JP7647812B2 - system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system that includes a reservoir for storing liquid and a tank to which the reservoir can be connected.

Systems that include a reservoir that stores liquid and a tank to which the reservoir can be connected are conventionally known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that includes an ink cartridge that stores ink and an image recording device that includes a tank to which the ink cartridge can be connected.

The image recording device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a feed tray that supports sheets fed into the device, and a discharge tray that supports sheets discharged from the device. The feed tray and discharge tray are located in the center of the image recording device in the width direction.

The image recording device disclosed in Patent Document 1 has four tanks, and an ink cartridge is connected to each tank. When a user operates the image recording device (for example, when the user operates the touch panel of the image recording device or loads paper into the image recording device), all four tanks are positioned to the right of the feed tray and the discharge tray as seen by the user. Furthermore, the ink cartridges are connected to the tanks in the horizontal direction.

JP 2018-122515 A

However, in the image recording device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the tank is located to the right of the feed tray and the discharge tray as seen by a user when the user operates the image recording device, but the tank is not located to the left of the feed tray and the discharge tray. Therefore, the image recording device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is unable to effectively utilize the space to the left of the feed tray and the discharge tray. This places restrictions on increasing the size of the tank.

In addition, in the image recording device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the ink cartridge is connected to the tank horizontally, so there is a risk that the ink cartridge may accidentally come out of the tank.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a system that allows the tank to be made larger and reduces the possibility that a storage object connected to the tank will accidentally come off the tank.

(1) The system according to the present invention includes a housing having a conveying path extending in a depth direction intersecting a height direction and through which a sheet passes, a first tank arranged on one side of the conveying path inside the housing in a width direction perpendicular to the height direction and the depth direction and storing a liquid, a second tank arranged on the other side of the conveying path inside the housing in the width direction and storing a liquid, a first reservoir connectable to the first tank and storing a liquid, a second reservoir connectable to the second tank and storing a liquid, and a liquid ejection head arranged inside the housing and ejecting liquid supplied from the first tank and the second tank. The first reservoir and the second reservoir have liquid circulation holes through which the stored liquid can flow to the outside. The first tank has a first circulation pipe extending upward from an upper end of the first tank and connectable to the liquid circulation hole of the first reservoir. The second tank includes a second flow pipe that extends upward from the upper end of the second tank and can be connected to the liquid flow hole of the second reservoir.

According to this configuration, the first tank and the second tank (hereinafter, the first tank and the second tank are also collectively referred to as tanks) are arranged separately on one side and the other side of the conveying path in the width direction. This allows the size of each tank to be made larger than in a configuration in which all of the tanks are arranged only on one side of the conveying path in the width direction.

In addition, with this configuration, the storage body is connected to the tank from above. This reduces the possibility of the storage body accidentally falling out of the tank compared to a configuration in which the storage body is connected to the tank horizontally.

(2) At least one of the first tank and the second tank has a first wall having translucency. The housing has a front wall having an opening through which the sheet is discharged. The first wall is visible from outside the housing through a first translucent portion having translucency formed in the front wall.

Typically, a user of the system removes the ejected sheet while facing the front wall of the housing. In other words, the user removes the ejected sheet from the front of the housing. With this configuration, the remaining amount of liquid stored in the tank can be checked from the front of the housing through the first wall.

(3) The first storage body has a second wall that is translucent. When the first storage body is connected to the first tank, the second wall is visible from outside the housing through the first translucent portion.

(4) The second storage body has a third wall that is translucent. When the second storage body is connected to the second tank, the third wall is visible from outside the housing through the first translucent portion.

Normally, the system user removes the discharged sheet while facing the front wall of the housing. In other words, the user removes the discharged sheet from the front of the housing. With the configurations (3) and (4), the remaining amount of liquid stored in the reservoir can be confirmed from the front of the housing through the second wall and the third wall.

(5) The housing has a side wall extending from an end of the front wall in the width direction in a direction intersecting the width direction and the height direction. The first wall is visible from outside the housing through a second translucent portion having translucency formed in the side wall.

With this configuration, the remaining amount of liquid stored in the tank can be checked through the first wall from the side in addition to the front.

(6) The first storage body has a second wall that is translucent. When the first storage body is connected to the first tank, the second wall is visible from outside the housing through the second translucent portion.

(7) The second storage body has a third wall that is translucent. When the second storage body is connected to the second tank, the third wall is visible from outside the housing through the second translucent portion.

With this configuration, the remaining amount of liquid stored in the reservoir can be checked from the side as well as the front through the second and third walls.

(8) The system according to the present invention includes a plurality of at least one of the first tank or the second tank. At least one of the plurality of first tanks or the plurality of second tanks is arranged in parallel along the width direction.

This configuration makes it easy to configure tanks arranged in parallel along the width direction so that they can be seen from the front.

(9) The system according to the present invention includes a plurality of at least one of the first storage body or the second storage body. At least one of the plurality of first storage bodies or the plurality of second storage bodies is arranged in parallel along the width direction.

This configuration makes it easy to configure the storage bodies arranged in parallel along the width direction so that they can be seen from the front.

(10) The system according to the present invention includes a plurality of at least one of the first tank or the second tank. At least one of the plurality of first tanks or the plurality of second tanks is arranged in parallel along the depth direction.

This configuration makes it easy to configure tanks arranged in parallel along the depth direction so that they can be seen from the side.

(11) The system according to the present invention includes a plurality of at least one of the first storage body or the second storage body. At least one of the plurality of first storage bodies or the plurality of second storage bodies is arranged in parallel along the depth direction.

This configuration makes it easy to configure the storage bodies arranged in parallel along the depth direction so that they can be viewed from the side.

(12) The first tank and the first reservoir store a liquid having a first specific gravity. The second tank and the second reservoir store a liquid having a second specific gravity smaller than the first specific gravity.

According to this configuration, for example, a mechanism required only for a liquid having a first specific gravity (for example, a pigment stirring mechanism required when the liquid having a first specific gravity is a pigment) only needs to be placed near the first tank. In other words, the mechanism does not need to be placed near the second tank. Therefore, the second tank can be made larger.

(13) The first tank and the second tank are provided with an atmosphere communication hole that connects the internal space of the first tank and the second tank to the atmosphere, a first flow path having one end located below the atmosphere communication hole in the internal space and the other end opening to the outside through the first flow pipe or the second flow pipe, and a second flow path having one end located below one end of the first flow path in the internal space and the other end opening to the outside through the first flow pipe or the second flow pipe.

According to this configuration, when the reservoir is connected to the tank and the liquid stored in the tank is consumed and the liquid level falls below the opening at the lower end of the first flow path, air enters the tank from the air communication hole and enters the reservoir through the first flow path. Then, liquid equivalent to the volume of the air that entered the reservoir is supplied from the reservoir to the tank through the second flow path. When the liquid level in the tank reaches the opening of the first flow path, the supply of liquid is stopped. This makes it possible to maintain a constant liquid level of the liquid stored in the tank.

(14) The first tank, the second tank, the first storage body, and the second storage body are provided with an atmosphere communication hole that connects the interiors of the first tank to the atmosphere. When the first storage body is connected to the first tank, liquid flows between the first storage body and the first tank due to a head difference between the liquid level of the liquid stored in the first storage body and the liquid level of the liquid stored in the first tank. When the second storage body is connected to the second tank, liquid flows between the second storage body and the second tank due to a head difference between the liquid level of the liquid stored in the second storage body and the liquid level of the liquid stored in the second tank.

With this configuration, the liquid stored in the reservoir can be supplied to the tank without requiring a complex configuration.

(15) The system according to the present invention includes a cover that is movable to a covering position that covers the upper ends of the first storage body connected to the first tank and the second storage body connected to the second tank, and an opening position that opens the upper ends. The first storage body and the second storage body include valves that are movable to a closed position that blocks the atmosphere communication holes of the first storage body and the second storage body, and an opening position that opens the atmosphere communication holes of the first storage body and the second storage body, and a biasing member that biases the valve to the closed position. The valve moves to the open position against the biasing force of the biasing member by being abutted against the cover in the covering position.

According to this configuration, when the reservoir is not connected to the tank, the valve is biased by the biasing member to the closed position. This prevents the liquid stored in the reservoir from leaking to the outside through the reservoir's air vent.

In addition, with this configuration, when the reservoir is connected to the tank, the valve moves to the open position when the cover is moved to the covered position. This allows liquid to be supplied from the reservoir to the tank by the head difference.

(16) The system according to the present invention includes a cover that is movable to a covering position that covers the upper ends of the first reservoir connected to the first tank and the second reservoir connected to the second tank, and to an open position that opens the upper ends.

With this configuration, the reservoir connected to the tank can be protected by the cover.

(17) The cover in the covering position abuts against the first reservoir from above. The position where the cover in the covering position abuts against the first reservoir and the liquid circulation hole of the first reservoir overlap in the line of sight along the height direction.

(18) The cover in the covering position abuts against the second reservoir from above. The position where the cover in the covering position abuts against the second reservoir and the liquid circulation hole of the second reservoir overlap in the line of sight along the height direction.

According to the configurations (17) and (18), the position where the cover in the covering position abuts against the reservoir and the liquid flow hole overlap in the vertical line of sight. Therefore, the posture of the reservoir connected to the tank can be stabilized.

(19) The system according to the present invention includes a first retention mechanism that retains the first reservoir in a connected state with the first tank.

(20) The system according to the present invention includes a second retention mechanism that retains the second reservoir in a connected state with the second tank.

This configuration prevents the storage body from unintentionally coming off the tank.

The present invention allows the tank to be made larger and reduces the possibility that the reservoir connected to the tank will accidentally come loose from the tank.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction device 10 in which an ink cartridge 30 is installed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the multifunction device 10 without the ink cartridge 30 installed. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a schematic internal structure of the multifunction device 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a front view of the lower housing 13. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a plan view of the lower housing 13. As shown in FIG. 6A is a right side view of the lower housing 13, and FIG. 6B is a left side view of the lower housing 13. As shown in FIG. FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 30, and FIG. FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 and its surroundings in the installed state. FIG. 9 is a front view of the lower housing 13 in the modified example. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the lower housing 13 in the modified example. FIG. 11A is a right side view of the lower housing 13 in the modified example, and FIG. 11B is a left side view of the lower housing 13 in the modified example. FIG. 12 is a front view of the lower housing 13 in the modified example. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the lower housing 13 in the modified example. FIG. 14A is a right side view of the lower housing 13 in the modified example, and FIG. 14B is a left side view of the lower housing 13 in the modified example. 15A and 15B are vertical cross-sectional views of the ink cartridge 30 and its surroundings in an installed state in a modified example, with (A) showing the cover 18 in the covering position and (B) showing the cover 18 in the open position.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that the embodiment described below is merely one example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment can be modified as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Overall configuration of multifunction device 10]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the multifunction device 10 has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole.

Based on the posture of the multifunction device 10 installed on a horizontal surface so that it can be used, the direction of gravity is defined as the downward direction 53, and the opposite direction to the downward direction 53 is defined as the upward direction 54. In addition, the wall in which the opening 17 of the multifunction device 10 is provided is defined as the front wall 44, and a forward direction 51 and a backward direction 52, which is the opposite direction to the forward direction 51, are defined. In addition, a right direction 55 and a left direction 56 are defined when the multifunction device 10 is viewed from the front. The upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53, the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52, and the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 are mutually perpendicular. The forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 are defined as the forward-backward direction (an example of a depth direction). The upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53 are defined as the up-down direction (an example of a height direction). The right direction 55 and the left direction 56 are defined as the left-right direction (an example of a width direction).

The multifunction device 10 includes a printer 11 and a scanner 12. The multifunction device 10 and an ink cartridge 30, which will be described later, form a system.

The printer 11 is an image recording device that records an image by ejecting ink droplets onto paper 2 (an example of a sheet, see FIG. 3) based on an inkjet recording method, and is, for example, an inkjet printer. The scanner 12 is a flatbed scanner.

The printer 11 is located in the lower housing 13 (an example of a housing) of the multifunction device 10. The scanner 12 is located above the printer 11 in the lower housing 13. The scanner 12 may also be provided in the upper housing 14 of the multifunction device 10.

The upper housing 14 is located above the lower housing 13. The upper housing 14 is connected to the lower housing 13 at the rear end of the multifunction device 10. The upper housing 14 can rotate in the direction of arrow 104 around an axis 106 located at the connection point with the lower housing 13. This allows the upper housing 14 to rotate to a covered position shown by a dashed line in FIG. 1 and an open position shown by a solid line in FIG. 1. In the covered position, the upper housing 14 covers the top end of the lower housing 13. In the open position, the upper housing 14 leaves the top end of the lower housing 13 open.

As shown in FIG. 3, the multifunction device 10 includes a recording head 21 (an example of a liquid ejection head), an attachment section 110, and an ink tube 20. At least one tank 103 capable of storing ink is disposed in the attachment section 110. An ink cartridge 30 is attached to the attachment section 110. The ink cartridge 30 stores ink (an example of liquid) to be supplied to the recording head 21. The ink cartridge 30 attached to the attachment section 110 is connected to the tank 103. The ink tube 20 connects the recording head 21 to the at least one tank 103. An opening 112 is formed at the upper end of the attachment section 110.

The ink cartridge 30 is inserted from top to bottom into the mounting section 110 through the opening 112 to be mounted. The ink cartridge 30 is removed from the mounting section 110 from bottom to top through the opening 112. Figures 1, 3, and 8 show the mounted state in which the ink cartridge 30 has been completely mounted into the mounting section 110. Figure 2 shows the state in which the ink cartridge 30 has not been mounted into the mounting section 110.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the mounted state, the ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are connected via the tank 103 and the ink tube 20. The recording head 21 is disposed inside the lower housing 13. The recording head 21 includes a sub-tank 28. The sub-tank 28 temporarily stores ink supplied through the ink tube 20. The recording head 21 ejects ink supplied from the sub-tank 28 from the nozzles 29 by the inkjet recording method. Specifically, a drive voltage is selectively applied from a head control board (not shown) provided in the recording head 21 to the piezoelectric elements 29A provided corresponding to each nozzle 29. This causes ink to be ejected from the nozzles 29. The recording head 21 is mounted on a carriage 34. The carriage 34 is supported by a frame (not shown) of the lower housing 13 so as to be movable in the left-right direction.

The multifunction device 10 includes a feed tray 15, a feed roller 23, a pair of transport rollers 25, a platen 26, a pair of discharge rollers 27, and a discharge tray 16. The paper 2 fed from the feed tray 15 to the transport path 24 by the feed roller 23 is transported in the transport direction 19 by the transport roller pair 25. The transport direction 19 is indicated by a dashed arrow in FIG. 3. When the paper 2 is transported to the platen 26 by the transport roller pair 25, the carriage 34 moves in the left-right direction. At this time, the recording head 21 ejects ink onto the paper passing over the platen 26. This causes an image to be recorded on the paper 2. The paper 2 that has passed the platen 26 is supported by the discharge roller pair 27 on the discharge tray 16 provided at the most downstream of the transport path 24. The paper 2 supported by the discharge tray 16 is discharged through the opening 17.

As shown in FIG. 5, the transport path 24 extends in the front-rear direction from the transport roller pair 25 through between the recording head 21 and the platen 26 to the discharge roller pair 27. The transport path 24 is formed approximately in the center of the lower housing 13 in the left-right direction. The carriage 34 can move to the area where the transport path 24 is formed (the area between the two dashed dotted lines in FIG. 5), the area to the right of the transport path 24, and the area to the left of the transport path 24.

[Mounting unit 110]
1 and 2, the mounting unit 110 includes a mounting unit 110A disposed at the right end of the lower housing 13, and a mounting unit 110B disposed at the left end of the lower housing 13. As shown in Fig. 5, the mounting unit 110A is located to the right of the transport path 24. The mounting unit 110B is located to the left of the transport path 24. The mounting units 110A and 110B have roughly the same configuration. Therefore, in the following, the configuration of the mounting unit 110A will be described, and the configuration of the mounting unit 110B will be omitted in principle and will be described only when necessary.

As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting unit 110A includes a holder 101, a tank 103, an optical sensor 113, a connector 130, and a stopper 131. Note that the mounting unit 110A does not necessarily have to include the optical sensor 113.

[Holder 101]
As shown in Fig. 3, the holder 101 constitutes the housing of the mounting unit 110A. The holder 101 includes a rear wall 81 and a bottom wall 82. The rear wall 81 is located behind the front wall 44 of the lower housing 13 and faces the front wall 44 in the front-rear direction. The bottom wall 82 extends forward from the lower end of the rear wall 81. The rear wall 81, the bottom wall 82, the front wall 44 of the lower housing 13, and a right side wall 45 (an example of a side wall) of the lower housing 13 form an internal space 108 of the holder 101. The right side wall 45 extends rearward from the right end of the front wall 44 and constitutes the right end of the lower housing 13.

In the case of the mounting part 110B, the internal space 108 of the holder 101 is formed by the rear wall 81, the bottom wall 82, the front wall 44 of the lower housing 13, and the left side wall 46 (an example of a side wall) of the lower housing 13. The left side wall 46 extends rearward from the left end of the front wall 44 and constitutes the left end of the lower housing 13.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, openings 47 (an example of a first light-transmitting portion) are formed at the right and left ends of the front wall 44. As shown in Figs. 1 and 6(A), openings 48 (an example of a second light-transmitting portion) are formed at the front end of the right side wall 45. As shown in Fig. 6(B), openings 49 (an example of a second light-transmitting portion) are formed at the front end of the left side wall 46.

As shown in FIG. 3, the upper end of the holder 101 facing the bottom wall 82 in the vertical direction is an opening 112 that connects the internal space 108 of the holder 101 to the outside of the holder 101.

There is a cover 18 near the opening 112 of the holder 101. The cover 18 is rotatably supported by the upper end of the rear wall 81. When the upper housing 14 is in the open position, the cover 18 can rotate in the direction of the arrow 105 around an axis 107 located at the connection with the rear wall 81. This allows the cover 18 to rotate between a covered position shown by a dashed line in Figures 1 to 3, where the opening 112 is covered, and an open position shown by a solid line in Figures 1 to 3, where the opening 112 is exposed to the outside.

As shown in Figures 1 and 3, when the ink cartridge 30 is connected to the tank 103, the cover 18 in the covering position covers the top end of the ink cartridge 30, and the cover 18 in the open position opens the top end of the ink cartridge 30.

The internal space 108 of the holder 101 is divided into three rooms aligned in the left-right direction by partitions (not shown). The tanks 103, optical sensors 113, and connectors 130 can be arranged in each of the divided rooms of the internal space 108. Note that the internal space 108 does not need to have partitions. In this case, all of the tanks 103, optical sensors 113, and connectors 130 to be arranged are arranged in the internal space 108, which is a single room.

In this embodiment, one ink cartridge 30 is attached to the mounting section 110B. Therefore, the internal space 108 of the holder 101 of the mounting section 110B is not divided into multiple rooms (it is composed of one room).

In this embodiment, a tank 103 and an optical sensor 113 are arranged in each of the three chambers of the mounting unit 110A, and no connector 130 is arranged. On the other hand, a tank 103, an optical sensor 113, and a connector 130 are arranged in one chamber of the mounting unit 110B.

The number of chambers in the internal space 108 of the holder 101 of the mounting parts 110A and 110B, and the number of tanks 103, optical sensors 113, and connectors 130 arranged in each of the chambers are not limited to the above numbers.

[Tank 103]
3, the tank 103 is located in the lower portion of the internal space 108 of the holder 101. The tank 103 is supported by the bottom wall 82.

As described above, the internal space 108 of the holder 101 of the mounting part 110A is divided into three rooms aligned in the left-right direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, three tanks 103 are arranged in parallel along the left-right direction in the internal space 108 of the holder 101 of the mounting part 110A. Note that when multiple tanks 103 are arranged in the mounting part 110B, the multiple tanks 103 may also be arranged in parallel along the left-right direction.

As shown in FIG. 7(B), the tank 103 has a housing 117 that is generally rectangular.

The housing 117 includes a front wall 91, a rear wall 92, an upper wall 93, a lower wall 94, a right side wall 95, and a left side wall 96. The front wall 91, the right side wall 95, and the left side wall 96 are examples of a first wall. The front wall 91 and the rear wall 92 are separated in the front-to-rear direction. The upper wall 93 is between the front wall 91 and the rear wall 92, and extends from the upper end of the front wall 91 to the upper end of the rear wall 92. The lower wall 94 is between the front wall 91 and the rear wall 92, and extends from the lower end of the front wall 91 to the lower end of the rear wall 92. The upper wall 93 and the lower wall 94 connect the front wall 91 and the rear wall 92. The right side wall 95 is between the front wall 91 and the rear wall 92, and extends from the right end of the front wall 91 to the right end of the rear wall 92. The left side wall 96 is between the front wall 91 and the rear wall 92, and extends from the left end of the front wall 91 to the left end of the rear wall 92. The right side wall 95 and the left side wall 96 connect the front wall 91 and the rear wall 92. The upper wall 93 and the lower wall 94 are separated in the vertical direction. The right side wall 95 and the left side wall 96 are separated in the horizontal direction. The peripheries of the right side wall 95 and the left side wall 96 are continuous with the front wall 91, the rear wall 92, the upper wall 93, and the lower wall 94.

As shown in FIG. 8, the housing 117 has an internal space 119. The internal space 119 is a space defined by a front wall 91, a rear wall 92, an upper wall 93, a lower wall 94, a right side wall 95, and a left side wall 96. Ink can be stored in the internal space 119.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the three chambers in the internal space 108 of the holder 101 of the mounting unit 110A are arranged, from the left, with a tank 103 (hereinafter referred to as tank 103C) storing cyan ink, a tank 103 (hereinafter referred to as tank 103M) storing magenta ink, and a tank 103 (hereinafter referred to as tank 103Y) storing yellow ink. In one chamber in the internal space 108 of the holder 101 of the mounting unit 110B, a tank 103 (hereinafter referred to as tank 103B) storing black ink is arranged. Hereinafter, the tanks 103C, 103M, 103Y, and 103B are collectively referred to as tanks 103. In this embodiment, dye ink is stored in all the tanks 103. The tank 103B is an example of a first tank. Tanks 103C, 103M, and 103Y are examples of the second tank.

The color of the ink stored in each tank 103 is not limited to the above-mentioned colors. The material of the ink stored in each tank 103 is not limited to dye. For example, the tank 103 arranged in one chamber of the internal space 108 of the holder 101 of the mounting unit 110B may store ink with a specific gravity (second specific gravity) greater than the specific gravity (first specific gravity) of the ink stored in the tanks 103 arranged in the three chambers of the internal space 108 of the holder 101 of the mounting unit 110A. Examples of the ink with the second specific gravity include white ink and pigment ink. Examples of the ink with the first specific gravity include cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, and dye ink.

It goes without saying that the color and material of the ink stored in the tanks 103 arranged in each room are not limited to the above examples and can be set as appropriate.

The housing 117 is translucent, allowing the ink stored in the internal space 119 to be visible from the outside.

1 and 4, the front wall 91 of the housing 117 faces the opening 47 formed in the front wall 44 of the lower housing 13 in the front-rear direction. As a result, when the lower housing 13 is viewed from the front, the front wall 91 is visible through the opening 47. The front wall 91 is translucent. Therefore, when the lower housing 13 is viewed from the front, the ink stored in the internal space 119 is visible through the opening 47 and the front wall 91. In this embodiment, the ink stored in the tanks 103C, 103M, and 103Y is visible through the opening 47 and the front wall 91 formed at the right end of the front wall 44, and the ink stored in the tank 103B is visible through the opening 47 and the front wall 91 formed at the left end of the front wall 44.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6(A), the right side wall 95 of the housing 117 faces the opening 48 formed in the right side wall 45 of the lower housing 13 in the left-right direction. As a result, when the lower housing 13 is viewed from the right, the right side wall 95 is visible through the opening 48. In addition, the right side wall 95 is translucent. Therefore, when the lower housing 13 is viewed from the right, the ink stored in the internal space 119 is visible through the opening 48 and the right side wall 95. In this embodiment, the ink stored in the tank 103Y is visible through the opening 48 and the right side wall 95.

As shown in FIG. 6(B), the left side wall 96 of the housing 117 faces the opening 49 formed in the left side wall 46 of the lower housing 13 in the left-right direction. As a result, when the lower housing 13 is viewed from the left, the left side wall 96 is visible through the opening 49. The left side wall 96 is also translucent. Therefore, when the lower housing 13 is viewed from the left, the ink stored in the internal space 119 is visible through the opening 49 and the left side wall 96. In this embodiment, the ink stored in the tank 103B is visible through the opening 49 and the left side wall 96.

In addition, in the housing 31 of the tank 103 (in this embodiment, tanks 103C, 103M, and 103Y) mounted in the mounting unit 110A, at least the front wall 91 facing forward and the right side wall 95 facing right may be translucent. In addition, in the housing 31 of the tank 103 (in this embodiment, tank 103B) mounted in the mounting unit 110B, at least the front wall 91 facing forward and the left side wall 96 facing left may be translucent.

In addition, it is not necessary for all of the tanks 103B, 103C, 103M, and 103Y to have translucent walls, but it is preferable that at least one of the tanks 103B, 103C, 103M, and 103Y has translucent walls, and it is even more preferable that all of the tanks 103B, 103C, 103M, and 103Y have translucent walls.

As shown in FIG. 7B, an air communication hole 124 penetrating the upper wall 93 is formed in the upper wall 93 of the housing 117 of the tank 103. This allows the internal space 119 to communicate with the atmosphere. The internal space 119 also communicates with the ink tube 20. This allows the ink stored in the internal space 119 to be supplied to the recording head 21 through the ink tube 20.

As shown in FIG. 8, the tank 103 includes a flow pipe 120. The flow pipe 120 included in the tank 103B is an example of a first flow pipe. The flow pipes 120 included in the tanks 103C, 103M, and 103Y are an example of a second flow pipe.

The flow pipe 120 extends in the vertical direction and penetrates the upper wall 93. The flow pipe 120 extends upward from the upper wall 93.

The flow pipe 120 has an outer peripheral wall 122 and a partition wall 123. The partition wall 123 extends above the outer peripheral wall 122. The partition wall 123 divides the internal space of the outer peripheral wall 122 into two spaces. One of the two spaces is a first flow path 125. The other of the two spaces is a second flow path 126.

The first flow path 125 is a space surrounded by the rear of the outer peripheral wall 122 and the partition wall 123. An opening 125A is formed at one end of the first flow path 125, and an opening 125B is formed at the other end of the first flow path 125.

The second flow path 126 is a space surrounded by the front part of the outer peripheral wall 122 and the partition wall 123. An opening 126A is formed at one end of the second flow path 126, and an opening 126B is formed at the other end of the second flow path 126.

Openings 125A and 126A are in the internal space 119. Openings 125A and 126A are below the air vent 124. Opening 126A is below opening 125A.

Openings 125B and 126B are located outside tank 103. Opening 125B connects internal space 119 to the outside of tank 103 via first flow path 125. Opening 126B connects internal space 119 to the outside of tank 103 via second flow path 126.

[Optical sensor 113]
3 and 8, an optical sensor 113 is disposed on the rear wall 81 of the holder 101. The optical sensor 113 includes a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion. The light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are disposed opposite to each other with a gap therebetween in the left-right direction.

The optical sensor 113 outputs a different detection signal to the controller 1 (see FIG. 3) depending on whether the light emitted from the light-emitting unit in the left-right direction is received by the light-receiving unit. The optical sensor 113 and the controller 1 are connected by a cable 4. For example, the optical sensor 113 outputs a low-level signal to the controller 1 on the condition that the light emitted from the light-emitting unit cannot be received by the light-receiving unit (i.e., the received light intensity is less than a predetermined intensity). On the other hand, the optical sensor 113 outputs a high-level signal to the controller 1 on the condition that the light output from the light-emitting unit can be received by the light-receiving unit (i.e., the received light intensity is equal to or greater than a predetermined intensity).

The controller 1 controls the operation of the multifunction device 10 and is composed of, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, etc. The CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. are mounted on the control board 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the control board 3 is disposed in the right rear part inside the lower housing 13. As shown in FIG. 5, the cable 4 connecting the optical sensor 113 of the mounting part 110B and the control board 3 is wired from the mounting part 110B to the mounting part 110A, above the conveying path 24, through the space in front of the recording head 21, and wired backward toward the control board 3 together with the cable 4 extending from the optical sensor 113 arranged corresponding to each tank 103C, 103M, 103Y of the mounting part 110A. The cable 4 connecting the optical sensor 113 of the mounting part 110A and the control board 3 is wired backward from the mounting part 110A to the control board 3. The control board 3 may be located at a position other than the right rear inside the lower housing 13. The wiring of the cable 4 is determined appropriately according to the position of the control board 3.

[Connector 130]
3 and 8, a connector 130 is disposed on the rear wall 81 of the holder 101. The connector 130 has four contacts 132. The four contacts 132 are disposed in parallel with a gap in the left-right direction. Each contact 132 corresponds to one of the electrodes 65 on the circuit board 64 of the ink cartridge 30. The number of contacts 132 is not limited to four.

The contact 132 is made of a conductive and elastic material. The contact 132 protrudes forward from the connector 130. The contact 132 is connected to a substrate (not shown). As a result, the contact 132 is electrically connected to an electrical circuit also mounted on the substrate. The electrical circuit is electrically connected to the controller 1 (see FIG. 3) by a cable 5. The cable 5 is wired in the same manner as the cable 4 (see FIG. 3).

In this embodiment, the connector 130 is provided only in the tank 103B among the tanks 103B, 103C, 103M, and 103Y that corresponds to the tank 103B. In other words, the connector 130 is provided in one chamber of the mounting unit 110B, and is not provided in the mounting unit 110A. However, the connector 130 may be provided in at least one of the tanks 103C, 103M, and 103Y. In other words, the connector 130 may be provided in at least one of the three chambers of the mounting unit 110A.

[Stopper 131]
As shown in FIG. 3, the stopper 131 protrudes rearward from the upper end of the front wall 44 of the housing. The stopper 131 is for holding the ink cartridge 30 in a state where it is mounted in the mounting portion 110. The stopper 131 is supported by the front wall 44 so as to be movable in the left-right direction. The stopper 131 can slide left-right between a holding position where the ink cartridge 30 is held in a state where it is mounted in the mounting portion 110 (a state where the ink cartridge 30 is connected to the tank 103) and a release position where the ink cartridge 30 is released from the holding position. The stopper 131 (the stopper 131 protruding into the internal space 108 of the holder 101 of the mounting portion 110A) of the mounting portion 110B is an example of a first holding mechanism. The stopper 131 (the stopper 131 protruding into the internal space 108 of the holder 101 of the mounting portion 110B) of the mounting portion 110A is an example of a second holding mechanism.

When the through hole 152 of the ink cartridge 30, which will be described later, is configured to be openable and closable by a valve biased by a spring, the stopper 131 can regulate the ink cartridge 30 connected to the tank 103 from moving in a direction that would cause the ink cartridge 30 to be disconnected from the tank 103 due to the reaction force of the spring, thereby maintaining the ink cartridge 30 in a connected state with the tank 103. In the present embodiment, when the ink cartridge 30 connected to the tank 103 does not move in a direction that would cause the ink cartridge 30 to be disconnected from the tank 103 due to the reaction force of the spring, the mounting unit 110 does not need to be provided with the stopper 131.

[Ink Cartridge 30]
The ink cartridge 30 shown in Fig. 7A is a container in which ink is stored. Three ink cartridges 30 are housed in respective chambers of the internal space 108 (see Fig. 3) divided into three sections of the holder 101 of the mounting section 110A. Also, one ink cartridge 30 is housed in the internal space 108 (see Fig. 3) of the holder 101 of the mounting section 110B.

As described above, the internal space 108 of the holder 101 of the mounting section 110A is divided into three chambers aligned in the left-right direction. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the three ink cartridges 30 mounted in the internal space 108 of the holder 101 of the mounting section 110A are arranged in parallel along the left-right direction. Note that when multiple ink cartridges 30 are arranged in the mounting section 110B, the multiple ink cartridges 30 may also be arranged in parallel along the left-right direction.

The color of ink stored in the ink cartridges 30 arranged in each chamber of the internal space 108 is the same as the color of ink stored in the tank 103 arranged in each chamber. In other words, in this embodiment, an ink cartridge 30 storing cyan ink (hereinafter referred to as ink cartridge 30C), an ink cartridge 30 storing magenta ink (hereinafter referred to as ink cartridge 30M), and an ink cartridge 30 storing yellow ink (hereinafter referred to as ink cartridge 30Y) are mounted in the three chambers of the internal space 108 of the holder 101 of the mounting part 110A, starting from the left chamber. An ink cartridge 30 storing black ink (hereinafter referred to as ink cartridge 30B) is mounted in one chamber of the internal space 108 of the holder 101 of the mounting part 110B. That is, ink cartridge 30C is connected to tank 103C, ink cartridge 30M is connected to tank 103M, ink cartridge 30Y is connected to tank 103Y, and ink cartridge 30B is connected to tank 103B. Hereinafter, ink cartridges 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30B are collectively referred to as ink cartridges 30. Ink cartridge 30B is an example of a first reservoir. Ink cartridges 30C, 30M, and 30Y are an example of a second reservoir.

The number of ink cartridges 30 placed in the internal space 108 and the color and material of the ink stored in the ink cartridges 30 placed in each chamber are determined according to the configuration of the mounting part 110 (the number of chambers in the internal space 108 of the holder 101 of the mounting part 110 and the color and material of the ink stored in each tank 103).

Ink cartridges 30C, 30M, 30Y, and 30B have roughly the same configuration, except that ink cartridge 30B is larger than ink cartridges 30C, 30M, and 30Y. Therefore, in the following, the configuration of ink cartridge 30B will be explained, and the configurations of ink cartridges 30C, 30M, and 30Y will be omitted in principle and will be explained only when necessary. Note that in the following, the configuration of ink cartridge 30B will be explained, but for convenience, ink cartridge 30B will be referred to as ink cartridge 30.

As shown in Figures 7(A) and 8, the ink cartridge 30 comprises a housing 31, a protrusion 67, a circuit board 64, and a protrusion 70. In the following description of the configuration of the ink cartridge 30, unless otherwise specified, the front-rear direction, up-down direction, and left-right direction are defined assuming that the ink cartridge 30 is in an upright position (the position connected to the tank 103, which is the position shown in Figure 8).

As shown in FIG. 7A, the housing 31 is generally rectangular. Overall, the housing 31 is flat in shape such that the dimensions along the left-right direction are smaller than the dimensions along the front-rear direction, and the dimensions along the up-down direction and the front-rear direction are each larger than the dimensions along the left-right direction.

The housing 31 includes a front wall 40, a rear wall 41, an upper wall 39, a lower wall 42, a right side wall 37, and a left side wall 38. The front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 are separated in the front-rear direction. The upper wall 39 is between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41, and extends from the upper end of the front wall 40 to the upper end of the rear wall 41. The lower wall 42 is between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41, and extends from the lower end of the front wall 40 to the lower end of the rear wall 41. The upper wall 39 and the lower wall 42 connect the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41. The right side wall 37 is between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41, and extends from the right end of the front wall 40 to the right end of the rear wall 41. The left side wall 38 is between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41, and extends from the left end of the front wall 40 to the left end of the rear wall 41. The right side wall 37 and the left side wall 38 connect the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41. The upper wall 39 and the lower wall 42 are separated in the vertical direction. The right side wall 37 and the left side wall 38 are separated in the horizontal direction. The peripheries of the right side wall 37 and the left side wall 38 are continuous with the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the upper wall 39, and the lower wall 42.

As shown in FIG. 8, the housing 31 has an internal space 151. The internal space 151 is a space defined by the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the upper wall 39, the lower wall 42, the right side wall 37, and the left side wall 38. Ink can be stored in the internal space 151.

As shown in FIG. 3, when the cover 18 is in the open position, the housing 31 is inserted downward into the holder 101 through the opening 112, and then removed upward.

The housing 31 is translucent, allowing the ink stored in the internal space 151 to be seen from the outside.

1 and 4, in the mounted state, the front wall 40 of the housing 31 faces the opening 47 formed in the front wall 44 of the lower housing 13 in the front-rear direction. As a result, when the lower housing 13 is viewed from the front, the front wall 40 is visible through the opening 47. In addition, since the front wall 40 has translucency, when the lower housing 13 is viewed from the front, the ink stored in the internal space 151 is visible through the opening 47 and the front wall 40. In this embodiment, the ink stored in the ink cartridges 30C, 30M, and 30Y is visible through the opening 47 and the front wall 40 formed at the right end of the front wall 44, and the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30B is visible through the opening 47 and the front wall 40 formed at the left end of the front wall 44. The front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30B is an example of a second wall. The front walls 40 of the ink cartridges 30C, 30M, and 30Y are an example of a third wall.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6A, in the attached state, the right side wall 37 of the housing 31 faces the opening 48 formed in the right side wall 45 of the lower housing 13 in the left-right direction. As a result, when the lower housing 13 is viewed from the right, the right side wall 37 is visible through the opening 48. In addition, since the right side wall 37 is translucent, when the lower housing 13 is viewed from the right, the ink stored in the internal space 151 is visible through the opening 48 and the right side wall 37. In this embodiment, the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30Y is visible through the opening 48 and the right side wall 95. The right side wall 37 of the ink cartridge 30Y is an example of a third wall.

As shown in FIG. 6B, in the attached state, the left side wall 38 of the housing 31 faces the opening 49 formed in the left side wall 46 of the lower housing 13 in the left-right direction. As a result, when the lower housing 13 is viewed from the left, the left side wall 38 is visible through the opening 49. In addition, since the left side wall 38 is translucent, when the lower housing 13 is viewed from the left, the ink stored in the internal space 151 is visible through the opening 49 and the left side wall 38. In this embodiment, the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30B is visible through the opening 49 and the left side wall 96. The left side wall 38 of the ink cartridge 30B is an example of a third wall.

In addition, in the housing 31 of the ink cartridge 30 (ink cartridges 30C, 30M, and 30Y in this embodiment) that is mounted in the mounting portion 110A, at least the front wall 40 facing forward and the right side wall 37 facing rightward need only be translucent. In addition, in the housing 31 of the ink cartridge 30 (ink cartridge 30B in this embodiment) that is mounted in the mounting portion 110B, at least the front wall 40 facing forward and the left side wall 38 facing left need only be translucent.

In addition, it is not necessary for all of the ink cartridges 30B, 30C, 30M, and 30Y to have translucent walls, but it is preferable that at least one of the ink cartridges 30B, 30C, 30M, and 30Y has translucent walls, and it is even more preferable that all of the ink cartridges 30B, 30C, 30M, and 30Y have translucent walls.

As shown in FIG. 7A, a through hole 152 (an example of a liquid flow hole) is formed in the bottom wall 42 of the housing 31. The internal space 151 is in communication with the outside through the through hole 152. Ink stored in the internal space 151 can flow to the outside through the through hole 152. However, in this embodiment, the through hole 152 is blocked by a seal 153 affixed to the outer surface of the bottom wall 42. Therefore, the flow of ink stored in the internal space 151 to the outside is restricted.

The means for blocking the through hole 152 is not limited to the seal 153. For example, a so-called duckbill type valve may be attached to the through hole 152, or the through hole 152 may be blocked by a valve having the same configuration as the valve 35 shown in FIG. 15, which will be described later.

[Protrusion 67]
7A and 8, a protrusion 67 protruding rearward is provided on the rear wall 41 of the housing 31. The protrusion 67 extends in the up-down direction.

The right or left surface of the protrusion 67 is the surface on which light emitted by the optical sensor 113 of the mounting unit 110 strikes. In this embodiment, the protrusion 67 is, for example, a resin plate containing a color material (black pigment) capable of blocking or attenuating light. In other forms, a material that is not transparent to light, such as aluminum foil, may be attached to at least the light blocking surface of the protrusion 67.

[Circuit board 64]
7A and 8 , a circuit board 64 is attached to the rear wall 41 of the housing 31. The circuit board 64 is located below the protrusion 67. The position of the circuit board 64 is not limited to being below the protrusion 67. The circuit board 64 has a substrate 63, a memory (not shown), and electrodes 65.

In this embodiment, the circuit board 64 is provided only in ink cartridge 30B among ink cartridges 30B, 30C, 30M, and 30Y. In other words, the circuit board 64 is not provided in ink cartridges 30C, 30M, and 30Y. However, the circuit board 64 may be provided in at least one of ink cartridges 30C, 30M, and 30Y.

The circuit board 64 is a substrate 63, which is a rigid substrate made of glass epoxy or the like, on which memory is mounted and four electrodes 65 are formed. Note that the number of electrodes 65 is determined according to the number of contacts 132 of the attachment part 110, and is not limited to four.

The memory is mounted on the back surface of the board 63 (the surface facing the rear wall 41). In this embodiment, when the board 63 is attached to the rear wall 41, a recess (not shown) capable of accommodating the memory is formed at a position on the rear wall 41 corresponding to the memory. The mounting position of the memory is not limited to the back surface of the board 63.

The memory stores information about the ink cartridge 30 so that it can be read by the controller 1 (see FIG. 3) of the multifunction device 10. The information about the ink cartridge 30 is data indicating information such as the lot number, manufacturing date, and ink color. In addition, information about the amount of ink stored in the ink cartridge 30, such as the amount of ink consumed, may also be stored. The memory is a semiconductor memory, such as a non-volatile memory such as FRAM (registered trademark) or a volatile memory such as SRAM.

Each of the four electrodes 65 corresponds to each of the four contacts 132 of the mounting section 110. As shown in FIG. 7(A), the four electrodes 65 are exposed so as to be electrically connectable. Each electrode 65 extends in the up-down direction. Each electrode 65 is arranged in a line spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction. Each electrode 65 is electrically connected to a memory.

[Protrusion 70]
As shown in FIG. 8, the protrusion 70 protrudes forward from the front wall 40 of the housing 31. In the mounted state, when the stopper 131 of the mounting portion 110 is in the retaining position, the protrusion 70 is located directly below the stopper 131. At this time, the stopper 131 prevents the ink cartridge 30 from being removed from the mounting portion 110. In the mounted state, when the stopper 131 of the mounting portion 110 is in the releasing position, the protrusion 70 is located in a position different from the stopper 131 in the left-right direction. At this time, the ink cartridge 30 can be removed from the mounting portion 110 without being restricted by the stopper 131. The protrusion 70 of the ink cartridge 30B is an example of a first retaining mechanism. The protrusions 70 of the ink cartridges 30C, 30M, and 30Y are an example of a second retaining mechanism.

In addition, instead of sliding the stopper 131, the ink cartridge 30 may be moved left and right or rotated. By moving or rotating the ink cartridge 30, the protrusion 70 and the stopper 131 may be shifted from a vertically overlapping position, so that the ink cartridge 30 can be removed from the mounting portion 110 without being restricted by the stopper 131.

The ink cartridge 30 may not have a protrusion 70. In this case, for example, the stopper 131 in the holding position may come into contact with the upper wall 39 of the ink cartridge 30, thereby preventing the ink cartridge 30 from being removed from the mounting portion 110.

[Operation of mounting the ink cartridge 30 into the mounting portion 110]
The operation of mounting the ink cartridge 30 in the holder 101 of the mounting portion 110 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 7A, in an ink cartridge 30 that is not installed in the installation portion 110, the through hole 152 is sealed with a seal 153, thereby preventing the ink stored in the internal space 151 from leaking out to the outside.

In addition, in an attachment section 110 where an ink cartridge 30 is not attached, there are no other components between the light-emitting section and the light-receiving section of the optical sensor 113. This allows light to travel from the light-emitting section to the light-receiving section. At this time, the optical sensor 113 outputs a high-level detection signal to the controller 1 (see FIG. 3). When the controller 1 receives a high-level detection signal from the optical sensor 113, it determines that an ink cartridge 30 is not attached to the attachment section 110.

In addition, in the mounting section 110 where the ink cartridge 30 is not mounted, the stopper 131 is in the release position.

First, the upper housing 14 (see FIG. 1) is rotated from the covered position to the open position. This opens the upper end of the lower housing 13 and exposes the cover 18. Next, the cover 18 is rotated from the covered position to the open position. This exposes the opening 112.

The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the internal space 108 of the holder 101 from above through the opening 112. Note that in this embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the holder 101 facing downward, but this is not limited thereto, and the ink cartridge 30 may be inserted into the holder 101 in a direction inclined relative to the up-down direction (diagonally downward).

As shown in FIG. 8, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the holder 101, the flow tube 120 breaks through the seal 153 from below the ink cartridge 30, penetrates the through hole 152, and enters the internal space 151 of the ink cartridge 30. In other words, the flow tube 120 is connected to the through hole 152. This allows the ink stored in the internal space 151 to flow through the flow tube 120 to the internal space 119 of the tank 103.

A ring member (not shown) made of an elastic material such as rubber is attached to the periphery of the through hole 152. The ring member adheres liquid-tightly to the outer circumferential surface of the flow pipe 120 that passes through the through hole 152.

When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the holder 101, the protrusion 67 is positioned between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the optical sensor 113. As a result, the protrusion 67 blocks the light from traveling from the light-emitting portion to the light-receiving portion. At this time, the optical sensor 113 outputs a low-level detection signal to the controller 1 (see FIG. 3). When the controller 1 receives a low-level detection signal from the optical sensor 113, it determines that the ink cartridge 30 is installed in the installation portion 110.

When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the holder 101, each electrode 65 of the circuit board 64 comes into contact with a corresponding contact 132 from the front. When each electrode 65 comes into contact with a corresponding contact 132 and establishes electrical conduction, a voltage Vc is applied to the electrode 65, the electrode 65 is grounded, or power is supplied to the electrode 65. Furthermore, electrical conduction between the contacts 132 and the electrode 65 establishes electrical conduction between the memory mounted on the circuit board 64 and the controller 1 (see FIG. 3). This allows the controller 1 to access the memory. As a result, data stored in the memory is input to the controller 1.

After the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the holder 101, the stopper 131 is moved from the release position to the holding position. This causes the ink cartridge 30 to be held in the mounting section 110. After that, the cover 18 is rotated from the open position to the covered position, and the upper housing 14 is rotated from the open position to the covered position.

When the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the holder 101, the upper housing 14 is rotated from the covered position to the open position, and the cover 18 is rotated from the covered position to the open position. The stopper 131 is then moved from the holding position to the release position. This allows the ink cartridge 30 to be removed from the mounting section 110 without being restricted by the stopper 131. Next, the user grasps the ink cartridge 30 and pulls it upward. This causes the flow tube 120 to come out of the through hole 152, and the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the holder 101.

The supply of ink from the ink cartridge 30 to the tank 103 in the mounted state shown in FIG. 8 will be described below. In this embodiment, the supply of ink from the ink cartridge 30 to the tank 103 is performed by the so-called chicken feed method, as described in detail below.

When the ink cartridge 30 is connected to the tank 103 and the openings 125B and 126B of the flow tube 120 are positioned in the internal space 151 of the ink cartridge 30, the internal space 151 and the internal space 119 of the tank 103 are connected through the first flow path 125 and the second flow path 126. As a result, as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 8, the ink stored in the internal space 151 flows to the second flow path 126 through the opening 126B, and flows from the opening 126A of the second flow path 126 to the internal space 119. Also, when the ink flows, as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 8, air enters the internal space 119 from the air communication hole 124, and flows into the internal space 151 from the first flow path 125 through the opening 125B. Here, the volume of ink flowing from the ink cartridge 30 to the tank 103 and the volume of air flowing from the tank 103 to the ink cartridge 30 are approximately the same. In this way, what is known as gas-liquid exchange takes place.

When ink flows into the internal space 119, the ink level in the internal space 119 rises and reaches the opening 125A of the first flow path 125, blocking the flow of air between the first flow path 125 and the internal space 151. This stops the flow of air from the internal space 119 to the internal space 151. Therefore, the flow of ink from the internal space 151 to the internal space 119 is stopped.

[Effects of this embodiment]
According to this embodiment, the tank 103B and the tanks 103C, 103M, and 103Y are arranged separately on the left and right sides of the transport path 24. This allows the size of each tank 103 to be made larger than in a configuration in which all of the tanks 103 are arranged on only one side of the transport path 24 in the left-right direction.

According to this embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 is connected to the tank 103 from above. This reduces the possibility of the ink cartridge 30 accidentally coming out of the tank 103 compared to an embodiment in which the ink cartridge 30 is connected to the tank 103 along the horizontal direction.

In this embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 is connected to the tank 103 from above. Therefore, the ink cartridge 30 is located above the tank 103. This makes it easy to use up the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30.

Normally, the user stands in front of the lower housing 13 and removes the ejected paper 2. According to this embodiment, the remaining amount of ink stored in the tank 103 can be checked from the front of the lower housing 13 through the front wall 91.

Normally, the user stands in front of the lower housing 13 and removes the ejected paper 2. According to the above embodiment, the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 can be checked from the front of the lower housing 13 through the front wall 40.

According to this embodiment, the remaining amount of ink stored in the tank 103 can be checked from the side through the front wall 91 in addition to the front.

According to this embodiment, the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 can be checked from the side through the front wall 40 in addition to the front.

According to this embodiment, it is easy to configure the tanks 103 arranged in parallel along the left-right direction so that they can be seen from the front.

According to this embodiment, it is easy to configure the ink cartridges 30 arranged in parallel along the left-right direction so that they can be seen from the front.

According to this embodiment, for example, a mechanism required only for the ink having the first specific gravity (for example, a pigment stirring mechanism required when the ink having the first specific gravity is a pigment) needs to be located only near tank 103B. In other words, this mechanism does not need to be located near tanks 103C, 103M, and 103Y. This allows tanks 103C, 103M, and 103Y to be made larger.

According to this embodiment, when the ink stored in the tank 103 is consumed in the mounted state and the ink level becomes lower than the opening 125A at the lower end of the first flow path 125, air enters the tank 103 from the air communication hole 124 and enters the ink cartridge 30 through the first flow path 125. Then, ink equivalent to the volume of the air that entered the ink cartridge 30 is supplied from the ink cartridge 30 to the tank 103 through the second flow path 126. When the ink level in the tank 103 reaches the opening 125A of the first flow path 125, the supply of ink is stopped. This allows the ink level stored in the tank 103 to be maintained constant.

According to this embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 connected to the tank 103 can be protected by the cover 18.

In this embodiment, the protrusions 70 and 131 prevent the ink cartridge 30 from being unintentionally removed from the tank 103.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, the tanks 103 are arranged in parallel along the left-right direction in the internal space 108 of the holder 101. However, the arrangement of the tanks 103 is not limited to the parallel arrangement along the left-right direction.

For example, as shown in Figures 9 to 11, the tank 103 and the ink cartridge 30 may be arranged in parallel along the front-to-rear direction in the internal space 108 of the holder 101 of the mounting section 110A.

In this case, the front wall 91 of the tank 103Y and the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30Y are visible through an opening 47 formed at the right end of the front wall 44 of the lower housing 13. In addition, the ink stored in the tank 103Y is visible through the opening 47 and the front wall 91, and the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30Y is visible through the opening 47 and the front wall 40.

The right side wall 95 of the tanks 103C, 103M, and 103Y and the right side wall 37 of the ink cartridges 30C, 30M, and 30Y are visible through an opening 48 formed in the right side wall 45 of the lower housing 13. The ink stored in the tanks 103C, 103M, and 103Y is visible through the opening 48 and the right side wall 95, and the ink stored in the ink cartridges 30C, 30M, and 30Y is visible through the opening 48 and the right side wall 37.

This allows the user to recognize that the ink level is approaching the bottom of the ink cartridge 30 and that it is nearing the time to replace the ink cartridge 30. In addition, because the ink level in the tank 103 is also visible, the user can recognize that even if the ink in the ink cartridge 30 runs out, some printing is still possible. In addition, when the ink level in the tank 103 is approaching the bottom, it means that the ink in the ink cartridge has been used up. When the ink level in the tank 103 approaches the bottom, the user can recognize the need to replace the ink cartridge (replenish ink).

When multiple tanks 103 and ink cartridges 30 are arranged in the mounting section 110B, the multiple tanks 103 and ink cartridges 30 may also be arranged in parallel along the front-to-rear direction.

The modified example shown in Figures 9 to 11 makes it easy to configure the ink cartridge 30 and tank 103 arranged in parallel along the front-to-rear direction so that they can be seen from the side.

The shapes of the tanks 103 are not limited to being the same, and may be different. For example, tanks 103C, 103M, and 103Y may be configured as shown in Figures 12 to 14. Tank 103Y is a rectangular parallelepiped. Tank 130M is L-shaped in a plan view, is larger than tank 103Y, and is disposed from the left to the rear of tank 103Y. Tank 130C is L-shaped in a plan view, is larger than tank 103M, and is disposed from the left to the rear of tank 103M.

In the configuration shown in Figures 12 to 14, the front walls 91 of the tanks 103C, 103M, and 103Y are visible through the opening 47 formed at the right end of the front wall 44 of the lower housing 13. In addition, the ink stored in the tanks 103C, 103M, and 103Y is visible through the opening 47 and the front wall 91.

The right side wall 95 of the tanks 103C, 103M, and 103Y is visible through the opening 48 formed in the right side wall 45 of the lower housing 13. The ink stored in the tanks 103C, 103M, and 103Y is visible through the opening 48 and the right side wall 95.

In the configuration shown in Figures 12 to 14, the ink cartridges 30 are arranged in parallel along the left-right direction, as in the above embodiment (see Figures 4 to 6). Of course, the configuration of each ink cartridge 30 is not limited to a parallel arrangement along the left-right direction. For example, ink cartridges 30C, 30M, and 30Y may be configured in the same shape as tanks 103C, 103M, and 103Y shown in Figures 12 to 14, respectively.

In the above embodiment, the ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 30 to the tank 103 by the chicken feed method, but it may be supplied by a method other than the chicken feed method. For example, the ink may be supplied from the ink cartridge 30 to the tank 103 by the head difference between the liquid level of the ink stored in the internal space 151 of the ink cartridge 30 and the liquid level of the ink stored in the internal space 119 of the tank 103, as described in detail below with reference to FIG. 15. In the following description, the parts of the configuration that are different from the above embodiment will be described, and the description of the parts of the configuration that are the same as the above embodiment will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 15, the tank 103 is L-shaped in side view. The tank 103 extends rearward beyond the rear wall 81 of the holder 101 and extends upwardly rearward beyond the rear wall 81.

The flow pipe 120 does not have a partition wall 123. In other words, the internal space of the flow pipe 120 is formed by only one flow path 127.

An air communication hole 155 is formed in the upper wall 39 of the ink cartridge 30, penetrating the upper wall 39. As a result, the internal space 151 is in communication with the atmosphere. The air communication hole 155 is configured to be openable and closable. In the configuration shown in FIG. 15, the ink cartridge 30 includes a valve 35 and a coil spring 36 (an example of a biasing member). The valve 35 and the coil spring 36 are disposed in a subspace 154 formed by the inner wall 50 of the housing 31. The valve 35 is movable between an open position (see FIG. 15A) that opens the air communication hole 155 and a closed position (see FIG. 15B) that closes the air communication hole 155. The coil spring 36 biases the valve 35 to the closed position. When the valve 35 is in the closed position, the tip 35A of the valve 35 protrudes upward from the upper wall 39 of the housing 31. The configuration for opening and closing the air communication hole 155 is not limited to a configuration including a valve 35 and a coil spring 36, and various known configurations can be used.

The ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the holder 101 of the mounting section 110 in the same manner as in the above embodiment.

After the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the holder 101, the valve 35 is biased by the coil spring 36 to the closed position as shown in FIG. 15B until the cover 18 is rotated from the open position to the covered position. In other words, the internal space 151 of the ink cartridge 30 is not open to the atmosphere. Therefore, ink does not flow from the internal space 151 to the internal space 119 of the tank 103 via the flow path 127, and the liquid level of the ink stored in the internal space 151 is maintained at position P1.

When the cover 18 is rotated from the open position to the covered position in the attached state, the tip 35A of the valve 35 comes into contact with the cover 18 from above and is pushed downward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15(A), the valve 35 moves from the closed position to the open position against the biasing force of the coil spring 36. This opens the internal space 151 of the ink cartridge 30 to the atmosphere. Therefore, due to the head difference between the liquid levels in the internal spaces 151 and 119, ink flows from the internal space 151 to the internal space 119 via the flow path 127. As a result, the liquid levels of the ink stored in the internal spaces 151 and 119 become position P2.

Here, the tip 35A of the valve 35 is directly above the through hole 152. That is, in a plan view, the tip 35A of the valve 35 and the through hole 152 at least partially overlap. In other words, in a plan view, the position where the cover 18 abuts against the ink cartridge 30 and the through hole 152 at least partially overlap. Note that in a plan view, the tip 35A of the valve 35 and the through hole 152 do not have to overlap.

In the above embodiment (the configuration shown in FIG. 8), the cover 18 in the covering position may also abut against the ink cartridge 30 from above. In this case, it is preferable that the position where the cover 18 abuts against the ink cartridge 30 and the through hole 152 overlap at least partially in a plan view.

According to the modified example shown in FIG. 15, ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 can be supplied to the tank 103 without requiring a complex configuration.

According to the modified example shown in FIG. 15, when the ink cartridge 30 is not connected to the tank 103, the valve 35 is biased by the coil spring 36 to the closed position. This prevents the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 from leaking to the outside through the air communication hole 155.

According to the modified example shown in FIG. 15, when the ink cartridge 30 is connected to the tank 103, the valve 35 moves to the open position when the cover 18 is moved to the covering position. This allows ink to be supplied from the ink cartridge 30 to the tank 103 by the head difference.

In the modified example shown in FIG. 15, the position where the cover 18 in the covering position abuts against the ink cartridge 30 and the through hole 152 overlap in the vertical line of sight. Therefore, the position of the ink cartridge 30 connected to the tank 103 can be stabilized.

In the above embodiment, the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 and the tank 103 was visible through the opening 47, which is an example of a first light-transmitting portion, and the openings 48 and 49, which are an example of a second light-transmitting portion, formed in the lower housing 13. However, the means for visually viewing the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 and the tank 103 is not limited to the openings 47, 48, and 49, as long as it has light-transmitting properties. For example, a transparent plate may be attached to the openings 47, 48, and 49. In this case, since the plate has light-transmitting properties, the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 and the tank 103 is visible through the plate. The plate provided on the front wall 44 is an example of a first light-transmitting portion. The plates provided on the right side wall 45 and the left side wall 46 are an example of a second light-transmitting portion.

The multifunction device 10 does not have to have a cover 18. In this case, in the configuration shown in FIG. 15, it may be the upper housing 14 that abuts against the tip 35A of the valve 35. In other words, the upper housing 14 functions as a cover in place of the cover 18.

In the above embodiment, the upper housing 14 and the cover 18 are moved to the covered position and the open position by rotating, but they may be moved to the covered position and the open position by a means other than rotating (e.g., sliding back and forth).

In the above embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 having the circuit board 64 and the protrusions 67 is connected to the tank 103, but the reservoir connected to the tank 103 is not limited to the ink cartridge 30. For example, a bottle not having the circuit board 64 or the protrusions 67 may be connected to the tank 103 as the reservoir. In this case, the means for distributing the ink stored in the bottle to the tank 103 may be the chicken feed method or the head difference method as described above, or other means (for example, the ink stored in the bottle may be distributed to the tank 103 by pumping the bottle).

The shape of the reservoir may be a rectangular parallelepiped like the ink cartridge 30, or may be another shape. For example, the bottle may be configured in a cylindrical shape. The shape of the tank 103 is also not limited to a rectangular parallelepiped.

In the above embodiment, ink is described as an example of a liquid, but for example, instead of ink, a pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto paper or the like prior to the ink during printing may be stored in the liquid cartridge. Also, water for cleaning the recording head 21 may be stored in the liquid cartridge.

2...Paper (sheet)
13...Lower housing (housing)
21... Recording head (liquid ejection head)
24: Transport path 30B: Ink cartridge (first reservoir)
30C, 30M, 30Y... ink cartridges (second reservoirs)
103B...Tank (first tank)
103C, 103M, 103Y...Tank (second tank)
120...Flow pipe (first flow pipe, second flow pipe)
152...Through hole (liquid distribution hole)

Claims (12)

a lower housing having a sheet discharge port at a front end thereof;
a mounting portion that is disposed in the lower housing and has an internal space that is open at an upper end and into which a reservoir that stores liquid can be mounted;
a tank having a flow pipe connected to the reservoir attached to the attachment portion, the tank storing the liquid flowing from the reservoir through the flow pipe ;
an upper housing movable between a first position that covers the upper end of the mounting portion and a second position that opens the upper end of the mounting portion;
a liquid ejection head disposed inside the lower housing and configured to eject liquid supplied from the tank through a flow path ,
The flow pipe extends upward from an upper end of the tank,
The internal space of the mounting portion is located above the tank so that the storage body can be connected to the flow pipe from above, and the system has a size that allows the storage body to be connected to the tank when the upper housing is located in the first position. The system according to claim 1, wherein the mounting portion extends in a vertical direction, a front-rear direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and a left-right direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the front-rear direction, and has a size that allows multiple storage bodies to be arranged side-by-side in the left-right direction in the internal space. The system described in claim 2, wherein the length of the storage body in the front-to-rear direction when connected to the tank is shorter than the length of the tank in the front-to-rear direction. The mounting portion has a first front wall located in front of the storage body connected to the tank,
The system of claim 1 , wherein the first front wall has a first viewing portion that allows the reservoir connected to the tank to be viewed from the outside. a lower housing having a sheet discharge port at a front end thereof;
a mounting portion that is disposed in the lower housing and has an internal space that is open at an upper end and into which a reservoir that stores liquid can be mounted;
A tank having a flow pipe connected to the reservoir attached to the attachment portion;
an upper housing movable between a first position that covers the upper end of the mounting portion and a second position that opens the upper end of the mounting portion,
The flow pipe extends upward from an upper end of the tank,
the internal space of the mounting portion is located above the tank so that the reservoir can be connected to the flow pipe from above, and has a size that allows the reservoir to be connected to the tank when the upper housing is located at the first position;
The mounting portion has a first front wall located in front of the storage body connected to the tank,
The system wherein the first front wall has a first viewing portion that allows the storage body connected to the tank to be viewed from the outside. The storage body has a second front wall that faces the first visual recognition portion in a front-rear direction when connected to the tank,
The system according to claim 4 or 5 , wherein the second front wall has a second viewing portion through which the liquid stored in the reservoir can be viewed from the outside. The mounting portion extends in a vertical direction, a front-rear direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and a left-right direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the front-rear direction, and has a size that allows a plurality of the storage bodies to be arranged side by side in the front-rear direction in the internal space,
The system according to claim 1 or 5 , wherein the plurality of storage bodies are located on one side of the paper discharge outlet in the left-right direction. a lower housing having a sheet discharge port at a front end thereof;
a mounting portion that is disposed in the lower housing and has an internal space that is open at an upper end and into which a reservoir that stores liquid can be mounted;
A tank having a flow pipe connected to the reservoir attached to the attachment portion;
an upper housing movable between a first position that covers the upper end of the mounting portion and a second position that opens the upper end of the mounting portion,
The flow pipe extends upward from an upper end of the tank,
the internal space of the mounting portion is located above the tank so that the reservoir can be connected to the flow pipe from above, and has a size that allows the reservoir to be connected to the tank when the upper housing is located at the first position;
The mounting portion extends in a vertical direction, a front-rear direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, and a left-right direction perpendicular to the vertical direction and the front-rear direction, and has a size that allows a plurality of the storage bodies to be arranged side by side in the front-rear direction in the internal space,
A system in which the plurality of storage bodies are located on one side of the paper discharge outlet in the left-right direction. 9. The system according to claim 1, wherein the flow pipe has a liquid supply flow path through which liquid flows and an air flow path through which air flows. a lower housing having a sheet discharge port at a front end thereof;
a mounting portion that is disposed in the lower housing and has an internal space that is open at an upper end and into which a reservoir that stores liquid can be mounted;
A tank having a flow pipe connected to the reservoir attached to the attachment portion;
an upper housing movable between a first position that covers the upper end of the mounting portion and a second position that opens the upper end of the mounting portion,
The flow pipe extends upward from an upper end of the tank,
the internal space of the mounting portion is located above the tank so that the reservoir can be connected to the flow pipe from above, and has a size that allows the reservoir to be connected to the tank when the upper housing is located at the first position;
The flow pipe is a system having a liquid supply flow path through which liquid flows and an air flow path through which air flows. The tank is located at an upper end of the tank and has an atmosphere communication hole that communicates between the inside and the outside of the tank,
The system of claim 10 , wherein the atmosphere vent is located aft of the flow pipe. 12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the length of the tank along the vertical direction is equal to or less than half the length of the internal space of the mounting portion along the vertical direction.

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