JP2001058443A - Cover opening/closing detector and recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cover opening/closing detector for assuring reliability of operating performance for a long period and having excellent cost performance and good handling operability and a recorder having the detector. SOLUTION: The cover opening/closing detector comprises a main case 1 fixed to a detector body, an access cover 3 rotatable to the case 1, a cover open switch 16 for detecting opening/closing of the cover 3, a power switch of the body, a detection switch pressing part 18 capable of pressing the switch 16, and a power switch pressing part capable of pressing the power switch. In this case, the cover 3 has a cam 22 for displacing the part 18 toward a detection switch pressing direction, and the part 18 is constituted integrally with at least the power switch pressing part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cover opening / closing detecting device for detecting the opening / closing of a movable cover member, and a recording device such as a facsimile machine, a copying machine, and a printer provided with the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an exterior structure of a recording apparatus, there has been known a recording apparatus having a main case which covers most of the apparatus and an openable / closable access cover for maintenance performed inside the apparatus by a user. When the access cover is opened, it is generally determined that a maintenance operation is performed, and in the case of a serial type ink jet recording apparatus, recording operations such as paper feeding and carriage operation are generally stopped.

[0003] As a configuration of a means for detecting the opening / closing of the access cover in this case, as shown in FIG. 9, a method of detecting the operation of the access cover via a sensor lever is known.

In FIG. 9, 101 is a main case, 102 is an access cover, 103 is a main board, 104 is a cover open switch, 105 is a switch pressing portion, 106 is a sensor lever pressing portion, 107 is a sensor lever, and 108 is a sensor lever. Spring,
109 is a chassis.

[0005] The sensor lever 107 is rotatably supported by the main case 101. FIG. 9A shows a state in which the access cover 102 is closed, and the sensor lever pressing portion 106 of the access cover 102 presses the end of the sensor lever 107. The sensor lever 1 presses the sensor lever 1
Since the force is larger than the force of the sensor lever spring 108 pressing the switch 07, the switch pressing portion 105 and the cover open switch 16 are separated in this state.

FIG. 9B is a view showing a state in which the access cover 102 is opened. When the sensor lever pressing portion 106 is separated from the sensor lever 107 and the sensor lever spring 108 presses the sensor lever 107, the switch pressing portion 105 is opened. Press the cover open switch 16.

Another method is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 05-262011.
There is a configuration disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H11-163,873. Its configuration is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 5, a part of the exterior fixed cover member 111 is provided with elasticity to form a sensor pressing portion 112, and a projection 114 formed on the cover 113 when the access cover 113 is closed.
Presses the switch.

[0008]

However, the above two prior arts have the following problems.

In the former,

(1) An access cover in which the spring force is a molding material in a normal state in which the access cover 102 is closed.
Because of the configuration related to the sensor 102 and the sensor lever 107, mold creep during long-term storage may occur.
As a result, a state in which the access cover 102 is erroneously detected as being open even though the access cover 102 is closed, may lead to a failure. Also, to prevent creep, the sensor lever spring 108
If the switch is weakened, the switch 104 may not be reliably turned on.

(2) Two parts, the sensor lever 107 and the sensor lever spring 108, are used as exclusive parts for the cover opening mechanism, and the cost performance is not good.

In the latter,

(1) Since the sensor pressing portion 112, which is a molding material, is deformed in a normal state in which the access cover 113 is closed, mold creep during long-term storage may occur. As a result, a state in which the access cover 113 is erroneously detected as being closed even though it is open may cause a failure.

(2) In a normal state in which the access cover 113 is closed, the switch is constantly pressed, so that the switch may fail due to stress.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a cover opening / closing detecting device which ensures long-term operation performance reliability, is excellent in cost performance, and is easy to use. And a recording device provided with the recording device.

[0016]

In order to achieve the above object, a typical configuration according to the present invention comprises a fixed cover member fixed to an apparatus body, and a rotatable member with respect to the fixed cover member. A movable cover member, a detection switch for detecting opening and closing of the movable cover member, a power switch of the apparatus main body, a detection switch pressing portion capable of pressing the detection switch, and a power switch pressing portion capable of pressing the power switch And the movable cover member has a cam portion for displacing the detection switch pressing portion in the detection switch pressing direction, and the detection switch pressing portion is integrally formed with at least the power switch pressing portion. It is characterized by the following.

In the above configuration, a recording apparatus having a cover-open sensor mechanism that ensures long-term reliability of operation performance and is excellent in cost performance without causing erroneous sensor detection or failure of the switch / pressing portion. Can be provided.

The cam portion of the movable cover member may have a center coaxial with the center of rotation of the movable cover member,
By using an eccentric cam consisting of a part having a center of rotation, even if the movable cover member deforms when the movable cover member is fully opened or the fitting part with the fixed cover member floats, it is unnecessary. Thus, the detection switch can be protected and the detection when the cover is opened can be performed stably and reliably without pressing the detection switch.

Further, the determination that the movable cover member has been closed is made after confirming that the detection switch has been released from the pressing for a predetermined time, so that a detection mechanism for further preventing erroneous detection. Operation reliability can be improved.

Also, a recording apparatus having the switch detection device having the above-mentioned configuration is constituted, and when the movable cover member is opened, the recording means stops after moving to a position not covered by the fixed cover member. With this configuration, the recording apparatus is in a state where the ink tank can be replaced or the head can be replaced with a single action of the user, so that it is possible to provide an easy-to-use recording apparatus.

[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, a recording apparatus provided with a cover opening / closing detecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment] An ink jet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 is a perspective explanatory view showing a state where the movable cover member is opened, FIG. 2 is a perspective explanatory view showing a state where the movable cover member is closed, FIG. 3 is a perspective explanatory view showing the inside of the apparatus, and FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of the key, and FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of opening and closing of the movable cover member and operation of the operation key.

Here, the overall configuration of the recording apparatus will be described first, and then the cover open / close detection configuration will be described.

{Overall Configuration} As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2,
The recording apparatus main body A is covered with a main case 1 and a bottom case 2. These cases 1 and 2 are fixed to a part of the frame of the recording apparatus to form a fixed cover member.
This case covers a recording medium transport unit and a recovery unit described later.

An opening is formed in a part of the main case 1, and an access cover 3 is attached so as to cover the opening. The access cover 3 is rotatably attached to the main case 1 and is configured as a movable cover member. As shown in FIG. 1, opening the access cover 3 enables access to a carriage unit described later. Thus, the head can be replaced or the ink tank can be replaced.

As shown in FIG. 3, a recording apparatus main body is built in the cover. In FIG. 3, 4
Is a chassis forming a frame of the apparatus, to which a main case 1 and a bottom case 2 are fixed.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a feeding unit on which a recording medium P before recording is placed, and a feeding roller (not shown) is rotated by a recording start signal to separate and feed the recording medium P one by one. . The fed recording medium is conveyed through the recording area by a conveying unit including a conveying unit 6 including a conveying roller and a pinch roller and a discharging unit including a discharging roller and a roller member having a small contact area with the recording medium such as a spur. Is discharged.

A carriage unit 8 as recording means is provided in the recording area, and performs predetermined recording on the recording medium P to be conveyed.
In the present embodiment, a serial type ink jet recording system is used, and a carriage 8a is attached so as to be able to reciprocate along a guide shaft 8b.
The recording head and the ink tank 8c are mounted on the printer.
Then, an ink image is recorded on the recording medium P conveyed to the recording area by discharging ink from the recording head in synchronization with the movement of the carriage 8a. The carriage 8a
A recovery unit 9 is provided at the end of the moving area so as to face the recording head, and performs recording without causing ink ejection failure by sucking ink from the recording head before starting recording.

In the present embodiment, the ink is ejected by energizing the electrothermal transducer in accordance with a recording signal and utilizing the film boiling caused by the thermal energy to grow and shrink the bubbles generated in the ink. The recording is performed by discharging the ink from the discharge port. Regarding the typical configuration and principle, it is preferable to use the basic principle disclosed in, for example, US Pat. Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796. This method can be applied to both the so-called on-demand type and the continuous type. In particular, in the case of the on-demand type, the system is arranged corresponding to a sheet or a liquid path holding a liquid (ink). By applying at least one drive signal corresponding to the recording information and providing a rapid temperature rise exceeding nucleate boiling to the electrothermal transducer, heat energy is generated in the electrothermal transducer, and the recording head is driven. This is effective because film boiling occurs on the heat-acting surface, and consequently bubbles in the liquid can be formed corresponding to this drive signal on a one-to-one basis. By discharging the liquid through the discharge opening by the growth and shrinkage of the bubble,
Form at least one drop. When the drive signal is formed into a pulse shape, the growth and shrinkage of the bubble are performed immediately and appropriately, so that particularly excellent liquid ejection can be achieved, which is more preferable.

Then, the recording medium after the recording is discharged by the discharging unit 7 and, as shown in FIG.
The sheets are sequentially discharged and stacked on a discharge tray 10 which is detachably attached to the discharge tray 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an operation section is formed on the upper surface of the apparatus, and keys 11 and 12 for inputting various commands to the apparatus are provided here.
In addition, 11 turns on / off a power switch (not shown) of the apparatus.
A power key as a power switch pressing portion for performing an operation, and a resume key 12 for releasing an error of the apparatus. Further, the operation unit is provided with a light guide 13 for displaying an operation state of the apparatus.

{Cover Open / Close Detection Structure} Next, the open / close detection structure of the access cover 3 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. FIG. 4A is a top view of the operation key 14, and FIG.
Fig. 4 (c) is a rear view of the state where
FIG. 4 is an explanatory top view of the operation unit. FIG. 5A is a sectional view showing a state in which the access cover 3 is closed, and FIG. 5B is a sectional view showing a state in which the access cover 3 is opened.

As shown in FIG. 5, the main board 15 is supported by the chassis 4, and a cover open switch 16 as a detection switch for detecting whether the access cover 3 is open or closed is integrated with the main board 15. On the other hand, the operation key 14 is an integral part composed of three parts, a power key 11, a resume key 12, and a cover open key 17, as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 18 denotes a detection switch pressing portion of the operation key 14. When the access cover 3 is opened by rotating, the switch is turned on by directly pressing the cover open switch 16. Reference numerals 19 and 20 denote switch pressing portions of the power key 11 and the resume key 12.

A key cam 21 of the operation key 14 is pressed by the access cover cam 22 when the access cover 3 is opened. Operation key 14
Are integral parts, but as shown in FIG. 4 (c), only the cam portion 14 and the keys 11, 12 which are the actual operation portions are visible from the top.

The power key 11, the resume key 12, and the cover open key 17 are integrally formed with elastically deformable areas so that their operations do not interfere with each other. In FIG. 4, 23 is an elastically deformable portion in the cover open key 17, and 24 and 24 in the power key 11 and the resume key 12, respectively.
25 is an elastic deformation part. As described above, by providing the elastically deformable portions on each of the keys, three key functions can be independently realized while being an integral part.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the access cover 3
When the is closed, the switch pressing portion 18 is separated from the cover open switch 16. In this normal state, the elastic deformation portion 23 of the operation key 14 is not deformed, and the cover open switch 16 is not stressed. It can be said that the configuration is high.

As shown in FIG. 5 (b), when the access cover 3 is opened with the rotation shaft 26 as the center of rotation, the access cover cam portion 22 presses the key cam portion 21 and thereby the switch pressing portion 18 The switch is turned on by pressing the cover open switch 16. At this time, since the elastically deforming portion 23 is deformed, the power key 11 and the resume key 12 are not affected, and only the cover open key 17 acts alone.

As described above, by using the cover opening / closing detection structure of this embodiment, erroneous detection by the sensor and failure of the switch and the pressing portion do not occur, and the reliability of the operation performance for a long time is ensured. It is possible to provide a recording apparatus having a cover opening / closing detection mechanism with excellent cost performance.

[Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the cover opening / closing detecting device will be described. Here, a configuration that is a feature of the present embodiment will be described, and the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5B, the opened access cover 3 is configured to be stopped by the stopper 27 of the main case 1. FIG. 6 is an enlarged explanatory view of the access cover cam portion 22.

As shown in FIG. 6, the access cover cam portion 22 has a small cam portion 22a having a radius of curvature R = 4.4 mm having a center coaxial with the rotating shaft 26 of the access cover 3 and a rotating shaft 26 coaxial. A large cam portion 22b having a radius of curvature R = 4 mm centered on a portion other than the upper portion. 22c is the center of the radius of curvature of the large cam portion 22b.

When the access cover 3 is further rotated while the access cover 3 is opened until stopped by the stopper 27, the access cover 3 is deformed or the main case 1 and the access cover 3 are fitted on the rotating shaft 26. The cam portion 22 may slightly float due to the gap. Here, in the present embodiment, since the large cam portion 22b is configured to press the key cam portion 21 more than the small cam portion 22a by about 0.9 mm at a distance from the rotary shaft 26, the small cam portion 22a slightly floats for the above-described reason. Even in this case, since the pressing margin is sufficiently ensured, the cover open switch 16 does not return to the OFF state when the access cover 3 is opened.

Also, since the cam portion 22 does not float during rotation, a configuration is adopted in which the stress applied to the cover open switch 16 is minimized by forming the cam shape with a minimum pressing dimension.

Further, even if the user pushes the access cover 3 further open without being noticed with the access cover 3 fully opened, or if external vibration or the like is transmitted, no malfunction occurs.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the cam portion of the movable cover member has an eccentric cam composed of a portion having a center coaxial with the center of rotation of the movable cover member and a portion having another center of rotation. By doing so, even if the movable cover member is fully deformed when the movable cover member is deformed or the fitting portion with the fixed cover member floats, the detection switch can be pressed without excessively pressing the detection switch. And the detection of the cover open can be performed stably and reliably.

It should be noted that the numerical values described in the present embodiment are merely examples, and it is not necessary to limit the numerical values.

[Third Embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the cover opening / closing detecting device will be described. Here, the configuration which is a feature of this embodiment will be described, and the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for determining whether the access cover 3 has shifted from the open state to the closed state. As shown in this flowchart,
Only when the cover open switch 16 is continuously turned off for one second or longer, it is determined that the access cover 3 is closed. As a result, the cam portion 22 instantaneously floats due to an unexpected factor, and erroneous detection can be prevented even when the switch pressing portion 18 is separated from the cover open switch 16. Thus, a highly reliable cover open switch mechanism that is not affected by external vibrations or the like can be provided.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the judgment that the movable cover has been closed is made after confirming that the detection switch has been released from the pressing for a predetermined time. The operational reliability of the detection mechanism can be improved by further preventing erroneous detection.

The time for confirming the operation need not be limited to the above-mentioned one second, but may be set as appropriate.

Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment of the cover opening / closing detecting device will be described. Here, the configuration which is a feature of this embodiment will be described, and the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart when the access cover 3 is shifted from the closed state to the open state. As shown in this flowchart, by automatically moving the carriage 8a to the ink and head replacement position when the access cover 3 is opened, the carriage 8a is further moved to the ink and head replacement position after the access cover 3 is opened. The operation for moving can be omitted.
Therefore, a more convenient recording apparatus can be provided.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, by opening the movable cover member, the recording means is moved and stopped at a position not covered by the fixed cover member, so that one user Because the recording device becomes ready for ink tank exchange and head exchange by action,
It is easier to use. [Fifth Embodiment] In the above-described embodiment, the switch pressing portion is used.
Although an example in which 18, 19, and 20 are integrally configured is shown, this is different from the detection switch pressing portion 18 at least by the power switch pressing portion.
What is necessary is just to comprise 19 integrally.

In each of the above-described embodiments, an example in which an ink jet recording system is used as a recording unit has been described. However, other recording systems such as thermal transfer recording, thermal recording,
Various recording methods such as electrophotographic recording may be used.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which the cover opening / closing detection device is used as a recording device is shown. However, this is not limited to the recording device, but may be, for example, a reading device that scans a reading sensor to read document information. It can also be used suitably.

[0056]

The present invention is constructed as described above.
No erroneous sensor detection or switch / pressing part failure
It is possible to provide a recording apparatus having a cover open sensor mechanism that ensures the reliability of operation performance over a long period of time and is excellent in cost performance.

Further, the cam portion of the movable cover member has a center coaxial with the rotation center of the movable cover member,
By using an eccentric cam consisting of a part having a center of rotation, even if the movable cover member deforms when the movable cover member is fully opened or the fitting part with the fixed cover member floats, it is unnecessary. Thus, the detection switch can be stably and reliably detected when the cover is opened, without pressing the detection switch.

Further, the determination that the movable cover member has been closed is made after confirming that the detection switch has been released from the pressing for a predetermined time, so that a detection mechanism for further preventing erroneous detection. Operation reliability can be improved.

Further, a recording apparatus having the switch detecting device having the above-mentioned structure is constituted, and when the movable cover member is opened, the recording means is moved to a position not covered by the fixed cover member and then stopped. With this configuration, the recording apparatus is in a state where the ink tank can be replaced or the head can be replaced with a single action of the user, so that it is possible to provide an easy-to-use recording apparatus.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a movable cover member is opened.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a movable cover member is closed.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory perspective view of the inside of the apparatus.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation key.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of opening / closing of a movable cover member and operation of an operation key.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged explanatory view of an access cover cam portion.

FIG. 7 is a determination flowchart for determining that the access cover has shifted from an open state to a closed state.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart when the access cover shifts from a closed state to an open state.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a cover open switch mechanism according to the related art.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a cover open switch mechanism according to the related art.

[Description of Signs] A: Recording apparatus main body P: Recording medium 1 ... Main case 2 ... Bottom case 3 ... Access cover 4 ... Chassis 5 ... Feeding unit 6 ... Transport unit 7 ... Discharge unit 8 ... Carriage unit 8a ... Carriage 8b … Guide shaft 8c… Ink tank 9… Recovery unit 10… Eject tray 11… Power key 12… Resume key 13… Light guide 14… Operation key 15… Main board 16… Cover open switch 17… Cover open key 18,19,20 ... switch pressing part 21 ... key cam part 22 ... access cover cam part 22a ... small cam part 22b ... large cam part 22c ... center of curvature 23, 24, 25 ... elastic deformation part 26 ... rotary shaft 27 ... stopper

Claims (5)

[Claims] A fixed cover member fixed to the apparatus main body; a movable cover member rotatable with respect to the fixed cover member; a detection switch for detecting opening and closing of the movable cover member; A power switch, a detection switch pressing portion capable of pressing the detection switch, and a power switch pressing portion capable of pressing the power switch, wherein the movable cover member presses the detection switch in the detection switch pressing direction. A cover opening / closing detecting device, comprising: a cam portion for displacing the cover; and the detection switch pressing portion is configured integrally with at least the power switch pressing portion. 2. The first cam section having a center of rotation coaxial with the center of rotation of the movable cover member, and the second cam having a center of rotation at a position different from the center of rotation. The cover opening / closing detection device according to claim 1, wherein the cover opening / closing detection device is an eccentric cam having a portion. 3. The cover opening / closing detecting device according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the movable cover member is closed when the pressing of the detection switch is released for a predetermined time. 4. A device main body having a conveying means for conveying a recording medium, a recording means for recording on the recording medium, and a cover opening / closing detecting device according to claim 1. A recording device comprising: 5. The recording means is a serial recording means for performing recording by moving a carriage on which a recording head is mounted, and when the movable cover member is opened, the carriage moves to a position not covered by the fixed cover member. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the recording apparatus stops later.