JP2007036620A - Image reading apparatus and multifunction device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for making a display section tiltable against an operation panel, and also for achieving reduction of thickness in an image reading section. <P>SOLUTION: The multifunction device 1 comprises a scanner section 3 provided, on a document mounting table 5, with a document cover 7 constituting a portion of the upper surface of the apparatus, and an operation panel 9 having a liquid crystal display section 11 provided on the front side of the upper surface of the apparatus. The document cover 7 is provided with an ADF 6 for conveying a document from a document tray 81 to a document discharge tray 83 through a document conveyance way 82. The liquid crystal display section 11 is provided to tilt against the operation panel 9 about the front side of the apparatus as the axis. The liquid crystal display section 11 does not project above the highest position 131 of the ADF 6, and the lower end thereof on the axis 12 side does not project below the lowest position 130 of the scanner section 3 in rising posture. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides an image reading unit provided with a document cover that forms a part of the upper surface of an apparatus on a document table on which a medium to be read is mounted, and information on the image reading unit provided on the front side of the upper surface of the apparatus. The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus including an operation panel having a display unit for displaying.

  The present invention also relates to a multi-function device including an image reading device that reads an image on a read medium and an image recording device that records an image on the recording medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an apparatus that is integrally provided with a plurality of functions such as a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, and a facsimile function has been put into practical use. An apparatus having a plurality of functions as described above is generally called a multi-function device.

  The multi-function device is provided with an image recording unit that records an image on a recording sheet in order to realize a printer function, a copy function, a facsimile function, and the like. In addition, the multi-function device is provided with an image reading unit that reads an image of a document in order to realize a scanner function and a copy function.

  When executing the printer function, the multi-function device operates an image recording unit based on data transmitted from a computer or the like, and records an image or document based on the data on a recording sheet. When executing the scanner function, the multi-function device operates an image reading unit to read an image of a desired document and convert it into image data. The converted image data is transmitted to a computer or the like or written on a recording medium. When realizing the copy function, the multi-function device operates the image reading unit, reads an image of a desired document, converts the image into image data, operates the image recording unit, and based on the image data Record the image on recording paper. When executing the facsimile function, the multi-function device operates an image reading unit, reads an image of a desired document, converts it into image data, and transmits the image data through a modem, an NCU, and a telephone line. The multi-function device records facsimile data received through a modem, NCU, and telephone line on a recording sheet by operating an image recording unit.

  The image reading unit is provided with an operation panel for inputting commands and settings for various functions. The operation panel is realized by a plurality of operation keys and a display unit. The user operates the operation keys while confirming the guidance and settings displayed on the display unit, and uses various functions of the multi-function device. There is a demand for such a multifunction device to be reduced in size and thickness in order to reduce the installation space (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-80129 A

  In the multi-function device having the image reading unit and the image recording unit as described above, a configuration is adopted in which the image reading unit is arranged on the upper side of the device and the image recording unit is arranged on the lower side of the device for the convenience of operation. . Further, it is desirable that the operation panel is disposed on the upper surface of the apparatus in consideration of the operability of the operation keys and the visibility of the display unit. Moreover, in order to improve the visibility of a display part, the display part is enlarged.

  A liquid crystal display is often used for the display unit. In general, the liquid crystal display has a problem that the viewing angle is narrow and the contrast and saturation decrease when viewed from an oblique direction. The operation panel of the multi-function device is assumed to be operated from the upper surface side of the device or operated from the front side of the device. Therefore, if the liquid crystal display is directed to the upper surface side of the apparatus, the visibility from the front side of the apparatus is deteriorated. On the other hand, if the liquid crystal display is directed to the front side of the apparatus, the visibility from the upper surface side of the apparatus is deteriorated. In order to solve this problem, there has been proposed a display unit that can be raised and lowered with respect to an operation panel, and whose posture can be arbitrarily changed so that the display unit faces the upper surface side of the apparatus or the front side of the apparatus.

  However, when the display unit is erected with respect to the operation panel, the display unit protrudes upward by the height, and even if the image reading unit is thinned, there is a space for erecting the display unit. Required above the device. On the other hand, if the standing display unit protrudes below the image reading unit, a space for raising the display unit is required below the image reading unit.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to provide means for enabling the display unit to be raised and lowered with respect to an operation panel and realizing a reduction in the thickness of the image reading unit.

  (1) The present invention provides an image reading unit provided with a document cover that forms a part of the upper surface of the apparatus on an original table on which a medium to be read is mounted, and an image reading unit provided on the front side of the upper surface of the apparatus. And an operation panel having a display unit for displaying information on an automatic document transport mechanism for transporting a document through the transport path from the document placement unit to the document discharge unit to the document cover The display unit is provided so as to be able to turn up and down with respect to the operation panel with the front side of the apparatus as an axis, and does not protrude upward from the uppermost position of the automatic document conveying mechanism in the standing posture. In addition, the lower end on the shaft side does not protrude below the lowest position of the image reading unit.

  The automatic document transport mechanism transports a document from a document placement unit to a document discharge unit through a transport path. In this conveyance process, the image reading unit reads an image of the document. When the automatic document transport mechanism is used, the document cover is closed with respect to the document table. In other words, there is no need to open the document cover when reading an image of a document using the automatic document transport mechanism. Therefore, if there is enough space for the height of the apparatus with the document cover closed, the image reading apparatus can be installed and used. The display unit is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the operation panel. By raising the display unit, the display unit can be favorably visually recognized from the front side of the apparatus. Further, the standing posture display unit does not protrude upward from the automatic document conveyance mechanism. Therefore, no space more than the height of the device is required to stand the display unit. Further, in the standing posture display unit, the lower end on the shaft side does not protrude below the lowest position of the image reading unit. Accordingly, it is not necessary to secure a space below the image reading unit in order to raise the display unit. Therefore, a thin image reading unit is realized.

  (2) Further, the display unit may be flush with the surface of the operation panel in the lying posture.

  Thereby, the display part of the lying posture does not protrude from the operation panel, and the appearance of the operation panel is improved.

  (3) Further, the axis of the display unit may protrude in the horizontal direction from the vicinity of the lower corner in the thickness direction on the front side of the apparatus in the lying posture.

  Thereby, it is possible to prevent the lower end on the shaft side of the display unit in the standing posture from protruding below the lowest position of the image reading unit with a simple configuration. Moreover, the display unit of the lying posture can be flush with the surface of the operation panel.

  (4) Further, the document reading unit may include a contact image sensor that can reciprocate inside the document table.

  The contact image sensor outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the reflected light by irradiating the document with light and photoelectrically converting the reflected light from the document. By using the contact image sensor, the original placing table can be thinned.

  (5) A multi-function device according to the present invention may be one in which the image reading device is arranged at the upper part of the device and an image recording device for recording an image on a recording medium is arranged at the lower part of the device. Good.

  Thereby, a multi-function device with a small installation space is realized.

  According to this image reading apparatus, the display unit is provided so as to be able to rise and fall with respect to the operation panel, the display unit in the standing posture does not protrude above the uppermost position of the automatic document transport mechanism, and the lower end on the shaft side is Since it does not protrude below the lowest position of the image reading unit, the visibility of the display unit from the front side of the apparatus is improved, and in order to stand the display unit, a space equal to or more than the height of the apparatus and the image reading unit No space greater than the thickness of the material is required. Thereby, the visibility of the display unit is good and a space-saving image reading apparatus is realized.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate.
FIG. 1 shows an external configuration of a multi-function device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The multi-function device 1 is an MFD (Multi Function Device) that is integrally provided with a printer unit (image recording device) 2 at the bottom and a scanner unit 3 (image reading unit, image reading device) at the top. A scanner function, a copy function, and a facsimile function.

  The multi-function device 1 is mainly connected to a computer (not shown), and records images and documents on recording paper based on image data and document data transmitted from the computer. Furthermore, the multi-function device 1 is connected to an external device such as a digital camera, records image data output from the digital camera on a recording sheet, or loads various recording media such as a memory card, The recorded image data or the like can be recorded on a recording sheet. The configuration of the multi-function device 1 described below is an example of an image recording apparatus according to the present invention, and it is natural that the configuration can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(Printer part)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the printer unit 2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 4 is formed on the front side of the multi-function device 1, and the paper feed tray 20 and the paper discharge tray 21 are made into the multi-function device 1 through the opening 4. 1, FIG. 4, FIG. 11, FIG. 13, and FIG. 14 show the multi-function device 1 with the paper feed tray 20 and the paper discharge tray 21 removed.

  The paper feed tray 20 accommodates recording paper (recording medium) having a desired size such as A4 size or B5 size. As shown in FIG. 2, by attaching the paper feed tray 20 to the multi-function device 1, the rectangular longitudinal direction of the recording paper stored in the paper feed tray 20 is the depth direction of the multi-function device 1. . The paper discharge tray 21 is supported by the paper feed tray 20 and disposed above the paper feed tray 20. The paper feed tray 20 and the paper discharge tray 21 are mounted on the multi-function device 1 in two upper and lower stages.

  A separation inclined plate 22 is disposed on the back side of the paper feed tray 20 mounted on the multi-function device 1. The separation inclined plate 22 separates the recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 20 and guides it upward.

  A conveyance path 23 is formed above the separation inclined plate 22. The conveyance path 23 is bent from the upper side of the separation inclined plate 22 to the front side of the multi-function device 1, extends from the back side of the device to the front side, and further passes below the image recording unit 24. It leads to the paper discharge tray 21. The recording paper fed out from the paper feed tray 20 is guided by the conveyance path 23 so as to make a U-turn from the lower side to the upper side and reaches the image recording unit 24. The recording sheet is discharged to the discharge tray 21 after image recording by the image recording unit 24.

  A paper feed roller 25 is provided on the upper side of the paper feed tray 20. The paper feed roller 25 separates the recording paper stacked on the paper feed tray 20 one by one and supplies it to the transport path 23. The paper feed roller 25 is pivotally supported at the front end of a paper feed arm 26 that moves up and down so as to come into contact with and separate from the paper feed tray 20. The paper feed roller 25 is rotated by the drive transmission mechanism 27 in which a plurality of gears are engaged with the drive of the LF motor 108 (see FIG. 9).

  The paper feed arm 26 is disposed so as to be swingable in the vertical direction with the base end side as an axis. In a state where the paper feed tray 20 is mounted on the apparatus, the paper feed arm 26 moves downward so as to press the paper feed roller 25 against the paper feed tray 20. When the paper feed tray 20 is removed from the apparatus, the paper feed arm 26 jumps upward by a paper feed clutch or a spring. When the paper feed arm 26 is lowered, the paper feed roller 25 pivotally supported at the tip of the paper feed arm 26 comes into pressure contact with the recording paper on the paper feed tray 20. In this state, when the paper feeding roller 25 rotates, the uppermost recording paper is sent out to the separation inclined plate 22 by the frictional force between the roller surface of the paper feeding roller 25 and the recording paper. The front end of the recording sheet comes into contact with the separation inclined plate 22 and is guided upward, and is sent to the conveyance path 23. When the uppermost recording paper is sent out by the paper feed roller 25, even if the recording paper directly below it is sent out by the action of friction or static electricity, the recording paper is stopped by abutting against the separating inclined plate 22. The

  The conveyance path 23 includes an outer guide surface and an inner guide surface that are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval except for a portion where the image recording unit 24 and the like are disposed. For example, the conveyance path 23 on the back side of the multi-function device 1 is configured such that the outer guide surface is formed integrally with the frame of the multi-function device 1 and the inner guide surface is fixed to the guide member 28 in the frame. Yes. A conveyance roller 29 is provided at a predetermined position of the conveyance path 23, particularly at a position where the conveyance path 23 is bent. The transport roller 29 is provided to be rotatable about the width direction of the transport path 23 as an axial direction so that the roller surface is exposed to the outer guide surface or the inner guide surface. The conveyance roller 29 facilitates the conveyance of the recording paper that contacts the guide surface at a location where the conveyance path 23 is bent.

  The image recording unit 24 includes a scanning carriage 31 that mounts the recording head 30 and reciprocates in the main scanning direction. The recording head 30 is supplied with inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) from an ink tank 32 (see FIG. 3) through an ink tube 33. The recording head 30 ejects each ink as a minute ink droplet from a nozzle provided on the lower surface thereof. As the scanning carriage 31 reciprocates, the recording head 30 scans the recording paper, and image recording is performed on the recording paper conveyed on the platen 34.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of guide rails 35 and 36 are disposed above the conveyance path 23 where the image recording unit 24 is disposed. The guide rails 35 and 36 are extended in the width direction of the transport path 23 with a separation in the transport direction of the recording paper. The scanning carriage 31 is slidably provided so as to straddle the guide rails 35 and 36. The guide rail 35 disposed on the upstream side in the conveyance direction of the recording paper is a flat plate whose length in the width direction of the conveyance path 23 is longer than the scanning width of the scanning carriage 31. The upper surface of the guide rail 35 slidably carries the upstream end of the scanning carriage 31.

  The guide rail 36 disposed on the downstream side in the recording paper conveyance direction is a flat plate whose length in the width direction of the conveyance path 23 is substantially the same as that of the guide rail 35. The upper surface of the guide rail 36 slidably supports the upstream end of the scanning carriage 31. An end 37 on the upstream side in the conveying direction of the guide rail 36 is bent at a substantially right angle upward. The scanning carriage 31 holds the end portion 37 of the guide rail 36 by a pair of rollers (not shown). Accordingly, the scanning carriage 31 is slidably supported on the guide rails 35 and 36 and reciprocates in the width direction of the transport path 23 with the end 37 of the guide rail 36 as a reference. A sliding member for reducing friction is appropriately provided at a portion where the scanning carriage 31 contacts the upper surfaces of the guide rails 35 and 36.

  A belt drive mechanism 38 is disposed on the upper surface of the guide rail 36. The belt driving mechanism 38 is formed by stretching an endless annular timing belt 41 having teeth on the inside between a driving pulley 39 and a passive pulley 40 provided near both ends in the width direction of the conveying path 23. Is. A driving force is input to the shaft of the driving pulley 39 from the CR motor 107 (see FIG. 9). The timing belt 41 moves circumferentially by the rotation of the driving pulley 39. In addition to the endless annular belt, the timing belt 41 may be one in which both ends of the endless belt are fixed to the scanning carriage 31.

  The scanning carriage 31 is fixed to the timing belt 41. By the circumferential movement of the timing belt 41, the scanning carriage 31 reciprocates on the guide rails 35 and 36 with the end portion 37 as a reference. A recording head 30 is mounted on the scanning carriage 31. Therefore, the recording head 30 can reciprocate together with the scanning carriage 31 with the width direction of the transport path 23 as the main scanning direction. An encoder strip 42 of a linear encoder is disposed on the guide rail 36 along the end 37. The linear encoder detects the encoder strip 42 by a photo interrupter. Based on the detection signal of the linear encoder, the reciprocating movement of the scanning carriage 31 is controlled.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a platen 34 is disposed below the conveyance path 23 so as to face the recording head 30. The platen 34 is disposed over the central portion of the reciprocating range of the scanning carriage 31 through which the recording paper passes. The width of the platen 34 is sufficiently larger than the maximum width of the recording paper that can be conveyed, and both ends of the recording paper always pass over the platen 34.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a purge mechanism 43 and a waste ink tray 44 are disposed outside the image recording range by the recording head 30, that is, in a range where recording paper on both sides of the platen 34 does not pass. The purge mechanism 43 sucks and removes bubbles and foreign matters together with ink from the nozzles of the recording head 30. The purge mechanism 43 includes a cap 45 that covers the nozzle surface of the recording head 30. A pump mechanism is connected to the cap 45. Further, the cap 45 is brought into contact with and separated from the nozzle surface of the recording head 30 by a moving mechanism. When performing suction removal of bubbles or the like of the recording head 30, the scanning carriage 31 is moved so that the recording head 30 is positioned on the cap 45. In this state, the cap 45 moves upward so that the nozzles on the lower surface of the recording head 30 are in close contact with each other. Then, ink is sucked from the nozzles of the recording head 30 by a pump connected to the cap 45.

  The waste ink tray 44 is disposed outside the image recording range of the scanning carriage 31 and on the opposite side of the purge mechanism 43. The waste ink tray 44 receives the ink ejected from the recording head 30. This idle discharge is called flushing. Maintenance such as removal of air bubbles and mixed color ink in the recording head 30 is performed by a maintenance unit including the purge mechanism 43 and the waste ink tray 44.

  The ink tank 32 is accommodated in an ink tank accommodating portion 46 provided in a housing on the right front side of the printer portion 2. The ink tank 32 is provided separately from the scanning carriage 31 on which the recording head 30 is mounted in the apparatus. Ink is supplied from the ink tank 32 to the scanning carriage 31 through the ink tube 33.

  Specifically, the ink tanks 32 are four ink tanks 32C, 32M, 32Y, and 32K that store inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk). Each of the ink tanks 32C, 32M, 32Y, and 32K is loaded in a predetermined position of an ink tank housing portion 46 provided in the apparatus housing. Each of the ink tanks 32C, 32M, 32Y, 32K is a cartridge type in which each color ink is filled in a casing made of synthetic resin. Each of the ink tanks 32C, 32M, 32Y, and 32K is detachable from above the ink tank housing portion 46.

  Each color ink is supplied from the ink tanks 32C, 32M, 32Y, and 32K loaded in the ink tank housing portion 46 to the recording head 30 through the ink tube 33 independent for each color. Each of the ink tubes 33C, 33M, 33Y, and 33K is a tube made of synthetic resin, and has such flexibility that it bends in accordance with the scanning of the scanning carriage 31. Each of the ink tubes 33C, 33M, 33Y, and 33K has an opening at one end thereof connected to each joint provided at each ink tank housing position of the ink tank housing 46. The ink tube 33C corresponds to the ink tank 32C and supplies cyan (C) ink. Similarly, the ink tubes 33M, 33Y, and 33K correspond to the ink tanks 32M, 32Y, and 32K, respectively, and supply magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (Bk) inks, respectively. It is.

  The ink tubes 33C, 33M, 33Y, and 33K led out from the ink tank housing portion 46 are pulled out to the vicinity of the center along the width direction of the apparatus, and are temporarily fixed to an appropriate member such as an apparatus frame. The portion from the fixed portion to the scanning carriage 31 is not fixed to the apparatus frame or the like, and changes its posture following the reciprocating movement of the scanning carriage 31. That is, as the scanning carriage 31 moves to one end in the reciprocating direction (left side in FIG. 3), each of the ink tubes 33C, 33M, 33Y, and 33K bends so that the bending radius of the U-shaped curved portion becomes smaller. The scanning carriage 31 moves in the moving direction. On the other hand, as the scanning carriage 31 moves to the other end in the reciprocating direction (right side in FIG. 3), each of the ink tubes 33C, 33M, 33Y, and 33K bends so that the bending radius of the curved portion increases, and the scanning carriage 31 Move in the direction of movement.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of conveying rollers 47 and a pinch roller 48 are provided on the upstream side of the image recording unit 24. The transport roller 47 and the pinch roller 48 sandwich the recording paper transported through the transport path 23 and transport it onto the platen 34. On the other hand, a pair of paper discharge rollers 49 and a spur roller 50 are provided on the downstream side of the image recording unit 24. The paper discharge roller 49 and the spur roller 50 nipped and transport the recorded recording paper. The conveying roller 47 and the paper discharge roller 49 are intermittently driven with a predetermined line feed width when a driving force is transmitted from the LF motor 108 (see FIG. 9). The rotations of the transport roller 47 and the paper discharge roller 49 are synchronized. The rotary encoder detects the encoder disk 51 provided on the transport roller 47 with a photo interrupter, and the rotation of the transport roller 47 and the paper discharge roller 49 is controlled based on the detection signal of the rotary encoder.

  The pinch roller 48 is urged so as to be pressed against the conveying roller 47 with a predetermined pressing force, and is provided rotatably. When the recording paper enters between the conveyance roller 47 and the pinch roller 48, the pinch roller 48 is retracted by the thickness of the recording paper and sandwiches the recording paper together with the conveyance roller 47. Thereby, the rotational force of the conveyance roller 47 is reliably transmitted to the recording paper. The spur roller 50 is also provided in the same manner as the paper discharge roller 49. However, since the spur roller 50 is pressed against the recorded recording paper, the roller surface is uneven in a spur shape so as not to deteriorate the image recorded on the recording paper. Has been.

  The recording sheet held between the transport roller 47 and the pinch roller 48 is intermittently transported on the platen 34 with a predetermined line feed width. The recording head 30 is scanned for each line feed, and image recording is performed from the front end side of the recording paper. The front end side of the recording paper on which image recording has been performed is held between the paper discharge roller 49 and the spur roller 50. That is, the recording paper is intermittently conveyed with a predetermined line feed width with the front end side being sandwiched between the paper discharge roller 49 and the spur roller 50 and the rear end side being sandwiched between the conveyance roller 47 and the pinch roller 48, Image recording is performed by the recording head 30 for each line feed. When the recording sheet is further conveyed, the trailing edge of the recording sheet passes through the conveying roller 47 and the pinch roller 48, and the nipping by these is released. That is, the recording sheet is nipped between the discharge roller 49 and the spur roller 50 and intermittently conveyed with a predetermined line feed width, and image recording is performed by the recording head 30 for each line feed. After image recording is performed on a predetermined area of the recording paper, the paper discharge roller 49 is continuously driven to rotate. As a result, the recording paper held by the paper discharge roller 49 and the spur roller 50 is discharged to the paper discharge tray 21.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a control board 52 is disposed on the front side of the apparatus. A recording signal or the like is transmitted from the control board 52 to the recording head 30 through the flat cable 53. The flat cable 53 is a thin strip-like member in which a conductor for transmitting an electric signal is covered with a synthetic resin film such as a polyester film for insulation. A control board 52 and a control board (not shown) of the recording head 30 are electrically connected by a flat cable 53. The flat cable 53 is led out from the scanning carriage 31 in the reciprocating direction, and is bent in a substantially U shape in the vertical direction. The substantially U-shaped portion is not fixed to other members, and changes its posture following the reciprocating movement of the scanning carriage 31.

(Scanner part)
Hereinafter, the configuration of the scanner unit 3 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the scanner unit 3 has an automatic document feeder (ADF: Auto Document Feeder, hereinafter referred to as “ADF”) with respect to the document table 5 functioning as an FBS (Flatbed Scanner). .) 6 is attached to the document cover 7 with a hinge on the back side so as to be freely opened and closed. The document table 5 is a housing of the multi-function device 1 and constitutes a part of the upper surface of the device. The document cover 7 also constitutes a part of the upper surface of the apparatus. In the present embodiment, since the structure and function of the ADF 6 are not directly related to each other, the document conveyance opening (document image surface exposure opening) for the ADF 6 is omitted in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a platen glass 60 is disposed on the upper surface of the document table 5. When the document cover 7 is closed as shown in FIG. 1, the platen glass 60 covers the document cover 7. Is called. In this state, the document cover becomes a part of the upper surface of the apparatus. A pressing member 62 made of a sponge, a white plate, or the like is disposed on the lower surface of the document cover 7 in order to press the document placed on the platen glass 60. As shown in FIG. 5, an image reading unit 61 is built in the document table 5. When the scanner unit 3 is used as an FBS, the document cover 7 is opened and the document is placed on the platen glass 60. The platen glass 60 can place a document of A4 size or smaller, and is placed on the platen glass 60 with the longitudinal direction of the rectangular document as the width direction of the multi-function device 1. Then, the document cover 7 is closed and the document is fixed on the platen glass 60. When the image reading unit 61 is scanned along the platen glass 60, the image reading of the document by the FBS is performed.

  The platen glass 60 is used to place a document when the scanner unit 3 is used as an FBS, and is a transparent glass plate, for example. One end side of the platen glass 60 reaches below the document conveying roller 98 (see FIG. 8), and also constitutes a reading surface 84 for reading an image using the ADF 6.

  FIG. 5 shows the internal structure of the document table 5. An image reading unit 61 is disposed in the lower frame 63 of the casing of the document table 5. An upper cover 71 (see FIG. 6) in which an opening for exposing the platen glass 60 is formed in the center is fitted to the lower frame 63, and the casing of the document table 5 is configured. Both the lower frame 63 and the upper cover 71 are made of synthetic resin. The lower frame 63 includes a base portion 64 constituting a bottom plate, a side wall 65 rising from the periphery of the base portion 64, a portion where the image reading unit 61 is disposed, a portion where the substrate of the operation panel 9 and the like are disposed. The partition plate 66 for partitioning is integrally molded. The lower frame 63 is further provided with support ribs for supporting the platen glass 60, bosses for screwing various members, through holes for electrical wiring, etc. Is appropriately designed according to the embodiment of the document placing table 5, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The image reading unit 61 includes a contact image sensor 67, a carriage 68, a guide shaft 69, and a belt driving mechanism 70. The contact image sensor 67 emits a light source to irradiate light on a document, guides reflected light from the document to a photoelectric conversion element through a lens, and the photoelectric conversion element outputs an electric signal corresponding to the intensity of reflected light. This is an image sensor. The contact image sensor 67 is mounted on the carriage 68 and is reciprocated below the platen glass 60. The carriage 68 is engaged with a guide shaft 69 installed across the width direction of the lower frame 63, is driven by the belt driving mechanism 70, and is moved so as to slide on the guide shaft 69. The carriage 68 is mounted so that the contact image sensor 67 is brought into close contact with the platen glass 60 and moved on the guide shaft 69, whereby the contact image sensor 67 is moved in parallel with the platen glass 60.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the carriage 68 carries a contact image sensor 67 so as to be carried on the upper side thereof. A shaft receiving portion 72 is formed on the lower surface of the carriage 68 so as to be fitted over the guide shaft 69 from above. The shaft receiving portion 72 and the guide shaft 69 are fitted, and the carriage 68 is carried on the guide shaft 69, and the carriage 68 is slidable in the axial direction of the guide shaft 69. A belt gripping portion 73 projects downward from the side of the shaft receiving portion 72. When the belt gripping portion 73 grips the timing belt 74 of the belt driving mechanism 70, the timing belt 74 and the carriage 68 are connected. As a result, the driving force is transmitted from the belt driving mechanism 70 to the carriage 68, and the carriage 68 moves on the guide shaft 69.

  Inside the carriage 68, spring receiving portions 75 are formed at two places on the left and right. A coil spring 76 is interposed between the contact image sensor 67 and the carriage 68, positioned by the spring receiving portion 75. The contact image sensor 67 mounted on the carriage 68 is brought into close contact with the lower surface of the platen glass 60 by the coil spring 76. Rollers 77 are provided on both ends of the contact image sensor 67. The contact image sensor 67 pressed against the lower surface of the platen glass 60 by the rollers 77 moves smoothly while closely contacting the lower surface of the platen glass 60 as the carriage 68 moves.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the belt drive mechanism 70 is configured by winding a timing belt 74 between a drive pulley 78 and a driven pulley 79. The timing belt 74 is an endless belt having teeth formed inside. The rotation of the CR motor 112 (see FIG. 9) is output to the shaft of the drive pulley 78. In response to the rotation of the drive pulley 78, the timing belt 74 moves circumferentially. The drive pulley 78 is disposed at the left back of the lower frame 63. The timing belt 74 wound around the drive pulley 78 extends to the front side of the lower frame 63, is wound around an intermediate pulley 80 disposed in front of the guide shaft 69, and bends at a substantially right angle. It extends to the right end of the lower frame 63 along and is wound around a driven pulley 79 disposed in the vicinity of the right end so as to be installed in an L shape. The belt gripping portion 73 of the carriage 68 grips the portion of the timing belt 74 between the driven pulley 79 and the intermediate pulley 80, that is, the portion along the guide shaft 69. Thereby, the timing belt 74 and the carriage 68 are connected. Needless to say, the timing belt 74 may be an endless belt in which both ends of the belt are fixed to the carriage 68 in addition to the endless belt.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the document cover 7 continuously conveys the document from the document tray 81 (document placement unit) to the document discharge tray 83 (document delivery unit) through a predetermined document conveyance path 82 (conveyance path). ADF 6 is provided. In the conveyance process by the ADF 6, the original passes through the reading surface 84 of the platen glass 60, and the image reading unit 61 that stands by below the reading surface 84 reads the image of the original.

  On the document cover 7, a document tray 81 and a document discharge tray 83 are provided in two upper and lower stages. The document tray 81 is formed integrally with the upper surface of the document cover 7. A document whose image is read by the ADF 6 is placed on the document tray 81 in such a manner that a plurality of sheets are stacked and the leading end in the paper feeding direction is inserted into the ADF 6.

  A pair of document guides 85 are provided on the document tray 81 so as to be slidable in the depth direction across the depth direction of the multi-function device 1. The document guide 85 rises from the document tray 81 and regulates the position in the width direction of the document placed on the document tray 81. When one of the document guides 85 is slid and moved by a known interlocking mechanism, the other document guide 85 is also slid and moved in the opposite direction.

  When the document width is narrow, when one document guide 85 on the front side of the multi-function device 1 is slid to the back side, the other document guide 85 on the back side is slid to the front side in conjunction with this. To do. As a result, the document width regulated by the pair of document guides 85 can be reduced with the approximate center in the depth direction as the center. When the document width is wide, when one document guide 85 on the front side of the multi-function device 1 is slid to the front side, the other document guide 85 on the back side is slid to the back side in conjunction with this. As a result, the document width regulated by the pair of document guides 85 can be increased.

  A pair of document guides 85 are integrally formed with a document discharge tray 83 that is spaced apart from the document tray 81 in the vertical direction. The document discharged from the ADF 6 is held on both sides of the document discharge tray 83 and is held in a state separated from the document on the document tray 81. Since the length of the document discharge tray 83 in the paper discharge direction is shorter than the length of the document, the front end side of the document in the paper discharge direction is held on the document tray 81 so as to hang down from the document discharge tray 83. Accordingly, the front end portion of the original in the paper discharge direction on the original discharge tray 83 overlaps the rear end portion of the original on the original tray 81 in the paper feeding direction. However, the front end portion of the document on the document tray 81 in the paper feeding direction and the rear end portion of the document on the document discharge tray 83 in the paper discharge direction are held by the document discharge tray 83 in two upper and lower stages. The original document after reading is not confused with the original document after reading. By shortening the document discharge tray 83, a necessary space on the document cover 7 can be reduced, and the multi-function device 1 can be made thin and small.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a document stopper 86 is provided at the end of the document tray 81 on the side where the ADF 6 is not provided. The document stopper 86 changes its posture between a standing posture standing up from the top surface of the document tray 81 and a lying posture lying down integrally with the top surface of the document tray 81. By placing the document stopper 86 in the standing posture, for example, when a document having a size similar to that of the document tray 81 is discharged from the ADF 6, the document is stopped by the document stopper 86. As a result, the document output from the ADF 6 is prevented from sliding off the document cover 7. By receiving the discharged document with the document stopper 86, the area of the document tray 81, that is, the document cover 7, can be reduced, and the apparatus can be downsized. Further, when the document stopper 86 is not required, by adopting a lying posture, the document stopper 86 does not protrude from the document cover 7 and the size of the multi-function device 1 at the time of packing or storage can be made compact.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a document transport path 82 is formed in a substantially U shape in the lateral direction inside the ADF 6 so as to connect a document tray 81 and a document discharge tray 83. The document conveyance path 82 includes an ADF main body 87 formed integrally with the document cover 7 and an ADF cover 88 provided on the ADF main body 87 so as to be freely opened and closed. The suction chute portion 89 of the ADF 6 is formed so that the document placement surface of the document tray 81 is extended. The suction chute portion 89 is configured as a passage having a predetermined width in the vertical direction with a guide plate 90 formed integrally with the ADF main body 87 and a partition plate 91 disposed inside the ADF cover 88 as a guide surface. . A document whose image is read by the ADF 6 is placed on the document tray 81 so that the leading end in the paper feeding direction is inserted into the suction chute portion 89.

  The document conveyance path 82 is formed in a substantially U shape in the lateral direction from the suction chute portion 89 through the curved portion 92 to the paper discharge chute portion 93. The curved portion 92 and the paper discharge chute 93 are also continuously formed as a passage having a predetermined width by the ADF main body 87, the ADF cover 88, the partition plate 91, and the like. The document set on the document tray 81 is guided to the suction chute portion 89 and fed to the curved portion 92, and is discharged from the discharge chute portion 93 to the document discharge tray 83.

  In the document conveyance path 82, a suction roller 94 and a suction nip piece 95 that is in pressure contact with the suction roller 94, a separation roller 96 and a separation nip piece 97 that is in pressure contact with the suction roller 94, and a document conveyance roller 98 and a pinch roller 99 that is in pressure contact therewith are disposed. ing. Thus, the conveying means for conveying the document is configured, but the configuration of each roller and nip piece is an example, the number and arrangement of rollers are changed, a pinch roller is used instead of each nip piece, etc. Of course, it can be changed to other known conveying means.

  The suction roller 94 is rotatably provided in the approximate center of the suction chute portion 89 so that a part of the roller surface is exposed from the upper surface of the guide plate 90. Similarly, the separation roller 96 is rotatably provided at a position separated from the suction roller 94 in the paper feeding direction so that a part of the roller surface is exposed from the upper surface of the guide plate 90. A driving force from the LF motor 113 (see FIG. 9) is transmitted to the suction roller 94 and the separation roller 96 to be rotationally driven. The suction roller 94 and the separation roller 96 have the same diameter and are rotated at the same peripheral speed. In the drive transmission to the suction roller 94, a one-turn clutch is interposed, and the suction roller 94 can idle for one turn.

  The suction nip piece 95 is provided at a position facing the suction roller 94 of the partition plate 91 so as to be swingable in a direction in which the suction nip piece 95 is in contact with and away from the suction roller 94. The suction nip piece 95 has a pad shape with a width slightly smaller than the width of the suction roller 94 in the axial direction. The suction nip piece 95 is pivotally supported by the partition plate 91 with the both sides upstream of the paper feeding direction as pivots, so that the end on the downstream side of the paper feeding direction advances and retreats so as to be able to contact the roller surface of the suction roller 94 To do. The suction nip piece 95 is elastically biased downward by a spring member, and is always in pressure contact with the suction roller 94 in a state where the document is not nipped. A roller may be used in place of the pad-like suction nip piece 95, but by using a pad-like abutting member, the abutting member can be realized in a simple and space-saving manner. It is easy to adjust the elastic biasing force applied to the member.

  The separation nip piece 97 is provided at a position facing the separation roller 96 of the partition plate 91 so as to be able to swing in a direction in which the separation nip piece 97 comes into contact with and separates from the separation roller 96. The separation nip piece 97 has a pad shape with a width slightly narrower than the width of the separation roller 96 in the axial direction. The separation nip piece 96 advances and retreats so that its upstream end in the sheet feeding direction is a rotation shaft and the end on the downstream side in the sheet feeding direction can come into contact with the roller surface of the separation roller 96. The separation nip piece 97 is elastically biased downward by a spring member, and is always in pressure contact with the roller surface of the separation roller 96 in a state where the document is not nipped. The roller may be brought into contact with the separation roller 96 in place of the pad-like separation nip piece 97, but by using a pad-like contact member, the contact member can be realized in a simple and space-saving manner. In addition, it is easy to adjust the elastic biasing force applied to the contact member.

  The document transport roller 98 is disposed in a curved portion 92 that is substantially U-shaped in the lateral direction of the document transport path 82. The document conveying roller 98 has an outer diameter such that the roller surface forms part of the curved portion 92. Similar to the suction roller 94 and the separation roller 96, the document conveyance roller 98 is rotated by the driving force transmitted from the LF motor 113.

  Pinch rollers 99 are provided at three locations around the document conveying roller 98, respectively. Each pinch roller 99 is elastically biased by a spring piece, is rotatably supported by the ADF main body 87 or the ADF cover 88, and is in pressure contact with the roller surface of the document conveying roller 98. If the document conveying roller 98 rotates, the pinch roller 99 is also rotated following the rotation. By these pinch rollers 99, the original is pressed against the original conveying roller 98, and the rotational force of the original conveying roller 98 is transmitted to the original.

  A paper discharge chute 93 is formed on the downstream side of the document conveying roller 98 in the paper feeding direction. The sheet discharge chute 93 is formed between the ADF cover 88 and the partition plate 91 so as to be continuous with the curved portion 92 of the document conveyance path 82 constituted by the inner surface of the ADF cover 88 and the document conveyance roller 98. ing. The document supplied from the document tray 81 to the document conveyance path 82 is discharged to the document discharge tray 83 through the suction chute portion 89, the curved portion 92, and the discharge chute portion 93 in order.

  The ADF cover 88 is provided to be rotatable upward from the suction roller 94 with the document tray 81 side as a rotation axis. By opening the ADF cover 88, the guide plate 90 and the partition plate 91 are largely separated from each other, the suction chute portion 89 and the curved portion 92 are opened, and the suction roller 94, the separation roller 96, the suction nip piece 95, and the separation nip. The piece 97 is greatly separated. By opening the ADF cover 88, it is possible to eliminate a paper jam occurring in the document conveyance path 82 and to perform maintenance inside the ADF 6.

  When the scanner unit 3 is used as an FBS, the carriage 68 is moved below the platen glass 60 in parallel with the platen glass 60, and the contact image sensor 82 mounted on the carriage 68 is placed on the platen glass 60. Scan the original image. When the ADF 6 is used, the carriage 68 moves below the reading surface 84 and stops, and the contact image sensor 82 reads an image of the document passing through the reading surface 84. The contact image sensor 82 is a line sensor in which photoelectric conversion elements are arranged in the image reading direction, and in order to ensure the optical path length like an image sensor of a reduction optical system such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device). There is no need to use a mirror. That is, the image reading unit 61 using the contact image sensor 82 can be made smaller and thinner than the image reading unit using a CCD or the like. Therefore, by using the contact image sensor 82 as the image sensor of the image reading unit 61, the document placing table 5 can be made thin.

  A document is conveyed from the document tray 81 to the document discharge tray 83 by the ADF 6 through the document conveyance path 82. In this conveyance process, the document passes through the reading surface 84 of the platen glass 60. At that time, the image reading unit 61 reads an image of the document. In such image reading by the ADF 6, the document cover 7 is closed with respect to the document table 5. In other words, when reading an image of a document using the ADF 6, there is no need to open the document cover 7. Therefore, if there is enough space for the height of the apparatus with the document cover 7 closed, the multi-function apparatus 1 can be installed and the scanner unit 3 can be used.

(Control part)
Hereinafter, a control unit that controls operations of the printer unit 2 and the scanner unit 3 will be described. FIG. 9 shows the configuration of the control unit 100 of the multi-function device 1. The control unit 100 controls the operation of the multi-function device 1 including the printer unit 2 and the scanner unit 3. As shown in the figure, the control unit 100 is a microcomputer mainly including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable ROM) 104. And is connected to an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 106 via a bus 105.

  The ROM 102 stores a program for controlling various operations of the multi-function device 1. The RAM 103 is used as a storage area or a work area for temporarily recording various data used when the CPU 101 executes the program.

  The ASIC 106 generates a phase excitation signal or the like for energizing the CR motor 107 or LF motor 108 of the printer unit 2 according to a command from the CPU 101, and sends the signal to the drive circuits 109 and 110 of the CR motor 107 or LF motor 108. Give. When a drive signal is energized to the CR motor 107 or the LF motor 108 via the drive circuits 109 and 110, rotation control of the CR motor 107 and the LF motor 108 is performed.

  The drive circuit 109 drives the CR motor 107 connected to the scanning carriage 31 of the printer unit 2. The drive circuit 109 receives the output signal from the ASIC 106 and generates an electrical signal for rotating the CR motor 107. Upon receipt of the electrical signal, the CR motor 107 rotates, and the rotational force of the CR motor 107 is transmitted to the scanning carriage 31 via the belt drive mechanism 38, whereby the scanning carriage 31 is scanned.

  The drive circuit 110 drives the LF motor 108 connected to the paper feed roller 25, the transport roller 47, the paper discharge roller 49, and the purge mechanism 43 of the printer unit 2. The drive circuit 110 receives the output signal from the ASIC 106 and generates an electrical signal for rotating the LF motor 108. The LF motor 108 that has received the electrical signal rotates, and the rotational force of the LF motor 108 is fed via a known drive mechanism including a gear, a drive shaft, and the like, through a paper feed roller 25, a transport roller 47, a paper discharge roller 49, and a purge mechanism. 43.

  The drive circuit 111 selectively ejects ink from the recording head 30 onto the recording paper at a predetermined timing. The drive circuit 111 receives the output signal generated in the ASIC 106 based on the drive control procedure output from the CPU 65, and drives and controls the recording head 30.

  Connected to the ASIC 106 are a rotary encoder for detecting the rotation amount of the transport roller 47 of the printer unit 2, a linear encoder for detecting the movement amount of the scanning carriage 31, and the like. Based on the detection signals of these rotary encoders and linear encoders, the CPU 101 outputs a command to the ASIC 106, and the ASIC 106 generates a phase excitation signal and the like for energizing the CR motor 107 and the LF motor 108 according to the command.

  The ASIC 106 generates a phase excitation signal or the like for energizing the CR motor 112 of the scanner unit 3 or the LF motor 113 of the ADF 6 in accordance with a command from the CPU 101, and outputs the signal to the drive circuit 114, the CR motor 112 or the LF motor 113. 115. When a drive signal is energized to the CR motor 112 or the LF motor 113 through the drive circuits 114 and 115, rotation control of the CR motor 112 and the LF motor 113 is performed.

  The drive circuit 114 drives the CR motor 112 connected to the carriage 68 of the scanner unit 3. The drive circuit 114 receives the output signal from the ASIC 106 and generates an electrical signal for rotating the CR motor 112. Upon receipt of the electrical signal, the CR motor 112 rotates, and the rotational force of the CR motor 112 is transmitted to the carriage 68 via a known scanning mechanism, whereby the carriage 68 is moved.

  The drive circuit 115 drives the LF motor 113 connected to the separation roller 96 and the document conveyance roller 98 of the ADF 6. The drive circuit 115 receives the output signal from the ASIC 106 and generates an electrical signal for rotating the LF motor 113. The LF motor 113 that receives the electrical signal rotates, and the rotational force of the LF motor 113 is transmitted to the separation roller 96 and the document conveying roller 98 via a known drive mechanism including a gear, a drive shaft, and the like. Drive is transmitted from the separation roller 96 to the suction roller 94 via a drive transmission mechanism.

  Connected to the ASIC 106 is a contact image sensor 67 that reads an image of a document in the scanner unit 3. The ASIC 106 gives an electrical signal for irradiating light from the light source and a timing signal for outputting image data from the photoelectric conversion element to the contact image sensor 67 based on a command from the CPU 101. The contact image sensor 67 receives these signals, irradiates the document with light at a predetermined timing, and outputs image data converted by the photoelectric conversion element.

  Connected to the ASIC 106 is a panel gate array 116 that controls the operation keys 10 for inputting desired commands to the multi-function device 1. The panel gate array 116 detects the pressing of the operation key 10 and outputs a predetermined code signal. This key code is assigned corresponding to the plurality of operation keys 10, and in particular, the operation key 10 arranged around the liquid crystal display unit (display unit) 11 is displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11. A plurality of key codes are given in association. When the CPU 101 receives a predetermined key code from the panel gate array 116, the CPU 101 performs control processing to be executed according to a predetermined key processing table. The key processing table is a table in which key codes and control processes are associated with each other, and is stored in the ROM 102, for example.

  Connected to the ASIC 106 is an LCD controller 117 that controls screen display of the liquid crystal display unit 11. The LCD controller 117 causes the liquid crystal display unit 11 to display the upper part related to the operation of the printer unit 2 or the scanner unit 3 on the screen based on a command from the CPU 101.

  The ASIC 106 is connected to a slot portion 8 into which various small memory cards are inserted, a parallel interface 118 and a USB interface 119 for transmitting and receiving data to and from the computer via a parallel cable or a USB cable. Further, the ASIC 106 is connected with an NCU (Network Control Unit) 120 and a MODEM 121 for realizing a facsimile function.

(control panel)
Hereinafter, the operation panel of the multi-function device 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, an operation panel 9 is provided on the front side of the document table 5. The operation panel 9 includes various operation keys 10 and a liquid crystal display unit 11. The user inputs a desired command using the operation panel 9. The multi-function device 1 receives a predetermined input and performs a predetermined operation. The multi-function device 1 is operated not only by a command input to the operation panel 9 but also by a command connected to the computer and transmitted from the computer via a printer driver, a scanner driver, or the like.

  A slot portion 8 into which various small memory cards as recording media can be loaded is provided in the upper left portion of the front surface of the multi-function device 1. Image data recorded on a small memory card loaded in the slot unit 8 can be read out, information on the image data can be displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11, and an arbitrary image can be recorded on a recording sheet by the printer unit 3. The input for this is performed from the operation panel 9.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the liquid crystal display unit 11 is a horizontally long rectangle in plan view, and its vertical dimension is slightly smaller than the depth dimension of the operation panel 9. Therefore, there is no space for arranging the operation keys 10 on the operation panel 9 on the back side and the near side of the liquid crystal display unit 11. In other words, the liquid crystal display unit 11 is enlarged to a size that can be arranged on the operation panel 9. By using such a large liquid crystal display unit 11, the visibility of characters and images displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 11 is improved.

  The liquid crystal display unit 11 is disposed at the center in the width direction of the operation panel 9. The width dimension of the liquid crystal display unit 11 is sufficiently smaller than the width dimension of the operation panel 9. Therefore, there is a space for arranging the operation keys 10 on the operation panel 9 on the side of the liquid crystal display unit 11. By disposing the liquid crystal display unit 11 in the center of the operation panel 9, the operation keys 10 can be disposed on both the left and right sides of the liquid crystal display unit 11. Thereby, the balance of the position of the liquid crystal display unit 11 with respect to the arrangement of the operation keys 10 is improved.

  There are three operation keys 10, an operation key 10 </ b> A provided around the liquid crystal display unit 11, an operation key 10 </ b> B provided on the right end side of the operation panel 9, and an operation key 10 </ b> C provided on the left end side of the operation panel 9. Broadly divided.

  The operation keys 10 </ b> A are arranged around the liquid crystal display unit 11 and on both the left and right sides along the side edges of the liquid crystal display unit 11. Thus, by arranging the operation keys 10A on the left and right sides of the liquid crystal display unit 11, the space on the side of the liquid crystal display unit 11 can be used effectively.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display unit 11 lies on the operation panel 9 so that the surface thereof and the surface of the operation panel 9 are flush with each other. This posture of the liquid crystal display unit 11 is referred to as a lying posture. On the other hand, the liquid crystal display unit 11 can be rotated so as to stand up with respect to the operation panel 9 as shown in FIG. This posture of the liquid crystal display unit 11 is called a standing posture. By setting the liquid crystal display unit 11 to the lying posture, the liquid crystal display unit 11 does not protrude from the surface of the operation panel 9 and the appearance of the operation panel 9 is improved. Further, the visibility of the display of the liquid crystal display unit 11 from the upper side of the multi-function device 1 is improved. On the other hand, the display visibility of the liquid crystal display unit 11 from the front side of the multi-function device 1 is improved by setting the liquid crystal display unit 11 in the standing posture.

  Such rotation of the liquid crystal display unit 11 is realized by the shaft 12 provided in the liquid crystal display unit 11 being pivotally supported by the document placing table 5. In detail, the liquid crystal display unit 11 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) arranged in a flat plate shape having a predetermined thickness so as to be visible from the front side. Although not shown in the drawing, a flat cable is extended from the back side of the liquid crystal display unit 11, and the flat cable is connected to the control board 52 (see FIG. 3), so that an electric signal is transmitted from the control board 52. In response, a predetermined screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a shaft 12 protrudes laterally on the side surface of the casing of the liquid crystal display unit 11. The shaft 12 is pivotally supported in the vicinity of the center of the operation panel 9 of the document table 5, so that the liquid crystal display unit 11 can be rotated around the shaft 12. The shaft 12 protrudes in the horizontal direction (front side in FIG. 12) from the vicinity of the lower corner of the thickness direction on the front side of the apparatus in the lying posture (left side in FIG. 12). Although not shown in the figure, a similar shaft 12 is provided on the opposite side surface of the liquid crystal display unit 11. By providing the shaft 12 on the front side of the device of the liquid crystal display unit 11, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 12, when the liquid crystal display unit 11 is rotated to a standing posture, the liquid crystal display below the shaft 12 is displayed. The lower end of the part 11 does not protrude below the lowest position 130 of the liquid crystal display part 11 in the lying posture.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display unit 11 in the lying posture is substantially flush with the surface of the operation panel 9 and is within the thickness of the document placing table 5 of the scanner unit 3. In other words, the lowest position 130 of the liquid crystal display unit 11 in the lying posture is at a position equivalent to the bottom surface of the casing of the document placing table 5 or above the bottom surface. And even if the liquid crystal display unit 11 is rotated to the standing posture, the lower end thereof does not protrude below the lowest position 130. That is, the lower end of the liquid crystal display unit 11 in the standing posture does not protrude downward from the bottom surface of the casing of the document table 5. Thereby, the liquid crystal display unit 11 can be rotated with respect to the operation panel 9 within the thickness range of the document placing table 5 which is thinned by employing the contact image sensor 82.

  As shown in FIG. 12, an engaging member 13 is disposed so as to be fitted to the upper side of the shaft 12 of the liquid crystal display unit 11 pivotally supported on the document placing table 5. In a state where the liquid crystal display unit 11 is pivotally supported on the document placing table 5, the engaging member 13 is fixed to the document placing table 5. A plurality of locking claws 14 are formed on the engaging member 13 so as to be aligned in the circumferential direction of the shaft 12. The liquid crystal display unit 11 is provided with a leaf spring 15 that is bent in a mountain fold so that the tip of the liquid crystal display unit 11 is aligned between the adjacent locking claws 14.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when the liquid crystal display unit 11 is in the lying posture, the leaf spring 15 is engaged with the locking claw 14 at the lying side end. In order to rotate the liquid crystal display unit 11 in the lying posture to be in the standing posture, it is necessary to elastically deform the mountain-shaped tip of the leaf spring 15 outward from the tip of the locking claw 14 in the radial direction of the shaft 12. is there. In other words, the liquid crystal display unit 11 is not rotated unless a force for elastically deforming the leaf spring 15 is applied to the liquid crystal display unit 11. This prevents the liquid crystal display unit 11 in the lying posture from shaking in the rotation direction.

  If the user rotates the liquid crystal display unit 11 in the lying posture so that the liquid crystal display unit 11 stands upright, the tip of the leaf spring 15 is pivoted along the locking claw 14 by the turning force applied by the user. 12 is elastically deformed radially outward. And if the front-end | tip of the leaf | plate spring 15 exceeds the front-end | tip of the latching claw 14 of a lying side end, the front-end | tip of the leaf | plate spring 15 bent in the mountain shape will be the latching claw 14 and the latching claw 14 adjacent to it. The shaft 12 is restored to the inside in the radial direction so as to engage with the valley between the two. In order to rotate the liquid crystal display unit 11 in either the standing direction or the lying down direction from the state in which the tip of the leaf spring 15 is engaged in the valley between the latching claws 14, It is necessary to apply a force for elastic deformation from the tip of the locking claw 14 to the radially outer side of the shaft 12. In other words, unless the user further rotates the liquid crystal display unit 11, the liquid crystal display unit 11 maintains the posture with the tip of the leaf spring 15 engaged with the valley between the locking claws 14.

  When the user further rotates the liquid crystal display unit 11, the distal end of the leaf spring 15 is elastically deformed radially outward of the shaft 12 along the locking claw 14 as described above, and the distal end of the leaf spring 15. However, when the tip of the predetermined locking claw 14 is exceeded, the tip of the bent leaf spring 15 is engaged in a valley between the locking claw 14 and the adjacent locking claw 14. Thus, the shaft 12 is restored to the inside in the radial direction. Unless the user further rotates the liquid crystal display unit 11, the liquid crystal display unit 11 maintains its posture in a state where the tip of the leaf spring 15 is engaged in the valley between the locking claws 14. Due to the engagement between the locking claw 14 and the leaf spring 15, the posture of the liquid crystal display unit 11 is maintained at a predetermined rotation position. That is, a so-called tilt mechanism is realized that can temporarily fix the liquid crystal display unit 11 in a predetermined posture in which the locking claw 14 and the leaf spring 15 are engaged.

  As shown in FIG. 13, even when the liquid crystal display unit 11 stands in a vertical position from the shaft 12, the upper end of the liquid crystal display unit 11 does not protrude above the uppermost position 131 of the ADF 6. Thereby, in order to stand up the liquid crystal display part 11, the space more than the height of the multi-function device 1 is not required. As described above, when the image of the scanner unit 3 is read by the ADF 6, it is not necessary to open the document cover 7. Therefore, if there is enough space for the height of the apparatus with the document cover 7 closed, the multi-function apparatus 1 can be installed and the scanner unit 3 can be used. In other words, the scanner unit 3 can be used even if an obstacle such as a shelf board is present above the uppermost position 131 of the ADF 6.

  When there is an obstacle such as a shelf on the upper side of the multi-function device 1, it is difficult to confirm the display of the liquid crystal display unit 11 from above the device. It is preferable to confirm. As described above, even when the liquid crystal display unit 11 is in the standing posture, the upper end of the liquid crystal display unit 11 does not protrude upward from the uppermost position 131 of the ADF 6, so that the liquid crystal display unit 11 can be freely rotated regardless of the obstacle on the upper side of the apparatus. be able to. Thereby, the visibility of the liquid crystal display part 11 is good, and the multifunctional apparatus 1 of space saving is implement | achieved.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the document placing table 5 is rotatable so as to open upward with respect to the lower part of the apparatus constituting the printer unit 2. The document placing table 5 is connected to the side (left side in FIG. 14) of the casing 16 at the lower part of the apparatus constituting the printer unit 2 via a hinge mechanism. By this hinge mechanism, the document table 5 is movable with respect to the housing 16.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 14, a handle 18 is formed in the right corner on the front side of the document placing table 5 so as to be recessed in the substantially horizontal direction toward the inside of the apparatus. By placing a finger on the handle 18 and lifting the document table 5 upward, the document table 5 is opened as shown in FIG. The handle 18 is recessed with respect to the front of the apparatus and also with respect to the side of the apparatus, and the recess on the front side of the apparatus and the recess on the side of the apparatus are continuous. That is, the handle 18 can put a finger on an arbitrary position from the front side of the apparatus or from the side face of the apparatus. Thereby, the manuscript placing table 5 can be easily rotated upward with respect to the housing 16 by placing a finger on the handle 18 from the front side or the side surface side of the multi-function device 1.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the document table 5 is opened upward, the inside of the housing 16, that is, the inside of the printer unit 2 is exposed. In this state, maintenance such as replacement of the ink tank 32 and jam processing in the transport path 23 can be performed. Since the operation panel 9 is provided on the front side of the upper surface of the document placing table 5, it rotates together with the document placing table 5. On the other hand, portions of the operation panel 9 that pivotally support the liquid crystal display unit 11, that is, portions on both sides of the liquid crystal display unit 11, are not rotated with the document placing table 5 and are fixed to the housing 16. . This portion is called a fixed portion 16.

  In order to enable the liquid crystal display unit 11 to rotate with respect to the operation panel 9, it is necessary to provide a portion for supporting the shaft 12 on the operation panel 9. By arranging the operation key 10A on the fixed portion 16, the space of the fixed portions on both sides of the liquid crystal display unit 11 is effectively used.

  As described above, according to the multi-function device 1, the liquid crystal display unit 11 is provided so as to be able to rise and fall with respect to the operation panel 9, and the liquid crystal display unit 11 in the standing posture protrudes above the uppermost position 131 of the ADF 6. In addition, since the lower end on the shaft 12 side does not protrude below the lowest position 101 of the document table 5, the visibility of the liquid crystal display unit 11 from the front side of the apparatus is improved, and the liquid crystal display unit 11 is erected. In order to make it into a posture, a space more than the height of the apparatus and a space more than the thickness of the scanner unit 3 are not required. Thereby, the visibility of the liquid crystal display part 11 is good, and the multifunctional apparatus 1 of space saving is implement | achieved.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a multi-function device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the main configuration of the printer unit 2. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the main configuration of the printer unit 2. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the multi-function device 1 with the document cover 7 open. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the document table 5. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the document table 5. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the configuration of the belt driving mechanism 70. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the ADF 6. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 100 of the multi-function device 1. FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of the operation panel 9. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the multi-function device 1 with the liquid crystal display unit 11 in an upright posture. FIG. 12 is a side view showing a configuration near the axis 12 of the liquid crystal display unit 11. FIG. 13 is a front view showing an external configuration of the multi-function device 1 with the liquid crystal display unit 11 in an upright posture. FIG. 14 is a front view showing an external configuration of the multi-function device 1 with the document table 5 open.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Multifunctional device 2 ... Printer part (image recording device)
3... Scanner unit (image reading unit, image reading device)
5 ... Document placement table 6 ... ADF (automatic document feeder)
7: Document cover 9 ... Operation panel 11 ... Liquid crystal display (display)
12 ... shaft 67 ... contact image sensor 81 ... document tray (document placement section)
82 ... Document transport path (transport path)
83 ... Document discharge tray (document discharge section)
130: Bottom position 131 ... Top position

Claims (5)

An image reading unit provided with a document cover that forms a part of the upper surface of the apparatus on a document table on which a medium to be read is mounted, and a display unit that is provided on the front side of the upper surface of the apparatus and displays information about the image reading unit An image reading apparatus comprising:
The document cover is provided with an automatic document transport mechanism for transporting a document through a transport path from a document placement unit to a document discharge unit,
The display unit is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the operation panel with the front side of the apparatus as an axis, and does not protrude upward from the uppermost position of the automatic document transport mechanism in the standing posture. An image reading apparatus whose lower end on the side does not protrude downward from the lowest position of the image reading unit.   The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is flush with a surface of the operation panel in a lying posture.   3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the axis of the display unit protrudes in the horizontal direction from the vicinity of the lower corner in the thickness direction on the front side of the apparatus in the lying posture.   4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the document reading unit includes a contact image sensor that can reciprocate inside the document placing table. 5. The image reading device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 is disposed on the upper portion of the device,
A multi-function device in which an image recording device for recording an image on a recording medium is disposed at the lower part of the device.

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