U.S. patent application number 11/611688 was filed with the patent office on 2007-06-21 for cover opening and closing mechanism and electronic apparatus.
This patent application is currently assigned to SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Munetoyo Aono, Yasuyuki Sakato.
Application Number | 20070138193 11/611688 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38172270 |
Filed Date | 2007-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070138193 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Aono; Munetoyo ; et
al. |
June 21, 2007 |
COVER OPENING AND CLOSING MECHANISM AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS
Abstract
An opening and closing mechanism for a cover is openable and
closable with respect to a body. The mechanism includes a link
structure supported at the body rotatably within a range of a first
predetermined angle from a closed state of the cover, and
supporting the cover rotatably within a range of a second
predetermined angle. The link structure is rotated integrally with
the cover when being rotated within the range of the first
predetermined range. The cover is solely rotated within the range
of the second predetermined angle when the link structure has been
rotated by the first predetermined angle from the closed state of
the cover.
Inventors: |
Aono; Munetoyo; (Suwa-shi,
Nagano-ken, JP) ; Sakato; Yasuyuki; (Saku-shi,
Nagano-Ken, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WORKMAN NYDEGGER;(F/K/A WORKMAN NYDEGGER & SEELEY)
60 EAST SOUTH TEMPLE
1000 EAGLE GATE TOWER
SALT LAKE CITY
UT
84111
US
|
Assignee: |
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
4-1, Nishishinjuku 2-chome Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo
JP
163-0811
|
Family ID: |
38172270 |
Appl. No.: |
11/611688 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/810 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41J 29/13 20130101;
B41J 29/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/810 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/04 20060101
B65D051/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 16, 2005 |
JP |
2005-362648 |
Claims
1. An opening and closing mechanism for a cover openable and
closable with respect to a body, the mechanism comprising: a link
structure supported at the body rotatably within a range of a first
predetermined angle from a closed state of the cover, and
supporting the cover rotatably within a range of a second
predetermined angle, wherein the link structure is rotated
integrally with the cover when being rotated within the range of
the, first predetermined range, and the cover is solely rotated
within the range of the second predetermined angle when the link
structure has been rotated by the first predetermined angle from
the closed state of the cover.
2. An opening and closing mechanism for a cover openable and
closable with respect to a body, the mechanism comprising: a link
having at one end a first hinge supported at the body side, and
having at the other end a second hinge supported at the cover side,
wherein when the cover is open, the cover is integrally rotated
with the link about the first hinge by a first predetermined angle,
then the cover is solely rotated about the second hinge by a second
predetermined angle, and the cover is maintained in an open state,
and when the cover is closed, the cover is solely rotated about the
second hinge by the second predetermined angle, then the cover is
integrally rotated with the link about the first hinge by the first
predetermined angle, and the cover is maintained in a closed
state.
3. The opening and closing mechanism for the cover according to
claim 2, wherein the link includes a biasing unit for biasing the
cover in its opening direction by a moment substantially equivalent
to a moment caused by a weight of the cover when the cover is
rotated in the opening direction about the first hinge by the first
predetermined angle.
4. The opening and closing mechanism for the cover according to
claim 2, wherein the link and the cover have rotation restrictors
that restrict the rotation of the cover and the link when the cover
and the link have been rotated by the first predetermined angle,
and the rotation of the cover when the cover has been rotated by
the second predetermined angle.
5. The opening and closing mechanism for the cover according to
claim 2, wherein the first and second hinges are disposed not to
protrude from the body when the cover is in the closed state.
6. An electronic apparatus comprising the opening and closing
mechanism for the cover according to claim 1.
7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the
electronic apparatus is a recording device that performs a
recording operation on a recording medium.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to an opening and closing
mechanism for a cover openable and closable with respect to a body,
and an electronic apparatus provided with the opening and closing
mechanism for the cover.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] An electronic apparatus usually has an opening at an upper
surface of a housing to facilitate maintenance of the inside of the
housing. Such an opening is necessary to be widely provided for
facilitating the maintenance, but otherwise closed to prevent dust
and the like from entering. Owing to this, the opening is covered
with a cover that is rotated within a range of a large angle to
open and close the opening.
[0005] An opening and closing mechanism for the cover may be a
mechanism in which shafts protrude at both sides of one end of the
cover while holes are formed both sides of one end of the opening,
and the shafts are inserted to the holes to support the cover
rotatably about the shafts. Alternatively, the opening and closing
mechanism may be a mechanism in which one piece of a hinge is fixed
at the one end of the cover with a screw or the like, while the
other piece of the hinge is fixed at the one end of the opening
with a screw or the like, and the cover is rotatably supported by
the hinge (see JP-A-2005-41213).
[0006] However, with the opening and closing mechanism using the
shafts and the holes, or that using the hinge, if a user releases
his/her hand from the cover in the middle of opening the cover, the
cover may be rapidly closed due to its weight and damaged. In
addition, an interference range of the cover and the housing may
increase due to the degree of opening of the cover, the thickness
of the cover, and the like. Therefore, a relatively-large gap is
required between the cover and the housing. Due to this, dust and
the like likely enters the gap, and the housing needs to be
designed such that the inside of the housing is not exposed through
the gap.
[0007] To address those problems, a concealed hinge may be used.
The concealed hinge has one end fixed to the back surface of the
cover with a screw or the like, and the other end supported at the
inner surface of the housing rotatably about a shaft and biased
with a torsion coil spring. However, the opening is necessary to be
rotated within a range of a large angle to open and close the
opening, the concealed hinge may increase in size, and hence, the
rotation space for the concealed hinge must be widely secured in
the housing. Accordingly, it is difficult to downsize the
electronic apparatus.
SUMMARY
[0008] An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that a
small opening and closing mechanism for a cover with a sufficient
opening and closing angle, and an electronic apparatus provided
with the opening and closing mechanism for the cover are
provided.
[0009] An opening and closing mechanism for a cover according to an
aspect of the invention is openable and closable with respect to a
body. The mechanism includes a link structure supported at the body
rotatably within a range of a first predetermined angle from a
closed state of the cover, and supporting the cover rotatably
within a range of a second predetermined angle. The link structure
is rotated integrally with the cover when being rotated within the
range of the first predetermined range. The cover is solely rotated
within the range of the second predetermined angle when the link
structure has been rotated by the first predetermined angle from
the closed state of the cover.
[0010] An opening and closing mechanism for a cover according to
another aspect of the invention is openable and closable with
respect to a body. The mechanism includes a link having at one end
a first hinge supported at the body side, and having at the other
end a second hinge supported at the cover side. When the cover is
open, the cover is integrally rotated with the link about the first
hinge by a first predetermined angle, then the cover is solely
rotated about the second hinge by a second predetermined angle, and
the cover is maintained in an open state. When the cover is closed,
the cover is solely rotated about the second hinge by the second
predetermined angle, then the cover is integrally rotated with the
link about the first hinge by the first predetermined angle, and
the cover is maintained in a closed state. With this configuration,
since the cover is opened and closed by the link structure having
the two supporting points, the cover can be widely opened without
interfering with the body even if the link structure decreases
particularly in height. In addition, since the link structure is
downsized, it would not interfere with the main components in the
body, so that the main components may be more desirably
arranged.
[0011] Preferably, the link may include a biasing unit for biasing
the cover in its opening direction by a moment substantially
equivalent to a moment caused by a weight of the cover when the
cover is rotated in the opening direction about the first hinge by
the first predetermined angle. With this configuration, the cover
can be maintained in the opening state when the cover has reached
the first predetermined angle, and also, even when a user releases
his/her hand from the cover in the middle of opening the cover
toward the first predetermined angle, the cover may be closed
slowly. Preferably, the link and the cover may have rotation
restrictors that restrict the rotation of the cover and the link
when the cover and the link have been rotated by the first
predetermined angle, and rotation restrictors that restrict the
rotation of the cover when the cover has been rotated by the second
predetermined angle. With this configuration, the cover can be
always open at accurate angles. Preferably, the first and second
hinges may be disposed not to protrude from the body when the cover
is in the closed state. With this configuration, the entire body
can be designed compactly.
[0012] An electronic apparatus according to still another aspect of
the invention includes the above-mentioned opening and closing
mechanism for the cover. Preferably, the electronic apparatus may
be a recording device that performs a recording operation on a
recording medium. With this configuration, there can be provided
the electronic apparatus and the recording medium which may attain
the above-described advantages.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The invention will be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like
elements.
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the diagonally front
side of the exterior of an ink jet printer which is an example of a
recording device according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the diagonally rear
side of the exterior of the printer shown in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a perspective view generally showing the interior
of the printer shown in FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a lateral cross section generally showing the
interior of the printer shown in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the front side of the
printer shown in FIG. 1 in a state where a printer cover is
open.
[0019] FIG. 6 is a first lateral cross section showing transition
from a state where the printer cover shown in FIG. 5 is closed to a
state where the printer cover is open.
[0020] FIG. 7 is a second lateral cross section showing the
transition from the state where the printer cover shown in FIG. 5
is closed to a state where the printer cover is open.
[0021] FIG. 8 is a third lateral cross section showing the
transition from the state where the printer cover shown in FIG. 5
is closed to a state where the printer cover is open.
[0022] FIG. 9 is an illustration showing the action of a torsion
coil spring of the printer cover shown in FIG. 5.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0023] An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be described
below with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the
below-described embodiment does not restrict the invention
pertaining to claims, and the solution of the invention may not
necessitate all of the combinations of features mentioned in the
embodiment.
[0024] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing the diagonally
front and rear sides of the exterior of an ink jet printer which is
an example of a recording device according to an embodiment of the
invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view generally showing the
interior thereof. FIG. 4 is a lateral cross section generally
showing the interior thereof. This ink jet printer 100 can perform
a recording operation on a cut-sheet (hereinafter, referred to as
"sheet", corresponding to a recording medium) with ink. A variety
of sizes is available for such a sheet, such as Japanese photo
paper sizes including L, 2L, and postcard; and Japanese Industrial
Standards (JIS) A series sizes including A4, slightly larger than
A3, and A2.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink jet printer 100 is
entirely covered with a housing (body) 101 being substantially a
rectangular parallelepiped. An operation unit 110 is disposed at
the upper right side of the housing 101 (shown in FIG. 1), and a
cartridge accommodating unit 120 is disposed at the upper left side
(shown in FIG. 1) thereof. A first rear sheet feeding unit 130 is
disposed at the upper rear side (shown in FIG. 1). A second rear
sheet feeding unit 140 is disposed at the rear side (shown in FIG.
2). A sheet discharging unit 150 and a front sheet feeding unit 160
are disposed at the front side (shown in FIG. 1). A waste ink
recovering unit 170 is disposed at the front right side (shown in
FIG. 1). Provided inside the ink jet printer 100 are a controlling
unit 190 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 4), and a sheet transporting unit
180 and a recording unit 200 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4).
[0026] In addition, a rectangular opening 102 is formed at the
upper surface of the housing 101 between the first rear sheet
feeding unit 130, and the operation unit 110 and the cartridge
accommodating unit 120. The opening 102 is covered with a printer
cover (cover) 210 which is a substantially rectangular plate. The
printer cover 210 is mounted rotatably in the directions of the
illustrated double-headed arrow a by a cover opening and closing
mechanism 211 (see FIG. 5), a characteristic portion of the
invention. A user can easily perform maintenance for the internal
mechanisms, such as the sheet transporting unit 180 and the
recording unit 200, through the opening 102 by lifting the printer
cover 210 and uncovering the opening 102. The cover opening and
closing mechanism 211 will be described later in detail.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the operation unit 110 includes a
substantially rectangular operation panel 111. A liquid crystal
panel 112 is disposed substantially at the center of the operation
panel 111 and displays an operation state and the like. Buttons 113
are disposed on both sides of the liquid crystal panel 112, for a
power system that turns power ON/OFF, an operation system that
performs positioning of the leading edge of a sheet or flushing of
ink, and for a processing system that performs image processing.
Since the user can operate the buttons 113 while checking the
liquid crystal panel 112, it is possible to prevent an erroneous
operation.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cartridge accommodating unit
120 accommodates ink cartridges 121 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4) in a
detachably attached manner. The ink cartridges 121 store ink of
print colors (nine print colors in the embodiment). The cartridge
accommodating unit 120 is covered with a cartridge cover 122 that
is L-shaped in cross section. The cartridge cover 122 is mounted
rotatably in the directions of the illustrated double-headed arrow
b around a rotary shaft provided at its rear end. The user can
easily replace the ink cartridges 121 by lifting the cartridge
cover 122 and uncovering the cartridge accommodating unit 120,
thereby improving working efficiency.
[0029] The first rear sheet feeding unit 130 is designated as
automatic sheet feed (ASF). As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first
rear sheet feeding unit 130 includes a first sheet support 132
having a four-stage structure and involving a function of opening
and closing a rectangular first sheet feeding opening 131 extended
upward and a function of supporting one or a plurality of sheets to
be fed. The first sheet support 132 is mounted rotatably in the
directions of the illustrated double-headed arrow c around a rotary
shaft provided at its rear end. The sheets to be fed by the first
rear sheet feeding unit 130 are relatively thin (for example, plain
paper or photo paper of about 0.08 to 0.27 mm in thickness).
[0030] Before the use of the ink jet printer 100, the user may
complete setting of the first sheet support 132 by placing a finger
at a hole 132a, which is provided at the front center of the first
sheet support 132, lifting the first sheet support 132, and drawing
the multistage portion. Accordingly, the first sheet support 132
need not be stored or maintained unlike a removable sheet support.
In addition, the first sheet support 132 has the multistage
structure, whereby it may reliably support a variety of sizes of
sheets to be fed. After the use of the ink jet printer 100, the
first sheet feeding opening 131 can be closed by pushing the
multistage portion of the first sheet support 132. Accordingly, it
is possible to prevent dust from entering the printer body, and to
store the first sheet support 132 compactly.
[0031] The second rear sheet feeding unit 140 is designated as
manual sheet feed. As shown in FIG. 2, the second rear sheet
feeding unit 140 includes a second sheet support 142 having a
two-stage structure and involving a function of opening and closing
a rectangular second sheet feeding opening 141 extended rearward
and a function of supporting one sheet to be fed. The second sheet
support 142 is mounted rotatably in the directions of the
illustrated double-headed arrow d around a rotary shaft provided at
its lower end. The sheet to be fed by the second rear sheet feeding
unit 140 is a sheet having a thickness that cannot be fed at a
transportation angle in the first rear sheet feeding unit 130 (for
example, drawing paper or special paper of about 0.29 to 0.48 mm in
thickness). Since the first rear sheet feeding unit 130 is
designated as the automatic sheet feed (ASF), it picks up a sheet
by a sheet feeding roller 82. If paper dust adheres to the sheet
feeding roller 82, the sheet feeding roller 82 may slip off a sheet
and cause misfeed of the sheet. Therefore, sheets tending to
produce paper dust (such as velvet Fine Art Paper of about 0.48 mm
in thickness, and Ultra Smooth Fine Art Paper of about 0.46 mm in
thickness, both produced by Seiko Epson Corporation) are also need
to be manually fed by the second rear sheet feeding unit 140.
[0032] Before the use of the ink jet printer 100, the user may
complete setting of the second sheet support 142 by placing a
finger at an upper portion of the second sheet support 142,
bringing down the second sheet support 142, and drawing the
multistage portion. Accordingly, the second sheet support 142 need
not be stored or maintained unlike a removable sheet support. In
addition, the second sheet support 142 has the multistage
structure, whereby it may reliably support a variety of sizes of
sheets to be fed. After the use of the ink jet printer 100, the
second sheet feeding opening 141 can be closed by pushing the
multistage portion of the second sheet support 142. Accordingly, it
is possible to prevent dust from entering the printer body, and to
store the second sheet support 142 compactly.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 1, the sheet discharging unit 150 includes
a stacker 152 having a two-stage structure. The stacker 152
includes a first stacker portion 51 and a second stacker portion 52
(shown in FIG. 3) involving a function of opening and closing a
rectangular sheet discharging opening 151 extended forward and a
function of stacking one or a plurality of sheets to be discharged.
The first stacker portion 51 is mounted rotatably in the directions
of the illustrated double-headed arrow e around a rotary shaft
provided at the front end of the second stacker portion 52. The
second stacker portion 52 is mounted so as to protrude and be
accommodated by moving in parallel and obliquely vertically with
respect to the sheet discharging opening 151.
[0034] Before the use of the ink jet printer 100, the user may,
complete setting of the stacker 152 by placing a finger at the
upper portion of the first stacker portion 51, rotating the first
stacker portion 51 forward, uncovering the sheet discharging
opening 151, pinching the front end of the first stacker portion 51
with fingers, drawing the first stacker portion 51, moving the
second stacker portion 52 in parallel and obliquely upward to
protrude. Accordingly, the stacker 152 need not be stored or
maintained unlike a removable stacker. In addition, the stacker 152
has the multistage structure, whereby it may reliably stack a
variety of sizes of sheets to be discharged. Also, the recorded
sheets are always discharged from the front side, whereby the user
may easily take out the sheets. After the use of the ink jet
printer 100, the sheet discharging opening 151 can be closed by
manually pushing the first end of the first stacker portion 51,
moving the second stacker portion 52 in parallel and obliquely
downward to be accommodated, placing a hand at the first stacker
portion 51, and rotating the first stacker portion 51 rearward.
Accordingly, it is possible to prevent dust from entering the
printer body, and to store the stacker 152 compactly.
[0035] The front sheet feeding unit 160 is designated as manual
sheet feed. As shown in FIG. 3, the front sheet feeding unit 160
includes a sheet feeding tray 161 disposed above the stacker 152 in
the sheet discharging opening 151. The sheet feeding tray 161 is
provided horizontally movably with respect to the sheet discharging
opening 151. Sheets to be fed by the front sheet feeding unit 160
are sheets that are relatively thick and cannot be bent when
transporting them (for example, matte board paper of about 1.2 mm
in thickness).
[0036] Before the use of the ink jet printer 100, when the user
lightly pushes the first end of the sheet feeding tray 161, a
stopper of the sheet feeding tray 161 is disengaged and the sheet
feeding tray 161 protrudes from the sheet discharging opening 151.
After the use of the ink jet printer 100, when the user lightly
pushes the first end of the sheet feeding tray 161, the stopper of
the sheet feeding tray 161 is engaged and the sheet feeding tray
161 is accommodated in the sheet discharging opening 151.
Therefore, the sheet feeding tray 161 may efficiently save the
space to be disposed.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the waste ink recovering unit 170
accommodates a waste ink tank 171 in a detachably attached manner.
The waste ink tank 171 which stores waste ink and the like. The
waste ink tank 171 stores the waste ink and the like that is
exhausted when a recording head 202 is cleaned or the ink
cartridges are replaced. When the waste ink tank 171 is filled with
the waste ink and the like, the user draws out the waste ink tank
171 and inserts another waste ink tank 171, thereby facilitating
the replacement of the waste ink tank 171.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the sheet transporting unit 180
extends from the first rear sheet feeding unit 130 and the second
rear sheet feeding unit 140 to the sheet discharging unit 150. The
sheet transporting unit 180 includes an automatic sheet feeding
mechanism 181, a transporting mechanism 182, and a sheet
discharging mechanism 183. As shown in FIG. 4, the automatic sheet
feeding mechanism 181 includes a hopper 81, a sheet feeding roller
82, a retard roller 83, and a sheet returning lever 84. The hopper
81 lifts up sheets supported by the first sheet support 132 to feed
them. The sheet feeding roller 82 takes out the sheets lifted by
the hopper 81. The retard roller 83 separates one of the sheets
double-fed by the sheet feeding roller 82. The sheet returning
lever 84 returns the residual sheets separated by the retard roller
83 to the hopper 81.
[0039] The hopper 81 is platy to allow sheets to be placed thereon,
and is disposed substantially in parallel to a rear wall. The lower
end of the hopper 81 is positioned near the sheet feeding roller
82, and the upper end thereof is positioned near the top portion of
the rear wall. A compression spring (not shown) has one end
attached to the rear wall and the other end attached to the back
surface at the lower end of the hopper 81. The hopper 81 is
disposed so that the lower end of the hopper 81 is turnable around
its upper end due to expansion and compression of the compression
spring.
[0040] The sheet feeding roller 82 has a D shape since a portion of
its cross section is cut out, and is disposed near the lower end of
the hopper 81. The sheet feeding roller 82 rotates intermittently
to frictionally feed the sheets that are lifted by the hopper 81.
The retard roller 83 is disposed to abut on or be separated from
the sheet feeding roller 82, thereby frictionally separating only
the topmost one of the sheets when the sheets are double-fed by the
sheet feeding roller 82. The sheet returning lever 84 is formed
like a pawl and is disposed near the sheet feeding roller 82. The
residual sheets that have been separated by the retard roller 83
are caught by the pawl to return them to the hopper 81.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 4, the transporting mechanism 182 includes
a sheet feeding roller 85 and a driven roller 86, which transport
sheets in a sub-scanning direction in synchronism with a recording
operation. The sheet feeding roller 85 is disposed upstream of a
platen 203 in the sheet transportation direction. The sheet feeding
roller 85 and the driven roller 86 pinch a sheet that is fed by the
sheet feeding roller 82 to send the sheet to the platen 203.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, the sheet discharging mechanism 183
includes a sheet discharging roller 87, a first serrated roller
88a, and a second serrated roller 88b. The first serrated roller
88a is disposed downstream of the platen 203 in the sheet
transportation direction. The second serrated roller 88b and the
sheet discharging roller 87 are disposed downstream of the first
serrated roller 88a in the sheet transportation direction to oppose
each other. The sheet that has passed the platen 203 is discharged
by the first serrated roller 88a and then, and pinched by the
second serrated roller 88b and the sheet discharging roller 87 to
be discharged onto the stacker 152. The first serrated roller 88a
and the second serrated roller 88b are held by the same holding
member (not shown).
[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the controlling unit 190 includes a main
substrate 191 that constitutes a printer controller. Though not
shown, the main substrate 191 has controlling elements and storage
elements, such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, or ASIC, and other circuit
elements. The controlling unit 190 controls the sheet transporting
unit 180, the recording unit 200, and the like, of a print
engine.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, the recording unit 200 includes a
carriage 201 that moves in a main-scanning direction in synchronism
with a recording operation, the recording head 202 that discharges
ink in synchronism with the recording operation, and the platen 203
that holds the sheet in a flat state during the recording. As shown
in FIG. 3, the carriage 201 passes through a carriage guide shaft
204 above the platen 203 and is connected to a carriage belt 205.
When the carriage belt 205 is operated by a carriage motor (not
shown), the carriage 201 is moved by the movement of the carriage
belt 205 and is guided along the carriage guide shaft 204, so that
it reciprocates.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, the recording head 202 is mounted to the
carriage 201 so that a predetermined interval is provided between
the recording head 202 and the platen 203. The recording head 202
can discharge ink of two types of black, such as photo-black and
matte black, and ink of seven colors, yellow, cyan, light cyan,
magenta, light magenta, gray, and red. In other words, the
recording head 202 includes a nozzle plate having a pressure
generating chamber and a nozzle connected to the pressure
generating chamber. An ink droplet having a controlled size is
discharged towards the sheet from the nozzle by storing the ink in
the pressure generating chamber and applying a predetermined
pressure thereto. The platen 203 is disposed between the sheet
feeding roller 85 and the sheet discharging roller 87 so as to
oppose the recording head 202, and supports a surface of the sheet
that is being transported. Next, the cover opening and closing
mechanism 211, a characteristic portion of the invention, will be
described in more detail with reference to the drawings.
[0046] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the front side of the
printer in a state where the printer cover 210 is open. FIGS. 6 to
8 are lateral cross sections each showing transition from a state
where the printer cover 210 is closed to a state where it is open.
As shown in FIG. 5, the cover opening and closing mechanism 211 is
disposed at either side of the first rear sheet feeding unit 130.
As shown in FIG. 6, one end of the cover opening and closing
mechanism 211 is rotatably attached at the inner side of the upper
surface of the housing 101, while the other end thereof is
rotatably attached at the back surface at the rear end of the
printer cover 210.
[0047] Each cover opening and closing mechanism 211 includes a
substantially L-shaped link (link structure) 212 and a torsion coil
spring (biasing unit) 213. The link 212 has holes (link structure,
first and second hinges) 212a and 212b at its both ends. A shaft
(link structure, first hinge) 214a is provided at the inner side of
the upper surface of the housing 101, inserted through the hole
(link structure, first hinge) 212a provided at one end of the link
212, and rotatably supported by the hole 212a. A shaft (link
structure, second hinge) 214b is provided at the back surface at
the rear end of the printer cover 210, inserted through the hole
(link structure, second hinge) 212b provided at the other end of
the link 212, and rotatably supported by the hole 212b.
[0048] Additionally, the link 212 has a substantially triangular
protruded portion (rotation restrictor) 212c provided at the outer
side of the angular part of the L-shaped portion. The torsion coil
spring 213 is inserted to the shaft 214a provided at the inner side
of the upper surface of the housing 101. One end of the torsion
coil spring 213 is engaged at a protrusion 213a provided at the
inner side of the upper surface of the housing 101, while the other
end thereof is engaged at the protruded portion 212c provided at
the link 212.
[0049] With this configuration, the printer cover 210 forms a
double-hinge mechanism that is rotatable about the two shafts 214a
and 214b. In particular, the link 212 is supported rotatably within
a range of a first predetermined angle (about 90 degrees) .theta.1
defined between the printer cover 210 in a closed state shown in
FIG. 6 and that in a half-open state shown in FIG. 7. Besides, the
printer cover 210 is supported rotatably within a range of a second
predetermined angle (about 45 degrees) .theta.2 defined between the
printer cover 210 in the half-open state shown in FIG. 7 and that
in a full-open state shown in FIG. 8.
[0050] Within the first predetermined angle .theta.1, a rib
(rotation restrictor) 210a provided at the back surface at the rear
end of the printer cover 210 abuts on the other end portion
(rotation restrictor) 212d of the link 212 to restrict rotation of
the printer cover 210. When the printer cover 210 has been rotated
by the first predetermined angle .theta.1 from the closed state,
namely, to the half-open state, the protruded portion (rotation
restrictor) 212c of the link 212 abuts on a wall (rotation
restrictor) 215a provided at the housing 101 to restrict the
rotation of the link 212. In addition, when the printer cover 210
has been rotated by the second predetermined angle .theta.2 from
the half-open state, namely, to the full-open state, an edge
portion (rotation restrictor) 210b provided at a lower end of the
printer cover 210 abuts on a center portion (rotation restrictor)
212e of the link 212 to restrict the rotation of the printer cover
210. As described above, the printer cover 210 is integrally
rotated with the link 212 in the range between the closed state
shown in FIG. 6 and the half-open state shown in FIG. 7. Then, the
printer cover 210 is solely rotated in the range between the
half-open state shown in FIG. 7 and the full-open state shown in
FIG. 8.
[0051] Note that the printer cover 210 is rotatably supported by
the link 212 not just in the range between the half-open state
shown in FIG. 7 and the full-open state shown in FIG. 8. The
printer cover 210 may-be rotated with respect to the link 212
within the range of the second predetermined angle 02. Therefore,
when the printer cover 210 is lifted from the closed state shown in
FIG. 6, the printer cover 210 would not be integrally rotated with
the link 212, and the printer cover 210 is solely rotated to the
second predetermined angle .theta.2. To avoid this, the torsion
coil spring 213 is provided.
[0052] FIG. 9 is an illustration showing the action of the torsion
coil spring 213. The torsion coil spring 213 is attached to apply a
biasing force in the opening direction of the printer cover 210.
The biasing force F is determined in relation to a weight W of the
printer cover 210 including the link 212. Specifically, a moment Mf
acting on the link 212 including the printer cover 210 caused by
the biasing force F of the torsion coil spring 213 is expressed by
a product of the biasing force F of the torsion coil spring 213 and
a distance Df from a central point C of the shaft 214a inserted to
the hole 212a at the one end of the link 212 to an engagement point
E at which the other end of the torsion coil spring 213 is engaged
with respect to the protruded portion 212c of the link 212, i.e.,
Mf=F.times.Df.
[0053] Meanwhile, a moment Mw acting on the link 212 including the
printer cover 210 caused by the weight W of the printer cover 210
including the link 212-is expressed by a product of the weight W of
the printer covert 210 including the link 212 and a distance Dw
from the central point C of the shaft 214a inserted to the hole
212a at the one end of the link 212 to the center of gravity G of
the printer cover 210 including the link 212, i.e.,
Mw=W.times.Dw.
[0054] Since the distance Df is constant, the above-expressed
moment Mf is also constant. However, since the distance Dw is
linearly varied in the range between the closed state and the
half-open state of the printer cover 210, the moment Mw is also
linearly varied. Therefore, The biasing force F of the torsion coil
spring 213 is determined so that the minimum moment Mw, namely, the
moment Mw when the printer cover 210 is in the half-open state, is
substantially equivalent with the inversely acting moment Mf.
[0055] Accordingly, when the user opens the printer cover 210, the
moment Mf in the opening direction is applied, and hence the user
can easily lift up and rotate the printer cover 210 with the link
212 until the protruded portion 212c of the link 212 abuts on the
wall 215a of the housing 101 and thus the rotation of the printer
cover 210 with the link 212 is restricted. When the printer cover
210 becomes the half-open state, even if the user releases his/her
hand from the printer cover 210, the printer cover 210 is
maintained in the half-open state since the moment Mf and the
moment Mw substantially equivalently act in the opening and closing
directions, respectively.
[0056] When the user pushes the printer cover 210 rearward, the
protruded portion 212c of the link 212 abuts on the wall 215a
provided at the housing 101 and thus the rotation of the link 212
is restricted. Accordingly, the printer cover 210 may be solely
moved rearward until the edge portion 210b abuts on the center
portion 212e of the link 212 and thus the rotation of the printer
cover 210 is restricted. When the printer cover 210 becomes the
full-open state, even if the user releases his/her hand from the
printer cover 210, the printer cover 210 is maintained in the
full-open state since the moment Mf and the moment Mw substantially
equivalently act in the opening direction, respectively.
[0057] On the other hand, when the user closes the printer cover
210, he/she pulls the printer cover 210 forward to be the half-open
state until the rib 210a of the printer cover 210 abuts on the
other end portion 212d of the link 212 and thus the rotation of the
printer cover 210 is restricted. Then, the printer cover 210 is
further pushed down. At this time, the printer cover 210 can be
easily closed since the moment Mw is applied in the closing
direction. When the printer cover 210 becomes the closed state,
even if the user releases his/her hand from the printer cover 210,
the printer cover 210 is maintained in the closed state since the
moment Mw, which is larger than the moment Mf, is applied in the
closing direction.
[0058] As described above, the cover opening and closing mechanism
211 according to the embodiment includes the link 212 having the
one end supported at the housing 101 side provided with the hole
212a and the shaft 214a, and the other end supported at the printer
cover 210 side provided with the hole 212b and the shaft 214b. When
the printer cover 210 is open, the printer cover 210 and the link
212 are integrally rotated about the hole 212a and the shaft 214a
by the first predetermined angle .theta.1, then the printer cover
210 is solely rotated about the hole 212b and the shaft 214b by the
second predetermined angle .theta.2, and the printer cover 210 is
maintained in the open state. On the other hand, when the printer
cover 210 is closed, the printer cover 210 is solely rotated about
the hole 212b and the shaft 214b by the second predetermined angle
.theta.2, then the printer cover 210 and the link 212 are
integrally rotated about the hole 212a and the shaft 214a by the
first predetermined angle .theta.1, and the printer cover 210 is
maintained in the closed state. Accordingly, since the printer
cover 210 is opened and closed by the link structure including the
elements 212, 212a, 214a, 212b and 214b, the printer cover 210 can
be widely opened without interfering with the housing 101 even if
the link structure including the elements 212, 212a, 214a, 212b and
214b decrease particularly in height. In addition, since the link
structure including the elements 212, 212a, 214a, 212b and 214b may
be downsized, those would not interfere with the main components in
the ink jet printer 100, so that the main components may be more
desirably arranged.
[0059] Further, since the link 212 includes the torsion coil spring
213 for biasing the link 212 including the printer cover 210 in the
opening direction by the moment Mf that is substantially equivalent
with the moment Mw caused by the weight W of the printer cover 210
including the link 212 when the link 212 is rotated about the hole
212a and the shaft 214a by the first predetermined angle .theta.1.
Accordingly, the printer cover 210 can be maintained in the opening
state at the first predetermined angle .theta.1, and also, even
when the user releases his/her hand from the printer cover 210 in
the middle of opening the printer cover 210 toward the first
predetermined angle .theta.1, the printer cover 210 may be closed
slowly.
[0060] Further, the link 212 includes the other end portion 212d
that restricts the rotation of the printer cover 210 when it is
rotated by the first predetermined angle .theta.1, and the
protruded portion 212c that restricts the rotation of the printer
cover 210 when it has been rotated by the first predetermined angle
.theta.1. Besides, the printer cover 210 includes the rib 210a that
restricts the sole rotation of the printer cover 210 when it is
rotated by the first predetermined angle .theta.1, and the edge
portion 210b that restricts the rotation of the printer cover 210
when it has been rotated by the second predetermined angle
.theta.2. Accordingly, the printer cover 210 can be always open at
accurate angles. Further, the link 212 is disposed in the housing
101, and hence, the holes 212a and 212b, and the shafts 214a and
214b are disposed to be invisible from the outside and not to
protrude from the housing 101. Accordingly, the entire ink jet
printer 100 can be designed compactly.
[0061] While the ink jet printer is described above as an example
of a recording device provided with the cover opening and closing
mechanism, the recording device may be a facsimile, a copier, or
the like, as long as it is provided with the cover opening and
closing mechanism. The cover opening and closing mechanism may not
be applied to the recording device, and may be applied to any kind
of electric apparatuses.
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