JP2009155064A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly elongate and contract a paper ejection tray according to the size of a paper sheet to be discharged and improve stability of a paper ejection tray section, in the case in which different size paper sheets can be fed and the paper ejection tray section is stretchable. <P>SOLUTION: A paper feeding cassette device 20 arranged insertably into/extractably from an image recording device 1 is provided with: the paper feeding cassette section 25 stackingly storing media to be recorded; and the paper ejection tray section 40 overlapping above the paper feeding cassette section 25 and stackingly loading thereon the media to be recorded discharged from a recording section 12. The paper ejection tray section 40 has a first paper ejection tray section 41 positioned on a back side in an inserting/extracting direction and a second paper ejection tray section 42 stretchably arranged along the inserting/extracting direction with respect to the first paper ejection tray section 41. A changing means restraining vertical backlash when the second paper ejection tray section 42 extends outward of an opening 14 is provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus in which a paper feed cassette device integrally provided with a paper discharge tray is detachably arranged.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image recording apparatus such as a copying apparatus or a printer apparatus has a configuration in which a paper feeding cassette apparatus that accommodates a recording medium (paper or the like) before recording in a stacked state is detachably arranged. Image recording devices are used not only by companies (business use), but also by small-scale offices and individuals at home (home use), and there is a demand for downsizing the entire device. . On the other hand, as the paper size, it is required to use various types of paper such as B5 to A3, L size, legal size, and the like.

  However, if a paper feed cassette device is prepared for each paper size, many types of paper feed cassette devices are required. If multiple types of paper cassette devices can be mounted on the image recording device at the same time, the size of the image recording device itself will be increased. If multiple types of paper cassette devices are used while being replaced, a spare paper cassette device will be used. A space for storing the is also required.

  The present applicant discloses an image recording apparatus of a type having two sheet feeding cassette devices at the top and bottom in Patent Document 1, and is configured so that the slide tray of the upper sheet feeding cassette apparatus can be extended and contracted. In Patent Document 1, in addition to being able to accommodate different sizes of paper in the upper and lower paper feed cassette devices, it is possible to accommodate different sizes of paper by expanding and contracting the upper paper feed cassette device.

Further, in Patent Document 2, the cover of the upper sheet cassette apparatus is also used as the discharge tray unit. When a large size sheet is discharged, the auxiliary tray of the discharge tray unit (cassette cover) is attached. It is extended to increase its mounting area.
JP 2007-181933 A (see FIGS. 1 and 2) JP 2000-247456 A (see FIGS. 2 and 3)

  However, in the paper discharge tray portion of Patent Document 2, the auxiliary tray is locked to the main body portion of the paper feed cassette device, but is not locked to a movable casing that can be expanded and contracted. Therefore, there are cases where only the auxiliary tray of the paper discharge tray section is extended even though the paper cassette apparatus is not extended. The paper discharge tray is also used as a cover for the paper cassette unit and is relatively thin, so it has low rigidity. It causes rattling when stretched, and paper cannot be placed stably. There is a possibility that the paper discharge tray may be damaged when the user touches it.

  Also, if multiple sizes of paper are configured to be fed, the paper output tray is set to a size that matches the size of the small paper (the paper output tray is shrunk). In some cases, it is instructed to record on a large size sheet without noticing it. Such a situation includes, for example, a plurality of paper cassette apparatuses, a large size (for example, A3 size) is accommodated in the lower sheet cassette apparatus, and a small size (for example, A4 size) is accommodated in the upper sheet cassette apparatus. ) Is likely to occur.

  If the placement area of the paper discharge tray is smaller than the discharged paper, the paper drops from the paper discharge tray, and the order of discharge (stacking) becomes disjoint, which takes time to rearrange the paper. Further, in a configuration in which the discharge tray portion cannot be easily expanded and contracted, it is necessary to perform an operation of extending the discharge tray portion after stopping the recording command.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems. When paper of different sizes can be fed and the paper discharge tray is configured to be extendable, the paper discharge is performed according to the size of the paper to be discharged. An object of the present invention is to realize a paper feed cassette apparatus and an image recording apparatus that can rapidly expand and contract the tray and improve the stability of the paper discharge tray section.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a recording unit and a storage unit capable of storing a paper feed cassette device inside a casing, An image recording apparatus configured such that a paper feeding cassette device can be inserted into and removed from the housing portion through an opening provided on one side surface, wherein the paper feeding cassette device is fed to a recording portion. A paper feed cassette unit that can store recording media in a stacked state, and a paper discharge tray unit that overlaps an upper portion of the paper feed cassette unit and can mount a recording medium discharged from the recording unit in a stacked state, The paper discharge tray section is slid along the insertion / extraction direction with respect to the first paper discharge tray section located on the back side in the insertion / extraction direction, and on the outer side of the storage section A first state extending to a second state and a second state inside the housing portion; A second discharge tray portion that is extendable between the second discharge tray portion, and the storage portion is provided with changing means for changing a vertically movable range of the second discharge tray portion. According to the present invention, when the second discharge tray unit is in the first state or when the second discharge tray unit is in the second state, the vertical direction of the second discharge tray unit is higher when the second discharge tray unit is in the first state. It is configured to be changeable so that the movable range in is small.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the changing unit is provided in the storage unit so as to restrict the vertical movement of the second paper discharge tray unit. It is characterized in that a regulating member is included.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the image recording apparatus according to the first or second aspect, wherein the changing unit is provided with the accommodating portion for restricting the vertical movement of the second paper discharge tray portion. The regulating member provided and the sheet feeding cassette device are included.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the third aspect, the changing unit sets an interval between the upper surface of the second discharge tray unit and the restricting member to the second discharge sheet. The tray portion is provided so as to be smaller when the tray portion is in the first state and when the tray portion is in the second state.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the paper feed cassette portion is provided below the first paper discharge tray portion. A second paper feed tray having a first paper feed cassette portion and a second paper feed cassette portion that is slidable along the insertion / extraction direction with respect to the first paper feed cassette portion and is extendable and contractible Engaging means is provided between the first sheet feeding cassette section and the second sheet feeding cassette section, and the second sheet discharge tray section and the second sheet feeding cassette section slide integrally or separately. It is characterized by doing.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the engagement means is a male / female fitting means, and the second paper discharge tray section and the second paper feed cassette The male and female fitting convex portions are provided on one of the portions, and the male and female fitting concave portions and a rib-like portion extending in the insertion / removal direction adjacent to the concave portions are provided on the other, and the second discharge tray portion Is in the second state, the convex portion is fitted into the concave portion as the engaging means, and when only the second paper discharge tray portion is slid and extended, the convex portion is It is configured such that it slides on the rib-like portion and the distance between the upper surface of the second paper discharge tray portion and the regulating member is narrowed.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect, the engaging means is a means for male-female fitting in the up-down direction, wherein the second state and the first state In any state, the second discharge tray portion is provided so that the male and female can be fitted to the second paper feed cassette portion, and the changing means has a fitting depth of the male and female fittings, The second state and the first state are different from each other.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to any one of the third to seventh aspects, the restriction member is provided inside the housing portion, and the paper feeding cassette device is disposed in the housing portion. It is a guide part which guides the paper feed cassette device when being inserted and removed.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the image recording apparatus according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, a lower paper feed cassette device can be inserted / removed below the paper feed cassette device in the housing portion. The size of the recording medium that is attached and can be accommodated in the lower paper feed cassette device is equal to or larger than the maximum size of the recording medium that can be accommodated in the paper feed cassette device. The mounting area of the paper discharge tray section is set according to the size of the recording medium that can be accommodated in the lower paper feed cassette device.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the paper feed cassette device having the paper feed cassette portion and the paper discharge tray portion can be inserted into and removed from the accommodating portion provided in the housing of the image recording apparatus. The paper discharge tray section includes a first paper discharge tray section located on the back side in the insertion / extraction direction, and a second paper discharge section that is slidable along the insertion / extraction direction with respect to the first paper discharge tray section and is extendable / contractible. And a tray portion. The movable range in the up and down direction when the second discharge tray portion extends to the outside of the housing portion is shown as the up and down movable range when the second discharge tray portion is inside the housing portion. Changing means that can be smaller than the movable range of the direction is provided. That is, when it is desired to increase the mounting area of the discharge tray portion, the area can be immediately increased by extending the second discharge tray portion (to the first state). Since the vertical movement of the paper discharge tray portion is more restrained than in the second state, stability when the extended portion places the paper is improved, and the possibility of damage when the user hits can be reduced. .

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the changing means includes a restricting member provided in the accommodating portion for restricting the vertical movement of the second discharge tray portion. In other words, since the restricting member is not provided outside the housing portion, there is no concern that the operation will be disturbed when the second discharge tray portion is used in the second state.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is included a restricting member provided in the housing portion for restricting the vertical movement of the second discharge tray portion and the paper feed cassette device. Further, the backlash in the vertical direction of the second paper discharge tray portion can be restrained by the regulating member and the paper feed cassette unit device.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first state in which the second paper discharge tray portion is extended by the changing means is larger than that in the second state in which the second paper discharge tray portion is contracted. Since the interval is reduced, in the first state, the upward movable range of the second paper discharge tray portion is reduced and the displacement is suppressed.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, the paper feed cassette unit is provided with respect to the first paper feed cassette unit provided below the first paper discharge tray unit and the first paper feed cassette unit. And a second paper feed cassette section that is slidable along the insertion / extraction direction and is provided to be extendable / contractable. When the second discharge tray portion is engaged with the second paper feed cassette portion by the engaging means, the second discharge tray portion and the second paper feed cassette portion slide integrally. And in the state which these extended | stretched integrally, since the 2nd paper discharge tray part is reinforced by the 2nd paper feed cassette part, the rigidity can be improved as a whole. On the other hand, when the engagement between the second paper discharge tray portion and the second paper feed cassette portion is disengaged and only the second paper discharge tray portion is slid and extended, the rigidity in the extended first state becomes the second paper feed. Since there is no reinforcement by the cassette part, it becomes low. However, as described in the first to fourth aspects, even if only the second paper discharge tray portion is extended by suppressing the vertical shaking of the second paper discharge tray portion in the first state, Its rigidity can be improved.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the engaging means by male-female fitting is provided between the second paper discharge tray portion and the second paper feed cassette portion, One of the second paper feed cassette sections is provided with the male-male fitting convex part, and the other is provided with the male-female concave part and a rib-like part extending in the insertion / removal direction adjacent to the concave part. Therefore, in the second state in which the second paper discharge tray portion is contracted, the convex portion is fitted into the male and female in the concave portion, and the second paper discharge tray portion is engaged with the second paper feed cassette portion. As the second paper discharge tray portion extends, the convex portion slides on the rib-like portion, and the distance between the upper surface of the second paper discharge tray portion and the regulating member becomes narrower. As a result, when the second paper discharge tray portion is in the first state in which the second paper discharge tray portion is completely extended, the lower surface of the second paper discharge tray portion is positioned by the contact between the convex portion and the rib-like portion, and the second paper discharge tray is positioned. The upper surface of the part is in contact with or close to the regulating member. That is, in the first state in which the second paper discharge tray portion is fully extended, the second paper discharge tray portion is sandwiched or sandwiched between the restricting member and the second paper feed tray portion (paper feed cassette portion). Therefore, it is possible to restrain the backlash in the vertical direction of the second paper discharge tray portion.

  According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the engaging means between the second paper discharge tray section and the second paper feed cassette section includes the second state where the second paper discharge tray section is contracted and the second discharge tray section. In any state of the first state in which only the paper tray portion is extended, the second paper discharge tray portion is provided so that it can be fitted to the second paper feed cassette portion in the vertical direction. In the first state in which only the second discharge tray portion is extended by the changing means, the fitting depth of the male and female fittings is different from that in the second state in which the second discharge tray portion is contracted. Thus, the second paper discharge tray is lifted by the second paper feed cassette so that the distance between the second paper discharge tray and the regulating member is reduced. As a result, the backlash in the vertical direction in the first state of the second discharge tray portion is restrained.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the feeding unit is a guide unit that is provided inside the housing unit and guides the paper feeding cassette device when the paper feeding cassette device is inserted into and removed from the housing unit. A guide part necessary for inserting / removing the paper cassette device can be used as the changing means.

  According to the ninth aspect of the invention, the lower paper feed cassette device is detachably attached to the opening portion below the paper feed cassette device, and the second paper discharge tray portion is slid outward. In this state, the placement area of the paper discharge tray unit is set in accordance with the size of the recording medium that can be accommodated in the lower paper feed cassette device. Since the paper discharge tray unit is integrally provided in the upper paper cassette unit, when the recording medium stored in the lower paper cassette unit is fed and recorded, You may forget to enlarge the mounting area. However, since the second paper discharge tray portion of the paper discharge tray portion can be quickly extended, the placement area of the paper discharge tray portion can be easily expanded even after the paper feed from the lower paper feed cassette device starts. . Therefore, it is possible to prevent inconvenience that the recording medium is dropped from the paper discharge tray.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, a multi-function device (MFD: Multi Function Device) 1 having a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, and a facsimile function is illustrated as an image recording device. The image recording device includes a scanner device, a copy device, A single-function device such as a facsimile machine may be used.

  FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multi-function device 1 according to an embodiment. In the multi-function device 1, an image reading device (scanner unit) 3 for reading a document in a copy function or a facsimile function is disposed on an upper part of a synthetic resin body case (housing) 2 (see FIG. 2). ). The image reading device 3 reads an original and creates image data (including photographic data and document data) (scanner function).

  Using the copy function, the multi-function device 1 can record the image data created by the image reading device 3 as an image (photograph, document) on a sheet which is an example of a recording medium. The multi-function device 1 can transmit the image data created by the image reading device 3 through the telephone communication network using the facsimile function. Furthermore, the multi-function device 1 can also transmit the image data created by the image reading device 3 to a personal computer connected via a cable or the like.

  In the present embodiment, the image reading device 3 is configured as a so-called flat bed scanner. The multi-function device 1 is provided with a document reading glass 5 and an image sensor 6 on the lower side of a document cover 4 provided as a top plate so as to be freely opened and closed (see FIG. 3). The image sensor 6 employs a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) that is long in the X-axis direction (see FIG. 1), but a CCD (Charge Coupled Devise) may also be used. A document for image reading is placed on the reading glass 5, and the image sensor 6 reciprocates in the Y-axis direction (see FIG. 1) below the reading glass 5 to read the image.

  The document cover 4 is provided with an auto document feeder (ADF) 7 that is an automatic document feeder. The ADF 7 is an image sensor 6 that conveys documents placed on a document tray 8 (shown in a closed state in FIG. 1) one by one onto the reading glass 5, and leaves the document stationary below the reading glass 5. Read the original. The read original is discharged to the original discharge tray 9.

  An operation panel 10 including operation buttons and a liquid crystal display unit is provided on the front upper portion of the multi-function device 1 in order to command various operations. Also, below the operation panel 10, a slot portion 11 into which various small memory cards as storage media can be loaded is also arranged.

  The internal configuration of the multi-function device 1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a recording unit 12 is provided at the center of the main body case 2. An ink jet recording head 13 is disposed in the recording unit 12, and ink of each color is supplied from an ink cartridge (not shown) accommodated in the main body case 2 via a flexible ink supply tube (tube). Are independently supplied to the recording head 13.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, an opening 14 is provided in the lower front portion of the multi-function device 1, and an upper paper cassette device (corresponding to the paper cassette device in the claims) 20 and lower paper feed. All of the cassette devices 30 are arranged so as to be able to be inserted into and removed from the opening 14 with respect to the housing portion 16 at the bottom of the main body case 2 (substantially in and out in the horizontal direction). Hereinafter, the side of the synthetic resin body case 2 having the opening 14 is referred to as the front (front), and the back (back), left and right of the device with reference to this. As described above, the front-rear direction of the multi-function device 1 is the X-axis direction, and the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction.

  Guide rail-shaped guide portions for inserting the upper and lower paper feed cassette apparatuses 20 and 30 into appropriate positions are provided on the left and right inner surfaces of the opening 14. FIG. 4 shows a part of the guide portion 15 for the upper sheet cassette apparatus 20. As will be described in detail later, the guide portion 15 is disposed at a position where it abuts on the upper surface of the paper discharge tray portion 40.

  Each of the upper and lower feed cassette devices 20 and 30 is formed so that a large number of sheets as recording media can be stacked and accommodated. The upper and lower paper feed cassette devices 20 and 30 are inserted into and removed from the multi-function device 1 so as to coincide with the feeding direction of the stored paper, and the upper and lower paper feed cassette devices 20 and 30 are inserted in and removed from the multifunction device 1. The back side is the downstream side in the paper feeding direction.

  An upper separation inclined plate 21 is provided on the back side (the right side in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the upper sheet cassette apparatus 20. In addition, an upper sheet feeding roller 23 that is pivotally supported at the tip of the upper sheet feeding arm 22 is disposed so as to face a position closer to the back side of the bottom surface of the upper sheet feeding cassette device 20. The upper paper feed arm 22 is urged downward, and the upper paper feed roller 23 comes into contact with the uppermost surface of the paper accumulated and stored in the upper paper feed cassette 20. When a driving force is transmitted from a driving source (not shown) to the upper sheet feeding roller 23 and rotated, the uppermost sheet P is separated one by one by a known cooperative action with the upper inclined separating plate 21 and guided upward. Is done.

  The upper sheet conveyance path 24 is formed in a U-turn shape that turns upward from the upper separation inclined plate 21 and then bends to the front side of the multi-function device 1, and image recording is performed on the sheet P by the recording unit 12. Later, the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray section 40. The upper paper feed arm 22 is configured to move up and down in accordance with the operation of inserting and removing the upper paper feed cassette device 20, and can avoid the upper paper feed roller 23 from colliding with the upper inclined separation plate 21.

  The lower sheet cassette device 30 is also basically formed in the same manner as the upper sheet cassette 20, and a lower separation inclined plate 31 is provided on the back side (the right side in FIGS. 2 and 3). In addition, a lower paper feed roller 33 that is pivotally supported at the tip of the lower paper feed arm 32 is disposed so as to face a position closer to the back side of the bottom surface of the lower paper feed cassette device 30. The lower paper feed arm 32 is urged downward, and the lower paper feed roller 33 comes into contact with the uppermost surface of the paper P stored in the lower paper feed cassette 30. When a driving force is transmitted from a driving source (not shown) to the lower feed roller 33 and rotated, the uppermost sheet P is separated one by one by a known cooperative action with the lower inclined separation plate 31 and guided upward. Is done.

  The lower sheet conveyance path 34 is provided outside the upper sheet conveyance path 24 and is U-turned (upper sheet conveyance path) that turns upward from the lower separation inclined plate 31 and then turns to the front side of the multi-function device 1. (Arc shape larger than 24). The paper transported through the lower paper transport path 34 is discharged to the paper discharge tray section 40 after image recording is performed by the recording section 12. The lower sheet feeding arm 32 is configured to move up and down in accordance with the operation of inserting and removing the lower sheet feeding cassette device 30, and can prevent the lower sheet feeding roller 33 from colliding with the lower inclination separating plate 31.

  The upper paper feed cassette device 20 is provided so that the above-described paper discharge tray unit 40 overlaps an upper part of an upper paper feed cassette unit (corresponding to the paper feed cassette unit in the claims) 25 which is a paper storage unit. . Not only the paper fed from the upper paper feed cassette device 20 but also the paper fed from the lower paper feed cassette device 30 is discharged to the paper discharge tray section 40. The sheets are deposited in the order in which they are discharged.

  The upper sheet cassette unit 25 of the upper sheet cassette apparatus 20 is formed in a box shape with the upper surface substantially open, and the paper discharge tray unit 40 is dust-proof against the paper stored in the upper sheet cassette unit 25. It also serves as a cover for the display, and has a substantially thin flat plate shape. Accordingly, the paper discharge tray section 40 is formed so as to cover the upper opening of the upper sheet feeding cassette section 25 except for a portion that interferes with the upper sheet feeding arm 22 (at least a portion close to the opening section 14). ing.

  The upper sheet cassette unit 25 has a first sheet cassette unit 26 located on the back side (right side in FIGS. 2 and 3) in the insertion / extraction direction (X-axis direction), and the first sheet cassette unit 26. And a second paper feed cassette unit 27 that is slidable along the insertion / extraction direction and is extendable / contractible. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the second paper feed cassette unit 27 is assembled such that the paper placement plate 27 a overlaps below the paper placement plate 26 a of the first paper feed cassette unit 26. . A handle portion 25 a is provided on the front side surface (front surface) of the second paper feed cassette portion 27.

  The second paper feed cassette unit 27 is provided so as to be held in at least two stages of a contracted position and an extended position with respect to the first paper feed cassette unit 26. When the second paper feed cassette unit 27 is slid and extended most in the X-axis direction, A3 size paper can be accommodated at maximum (accommodated so that the longitudinal direction of the A3 size is along the X-axis direction). When the second paper feed cassette unit 27 is contracted to the maximum, A4 size paper can be accommodated at the maximum so that its longitudinal direction is along the Y-axis direction.

  Further, the upper sheet cassette unit 25 is provided with a pair of side guides 28 for guiding the side edges along the X-axis direction of the paper, and the interval between the side guides 28 in the Y-axis direction is set by a known interlocking mechanism. Wide and narrow adjustments can be made arbitrarily. By adjusting the distance between the side guides 28, the stored paper is centered with respect to the upper paper feed cassette unit 25. By adjusting the side guide 28 and adjusting the second paper feed cassette unit 27 by expansion and contraction, sheets from L size to A3 size can be set in the upper paper feed cassette unit 25.

  On the other hand, the lower feed cassette device 30 also has a lower feed cassette unit 35 serving as a sheet storage unit, which is located on the back side (right side in FIGS. 2 and 3) in the insertion / extraction direction (X-axis direction). It has a paper cassette section 36 and a lower second paper feed cassette section 37 that is slidable along the insertion / removal direction with respect to the lower first paper feed cassette section 36 and that can be expanded and contracted. The lower second paper feed cassette unit 37 is provided so as to be changeable in two stages, a contracted position and an extended position with respect to the lower first paper feed cassette unit 36.

  Similarly to the upper paper feed cassette unit 25, the lower paper feed cassette unit 35 can arbitrarily adjust the width of the side guides 38 (see FIG. 2) in the Y-axis direction. Centering with respect to the paper cassette unit 35 is possible. In addition, a handle portion 35 a is provided on the front side surface (front surface) of the lower second sheet feeding cassette portion 37.

  The paper discharge tray section 40 slides along the insertion / extraction direction with respect to the first paper discharge tray section 41 that overlaps the upper portion of the first paper feed cassette section 26 of the upper paper feed cassette apparatus 20. And a second paper discharge tray portion 42 that can be extended and contracted. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the first paper discharge tray unit 41 is assembled so as to overlap below the second paper discharge tray unit 42. A handle portion 45 is provided on the front side of the second discharge tray portion 42, and a pair of left and right guide ribs 46 project from the upper surface of the second discharge tray portion 42 so as to extend in the X-axis direction. In addition, the front end of the paper to be placed is inclined upward to prevent the paper from falling off.

  The paper discharge tray unit 40 is pivotally supported with respect to the upper paper feed cassette unit 25 by a hinge unit 43 provided on the back side. That is, the paper discharge tray section 40 pivots upward on the back side (side far from the opening 14) as the center, so that the user can turn the paper discharge tray section 40 upward. By gripping the handle portion 45 and lifting it upward, it is possible to perform the operation of setting paper in the upper paper feed cassette portion 25. As will be described later, when the upper sheet cassette device 20 is inserted from the opening 14 into the accommodating portion 16, the vertical movement of the second paper discharge tray portion 42 is restrained by the guide portion 15. 40 can be rotated in a state in which the upper sheet cassette device 20 is removed from the multi-function device 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, the engagement recesses are formed at the left and right ends of the discharge tray unit 40 on the front side in the insertion / extraction direction of the second discharge tray unit 42 (the side close to the opening 14). 44 is formed to open downward. On the other hand, boss portions 29 project upward from the left and right ends of the upper paper feed cassette portion 25 on the front side of the second paper feed cassette portion 27 so as to be fitted into the engaging recess 44 in male and female. The boss portion 29 has a shoulder portion 56 having an outer diameter larger than the inner diameter of the engagement recess 44, and a tip portion (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as a boss portion) than the shoulder portion 56 of the boss portion 29. Is inserted into the engaging recess 44.

  The front end portion of the boss portion 29 is formed in a circular shape or a rectangular shape in plan view, and its outer peripheral edge is chamfered in an R shape and rounded. A rib-like portion 50 extending along the insertion / removal direction is provided on the lower surface side of the second paper discharge tray portion 42 adjacent to the rear side of the engagement recess 44 in the insertion / removal direction. Further, a boundary portion 51 is provided between the engaging recess 44 and the rib-like portion 50.

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8B, the second paper discharge tray portion 42 is formed to have substantially the same thickness T1 as a whole except for the guide rib 46 and the like protruding from the upper surface side. . On the lower surface side, a plurality of projections and depressions for forming the engaging recess 44, the rib-like portion 50, and the like are integrally formed, but the upper surface of the second discharge tray portion 42 that constitutes the sheet placement surface. When the thickness of the portion is T2, the depth dimension from the lower surface side of the engaging recess 44 is substantially equal to (T1-T2).

  A length dimension T3 (> T2) from the upper surface of the second paper discharge tray portion 42 to the lower surface of the rib-like portion 50 is smaller than T1, and from the upper surface of the second paper discharge tray portion 42 to the lower surface of the boundary portion 51. Is set equal to T1. That is, a gap (T1-T3) is formed between the lower surface of the rib-like portion 50 and the lower surface of the second paper discharge tray 42, but this gap (T1-T3) is as small as possible. It is set.

  On the other hand, the guide portion 15 of the opening 14 described above is provided above the left and right side portions of the second paper discharge tray portion 42. The guide portion 15 protrudes from the inner side surface of the opening 14 by W1. Extending along the insertion / extraction direction. Further, the lower surface 15 a of each guide portion 15 is opposed to both left and right end portions of the upper surface of the second paper discharge tray portion 42. The guide portion 15 is used as a restricting means for the second paper discharge tray portion 42 as will be described later.

  Strictly speaking, as shown in FIG. 8A, the upper surface of the second discharge tray portion 42 is formed to be slightly inclined downward from the near side in the insertion / extraction direction (inclination angle θ1 and To do). This is intended to prevent the sheet placed on the paper discharge tray 40 from being lifted from the paper discharge tray 40 by lifting the leading edge in the paper discharge direction. On the other hand, the lower surface 15a of the guide portion 15 is also formed to be inclined downward from the near side in the insertion / extraction direction toward the back side, and the inclination angle θ2 of the lower surface 15a of the guide portion 15 is the second paper discharge. The upper surface of the tray part 42 is formed so as to be larger than the inclination angle θ1. Further, a portion of the guide portion 15 that is continuous with the lower surface 15a is formed on a downwardly inclined surface 15b with the front lower side close to the opening portion 14 cut off.

  As shown in FIGS. 7A and 8A, when the second paper feed cassette unit 27 is in a contracted state, the back end 29 a of the upper surface of the boss 29 is the lower surface of the guide unit 15. It is configured to face the front end 15c of 15a, and the gap between these ends is set to T3. The front side (center portion 29b) of the upper surface of the boss portion 29 is configured to face the inclined surface 15b of the guide portion 15, and this gap is set to be larger than T1. .

  In the above configuration, when the second paper discharge tray portion 42 is in the contracted state, the boss portion 29 of the second paper feed cassette portion 27 is fitted into the engagement recess 44 of the second paper discharge tray portion 42. Yes. Then, in this state, the grip part 25a of the second paper feed cassette part 27 (upper paper feed cassette part 25) or the handle part 45 of the second paper discharge tray part 42 (paper discharge tray part 40) is gripped, and the When pulled out in the horizontal direction, the second paper feed cassette unit 27 and the second paper feed tray 42 can be extended in an integrated manner.

  On the other hand, the grip 45 of the second paper discharge tray 42 is gripped from the state where the boss 29 is fitted into the engagement recess 44 in a male and female state (this state is the second state of the second paper discharge tray 42). Then, when this is pulled up while being lifted slightly upward, the boss portion 29 comes out of the engagement recess 44. At this time, since the outer periphery of the top surface shape of the boss portion 29 is rounded and a gap larger than the dimension T1 is formed above the central portion 29b of the boss portion 29, the boss portion 29 is relatively bordered. As a result, only the second paper discharge tray portion 42 is pulled out from the opening portion 14. When only the second paper discharge tray section 42 is pulled out, its upper surface comes into contact with the lower surface 15a of the guide section 15, and the lower surface 15a serves as a guide and is pulled out at an inclination angle θ2.

  Then, the boss portion 29 slides relative to the rib-like portion 50, whereby the second paper discharge tray portion 42 is stretched, and the inclination angle θ2 is maintained at the position where the second paper discharge tray portion 42 is extended most. The mounting area of the paper discharge tray unit 40 is expanded to the maximum (this state is referred to as a second state of the second paper discharge tray unit 42). At this time, as shown in FIG. 8B, the gap between the upper end 29a of the boss portion 29 and the lower surface 15a of the guide portion 41 is set to T3 in advance. The lower surface of the rib-shaped portion 50 and the boss portion 29 are in contact with each other, and the upper surface of the second paper discharge tray portion 42 and the lower surface 15a of the guide portion 15 are in contact with each other. The second paper discharge tray section 42 is sandwiched between the guide section 15 and the boss section 29 (upper sheet feeding cassette section 25), and the backlash in the vertical direction is restricted. That is, in this embodiment, when the second discharge tray unit 42 is in the first state, the opening portion is used as a changing unit that makes the movable range in the vertical direction of the second discharge tray unit 42 smaller than that in the second state. 14 is provided with a guide portion (corresponding to a restricting means) 15 provided on the inner surface 14 and a boss portion 29 provided on the upper paper feed cassette device 20 (upper paper feed cassette portion 25).

  Further, since the guide portion 15 is formed in a rail shape for inserting and removing the upper sheet cassette device 20, the lower surface 15a of the guide portion 15 protrudes from the inner side surface of the opening portion 14 by the dimension W (see FIG. 4). The width dimension of this W is long in the insertion direction. Therefore, since the guide portion 15 is in contact with the upper surface of the second paper discharge tray portion 42 with a wide contact area, the reliability when the second paper discharge tray portion 42 is restrained is improved. As a result, the rigidity of the second paper discharge tray section 42 is increased, the stability when placing paper is improved, and even if the user hits the second paper discharge tray section 42, it is difficult to break.

  In the above embodiment, the second paper discharge tray portion 42 is described as being sandwiched between the lower surface 15a of the guide portion 15 and the boss portion 29 without any gap. A gap may be formed.

  As one example of use of the multi-function device 1 having the above configuration, A3-size paper is previously stored in the lower paper feed cassette device 30, and the A4-size paper is placed in the upper paper feed cassette device 20 in the X-axis direction. Suppose that you are housed along. In addition, in the upper sheet cassette device 20, the second sheet cassette unit 27 is in the most contracted state with respect to the first sheet cassette unit 26, and the second sheet discharge tray unit 42 is also the first sheet discharge tray unit. It is assumed that 41 is in the most contracted state. In such a case, when the upper sheet cassette device 20 is designated and A4 size paper is fed and recording is performed, the paper is dropped even if the paper is discharged to the paper discharge tray section 40. Can be placed without any problem.

  However, in this state, there is a case where the lower sheet cassette device 30 is designated and A3 size paper is fed for recording. That is, for example, when the user forgets that the discharge tray unit 40 is not stretched to a size corresponding to the A3 size. In this case, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the handle 45 of the second discharge tray 42 is gripped and slid by a simple operation of lifting up and pulling to the near side, the second The paper discharge tray portion 42 is sandwiched between the guide portion 15 and the upper paper feed cassette portion 25 (boss portion 29) and extends (becomes the first state), so that there is no backlash in the vertical direction and the rigidity is high. The raised and discharged paper can be placed stably.

  Of course, the second paper discharge tray portion 42 may be pulled out integrally with the second paper feed cassette portion 27 while the boss portion 29 is fitted into the engaging recess 44 in male and female. As described above, since the mounting area of the paper discharge tray section 40 can be easily increased, it is possible to prevent the discharged paper from being dropped.

  Next, a second embodiment of changing means for restraining rattling of the second paper discharge tray section 42 will be described with reference to FIG. In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the boss portion 29 is formed in the second paper feed cassette portion 27, but two locations that are spaced apart in the insertion / extraction direction on the lower surface of the second paper discharge tray portion 42. 1st and 2nd engagement recessed part 44a, 44b is formed in this.

  The first engagement recess 44a is provided so as to be fitted with the boss 29 when the second discharge tray portion 42 is contracted (second state), and the second engagement recess 44b is the second engagement recess 44b. The boss portion 29 is provided so as to engage with the male and female when the paper discharge tray portion 42 is extended (first state). The depth dimension D1 of the first engagement recess 44a from the lower surface side of the second paper discharge tray portion 42 is formed deeper than the depth dimension D2 of the second engagement recess 44b. In other words, the fitting depth of the male and female fitting of the boss portion 29 and the second engaging recess 44b is set to be smaller than the fitting depth of the male and female fitting of the boss portion 29 and the first engaging concave portion 44a. is doing. Note that the difference (T1-D2) between the thickness dimensions T1 and D2 of the second paper discharge tray section 42 is the same as T3 in the first embodiment. Further, the guide portion 15 is provided with the same inclined surface 15a as in the first embodiment.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, when only the second paper discharge tray portion 42 is pulled out without the second paper feeding cassette portion 27 being pulled out, the boss portion 29 is fitted into the second engaging recess 44b. However, at this time, the boss portion 29 shown in FIG. 9A is pushed up to the second paper discharge tray portion 42 as compared with the case where the boss portion 29 is fitted in the first engagement recess 44a. As a result, the upper surface of the second paper discharge tray part 42 comes into contact with the lower surface 15a of the guide part 15, the second paper discharge tray part 42 is sandwiched between the boss part 29 and the guide part 15, and the backlash in the vertical direction is reduced. It is suppressed.

  In the first and second embodiments, a male / male fitting convex portion (boss portion) is provided on the upper paper feeding cassette portion 25 side, and a concave portion (engaging concave portion) is provided on the second paper discharge tray portion 42 side. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration. As in the third embodiment shown in FIG. 10A, the male and female are reversed, and a male-male fitting recess is provided on the upper paper feed cassette portion 25 side, and a convex portion is provided on the second paper discharge tray portion 42 side. Good. That is, the engagement recess 144 is provided in the second paper feed cassette portion 27 of the upper paper feed cassette portion 25, and the first boss portion 129a and the second boss portion 129b are separated from the second paper discharge tray portion 42 in the insertion / removal direction. Provided.

  The amount of protrusion of the first boss portion 129a in front of the second paper discharge tray portion 42 is smaller than that of the second boss portion 129b on the back side, and the first boss portion 129a is fitted into the engagement recess 144. 2 The fitting depth is different between the second state in which the paper discharge tray portion 42 is contracted and the first state in which the second paper discharge tray portion 42 in which the second boss portion 129b is fitted in the engagement recess 144 is extended. ing. In the first state, the second paper discharge tray part 42 is pushed up, and the upper surface of the second paper discharge tray part 42 comes into contact with the lower surface 15a of the guide part 15, and its vertical movement is restricted. Thereby, the effect similar to 1st and 2nd embodiment is acquired.

  Further, the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 10B is a modification of the first embodiment, and a rib-like portion 250 inclined downward is provided on the lower surface of the second paper discharge tray portion 42. In other words, the boss portion 29 of the second paper feed cassette portion 27 is fitted into the first engagement recess 244a of the second paper discharge tray portion 42 in the second state where the second paper discharge tray portion 42 is contracted. When only the second paper discharge tray portion 42 is pulled out, the boss portion 29 slides on the lower surface of the rib-like portion 250 inclined downward, and the second paper discharge tray portion 42 is gradually lifted, and the second paper discharge tray 42 is lifted. In the first state in which the tray portion 42 is extended, the boss portion 29 is fitted in the second engagement recess 244b.

  In order to form the first and second engaging recesses 244a and 244b as recesses separated from the rib-like portion 250, a protrusion 251 having a low height is provided, and a click feeling can be obtained by overcoming the protrusion 251. However, the protruding portion 251 may be omitted, and the first and second engaging recesses 244a and 244b may be flat and may be continuous with the rib-shaped portion 250.

  In the above-described embodiment, the guide rail-shaped guide portion 15 provided in the accommodating portion 16 is used as the restricting member for inserting and removing the upper sheet cassette device 20, but the upper surface of the second discharge tray portion 42 is used. The means for restraining the side is not limited to this, and may be another member provided in the accommodating portion 16.

  In the above embodiment, the upper and lower two-stage sheet cassette devices 20 and 30 can be inserted into and removed from the opening 14 of the multi-function device 1, but the opening 14 has the same configuration as the upper sheet cassette apparatus 20. It may be configured such that only the sheet cassette device can be inserted and removed. In this case, the placement area when the paper discharge tray unit 40 is extended is set corresponding to the maximum paper size that can be accommodated in the paper feed cassette device. As described above, when the second paper feed cassette unit 27 of the paper feed cassette device (upper paper feed cassette device 20) is extended to accommodate a large size of paper, the second paper discharge tray unit 42 is integrated therewith. Since it slides and extends, it is possible to prevent a situation where the mounting area of the paper discharge tray unit 40 is forgotten to be enlarged.

1 is an overview perspective view of a multi-function device as an embodiment of an image recording device. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of FIG. It is a schematic diagram of the side cross section of a multi-function device. It is an enlarged view of the opening part vicinity of a multi-function device. It is a top view of the state which removed the upper part of the multi-function device partially. (A) is a perspective view of the 2nd state which shrunk the 2nd paper discharge tray part, (b) is a perspective view of the 1st state which extended the 2nd paper discharge tray part. 5A is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIb-VIIb in FIG. 5 and shows a second state in which the second paper discharge tray portion is contracted. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIb-VIIb in FIG. It is a figure which shows the 1st state which extended the paper discharge tray part. (A) is a principal part expansion schematic diagram of Fig.7 (a), (b) is a principal part expansion schematic diagram of FIG.7 (b). (A) Main part expansion schematic diagram of the 2nd state which shortened the 2nd paper discharge tray part in 2nd Embodiment of a change means, (b) is the principal part of the 1st state which extended the 2nd paper discharge tray part. It is an enlarged schematic diagram. (A) is an enlarged schematic view of the main part of the first state in which the second discharge tray portion is extended in the third embodiment of the changing means, and (b) is the second discharge tray portion in the fourth embodiment of the changing means. It is the principal part expansion schematic diagram of the extended 1st state.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Multifunctional device 12 Recording part 13 Recording head 14 Opening part 15 Guide part 20 Upper feed cassette apparatus 25 Upper feed cassette part 25a Handle part 26 First feed cassette part 26a Paper placement board 27 Second feed cassette part 27a Paper loading plate 29 Boss part 30 Lower paper cassette unit 35 Lower paper cassette part 35a Handle part 36 Lower first paper cassette part 37 Lower second paper cassette part 40 Paper discharge tray part 41 First paper discharge tray Part 42 second paper discharge tray part 43 hinge part 44 engagement concave part 45 handle part 50 rib-like part 51 boundary part
55 Clearance 56 Shoulder

Claims (9)

The housing has a recording portion and a housing portion that can accommodate the paper cassette device, and the paper cassette device is inserted into and removed from the housing portion through an opening provided on one side surface of the housing. An image recording apparatus configured to be possible,
In the paper cassette device,
A paper feed cassette unit capable of accommodating a recording medium fed to the recording unit in a stacked state;
A paper discharge tray portion that overlaps the upper portion of the paper feed cassette portion and can be loaded with the recording medium discharged from the recording portion in a stacked state;
The paper discharge tray section
A first discharge tray portion located on the far side in the insertion / extraction direction;
Slides along the insertion / extraction direction with respect to the first discharge tray portion, and can be expanded and contracted between a first state extending outward of the housing portion and a second state inside the housing portion. And a second paper discharge tray portion provided in the
The accommodating portion is provided with a changing means for changing a movable range in the vertical direction of the second discharge tray portion,
The changing means is
The second paper discharge tray is movable in the vertical direction when the second paper discharge tray is in the first state and when the second state is in the second state. An image recording apparatus configured to be changeable so that the range is reduced.   2. The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing unit includes a restricting member provided in the housing portion to restrict the movement of the second discharge tray portion in the vertical direction.   The change means includes a restricting member provided in the accommodating portion for restricting the vertical movement of the second discharge tray portion, and the paper feed cassette device. 3. The image recording apparatus according to 1 or 2.   The changing means determines the distance between the upper surface of the second paper discharge tray portion and the regulating member when the second paper discharge tray portion is in the first state and when the second state is in the second state. The image recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the image recording apparatus is provided so as to be smaller in the first state. The paper feed cassette unit is slid along the insertion / extraction direction with respect to the first paper feed cassette unit provided below the first paper discharge tray unit and the first paper feed cassette unit. A second paper feed cassette portion that is extendable and retractable,
Engaging means that can be engaged and disengaged are provided between the second paper discharge tray portion and the second paper feed cassette portion, and the second paper discharge tray portion and the second paper feed cassette portion are: The image recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the image recording apparatus slides integrally or separately. The engaging means is a male / female fitting means, and either the second paper discharge tray part or the second paper feed cassette part has the male / female fitting convex part and the other male / female fitting part. And a rib-like portion extending in the insertion / extraction direction adjacent to the recess,
When the second discharge tray portion is in the second state, the convex portion is fitted into the concave portion as the engaging means,
When only the second discharge tray portion is slid and extended, as the changing means, the convex portion slides on the rib-like portion, and the interval between the upper surface of the second discharge tray portion and the regulating member is narrow. The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the image recording apparatus is configured as follows. The engaging means is a means for male-female fitting in the vertical direction, and the second paper discharge tray portion is in relation to the second paper feed cassette portion in either the second state or the first state. Are provided so that male and female can be fitted,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the changing unit is formed so that a fitting depth of the male-female fitting is different between the second state and the first state. .   4. The guide member according to claim 3, wherein the regulating member is a guide portion that is provided inside the housing portion and guides the paper cassette device when the paper cassette device is inserted into and removed from the housing portion. 8. The image recording apparatus according to any one of items 7. Below the paper cassette device in the housing portion, a lower paper cassette device is detachably attached,
The size of the recording medium that can be accommodated in the lower sheet cassette apparatus is equal to or larger than the maximum size of the recording medium that can be accommodated in the sheet cassette apparatus,
9. The mounting area of the paper discharge tray in the first state is set in accordance with the size of a recording medium that can be accommodated in the lower paper feed cassette device. An image recording apparatus according to any one of the above.

Images