JP7548270B2 - Feeding device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a supply device that has a tank that can be replenished with liquid through a supply port.

Printers are known that have multiple tanks that can be refilled with ink, and a recording head that ejects ink supplied from the tanks from nozzles to record images on paper (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When the ink in the tanks is consumed, the user can refill the tanks with ink stored in a bottle through a supply port provided on the tanks.

JP 2012-51306 A

The tank is positioned relative to the housing of the printer and is connected to a connector having an ink flow path to, for example, a print head, so that ink is supplied from the tank to the print head.
If the tank and the connecting portion are not accurately positioned relative to the housing, a gap may be formed between the tank and the connecting portion, and ink may leak from the gap.

On the other hand, in the printer disclosed in Patent Document 1, each tank is configured with a film attached to only one of a pair of surfaces. However, if each tank is configured with a film attached to both of the pair of surfaces, there is a risk that the films of adjacent tanks will come into contact with each other and be damaged. Therefore, it is desirable to ensure a gap between adjacent tanks that is large enough that the films will not come into contact with each other even if the printer is subjected to an impact during transportation or being dropped.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a supply device that can accurately position the tank relative to the connecting part and support it on the housing.

(1) The supply device according to the present invention includes a tank having a liquid storage chamber partitioned by a pair of first surfaces facing each other in a first direction along a horizontal direction, a second surface connecting the pair of first surfaces, and a third surface perpendicular to the first direction and spaced from the second surfaces in a second direction along the horizontal direction, a supply port for supplying liquid to the liquid storage chamber, and a liquid supply unit having a liquid flow path extending from the liquid storage chamber in the second direction, a holding member for holding a part of the tank from one side of the second direction, a connecting member having a connecting part connecting the tank to the liquid supply unit from the other side of the second direction to circulate liquid, and a housing supporting at least one of the holding member and the connecting member. The second surface and the third surface are formed by a tank body. At least a part of each of the pair of first surfaces is formed by a film attached to the tank body. The holding member has an abutment portion that abuts against the tank body from one side in the second direction, and a first engagement portion that engages with the tank body so that the tank can move in the first direction.

When the liquid supply part of the tank and the connecting part of the connecting member are connected, the abutment part of the holding member abuts against the tank body from one side in the second direction, preventing the tank from moving in one direction in the second direction and disconnecting the liquid supply part from the connecting part. In addition, when the tank body and the first engaging part of the holding member are engaged, the tank can move in the first direction, so the tank is positioned in the first direction based on the connecting position between the liquid supply part and the connecting part.

(2) Preferably, the connecting member has a plurality of connecting portions that respectively connect the plurality of tanks to each liquid supply portion when the plurality of tanks are lined up along the first direction, and the holding member has a plurality of first engaging portions that engage the plurality of tanks lined up along the first direction with gaps between them in the first direction.

Each tank connected to each connection part engages with the first engagement part, preventing the films of each tank from coming into contact with each other.

(3) Preferably, the connecting member has a second engagement portion that engages with the tank body so that the tank can move in the first direction.

By engaging the tank with the second engagement portion, contact between the films on the tank is further prevented.

(4) Preferably, the holding member accommodates a portion of the tank body so that the tank can move in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

According to the above configuration, the tank is positioned in the third direction based on the connection position between the liquid supply unit and the connection unit.

(5) Preferably, the housing supports the holding member and the connecting member.

(6) Preferably, the connecting portion has a tube that is inserted into the liquid flow path.

(7) Preferably, the holding member has an opening that exposes a portion of the tank body in the second direction.

With the above configuration, when the holding member covers a portion of the tank body, the portion of the tank body made of a translucent material can be seen through the opening. This makes it possible to see the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber.

(8) Preferably, a portion of the tank body exposed by the opening of the holding member is provided with a first mark at a position corresponding to the liquid level when the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber is a first amount, and a second mark at a position corresponding to the liquid level when the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber is a second amount less than the first amount.

According to the present invention, the tank can be accurately positioned relative to the connection part and supported by the housing.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of a multifunction device 10, in which (A) shows a state in which a cover 70 is in a closed position, and (B) shows a state in which the cover 70 is in an open position. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a schematic internal structure of the printer unit 11. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the carriage 23 and the tank set 99. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the ink tank 100, and FIG. 4B is a rear perspective view of the ink tank 100. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of the ink tank 100B, and FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view of the ink tank 100B. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the tank set 99. 7A is a top perspective view of the holding member 120, and FIG. 7B is a bottom perspective view of the holding member 120. FIG. FIG. 8 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the housing 14 and the holding member 120. As shown in FIG. 9A is a front perspective view of the connecting member 200, and FIG. 9B is a rear perspective view of the connecting member 200. FIG. FIG. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the connecting member 200. FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state before the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M held by the holding member 120 are attached to the connecting member 200. As shown in FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state when the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M held by the holding member 120 are assembled to the connecting member 200. As shown in FIG. FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the state in which the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M held by the holding member 120 are assembled to the connecting member 200. As shown in FIG.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention. Note that the embodiment described below is merely one example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention. In the following description, the direction is expressed as the progress from the starting point of the arrow to the end point, and the movement on the line connecting the starting point and the end point of the arrow. In other words, the direction is one component of the direction. Furthermore, the up-down direction 7 is defined based on the attitude in which the multifunction device 10 and the ink tank 100 installed in the multifunction device 10 are installed on a horizontal surface so that they can be used (the attitude in FIG. 1, which may be referred to as the "use attitude"). The front-rear direction 8 (an example of the second direction) is defined with the surface in which the opening 13 of the multifunction device 10 is provided as the front, and the left-right direction 9 (an example of the first direction) is defined when the multifunction device 10 is viewed from the front. In this embodiment, in the use attitude, the up-down direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 correspond to the horizontal direction.

[Overall configuration of multifunction device 10]
As shown in Fig. 1, the multifunction device 10 (an example of a supply device) is generally rectangular. The multifunction device 10 has a printer unit 11 at the bottom, which records an image on paper 12 (see Fig. 2) by inkjet recording. The printer unit 11 has a housing 14 with an opening 13 formed in a front wall 14A. As shown in Fig. 2, the housing 14 is provided with a feed unit 15, a feed tray 20, a discharge tray 21, a transport roller unit 54, a recording unit 24, a discharge roller unit 55, a platen 42, a tank set 99, a holding member 120 (see Fig. 1), and a connecting member 200 (see Fig. 6). The multifunction device 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function.

[Feed tray 20, discharge tray 21]
As shown in Fig. 1, the feed tray 20 is inserted into and removed from the multifunction device 10 by a user in the front-rear direction 8 through an opening 13. The opening 13 is located on the front side of the multifunction device 10 and at the center in the left-right direction 9. As shown in Fig. 2, the feed tray 20 is capable of supporting a plurality of stacked sheets of paper 12. The discharge tray 21 is disposed above the feed tray 20, and is capable of extending and retracting independently of the feed tray 20, regardless of whether the feed tray 20 is inserted or removed. The discharge tray 21 supports the sheets of paper 12 discharged from between the recording unit 24 and the platen 42 by the discharge roller unit 55.

[Feeding section 15]
The feeding unit 15 feeds the paper 12 supported by the feeding tray 20 to the transport path 65. As shown in FIG. 2, the feeding unit 15 includes a feeding roller 25, a feeding arm 26, and a shaft 27. The feeding roller 25 is rotatably supported at the tip of the feeding arm 26. The feeding roller 25 rotates in a direction to transport the paper 12 in the transport direction 16 by reverse rotation of a transport motor (not shown). Hereinafter, the rotation of the feeding roller 25, the transport roller 60, and the discharge roller 62 in a direction to transport the paper 12 in the transport direction 16 is referred to as "forward rotation". The feeding arm 26 is rotatably supported by the shaft 27 supported by the frame of the printer unit 11. The feeding arm 26 is urged to rotate toward the feeding tray 20 by its own weight or by elastic force of a spring or the like.

[Transport path 65]
2, the transport path 65 refers to a space formed by the outer guide member 18 and the inner guide member 19, which face each other at a predetermined interval inside the printer unit 11. The transport path 65 is a path that extends rearward from the rear end of the feed tray 20. The transport path 65 extends upward at the rear of the printer unit 11, makes a U-turn forward, and reaches the discharge tray 21 through the space between the recording unit 24 and the platen 42. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transport path 65 between the transport roller unit 54 and the discharge roller unit 55 is provided in the approximate center of the multifunction device 10 in the left-right direction 9, and extends in the front-rear direction 8. The transport direction 16 of the paper 12 in the transport path 65 is indicated by a dashed arrow in FIG. 2.

[Transport roller unit 54]
2, the transport roller unit 54 is disposed upstream of the recording unit 24 in the transport direction 16. The transport roller unit 54 has a transport roller 60 and a pinch roller 61 that face each other. The transport roller 60 is driven by a transport motor. The pinch roller 61 rotates with the rotation of the transport roller 60. The paper 12 is sandwiched between the transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 that rotate forward due to the forward rotation of the transport motor, and is transported in the transport direction 16.

[Discharge roller unit 55]
2, the discharge roller unit 55 is disposed downstream of the recording unit 24 in the transport direction 16. The discharge roller unit 55 has a discharge roller 62 and a spur 63 that face each other. The discharge roller 62 is driven by a transport motor. The spur 63 rotates with the rotation of the discharge roller 62. The paper 12 is sandwiched between the discharge roller 62 and the spur 63, which rotate forward due to the forward rotation of the transport motor, and is transported in the transport direction 16.

[Recording unit 24]
2, the recording unit 24 is disposed between the transport roller unit 54 and the discharge roller unit 55 in the transport direction 16. The recording unit 24 is disposed opposite the platen 42 in the up-down direction 7 with the transport path 65 interposed therebetween. The recording unit 24 includes a carriage 23 and a recording head 39.

As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 23 is supported by guide rails 43, 44 that extend in the left-right direction 9 at positions spaced apart in the front-rear direction 8. The guide rails 43, 44 are supported by the frame of the printer unit 11. The carriage 23 is connected to a known belt mechanism provided on the guide rail 44. The belt mechanism is driven by a carriage motor (not shown). The carriage 23 connected to the belt mechanism moves back and forth in the left-right direction 9 by being driven by the carriage motor. The range of movement of the carriage 23 extends to the right and left of the transport path 65, as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 3.

An ink tube 32 and a flexible flat cable 33 extend from the carriage 23.

The ink tube 32 connects the tank set 99 and the recording head 39 .
The ink tube 32 supplies ink (an example of liquid) stored in four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M (which may be collectively referred to as "ink tanks 100") constituting the tank set 99 to the recording head 39. The ink tank 100 is an example of a tank. In detail, four ink tubes 32B, 32Y, 32C, and 32M (which may be collectively referred to as "ink tubes 32") through which ink of each color (black, magenta, cyan, and yellow) flows extend from the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M, respectively, and are connected to the carriage 23 in a bundled state.

The flexible flat cable 33 electrically connects the control board on which the control unit (not shown) is mounted and the recording head 39. The flexible flat cable 33 transmits control signals output from the control unit to the recording head 39.

As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 23 carries a recording head 39. A number of nozzles 40 are arranged on the underside of the recording head 39. The tips of the nozzles 40 are exposed from the underside of the recording head 39. The recording head 39 ejects ink as tiny ink droplets from the nozzles 40. As the carriage 23 moves, the recording head 39 ejects ink droplets toward the paper 12 supported by the platen 42. This causes an image to be recorded on the paper 12. This also consumes the ink stored in the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M.

[Platen 42]
2 and 3, the platen 42 is disposed between the transport roller unit 54 and the discharge roller unit 55 in the transport direction 16. The platen 42 is disposed opposite the recording unit 24 in the up-down direction 7, with the transport path 65 in between. The platen 42 supports the paper 12 transported by the transport roller unit 54 from below.

[Cover 70]
As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 22 is formed in the right portion of the front wall 14A of the housing 14.
A cover 70 is attached to the housing 14 so as to cover the opening 22. The cover 70 is rotatable between a closing position (position shown in FIG. 1A) in which the opening 22 is closed and an opening position (position shown in FIG. 1B) in which the opening 22 is opened.

A pair of protrusions (not shown) are formed in the housing 14 near the lower end of the opening 22 .
The pair of protrusions face each other in the left-right direction 9. The right protrusion of the pair of protrusions protrudes leftward toward the left protrusion. The left protrusion of the pair of protrusions protrudes rightward toward the right protrusion. The pair of protrusions of housing 14 are inserted into holes formed in cover 70, so that cover 70 is supported by housing 14 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis 70A extending in the left-right direction 9 near the lower end of housing 14.

An opening 97 is formed in the cover 70. When the cover 70 is in the closed position, a portion of each of the ink tank 100 and the holding member 120 can be seen from the outside through the opening 97.

[Tank Set 99]
The tank set 99 stores ink to be supplied to the recording head 39. As shown in FIG.

Each ink tank 100 stores a different color of ink. Specifically, ink tank 100B stores black ink, ink tank 100Y stores yellow ink, ink tank 100C stores cyan ink, and ink tank 100M stores magenta ink. However, the number of ink tanks 100 and the colors of ink are not limited to the above example. The configuration of each ink tank 100 will be described later.

The holding member 120 and the connecting member 200 hold the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M in a line aligned in the left-right direction 9. The configurations of the holding member 120 and the connecting member 200 will be described later.

The four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are arranged in a line along the left-right direction 9. Of the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M, the ink tank 100B is arranged at the far right, and the ink tank 100M is arranged at the far left. The arrangement positions of the ink tanks 100 are not limited to the above. The ink tank 100B is larger in size, particularly in width in the left-right direction 9, than the other ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M. The size relationship of the ink tanks 100 is not limited to the above. The ink tank 100B has a larger allowable ink storage volume than the other ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M. The size relationship of the ink tanks 100 is not limited to the above.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tank set 99 is placed inside the housing 14, at the right front part of the housing 14. In other words, the tank set 99 is fixed to the multifunction device 10 so that it cannot be easily removed from the multifunction device 10. Note that "cannot be easily removed" means, for example, that a user cannot easily remove the tank set 99 from the housing 14 of the multifunction device 10 in a normal state of use, and does not include cases where a skilled repairman removes the tank set 99 from the housing 14 of the multifunction device 10 for repair. Therefore, it is sufficient that a user cannot easily remove the tank set 99 from the housing 14 of the multifunction device 10 in a normal state of use.

[Ink tank 100]
The structure of the ink tank 100 will be described in detail below. Since the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M have the same structure, in the following, one of the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M will be referred to as the ink tank 100, and its structure will be described. Since the structure of the ink tank 100B is similar to the structures of the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M, the structure of the ink tank 100B will be described first, followed by a description of the structures of the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M, in which the structure differs from that of the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M. In this case, even if the shapes of the ink tank 100B and the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M are somewhat different, the same reference numerals are used for the structures having the same functions. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the multifunction device 10 and the ink tank 100 placed on the multifunction device 10 are in the use position.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ink tank 100 is composed of a housing 140 that forms the outer shape of the ink tank. The housing 140 includes a tank body 141 and two films 142 and 143.

The tank body 141 has a flattened rectangular shape with a short dimension along the left-right direction 9 and longer dimensions along the up-down direction 7 and the front-to-rear direction 8 than the dimension along the left-right direction 9. In addition, the dimension along the front-to-rear direction 8 is longer than the dimension along the up-to-down direction 7.

The tank body 141 is formed of a resin having a degree of translucency such that the ink in the ink chamber 111 can be seen from outside the ink tank 100. The tank body 141 is formed of, for example, polypropylene. The tank body 141 is integrally molded, for example, by injection molding a resin material. The rigidity of the tank body 141 is higher than the rigidity of the films 142 and 143.

The tank body 141 may be made of a material other than resin. The tank body 141 may also be made of a combination of multiple components.

The tank body 141 includes a front wall 101, a left wall 103, an upper wall 104, a lower wall 105, a rear wall 110, and an inner wall 107.

The front wall 101 is composed of a standing wall 102 and an inclined wall 106. The standing wall 102 extends in the up-down direction 7 and the left-right direction 9. The inclined wall 106 is a wall that connects the upper end of the standing wall 102 and the front end of the upper wall 104. The inclined wall 106 is inclined with respect to the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8.

The front surface 102A of the vertical wall 102 and the front surface 106A of the inclined wall 106 of each ink tank 100, i.e., the front surface (an example of the second surface) of the tank body 141 of each ink tank 100, are exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10 through the opening 97 of the cover 70 and the opening 22 of the housing 14. That is, the front surface of the tank body 141 of each ink tank 100 faces the outside of the housing 14. That is, each ink tank 100 is disposed in the housing 14 so that the front surface of the tank body 141 of each ink tank 100 is accessible from the outside of the housing 14 through the opening 22 and the opening 97. With this configuration, the front surface of the tank body 141 of each ink tank 100 is visible from the front of the multifunction device 10, and the user can check the remaining amount of ink stored in each ink tank 100.

The left wall 103 is a wall that extends rearward from the left end of the front wall 101. The upper end of the left wall 103 is connected to the front part of the upper wall 104. The lower end of the left wall 103 is connected to the front part of the lower wall 105. In other words, the left wall 103 is a wall that connects the left end of the front wall 101, the front left end of the upper wall 104, and the front left end of the lower wall 105. In other words, the left wall 103 is provided only in the front part of the tank body 141, and not in the rear part of the tank body 141.

The upper wall 104 extends rearward from the upper end of the front wall 101 (the rear end of the inclined wall 106). The front part of the upper wall 104 is connected to the upper end of the left wall 103.

The lower wall 105 is a wall that extends rearward from the lower end of the front wall 101. The lower wall 105 is formed downward and spaced apart from the upper wall 104. As described above, the front part of the lower wall 105 is connected to the lower end of the left wall 103.

Multiple inner walls 107 are arranged in a space surrounded by the front wall 101, the left wall 103, the upper wall 104, the lower wall 105, and the rear wall 110.

As shown in FIG. 4(A), the right side of the tank body 141 is open. The right side of the tank body 141 is sealed by welding a film 142 to the right sides of the front wall 101, the lower wall 105, the rear wall 110, the upper wall 104, and the inner wall 107.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the rear of the left side of the tank body 141 is open. The left side of the tank body 141 is sealed by welding a film 143 to the left sides of the lower wall 105, the rear wall 110, the upper wall 104, and the inner wall 107.

The front surface of the tank body 141 (front surface 102A of the vertical wall 102 and front surface 106A of the inclined wall 106) is connected by the front end of the right surface of the tank body 141 and the front end of the left surface of the tank body 141. The rear surface of the tank body 141 (rear surface 110A of the rear wall 110) is connected by the rear end of the right surface of the tank body 141 and the rear end of the left surface of the tank body 141. The rear surface 110A of the tank body 141 is separated from the front surface 102A in the front-rear direction 8. The rear surface 110A is an example of a third surface. The right surface of the tank body 141 and the left surface of the tank body 141 face each other in the left-right direction 9. The right surface and the left surface of the tank body 141 are an example of a pair of first surfaces.

As shown in FIG. 4(A), the front surface 102A of the standing wall 102 of the front wall 101 has a first line 146 (an example of a first mark) and a second line 147 (an example of a second mark).

The first line 146 extends in the left-right direction 9. The position of the first line 146 in the up-down direction 7 is at the same height as the liquid level of the ink when the maximum amount of ink that can be stored (an example of the first amount) is stored in the ink chamber 111 when the multifunction device 10 is in the usage position. In other words, the first line 146 is provided at a position that corresponds to the liquid level when the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is at its maximum amount. Note that the position of the first line 146 in the up-down direction 7 is not limited to being at the same height as the liquid level of the ink when the maximum amount of ink is stored in the ink chamber 111.

The second line 147 extends in the left-right direction 9. The second line 147 is located below the first line 146. In detail, the position of the second line 147 in the up-down direction 7 is the same height as the liquid level of the ink when the ink chamber 111 is filled with an amount of ink less than the maximum amount when the multifunction device 10 is in the usage position. In this embodiment, the position of the second line 147 in the up-down direction 7 is the same height as the liquid level of the ink when the ink chamber 111 is filled with a minimum amount of ink (an example of the second amount) that requires ink replenishment when the ink tank 100 is in the usage position. In other words, the second line 147 is provided at a position corresponding to the liquid level when the ink chamber 111 is filled with the minimum amount of ink.

As shown in FIG. 4, a convex portion 108 is formed on the upper wall 104. The convex portion 108 is composed of a plate portion 121 and a rib 122. The plate portion 121 has an inclined surface 123 that slopes upward toward the rear. The rib 122 is arranged to connect the plate portion 121 and the upper wall 104. The rib 122 is formed forward and rearward of the plate portion 121. The rib 122 extends along the front-rear direction 8. The rib 122 is shorter in the left-right direction 9 than the plate portion 121. With this configuration, the convex portion 108 bends downward when a force in at least one of the rearward and downward directions acts on the inclined surface 123.

A protrusion 109 is formed on the bottom wall 105. The protrusion 109 is composed of a plate portion 124 and a rib 125. The plate portion 124 has an inclined surface 126 that slopes downward toward the rear. The rib 125 is disposed so as to connect the plate portion 124 and the bottom wall 105.
The ribs 125 are disposed so as to connect the plate portion 124 and the lower wall 105. The ribs 125 are formed forward and rearward of the plate portion 124. The ribs 125 extend along the front-rear direction 8. The ribs 125 are shorter in the left-right direction 9 than the plate portion 124. With this configuration, the convex portion 109 bends upward when a force in at least one of the rearward and upward directions acts on the inclined surface 126.

The upper wall 104 is formed with protrusions 131 and 132. The protrusion 131 is formed forward of the protrusion 108. The protrusion 132 is formed rearward of the protrusion 108. The protrusions 131 and 132 extend in the left-right direction 9.

A protrusion 133 is formed on the lower wall 105. The protrusion 133 is formed on the sub-lower wall 105A. The sub-lower wall 105A is formed in the front part of the lower wall 105 and is located above the lower wall 105.

A protrusion 134 is formed on the lower wall 105. The protrusion 134 is formed rearward of the protrusion 109. The protrusion 134 extends in the left-right direction 9.

A protrusion 135 is formed on the sub-lower wall 105A. The protrusion 135 extends along the left-right direction 9. In this embodiment, the protrusion 135 extends to the right and left from the protrusion 133.

A protrusion 136 is formed on the upper wall 104. The protrusion 136 is formed rearward of the protrusions 108 and 132. The protrusion 136 extends in the front-rear direction 8.

[Ink chamber 111]
As shown in Fig. 4, the housing 140 has an ink chamber 111 (one example of a liquid storage chamber) therein. The ink chamber 111 is an internal space of the ink tank 100, and stores ink. The ink chamber 111 is partitioned by the front wall 101, the left wall 103, the upper wall 104, the lower wall 105, the rear wall 110, the inner wall 107, the film 142, and the film 143. In other words, the ink chamber 111 is partitioned by the right surface of the tank body 141 formed by the film 142, and the left surface of the tank body 141 formed by the left wall 103 and the film 143. The ink chamber 111 is divided into multiple chambers by the inner wall 107.

In this embodiment, the right side of the ink chamber 111 is defined by the left side of the film 142. In other words, the entire right side of the ink chamber 111 is formed by the film 142. The left side of the ink chamber 111 is defined by the right side of the film 143 and the right side of the left wall 103. In other words, a portion of the left side of the ink chamber 111 is formed by the film 143.

The right side of the ink chamber 111 may be defined by the film 142 and a wall. That is, a portion of the right side of the ink chamber 111 may be formed by the film 142. The left side of the ink chamber 111 may be defined only by the film 143. That is, the entire left side of the ink chamber 111 may be formed by the film 143.

When the multifunction device 10 is in the usage position, in other words when the upper wall 104 forms the upper part of the ink tank 100 and the lower wall 105 forms the lower part of the ink tank 100, and the maximum amount of ink that can be stored in the ink chamber 111 (an example of the first amount) is stored, the ink level is at the same height as the first line 146.

When the multifunction device 10 is in the usage position, in other words when the upper wall 104 forms the upper part of the ink tank 100 and the lower wall 105 forms the lower part of the ink tank 100, and the ink chamber 111 contains the minimum amount of ink (an example of the second amount) that requires refilling, the ink level is at the same height as the second line 147.

[Ink Outflow Path 114]
4B, the housing 140 includes an ink outflow path 114. The ink outflow path 114 is a communication path for allowing the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 to flow out of the ink tank 100.

One end of the ink outflow path 114 communicates with the ink chamber 111 via openings 149 and 150 (see FIG. 11) formed at the boundary between the bottom wall 105 and the rear wall 110. The other end of the ink outflow path 114 communicates with a protrusion 157 (an example of a liquid supply section) via an opening 156 (see FIG. 11) formed in the rear wall 110. The opening 156 is located above the openings 149 and 150.

The protrusion 157 protrudes rearward from the periphery of the opening 156 on the rear surface 110A (an example of a third surface) of the rear wall 110, that is, toward the outside of the ink tank 100. Here, when the tank set 99 is placed inside the housing 14 of the multifunction device 10, the rear surface 110A of the rear wall 110 faces the inside of the housing 14. In other words, the protrusion 157 protrudes toward the inside of the housing 14. The protrusion 157 is hollow. The front end of the internal space of the protrusion 157 communicates with the ink outflow path 114 via the opening 156. The rear end of the internal space of the protrusion 157 communicates with the outside of the ink tank 100 via the opening 158.

As shown in FIG. 11, a seal member 160 is provided at the protruding end of the protruding portion 157. The seal member 160 is a disk-shaped member having elasticity such as rubber. The seal member 160 is in liquid-tight contact with the protruding end of the protruding portion. A through hole is formed in the center of the seal member 160. An ink needle 223 (an example of a tube) of the connecting member 200 is inserted into the through hole of the seal member 160. The ink needle 223 is directly or indirectly connected to the ink tube 32. As a result, ink that has entered the internal space of the protruding portion 157 from the ink outflow path 114 through the opening 156 flows out to the ink tube 32 through the ink needle 223.

Below the protrusion 157, a convex portion 137 is formed that protrudes downward from the rear end of the bottom wall 105. The convex portion 137 enters the groove 210 (see FIG. 9) when the ink tank 100 is connected to the connecting member 200.

As a result of the above, the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is connected to the nozzle 40 of the recording head 39 via the ink outflow path 114, the internal space of the protrusion 157, the ink needle 223, and the ink tube 32.

[Atmosphere communication passage 170]
4, the housing 140 has an atmosphere communication passage 170. The atmosphere communication passage 170 is a communication passage for communicating between the ink chamber 111 and the outside of the ink tank 100. In other words, the atmosphere communication passage 170 is a communication passage for opening the ink chamber 111 to the atmosphere.

One end of the air communication passage 170 communicates with the ink chamber 111 via the openings 144 and 145. The other end of the air communication passage 170 communicates with an air opening 187 formed in the upper wall 104.

Between one end and the other end of the air communication passage 170, a semipermeable membrane 183 is attached so as to close the air communication passage 170. The semipermeable membrane 183 is a porous membrane having minute holes that block the passage of ink and allow the passage of gas. For example, the semipermeable membrane 183 is made of a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinylether copolymer, or tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer. As a result, the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is blocked by the semipermeable membrane 183 and cannot flow out of the ink tank 100 through the air opening 187. On the other hand, air can move freely between the inside of the ink chamber 111 and the outside of the ink tank 100.

As shown in FIG. 4B, a labyrinth 179 is formed between the position where the semipermeable membrane 183 is attached in the atmosphere communication passage 170 and the atmosphere opening port 187. The labyrinth 179 is a communication passage that extends along the front-rear direction 8 while making repeated U-turns in the up-down direction 7, by providing a plurality of partition walls 186 extending in the up-down direction 7 aligned in the front-rear direction 8.

[Supply port 112]
A supply port 112 for injecting ink into the ink chamber 111 is formed in the inclined wall 106 of the ink tank 100. The supply port 112 penetrates the inclined wall 106 in the thickness direction, and connects the ink chamber 111 to the outside of the ink tank 100.

The inclined wall 106 and the supply port 112 are exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10 through the opening 22 by positioning the cover 70 in the open position. The position (injection position) of the ink tank 100 when ink is injected into the ink chamber 111 through the supply port 112 is the usage position. In other words, when the ink tank 100 is in the usage position, ink is injected into the ink chamber 111 through the supply port 112.

[Ink tank 100B]
The structure of the ink tank 100B will be described below with reference to Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the ink tank 100B is longer in the left-right direction 9 than the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M (see Fig. 4).

The following describes the parts of ink tank 100B that differ from ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M. Note that parts of ink tank 100B that have the same configuration as ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M are given the same reference numerals as in FIG. 4, and their description is omitted. Also, if the only difference between the configuration of a specific part of ink tank 100B and the configuration of a corresponding part of ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M is that the configuration of the specific part of ink tank 100B is longer in the left-right direction 9, the part of ink tank 100B that corresponds to the specific part is given the same reference numerals as in FIG. 4, and its description is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, ink tank 100B does not have the left wall 103 (see FIG. 4B) that ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M have, but has a right wall 159. The right wall 159 is a wall that extends rearward from the right end of the front wall 101. The upper end of the right wall 159 is connected to the front part of the upper wall 104. The lower end of the right wall 159 is connected to the front part of the lower wall 105. In other words, the right wall 159 is a wall that connects the right end of the front wall 101, the front right end of the upper wall 104, and the front right end of the lower wall 105. In other words, the right wall 159 is provided only at the front part of the tank body 141, and not at the rear part of the tank body 141.

[Holding member 120]
As shown in FIG. 6, the holding member 120 holds the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M in a line aligned from the front in the front-rear direction 8 along the left-right direction 9.

As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the retaining member 120 has a front wall 71, a right wall 72, a left wall 73, an upper wall 74, and a lower wall 75.

The front wall 71 is composed of a standing wall 76 and an inclined wall 77. The standing wall 76 extends in the up-down direction 7 and the left-right direction 9. The inclined wall 77 is a wall that connects the upper end of the standing wall 76 and the front end of the upper wall 74. The inclined wall 77 is inclined with respect to the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8.

The right wall 72 is a wall that extends rearward from the right end of the front wall 71. The left wall 73 is a wall that extends rearward from the left end of the front wall 71. The upper wall 74 is a wall that extends rearward from the upper end of the front wall 71 (specifically, the upper end of the inclined wall 77). The right end of the upper wall 74 is connected to the upper end of the right wall 72. The left end of the upper wall 74 is connected to the upper end of the left wall 73. The lower wall 75 is a wall that extends rearward from the lower end of the front wall 71. The right end of the lower wall 75 is connected to the lower end of the right wall 72. The left end of the lower wall 75 is connected to the lower end of the left wall 73.

The lower wall 75 has a cylindrical protrusion 78 extending downward. The protrusions 78 are formed on the right and left ends of the lower wall 75. As shown in FIG. 8, the protrusions 78 are inserted into holes 162 formed in the bottom plate 161 of the housing 14 of the printer unit 11.

The upper wall 74 is formed with a cylindrical protrusion 84 that extends upward. The protrusion 84 is formed near the center of the upper wall 74 in the left-right direction 9. As shown in FIG. 8, the protrusion 84 is inserted into a hole 164 formed in a middle plate 163 of the housing 14 of the printer unit 11. In this way, the holding member 120 is fixed to and supported by the housing 14 while holding the ink tank 100.

As shown in FIG. 7, the internal space 127 of the holding member 120 is formed by the front wall 71, the right wall 72, the left wall 73, the upper wall 74, and the lower wall 75. As shown in FIG. 6, the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are inserted from the rear toward the internal space 127. As a result, the front parts of the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M occupy the internal space 127.

As shown in FIG. 7B, a number of openings 79 are formed at the rear of the upper wall 74. Each opening 79 corresponds to one of the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. In other words, in this embodiment, four openings 79 are formed. The openings 79 are formed at positions that correspond to the protrusions 108 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) of the ink tank 100 when the ink tank 100 is inserted into the internal space 127.

As shown in FIG. 7A, a number of openings 80 are formed at the rear of the bottom wall 75. Each opening 80 corresponds to one of the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. In other words, in this embodiment, four openings 80 are formed. The openings 80 are formed at positions that correspond to the protrusions 109 (see FIG. 4 and FIG. 5) of the ink tank 100 when the ink tank 100 is inserted into the internal space 127.

A number of openings 69 are formed in the bottom wall 75. Each opening 69 corresponds to one of the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. That is, in this embodiment, four openings 69 are formed. Each opening 69 is formed forward of the opening 80. The openings 69 extend along the front-rear direction 8. The openings 69 are formed at positions corresponding to the protrusions 133 (see Figures 4 and 5) of the ink tank 100 when the ink tank 100 is inserted into the internal space 127.

During the process of inserting the ink tank 100 into the internal space 127, the plate portion 121 of the protrusion 108 comes into contact with the surface 74A of the upper wall 74 facing the internal space 127 and is pressed down, bending downward. The plate portion 124 of the protrusion 109 comes into contact with the surface 75A of the lower wall 75 facing the internal space 127 and is pressed up, bending upward. When the ink tank 100 is further inserted, the rib 122 and the plate portion 121 are inserted into the opening 79. The rib 125 and the plate portion 124 are inserted into the opening 80. This eliminates the bending of the protrusions 108 and 109. The ink tank 100 can move slightly in the vertical direction 7 within the range in which the protrusions 108 and 109 are bent in the internal space 127 of the holding member 120.

In this state, the protrusion 108 is engaged with the opening 79. Also, in this state, the protrusion 109 is engaged with the opening 80. The openings 79 and 80 are examples of a first engagement portion.

When the ink tank 100 moves forward relative to the holding member 120 with the protrusion 108 engaged with the opening 79, the protrusion 108 comes into contact with the front edge surface 79A that defines the front end of the opening 79. This restricts the ink tank 100 from moving forward relative to the holding member 120. Also, when the ink tank 100 moves backward relative to the holding member 120 with the protrusion 108 engaged with the opening 79, the protrusion 108 comes into contact with the rear edge surface 79B that defines the rear end of the opening 79. This restricts the ink tank 100 from moving backward relative to the holding member 120. However, since the outer shape of the opening 79 is slightly larger than the outer shape of the protrusion 108 in the front-rear direction 8, the ink tank 100 can move slightly in the front-rear direction 8 relative to the holding member 120 with the protrusion 108 engaged with the opening 79.

When the ink tank 100 moves forward relative to the holding member 120 with the protrusion 109 engaged with the opening 80, the protrusion 109 comes into contact with the front edge surface 80A that defines the front end of the opening 80. This restricts the ink tank 100 from moving forward relative to the holding member 120. Also, when the ink tank 100 moves backward relative to the holding member 120 with the protrusion 109 engaged with the opening 80, the protrusion 109 comes into contact with the rear edge surface 80B that defines the rear end of the opening 80. This restricts the ink tank 100 from moving backward relative to the holding member 120. However, since the outer shape of the opening 80 is slightly larger than the outer shape of the protrusion 109 in the front-rear direction 8, the ink tank 100 can move slightly in the front-rear direction 8 relative to the holding member 120 with the protrusion 109 engaged with the opening 80.

As described above, the protrusion 108 abuts against the edge surface of the opening 79, and the protrusion 109 abuts against the edge surface of the opening 80, so that the ink tank 100 is positioned so that it can move slightly in the front-rear direction 8.

In addition, when the convex portion 108 and the opening 79 are engaged, and the convex portion 109 and the opening 80 are engaged, the convex portions 131 and 132 abut against the surface 74A of the upper wall 74 facing the internal space 127, and the convex portions 134 and 135 abut against the surface 75A of the lower wall 75 facing the internal space 127. This positions the ink tank 100 in the vertical direction 7. However, there is a slight gap between the convex portions 131 and 132 and the surface 74A, and there is also a slight gap between the convex portions 134 and 135 and the surface 75A. Therefore, the ink tank 100 is positioned by the holding member 120 so that it can move slightly in the vertical direction 7.

In addition, when the protrusion 108 and the opening 79 are engaged, and when the protrusion 109 and the opening 80 are engaged, the rib 122 is inserted into the opening 79. When the ink tank 100 moves to the right relative to the holding member 120 with the rib 122 inserted into the opening 79, the rib 122 abuts against the right edge surface 79C that defines the right end of the opening 79. When the ink tank 100 moves to the left relative to the holding member 120 with the rib 122 inserted into the opening 79, the rib 122 abuts against the left edge surface 79D that defines the left end of the opening 79. However, since the outer shape of the opening 79 is slightly larger than the outer shape of the rib 122 in the left-right direction 9, the ink tank 100 can move slightly in the left-right direction 9 relative to the holding member 120 with the rib 122 engaged with the opening 79.

In addition, when the protrusion 108 and the opening 79 are engaged, and when the protrusion 109 and the opening 80 are engaged, the protrusion 133 is inserted into the opening 69. When the ink tank 100 moves to the right relative to the holding member 120 with the protrusion 133 inserted into the opening 69, the protrusion 133 abuts against the right edge surface 69A that defines the right end of the opening 69. When the ink tank 100 moves to the left relative to the holding member 120 with the protrusion 133 inserted into the opening 69, the protrusion 133 abuts against the left edge surface 69B that defines the left end of the opening 69. However, since the outer shape of the opening 69 is slightly larger than the outer shape of the protrusion 133 in the left-right direction 9, the ink tank 100 can move slightly in the left-right direction 9 relative to the holding member 120 with the protrusion 133 engaged with the opening 69.

As described above, the rib 122 abuts against the edge surface of the opening 79, and the protrusion 133 abuts against the edge surface of the opening 69, so that the ink tank 100 is positioned so as to be slightly movable in the left-right direction 9 relative to the holding member 120. The openings 79 and 69 are an example of a first engagement portion.

As shown in FIG. 6, when positioned in the left-right direction 9, a gap 98 is formed between adjacent ink tanks 100. As described above, the holding member 120 holds the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M in a line along the left-right direction 9, as shown in FIG. 10. The ink tanks 100 are arranged in the following order from right to left: ink tank 100B, ink tank 100Y, ink tank 100C, and ink tank 100M.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the holding member 120 holds the ink tank 100, the front wall 71 covers the front wall 101 of the ink tank 100, the upper wall 74 covers the front portion of the upper wall 104 of the ink tank 100, and the lower wall 75 covers the front portion of the lower wall 105 of the ink tank 100.

When the holding member 120 holds the ink tanks 100, the right wall 72 covers the front part (right wall 159) of the right side of the ink tank 100B, which is the rightmost of the four ink tanks 100, and the left wall 73 covers the front part (left wall 103) of the left side of the ink tank 100M, which is the leftmost of the four ink tanks 100. In other words, the holding member 120 covers parts of the right and left sides of the ink tanks 100B and 100M, which are located at both the left and right ends of the multiple ink tanks 100 held by the holding member 120, that are located outward in the left-right direction 9 (the right side of the ink tank 100B and the left side of the ink tank 100M).

As a result, when the holding member 120 holds the ink tank 100, it covers the front of the ink tank 100.

As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of openings 81 are formed in the upright wall 76 of the front wall 71 of the holding member 120. Each opening 81 is formed at intervals in the left-right direction 9. Each opening 81 corresponds to the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. That is, in this embodiment, four openings 81 are formed. In this embodiment, each opening 81 is rectangular in shape, but may be a shape other than rectangular.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the holding member 120 holds each ink tank 100, the standing wall 102 of the front wall 101 of each ink tank 100 can be exposed to the outside of the holding member 120 through the opening 81. In particular, the front surface 102A of the standing wall 102 and the first line 146 and the second line 147 formed on the front surface 102A can be exposed. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, when the holding member 120 holds each ink tank 100 and the cover 70 is in the closed position, the standing wall 102 of each ink tank 100 can be exposed to the outside of the printer unit 11 through the opening 81 of the holding member 120 and the opening 97 of the cover 70.

A convex portion 81A (an example of an abutment portion) that protrudes toward the internal space 127 of the holding member 120 is formed on the upper and lower portions of the periphery of each opening 81. When the holding member 120 holds each ink tank 100, the standing wall 102 of the front wall 101 of each ink tank 100 abuts against the convex portion 81A on the periphery of the opening 81. This determines the front position of each ink tank 100 relative to the holding member 120.

As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of openings 82 are formed in the inclined wall 77 of the front wall 71 of the holding member 120. Each opening 82 is formed at intervals in the left-right direction 9. Each opening 82 corresponds to the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. That is, in this embodiment, four openings 82 are formed. In this embodiment, each opening 82 is circular in shape, but may be a shape other than circular.

As shown in FIG. 11, when the holding member 120 holds each ink tank 100, the supply port 112 of each ink tank 100 can be exposed to the outside of the holding member 120 through the opening 82.

As shown in FIG. 7, a cap attachment portion 155 is formed at the front of the upper wall 74 of the holding member 120 to which the cap 113, which will be described later, is attached.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7(A), the cap attachment portion 155 is partitioned by ribs 151, 152 extending in the left-right direction 9 and a plurality of ribs 153 extending in the front-rear direction 8. The rib 152 is formed behind the rib 151. Gaps 154 are formed at a plurality of locations on the rib 151. Each gap 154 is formed behind each opening 82. The position of each gap 154 in the left-right direction 9 is the same as the position of each opening 82 in the left-right direction 9. Each rib 153 connects the rib 151 and the rib 152. Each rib 153 is formed on both outer sides of each gap 154 in the left-right direction 9.

Note that the cap attachment portion 155 is not limited to the configuration including the ribs 151, 152, and 153 described above, as long as the cap 113 can be attached.

[Connecting member 200]
As shown in Fig. 6, the connecting member 200 holds the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M in a row from the rear in the front-rear direction 8 along the left-right direction 9. The connecting member 200 has a support body 201 and a connecting portion 202. As shown in Fig. 9, the connecting member 200 is configured by combining the connecting portion 202 with the support body 201 from the rear. Note that, although the support body 201 and the connecting portion 202 are configured as separate members in this embodiment, the support body 201 and the connecting portion 202 may be formed integrally.

As shown in FIG. 9, the support body 201 has a base portion 203, an upright portion 204, and a flange portion 205. The upright portion 204 rises upward from the rear end of the base portion 203. The flange portion 205 extends forward from the upper end of the upright portion 204.

The base portion 203 is a generally rectangular flat plate. Four grooves 210 extending along the front-rear direction 8 are formed on the upper surface of the base portion 203. The front ends of the grooves 210 open forward. The width of each groove 210 in the left-right direction 9 is slightly larger than the width of the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. When the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M held integrally by the holding member 120 are connected to the connecting member 200, the protrusions 137 (see Figures 4 and 5) enter each groove 210, and the grooves 210 function as guides that position the ink tanks in the left-right direction 9 while allowing them to slide in the front-rear direction 8.

Two recesses 211, 212 are formed in the base portion 203 at positions that do not overlap with the groove 210. The recesses 211, 212 are arranged at positions separated in the left-right direction 9. Through holes 213, 214 that penetrate the base portion 203 in the up-down direction 7 are formed in each recess 211, 212. Screws inserted into the through holes 213, 214 are screwed into the screw holes of the housing 14, and the heads of the screws come into contact with the recesses 211, 212, thereby fixing and supporting the base portion 203 to the housing 14.

The width of the standing portion 204 in the left-right direction 9 is approximately the same as the width of the base portion 203. The standing portion 204 has openings 215 (see FIG. 6 ) that penetrate in the front-rear direction 8 at positions corresponding to the rear ends of the grooves 210. Through the openings 215, the guide tubes 222 of the connecting portion 202 protrude forward from the rear of the standing portion 204.

In the left-right direction 9, a partition plate 216 extending along the up-down direction 7 is provided between each opening 215. Each partition plate 216 prevents ink from scattering and adhering from one ink needle 223 of adjacent connecting parts 202 to the other.

A rod 217 protruding forward is provided above each opening 215. The rear wall 110 of each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M abuts against the front end of each rod 217, thereby determining the rear position of each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M.

The flange 205 has a width in the left-right direction 9 that is approximately the same as the width of the upright portion 204. At the tip of the flange 205 and above each groove 210, an opening 218 (an example of a second engagement portion) that penetrates the flange 205 in the up-down direction 7 extends rearward.

10, when each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M is connected to the connecting member 200, the convex portion 136 of each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M is inserted into the opening 218. When the ink tank 100 attempts to move to the right relative to the connecting member 200 with the convex portion 136 inserted into the opening 218, the convex portion 136 abuts against the right edge surface 218A that defines the right end of the opening 218. When the ink tank 100 attempts to move to the left relative to the connecting member 200 with the convex portion 136 inserted into the opening 218, the convex portion 136 abuts against the left edge surface 218B that defines the left end of the opening 218. However, because the outer shape of the opening 218 is slightly larger than the outer shape of the protrusion 136 in the left-right direction 9, when the protrusion 136 and the opening 218 are engaged, the ink tank 100 can move slightly in the left-right direction 9 relative to the connecting member 200.

A number of protrusions 219 protrude upward from the upper surface of the flange 205. Although not shown in the figures, the protrusions 219 engage with the middle plate 163 of the housing 14 to position the connecting member 200 relative to the housing 14.

The connecting portion 202 has a connecting plate 221, a guide tube 222, an ink needle 223, an ink flow path 224, and a joint 225.

The connecting plate 221 is a flat plate whose width in the left-right direction 9 is narrower than that of the standing portion 204. The connecting plate 221 is fixed to the standing portion 204 by screws 226. This fixes the support body 201 and the connecting portion 202 together.

The guide tube 222 has a cylindrical shape that protrudes forward from the connecting plate 221. The guide tube 222 extends from the rear of the standing portion 204 to above the groove 210 through the opening 215 of the standing portion 204. Four guide tubes 222 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction 9 to correspond to each groove 210. The guide tube 222 can accommodate the protrusion 157 of the ink tank 100 in its internal space. When the ink needle 223 is inserted into the through hole of the seal member 160, the guide tube 222 accommodates the protrusion 157, thereby positioning the ink needle 223 and the through hole of the seal member 160.

An ink needle 223 is disposed in the internal space of the guide tube 222 and is coaxial with the guide tube 222. The ink needle 223 is a tube that protrudes forward from the connecting plate 221. The front end of the ink needle 223 is at approximately the same position as the front end of the guide tube 222. When the ink needle 223 is inserted into the through hole of the seal member 160 of the ink tank 100, the front end of the ink needle 223 enters the ink outflow path 114. This allows the internal space of the ink needle 223 to communicate with the ink outflow path 114. The rear end of the ink needle 223 opens into the rear surface of the connecting plate 221.

An ink flow path 224 is formed on the rear surface of the connecting plate 221. The ink flow path 224 is configured as an independent flow path corresponding to each ink needle 223. The ink flow path 224 is formed by sealing the opening surface (rear surface) of a groove formed on the rear surface of the connecting plate 221 with a film (not shown). Each ink flow path 224 is continuous with the opening of the rear end of each ink needle 223. Each ink flow path 224 is also continuous with each joint 225 formed on the upper part of the connecting plate 221. An ink tube 32 is connected to each joint 225. The connecting portion 202 configures an ink flow path that communicates from the ink outflow path 114 of the ink tank 100 to the ink tube 32.

[Cap 113]
As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the ink tank 100 includes caps 113B, 113Y, 113C, and 113M (which may be collectively referred to as "caps 113").
The ink tank 100 is provided with four caps 113B, 113Y, 113C, and 113M corresponding to the four supply ports 112B, 112Y, 112C, and 112M of the ink tank 100.

Each cap 113 is molded from an elastically deformable material such as rubber or elastomer. Each cap 113 has a cap portion 115, an elastically deformable portion 116, and an attachment portion 117. Note that the configuration of each cap 113 is not limited to the configuration described below.

The cap portion 115 has a generally disk-shaped outer shape with a convex portion 115B protruding from the center of the disk portion 115A.

The elastic deformation portion 116 is band-shaped. One end of the elastic deformation portion 116 is connected to the cap portion 115. The other end of the elastic deformation portion 116 is connected to the attachment portion 117. When no external force is applied to the elastic deformation portion 116, as shown in FIG. 6, the elastic deformation portion 116 extends generally straight. A protrusion 116A is formed on one end of the elastic deformation portion 116. The protrusion 116A protrudes in the opposite direction to the cap portion 115, sandwiching the elastic deformation portion 116.

The mounting portion 117 has an outer shape in which a protruding portion 117B protrudes from a rectangular portion 117A having a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. The boundary between the rectangular portion 117A and the protruding portion 117B is constricted. The protruding portion 117B has a shape corresponding to the shape of the cap mounting portion 155 (the area defined by the ribs 151, 152, and 153). In other words, the protruding portion 117B can be fitted into the cap mounting portion 155. Furthermore, when the protruding portion 117B and the cap mounting portion 155 are fitted together, the boundary between the rectangular portion 117A and the protruding portion 117B fits into the gap 154. In other words, the cap 113 is attached to the holding member 120 by fitting the protruding portion 117B into the cap mounting portion 155.

When the cap 113 is attached to the holding member 120, it can be moved between the sealed position shown in FIG. 1(B) and the separated position shown in FIG. 6. When in the sealed position, the cap 113 liquid-tightly seals the supply port 112. When the cap 113 is in the separated position, the supply port 112 is opened. As a result, it becomes possible to inject ink into the ink chamber 111 through the supply port 112.

[How to install Tank Set 99]
A method for attaching the tank set 99 to the housing 14 will be described below. The connecting member 200 is fixed to the housing 14 in advance by screws. The ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are attached to the holding member 120 and integrated together, and then assembled to the connecting member 200.

As shown in FIG. 11, each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M is attached to the holding member 120. As described above, each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M is positioned to be slightly movable in the up-down direction 7, the front-rear direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 relative to the holding member 120 by the engagement between the holding member 120 and each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M, specifically, the engagement between the convex portion 108 and the opening 79, the engagement between the convex portion 109 and the opening 80, the engagement between the rib 122 and the opening 79, and the engagement between the convex portion 133 and the opening 69. In addition, a gap 98 is formed between each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M attached to the holding member 120, preventing them from contacting each other.

Each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M attached to the holding member 120 is assembled from the front of the connecting member 200. At this time, the convex portion 137 of each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M enters the groove 210 of the connecting member 200. As a result, each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M is guided rearward along the groove 210, and the protrusions 157 of each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M face the guide tubes 222 and ink needles 223 of the connecting member 200.

As shown in FIG. 12, when each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M is guided further rearward along the groove 210, the protrusion 157 enters the internal space of the guide tube 222. This positions the through hole of the seal member 160 and the ink needle 223 approximately coaxially.

As shown in Figure 13, when each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M is moved further rearward, the ink needle 223 enters the through hole of the seal member 160. This allows the ink outflow path 114 of each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M to communicate with the internal space of each ink needle 223. When the front end of each rod 217 abuts against the rear wall 110 of each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M, the user recognizes that each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M has been moved to a rear position. Although not shown in the figure, the holding member 120 is fixed to and supported by the housing 14 while holding each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M by inserting the protrusion 78 into the hole 162 formed in the bottom plate 161 of the housing 14 and the protrusion 84 into the hole 164 formed in the middle plate 163 of the housing 14.

[Effects of this embodiment]
According to this embodiment, when the ink needle 223 has entered the through hole of the sealing member 160 of each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M, the convex portion 81A on the periphery of the opening 81 of the holding member 120 abuts against the front wall 101 of each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M from the front. Therefore, even if a force moving forward acts on each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M due to the elastic deformation of the sealing member 160 when the ink needle 223 enters, the ink needle 223 is prevented from coming out of the through hole of the sealing member 160.

In addition, since each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M can move slightly in the up-down direction 7, the front-rear direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 while engaged with the holding member 120, each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M is positioned based on the connection position between the through hole of the sealing member 160 and the ink needle 223. This prevents the axis of the through hole of the sealing member 160 and the ink needle 223 from misaligning.

In addition, the engagement between each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M and the holding member 120 prevents the films 142 and 143 of each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M from coming into contact with each other.

In addition, the engagement between each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M and the connecting member 200, specifically, the engagement of the protrusion 136 with the opening 218, further prevents the films 142 and 143 of each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M from coming into contact with each other.

In addition, when the holding member 120 covers the front of each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M, the first line 146 and the second line 147 are visible through the opening 81.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, the retaining member 120 and each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M engage with the convex portion 108 and the opening 79, engage with the convex portion 109 and the opening 80, engage with the convex portion 130 and the opening 79, and engage with the convex portion 133 and the opening 69, but the shape, arrangement, number, etc. of these engaging parts are only examples and may be changed as appropriate.

In addition, in the above embodiment, both the holding member 120 and the connecting member 200 are fixed to the housing 14 , but only one of the holding member 120 and the connecting member 200 may be fixed to the housing 14 .
For example, the connecting member 200 may be fixed to the housing 14 , and the retaining member 120 may be fixed to the connecting member 200 .

In the above embodiment, ink has been described as an example of a liquid, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, instead of ink, a pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto the recording paper prior to the ink during printing, or water that is sprayed near the nozzles 40 of the recording head 39 to prevent the nozzles 40 of the recording head 39 from drying out, etc., may also be an example of a liquid.

10...Multifunction device (supply device)
14: Housing 69, 79, 80: Opening (first engagement portion)
80: Opening 81A: Convex portion (contact portion)
100: Ink tank 111: Ink chamber (liquid storage chamber)
112: Supply port 114: Ink outflow path (liquid flow path)
120: Holding member 141: Tank body 142, 143: Film 146: First line (first mark)
147...Second line (second mark)
157...Protruding part (liquid supply part)
200: connecting member 202: connecting portion 218: opening (an example of a second engagement portion)
223...Ink needle (tube)

Claims (3)

a plurality of tanks, each of which includes a tank body, a liquid storage chamber defined by a pair of first surfaces opposed to each other in a first direction, and a supply port for supplying liquid to the liquid storage chamber;
a holding member that holds the plurality of tanks in a state in which the tanks are arranged in the first direction,
In each of the plurality of tanks, one of the pair of first surfaces is entirely made of a film, and the other of the pair of first surfaces is at least partially made of the tank body,
The holding member is
a plurality of abutment portions that abut against the plurality of tanks, respectively, to position the plurality of tanks with gaps between them in the first direction, the abutment portions abutting against upper portions of the plurality of tanks, respectively, to position the plurality of tanks;
a second wall covering a first wall in which the supply port of each of the plurality of tanks is formed;
openings formed in the second wall at intervals in the first direction, the openings exposing the supply ports of each of the plurality of tanks ;
The holding member is fixed to the housing by a protrusion extending upward from an upper portion of the holding member . The supply device according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of contact portions contacts a portion of each of the plurality of tanks other than the film. The supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dimension in the first direction of each of the plurality of tanks is shorter than the dimension in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the horizontal direction, and the dimension in the vertical direction.

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