JP4581711B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus having an opening opened upward from the apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, what is called a multi-function device (MFD) is known as an image recording apparatus that performs image recording by conveying a recording medium in an apparatus housing. FIG. 14 shows the external configuration of a conventional image recording apparatus. As shown in FIG. 14, the image recording apparatus 90 is provided with a printer unit 91 at the bottom and a scanner unit 92 at the top. The printer unit 91, which is a functional device, is mainly connected to a computer (not shown) and records an image or document on a recording sheet based on image data or document data transmitted from the computer. The unit 92 reads image data of various documents, converts it into image data, and outputs the image data to a computer or the like.

  As shown in the drawing, an opening 93 is formed in the front of the printer unit 91, and a paper feed tray 94 and a paper discharge tray 95 are provided in two upper and lower stages so as to be exposed to the opening 93. Inside the printer unit 91, a laterally substantially U-shaped transport path is formed so that the paper feed tray 94 and the paper discharge tray 95 are continuous, and the inkjet recording head is transported in the transport path. A recording unit that scans in the width direction and ejects ink droplets is provided. By such a printer unit 91, the recording paper accommodated in the paper feed tray 94 is fed to a conveyance path in the printer unit 91 by conveyance means such as a conveyance roller (not shown), and in the conveyance path by the recording unit. After a desired image is recorded, it is discharged to the paper discharge tray 95 and image recording is performed.

  The scanner unit 92 is configured as a so-called flatbed scanner, and a platen glass and an image scanner (not shown) are provided below a document cover 96 that is provided as a top plate of the image recording apparatus 90 so as to be freely opened and closed. The image scanner is scanned in a predetermined direction to read an image of a document placed on the platen glass.

  Like the printer unit 91 of the image recording apparatus 90 described above, in the case where the recording paper is held by the paper feed tray 94 or the paper discharge tray 95 in a posture in which the recording surface is substantially horizontal, the width and depth are as shown in the figure. A flat and thin box-shaped device housing larger than the thickness (height) is installed horizontally so that the direction in which the thickness extends becomes the horizontal direction. However, since the horizontally installed image recording device has a large floor area for installation, a vertically installed image recording device in which the direction in which the thickness of the device casing extends is vertical is proposed to reduce the installation space. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

JP 2003-127484 A

  In the case of the horizontal type like the image recording apparatus 90, openings such as a paper discharge port serving as an exit of the transport path to the paper discharge tray 95 and a paper feed port serving as an entrance from the paper feed tray 94 to the transport path. Since the scanner portion 92 and the like are provided above the openings, there is little possibility that foreign matters such as dust and dust enter the inside of the apparatus from the openings. However, in a vertical-type image recording apparatus, for example, the conveyance path is often configured so that the paper discharge port opens upward, and particularly when the paper discharge port is formed on the upper surface of the apparatus housing, Since there is no other member above the paper discharge port, there is a high risk that foreign matter will enter the apparatus from the paper discharge port.

  Although it is conceivable to provide a lid at the opening, providing another member such as a lid only to close the opening increases the number of parts and increases the cost, and increases the size and weight of the device. There is a problem. In particular, when the image recording apparatus is of a vertical type, the installation area of the apparatus is reduced, but the area of the upper surface of the apparatus housing is also reduced, so that it is difficult to arrange many members on the upper surface.

  Further, in a vertically installed image recording apparatus, when a recording sheet is transported upward from a recording unit composed of an inkjet recording head or the like disposed near the bottom of the apparatus and discharged, It is necessary to cover the height of the maximum size of the recording paper and the height of the recording portion with an exterior case so that the sealing lid and the recorded recording paper do not interfere with each other. However, when recorded recording paper is accumulated on the inner side from the paper discharge port, there arises a problem that it is difficult to take out the recording paper.

  On the other hand, if the opening is opened without providing a lid, as described above, foreign matters such as dust and dust that have entered the inside of the apparatus from the opening may cause a recording unit such as an inkjet recording head, a control board, and the like. May adhere to the control unit, platen glass, image scanner, etc.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and in an image recording apparatus having an opening that opens upward from the apparatus, foreign matter can be prevented from entering the inside of the apparatus from the opening, and the apparatus can be reduced in size and weight. It aims at providing the means which can be realized.

An image recording apparatus according to the present invention has a flat and thin box-like shape, and has an opening that penetrates the upper wall of a vertically installed apparatus housing that is installed with the extending direction of the thickness as the vertical direction. A handle is provided that changes in posture between a closed posture in which the opening of the housing is formed and closed to close the opening, and an open posture in which the opening is raised from the surface . The recording medium is transported in the apparatus casing, an image is recorded on the recording medium, and a part of the recording medium on which the image is recorded is ejected in a state of protruding from the opening to the outside of the apparatus casing. The recording medium is held by a paper stack, and the handle also serves as a power switch of the apparatus. When the posture is changed to the open posture, the power is turned on, and when the posture is changed to the closed posture, the power is turned off. It is what . By providing the handle in the image recording apparatus, the portability of the image recording apparatus is improved. Further, since the handle is in the open position, the opening is opened, the discharge of the recording medium is allowed. On the other hand, when the handle is in the closed position, the opening is closed and entry of foreign matter such as dust and dust into the apparatus is prevented. In the present invention, the recording medium is transported in the apparatus housing, an image is recorded on the recording medium, and the recording medium is discharged from the opening. To prevent foreign matter such as dust and dirt from entering the inside of the device, open the opening when in use, and eject the recorded recording medium from the opening so that it can be easily removed. be able to. In the present invention, since the handle also serves as a power switch, it is possible to prevent image recording in a state where the handle is closed and the opening is closed. Further, it is possible to prevent the power supply from being turned off and left with the handle in an open posture.

  In the image recording apparatus, it is preferable that an operation unit for instructing operation of the apparatus is provided on a surface of the apparatus housing where the opening is formed.

  According to the present invention, in the image recording apparatus, the handle is provided with a screen display unit on a surface facing the surface in which the opening is formed in the closed posture. As a result, it is not necessary to secure an area in which the screen display unit is provided in the apparatus housing, and the apparatus is downsized. Further, if the handle is in the closed position, the screen display unit is covered with the apparatus housing, and therefore, dust adhesion and damage to the screen display unit are prevented.

  Further, in the image recording apparatus according to the present invention, the handle is substantially U-shaped, and is provided rotatably on the apparatus housing around both ends of the handle. The operation unit is arranged so as to fit in the space. As a result, the handle and the operation unit can be efficiently arranged on the same surface of the apparatus housing. When the screen display unit is provided on the handle, the screen display unit and the operation unit are close to each other, so that the operability is improved. Is good.

  According to the present invention, in the image recording apparatus, the handle can be held in an arbitrary posture between the closed posture and the open posture. Thereby, the screen display part provided in the handle can be adjusted to an arbitrary angle.

In addition, the present invention is a flat and thin box-like shape, and an opening is formed through the upper wall of the vertically mounted device housing that is installed with the extending direction of the thickness as the vertical direction. A handle is provided that changes between a closed posture in which the opening is closed by closing on the surface in which the opening is formed and an open posture in which the opening is opened by standing from the surface. The recording medium is transported inside the body, and an image is recorded on the recording medium. After the image is recorded, the recording medium is recorded by the paper discharge stack in a state where a part protrudes from the opening to the outside of the apparatus housing. The medium is held, and the handle changes to the closed position when the power of the apparatus is turned off, and changes from the closed position to the open position when the apparatus is turned on . By turning on / off the power supply of the device and changing the posture of the handle, image recording can be performed in a closed posture where the handle closes the opening, or the power can be turned off while the handle is left open. Is prevented.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the image recording apparatus, when the state in which the image recording is not performed in the open posture continues for a predetermined time, the handle changes to the closed posture and enters a standby state. When recording is performed, the posture changes to an open posture. Accordingly, the opening is not opened for a long time when the power is on, and foreign matter can be reliably prevented from entering the inside of the apparatus from the opening.

  According to the present invention, in the image recording apparatus, the handle also serves as a power stop switch, and the power is turned off when the handle is pulled upward in the open posture. As a result, the apparatus is not carried in an operating state such as image recording, and problems such as ink leakage and paper jam are prevented.

According to the present invention, in the image recording apparatus, the conveying path in the vicinity of the opening is in a closed posture that closes the conveying path when the recording medium is not conveyed along the conveying path. A transport path opening / closing valve is provided which is in an open posture for opening the transport path when transported. As a result, even when the handle is in the open posture, if the recording medium is not transported along the transport path, the transport path in the vicinity of the opening is closed by the transport path opening / closing valve, and the transport path is connected to the inside of the apparatus. Ingress of foreign matter is prevented. On the other hand, the conveying path when the recording medium is conveyed, the conveying path on-off valve is in an open position, and a recording medium opening or al paper discharge possible.

  In the image recording apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the conveyance path opening / closing valve is in a normally closed posture, and the posture is changed to an open posture when a recording medium conveyed along the conveyance path is abutted and pushed forward. Thus, it is elastically biased. Accordingly, the conveyance path is always closed except that the recording medium passes through the conveyance path in the vicinity of the opening, and foreign matter can be prevented from entering the apparatus more reliably.

The upper Symbol opening state, and are not formed on the upper surface of the apparatus housing, the opening is formed in the upper surface of the apparatus housing, so foreign matter from the opening portion into the apparatus is liable to enter, The effect of preventing entry of foreign matter is remarkable.

  As described above, according to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the portability of the image recording apparatus is improved by the handle, and the opening is closed by the handle, so that foreign matter such as dust and dust can enter the apparatus. Ingress is prevented.

  Further, since the screen display unit is provided on the handle, the apparatus can be downsized and the screen display unit can be protected in the closed posture.

  Further, the handle and the operation portion are arranged on the same surface of the apparatus housing by arranging the operation portion so that the handle has a substantially U shape and fits in the space inside the U shape of the handle. In the case where the screen display unit is provided on the handle, the screen display unit and the operation unit are close to each other, so that the operability is improved.

  In addition, when the above handle serves as a power switch, or when the power on / off of the apparatus is interlocked with the change in the posture of the handle, image recording is performed in a closed posture where the handle closes the paper discharge port. In addition, it is possible to prevent the power supply from being left unattended with the handle in an open posture.

  In addition, since the handle can be held in any position between the closed position and the open position, the angle of the handle is adjusted so that the screen display unit has optimum visibility according to the installation position of the apparatus. Since it can be adjusted, the practicality of the apparatus is improved.

  Further, when the state in which the image recording is not performed in the open posture continues for a predetermined time, the handle changes to the closed posture and enters the standby state, and when the image recording is performed in the standby state, the handle is in the open posture. By changing, it is preferable that the opening is not opened for a long time when the power is on, and foreign matter can be reliably prevented from entering the inside of the apparatus from the opening.

  In addition, the above handle also serves as a power stop switch, so that the apparatus is not carried in an operating state such as image recording and the occurrence of problems such as ink leakage and paper jam is prevented. It is.

  In addition, by providing a transport path opening / closing valve in the transport path near the opening, the transport path near the opening can be opened and closed when the recording medium is not transported through the transport path even when the handle is in the open position. It is closed by a valve, which is preferable because foreign matter can be prevented from entering the inside of the apparatus from the conveyance path.

  In addition, the transport path opening / closing valve is in a normally closed posture, and is elastically biased so that the recording medium transported in the transport path contacts and pushes forward to change to an open position. This is preferable because the entry of foreign matter into the apparatus can be prevented more reliably.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
FIG. 1 shows an external configuration of a multifunction machine 1 (image recording apparatus) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multifunction machine 1 is a multi-function device (MFD) having a printer unit 2 on the back side and a scanner unit 3 on the front side, and has both a printer function and a scanner function. is there. Note that the printer unit 2 of the multifunction device 1 corresponds to the image recording apparatus according to the present invention, and functions other than the printer function are arbitrary. Accordingly, a single-function printer that does not have the scanner unit 3 and does not have a scanner function or a copy function may further include a communication unit and a facsimile function. The multifunction device 1 is mainly connected to a computer (not shown), the printer unit 2 records an image or document on a recording sheet based on the image data or document data transmitted from the computer, and the scanner unit 3 The image data of various originals is read and converted into image data, and the image data is output to a computer or the like. The multifunction device 1 alone is connected to a digital camera or the like and is output from the digital camera or the like. It is also possible to record data on a recording sheet or to load various recording media and record image data or the like recorded on the recording medium on a recording sheet.

  As shown in the figure, the printer casing 20 (apparatus casing) of the multifunction device 1 has a width W and a height T corresponding to a recording sheet having the maximum width capable of image recording, for example, an A4 size recording sheet. The width W and the height T are somewhat larger than the A4 size so that the recording paper can be accommodated and conveyed in the apparatus. On the other hand, the depth D is smaller than both the width W and the height T, and the overall shape of the printer housing 20 is a flat thin box shape. The multifunction machine 1 is a vertical type in which such a printer casing 20 is installed with the direction in which the thickness extends, that is, the longitudinal direction of the side surface of the printer casing 20 as the vertical direction (z-axis direction). . Thus, by making the multi-function device 1 vertical, the down-sizing and thinning of the multi-function device 1 is realized, the floor area for installing the multi-function device 1 is reduced, and the portability is improved.

  A recording paper storage portion 21 (not shown) is formed on the back side of the printer housing 20, and a paper discharge port 22 (opening portion) is opened upward on the upper surface of the printer housing 20. Yes. As will be described in detail later, a transport path 23 is formed from the recording paper storage unit 21 to the paper discharge port 22, and the recording paper on which image recording has been performed by the ink jet recording head 24 in the transport path 23 The paper is discharged from the paper discharge port 22 upward.

  An operation panel 4 for operating the multifunction machine 1 is disposed on the upper surface of the printer casing 20 and on the rear side of the paper discharge port 22. The operation panel 4 includes various operation buttons for performing various settings of the multifunction device 1. The multifunction device 1 is also connected to a computer in response to an operation instruction from the operation panel 4 and is connected to the printer driver from the computer. Alternatively, the operation is also performed by an instruction transmitted via the scanner driver. The upper surface of the printer casing 20 is inclined downward toward the front side, and the operation panel 4 is also arranged corresponding to the inclination. As a result, the various operation buttons on the operation panel 4 can be viewed and operated from either the front side or the top side, so that visibility and operability can be achieved regardless of whether the multifunction device 1 is installed on the desktop or the floor. There is an advantage of being good.

  Further, the side surface of the printer housing 20 is provided with a slot portion 5 into which various small memory cards as recording media can be loaded. As shown in the figure, when not in use, the opening is opened by an openable / closable door. Sealing prevents entry of foreign matters such as dust. It is possible to load a small memory card into the slot unit 5, read out image data recorded on the small memory card, and record an arbitrary image on a recording sheet by the printer unit 2.

  Further, an ink cartridge storage unit 6 in which, for example, ink cartridges of each color ink of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) is loaded is provided on the side surface of the printer housing 20. As in the case of the slot portion 5, when the ink cartridge is not exchanged, the opening is sealed by an openable / closable door to prevent foreign matters such as dust from entering. The positional relationship between the slot portion 5 and the ink cartridge storage portion 6 is arbitrary. However, as shown in the figure, the slot portion 5 is arranged above the ink cartridge storage portion 6 so that the ink cartridge storage portion 6 has ink. Even if leakage or the like occurs, it is preferable that the electronic components of the small memory card and the slot portion 5 are not contaminated by the ink.

  In addition, a handle 7 formed in a U shape so as not to interfere with the operation panel 4 lies on the upper surface of the printer casing 20 so as to lie down or stand on the upper surface of the printer casing 20 with both ends thereof as axes. It is provided so that rotation is possible. In other words, the operation panel 4 is disposed on the upper surface of the printer housing 20 so as to fit in the space inside the U-shape of the handle 7. With such an arrangement, the operation panel 4 and the handle 7 can be efficiently arranged on the upper surface of the printer housing 20 having a small area in the vertical type multifunction peripheral 1. When the multifunction machine 1 is used, the handle 7 stands up from the upper surface as shown in the figure, and becomes a handle for carrying the device, and when not in use, the handle 7 falls to the upper surface. Thus, the paper discharge port 22 is closed to prevent foreign matters such as dust and dust from entering the apparatus.

  The handle 7 is provided with a screen display unit 8 on a surface facing the upper surface of the printer housing 20 when the paper discharge port 22 is closed. The screen display unit 8 displays power on / off, error display, data reception, and the like, and is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel or LEDs. As described above, by providing the screen display unit 8 on the handle 7, it is not necessary to secure an area in which the liquid crystal panel or the like is provided in the printer housing 20, and downsizing of the multifunction device 1 is realized. In particular, in the case where the apparatus housing is a flat and thin box type and is of a vertical type like the multifunction machine 1, the area of the upper surface of the printer housing 20 is narrow, but by providing the screen display unit 8 on the handle 7, the operation panel 4 and the screen display unit 8 can be concentrated on the upper surface of the printer housing 20, and there is an advantage that the operability when the multifunction device 1 is installed on the floor is improved. Further, if the handle 7 falls on the upper surface of the printer housing 20, the screen display unit 8 is covered and protected by the upper surface of the printer housing 20, so that dust adhesion and damage to the screen display unit 8 can be prevented. The

  The scanner unit 3 is configured as a so-called flat bed scanner. As shown in the figure, the scanner housing 30 (device housing) of the scanner unit 3 has a width and height that are wider than the A4 size, corresponding to the largest document capable of reading an image, for example, an A4 size document. On the other hand, the thickness (depth) is smaller than both the width and the height, and the entire shape of the scanner housing 30 is a flat thin box shape. The reading surface of the scanner unit 3 is configured as one surface of the scanner housing 30 and is opposed to the outer peripheral surface on the front side of the printer housing 20 although not shown in the drawing. Further, the lower end side of the scanner casing 30 is pivotally attached to the printer casing 20, and the upper end side of the scanner casing 30 can be opened and closed to the front side.

  When the scanner unit 3 is not used, as shown in the figure, the thickness direction of the printer casing 20 and the thickness direction of the scanner casing 30 are the same direction, and the outer shape of the entire apparatus is a flat thin box shape. Thus, the apparatus is installed so that the direction in which the thickness of the entire apparatus extends is the vertical direction, and the entire multifunction device 1 is of a vertical installation type. Further, when the scanner unit 3 is used, a gripping unit 31 formed at the upper end of the scanner housing 30 is gripped to tilt the scanner housing 30 to the front side, and a desired platen glass constituting the reading surface is used. The original is positioned and the image of the original is read by an image sensor.

  FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the multifunction machine 1. As shown in the figure, the printer unit 2 is included in the printer housing 20 so as to include a recording paper storage unit 21, a conveyance path 23, an ink jet recording head 24, a platen 25, an electrical component 26, and a paper discharge stack 27. And a conveyance path opening / closing valve 28 and the like.

  The recording paper storage unit 21 stores recording paper, which is a recording medium, and feeds the recording paper to the transport path 23. The recording paper storage unit 21 stores recording papers of various sizes such as A4 size and below, B5 size, and postcard size. Is possible. Specifically, the recording paper storage unit 21 has a space recessed on the back side of the printer housing 20, and the space includes a partition plate 40 provided inside the printer housing 20, and the printer housing. 20 and a lid 41 constituting the back surface of 20. As shown in the figure, the lid 41 is tiltably provided on the back side of the apparatus. The lid 41 is tilted to open the recording paper storage unit 21 so that a desired recording paper can be loaded. . The plurality of recording papers P stored in the recording paper storage unit 21 are held in a standing posture with the recording surface facing the inside of the apparatus, as shown in the figure.

  As shown in the figure, the lower part of the recording paper storage unit 21 continues to the transport path 23, and the recording paper P held in the recording paper storage unit 21 is separated and transported to the lower part of the partition plate 40 one by one. A paper feed roller 42 for supplying to the path 23 is provided. The paper feed roller 42 is rotated by a drive of a motor (not shown) transmitted by a drive transmission mechanism (not shown) in which a plurality of gears are engaged. On the other hand, a guide 43 for holding the lower end portion of the recording paper P at the paper feed position is disposed below the recording paper storage unit 21 so as to face the paper feed roller 42. The guide 43 is biased toward the paper feed roller 42 by a spring or the like (not shown), and presses the recording paper P against the paper feed roller 42 in a standing posture. Accordingly, when the paper feed roller 42 rotates while being pressed against the recording paper P, the recording paper P is fed downward by the frictional force with the paper feeding roller 42 as shown in FIG. Sent.

  In the present embodiment, the recording paper storage unit 21 is provided in the printer housing 20, but a so-called paper feed cassette provided along the back surface outside the printer housing 20 may be used. At this time, the sheet feeding cassette may feed the recording sheet to the transport path 23 while standing, or the sheet feeding cassette may be slightly inclined during use.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyance path 23 is formed downward from the lower portion of the recording paper storage unit 21, and is inverted near the bottom of the printer housing 20, and then extends upward to be an upper surface of the printer housing 20. To the paper discharge port 22 formed at the top. Accordingly, the recording paper P fed from the recording paper storage unit 21 is transported downward in a standing posture by the transporting path 23, and then reversed so as to make a U-turn to be in a standing posture again and transported upward. Then, the paper is discharged from the paper discharge port 22. In this way, the conveyance path 23 is a U-shaped path along the thickness direction of the printer casing 20, and the recording paper P is conveyed in a standing posture, thereby reducing the thickness of the printer casing 20 and the multifunction peripheral. 1 can be reduced in size, and the floor area required for installing the multifunction machine 1 can be reduced.

  The conveyance path 23 is composed of an outer guide surface and an inner guide surface that face each other at a predetermined interval, except for a portion where the inkjet recording head 24 and the platen 25 are disposed. Such an outer guide surface and an inner guide surface may be such that, for example, the guide member is appropriately fixed in the printer housing 20, or the outer guide surface may be formed integrally with the printer housing 20. Although not shown in the figure, if the transport roller is appropriately disposed at a location where the transport path 23 is curved, the recording paper P that contacts the guide surface can be transported smoothly.

  Further, as shown in the drawing, an ink jet recording head 24 is provided at the lowermost portion of the U-shaped transport path 23, that is, at a position where the transport path 23 makes a U-turn. The ink jet recording head 24 is arranged on the inner side of the transport path 23 so as to be able to eject ink droplets downward from its lower surface so as to be able to scan in the width direction of the transport path 23, that is, the y-axis direction in FIG. ing. On the other hand, a platen 25 is disposed outside the conveyance path 23 below the ink jet recording head 24.

  The ink jet recording head 24 includes cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) supplied from a cartridge such as a tube from an ink cartridge (not shown) installed in the printer casing 20. ), While scanning each color ink, the image is recorded on the recording paper P transported on the platen 25. Although not shown in the drawing, the transport path is disposed inside the transport path 23. 23 is mounted on a scanning carriage that is slidably provided on a guide member extending in the width direction, and the scanning carriage is slid along the guide member by a belt driving mechanism or the like, thereby Scanning is possible with the width direction of 23 as the main scanning direction. The ink jet recording head 24 can employ a known structure for discharging each ink. For example, if the side wall of each channel is made of a piezoelectric material and ink droplets are discharged by deformation of the piezoelectric material, the structure can be used. Good.

  The platen 25 horizontally supports the recording paper P transported through the transport path 23 from the ink jet recording head 24 at a predetermined head gap, and the recording paper covers the image recording range of the ink jet recording head 24. It has a horizontal plane that supports P. Although not shown in the drawing, the ink jet recording head 24 ejects ink to the side of the platen 25 outside the image recording range of the ink jet recording head 24 in order to prevent thickening of ink and to remove foreign matters. A waste ink tray for storing the ink and a purge mechanism for sucking and removing foreign matters and bubbles from the inkjet recording head 24 are appropriately provided.

  On the upstream side of the ink jet recording head 24, a pair of transport rollers 44 and a pressing roller 45 are provided that sandwich the recording paper P transported through the transport path 23 and transport it onto the platen 25. On the other hand, on the downstream side of the ink jet recording head 24, a pair of transport rollers 46 and a spur roller 47 are provided that sandwich and transport the recorded recording paper P. A driving force is transmitted to the transport rollers 44 and 46 from a motor (not shown), and is intermittently driven with a predetermined line feed width.

  On the other hand, the pressing roller 45 is urged so as to be pressed against the conveying roller 44 with a predetermined pressing force and is rotatably provided. As shown in FIG. In this case, the recording paper P is retracted by the thickness of the recording paper P, and the recording paper P is sandwiched with the conveying roller 44 so that the rotational force of the conveying roller 44 is reliably transmitted to the recording paper. The spur roller 47 is also provided in the same manner with respect to the transport roller 46. However, since the spur roller 47 is pressed against the recorded recording paper P, the roller surface has a spur shape so as not to deteriorate the image recorded on the recording paper P. It is uneven.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, the recording paper P sandwiched between the transport roller 44 and the pressing roller 45 is intermittently transported on the platen 25 with a predetermined line feed width, and the ink jet recording head 24 is moved for each line feed. Scanning is performed and image recording is performed from the leading end side of the recording paper P. Thereafter, the leading end side of the recording paper P on which image recording has been performed is sandwiched between the conveying roller 46 and the spur roller 47, and the recording paper P is conveyed on the leading end side to the conveying roller 46 and the spur roller 47, and on the rear end side. While being sandwiched between the roller 44 and the pressing roller 45, it is intermittently conveyed with a predetermined line feed width, and image recording is similarly performed by the ink jet recording head 24. When the recording paper P is further conveyed, the trailing edge of the recording paper P passes through the conveying roller 44 and the pressing roller 45, and the nipping by these is released, and the conveying roller 46 and the spur roller 47 have a predetermined line feed width. It is conveyed intermittently and image recording is similarly performed by the inkjet recording head 24. After image recording is performed on a predetermined area of the recording paper P, the transport roller 46 is continuously driven to rotate, and the recording paper P held by the transport roller 46 and the spur roller 47 is in a standing posture on the transport path 23. It is conveyed upward.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a paper discharge roller 48 and a pressing roller 49 are provided further downstream of the conveying path 23, and image recording was performed in the same manner as the conveying roller 44 and the pressing roller 45. The recording paper P is pinched and conveyed until the leading edge of the recording paper P protrudes from the paper discharge port 22.

  A paper discharge stack 27 is provided on the downstream side of the paper discharge roller 48 and the pressing roller 49. The paper discharge stack 27 is for storing the recorded recording paper P in a state where a part of the leading end side protrudes from the paper discharge port 22, and is a section provided inside the printer housing 20. The plate 50 forms a space in which a plurality of recording sheets P can be held in a standing posture.

  As shown in the figure, a conveyance path opening / closing valve 28 is provided in the vicinity of the paper discharge port 22 so that the posture can be changed between an open posture for opening the conveyance path 23 and a closed posture for closing. Specifically, the conveyance path opening / closing valve 28 is a thin plate member having a width substantially the same as the width of the conveyance path 23, and is a conveyance path 23 in the vicinity of the sheet discharge port 22 on the side opposite to the sheet discharge stack 27. Further, it protrudes so as to close the conveyance path 23 and is provided so as to be rotatable, and is biased so as to rotate upstream of the conveyance path 23 by a biasing member (not shown) such as a spring. The leading end of the conveyance path opening / closing valve 28 is locked to a receiving portion 51 that is recessed in the partition plate 50 on the opposite side of the conveyance path opening / closing valve 28, and rotates upstream of the conveyance path 23. The conveyance path opening / closing valve 28 urged to do so is in a closed posture in which the conveyance path 23 is closed by being locked by the receiving portion 51.

  Further, the transport path opening / closing valve 28 is in an open posture to open the transport path 23 when the recording paper P transported through the transport path 23 comes into contact therewith. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when the recording paper P is not in the vicinity of the discharge port 22 of the transport path 23, the transport path opening / closing valve 28 is locked in the receiving portion 51. The conveyance path 23 is closed. Therefore, even if the handle 7 opens the paper discharge port 22, the conveyance path opening / closing valve 28 prevents foreign matter from entering the apparatus from the paper discharge port 22.

  As described above, after the image recording is performed by the ink jet recording head 24, the recording paper P is transported upward along the transport path 23 by the transport roller 46 and the spur roller 47, and further, the paper discharge roller 48. The pressing roller 49 conveys the recording paper P until the leading edge of the recording paper P protrudes from the paper discharge port 22. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, before the leading edge of the recording paper P reaches the paper discharge port 22, the recording paper P contacts the conveyance path opening / closing valve 28 that closes the conveyance path 23. The recording paper P to which the conveying force is applied by the paper discharge roller 48 and the pressing roller 49 is further pushed in a state where the leading end is in contact with the conveying path opening / closing valve 28, and the conveying path opening / closing valve 28 is urged. On the contrary, it turns to the downstream side of the transport path 23. As a result, the conveyance path opening / closing valve 28 changes its posture from the closed posture to the open posture, and the recording paper P is further conveyed to the paper discharge port 22.

  The recording paper P conveyed by the paper discharge roller 48 and the pressing roller 49 until the leading end protrudes from the paper discharge port 22 passes through the paper discharging roller 48 and the pressing roller 49 at the rear end thereof to the paper discharge stack 27. Stored. Further, since the pushing force of the recording paper P by the paper discharge roller 48 and the pressing roller 49 is lost, the conveyance path opening / closing valve 28 is rotated upstream by the biasing force. At this time, the recording paper P stored in the paper discharge stack 27 moves to the inside of the paper discharge stack 27 so as to be pushed by the conveyance path opening / closing valve 28. As a result, a space for storing the recording paper P that is subsequently subjected to image recording and conveyed to the paper discharge port 22 is formed in the paper discharge stack 27. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the recording paper P on which the image is continuously recorded is stored in the paper discharge stack 27 so that the recording surface is set to the inside of the apparatus and the apparatus is sequentially stacked on the outside of the apparatus. In this order, the recording sheets P are stacked and stored. Therefore, there is no trouble such as changing the order of the recording sheets P after paper discharge.

  As described above, even when the grip 7 opens the paper discharge port 22, when image recording is not performed and the recording paper P is not transported through the transport path 23, the transport path 23 near the paper discharge port 23 is the transport path. It is closed by the on-off valve 28 to prevent foreign matter from entering the inside of the apparatus from the transport path 23. On the other hand, when image recording is performed and the recording paper P is transported through the transport path 23, the transport path opening / closing valve 28 is in an open position, so that the recording paper P can be transported to the paper discharge port 22. Accordingly, except that the recording paper P passes through the conveyance path 23 near the paper discharge port 22, the conveyance path 23 is always closed by the conveyance path opening / closing valve 28, and foreign matter can be reliably prevented from entering the inside of the apparatus. In addition, when the original is inserted into the scanner section 3 as will be described later and the original is inserted from the paper discharge port 22 into the conveyance path 23, the conveyance path opening / closing valve 28 prevents the original from being inserted. Can be prevented.

  In addition, the conveyance path on-off valve according to the present invention replaces the above-mentioned conveyance path on-off valve 28 with a flexible synthetic resin film or the like that can be elastically deformed so that the tip thereof contacts the opposite side of the conveyance path 23. It can be realized by projecting diagonally toward the downstream side so that it can be elastically deformed to the downstream side and not elastically deformed to the upstream side. Since there is a risk of deformation, a thin flat plate that is not easily deformed by the recording paper P, the original, or the like, such as the transport path opening / closing valve 28, is preferable. Further, an adsorbing member that adsorbs dust or dust accumulated near the fulcrum of the transfer path opening / closing valve may be provided, or a recess for collecting the dust or the like may be formed. Further, an adsorbing member such as a double-sided tape may be provided on the upper surface of the transport path opening / closing valve so as to actively adsorb dust or dust.

  In the present embodiment, the recording paper P is further pushed in a state of being in contact with the conveyance path opening / closing valve 28, whereby the conveyance path opening / closing valve 28 is rotated downstream of the conveyance path 23 against the urging force. However, when recording an image, the driving force of the motor is transmitted to the conveying path opening / closing valve 28, and the conveying path opening / closing valve 28 is rotated downstream against the urging force by the driving force. After the recording is completed, the driving force may be interrupted to make the conveyance path opening / closing valve 28 in a freely rotating state, and may be configured to rotate upstream by an urging force. Thereby, the burden on the recording paper P can be reduced. Furthermore, both the opening and closing posture changes of the discharge port opening / closing valve 27 or the insertion port opening / closing valve 28 may be performed by the driving force of the motor.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the scanner unit 3 includes an image scanner 33, a guide shaft 34, a scanning carriage 35, and the like so as to be enclosed in a scanner housing 30 and a platen glass 32.

  The platen glass 32 is a transparent member to which an original for image reading is in close contact, and is a rectangular flat plate that is slightly larger than the maximum size of the original for image reading, here the A4 size. As described above, the flat and thin box-shaped scanner housing 30 is also larger than the A4 size, and the platen glass 32 is provided on the surface on the side where the scanner housing 30 faces the outer peripheral surface of the printer housing 20. The reading surface 32 a is configured and a part of the outer peripheral surface of the scanner housing 30 is configured.

  An image scanner 33 is provided in an internal space formed by the scanner housing 30 and the platen glass 32 so as to face the platen glass 32. The image scanner 33 is a so-called CIS (Contact Image Sensor), extends in the vertical direction (z-axis direction in FIG. 1) of the platen glass 32, and can scan in the width direction (y-axis direction in FIG. 1) of the platen glass 32. It has become. Specifically, a scanning carriage 35 is provided on a guide shaft 34 extending in the width direction in the scanner housing 30 so as to be slidable in the axial direction of the guide shaft 34. 33 is mounted. The scanning carriage 35 is slid along the guide shaft 34 by a belt driving mechanism or the like, so that the image scanner 33 can scan in the width direction of the platen glass 32.

  Near the both ends of the lower end portion of the scanner housing 30, shafts 36 are respectively provided with the width direction as an axial direction, and the shaft 36 is supported by a bearing portion (not shown) of the printer housing 20. The scanner housing 30 can be opened and closed to the front side of the printer housing 20 around the shaft 36.

  The configuration of the printer unit 2 and the scanner unit 3 is an example, and the printer unit 2 can of course be changed from a so-called inkjet printer to a laser printer, and the image sensor of the scanner unit 3 is replaced by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). However, in general, an inkjet printer is easier to make the printer unit 2 smaller and lighter, and the CIS has a shallower depth of focus than a CCD. Since the scanner unit 3 is thinned by adopting CIS, it is preferable to employ these in order to make the multifunction device 1 small and thin.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the scanner housing 30 of the scanner unit 3 has a closed posture in which the reading surface 32 a configured by the platen glass 32 is closed to the outer peripheral surface on the front side of the printer housing 20, and the reading surface. There are three postures: an inclined posture P1 in which 32a is inclined to the open side by a predetermined angle from the vertical surface, and an open posture P2 in which the upper end side of the scanner housing 30 is inclined downward by a predetermined angle from the position where the reading surface 32a is a horizontal plane It can be opened and closed.

  When the scanner unit 3 is not used, that is, when the multifunction device 1 is not used, or when only the printer unit 2 is used, the scanner unit 3 is placed in a vertical position by closing the scanner unit 3 as shown in FIG. The space in the thickness direction of the multifunction device 1 can be reduced to save space such as office space. Further, since the reading surface 32a of the platen glass 32 is closed by the outer peripheral surface of the printer housing 20, it is possible to prevent dust and the like from adhering to the reading surface 32a.

  On the other hand, when using the scanner unit 3, the scanner housing 30 is opened to the front side of the printer housing 20, but the scanner housing 30 is disposed on the front side of the printer housing 20. The space required to open and close the body 30 is concentrated on the front side of the printer housing 20, that is, on the front side of the multifunction machine 1. Therefore, since a space other than the installation surface is not required on the rear side of the multifunction device 1, the installation space required when installing the multifunction device 1 near a wall or the like can be reduced.

  When the scanner unit 3 is used, the scanner housing 30 is opened in either the tilt posture P1 or the open posture P2 according to the thickness of the document (medium to be read) from which the image is read, and the image is read. Do. Whether the scanner housing 30 is in the tilted posture P1 or the open posture P2 is determined by the thickness of the document. When a thin document such as one plain paper is read, the scanner is set in the tilted posture P1, as in a book or booklet. When a thick original or a heavy original is read, the open posture P2 is set. Even when the scanner housing 30 is once in the inclined posture P <b> 1 and the original is positioned on the reading surface 32 a and then in the closed posture, the image reading by the scanner unit 3 is possible.

  When the user grasps the gripping portion 31 of the scanner housing 30 and opens the scanner housing 30 from the closed posture shown in FIG. 2 to the front side, the scanner housing 30 has a predetermined angle at which the tilted posture P1 is set. It is temporarily fixed with. Such a temporary fixing of the scanner housing 30 is, for example, a pin receiving portion that is provided with a pin that is urged so as to protrude and retract in the radial direction on the shaft 36 and that engages with the pin at a predetermined angle with the bearing portion of the printer housing 20. However, other well-known and arbitrary temporary fixing mechanisms can be employed.

  As a result, a gap is formed between the upper end of the scanner housing 30 and the outer peripheral surface of the printer housing 20, so that the user inserts the original document into the gap from above the multi-function device 1. It can be positioned on the inclined reading surface 32a. Since the reading surface 32a is inclined to the open side, that is, the front side, if the user inserts the document into the gap by dropping the leading end of the document diagonally downward from the front side of the multifunction machine 1, Adheres to the reading surface 32a by its own weight.

  Although not shown in the drawing, a stopper is provided at the lower end of the reading surface 32a in the width direction. As described above, the original inserted from the gap is read by the reading surface 32a by its own weight. And the leading edge of the document comes into contact with the stopper, and is fixed at a predetermined position with reference to the lower end of the reading surface 32a. Thus, the user does not need to look through the gap between the scanner housing 30 and the printer housing 20 to position the document, and the document positioning operation is easy. Further, since the original comes into close contact with the reading surface 32a due to its own weight, it is difficult for floating to occur between the reading surface 32a and the original, and the image reading accuracy by the image scanner 33 is improved. By scanning the image scanner 33 with such an inclined posture, an image of a thin original is read.

  Further, when the scanner housing 30 is fully opened to the front side, the open posture P2 is obtained. In this open posture P2, a thick original such as a book is placed on the reading surface 32a. Although the thick original is heavy, since the upper end of the scanner housing 30 is in contact with the floor surface in the open position P2, even if the thick original is placed on the reading surface 32a, the vertical placement type printer unit. 2 does not become unstable. In the open posture P2, since the reading surface 32a is inclined so as to face the front side of the multifunction device 1, it is easy to position the document at a predetermined position on the reading surface 32a from the front side of the multifunction device 1. is there. By scanning the image scanner 33 in such an open posture, an image of a thick original is read.

  The opening / closing posture of the scanner unit 3 shown in the present embodiment is an example. For example, even if the scanner housing 30 is opened / closed only between the inclined posture P1 and the open posture P2, the closed posture and the open posture are provided. The scanner housing 30 may be opened and closed only by a posture change with the posture P2 so as not to be temporarily fixed in an inclined posture.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit by the electrical component 26 of the multifunction machine 1. As shown in the figure, a central processing unit 60 composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory) is connected via a bus 61 and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 62. The printer unit 2 and the scanner unit 3 are connected to various sensors and motors, the operation panel 4, the slot unit 5, the screen display unit 8, and the like so as to be able to transmit and receive data. The central processing unit 60 can receive detection signals from the power switch 63 and the power stop switch 64 in order to control on / off of the power supply of the multifunction machine 1. The power switch 63 is turned on / off in response to a change in the posture of the handle 7, and the power stop switch 64 is turned on / off in response to the handle 7 being pulled upward. Details will be described later. The MFP 1 is connected to a computer (PC) 65 in addition to input from the operation panel 4, and images and documents are recorded on recording paper based on image data and document data transmitted from the computer 65. Can be recorded. For this purpose, an interface (I / F) for transmitting / receiving data to / from the computer 65 is also provided. The configuration of the control unit shown in this embodiment is an example, and the control unit of the present invention is naturally not limited to the configuration shown in this embodiment.

Hereinafter, the operation of the handle 7 will be described.
As described above, the handle 7 is positioned between a closed posture in which the printer 7 falls on the upper surface of the printer housing 20 to close the paper discharge port 22 and an open posture in which the paper discharge port 22 is opened by standing from the upper surface. It will change. Such a change in the posture of the handle 7 is performed by the user of the multi-function device 1 holding and holding the handle 7.

  FIG. 9 shows the multi-function device 1 in a state where the handle 7 is in a closed posture. When the multi-function device 1 is not used, the handle 7 is set in a closed posture as shown in the figure. The handle 7 is rotatable about a shaft 70 that is pivotally supported in the vicinity of the upper end of the operation panel 4. The handle 7 is rotated until the handle 7 contacts the upper surface of the printer housing 20. Become. In the closed position, since the handle 7 closes the paper discharge port 22, foreign matter can be prevented from entering the inside of the apparatus from the paper discharge port 22 when not in use. In particular, when the paper discharge port 22 is formed on the upper surface of the printer housing 20 as in the multifunction machine 1, foreign matter can easily enter the inside of the apparatus from the paper discharge port 22. Is remarkably exhibited.

  Further, as shown in the figure, a power switch 63 that can protrude from the upper surface and is urged in the protruding direction is provided on the upper surface of the printer casing 20 and in the vicinity of the paper discharge port 22. (See FIG. 1). The power switch 63 outputs a signal for instructing power-on while protruding from the upper surface of the printer casing 20, and outputs a signal for instructing power-off in a state of being immersed in the printer casing 20. As shown in FIG. 9, by setting the handle 7 to the closed position, the handle 7 immerses the power switch 63 in the printer housing 20 and outputs a signal for instructing to turn off the power. As a result, the control unit receives a signal from the power switch 63 and turns off the power of the multifunction device 1.

  When the user turns the handle 7 upward from the closed position to the open position shown in FIG. 2, the power switch 63 that has been immersed in the printer housing 20 by the handle 7 protrudes from the upper surface. To output a signal to turn on the power. As a result, the control unit receives the signal from the power switch 63 and turns on the power of the multifunction device 1. Further, when the handle 7 is in the open posture, the paper discharge port 22 is opened, and the recorded recording paper P is discharged so as to protrude from the paper discharge port 22 as shown in FIG. It becomes possible.

  In this way, by turning the power switch 63 on and off according to the change in the posture of the handle 7, the posture of the handle 7 and the power on / off of the multifunction device 1 are interlocked, and the handle 7 is closed and the discharge port 22 is opened. It is possible to prevent image recording in the closed state and leave the handle 7 in the open posture to turn off the power and leave it unattended. Further, when the handle 7 is in the open posture, the discharge port 22 is opened and the recording paper P is allowed to be discharged, and the leading end protrudes from the discharge port 22 so that the recorded recording paper P can be easily taken out. In this way, the recording paper P can be discharged. On the other hand, when the handle 7 is in the closed position, the paper discharge port 22 is closed, and foreign matter such as dust and dust can be prevented from entering the apparatus.

  In the present embodiment, the handle 7 also functions as a power switch by interlocking the opening and closing of the handle 7 and the power on / off of the multifunction device 1 by the power switch 63 that protrudes and protrudes from the upper surface of the printer housing 20. However, the present embodiment is an example, and the configuration in which the handle 7 also serves as the power switch of the multifunction device 1 can be changed to another configuration. For example, the power switch 63 may be replaced with a magnet sensor so that the opening and closing of the handle 7 is detected by the magnet sensor, and the control unit turns on or off the power of the multifunction device 1 based on the detection signal. Good. An angle sensor may be provided on the shaft 70, and the opening and closing of the handle 7 may be detected by the angle sensor, and the control unit may be configured to turn on or off the power of the multifunction device 1 based on the detection signal.

  The handle 7 can be held in any position between the closed position and the open position, and the screen display unit 8 provided on the handle 7 can be adjusted to an optimum angle. Yes. Therefore, for example, when the multifunction device 1 is installed on the floor and the multifunction device 1 is operated and viewed from obliquely above, the screen of the screen display unit 8 is directed obliquely upward as shown in FIG. By turning the handle 7, it becomes easy to visually recognize the screen of the screen display unit 8 from obliquely above. On the other hand, when the multifunction device 1 is installed on the table and the multifunction device 1 is operated and visually recognized from the front side, as shown in FIG. 10, the handle 7 is placed so that the screen of the screen display unit 8 faces the front. By rotating, it becomes easy to visually recognize the screen of the screen display unit 8 from the front side. Such a rotation of the handle 7 may employ a known configuration in which the shaft 70 is temporarily fixed and rotated in a multi-step or stepless manner.

  The multifunction machine 1 is of a vertical type and has good portability. However, the provision of the handle 7 makes it easy to move the multifunction machine 1. When the multifunction device 1 is moved while holding the handle 7, as shown in FIG. 10, the handle 7 rotates so as to extend in the vertical direction. In this way, the handle 7 is moved from the upper surface of the printer housing 20. In the upright state, the power of the multi-function device 1 is on. For example, the inkjet recording head 24 ejects ink to perform image recording, or performs idle ejection for cleaning. Nevertheless, there is a possibility that the multifunction device 1 is lifted and moved by the user. If the multifunction device 1 is moved during operation, problems such as ink leakage and paper jams may occur. To prevent this, the power stop switch 64 is provided and the handle 7 is opened. The power is turned off when pulled upward in the posture state.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the handle 7 is pivotally supported by a bearing 71 of the operation panel 4 so that the shaft 70 can move in a vertical range in the vertical direction, and the power stop switch 64 is connected to the shaft 70. It is a sensor that is provided in the vicinity and detects the movement of the shaft 70. As shown in FIG. 10, when the multifunction device 1 is lifted by holding the handle 7 while the handle 7 is rotated so as to extend in the vertical direction, the weight of the multifunction device 1 is added to the shaft 70 of the handle 7. The shaft 70 moves to the upper end of the bearing 71 together with the handle 7. The power stop switch 64 detects this movement and outputs a signal instructing power stop. The control unit receives the signal from the power stop switch 64 and turns off the power of the multifunction device 1. Therefore, the inkjet recording head 24 or the like does not operate while the multifunction device 1 is moving, and problems such as ink leakage are prevented. After the movement, when the multifunction machine 1 is installed on the floor or tabletop, the shaft 70 moves to the lower end of the bearing 71 due to the weight of the handle 7, and this movement is detected by the power stop switch 64. Outputs a signal to instruct the return. The control unit receives a signal from the power stop switch 64 and turns on the power of the multifunction device 1.

  As described above, according to the multifunction machine 1, the handle 7 improves the portability, and the handle 7 closes the paper discharge port 22, thereby preventing foreign matter such as dust and dust from entering the apparatus. Is done.

  Hereinafter, modifications of the above embodiment will be described. In the above embodiment, the handle 7 turns on / off the power switch 63 in order to link the change in the posture of the handle 7 and the power on / off of the multifunction machine 1. When the power of the multifunction device 1 is turned off, the handle 7 changes its posture to the closed posture, and when the multifunction device 1 is turned on, the handle 7 changes from the closed posture to the open posture. That is, in the present modification, the handle 7 is not rotated by the user, but is automatically opened and closed in conjunction with turning on / off of the power source.

  Although not shown in detail in the figure, in place of the power switch 63, a power switch that can be turned on and off by a user's operation is provided on the operation panel 4 of the multifunction machine 1, and the shaft 70 of the handle 7 is provided. The driving force is transmitted from the motor to the handle 7 so that the handle 7 can be opened and closed by the driving force, and the control unit controls the turning on / off of the power supply of the multifunction machine 1 and the change in the posture of the handle 7.

  That is, when the user turns on the power of the multifunction device 1 on the operation panel 4, the control unit drives the motor to rotate the handle 7 so as to stand up from the upper surface of the printer housing 20. As a result, the handle 7 is in the open posture, the paper discharge port 22 is opened, and the screen display unit 8 is visible. On the other hand, when the user turns off the power of the multifunction device 1, the control unit drives the motor to rotate the handle 7 so that the handle 7 lies down on the upper surface of the printer housing 20. As a result, the handle 7 is in the closed position, closes the paper discharge port 22, and the screen display unit 8 is covered and protected by the printer housing 20. As described above, the control unit controls the power on / off of the multifunction machine 1 and the change in the posture of the handle 7 so that the image recording is performed in the closed posture in which the handle 7 closes the paper discharge port 22. It is possible to prevent the multifunction device 1 from being turned off and left with the handle 2 in the open posture.

  Further, a timer is provided in the control unit to count the time during which the image recording is not performed after the handle 7 is in the open posture, and when the duration exceeds a predetermined threshold, the control is performed. The unit drives the motor to change the posture of the handle 7 to the closed posture, and sets the multifunction device 1 to the standby state. Here, the standby state means that the control unit does not immediately record an image even when a signal requesting image recording from the operation panel 4 or the computer is input, and first the posture of the handle 7 is changed to the open posture. A state in which image recording is started. Furthermore, if the standby state is set to a so-called power saving mode in which the power consumption of the multifunction device 1 is reduced by not performing screen display of the screen display unit 8, the power consumption of the multifunction device 1 is reduced, which is preferable. It is.

  In the standby state, when a signal requesting image recording is input from the operation panel 4 or the computer, the control unit first activates the motor so that the handle 7 in the closed posture is raised from the upper surface of the printer housing 20. After being driven to bring the handle 7 into the open posture, the printer unit 2 is operated to start conveying the recording paper P and perform image recording. Accordingly, the paper discharge port 22 is not opened for a long time when the power is on, and foreign matter can be reliably prevented from entering the inside of the apparatus from the paper discharge port 22. Further, by setting the multifunction device 1 in the power saving mode in the standby state, it is possible to reduce power consumption without performing an operation of turning off the power of the multifunction device 1 even when there is a long time during which image recording is not performed. In addition, when image recording is necessary, it is possible to immediately perform image recording without performing an operation of turning on the power of the multifunction device 1.

  In the printer unit 2, the conveyance path 23 is a U-shaped path. However, in the present invention, the shape of the path of the conveyance path is not limited to a U-shape. A path formed on the side of the back side of the head 24 and passing through the lower side of the inkjet recording head 24 from the paper insertion opening and bent upward in an L shape toward the discharge outlet 22 may be used.

As shown in FIG. 12 For example, in order to perform image reading in the scanner unit 3A, the document insertion port 37 for inserting a document on the reading surface 32a (not shown) is formed on the upper surface of the scanner housing 30A In this case, it is possible to prevent dust from adhering to the platen glass 32 by closing the document insertion port 37 together with the paper discharge port 22 by the handle 7 lying down.

  In detail, the scanner unit 3A is configured as a so-called flatbed scanner. As shown in the figure, the scanner housing 30A of the scanner unit 3A is similar to the scanner housing 30 of the above-described embodiment. The overall shape is a flat and thin box shape, and the lower end side of the scanner housing 30A is pivotally attached to the printer housing 20, so that the upper end side of the scanner housing 30A can be opened and closed to the front side. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface of the printer casing 20 and the scanner casing 30A are arranged in a state where the outer shape of the entire apparatus is flat and thin in the same direction as the thickness directions of the printer casing 20 and the scanner casing 30A. A document insertion opening 37 is formed at the boundary with the upper surface. The document insertion opening 37 is formed by notching the approximate center of the upper surface of the scanner housing 30A facing the printer housing 20 in the thickness direction with a maximum document width that can be read, that is, a width slightly larger than the A4 size width. As shown in the drawing, the original insertion port 37 is in a state substantially in the same direction as the thickness direction of the printer casing 20 and the scanner casing 30A, that is, the scanner casing 30A is closed. Thus, a document can be inserted on the reading surface 32a of the platen glass 32.

  As shown in FIG. 13, similarly to the scanner unit 3 of the above-described embodiment, the scanner unit 3A is included in the scanner housing 30A and the platen glass 32 so as to include an image scanner 33, a guide shaft 34, and a scanning carriage. 35, etc., and the same reference numerals as those of the above-described embodiment such as the platen glass 32, the image scanner 33, the guide shaft 34, and the scanning carriage 35 are equivalent.

  As shown in the figure, the scanner housing 30A of the scanner unit 3A has an inclined posture in which a reading surface 32a composed of a platen glass 32 is inclined by a predetermined angle from a vertical surface toward the open side, and the reading surface 32a is a horizontal surface. The upper end side of the scanner housing 30 can be opened and closed so as to change its posture from an open posture inclined downward by a predetermined angle.

  Therefore, even when the scanner unit 3A is not used or when the scanner unit 3A reads a thin document such as a sheet of plain paper, the scanner housing 30A is inclined as shown in the figure. The scanner housing 30 </ b> A is closed with respect to the printer housing 20 in a tilted posture in which the reading surface 32 a is tilted from the vertical surface to the open side by a predetermined angle. Accordingly, even when the scanner unit 3A is not used or when a thin document is read, the space in the thickness direction of the multi-function device 1 placed vertically can be reduced to save space such as office space. Can be planned. Further, since it is not necessary to open the scanner housing 30A when reading a thin document, the operation for image reading is simple.

  When reading a thin document by the scanner unit 3A, the user may insert the document from the document insertion port 37 without opening the scanner housing 30A with the handle 7 from the closed position to the open position. As shown in the figure, the reading surface 32a of the platen glass 32 is inclined to the open side by a predetermined angle from the vertical surface in a state where the scanner housing 30A is closed with respect to the printer housing 20. Therefore, the user can position the document on the inclined reading surface 32a by inserting the document from the document insertion port 37 from above the multifunction machine 1A. Since the reading surface 32a is inclined to the open side, that is, the front side, the user can insert the document Q into the document insertion slot 37 by dropping the leading end of the document diagonally downward from the front side of the multifunction machine 1. Similarly to the above-described embodiment, the original slides down along the reading surface 32a due to its own weight, and the leading edge of the document comes into contact with a stopper (not shown), so that the document is hooked and predetermined on the reading surface 32a. The position is fixed. By setting the original and scanning the image scanner 33 in this way, the image of the original is read. On the other hand, when reading a thick original or a heavy original like a book or a booklet, the image reading of the original R is performed by scanning the image scanner 33 with the scanner housing 30A opened as in the above embodiment. Do.

  In such a multifunction machine 1A, as shown in FIG. 12, a paper discharge port 22 and a document insertion port 37 are opened upward on the upper surface of the apparatus housing, but as shown in FIG. When the handle 7 is laid down to the closed position, both the paper discharge port 22 and the document insertion port 37 are closed by the handle 7, and dust or the like enters the inside of the printer housing 20 from the paper discharge port 22. It is possible to prevent dust and the like from entering through the document insertion opening 37 and adhering to the platen glass 32.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a multifunction machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration of the multifunction machine 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which the recording paper P is conveyed on the conveyance path 23. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which the recording paper P is conveyed along the conveyance path 23. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which the recording paper P is conveyed along the conveyance path 23. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which the recording paper P is conveyed along the conveyance path 23. FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which the recording paper P is conveyed along the conveyance path 23. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit using the electrical component 26. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the handle 7 is in the closed posture. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state of the handle 7 during carrying. FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the state of the handle 7 during carrying. FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the multifunction machine 1A. FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration of the multifunction machine 1A. FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a conventional image recording apparatus 90.

1 ... Multifunction machine (image recording device)
7 ... handle 8 ... screen display unit 20 ... printer housing (device housing)
22 ... Paper discharge port (opening)
23 ... Conveying path 28 ... Conveying path opening / closing valve 30, 30A ... Scanner casing (apparatus casing)
37 ... Document insertion slot (opening)
63 ... Power switch 64 ... Power stop switch

Claims (10)

An opening that penetrates the upper wall of a vertically mounted device casing that is flat and thin box-shaped and that has a thickness extending direction as a vertical direction is formed, and the opening of the device casing is formed There is provided a handle that changes between a closed posture that falls on the surface and closes the opening, and an open posture that stands up from the surface and opens the opening. Transporting, recording an image on the recording medium, and after recording the image, the recording medium is held by a paper discharge stack in a state in which a part protrudes from the opening to the outside of the apparatus housing. An image recording apparatus in which a handle also serves as a power switch of the apparatus, and the power is turned on when the posture is changed to the open posture and the power is turned off when the posture is changed to the closed posture . The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an operation unit for instructing operation of the apparatus is provided on a surface of the apparatus housing where the opening is formed . It said handle is on the surface facing the surface on which the opening is formed in the closed position, the image recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 in which the screen display unit is provided. The handle is substantially U-shaped, and is provided rotatably on the apparatus housing with both ends thereof as axes, and the operation portion is disposed so as to fit in a space inside the handle U-shape. The image recording apparatus according to claim 2 or 3 . The handle is an image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is capable held in any position between the closed position and the open position. An opening that penetrates the upper wall of a vertically mounted device casing that is flat and thin box-shaped and that has a thickness extending direction as a vertical direction is formed, and the opening of the device casing is formed There is provided a handle that changes between a closed posture that falls on the surface and closes the opening, and an open posture that stands up from the surface and opens the opening. Transporting, recording an image on the recording medium, and after recording the image, the recording medium is held by a paper discharge stack in a state in which a part protrudes from the opening to the outside of the apparatus housing. handle, the device power is posture change becomes off to the closed position, open position to become what der Ru images recording device from the closed position with the power-on of the device. The grip changes its posture to the closed posture when the state where no image recording is performed in the open posture continues for a predetermined time, and enters the standby state when the image recording is performed in the standby state. The image recording apparatus according to claim 6 , which is a device. It said handle also serves as a power down switch, an image recording apparatus according to any one of 7 claims 1 to turn off the power when it is pulled upward in the state of the open position. When the recording medium is not conveyed on the conveyance path, the closed position closes the conveyance path to the conveyance path near the opening, and the opening position opens the conveyance path when the recording medium is conveyed on the conveyance path. the image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8 in which the conveying path on-off valve is provided as a. The conveyance path opening / closing valve is normally closed and elastically biased so that the recording medium conveyed along the conveyance path contacts and pushes forward to change to an open attitude. 9. The image recording apparatus according to 9 .

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