US20150091247A1 - Image recording device - Google Patents
Image recording device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20150091247A1 US20150091247A1 US14/227,714 US201414227714A US2015091247A1 US 20150091247 A1 US20150091247 A1 US 20150091247A1 US 201414227714 A US201414227714 A US 201414227714A US 2015091247 A1 US2015091247 A1 US 2015091247A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- state
- housing
- feed tray
- support tray
- manual feed
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
- B65H1/08—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated with means for advancing the articles to present the articles to the separating device
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H1/00—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated
- B65H1/04—Supports or magazines for piles from which articles are to be separated adapted to support articles substantially horizontally, e.g. for separation from top of pile
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
- B65H5/06—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by rollers or balls, e.g. between rollers
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
- B65H5/06—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by rollers or balls, e.g. between rollers
- B65H5/062—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines by rollers or balls, e.g. between rollers between rollers or balls
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H5/00—Feeding articles separated from piles; Feeding articles to machines
- B65H5/26—Duplicate, alternate, selective, or coacting feeds
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2402/00—Constructional details of the handling apparatus
- B65H2402/40—Details of frames, housings or mountings of the whole handling apparatus
- B65H2402/44—Housings
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2402/00—Constructional details of the handling apparatus
- B65H2402/40—Details of frames, housings or mountings of the whole handling apparatus
- B65H2402/46—Table apparatus
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2404/00—Parts for transporting or guiding the handled material
- B65H2404/60—Other elements in face contact with handled material
- B65H2404/61—Longitudinally-extending strips, tubes, plates, or wires
- B65H2404/611—Longitudinally-extending strips, tubes, plates, or wires arranged to form a channel
- B65H2404/6111—Longitudinally-extending strips, tubes, plates, or wires arranged to form a channel and shaped for curvilinear transport path
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
- B65H2405/30—Other features of supports for sheets
- B65H2405/32—Supports for sheets partially insertable - extractable, e.g. upon sliding movement, drawer
- B65H2405/324—Supports for sheets partially insertable - extractable, e.g. upon sliding movement, drawer between operative position and non operative position
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2405/00—Parts for holding the handled material
- B65H2405/30—Other features of supports for sheets
- B65H2405/33—Compartmented support
- B65H2405/332—Superposed compartments
- B65H2405/3322—Superposed compartments discharge tray superposed to feed tray
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65H—HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL, e.g. SHEETS, WEBS, CABLES
- B65H2407/00—Means not provided for in groups B65H2220/00 – B65H2406/00 specially adapted for particular purposes
- B65H2407/20—Means not provided for in groups B65H2220/00 – B65H2406/00 specially adapted for particular purposes for manual intervention of operator
- B65H2407/21—Manual feeding
Definitions
- aspects described herein relate to an image recording device that records an image on a sheet conveyed in a conveyance path defined inside the image recording device.
- An example image recording device has a conveyance path defined inside its housing and is configured to record an image onto a sheet that is being conveyed along the conveyance path.
- Some image recording devices include a manual feed tray configured to guide a sheet into the conveyance path.
- One image recording device includes a manual feed tray and a scanner unit in which the manual feed tray is disposed at a side surface of an image forming section of the image recording device.
- the scanner unit is disposed above the image forming section.
- the manual feed tray is configured to pivot between a position where the scanner unit tilts upward from the side surface of the image forming section and exposes a manual feed port and a position where the scanner unit closes the manual feed port.
- Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide for an image recording device comprising a first housing having a sheet conveyance path, a second housing disposed above the first housing to pivot about a first pivot axis, the second housing being movable between a first state in which a lower surface of the second housing is generally adjacent to an upper surface of the first housing and a second state in which the lower surface of the second housing is angled relative to the upper surface of the first housing.
- the image recording device further comprises a support tray adjacent to a first side of the second housing and the first side of the first housing and pivotably connected to the first housing, the support tray being movable between a third state and a fourth state, the support tray communicating with the sheet conveyance path, and a retainer portion connecting the support tray to the second housing in the first state and the second state.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting a multifunction device in an illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure, wherein a scanner housing is in a first state and a manual feed tray is in a third state.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view depicting the multifunction device in the illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure, wherein the scanner housing is in the first state and the manual feed tray is in a fourth state.
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view depicting the multifunction device in the illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure, wherein the scanner housing is in a second state.
- FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view depicting an internal configuration of a printer unit in the illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view depicting a manual feed tray, a scanner housing, and a printer housing in the illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 6 is an upper rear perspective view depicting the manual feed tray, the scanner housing, and the printer housing in the illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure.
- FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 6 in the illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure, wherein the scanner housing is in the first state and the manual feed tray is in the third state.
- FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 6 in the illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure, wherein the scanner housing is in the first state and the manual feed tray is in the fourth state.
- FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 6 in the illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure, wherein the scanner housing is in the second state.
- an up-down direction 7 is defined with reference to an orientation of a multifunction device 10 that is disposed in which it is intended to be used (e.g., an orientation depicted in FIG. 1 ).
- a side of the multifunction device 10 in which a support tray, such as a manual feed tray 70 is disposed, is defined as the back of the multifunction device 10 .
- a front-rear direction 8 is defined with reference to the back of the multifunction device 10 .
- a right-left direction 9 is defined with respect to the multifunction device 10 as viewed from its front that is opposite to the back of the multifunction device 10 .
- the multifunction device 10 (as an example of an image recording device) has substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape and a lower height.
- the multifunction device 10 includes a scanner unit 13 at its upper portion and a printer unit 11 at its lower portion.
- the printer unit 11 includes a printer housing 14 (as an example of a first housing) having substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape.
- the scanner unit 13 includes a scanner housing 23 (as an example of a second housing) having substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape.
- the multifunction device 10 has various functions, for example, a facsimile function and a printing function.
- the multifunction device 10 has a function of recording an image onto one side of a recording sheet 12 (see FIG. 4 ) using an inkjet method, as the printing function.
- the multifunction device 10 may be configured to record an image onto each side of a recording sheet 12 .
- the multifunction device 10 further has a function of recording an image onto a surface of a recording medium (as an example of a recording medium), e.g., a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM having a thickness greater than the recording sheet 12 , supported by a medium tray 110 (see FIG. 4 ).
- the printer unit 11 includes a feed tray 20 at its lower portion.
- the feed tray 20 is configured to move in the front-rear direction 8 to be removed from and inserted into the printer housing 14 .
- the feed tray 20 has a box shape with its top opened.
- the feed tray 20 is configured to support one or more recording sheets 12 stacked on a bottom plate 22 thereof.
- a discharge tray 21 is supported at an upper front position with respect to the feed tray 20 .
- the one or more recording sheets 12 on which images have been recorded by a recording section 24 are discharged onto an upper surface of the discharge tray 21 .
- the feeding section 16 is disposed above the bottom plate 22 of the feed tray 20 positioned in the printer housing 14 .
- the feeding section 16 includes a feed roller 25 , a feed arm 26 , and a power transmission mechanism 27 .
- the feed roller 25 is rotatably supported at a distal end portion of the feed arm 26 .
- the feed arm 26 is swingably supported by a support shaft 28 disposed at a proximal end portion of the feed arm 26 .
- the feed arm 26 is swingable on the support shaft 28 in directions of an arrow 29 . With this configuration, the feed rollers 25 is allowed to come into contact with and move away from the bottom plate 22 of the feed tray 20 or the one or more recording sheets 12 supported by the feed tray 20 .
- the feed roller 25 rotates by transmission of a driving force of a conveyor motor (not depicted) by the power transmission mechanism 27 including gears that are engaged with one another. With the rotation of the feed roller 25 , an uppermost recording sheet 12 , which is in contact with the feed roller 25 , of the one or more recording sheets 12 placed on the bottom plate 22 of the feed tray 20 is fed into a curved path 33 .
- the feed roller 25 may be configured to rotate by application of a driving force from another motor provided apart from the conveyor motor.
- the curved path 33 and a straight path 34 extend from a rear end of the feed tray 20 inside the printer housing 14 .
- the curved path 33 extends curvedly upward from the rear end of the feed tray 20 .
- the straight path 34 extends in the front-rear direction 8 .
- the curved path 33 is defined by an outer guide member 18 and an inner guide member 19 that face each other and be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval.
- the straight path 34 is defined by the recording section 24 and a platen 42 at a position where the recording section 24 is disposed. The recording section 24 and the platen 42 face each other and are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval.
- the one or more recording sheets 12 supported by the feed tray 20 are fed, one by one, into the curved path 33 by the feed roller 25 and conveyed along a conveyance direction 15 , which is indicated by an a dot and dashed line in FIG. 4 , in the curved path 33 and the straight path 34 .
- the medium tray 110 is inserted into the straight path 34 via an opening (not depicted) defined in the front of the printer housing 14 and is conveyed along the straight path 34 in the front-rear direction 8 . That is, the curved path 33 allows the recording sheet 12 to pass therethrough and the straight path 34 allows the recording sheet 12 and the medium tray 110 to pass therethrough.
- the recording section 24 defines an upper portion of the straight path 34 inside the printer housing 14 .
- the platen 42 is disposed below the recording section 24 and face the recording section 24 .
- the platen 42 is configured to support a recording sheet 12 being conveyed in the straight path 34 .
- the recording section 24 includes a carriage 40 and a recording head 38 .
- the carriage 40 is supported by guide rails 56 and 57 such that the carriage 40 is allowed to reciprocate in the right-left direction 9 .
- the guide rails 56 and 57 are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction 8 .
- the recording head 38 is mounted on the carriage 40 .
- the recording head 38 is configured to be supplied with ink from one or more ink cartridges (not depicted).
- the recording head 38 has nozzles 39 defined in its lower surface. The recording head 38 ejects ink droplets from the nozzles 39 toward the platen 42 while the carriage 40 reciprocates in the right-left direction 9 .
- an image is recorded on the recording sheet 12 being conveyed in the conveyance direction 15 and supported by the platen 42 or on a recording medium carried by the medium tray 110 .
- a conveyor roller pair 59 is disposed upstream of the recording section 24 in the straight path 34 with respect to the conveyance direction 15 .
- a discharge roller pair 44 is disposed downstream of the recording section 24 in the straight path 34 with respect to the conveyance direction 15 .
- the conveyor roller pair 59 includes a conveyor roller 60 and a pinch roller 61 .
- the pinch roller 61 is urged toward the conveyor roller 60 by an elastic member (not depicted).
- the conveyor roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 are in contact with each other and are configured to pinch a recording sheet 12 therebetween.
- the discharge roller pair 44 includes a discharge roller 62 and a spur 63 .
- the discharge roller 62 is urged toward the spur 63 by an elastic member (not depicted).
- the discharge roller 62 and the spur 63 are in contact with each other and are configured to pinch a recording sheet 12 therebetween.
- the conveyor roller pair 59 and the discharge roller pair 44 are further configured to pinch the medium tray 110 therebetween as well as the recording sheet 12 .
- the pinch roller 61 and the discharge roller 62 which are lower rollers of the respective roller pairs 59 and 44 , are configured to move downward to pinch the medium tray 110 in each of the roller pairs 59 and 44 .
- the platen 42 is also configured to move downward to a position lower than the position of the medium tray 110 being conveyed in the straight path 34 .
- the movement of the pinch roller 61 , the discharge roller 62 , and the platen 42 in the up-down direction 7 is implemented by a known mechanism, e.g., a mechanism using a linear motor.
- the pinch roller 61 and the discharge roller 62 may be configured to move downward against the urging force of the elastic members in response to contact with the medium tray 110 that is inserted or conveyed rearward.
- the conveyor roller 60 and the discharge roller 62 are configured to rotate in a normal direction by the transmission of the driving force from the conveyor motor (not depicted) that rotates in a normal direction.
- the conveyor roller 60 and the discharge roller 62 are configured to rotate in a reverse direction by the transmission of the driving force from the conveyor motor that rotates in a reverse direction.
- the conveyor roller pair 59 and the discharge roller pair 44 are configured to convey the recording sheet 12 or the medium tray 110 pinched therebetween along the straight path 34 in the conveyance direction 15 when the conveyor roller 60 and the discharge roller 62 rotate in the normal direction.
- the conveyor roller pair 59 and the discharge roller pair 44 are configured to convey the recording sheet 12 or the medium tray 110 pinched therebetween along the straight path 34 in a direction opposite to the conveyance direction 15 when the conveyor roller 60 and the discharge roller 62 rotate in the reverse direction.
- Image recording performed on a recording sheet 12 supported by the manual feed tray 70 will be described.
- a recording sheet 12 is supported by the manual feed tray 70 with its leading edge being in contact with the conveyor roller pair 59 .
- the recording sheet 12 is conveyed to the platen 42 in the conveyance direction 15 .
- the recording section 24 records an image onto the recording sheet 12 supported by the platen 42 .
- the recording sheet 12 on which the image has been recorded is further conveyed by the discharge roller pair 44 in the conveyance direction 15 and then is discharged onto the discharge tray 21 .
- Image recording performed on a recording medium carried by the medium tray 110 will be described.
- the pinch roller 61 , the discharge roller 62 , and the platen 42 are moved downward in response to a user's operation performed on an operation portion (not depicted).
- the medium tray 110 carrying a recording medium is inserted into the straight path 34 via the opening (not depicted) defined in the front of the printer unit 11 .
- the medium tray 110 is inserted into at least a position where the medium tray 110 is pinched by the discharge roller pair 44 .
- the medium tray 110 is conveyed rearward.
- the medium tray 110 is conveyed to a position where the recording medium carried by the medium tray 110 is located behind the recording section 24 .
- an end portion 118 of the medium tray 110 protrudes from a rear wall 46 of the printer housing 14 via an opening 134 defined in the rear wall 46 .
- the end portion 118 is first inserted into the straight path 34 when the medium tray 110 is inserted.
- the rotating direction of the conveyor motor is changed to the reverse direction from the normal direction.
- the driving force transmitted to the conveyor roller 60 and the discharge roller 62 from the conveyor motor is changed in accordance with the change of the rotating direction. Therefore, the medium tray 110 is conveyed forward and the recording medium carried by the medium tray 110 passes under the recording section 24 . While the recording medium passes under the recording section 24 , the recording section 24 records an image onto the recording medium.
- the medium tray 110 carrying the recording medium on which the image has been recorded is discharged to the outside via the opening (not depicted) defined in the front of the printer unit 11 .
- the printer housing 14 includes a front wall 45 , the rear wall 46 (as an example of a rear wall of the first housing), and a pair of side walls 47 .
- the rear wall 46 is opposite to the front wall 45 and is disposed behind the front wall 45 .
- One side wall 47 connects one of right and left ends of the front wall 45 and one of right and left ends of the rear wall 46 each other and the other side wall 47 connects the other of the right and left ends of the front wall 45 and the other of the right and left ends of the rear wall 46 each other.
- the rear wall 46 has a first recessed portion 48 at a middle portion thereof in the right-left direction 9 .
- the first recessed portion 48 is recessed toward the front.
- the first recessed portion 48 is configured to accommodate therein a portion (e.g., a lower portion) of the manual feed tray 70 (see FIG. 1 ).
- a dimension of the first recessed portion 48 in the right-left direction 9 is substantially the same as a dimension of the manual feed tray 70 in the right-left direction 9 .
- a depth (e.g., a dimension in the front-rear direction 8 ) of the first recessed portion 48 is substantially the same as a thickness of the manual feed tray 70 in the front-rear direction 8 .
- the first recessed portion 48 extends in the up-down direction 7 from an upper surface of the rear wall 46 to a position that is lower than a position of a lower end of the manual feed tray 70 positioned in the first recessed portion 48 .
- a pair of side surfaces 66 defines the first recessed portion 48 with facing each other.
- a protrusion 67 (as an example of a second shaft) protrudes from each of the side surfaces 66 toward the opposite one of the side surface 66 . That is, the protrusion 67 extends in the right-left direction 9 .
- the scanner housing 23 is disposed above the printer housing 14 .
- a dimension of the scanner housing 23 in the front-rear direction 8 is substantially the same as a dimension of the printer housing 14 in the front-rear direction 8 and a dimension of the scanner housing 23 in the right-left direction 9 is substantially the same as a dimension of the printer housing 14 in the right-left direction 9 . Therefore, while the scanner housing 23 is disposed above the printer housing 24 , the printer housing 14 and the scanner housing 23 integrally defines substantially a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape of the multifunction device 10 .
- a reading mechanism (not depicted) is disposed in the scanner housing 23 .
- the reading mechanism includes a platen glass (not depicted) configured to support a document and an image sensor (not depicted) configured to read the document supported on the platen glass.
- the scanner housing 23 includes a rear wall 50 (as an example of a rear wall of the second housing), a pair of side walls 51 , and a pivotable cover 52 .
- the side walls 51 extend forward from right and left ends, respectively, of the rear wall 50 .
- the rear wall 50 and the pair of side walls 51 support the platen glass by their upper end portions.
- the image sensor is disposed below the platen glass, that is, a space defined by the rear wall 50 and the side walls 51 .
- the pivotable cover 52 is disposed above the rear wall 50 and the side walls 51 .
- the pivotable cover 52 is supported by the rear wall 50 at a rear end portion of the pivotable cover 52 and is supported by the side walls 51 at right and left end portions of the pivotable cover 52 .
- the pivotable cover 52 is coupled on the rear wall 50 so as to be pivotable on a rotational axis extending along the right-left direction 9 .
- the pivotable cover 52 is configured to pivot between a position where the pivotable cover 52 covers the platen glass from above (see FIG. 1 ) and a position where the pivotable cover 52 exposes the platen glass (not depicted). While the platen glass is exposed, a document is placed on the platen glass.
- the document is placed on the platen glass with its surface having an image facing down. After the document is placed on the platen glass in such a manner, the pivotable cover 52 is brought into the state where the pivotable cover 52 covers the platen glass from above. Then, the image that has been recorded on the document is read by the image sensor.
- the scanner housing 23 is coupled on the printer housing 14 at the rear wall 46 of the printer housing 14 .
- the scanner housing 23 is configured to be pivotable on a rotational axis (see FIGS. 5 , 7 , 8 , and 9 ) extending along the right-left direction 9 .
- the scanner housing 23 includes protrusions (not depicted) (as an example of a first shaft) extending from respective positions at which a rotational axis 53 passes in the right-left direction 9 .
- the printer housing 14 has openings (not depicted) in the rear wall 46 .
- the scanner housing 23 is coupled on the printer housing 14 while the protrusions of the scanner housing 23 are disposed in the respective openings (not depicted) by insertion.
- the scanner housing 23 is configured to pivot on the rotational axis 53 that is the central axis of the protrusions.
- the protrusions of the scanner housing 23 are disposed at respective positions higher than the protrusions 67 .
- the printer housing 14 may include such protrusions and the scanner housing 23 may have such openings therein.
- the scanner housing 23 is rotatable in directions of arrows 91 and 95 depicted in the example of FIG. 9 .
- the scanner housing 23 is configured to be changed between the first state depicted in FIG. 1 and the second state depicted in FIG. 3 .
- a lower surface of a front end portion of the pivotable cover 52 in the scanner housing 23 is in contact with an upper surface of the front wall 45 of the printer housing 14 and lower surfaces of the side walls 51 of the scanner housing 23 are in contact with upper surfaces of the side walls 47 of the printer housing 14 , respectively.
- the scanner housing 23 in the first state covers the upper portion of the printer housing 14 .
- the scanner housing 23 in the first state covers the upper portion of the printer housing 14 partially or completely.
- the front end portion and the side walls 51 of the pivotable cover 52 are located distant from the front wall 45 and the side walls 47 of the printer housing 14 .
- the scanner housing 23 in the second state exposes the upper portion of the printer housing 14 .
- the rear wall 50 has a second recessed portion 55 therein.
- the second recessed portion 55 is recessed toward the front from a rear end of the rear wall 50 .
- the second recessed portion 55 is configured to accommodate therein a portion (e.g., an upper portion) of the manual feed tray 70 (see FIG. 1 ).
- a dimension of the second recessed portion 55 in the right-left direction 9 is substantially the same as a dimension of the manual feed tray 70 in the right-left direction 9 .
- a depth of the second recessed portion 55 (e.g., a dimension in the front-rear direction 8 ) is substantially the same as a thickness of the manual feed tray 70 in the front-rear direction 8 .
- the second recessed portion 55 extends in the front-rear direction 8 between an upper surface 49 and a lower surface (not depicted) of the rear wall 50 .
- the second recessed portion 55 is contiguous to the first recessed portion 48 in the front-rear direction 7 .
- a pair of side surfaces 68 defines the second recessed portion 55 .
- Each side surface 68 has a slit 69 extending in the up-down direction 7 in the state where the scanner housing 23 is in the first state.
- a manual feed tray 70 is disposed at a rear portion of the printer unit 11 .
- the manual feed tray 70 has a thin flat plate shape.
- the manual feed tray 70 is disposed at a position higher than the straight path 34 .
- the manual feed tray 70 has an opening 72 in a lower end portion of each of right and left side surfaces 71 .
- the manual feed tray 70 is positioned in the first recessed portion 48 and the second recessed portion 55 while the right and left side surfaces 71 of the manual feed tray 70 face the respective side surfaces 66 of the printer housing 14 and the respective side surfaces 68 of the scanner housing 23 .
- the protrusions 67 are disposed in the respective openings 72 .
- This configuration enables the manual feed tray 70 to pivot on the protrusions 67 . More specifically, the manual feed tray 70 is configured to pivot on the protrusions 67 in directions of arrows 94 and 98 (see FIG. 8 ) to change its state between a third state indicated in FIGS. 1 and 7 and a fourth state indicated in FIGS. 2 and 8 .
- the manual feed tray 70 stands along the rear walls 46 and 50 while a distal end of the manual feed tray 70 is located at a position higher than the rotational axis 53 .
- the manual feed tray 70 tilts with respect to the rear walls 46 and 50 while the distal end is located at an obliquely upper rear position than a proximal end of the manual feed tray 70 . That is, the distal end of the manual feed tray 70 in the fourth state is located at a position further to the rear walls 46 and 50 than the distal end of the manual feed tray 70 in the third state.
- a lower portion of the manual feed tray 70 in the third state is positioned in the first recessed portion 48 in the printer housing 14 .
- An upper portion of the manual feed tray 70 in the third state is positioned in the second recessed portion 55 in the scanner housing 23 .
- the upper surface 49 of the rear wall 50 of the scanner housing 23 in the first state extends on the same plane as an upper surface 75 of the manual feed tray 70 in the third state extends.
- a rear surface 76 of the rear wall 46 of the printer housing 14 , a rear surface 77 of the rear wall 50 of the scanner housing 23 in the first state, and a rear surface 78 of the manual feed tray 70 in the third state extend on the same plane.
- the manual feed tray 70 in a state where the manual feed tray 70 is in the fourth state, is configured to support one or more recording sheets 12 on its front surface 79 .
- the front surface 79 extends to the straight path 34 via clearance 81 that is left between the upper guide member 17 and the front surface 79 .
- the one or more recording sheets 12 are supported by the front surface 79 while leading edges of the one or more recording sheets 12 are in contact with the conveyor roller pair 59 .
- Side guides 82 are disposed at the front surface 79 . The side guides 82 are configured to come into contact with right and left side edges of the one or more recording sheets 12 .
- the multifunction device 10 includes a retainer portion 90 at each of the right and left portions thereof.
- the retainer portions 90 enable the manual feed tray 70 to be in one of an engaged state in which the manual feed tray 70 is engaged with the scanner housing 23 and a disengaged state in which the manual feed tray 70 is disengaged from the scanner housing 23 .
- each of the retainer portions 90 includes a flexible portion 80 having a flat plate shape, a protrusion 73 (as an example of a protrusion), and the slit 69 (as an example of an engagement portion).
- the retainer portions 90 have the same configuration, and therefore, a description will be made on one of the retainer portions 90 .
- the flexible portion 80 is disposed at one of the side surfaces 71 of the manual feed tray 70 .
- the protrusion 73 is disposed on the flexible portion 80 .
- the flexible portion 80 is disposed on the side surface 70 at a position where the flexible portion 80 faces one of the side surfaces 68 of the scanner housing 23 when the manual feed tray 70 is in the third state.
- the flexible portion 80 is integral with the side surface 71 at its one end that is located closer to the center of pivoting of the manual feed tray 70
- the other portion of flexible portion 80 is separated from the side surface 71 .
- This configuration enables the flexible portion 80 to warp in the right-left direction 9 at its one end that is located closer to the center of pivoting of the manual feed tray 70 , due to elastic deformation.
- a portion of the flexible portion 80 other than its one end that is located closer to the center of pivoting of the manual feed tray 70 may be integral with the side surface 71 if the flexible portion 80 is capable of warping in the right-left direction 9 .
- the protrusion 73 is integral with the flexible portion 80 .
- the protrusion 73 extends along the right-left direction 9 toward the scanner housing 23 from manual feed tray 7 .
- the protrusion 73 is movable in the right-left direction 9 in accordance with the warping of the flexible portions 80 in the right-left direction 9 . That is, the flexible portion 80 moves the protrusion 73 along the right-left direction 9 .
- the protrusion 73 is movable between a protruding position at which the protrusion 73 protrudes from the side surface 71 of the manual feed tray 70 and a retracted position at which the protrusion 73 is positioned an internal space of the manual feed tray 70 .
- the protrusion 73 at the protruding position is capable of being inserted into the corresponding slit 69 in the side surface 68 of the scanner housing 23 .
- the manual feed tray 70 and the scanner housing 23 are engaged with each other. That is, the manual feed tray 70 is in the engaged state.
- the protrusion 73 is engaged in the corresponding slit 69 , thereby prohibiting the pivoting of the manual feed tray 70 in the direction of an arrow 94 . That is, the slit 69 disables the manual feed tray 70 from pivoting, in engagement with the protrusion 73 .
- the manual feed tray 70 in the engaged state is retained in the third state when the scanner housing 23 is in the first state.
- the manual feed tray 70 in the engaged state pivots in the direction of the arrow 94 in accordance with the pivoting of the scanner housing 23 from the position where the scanner housing 23 takes the first state to the position where the scanner housing 23 takes the second state.
- the distal end portion of the manual feed tray 70 is moved rearward by a user while the manual feed tray 70 is in the engaged state, that is, the protrusion 73 is disposed in the slit 69 , an end of the protrusion 73 presses a side surface defining the slit 69 .
- the end of the protrusion 73 receives reaction from the side surface defining the slit 69 .
- the flexible portion 80 warps in a direction that the flexible portion 80 moves its protrusion 73 from the protruding position to the retracted position.
- the protrusion 73 moves away from the slit 69 , thereby being positioned in the internal space of the manual feed tray 70 .
- the protrusion 73 is disengaged from the slit 69 , whereby the manual feed tray 70 is disengaged from the scanner housing 23 . Accordingly, the manual feed tray 70 becomes free to pivot. That is, the flexible portion 80 moved its protrusion 73 away from the slit 69 to bring the manual feed tray 70 into the disengaged state.
- the end of the protrusion 73 presses the rear surface 77 of the rear wall 50 of the scanner housing 23 .
- the end of the protrusion 73 receives reaction from the rear surface 77 .
- the flexible portion 80 warps in a direction that the flexible portion 80 moves its protrusion 73 from the protruding position to the retracted position.
- the protrusion 73 moves away from the rear surface 77 and then is positioned in the internal space of the manual feed tray 70 .
- the retainer portion 90 is configured to bring the manual feed tray 70 in the engaged state by moving the protrusion 73 to the position where the protrusion 73 is engaged in the slit 69 . The same action described above is taken at each of the retainer portions 90 .
- each protrusion 73 includes a convex or curved shape in order to move easily when each protrusion 73 receives the reaction. Nevertheless, in other embodiments, the end shape of each protrusion 73 might not be limited to the convex or curved shape if each protrusion 73 moves easily as described above.
- the retainer portion 90 pivots the manual feed tray 70 toward the position where the manual feed tray 70 takes the fourth state in accordance with the pivoting of the scanner housing 23 from the position where the scanner housing 23 takes the first state to the position where the scanner housing 23 takes the second state.
- the retainer portion 90 pivots the manual feed tray 70 toward the position where the manual feed tray 70 takes the third state in accordance with the pivoting of the scanner housing 23 from the position where the scanner housing 23 takes the second state to the position where the scanner housing 23 takes the first state.
- the protrusions 73 are engaged in lower portions in the slits 69 , respectively.
- the scanner housing 23 pivots on the rotational axis 53 in a direction of an arrow 91 .
- the slits 69 move obliquely downward to the rear, that is, downward and rearward, by the pivoting of the scanner housing 23 .
- the protrusions 73 slide in the respective slits 69 in the direction of the arrow 93 .
- the protrusions 73 are pressed by the front surfaces 92 defining the slits 69 , respectively, and thus move rearward.
- the manual feed tray 70 including the protrusions 73 pivots toward the position where the manual feed tray 70 takes the fourth state, that is, in the direction of the arrow 94 . Accordingly, while the scanner housing 23 moves toward the position where the scanner housing 23 takes the second state from the position where the scanner housing 23 takes the first state, as depicted in FIG. 9 , the manual feed tray 70 is located at the position closer to the position where the manual feed tray 70 takes the fourth state than the position where the manual feed tray 70 takes the third state.
- the protrusions 73 slide in the direction of the arrow 93 with respect to the slits 69 , respectively, in accordance with the pivoting of the scanner housing 23 from the position where the scanner housing 23 takes the first state to the position where the scanner housing 23 takes the second state, to pivot the manual feed tray 70 toward the position where the manual feed tray 70 takes the fourth state.
- the protrusions 73 are slidable on the respective slits 69 engaged therewith.
- the protrusions 73 are in engagement with the respective slits 69 at respective positions higher than the positions at which the protrusions 73 are in engagement with the respective slits 69 as depicted in FIG. 7 .
- rear surfaces 96 defining the respective slits 69 come into contact with the respective protrusions 73 to guide the protrusions 73 along the slits 69 in a direction of an arrow 97 (as an example of a second direction) that is reverse to the direction of the arrow 93 .
- the scanner housing 23 pivots in the direction of the arrow 95 on the rotational axis 53 .
- the slits 69 move obliquely upward to the front, that is, upward and forward.
- the protrusions 73 slide in the respective slits 69 in the direction of the arrow 97 .
- the protrusions 73 are pressed by the rear surfaces 96 of the slits 69 , respectively, to move forward.
- the manual feed tray 70 equipped with the protrusions 73 pivots toward the position where the manual feed tray 70 takes the third state, that is, in the direction of the arrow 98 . Accordingly, when the scanner housing 23 becomes in the first state from the second state, as depicted in FIG. 7 , the manual feed tray 70 is in the third state.
- the protrusions 73 slide in the respective slits 69 in the direction of the arrow 97 to pivot the manual feed tray 70 toward the position where the manual feed tray 70 takes the third state, in accordance with the pivoting of the scanner housing 23 from the position where the scanner housing 23 takes the second state to the position where the scanner housing 23 takes the first state.
- the manual feed tray 70 pivots toward the position where the manual feed tray 70 takes the fourth state.
- This configuration may prevent the manual feed tray 70 from interfering with the pivoting of the scanner housing 23 to the position where the scanner housing 23 takes the second state even when the pivotable range of the scanner housing 23 overlaps the pivotable range of the manual feed tray 70 .
- the manual feed tray 70 pivots toward the position where the manual feed tray 70 takes the third state.
- the manual feed tray 70 in the fourth state becomes enabled to pivot toward the position where the manual feed tray 70 takes the third state.
- the protrusions 73 slide in the respective slits 69 in the direction of the arrow 93 to pivot the manual feed tray 70 toward the position where the manual feed tray 70 takes the fourth state. While the scanner housing 23 changes from the second state to the first state, the protrusions 73 slide in the respective slits 69 in the direction of the arrow 97 to pivot the manual feed tray 70 toward the position where the manual feed tray 70 takes the third state.
- the state of the manual feed tray 70 can be changed between the engaged state and the disengaged state by moving the protrusions 73 . Therefore, the configuration for changing the manual feed tray 70 between the engaged state and the disengaged state may be implemented by the simple configuration.
- the second recessed portion 55 extends to the upper surface 49 of the scanner housing 23 . Therefore, the user may easily access the manual feed tray 70 in the third state disposed at the rear portion of the multifunction device 10 from the upper front of the multifunction device 10 . Accordingly, the user may pivot the manual feed tray 70 easily from the front of the multifunction device 10 .
- the manual feed tray 70 in the third state can be accommodated in the first recessed portion 48 and the second recessed portion 55 . Therefore, the multifunction device 10 may be reduced in size.
- the upper surface 49 of the scanner housing 23 in the first state is flush with the upper surface 75 of the manual feed tray 70 in the third state, thereby improving an appearance of the multifunction device 10 .
- the rear surface 76 of the rear wall 46 of the printer housing 14 , the rear surface 77 of the rear wall 50 of the scanner housing 23 in the first state, and the rear surface 78 of the manual feed tray 70 in the third state are flush with each other, thereby improving the appearance of the multifunction device 10 .
- the manual feed tray 70 is disposed at the higher position than the straight path 34 . This configuration may avoid or reduce a risk of the contact between the manual feed tray 70 and a recording medium having a thickness thicker than a recording sheet 12 .
- the manual feed tray 70 may be disposed within the pivotable range of the scanner housing 23 .
- the slits 69 are defined in the respective side surfaces 68 defining the second recessed portion 55 , and the protrusions 73 and the flexible portions 80 are disposed at the respective side surfaces 71 of the manual feed tray 70 .
- the slits 69 may be defined in the respective side surfaces 71 and the protrusions 73 and the flexible portions 80 may be disposed at the respective side surfaces 68 . That is, the protrusions 73 may be disposed at one of the manual feed tray 70 and the scanner housing 23 and the slits 69 may be defined in the other of the manual feed tray 70 and the scanner housing 23 .
- each of the retainer portions 90 includes the flexible portion 80 that moves the protrusion 73 elastically. Nevertheless, in other embodiments, for example, the protrusion 73 may be moved by another manner other than using the flexible portion 80 .
- the retainer portions 90 may be connected with the respective protrusions 67 and include a lever portion configured to move the protrusions 67 between the protruding position and the retracted position in response to the user's operation.
- the manual feed tray 70 may become in the engaged state.
- the manual feed tray 70 may become in the disengaged state.
- each of the retainer portions 90 includes the protrusion 73 and the slit 69 .
- the configuration of the retainer portions 90 might not be limited to the above-described configuration.
- each of the retainer portions 90 may have a first opening and a second opening and include a link mechanism.
- the first opening may be defined in the side surface 71 of the manual feed tray 70 .
- the second opening may be defined in the side surface 68 of the scanner housing 23 .
- the link mechanism may include a first protrusion at one end portion and a second protrusion at the other end portion. The first protrusion and the second protrusion may be configured to enter the first opening and the second opening, respectively.
- the manual feed tray 70 may pivot toward the position where the manual feed tray 70 takes the fourth state via the link mechanism.
- the manual feed tray 70 may pivot toward the position where the manual feed tray 70 takes the third state via the link mechanism.
- the slits 69 extends in the up-down direction 7 when the scanner housing 23 is in the first state. Nevertheless, the direction that the slits 69 extends might not be limited to the up-down direction 7 if the slits 69 enable the above-described interlocking operation of the scanner housing 23 and the manual feed tray 70 . In other embodiments, for example, the slits 69 may extend in an inclined direction with respect to the up-down direction 7 when the scanner housing 23 is in the first state.
- the second housing is the scanner housing including the reading mechanism.
- the second housing might not be required to include the reading mechanism.
- the second housing may be an upper cover configured to pivot between a position where the upper cover covers the upper portion of the printer housing 14 and a position where the upper cover exposes the upper portion of the printer housing 14 .
- the upper cover may be configured to pivot from the position where the upper cover covers the upper portion of the printer housing 14 and the position where the upper cover exposes the upper portion of the printer housing 14 .
- the medium tray 110 supporting the recording medium is inserted into the printer housing 14 .
- the recording medium may be directly inserted into the printer housing 14 without the medium tray 110 and an image may be recorded on the recording medium.
- the printer housing 14 has the first recessed portion 48 configured to accommodate the lower portion of the manual feed tray 70 and the scanner housing 23 has the second recessed portion 55 configured to accommodate the upper portion of the manual feed tray 70 .
- the printer housing 14 might not necessarily be required to have the first recessed portion 48 and the second recessed portion 55 .
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Manual Feeding Of Sheets (AREA)
- Accessory Devices And Overall Control Thereof (AREA)
- Electrophotography Configuration And Component (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-205992, filed on Sep. 30, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- Aspects described herein relate to an image recording device that records an image on a sheet conveyed in a conveyance path defined inside the image recording device.
- An example image recording device has a conveyance path defined inside its housing and is configured to record an image onto a sheet that is being conveyed along the conveyance path. Some image recording devices include a manual feed tray configured to guide a sheet into the conveyance path.
- One image recording device includes a manual feed tray and a scanner unit in which the manual feed tray is disposed at a side surface of an image forming section of the image recording device. In this example, the scanner unit is disposed above the image forming section. The manual feed tray is configured to pivot between a position where the scanner unit tilts upward from the side surface of the image forming section and exposes a manual feed port and a position where the scanner unit closes the manual feed port.
- Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide for an image recording device comprising a first housing having a sheet conveyance path, a second housing disposed above the first housing to pivot about a first pivot axis, the second housing being movable between a first state in which a lower surface of the second housing is generally adjacent to an upper surface of the first housing and a second state in which the lower surface of the second housing is angled relative to the upper surface of the first housing. The image recording device further comprises a support tray adjacent to a first side of the second housing and the first side of the first housing and pivotably connected to the first housing, the support tray being movable between a third state and a fourth state, the support tray communicating with the sheet conveyance path, and a retainer portion connecting the support tray to the second housing in the first state and the second state.
- For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, needs satisfied thereby, and the objects, features, and advantages thereof, reference now is made to the following descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view depicting a multifunction device in an illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure, wherein a scanner housing is in a first state and a manual feed tray is in a third state. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view depicting the multifunction device in the illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure, wherein the scanner housing is in the first state and the manual feed tray is in a fourth state. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view depicting the multifunction device in the illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure, wherein the scanner housing is in a second state. -
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view depicting an internal configuration of a printer unit in the illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view depicting a manual feed tray, a scanner housing, and a printer housing in the illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 6 is an upper rear perspective view depicting the manual feed tray, the scanner housing, and the printer housing in the illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure. -
FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken along line A-A ofFIG. 6 in the illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure, wherein the scanner housing is in the first state and the manual feed tray is in the third state. -
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line A-A ofFIG. 6 in the illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure, wherein the scanner housing is in the first state and the manual feed tray is in the fourth state. -
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line A-A ofFIG. 6 in the illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects of the disclosure, wherein the scanner housing is in the second state. - An illustrative embodiment according to one or more aspects will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The illustrative embodiment described below is merely an example. Various changes, arrangements and modifications may be applied therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. In the description below, an up-
down direction 7 is defined with reference to an orientation of amultifunction device 10 that is disposed in which it is intended to be used (e.g., an orientation depicted inFIG. 1 ). A side of themultifunction device 10, in which a support tray, such as amanual feed tray 70 is disposed, is defined as the back of themultifunction device 10. A front-rear direction 8 is defined with reference to the back of themultifunction device 10. A right-left direction 9 is defined with respect to themultifunction device 10 as viewed from its front that is opposite to the back of themultifunction device 10. - [Overall Configuration of Multifunction Device 10]
- As depicted in the example of
FIG. 1 , the multifunction device 10 (as an example of an image recording device) has substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape and a lower height. Themultifunction device 10 includes ascanner unit 13 at its upper portion and aprinter unit 11 at its lower portion. Theprinter unit 11 includes a printer housing 14 (as an example of a first housing) having substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Thescanner unit 13 includes a scanner housing 23 (as an example of a second housing) having substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape. - The
multifunction device 10 has various functions, for example, a facsimile function and a printing function. Themultifunction device 10 has a function of recording an image onto one side of a recording sheet 12 (seeFIG. 4 ) using an inkjet method, as the printing function. In other embodiments, for example, themultifunction device 10 may be configured to record an image onto each side of arecording sheet 12. Themultifunction device 10 further has a function of recording an image onto a surface of a recording medium (as an example of a recording medium), e.g., a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM having a thickness greater than therecording sheet 12, supported by a medium tray 110 (seeFIG. 4 ). - [Feed Tray 20]
- As depicted in the example of
FIG. 4 , theprinter unit 11 includes afeed tray 20 at its lower portion. Thefeed tray 20 is configured to move in the front-rear direction 8 to be removed from and inserted into theprinter housing 14. Thefeed tray 20 has a box shape with its top opened. Thefeed tray 20 is configured to support one ormore recording sheets 12 stacked on abottom plate 22 thereof. Adischarge tray 21 is supported at an upper front position with respect to thefeed tray 20. The one ormore recording sheets 12 on which images have been recorded by arecording section 24 are discharged onto an upper surface of thedischarge tray 21. - [Feeder Unit 16]
- As depicted in the example of
FIG. 4 , thefeeding section 16 is disposed above thebottom plate 22 of thefeed tray 20 positioned in theprinter housing 14. Thefeeding section 16 includes afeed roller 25, afeed arm 26, and apower transmission mechanism 27. Thefeed roller 25 is rotatably supported at a distal end portion of thefeed arm 26. Thefeed arm 26 is swingably supported by asupport shaft 28 disposed at a proximal end portion of thefeed arm 26. Thefeed arm 26 is swingable on thesupport shaft 28 in directions of anarrow 29. With this configuration, thefeed rollers 25 is allowed to come into contact with and move away from thebottom plate 22 of thefeed tray 20 or the one ormore recording sheets 12 supported by thefeed tray 20. - The
feed roller 25 rotates by transmission of a driving force of a conveyor motor (not depicted) by thepower transmission mechanism 27 including gears that are engaged with one another. With the rotation of thefeed roller 25, anuppermost recording sheet 12, which is in contact with thefeed roller 25, of the one ormore recording sheets 12 placed on thebottom plate 22 of thefeed tray 20 is fed into acurved path 33. In other embodiments, for example, thefeed roller 25 may be configured to rotate by application of a driving force from another motor provided apart from the conveyor motor. - [Curved Path 33 and Straight Path 34]
- As depicted in the example of
FIG. 4 , thecurved path 33 and a straight path 34 (as an example of a conveyance path) extend from a rear end of thefeed tray 20 inside theprinter housing 14. Thecurved path 33 extends curvedly upward from the rear end of thefeed tray 20. Thestraight path 34 extends in the front-rear direction 8. - The
curved path 33 is defined by anouter guide member 18 and aninner guide member 19 that face each other and be spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. Thestraight path 34 is defined by therecording section 24 and aplaten 42 at a position where therecording section 24 is disposed. Therecording section 24 and theplaten 42 face each other and are spaced apart from each other at a predetermined interval. - The one or
more recording sheets 12 supported by thefeed tray 20 are fed, one by one, into thecurved path 33 by thefeed roller 25 and conveyed along aconveyance direction 15, which is indicated by an a dot and dashed line inFIG. 4 , in thecurved path 33 and thestraight path 34. Themedium tray 110 is inserted into thestraight path 34 via an opening (not depicted) defined in the front of theprinter housing 14 and is conveyed along thestraight path 34 in the front-rear direction 8. That is, thecurved path 33 allows therecording sheet 12 to pass therethrough and thestraight path 34 allows therecording sheet 12 and themedium tray 110 to pass therethrough. - [Recording Section 24]
- As depicted in the example of
FIG. 4 , therecording section 24 defines an upper portion of thestraight path 34 inside theprinter housing 14. Theplaten 42 is disposed below therecording section 24 and face therecording section 24. Theplaten 42 is configured to support arecording sheet 12 being conveyed in thestraight path 34. - As depicted in the example of
FIG. 4 , therecording section 24 includes acarriage 40 and arecording head 38. Thecarriage 40 is supported byguide rails carriage 40 is allowed to reciprocate in the right-left direction 9. The guide rails 56 and 57 are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction 8. Therecording head 38 is mounted on thecarriage 40. Therecording head 38 is configured to be supplied with ink from one or more ink cartridges (not depicted). Therecording head 38 hasnozzles 39 defined in its lower surface. Therecording head 38 ejects ink droplets from thenozzles 39 toward theplaten 42 while thecarriage 40 reciprocates in the right-left direction 9. Thus, an image is recorded on therecording sheet 12 being conveyed in theconveyance direction 15 and supported by theplaten 42 or on a recording medium carried by themedium tray 110. - [
Conveyor Roller Pair 59 and Discharge Roller Pair 44] - As depicted in the example of
FIG. 4 , aconveyor roller pair 59 is disposed upstream of therecording section 24 in thestraight path 34 with respect to theconveyance direction 15. Adischarge roller pair 44 is disposed downstream of therecording section 24 in thestraight path 34 with respect to theconveyance direction 15. Theconveyor roller pair 59 includes aconveyor roller 60 and apinch roller 61. Thepinch roller 61 is urged toward theconveyor roller 60 by an elastic member (not depicted). Theconveyor roller 60 and thepinch roller 61 are in contact with each other and are configured to pinch arecording sheet 12 therebetween. Thedischarge roller pair 44 includes adischarge roller 62 and aspur 63. Thedischarge roller 62 is urged toward thespur 63 by an elastic member (not depicted). Thedischarge roller 62 and thespur 63 are in contact with each other and are configured to pinch arecording sheet 12 therebetween. - The
conveyor roller pair 59 and thedischarge roller pair 44 are further configured to pinch themedium tray 110 therebetween as well as therecording sheet 12. Thepinch roller 61 and thedischarge roller 62, which are lower rollers of the respective roller pairs 59 and 44, are configured to move downward to pinch themedium tray 110 in each of the roller pairs 59 and 44. Theplaten 42 is also configured to move downward to a position lower than the position of themedium tray 110 being conveyed in thestraight path 34. The movement of thepinch roller 61, thedischarge roller 62, and theplaten 42 in the up-downdirection 7 is implemented by a known mechanism, e.g., a mechanism using a linear motor. In other embodiments, for example, thepinch roller 61 and thedischarge roller 62 may be configured to move downward against the urging force of the elastic members in response to contact with themedium tray 110 that is inserted or conveyed rearward. - The
conveyor roller 60 and thedischarge roller 62 are configured to rotate in a normal direction by the transmission of the driving force from the conveyor motor (not depicted) that rotates in a normal direction. Theconveyor roller 60 and thedischarge roller 62 are configured to rotate in a reverse direction by the transmission of the driving force from the conveyor motor that rotates in a reverse direction. Theconveyor roller pair 59 and thedischarge roller pair 44 are configured to convey therecording sheet 12 or themedium tray 110 pinched therebetween along thestraight path 34 in theconveyance direction 15 when theconveyor roller 60 and thedischarge roller 62 rotate in the normal direction. Theconveyor roller pair 59 and thedischarge roller pair 44 are configured to convey therecording sheet 12 or themedium tray 110 pinched therebetween along thestraight path 34 in a direction opposite to theconveyance direction 15 when theconveyor roller 60 and thedischarge roller 62 rotate in the reverse direction. - [Image Recording on
Recording Sheet 12 or Recording Medium] - Hereinafter, image recording performed on a
recording sheet 12 supported by thefeed tray 20 will be described. As depicted inFIG. 4 , with the rotation of thefeed roller 25, one ormore recording sheets 12 supported by thefeed tray 20 are fed, one by one, into thecurved path 33. As therecording sheet 12 fed into thecurved path 33 is pinched by theconveyor roller pair 59 disposed in thestraight path 34, therecording sheet 12 is further conveyed to theplaten 42 in theconveyance direction 15. Then, therecording section 24 records an image onto therecording sheet 12 supported by theplaten 42. Therecording sheet 12 on which the image has been recorded is further conveyed by thedischarge roller pair 44 in theconveyance direction 15 and then is discharged onto thedischarge tray 21. - Image recording performed on a
recording sheet 12 supported by themanual feed tray 70 will be described. As depicted inFIG. 4 , arecording sheet 12 is supported by themanual feed tray 70 with its leading edge being in contact with theconveyor roller pair 59. As theconveyor roller 60 rotates in the normal direction in this state, therecording sheet 12 is conveyed to theplaten 42 in theconveyance direction 15. Then, therecording section 24 records an image onto therecording sheet 12 supported by theplaten 42. Therecording sheet 12 on which the image has been recorded is further conveyed by thedischarge roller pair 44 in theconveyance direction 15 and then is discharged onto thedischarge tray 21. - Image recording performed on a recording medium carried by the
medium tray 110 will be described. First, thepinch roller 61, thedischarge roller 62, and theplaten 42 are moved downward in response to a user's operation performed on an operation portion (not depicted). In this state, as depicted inFIG. 4 , themedium tray 110 carrying a recording medium is inserted into thestraight path 34 via the opening (not depicted) defined in the front of theprinter unit 11. Themedium tray 110 is inserted into at least a position where themedium tray 110 is pinched by thedischarge roller pair 44. - Then, as the
discharge roller 62 and theconveyor roller 60 rotate in the reverse direction, themedium tray 110 is conveyed rearward. Themedium tray 110 is conveyed to a position where the recording medium carried by themedium tray 110 is located behind therecording section 24. At that time, anend portion 118 of themedium tray 110 protrudes from arear wall 46 of theprinter housing 14 via anopening 134 defined in therear wall 46. Theend portion 118 is first inserted into thestraight path 34 when themedium tray 110 is inserted. - In this state, the rotating direction of the conveyor motor is changed to the reverse direction from the normal direction. Thus, the driving force transmitted to the
conveyor roller 60 and thedischarge roller 62 from the conveyor motor is changed in accordance with the change of the rotating direction. Therefore, themedium tray 110 is conveyed forward and the recording medium carried by themedium tray 110 passes under therecording section 24. While the recording medium passes under therecording section 24, therecording section 24 records an image onto the recording medium. Themedium tray 110 carrying the recording medium on which the image has been recorded is discharged to the outside via the opening (not depicted) defined in the front of theprinter unit 11. - [Printer Housing 14]
- As depicted in the example of
FIG. 1 , theprinter housing 14 includes afront wall 45, the rear wall 46 (as an example of a rear wall of the first housing), and a pair ofside walls 47. Therear wall 46 is opposite to thefront wall 45 and is disposed behind thefront wall 45. Oneside wall 47 connects one of right and left ends of thefront wall 45 and one of right and left ends of therear wall 46 each other and theother side wall 47 connects the other of the right and left ends of thefront wall 45 and the other of the right and left ends of therear wall 46 each other. - As depicted in the example of
FIG. 5 , therear wall 46 has a first recessedportion 48 at a middle portion thereof in the right-left direction 9. The first recessedportion 48 is recessed toward the front. The first recessedportion 48 is configured to accommodate therein a portion (e.g., a lower portion) of the manual feed tray 70 (seeFIG. 1 ). A dimension of the first recessedportion 48 in the right-left direction 9 is substantially the same as a dimension of themanual feed tray 70 in the right-left direction 9. A depth (e.g., a dimension in the front-rear direction 8) of the first recessedportion 48 is substantially the same as a thickness of themanual feed tray 70 in the front-rear direction 8. The first recessedportion 48 extends in the up-downdirection 7 from an upper surface of therear wall 46 to a position that is lower than a position of a lower end of themanual feed tray 70 positioned in the first recessedportion 48. - A pair of side surfaces 66 defines the first recessed
portion 48 with facing each other. A protrusion 67 (as an example of a second shaft) protrudes from each of the side surfaces 66 toward the opposite one of theside surface 66. That is, theprotrusion 67 extends in the right-left direction 9. - [Scanner Housing 23]
- As depicted in the example of
FIG. 1 , thescanner housing 23 is disposed above theprinter housing 14. A dimension of thescanner housing 23 in the front-rear direction 8 is substantially the same as a dimension of theprinter housing 14 in the front-rear direction 8 and a dimension of thescanner housing 23 in the right-left direction 9 is substantially the same as a dimension of theprinter housing 14 in the right-left direction 9. Therefore, while thescanner housing 23 is disposed above theprinter housing 24, theprinter housing 14 and thescanner housing 23 integrally defines substantially a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape of themultifunction device 10. - A reading mechanism (not depicted) is disposed in the
scanner housing 23. The reading mechanism includes a platen glass (not depicted) configured to support a document and an image sensor (not depicted) configured to read the document supported on the platen glass. Thescanner housing 23 includes a rear wall 50 (as an example of a rear wall of the second housing), a pair ofside walls 51, and apivotable cover 52. Theside walls 51 extend forward from right and left ends, respectively, of therear wall 50. - The
rear wall 50 and the pair ofside walls 51 support the platen glass by their upper end portions. The image sensor is disposed below the platen glass, that is, a space defined by therear wall 50 and theside walls 51. - The
pivotable cover 52 is disposed above therear wall 50 and theside walls 51. Thepivotable cover 52 is supported by therear wall 50 at a rear end portion of thepivotable cover 52 and is supported by theside walls 51 at right and left end portions of thepivotable cover 52. Thepivotable cover 52 is coupled on therear wall 50 so as to be pivotable on a rotational axis extending along the right-left direction 9. With this configuration, thepivotable cover 52 is configured to pivot between a position where thepivotable cover 52 covers the platen glass from above (seeFIG. 1 ) and a position where thepivotable cover 52 exposes the platen glass (not depicted). While the platen glass is exposed, a document is placed on the platen glass. The document is placed on the platen glass with its surface having an image facing down. After the document is placed on the platen glass in such a manner, thepivotable cover 52 is brought into the state where thepivotable cover 52 covers the platen glass from above. Then, the image that has been recorded on the document is read by the image sensor. - The
scanner housing 23 is coupled on theprinter housing 14 at therear wall 46 of theprinter housing 14. Thescanner housing 23 is configured to be pivotable on a rotational axis (seeFIGS. 5 , 7, 8, and 9) extending along the right-left direction 9. More specifically, thescanner housing 23 includes protrusions (not depicted) (as an example of a first shaft) extending from respective positions at which arotational axis 53 passes in the right-left direction 9. Theprinter housing 14 has openings (not depicted) in therear wall 46. Thescanner housing 23 is coupled on theprinter housing 14 while the protrusions of thescanner housing 23 are disposed in the respective openings (not depicted) by insertion. With this configuration, thescanner housing 23 is configured to pivot on therotational axis 53 that is the central axis of the protrusions. The protrusions of thescanner housing 23 are disposed at respective positions higher than theprotrusions 67. In other embodiments, for example, theprinter housing 14 may include such protrusions and thescanner housing 23 may have such openings therein. - With the configuration described above, the
scanner housing 23 is rotatable in directions ofarrows FIG. 9 . Thus, thescanner housing 23 is configured to be changed between the first state depicted inFIG. 1 and the second state depicted inFIG. 3 . In the first state, a lower surface of a front end portion of thepivotable cover 52 in thescanner housing 23 is in contact with an upper surface of thefront wall 45 of theprinter housing 14 and lower surfaces of theside walls 51 of thescanner housing 23 are in contact with upper surfaces of theside walls 47 of theprinter housing 14, respectively. Thus, thescanner housing 23 in the first state covers the upper portion of theprinter housing 14. Thescanner housing 23 in the first state covers the upper portion of theprinter housing 14 partially or completely. In the second state, the front end portion and theside walls 51 of thepivotable cover 52 are located distant from thefront wall 45 and theside walls 47 of theprinter housing 14. Thus, thescanner housing 23 in the second state exposes the upper portion of theprinter housing 14. - As depicted in the example of
FIG. 5 , therear wall 50 has a second recessedportion 55 therein. The second recessedportion 55 is recessed toward the front from a rear end of therear wall 50. The second recessedportion 55 is configured to accommodate therein a portion (e.g., an upper portion) of the manual feed tray 70 (seeFIG. 1 ). A dimension of the second recessedportion 55 in the right-left direction 9 is substantially the same as a dimension of themanual feed tray 70 in the right-left direction 9. A depth of the second recessed portion 55 (e.g., a dimension in the front-rear direction 8) is substantially the same as a thickness of themanual feed tray 70 in the front-rear direction 8. The second recessedportion 55 extends in the front-rear direction 8 between anupper surface 49 and a lower surface (not depicted) of therear wall 50. The second recessedportion 55 is contiguous to the first recessedportion 48 in the front-rear direction 7. - A pair of side surfaces 68 defines the second recessed
portion 55. Eachside surface 68 has aslit 69 extending in the up-downdirection 7 in the state where thescanner housing 23 is in the first state. - [Manual Feed Tray 70]
- As depicted in the example of
FIG. 1 , amanual feed tray 70 is disposed at a rear portion of theprinter unit 11. Themanual feed tray 70 has a thin flat plate shape. As depicted inFIG. 4 , themanual feed tray 70 is disposed at a position higher than thestraight path 34. - As depicted in the example of
FIG. 5 , themanual feed tray 70 has anopening 72 in a lower end portion of each of right and left side surfaces 71. - The
manual feed tray 70 is positioned in the first recessedportion 48 and the second recessedportion 55 while the right and left side surfaces 71 of themanual feed tray 70 face the respective side surfaces 66 of theprinter housing 14 and the respective side surfaces 68 of thescanner housing 23. In this state, theprotrusions 67 are disposed in therespective openings 72. - This configuration enables the
manual feed tray 70 to pivot on theprotrusions 67. More specifically, themanual feed tray 70 is configured to pivot on theprotrusions 67 in directions ofarrows 94 and 98 (seeFIG. 8 ) to change its state between a third state indicated inFIGS. 1 and 7 and a fourth state indicated inFIGS. 2 and 8 . - In the third state, the
manual feed tray 70 stands along therear walls manual feed tray 70 is located at a position higher than therotational axis 53. In the fourth state, themanual feed tray 70 tilts with respect to therear walls manual feed tray 70. That is, the distal end of themanual feed tray 70 in the fourth state is located at a position further to therear walls manual feed tray 70 in the third state. - As depicted in the examples of
FIGS. 1 , 5, and 7, a lower portion of themanual feed tray 70 in the third state, that is, the proximal end portion of themanual feed tray 70 in the third state, is positioned in the first recessedportion 48 in theprinter housing 14. An upper portion of themanual feed tray 70 in the third state, that is, the distal end portion of themanual feed tray 70 in the third state, is positioned in the second recessedportion 55 in thescanner housing 23. - As depicted in the examples of
FIGS. 1 and 5 , theupper surface 49 of therear wall 50 of thescanner housing 23 in the first state extends on the same plane as anupper surface 75 of themanual feed tray 70 in the third state extends. Arear surface 76 of therear wall 46 of theprinter housing 14, arear surface 77 of therear wall 50 of thescanner housing 23 in the first state, and arear surface 78 of themanual feed tray 70 in the third state extend on the same plane. - As depicted in the examples of
FIGS. 4 and 8 , in a state where themanual feed tray 70 is in the fourth state, themanual feed tray 70 is configured to support one ormore recording sheets 12 on itsfront surface 79. Thefront surface 79 extends to thestraight path 34 viaclearance 81 that is left between theupper guide member 17 and thefront surface 79. As described above, the one ormore recording sheets 12 are supported by thefront surface 79 while leading edges of the one ormore recording sheets 12 are in contact with theconveyor roller pair 59. Side guides 82 are disposed at thefront surface 79. The side guides 82 are configured to come into contact with right and left side edges of the one ormore recording sheets 12. - [Retainer Portion 90]
- As depicted in the examples of
FIGS. 5 and 8 , themultifunction device 10 includes aretainer portion 90 at each of the right and left portions thereof. Theretainer portions 90 enable themanual feed tray 70 to be in one of an engaged state in which themanual feed tray 70 is engaged with thescanner housing 23 and a disengaged state in which themanual feed tray 70 is disengaged from thescanner housing 23. In the illustrative embodiment, each of theretainer portions 90 includes aflexible portion 80 having a flat plate shape, a protrusion 73 (as an example of a protrusion), and the slit 69 (as an example of an engagement portion). Theretainer portions 90 have the same configuration, and therefore, a description will be made on one of theretainer portions 90. Theflexible portion 80 is disposed at one of the side surfaces 71 of themanual feed tray 70. Theprotrusion 73 is disposed on theflexible portion 80. - The
flexible portion 80 is disposed on theside surface 70 at a position where theflexible portion 80 faces one of the side surfaces 68 of thescanner housing 23 when themanual feed tray 70 is in the third state. - While the
flexible portion 80 is integral with theside surface 71 at its one end that is located closer to the center of pivoting of themanual feed tray 70, the other portion offlexible portion 80 is separated from theside surface 71. This configuration enables theflexible portion 80 to warp in the right-left direction 9 at its one end that is located closer to the center of pivoting of themanual feed tray 70, due to elastic deformation. In other embodiments, for example, in theflexible portion 80, a portion of theflexible portion 80 other than its one end that is located closer to the center of pivoting of themanual feed tray 70 may be integral with theside surface 71 if theflexible portion 80 is capable of warping in the right-left direction 9. - The
protrusion 73 is integral with theflexible portion 80. Theprotrusion 73 extends along the right-left direction 9 toward thescanner housing 23 frommanual feed tray 7. Theprotrusion 73 is movable in the right-left direction 9 in accordance with the warping of theflexible portions 80 in the right-left direction 9. That is, theflexible portion 80 moves theprotrusion 73 along the right-left direction 9. Theprotrusion 73 is movable between a protruding position at which theprotrusion 73 protrudes from theside surface 71 of themanual feed tray 70 and a retracted position at which theprotrusion 73 is positioned an internal space of themanual feed tray 70. - The
protrusion 73 at the protruding position is capable of being inserted into thecorresponding slit 69 in theside surface 68 of thescanner housing 23. In a state where theprotrusion 73 is disposed in thecorresponding slit 69, themanual feed tray 70 and thescanner housing 23 are engaged with each other. That is, themanual feed tray 70 is in the engaged state. In the state where themanual feed tray 70 is in the engaged state, theprotrusion 73 is engaged in thecorresponding slit 69, thereby prohibiting the pivoting of themanual feed tray 70 in the direction of anarrow 94. That is, theslit 69 disables themanual feed tray 70 from pivoting, in engagement with theprotrusion 73. - The
manual feed tray 70 in the engaged state is retained in the third state when thescanner housing 23 is in the first state. Themanual feed tray 70 in the engaged state pivots in the direction of thearrow 94 in accordance with the pivoting of thescanner housing 23 from the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the first state to the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the second state. - As the distal end portion of the
manual feed tray 70 is moved rearward by a user while themanual feed tray 70 is in the engaged state, that is, theprotrusion 73 is disposed in theslit 69, an end of theprotrusion 73 presses a side surface defining theslit 69. Thus, the end of theprotrusion 73 receives reaction from the side surface defining theslit 69. Due to the reaction, theflexible portion 80 warps in a direction that theflexible portion 80 moves itsprotrusion 73 from the protruding position to the retracted position. Thus, theprotrusion 73 moves away from theslit 69, thereby being positioned in the internal space of themanual feed tray 70. Therefore, theprotrusion 73 is disengaged from theslit 69, whereby themanual feed tray 70 is disengaged from thescanner housing 23. Accordingly, themanual feed tray 70 becomes free to pivot. That is, theflexible portion 80 moved itsprotrusion 73 away from theslit 69 to bring themanual feed tray 70 into the disengaged state. - During the pivoting of the
manual feed tray 70 from the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the fourth state to the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the third state, the end of theprotrusion 73 presses therear surface 77 of therear wall 50 of thescanner housing 23. Thus, the end of theprotrusion 73 receives reaction from therear surface 77. Due to the reaction, theflexible portion 80 warps in a direction that theflexible portion 80 moves itsprotrusion 73 from the protruding position to the retracted position. Thus, theprotrusion 73 moves away from therear surface 77 and then is positioned in the internal space of themanual feed tray 70. In this state, as themanual feed tray 70 further pivots toward the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the third state, theprotrusion 73 located at the retracted position comes into contact with theside surface 68. Then, as themanual feed tray 70 further pivots toward the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the third state, theprotrusion 73 reaches theslit 69. At that time, force that the warpedflexible portion 80 attempts to return to its original state occur. Therefore, theprotrusion 73 moves from the retracted position to the protruding position to enter theslit 69. Thus, theprotrusion 73 engages in theslit 69, whereby themanual feed tray 70 is engaged with thescanner housing 23. This engagement prevents themanual feed tray 70 from pivoting. That is, themanual feed tray 70 is retained in the third state. As described above, theretainer portion 90 is configured to bring themanual feed tray 70 in the engaged state by moving theprotrusion 73 to the position where theprotrusion 73 is engaged in theslit 69. The same action described above is taken at each of theretainer portions 90. - In the illustrative embodiment, the end portion of each
protrusion 73 includes a convex or curved shape in order to move easily when eachprotrusion 73 receives the reaction. Nevertheless, in other embodiments, the end shape of eachprotrusion 73 might not be limited to the convex or curved shape if eachprotrusion 73 moves easily as described above. - [Interlock Operation of
Scanner Housing 23 and Manual Feed Tray 70] - In the state where the
manual feed tray 70 is in the engaged state, theretainer portion 90 pivots themanual feed tray 70 toward the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the fourth state in accordance with the pivoting of thescanner housing 23 from the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the first state to the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the second state. Theretainer portion 90 pivots themanual feed tray 70 toward the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the third state in accordance with the pivoting of thescanner housing 23 from the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the second state to the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the first state. - As depicted in the example of
FIG. 7 , when thescanner housing 23 is in the first state and themanual feed tray 70 is in the engaged state and in the third state, theprotrusions 73 are engaged in lower portions in theslits 69, respectively. - In this state, as the
scanner housing 23 pivots toward the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the second state, that is, in the direction of thearrow 91, front surfaces 92 defining therespective slits 69 come into contact with therespective protrusions 73 to guide theprotrusions 73 in the direction of an arrow 93 (as an example of a first direction) along theslits 69. - The
scanner housing 23 pivots on therotational axis 53 in a direction of anarrow 91. Thus, theslits 69 move obliquely downward to the rear, that is, downward and rearward, by the pivoting of thescanner housing 23. In accordance with the downward movement of theslits 69, theprotrusions 73 slide in therespective slits 69 in the direction of thearrow 93. In accordance with the rearward movement of theslits 69, theprotrusions 73 are pressed by thefront surfaces 92 defining theslits 69, respectively, and thus move rearward. Therefore, themanual feed tray 70 including theprotrusions 73 pivots toward the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the fourth state, that is, in the direction of thearrow 94. Accordingly, while thescanner housing 23 moves toward the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the second state from the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the first state, as depicted inFIG. 9 , themanual feed tray 70 is located at the position closer to the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the fourth state than the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the third state. - As described above, the
protrusions 73 slide in the direction of thearrow 93 with respect to theslits 69, respectively, in accordance with the pivoting of thescanner housing 23 from the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the first state to the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the second state, to pivot themanual feed tray 70 toward the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the fourth state. Theprotrusions 73 are slidable on therespective slits 69 engaged therewith. - In the state depicted in the example of
FIG. 9 , theprotrusions 73 are in engagement with therespective slits 69 at respective positions higher than the positions at which theprotrusions 73 are in engagement with therespective slits 69 as depicted inFIG. 7 . In this state, as thescanner housing 23 pivots toward the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the first state, that is, in the direction of thearrow 95,rear surfaces 96 defining therespective slits 69 come into contact with therespective protrusions 73 to guide theprotrusions 73 along theslits 69 in a direction of an arrow 97 (as an example of a second direction) that is reverse to the direction of thearrow 93. - The
scanner housing 23 pivots in the direction of thearrow 95 on therotational axis 53. Thus, in accordance with the pivoting of thescanner housing 23, theslits 69 move obliquely upward to the front, that is, upward and forward. In accordance with the upward movement of theslits 69, theprotrusions 73 slide in therespective slits 69 in the direction of thearrow 97. In accordance with the forward movement of theslits 69, theprotrusions 73 are pressed by therear surfaces 96 of theslits 69, respectively, to move forward. Thus, themanual feed tray 70 equipped with theprotrusions 73 pivots toward the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the third state, that is, in the direction of thearrow 98. Accordingly, when thescanner housing 23 becomes in the first state from the second state, as depicted inFIG. 7 , themanual feed tray 70 is in the third state. - As described above, the
protrusions 73 slide in therespective slits 69 in the direction of thearrow 97 to pivot themanual feed tray 70 toward the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the third state, in accordance with the pivoting of thescanner housing 23 from the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the second state to the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the first state. - According to the illustrative embodiment, in accordance with the changing of the
scanner housing 23 from the first state to the second state while themanual feed tray 70 is in the third state, themanual feed tray 70 pivots toward the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the fourth state. This configuration may prevent themanual feed tray 70 from interfering with the pivoting of thescanner housing 23 to the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the second state even when the pivotable range of thescanner housing 23 overlaps the pivotable range of themanual feed tray 70. In accordance with the changing of thescanner housing 23 from the second state to the first state, themanual feed tray 70 pivots toward the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the third state. Thus, themanual feed tray 70 in the fourth state becomes enabled to pivot toward the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the third state. - According to the illustrative embodiment, while the
scanner housing 23 changes from the first state to the second state when themanual feed tray 70 is in the third state, theprotrusions 73 slide in therespective slits 69 in the direction of thearrow 93 to pivot themanual feed tray 70 toward the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the fourth state. While thescanner housing 23 changes from the second state to the first state, theprotrusions 73 slide in therespective slits 69 in the direction of thearrow 97 to pivot themanual feed tray 70 toward the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the third state. - According to the illustrative embodiment, the state of the
manual feed tray 70 can be changed between the engaged state and the disengaged state by moving theprotrusions 73. Therefore, the configuration for changing themanual feed tray 70 between the engaged state and the disengaged state may be implemented by the simple configuration. - According to the illustrative embodiment, the second recessed
portion 55 extends to theupper surface 49 of thescanner housing 23. Therefore, the user may easily access themanual feed tray 70 in the third state disposed at the rear portion of themultifunction device 10 from the upper front of themultifunction device 10. Accordingly, the user may pivot themanual feed tray 70 easily from the front of themultifunction device 10. According to the illustrative embodiment, themanual feed tray 70 in the third state can be accommodated in the first recessedportion 48 and the second recessedportion 55. Therefore, themultifunction device 10 may be reduced in size. - According to the illustrative embodiment, the
upper surface 49 of thescanner housing 23 in the first state is flush with theupper surface 75 of themanual feed tray 70 in the third state, thereby improving an appearance of themultifunction device 10. - According to the illustrative embodiment, the
rear surface 76 of therear wall 46 of theprinter housing 14, therear surface 77 of therear wall 50 of thescanner housing 23 in the first state, and therear surface 78 of themanual feed tray 70 in the third state are flush with each other, thereby improving the appearance of themultifunction device 10. - According to the illustrative embodiment, the
manual feed tray 70 is disposed at the higher position than thestraight path 34. This configuration may avoid or reduce a risk of the contact between themanual feed tray 70 and a recording medium having a thickness thicker than arecording sheet 12. - According to the illustrative embodiment, in the configuration including the reading mechanism that is relatively frequently used, the
manual feed tray 70 may be disposed within the pivotable range of thescanner housing 23. - [Variations]
- In the illustrative embodiment, the
slits 69 are defined in the respective side surfaces 68 defining the second recessedportion 55, and theprotrusions 73 and theflexible portions 80 are disposed at the respective side surfaces 71 of themanual feed tray 70. Nevertheless, in other embodiments, for example, theslits 69 may be defined in the respective side surfaces 71 and theprotrusions 73 and theflexible portions 80 may be disposed at the respective side surfaces 68. That is, theprotrusions 73 may be disposed at one of themanual feed tray 70 and thescanner housing 23 and theslits 69 may be defined in the other of themanual feed tray 70 and thescanner housing 23. - In the illustrative embodiment, each of the
retainer portions 90 includes theflexible portion 80 that moves theprotrusion 73 elastically. Nevertheless, in other embodiments, for example, theprotrusion 73 may be moved by another manner other than using theflexible portion 80. For example, theretainer portions 90 may be connected with therespective protrusions 67 and include a lever portion configured to move theprotrusions 67 between the protruding position and the retracted position in response to the user's operation. In accordance with the position change of theprotrusions 67 to the protruding position in response to the user's operation of the lever portion, themanual feed tray 70 may become in the engaged state. In accordance with the position change of theprotrusions 67 to the retracted position in response to the user's operation of the lever portion, themanual feed tray 70 may become in the disengaged state. - In the illustrative embodiment, each of the
retainer portions 90 includes theprotrusion 73 and theslit 69. Nevertheless, in other embodiments, the configuration of theretainer portions 90 might not be limited to the above-described configuration. For example, each of theretainer portions 90 may have a first opening and a second opening and include a link mechanism. The first opening may be defined in theside surface 71 of themanual feed tray 70. The second opening may be defined in theside surface 68 of thescanner housing 23. The link mechanism may include a first protrusion at one end portion and a second protrusion at the other end portion. The first protrusion and the second protrusion may be configured to enter the first opening and the second opening, respectively. In this case, in accordance with the pivoting of thescanner housing 23 from the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the first state to the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the second state, themanual feed tray 70 may pivot toward the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the fourth state via the link mechanism. In accordance with the pivoting of thescanner housing 23 from the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the second state to the position where thescanner housing 23 takes the first state, themanual feed tray 70 may pivot toward the position where themanual feed tray 70 takes the third state via the link mechanism. - In the illustrative embodiment, the
slits 69 extends in the up-downdirection 7 when thescanner housing 23 is in the first state. Nevertheless, the direction that theslits 69 extends might not be limited to the up-downdirection 7 if theslits 69 enable the above-described interlocking operation of thescanner housing 23 and themanual feed tray 70. In other embodiments, for example, theslits 69 may extend in an inclined direction with respect to the up-downdirection 7 when thescanner housing 23 is in the first state. - In the illustrative embodiment, the second housing is the scanner housing including the reading mechanism. Nevertheless, in other embodiments, for example, the second housing might not be required to include the reading mechanism. For example, the second housing may be an upper cover configured to pivot between a position where the upper cover covers the upper portion of the
printer housing 14 and a position where the upper cover exposes the upper portion of theprinter housing 14. When arecording sheet 12 jams in themultifunction device 10, the upper cover may be configured to pivot from the position where the upper cover covers the upper portion of theprinter housing 14 and the position where the upper cover exposes the upper portion of theprinter housing 14. - In the illustrative embodiment, for recording an image on a recording medium, the
medium tray 110 supporting the recording medium is inserted into theprinter housing 14. Nevertheless, in other embodiments, for example, the recording medium may be directly inserted into theprinter housing 14 without themedium tray 110 and an image may be recorded on the recording medium. - In the illustrative embodiment, the
printer housing 14 has the first recessedportion 48 configured to accommodate the lower portion of themanual feed tray 70 and thescanner housing 23 has the second recessedportion 55 configured to accommodate the upper portion of themanual feed tray 70. Nevertheless, in other embodiments, for example, theprinter housing 14 might not necessarily be required to have the first recessedportion 48 and the second recessedportion 55.
Claims (13)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
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JP2013-205992 | 2013-09-30 | ||
JP2013205992A JP6136828B2 (en) | 2013-09-30 | 2013-09-30 | Image recording device |
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US8991811B1 US8991811B1 (en) | 2015-03-31 |
US20150091247A1 true US20150091247A1 (en) | 2015-04-02 |
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US (1) | US8991811B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6136828B2 (en) |
CN (1) | CN104512746B (en) |
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US10498913B2 (en) * | 2016-07-29 | 2019-12-03 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Image forming apparatus |
US11128777B2 (en) * | 2019-04-25 | 2021-09-21 | Seiko Epson Corporation | Recording apparatus |
JP7501238B2 (en) | 2020-08-28 | 2024-06-18 | 富士フイルムビジネスイノベーション株式会社 | Paper feeder and image forming apparatus |
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JP7375436B2 (en) * | 2019-10-02 | 2023-11-08 | セイコーエプソン株式会社 | recording device |
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JP2011190028A (en) * | 2010-03-15 | 2011-09-29 | Brother Industries Ltd | Image recording device |
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Also Published As
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US8991811B1 (en) | 2015-03-31 |
JP2015067450A (en) | 2015-04-13 |
JP6136828B2 (en) | 2017-05-31 |
CN104512746A (en) | 2015-04-15 |
CN104512746B (en) | 2018-02-23 |
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