JP2005074659A - Image reading and recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure a sufficient space required for replacing an ink cartridge and to prevent leakage of ink mist, etc., during normal use. <P>SOLUTION: In the image reader/recorder comprising a flat bed reading section 2 and an inkjet print section, the flat bed reading section 2 is opened and a cartridge door 133 in front of a recording section is also opened when an ink cartridge 39 is replaced thus ensuring a wider replacing space and the image reader/recorder can be enclosed completely at the time of normal printing. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image reading and recording apparatus such as a facsimile machine, a copying machine, and a multifunction machine.

Some conventional image reading and recording apparatuses open and close a scanner unit so that ink cartridges and the like can be exchanged. (See Patent Document 1)
As shown in FIG. 29, there is an ink jet recording unit 702 below the flat bed reading unit 701. When replacing the cartridge, the flat bed reading unit is opened in the direction of the arrow X so that the ink cartridge 703 can be replaced.

In the image reading and recording apparatus as shown in FIG. 30, the flat bed reading unit 707 is fixed, and the door 705 is opened in the arrow direction when the ink cartridge 706 is replaced.
JP 2003-048357 A

  The conventional configuration has a problem that the range of opening and closing is narrow, so the amount of hands is limited and replacement is difficult. In consideration of improving operability, a wide opening is required in front, and there is a drawback that it is impossible to prevent stains on a desk or the like due to ink mist or the like.

  In order to solve the above problems, a flat bed reading unit, a recording unit, and a door that covers the recording unit are arranged, and the recording unit is arranged below the flat bed unit, and the flat bed reading unit and the door record. The part is covered and can be opened and closed.

  According to the present invention, since the flat bed reading unit is opened and the door in front of the recording unit is opened, a sufficient space for ink cartridge replacement can be secured. Further, since the recording portion is almost completely covered during normal use, ink mist or the like does not leak outside and the desk or the like is not soiled.

  Next, an image reading apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  An image reading and recording apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a central sectional view. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, it is composed of a panel unit 1, an image reading unit 2, a recording paper transport 3, an electric board unit 4, and a card slot unit 5.

  First, the panel unit 1 will be described.

  3 is an enlarged view of the panel portion, FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view, FIG. 5 is a rear view of the panel unit, and FIG. 6 is an installation view of the operation panel cover.

  As a structure, a key 12 is fitted in the panel cover 11 and the panel substrate 16 is screwed. One or more color start keys 12a, monochrome start keys 12b, stop keys 12a, numeric keys 12d, function keys (right) 12e, arrow keys 12f, function keys (left) 12g, mode keys 12h, and power keys 12i. The key is integrally formed and is mounted in the panel cover 11. A tact switch (not shown) is soldered under the key 12 on the panel substrate 16. An LCD 14 is mounted on the panel substrate 16 via a spacer 15. An LCD window 13 is attached on the LCD 14. An electrolytic capacitor 17 is soldered under the spacer 15. As a result, the electrolytic capacitor is surrounded by the spacer 15 and the panel substrate 16. The spacer 15 is made of a highly flame retardant material, and the panel substrate 16 is also made of a highly flame retardant material. Thereby, compared with the panel cover 11, an electrical component can be covered with a highly flame-retardant component with a comparatively small component.

  Chip components 16a, 16b, and 16c are mounted on the back surface of the panel substrate 16, and are covered with an insulating sheet so that they are not exposed to the outside. Thereby, since the chip component is also cut off from the outside, similarly to the front side, the electrical component can be covered with a highly flame-retardant component of a necessary minimum size.

  The operation unit cover 19 can be fitted into the panel cover 11 from the direction of arrow A. This is because the name of each key is printed on the operation unit cover 19 when the destination of the product is changed, so that it can be handled only by replacing the operation unit cover 19.

  Next, the card slot portion 5 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the card slot portion 5 is disposed below the panel portion 1 and is disposed on the right of the front of the main body as shown in FIGS. FIG. 7 shows that dust and the like do not enter when the card slot lid 51 is closed. In FIG. 8, the card slot lid 51 is open and the memory card can be inserted. FIG. 9 is a view when the side cover 56 and the image reading unit 2 are removed. The card slot unit 5 includes a card substrate 51, a card connector unit 52, and an eject button 53. A memory card can be inserted from the insertion port 54 on the main body. The inserted memory card can be removed by pressing the eject button 53. In this embodiment, various types of memory cards such as compact flash (registered trademark), smart media, memory stick, and SD card can be inserted.

  The card slot unit 5 reads digital camera images and the like into the main body through a memory card, and directly prints them from the inkjet printing unit, and also reads and writes the memory card from the PC by connecting directly to the PC. be able to. Next, a method for attaching the card slot lid 51 will be described. 25 is a cover configuration diagram around the card slot, and FIGS. 26 and 27 are detailed views of hinges of the cover slot lid.

  The cover around the card slot includes a side cover (right) 56, a side cover transparent 58 which is a decorative part of the apparatus, and a card slot lid 51. As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the hinge portion 51 a of the card slot lid 51 is fitted to both the bearing portion 56 a of the side cover (right) 56 and the bearing portion 58 a of the side cover transparent 58. In this apparatus, since the shaft diameter is 3 mm, it is difficult to form the bearing portion by only one of the side cover (right) 56 having a basic thickness of 2.5 mm and the side cover transparent 58. Naturally, it can be configured by projecting the hinge bearing portion on the inside, but in the case of this apparatus, it is impossible because the card substrate is close to the inside. Accordingly, the hinge portion can be configured by providing a part of the bearing portion also on the side cover transparent 58 that is originally one of the decorative parts of the appearance. In this description, only the upper part of the two hinge parts has been described, but the same applies to the lower part. Further, as a further advantage of this configuration, when the side cover lid 51 is further pushed in the direction of the arrow P from the opened state of FIG. 8, the bearing portion 58a of the side cover transparent 58 is liable to float and before the hinge breaks. Sometimes it comes off.

  Next, the image reading unit 2 will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a view of the main body when the document is set, and is a glass 23 on which the document is set face down. The glass 23 is pressed from above by a cover 125. A pressure plate 21 that suppresses the floating of the document and a pressure plate white sheet 22 composed of a sponge and a white sheet are attached via a hinge 124. FIG. 11 shows the internal structure of the image reading unit 2 as a flat bed reading unit with the glass 23 and the cover 125 removed from FIG. All these internal parts are attached to the scanner frame 120. A CCD reading unit 24 for reading an image is guided and moved on a shaft 25 and a rail 121. Further, the CCD reading unit 24 is decelerated by the driving gear unit 122 using a motor as power, and is driven via the timing belt 26. The timing belt 26 is hung on a pulley 29 at a portion facing the drive gear portion 122. Explaining these operations, the CCD reading unit 24 is driven in the direction of an arrow B during a copy operation or a scanning operation from a PC, and reads an image of a document set on the glass 23 through the glass 23.

  Next, the recording paper transport unit 3 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the recording paper 100a is conveyed in the direction of arrow C. FIG. 12 is an external view with the tray and the like opened. When described with reference to FIG. 2, the leading end of the recording paper 100a set on the ASF base 30 and the intermediate plate 36 is the recording paper tray 32 and the recording paper auxiliary tray. 31 is held. Further, the end of the recording paper 100a is guided by a slider 33 that is slidable in the left-right direction to prevent skewing. The recording paper auxiliary trays 31 a and 31 b are slidable, can slide in the direction of arrow D, and can be stored in the recording paper tray 32. Further, the recording paper tray 32 can rotate in the direction of arrow E around the hinge portion 32a, and can rotate until it hits the main body. FIG. 13 is a closed state diagram, and FIG. 14 is an external view of the tray opened. Note that the opening and closing of the recording paper tray 32 does not interfere with the opening and closing of the pressure plate 21 in FIG. 7, and can be opened and closed at any angle. By folding the recording paper tray 32 in this way, it is possible not only to make it compact without being protruded when it is not normally used, but also to prevent dust and the like from entering the paper feeding unit and the like.

  The recording sheets 100a stacked as described above are fed by being separated into a single sheet by the paper feed roller 34 and the separation roller 35, with the intermediate plate 36 pushed up by a cam (not shown). This separation mechanism is actually driven by a paper feed roller 34, and the separation roller 35 does not rotate unless a certain torque is applied in the rotation direction. When entering, since the force for rotating the separation roller is stronger than the force for separating the paper, the recording paper can be conveyed one by one. The document separated by these rollers is conveyed between the conveying roller 37a and the pinch roller 37b, and is conveyed to the inkjet printing unit at a constant speed. 15 is a view of the cartridge door 133 as the door of the present invention opened from the front, and FIG. 16 is a view of the cartridge door opened from the side. A cartridge 39, a color ink tank 38a, and a black ink tank 38b, which are integrally formed with a print head, are mounted on an ink jet printing section as a recording section of the present invention. The cartridge 39 is guided by the guide shaft 134 and moves in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the recording paper, thereby printing on the recording paper. The printed recording paper is discharged to a recording paper discharge tray 131 and a recording paper discharge auxiliary tray 132 by a discharge roller pair 130. The paper discharge tray 131 is automatically opened with the start of recording printing. This prevents the user from forgetting to open the paper discharge tray 131 and causing the recording paper to jam.

  The paper discharge tray 131 is automatically opened in the direction of arrow G by raising the image reading unit 2 in the direction of arrow F. FIG. 17 shows a picture with the image reading unit 2 lowered, and FIG. 18 shows a picture with the image reading unit 2 raised. In FIG. 17, since the sensor lever is pushed in, the photo interrupter 402 is in an ON state. In FIG. 18, the sensor lever 401 is pushed upward by a torsion coil spring (not shown). As a result, the photo interrupter 402 is turned off. A trigger for automatically opening the paper discharge tray 131 upon detection of the photo interrupter 402 is used.

  Next, the automatic opening mechanism of the paper discharge tray 131 will be described.

  28 is a perspective view of the opening mechanism of the paper discharge tray 131, FIG. 19 is a side view of the paper discharge tray 131 being closed, and FIG. 20 is a side view of the paper discharge tray 131 being open. . As shown in FIG. 18, one of the rotation centers is connected to the opening unit 300. In FIG. 19, the cam gear 302 is connected to the paper discharge tray 131, and the rotation angle of the cam gear 302 and the rotation angle of the paper discharge tray 131 are synchronized. In the closed state, the discharge tray 131 is pressed in the opening direction by the torsion coil spring 303. However, since the movable plate 301a of the solenoid 301 is engaged with the stepped portion 302a of the cam gear 302, it is held in a closed state. In this state, the cam gear 302 and the oil damper 304 are not engaged with each other. From the state of FIG. 19, when the solenoid 301 is actuated by an electric signal and the movable plate 301 a moves in the direction of arrow H, the cam gear 302 is pressurized, so that it rotates in the direction of arrow I. The cam gear 302 is initially pressurized by the torsion coil spring 303, but the applied pressure is eliminated in the middle. This is because the paper discharge tray 131 can be opened by its own weight. Further, the cam gear 302 meshes with the oil damper 304 halfway. Thereby, the opening speed of the paper discharge tray 131 is slowed down, and it is possible to suppress an impact sound when the paper discharge tray 131 lands. The paper discharge tray key 305 can press the movable plate 301a in the direction of the arrow J from the outside of the main body, and can release the lock of the cam gear 302a manually rather than electrically. The paper tray 131 can be opened.

  When the ink tank is replaced by this automatic opening mechanism, the image reading unit 2 is first raised in the direction of arrow F. Thereby, the paper discharge tray 131 is opened by the automatic opening mechanism described above. Next, the cartridge door 133 is opened in the direction of arrow G in FIG. By detecting the opening / closing of the image reading unit 2, the head unit of the cartridge 39 is normally retracted to the right back side of FIG. 15 (not shown) in order to prevent the cartridge 39 from drying. When it is detected that the section 2 is opened, the cartridge 39 moves to a position where the user can replace the ink tank 38 to the position shown in FIG. In this state, the user can exchange the ink tank 38 from the outside.

  The recording paper discharge auxiliary tray 132 can be stored in the recording paper discharge tray 131 by sliding the recording paper discharge auxiliary tray 132 in the direction of arrow K when recording is not being performed. Further, the recording paper discharge tray 131 can be closed in the direction of the arrow L, and can finally be brought into the state as shown in FIG.

  Next, the open / close sensor of the paper discharge tray 131 will be described. FIG. 21 is a state diagram in which the paper discharge tray 131 is closed, and FIG. 22 is a state diagram in which the paper discharge tray is opened. A photo interrupter 404 and a tray sensor lever 403 are attached to the control board 41. As shown in FIG. 21, when the tray is closed, it is biased by a spring (not shown), and the photo interrupter 404 is turned on by the tray sensor lever 403. From this state, when the paper discharge tray 131 is opened in the direction of the arrow M, the state shown in FIG. In this state, since the paper discharge tray 131 pushes up the tray sensor lever 403 in the direction of arrow N, the photo interrupter 404 is turned off. As a result, it is possible to detect the state in which the paper discharge tray 131 is open, and it is possible to detect that the paper discharge tray 131 has not been opened due to an obstacle while trying to open by the above-described automatic opening mechanism. JAM can be prevented.

  Note that, among the ink jet recording methods used in the present embodiment, a means (for example, an electrothermal converter or a laser beam) for generating thermal energy as energy used for ink ejection is provided, and the heat The description has been given of the printing apparatus in which the state change of the ink is caused by the energy. However, according to such a system, it is possible to achieve high recording density and high definition.

  As its typical configuration and principle, for example, those performed using the basic principle disclosed in US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796 are preferable. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, it is arranged corresponding to the sheet or liquid path holding the liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information and applying a rapid temperature rise exceeding the film boiling to the electrothermal transducer, the thermal energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the recording head This is effective because film boiling occurs on the heat acting surface of the liquid, and as a result, bubbles in the liquid (ink) corresponding to the drive signal on a one-to-one basis can be formed. By the growth and contraction of the bubbles, liquid (ink) is ejected through the ejection opening to form at least one droplet. When the drive signal is pulse-shaped, the bubble growth and contraction is performed immediately and appropriately, and thus it is possible to achieve the discharge of the liquid (ink) with particularly excellent responsiveness, which is more preferable.

  As this pulse-shaped drive signal, those described in US Pat. Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262 are suitable. Further excellent recording can be performed by employing the conditions described in US Pat. No. 4,313,124 of the invention relating to the temperature rise rate of the heat acting surface.

  As the configuration of the recording head, in addition to the combination configuration (straight liquid flow path or right-angle liquid flow path) of the discharge port, the liquid path, and the electrothermal transducer as disclosed in each of the above-mentioned specifications, the heat acting surface The configurations using US Pat. No. 4,558,333 and US Pat. No. 4,459,600, which disclose a configuration in which is disposed in a bending region, are also included in the present invention. In addition, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 59-123670, which discloses a configuration in which a common slot is used as a discharge portion of an electrothermal transducer, or an opening that absorbs a pressure wave of thermal energy is discharged to a plurality of electrothermal transducers A configuration based on Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 59-138461 disclosing a configuration corresponding to each part may be adopted.

  Furthermore, as a full-line type recording head having a length corresponding to the width of the maximum recording medium that can be recorded by the recording apparatus, the length is satisfied by a combination of a plurality of recording heads as disclosed in the above specification. Either a configuration or a configuration as a single recording head formed integrally may be used.

  In addition, the ink is integrated into the replaceable chip type recording head or the recording head itself, which can be electrically connected to the apparatus main body and supplied with ink from the apparatus main body by being attached to the apparatus main body. A cartridge type recording head provided with a tank may be used.

  In addition, it is preferable to add a recovery means for the recording head, a preliminary auxiliary means, etc. provided as a configuration of the recording apparatus of the present invention, since the effects of the present invention can be further stabilized. Specifically, capping means, cleaning means, pressurizing or suction means for the recording head, preheating means using a heating element different from this, or a combination thereof, or recording is used. Performing a preliminary discharge mode for performing another discharge is also effective for performing stable recording.

  Further, the recording mode of the recording apparatus is not limited to the recording mode of only the mainstream color such as black, but the recording head may be integrated or may be a combination of a plurality of colors. An apparatus having at least one of full colors can also be provided.

  Next, the electric substrate unit 4 and the overall layout will be described.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram showing the configuration of the entire electric board and the peripheral configuration with the exterior cover removed, and FIG. 24 is a diagram showing the mounting method. A power supply 45 is attached to the bottom case 600, and the recording paper transport unit 3 is attached from above. A power cord is attached to the inlet 45a of the power source 45 from the outside. The relay board 44 is mounted with a motor connector 46 of the recording paper transport unit 3, a photo interrupter 47 for detecting the position of the recording paper, and a photo interrupter 48 for detecting the position of the cam that pushes down the intermediate plate 36. 49 are connected to the control board 41 together. Thereby, since the connection with the control board 41 can be concentrated, assembly becomes easy. Further, a modem board 141, a card board 51, and a camera USB board 142 are attached to the control board 41. The layout of the electric board in the overall configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 11, the CCD reading unit 24 is at the right end of the apparatus in a normal standby state. That is, the space above and below the standby area is not provided with the glass 23 or the recording paper transport unit 3 narrower in the left-right direction than the image reading unit 2. Accordingly, by arranging the control board 41 and the modem board 41 including the control board 41, the card board 51, and the electric board part 4 of the camera USB board 142 in the upper part of the CCD reading unit 24, the dead space is almost eliminated. This can be eliminated and contribute to the downsizing of the apparatus. The power supply 45, the modular board 143, and the NCU board are arranged on the back side of the apparatus. This is arranged in a dead space below the ASF base 30 and, like the above, is laid out without increasing the size of the main unit. These units arranged on the back portion and the units arranged on the right side of the main body have a layout that can be easily connected via the right rear portion. Further, the camera USB board 142 and the card board 51 all have a front insertion port, which contributes to an improvement in operability.

  Next, an example of the operation of the image reading and recording apparatus will be described. The operation is performed by operating the keys on the panel section of FIG. For example, an operation when copying is described. Press the power key 12i. Next, the copy key is selected with the function key 12h-1. The menu key 12f-1 selects the image quality and the recording medium, and the arrow keys 12f-3 and 12f-4 set the number of copies. The number of sheets can be set similarly with the numeric keypad 12d. Thereafter, the pressure plate 21 is opened, and a document to be copied is set on the glass 23. The recording paper is set on the recording paper tray 32, and the color start key 12a is pressed when performing color copying at the end, and the monochrome start key 12b is pressed when performing monochrome copying. As described above, the keys of the panel unit 1 are arranged so that all operations can be performed naturally without being lost by operating from the top to the bottom in the operation order. Although an example of the operation method has been described with respect to copying, when scanning is selected with the first function key 12c, scanning from a PC connected through the USB 43 can be performed. When a photograph is selected, the image inserted in the card slot portion 5 can be directly recorded on the ink jet printing portion. When FAX is selected, FAX transmission can be performed by inputting the telephone number of the other party with the numeric keypad 12d.

1 is a perspective view of an image reading and recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an image reading and recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a panel unit of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a panel portion of an image reading and recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the panel portion of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an operation unit cover attachment diagram of the panel unit of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The state figure which closed the card slot cover of the image reading and recording apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. FIG. 3 is a state diagram in which a card slot cover of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened. 1 is a side view of a card substrate of an image reading and recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a state diagram in which the pressure plate of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is opened. The figure which removed the glass of the image reading part of the image reading and recording apparatus which concerns on the Example of this invention. FIG. 3 is a state diagram of a recording paper tray of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention with the recording paper tray closed. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention in which a recording paper tray is opened. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state where the cartridge of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is replaced. FIG. 3 is a side view showing a state in which the cartridge of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is replaced. FIG. 3 is a state diagram of closing of an open / close sensor of the image reading unit of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a state diagram of opening and closing sensors of the image reading unit of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a state diagram of the closing of the automatic discharge tray opening mechanism of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a state diagram of the open state of the automatic discharge tray opening mechanism of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a state diagram illustrating a closed state of a discharge tray opening / closing sensor of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a state diagram of the opening of the paper discharge tray opening / closing sensor of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a layout diagram of an electric substrate of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an assembly diagram around the electric substrate of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an assembly diagram of a card slot cover of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a card slot cover hinge portion of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a detailed view of a card slot cover hinge portion of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of closing of a paper discharge tray opening / closing sensor of the image reading and recording apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. The figure which showed the prior art example of this invention. The figure which showed the prior art example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Panel part 2 Reading part 3 Recording part 4 Electric board part 5 Card slot part 21 Pressure plate 23 Glass 31 Recording paper tray 32 Recording paper auxiliary tray 38 Ink tank 39 Cartridge 41 Control board 42 Photointerrupter 44 for cartridge doors 44 Relay board 45 Power supply 100 Recording paper 200 Middle frame 300 Bottom case 131 Recording paper discharge tray 132 Recording paper discharge auxiliary tray 133 Cartridge door

Claims (2)

A flat bed reader,
A recording unit disposed under the flat bed reading unit;
A door that covers the recording unit,
An image reading and recording apparatus, wherein the flat bed reading unit and the door cover the recording unit and can be opened and closed.   2. The image reading and recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording unit is an ink jet recording apparatus.

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