TWI710475B - Recording device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a recording device, which can improve the safety, has high design and simplicity of appearance, and high robustness. The recording device of the present invention includes: an ink cartridge that contains ink and has an injection port; a recording portion that uses the ink to perform recording; a housing that contains the recording portion; an opening and closing portion that covers a part of the ink cartridge; a visual recognition portion, It can visually recognize the ink cartridge; an imaging unit that can image the state of the ink cartridge or the periphery of the housing; an imaging control unit that controls the imaging unit; and a recording control unit that controls the recording unit.

Description

Recording device

The invention relates to a recording device.

Previously, there are known printers that are equipped with: a recording head that ejects liquid to perform recording; and a liquid container unit including a liquid capable of accommodating the liquid supplied to the recording head and replenishing the consumed liquid The containing portion and the liquid containing body of the liquid injection port that can inject liquid into the liquid containing portion (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

In addition, the liquid container unit in the printer includes a box for accommodating the liquid container, the box having a box body for accommodating the liquid container, and a cover that can be opened and closed on the box body.

Furthermore, the above-mentioned printer is provided with an upper lock mechanism including a padlock capable of keeping the cover closed. This prevents the cover from being unnecessarily opened. Therefore, it is possible to prevent undesirable behaviors such as mixing of foreign matter into the liquid container or drawing the liquid from the liquid container, thereby improving safety.

[Prior Technical Literature] [Patent Literature]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2016-168727

However, in the above printer, the locking mechanism is configured in a state protruding to the outside of the box body. Therefore, there is a problem of inferior design or simplicity. The present invention was completed in order to solve such problems, and its object is to provide a recording device that can improve safety and is excellent in design and simplicity of appearance.

The present invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

[Application example 1] The recording device of this application example is characterized by including: an ink cartridge that contains ink and has an injection port; a recording portion that uses the ink to perform recording; a housing that contains the recording portion; Covering a part of the ink cartridge; a visual recognition unit capable of visualizing the ink cartridge; an imaging unit capable of imaging the state of the ink cartridge or the periphery of the casing; an imaging control unit that controls the imaging unit; and a recording control unit that controls the recording unit.

According to this structure, since the imaging unit capable of imaging the state of the ink cartridge or the periphery of the housing is provided, it is possible to imaging the state of the ink cartridge or the periphery of the housing. In this way, it is possible to photograph bad behaviors related to the recording device, thereby improving the safety. Also, for example, when an abnormal situation such as a failure of the recording device occurs, it can be a means to find out the cause of the failure. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to provide a locking mechanism or the like on the housing, the design and simplicity of the appearance can be improved.

[Application Example 2] The recording device of the above application example is characterized in that it includes a detection unit that detects the opening and closing of the opening and closing portion, and the imaging control unit starts imaging after the detection unit detects that the opening and closing portion is open.

For example, the act of mixing foreign matter into the ink cartridge or the act of drawing ink from the ink cartridge is performed with the opening and closing part opened. Therefore, according to the above-mentioned structure, the shooting starts when the opening and closing portion is opened, and therefore, it is possible to shoot the bad behavior of the recording device at an appropriate time.

[Application example 3] The recording control unit of the recording device of the application example is characterized in that: The images taken by the above-mentioned imaging department are recorded.

According to this structure, the cause of abnormality such as a malfunction of the recording device can be easily ascertained from the recorded image.

[Application Example 4] The recording device of the application example described above is characterized in that it further includes a sound generating unit that emits sound, and the imaging control unit generates sound when imaging is started by the imaging unit.

According to this structure, the prevention effect can be improved by sound generation.

2: shell

2A: Shell

3: Operation panel

3A: Operation panel

4: Paper Finishing Department

8: Display panel

10: Cover

10A: Cover

11: positive

12: upper surface

13: side wall

13a: Convex

14: side wall

15: Recording head (recording department)

16: Control Department

20: Cartridge unit

201: Visual Recognition Department

21: Cartridge

22: Injection port

24: Visual recognition

25: upper limit mark

26: Lower limit mark

27: side

28: side

31: Rail

32: bracket

40: Opening and closing part

40A: Opening and closing part

40B: Opening and closing part

40C: Opening and closing part

40D: Opening and closing part

40E: Opening and closing part

50: Inspection Department

60: Photography Department

61: Photography Department

62: Photography Department

70: Command Department

71: CPU

72: Shooting control department

73: Record Control Department

77: ROM

78: RAM

79: Input and output interface

80: Drive

81: Head Drive

82: Carriage drive

83: Conveying drive unit

84: Display driver

90: grabbing part

90A: Grasp

91: Snap part

91A: Snap part

92: Snap part

92a: The first engagement part (hook part)

92b: The second engaging part 92b (fixing part)

93: capping department

95: Display

96: Bolt member

97: Elastic member

98: holding part

99: paper mouth

101~195: Printer (recording device)

201~295: Visual Recognition Department

239A: Visual Recognition Department

239B: Visual recognition department

290A: Visual recognition department

290B: Visual recognition department

P: recording medium

Fig. 1A is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the first embodiment.

Fig. 1B is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the first embodiment.

Fig. 1C is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the first embodiment.

Fig. 1D is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the first embodiment.

Fig. 1E is a schematic diagram showing the main internal structure of the printer of the first embodiment.

Fig. 1F is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit of the printer of the first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the second embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the third embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the fourth embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the fifth embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the sixth embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the seventh embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the eighth embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the ninth embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the tenth embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the eleventh embodiment.

Fig. 12 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the twelfth embodiment.

Fig. 13 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the thirteenth embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the fourteenth embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the fifteenth embodiment.

Fig. 16 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the sixteenth embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the seventeenth embodiment.

Fig. 18 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the eighteenth embodiment.

Fig. 19 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the nineteenth embodiment.

Fig. 20 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the twentieth embodiment.

Fig. 21 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 21st embodiment.

Fig. 22 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 22nd embodiment.

Fig. 23 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 23rd embodiment.

Fig. 24 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 24th embodiment.

Fig. 25 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 25th embodiment.

Fig. 26 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 26th embodiment.

Fig. 27 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the twenty-seventh embodiment.

Fig. 28 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 28th embodiment.

Fig. 29 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 29th embodiment.

Fig. 30 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 30th embodiment.

Fig. 31 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 31st embodiment.

Fig. 32 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 32nd embodiment.

Fig. 33 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 33rd embodiment.

Fig. 34 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 34th embodiment.

Fig. 35 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 35th embodiment.

Fig. 36 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 36th embodiment.

Fig. 37 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 37th embodiment.

Fig. 38 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 38th embodiment.

Fig. 39A is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 39th embodiment.

Fig. 39B is an enlarged view showing the appearance of a part of the printer in the 39th embodiment.

Fig. 39C is an enlarged view showing the appearance of a part of the printer of the 39th embodiment.

Fig. 40A is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 40th embodiment.

Fig. 40B is an enlarged view showing the appearance of a part of the printer of the 40th embodiment.

Fig. 41 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 41st embodiment.

Fig. 42 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 42nd embodiment.

Fig. 43 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 43rd embodiment.

Fig. 44A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 44th embodiment.

Fig. 44B is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 44th embodiment.

Fig. 45A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 45th embodiment.

Fig. 45B is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 45th embodiment.

Fig. 46A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 46th embodiment.

Fig. 46B is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 46th embodiment.

Fig. 46C is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 46th embodiment.

Fig. 47A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 47th embodiment.

Fig. 47B is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 47th embodiment.

Fig. 48 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 48th embodiment.

Fig. 49 is a side view showing the appearance of the printer of the 49th embodiment.

Fig. 50 is a side view showing the appearance of the printer of the 50th embodiment.

Fig. 51 is a side view showing the appearance of the printer of the 51st embodiment.

Fig. 52A is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 52nd embodiment.

Fig. 52B is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 52nd embodiment.

Fig. 52C is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 52nd embodiment.

Fig. 52D is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 52nd embodiment.

Fig. 53 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 53rd embodiment.

Fig. 54 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 54th embodiment.

Fig. 55 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 55th embodiment.

Fig. 56 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 56th embodiment.

Fig. 57 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 57th embodiment.

Fig. 58 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 58th embodiment.

Fig. 59 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 59th embodiment.

Fig. 60 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 60th embodiment.

Fig. 61 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 61st embodiment.

Fig. 62 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 62nd embodiment.

Fig. 63 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 63rd embodiment.

Fig. 64 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 64th embodiment.

Fig. 65 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 65th embodiment.

Fig. 66 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 66th embodiment.

Fig. 67 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 67th embodiment.

Fig. 68 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 68th embodiment.

Fig. 69 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 69th embodiment.

Fig. 70 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 70th embodiment.

Figure 71 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 71st embodiment.

Fig. 72 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 72nd embodiment.

Fig. 73 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 73rd embodiment.

Fig. 74 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 74th embodiment.

Fig. 75 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 75th embodiment.

Fig. 76 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer according to the 76th embodiment.

Fig. 77 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 77th embodiment.

Fig. 78 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 78th embodiment.

Fig. 79 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 79th embodiment.

Fig. 80 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 80th embodiment.

Fig. 81 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 81st embodiment.

Fig. 82 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 82nd embodiment.

Fig. 83 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 83rd embodiment.

Fig. 84 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 84th embodiment.

Fig. 85 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 85th embodiment.

Fig. 86 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 86th embodiment.

Fig. 87 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 87th embodiment.

Fig. 88 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 88th embodiment.

Fig. 89 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 89th embodiment.

Fig. 90A is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 90th embodiment.

Fig. 90B is an enlarged view showing the appearance of a part of the printer in the 90th embodiment.

Fig. 90C is an enlarged view showing the appearance of a part of the printer of the 90th embodiment.

Fig. 91A is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 91st embodiment.

Fig. 91B is an enlarged view showing the appearance of a part of the printer of the 91st embodiment.

Fig. 92A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 92nd embodiment.

Fig. 92B is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 92nd embodiment.

Fig. 93A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer in the 93rd embodiment.

Fig. 93B is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 93rd embodiment.

Fig. 93C is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 93rd embodiment.

Fig. 94A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 94th embodiment.

Fig. 94B is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 94th embodiment.

Fig. 95A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 95th embodiment.

Fig. 95B is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 95th embodiment.

Each embodiment will be described by taking an inkjet printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) as an example of a recording device as an example. The printer of each embodiment can print on a recording medium such as recording paper using ink as an example of liquid.

Furthermore, the basic configuration is common to the printers of the various embodiments. In addition, there are prepared implementations that vary the appearance of the printer.

Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Furthermore, in each drawing, in order to set each structure to a recognizable size, there are cases where the reduction ratio of the structure or the component is different. In addition, there are cases where the components other than those necessary for the explanation are omitted.

(First Embodiment)

Figure 1A is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of this embodiment, Figure 1B, Figure 1C and Figure 1D is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of this embodiment. In Fig. 1A, Fig. 1B, Fig. 1C, and Fig. 1D, the XYZ axes, which are orthogonal coordinate axes, are attached. For the figures shown later, XYZ axes are also marked as necessary.

In this embodiment, the state where the printer 101 is arranged on the horizontal plane (XY plane) defined by the X axis and the Y axis is the usage state of the printer 101. The posture of the printer 101 when the printer 101 is arranged on the XY plane is called the use posture of the printer 101.

The Z axis is an axis orthogonal to the horizontal plane. When the printer 101 is in use, the direction along the Z axis becomes the vertical direction. In addition, in the use state of the printer 101, in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C, the -Z direction is the vertical downward direction. Furthermore, in each of the XYZ axes, the direction of the arrow indicates the + (positive) direction, and the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow indicates the-(negative) direction. FIG. 1A is a front view of the printer 101 viewed from the +Y axis direction side. 1B and 1D are perspective views of the printer 101 viewed from the +X direction side. FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the printer 101 viewed from the -X direction side.

As shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, and 1D, the printer 101 includes an ink cartridge 21, a recording unit 15, a casing 2, an opening and closing unit 40, a detection unit 50, a visual recognition unit 201, and an imaging unit 60. In addition, the printer 101 has an operation panel 3, a paper discharge section 4, a cover 10, and the like. Furthermore, the printer 101 of this embodiment includes a scanner unit (not shown). That is, the printer 101 is a compound machine including a scanner unit. Furthermore, the printer 101 may not be a composite machine, but a printer that does not include a scanner unit.

The casing 2 houses the recording unit 15 and the like, and constitutes the casing of the printer 101. The operation panel 3 is arranged on the outer side of the casing 2. The operation panel 3 is arranged in the printer 101 on the side (front surface 11) on which the paper discharge section 4 is arranged. The operation panel 3 includes a display panel 8, a power button, an operation button, etc. (all are not shown). Furthermore, as the display panel 8, for example, a panel capable of accepting input from a user, such as a touch panel, can be used. In addition, it can also be set to be able to adjust the slope of the operation panel 3 (also called tilt adjustment). Whole) structure. If the slope of the operation panel 3 can be adjusted, the user can observe or operate the operation panel 3 at the required slope, so the convenience is improved.

The paper discharge part 4 is arranged on the same side surface as the operation panel 3 in the casing 2. In the printer 101, the recording medium P is discharged from the paper discharge section 4 (refer to FIG. 1E). In the printer 101, the surface on which the paper discharge section 4 is provided is the front side 11. The front side 11 of the printer 101 is also the front side 11 of the housing 2. In this embodiment, the positions in the Y-axis direction of the outer surface of the operation panel 3 and the outer end of the paper discharge portion 4 are substantially the same as the positions in the Y-axis direction of the outer surface of the front surface 11 of the housing 2.

The casing 2 has an upper surface 12 intersecting the front surface 11 and side walls 13 and 14 intersecting the front surface 11 and the upper surface 12. When the front 11 is viewed from the front, that is, when the front 11 is viewed from the +Y direction side, the side wall 13 is located on the +X direction side of the front 11 and the side wall 14 is located on the −X direction side of the front 11. The +X-direction side (the corner side of the front side 11 and the side wall 13) of the operation panel 3 and the paper discharge part 4 in the housing 2 protrudes to the +Y direction side than the part provided with the operation panel 3 and the paper discharge part 4 .

The opening and closing portion 40 covers a part of the ink cartridge 21 and is provided on the front side 11 of the casing 2. The opening and closing portion 40 is disposed in a portion of the casing 2 that protrudes to the +Y direction side than the portion provided with the operation panel 3 and the paper discharge portion 4. Therefore, the opening and closing section 40 is arranged closer to the side wall 13 side (+X direction side) than the operation panel 3 and the paper discharge section 4 in the X axis direction, and is arranged on the operation panel 3 and the paper discharge section 4 in the Y axis direction. It is closer to the front side (+Y direction side).

The opening and closing portion 40 is configured to be able to be opened and closed with respect to the housing 2. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1D, it can move in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions when viewing the YZ plane from the +X direction side with an axis (not shown) along the X axis as the rotation axis. Moreover, when the opening and closing section 40 is to be set in the open state, in the state shown in FIG. 1B (the opening and closing section 40 is in the closed state), make the axis along the X axis as the rotation axis, in the +X direction When the side is viewed from the YZ plane, it rotates in the counterclockwise direction, and thereby the opening and closing portion 40 can be opened with respect to the housing 2 as shown in FIG. 1D. On the other hand, the opening and closing part 40 When set to the closed state, in the state shown in Fig. 1D (the opening and closing portion 40 is in the open state), make the axis along the X axis as the rotation axis, and move clockwise when looking down on the YZ plane from the +X direction side By rotating in the direction, the opening and closing portion 40 can be closed with respect to the housing 2 as shown in FIG. 1B.

Furthermore, by setting the opening and closing portion 40 in the open state (see FIG. 1D), the ink cartridge 21 contained in the housing 2 can be exposed, so that the ink can be supplied into the ink cartridge 21 through the injection port 22.

The front surface 11 (XZ plane) of the opening and closing portion 40 has a flat surface. Furthermore, a visual recognition portion 201 is provided on the front surface 11 (XZ plane) of the opening and closing portion 40.

The visual recognition unit 201 is configured as a visual recognition ink cartridge 21. The visual recognition part 210 of this embodiment is an opening. Therefore, the ink cartridge 21 accommodated in the casing 2 can be visually recognized through the visual recognition portion 201 (opening). With this, for example, the amount of ink contained in the ink cartridge 21 can be confirmed. Furthermore, a transparent cover can also be provided to cover the opening of the visual recognition portion 201. For the transparent cover, a resin material with light transmittance can be applied. The so-called light-transmitting property, in terms of the nature of the substance through which light passes, is not limited to the state where the opposite side can be seen through the substance, but includes the state where the shape of the opposite side cannot be clearly recognized through the material. . Furthermore, for example, the transparent cover may be attached to the opening and closing portion 40 with an adhesive or the like. Furthermore, the external shape of the visual recognition part 201 of this embodiment is rectangular.

The cover 10 constitutes a part of the housing 2. The cover 10 is disposed on the upper surface 12 of the housing 2. The cover 10 covers the scanner unit (not shown). The cover 10 is configured to be able to rotate about an axis (not shown) along the X axis as a rotation axis. By rotating the cover 10 in one direction relative to the casing 2, the cover 10 can be opened relative to the casing 2. Furthermore, by rotating the cover 10 in the other direction from the state in which the cover 10 is opened, the cover 10 can be closed with respect to the housing 2. In this way, the cover 10 is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the housing 2.

If the cover 10 is opened with respect to the housing 2, the scanner unit is exposed. The scanner unit is a platform type and has imaging elements (not shown) such as an image sensor. Scanner unit can be via imaging element Read images recorded on media such as paper as image data. Therefore, the scanner unit functions as a reading device such as an image.

In the X-axis direction, the length of the casing 2 is approximately the same as the length of the cover 10. In the Y-axis direction, the length of the housing 2 at the position where the operation panel 3 is provided is approximately the same as the length of the cover 10, but the housing 2 at the position where the opening and closing part 40 (visual recognition part 201) is provided is longer than The length of the cover 10 is longer.

Therefore, when the upper surface 12 of the printer 101 is viewed from the +X direction side, the cover 10 overlaps with the housing 2 except for the portion protruding toward the +Y direction side. That is, when the upper surface 12 of the printer 1 is viewed from the +X direction side, the opening and closing portion 40 (the visual recognition portion 201) of the portion protruding toward the +Y direction provided in the housing 2 is not overlapped with the cover 10 The way to configure. Thereby, when the opening and closing portion 40 is rotated, it can be rotated without being hindered by the cover 10.

The detection unit 50 detects the opening and closing of the opening and closing unit 40. Various proximity sensors (for example, infrared type, capacitance type, induction type, ultrasonic type, etc.) can be suitably applied to the detection unit 50. Furthermore, the detection unit 50 may be a contact type such as a limit switch in addition to a proximity sensor. The detection part 50 is arranged in the vicinity of the opening and closing part 40 and the housing 2 side as shown in FIG. 1D. In addition, the arrangement position of the detection part 50 is not particularly limited, and it may be arranged on the opening and closing part 40 side.

The imaging unit 60 is, for example, a CCD (charge coupled device) camera, and is configured to be capable of imaging the state of the ink cartridge 21 or the periphery of the housing 2. In addition, the imaging unit 60 includes an optical mechanism, and the imaging area can be enlarged or reduced by the optical mechanism to perform imaging. Furthermore, the imaging unit 60 may also be a CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) area sensor or a photodiode sensor.

The imaging unit 60 of this embodiment is arranged on the operation panel 3. In more detail, the imaging unit 60 is arranged in the vicinity of the operation panel 3 and the opening and closing unit 40. With this, it is possible to easily photograph the periphery of the ink cartridge 21 status.

Next, the main structure inside the casing 2 of the printer 101 will be described. Figure 1E is a perspective view showing the main internal components of the printer. As shown in FIG. 1E, the printer 101 has a recording head 15 as a recording unit, a control unit 16, and an ink cartridge unit 20. The recording head 15, the control unit 16, and the ink cartridge unit 20 are housed in the casing 2.

The recording head 15 ejects (jets) ink in the form of ink droplets and performs recording on the recording medium P. The recording head 15 is mounted on a carriage 32 supported by a guide rail 31 arranged along the X-axis direction. The carriage 32 is connected with a moving mechanism (not shown) including a motor, and the carriage 32 can be moved back and forth along the X-axis direction by driving the moving mechanism. Furthermore, with the movement of the carriage, the recording head 15 reciprocates along the X-axis direction.

In addition, the printer 101 is provided with a conveying section (not shown) capable of conveying the recording medium P in the +Y direction. In addition, the carriage 32 and the recording head 15 are moved back and forth in the X-axis direction with respect to the recording medium P conveyed in the +Y direction by the conveying section, and recording is performed with ink. In addition, the transport unit intermittently transports the recording medium P such as recording paper in the +Y direction.

In addition, the control unit 16 controls the driving of each of the above-mentioned components.

The ink cartridge unit 20 is arranged in the housing 2 inside a portion (opening and closing portion 40) that protrudes to the +Y direction side than the operation panel 3 and the paper discharge portion 4. That is, when the printer 101 is viewed from the +Y direction side, the ink cartridge unit 20 is arranged inside the opening and closing portion 40 (the −Y direction side). In addition, the ink cartridge unit 20 is located between the operation panel 3 and the paper discharge portion 4 and the side wall 13 in the X-axis direction.

The ink cartridge unit 20 includes a plurality of ink cartridges 21. The ink cartridge unit 20 of this embodiment includes four ink cartridges 21. Furthermore, the number of ink cartridges 21 in the ink cartridge unit 20 is not limited to four, and can be set to be less than four or more than four. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the four ink cartridges 21 are arranged side by side along the X axis.

In addition, in this embodiment, the plurality of ink cartridges 21 are configured differently from each other. However, the structure of the ink cartridge 21 is not limited to this. It is also possible to have a configuration in which a plurality of ink cartridges 21 are integrated and the ink cartridge unit 20 is used as one liquid container. In the case of such a configuration, the ink cartridge unit 20 is spaced apart as mutually separate ink cartridges 21, and is configured to be able to accommodate different types of liquids. In this case, for example, inks of different colors can be stored in a plurality of ink cartridges 21 individually.

The ink cartridge 21 is a container for storing ink. An injection port 22 communicating with the inside of the ink cartridge 21 is formed in the ink cartridge 21. The injection port 22 is configured as an opening formed on the surface located on the +Z direction side of the ink cartridge 21. In the ink cartridge 21, ink can be injected into the ink cartridge 21 from the outside of the ink cartridge 21 through the injection port 22. Furthermore, it can also be set as the structure which sealed the injection port 22 with a cap. In the case of this configuration, when the user wants to inject ink into the ink cartridge 21, the user can inject the ink after opening the cover to open the injection port 22.

In addition, the structure of the ink cartridge 21 is not limited to the above. As the structure of the ink cartridge 21, for example, a tubular liquid injection portion protruding from the outer surface of the ink cartridge 21 may be provided.

The ink cartridge 21 is composed of a member having at least a part of light transmittance. The so-called light-transmitting property, in terms of the nature of the substance through which light passes, is not limited to the state where the opposite side can be seen through the substance, but includes the state where the shape of the opposite side cannot be clearly recognized through the material. . The visual recognition surface 24 located in the +Y direction of the ink cartridge 21 is translucent, and the ink receiving capacity in the ink cartridge 21 can be visually recognized from the visual recognition surface 24. For example, an upper limit mark 25 or a lower limit mark 26 is attached to the viewing surface 24. The user can use the upper limit mark 25 and the lower limit mark 26 as marks to grasp the amount of ink in the ink cartridge 21.

Furthermore, the upper limit mark 25 indicates a standard for the amount of ink so that when the ink is injected from the injection port 22, the ink does not leak from the injection port 22. In addition, the lower limit mark 26 indicates a standard for reminding the ink volume when the ink is injected. It can also be set with upper limit mark 25 and lower limit mark 26 The composition of either.

The ink cartridge 21 has a side surface 27 and a side surface 28 intersecting the visible surface 24. When viewing the visibility surface 24 of the ink cartridge 21 from the +Y direction side, the side surface 27 is located on the side wall 13 side (+X direction side) of the casing 2 and the side surface 28 is located on the side wall 14 side (−X direction side) of the casing 2.

An ink supply tube 17 is connected to each ink cartridge 21. The ink in the ink cartridge 21 is supplied to the recording head 15 through the ink supply tube 17. Then, the ink supplied to the recording head 15 is ejected in the form of ink droplets from a nozzle (not shown) facing the recording medium P side.

The ink is not limited to either water-based ink or oil-based ink. In addition, as the aqueous ink, any one of a structure in which a solute such as a dye is dissolved in an aqueous solvent, and a structure in which a dispersant such as a pigment is dispersed in an aqueous dispersion medium may be used. In addition, the oil-based ink may be any one of a structure in which a solute such as a dye is dissolved in an oil-based solvent, and a structure in which a dispersant such as a pigment is dispersed in an oil-based dispersion medium.

When the ink cartridge unit 20 (4 ink cartridges 21) looks down on the front surface 11 of the printer 101 from the +Y direction side, as shown in FIG. 1A, the ink cartridge unit 20 (four ink cartridges 21) is arranged at a position overlapping the opening and closing portion 40 provided with the visual recognition portion 201. Therefore, even if the surface of the ink cartridge 21 is not exposed to the outside, the user can view the ink cartridge 21 from the outside of the printer 101 through the visual recognition unit 201. Furthermore, the user can grasp the amount of ink in the ink cartridge 21 by using the upper limit mark 25 and the lower limit mark 26 as marks from the outside of the printer 101, for example.

Moreover, if a transparent cover is provided to cover the opening of the visual recognition portion 201, the transparent cover can be used to prevent dust from intruding into the ink cartridge 21 from the outside of the printer 101 (housing 2) or the ink cartridge unit due to contact from the outside. 20 damage. Therefore, compared with the case where the surface of the ink cartridge 21 is exposed to the outside, it is possible to suppress the adverse effects on visibility due to external dust or damage. Furthermore, since the ink cartridge 21 is disposed inside the protruding portion of the casing 2, the width of the casing 2 (length in the X-axis direction) can be suppressed and the capacity of the ink cartridge 21 can be increased.

When refilling the ink cartridge 21 with ink, as shown in FIG. 1D, the opening and closing portion 40 is set to an open state. Thereby, a part of each ink cartridge 21 is exposed. The user can inject ink into the ink cartridge 21 from the outside of the printer 101 through the injection port 22. After the ink is replenished, the opening and closing portion 40 is placed in the closed state, whereby the injection port 22 is covered by the opening and closing portion 40.

Next, the configuration of the control unit of the printer will be described. Figure 1F is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit of the printer. As shown in FIG. 1F, the control unit 16 includes a command unit 70 and a drive unit 80. The instruction unit 70 is composed of a CPU 71, a ROM 77 as a storage means, a RAM 78, and an input/output interface 79. The CPU 71 includes an imaging control unit 72 that controls the imaging unit 60 and a recording control unit 73 that controls the recording head 15. Furthermore, the CPU 71 processes various signals input through the input/output interface 79 based on the data of the ROM 77 and the RAM 78, and outputs control signals to the drive unit 80 through the input/output interface 79. CPU71 performs various control based on the printing program memorize|stored in ROM77, for example.

The drive unit 80 is composed of a head drive unit 81, a carriage drive unit 82, a transport drive unit 83, a display drive unit 84, and the like.

Furthermore, based on the control signal from the command unit 70, the head drive unit 81 controls the recording head 15, the carriage drive unit 82 controls the carriage 32 (moving mechanism), and the transport drive unit 83 controls the transport unit to display and drive The section 84 controls the display panel 8.

In addition, the detection unit 50 and the imaging unit 60 are respectively connected to the control unit 16.

In the control structure of the printer 101 described above, the imaging control section 72 starts imaging after detecting the state in which the opening and closing section 40 is opened. In detail, in the printer 101, it is assumed that foreign matter is mixed into the ink cartridge 21 or the ink is drawn from the ink cartridge 21. This behavior is performed when the opening and closing portion 40 is in an open state. Therefore, once the detection unit 50 detects the open state of the opening and closing unit 40, the detection data is sent to the command unit 70. Furthermore, the imaging control unit 72 is based on the detection data And the imaging unit 60 is driven. With this, imaging of the ink cartridge 21 and the periphery of the casing 2 is started. Therefore, it is possible to photograph improper behaviors related to the printer 101 (especially the ink cartridge 21) at an appropriate time.

In addition, the recording control unit 73 records the image taken by the imaging unit 60. For example, the image taken by the imaging unit 60 is displayed on the display panel 8, the desired image is selected by operating buttons and the required adjustment is performed, and then the recording head 15 or the carriage 32 is driven. Thereby, an image is formed (recorded) on the recording medium P. Therefore, the cause of the malfunction of the printer 101 can be easily ascertained based on the recorded image.

In addition, the printer 101 may be provided with a sound generating unit that emits sound. The sound generating unit is, for example, a piezoelectric buzzer using a piezoelectric vibrating plate. The sound generating unit is connected to the control unit 16. Then, the imaging control unit 72 drives the sound generating unit when the imaging unit 60 starts imaging. Therefore, the prevention effect can be improved by sound generation.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

The printer 101 is provided with a detection unit 50 for detecting the opening and closing of the opening and closing unit 40, and also provided with an imaging unit 60 capable of imaging the state of the ink cartridge 21 or the periphery of the casing 2. In this way, the periphery of the printer 101 can be photographed, so that the bad behavior of the printer 101 can be photographed, and the safety can be improved. In addition, for example, when the printer 101 fails, it can be a means to find out the cause of the failure. Furthermore, the printer 101 of the present embodiment does not need to provide a locking mechanism or the like on the housing 2, so that no objects protrude from the housing 2. Therefore, the design and simplicity of appearance can be improved.

Here, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, a rectangular visibility portion 201 (opening) of the visible ink cartridge 21 is provided, but it is not limited to this form. Various forms can be applied to the visual recognition section.

Therefore, in the following, description will be given of implementation modes applying various types of visual recognition units. In addition, the same reference numerals are attached to the same components in each embodiment as those of the first embodiment, and the description is omitted. In addition, the basic configuration of the printer and the configuration of the control unit in each embodiment are similar to those of the first The configuration of the embodiment is the same, and the description is omitted.

First, in the first embodiment, the visual recognition unit 201 is rectangular, but various forms can be applied to the visual recognition unit 201 regarding the size, shape, and the like.

Fig. 2 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 2, the printer 102 includes a visual recognition unit 202 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21.

Fig. 3 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the printer 103 includes a visual recognition unit 203 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21.

Fig. 4 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the fourth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the printer 104 includes a visual recognition unit 204 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21.

Fig. 5 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the fifth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the printer 105 includes a visual recognition unit 205 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21.

Fig. 6 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the sixth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 6, the printer 106 includes a visual recognition unit 206 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21.

Fig. 7 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the seventh embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the printer 107 includes a visual recognition unit 207 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21.

Fig. 8 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the eighth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, the printer 108 includes a visual recognition unit 208 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21.

Fig. 9 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the ninth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, the printer 109 includes a visual recognition unit 209 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21.

Fig. 10 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the tenth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 10, the printer 110 includes a visual recognition unit 210 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 10, a part of the visual recognition part 210 has a curved part.

Fig. 11 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the eleventh embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 11, the printer 111 includes a visual recognition unit 211 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 11, a part of the visibility part 211 has a curved part.

Fig. 12 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the twelfth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 12, the printer 112 includes a visual recognition unit 212 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 12, the viewing section 212 has a plurality of openings (four in this embodiment). Each opening is rectangular. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 212 are arranged along the X axis. Furthermore, the number of openings can be the same as the number of ink cartridges 21 mounted on the printer 112, or can be the number of types of ink contained in the ink cartridges 21. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 212 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 13 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the thirteenth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 13, the printer 113 includes a visual recognition unit 213 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 13, the visual recognition part 213 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 213 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 213 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 14 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the fourteenth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 14, the printer 114 includes a visual recognition unit 214 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 14, the viewing part 214 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 214 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 214 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 15 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the fifteenth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 15, the printer 115 includes a visual recognition unit 215 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 15, the visual recognition part 215 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 215 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 215 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 16 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the sixteenth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 16, the printer 116 includes a visual recognition unit 216 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 16, the visual recognition part 216 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition part 216 are arranged along the X axis Column. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 17 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the seventeenth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 17, the printer 117 includes a visual recognition unit 217 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 17, the visual recognition part 217 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 217 are arranged along the X axis. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 18 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the eighteenth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 18, the printer 118 includes a visual recognition unit 218 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 18, the visual recognition part 218 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 218 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 281 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 19 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the nineteenth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 19, the printer 119 includes a visual recognition unit 219 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 19, the visual recognition part 219 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 219 are arranged along the X axis. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 20 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the twentieth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 20, the printer 120 includes a visual recognition unit 220 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 20, the viewing unit 220 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 220 are arranged along the X axis. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 21 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 21st embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 21, the printer 121 includes a visual recognition unit 221 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 21, the visual recognition part 221 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 221 are arranged along the X axis. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 22 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 22nd embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 22, the printer 122 is provided with the visual recognition part 222 which can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. Figure 22 As shown, the visual recognition unit 222 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 222 are arranged along the X axis. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 23 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 23rd embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 23, the printer 123 includes a visual recognition unit 223 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 23, the viewing section 223 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 223 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 223 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 24 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 24th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 24, the printer 124 includes a visual recognition unit 224 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 24, the viewing section 224 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 224 are arranged along the X axis. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 25 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 25th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 25, the printer 125 is provided with the visual recognition part 225 which can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 25, the viewing section 225 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 225 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 225 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 26 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 26th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 26, the printer 126 includes a visual recognition unit 226 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 26, the viewing section 226 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 226 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 226 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 27 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the twenty-seventh embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 27, the printer 127 includes a visual recognition unit 227 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 27, the viewing part 227 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 227 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 227 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 28 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 28th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 28, the printer 128 includes a visual recognition unit 228 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 28, the viewing part 228 has two openings. The two openings of the visual recognition unit 228 are arranged along the X axis. Also, the sizes of the openings are different from each other.

Fig. 29 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 29th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 29, the printer 129 includes a visual recognition unit 229 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 29, the visual recognition part 229 has two openings. The two openings of the visual recognition unit 229 are arranged along the X axis. Also, the sizes of the openings are different from each other.

Fig. 30 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 30th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 30, the printer 130 includes a visual recognition unit 230 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 30, the viewing section 230 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 230 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the openings are circular, and the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 31 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 31st embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 31, the printer 131 is provided with the visual recognition part 231 which can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 31, the viewing part 231 has a plurality of openings. In addition, the plurality of openings of the viewing portion 231 are arranged along the X-axis and Z-axis directions. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 32 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 32nd embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 32, the printer 132 includes a visual recognition unit 232 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 32, the viewing unit 232 has a plurality of openings. In addition, a plurality of openings are arranged along the Z-axis direction. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 33 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 33rd embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 33, the printer 133 is equipped with the visual recognition part 233 which can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 33, the viewing section 233 has a plurality of openings. In addition, a plurality of openings are arranged along the Z-axis direction. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 34 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 34th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 34, the printer 134 has a visual recognition unit 234 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 34, the viewing section 234 has a plurality of openings. In addition, the plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 234 are arranged along the X-axis and Z-axis directions. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 234 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 35 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 35th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 35, the printer 135 includes a visual recognition unit 235 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 35, the viewing section 235 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 235 are arranged along the X-axis and Z-axis directions. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 36 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 36th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 36, the printer 136 includes a visual recognition unit 236 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 36, the viewing section 236 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 236 are arranged along the X-axis and Z-axis directions. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 236 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 37 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 37th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 37, the printer 137 is equipped with the visual recognition part 237 which can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 37, the visual recognition part 237 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 237 are arranged along the X-axis and Z-axis directions. In addition, in the visual recognition portion 237, the sizes of the openings arranged in the X-axis direction are all the same, but the sizes of the openings arranged in the Z-axis direction are different.

Fig. 38 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 38th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 38, the printer 138 includes a visual recognition unit 238 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 38, the visual recognition part 238 has a plurality of openings. In addition, a plurality of openings are arranged along the Z-axis direction. In addition, the sizes of the openings in the visual recognition portion 238 are different from each other.

Fig. 39A is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 39th embodiment. 39B and 39C are enlarged views showing the appearance of a part of the printer of the 39th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 39A, the printer 139 includes a visual recognition unit 239 (239A, 239B) that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 39A, FIG. 39B, and FIG. 39C, the viewing portion 239 (239A, 239B) has a plurality of openings. The size of the opening is relatively small and rectangular. Furthermore, a plurality of openings are arranged along the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, the shape of the opening in the visual recognition portion 239 (239A, 239B) may also be a rhombus or the like.

Fig. 40A is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 40th embodiment. 40B is an enlarged view showing the appearance of a part of the printer of the 40th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 40A, the printer 140 includes a visual recognition unit 240 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 40A and FIG. 40B, the visibility unit 240 has a plurality of openings. The size of the opening is relatively small and round. Furthermore, a plurality of openings are arranged along the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction.

Fig. 41 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 41st embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 41, the printer 141 includes a visual recognition unit 241 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 41, the visual recognition part 241 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 241 are arranged along the X-axis direction. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 241 is different from the size of the other openings. Furthermore, a part of the opening is provided to the corner of the opening and closing portion 40 where the surface along the X axis and the surface along the Y axis intersect.

Fig. 42 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 42nd embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 42, the printer 142 includes a visual recognition unit 241 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. The configuration of the visual recognition unit 241 is the same as that of the 41st embodiment, but it is not particularly limited, and may have other forms.

Furthermore, in the printer 142, as shown in FIG. 42, a convex portion 13a is formed on the side wall 13. this The convex portion 13a of the embodiment is formed along the entire width of the housing 2 along the Y-axis direction of the side wall 13.

Fig. 43 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 43rd embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 43, the printer 143 is equipped with the visual recognition part 243 which can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 43, the visual recognition part 243 is provided in the surface along the Y-axis above the Z-axis direction of the opening-and-closing part 40. As shown in FIG. Furthermore, the visual recognition part 243 of this embodiment has one opening, but it may have a form which has a plurality of openings.

44A and 44B are perspective views showing the appearance of the printer of the 44th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 44A, the printer 144 is provided with a viewing section 201 capable of viewing the ink cartridge 21 in the opening and closing section 40. The form of the visual recognition part 201 is the same as that of 1st Embodiment, but it is not specifically limited, It may be another form.

In addition, the opening and closing section 40 of the printer 144 of the present embodiment is provided with a catch section 90. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 44B, the opening and closing portion 40 can be easily opened and closed by putting the user's finger on the grip portion 90. The catch portion 90 is disposed at the upper part of the opening and closing portion 40. The shape of the catch portion 90 can be a concave portion or a convex portion. In addition, as shown in FIG. 44B, the printer 144 is provided with an engaging portion 91 for engaging the housing 2 and the opening and closing portion 40, so that the opening and closing portion 40 can be surely closed. Furthermore, the catch portion 90 of the printer 144 of this embodiment is arranged in the upper part of the opening and closing part 40, but it is not limited to this, and it can be arranged in the middle and lower part of the opening and closing part 40, or can be arranged in the upper part and the lower part. between.

Here, in the first embodiment, the opening and closing section 40 can be opened and closed with the axis along the X axis as the rotation axis, but it is not limited to this.

45A and 45B are perspective views showing the appearance of the printer of the 45th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 45A, the printer 145 is provided with a viewing section 201 capable of viewing the ink cartridge 21 in the opening and closing section 40. The form of the visual recognition unit 201 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but it is not particularly limited and may be His form.

Moreover, the opening and closing portion 40 is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the housing 2. Specifically, it is possible to move in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction when the XY plane is viewed from the +Z direction side with the axis (not shown) along the Z axis as the rotation axis. That is, when the opening and closing section 40 is to be set in the open state, in the state in FIG. 45A (the opening and closing section 40 is in the closed state), the axis along the Z axis is the rotation axis on the +Z direction side When the XY plane is viewed from above, it rotates in the counterclockwise direction, whereby the opening and closing portion 40 can be opened with respect to the housing 2 as shown in FIG. 45B. On the other hand, when the opening and closing portion 40 is to be set to the closed state, in the state in FIG. 45B (the opening and closing portion 40 is in the open state), make the axis along the Z axis as the rotation axis from +Z The direction side rotates in the clockwise direction when viewed from the top of the XY plane, whereby the opening and closing portion 40 can be closed with respect to the casing 2 as shown in FIG. 45A.

46A, 46B, and 46C are perspective views showing the appearance of the printer of the 46th embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 46A and 46B, the printer 146 is provided with a viewing section 243 capable of viewing the ink cartridge 21 in the opening and closing section 40. Since the form of the visual recognition unit 243 is the same as that of the 43rd embodiment, the description is omitted.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 46C, the opening and closing portion 40 is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the housing 2. Specifically, the axis (not shown) along the Z axis is used as the rotation axis, and when the XY plane is viewed from the +Z direction side, it can move in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions. In addition, since the structure of the opening/closing part 40 of this embodiment is the same as that of the 45th embodiment, description is abbreviate|omitted.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 46A, in the printer 146 of this embodiment, the side wall 13 is a flat surface as a whole. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 46C, an imaging unit 61 (for example, a CCD camera) is arranged above the housing 2 and the ink cartridge 21. The imaging section 61 is covered by the opening and closing section 40 in appearance when the opening and closing section 40 is in the closed state, and therefore cannot be recognized. Moreover, it is configured that if it is detected that the opening and closing portion 40 is opened State, the imaging units 60 and 61 are driven to start imaging.

In the first embodiment, the opening and closing section 40 can be opened and closed with the axis along the X axis as the rotation axis, and the ink cartridges 21 are arranged side by side along the X axis, but it is not limited to this .

47A and 47B are perspective views showing the appearance of the printer of the 47th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 47A, the printer 147 is provided with an opening and closing section 40 on the side wall 13 side, and the opening and closing section 40 is provided with a viewing section 201 capable of viewing the ink cartridge 21. The form of the visual recognition unit 201 is the same as that of the first embodiment, but it is not particularly limited, and may be another form.

Furthermore, the opening and closing portion 40 is configured to be able to be opened and closed with respect to the housing 2. Specifically, it is possible to move in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction when viewing the XZ plane from the +Y direction side with an axis (not shown) along the Y axis as the rotation axis. That is, when the opening and closing portion 40 is to be set in the open state, in the state in FIG. 47A (the opening and closing portion 40 is in the closed state), make the axis along the Y axis as the rotation axis on the side from the +Y direction When the XZ plane is viewed from above, it rotates in the clockwise direction, whereby the opening and closing portion 40 can be opened with respect to the housing 2 as shown in FIG. 47B. On the other hand, when the opening and closing portion 40 is set to the closed state, in the state shown in FIG. 47B (the opening and closing portion 40 is in the open state), make the axis along the Y axis as the rotation axis from +Y The direction side rotates in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the XZ plane, whereby the opening and closing portion 40 can be closed with respect to the housing 2 as shown in FIG. 47A.

In addition, in this embodiment, the ink cartridges 21 are arranged side by side along the Y axis. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 47B, an imaging unit 62 (for example, a CCD camera) is arranged above the housing 2 and the ink cartridge 21. The imaging section 62 is covered by the opening and closing section 40 in appearance when the opening and closing section 40 is in the closed state, and therefore cannot be recognized. In addition, it is configured that when the state in which the opening and closing section 40 is opened is detected, the imaging sections 60 and 62 are driven to start imaging.

Fig. 48 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the printer of the 48th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 48, the printer 148 is provided with an opening and closing section 40 on the side wall 13 side, and the opening and closing section 40 is provided with a viewing section 201 capable of viewing the ink cartridge 21. In addition, since the opening and closing mechanism of the opening and closing section 40 and the arrangement of the ink cartridge 21 are the same as the configuration of the 47th embodiment, the description is omitted.

In addition, the printer 148 is provided with an engaging portion 92 for engaging the housing 2 and the opening and closing portion 40. In detail, the engaging portion 92 has a first engaging portion 92a (hook portion) provided on the side of the opening and closing portion 40 and a second engaging portion provided on the side of the housing 2 at a position corresponding to the first engaging portion 92a 92b (Clamping part). Thereby, the opening/closing part 40 can be reliably brought into a closed state.

Furthermore, a cover 93 covering the injection port 22 is provided on the ink cartridge 21 side of the opening and closing part 40. Thereby, when the opening and closing portion 40 is in the closed state, the injection port 22 of the ink cartridge 21 is covered by the cover portion 93, so that ink leakage from the ink cartridge 21 and the like can be prevented. In addition, when the opening and closing portion 40 is in the open state, the cover portion 93 is detached from the injection port 22 of the ink cartridge 21, so that ink can be easily supplied from the injection port 22. Furthermore, since the cover part 93 is fixed to the opening and closing part 40, the loss of the cover part 93 etc. can be prevented.

Here, in the 47th and 48th embodiments, the opening/closing portion 40 is provided with the visibility portion 201, but it is not limited to this.

Fig. 49 is a side view showing the appearance of the printer of the 49th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 49, the printer 149 includes a visual recognition unit 249 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21.

Fig. 50 is a side view showing the appearance of the printer of the 50th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 50, the printer 150 includes a visual recognition unit 250 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21.

Fig. 51 is a side view showing the appearance of the printer of the 51st embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 51, the printer 151 includes a visual recognition unit 251 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21.

Hereinafter, the structure of a printer (for example, a printer for business use) having a different appearance from the printer of the above-mentioned embodiment will be described. Furthermore, for each of the following embodiments and The same components of the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description is omitted.

(52nd Embodiment)

52A is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of this embodiment, and FIGS. 52B, 52C, and 52D are perspective views showing the appearance of the printer of this embodiment. In FIGS. 52A, 52B, 52C, and 52D It is marked with XYZ axes as mutually orthogonal coordinate axes. For the figures shown later, XYZ axes are also marked as necessary.

In this embodiment, the state where the printer 152 is arranged on the horizontal plane (XY plane) defined by the X-axis and the Y-axis is the usage state of the printer 152. The posture of the printer 152 when the printer 152 is arranged on the XY plane is referred to as the use posture of the printer 152.

The Z axis is an axis orthogonal to the horizontal plane. When the printer 152 is in use, the direction along the Z axis becomes the vertical direction. In addition, in the use state of the printer 152, in FIGS. 52A, 52B, and 52C, the -Z direction is the vertical downward direction. Furthermore, in each of the XYZ axes, the direction of the arrow indicates the + (positive) direction, and the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow indicates the-(negative) direction. FIG. 52A is a front view of the printer 152 viewed from the +Y axis direction side. 52B and 52D are perspective views of the printer 152 viewed from the +X direction side. FIG. 52C is a perspective view of the printer 152 viewed from the -X direction side.

As shown in FIGS. 52A, 52B, 52C, and 52D, the printer 152 includes an ink cartridge 21, a recording unit 15, a casing 2A, an opening and closing unit 40A, a detection unit 50, a visual recognition unit 252, and an imaging unit 60. In addition, the printer 152 has an operation panel 3A, a paper discharge section 4, a cover 10A, and the like. Furthermore, the printer 152 of this embodiment includes a scanner unit (not shown). That is, the printer 152 is a compound machine including a scanner unit. Furthermore, the printer 152 may not be a composite machine, but a printer that does not include a scanner unit.

The casing 2A accommodates the recording unit 15 and the like, and constitutes the casing of the printer 152. The operation panel 3A is arranged on the outer side of the housing 2A. The operation panel 3A is configured in the printer 152 with a paper discharge The side face of section 4 (front face 11). The operation panel 3A includes a display panel 8, a power button, an operation button (all are not shown), etc., and the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The housing 2A has a side wall 13 and a side wall 14 crossing the front surface 11. When the front 11 is viewed from the front, that is, when the front 11 is viewed from the +Y direction side, the side wall 13 is located on the +X direction side of the front 11 and the side wall 14 is located on the −X direction side of the front 11. The +X-direction side (the corner side of the front surface 11 and the side wall 13) of the operation panel 3A and the paper discharge part 4 in the housing 2A protrudes toward the +Y direction side than the part where the operation panel 3A and the paper discharge part 4 are provided .

The opening and closing portion 40A covers a part of the ink cartridge 21 and is provided on the front surface 11 side of the casing 2A. The opening/closing portion 40A is disposed in the portion of the casing 2A that protrudes toward the +Y direction side than the portion where the operation panel 3A and the paper discharge portion 4 are provided. Therefore, the opening and closing section 40A is arranged closer to the side wall 13 side (+X direction side) than the operation panel 3A and the paper discharge section 4 in the X-axis direction, and is arranged on the operation panel 3A and the paper discharge section 4 in the Y-axis direction. It is closer to the front side (+Y direction side).

The opening and closing portion 40A is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the housing 2A. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 52B and 52D, it is possible to move in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions when the YZ plane is viewed from the +X direction side with an axis (not shown) along the X axis as the rotation axis. Moreover, when the opening and closing section 40A is set to the open state, in the state shown in FIG. 52B (the opening and closing section 40A is in the closed state), make the axis along the X axis as the rotation axis and look at YZ from the +X direction side. When it rotates in the counterclockwise direction when it is flat, the opening and closing portion 40A can be opened with respect to the housing 2A as shown in FIG. 52D. On the other hand, when the opening and closing portion 40A is set to the closed state, in the state in FIG. 52D (the opening and closing portion 40A is in the open state), make it to the side of the +X direction with the axis along the X axis as the rotation axis When the YZ plane is viewed from above, it rotates in the clockwise direction, thereby, as shown in FIG. 52B, the opening and closing portion 40A can be closed with respect to the housing 2A.

Furthermore, by setting the opening and closing portion 40A in the open state (refer to FIG. 52D), the ink cartridge 21 contained in the casing 2A can be exposed, so that the ink can be supplied into the ink cartridge 21 through the injection port 22.

A visible part 252 is provided in a part of the housing 2A below the opening and closing part 40A so that the ink cartridge 21 can be visible. The visual recognition part 252 is an opening, and the ink cartridge 21 accommodated in the housing 2A can be visually recognized through the visual recognition part 252 (opening). In addition, the amount of ink contained in the ink cartridge 21 can be confirmed. Furthermore, a transparent cover can also be provided to cover the opening of the viewing portion 252. For the transparent cover, a resin material with light transmittance can be applied. In addition, it may be attached to the housing 2A using, for example, an adhesive agent. In addition, the visual recognition part 252 of this embodiment has a rectangular shape.

The cover 10A constitutes a part of the housing 2A. The cover 10A is provided on the upper part of the housing 2A. The cover 10A covers the scanner unit (not shown). The cover 10A is configured to be able to rotate about an axis (not shown) along the X axis as a rotation axis. By rotating the cover 10A in one direction relative to the casing 2A, the cover 10A can be opened relative to the casing 2A. Furthermore, by rotating the cover 10A in the other direction from the state in which the cover 10A is opened, the cover 10A can be closed with respect to the housing 2A. In this way, the cover 10A is configured to be able to be opened and closed with respect to the housing 2. In addition, a paper feed port 99 for supplying the recording medium P is provided in the cover 10A. By supplying the recording medium P from the paper feed port 99, copying, scanning, etc. can be easily performed.

When the cover 10A is opened with respect to the housing 2A, the scanner unit (the same configuration as in the first embodiment) is exposed. Since the configuration of the scanner unit is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description is omitted.

In the X-axis direction, the length of the housing 2A is approximately the same as the length of the cover 10A. In the Y-axis direction, the length of the housing 2A at the position where the operation panel 3A is provided is approximately the same as the length of the cover 10A, but the length of the housing 2A at the position where the opening and closing portion 40A is provided is longer than the length of the cover 10A Longer.

Therefore, when the printer 152 is viewed from the side in the +X direction, the cover 10A overlaps with the housing 2A except for the portion protruding toward the +Y direction. That is, looking down on the cover of the printer 152 from the +X direction side In the case of the cover 10A, the opening and closing portion 40A provided in the portion protruding to the +Y direction side in the housing 2A is arranged so as not to overlap the cover 10A. Thereby, when the opening and closing part 40A is rotated, it can be rotated without being hindered by the cover 10A.

The detection unit 50 detects the opening and closing of the opening and closing unit 40A. Various proximity sensors (for example, infrared type, capacitance type, induction type, ultrasonic type, etc.) can be suitably applied to the detection unit 50. Furthermore, the detection unit 50 may be a contact type such as a limit switch in addition to a proximity sensor. As shown in FIG. 52D, the detection part 50 is arrange|positioned in the vicinity of 40 A of opening-closing parts, and the housing 2A side. In addition, the arrangement position of the detection part 50 is not particularly limited, and it may be arranged on the side of the opening and closing part 40A.

The imaging unit 60 is, for example, a CCD camera, and is configured to be able to image the state of the ink cartridge 21 or the periphery of the casing 2. In addition, the imaging unit 60 includes an optical mechanism, and the imaging area can be enlarged or reduced by the optical mechanism to perform imaging. Furthermore, the imaging unit 60 can also be a CMOS area sensor or a photodiode sensor.

The imaging unit 60 of this embodiment is arranged on the operation panel 3A. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 52D, an imaging unit 61 (for example, a CCD camera) is arranged above the ink cartridge 21 in the housing 2A. The imaging section 61 is covered by the opening and closing section 40A in appearance when the opening and closing section 40A is in the closed state, and therefore cannot be recognized. Furthermore, it is configured to drive the imaging units 60 and 61 to start imaging when a state in which the opening and closing section 40A is opened is detected. Furthermore, any one of the imaging unit 60 and the imaging unit 61 can be omitted, and further, the number of imaging units can be increased.

In addition, the opening and closing portion 40A of the printer 152 is provided with a catch portion 90A. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 52D, the opening and closing portion 40A can be easily opened and closed by putting the user's finger on the grip portion 90A. The grabbing portion 90A is arranged in the upper part of the opening and closing portion 40A. The shape of the catch portion 90A can be a concave portion or a convex portion. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 52D, the printer 152 is provided with an engaging portion 91A for the housing 2 to engage with the opening and closing portion 40A, and the opening and closing portion 40A can be surely closed.

The recording head 15 (recording section) is one that ejects (jets) ink in the form of ink droplets to perform recording on the recording medium P. In addition, the ink cartridge 21 has an injection port 22 and contains ink. In addition, the main structure inside the casing 2 of the printer 152, including the recording head 15 and the ink cartridge 21, is the same as that of the first embodiment, so the description is omitted.

Furthermore, the control structure of the printer 152 is also the same as that of the first embodiment, so the description is omitted.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

The printer 152 is provided with a detection unit 50 that detects the opening and closing of the opening and closing unit 40A, and is also provided with imaging units 60 and 61 capable of imaging the state of the ink cartridge 21 or the periphery of the casing 2A. In this way, the periphery of the printer 152 can be photographed, so that the bad behavior of the printer 152 can be photographed, and the safety can be improved. In addition, for example, when the printer 152 is malfunctioning, it can be a means to find out the cause of the malfunction. Furthermore, the printer 152 of this embodiment does not need to provide a locking mechanism or the like on the housing 2A, so that no objects protrude from the housing 2A, and therefore, the design and simplicity of the appearance can be improved.

Here, in the 52nd embodiment, as shown in FIG. 52A, a rectangular visibility portion 252 (opening) capable of viewing the ink cartridge 21 is provided, but it is not limited to this form. Various forms can be applied to the visual recognition section.

Therefore, other embodiments will be specifically described below. In addition, the same reference numerals are attached to the same components in each embodiment as in the 52nd embodiment, and the description is omitted. In addition, the basic configuration of the printer and the configuration of the control unit in each embodiment are also the same as the configuration of the 52nd embodiment, so the description is omitted. First, in the 52nd embodiment, the visibility section 252 is rectangular, but various forms can be applied to the visibility section 252 regarding the size, shape, and the like.

Fig. 53 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 53rd embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 53, the printer 153 includes a visual recognition unit 253 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21.

Fig. 54 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 54th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 54, the printer 154 includes a viewing section 254 capable of viewing the ink cartridge 21.

Fig. 55 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 55th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 55, the printer 155 includes a visual recognition unit 255 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21.

Fig. 56 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 56th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 56, the printer 156 includes a visual recognition unit 256 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21.

Fig. 57 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 57th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 57, the printer 157 includes a visual recognition unit 257 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21.

Fig. 58 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 58th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 58, the printer 158 includes a visual recognition unit 258 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21.

Fig. 59 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 59th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 59, the printer 159 is equipped with the visual recognition part 259 which can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21.

Fig. 60 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 60th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 60, the printer 160 includes a visual recognition unit 260 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21.

Fig. 61 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 61st embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 61, the printer 161 is provided with the visual recognition part 261 which can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 61, a bending part is provided in a part of the visual recognition part 261.

Fig. 62 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 62nd embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 62, the printer 162 includes a visual recognition unit 262 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 62, a curved portion is provided in a part of the visible portion 262.

Fig. 63 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 63rd embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 63, the printer 163 is equipped with the visual recognition part 263 which can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 63, the viewing section 263 has a plurality of openings (four in this embodiment). Each opening is rectangular. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition portion 263 are arranged along the X axis. Furthermore, the number of openings can be the same as the number of ink cartridges 21 mounted in the printer 163, or can be the number of types of ink contained in the ink cartridges 21. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 263 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 64 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 64th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 64, the printer 164 includes a visual recognition unit 264 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 64, the viewing section 264 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 264 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 264 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 65 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 65th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 65, the printer 165 includes a visual recognition unit 265 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 65, the viewing section 265 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 265 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 265 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 66 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 66th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 66, the printer 166 includes a visual recognition unit 266 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 66, the viewing section 266 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 266 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visible portion 266 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 67 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 67th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 67, the printer 167 is equipped with the visual recognition part 267 which can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 67, the viewing section 267 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 267 are arranged along the X axis. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 68 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 68th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 68, the printer 168 is equipped with the visual recognition part 268 which can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 68, the viewing part 268 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 268 are arranged along the X axis. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 69 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 69th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 69, the printer 169 is equipped with the visual recognition part 269 which can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 69, the viewing section 269 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 269 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 269 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 70 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 70th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 70, the printer 170 includes a visual recognition unit 270 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 70, the viewing section 270 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 270 are arranged along the X axis. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Figure 71 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 71st embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 71, the printer 171 includes a visual recognition unit 271 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 71, the visual recognition part 271 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 271 are arranged along the X axis. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 72 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 72nd embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 72, the printer 172 includes a visual recognition unit 272 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 72, the viewing part 272 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 272 are arranged along the X axis. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 73 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 73rd embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 73, the printer 173 includes a visual recognition unit 273 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 73, the viewing section 273 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition portion 273 are arranged along the X axis. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 74 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 74th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 74, the printer 174 includes a visual recognition unit 274 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 74, the viewing section 274 has a plurality of openings. The multiple openings of the visual recognition section 274 are arranged along the X axis Column. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 274 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 75 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 75th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 75, the printer 175 includes a visual recognition unit 275 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 75, the viewing section 275 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition portion 275 are arranged along the X axis. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 76 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer according to the 76th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 76, the printer 176 includes a visual recognition unit 276 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 76, the viewing part 276 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 276 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 276 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 77 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 77th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 77, the printer 177 includes a visual recognition unit 277 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 77, the viewing part 277 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 277 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 277 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 78 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 78th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 78, the printer 178 is equipped with the visual recognition part 278 which can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 78, the visual recognition part 278 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 278 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 278 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 79 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 79th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 79, the printer 179 includes a visual recognition unit 279 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 79, the visual recognition part 279 has two openings. The two openings of the visual recognition unit 279 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the sizes of the openings between each other in the visual recognition portion 279 are different.

Fig. 80 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 80th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 80, the printer 180 includes a visual recognition unit 280 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. Figure 80 As shown, the visual recognition unit 280 has two openings. The two openings of the visual recognition unit 280 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the sizes of the openings in the visual recognition portion 280 are different.

Fig. 81 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 81st embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 81, the printer 181 includes a visual recognition unit 281 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 81, the viewing part 281 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 281 are arranged along the X axis. In addition, the openings are circular, and the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 82 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 82nd embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 82, the printer 182 includes a visual recognition unit 282 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 82, the viewing section 282 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 282 are arranged along the X axis and the Z axis. The openings are all the same size.

Fig. 83 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 83rd embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 83, the printer 183 includes a visual recognition unit 283 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 83, the viewing part 283 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 283 are arranged along the Z axis. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 84 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 84th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 84, the printer 184 includes a visual recognition unit 284 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 84, the viewing part 284 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 284 are arranged along the Z axis. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 85 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 85th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 85, the printer 185 includes a visual recognition unit 285 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 85, the viewing section 285 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 285 are arranged along the X axis and the Z axis. In addition, the size of a part of the opening in the visual recognition portion 285 is different from the size of the other openings.

Fig. 86 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 86th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 86, the printer 186 includes a visual recognition unit 286 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 86, the viewing section 286 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 286 are arranged along the X axis and the Z axis. Also, the openings are all the same size.

Fig. 87 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 87th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 87, the printer 187 includes a visual recognition unit 287 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 87, the viewing section 287 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 287 are arranged along the X axis and the Z axis. In addition, the sizes of the openings between each other in the visual recognition portion 287 are different.

Fig. 88 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 88th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 88, the printer 188 includes a visual recognition unit 288 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 88, the viewing section 288 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition part 288 are arranged along the X axis and the Z axis. In addition, the sizes of the openings in the visual recognition portion 288 are different.

Fig. 89 is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 89th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 89, the printer 189 includes a viewing section 289 capable of viewing the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 89, the viewing section 289 has a plurality of openings. The plurality of openings of the visual recognition unit 289 are arranged along the Z axis. In addition, the sizes of the openings between each other in the visual recognition portion 289 are different.

Fig. 90A is a front view showing the appearance of the printer of the 90th embodiment. 90B and 90C are enlarged views showing the appearance of a part of the printer of the 90th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 90A, the printer 190 includes a visual recognition unit 290 (290A, 290B) that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 90A, FIG. 90B, and FIG. 90C, the visibility portion 290 (290A, 290B) has a plurality of openings. The size of the opening is relatively small and rectangular. Furthermore, a plurality of openings are arranged along the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction. Furthermore, the shape of the opening in the visual recognition portion 290 (290A, 290B) may also be a rhombus or the like.

Fig. 91A is a front view showing the appearance of the printer in the 91st embodiment. Also, Figure 91B series An enlarged view showing the appearance of a part of the printer of the 91st embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 91A, the printer 191 includes a visual recognition unit 291 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 91A and FIG. 91B, the viewing section 291 has a plurality of openings. The size of the opening is relatively small and round. Furthermore, a plurality of openings are arranged along the X-axis direction and the Z-axis direction.

92A and 92B are perspective views showing the appearance of the printer of the 92nd embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 92A and 92B, the printer 192 includes a visual recognition unit 252 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. In addition, an opening and closing portion 40B covering a part of the ink cartridge 21 is provided. The appearance of the opening and closing portion 40B has a curved surface.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 92B, a display portion 95 corresponding to the ink cartridge 21 is provided on the side of the casing 2A. The display unit 95 displays, for example, the color of the ink contained in each ink cartridge 21. In addition, the display method of the display unit 95 may be displayed using symbols, colors, etc., in addition to characters. In this way, it is possible to prevent the type of ink supplied to each ink cartridge 21 from being mistaken.

Fig. 93A, Fig. 93B and Fig. 93C are perspective views showing the appearance of the printer of the 93rd embodiment.

As shown in FIGS. 93A and 93B, the printer 193 includes a visual recognition unit 271 that can visually recognize the ink cartridge 21. In addition, an opening and closing portion 40C covering a part of the ink cartridge 21 is provided.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 93C, the opening and closing portion 40C is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the housing 2A. Specifically, it is possible to move in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction when the XY plane is viewed from the +Z direction side with the axis (not shown) along the Z axis as the rotation axis. That is, when the opening and closing portion 40C is to be set in the open state, in the state shown in FIG. 93A (the opening and closing portion 40C is in the closed state), make the axis along the Z axis as the rotation axis on the side from the +Z direction When the XY plane is viewed from above, it rotates in the clockwise direction, thereby, as shown in FIG. 93C, the opening and closing portion 40C can be opened with respect to the housing 2A. On the other hand, when the opening and closing portion 40C is set to the closed state, the state in FIG. 93C (the opening and closing portion 40C is open When viewing the XY plane from the +Z direction side with the axis along the Z axis as the rotation axis, rotate it in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the +Z direction side, thereby, as shown in FIG. 93A, the opening and closing portion 40C can be moved relative to the housing Body 2A is closed.

In addition, the printer 193 is provided with a plug member 96 covering the injection port 22 of the ink cartridge 21. The plug member 96 is connected to the elastic member 97. In more detail, one end of the elastic member 97 is connected to the plug member 96, and the other end of the elastic member 97 is connected to the holding portion 98 of the housing 2A arranged above the injection port 22. That is, the plug member 96 is connected to the holding portion 98 via the elastic member 97. Accordingly, when the plug member 96 is removed from the injection port 22 when the ink is supplied to the ink cartridge 21, the plug member 96 is moved above the injection port 22 due to the contraction of the elastic member 97. Therefore, it is easy to supply ink to the ink cartridge 21, and the loss of the plug member 96 can be prevented.

Here, in the 52nd embodiment, the opening and closing section 40A can be opened and closed with the axis along the X axis as the rotation axis, and the ink cartridges 21 are arranged side by side along the X axis, but it is not limited Here.

94A and 94B are perspective views showing the appearance of the printer of the 94th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 94A, the printer 194 is provided with an opening and closing portion 40D on the side wall 13 side, and a visibility portion 294 is provided in a part of the housing 2A below the opening and closing portion 40D so that the ink cartridge 21 can be viewed.

In addition, the opening and closing portion 40D is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the housing 2A. Specifically, it is possible to move in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction when viewing the XZ plane from the +Y direction side with an axis (not shown) along the Y axis as the rotation axis. That is, when the opening and closing portion 40D is to be set in the open state, in the state in FIG. 94A (the opening and closing portion 40D is in the closed state), make the axis along the Y axis as the rotation axis on the side from the +Y direction When the XZ plane is viewed from above, it rotates in the clockwise direction, thereby, as shown in FIG. 94B, the opening and closing portion 40D can be opened with respect to the housing 2A. On the other hand, when the opening and closing portion 40D is to be placed in the closed state, in the state shown in FIG. 94B (the opening and closing portion 40D is in the open state), make the axis along the Y axis as the rotation axis from +Y When the direction side looks down on the XZ plane, rotate it counterclockwise, Thereby, as shown in FIG. 94A, the opening and closing part 40D can be closed with respect to the housing 2A.

In addition, the opening and closing portion 40D of the printer 194 is provided with a catch portion 90A. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 94B, the opening and closing portion 40D can be easily opened and closed by putting the user's finger on the grip portion 90A. The catch portion 90A is arranged at the upper middle portion of the opening and closing portion 40D. The shape of the catch portion 90A can be a concave portion or a convex portion. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 94B, the printer 194 is provided with an engaging portion 91A for engaging the housing 2A with the opening and closing portion 40D, so that the opening and closing portion 40D can be surely closed.

95A and 95B are perspective views showing the appearance of the printer of the 95th embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 95A, the printer 195 is provided with an opening and closing portion 40E on the side wall 13 side, and a visual recognition portion 295 is provided in a part of the housing 2A below the opening and closing portion 40E so that the ink cartridge 21 can be visually recognized.

As shown in FIG. 95A, the visual recognition portion 295 has an opening. Moreover, a part of the opening covers the corner of the housing 2A where the surface along the X axis and the surface along the Y axis intersect.

In addition, the opening and closing portion 40E is configured to be able to be opened and closed with respect to the housing 2A. Specifically, it is possible to move in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction when viewing the XZ plane from the +Y direction side with an axis (not shown) along the Y axis as the rotation axis. That is, when the opening and closing portion 40E is to be set to the open state, in the state in FIG. 95A (the opening and closing portion 40E is in the closed state), make the axis along the Y axis as the rotation axis on the side from the +Y direction When the XZ plane is viewed from above, it rotates in the clockwise direction, thereby, as shown in FIG. 95B, the opening and closing portion 40E can be opened with respect to the housing 2A. On the other hand, when the opening and closing portion 40E is to be set to the closed state, in the state shown in FIG. 95B (the opening and closing portion 40E is in the open state), make the axis along the Y axis as the rotation axis from +Y The direction side rotates counterclockwise when viewed from the XZ plane, thereby, as shown in FIG. 95A, the opening and closing portion 40E can be closed with respect to the housing 2A.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 95B, an imaging unit 62 (for example, a CCD camera) is arranged above the ink cartridge 21 in the housing 2A. The imaging section 62 is covered by the opening and closing section 40E in appearance when the opening and closing section 40E is in the closed state, so it cannot be recognized. Moreover, it is configured that if the opening and closing portion 40E is detected to hit In the open state, the imaging units 60 and 62 are driven to start imaging.

In addition, the opening and closing portion 40E of the printer 195 is provided with a catch portion 90A. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 95B, the opening and closing portion 40E can be easily opened and closed by putting the user's finger on the grip portion 90A. The catch portion 90A is arranged at the upper middle portion of the opening and closing portion 40E. The shape of the catch portion 90A can be a concave portion or a convex portion. In addition, as shown in FIG. 95B, the printer 195 is provided with an engaging portion 91A for engaging the housing 2A with the opening and closing portion 40E, so that the opening and closing portion 40E can be surely closed.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various changes or improvements can be added to the above-mentioned embodiment. The modification examples are described below.

(Variation 1) In the first embodiment, the imaging unit 60 is provided on the operation panel 3. In the 46th embodiment and the like, the imaging unit 61 is provided inside the opening and closing unit 40 (on the housing 2 side), but the imaging unit The arrangement position of 60 grades or the arrangement number of imaging parts 60 grades is not specifically limited, It just needs to arrange|position suitably as needed. For example, the imaging unit 60 may be arranged inside the scanner unit (inside the housing 2). In this case, a detection unit is provided to detect the opening and closing of the scanner unit. In this way, when the scanner unit is opened, shooting can be performed, thereby further improving safety.

(Modification 2) The imaging units 60, 61, and 62 may be configured to perform imaging at a set time after the opening and closing unit 40 is opened. Moreover, it is also possible to start shooting according to the sound or vibration generated in the surrounding environment of the printer 101 and the like. In this way, the shooting corresponding to the environmental conditions of the printer 101 can be reliably performed.

(Modification 3) In the recording control unit 73, the images taken by the imaging units 60, 61, 62 may be automatically printed. According to this structure, the number of work steps can be reduced.

(Variation 4) It is also possible to appropriately combine and apply the respective configurations of the above-mentioned first to 51st embodiments, or 52 to 95th embodiments.

2‧‧‧Shell

3‧‧‧Operation Panel

4‧‧‧Paper Finishing Department

8‧‧‧Display Panel

10‧‧‧Cover

11‧‧‧Front

12‧‧‧Upper surface

13‧‧‧Sidewall

14‧‧‧Wall

15‧‧‧Recording head (recording department)

21‧‧‧ Cartridge

40‧‧‧Open and close

50‧‧‧Testing Department

60‧‧‧Photography Department

101‧‧‧Printer (recording device)

201‧‧‧Visual Recognition Department

Claims (5)

A recording device, characterized by comprising: an ink cartridge that contains ink and has an injection port; a recording portion that uses the ink to perform recording; a housing that contains the recording portion; an operation panel that can perform various operations; an opening and closing portion , Which covers a part of the ink cartridge; a visual recognition section, which can visually recognize the ink cartridge; an imaging section, which can photograph the state of the ink cartridge or the periphery of the housing; an imaging control section, which controls the imaging section; and a recording control section, which controls The recording unit and the imaging unit are provided on the operation panel. The recording device according to claim 1, including: a detection unit that detects the opening and closing of the opening and closing unit, and the imaging control unit starts imaging after the detection unit detects that the opening and closing unit is open. The recording device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the recording control unit records images taken by the imaging unit. For example, the recording device of claim 1 or 2, which further has: A sound generating unit that emits a sound, and the imaging control unit generates a sound when imaging is started by the imaging unit. The recording device according to claim 3, further comprising: a sound generating unit that emits a sound, and the imaging control unit generates a sound when imaging is started by the imaging unit.

Images