatable around the first pivot axis A to a closed position (an example of a first position), an operating position (an example of a second position), and an open position (an example of a third position). The closed position is when the front surface 112 of the housing 111 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane. When the control panel 110 is in the closed position, it hides the discharge port 36 of the transport path 51 when the housing 21 is viewed from the front along the front-rear direction 8.

[0053] The operating position is when the front surface 112 of the housing 111 faces diagonally upward and forward. As shown in Figure 3, the operating position is when the housing 21 is viewed from the front along the front-rear direction 8, and the rib 115 hides the discharge port 36 of the transport path 51. In this embodiment, the operating position is when the operating panel 110 in the closed position is rotated 45 degrees around the first rotation axis A.

[0054] The open position is the position where the front surface 112 is located above the front surface 112 in the operating position. In this embodiment, the open position is the position where the front surface 112 is parallel to the horizontal plane. As shown in Figure 4, the lower end 110A (lower end of the rib 115) of the operating panel 110 in the open position is located above the discharge port 36 when the housing 21 is viewed from the front of the housing 21 along the front-rear direction 8. As a result, when the operating panel 110 is in the open position, the discharge port 36 is exposed to the outside of the housing 21 and can be seen from the front of the housing 21.

[0055] The first pivot axis A of the control panel 110 is connected to a drive source (not shown, e.g., a motor). The control panel 110 is rotatable between a closed position and an operating position by the power of the drive source. In this embodiment, the control panel 110 rotates from the closed position to the operating position when the power of the multifunction printer 10 is turned on. On the other hand, the control panel 110 rotates from the operating position to the closed position when the power of the multifunction printer 10 is turned off (when input is received by the input unit 113). The drive of the drive source is controlled by a controller (not shown).

[0056] Next, we will explain the operation of the multifunction printer 10 when it records an image onto sheet 6.

[0057] First, when power is turned on to the multifunction printer 10, the control panel 110 rotates from the closed position to the operating position by the power of the drive source. At this time, when viewing the housing 21 from the front along the front-to-back direction 8, the discharge port 36 of the transport path 51 is hidden by the rib 115 (see Figure 3), so that the rib 115 prevents the user from accidentally accessing the transport path 51. When image data is input to the multifunction printer 10 from an external device while the control panel 110 is in the operating position, printing starts.

[0058] Specifically, first, the top sheet 6 supported by the main tray 31 is fed from the main tray 31 to the curved path 52 of the transport path 51 by the rotation of the feed roller 43. The sheet 6 fed to the curved path 52 is transported by the transport roller pair 55 to the platen 54, which is part of the straight path 53. While the transport of the sheet 6 is stopped on the platen 54, the carriage 61 moves left and right 9, and ink is ejected from the recording head 62 toward the sheet 6. This records an image on the sheet 6. The transport and stopping of the sheet 6 is repeated until a predetermined number of image passes have been recorded, and the image recording on the sheet 6 is completed. The sheet 6 with the recorded image is transported toward the discharge port 36 by the discharge roller pair 56 and discharged from the discharge port 36 into the output tray 32. When printing of the image data input from the external device is completed, the rotation of the feed roller 43 stops. Subsequently, when the input section 113 is pressed to cut off the power to the multifunction printer 10, the control panel 110 rotates from the operating position to the closed position and the power is cut off.

[0059] On the other hand, if a jam occurs in the transport path 51 during image recording, the user rotates the operation panel 110 from the operating position to the open position. As a result, when viewing the housing 21 from the front along the front-to-back direction 8, the discharge port 36 of the transport path 51 is exposed to the outside of the housing 21 and becomes visible (see Figure 4). Therefore, the user can easily access the discharge port 36 through the opening 22. [Effects of the First Embodiment]

[0060] In the multifunction printer 10, the control panel 110 rotates to an operating position where the front 112 of the housing 111 faces forward and diagonally upward when the power is turned on, making it easy for the user to operate the input section 113 from the front of the housing 21. By simply moving the control panel 110 to the open position, the discharge port 36 of the transport path 51 is exposed to the outside through the opening 22, thus reducing the number of parts such as hinges and link mechanisms, allowing the multifunction printer 10 to be made smaller, and also providing easy access to the discharge port 36 of the transport path 51 from the front of the housing 21 through the opening 22.

[0061] In the multifunction printer 10, when the operation panel 110 is in the operating position, and the housing 21 is viewed from the front along the front-to-back direction 8, the discharge port 36 of the transport path 51 is hidden by the rib 115 of the operation panel 110. This prevents the user from accidentally accessing the discharge port 36 of the transport path 51 through the opening 22 when transporting the sheet 6.

[0062] [Second Embodiment] The following describes the multifunction printer of the second embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the multifunction printer of the second embodiment further includes an inner cover 210 behind the operation panel 110. The rib 115 of the first embodiment is omitted. In other respects, the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, components corresponding to those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0063] The inner cover 210 has the same shape as the control panel 110. The inner cover 210 is a flat plate that extends in the vertical direction 7 and the horizontal direction 9. The length of the inner cover 210 in the vertical direction 7 is from near the lower end of the partition wall 34 to near the upper surface of the output tray 32. The length of the inner cover 210 in the horizontal direction 9 is slightly shorter than the distance between the pair of side frames 35, 35 in the horizontal direction 9. The lower end of the inner cover 210 is rotatably attached to a second pivot shaft B that extends along the horizontal direction 9. This allows the inner cover 210 to rotate in a direction in which its upper end moves forward and downward. The second pivot shaft B is located below the first pivot shaft A. Both ends of the second pivot shaft B are supported by the pair of side frames 35, 35.

[0064] A first grip portion 211 is formed on the front surface of the inner cover 210. The first grip portion 211 is located on the upper part of the inner cover 210. The first grip portion 211 is located above the lower end 110B of the operation panel 110 in the operating position and below the lower end 110A of the operation panel 110 in the open position. As a result, when the operation panel 110 is rotated to the open position, the first grip portion 211 is exposed to the outside of the housing 21, as shown in Figure 6. The first grip portion 211 is formed extending from the left end to the right end of the inner cover 210. The first grip portion 211 is recessed from the front surface of the inner cover 210 so that the user's fingers can hook onto it.

[0065] The inner cover 210 is rotatable around the second pivot axis B between a closed position (an example of a fourth position) and an open position (an example of a fifth position). The closed position is when the front surface of the inner cover 210 is perpendicular to the horizontal plane. As shown in Figure 6, in the closed position, the inner cover 210 hides the discharge port 36 of the transport path 51 when viewed from the front of the housing 21 along the front-rear direction 8. The open position is when the inner cover 210 has rotated forward from the closed position. The upper end of the inner cover 210 in the open position is located below the discharge port 36 of the transport path 51. In the open position, the inner cover 210 does not hide the discharge port 36 when viewed from the front of the housing 21 along the front-rear direction 8. In other words, as shown in Figure 7, the inner cover 210 in the open position exposes the discharge port 36 to the outside of the housing 21.

[0066] The movement trajectory T of the inner cover 210 as it rotates between the closed and open positions is in a position where it contacts the operation panel 110 in the operating and closed positions (see the upper diagram in Figure 8). In other words, the operation panel 110 in the operating and closed positions contacts the inner cover 210 as it attempts to rotate from the closed to the open position. This suppresses the rotation of the inner cover 210 when the operation panel 110 is in the operating and closed positions. On the other hand, the movement trajectory T of the inner cover 210 as it rotates between the closed and open positions is in a position where it does not contact the operation panel 110 in the open position. In other words, the operation panel 110 in the open position does not contact the inner cover 210 as it rotates from the closed to the open position. This makes it difficult to rotate the inner cover 210 to the open position unless the operation panel 110 is rotated to the open position.

[0067] Next, we will describe the operation that occurs when a jam occurs in the transport path 51 during the image recording operation of the multifunction printer of the second embodiment.

[0068] First, as shown in Figure 8, the user rotates the operation panel 110 from the operating position to the open position. This exposes the first handle portion 211 of the inner cover 210 to the outside of the housing 21 (see Figure 6). Next, the user hooks their fingers onto the first handle portion 211 and rotates the inner cover 210 from the closed position to the open position. This exposes the discharge port 36 of the transport path 51 to the outside of the housing 21 when viewed from the front along the front-rear direction 8, making the discharge port 36 visible (see Figure 7). As a result, the user can easily access the discharge port 36 through the opening 22, and can easily clear any jams that have formed in the transport path 51.

[0069] After clearing the jam, the user rotates the inner cover 210 from the open position to the closed position. Next, the user rotates the control panel 110 from the open position to the closed position. Finally, the user presses the input section 113 to resume printing. This causes the control panel 110 to rotate from the closed position to the operating position by the power source, and printing resumes.

[0070] [Effects of the second embodiment] In the second embodiment of the multifunction printer, for example, when transporting the sheet 6, the inner cover 210 in the closed position prevents the user from accessing the discharge port 36 of the transport path 51 through the opening 22, and prevents sand and dust from entering the discharge port 36 of the transport path 51 through the opening 22. On the other hand, in the second embodiment of the multifunction printer, after rotating the operation panel 110 to the open position, the inner cover 210 can be rotated from the closed position to the open position, thereby exposing the discharge port 36 of the transport path 51 to the outside of the housing 21 through the opening 22.

[0071] In the multifunction printer of the second embodiment, the inner cover 210 has a first handle portion 211 that is exposed to the outside when the operation panel 110 is in the open position, making it easy to move the inner cover 210 from the closed position to the open position.

[0072] In the multifunction printer of the second embodiment, the first handle portion 211 is located below the lower end 110A of the operation panel 110 in the open position, so the first handle portion 211 is easily visible when the operation panel 110 is in the open position. Therefore, it is easy to rotate the inner cover 210 from the closed position to the open position. In the second embodiment, the first handle portion 211 is located above the lower end 110B of the operation panel 110 in the operating position, so the first handle portion 211 is difficult to see when the operation panel 110 is in the operating position. Therefore, for example, when transporting a sheet 6, it is prevented for the user from accidentally moving the inner cover 210 from the closed position to the open position.

[0073] In the second embodiment of the multifunction printer, the operation panel 110 in the operating position is on the movement trajectory T between the closed and open positions of the inner cover 210. Therefore, when the operation panel 110 is in the operating position, the rotation of the inner cover 210 is suppressed by contact with the operation panel 110. This prevents the user from rotating the inner cover 210 from the closed position to the open position when transporting the sheet 6. On the other hand, the operation panel 110 in the open position is not on the movement trajectory T between the closed and open positions of the inner cover 210. Therefore, when the operation panel 110 is in the open position, the inner cover 210 can rotate without contacting the operation panel 110. For this reason, when the operation panel 110 is in the open position, it is easy to move the inner cover 210 from the closed position to the open position.

[0074] In the multifunction printer of the second embodiment, the inner cover 210 rotates around the second pivot axis B, which is located below the first pivot axis A, so that its upper end moves forward and downward. This makes it easier to design a structure in which it is difficult to rotate the inner cover 210 from the closed position to the open position unless the operation panel 110 is rotated to the open position.

[0075] [Third Embodiment] The third embodiment of the multifunction printer differs from the second embodiment in that the inner cover 210 is rotatable around a third pivot axis C extending along the vertical direction 7, as shown in Figure 9. Other aspects are the same as those of the second embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, components corresponding to those of the second embodiment are given the same reference numerals as in the second embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0076] The inner cover 210 of the third embodiment has a shape such that the inner cover 210 of the second embodiment is divided into two parts in the left-right direction 9. Specifically, the inner cover 210 of the third embodiment has a left inner cover 210A and a right inner cover 210B. The left inner cover 210A is attached to the left side frame 35 by a hinge 215. The right inner cover 210B is attached to the right side frame 35 by a hinge 215. The hinge 215 constitutes a third rotation axis C that extends along the vertical direction 7.

[0077] In the third embodiment of the multifunction printer, the left inner cover 210A and the right inner cover 210B open like double doors when they rotate from the closed position to the open position, as shown in Figure 9, making the open position easily noticeable. Therefore, it is easier to prevent users from forgetting to close the left inner cover 210A and the right inner cover 210B.

[0078] [Fourth Embodiment] The fourth embodiment of the multifunction printer differs from the second embodiment in that the operation panel 110 and the inner cover 210 rotate in the same direction, as shown in Figure 10. In other respects, the configuration is the same as that of the second embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, components corresponding to those in the second embodiment are given the same reference numerals as in the second embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0079] The inner cover 210 is rotatable such that its lower end moves forward and upward around a fourth rotation axis D, which is parallel to the first rotation axis A. The fourth rotation axis D is located below the first rotation axis A. The lower end 210A of the inner cover 210 in the closed position is located below the lower end 110C of the operation panel 110 in the closed position. A second grip portion 216 is formed on the front surface of the inner cover 210. The second grip portion 216 is located below the lower end 110C of the operation panel 110 in the closed position. As a result, the second grip portion 216 is exposed to the outside of the housing 21. The second grip portion 216 extends along the left-right direction 9 from the left end to the right end of the inner cover 210. The second grip portion 216 is formed to be recessed from the front surface of the inner cover 210 so that the user's fingers can hook onto it.

[0080] In the fourth embodiment of the multifunction printer, the second handle portion 216 of the inner cover 210 is exposed to the outside of the housing 21 through the opening 22 (see Figure 10). Therefore, even when the operation panel 110 is in the closed position, the user can rotate the inner cover 210 from the closed position to the open position by holding the second handle portion 216. At this time, the operation panel 110 is pushed from the rear in a forward and upward direction by the inner cover 210 (see dashed line in Figure 10), so the operation panel 110 can be rotated to the open position by rotating the inner cover 210. As a result, with a single rotation operation, the discharge port 36 of the transport path 51 is exposed to the outside through the opening, making it easy to access the discharge port 36.

[0081] The multifunction printer of the fifth embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that the inner cover 210 moves in conjunction with the movement of the operation panel 110. In other respects, the configuration is the same as that of the second embodiment. Therefore, in the following description, components corresponding to those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the second embodiment, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0082] The multifunction printer of the fifth embodiment further includes an interlocking mechanism 217 and a locking mechanism 218, as shown in Figures 11 and 12. The interlocking mechanism 217 includes a first protrusion 217A formed on the rear surface of the housing 111 of the operation panel 110 and a second protrusion 217B formed on the front surface of the inner cover 210. The first protrusion 217A is located on the upper part of the housing 111. The first protrusion 217A extends backward from the rear surface of the housing 111. The first protrusion 217A extends along the left-right direction 9 from the left end to the right end of the housing 111. The protruding end of the first protrusion 217A is formed as a curved surface that bulges in the direction of protrusion.

[0083] The second protrusion 217B is located on the upper part of the inner cover 210. The second protrusion 217B is located below the first protrusion 217A. The second protrusion 217B extends diagonally upward and forward from the front surface of the inner cover 210. The second protrusion 217B extends along the left-right direction 9 from the left end to the right end of the inner cover 210. The protruding end of the second protrusion 217B is formed as a curved surface that bulges in the direction of protrusion. The second protrusion 217B is located in the movement trajectory of the first protrusion 217A when the operation panel 110 rotates from the closed position to the operating position. As a result, when the operation panel 110 rotates from the closed position to the operating position, the first protrusion 217A contacts the second protrusion 217B from the rear diagonally downward and forward (see dashed line in Figure 12).

[0084] The locking mechanism 218 has a fitting projection 219 and a fitting recess 220. The fitting projection 219 is formed in the partition wall 34. The fitting projection 219 has a biasing spring 219A and a fitting member 219B. One end of the biasing spring 219A in the compression direction is attached inside the partition wall 34. The other end of the biasing spring in the compression direction is attached to the fitting member 219B. For example, a coil spring is used as the biasing spring 219A. The fitting member 219B is attached to the other end of the biasing spring 219A at a position slightly below the lower surface of the partition wall 34. The lower end of the fitting member 219B is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape that bulges downward.

[0085] The fitting recess 220 is formed at the upper end of the inner cover 210. The fitting recess 220 is formed to recess downward from the upper end of the inner cover 210. The inner surface of the fitting recess 220 is formed as a curved surface that conforms to the shape of the lower end of the fitting member 219B. As a result, when the inner cover 210 is in the closed position, the fitting member 219B is fitted into the fitting recess 220 while being slightly biased downward by the biasing spring 219A.

[0086] In the fifth embodiment of the multifunction printer, when the user rotates the operation panel 110 diagonally upward forward by holding its lower end, the first protrusion 217A contacts the second protrusion 217B from the rear (see dashed line in Figure 12). In this state, when the user rotates the operation panel 110 further diagonally upward forward, the second protrusion 217B is pressed diagonally downward forward by the first protrusion 217A. This pressing force causes the fitting member 219B to move slightly upward and the inner cover 210 to rotate slightly diagonally downward forward, causing the fitting member 219B to disengage from the fitting recess 220 and the lock mechanism 218 to be released. The user then rotates the operation panel 110 to the open position and then rotates the inner cover 210 to the open position (see dashed line in Figure 12). The lock mechanism 218 may also be provided in the multifunction printer of the second embodiment. In this case, the user unlocks the locking mechanism 218 by applying a forward force to the inner cover 210.

[0087] In the fifth embodiment of the multifunction printer, the inner cover 210 rotates from the closed position to the open position in conjunction with the rotation of the operation panel 110, thus reducing the work required to expose the discharge port 36 of the transport path 51 to the outside of the housing 21 through the opening.

[0088] In the fifth embodiment of the multifunction printer, the inner cover 210 is held in the closed position by the locking mechanism 218, so that the user is prevented from accidentally moving the inner cover 210 from the closed position to the open position. The lock on the inner cover 210 is released in conjunction with the rotation of the operation panel 110, so that the work of exposing the discharge port 36 of the transport path 51 to the outside of the housing 21 through the opening 22 is reduced.

[0089] [Differentiation] In the first embodiment, when the jam was cleared, the user manually moved the control panel 110 from the operating position to the open position. However, the control panel 110 may be rotated from the operating position to the open position by the power of a drive source. In this case, for example, when the user clears the jam and presses the input unit 113, the control panel 110 may be rotated from the open position to the operating position by the power of a drive source, and printing may be resumed.

[0090] In the second embodiment, the inner cover 210 is rotatably mounted on the second rotation shaft B, but it may be detachable from the second rotation shaft B. In this case, the inner cover 210 moves between a closed position and an open position by attaching to and detaching it from the second rotation shaft B. The closed position is the position in which the inner cover 210 is mounted on the second rotation shaft B. The open position is the position in which the inner cover 210 is removed from the second rotation shaft B. In this way, when accessing the discharge port 36 of the transport path 51 from the front of the housing 21 through the opening 22, the inner cover 210 does not get in the way, as shown in Figure 13, making it easier to access the discharge port 36.

[0091] In the second embodiment, the operation panel 110 is attached to the surface 33a of the front wall 33 that defines both ends of the opening 22 in the left-right direction 9, but it may also be attached to the front surface 33A of the front wall 33. In this case, the second pivot axis B of the inner cover 210 may be supported on the surface 33a of the front wall 33 that defines both ends of the opening 22 in the left-right direction 9.

[0092] In the fifth embodiment, the second protrusion 217B of the interlocking mechanism 217 extends diagonally upward forward, but it may also extend upward, for example, as long as the first protrusion 217A can contact the second protrusion 217B from the rear when the operation panel 110 rotates from the closed position to the open position. [Explanation of symbols]

[0093] 6 seats 10. Multifunction printer (an example of an image recording device) 21... cabinet 22...Aperture 33A...Front 36...Discharge port 51... Conveyor Route 110...Control Panel 110A...lower end 110B...Bottom end 112...Front view (an example of the control panel) 113...Input section (an example of an operation section) 115... Rib (an example of a wall) 210...Inner cover 211...First handle section 216...Second handle section 217A...First protrusion 217B...Second protrusion 218... Locking mechanism A...First rotation axis B...Second rotation axle C...3rd rotation axis D...4th drive shaft T...Travel trajectory

Claims

1. A housing having an internal space that opens to the front, The discharge port leads to the above-mentioned internal space, and the conveying path through which the sheet is transported, It has an operating section including an operating surface, and an operating panel located at the opening, It includes an inner cover located behind the above-mentioned control panel, The above-mentioned control panel is movable to a first position in which it conceals the discharge port when viewed from the front of the housing along the front-to-back direction, a second position in which the operating surface is angled diagonally upward and forward, and a third position in which the operating surface is positioned higher than the second position. The lower end of the control panel at the third position described above is located above the discharge port when viewed from the front of the housing in the front-to-back direction. The above-mentioned inner cover is an image recording device that is movable between a fourth position in which the discharge port is concealed and a fifth position in which the discharge port is not concealed, when viewed from the front of the housing along the front-to-back direction.

2. The above inner cover has a first handle portion, The image recording device according to claim 1, wherein the first handle portion is exposed to the outside when the operation panel is in the third position.

3. The image recording device according to claim 2, wherein the first handle portion is located below the lower end of the operation panel at the third position and above the lower end of the operation panel at the second position.

4. The operation panel in the second position is located on the movement trajectory of the inner cover between the fourth position and the fifth position. The image recording device according to claim 1, wherein the operation panel at the third position is not in the movement trajectory.

5. The above-mentioned control panel is rotatable around a first pivot axis that extends in the left-right direction intersecting the front-back direction. The image recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inner cover described above is rotatable around a second pivot axis that is parallel to the first pivot axis and located below the first pivot axis, with its upper end moving forward and downward.

6. The image recording device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inner cover described above is rotatable around a third pivot axis extending in the vertical direction.

7. The above-mentioned control panel is rotatable around a first pivot axis that extends in the left-right direction intersecting the front-back direction. The inner cover described above is rotatable around a fourth pivot axis, which is parallel to the first pivot axis and located below the first pivot axis, such that its lower end moves forward and upward. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the inner cover has a second handle portion located below the lower end of the operation panel in the first position.

8. The above control panel has a first protrusion that extends backward, The above inner cover has a second protrusion that extends forward, The image recording device according to claim 1, wherein, with the inner cover in the fourth position, when the operation panel moves from the second position toward the third position, the first protrusion abuts against the second protrusion from behind, causing the inner cover to move from the fourth position toward the fifth position.

9. The system further includes a locking mechanism for holding the inner cover in the fourth position. The image recording device according to claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism is released in conjunction with the first protrusion coming into contact with the second protrusion.

10. The image recording device according to claim 1, wherein the inner cover is detachably attached to the housing and moves between the fourth position and the fifth position by attaching to and detaching from the housing.

Images