Patent Publication Number: US-2016243855-A1

Title: Printer

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is based on and claims priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-017067 filed on Jan. 31, 2014. The entire disclosure of the above-identified application, including the specification, drawings and claims is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a printer that prints on a medium. 
     BACKGROUND 
     As a printer that prints on a medium, an inkjet printer is known, for example (see Patent Literature (PTL 1), for example). A housing of the inkjet printer has a feed opening for feeding a medium to be printed on into the housing, and an output opening for outputting the printed medium to the outside of the housing. 
     The output opening is openably and closably provided with a cover. In an open state, the cover serves as an output tray for supporting, from below, the medium outputted from the output opening. 
     Right before executing printing, a user opens the cover manually and inserts a medium into the feed opening. When the printing is executed, the medium is fed into the housing through the feed opening, printed on inside the housing, and then outputted to the outside of the housing through the output opening. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-312286 
     Technical Problem 
     With the conventional printer described above, there is a possibility that a user forgets to open the cover right before executing printing. When the printing is executed with the cover closed, the printed medium that is not outputted from the housing gets jammed in the housing, that is, a paper jam occurs. 
     The present invention has been conceived to solve the problem described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printer capable of reducing the occurrence of a paper jam. 
     SUMMARY 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to achieve the above object, a printer according to one aspect of the present invention includes: an output part for outputting a medium; a carriage that reciprocates in a predetermined direction; a cover that is openably and closably disposed so as to cover the output part; and a movable part that brings the cover to an open state when the carriage comes in contact with a point of contact of the movable part and does work on the cover at a working point. 
     According to this aspect, the movable part brings the cover to an open state when the carriage comes in contact with a point of contact of the movable part and does work on the cover at a working point. When the cover is brought to the open state, the output part is exposed. For example, since the carriage moves from a standby position or the like right before printing is executed, it is possible to bring the cover automatically to the open state from the closed state by the movable part releasing the cover from being held in the closed state using the force of the movement of the carriage. As a result, the printed medium can be outputted to the outside of the housing through the output part, and the occurrence of a paper jam can be reduced 
     For instance, in the printer according to one aspect of the present invention, the movable part includes: a first pivoting part that pivots as a result of the contact; and a second pivoting part that pivots in conjunction with the pivoting of the first pivoting part, and releases the cover from a closed state and brings the cover to the open state as a result of the work. 
     According to this aspect, the second pivoting part pivots in conjunction with the pivoting of the first pivoting part, and brings the cover to the open state from the closed state as a result of the work. When the cover is brought to the open state, the output part is exposed. For example, since the carriage moves from a standby position or the like right before printing is executed, it is possible to bring the cover automatically to the open state from the closed state by the second pivoting part releasing the cover from being held in the closed state using the force of the movement of the carriage. As a result, the printed medium can be outputted to the outside of the housing through the output part, and the occurrence of a paper jam can be reduced. 
     For instance, in the printer according to one aspect of the present invention, the carriage may reciprocate in the predetermined direction within a predetermined moving range to print on the medium, and move beyond the predetermined moving range to come in contact with the first pivoting part before the medium is outputted from the output part. 
     According to this aspect, the carriage moves beyond the predetermined moving range to come in contact with the first pivoting part before the medium is outputted from the output part. With this, for example, right before printing is executed, it is possible to bring the cover automatically to the open state from the closed state. Moreover, when printing on the medium is executed, the carriage reciprocates in the predetermined direction within the predetermined moving range. With this, for instance, when the printing is being executed, it is possible to prevent the carriage from coming in contact with the first pivoting part. 
     For instance, in the printer according to one aspect of the present invention, the second pivoting part may include a hook that is engageable with the cover. 
     According to this aspect, since the second pivoting part includes the hook, it is possible to hold the cover in the closed state by engaging the hook with the cover. 
     For example, in the printer according to one aspect of the present invention, the hook may be disengaged from the cover to bring the cover to the open state from the closed state. 
     According to this aspect, the hook is disengaged from the cover to bring the cover to the open state from the closed state. With this, it is possible to easily release the cover from being held in the closed state by the second pivoting part. 
     For instance, in the printer according to one aspect of the present invention, the first pivoting part may be capable of pivoting between a first pivot position and a second pivot position, and pivot in a first direction from the first pivot position to the second pivot position when the carriage comes in contact with the first pivoting part, and the second pivoting part may be capable of pivoting between a third pivot position where the second pivoting part is engaged with the cover in the closed state and a fourth pivot position where the second cover is disengaged from the cover in the closed state, and pivot in a second direction from the third pivot position to the fourth pivot position in conjunction with the first pivoting part pivoting from the first pivot position to the second pivot position, the second direction being opposite the first direction. 
     According to this aspect, it is possible to cause the second pivoting part to be easily in conjunction with the first pivoting part pivoting. 
     For example, the printer according to one aspect of the present invention may further include a biasing member that biases the first pivoting part to the first pivot position. 
     According to this aspect, since the biasing member biases the first pivoting part to the first pivot position, the first pivoting part and the second pivoting part return to the first pivot position and the third pivot position, respectively, after the cover is released from being held in the closed state. With this, for instance, when a user manually closes the cover after execution of printing is completed, the second pivoting part is engaged with the cover to hold the cover in the closed state again. 
     For example, in the printer according to one aspect of the present invention, the first pivoting part and the second pivoting part may have an overlap region in which the first pivoting part and the second pivoting part partly overlap with each other, and in the overlap region, one of the first pivoting part and the second pivoting part may have a projecting portion, and the other of the first pivoting part and the second pivoting part may have an opening that is substantially rectangular-shaped and into which the projecting portion is movably inserted. 
     According to this aspect, in the overlap region, the projecting portion provided to one of the first pivoting part and the second pivoting part is movably inserted into the opening provided to the other one of the first pivoting part and the second pivoting part. With this, it is possible to cause the second pivoting part to be easily in conjunction with the first pivoting part pivoting. 
     For instance, in the printer according to one aspect of the present invention, a portion of the first pivoting part that comes in contact with the carriage may be disposed inside of a pivot center of the first pivoting part in the predetermined direction. 
     According to this aspect, the portion of the first pivoting part that comes in contact with the carriage is disposed inside of the pivot center of the first pivoting part in the predetermined direction. With this, the carriage can be brought in contact with the first pivoting part without having to move in the predetermined direction beyond the pivot center of the first pivoting part. As a result, it is possible to reduce a moving range of the carriage in the predetermined direction, and miniaturize the housing in the predetermined direction. 
     For example, in the printer according to one aspect of the present invention, when the hook is disengaged from the cover, the cover may be brought to the open state from the closed state due to weight of the cover. 
     According to this aspect, when the hook is disengaged from the cover, the cover is brought to the open state from the closed state due to the weight of the cover; thus, it is possible to simplify a structure for automatically bringing the cover to the open state from the closed state. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     In the printer according to an aspect of the present invention, the occurrence of a paper jam can be reduced. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings that illustrate a specific embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of a printer according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of a printer according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating the internal structure of a printer when a cover is in a closed state. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged holding mechanism that has held a cover in a closed state. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating an enlarged holding mechanism that has held a cover in a closed state. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating the internal structure of a printer when a cover is in an open state. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged holding mechanism that has released a cover from being held in a closed state. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT 
     Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying Drawings. Note that the exemplary embodiments described below show specific examples of the present invention. The numerical values, shapes, materials, structural elements, the arrangement and connection of the structural elements, steps, and the processing order of steps, etc. shown in the following exemplary embodiment are mere examples, and therefore do not limit the present invention, the scope of which is defined in the appended Claims. Therefore, among the structural elements in the following exemplary embodiment, structural elements not recited in any one of the independent claims are described as preferred structural elements, and are not absolutely necessary to overcome the problem according to the present invention. 
     Embodiment 
     External Structure of Printer 
     First, the external structure of a printer  2  according to Embodiment will be described with reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  each are a perspective view illustrating the external appearance of a printer according to Embodiment. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the printer  2  is, for example, an inkjet printer which prints by discharging ink onto a medium  4 . The medium  4  is plain paper, photo paper, or a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) having a printable label, for instance. 
     The printer  2  includes a housing  6 . The housing  6  has, at an upper end of a rear surface  6   a  thereof, a feed opening  8  for feeding the medium  4  to be printed on into the housing  6 . The medium  4  is inserted into the feed opening  8  from above. A feed tray  10  for supporting, from behind, the medium  4  inserted to the feed opening  8  is further fixed to the upper end of the rear surface  6   a  of the housing  6 . The feed tray  10  extends obliquely upward from the feed opening  8 . 
     The housing  6  has, in a front surface  6   b,  an output opening  12  (output part) that is substantially rectangular-shaped and for outputting to the outside of the housing  6  the medium  4  that has been printed on. The output opening  12  is openably and closably provided with a cover  14  that is substantially rectangular-shaped. The cover  14  is capable of pivoting between a pivot position (refer to  FIG. 2 ) in an open state where the output opening  12  is exposed and a pivot position (refer to  FIG. 1 ) in a closed state where the output opening  12  is closed, on a pivot shaft  16  provided to a lower end of the output opening  12  and extending in a substantially horizontal direction (X-axis direction). As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , in the closed state, the cover  14  extends slightly aslope with respect to the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). It is to be noted that the center of gravity of the cover  14  in the closed state is located further outside of the housing  6  than the pivot shaft  16  is. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , in the open state, the cover  14  extends from the lower end of the output opening  12  in a substantially horizontal direction (Y-axis direction), and serves as an output tray for supporting, from below, the medium  4  outputted from the output opening  12 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a tab  18  (to be described later) is provided to an end  14   a  on the back surface of the cover  14  in the X-axis direction. 
     The housing  6  includes, in a top surface  6   c,  a control panel  19  for operating the printer  2  (for example, powering ON and OFF or starting printing). 
     Internal Structure of Printer 
     Next, the internal structure of the printer  2  described above will be described with reference to  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating the internal structure of a printer when a cover is in a closed state. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the housing  6  contains a frame  20 . The frame  20  supports a guide shaft  22 . The guide shaft  22  extends in a direction (X-axis direction) substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the medium  4  is transported (direction indicated by arrow P in  FIG. 3 ). The guide shaft  22  supports a carriage  24  that is movable. 
     The carriage  24  is loaded with ink cartridges  26  that are replaceable. The ink cartridges  26  are each filled with a corresponding one of color inks such as black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. The carriage  24  further includes a recording head (not shown). The recording head includes nozzles (not shown) for discharging ink supplied from the ink cartridges  26 . 
     The frame  20  described above further supports a motor  28  such as a servomotor. The driving force of the motor  28  is transmitted to the carriage  24  through a timing belt (not shown). With the driving force of the motor  28 , the carriage  24  reciprocates along the guide shaft  22  in the X-axis direction (corresponding to predetermined direction). 
     It is to be noted that as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , right before printing is executed (i.e., before printing on the medium  4  is executed), the carriage  24  moves in the X-axis direction from a standby position (position shown in  FIG. 3 ) within a first moving range R 1 . Here, when moving to a position opposite the standby position, the carriage  24  transmits force to a first pivoting part  32  (to be described later) by coming in contact with a first end  32   a  of the first pivoting part  32 . Moreover, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , when the printing is executed (i.e., while the printing on the medium  4  is being executed), the carriage  24  reciprocates in the X-axis direction within a second moving range R 2  (corresponding to predetermined moving range) smaller than the first moving range R 1 . Here, when moving to a position opposite the standby position, the carriage  24  does not come in contact with the first end  32   a  of the first pivoting part  32 . 
     The housing  6  further contains a transport mechanism (not shown). The transport mechanism is for transporting the medium  4  fed into the housing  6  through the feed opening  8 , toward the output opening  12  in a direction indicated by the arrow P in  FIG. 3 . 
     In a state where the medium  4  is being transported by the transport mechanism, while the carriage  24  reciprocates in a direction substantially orthogonal to a direction in which the medium  4  is transported, ink is discharged from the nozzles of the recording head onto the medium  4 , resulting in an image being printed on the medium  4 . 
     (Configuration of and Operation by Holding Mechanism) 
     Next, a holding mechanism  30 , the characteristic configuration of the printer  2  according to Embodiment, will be described with reference to aforementioned  FIG. 3  as well as  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged holding mechanism that has held a cover in a closed state.  FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating an enlarged holding mechanism that has held a cover in a closed state.  FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating the internal structure of a printer when a cover is in an open state.  FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating an enlarged holding mechanism that has released a cover from being held in a closed state. 
     First, the configuration of the holding mechanism  30  will be described. The holding mechanism  30  is a movable part for holding the cover  14  described above in a closed state. As illustrated in  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 5 , the holding mechanism  30  includes the first pivoting part  32  and a second pivoting part  34 . 
     The first pivoting part  32  is substantially V-shaped. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the first pivoting part  32  is pivotally supported by an upper end of a first post  36  that is column-shaped and fixed to an internal bottom surface  6   d  of the housing  6 . With this, the first pivoting part  32  is capable of pivoting between a first pivot position (refer to  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 5 ) and a second pivot position (refer to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ), on a pivot shaft C 1  (corresponding to pivot center) extending in the Z-axis direction. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the first end  32   a  of the first pivoting part  32  is disposed within the first moving range R 1  and outside of the second moving range R 2 . A second end  32   b  of the first pivoting part  32  has a projecting portion  38  that projects upward. 
     It is to be noted that as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the first end  32   a  (point of contact with the carriage  24 ) of the first pivoting part  32  is disposed inside of the pivot shaft C 1  (at a position closer to the carriage  24 ) in the X-axis direction. With this, the carriage  24  can be brought in contact with the first end  32   a  of the first pivoting part  32  without having to move in the X-axis direction beyond the pivot shaft C 1  of the first pivoting part  32 . As a result, it is possible to reduce a moving range of the carriage  24  in the X-axis direction, and miniaturize the housing  6  in the X-axis direction. 
     It is to be noted that the first pivoting part  32  is biased to the first pivot position by a coil spring  40  (corresponding to biasing member). The coil spring  40  has ends connected to an internal surface  6   e  of the housing  6  and the second end  32   b  of the first pivoting part  32 , respectively. 
     The second pivoting part  34  is substantially V-shaped. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the second pivoting part  34  is pivotally supported by an upper end of a second post  42  that is column-shaped and fixed to the internal bottom surface  6   d  of the housing  6 . With this, the second pivoting part  34  is capable of pivoting between a third pivot position (refer to  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 5 ) and a fourth pivot position (refer to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 ), on a pivot shaft C 2  extending in the Z-axis direction. The second pivoting part  34  is disposed above the first pivoting part  32  in the Z-axis direction. In other words, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the second end  32   b  of the first pivoting part  32  and a first end  34   a  of the second pivoting part  34  partly overlap with each other in the Z-axis direction in an overlap region  43 . The first end  34   a  of the second pivoting part  34  has an opening  44  that is substantially rectangular-shaped. In the overlap region  43 , the projecting portion  38  of the first pivoting part  32  is movably inserted into the opening  44  from below. A second end  34   b  (working point at which work is done on the cover  14 ) of the second pivoting part  34  has a hook  46 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 5 , when the second pivoting part  34  is in the third pivot position, the hook  46  is engageable with the tab  18  of the cover  14  in the closed state. 
     As described above, since the projecting portion  38  of the first pivoting part  32  is movably inserted in the opening  44 , the second pivoting part  34  pivots in conjunction with the first pivoting part  32  pivoting. Specifically, as shown by arrows in  FIG. 7 , the second pivoting part  34  pivots, in conjunction with the first pivoting part  32  pivoting in a first direction (counterclockwise in  FIG. 7 ) from the first pivot position to the second pivot position, in a second direction (clockwise in  FIG. 7 ) opposite the first direction from the third pivot position to the fourth pivot position. Moreover, as shown by arrows in  FIG. 4 , the second pivoting part  34  pivots, in conjunction with the first pivoting part  32  pivoting in the second direction (clockwise in  FIG. 4 ) from the second pivot position to the first pivot position, in the first direction (counterclockwise in  FIG. 4 ) from the fourth pivot position to the third pivot position. 
     Next, the operation by the holding mechanism  30  will be described. As illustrated in  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 5 , before printing is executed, the holding mechanism  30  holds the cover  14  in the closed state. Specifically, since the first pivoting part  32  is biased to the first pivot position by the coil spring  40 , the first pivoting part  32  and the second pivoting part  34  are in the first pivot position and the third pivot position, respectively. With this, the hook  46  of the second pivoting part  34  is engaged with the tab  18  of the cover  14  in the closed state; the cover is held in the closed state. 
     For instance, a user operates the control panel  19  to start execution of printing. As described above, right before the printing is executed, the carriage  24  moves in the X-axis direction from the standby position within the first moving range R 1  (moves beyond the predetermined moving range). As illustrated in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , when moving to a position opposite the standby position, the carriage  24  comes in contact with the first end  32   a  of the first pivoting part  32  and pushes the first end  32   a  in the X-axis direction. With this, the force of the movement of the carriage  24  is transmitted to the first pivoting part  32 , and the first pivoting part  32  pivots in the first direction from the first pivot position to the second pivot position. The second pivoting part  34  pivots in the second direction from the third pivot position to the fourth pivot position in conjunction with the first pivoting part  32  pivoting. With this, the hook  46  of the second pivoting part  34  is disengaged from the tab  18  of the cover  14 , and the cover  14  is released from being held in the closed state. As a result, the cover  14  automatically is brought to the open state from the closed state due to its own weight, and the output opening  12  is exposed. 
     Subsequently, when the printing is executed, the carriage  24  reciprocates in the X-axis direction within the second moving range R 2 . Here, the first pivoting part  32  pivots in the second direction from the second pivot position to the first pivot position due to biasing force of the coil spring  40 . The second pivoting part  34  pivots in the first direction from the fourth pivot position to the third pivot position in conjunction with the first pivoting part  32  pivoting. It is to be noted that when reciprocating in the X-axis direction within the second moving range R 2 , the carriage  24  neither comes in contact with the first end  32   a  of the first pivoting part  32  nor transmits the force to the first pivoting part  32 . With this, the first pivoting part  32  and the second pivoting part  34  are held in the first pivot position and the third pivot position, respectively. The printed medium  4  is outputted to the outside of the housing  6  through the output opening  12 . 
     It is to be noted that when the user manually closes the cover  14  after the execution of the printing is completed, the hook  46  of the second pivoting part  34  is engaged with the tab  18  of the cover  14  in the closed state. With this, the cover  14  is held in the closed state again. 
     Advantageous Effect 
     Next, the advantageous effects of the printer  2  according to Embodiment will be described. As described above, since, right before the printing is executed, the force of the movement of the carriage  24  is transmitted to the second pivoting part  34  through the first pivoting part  32 , the second pivoting part  34  releases the cover  14  from being held in the closed state. With this, the cover  14  is automatically brought to the open state from the closed state due to its own weight, and the output opening  12  is exposed. For example, since the carriage  24  moves from the standby position right before the printing is executed, it is possible to bring the cover  14  automatically to the open state from the closed state by releasing the cover  14  from being held in the closed state using the force of the movement of the carriage  24 . As a result, the printed medium  4  can be outputted to the outside of the housing  6  through the output opening  12 , and the occurrence of a paper jam can be reduced. 
     Modifications 
     Although the printer  2  according to Embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to Embodiment. 
     In Embodiment, the one end of the coil spring  40  is connected to the first pivoting part  32 , but the one end may be connected to the second pivoting part  34 . In this case also, the coil spring  40  biases the first pivoting part  32  to the first pivot position. 
     In Embodiment, when the holding mechanism  30  releases the cover  14  from being held in the closed state, the cover  14  automatically opens due to its own weight. The present invention, however, is not limited to this. For instance, the cover  14  may automatically open due to biasing force of a spring or the like (not shown). 
     In Embodiment, the hook  46  of the second pivoting part  34  is engaged with the tab  18  of the cover  14 , but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, each of the second end  34   b  of the second pivoting part  34  and the end  14   a  of the cover  14  in the X-axis direction may be provided with a magnet (not shown). These magnets are in contact with each other when the cover  14  is in the closed state, and thus the cover  14  is held in the closed state due to the attraction of the magnets. 
     In Embodiment, the first pivoting part  32  and the second pivoting part  34  have the projecting portion  38  and the opening  44  in the overlap region  43 , respectively. Contrary to this, however, the first pivoting part  32  and the second pivoting part  34  may have the opening  44  and the projecting portion  38 , respectively. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The printer according to an aspect of the present invention is applicable as, for example, an inkjet printer that prints by discharging ink onto a medium.