JP2011176758A - Multifunctional machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a multifunctional machine that facilitates alignment and attachment/detachment of a slave device (transceiver/receiver) with respect to a master device (machine body). <P>SOLUTION: The multifunctional machine 10 includes the device body 20 and the separate device 22. The device body 20 has a power supply circuit 42, and the separate device 22 has a power receiving circuit 33. The power receiving circuit 33 receives power from the power supply circuit 42 by a non-contact energy transfer method. Bonding members 39, 40, and 41 are provided on a center bottom surface 37 of the device body 20. Bonding members 43, 44, and 45 are provided on a back surface 47 of the separate device 22. Each bonding member includes a permanent magnet or a magnetic material, and has a spherical surface facing the corresponding bonding member. The bonding member including the permanent magnet is disposed so that one of the magnetic poles of the bonding member is located at a position closest to the corresponding facing bonding member. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a multi-function device that exhibits an image forming function and a telephone / facsimile function, and more specifically to a multi-function device that includes a main body device and a transmission / reception device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, multi-function machines that perform image formation or image recording and have a telephone / facsimile function added have been provided. In such a multi-function device, a device generally referred to as a “slave device” is provided separately from the main device (so-called “master device”), and this slave device functions as a transmission / reception device in a telephone / facsimile function. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). This child device is arranged on the upper surface or side surface of the parent device via a cage. For this reason, it has been pointed out that the external shape of the multi-function device is that the slave device protrudes from the main body, and that the multi-function device is not only increased in size but also difficult to effectively use the installation space.

  By the way, in general, a conventional multifunction peripheral is provided with an operation panel for operating image forming and other functions on the upper surface of the main body apparatus. For this reason, if this operation panel part is detachable from the main unit and is configured to exhibit a function as a transmitter / receiver when detached from the main unit, the above inconvenience is eliminated.

  If the operation panel is configured to function as a transmission / reception device, the operation panel needs to include an independent power source and a charging device as in the case of a conventional slave unit. In this case, the charging device is a power-supplied device using the main body device as a power feeding device. The technology for charging a power-supplied device by supplying power from the power-supply device to the power-supplied device is generally referred to as “contactless power transmission” and is already a mobile phone, PHS, remote controller, electric toothbrush, and electric shaver. Has been applied. Normally, when contactless power transmission is performed, the power-supplied device is often not fixed to the power supply device during charging, and the power-supplied device is connected to the power supply device along a guide provided in the power supply device during charging. It is only placed. In such a charging method, charging of the power feeding device is easily and easily performed.

  However, if the power supplied device is not fixed to the power supply device, the power supplied device is easily detached from the power supply device when an external force is applied to the power supplied device during charging. In the multi-function peripheral, the operation panel is always operated by the user and an external force is applied. Therefore, when the operation panel is configured to be detachable from the main body device, the operation panel is easily detached from the main body device, and the operation panel may be insufficiently charged.

  In order to prevent the power-supplied device from falling off the power supply device, the power-supplied device only needs to be held by the power supply device. For example, Patent Document 3 discloses a magnet coupling device, in which a supported spherical magnet is inserted into a fitting hole provided in a ferromagnetic object. The spherical magnet is supported on one of the operation panel and the main unit, and the fitting hole is provided on either the operation panel or the main unit, so that the operation panel is held on the main unit with a certain holding force, It is possible to prevent the power feeding device from being easily detached from the power feeding device.

JP 2005-142711 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-128370 JP 2006-121070 A

  In charging by contactless power transmission, when the operation panel is held by the main body device, accurate alignment of the operation panel with respect to the main body device is required. This is because charging by non-contact power transmission has the best charging efficiency when the operation panel is accurately positioned with respect to the main unit, and the larger the positional deviation of the operation panel with respect to the main unit, the lower the charging efficiency. This is because charging is impossible depending on the degree of deviation. In order to accurately position the operation panel, the magnet coupling device disclosed in Patent Document 3 can be employed in the multifunction machine. In this case, the operation panel is mounted on the main body device by fitting the spherical magnet (convex portion) into the fitting hole (concave portion), and the convex portion makes line contact or surface contact with the concave portion. Therefore, the convex portion and the concave portion are relatively easily displaced, and as a result, it is difficult to accurately position the operation panel with respect to the main body device even though the operation panel is prevented from being detached from the main body device. Will occur.

  In addition, in the structure in which the convex portion and the concave portion are fitted, the convex portion and the concave portion may be caught when the operation panel is attached to the main body device or when the operation panel is detached from the main body device. The detachability is not always good. In addition, if the operation panel is removed from the main unit and functions as a transmission / reception device, there is also a demand that attachment / detachment of the operation panel to / from the main unit must be detected during operation of the multifunction device.

  The present invention has been made based on such a background, and an object of the present invention is a multi-function device that functions as a handset when the operation panel is detached from the main body device. It is possible to provide a multifunction device that can be detected and that can be mounted in a state in which an operation panel is accurately positioned with respect to a main body device.

  (1) A multifunction device according to the present invention is a multifunction device equipped with at least an image forming function and a telephone / facsimile function, and includes an operation unit that operates the image forming function and other functions, and information input by the operation unit. Based on the main control device that controls the image forming function and other functions based on this, the main unit provided with the power supply device, and detachably provided in the operation unit, and functions as a handset when the telephone / facsimile function is executed. , A separation body provided with a power-supplied device to which power is supplied from the power feeding device, and attachment / detachment for detecting that the separation body is attached to the main body device and detached from the main body device A sensor, and a control unit that is provided in the separation body and causes the separation body to function as the handset when the detachable sensor detects the detached state.

  The power feeding device includes a first joint portion and a first charging portion. The first joint portion is provided at at least three locations on the first facing surface of the operation unit that faces the power-supplied device, and can be joined to the power-supplied device. The first charging unit may be provided on the first facing surface and supply power to the power-supplied device joined to the first joint by contactless power transmission.

  The power-supplied device includes a second joint portion and a second charging portion. This 2nd junction part is provided in the 2nd opposing surface facing the said electric power feeder of the said isolation | separation body, and it can join with each said 1st junction part. In addition, the second charging unit is provided at a position facing the first charging unit on the second facing surface, and contactless power transmission is performed in a state where the second joint is joined to the first joint. Power is supplied from the first charging unit.

  A permanent magnet is provided in one of the opposing first joint or the second joint, and the other of the first joint or the second joint is formed of a magnetic material or a permanent magnet. Either one of the first joint or the second joint of the permanent magnet provided at either the first joint or the second joint is formed in a spherical shape, and the permanent magnet One of the magnetic poles is disposed so as to be closest to the other of the first joint and the second joint. The magnetic body or permanent magnet provided on the other of the first joint and the second joint projects to one side of the first joint and the second joint, and the projecting portion Is formed in a spherical shape.

  According to this configuration, the separation body provided in the operation unit of the main body device is provided detachably with respect to the main body device, and the user removes the separation body from the main body device and operates the separation body. The telephone / facsimile function can be realized. That is, the separated body removed from the main unit functions as a so-called slave when the telephone / facsimile function is exhibited. When the separation body is mounted on the main body device, the separation body functions as a part of the operation unit, and the main control device performs image forming and other operations on the apparatus main body based on information input from the operation unit. Let's do it.

  The attachment / detachment of the separated body with respect to the main body device is detected by an attachment / detachment sensor. When the separator is removed from the main body, the control unit causes the separator to perform a telephone / facsimile function. That is, the separator operates as a slave unit. For example, the separator may include a touch panel display. In this case, the control unit can display a numeric keypad for telephone / facsimile on this display. The user can perform telephone / facsimile operations using this numeric keypad.

  Since the first joint portion and the second joint portion face each other and the opposite end portions thereof are formed in a spherical shape, the opposite end portions face each other with the zenith approaching each other. The permanent magnets constituting the first joint and the second joint have the strongest magnetic force at the zenith position. Therefore, the first joint and the second joint are attracted so that the zeniths approach each other and face each other. That is, the first joint and the second joint are positioned with respect to each other by the magnetic force acting on them. On the other hand, the user can easily remove the separation body from the main body device by holding the separation body and pulling the separation body against the magnetic force.

  (2) The attachment / detachment sensor includes a permanent magnet or a magnetic body provided at either the first joint or the second joint, and a permanent magnet or a permanent magnet that is opposed to the permanent magnet or the magnetic body when the permanent magnet or the magnetic body falls due to gravity. A holding part that movably holds the permanent magnet or the magnetic body so that it can rise against gravity due to the magnetic force acting between the magnetic body and "ON" when the permanent magnet or the magnetic body falls. And a switch to be configured.

  In this configuration, since the permanent magnet or magnetic body for positioning the separating body also serves as the attachment / detachment sensor, the structure of the attachment / detachment sensor is simple.

  (3) It is preferable that the first joining portion is provided at a position where a joining mode of the power feeding device and the power supplied device is uniquely determined.

  In this configuration, the power-supplied device can be prevented from being held in the wrong direction or position with respect to the power supply device.

  (4) It is preferable that the said 1st charging part is provided in the position different from the said 1st junction part of a said 1st opposing surface.

  In this configuration, when the power feeding device and the power-supplied device are joined, the second charging unit faces the first charging unit, and the second joining unit faces the first joining unit. And, it will be arranged at a different position from the second joint. Further, in a state where the power feeding device and the power supplied device are joined, the first charging unit is at a position different from the second joint, and the second charging unit is at a position different from the first joint. Therefore, the influence of the magnetic force which a 1st charging part and a 2nd charging part receive from the permanent magnet provided in the 1st junction part and the 2nd junction part is reduced.

  (5) The first joint portion is distributed in a peripheral region of the first facing surface, and the first charging portion is disposed in a region closer to the center of the first facing surface than the first joint portion. It is preferable.

  When the first joint portion is concentrated in the vicinity of a partial region of the first facing surface, the second joint portion is also concentrated in the vicinity of a partial region of the second facing surface. In this state, when the power feeding device and the power supplied device are joined, in the region where the first joint portion and the second joint portion on the first facing surface and the second facing surface do not exist, the position shift between the power feeding device and the power fed device. Has the disadvantage of becoming larger. However, according to the present invention, the first joint portions are distributed and arranged in a region close to the outer periphery of the first facing surface, so that the above inconvenience is avoided. In addition, since the first charging unit is disposed in a region closer to the center of the first facing surface than the first joint, that is, in a position different from the first joint, the first charging unit and the second charging unit are the first. The influence of the magnetic force received from the permanent magnets provided at the joint and the second joint is reduced.

  (6) The permanent magnet is preferably a rare earth magnet.

  Since the rare earth magnet has a strong magnetic force, even a small permanent magnet can obtain a sufficient magnetic force, and the permanent magnet used for the first joint and the second joint can be downsized. Further, since the rare earth magnet has a strong magnetic force, the power-supplied device and the power supply device can be more reliably joined.

  According to the present invention, the permanent magnet provided at one of the first joint or the second joint and the permanent magnet or magnetic body provided at the other of the first joint or the second joint are three points. Therefore, the separator is held in a state of being accurately positioned with respect to the main body device. Thereby, charge by non-contact electric power transmission of a separation object is performed favorably. In addition, since the separation body is held in the main body device by magnetic force, the separation body can be easily removed by the user holding the separation body.

  Moreover, in this invention, since a to-be-powered apparatus and a power feeding apparatus are joined by the magnetic force of a permanent magnet, the fitting of a convex part and a recessed part is unnecessary. Therefore, the convex portion and the concave portion are not caught when the power supply device is attached to or detached from the power supply device, and the detachability of the power supply device to the power supply device is improved.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction machine 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a main part of the multifunction machine 10 and shows the arrangement of the charging device 35. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing how to attach and detach the apparatus main body 20 and the separator 22 of the multifunction machine. 4A and 4B are perspective views of the separator 22, in which FIG. 4A is a front view and FIG. 4B is a rear view. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a joining member according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (A) and (C) show hemispherical joining members, and (B) and (D) show spherical joining. The members are shown. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the main control device of the multifunction machine 10.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Schematic structure and points of invention]

  The multifunction machine 10 includes a main body device 20 and an operation panel 21 (an example of an “operation unit” in the present invention) that operates the main body device 20. The printer unit 11 is provided in the lower part of the main body device 20, and the scanner unit 12 is provided in the upper part of the main body device 20. That is, the multi-function device 10 is a multi-function device (MFD: Multi Function Device) integrally including these, in addition to a printer function, a scanner function, and a copy function (an example of the “image forming function” in the present invention), Has telephone and facsimile functions.

  The multifunction machine 10 can be connected to a computer not shown. The multifunction machine 10 can record an image or document on a recording sheet based on image data or document data transmitted from a computer. The multifunction machine 10 can be connected to a digital camera and other external devices. Further, the multifunction machine 10 can be loaded with a memory card and other various recording media. As a result, the multifunction machine 10 can also record image data output from a digital camera or the like, image data recorded on a recording medium, or the like on a recording sheet.

  The lower part of the multifunction machine 10 is a printer unit 11. The printer unit 11 records an image by a so-called inkjet method. Therefore, the printer unit 11 is equipped with a recording head 16 (see FIG. 2) that ejects fine ink droplets. The configuration of the printer unit 11 that employs such an ink jet method is known, and therefore detailed description thereof is omitted. An opening 13 is formed in front of the printer unit 11, and a paper feed tray 14 and a paper discharge tray 15 are exposed from the opening 13. The recording paper stored in the paper feed tray 14 is fed into the printer unit 11, and an image is recorded by the recording head 16 (see FIG. 2), and then discharged to the paper discharge tray 15.

  The upper part of the multifunction machine 10 is a scanner unit 12. In the present embodiment, the scanner unit 12 is configured as a so-called flat bed scanner. The scanner unit 12 includes a document cover 17. The document cover 17 is provided as a top plate of the multifunction machine 10 so as to be openable and closable with respect to the apparatus main body 20. A platen glass and an image sensor (not shown) are provided below the document cover 17. A document whose image is to be read is placed on a platen glass. The image sensor is arranged below the platen glass and is slid in the width direction of the multifunction machine 10. The image sensor scans the document while sliding. The configuration of the scanner unit 12 on which such an image sensor is mounted is known, and therefore detailed description thereof is omitted.

  An operation panel 21 for operating the printer unit 11, the scanner unit 12, and a telephone / facsimile device is provided at the upper front of the main unit 20. The operation panel 21 includes a separator 22 having a liquid crystal display 18, a charging device 35 (an example of a “power supply device” in the present invention), and various operation buttons. In the present embodiment, the liquid crystal display 18 employs a touch panel method. However, as for this liquid crystal display 18, the display surface whole surface does not need to be a touch panel, and only one part may be a touch panel. The separator 22 is detachable from the main body device 20. The main body device 20 includes an attachment / detachment sensor 23 that detects attachment / detachment of the separator 22. The detachable sensor 23 is turned on when the separator 22 is attached to the main body device 20 (attached state), and is turned off when the separator 22 is detached from the main body device 20 (detached state). .

  The feature of this embodiment is that the main body device 20 and the separating body 22 are provided with joining members 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, and 45, which will be described later, and the separating body 22 is accurate with respect to the main body device 20. It is attached in a state where it is positioned on and is easily removed.

  When the separator 22 is removed from the main unit 20, the separator 22 functions as a handset in the telephone / facsimile function. Therefore, the separator 22 includes a power supply device 36 (an example of a “powered device” in the present invention). The power supply device 36 includes a power receiving circuit 33, and can be charged by the charging device 35 in a state where the separator 22 is attached to the main body device 20. The charging method will be described later. In order for the separator 22 to function as a handset, the separator 22 includes a speaker 31 and a microphone 32 for calling in addition to the liquid crystal display 18. In the present embodiment, a piezoelectric speaker is employed as the speaker 31, and a silicon (MEMS) microphone is employed as the microphone 32. The separator 22 includes a transmission / reception circuit 28 and a wireless unit 29 for performing communication with the main body device 20 and a control circuit 30 (an example of a “control unit” in the present invention) that controls them. The control circuit 30 causes the liquid crystal display 18 to display the operation mode of the multifunction device 10, the numeric keypad, and other information. The control circuit 30 controls a telephone / facsimile function and the like based on an operation instruction from the liquid crystal display 18.

  The multifunction machine 10 includes a main control device 24 (see FIG. 2). The main control device 24 comprehensively controls various operations based on operation instructions from the operation panel 21 as described later. When the multifunction device 10 is connected to a computer, the multifunction device 10 also operates based on an instruction transmitted from the computer via a printer driver. In addition, a slot portion 19 is provided in the upper left part of the front surface of the multifunction machine 10. Various small memory cards, which are recording media, can be loaded into the slot portion 19. The image data recorded on the small memory card is read out through the slot unit 19. Information about the image data is once displayed on the liquid crystal display 18 and selectively recorded on a recording sheet by the printer unit 11.

  The apparatus main body 20 includes an NCU (Network Control Unit) 25 and a MODEM 26 for realizing a facsimile function. The main unit 20 includes a wireless unit 27, and the wireless unit 27 can communicate with a wireless unit 29 built in the separator 22.

[Charging device / joining member]

  The charging device 35 is provided on the central bottom surface 37 of the operation panel 21 (an example of the “first facing surface” in the present invention). The central bottom surface 37 is a bottom surface of a recess 38 provided at the center of the operation panel 21. The recessed portion 38 constitutes a seat portion to which the separating body 22 is mounted, and the separating body 22 is fitted into the recessed portion 38 as shown in FIG. The charging device 35 includes three joining members 39, 40, 41 (an example of “first joint” in the present invention) and a power feeding circuit 42 (an example of “first charging part” in the present invention). The joining members 39, 40, 41 and the power feeding circuit 42 are arranged along the central bottom surface 37. The central bottom surface 37 is a surface facing the separator 22, and the separator 22 is joined to the central bottom surface 37.

  The joining members 39, 40, and 41 are disposed so as to protrude from the central bottom surface 37, and the surface thereof is formed in a spherical shape. Typically, the joining members 39, 40, 41 are formed in a hemispherical shape or a spherical shape. In the present embodiment, the joining members 39, 40, 41 are made of permanent magnets or magnetic materials. The permanent magnet is preferably a rare earth magnet. The rare earth magnet is a magnet using a rare earth element, such as a samarium cobalt magnet or a neodymium magnet. Examples of the magnetic material include iron, cobalt, nickel, and the like. When the joining members 39, 40, and 41 are made of permanent magnets, the joining members 39, 40, and 41 are joined members 43, 44, and 45 of the separator 22 that will be described in detail later (the “second joining” in the present invention). Part ") and a magnetic force. When the joining members 39, 40, 41 of the charging device 35 are not made of permanent magnets, the joining members 39, 40, 41 are made of a magnetic material and the joining members 43, 44, 45 is comprised with a permanent magnet, and joining member 39,40,41 and joining member 43,44,45 are joined by magnetic force. That is, as shown in FIG. 3A, the charging device 35 and the separator 22 that are facing each other are joined as shown in FIG.

  When the joining members 39, 40, 41 are permanent magnets, one of the magnetic poles (N pole or S pole) is opposed to the joining members 39, 40, 41 in a state where the charging device 35 and the separator 22 are joined. It arrange | positions so that it may become a position nearest to these joining members 43,44,45. That is, the top portions of the joining members 39, 40, 41 are arranged so as to face the joining members 43, 44, 45. When the tops of the joining members 39, 40, 41 are set to the N pole, the magnetic lines of force from the N pole to the opposing counterpart as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIGS. 5 (A) and 5 (B). It goes to the joining members 43, 44, 45 (shown by broken lines in FIGS. 5A and 5B) of a certain separator 22. On the other hand, when the tops of the joining members 39, 40, 41 are set to the S pole, the magnetic lines of force are the opposing counterparts as shown by the one-dot chain line in FIGS. 5 (C) and 5 (D). From the respective joining members 43, 44, 45 of the separator 22, the tops of the joining members 39, 40, 41 are directed.

  The joining of the joining members 39, 40, 41 of the charging device 35 and the joining members 43, 44, 45 of the separator 22 will be described in detail later.

[Arrangement of joining members]

  The arrangement positions of the joining members 39, 40, and 41 are as follows.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, the joining member 39 is disposed at the left central portion of the central bottom surface 37 in the same drawing. The joining member 40 is arranged on the right side of the central bottom surface 37 in FIG. The joining member 41 is arranged on the right side of the center bottom surface 37 in FIG. That is, the joining members 40 and 41 are arranged so as to form an isosceles triangle having the joining member 39 as a vertex. Thus, by arranging the joining members 39, 40, 41 on the central bottom surface 37, the joining mode of the separator 22 is uniquely determined with respect to the charging device 35. In this case, when the separator 22 is joined to the charging device 35, the separator 22 is positioned so that the speaker 31 of the separator 22 is arranged on the left side as shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the charging device 35 includes three joining members 39, 40, and 41, but the joining members may be provided at at least three locations on the central bottom surface 37, and the four joining members 39, 40, and 41 may be provided. Of course, five or more joining members may be provided. However, it is preferable that the arrangement of the joining members can uniquely determine the joining mode of the separator as described above.

  In the case where the joining members 39, 40, and 41 are made of permanent magnets, as shown in FIG. 3C, the top portions of the joining members 39, 40, and 41 are joined from the central bottom surface 37 to the joining members 43 and 43 of the separator 22. It is preferable to project toward 44,45. In this case, the joining members 39, 40, and 41 may protrude from the central bottom surface 37, or may be embedded in the central bottom surface 37 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 3E, any one of the joining members 39, 40, and 41 may be raised from the central bottom surface 37, and the rest may be embedded in the central bottom surface 37.

  When the joining members 39, 40, and 41 are made of a magnetic material, as shown in FIG. 3C, the tops of the joining members 39, 40, and 41 are joined to the joining members 43, 44, and It is preferable that the joint members 39, 40, and 41 protrude from the central bottom surface 37. That is, when the joining members 39, 40, 41 are made of a magnetic material, the joining members 39, 40, 41 protrude from the central bottom surface 37, and the tops protrude to the joining members 43, 44, 45 side of the separator 22. In addition, the surface is preferably formed in a spherical shape.

  The joining members 39, 40, and 41 are held by the charging device 35 through a predetermined holding structure. Specifically, the charging device 35 includes three cages 51 (an example of the “holding unit” in the present invention), and the joining members 39, 40, and 41 are fitted into the cages 51, respectively. The cage 51 is disposed below the central bottom surface 37 and is formed in a cylindrical shape. The opening of the cage 51 communicates with the central bottom surface 37. The joining members 39, 40, 41 fitted in the respective cages 51 are slidable along the longitudinal direction of the cage 51. For this reason, the joining members 39, 40, 41 are exposed on the central bottom surface 37. It is possible to displace between the position that has been retracted and the position that has been withdrawn from the center bottom surface 37.

  The joining members 39, 40, and 41 constitute the detachable sensor 23. When the joining members 39, 40, and 41 are slid, the detachable sensor 23 is turned on and off. The attachment / detachment sensor 23 will be described later.

  However, when the joining members 39, 40, and 41 are formed in a hemispherical shape as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5C, the flat surface portions of the joining members 39, 40, and 41 are bonded. It may be bonded to the central bottom surface 37 with an agent or the like. At this time, seat portions of the joining members 39, 40, 45 may be provided on the central bottom surface 37. When the joining members 39, 40, 41 are formed in a spherical shape as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5D, substantially half of the joining members 39, 40, 41 are embedded in the central bottom surface 37. It is fixed with an adhesive or the like.

[Power supply circuit]

  As shown in FIG. 2, the power feeding circuit 42 is provided on the central bottom surface 37. The power feeding circuit 42 is contactless with the power receiving circuit 33 (an example of the “second charging unit” in the present invention: see FIG. 4) provided in the separator 22 in a state where the charging device 35 and the separator 22 are joined. Power is supplied by power transmission.

  Non-contact power transmission is a power transmission method using mutual induction, and is a known technique for transmitting power without contact. For example, a current is input from a commercial power supply to a high frequency oscillation circuit, and a high frequency current is generated. A high-frequency electromagnetic field is generated by flowing the high-frequency current through the power transmission coil. As a result, the electromagnetic field generated by the power transmission coil is received by electromagnetic induction on the power reception coil arranged to face the power transmission coil at a predetermined interval (for example, several millimeters). The high-frequency current flowing through the power receiving coil is converted into direct current by the rectifier circuit.

  In the present embodiment, the power feeding circuit 42 includes the high-frequency oscillation circuit and the power transmission coil, and the power receiving circuit 33 includes the power receiving coil and the rectifier circuit. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the present embodiment, a convex portion 46 is provided on the central bottom surface 37 of the charging device 35, and a power feeding circuit 42 is provided on the convex portion 46. By providing the convex portion 46, the power transmitting coil and the power receiving coil face each other at a predetermined interval in a state where the charging device 35 and the separator 22 are joined, and the power transmitting coil approaches the power receiving coil. As a result, power can be supplied from the power transmission coil to the power reception coil. In addition, even if the convex part 46 is provided in the separator 22 instead of the charger 35 if the power transmission coil and the power receiving coil face each other at a predetermined interval when the charging device 35 and the separator 22 are joined. Alternatively, the convex portion 46 may be provided on both the charging device 35 and the separator 22. Further, the convex portion 46 may not be provided on either the charging device 35 or the separator 22. As shown in FIGS. 3B to 3E, in the state where the charging device 35 and the separator 22 are joined, the convex portion 46 is an example of the back surface 47 of the separator 22 (an example of the “second facing surface” in the present invention). However, if the power transmission coil and the power reception coil face each other at a predetermined interval, the convex portion 46 and the back surface 47 do not need to be in contact with each other.

  In the present embodiment, if power is transmitted from the charging device 35 to the separator 22 by contactless power transmission, the specific configurations of the power feeding circuit 42 and the power receiving circuit 33 are limited to those described above. Instead, known structures can be employed. Therefore, in this specification, a detailed description of the configuration of the power feeding circuit 42 is omitted.

  The power feeding circuit 42 is provided at a position different from the position where the joining members 39, 40, 41 are arranged on the central bottom surface 37. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the power feeding circuit 42 is provided on the right side of the central bottom surface 37. Since the influence of the magnetic force from the permanent magnets constituting the joining members 39, 40, 41 to the power feeding circuit 42 is suppressed, it is preferable that the distance between the power feeding circuit 42 and the joining members 39, 40, 41 is large. Specifically, as described above, the joining members 39, 40, 41 are arranged so as to form an isosceles triangle on the central bottom surface 37, and the feeding circuit 42 includes the joining members 39, 40, 41. It is arranged inside the isosceles triangle to be formed, that is, in a region closer to the center of the central bottom surface 37 than the joining members 39, 40, 41.

[Separated body / joining member]

  As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the separator 22 has a longitudinal direction of the back surface 47 that is longer than the length in the left-right direction and is perpendicular to both the up-down direction and the left-right direction. It is a vertically long shape whose length in the direction is shorter than the length in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

  The separator 22 is provided with the liquid crystal display 18 on the front surface (see FIG. 4A), and on the rear surface 47 with three joining members 43, 44, 45 and a power receiving circuit 33 (FIG. 4B). reference). Here, the back surface 47 is a surface on the side joined to the charging device 35 as described above.

  Various operation buttons are displayed on the liquid crystal display 18 of the separator 22, and the liquid crystal display 18 is a touch panel. The user touches the operation button displayed on the display 18 to instruct the multifunction device 10 to perform the operation indicated by the operation button. The joining members 43, 44, 45 provided on the back surface 47 are joined to the joining members 39, 40, 41 of the charging device 35 by magnetic force. Thereby, the separator 22 and the charging device 35 are joined. By joining the separator 22 and the charging device 35, the power receiving circuit 33 provided on the back surface 47 faces the power feeding circuit 42 of the charging device 35. The power receiving circuit 33 is supplied with power from the power feeding circuit 42 by electromagnetic induction. That is, the separator 22 is charged by receiving power supply from the charging device 35 by contactless power transmission.

  The joining members 43, 44, 45 are formed in a spherical shape on at least the side facing the joining members 39, 40, 41. In the present embodiment, the joining members 43, 44, 45 are formed in a hemispherical shape as indicated by a broken line in FIG. 5A or 5C, and the opposite side of the spherical surface is formed in a plane. However, the shape of the joining members 43, 44, 45 is not limited to this, and may be spherical as shown by a broken line in FIG.

  Other configurations of the joining members 43, 44, 45 are the same as the joining members 39, 40, 41 of the charging device 35. That is, the material constituting the joining members 43, 44, 45 is a permanent magnet or a magnetic body. The permanent magnet is preferably a rare earth magnet. When the joining members 43, 44, and 45 are made of permanent magnets, the joining members 43, 44, and 45 are joined to the joining members 39, 40, and 41 of the charging device 35 made of a permanent magnet or a magnetic material by magnetic force. Is done. When the joining members 43, 44, 45 are not composed of permanent magnets, the joining members 43, 44, 45 are composed of a magnetic material, and by the joining members 39, 40, 41 of the charging device 35 composed of permanent magnets and magnetic force. Be joined. Further, when the joining members 43, 44, and 45 are formed of permanent magnets, the joining members 43, 44, and 45 are one of the magnetic poles (N pole or S) in a state where the separator 22 and the charging device 35 are joined. The poles are arranged so as to be closest to the opposing mating members 39, 40, 41. The joining of the joining members 43, 44, 45 of the separator 22 and the joining members 39, 40, 41 of the charging device 35 will be described in detail later.

  Each joining member 43, 44, 45 is set so as to face the joining member 39, 40, 41 of the charging device 35, respectively, and the number of the joining members 43, 44, 45 of the separator 22 is the charging device. The same as 35 joining members 39, 40, 41. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the present embodiment, the joining members 43, 44, and 45 of the separator 22 are joined to the joining members 39, 40, and 41 of the charging device 35 that face each other. Further, since the joining members 43, 44, and 45 are opposed to the joining members 39, 40, and 41 of the charging device 35, the joining mode of the separator 22 with respect to the charging device 35 is uniquely determined.

  The positions of the joining members 43, 44, 45 in the front-rear direction are the same as those of the joining members 39, 40, 41 of the charging device 35.

  In the case where the joining members 43, 44, 45 are composed of permanent magnets, the joining members 43, 44, 45 are attached so as to protrude from the back surface 47. That is, as shown in FIG. 3D, the top portions (spherical portions) of the joining members 43, 44, 45 protrude from the back surface 47 to the joining members 39, 40, 41 of the charging device 35 that is the opposite party. Be placed. Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 3B, the joining members 43, 44, and 45 may be embedded in the back surface 47. As shown in FIG. 3E, any one of the joining members 43, 44, 45 is arranged in a state of being raised from the back surface 47, and the remaining joining members 43, 44, 45 are embedded in the back surface 47. May be. The same applies to the joining members 39, 40, and 41.

  When the joining members 43, 44, and 45 are made of a magnetic material, the joining members 43, 44, and 45 are arranged on top portions (spherical portions) of the joining members 43, 44, and 45, as shown in FIG. ) Is arranged so as to protrude from the back surface 47 to the side of the joining members 39, 40, 41 of the charging device 35 which is the opposite party. That is, regardless of the shape of the magnetic body, the magnetic body protrudes from the back surface 47 and protrudes toward the joining members 39, 40, and 41 of the charging device 35 that is the opposite party, and the corresponding portion is formed in a spherical shape. Yes.

  The joining members 43, 44, and 45 are fixed to the separator 22 by a known fixing means.

[Power receiving circuit]

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the power receiving circuit 33 is provided at a position facing the power feeding circuit 42 in a state where the separator 22 and the charging device 35 are joined. The power receiving circuit 33 is supplied with power from the power feeding circuit 42 by non-contact power transmission. The configuration of the power receiving circuit 23 and contactless power transmission are as described above.

  As described above, since the joining members 43, 44, and 45 are provided at positions facing the joining members 39, 40, and 41 of the charging device 35, the joining members 43, 44, and 45 form an isosceles triangle. To do. The feeding circuit 42 is provided at a position different from the joining members 39, 40, 41 on the central bottom surface 37. Since the power receiving circuit 33 is provided at a position facing the power feeding circuit 42, the power receiving circuit 33 is provided at a position different from the joining members 43, 44, and 45. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the power reception circuit 33 is disposed at the center of an isosceles triangle formed by the joining members 43, 44, and 45.

  In the present embodiment, since the charging device 35 and the separator 22 are joined by magnetic force, at least one of the joining members 39, 40, 41 of the charging device 35 and the joining members 43, 44, 45 of the separator 22 is permanent. It must be composed of magnets.

[Control system / detachable sensor]

  FIG. 6 is a control system diagram of the multifunction machine 10.

  The main controller 24 controls the overall operation of the multifunction machine 10 including the printer unit 11, the scanner unit 12, and the telephone / facsimile function. The main control device 24 is configured as a microcomputer mainly including a CPU 65, a ROM 66, a RAM 67, and an EEPROM 68, and is connected to an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 70 via a bus 69. The control circuit 30 mounted on the separator 22 has the same configuration. That is, the control circuit 30 performs various controls for the separator 22 to function as a handset. The control circuit 30 is configured as a microcomputer mainly including a CPU, ROM, RAM, and EEPROM, and is connected to the ASIC through a bus.

  The ROM 66 stores a program for controlling various operations of the multifunction machine 10 and the like. The RAM 67 is used as a storage area or a work area for temporarily recording various data used when the CPU 65 executes the program. Similarly, the ROM of the separator 22 stores a program for controlling telephone / facsimile operations by the separator 22. The RAM of the separator 22 is used as a storage area or a work area for temporarily recording various data used when the CPU of the separator 22 executes the program.

  The ASIC 70 generates a phase excitation signal and the like for energizing the LF (conveyance) motor 71 in accordance with a command from the CPU 65. This signal is applied to the drive circuit 72 of the LF motor 71, and the drive signal is energized to the LF motor 71 via the drive circuit 72. Thereby, rotation control of the LF motor 71 is performed. The LF motor 71 drives the paper feed roller 80, the transport roller 60, the paper discharge roller 62, and the purge mechanism 48. Since the drive transmission system for driving them is known, the description thereof is omitted.

  The ASIC 70 generates a phase excitation signal and the like for energizing a CR (carriage) motor 73 in accordance with a command from the CPU 65. This signal is applied to the drive circuit 74 of the CR motor 73, and the drive signal is energized to the CR motor 73 via the drive circuit 74. Thereby, rotation control of CR motor 73 is performed. The CR motor 73 drives the scanning carriage 49 that holds the recording head 16. Since this drive transmission system is also known, its description is omitted.

  The ASIC 70 generates a signal for driving the recording head 16 in accordance with a command from the CPU 65. This signal is applied to the drive circuit 75, and the drive circuit 75 drives the recording head 16 at a predetermined timing, and ink is selectively ejected onto the recording paper at the set timing. Thereby, a predetermined image is recorded on the recording paper. Since the structure of the recording head 16 is also known, its description is omitted.

  The ASIC 70 also includes a registration sensor 33 for detecting the position of the recording paper in the transport path formed in the printer unit 11 and a rotary encoder 76 for detecting the rotation amount of the transport roller 60 for transporting the recording paper. A linear encoder 77 for detecting the amount of movement of the scanning carriage 38 and a media sensor 50 for detecting the presence or absence of recording paper are connected. The detection signal of the media sensor 50 is stored in the RAM 67 via the ASIC 70 and the bus 69. Based on this detection signal, the CPU 65 determines the edge of the recording paper according to the program stored in the ROM 66.

  Further, the ASIC 70 generates a signal for driving the scanner unit 12 in accordance with a command from the CPU 65. This signal is given to the drive circuit 78. As a result, the scanner unit 12 operates at a predetermined timing, and an image is read from the document. Since the scanner unit 12 and the mechanism for driving the scanner unit 12 are known, description thereof is omitted.

  Similarly, for the control circuit 30 of the separator 22, the ASIC 70, in accordance with a command from the CPU 65, transmits a facsimile signal in a telephone / facsimile operation, an image display signal to the liquid crystal display 18, and a communication signal with the wireless unit 27 of the apparatus body 20. And so on. Based on these various signals, the separator 22 functions as a handset in the telephone / facsimile function. Since the liquid crystal display 18, the transmission / reception circuit 28, the wireless unit 29, and the control circuit 30 are known, the description thereof is omitted.

  The attachment / detachment sensor 23 includes a so-called mechanical limit switch, and the mechanical limit switch is disposed below the cage 51 shown in FIG. Then, when the joining members 39, 40, 41 are dropped by their own weight, they come into contact with the mechanical limit switch, whereby the mechanical limit switch is turned “ON”. As described above, the joining members 39, 40, and 41 are exposed or retracted from the central bottom surface 37 (see FIG. 2). If the separator 22 is fitted in the recess 38, the joining members 39, 40, and 41 are attracted to the joining members 43, 44, and 45 corresponding thereto by a magnetic force. That is, the joining members 39, 40, and 41 rise along the retainer 51 against gravity, and the attachment / detachment sensor 23 is “OFF”. Further, when the separator 22 is removed from the recess 38, the joining members 39, 40, and 41 are dropped, and the mechanical limit switch is set to the “ON” state.

  An output signal from the attachment / detachment sensor 23 is input to the CPU 65 via the ASIC 70. If the output signal is “ON”, the CPU 65 causes the separator 22 to function as a handset in the telephone / facsimile function. At the same time, the CPU 65 can also output a signal for limiting the copy function in the printer unit 11. Specifically, for example, the copy function restriction signal is sent to the drive circuits 75, 74, 72, and as a result, copying is performed only on a single recording sheet. That is, if the separator 22 is removed from the main body device 20, only one copy is performed even if a plurality of copy commands are issued from the operation panel 21.

[Operation / effect of MFP]

  The multifunction machine 10 according to the present embodiment operates as follows.

  The user can implement the telephone / facsimile function by operating the separator 22 by removing the separator 22. The separator 22 functions as a so-called slave (handset) when the telephone / facsimile function is exhibited. When the separating body 22 is attached to the main body device 20, the separating body 20 functions as a part of the operation panel 21, and the main control device 24 determines whether the multifunction device 10 is based on information input from the operation panel 21. Control the behavior.

  The attachment / detachment of the separator 22 is detected by an attachment / detachment sensor 23. When the separator 22 is removed from the main body device 20, the main controller 24 causes the separator 22 to perform a telephone / facsimile function. Since the separator 22 includes the touch panel type liquid crystal display 18, the main controller 24 can also display a numeric keypad for telephone / facsimile on the liquid crystal display 18. The user can perform telephone / facsimile operations using this numeric keypad.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the separating body 22 is attached to the main body device 20, the joining members 39, 40, 41 and the joining members 43, 44, 45 face each other, and the opposing ends of both are spherical. Therefore, the magnetic force acting between the two is the strongest at the zenith position. Therefore, the joining members 39, 40, 41 and the joining members 43, 44, 45 are attracted so that the zeniths approach each other and face each other. That is, both are positioned so that the zenith positions face each other by the magnetic force acting between them. Thereby, the separator 22 is charged well by contactless power transmission. Further, the user can easily remove the separation body 22 from the main body device 20 by gripping the separation body 22 and pulling it against the magnetic force.

  In the present embodiment, the attachment / detachment sensor 23 is provided, and functions as a handset when the separator 22 is detached from the apparatus main body 20. Since the detachable sensor 23 includes a mechanical limit switch, there is an advantage that the structure of the detachable sensor 23 is simple. A magnetic sensor may be arranged instead of this mechanical limit switch. In other words, the magnetic sensor may be arranged to detect this when the magnetic joining members 39, 40, 41 are dropped. However, the magnetic sensor may be provided in parallel with the mechanical limit switch.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, since the joining members 39, 40, and 41 are disposed on the center bottom surface 37 as shown in FIG. 2, the joining mode of the separator 22 to the main body device 20 is uniquely determined. Therefore, the separator 22 is prevented from being held in the wrong direction or position with respect to the main body device 20.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the joining members 39, 40, 41 and the joining members 43, 44, 45 face each other in a state where the separator 22 is mounted on the main body device 20. At the same time, the feeding circuit 42 and the power receiving circuit 33 face each other at the center of the isosceles triangle formed by the joint members 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45. Therefore, the influence of the magnetic force which these electric power feeding circuit 42 and the receiving circuit 33 receive from the joining members 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45 (permanent magnet) is reduced. In addition, since the permanent magnet which comprises the joining members 39, 40, 41 etc. is an earth magnet, there exists an advantage that magnetic force is strong.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... MFP 20 ... Main body device 21 ... Operation panel 22 ... Separation body 23 ... Detachment sensor 24 ... Main controller 33 ... Power receiving circuit 35 ... Charging device 37 ... Center bottom 38 ... Concave 39-41 ... Joint member 42 ... Feed circuit 43-45 ... Joint member 46 ... Convex part 47 ... Back 51 ... Retainer

Claims (6)

A multi-function machine equipped with at least an image forming function and a telephone / facsimile function,
An operation unit that operates the image forming function and other functions, a main controller that controls the image forming function and other functions based on information input by the operation unit, and a main body device provided with a power supply device;
A detachable body provided in the operation unit, functioning as a handset when a telephone / facsimile function is executed, and provided with a power-supplied device to which power is supplied from the power supply device;
A detachable sensor for detecting that the separation body is attached to the main body device and is detached from the main body device;
A controller provided on the separation body, and having the separation body function as the handset when the attachment / detachment sensor detects the detached state;
The power supply device
A first joint that is provided in at least three locations on the first facing surface of the operation unit that faces the power-supplied device;
A first charging unit that is provided on the first facing surface and supplies power to the power-supplied device joined to the first joint by contactless power transmission;
The powered device is
A second joint portion provided on a second facing surface of the separator that faces the power feeding device and capable of being joined to the first joint portions;
Power is provided from the first charging unit by contactless power transmission in a state of being provided at a position facing the first charging unit on the second facing surface and the second bonding unit being bonded to the first bonding unit. And a second charging unit
A permanent magnet is provided in either one of the first joint part or the second joint part facing each other, and the other one of the first joint part or the second joint part is composed of a magnetic body or a permanent magnet,
Either one of the first joint or the second joint of the permanent magnet provided at either the first joint or the second joint is formed in a spherical shape, and the permanent magnet One of the magnetic poles is disposed so as to be closest to the other of the first joint and the second joint,
The magnetic body or permanent magnet provided on the other of the first joint and the second joint projects to one side of the first joint and the second joint, and the projecting portion A multi-function machine with a spherical shape. The detachable sensor is
A permanent magnet or a magnetic body provided in either the first joint or the second joint;
Holding the permanent magnet or the magnetic body so that the permanent magnet or the magnetic body can move up against the gravity by the magnetic force acting between the opposing permanent magnet or the magnetic body and falling down due to the gravity. And
The multifunction device according to claim 1, further comprising a switch that is turned “ON” when the permanent magnet or the magnetic material falls.   The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the first joint portion is provided at a position where a joining mode of the power feeding device and the power supplied device is uniquely determined.   4. The multifunction device according to claim 1, wherein the first charging unit is provided at a position different from the first joint portion of the first facing surface. 5.   The first joint portion is distributed in a peripheral region of the first facing surface, and the first charging portion is disposed in a region closer to the center of the first facing surface than the first joint portion. Item 5. The multifunction device according to item 4. 6. The multifunction machine according to claim 1, wherein the permanent magnet is a rare earth magnet.

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