JP5728898B2 - Panel body tilting mechanism and image recording apparatus having the same - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a panel body tilting mechanism for moving a panel body between a storage position and a use position protruding forward relative to the apparatus main body, and an image recording apparatus including the same.

Conventionally, as a tilting mechanism for this type of panel body, a display panel provided on the upper surface of the printer is stood up obliquely from the closed position (storage position) along the upper surface of the printer with the hinge provided at the front as the center. A display panel rotation mechanism that rotates between the opened position (use position) is known (see Patent Document 1).
This rotating mechanism is provided in a stand whose base end portion is rotatably connected to the center of the back surface of the display panel, and a panel storage recess provided in the upper surface of the printer. And a pair of eaves walls that are provided on both sides of the panel housing recess and face each other with a gap. The stand has a spring property, and the position of the rotation end of the stand is regulated by the biasing force applying portion of the display panel on the base end side. In addition, a sliding engagement portion that is engaged with the holding groove from the upper side and engages with the flange wall from the lower side is provided at the distal end portion of the stand.
When the display panel is raised from the closed position, the sliding engagement portion of the stand enters between the holding portion and the wall. Subsequently, when the raising of the display panel is stopped at an arbitrary position, the sliding engagement portion is locked in the holding groove, and the display panel is held at a desired angle (open position). When the display panel is further raised from this state, when the sliding engagement portion reaches the end portion of the wall, the rotation of the stand is restricted on the base side, and the stand is bent by further causing the sliding engagement portion. Is released from the heel wall and jumped up to the upper side of the heel wall (unlocking). In this state, when the display panel is pushed down in this state, the stand rotates so that the sliding engagement portion slides on the upper surface of the wall, and the display panel reaches the closed position. Thus, the locking state of the stand holding portion is released by the pivoting operation in the opening direction of the display panel.

JP 2007-163951 A

  In such a conventional rotation mechanism (tilting mechanism), the holding state of the display panel (panel body) can be released without requiring a release lever or the like, but the display panel is raised to a desired angle. Since the operation for holding and the operation for releasing the release are continuous opening operations, there has been a problem that an operation error for releasing the holding frequently occurs when the display panel is largely raised and held. However, if the spring property of the stand is strengthened, it is possible to grasp sensuously just before the holding is released. However, if this is done, a large force is required for the holding release operation, and the operability of holding release deteriorates.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a panel body tilting mechanism capable of performing a panel body holding and releasing operation easily and without error, and an image recording apparatus including the same.

  The tilting mechanism of the panel body of the present invention has a support guide portion extending in the vertical direction and a rotation shaft that is slidably and rotatably engaged with the support guide portion, and the panel body is attached to the apparatus body. The slide support part that supports the tilting position between the storage position and the use position that protrudes forward from the storage position, and the base end part are rotatably connected to the panel body, and the panel body is used from the back side. The stopper member that is held in position, the slide guide part that guides the movement of the stopper member as the panel body tilts, and the step guide part are connected to the slide guide part so that the stopper member is tilted to the use position. A stopper guide having a stopper locking portion to be locked, a biasing means for biasing the stopper member so as to be locked to the stopper locking portion, and a panel body that has been moved to the use position When it moved upward along the de unit, characterized by comprising a fulcrum member for rotating the stopper member from the stopper locking portion to the slide guide portion side.

  According to this configuration, when the panel body is tilted from the storage position to the use position, the stopper member is guided and moved by the slide guide portion. When the leaning panel body reaches the use position, the stopper member that is urged by the urging means enters the stopper engaging portion from the slide guide portion. In this state, even if a force in the direction of housing in the panel body is applied, the panel body is supported (held) by the stopper engaging portion via the stopper member, and the posture of the panel body at the use position is firmly maintained. On the other hand, when the panel body is moved up along the support guide portion from this state, the stopper member is rotated like a seesaw by the fulcrum member and is detached from the stopper locking portion. Subsequently, when the panel body is tilted to the storage position, the stopper member slides on the slide guide portion, and eventually the panel body reaches the storage position. Thus, the holding state of the panel body in the use position can be easily released simply by moving the panel body upward. In addition, since the release operation is an upward movement (parallel movement) and not a tilting operation, the release operation can be performed in consideration of the release operation.

  In this case, it is preferable that a pair of stopper guides are provided apart from each other in the width direction of the panel body, and a pair of stopper members are provided corresponding to the pair of stopper guides.

  According to this configuration, the panel body can be received at two positions separated in the width direction, and the panel body can be reliably and stably held at the use position. In this case, since the panel body is supported from the back side by the pair of stopper members, the rigidity of the panel body is reinforced and the panel body does not bend due to the force applied during use. Thereby, the usability of the panel body is not impaired.

  In this case, it is preferable that the pair of stopper members are integrally formed with an intermediate connecting portion.

  According to this configuration, the panel body can be reliably and stably held at the use position, and the tilting operation between the storage position and the use position in the panel body can be smoothly performed.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the mutual transition part of the slide guide part containing a step part and a stopper latching | locking part is formed in the chamfering shape.

  According to this configuration, the stopper member can be smoothly engaged and released, and wear of the stopper member can be suppressed.

  Further, the stopper locking portion has a contact surface where the locking end of the stopper member abuts and a position restricting surface that controls the position of the stopper member against the biasing means. It is preferable that the force received from the panel body via the member is constituted by an inclined surface that generates a component force in a direction in which the stopper member is pressed against the position restricting surface.

  According to this configuration, the contact surface generates a component force that presses the stopper member against the position regulating surface by the force received from the panel body. That is, when a force is applied to the panel body, the stopper member locked to the stopper locking portion tends to move to the side opposite to the slide guide portion. For this reason, even if force is applied to the panel body, the stopper member is not detached from the stopper engaging portion toward the slide guide portion, and the panel body can be reliably held at the use position.

  On the other hand, the stopper guide is preferably provided on the device frame of the device body.

  According to this configuration, the panel body can be firmly held at the use position, the stopper guide and the stopper member can be engaged with high accuracy, and the panel body can be smoothly tilted. .

  In this case, the apparatus frame is preferably made of resin, and the stopper guide is preferably formed integrally with the apparatus frame.

  According to this configuration, the stopper guide can be formed easily and accurately, and the apparatus cost can be suppressed.

  Further, it is preferable that the pivot shaft is provided on the panel body, and the support guide portion is provided on the apparatus frame.

  According to this configuration, the panel body can be supported accurately and firmly, and the panel body can be smoothly tilted.

  Similarly, it is preferable that the fulcrum member is composed of a protrusion provided on the apparatus frame.

  According to this configuration, the fulcrum member can be formed easily and firmly.

  Moreover, it is preferable to further include a storage restricting portion that is provided on the apparatus frame and restricts the position of the panel body to the storage position.

  According to this configuration, the panel body at the storage position can be stably held.

  Furthermore, it is preferable that the panel body is an operation panel of the apparatus main body.

  According to this configuration, since the operation panel at the use position can be stably held, the operability of the movable operation panel is not impaired.

  An image recording apparatus of the present invention is an apparatus in which a panel body tilting mechanism and a recording section for recording an image on a recording medium are covered with a housing, and a panel body is provided in an opening formed on one surface of the housing. And a main body.

  According to this configuration, by tilting the panel body (operation panel) to the use position, the panel body can be operated without a sense of incongruity, and by tilting the panel body to the storage position, the apparatus main body can be enlarged. Is suppressed. Thereby, it is possible to provide a small image recording apparatus with good operability.

1 is an external perspective view showing a multifunction machine according to an embodiment. It is the perspective view which showed the compound machine at the time of making a scanner unit into an open state. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the multifunction machine. It is the perspective view which showed the internal structure of the scanner unit. FIG. 3 is a side sectional view showing the internal structure of the printer unit. It is the perspective view which showed the apparatus frame. It is the perspective view which showed the multifunctional machine at the time of tilting an operation panel to a use position. It is the back surface perspective view which showed the operation part at the time of accommodation. It is the back surface perspective view which showed the operation part at the time of use. It is the side surface schematic diagram which showed the structure of the operation part at the time of use. It is the perspective view which showed the stopper frame. (A) is the perspective view which showed the front frame part. (B) is the side view which showed the front frame part. It is the transition diagram which showed the drawer operation | movement which tilts from a storage position to a use position. It is the transition diagram ((a)-(c)) which showed the pushing-back operation | movement which tilts from a use position to a storage position. It is the transition diagram ((d), (e)) which showed pushing-back operation | movement which tilts from a use position to a storage position.

  Hereinafter, a multifunction machine 1 to which a panel body tilting mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the multifunction device 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 1 is integrally provided with a printer unit (image recording apparatus) 2 and a scanner unit 3 that is an upper unit disposed on the upper part of the printer unit 2. In the following description, it is assumed that the front-rear direction in FIG. 1 is the X-axis direction and the left-right direction is the Y-axis direction.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the multi-function device 1 with the scanner unit 3 opened. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the scanner unit 3 is rotatably supported by the printer unit 2 via a hinge portion 4 and covers the upper part of the printer unit 2 so as to be opened and closed. That is, by pulling up the scanner unit 3 in the rotation direction, the upper surface opening 10 of the printer unit 2 is exposed, and the inside of the printer unit 2 is exposed through the upper surface opening 10 (open state: see FIG. 2). ). On the other hand, the upper surface opening 10 is closed by the scanner unit 3 by lowering the scanner unit 3 in the rotational direction and placing it on the printer unit 2 (closed state: see FIG. 1). As described above, by opening the scanner unit 3, the ink cartridge 84 can be replaced, or a paper jam can be eliminated.

  FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional side view showing the multifunction machine 1. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the scanner unit 3 is pivoted to an upper frame 11 that is a housing, an image reading unit 12 (see FIG. 4) housed in the upper frame 11, and an upper portion of the upper frame 11. And an upper lid 13 supported freely.

  FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the scanner unit 3. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper frame 11 includes a box-shaped lower case 16 that houses the image reading unit 12, and an upper case 17 that covers the top surface of the lower case 16. The upper case 17 is provided with a wide glass document placing plate (document table) 21 on which a reading medium with a reading surface facing down is placed. On the other hand, the lower case 16 is formed in a shallow box shape with the upper surface opened. On the bottom surface of the front portion of the lower case 16, an allowable recess 23 serving as a moving space for a later-described sensor carriage 32 is formed. On the rear bottom surface, a cable (not shown) having one end connected to a later-described sensor unit 31 is provided. A housing recess 25 for housing is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the image reading unit 12 extends in the Y-axis direction and supports the sensor carriage 32 in a slidable manner, with a line sensor type sensor unit 31, a sensor carriage 32 on which the sensor unit 31 is mounted. A guide shaft 33 and a self-propelled sensor moving mechanism 34 that moves the sensor carriage 32 along the guide shaft 33 are provided. The sensor unit 31 includes an image sensor (sensor unit) 41 that is a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) line sensor extending in the X-axis direction, and a Y-axis along the guide shaft 33 by a motor-driven sensor moving mechanism 34. Reciprocates in the direction. As a result, the image of the reading member (original) on the original placement plate 21 is read.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 2 is disposed above the feed path R, a conveyance unit 61 that feeds a sheet recording medium (printing paper or cut sheet) along the feed path R, A printing unit (recording unit) 62 that performs printing processing on a recording medium by an ink jet method, a panel-type operation unit 63 disposed on the front surface, an apparatus frame 64 on which a transport unit 61, a printing unit 62, and an operation unit 63 are mounted. And a device housing (housing) 65 covering these. Although not shown, a USB port and a power supply port are provided at the bottom of the rear surface. That is, the multifunction device 1 is configured to be connectable to a computer or the like via a USB port. Note that the apparatus main body referred to in the claims is composed of a conveyance section 61, a printing section 62, an apparatus frame 64, and an apparatus housing 65 excluding the operation section 63.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view showing the internal structure of the printer unit 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the printing unit 62 is supported by the device frame 64 and is supported by the guide frame 71 so as to be reciprocally movable, and a guide frame 71 made of a sheet metal that extends to the full width in the Y-axis direction. The carriage unit 72 and a carriage moving mechanism 73 (see FIG. 2) for reciprocating the carriage unit 72 along the guide frame 71 are provided. An ink jet head 83 is mounted on the carriage unit 72.

  The guide frame 71 is formed in a “C” cross section, and the engagement slider portion 81a of the carriage unit 72 is engaged at the top and bottom of the guide frame 71. Thus, the carriage unit 72 is supported by the guide frame 71 so as to be cantilevered and reciprocally movable in the extending direction (Y-axis direction), that is, slidable. The carriage moving mechanism 73 includes a timing belt 76 that extends along the guide frame 71, a main pulley (not shown) and a driven pulley 78 that span the timing belt 76, a timing belt 76, and a carriage unit 72 (carriage 81). And a carriage motor (not shown) for driving the main pulley. When the carriage motor rotates forward and backward, the carriage unit 72 reciprocates in the Y-axis direction (left-right direction) via the timing belt 76. Along with this reciprocation, the inkjet head 83 of the carriage unit 72 is driven to discharge, so-called main scanning is performed.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the carriage unit 72 includes a box-shaped carriage 81 that is reciprocally supported by the guide frame 71 via an engagement slider portion 81 a, and an inkjet head that is integrated with the lower surface of the carriage 81. 83 and four ink cartridges 84 detachably accommodated in the carriage 81. The ink jet head 83 has four nozzle rows (not shown) that eject ink droplets of four colors, and by mounting four ink cartridges 84 that store ink of four colors on the carriage 81, Directly connected to the inkjet head 83 from above. The four nozzle rows of the inkjet head 83 extend in parallel to each other and in the X-axis direction, and are disposed downward with a predetermined paper gap with respect to the recording medium to be fed.

  The transport unit 61 is positioned on the downstream side of the separation roller 92, a movable paper tray 91 that sets the recording medium right aligned, a separation roller 92 that separates and feeds the recording medium from the paper tray 91 one by one, A paper feed roller 93 that feeds the recording medium along the feed path R, a medium regulating member (corresponding to a platen) 95 that is located on the downstream side of the paper feed roller 93 and faces the ink jet head 83, and a medium A serrated guide roller 97 located on the downstream side of the restricting member 95 and a paper discharge roller 96 that is located on the downstream side of the guide roller 97 and feeds the recording medium from the discharge port 100 (see FIG. 2). .

  The paper feed roller 93 is composed of a nip roller composed of a lower paper feed drive roller 93a and an upper paper feed driven roller 93b. Similarly, the paper discharge roller 96 is composed of a lower paper feed drive roller 96a and an upper paper feed drive roller 96a. The nip roller is composed of a discharge driven roller 96b. Further, the guide roller 97 and the paper discharge driven roller 96 b are supported by a roller frame 113 independent of the apparatus frame 64 to constitute a roller assembly 99. The paper feed roller 93 functions as a main roller that controls the feeding (sub-scanning) of the recording medium, and the paper discharge roller 96 applies tension to the recording medium located above the medium regulating member 95. Functions as a tension roller.

  The recording medium fed from the paper tray 91 by the separation roller 92 is intermittently fed in the X-axis direction toward the paper discharge roller 96 by the paper feed roller 93 (sub scanning). In synchronization with this intermittent feed, the carriage unit 72 selectively ejects ink (main scanning) while reciprocating in the X-axis direction, and desired printing is performed. On the other hand, the leading edge of the recording medium that has passed the medium regulating member 95 and reached the guide roller 97 is sent to the paper discharge roller 96 so that the guide roller 97 corrects the upward warping state. In this way, the recording medium on which printing has been completed is sent forward from the discharge port 100 by the discharge roller 96.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the device frame 64. As shown in FIG. 6, the apparatus frame 64 is a frame that supports each part of the printer unit 2, and is made of an integrally molded resin. Specifically, the apparatus frame 64 includes a base frame portion 64a, a pair of left and right side frame portions 64b that are provided on the base frame portion 64a and support the constituent members of the transport unit 61 and the guide frame 71 on both sides, A pair of left and right front frame parts 64c that reinforce the support of the front part of the scanner unit 3 and support the operation part 63 at the front part of the base frame part 64a, and the hinge part 4 at the rear part of the base frame part 64a. And a pair of left and right rear frame parts 64d that support the printer unit 2 so as to be freely opened and closed.

  The pair of front frame parts 64 c receive the upper plate of the apparatus housing 65 that supports the front part of the scanner unit 3 from the lower side, and supports the operation part 63 with both ends. An operation panel 121 (described later) constituting the operation unit 63 is supported on the pair of front frame portions 64c so as to be tiltable.

  Next, the operation unit 63 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 7 to 15. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the multi-function device 1 when the operation panel 121 is tilted to the use position. FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view showing the operation unit 63 during storage. FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view showing the operation unit 63 in use. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7 to 9, the operation unit 63 is disposed in an opening 110 formed on the front surface of the device housing 65, and the operation panel (panel body) 121 and the operation panel 121 are connected to each other. Tilt mechanism (tilt mechanism) that supports the device housing 65 so as to be freely tiltable between a storage position (see FIG. 1) that is flush with the device housing 65 and a use position (see FIG. 7) that tilts forward from the storage position. 122. When the user grips the operation panel 121 and pulls it out of the storage position, the operation panel 121 is guided by the tilt mechanism 122 and tilted to the use position. At the use position, the use posture of the operation panel 121 is maintained by the tilt mechanism 122. On the other hand, when the operation panel 121 is pushed back from the use position while releasing the use posture, the operation panel 121 is guided by the tilt mechanism 122 and tilted to the storage position.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the operation panel 121 has a panel body in which a button group 123 such as a start button, a reset button, and a selection button, and a liquid crystal display unit 124 that displays setting information and the like are arranged on the surface. The scanner unit 3 as well as the printer unit 2 can be operated. Note that the liquid crystal display unit 124 is not necessarily required.

  FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing the structure of the operation unit 63 during use. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the tilt mechanism 122 includes a member formed integrally with the two front frame portions 64 c and a member formed integrally with or attached to the operation panel 121. In other words, the tilt mechanism 122 is configured such that the operation panel 121 is supported on both sides of the operation panel 121 so that the operation panel 121 can be supported in a tiltable manner, and a base end portion is rotatably connected to the operation panel 121. A stopper frame 142 that is held at the use position from the side, a pair of stopper guides 143 that are formed on both front frame portions 64c to guide and lock the stopper frame 142, and the stopper frame 142 are moved upward at their base ends. A pair of fulcrum protrusions (fulcrum members) 145 formed on a pair of front frame parts 64c and rotating on a seesaw-like manner by contacting the stopper frame 142 from the upper side. And a click part 146 for providing a click feeling when the operation panel 121 is stored.

  The slide support portion 141 is a portion that serves as a tilting support portion of the operation panel 121. The slide support portion 141 is formed on a pair of rotating shafts 151 that are attached to the left and right from the upper portion of the operation panel 121 and the front frame portions 64c. A pair of track holes (support guide portions) 152 that support the rotation shaft 151 so as to be slidable and rotatable are provided. Each track hole 152 is formed as a long hole that is slightly inclined forward and extends in the vertical direction. That is, each track hole 152 guides each rotation shaft 151 from the upper rear to the lower front to be rotatable and slidable. As a result, the operation panel 121 takes a standing posture at the storage position and an inclined posture at the front use position.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the stopper frame 142. As shown in FIG. 11, the stopper frame 142 is spaced apart in the width direction of the operation panel 121, and a pair of left and right stopper members 153 engaged with each stopper guide 143 and an intermediate connecting the pair of stopper members 153. And a connecting member (intermediate connecting portion) 156, which are integrally formed. A plurality of rotational connection portions 154 arranged in parallel in the width direction are formed at the base end portions of the pair of stopper members 153 and the intermediate connection member 156. Each rotation connecting portion 154 has a shaft portion 154a, and the shaft portion 154a is engaged with each of the “C” -shaped engaging portions 121a (see FIG. 8) formed on the back surface of the operation panel 121. Thus, the stopper frame 142 is rotatably connected to the operation panel 121. Further, the pair of stopper members 153 and the intermediate connecting member 156 are formed with a plurality of reinforcing ribs 155 extending vertically and horizontally.

  Each stopper member 153 is formed with a slide protrusion 161 that protrudes to the side end surface and engages with the stopper guide 143, and a retaining protrusion 162 that protrudes downward at the tip end portion. At the tip of each slide projection 161, a regulated surface 163 that is formed on the upper surface side and extends in the longitudinal direction of the slide projection 161 and abuts against a position regulating surface 182, which will be described later, and a tip surface of the slide projection 161. In addition, it has an inclined surface that forms an acute angle with respect to the regulated surface 163 and has a contact surface (locking end) 164 that contacts a contact surface 181 described later. The regulated surface 163 is formed so as to protrude from the other part so as to abut on the upper side (position regulating surface 182 side) first. Further, a guided surface 165 that extends in parallel with the regulated surface 163 and that is in sliding contact with a lower guide surface 185 described later is formed on the lower surface side of the rear end portion of the slide protrusion 161. The slide protrusion 161 is slidably engaged with the stopper guide 143, while the retaining protrusion 162 abuts on a later-described restriction protrusion 173 with the operation panel 121 tilted to the maximum tilting posture.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the urging spring 144 constantly urges the stopper frame 142 to rotate upward at the base end portion thereof, that is, toward the position regulating surface 182 of a stopper guide 143 described later. Specifically, it is composed of two torsion springs 158 disposed at two rotation connecting portions 154 disposed at both ends in the width direction, one end being engaged with the operation panel 121 and the other end being associated with the stopper frame 142. It has been stopped.

  FIG. 12A is a perspective view showing the front frame portion 64c. FIG. 12B is a side view showing the front frame portion 64c. As shown in FIG. 12, each stopper guide 143 protrudes inside each front frame part 64c, and is integrally formed. Each stopper guide 143 is inclined slightly forward and extends in the front-rear direction. The stopper guide 143 is connected to the slide guide portion 171 with the slide guide portion 171 engaged with the slide protrusion 161 and the stepped portion 170 upward. A stopper locking portion 172 that locks the slide projection 161 when the panel 121 is moved to the use position, and a slide guide portion 171 and a stopper locking portion 172 are disposed below the stopper projection 172. And a restricting protrusion 173 that abuts. Each stopper member 153 is guided by the slide guide portion 171 via each slide projection 161, and when the operation panel 121 is used, each stopper member 153 is caused by the stopper locking portion 172 via each slide projection 161. Lock.

  The stopper engaging portion 172 is in contact with the contact surface 181 of the slide projection 161 and the regulated surface 163 of the slide projection 161 and the slide projection 161 (stopper) against the biasing spring 144. And a position regulating surface 182 for regulating the position of the member 153). The contact surface 181 generates a component force in a direction in which the stopper member 153 is pressed toward the position regulating surface 182 with respect to the force received from the operation panel 121 via the stopper member 153 (force toward the distal end of the slide protrusion 161). It is made up of an inclined surface. That is, the contact surface 181 forms an acute angle with respect to the position restricting surface 182. When the operation panel 121 is located at the use position, the contact surface 164 and the regulated surface 163 of the slide protrusion 161 abut against the contact surface 181 and the position regulation surface 182 of the stopper locking portion 172, so that the stopper member Through 153, the use posture (tilting posture) of the operation panel 121 is maintained. That is, the use posture of the operation panel 121 is held by the stopper member 153 and the stopper locking portion 172. The contact surface 164 and the regulated surface 163 are formed at an angle that follows the contact surface 181 and the position regulating surface 182.

  The slide guide portion 171 is located at the rear end, and the upper surface is brought into contact with the contact surface 183 that is an inclined surface with which the contact surface 164 of the slide protrusion 161 contacts and the regulated surface 163 of the slide protrusion 161. An upper guide surface 184 for guiding and a lower guide surface 185 for guiding the lower surface by bringing the guided surface 165 of the slide protrusion 161 into contact with each other are provided. The contact surface 183 and the upper guide surface 184 of the slide guide portion 171 are formed at an angle that follows the contact surface 181 and the position restricting surface 182 of the stopper locking portion 172.

  Moreover, the mutual transition part of the slide guide part 171 containing the step part 170 and the stopper latching | locking part 172 is formed in the chamfering shape. That is, the slide protrusion 161 is formed so as to smoothly move between the slide guide portion 171 and the stopper locking portion 172.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the click portion 146 extends rearward from the left and right ends of the operation panel 121, and is formed on a click plate 191 having a pair of click protrusions 191a and a pair of front frame portions 64c. A click hole (position restricting portion) 192 in which the click protrusion 191a is lightly click-engaged, and a sliding groove 193 formed so as to extend from the click hole 192 along the movement locus of the click protrusion 191a and in which the click protrusion 191a is in sliding contact It is equipped with. The click protrusion 191a is fitted so as to fall into the click hole 192, thereby providing a click feeling and restricting the position of the operation panel 121 to the storage position. When the operation panel 121 is pushed beyond the position restriction of the click hole 192, the slide protrusion 161 comes into contact with the contact surface 183 of the slide guide portion 171 and the operation panel 121 is restricted.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, each fulcrum protrusion 145 is formed by a protrusion that protrudes to the inside of each front frame portion 64 c, and is formed between the operation panel 121 and the stopper guide 143 and of the slide protrusion 161. It is formed on the upper side. Each fulcrum protrusion 145 protrudes toward the slide protrusion 161 (downward) and has a fulcrum contact portion 194 with which the slide protrusion 161 contacts from below. That is, when the operation panel 121 is moved upward by being guided by the slide support part 141, the stopper member 153 is moved upward from the base end side. At this time, the front and rear intermediate positions of the slide protrusion 161 are changed. It contacts the fulcrum contact part 194 from below. When the proximal end side of the stopper member 153 further moves upward, the slide protrusion 161 (stopper member 153) is rotated like a seesaw (insulator shape) with the fulcrum contact portion 194 as a fulcrum. Although the details will be described later, by this rotation, the tip end portion of each slide protrusion 161 moves downward, and is released from each stopper locking portion 172 and released.

  Here, the tilting operation will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 is a transition diagram showing a pull-out operation for tilting from the storage position to the use position. 14 and 15 are transition diagrams showing a push-back operation for tilting from the use position to the storage position. First, the drawing operation will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, when the operation panel 121 is located at the storage position, each rotation shaft 151 is located at the upper end position of each track hole 152, and each slide protrusion 161 is the rear end portion of each slide guide portion 171. (Refer to FIG. 13A). When the user starts gripping and pulling out the operation panel 121 from this state, each rotating shaft 151 is guided by the track hole 152 and moves downward and forward. Accordingly, the upper part of the operation panel 121 moves downward and forward. In addition, each slide protrusion 161 is guided by each slide guide portion 171, and each stopper member 153 moves forward. Along with this, the operation panel 121 is pushed from the back, and rotates about each rotation shaft 151 (see FIG. 13B).

  As the user pulls out, each pivot shaft 151 moves to the lower end of each track hole 152. On the other hand, the slide protrusion 161 moves from the slide guide portion 171 to the stopper locking portion 172 beyond the step portion 170, contacts the contact surface 181 and is locked to the stopper locking portion 172 (FIG. 13 (c). )reference). Accordingly, the operation panel 121 moves to the use position. At this time, the stopper protrusion 172 locks the slide protrusion 161 to hold the operation panel 121 in the use posture. Therefore, the operation panel 121 is not pushed back to the storage side by a pressing force or the like when the button group 123 is pressed.

  Next, the push-back operation will be described with reference to FIGS. In the push-back operation, from the state where the operation panel 121 is located at the use position (see FIG. 14A), first, a release operation for releasing the use posture of the operation panel 121 is performed. Specifically, the user holds the operation panel 121 and moves it up. Thereby, each rotating shaft 151 is guided upward by each track hole 152 and moves upward. On the other hand, when the operation panel 121 moves upward, each stopper member 153 moves upward from the base end side, and the upper surface of each slide protrusion 161 comes into contact with the fulcrum contact portion 194 of each fulcrum protrusion 145. . When the operation panel 121 further moves upward, each stopper member 153 rotates like a seesaw like each fulcrum contact portion 194 as a fulcrum. Along with this, the distal end portion of each slide protrusion 161 is detached downward from each stopper locking portion 172, and the holding of the operating posture of the operation panel 121 is released (see FIG. 14B).

  Thereafter, when the user presses the operation panel 121, each pivot shaft 151 is guided by each track hole 152 and travels on each track hole 152, while each slide protrusion 161 is guided by each slide guide portion 171. Each stopper member 153 moves forward (see FIGS. 14 (c) and 15 (d)). When the push-in by the user proceeds, each rotating shaft 151 reaches the upper end of the track hole 152 and slide projections. 161 reaches the rear end portion of the slide guide portion 171. Accordingly, the operation panel 121 moves to the storage position (see FIG. 15E).

  According to the above configuration, the holding state of the panel body at the use position can be easily released simply by moving the operation panel 121 upward. In addition, since the release operation is an upward movement (parallel movement) and not a tilting operation, the release operation can be performed in consideration of the release operation.

  Further, by having a pair of stopper guides 143 spaced apart in the width direction and a pair of stopper members 153 corresponding thereto, the operation panel 121 can be received at two positions spaced apart in the width direction. It can be reliably and stably held at the use position. In this case, since the operation panel 121 is supported from the back side by the pair of stopper members 153, the rigidity of the operation panel 121 is reinforced, and the operation panel 121 does not bend by a force applied during use. Thereby, the usability of the operation panel 121 is not impaired.

  Further, since the pair of stopper members 153 are formed integrally with the intermediate connecting member 156, the operation panel 121 can be securely and stably held at the use position, and the storage position in the operation panel 121 is also provided. And the use position can be smoothly moved.

  Furthermore, since the mutual transition portion between the slide guide portion 171 including the step portion 170 and the stopper locking portion 172 is formed in a chamfered shape, the locking operation and the releasing operation of the stopper member 153 can be smoothly performed. And the wear of the stopper member 153 can be suppressed.

  Furthermore, since the stopper locking portion 172 has the contact surface 181, a force received from the operation panel 121 by the contact surface 181 generates a component force that presses the stopper member 153 against the position restriction surface 182. When a force is applied to the operation panel 121, the stopper member 153 locked to the stopper locking portion 172 tends to move to the side opposite to the slide guide portion 171. For this reason, even if a force is applied to the operation panel 121, the stopper member 153 is not detached from the stopper locking portion 172 to the slide guide portion 171 side, and the operation panel 121 can be reliably held at the use position.

  Further, by providing the stopper guide 143 on the device frame 64 of the printer unit 2, the operation panel 121 can be firmly held at the use position, and the stopper guide 143 and the stopper member 153 are engaged with each other with high accuracy. Therefore, the tilting operation of the operation panel 121 can be performed smoothly.

  Further, the device frame 64 is made of resin, and by forming the stopper guide 143 integrally with the device frame 64, the stopper guide 143 can be formed easily and accurately, and the device cost can be suppressed. .

  Furthermore, by providing the rotation shaft 151 in the operation panel 121 and the track hole 152 in the apparatus frame 64, the operation panel 121 can be supported accurately and firmly, and the operation panel 121 can be tilted. It can be done smoothly.

  Further, by configuring the fulcrum protrusion 145 with a protrusion provided on the apparatus frame 64, the fulcrum protrusion 145 can be easily and firmly formed.

  Furthermore, by providing the click hole 192 for restricting the position of the operation panel 121 at the storage position, the panel body at the storage position can be stably held.

  In the present embodiment, the pair of the stopper member 153 and the stopper guide 143 is provided. However, only one of them may be provided. In such a case, it is preferable to dispose these in the center of the operation panel 121.

  In this embodiment, the rotation shaft 151 is provided on the operation panel 121 side and the track hole 152 is provided on the device frame 64 side. Conversely, the rotation shaft 151 is provided on the device frame 64 side. The track hole 152 may be provided on the operation panel 121 side.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the stopper guide 143 is formed integrally with the device frame 64, but a stopper guide 143 separate from the device frame 64 may be used.

  2: Printer unit 61: Conveying unit 62: Printing unit 64: Device frame 65: Device housing 110: Opening unit 121: Operation panel 122: Tilt mechanism 141: Slide support unit 143: Stopper guide 145: fulcrum projection 151: rotating shaft 152: track hole 153: stopper member 156: intermediate connecting member 164: contact surface 170: stepped portion 171: slide guide portion 172: stopper engagement Stopping portion, 181: Degree of contact surface, 182: Position regulating surface, 192: Click hole

Claims (12)

A support guide portion extending in the vertical direction and a rotation shaft that slidably and rotatably engages with the support guide portion. The panel body is moved forward from the storage position with respect to the apparatus body. A slide support part that supports tilting between the use position approaching the
A stopper member rotatably connected to the panel body, and holding the panel body in the use position from the back side;
A slide guide portion that guides the movement of the stopper member accompanying the tilting of the panel body, and a stepped portion that is connected to the slide guide portion, and the stopper member is tilted to the use position. A stopper guide having a stopper locking portion to be locked;
A biasing means for biasing the stopper member so as to be locked to the stopper locking portion;
A fulcrum member that rotates the stopper member from the stopper locking portion toward the slide guide portion when the panel body tilted to the use position is moved up along the support guide portion. A tilting mechanism of the panel body characterized by that. A pair of the stopper guides are provided apart from each other in the width direction of the panel body,
The panel body tilting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a pair of the stopper members are provided corresponding to the pair of stopper guides.   The panel body tilting mechanism according to claim 2, wherein the pair of stopper members are formed integrally with an intermediate connecting portion.   The tilting of the panel body according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a transition portion between the slide guide portion including the stepped portion and the stopper locking portion is formed in a chamfered shape. mechanism. The stopper locking part has a contact surface each time the locking end of the stopper member abuts, and a position regulating surface for regulating the position of the stopper member against the biasing means,
The contact surface is configured by an inclined surface that generates a component force in a direction in which the stopper member is pressed against the position restricting surface to a force received from the panel body via the stopper member. The tilting mechanism of the panel body according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   6. The panel body tilting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the stopper guide is provided on a device frame of the device main body. The device frame is made of resin,
The panel body tilting mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the stopper guide is formed integrally with the device frame. The pivot shaft is provided on the panel body,
The panel body tilting mechanism according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the support guide portion is provided in the device frame.   9. The tilting mechanism for a panel body according to claim 6, wherein the fulcrum member is formed by a protrusion provided on the device frame.   The panel body tilting mechanism according to any one of claims 6 to 9, further comprising a storage restricting portion that is provided in the device frame and restricts the position of the panel body to the storage position.   The panel body tilting mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the panel body is an operation panel of the apparatus main body. The tilting mechanism of the panel body according to claim 11,
An image recording apparatus comprising: an apparatus main body in which a recording portion for recording an image on a recording medium is covered with a housing, and a panel body is provided in an opening formed on one surface of the housing.

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