JP4453563B2 - Image recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that transports a recording medium in an apparatus housing and records an image on the recording medium.

  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. 6 shows an external configuration of a conventional image recording apparatus. As shown in FIG. 6, the image recording apparatus 90 includes 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 reading carriage (not shown) are provided below a document cover 96 that can be opened and closed as a top plate of the image recording apparatus 90. The image reading carriage is scanned in a predetermined direction to read an image of a document placed on the platen glass.

  In addition, an operation panel 97 for performing various operations is provided on the front of the image recording apparatus 90, and a plurality of small memory cards that are external recording media can be mounted below the operation panel 97. A media mounting portion 98 having a plurality of slots is provided.

  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 image recording apparatus 90, the user's operations such as the operation panel 97 and the media mounting unit 98 are concentrated on the front side of the apparatus, so that the small memory card which is an external recording medium is used. The insertion / extraction can be performed from the front side of the apparatus. Therefore, if the type of the corresponding small memory card is written around each slot of the media mounting unit 98, the user can use the external recording medium by checking the notation from the front side of the apparatus. It can be easily determined which of a plurality of slots of the media loading unit 98 should be loaded with a predetermined type of small memory card.

  However, if the media loading unit 98 is arranged on the side of the device, the user confirms the slot of the media loading unit 98 into which the predetermined type of small memory card to be inserted is inserted unless the user looks into the side of the device. This makes it difficult to mount a small memory card.

  In particular, the vertical image recording apparatus has the advantage of reducing the installation area of the apparatus, but also reduces the cross-sectional area of the apparatus, so that operation members such as the operation panel 97 and the media mounting portion 98 are provided on the upper surface of the apparatus. It is difficult to place everything. Further, when the image recording apparatus is a multifunction machine having a scanner function and the like, if a scanner unit or the like is arranged on the front side of the apparatus, a space where an operation member can be arranged on the front side is reduced. In such a case, there is no choice but to place an item that is less frequently used than the operation panel 97 on the side surface of the apparatus, such as the media mounting unit 98, and the above-described problem arises. Such a problem becomes conspicuous because the space for arranging the operation member becomes smaller as the vertical type image recording apparatus becomes smaller and thinner.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in an image recording apparatus that transports a recording medium in an apparatus housing and records an image on the recording medium, a medium mounted on a side surface of the apparatus It is an object of the present invention to provide means for facilitating insertion / extraction of an external recording medium to / from a section. Another object of the present invention is to provide means capable of realizing a reduction in size and thickness of the image recording apparatus.

The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus for transporting a recording medium in an apparatus housing and recording an image on the recording medium . The external recording medium is inserted into and removed from a vertical surface of the apparatus housing to the side. medium loading portion is provided with slots capable, surface around the opening of the slot, the top toward the side of the device housing is formed in a waveform undulations along the longitudinal direction so as to protrude, The type of the external recording medium that can be attached to the slot is described on the upward inclined surface of the undulated surface that faces obliquely upward of the apparatus housing. Thereby, the notation of the upper inclined surface can be easily visually recognized from both the upper side and the side of the device, and the slot into which the external recording medium can be attached can be determined easily and quickly.

  Further, in the present invention, the slot is provided so that the opening is vertically long, and the surface around the opening of the slot is undulated so that the substantially center in the vertical direction of the opening is recessed. As a result, the external recording medium can be inserted into and removed from the slot with a substantially central portion.

According to the present invention, the media mounting portion is provided on any one of the vertical surfaces of the apparatus housing. Thereby, since an external recording medium can be mounted from one side of the apparatus, operability is improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the media mounting portion includes a plurality of the slots, and the slots are arranged in the vertical direction. As a result, the thickness of the device casing is reduced to reduce the thickness of the device, while the media mounting portion can easily and quickly determine the slot into which the external recording media can be mounted as described above. Good operability.

Further, according to the present invention, the device casing is a flat and thin box-like one, and is a vertically installed type in which the direction in which the thickness of the device casing extends is a vertical direction. In a vertical-type image recording device, the media mounting unit is arranged on the vertical surface of the device housing, so that the device can be reduced in size and thickness, and other operations can be performed on the upper surface and the front surface of the device housing. Space for placing members is free. On the other hand, in the media loading section, as described above, the notation of each upper inclined surface can be easily seen from both the diagonally upper side and the side of the device, and the slot in which the external recording medium can be loaded is simple. And since it can be judged quickly, operability is good.

As described above, according to the image recording apparatus of the present invention, the top portion protrudes from the surface around the slot opening of the media mounting portion provided on the vertical surface of the apparatus casing toward the side of the apparatus casing. In this way, the shape of the waveform that undulates along the vertical direction is formed , and the type of external recording medium that can be mounted in the slot is described on the inclined surface of the undulating surface that faces obliquely upward of the apparatus housing. Therefore, the notation of the upper inclined surface can be easily seen from both the upper side and the side of the device, and the slot into which the external recording medium can be mounted can be determined easily and quickly. This improves the operability of the image recording apparatus. Further, by arranging the slots of the media mounting portion in the vertical direction, the thickness of the device casing can be reduced and the device can be made thinner. In particular, when the device casing is of a flat and thin box shape and is vertically installed with the direction in which the thickness of the device casing extends as the vertical direction, these effects are remarkable. Demonstrated.

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. The printer unit 2 of the multifunction machine 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 connected to a computer (not shown), the printer unit 2 records an image or document on recording paper based on the image data or document data transmitted from the computer, and the scanner unit 3 The image data of the original can be read and converted into image data, and the image data can be output to a computer or the like. Also, the multifunction device 1 alone is connected to an external device such as a digital camera and output from the digital camera or the like. The image data recorded on the recording medium can be recorded on the recording sheet by mounting various recording media such as a small memory card.

  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 unit 21 (not shown) is formed on the back side of the printer housing 20, and a paper discharge port 22 is opened upward on the upper surface of the printer housing 20. 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 an ink jet recording head is placed on the recording paper transported by the transport mechanism 40 along the transport path 23. 24 performs image recording, and the recording paper on which the image has been recorded is discharged upward from the paper discharge port 22.

  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, a liquid crystal display, and the like. The multifunction device 1 is also connected to a computer in response to an operation instruction from the operation panel 4. The operation is also performed by an instruction transmitted from a computer via a printer driver or a 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 and the display of the operation panel 4 can be viewed and operated from either the front side or the top side, so that the visibility and operation can be performed regardless of whether the multifunction device 1 is installed on the table or on the floor. There is an advantage that it is good.

  Further, on the side surface of the printer housing 20, there is provided a media mounting portion 5 on which various small memory cards as external recording media can be mounted. As shown in FIG. 1, the door can be opened and closed when not in use. Thus, the opening is sealed to prevent foreign matters such as dust from entering. When the door of the media mounting portion 5 is opened, the slots 5a, 5b, and 5c are exposed on the side surface of the printer housing 20, as shown in FIG. Thereby, each small memory card can be inserted and removed from the side with respect to each slot 5a, 5b, 5c. In FIG. 2, the door for closing the media mounting portion 5 and the cartridge mounting portion 6 is omitted for convenience of explanation.

  Each of the slots 5a, 5b, and 5c includes, for example, an SD memory card, a compact flash (registered trademark), a smart media (registered trademark), or a small memory card with a different standard called a memory stick (registered trademark) and data The slots 5a, 5b, and 5c corresponding to the three types of small memory cards are arranged in the vertical direction with openings on the side surfaces. Note that the number of slots in the media loading unit 5 can be increased or decreased.

  The small memory card stores, for example, still image data photographed with a digital camera or moving image data photographed with a digital video camera, and the small memory card is stored in any of the slots 5a, 5b, 5c according to the standard. By mounting the card, the multi-function device 1 can read out image data recorded on the small memory card and record an arbitrary image on a recording sheet by the printer unit 2.

  As described above, in the vertical type multifunction peripheral 1, the media mounting unit 5 having the plurality of slots 5a, 5b, and 5c corresponding to the small memory cards of different standards is arranged on the side surface of the printer casing 20, thereby combining the On one side of the machine 1, all the various small memory cards can be attached and detached, and the operability of the multifunction machine 1 is improved. In addition, a space for arranging other operation members such as the scanner unit 3 and the operation panel 4 on the upper surface and the front surface of the printer housing 20 is vacant. In addition, since the slots 5a, 5b, and 5c are arranged in the vertical direction on the side surface of the printer housing 20, the thickness of the printer housing 20 is reduced, so that the multifunction device 1 can be thinned. In the present embodiment, the media mounting unit 5 is arranged on the left side surface of the multifunction machine 1, but it is natural that the same effect can be obtained by arranging it on the right side surface.

  Furthermore, ink cartridges for each color ink of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) are loaded on the same side surface of the printer housing 20 as the side surface on which the media mounting unit 5 is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, when the ink cartridge is not replaced, as shown in FIG. 1, the opening is sealed by an openable / closable door. The entry of foreign matter such as dust is prevented. As shown in FIG. 2, when the door of the cartridge mounting portion 6 is opened, four cartridge mounting portions 6y, 6m, 6c, 6k are provided corresponding to the CMYK ink cartridges. The ink cartridges are exchanged by inserting / removing the ink cartridges to / from 6m, 6c, and 6k from the side. As described above, since the cartridge mounting unit 6 and the media mounting unit 5 are disposed on the same side surface of the printer housing 20, on one side surface of the multi-function device 1, all the ink cartridges are exchanged and a small memory is used. The card can be attached and detached, and the operability of the multifunction device 1 is improved.

  The positional relationship between the media mounting unit 5 and the cartridge mounting unit 6 is arbitrary. However, as shown in the figure, by placing the media mounting unit 5 on the upper side of the cartridge mounting unit 6, the cartridge mounting unit 6 Even if ink leakage or the like occurs, it is preferable because the electronic components of the small memory card and the media mounting unit 5 are not contaminated by the ink.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, 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 housing 20, and is laid down on the upper surface of the printer housing 20. It is provided so as to be able to swing so as to stand up. When the multifunction machine 1 is used, the handle 7 stands up from the upper surface of the printer housing 20 as shown in the figure, and becomes a handle for carrying the device, and when not in use. The paper discharge port 22 is swung so as to fall down on the upper surface, and foreign matter such as dust and dust is prevented from entering the inside of the apparatus.

  The scanner unit 3 is configured as a so-called flat bed scanner. As shown in the figure, the width and height of the scanner housing 30 of the scanner unit 3 corresponds to a maximum original that can be read, for example, an A4 size original. On the other hand, the thickness (depth) is smaller than both the width and 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. 3 shows the internal configuration of the multifunction device 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. Etc.

  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 41 provided inside the printer housing 20, and a printer housing. And a lid 42 that constitutes the back surface of 20. As shown in the figure, the lid 42 is tiltably provided on the back side of the apparatus, and the lid 42 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 41 one by one. A paper feed roller 43 for supplying to the path 23 is provided. The sheet feeding roller 43 is rotated by a driving force of a motor (not shown) transmitted by a driving transmission mechanism (not shown) formed by meshing a plurality of gears. On the other hand, a guide 44 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 43. The guide 44 is urged toward the paper feed roller 43 by a spring or the like (not shown), and presses the recording paper P against the paper feed roller 43 in a standing posture. Accordingly, when the paper feed roller 43 rotates while being pressed against the recording paper P, the recording paper P is drawn downward by the frictional force with the paper feeding roller 43 and fed to the transport path 23.

  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. 3, the conveyance path 23 is formed downward from the lower portion of the recording paper storage unit 21, and is reversed 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 position, thereby reducing the thickness of the printer casing 20 and the multifunction device. 1 can be reduced in size, and the floor area required for installing the multifunction machine 1 can be reduced. In this embodiment, the paper discharge port 22 is formed on the upper surface of the printer housing 20 and the path of the transport path 23 is U-shaped. However, in the present invention, the path of the transport path is limited to a U-shape. For example, a paper discharge port may be formed on the front surface of the printer housing 20 to form an L-shaped path.

  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.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the platen 25 horizontally supports the recording paper P conveyed through the conveyance path 23 at a predetermined head gap position from the inkjet recording head 24, and the image of the inkjet recording head 24. It has a horizontal plane that supports the recording paper P over the recording range. 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.

  The transport path 23 is provided with a transport mechanism 40 including a pair of transport rollers 45 and a pressing roller 46, a transport roller 47 and a spur roller 48, a paper discharge roller 49 and a pressing roller 50, and the like.

  The conveyance roller 45 and the pressing roller 46 are provided at positions opposed to the conveyance path 23 on the upstream side of the ink jet recording head 24, respectively, and sandwich the recording paper P before recording being conveyed through the conveyance path 23. Transport onto the platen 25. On the other hand, the transport roller 47 and the spur roller 48 are respectively provided at positions opposed to the transport path 23 on the downstream side of the ink jet recording head 24 and transport the recording paper P that has been recorded in a sandwiched manner. Further, on the downstream side of the conveyance path 23, a paper discharge roller 49 and a pressing roller 50 are provided at positions opposed to the conveyance path 23, respectively, and the recording paper P on which image recording has been performed is held between the recording paper P and the recording paper P. The paper P is conveyed until the leading edge of the paper P protrudes from the paper discharge port 22. Although not shown in the figure, the conveying rollers 45 and 47 and the paper discharge roller 49 are rotated by a driving force transmitted from a motor (not shown).

  The pressing rollers 46 and 50 are urged so as to be pressed against the conveying roller 45 or the paper discharge roller 49 with a predetermined pressing force, and are rotatably provided. When P enters, the recording paper P is retracted by the thickness of the recording paper P, and the recording paper P is sandwiched together with the transport roller 45 or the paper discharge roller 49, and the rotational force of the transport roller 45 or the paper discharge roller 49 is reliably recorded. This is for transmission to the paper P. The spur roller 48 is also provided in the same manner with respect to the transport roller 47. However, since the spur roller 48 is in pressure contact with the recording surface of the recorded recording paper P, the roller surface does not deteriorate the image recorded on the recording paper P. It is uneven in a spur shape.

  Therefore, the recording paper P fed from the recording paper storage unit 21 to the transport path 23 is nipped by the transport roller 45 and the pressing roller 46 and transported onto the platen 25, and when the recording paper P reaches the platen 25. Then, the sheet is intermittently conveyed on the platen 25 with a predetermined line feed width, and the ink jet recording head 24 is scanned for each line feed, 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 47 and the spur roller 48, and the recording paper P is conveyed on the leading end side to the conveying roller 47 and the spur roller 48, and on the rear end side. While being sandwiched between the roller 45 and the pressing roller 46, 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 45 and the pressing roller 46, and the nipping by these is released, and the conveying roller 47 and the spur roller 48 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 47 and the paper discharge roller 49 are continuously driven to rotate, and are held by the transport roller 47 and the spur roller 48, and the paper discharge roller 49 and the pressing roller 50. The recording sheet P thus conveyed is conveyed upward along the conveying path 23 in a standing posture, and the leading end thereof protrudes from the paper discharge port 22.

  A paper discharge stack 27 is provided on the downstream side of the paper discharge roller 49 and the pressing roller 50. 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 51 forms a space in which a plurality of recording sheets P can be held in a standing posture. As a result, the recording paper P for which image recording has been completed is sequentially stored in the paper discharge stack 27 in a state in which a part on the leading end side is projected from the paper discharge port 22.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, 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 the drawing, the scanner housing 30 of the scanner unit 3 has a reading posture 32a from a closed posture in which a reading surface 32a constituted by a platen glass 32 is closed to the outer peripheral surface on the front side of the printer housing 20. Can be opened and closed in a tilted posture P1 inclined by a predetermined angle from the vertical surface toward the open side, and further in an open posture P2 in which the upper end side of the scanner housing 30 is tilted downward by a predetermined angle from the position where the reading surface 32a becomes a horizontal plane. It has become.

  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, as shown in the figure, the scanner unit 3 is placed in a closed position so that the multifunction device placed vertically is arranged. The space in the thickness direction of 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 the scanner unit 3 is used, the scanner housing 30 is opened. Since the scanner housing 30 is disposed on the front side of the printer housing 20, it is necessary to open and close the scanner housing 30. The space 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 tilted posture P1 or the open posture P2 in accordance with the thickness of the document (read medium) from which the image is read, and the image is read. . 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 grip portion 31 of the scanner housing 30 and opens the scanner housing 30 from the closed posture shown in the drawing to the front side, the scanner housing 30 is inclined at a predetermined angle at which the inclined posture P1 is obtained. Temporarily fixed. 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 in such an inclined posture P1, 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. The image of the thick original is read by scanning the image scanner 33 in such an open posture P2.

  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 / closed only by the posture change with the posture P2 so as not to be temporarily fixed in the inclined posture P1.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 8 using the electrical component 26 of the multifunction machine 1. As shown in the figure, a central processing unit 80 composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory) is connected via a bus 81 and an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 82. The printer unit 2 and the scanner unit 3 are connected to various sensors and motors, the operation panel 4, the media mounting unit 5 and the like so as to be able to transmit and receive data. The MFP 1 is connected to a computer (PC) 83 in addition to inputs from the operation panel 4, and based on image data and document data transmitted from the computer 83, images and documents are recorded on recording paper. Can be recorded. For this purpose, an interface (I / F) for transmitting and receiving data to and from the computer 83 is also provided.

  When the multifunction device 1 performs image recording from image data recorded on the small memory card 84 attached to the media attachment unit 5, the central processing unit 60 uses the image data recorded on the small memory card 84 as media. The image data is read via the mounting unit 5 and the image data is temporarily stored in the RAM. Next, based on a control program stored in advance in the ROM, the image data temporarily stored in the RAM is displayed as a preview on the liquid crystal display of the operation panel 4. Among the images displayed in the preview, image data of an image selected by the user and instructed image recording is converted into print data, and each motor, recording head, and the like of the printer unit 2 are driven based on the print processing program. Image recording is performed by the printer unit 2. Note that the configuration of the control unit 8 and the control method for reading and printing image data from the small memory card 84 are only examples, and the control of the image recording apparatus according to the present invention is included in the present embodiment. Of course, the configuration and the control method of the control unit 8 shown are not limited.

  FIG. 5 shows a cross section of the media mounting portion 5, and a small memory card 52 of a corresponding standard is mounted in the slot 5b. As shown in the figure, each slot 5a, 5b, 5c of the media mounting portion 5 is opened to the side of the printer housing 20, and each slot 5a, 5b, 5c has a small memory of a corresponding standard. The card can be inserted into and removed from the side of the multifunction device 1. A contact 53 is provided on the back side of each of the slots 5a, 5b, and 5c. When the contact 53 and a contact (not shown) of the small memory card come into contact with each other, the small memory card is electrically connected to the control unit 8. Connected to each other, image data can be transmitted and received.

  As shown in the drawing, the surface 54 around the opening of each slot 5a, 5b, 5c has a vertical direction such that the top 55 protrudes toward the side of the printer housing 20 for each slot 5a, 5b, 5c. It is formed in a waveform that undulates along. That is, each slot 5a, 5b, 5c is provided such that its opening is vertically long, and apexes 55 are formed in the vicinity of both ends in the vertical direction of the opening of each slot 5a, 5b, 5c. A recessed portion 56 is formed at approximately the center in the vertical direction. The top portion 55 and the recessed portion 56 are continuous with a gentle curved surface, whereby the surface 54 around the opening of each slot 5a, 5b, 5c has a waveform that continuously undulates along the vertical direction. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, a small memory card that can be mounted in each slot 5a, 5b, 5c on each inclined surface 57 of the printer housing 20 obliquely upward on the corrugated surface 54 as described above. There is a notation 58 of the type. Here, the upper inclined surface 57 is a part of a curved surface continuous from the recessed portion 56 positioned relatively on the upper side to the top portion 55 positioned on the lower side. The notation 58 is printed on the upper inclined surface 57 such that characters, symbols, marks, etc. can be visually recognized by the user. Therefore, for example, a notation 58 such as “SD” for an SD memory card, “CF” for a compact flash (registered trademark), and “m” for a memory stick (registered trademark) can be used. Thereby, the notation 58 of each upper inclined surface 57 can be easily visually recognized from both the diagonally upper side and the side of the multifunction device 1.

  In particular, it is assumed that the vertical type like the multifunction machine 1 is used not only on the table but also on the floor, but it is assumed that the surface 54 around the opening of each slot 5a, 5b, 5c. Is a vertical plane, even if there is a display indicating a small memory card corresponding to the vicinity of each slot 5a, 5b, 5c, the user is positioned on the side of each slot 5a, 5b, 5c. Unless it bends in such a way or its head is lowered deeply, it cannot be determined which slot 5a, 5b, 5c corresponds to the small memory card to be mounted. According to the multi-function device 1, a small memory card that can be mounted in each slot 5 a, 5 b, 5 c on each upper inclined surface 57 facing obliquely upward of the printer housing 20 corresponding to each slot 5 a, 5 b, 5 c. Therefore, even if the multi-function device 1 is installed on the floor, the multi-function device 1 does not crouch so that the eyes are positioned on the sides of the slots 5a, 5b, 5c. The slot 58 corresponding to the small memory card to be mounted can be easily and quickly determined from each of the slots 5a, 5b and 5c.

  Further, on the surface 54 undulating, the slots 5a, 5b, 5c have a substantially central portion of each opening in the vertical direction as a recessed portion 56, so that each slot 5a, 5b has a substantially central portion of the small memory card. , 5c. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the thin flat-plate-shaped small memory card 52 mounted in the slot 5 b is aligned with the slot 5 b opened so as to be vertically long with respect to the printer housing 20. It is inserted into the slot 5b in a posture in which the front and back surfaces are in the vertical direction. When the small memory card 52 is connected to the contact 53 (not shown) in the slot 5b, the end surface on the opening side of the small memory card 52 is substantially flush with the surface 54 around the opening of the slot 5b. The concave portion 56 exposes the approximate center of the opening side end of the small memory card 52 to the side of the printer housing 20. Therefore, the user can pull out the small memory card 52 to the side while holding the approximate center of the end of the exposed small memory card 52. Conversely, when the small memory card 52 is inserted into the slot 5b, the small memory card 52 can be pushed into the slot 5b with the substantially center of the end on the opening side. As described above, the recessed portion 56 facilitates insertion / removal of the small memory card into / from the slots 5a, 5b, 5c. Further, in order to pull out the small memory card from each slot 5a, 5b, 5c, it is necessary to provide an urging mechanism for projecting the small memory card mounted in each slot 5a, 5b, 5c from the opening to the side. Therefore, the structure of the media mounting portion 5 is simplified, contributing to the downsizing of the device.

  As described above, according to the multifunction machine 1, the surface 54 around the opening of the slots 5 a, 5 b, and 5 c of the media mounting unit 5 provided on the side surface of the printer housing 20 is provided for each slot. Representation of the type of small memory card that is formed in a wave shape that undulates in the vertical direction so that the top portion 56 protrudes sideways, and that can be mounted in each slot 5a, 5b, 5c on each upper inclined surface 57 58, the notation 58 can be easily seen from both the diagonally upper side and the side of the multi-function device 1, and a slot in which a small memory card can be mounted can be easily and quickly provided from each slot 5a, 5b, 5c. There is an advantage that it can be judged.

  In the present embodiment, the media mounting portion 5 has three types of slots 5a, 5b, and 5c, and all of the slots 5a, 5b, and 5c are provided so that their openings are vertically long. However, the number of slots in the media mounting portion according to the present invention is not limited to three, and can be increased or decreased, and all the slots in the media mounting portion are provided so that their openings are vertically long. There is no need, and for example, the openings of some slots corresponding to small-sized small memory cards may be horizontally long.

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 left side view illustrating an external configuration of the multifunction machine 1. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration of the multifunction machine 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 8 using the electrical component 26. FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional configuration of the media mounting portion 5. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a conventional image recording apparatus 90.

1 ... Multifunction machine (image recording device)
5 ... Media mounting portion 5a, 5b, 5c ... Slot 20 ... Printer casing (device casing)
52 ... Small memory card (external recording medium)
54 ... surface 55 ... top 56 ... concave portion 57 ... upward inclined surface 58 ... notation

Claims (5)

An image recording apparatus that conveys a recording medium within an apparatus housing and records an image on the recording medium,
A vertical plane of the apparatus housing, the media attachment unit is provided with a slot capable disconnect the external recording medium to the side, the surface around the opening of the slot, the top toward the side of the device housing The type of external recording media that can be installed in the slot is shown on the upwardly inclined surface of the undulating surface of the device housing that is slanted upward. An image recording apparatus.   2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the slot is provided so that the opening thereof is vertically long, and a surface around the opening of the slot is undulated so that a substantially center of the opening in the vertical direction is recessed. . The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the media mounting unit is provided on any one of vertical surfaces of the apparatus housing. 4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the medium mounting unit includes a plurality of the slots, and the slots are arranged in a vertical direction. 5.   The said apparatus housing | casing is a flat thin box-shaped thing, Comprising: The vertical installation type | mold is installed by making the extending direction of the thickness of this apparatus housing | casing into a vertical direction. Image recording device.

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