JP2000071555A - Upper cover opening/closing mechanism for printer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To open/close an upper cover with a light force while mounting printed media. SOLUTION: The inventive mechanism can open/close an upper cover (printed media) 21 while keeping horizontal state by utilizing the inclination θ link bars 41F, 41B supporting the upper cover 21. Upper part (OPN) of the body case 11 can be opened when the upper cover 21 is moved to the downstream (upstream) side in the discharging direction of the printed media and can be closed when the upper cover 21 is moved to the other side. The mechanism further comprises a damper mechanism for suppressing the impact force at the time of closing the body case.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a printer upper cover opening / closing mechanism in which a printed medium can be discharged and collected on an upper cover provided on an upper part of a main body case.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In various printers 10P, for example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a printed medium (paper or the like) can be discharged and collected in an X direction on an upper cover 21 provided on an upper part of a main body case 11. Often formed. Note that 13
Is a side cover that also serves as a manual feed tray.

In the printer 10P, for example, in the case of the electrophotographic system, the upper cover 21 or the side cover 13 is opened to inspect the inside, perform a jam clearance, or replace the drum unit.

Here, an opening / closing mechanism for opening / closing the upper cover 21 allows the upper cover 21 to be opened rearward around a hinge (axis Z1) in FIG. 6 and a hinge (FIG. 7). The upper cover 21 is configured to be openable to the left in the drawing around the axis Z2).

[0005]

However, since the conventional upper cover opening / closing mechanism has a structure in which the operator applies the opening / closing force while holding the upper cover 21 to tilt and rotate the upper cover 21, a print job (for example, , 500 prints), the jam processing or the like cannot be performed unless the medium printed and discharged up to that point is removed from the upper cover 21. If the upper cover 21 is tilted and rotated without being removed, the printed medium scatters from the upper cover 21.
Because it falls, it is troublesome to collect and align pages.
Moreover, a large opening force must be applied for opening.

In particular, an ink jet printer (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-13) formed so as to be able to print while continuously supplying ink to a nozzle head having a plurality of ink jet nozzles from an ink tank forming ink supply means.
No. 8520), a continuous printing operation can be performed for a long time. However, since the replacement interval of the ink bottle for replenishing the ink to the ink bottle is shorter than the replacement interval of the drum unit, there is an opportunity to open and close the cover 21. Since there are many, the above-mentioned inconveniences are more likely to occur.

Further, when the upper cover 21 is closed, there is a danger that clothes or hands may be caught between the upper part of the main body case 11 and the upper cover 21 that rotates in an inclined manner. Further, since the upper cover 21 vigorously collides with the main body case 21,
The components stored in the main body case may come off or break.

A first object of the present invention is to provide an upper cover opening and closing mechanism which can be opened and closed with a light force while a printed medium is placed on the upper cover. It is a second object of the present invention to provide an upper cover opening / closing mechanism for a printer that can further suppress the impact force at the time of closing.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an upper cover opening / closing mechanism for a printer, wherein a printed medium is formed on an upper cover provided on an upper portion of a main body case so as to be able to discharge and collect the printed medium. The upper cover can be opened and closed by using the tilting rotation of the link bar supporting the cover and maintaining the horizontal state of the upper cover, and the upstream and downstream sides of the printed medium discharge direction can be moved. This is an upper cover opening / closing mechanism for the printer, which is formed so that the upper part of the main body case can be opened when it is shifted to one of them and it can be closed when it is shifted to the other.

According to this invention, when the upper cover is opened (or closed), the link bar supporting the upper cover is tilted and rotated to open and close the upper cover while maintaining the horizontal state of the upper cover (printed medium). Transition. The opening / closing transition direction is either the upstream side or the downstream side in the discharged direction of the printed medium, and the upper part of the main body case can be opened when moved to one side and closed when moved to the other side. Can be.

Therefore, the printed medium can be opened and closed while the printed medium is placed on the upper cover, and inspection, jam clearance, parts replacement, and the like in the main body case can be performed quickly and easily through the upper opening.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is capable of generating and selecting a closing direction urging force on the link bar when the inclination angle of the link bar is smaller than the selected opening / closing angle when the upper cover is opened and closed. The upper cover opening / closing mechanism of the printer is provided with an opening / closing spring capable of generating an opening direction urging force on the link bar when the opening / closing angle is exceeded.

In this invention, when the opening movement is applied to the upper cover and the opening movement is performed against the urging force of the opening / closing spring via the link bar in the closing direction, when the inclination angle of the link bar exceeds the selected opening / closing angle. In addition, the opening / closing spring generates an opening biasing force on the link bar, that is, on the upper cover. After that, the upper cover can be opened with a light force.

Conversely, when the upper cover is closed and moved against the urging force of the opening / closing spring in the opening direction and the inclination angle of the link bar becomes equal to or smaller than the selected opening / closing angle, the opening / closing spring moves the link bar. An urging force is generated through the upper cover in the closing direction. Thereafter, the upper cover can be closed with a light force.

Therefore, in addition to providing the same operation and effect as the case of the first aspect of the present invention, handling at the time of opening and closing is simple, and the opening and closing can be performed with a lighter force.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the upper cover is operated to close and shift against the urging force of the opening / closing spring in the opening direction, and the inclination angle of the link bar is smaller than the selected opening / closing angle. The tilt angle of the link bar can be temporarily stopped and held against the closing direction biasing force of the opening / closing spring at the temporarily held angle, and when the link bar is in the temporarily held state and the upper cover is further attached to the upper cover. An upper cover opening / closing mechanism of a printer provided with a damper mechanism formed so as to release the temporary hold of the link bar when a forced external force in a closing direction is applied.

In this invention, when the upper cover is closed and moved against the urging force of the opening / closing spring in the opening direction, and when the inclination angle of the link bar becomes a temporary holding angle equal to or smaller than the selected opening / closing angle, the damper mechanism operates. The inclination angle of the link bar is temporarily stopped and held at the pause holding angle against the urging force of the opening / closing spring in the closing direction. In other words, it is prevented that the urging force of the opening / closing spring is instantaneously switched from the urging force in the opening direction to the urging force in the closing direction, and the closing shift operation of the upper cover is temporarily stopped.

Further, the damper mechanism releases the temporary hold of the link bar when a further external force in the closing direction is applied to the upper cover. That is, the activation of the closing direction biasing force of the opening / closing spring is permitted.

Therefore, in addition to providing the same operation and effect as in the case of the second aspect of the present invention, at the time of a temporary stop, the operator can determine whether clothes or hands are between the upper cover and the main body case. Since the check can be performed and the impact force at the time of closing can be suppressed, it is safe and, for example, detachment or breakage of components in the main body case due to strong impact can be eliminated.

Further, the invention according to claim 4, wherein the damper mechanism is rotatable about an axis and is capable of engaging with the link bar when the inclination angle of the link bar is equal to or less than the pause holding angle. A biasing force against the closing direction biasing force of the opening / closing spring can be generated on the link bar via a hook member when the inclination angle of the link bar is equal to or less than the pause holding angle and equal to or greater than the selected damper angle. And an upper cover opening / closing mechanism formed by a damper spring.

According to this invention, when the upper cover is closed and moved against the urging force of the opening / closing spring in the opening direction and the inclination angle of the link bar becomes a suspension holding angle equal to or less than the selected opening / closing angle, the link bar has a damper mechanism. Are engaged with each other. Further, the damper spring generates a biasing force against the closing direction biasing force of the opening / closing spring via the hook member.

That is, the hook member engages with the link bar, and the damper spring generates an urging force against the urging force of the opening / closing spring in the closing direction to temporarily stop the inclination angle of the link bar at the pause holding angle. And hold. When a further external force in the closing direction is applied to the upper cover, the temporary hold of the link bar is released. That is, the activation of the closing direction biasing force of the opening / closing spring is permitted.

However, the damper spring continues to resist the urging force of the opening / closing spring in the closing direction as long as the inclination angle of the link bar is equal to or less than the temporary holding angle and equal to or greater than the selected damper angle. The selected damper angle may be the same as the closing angle of the link bar when the upper cover is completely closed.

Therefore, in addition to providing the same operation and effect as in the case of the third aspect of the present invention, the impact force at the time of closing the link bar is suppressed from the temporary holding angle to the selected damper angle smaller than the temporary holding angle. Therefore, the upper cover can be further softly landed, and the influence on the components in the main body case can be lightened, and the internal structure can be simplified.

Still further, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the printer is an ink jet printer capable of printing while supplying ink from an ink tank to a nozzle head having a plurality of ink jet nozzles through a tube, and wherein the upper cover is open. An upper cover opening / closing mechanism of a printer mounted on the main body case as a replaceable position for an ink bottle that can be detachably attached to the ink tank through an open space above the main body case.

According to this aspect of the invention, it is possible to exchange the ink bottle that can be attached to and detached from the ink tank housed in the main body case through the open space above the main body case when the upper cover is open. Therefore, in addition to providing the same operation and effect as in each of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the continuous printing operation time of the ink jet printer that performs printing while supplying ink from the ink tank to the nozzle head is further reduced. Can be greatly extended.

[0027]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

The upper cover opening / closing mechanism 40 of the printer 10
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the upper cover 21 uses the inclined rotation θ of the link bars 41F and 41B that support the upper cover 21 and maintains the horizontal state of the upper cover (printed medium). Can be opened and closed, and can be moved to the downstream side (may be constructed on the upstream side) in the printed medium discharge (X) direction.
N) can be opened and closed when it is shifted to the other side. In addition, a damper mechanism 50 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is provided so that an impact force at the time of closing can be suppressed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printer of the present invention has a nozzle head 34 having a plurality of ink jet nozzles from an ink tank 39, as in the case of the previously proposed printer.
It is formed so as to be able to print on a medium (paper or the like) while supplying ink to and discharging ink from a selected inkjet nozzle. In this embodiment, four colors (cyan, yellow, magenta, and black) are provided.
Paper can be printed in color at a high speed of 20 PPM.

More specifically, in FIG.
The paper (printing medium) supplied from 0 is conveyed and held by the rotating body 33 rotating in one direction R by the upstream-side conveying means 31U, and is rotated synchronously with the rotating body 33. Hand tray 1
3 can also supply the medium. 32 is a charging roller.

The nozzle head 34 can be moved up and down by the elevating means 35 to a maintenance position remote from the printing position approaching the rotating body 33. Reference numeral 37 denotes a maintenance unit that moves between the nozzle head 34 at the maintenance position and the rotating body 33 to maintain the nozzle head 34.

The printed medium is discharged to the upper cover 21 in the X direction by the downstream transport means 31D and collected.
For example, 500 printed media can be collected on the upper cover 21.

The ink tank 39 is constantly supplied with ink from a detachable ink bottle 39B. The ink level in the ink tank 39 is controlled to be constant.
In the printing state, the ink supply pump 3 having a valve function
8 can be opened and ink can be supplied to the nozzle head 34 using the negative pressure generated by the nozzle head 34. Of course, the ink supply pump 38 may be driven. The pump 38 is also driven during maintenance.

The components (33, 34, 38, 39)
Etc.) are stored inside the main body case 11. In particular, when the upper cover 21 is opened, its open space OPN
The ink bottle 39B is configured to be exchangeable from the outside through the ink bottle 39B. By opening the manual feed tray 13, the rotating body 33 and the like can be taken out.

Here, the upper cover opening / closing mechanism 40 is
The upper cover 21 includes a pair of link bars 41F and 41B and the respective open / close springs 45F and 45B shown in FIGS.
The link bar 41F,
When the inclination angle θ of 41B is equal to or smaller than the selected opening / closing angle θ3, the closing direction urging force can be generated on the link bars 41F and 41B, and when exceeding the selected opening / closing angle θ3, the opening direction urging force is applied to the link bars 41F and 41B. Is formed so as to be generated.

That is, the base end (hole 42HF) of the link bar 41F shown in FIG.
And the tip (43HF) is rotatably attached to the locking piece 22F of the upper cover 21 via the rotation support shaft 43F.

The base end of the opening / closing spring 45F is locked by an opening / closing spring hook 46F on the body case 11 side, and the tip end is a spring hook roller 47F provided in the middle of the link bar 41F.
It is locked to. The opening / closing spring 45F is provided when the inclination angle θ of the link bar 41F is the selected opening / closing angle θ3.
It is located on a line connecting the opening / closing spring hook 46F and the support shaft 42F. That is, the urging force (tensile force) of the opening / closing spring 45F is applied in the longitudinal direction of the link bar 41F, and
The rotation power of the link bar 41F centered on F is not used.

However, when the inclination angle θ of the link bar 41F is smaller than the selected opening / closing angle θ3, the axis of the opening / closing spring 45F is on the left side of the support shaft 42F as shown by a solid line in FIG. In FIG. 2, a rotational force in the leftward rotation direction, that is, a closing direction urging force for urging the upper cover 21 in the closing direction in FIG. 2 is generated.

On the other hand, when the inclination angle θ of the link bar 41F exceeds the selected opening / closing angle θ3, the axis of the opening / closing spring 45F is on the right side of the support shaft 42F as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. In FIG. 2, a turning force in the clockwise direction in FIG. 2, that is, an opening direction urging force for urging the upper cover 21 in the opening direction is generated about the support shaft 42 </ b> F.

That is, in the angle range θ13 from the selected opening / closing angle θ3 to the closing angle θ1 in FIG. 2, the closing direction urging force is applied to the link bar 41F, and the angle range θ34 from the selected opening / closing angle θ3 to the opening angle θ4 is set. Between them, the opening direction urging force is applied to the link bar 41F. Note that the tilt rotation angles θ1 to θ4 of the link bar 41F are restrained by slidably fitting an open / close spring hook 47F in the guide groove 25 shown in FIG.

Thus, the operator grips the upper cover 21 to apply an opening force, and performs an opening shift operation in the rightward direction in FIGS. 1 and 2 against the urging force of the opening / closing spring 45F via the link bar 41F in the closing direction. The inclination angle θ of the link bar 41F becomes larger than the closing angle θ1, and the selected opening / closing angle θ3
The opening / closing spring 45F generates (applies) an urging force in the opening direction to the link bar 41F, that is, to the upper cover 21.
I do. Thereafter, the upper cover 21 can be opened with a light force.

On the contrary, the upper cover 21 is
When the closing movement is performed in the leftward direction in FIG. 2 against the urging force of the opening direction of 5F and the inclination angle θ of the link bar 41F becomes smaller than the opening angle θ4 and becomes equal to or less than the selected opening / closing angle θ3, the opening / closing spring 45F is opened. Generates (applies) an urging force in the closing direction of the upper cover 21 via the link bar 41F. Thereafter, the upper cover 21 can be closed with a light force.

Incidentally, The link bar 41B and the opening / closing spring 45B on the downstream side in the discharge (X) direction of the printed medium also operate similarly to the case of the link bar 41F and the opening / closing spring 45F on the upstream side.

Accordingly, the printed medium can be opened and closed with the printed medium placed on the upper cover 21, and the inspection, jam clearance, parts replacement, and the like in the main body case 11 can be performed quickly and easily through the upper opening OPN. But it can be opened and closed with even lighter force.

However, if the urging force of the opening / closing springs 45F, 45B is excessively increased in order to enhance the reduction of the opening / closing force of the upper cover 21, the impact force particularly when the door is closed becomes extremely large. Therefore, a damper mechanism 50 is provided.

The damper mechanism 50 is used when the upper cover 21 is closed and moved against the urging force of the opening / closing spring 45F shown in FIG. 2 and the inclination angle θ of the link bar 41F is equal to or less than the selected opening / closing angle θ3. At the stop holding angle θ2, the inclination angle θ (θ2) of the link bar 41F is temporarily stopped and held against the urging force of the opening / closing spring 45F in the closing direction. This is for releasing the temporary hold of the link bar 41F when a further external force in the closing direction is applied to the cover 21 to greatly suppress the impact force at the time of closing.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the tilt angle θ of the link bar 41F is rotatable about an axis (support shaft 53) on the upper cover 21 side and the pause holding angle θ
2 or less, the link bar 41F (opening / closing spring hook 47F)
Member 51 (U-shaped engaging portion 52) capable of engaging with hook
When the inclination angle θ of the link bar 41F is equal to or smaller than the pause holding angle θ2 and equal to or larger than the selected damper angle (θ1), the urging force against the closing direction urging force of the opening / closing spring 45F via the hook member 51 is applied. The damper spring 55 is formed on the link bar 41F.

The base end of the damper spring 55 is
The first end is locked by a damper spring hook 56 and the tip end is a spring stopper 54 provided on the upper side of the hook member 51 in FIG.
It is locked to. The longitudinal direction (axis) of the damper spring 55 can swing between θu and θd in FIG. 4 around the damper spring hook 56 as the hook member 51 rotates about the support shaft 53. it can.

That is, when the link bar 41F is closed at the closing angle θ1
And the temporary stop holding angle θ2, the transition from θu to θd is made around the support shaft 53. Link bar 4
The closing angle θ1 of 1F is determined by the spring cover roller 47 and the upper cover 2.
It is regulated at one (lower) end position of the guide groove 25 on one side,
The suspension holding angle θ2 is regulated by a stopper 59 on the upper cover 21 side that can be locked to the hook member 51. The opening angle θ4 is regulated at the other (upper) end position of the guide groove 25.

Therefore, the upper cover 21 is
When the closing movement is performed against the urging force of the link F in the opening direction and the inclination angle θ of the link bar 41F becomes the temporary stop holding angle θ2 equal to or smaller than the selected opening / closing angle θ2, the spring hanging roller 47F of the link bar 41F is moved to the damper mechanism 50. Is engaged (fitted) with the engaging portion 52 of the hook member 51.

Further, the damper spring 55 generates an urging force against the closing direction urging force of the opening / closing spring 45F via the hook member 51. This is because the damper spring 55 always exists above the support shaft 53 in FIG.

That is, the hook member 51 (52) engages with the link bar 41F (47F) and the damper spring 55
Generates an urging force against the urging force of the opening / closing spring 45F in the closing direction, and temporarily stops and holds the inclination angle θ of the link bar 41F at the pause holding angle θ2.

Therefore, when the forcible external force in the closing direction is applied to the upper cover 21 to rotate the hook member 51 clockwise about the support shaft 53 in FIG. 4, the temporary holding of the link bar 41F is released. can do.

That is, when the rotation angle of the hook member 51 is θd
, The urging force of the damper spring 55 against the hook member 51 in the counterclockwise direction becomes weaker.
The activation of the action of the urging force in the closing direction of F can be gradually and largely allowed.

Therefore, at the time of a temporary stop, the operator can check whether or not clothes or hands are between the upper cover 21 and the main body case 11 and can suppress the impact force at the time of closing, which is safe. At the same time, for example, detachment or breakage of components in the main body case 11 due to strong impact can be eliminated.

However, as long as the substantial biasing force of the damper spring 55 is weakened, as long as the inclination angle θ of the link bar 41F is equal to or greater than the selected damper angle that is equal to or less than the temporary stop holding angle θ2, the closing direction of the opening / closing spring 45F is limited. Continue to oppose the power. In other words, it continues to exert the suppressing force.

In this embodiment, the selected damper angle is selected to be the same as the closing angle θ1 of the link bar 41F when the upper cover 21 is completely closed. However, the angle may be larger than the closing angle θ1.

Therefore, the impact force when closing the link bar 41F to the selected damper angle (θ1) which is equal to or less than the temporary stop holding angle θ2 can be suppressed, so that it is safer and the upper cover 21 can be further soft-landed. The influence on the components in the main body case 11 can be reduced, and the internal structure can be simplified.

When the upper cover 21 is open, the ink bottle 39B which can be detachably attached to the ink tank 39 from outside through the open space OPN shown in FIG. Have been. Therefore, printing can be performed while supplying ink from the ink tank 39 to the nozzle head 34,
The continuous printing operation time can be greatly extended.

[0060]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the upper cover is formed to be openable and closable by utilizing the tilt rotation of the link bar and moving the upper cover to open and close while maintaining the horizontal state. The upper cover opening / closing mechanism of the printer can be opened and closed while the printed medium is placed on the upper cover, and the inspection, jam clearance, parts replacement, and the like in the main body case can be performed quickly and easily through the upper opening.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the inclination angle of the link bar is equal to or less than the selected opening / closing angle, the closing direction urging force can be generated on the link bar, and when the link bar exceeds the selected opening / closing angle, the link is provided. Since the bar is provided with an opening / closing spring capable of generating a biasing force in the opening direction, the same effect as that of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained. Can be opened and closed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the inclination angle of the link bar is temporarily stopped and held against the urging force of the opening / closing spring in the closing direction with the inclination angle of the link bar being equal to or less than the selected opening / closing angle. A damper mechanism is provided that is capable of releasing the temporary hold of the link bar when a further external force in the closing direction is applied to the upper cover. In addition to the above effects, the operator can check whether clothes and hands are between the upper cover and the main body case at the time of a temporary stop, and can suppress the impact force at the time of closing. In addition to being safe, it is possible to eliminate detachment or breakage of components in the main body case due to, for example, a strong impact.

Further, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the damper mechanism includes a hook member capable of engaging with the link bar when the inclination angle of the link bar is equal to or less than the suspension holding angle and the inclination angle of the link bar being temporarily suspended. The invention according to claim 3, wherein the biasing force against the closing direction biasing force of the opening / closing spring is generated from the link bar and the damper spring capable of generating the biasing force against the closing direction biasing force when the holding angle is equal to or less than the selected damper angle. In addition to providing the same effect as above, the impact force at the time of closing the link bar from the suspension holding angle to the selected damper angle can be suppressed, and it is safer, and the upper cover is further softened Since the landing can be performed, the influence on the components in the main body case can be reduced, and the internal structure can be simplified.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, the printer is an ink jet printer capable of printing while supplying ink through a tube from an ink tank to a nozzle head having a plurality of ink jet nozzles, and in a state where the upper cover is open. Since the ink bottle which can be detachably attached to the ink tank from the outside through the open space in the upper part of the main body case is attached to the main body case as a replaceable position, the same as in each of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention. In addition to the effect, the continuous printing operation time of the ink jet printer that performs printing while supplying ink from the ink tank to the nozzle head can be greatly extended.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view for explaining an opening and closing operation of an upper cover opening mechanism.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view for explaining a relationship between an upper cover and an upper cover opening / closing mechanism in which a part is omitted.

FIG. 4 is also a side view for explaining a damper mechanism.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view for explaining the relationship between the upper cover and the damper mechanism.

FIG. 6 is an external perspective view for explaining a conventional example (1).

FIG. 7 is an external perspective view for explaining a conventional example (2).

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Ink jet printer (printer) 11 Main body case 21 Upper cover 22 Locking piece 25 Guide groove 30 Paper supply means 33 Rotating body 34 Nozzle head 36 Tube 38 Ink supply pump 39 Ink tank 39B Ink bottle 40 Upper cover opening / closing mechanism 41 Link bar 42 Support shaft 43 Rotation support shaft 45 Open / close spring 46 Open / close spring hook 47 Spring hook roller 50 Damper mechanism 51 Hook member 52 Engagement part 53 Support shaft (axis) 54 Spring stop 55 Damper spring 56 Damper spring hook θ1 closing angle (selection damper angle) ) Θ2 Pause holding angle θ3 Selectable opening / closing angle θ4 Opening angle

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An upper cover opening / closing mechanism for a printer, wherein a printed medium is formed on an upper cover provided on an upper portion of a main body case so as to be able to discharge and recover the printed medium, wherein a tilting rotation of a link bar supporting the upper cover is performed. The upper case can be opened and closed and moved while using the upper cover while maintaining the horizontal state of the upper cover, and the main body case can be moved to one of the upstream side and the downstream side in the printed medium discharge direction. An upper cover opening / closing mechanism formed so that the upper part of the printer can be opened and closed when moved to the other side. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein when the upper cover is opened and closed, the link bar has an inclination angle equal to or less than a selected opening / closing angle and a closing direction urging force can be generated on the link bar and the link bar exceeds the selected opening / closing angle. 2. An upper cover opening and closing mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said link bar is provided with an opening and closing spring capable of generating an urging force in an opening direction. 3. The opening and closing operation when the upper cover is closed and moved against the urging force of the opening and closing spring in the opening direction, and the inclination angle of the link bar is a temporary holding angle equal to or less than the selected opening and closing angle. The inclination angle of the link bar can be temporarily stopped and held against the biasing force of the spring in the closing direction, and when the link bar is in the pause holding state, further external force in the closing direction is added to the upper cover. 3. The upper cover opening / closing mechanism of the printer according to claim 2, further comprising a damper mechanism formed so as to release the temporary holding of the link bar when the link bar is released. 4. A hook member rotatable around an axis and capable of engaging with the link bar when the inclination angle of the link bar is equal to or less than the pause holding angle, and a tilt of the link bar. And a damper spring capable of generating a biasing force against the closing direction biasing force of the opening / closing spring via a hook member on the link bar when the angle is equal to or less than the pause holding angle and equal to or greater than the selected damper angle. An upper cover opening / closing mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the upper cover is opened and closed. 5. An ink jet printer capable of printing while supplying ink through a tube from an ink tank to a nozzle head having a plurality of ink jet nozzles, wherein the ink jet printer is capable of printing, and an open space above the main body case when the upper cover is open. The upper cover opening / closing mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an ink bottle detachably attached to the ink tank from the outside through the printer is mounted on the main body case as a replaceable position.