JP2012250431A - Image recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure capable of obtaining urging force required for implementation of detection of opening/closing of an opening/closing member without a spring.SOLUTION: The image recording device includes a scanner casing 51 opened/closed with respect to a printer casing 52, and a detecting part for detecting the opening/closing. A substrate 53, a first protrusion 72, a thin film member 76 radially extended while being tilted from a lower end of the first protrusion 72 to an oblique upper side, and a turning member 56 are arranged on the printer casing 52. A rear end 41 of the turning member 56 abutted to the closed scanner casing 51 is turned to a direction of an arrow 86, a front end 42 is turned to a direction of an arrow 87, and the first protrusion 72 is lifted up by the front end 42 and is separated from the substrate 53. In this state, the thin film member 76 applies the load on the first protrusion 72 to the substrate 53 side. When the scanner casing 51 is opened, the first protrusion 72 is free from the turning member 56, and is abutted to the substrate 53 by the load. The detecting part detects opening/closing of the scanner casing 51 by presence/absence of abutting of the first protrusion 72 and the substrate 53.

Description

  The present invention relates to an image recording apparatus that is provided with a rubber key and records an image on a recording medium, and in particular, an image recording apparatus configured such that an opening / closing member connected to the apparatus casing opens and closes with respect to the apparatus casing. About.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, some image recording apparatuses such as printers and multifunction peripherals are provided with a rubber key on the front side of the upper part thereof. The rubber key has a plurality of key tops. The user operates the image recording apparatus by pressing the key top. Specifically, when the user presses the key top, the key top comes into contact with the substrate provided on the back side of the rubber key. A conductive paint is applied to a portion of the key top that contacts the substrate. An electric circuit pattern is formed on the substrate, and a contact is provided at a portion of the substrate that contacts the key top. Therefore, when the key top comes into contact with the substrate, the contact is conducted, and when the key top is separated from the substrate, the contact is opened. In this way, the operation control of the image recording apparatus is performed by switching between conduction and opening of the electric circuit pattern by the operation of the key top.

  Conventionally, some image recording apparatuses are provided with an opening / closing member that opens and closes with respect to the apparatus housing at the top of the apparatus housing. For example, when the recording medium is jammed in the apparatus, the user can take out the recording medium from the apparatus by opening the opening / closing member.

  Many image recording apparatuses are provided with an opening / closing detection mechanism for detecting opening / closing of the opening / closing member. In the opening / closing device for the cover member disclosed in Patent Document 1, the opening / closing detection mechanism uses the switching of electrical circuit pattern conduction and opening by pressing the key top of the rubber key as described above to open / close the opening / closing member. Is detected. This will be described in detail below. One of the plurality of key tops is assigned for detecting opening / closing of the opening / closing member. The open / close detection mechanism is configured such that a key top assigned in conjunction with opening and closing of the open / close member is pressed, and pressing of the key top assigned in conjunction with closing of the open / close member is released. It is configured as follows. The opening / closing of the opening / closing member is detected by conduction and opening of the electric circuit pattern depending on whether or not the key top is pressed.

JP 2010-42615 A

  In the opening / closing detection mechanism of the opening / closing device for the cover member disclosed in Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 10A of Patent Document 1, the upper surface of the rubber spring 51a (corresponding to the key top described above) is constantly pressed. A torsion spring 54 for urging the interlocking lever 53 in the direction to be attached needs to be attached. The operation of the open / close detection mechanism will be described in detail below.

  When the cover member 32 of the switchgear (see FIGS. 3 and 10B of Patent Document 1) is opened, the interlocking lever 53 is twisted as shown in FIG. 10A of Patent Document 1. The upper surface of the rubber spring 51a is pressed by the spring 54. Thereby, it is determined that the rubber switch portion is turned on and the cover member 32 is open.

  On the other hand, when the cover member 32 of the opening / closing device is closed, the cover member 32 rotates the pressure contact body 49 as shown in FIG. Then, the interlocking lever 53 rotates in a direction away from the upper surface of the rubber spring 51 a against the urging force of the torsion spring 54 in conjunction with the rotation of the press contact body 49. Thereby, the pressing of the rubber spring 51a is released. As a result, it is determined that the rubber switch portion is turned off and the cover member 32 is closed.

  As described above, in the opening / closing detection mechanism of the opening / closing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the torsion spring 54 is necessary. Therefore, the cover member opening / closing device requires a process for attaching the torsion spring 54 to the opening / closing detection mechanism at the time of assembly. That is, the number of manufacturing steps for the cover member opening / closing device increases.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a structure capable of reducing the number of manufacturing steps by obtaining an urging force necessary for realizing a mechanism for detecting opening / closing of an opening / closing member without using a spring. With the goal.

  (1) An image recording apparatus according to the present invention includes an apparatus housing and an opening / closing member that is connected to the apparatus housing and is provided so as to be able to change its posture between an open posture and a closed posture with respect to the device housing; A substrate on which a plurality of contacts are formed, a sheet-like sheet portion, a plurality of key tops that protrude from the sheet portion and come into contact with and separate from the substrate by being elastically deformed, and the back side of each of the key tops An operation key member having a plurality of conductive portions facing each of the contact points, a key case having a plurality of openings into which the surface sides of the key tops are inserted, and the key case A contact member projecting toward the substrate, a projecting end abutting on the sheet portion, a detector having one end abuttable with the opening / closing member and the other end abutting with the operation key member; and The one end and the other end of the detector; Has an axis disposed between, comprising a rotating member rotatable about said axis, and a detector for detecting the opening and closing of the closing member. The operation key member protrudes from the sheet portion in two directions on the substrate side and the key housing side, has a hole formed in a side surface, and contacts the substrate on the protruding front end surface in the direction toward the substrate side. A first convex portion having a conductive portion opposite to the first convex portion, and extending radially from the end on the substrate side of the first convex portion while inclining toward the key housing side toward the outside. And a thin film portion joined to the sheet portion. The detection unit detects opening / closing of the opening / closing member based on opening / closing of a contact point of the substrate facing the conductive portion of the first convex portion. The contact member is in contact with the sheet portion at the peripheral position of the extended end of the thin film portion. The other end of the detector is inserted into the hole of the first convex portion. One end of the detector is separated from the opening / closing member whose posture is changed to an open posture, and is rotated in a first direction approaching the substrate by contacting the opening / closing member whose posture is changed to a closed posture. The The other end of the detector is rotated in a second direction away from the substrate in conjunction with the rotation of one end of the detector in the first direction. The first convex portion is separated from the substrate by coming into contact with the other end of the detector rotated in the second direction. The thin film portion applies a load to the substrate side with respect to the first convex portion in a state where the first convex portion is separated from the substrate.

  The first convex portion constituting the operation key member is brought into contact with and separated from the substrate by elastic deformation of the thin film portion.

  When the opening / closing member is changed from the open position to the closed position, one end of the detector is rotated toward the substrate, and the other end of the detector is rotated away from the substrate. The first convex portion is separated from the substrate by being pushed by the other end of the detector. As a result, of the contacts on the substrate, the contact facing the back side of the first convex portion is opened. The detection unit can detect that the opening / closing member is in the closed posture by detecting the opening.

  On the other hand, when the opening / closing member is changed from the closed position to the open position, the opening / closing member is separated from one end of the detector. Thereby, a 1st convex part will be in the state which is not pushed by the other end of a detector. Here, the thin film portion applies a load to the substrate side with respect to the first convex portion in a state where the first convex portion is separated from the substrate. Therefore, the first convex portion is moved to the substrate side by the load. As a result, the first convex portion comes into contact with the substrate. As a result, among the contacts on the substrate, the contacts facing the back side of the first convex portion are conducted. The detection unit can detect that the opening member is in the open posture by detecting the conduction.

  (2) The sheet portion includes a second convex portion in which a peripheral edge position of the extended end portion of the thin film portion protrudes toward the key casing. The extended end portion of the thin film portion is joined to the second convex portion at the protruding end portion of the second convex portion. The contact member is in contact with the protruding end of the second convex portion.

  When the first convex portion is pushed by the other end of the rotating detector and is separated from the substrate, the thin film portion is elastically deformed following the movement of the first convex portion. At this time, the peripheral position of the extended end of the thin film portion may be pulled and moved in a direction away from the substrate following the movement of the first convex portion and the elastic deformation of the thin film portion. Therefore, in the configuration of (1), the contact member holds the peripheral position in order to prevent the peripheral position from being moved.

  Here, in the structure of (1), the thin film part is extended radially, inclining in the protrusion direction of a 1st convex part. For this reason, the sheet portion needs to be configured to be thick enough to achieve the inclination at an appropriate angle.

  Therefore, in this configuration, the second convex portion is provided. The extended end portion of the thin film portion is joined to the second convex portion at the protruding end portion of the second convex portion. Thereby, the inclination of the thin film portion can be realized at an appropriate angle. The abutting member is configured to abut on the second convex portion. Accordingly, it is sufficient that the sheet portion is configured to be thick only in the portion where the second convex portion is provided. That is, according to this structure, a sheet | seat part can be comprised thinly.

  According to the present invention, the thin film portion applies a load on the substrate side to the first convex portion in a state where the first convex portion is separated from the substrate. That is, an urging force necessary for realizing a mechanism for detecting opening / closing of the opening / closing member can be obtained without using a spring. In other words, the thin film portion is substituted for the spring. As a result, the number of manufacturing steps for the image recording apparatus can be reduced.

1 is an external perspective view of a multifunction machine 10. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the multifunction machine 10. (A) shows a plan view of the multifunction machine 10, a plan view of the rubber key 54 and the rotating member 56, and a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in the plan view, and (B) shows a left side of the multifunction machine 10. The front view is shown and the enlarged view of AA sectional drawing in (A) is shown by (C). . 2 is a plan view of a printer unit 12 and an operation unit 14. FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a state in which FIG. 4 is cut along BB in a state where the scanner housing 51 is in a fourth posture. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4 in a state where the scanner housing 51 is in a fourth posture. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a state in which FIG. 4 is cut along BB in a state where the scanner housing 51 is in a third posture. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 4 in a state where the scanner housing 51 is in a third posture. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the printer housing 52 with the substrate 53 and the rotation member 56 removed, taken along the line BB in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 4 of the printer housing 52 with the substrate 53 and the rotating member 56 removed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. 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 changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. Further, in the following description, the advance from the start point to the end point in consideration of the arrow in the vector is expressed as the direction, and the traffic on the line connecting the start point and the end point in the vector without considering the arrow is expressed as the direction. In the following description, the vertical direction 7 is defined with reference to the state in which the multifunction machine 10 is installed (the state in FIG. 1), and the side where the opening 13 is provided is the front side (front side). A direction 8 is defined, and a left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction machine 10 is viewed from the front side (front). In the following description, with respect to the members constituting the multifunction machine 10, the vertical direction 7, the front-rear direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 are defined with reference to the state of being attached to the multifunction machine 10.

[Multifunction machine 10]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the multifunction machine 10, which is an example of the image recording apparatus of the present invention, is formed in a generally thin rectangular parallelepiped. The multifunction machine 10 includes a scanner unit 11 that acquires an image data by reading an image recorded on a document such as a recording sheet by an image sensor (not shown). In addition, the multifunction machine 10 includes a printer unit 12 that records an image on a recording sheet stored in the paper feed tray 20 based on the image data and the like. The multifunction machine 10 includes an operation unit 14 on the front side of the scanner unit 11 and on the upper side of the printer unit 12.

  The scanner unit 11 has a scanner housing 51 (an example of the opening / closing member of the present invention) formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The printer unit 12 is generally formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a printer casing 52 (an example of the apparatus casing of the present invention) in which an opening 13 is formed on the front surface.

[Printer unit 12]
The printer casing 52 can be inserted / removed in the front-rear direction 8 from the opening 13 and the recording paper is accommodated therein, and the recording paper accommodated in the paper feeding tray 20 is conveyed to a conveyance path (not shown). A plurality of rollers (not shown) that are transported along, a recording unit (not shown) that records an image on recording paper that is transported along a transport path, and the like are disposed. The recording paper on which the image is recorded is discharged to a paper discharge tray 21 provided on the upper side of the paper feed tray 20. Note that, as a method in which the recording unit records an image on recording paper, for example, there are an ink jet recording method and an electrophotographic method.

[Scanner unit 11]
As shown in FIG. 1, the scanner unit 11 functions as a flat bed scanner (FBS). The scanner unit 11 includes a scanner housing 51, an image sensor, and a document cover 24.

  The scanner housing 51 has a platen glass (not shown) on its upper surface. A document is placed on the platen glass. The image sensor is provided inside the scanner casing 51 and reads an image of a document placed on the platen glass. The document cover 24 is connected to the scanner housing 51 via a support shaft 25 that extends in the left-right direction 9 at the rear end of the multifunction machine 10.

  The document cover 24 rotates in the direction of the arrow 33 about the support shaft 25 to be closed with respect to the scanner housing 51 (the posture shown in FIG. 1), and with respect to the scanner housing 51. The posture can be changed between the second postures (not shown) opened. In a state where the document cover 24 is in the second posture, the user can place the document on the platen glass. When the document cover 24 is in the first posture, the image sensor reads an image of the document.

  The scanner housing 51 is connected to the printer housing 52 via a support shaft 26 extending in the left-right direction 9 at the rear end portion of the multifunction machine 10. The scanner housing 51 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 34 (see FIG. 3B) about the support shaft 26 to be closed with respect to the printer housing 52 (the posture shown in FIG. 1). , Corresponding to the closed position of the present invention) and the fourth position opened with respect to the printer casing 52 (the position shown in FIG. 3B, corresponding to the open position of the present invention). . When the scanner casing 51 is in the third posture, an image is recorded on the recording paper. In a state where the scanner housing 51 is in the fourth posture, the user can take out the recording paper jammed in the conveyance path formed inside the multifunction machine 10 to the outside.

[Operation unit 14]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the operation unit 14 includes a key housing 55, a substrate 53, and a rubber key 54. The substrate 53 is attached to the center and slightly left of the upper end of the front side of the printer housing 52 with screws or the like. The rubber key 54 is attached so as to cover the substrate 53 from above the substrate 53. The key housing 55 is attached to the printer housing 52 by screws, snap-fit, or the like so as to cover the rubber key 54 from above the rubber key 54. The key casing 55 is attached to the entire left and right sides of the multifunction machine 10 at the upper end on the front side of the printer casing 52.

  The scanner casing 51 is connected to the printer casing 54 on the rear side of the attachment position of the key casing 55. In other words, the operation unit 14 is attached to the front side of the upper end of the printer casing, and the scanner casing 51 is rotatably attached to the rear side.

[Key housing 55]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the key casing 55 (an example of the key casing of the present invention) is formed with a plurality of openings 79 (an example of the opening of the present invention). A key top 71 of a rubber key 54 described later is inserted into each of the openings 79 from below. That is, the surface side of the key top 71 is inserted into each of the openings 79. As shown in FIG. 1, the key top 71 inserted from the lower side of the opening 79 is protruded from the upper side of the opening 79. The user can operate the multi-function device 10 by pressing the protruding key top 71. A touch panel unit (not shown) is fitted into the largest opening 79 formed in the central portion of the key housing 55 in the left-right direction 9.

[Substrate 53]
A substrate 53 (an example of the substrate of the present invention) shown in FIG. 2 is a known printed circuit board. Electronic components such as resistors, capacitors, and transistors are mounted on at least one of the front surface and the back surface of the substrate 53. An electric circuit pattern (not shown) is printed with a conductive paint such as copper or silver on at least one of the front and back surfaces of the substrate 53.

  The electric circuit pattern is separated by a predetermined interval at a position facing each of a plurality of key tops 71 and first convex portions 72 described later. That is, the electric circuit pattern is opened at the position. The electric circuit pattern in the vicinity of the opened position is brought into contact with a conductive paint (not shown) described later applied to the plurality of key tops 71 and the first protrusions 72. Thereby, the electric circuit pattern in the vicinity of the opened position is conducted. That is, the electric circuit pattern in the vicinity of the opened position functions as a contact 74 (see FIGS. 5 to 8, an example of the contact of the present invention). As described above, a plurality of contacts 74 are formed on the substrate 53.

  The substrate 53 is subjected to resist printing as insulation processing at a position other than the contacts 74.

[Rubber key 54]
In the present embodiment, the rubber key 54 (an example of the operation key member of the present invention, see FIGS. 2, 3A, and 3C) is formed of silicon rubber. The rubber key 54 may be formed of a material other than silicon rubber as long as it is a material having elasticity. For example, the rubber key 54 may be an elastomer other than silicon rubber such as natural rubber or urethane rubber. As shown in FIG. 2, the rubber key 54 includes a thin plate-like sheet portion 73 (an example of the sheet portion of the present invention) and a plurality of key tops 71 protruding from the sheet portion 73 (an example of the key top of the present invention). And.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the sheet portion 73 is a thin plate member having substantially the same size as the substrate 73. The sheet portion 73 is disposed on the substrate 53 so as to cover the upper surface of the substrate 53 attached to the printer housing 54.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each of the plurality of key tops 71 is a columnar member such as a cylinder or a quadrangular column. Each key top 71 is provided at a position facing the contact 74 of the electric circuit pattern formed on the substrate 53. As described above, each key top 71 is inserted through the opening 79 formed in the key housing 55. Thereby, the upper surface of each key top 71, that is, the front surface side of each key top 71 is positioned above the upper surface of the key housing 55.

  A conductive paint (not shown, an example of the conductive portion of the present invention) is applied to the lower surface of each key top 71, that is, the back side of each key top 71. That is, the plurality of key tops 71 have a conductive paint for each key top 71. In other words, the plurality of key tops 71 have a plurality of conductive portions of the present invention. The conductive paint is known, for example, in which conductive fine particles such as carbon are dispersed in an organic resin such as a polyimide resin. Any known conductive paint can be used in the present invention. As described above, each key top 71 is provided at a position facing the contact 74 of the electric circuit pattern formed on the substrate 53. In other words, each of the conductive paints applied to the back side of each key top 71 faces each of the contacts 74.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the lower end portion of each key top 71 and the sheet portion 73 are connected via a thin film member 75. This will be described in detail below. The thin film member 75 extends radially outward from the peripheral edge of the lower end (the back side end) of each key top 71. And the thin film member 75 is joined to the sheet | seat part 73 in the edge part extended radially, ie, an outer edge part. That is, one end of the thin film member 75 is joined to the lower end portion of the key top 71 and the other end is joined to the sheet portion 73.

  Here, the joining position between the thin film member 75 and the lower end portion of the key top 71 is higher than the joining position between the thin film member 75 and the sheet portion 73. That is, the thin film member 75 is radially extended while being inclined downward from the peripheral portion of the lower end portion of the key top 71 toward the outside.

  The thin film member 75 constitutes a part of the rubber key 54 like the sheet portion 73 and the key top 71. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the thin film member 75 is formed of silicon rubber. Since the thin film member 75 is thinner than the sheet portion 73 and the key top 71, the thin film member 75 is more easily bent by elastic deformation than the sheet portion 73 and the key top 71. Normally, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the thin film member 75 maintains a state of extending straight. In this state, when the upper surface of the key top 71 is pressed by the user, a load is applied to the thin film member 75 from above. Thereby, the thin film member 75 is curved. As a result, the key top 71 is moved downward and comes into contact with the substrate 53.

  On the other hand, when the user releases the hand that has pressed down the key top 71 while the key top 71 and the substrate 53 are in contact with each other, no load is applied to the thin film member 75. Thereby, the thin film member 75 returns to the state extended straight from the state curved by the restoring force. As described above, the key top 71 is brought into contact with and separated from the substrate 53 by being elastically deformed.

[First convex portion 72]
As shown in FIG. 2, the rubber key 54 includes a first convex portion 72 (an example of the first convex portion of the present invention) protruding from the seat portion 73 in addition to the seat portion 73 and the plurality of key tops 71. ing. As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, the first convex portion 72 protrudes from the sheet portion 73 in two directions, ie, on the upper side (key housing 55 side) and the lower side (substrate 53 side). However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the substrate 53 is in contact with the lower side of the sheet portion 73. Therefore, the first convex portion 72 is blocked by the substrate 53 and apparently does not protrude downward from the sheet portion 73.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, in the present embodiment, the first protrusion 72 is a cylindrical member. The first convex portion 72 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a quadrangular prism shape, for example. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first convex portion 72 is provided at a position facing the contact 74 of the electric circuit pattern formed on the substrate 53. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 10, unlike the key tops 71, the first protrusions 72 are not inserted through the openings 79 formed in the key housing 55. Specifically, the key housing 55 does not have the opening 79 at a position directly above the first convex portion 72. Further, the first convex portion 72 does not extend to the key housing 55. That is, the first convex portion 72 is blocked by the key housing 55 and cannot be visually recognized from the outside.

  The conductive paint described above is applied to the lower surface of the first convex portion 72, that is, to the rear surface side of the first convex portion 72, in other words, the protruding front end surface facing the substrate 53 side. That is, the 1st convex part 72 has the electroconductive part of this invention. As described above, the first protrusion 72 is provided at a position facing the contact 74 of the electric circuit pattern formed on the substrate 53. That is, the conductive paint applied to the back surface side of the first convex portion 72 faces the contact point 74.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the lower end portion of the first convex portion 72 and the sheet portion 73 are connected via a thin film member 76 (an example of the thin film portion of the present invention). The thin film member 76 constitutes a part of the rubber key 54 in the same manner as the sheet portion 73 and the first convex portion 72. The thin film member 76 is formed of silicon rubber in the same manner as the thin film member 75 provided between the key top 71 and the sheet portion 73 described above. From the sheet portion 73, the key top 71, and the first convex portion 72. Is also thin. For this reason, like the thin film member 75, the thin film member 76 is more easily bent by elastic deformation than the sheet portion 73, the key top 71, and the first convex portion 72.

  The thin film member 76 extends radially outward from the peripheral edge of the lower end (the end on the substrate 53 side) of the first convex portion 72. The thin film member 76 is joined to the sheet portion 73 at the radially extending end, that is, the outer end. That is, the thin film member 76 has one end joined to the lower end of the first convex portion 72 and the other end joined to the sheet portion 73.

  Here, the sheet portion 73 is formed with a second convex portion 77 (an example of the second convex portion of the present invention) that protrudes upward (to the key housing 55 side). The second convex portion 77 is provided so as to surround the first convex portion 72 from the outside. That is, the second convex portion 77 protrudes from the sheet portion 73 at the other end of the thin film member 76. In other words, the second convex portion 77 protrudes from the peripheral position of the extended end portion of the thin film member 76 in the sheet portion 73.

  In the present embodiment, the other end of the thin film member 76 is joined to the second convex portion 77 at the upper end portion of the second convex portion 77, that is, the protruding end portion.

  Here, the joining position between the thin film member 76 and the lower end of the first member 72 is lower than the joining position between the thin film member 76 and the second convex part 77. That is, the thin film member 76 extends radially from the peripheral edge of the lower end portion of the first convex portion 72 while being inclined upward (toward the key housing 55). That is, the thin film member 76 is inclined to the opposite side to the thin film member 75.

  The first convex portion 72 contacts and separates from the substrate 53 by elastic deformation of the thin film member 76 in conjunction with opening and closing of the scanner housing 51. The contact / separation of the first protrusion 72 with the substrate 53 will be described later.

  A hole 78 (an example of the hole 78 of the present invention) is formed on the side surface of the first convex portion 72. A rotation member 56 described later is inserted into the hole 78.

[Abutting member 80]
As shown in FIGS. 5 to 10, the key housing 55 is formed with a contact member 80 (an example of the contact member of the present invention). The contact member 80 protrudes downward from a position facing the second convex portion 77 on the lower surface of the key housing 55 (surface facing the substrate 53). That is, the contact member 80 is formed so as to surround the first convex portion 72 from the outside. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the protruding end (lower end) of the contact member 80 is in contact with the protruding end of the second convex portion 77.

  In the present embodiment, an opening 43 (see FIG. 5) through which the rotating member 56 described below is inserted is formed on a part of the side surface of the contact member 80.

[Rotating member 56]
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5 to 8, the multifunction machine 10 includes a detector 81 (an example of the detector of the present invention) extending in the front-rear direction 8 and a front-rear direction 8 of the detector. A rotating member 56 (an example of the rotating member of the present invention) having a shaft 82 (an example of the shaft of the present invention) protruding from the substantially central portion to the left side and the right side is disposed.

  The position in the left-right direction 9 where the rotating member 56 is disposed is a position where the first convex portion 72 is provided. In addition, the position in the front-rear direction 8 where the rotating member 56 is disposed is the rear side from the position where the first convex portion 72 is provided. The rotating member 56 is disposed below the key housing 55.

  The rear portion of the detector 81 protrudes from the rear end of the key casing 55 to the outside of the key casing 55. In other words, the front portion of the detector 81 is covered with the key housing 55, but the rear portion of the detector 81 is exposed above the printer housing 52.

  On the lower surface of the key casing 55, two ribs 83 (see FIGS. 5 and 9) extending downward are formed at positions facing the shafts 82 extending from the left and right sides of the detector 81, respectively. . In FIG. 5, only the shaft 82 extending from the right side of the detector 81 is shown. Each rib 83 is provided with a notch 44 (see FIG. 9), and each of the shafts 82 of the rotating member 56 is rotatably fitted in the notch 44. As a result, the detector 81 can rotate around the shaft 82.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the exposed rear end portion 41 (corresponding to one end of the present invention) of the detector 81 has a scanner housing 51 whose posture is changed from the fourth posture to the third posture. The front end 40 of the lower surface can come into contact. Also, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the front end portion 42 (corresponding to the other end of the present invention) of the detector 81 is inserted into a hole 78 formed on the side surface of the first convex portion 72 of the rubber key 54. ing. When the rear end 41 of the detector 81 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 84 (see FIGS. 6 and 8), the front end 42 of the detector 81 rotates in the direction of the arrow 85 (see FIGS. 6 and 8). Moved. As a result, the lower surface of the front end portion 42 of the detector 81 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the surfaces forming the holes 78. On the other hand, when the rear end portion 41 of the detector 81 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 86 approaching the substrate 53 (corresponding to the first direction of the present invention, see FIGS. 6 and 8), the front end portion 42 of the detector 81. Is rotated in the direction of an arrow 87 away from the substrate 53 (corresponding to the second direction of the present invention, see FIGS. 6 and 8). As a result, the upper surface of the front end portion 42 of the detector 81 comes into contact with the top surface of the surfaces forming the holes 78.

  In the present embodiment, the front end portion 42 of the detector 81 of the rotating member 56 has a protrusion 45 (see FIG. 6) protruding upward in order to prevent the detector 81 from coming out of the hole 78. Is formed.

[Microcomputer]
The multifunction machine 10 is provided with a microcomputer (not shown, an example of the detection unit of the present invention). The microcomputer is connected to the electric circuit pattern of the substrate 53 by a connection cable. That is, the microcomputer is connected to the electrical circuit pattern corresponding to the contact 74 facing the first convex portion 72 in the same manner as the electrical circuit pattern corresponding to the other contact 74 (contact 74 facing the key top 71). Yes.

  Thereby, when the contact 74 facing the first protrusion 72 is opened, no current flows from the electric circuit pattern corresponding to the contact 74 facing the first protrusion 72 to the microcomputer. On the other hand, when the contact 74 facing the first protrusion 72 is conducted, current flows from the electric circuit pattern corresponding to the contact 74 facing the first protrusion 72 to the microcomputer. As will be described later, the contact 74 facing the first convex portion 72 is opened when the scanner housing 51 is in the third posture, and is conducted when the scanner housing 51 is in the fourth posture.

  That is, the microcomputer detects the opening / closing of the scanner casing 51 based on the opening / closing of the contact 74 of the substrate 53 facing the surface of the first convex portion 72 to which the conductive paint is applied. In other words, the microcomputer detects opening / closing of the scanner housing 51 based on whether or not current flows from the electric circuit pattern corresponding to the contact 74 facing the first convex portion 72. For example, the microcomputer compares the value of the current flowing through the contact 74 facing the first convex portion 72 with a predetermined threshold value. Then, the microcomputer determines that the scanner housing 51 is in the third posture when the current value is equal to or smaller than the threshold value. If the current value is larger than the threshold value, the microcomputer housing 51 It is determined that the posture is the fourth posture.

[Open / close detection operation]
Hereinafter, the opening / closing detection operation of the scanner casing 51 will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the thin film member 76 maintains a straight extension state when the substrate 73 is not provided. In this state, when the substrate 73 is disposed below the rubber key 54, the thin film member 76 is curved as shown in FIGS. The thin film member 76 in a curved state tries to return to a straight state by a restoring force. That is, in the state shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first convex portion 72 is pressed against the substrate 53 disposed on the lower side by the restoring force of the thin film member 76.

  When the posture of the scanner housing 51 is changed from the opened state (fourth posture, see FIGS. 5 and 6) to the closed state (third posture, see FIGS. 7 and 8), the process of the posture change is performed. The front end 40 of the lower surface of the scanner housing 51 is in contact with the rear end 41 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) of the detector 81 of the rotating member 56 from above. As a result, the rear end portion 41 of the detector 81 is pushed by the scanner housing 51 and rotated in the direction of the arrow 86 (see FIGS. 6 and 8). Then, the front end portion 42 of the detector 81 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 87 (see FIGS. 6 and 8), and the state shown in FIGS. That is, the front end portion 42 of the detector 81 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 87 in conjunction with the rotation of the rear end portion 41 of the detector 81 in the direction of the arrow 86.

  The front end portion 42 of the detector 81 rotated in the direction of the arrow 87 comes into contact with the top surface of the surface forming the hole 78 and pushes the top surface. Thereby, the first convex portion 72 is moved in the direction of an arrow 88 (see FIG. 6) that is separated from the substrate 53. As a result, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the first protrusion 72 is separated from the substrate 53.

  When the first convex portion 72 is separated from the substrate 53, the contact 74 of the electric circuit pattern formed on the substrate 53 is opened, and current from the contact 74 does not flow to the microcomputer. Thereby, the microcomputer determines that the current from the contact 74 is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value. That is, the microcomputer detects that the scanner housing 51 is in the third posture.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the thin film member 76 is curved in a state where the first convex portion 72 is separated from the substrate 53. The thin film member 76 in a curved state tries to return to a straight state by a restoring force. That is, the curved thin film member 76 applies a load to the first protrusion 72 toward the substrate 53 disposed on the lower side.

  When the posture of the scanner casing 51 is changed from the closed state (third posture, FIGS. 7 and 8) to the opened state (fourth posture, see FIGS. 5 and 6), in the process of the posture change. The front end 40 on the lower surface of the scanner casing 51 is separated from the rear end 41 of the detector 81 of the rotating member 56. Thereby, the rear end portion 41 of the detector 81 is not pushed by the scanner casing 51. As a result, the front end portion 42 of the detector 81 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 85 (see FIGS. 6 and 8) by the load applied by the thin film member 76. Then, the rear end portion 41 of the detector 81 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 84 (see FIGS. 6 and 8), and is in the state shown in FIGS. That is, the first convex portion 72 is pressed against the substrate 53.

  When the first convex portion 72 is pressed against the substrate 53, the contact 74 of the electric circuit pattern formed on the substrate 53 is conducted, and a current from the contact 74 flows through the microcomputer. Thereby, the microcomputer determines that the current from the contact 74 is larger than the predetermined threshold value. That is, the microcomputer detects that the scanner housing 51 is in the fourth posture.

[Effect of the embodiment]

  According to this embodiment, the 1st convex part 72 which comprises the rubber key 54 is contacted / separated with respect to the board | substrate 53, when the thin film member 76 elastically deforms.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, when the posture of the scanner casing 51 is changed from the opened posture (fourth posture) to the closed posture (third posture), the rear end portion 41 of the detector 81 becomes the substrate. The front end portion 42 of the detector 81 is rotated in the direction of an arrow 87 that is separated from the substrate 53. The first convex part 72 is moved in the direction of the arrow 88 and is separated from the substrate 53 by being pushed by the front end part 42 of the detector 81. As a result, the contact 74 of the substrate 53 is opened. The microcomputer can detect that the scanner housing 51 is closed by detecting the opening.

  On the other hand, when the posture of the scanner housing 51 is changed from the closed posture (third posture) to the opened posture (fourth posture), the scanner housing 51 is separated from the rear end portion 41 of the detector 81. . Thereby, the first convex portion 72 is not pushed by the front end portion 42 of the detector 81. Here, the thin film member 76 applies a load toward the substrate 53 to the first convex portion 72 in a state where the first convex portion 72 is separated from the substrate 53. Therefore, the 1st convex part 72 is moved to the board | substrate 53 side with the said load. Thereby, the first convex portion 72 is in contact with the substrate 53. As a result, the contact 74 of the substrate 53 is conducted. The microcomputer can detect that the scanner housing 51 is opened by detecting the conduction.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the thin film member 76 follows the movement of the first convex portion 72 when the first convex portion 72 is pushed by the front end portion 42 of the rotating detector 81 and separated from the substrate 53. And elastically deformed. At this time, the peripheral position of the extending end of the thin film member 76, in other words, the position near the joining position of the sheet portion 73 with the thin film member 76 follows the movement of the first protrusion 72 and the elastic deformation of the thin film member 76. As a result, there is a risk of being pulled and moved away from the substrate 53. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the contact member 80 holds the peripheral position in order to prevent the peripheral position from being moved.

  Here, according to the present embodiment, the thin film member 76 extends radially while inclining in the protruding direction of the first convex portion 72. For this reason, the sheet | seat part 73 needs to be comprised so thick that the said inclination can be implement | achieved at an appropriate angle.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the second convex portion 77 is provided. The extended end portion of the thin film member 76 is joined to the second convex portion 77 at the protruding end portion of the second convex portion 77. Thereby, the inclination of the thin film member 76 can be realized at an appropriate angle. The contact member 80 is configured to contact the second convex portion 77. Accordingly, it is sufficient that the sheet portion 73 is configured to be thick only in a portion where the second convex portion 77 is provided. That is, according to the present embodiment, the sheet portion 73 can be configured to be thin.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, the thin film member 76 applies a load toward the substrate 53 to the first protrusion 72 in a state where the first protrusion 72 is separated from the substrate 53. . That is, an urging force necessary for realizing a mechanism for detecting opening / closing of the scanner housing 51 can be obtained without using a spring. In other words, the thin film member 76 is substituted for the spring. As a result, according to the present embodiment, the number of manufacturing steps for the multifunction machine 10 can be reduced.

[Modification 1 of Embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, the second convex portion 77 and the contact member 80 are provided so as to surround the first convex portion 72 from the outside, but the second convex portion 77 and the contact member 80 are the first It does not need to be provided so as to surround the convex portion 72.

  For example, at least one of the second protrusion 77 or the contact member 80 may be provided as a plurality of columnar members. In this case, at least one of the second convex portion 77 or the abutting member 80 as a columnar member is provided at a predetermined interval at the peripheral position of the first convex portion 72. In addition, it is desirable that at least one of the second convex portion 77 or the contact member 80 as a columnar member is provided at three or more locations.

[Modification 2 of the embodiment]
In the above-described embodiment, the second convex portion 77 is provided in the sheet portion 73, but the second convex portion 77 may not be provided in the sheet portion 73.

  In this case, the thin film member 76 is joined to the edge portion on the upper surface of the sheet portion 73 at the radially extending end portion, that is, the outer end portion.

  Further, the protruding end (lower end) of the contact member 80 is located at the peripheral position of the extending end of the thin film member 76, in other words, at the position near the joining position of the sheet portion 73 with the thin film member 76, Abutted.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Multifunction machine 51 ... Scanner housing 52 ... Printer housing 53 ... Substrate 54 ... Rubber key 55 ... Key housing 56 ... Turning member 71 ... Key top 72 ... 1st convex part 73 ... Sheet | seat part 74 ... Contact 76 ... Thin film member 78 ... Hole 80 ... Contact member 81 ... Detector 82 ... Axis

Claims (2)

A device housing;
An opening / closing member connected to the device casing and provided to be capable of changing the posture between an open posture and a closed posture with respect to the device housing;
A substrate on which a plurality of contacts are formed;
A thin sheet-like sheet portion, a plurality of key tops protruding from the sheet portion and being brought into and out of contact with the substrate by being elastically deformed, and provided on the back side of each of the key tops, And an operation key member having a plurality of conductive portions facing each other,
A key housing having a plurality of openings into which the surface sides of the key tops are inserted;
A contact member that protrudes from the key housing toward the substrate, and a protruding end that contacts the sheet portion;
A detector having one end abuttable with the opening / closing member and the other end abuttable with the operation key member; and a shaft provided between the one end and the other end of the detector; A rotating member rotatable about an axis;
A detection unit that detects opening and closing of the opening and closing member,
The operation key member is
The sheet portion protrudes in two directions on the substrate side and the key housing side, and a hole is formed in the side surface. A first protrusion having,
A thin film portion that extends radially from the end on the substrate side of the first convex portion toward the key housing side toward the outside, and is joined to the sheet portion at the extended end; With
The detection unit detects opening / closing of the opening / closing member based on opening / closing of a contact of the substrate facing the conductive portion of the first convex portion,
The contact member is in contact with the sheet portion at the peripheral position of the extended end of the thin film portion,
The other end of the detector is inserted into the hole of the first convex portion,
One end of the detector is separated from the opening / closing member whose posture is changed to an open posture, and is rotated in a first direction approaching the substrate by contacting the opening / closing member whose posture is changed to a closed posture. ,
The other end of the detector is rotated in a second direction away from the substrate in conjunction with the rotation of the one end of the detector in the first direction,
The first convex portion is separated from the substrate by contacting the other end of the detector rotated in the second direction,
The thin film portion is an image recording apparatus that applies a load to the substrate side with respect to the first convex portion in a state where the first convex portion is separated from the substrate. The sheet portion includes a second convex portion in which a peripheral position of an extended end portion of the thin film portion protrudes toward the key housing side,
The extended end portion of the thin film portion is joined to the second convex portion at the protruding end portion of the second convex portion,
The image recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the contact member is in contact with a protruding end portion of the second convex portion.

Images