JP2006218651A - Image recorder - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable easy replacement working of ink cartridges with a liquid crystal panel display part 34 being looked at. <P>SOLUTION: An upside body 3 is fixed at a pivotal part 4 to be rotary openable to one side part of a downside body 2. An ink storage part 11 for supplying ink to a recording part is set at a side part most separated from the pivotal part 4 in the downside body 2. The liquid crystal panel display part 34 is arranged in the vicinity of a side edge part near the front face of the downside body 2 in the upper face of the downside body 2, which is between the pivotal part 4 and the ink storage part 11. An opening 36 like a notch is formed in the upside body 3 so that a display face of the liquid crystal panel display part 34 can be seen when the upside body 3 is closed to the upper face of the downside body 2. Also when the upside body 3 is opened wide, the display face of the liquid crystal panel display part 34 is prevented from being hidden, and is easy to see. Thus a user can easily carry out replacement working according to an instruction message displayed on the liquid crystal panel display part 34. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a configuration of an image recording apparatus including a liquid crystal panel display unit capable of displaying data such as images and characters.

  Conventionally, multifunctional image recording devices equipped with single-function devices such as tape printers, ink-jet printers, copiers, facsimile devices, etc., printer functions, copy functions, scanner functions, facsimile functions, etc. A device having a liquid crystal panel display unit for informing a user of an instruction for achieving a function, a current state of an apparatus, an operation procedure, and the like is known (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

In the printing tape producing apparatus described in Patent Document 1, a cover body and a liquid crystal panel display unit for covering a portion where a cassette case is housed are arranged on the surface of a main body case. In an ink jet printer with an image scanner described in Patent Document 2, an ink jet printer unit is incorporated in a lower main body, and an image scanner unit is incorporated in an upper main body that is attached to the upper surface of the lower main body so as to be able to rotate and open. An operation panel unit having a liquid crystal panel display unit is disposed on one side of the surface (upper surface) of the upper body.
JP-A-8-164014 (see FIG. 1) JP 2003-103869 A (see FIG. 1)

  However, in the image recording apparatus described in Patent Document 2, when the liquid crystal panel display unit is disposed in the upper body that can be opened and closed, generally, from the control board built in the lower body to the liquid crystal panel display unit. There is a problem that the signal or data transmission harness becomes longer, noise is easily picked up by the harness portion, and the display performance of the liquid crystal panel display section deteriorates.

  Also, when performing maintenance work, replacement of consumables such as parts and ink cartridges, etc., if the upper body is opened with respect to the lower body, the display surface on the liquid crystal panel display on the upper surface of the upper body will be Since it faces in the opposite direction to the release part between the side body and the top body, the operation instruction message, etc. that appears on the display surface of the liquid crystal panel display is difficult for the operator to see and the operation is difficult. there were.

  In order to solve this problem, it is preferable to dispose the liquid crystal panel display unit on the upper surface of the lower body. However, the liquid crystal panel display unit arranged on the upper surface of the lower main body must also be surely avoided from being invisible by the opened upper main body.

  In order to reduce the size of the entire apparatus, it is preferable to form the upper body in plan view and the lower body in plan view substantially the same.

  In addition, as a property of the liquid crystal panel, the contrast performance of the image varies greatly depending on the difference in the viewing direction with respect to the surface.Generally, when viewed from the direction orthogonal to the liquid crystal panel display surface, the contrast of the image is clear, As the angle inclined from the orthogonal angle is larger, the contrast of the image becomes unclear and the image is difficult to see.

  However, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the liquid crystal panel display section is provided in a fixed posture on the upper surface of the lower body or the upper body. That is, the display surface of the liquid crystal panel display unit is arranged in parallel or on the same surface as the upper surface of the lower main body or the upper main body. Therefore, during maintenance work or the like, the user looks at the display surface of the liquid crystal panel display unit. There is a problem that it is difficult to work because it is necessary to change the posture of the user's body such as shifting the position of the face so as to be almost orthogonal.

  In addition, recent image recording apparatuses are known in which the display area of the liquid crystal panel display unit is increased in order to display the entire image to be processed in advance or display the image in color.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and provides an image recording apparatus in which a display surface of a liquid crystal panel display unit can be easily seen by a user even during maintenance work or ink cartridge replacement work. It is intended.

  In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is directed to conveying means for supplying and discharging a recording medium, and an inkjet for recording an image on the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means. A lower body provided with a recording unit of the type, and a control board for controlling the operation of the apparatus, and an upper body provided with a reading means for reading a document so as to be reciprocally movable. In the image recording apparatus in which the upper body is attached to the pivot portion of the one side portion so as to be able to open and close and a liquid crystal panel display unit is disposed on the upper surface of the lower body, the lower body includes the An ink storage unit for supplying ink to the recording unit is provided on a side part farthest from the pivot part, and the liquid crystal panel display unit is a side of the upper surface of the lower body that is closer to the front of the lower body. Near the edge, the pivot The upper body is provided with an opening that allows the display surface of the liquid crystal panel display unit to be seen when the upper body is closed with respect to the upper surface of the lower body. Is formed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the first aspect, the ink storage section is released on the upper surface of the lower main body.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the lower main body includes a plurality of functions provided in the left and right sides of the liquid crystal panel display unit. An input key capable of instructing is arranged.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the third aspect, one of a pair of input keys arranged with the liquid crystal panel display unit interposed therebetween is a numeric keypad.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, a plurality of functions of the image recording apparatus are provided on the upper surface of the upper main body on both left and right sides of the opening. Among the input keys that can instruct, input keys having different functions are arranged.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect, one of the pair of input keys arranged with the opening interposed therebetween is a numeric keypad.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the liquid crystal panel display unit has a display surface facing forward from an upward posture with respect to the upper surface of the lower body. The upper surface of the lower main body is configured to be capable of being changed up to a posture of the liquid crystal panel display unit, and the liquid crystal panel display unit includes at least a side part near and a side part far from the pivot part. In addition, a margin area is provided to prevent the liquid crystal panel display unit from interfering with the opening in a state where the surface of the liquid crystal panel display unit is moved forward.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the fifth or sixth aspect, in the vicinity of the upper surface of the upper main body, both the near side and the far side from the pivot part with the opening interposed therebetween. The operation panel boards are respectively arranged in the parts, and the harness connecting the two operation panel boards is wired along the back part adjacent to the notch-shaped opening.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the upper main body is attached to the lower main body so as to be able to open and close around the pivot portion at one side portion of the lower main body. An ink storage unit for supplying ink to the recording unit is provided on the separated side part, a liquid crystal panel display unit is disposed on the upper surface of the lower body, and the upper body is disposed on the upper surface of the lower body. On the other hand, since the upper body is formed with an opening that allows the display surface of the liquid crystal panel display section to be exposed when it is closed, the upper body is used for replacing the ink cartridge in the ink storage section. The user can easily see the display screen of the liquid crystal panel display unit without being hidden, and can easily perform replacement work according to the instruction message displayed on the liquid crystal panel display unit. Further, since the liquid crystal panel display unit is disposed between the pivot unit and the ink storage unit and on the upper surface close to the front side of the lower main body, the liquid crystal panel display unit can be opened even when the upper main body is opened. The ink cartridge can be easily replaced while looking at the liquid crystal panel display section because it is not hidden by the upper main body and the orientation of the display surface is not changed to a direction invisible to the user.

  In addition, since a signal transmission harness to the liquid crystal panel display unit can be shortly wired from a control board that is generally arranged in the lower body, it is possible to prevent picking up noise and Data can be displayed reliably and clearly.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the ink storage section is open on the upper surface of the lower main body, the ink cartridge can be easily replaced by opening the upper main body wide. There is an effect that can be done.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the lower main body is provided with input keys capable of instructing a plurality of functions of the image recording apparatus on both left and right sides of the liquid crystal panel display unit. Therefore, input operations necessary for maintenance work, replacement of parts and replacement of consumables (ink cartridges) can be performed, so maintenance work, replacement of parts and replacement of consumables, etc. There is an effect that the work can be easily performed.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, one of the pair of input keys arranged with the liquid crystal panel display unit interposed therebetween is a numeric keypad. It is easy to input a transmission number and the like.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, a plurality of functions of the image recording apparatus are provided on the upper surface of the upper main body at both adjacent portions on the side closer to and far from the pivot portion across the opening. Since the input keys with different functions are arranged among the input keys capable of instructing, when the work such as maintenance work or parts replacement and consumables replacement is performed, the upper body is opened. Since the operator's fingers do not touch the input key portion, it is possible to prevent malfunction.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when one of the pair of input keys arranged with the opening interposed therebetween is a numeric keypad, it is possible to prevent erroneous input of a telephone or facsimile transmission number or the like.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the liquid crystal panel display unit can be raised or lowered so that its display surface can be changed from an upward posture to a forward posture with respect to the upper surface of the lower body. The LCD panel display is imaged even in normal use, that is, when the upper surface of the lower body is covered with the upper body, or when the upper body is opened as during maintenance work. Since it can be raised up to an arbitrary vertical angle on the front of the recording device and the display surface of the liquid crystal panel display unit can be adjusted so that the contrast of the image is clear for the user, the displayed image data, messages, etc. When the upper body is opened with respect to the lower body, maintenance instructions, parts replacement, and other operations are also performed on the LCD panel display. There is an effect that message or the like is easily visible to the operator.

  And, on the upper surface of the lower main body, the surface of the liquid crystal panel display unit is forward-facing in at least the side part and the side part far from the pivot part of the one side part of the liquid crystal panel display part. When the upper body is opened and closed, it does not collide with the raised liquid crystal panel display when the upper body is opened and closed. The effect that it is easy to do is produced.

  According to the invention described in claim 8, operation panel substrates are respectively disposed in the vicinity of the upper surface of the upper main body at both of the portions near and far from the pivot portion across the opening, Since the harness connecting the two operation panel boards is wired along the rear side adjacent to the notch-shaped opening, the length of the harness can be shortened and noise can be picked up. There is an effect that it decreases.

  Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 is a perspective view of an image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied, FIG. 2 is a plan view, FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a state where a cover body is opened, and FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a state in which the liquid crystal panel display unit is pulled out forward of the lower body, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lower body with the upper body opened, and FIG. 6 is a front view, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the image recording apparatus of the second embodiment, FIG. 9 is a plan view, FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the lower main body with the upper body open, and FIG. FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the image recording apparatus of the third embodiment, FIG. 13 is a plan view, FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the liquid crystal panel display unit standing up, and FIG. 15 is an XV- FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of the state in which the cover body is opened as shown by arrows XV, FIG. FIG.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below. The image recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is a multi-function device (MFD: Multi Function Device) having a printer function, a copy function, a scanner function, and a facsimile function. The first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a lower main body 2 as a housing made of a synthetic resin injection molded product in the image recording apparatus 1.

  On the upper surface of the lower main body 2, an upper main body 3 made of an injection molded product made of a synthetic resin is attached to one side end of the lower main body 2 via a pivot part 4 so as to be vertically openable and closable. . That is, when the opening 2 a is formed on the front side (the right side in FIG. 1) of the lower body 2, the pivot portion 4 as the rotation axis of the upper body 3 with respect to the lower body 2 is the left side of the lower body 2. Located on the surface side.

  In the upper body 3, an image reading device 5 for a copy function and a facsimile function is incorporated. This image reading device 5 includes a glass plate 6 for placing a document on which a document cover 7 can be opened and a document can be placed thereon, and a contact-type image sensor for reading a document on the lower side of the glass plate 6. CIS (Contact Image Sensor) 8. The contact image sensor 8 is provided so as to be capable of reciprocating along a guide shaft 9 extending in a direction orthogonal to the paper surface of FIG. 3 (main scanning direction, Y-axis direction in FIG. 1). The rear end of the document cover body 7 that covers the upper surface of the image reading device 5 is attached to the rear end of the upper main body 3 so as to be rotatable up and down around a hinge 10 (see FIG. 2).

  On the other hand, on one side of the lower main body 2 (the side farthest from the pivot portion 4 and the right side in FIG. 6), an ink storage portion 11 having an open top surface is disposed. In this embodiment, ink cartridges for each color of black (Bk), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y) are detachably housed as cartridges for individual colors. And an ink jet recording head 14 in the recording unit 12 to be described later are always connected by a flexible ink supply pipe.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a paper feed cassette 15 for accumulating and storing paper P is disposed at the bottom of the lower main body 2 so as to be able to move forward and backward. 2 is inserted through an opening 2a on the front side (right side in FIGS. 1 and 3). In the present embodiment, the paper feed cassette 15 has a short side (width) of a paper P that has been cut into, for example, A4 size, letter size, legal size, postcard size or the like as a recording medium. A plurality of sheets are stacked (deposited) so as to extend in a direction (main scanning direction, Y-axis direction) orthogonal to the (A direction).

  On the back side (right side in FIG. 4) of the paper feed cassette 15, an inclined separation plate 16 is disposed for paper separation. The inclined separation plate 16 is formed in a convex curve shape in a plan view so as to protrude at the center side in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the paper P and to recede toward the left and right end portions in the width direction of the paper P. In addition, a serrated elastic separation pad (not shown) for abutting the leading edge of the paper P to promote separation is provided at the center in the width direction of the paper P.

  Also, on the lower body 2 side, a base end portion of a paper feeding arm 17a in the paper feeding means 17 is mounted so as to be rotatable in the vertical direction, and a paper feeding roller 17b provided at a tip portion of the paper feeding arm 17a. The rotation from a drive source (not shown) is transmitted by a gear transmission mechanism 17c provided in the paper feed arm 17a. The paper P accumulated in the paper feed cassette 15 is separated and conveyed one by one by the paper feed roller 17b and the elastic separation pad of the inclined separation plate 16. The paper P separated so as to advance in the paper feeding direction (arrow A direction) is provided above (higher position) than the paper feeding cassette 15 via a conveyance path 18 including a substantially U-shaped path in the horizontal direction. The recording unit 12 is fed. The conveyance path 18 is formed in a gap between the first conveyance path body 18a constituting the U-shaped outer periphery side and the second conveyance path body 18b constituting the inner circumference side.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the recording unit 12 is supported by a box-shaped main frame 21 and a pair of left and right side plates, and extends in the Y-axis direction (main scanning direction). And between the second guide members 22 and 23. The carriage 13 on which the inkjet recording head 14 is mounted in the recording unit 12 is slidable across the first guide member 22 on the upstream side and the second guide member 23 on the downstream side in the paper discharge direction (arrow B direction). Therefore, it can be reciprocated in the Y-axis direction.

  In order to reciprocate the carriage 13, a timing belt (see FIG. 5) extends in the main scanning direction (Y-axis direction) on the upper surface of the second guide member 23 arranged on the downstream side in the paper discharge direction (arrow B direction). A CR (carriage) motor (not shown) for driving the timing belt is fixed to the lower surface of the second guide member 23.

  A flat platen 26 extending in the Y-axis direction so as to face the lower surface of the recording head 4 in the carriage 13 is fixed to the main frame 21 between the guide members 22 and 23 (see FIG. 4). .

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the upstream side of the paper discharge direction (arrow B direction) of the platen 26, as shown in FIG. 2, a driving roller 27 and a driving roller 27 are used as a conveying (registration) roller for conveying the paper P to the lower surface of the recording head 4. A nip roller 28 is disposed below the roller 27. Further, on the downstream side of the platen 26 in the paper discharge direction (arrow B direction), a paper discharge roller 28 driven to convey the paper P that has passed through the recording unit 12 along the paper discharge direction (arrow B direction); A spur roller 28a urged toward the paper discharge roller 28 is disposed opposite thereto.

  The paper discharge tray 30 on which the paper P recorded by the recording unit 12 is discharged with its recording surface facing upward is provided in the upper part of the paper feed cassette 15, and the paper discharge outlet 30 a communicating with the paper discharge tray 30 is below. It is opened in common with the opening 2 a on the front surface of the side body 2. Further, a synthetic resin that covers the upper portion of the paper discharge tray 30 between the lower surface of the guide member 23 on the downstream side in the paper discharge direction (direction of arrow B) and the paper discharge port 30a at the front end of the lower body 2. A made partition plate (lower cover body) 31 is formed integrally with the lower main body 2 (see FIG. 3).

  At the center in the width direction at the upstream end in the paper feeding direction (arrow A direction) of the bottom plate 15a of the paper feeding cassette 15, slide further outward (further downstream in the paper discharge direction) from this upstream end. A substantially plate-like auxiliary support member 32 is provided, and a discharge auxiliary tray 33 is attached to the auxiliary support member 32. The paper discharge auxiliary tray 33 can support the downstream end of the paper P protruding outward from the paper discharge tray 30 in the paper discharge direction (arrow B direction) (FIG. 1, FIG. 1). 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 5 to FIG. 7).

  In the lower body 2, a control board 49 for the recording unit 12 and facsimile communication is disposed above the partition plate 31 (see FIG. 3). In addition, on the front surface of the lower main body 2, a plurality of types of liquid crystal panel display units 34 are arranged on one side or both sides, for example, between the pivot unit 4 and the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 in the embodiment. A plurality of slots 50, 51, 52 are formed in openings for inserting a card-type or thin rod-shaped recording medium. Examples of the recording medium include Memory Stick (registered trademark), SmartMedia (registered trademark), Compact Flash (registered trademark), SD Memory Card (registered trademark), and xD Picture Card (registered trademark). Further, a USB connector insertion port 53 for communication with peripheral devices is provided on the right side of the front surface of the lower body 2 from the position where the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 is disposed.

  In the first embodiment of the image recording apparatus 1, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 to 7, the front side of the upper side of the lower main body 2 (the operation panel C when the user operates the apparatus) , D, near the side edge near the surface (hereinafter the same), and in the substantially central portion of the Y-axis direction in the left-right direction (the left-right direction when the user faces the device, the same applies hereinafter). Only the panel display unit 34 is arranged. In other words, the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 is disposed in the vicinity of the side edge portion near the front surface of the lower body 2 on the upper surface of the lower body 2 and the side edge portion on which the pivot portion 4 is disposed and the liquid crystal panel display. The side edges where the portions 34 are arranged are orthogonal to each other in plan view.

  The liquid crystal panel display unit 34 has a display area large enough to display a color image (in the embodiment, about 42 mm × 54 mm). Further, the back surface (lower surface) of the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 is slidably supported by a pair of arc-shaped guide rails 35 (only one is shown in FIGS. 3 and 6) provided in the lower body 2. The liquid crystal panel display unit 34 has an appropriate angle (in the embodiment, a horizontal plane) obliquely upward with respect to the front direction of the lower main body 2 from a posture (see FIG. 1) whose display surface is substantially the same as the upper surface of the lower main body 2. Up to about 40 degrees) (see FIG. 3, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6).

  On the other hand, at the front part (portion close to the front surface) of the upper body 3, the upper body 3 is attached to the lower body 2 around the pivot portion 4 as the rotation axis of the upper body 3 with respect to the lower body 2. A notch-shaped opening 36 is formed so that the display surface of the liquid crystal panel display 34 appears to be exposed when it is closed with respect to the upper surface (see FIGS. 5 to 7). In the embodiment, the opening 36 is substantially U-shaped in a plan view released to the front side of the upper body 3.

  Further, when the upper body 3 is opened and closed with respect to the upper surface of the lower body 2 around the pivot 4, the U-shaped side edges 36 a of the opening 36 are formed on the upper surface of the lower body 2. In order to prevent the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 and the opening 36 from interfering with each other at a place where the side surfaces 34a, 34b, and 34c of the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 are joined with each other, a margin area (space) of an appropriate size is provided. ) 57a and 57b are provided. In the first embodiment, when the display surface of the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 is substantially upward, the height position of the display surface is the top surface of the closed upper body 3 (operation panels C and D described later). When the liquid crystal panel display 34 is tilted forward and rotated along the arcuate guide rail 35, the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 is set to be substantially the same plane as or slightly lower than that. The outer periphery of the liquid crystal panel display 34 is such that the side 34 a of the liquid crystal panel display 34 close to the pivot 4 and the side 34 c of the liquid crystal display 34 far from the pivot 4 do not interfere with the opening 36. Are provided with clearance spaces 57a and 57b as margin areas (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 5).

  Further, when the upper body 3 is closed with respect to the lower body 2, the U-shaped side edges 36a, 36b, 36c of the opening 36 are aligned with the side edges 34a, 34b, 34c of the liquid crystal panel display section 34. Each side 36a, 36b, 36c and each side 34a, 34b, 34c are formed on a trapezoidal side that expands downward as shown in FIG. 5, see FIG. 6 and FIG.

  Further, on the upper surface of the upper main body 3, among the input keys capable of instructing a plurality of functions of the image recording apparatus 1 on both adjacent portions near and far from the pivot portion 4 across the opening 36, Operation panels C and D on which input keys having different functions are arranged are provided. In the embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 to 7, a start / stop input key 37 a and a color copy start input are provided at the right end of the operation panel C disposed on the right side of the opening 36. Key 37b and monochrome copy start input key 37c are arranged in a column. On the left side thereof is a cross-drag input key 38a for searching for a registered facsimile number and adjusting the volume of the handset sound. An input key for selecting and displaying a function desired to be used from among a plurality of functions, for example, a photo capture input key 39a, a copy input key 39, a facsimile input key 39c, a scanner input, is located at the right side of the opening 36. Keys 39d are arranged in columns. On the operation panel D arranged on the left side of the liquid crystal panel display section 34, a numeric keypad 40 for inputting a facsimile number and the like, an output key 41a for a management report, a facsimile number recurrence report (redial) input key 40b and the like are arranged. Has been.

  A first operation panel board 46 is disposed on the lower surface side of the front side of the upper body 3 corresponding to the input key group on the right side of the opening 36, and the input key group on the left side of the opening 36. The second operation panel board 47 is disposed on the lower surface side corresponding to the wiring board 48, and the harness 48 connected to transmit signals between the operation panel boards 46 and 47 is connected to the back side 36b of the opening 36. Are wired along the inside of the frame (see FIGS. 2 and 6).

  Note that a user's finger when opening / closing the document cover body 7 is fitted in a portion of the upper surface of the openable / closable document cover body 7 covering the glass plate 6 on the upper surface of the upper body 3 close to the opening 36. While the round handle portion 54 is provided, a concave portion 55 is formed in the vicinity of the side surface 36 b on the back side of the opening portion 36 on the upper surface of the upper main body 3, and a user's finger is inserted into the concave portion 55. The posture changing work of moving the display unit 34 forward can be facilitated. Since the recess 55 does not communicate with the edges of the glass plate 6 and the document cover body 7, the glass plate 6 is placed in a state where one document to be read is placed face down on the glass plate 6 and covered with the document cover body 7. 6 and the edge of the document cover body 7 do not enter the outside light, and the read image data becomes clear.

  In addition, the height position of the display surface of the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 in the substantially upward state is set to be substantially the same as or slightly lower than the upper surfaces of the operation panels C and D in the closed upper body 3. In this case, even if the edge of the document placed on the glass plate 6 positioned higher than the upper surfaces of the operation panels C and D protrudes from the edge of the glass plate 6, the glass plate 6 and External light does not enter from the edge of the document cover body 7, and the read image data is clear.

  8 to 11 show a second embodiment of the image recording apparatus 1, in the upper side of the lower main body 2, in the vicinity of the side edge portion close to the front, and in the substantially central part on the left and right sides in the Y-axis direction, A liquid crystal panel display unit 34 and operation panels C and D in which input keys having a plurality of functions are arranged on both the left and right sides of the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 are provided. In other words, the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 and the two operation panels C and D are disposed in the vicinity of the side edge portion of the upper surface of the lower main body 2 near the front surface of the lower main body 2 and the pivot portion 4 is disposed. The side edge portion and the side edge portion where the liquid crystal panel display 34 and the two operation panels C and D are arranged in a line are orthogonal to each other in plan view.

  Since the types and arrangement of the input keys on the operation panels C and D are the same as those in the first embodiment (see FIGS. 1, 2, and 5 to 7), the detailed description is omitted using the same reference numerals. To do. Further, the operation panel substrates 46 and 47 for the operation panels C and D in the lower main body 2 are naturally arranged inside the upper surface of the lower main body 2, and the two operation panel substrates 46 and 47 are connected to transfer signals. The harness 48 is provided below the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 and wired along the inner surface of the lower main body 2 (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

  Then, the upper body 3 is placed on the front portion (portion close to the front surface) of the upper body 3 with the upper body 3 of the lower body 2 around the pivot portion 4 as the rotation axis of the upper body 3 with respect to the lower body 2. A notch-shaped opening 36 is formed so that the display surface of the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 and the operation panels C and D appear to be exposed when closed with respect to the upper surface (see FIGS. 8 to 11). ). In the embodiment, the opening 36 has a substantially rectangular shape in plan view released to the front side of the upper body 3, and is cut out to a portion closest to the pivot portion 4. In addition, a cover portion 56 having a rectangular shape in plan view for covering a part of the upper surface of the ink storage unit 11 in the lower main body 2 is integrally formed at an end portion farthest from the pivot portion 4 among the upper surface of the upper main body 3. (See FIGS. 10 and 11). Also in this embodiment, when the upper body 3 is opened and closed with respect to the lower body 2, the liquid crystal panel display is provided as a margin area 58 that prevents the liquid crystal panel display 34 and the cover 56 from changing the posture from interfering with each other. It is assumed that the operation panel C is disposed on the right side of the unit 34.

  Further, when the upper body 3 is closed with respect to the lower body 2, the back side 36 d of the opening 36 and the side 56 a of the cover 56 are connected to the liquid crystal panel display 34 and the back sides 34 d of the operation panels C and D. Each side 36d, 56a and each side 34d, 34e are formed on a trapezoidal side surface that expands downward so that the operator's finger is not pinched by a sharp edge at the place where the side 34e is joined. (See FIGS. 10 and 11). The trapezoidal side surface may be a flat surface or a curved surface.

  As a modified example, the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 is disposed adjacent to the side portion of the upper surface of the ink storage unit 11 in the lower main body 2, while the operation panels C and D are arranged at one location on the side closer to the pivot unit 4. You may arrange to collect. In that case, a margin area 58 (not shown) having an appropriate width is provided at a position adjacent to the left side 56 a of the cover portion 56 on the right side of the liquid crystal panel display portion 34.

  Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. In particular, it should be noted that FIG. 3, which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III in FIG. 2, is the same as the line III-III in FIG. 9.

  In the third embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 to 17, the upper body 3 is connected to be pivotable up and down around the pivot portion 4 on one side of the lower 2 (see FIGS. 16 and 17). Of the upper side of the lower main body 2, the liquid crystal panel display 34 and the left and right sides of the liquid crystal panel display 34 are sandwiched between the liquid crystal panel display 34 near the side edge near the front and in the left and right central portions. Are provided with operation panels E and F on which input keys having a plurality of functions as margin areas 59a and 59b are arranged. Therefore, the side edge where the pivot 4 is arranged and the side edge where the liquid crystal panel display 34 and the four operation panels C, D, E, F are arranged in a row are orthogonal to each other in plan view. Yes.

  On the other hand, operation panels C and D on which input keys having a plurality of functions are arranged are provided on the upper surface of the upper body 3 near the front. And the liquid crystal panel display part 34 is supported by the spindle 60 so that it can stand up and rotate centering on the base end part (front end part) (refer FIG.12 and FIG.15). That is, the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 changes the posture of the display panel from an upward posture that is substantially parallel to the upper surfaces of the operation panels C to f to an arbitrary vertical angle posture from the posture toward the front of the image recording apparatus 1. And it is comprised so that the attitude | position can be hold | maintained.

  Since the operation panels E and F as 59a and 59b are provided on the left and right sides of the liquid crystal panel display section 34, the liquid crystal panel display section 34 is notched in a U-shape in plan view even if the liquid crystal panel display section 34 stands up. The formed opening 36 does not interfere (see FIG. 17).

  When the upper body 3 is closed with respect to the lower body 2, the left and right sides 36 a and 36 c and the back side 36 b of the opening 36 are connected to the left and right sides 61 a and 61 c and the back side 61 b of the operation panels E and F. Each side 36a to 36c and each side 61a to 61c are formed on a trapezoidal side that expands downward in order to prevent the operator's fingers from being pinched by sharp edges where they meet. 16 and FIG. 17).

  Note that an input key for selecting and displaying a function desired to be used from among a plurality of functions, such as a photo capture input key, is displayed on the operation panel E as a margin area 59a arranged on the left side of the liquid crystal panel display unit 34. 39a, a copy input key 39, a facsimile input key 39c, and a scanner input key 39d are arranged in a column. On the operation panel F as a margin area 59b arranged on the left side of the liquid crystal panel display 34, a facsimile management report output key 41a, a facsimile number recurrence report (redial) input key 40b, and the like are arranged.

  In addition, on the operation panel C on the right side of the opening 36 in the upper main body 3, a cross-drag type input key 38a for searching for a registered facsimile number and adjusting the volume of the handset is disposed. . A facsimile number input key 40 is disposed on the operation panel D on the left side of the opening 36 (see FIGS. 12 and 13). A first operation panel board 46 is disposed on the lower surface side of the front side of the upper body 3 so as to correspond to the input key group on the right side of the opening 36, and the input key group on the left side of the opening 36. The second operation panel board 47 is disposed on the lower surface side corresponding to the wiring board 48, and the harness 48 connected to transmit signals between the operation panel boards 46 and 47 is connected to the back side 36b of the opening 36. Are wired along the inside of the frame (see FIG. 13). Since other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

  As shown in the first to third embodiments, when the slots 50, 51, 52 and the USB connector insertion port 53 are arranged in front of the lower main body 2, it is easy for the user to use.

  Usually, a mechanical mechanism for inserting / removing the recording medium into / from the inside of each slot 50, 51, 52 (inside the lower main body 2) and holding the position at the time of insertion, data of the recording medium is stored. An interface board for input and output is integrally provided. The liquid crystal panel display unit 34 is also integrally provided with a control board other than the liquid crystal panel. Therefore, as described above, by arranging the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 and the slots 50, 51, and 52 side by side in the horizontal direction, the required height dimension of the lower main body 2 can be kept low, and image recording can be performed. There exists an effect that the apparatus 1 can be formed compactly.

  As shown in the first to third embodiments, the upper body 3 is pivoted upward to store the ink on the side farthest from the pivot 4 so that the space with the upper surface of the lower body 2 can be greatly released. By providing the portion 11, there is an effect that the replacement work of the ink cartridge becomes extremely easy. In addition, since the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 is disposed between the pivot unit 4 and the ink storage unit 11 and on the upper surface close to the front side of the lower main unit 2, even if the upper main unit 3 is opened, Since the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 is not hidden by the upper main body 3 and the orientation of the display surface is not changed to a direction invisible to the user, the ink cartridge can be easily replaced while viewing the liquid crystal panel display unit 34. In addition, by providing the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 on the side far from the pivotal unit 4 and close to the position where the ink storage unit 11 is disposed, the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 can be more easily seen. When an instruction for ink replacement work can be displayed on the liquid crystal panel display unit 34, the display surface of the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 can be easily seen by the user even when the upper body 3 is rotated upward. As shown in the first to third embodiments, the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 can be adjusted to an arbitrary angle in which the display surface stands up from an upward state so that the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 can be easily seen when the ink cartridge is replaced. You may do it.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the upper main body 3 is attached to one side portion of the lower main body 2 so as to be able to open and close, and the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 is disposed on the upper surface of the lower main body 2. Since the upper body 3 is formed with an opening 36 through which the display surface of the liquid crystal panel display section 34 is exposed when 3 is closed with respect to the upper surface of the lower body 2, the liquid crystal panel display section 34 is formed from the control substrate 49. Since the signal transmission harness can be shortly wired, noise can be prevented from being picked up, and the display of data such as images on the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 can be performed reliably and clearly. And even in a normal use state, that is, in a state where the upper surface of the lower main body 2 is covered with the upper main body 3, the display surface of the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 can be seen, so that the displayed image data, messages, etc. can be easily seen, The effect that the operation instruction message and the like can be easily seen by the operator on the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 even when maintenance or parts replacement work is performed with the upper body 3 opened with respect to the lower body 2. Play.

  The liquid crystal panel display unit 34 is disposed in the vicinity of the side edge near the front of the lower main body 2 on the upper surface of the lower main body 2, and is a pivot portion that is a rotation axis of the upper main body 3 with respect to the lower main body 2. If the side edge where 4 is arranged and the side edge where the liquid crystal panel display 34 is arranged are orthogonal to each other in plan view, the side close to the front of the lower main body 2 facing the user The liquid crystal panel display unit 34 can be viewed from the top, and even when the upper body 3 is fully opened, the user can easily view the display surface of the liquid crystal panel display unit 34.

  Further, if the posture of the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 is configured to be able to be raised or lowered so that the display surface can be changed to an arbitrary angle from the horizontal state to the posture in which the display surface stands up, the user can display the line of sight on the liquid crystal panel display. The viewing angle at which the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 can be clearly seen can be easily adjusted without changing the posture of the user's body, such as shifting the position of the face so as to be substantially orthogonal to the display surface of the unit 34, and the ink. At the time of maintenance work such as cartridge replacement work, the contrast of the image on the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 can be easily adjusted so as to be always clear, and the work such as maintenance can be facilitated.

  Further, as shown in the first to third embodiments, margin areas 57a and 57b (58 and 59a) are provided on the upper surface of the lower main body 2 adjacent to the left and right sides or one side of the liquid crystal panel display unit 34. 59b), even if the upper body 3 is opened and closed with the liquid crystal panel display 34 raised, the opening 36 and the liquid crystal panel display 34 do not interfere with each other, and the liquid crystal panel display 34 is raised. Since the upper body 3 can be opened and closed in the raised state, there is an effect that the maintenance work becomes easy.

  As in the first and third embodiments, the upper surface of the upper main body 3 has a plurality of functions that the image recording apparatus 1 has at both adjacent portions on the side closer to and far from the pivot 4 across the opening 36. By placing input keys with different functions from among the input keys that can be used to indicate that the upper main body 3 has been opened during maintenance work, replacement of parts, replacement of consumables such as ink cartridges, etc. In this state, since the operator's fingers do not touch the input key portion, it is possible to prevent malfunction. When one of the pair of input keys arranged with the opening 36 interposed therebetween is a numeric keypad, in particular, it is possible to prevent erroneous input of a telephone or facsimile transmission number.

  Conversely, as in the second embodiment, on the upper surface of the lower main body 2, an image is displayed on both adjacent portions or one adjacent portion on the side closer to and far from the pivot portion 4 with the liquid crystal panel display unit 34 interposed therebetween. If input keys having different functions among the input keys that can designate a plurality of functions provided in the recording apparatus 1 are arranged, maintenance work, replacement of parts, and replacement of consumables such as ink cartridges are performed. There is an effect that it becomes easy to operate the input key to be used.

  When one of the pair of input keys arranged with the opening 36 interposed therebetween is a numeric keypad, it is possible to easily input a telephone number or a facsimile transmission number to the service center in order to instruct maintenance work. .

  When the operation panels C and D having the input keys are arranged on the upper surface of the upper body 3 as in the first and third embodiments, the pivot 4 (rotating) is sandwiched between the opening 36 in the vicinity thereof. Operation panel boards 46 and 47 are respectively arranged on both the near side and the far side from the axis), and the harness connecting the two operation panel boards is located on the back side adjacent to the notch-shaped opening. By wiring along, there is an effect that the length of the harness can be shortened and noise is less picked up.

  As in the second embodiment, operation panel substrates 46 and 47 are provided in the vicinity of the upper surface of the lower main body 2 on both the side closer to and away from the pivot 4 with the liquid crystal panel display 34 interposed therebetween. Even when the harness 48 that is arranged and connects the operation panel substrates 46 and 47 is wired along a portion below the liquid crystal panel display unit 34, the length of the harness 48 can be shortened to prevent picking up noise. .

  The present invention can be applied not only to the multi-function type image recording apparatus 1 but also to a single-function type image recording apparatus. In this case, the same operation and effect as described above can be achieved. It is.

1 is a perspective view of an image recording apparatus according to a first embodiment to which the present invention is applied. It is a top view of a 1st embodiment to which the present invention was applied. FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing a state in which the document cover body is opened as viewed in the direction of arrows III-III in FIGS. It is a principal part expanded sectional side view which shows a recording part and a paper feeding part. It is a perspective view which shows the state which inclined the liquid crystal panel display part ahead in the image recording device of 1st Embodiment. It is a perspective view in the state where the upper part main part in the image recording device of a 1st embodiment was opened greatly. FIG. 7 is a front view of FIG. 6. It is a perspective view of the image recording apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a top view of a 2nd embodiment. It is a perspective view in the state where the upper part main part in the image recording device of a 2nd embodiment was opened widely. It is a front view of FIG. It is a perspective view of the image recording device of 3rd Embodiment. It is a top view of a 3rd embodiment. It is a perspective view of the state which raised the liquid crystal panel display part of a 3rd embodiment. FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view showing a state in which a document cover body indicated by an arrow XV-XV in FIG. 13 is opened. It is a perspective view in the state where the upper part main part in the image recording device of a 3rd embodiment was opened greatly. FIG. 17 is a front view of FIG. 16.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image recording apparatus 2 Lower side body 2a Opening part 3 Upper side body 4 Pivot part 5 as rotation axis 5 Image reading device 6 Glass plate 7 Document cover body 11 Ink storage part 12 Recording part 13 Carriage 14 Recording head 15 Paper feed cassette 34 LCD panel display 35 Guide rail 36 Openings 37a to 37c, 38, 39a to 39d Input key 40 Numeric keys C, D, E, F Operation panel 46 First operation panel board 47 Second operation panel board 48 Harness 50 to 52 Slot 54 Handle 55 Recess 56 Cover 57a, 57b, 58, 59a, 59b Margin area 60 Support shaft 61a, 61b, 61c Side

Claims (8)

Conveying means for supplying and ejecting a recording medium, an ink jet recording section for recording an image on the recording medium conveyed by the conveying means, and a control board for controlling the operation of the apparatus And an upper body on which a reading means for reading a document is reciprocally movable, and the upper body is pivotally opened and closed with respect to a pivot portion of one side portion of the lower body. In an image recording apparatus that can be attached and a liquid crystal panel display unit is disposed on the upper surface of the lower body,
The lower main body is provided with an ink storage part for supplying ink to the recording part on the side most distant from the pivot part,
The liquid crystal panel display unit is disposed in the vicinity of the side edge portion of the upper surface of the lower main body close to the front surface of the lower main body, and is disposed between the pivot portion and the ink storage unit.
The upper body is formed with an opening that allows the display surface of the liquid crystal panel display section to be visible when the upper body is closed with respect to the upper surface of the lower body. apparatus.   The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink storage unit is released on an upper surface of the lower main body.   4. The input key capable of instructing a plurality of functions of the image recording apparatus is disposed on the left and right sides of the lower body with the liquid crystal panel display unit interposed therebetween. 5. The image recording apparatus described in 1.   4. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein one of a pair of input keys arranged with the liquid crystal panel display unit interposed therebetween is a numeric keypad.   The input key capable of instructing a plurality of functions of the image recording apparatus is disposed on the left and right sides of the upper body with the opening interposed therebetween. Image recording device.   6. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein one of a pair of input keys arranged with the opening interposed therebetween is a numeric keypad. The liquid crystal panel display unit is configured to be undulating or rotatable so that the display surface can be changed from an upward posture to a forward posture with respect to the upper surface of the lower body.
In the state where the surface of the liquid crystal panel display unit has moved in the forward direction on the upper surface of the lower main body, at least on the side part and the side part far from the pivot part among the liquid crystal panel display part, The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a margin area is provided so as not to interfere with the opening. In the vicinity of the upper surface of the upper main body, operation panel substrates are respectively disposed on both the near side and the far side from the pivot part across the opening,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a harness connecting the two operation panel substrates is wired along a back-side portion adjacent to the notch-shaped opening.

Images