CN215153106U - Printer with a movable platen - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides a printer. The printer includes: a liquid ejection head; a first liquid container which is located above the liquid ejecting head and is provided with an inlet and an outlet; a second liquid container provided between the first liquid container and the liquid ejecting head in the ink flow path and having an inflow port; a first flow path member connected to the outlet port and the inlet port; a frame body portion; a CIS module that reads a document medium; and a cover which constitutes a front surface of the housing and is rotatable between an open position where the CIS module is opened and a closed position where the CIS module is covered, wherein the outlet and the inlet are positioned on a-X direction side with respect to the cover in an extending direction of the cover shaft.

Description

Printer with a movable platen

Technical Field

The utility model relates to a printer.

Background

For example, as shown in patent document 1, a multifunction device (printer) is known which has a scanner cover provided on a front surface of the device, and which has a reading function of reading an image of a document medium and a printing function of ejecting ink from a liquid ejecting head to print an image on a printing medium. Further, as shown in patent document 2, a liquid ejecting apparatus (printer) is known in which a liquid container having an injection port is provided on a front surface of the apparatus, and a user can inject ink from the injection port.

In a printer having a scanner cover and a liquid container having an inlet on the front surface of the device, the operations of opening and closing the scanner cover and the ancillary operations such as ink injection into the liquid container are performed from the front surface of the device. Further, when the ink tube connecting the liquid storage container and the liquid ejecting head is provided on the front surface of the apparatus, there is a possibility that the scanner cover and the ink tube interfere with each other during the opening and closing operation of the scanner cover, and thus ink leakage or other troubles may occur.

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2019-172427

Patent document 2: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2014-46588

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

The utility model discloses a printer possesses: a liquid ejecting section capable of ejecting liquid; a first liquid container that is provided with an inlet through which the liquid is injected and an outlet through which the liquid flows out, and that is located above the liquid ejecting section; a second liquid container that is provided with an inflow port into which the liquid contained in the first liquid container flows, and that is provided between the first liquid container and the liquid ejecting section in a flow path of the liquid from the first liquid container to the liquid ejecting section; a pipe connected to the outlet and the inlet so as to communicate the first liquid container with the second liquid container; a housing portion to which the second liquid container is attached and which houses the liquid ejecting portion; a reading unit that reads a conveyed original medium; and a scanner cover that constitutes a front surface of the housing portion and is rotatable about a cover shaft as a rotation center between an open position where the reading portion is opened and a closed position where the reading portion is covered, wherein the outflow port and the inflow port are located on one side of the scanner cover in an extending direction of the cover shaft.

In the printer of the present invention, it is preferable that a pressure regulating valve is provided between the second liquid storage container and the liquid ejecting section in the flow path, and the pressure regulating valve is opened when a pressure on a downstream side of the pressure regulating valve is smaller than a predetermined negative pressure.

In the printer of the present invention, it is preferable that the amount of liquid stored in the first liquid storage container is larger than the amount of liquid stored in the second liquid storage container.

In the printer of the present invention, it is preferable that the printer further includes an opening/closing unit that is provided between the first liquid storage container and the liquid ejecting unit in the flow path and that can open and close the flow path.

In the printer of the present invention, preferably, the cover shaft is located at a lower portion in the scanner cover, and the inflow port is located closer to the lower portion than the cover shaft.

In the printer of the present invention, it is preferable that the pair of rollers is disposed downstream of the reading section in a conveyance direction in which the original document medium is conveyed, and clamps the original document medium; and a control unit that controls the reading unit and the pair of rollers such that a nip position between the pair of rollers is located at a position different from the outflow port and the inflow port in an axial direction of the pair of rollers, and the control unit holds the original medium, which has been read by the reading unit, by the pair of rollers.

In the printer of the present invention, it is preferable that a fixing portion which makes the tube be located closer to the one side than the scanner cover in an extending direction of the cover shaft is provided on the frame body portion.

According to the present invention, even if the attachment work for the liquid container performed from the front surface of the apparatus and the attachment work for the reading unit performed from the front surface of the apparatus by opening and closing the scanner cover are performed simultaneously, these operations do not interfere with each other, and the operability is not easily deteriorated. Further, even if the attachment work for the liquid container performed from the front surface of the apparatus and the attachment work for the transport path performed from the front surface of the apparatus by opening and closing the scanner cover are performed simultaneously, these works do not interfere with each other, and the operability is not easily deteriorated.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2 is another perspective view of the printer according to the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a main part sectional view of the printer according to the embodiment.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion configuring the scanner unit.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing states of the liquid ejecting head and the pressure regulating valve.

Detailed Description

1. Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

1.1 overview of the Printer

Fig. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a printer 1 according to an embodiment. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line a-a in fig. 1, and is a main portion sectional view of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion configuring the scanner unit 50 in fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the states of the liquid ejecting head 40 and the pressure regulating valve 60.

In fig. 1, a state of the printer 1 in a case where the scanner cover 15 is located at the covering position P1 is illustrated. In fig. 2, the state of the printer 1 in the case where the scanner cover 15 is located at the open position P2 is illustrated. In fig. 1, the original medium M and the print medium N (roll body R) are illustrated by two-dot chain lines.

First, an outline of the printer 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 4.

In the following description, the width direction of the printer 1 is defined as the X-axis direction, the depth direction of the printer 1 is defined as the Y-axis direction, and the height direction of the printer 1 is defined as the Z-axis direction. An XY plane formed by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is a horizontal plane, and the Z-axis direction is a vertical direction orthogonal to the horizontal plane.

Among the X-axis directions, the direction toward one side is the + X direction, and the direction toward the other side is the-X direction. In the Y-axis direction, the direction toward one side is the + Y direction, and the direction toward the other side is the-Y direction. Among the Z-axis directions, the direction toward one side is the + Z direction, and the direction toward the other side is the-Z direction. In addition, the + X direction is set to the left, the-X direction is set to the right, the + Y direction is set to the front, the-Y direction is set to the rear, the + Z direction is set to the upper, and the-Z direction is set to the lower.

As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the printer 1 according to the embodiment is a so-called large format printer, and can mount a large-sized printing medium N. The printer 1 has a liquid ejecting head 40 capable of ejecting ink as one example of liquid, and has a printing function of printing an image on a printing medium N illustrated by a two-dot chain line in the drawing by ejecting ink from the liquid ejecting head 40. Further, the printer 1 has a Contact Image Sensor (CIS) module 6 capable of reading an image of the original medium M illustrated by a two-dot chain line in the figure, and the CIS module 6 has a scanner function of reading an image formed on the original medium M.

In addition, the liquid ejection head 40 is an example of a liquid ejection section in the present application. The CIS module 6 is an example of a reading section in the present application.

The printer 1 includes a leg portion 11 and a frame portion 12 supported by the leg portion 11. The housing portion 12 has a scanner cover 15 that becomes the front surface of the housing portion 12, an insertion port 16 into which the document medium M is inserted, and a discharge port 17 from which the document medium M is discharged, on the apparatus front surface side (+ Y direction side).

The scanner cover 15 constitutes a front surface of the housing 12, and is rotatable about a cover shaft 18 (see fig. 3 and 4) extending in the X-axis direction between a closed position P1 shown in fig. 1 and an open position P2 shown in fig. 2. The scanner cover 15 can be rotated to a position parallel to the XY plane (horizontal plane) with the cover shaft 18 as a rotation center.

In fig. 3 and 4, a cover shaft 18 located at a lower portion of the scanner cover 15 is illustrated by a broken line. The scanner cover 15 can rotate between the closed position P1 and a position parallel to the horizontal plane with the cover shaft 18 located at the lower portion in the scanner cover 15 as the center of rotation.

As described above, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes the scanner cover 15, and the scanner cover 15 constitutes the front surface of the housing 12 and is rotatable about the cover shaft 18 between the open position P2 where the CIS module 6 is opened and the closed position P1 where the CIS module 6 is covered. The printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a cover shaft 18, and the cover shaft 18 is located at a lower portion of the scanner cover 15 and extends in the X-axis direction.

Since the cover shaft 18 extends in the X-axis direction, the extending direction of the cover shaft in the present embodiment is the X-axis direction in the present embodiment.

Returning to fig. 1 and 2, a CIS module 6 is provided on the scanner cover 15, and the CIS module 6 reads a document medium M conveyed in a conveyance direction TD (see fig. 4). The CIS module 6 is rotatable together with the scanner housing 15.

The CIS modules 6 are arranged in plural along the X axis direction. By arranging a plurality of CIS modules 6 along the X-axis direction, the CIS modules 6 can collectively read images of the document medium M conveyed from the insertion port 16 toward the discharge port 17.

When the scanner cover 15 is disposed at the covering position P1 as shown in fig. 1, the CIS module 6 is covered by the scanner cover 15, and external light does not enter the CIS module 6. Further, the document medium M is in contact with a contact glass 7 (see fig. 4) of the CIS module 6, and the CIS module 6 can read an image of the document medium M.

In this manner, when the scanner cover 15 is disposed at the closed position P1, the CIS module 6 can read an image of the document medium M.

When the scanner cover 15 is disposed at the open position P2 as shown in fig. 2, the CIS module 6 is in an open state, and the user can perform attachment work to the CIS module 6 from the front surface of the apparatus.

In detail, as will be described later, in fig. 4, components arranged on the left side (+ Y direction side) with respect to an arrow mark (conveyance direction TD) of a thick broken line are provided on the scanner cover 15 and are rotatable together with the scanner cover 15. When the scanner cover 15 is disposed at the open position P2, the CIS module 6 can be touched by a user from the outside (from the upper side), and the user can perform attachment work (e.g., cleaning) to the CIS module 6. That is, the state in which the CIS module 6 is opened means a state in which the user can contact the CIS module 6 from the outside.

In the present embodiment, the CIS module 6 is provided on the scanner cover 15, but the CIS module 6 may be provided on a component other than the scanner cover 15.

For example, the CIS module 6 may be provided on the fixing portion 14 (see fig. 3 and 4) disposed to face the scanner cover 15 in a state where the scanner cover 15 is disposed at the closed position P1.

In the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, since the CIS module 6 is provided on the scanner cover 15, the scanner cover 15 is rotated forward (+ Y direction) or backward (-Y direction), whereby switching between a state in which the CIS module 6 can read an image of the document medium M and a state in which maintenance of the CIS module 6 can be performed.

Further, when the scanner cover 15 is rotated in the front-rear direction, the user can perform maintenance on the CIS module 6 from the front of the printer 1, and the space above the printer 1 can be flexibly used for other purposes. For example, the space above the printer 1 can be flexibly used as a space for temporarily storing the roll R in which the printing medium N is wound in a roll shape. Then, in a state where the roll body R is temporarily placed in the space on the upper side of the printer 1, maintenance of the CIS module 6 can be performed from the front of the printer 1.

An operation portion 21 is attached to the upper right of the housing portion 12. The operation unit 21 is constituted by a liquid crystal display device having a touch panel function. The user can perform various settings of the printer 1 through the operation unit 21.

The housing 12 houses: a placement unit 25 for placing a roll body R formed by winding a long print medium N into a roll shape; a printing unit 30 (liquid ejection head 40) that prints an image on a printing medium N; a scanner unit 50 that reads an image formed on the original medium M; and a control section 20.

The placement portion 25 is provided at the upper rear portion in fig. 1, and has a support portion 26 that supports the roll body R. The roll R rotates counterclockwise, and the printing medium N is unwound from the setting portion 25.

The control section 20 is arranged at the upper right of fig. 1. The control unit 20 includes a CPU (not shown) for controlling each unit of the printer 1, a memory (not shown) such as a RAM and a ROM, and the like. The memory stores programs run by the CPU, calculation results of the CPU, and the like. The control unit 20 controls each unit of the printer 1. For example, the control unit 20 controls the CIS module 6 and the roller pairs 51 and 56 (see fig. 4) described later.

As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the printing unit 30 includes a printing transport unit 36 and a printing unit 31, the printing transport unit 36 transports the printing medium N fed out from the setting unit 25 to the printing unit 31, and the printing unit 31 forms an image on the printing medium N.

The printing transport unit 36 includes a printing transport roller 37 and a printing transport motor (not shown) that drives the printing transport roller 37. The printing transport unit 36 transports the printing medium N unwound from the setting unit 25 toward the liquid ejecting head 40. Further, a portion of the printing medium N disposed to face the liquid ejecting head 40 is conveyed in the + Y direction by the printing conveying unit 36.

The printing unit 31 includes: a guide shaft 32 extending in the X-axis direction; a carriage 33 supported by the guide shaft 32; a printing motor (not shown) that reciprocates the carriage 33 along the guide shaft 32; and a liquid ejecting head 40 that ejects ink to the printing medium N.

The carriage 33 is supported by the guide shaft 32 and is movable in the X-axis direction. The liquid ejecting head 40 is mounted on the carriage 33 and is movable in the X-axis direction together with the carriage 33. Although not shown in fig. 3, the pressure regulating valve 60 is mounted on the carriage 33 together with the liquid ejecting head 40 and is movable in the X-axis direction together with the liquid ejecting head 40.

The printing unit 30 performs a printing process of forming an image on the printing medium N by alternately repeating an operation of ejecting ink onto the printing medium N while moving the liquid ejecting head 40 in the X-axis direction and an operation of conveying a portion of the printing medium N disposed to face the liquid ejecting head 40 in the + Y direction by the printing conveying section 36.

The printing medium N on which an image is formed by the printing process of the printing unit 30 is discharged from the discharge port 39 arranged in the + Y direction with respect to the liquid ejecting head 40 to the outside of the housing portion 12.

An insertion port 16 into which the document medium M is inserted is provided at an upper front portion of the frame portion 12, and a discharge port 17 from which the document medium M is discharged is provided at a lower front portion of the frame portion 12.

The original medium M inserted from the insertion port 16 is discharged from the discharge port 17 through a conveyance path of the original medium M formed in the housing 12. In the conveyance path of the document medium M formed in the frame portion 12, the direction from the insertion port 16 toward the discharge port 17 is the conveyance direction in which the document medium M is conveyed.

The conveyance direction in which the original medium M is conveyed is an example of the conveyance direction in the present application, and hereinafter, is referred to as a conveyance direction TD. In fig. 4, the conveyance direction TD is indicated by a thick broken arrow. The tip side of the thick arrow marks is the downstream in the transport direction TD, and the base side of the thick arrow marks is the upstream in the transport direction TD.

The housing 12 has a fixing portion 14, and the fixing portion 14 is disposed to face the scanner cover 15 in a state where the scanner cover 15 is located at the covering position P1. The fixing portion 14 has a baffle plate 13 disposed at a lower portion.

The scanner unit 50 has: a first roller pair 51 arranged on the upstream side in the conveyance direction TD and nipping the original document medium M; a second roller pair 56 disposed downstream in the conveyance direction TD and configured to nip the document medium M; and a CIS module 6 disposed between the first roller pair 51 and the second roller pair 56. As described above, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes the second roller pair 56, and the second roller pair 56 is disposed downstream of the CIS module 6 in the transport direction TD and nips the document medium M.

In addition, the second roller pair 56 is an example of a roller pair in the present application.

In a state where the scanner cover 15 is located at the covering position P1, the surface on the-Y direction side of the scanner cover 15 is the inner surface 15a of the scanner cover 15, and the surface on the + Y direction side of the fixing portion 14 is the inner surface 14a of the fixing portion 14. The inner surface 15a of the scanner cover 15 and the inner surface 14a of the fixing portion 14 are disposed to face each other, and a gap (space) through which the document medium M can be conveyed is formed between the inner surface 15a of the scanner cover 15 and the inner surface 14a of the fixing portion 14. The original medium M passes through a space between the inner surface 15a of the scanner cover 15 and the inner surface 14a of the fixed portion 14, and is conveyed in a direction from the insertion port 16 toward the discharge port 17. That is, a space between the inner surface 15a of the scanner cover 15 and the inner surface 14a of the fixing portion 14 forms a conveyance path of the document medium M.

The first roller pair 51 is disposed near the insertion port 16, and conveys the document medium M inserted into the housing 12 from the insertion port 16 toward the CIS module 6.

The first roller pair 51 has a first driving roller 52, a first driven roller 53, and a second driven roller 54. The first driving roller 52 rotates with a shaft 52a extending in the X-axis direction as a rotation shaft. The first driven roller 53 rotates with a shaft 53a extending in the X-axis direction as a rotation axis. The second driven roller 54 rotates with a shaft 54a extending in the X-axis direction as a rotation axis.

The first driving roller 52 is provided on the fixing portion 14. The first driven roller 53 and the second driven roller 54 are provided on the scanner cover 15 and are rotatable together with the scanner cover 15.

The driven rollers 53 and 54 are pressed against the first driving roller 52 via the document medium M and driven to rotate. The first driving roller 52 nips the document medium M between the driven rollers 53 and 54. The first driving roller 52 is rotationally driven, and the original medium M is fed out to a conveyance path formed by the inner surface 15a of the scanner cover 15 and the inner surface 14a of the fixing portion 14.

The document medium M fed by the first roller pair 51 is conveyed in the conveyance direction TD along a conveyance path formed by the inner surface 15a of the scanner cover 15 and the inner surface 14a of the fixing portion 14, and is guided to the CIS module 6.

In fig. 4, components arranged on the left side (+ Y direction side) with respect to the conveyance direction TD indicated by a thick broken line arrow in the drawing are provided on the scanner cover 15 and are rotatable together with the scanner cover 15. For example, in addition to the first driven roller 53 and the second driven roller 54 described above, a third driven roller 58 and the CIS module 6 are provided on the scanner cover 15 and are rotatable together with the scanner cover 15.

In fig. 4, components arranged on the right side (on the side of the Y direction) with respect to the conveyance direction TD indicated by a thick broken line arrow in the figure are provided in the fixed portion 14.

The CIS module 6 is disposed downstream of the first roller pair 51 in the conveyance direction TD. The CIS module 6 has: a contact glass (contact glass)7 which is to be in contact with the original medium M; a light source (not shown) such as an LED for irradiating the document medium M with light; and a light receiving element (not shown) such as a CMOS sensor that receives the reflected light from the document medium M.

In a state where the scanner cover 15 is located at the closing position P1, the document medium M conveyed in the conveyance direction TD by the first roller pair 51 is conveyed to the second roller pair 56 disposed on the downstream side in the conveyance direction TD of the CIS module 6 after the image is read by the CIS module 6.

The second roller pair 56 has a second driving roller 57 and a third driven roller 58. The second driving roller 57 rotates with a shaft 57a extending in the X-axis direction as a rotation shaft. The third driven roller 58 rotates with a shaft 58a extending in the X-axis direction as a rotation axis. The second driving roller 57 is provided on the fixing portion 14. The third driven roller 58 is provided on the scanner cover 15 and is capable of rotating together with the scanner cover 15.

Further, since the shafts 57a, 58a of the rollers 57, 58 constituting the second roller pair 56 extend in the X-axis direction, the shafts 57a, 58a of the second roller pair 56 are parallel to the X-axis direction. Therefore, the axial direction of the roller pair in the present application is the X-axis direction in the present embodiment.

The third driven roller 58 is pressed against the second driving roller 57 via the document medium M and is driven to rotate. When the second driving roller 57 rotates, the third driven roller 58 is driven to rotate, and the document medium M is conveyed in the conveyance direction TD. When the rotation of the second driving roller 57 is stopped, the document medium M is sandwiched between the second driving roller 57 and the third driven roller 58. The document medium M nipped by the second driving roller 57 and the third driven roller 58 is held by the second roller pair 56. In this way, the second roller pair 56 has a holding function of holding the document medium M whose image is read by the CIS module 6.

Further, in the axial direction (X-axis direction) of the second roller pair 56, a nip position where the document medium M is nipped by the second driving roller 57 and the third driven roller 58, that is, a nip position where the document medium M is nipped by the second roller pair 56 is located at a position different from the outflow port 74 of the first liquid storage container 70 and the inflow port 78 of the second liquid storage container 77.

The document medium M conveyed by the second roller pair 56 is guided by the flapper 13 disposed in the-Z direction with respect to the second roller pair 56. The end portion of the document medium M on the downstream side in the conveyance direction TD abuts on the guide surface 13a of the flapper 13 and travels along the guide surface 13a of the flapper 13. As a result, the conveyance direction TD of the document medium M changes from the-Z direction (gravity direction) to the direction toward the discharge port 17 (+ Y direction).

Then, the document medium M whose image is read by the CIS module 6 is discharged from the discharge port 17 to the outside of the housing portion 12.

The control unit 20 controls the first roller pair 51, the second roller pair 56, and the CIS module 6 so that the document medium M on which an image is read by the CIS module 6 is held by the second roller pair 56. That is, the control unit 20 holds the document medium M whose reading by the CIS module 6 is completed by the second roller pair 56. The second roller pair 56 holds the document medium M when the second roller pair 56 holds the document medium M and stops the rotation of the second roller pair 56.

In this way, the document medium M whose reading by the CIS module 6 is completed falls in the gravity direction (-Z direction) without being discharged from the discharge port 17 to the outside of the housing 12, and is held by the second roller pair 56.

It is assumed that, when there is a contamination source (for example, contamination of the floor surface) in the direction of gravity with respect to the discharge port 17, there is a possibility that the original medium M is contaminated by the contamination source when the original medium M whose reading by the CIS module 6 is completed falls in the direction of gravity. In the present embodiment, since the document medium M whose reading by the CIS module 6 is completed is held by the second roller pair 56, even if a contamination source is present in the gravity direction with respect to the discharge port 17, the document medium M is less likely to be contaminated by the contamination source.

1.2 outline of flow channel through which ink flows

Next, an outline of a flow path through which ink flows from the first liquid storage container 70 to the liquid ejecting head 40 will be described with reference to fig. 1 and 5.

In the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the first liquid container 70 containing ink is attached to the upper right of the housing 12, and the liquid ejecting head 40 ejecting ink is contained in the housing 12, thereby forming a flow path for ink flowing from the first liquid container 70 to the liquid ejecting head 40.

The flow path of the ink in which the ink flows from the first liquid container 70 toward the liquid ejecting head 40 can be, in other words, a flow path of the ink from the first liquid container 70 to the liquid ejecting head 40, and is an example of a flow path in the present application, and hereinafter, referred to as a flow path FP of the ink.

In fig. 1, the flow direction of the ink in the ink flow path FP is indicated by thick solid arrows. The tip side of the thick solid arrow indicates a downstream in the ink flow path FP, and the base side of the thick solid arrow indicates an upstream in the ink flow path FP.

As shown in fig. 1, the ink flow path FP is provided with a first flow path member 81, an opening/closing portion 8, a first flow path member 81, a second liquid container 77, a second flow path member 85, an opening/closing portion 9, a second flow path member 85, and a pressure regulating valve 60 in this order from the upstream side in the ink flow path FP.

That is, the ink flow path FP is a flow path through which ink flows, and is formed by the first flow path member 81, the opening/closing portion 8, the first flow path member 81, the second liquid container 77, the second flow path member 85, the opening/closing portion 9, the second flow path member 85, and the pressure regulating valve 60.

In addition, the first flow path member 81 is an example of a pipe in the present application.

A first liquid container 70 containing ink is attached to the upper right of the housing 12. The first liquid storage container 70 is disposed at a position higher than the liquid ejecting head 40. The amount of ink stored in the first liquid container 70 is larger than the amount of ink stored in the second liquid container 77.

The first liquid container 70 is constituted by a first liquid container 70K containing black ink, a first liquid container 70C containing cyan ink, a first liquid container 70M containing magenta ink, and a first liquid container 70Y containing yellow ink. The first liquid container 70K containing black ink, the first liquid container 70C containing cyan ink, the first liquid container 70M containing magenta ink, and the first liquid container 70Y containing yellow ink are arranged in this order along the + X direction.

The first liquid container 70 includes: a main body 72 that contains ink; an inlet 71 into which ink can be injected from a refill container (not shown); a cover member 73 that seals the inlet 71; and an outlet 74 through which the ink stored in the main body 72 flows out.

The inlet 71 is an opening provided on the upper surface of the body 72. The outlet 74 is an opening provided at a lower portion of the front surface of the body 72. The outlet 74 protrudes in the + Y direction from the front surface of the body 72, and is inserted into the first flow path member 81. The cover member 73 has one end serving as a pivot shaft and the other end rotatable with respect to the body portion 72. The lid member 73 seals the injection port 71, thereby suppressing drying of the ink stored in the main body 72.

As described above, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes the first liquid container 70, and the first liquid container 70 is located above the liquid ejecting head 40 and is provided with the inlet port 71 through which ink is injected and the outlet port 74 through which ink flows out.

A second liquid container 77 is attached to the lower right of the housing 12. The second liquid container 77 is provided between the first liquid container 70 and the liquid ejection head 40 in the flow path FP of the ink, and is arranged at a position lower than the liquid ejection head 40. The storage amount of the ink in the second liquid storage container 77 is smaller than the storage amount of the ink in the first liquid storage container 70.

An inlet 78 through which ink stored in the first liquid storage container 70 flows is provided on the upper surface of the second liquid storage container 77. The second liquid container 77 communicates with the first liquid container 70 via the first flow path member 81. That is, the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77 is connected to the outlet 74 of the first liquid container 70 via the first flow path member 81.

The inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77 is disposed at a position lower than the cover shaft 18 and below the cover shaft 18.

As described above, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes the second liquid container 77, and the second liquid container 77 is provided between the first liquid container 70 and the liquid ejecting head 40 in the ink flow path FP, and is provided with the inflow port 78 through which the ink contained in the first liquid container 70 flows.

The cover member 75 is attached to the housing portion 12 below the second liquid storage container 77. The cover member 75 can be rotated, and the user can open the cover member 75 to attach the second liquid storage container 77 to the housing portion 12.

Further, as described above, since the liquid ejecting head 40 is housed in the housing 12, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes the housing 12, and the second liquid housing tank 77 is attached to the housing 12 and houses the liquid ejecting head 40.

The second liquid container 77 is composed of a second liquid container 77K containing black ink, a second liquid container 77C containing cyan ink, a second liquid container 77M containing magenta ink, and a second liquid container 77Y containing yellow ink.

The second liquid containers 77K, 77C, 77M, and 77Y communicate with the corresponding first liquid containers 70K, 70C, 70M, and 70Y, respectively, via the first flow path members 81. Then, the black ink is supplied from the first liquid container 70K to the second liquid container 77K via the first flow path member 81, the cyan ink is supplied from the first liquid container 70C to the second liquid container 77C via the first flow path member 81, the magenta ink is supplied from the first liquid container 70M to the second liquid container 77M via the first flow path member 81, and the yellow ink is supplied from the first liquid container 70Y to the second liquid container 77Y via the first flow path member 81.

The first flow path member 81 is disposed outside the housing 12 and forms a part of the ink flow path FP.

One of the first flow path members 81 is inserted into the outlet 74 of the first liquid container 70, and the other of the first flow path members 81 is inserted into the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77. According to this configuration, the first flow path member 81 connects the outlet 74 of the first liquid container 70 and the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77, thereby forming a flow path from the first liquid container 70 to the second liquid container 77.

Only the first channel member 81 (channel member body 82, lid member 83) is disposed above the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77, and no component other than the first channel member 81 is disposed.

The first flow path member 81 includes a flow path member main body 82 and a lid member 83, the flow path member main body 82 extends in the direction of the flow path FP of the ink, and the lid member 83 is disposed on the downstream side of the flow path member main body 82. The flow path member main body 82 is an ink tube having flexibility. The lid member 83 is welded to the flow path member main body 82 and fixed to the flow path member main body 82. The cap member 83 is fixed to the flow path member body 82 in a state where the flow path member body 82 penetrates the cap member 83.

The lid member 83 can be fitted into the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77. When the lid member 83 is fitted into the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77 in a state where the flow path member body 82 is inserted into the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77, the outlet 74 of the first liquid container 70 and the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77 are connected to each other by the first flow path member 81 so that the first liquid container 70 and the second liquid container 77 communicate with each other.

As a result, the ink contained in the first liquid container 70 can flow into the second liquid container 77 through the outlet 74 of the first liquid container 70, the first channel member 81, and the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77. Further, when the lid member 83 is fitted into the inlet port 78 of the second liquid container 77, the inlet port 78 is sealed by the lid member 83, and the ink does not leak from the second liquid container 77, and the ink contained in the second liquid container 77 is prevented from drying.

The first liquid container 70 and the second liquid container 77 are located on one side (on the side of the X direction) of the scanner cover 15 in the extending direction (the X axis direction) of the cover shaft 18, and are arranged at positions different from the scanner cover 15. The inlet 71 and the outlet 74 of the first liquid container 70 and the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77 are positioned on one side (on the side of the X direction) of the scanner cover 15 in the extending direction (the X axis direction) of the cover shaft 18, and are arranged at positions different from the scanner cover 15.

As described above, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment has a structure in which the outlet 74 and the inlet 78 are located on the side of the scanner cover 15 in the extending direction of the cover shaft 18.

The first flow path member 81 connecting the outlet 74 of the first liquid container 70 and the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77 is positioned on one side (on the side of the X direction) of the scanner cover 15 in the extending direction (X axis direction) of the cover shaft 18, and is disposed at a position different from the scanner cover 15. That is, the first liquid container 70 and the first flow path member 81 disposed outside the housing portion 12 are located on one side (on the side of the negative X direction) of the scanner cover 15 in the extending direction (X axis direction) of the cover shaft 18 and are disposed at positions different from the scanner cover 15.

Further, since the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77 is positioned below the cover shaft 18, the connection portion between the first flow path member 81 and the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77 is positioned below the cover shaft 18.

A hook 93 is provided on the frame body portion 12 in the extending direction (X-axis direction) of the cover shaft 18, and the hook 93 is positioned on one side (the (-X-direction side) with respect to the scanner cover 15. The first flow path member 81 is bound by the binding member 94 and hooked by the hook 93. As the binding member 94, a binding band, a belt, a rope, or the like can be used.

In addition, the hook 93 is one example of a fixing portion in the present application. In this manner, the frame body portion 12 is provided with a fixing portion (hook 93) that positions the tube (first flow path member 81) on the side (on the side in the (-X direction) with respect to the scanner cover 15 in the extending direction of the cover shaft 18.

The fixing portion in the present application may be a concave portion or a convex portion provided in the frame body portion 12, and the binding member 94 may be hooked to the concave portion or the convex portion. The binding member 94 may be omitted, and the first flow path member 81 may be directly caught by the concave portion, the convex portion, or the hook 93.

The fixing portion in the present application may be a hole provided in the housing 12, and the first flow path member 81 may be bound by a string inserted through the hole. The fixing portion in the present application may be a string attached to the housing 12, and the first flow path member 81 may be bound by the string. The fixing portion in the present application may be a gripping member attached to the frame body portion 12 and configured to grip the first flow path member 81. The fixing portion in the present application may be a surface fastener attached to the housing portion 12, and the movement of the first flow path member 81 may be restricted by the surface fastener. The fixing portion in the present application may be a magnet attached to the housing 12, and the movement of the first flow path member 81 may be restricted by the magnet.

In short, a component that positions the first flow path member 81 on the side closer to the scanner cover 15 than to the side in the (-X direction) is included in the fixing portion in the present application as long as the component is provided in the frame body portion 12. In the present application, the number of the fixing portions may be single or plural.

In a state where the first flow path member 81 is connected to the outlet 74 and the inlet 78, the first flow path member 81 can move in the X-axis direction. For example, when the user touches the first flow path member 81, the position of the first flow path member 81 in the X axis direction may change, and the first flow path member 81 may not be disposed on one side (the (-X direction side) with respect to the scanner cover 15. That is, in a plan view viewed from the Y-axis direction, the first flow path member 81 may overlap the scanner cover 15.

In the present embodiment, since the fixing portion (hook 93) that positions the tube (first flow path member 81) on the side closer to the scanner cover 15 than the side in the extending direction of the cover shaft 18 in the (-X direction) is provided in the frame body portion 12, the first flow path member 81 is reliably disposed on the-X direction side with respect to the scanner cover 15, and the first flow path member 81 is reliably not overlapped with the scanner cover 15 in a planar view viewed from the Y axis direction.

The second flow path member 85 is disposed in the housing 12 and forms a part of the flow path FP of the ink. The second flow path member 85 connects the second liquid container 77 and the pressure regulating valve 60, and forms a flow path from the second liquid container 77 to the pressure regulating valve 60.

The first flow path member 81 is provided with an opening/closing portion 8 that opens and closes the first flow path member 81. The opening/closing portion 8 is attached to the first flow path member 81 and is disposed outside the housing portion 12. The second flow path member 85 is provided with an opening/closing portion 9 that opens and closes the second flow path member 85. The opening/closing portion 9 is attached to the second flow path member 85 and is disposed in the housing portion 12. Further, a panel 91 constituting a part of the frame portion 12 is disposed on the-X direction side with respect to the opening/closing portion 9, and the panel 91 is detachable.

As described above, the printer 1 according to the present embodiment includes the opening/closing units 8 and 9 that are provided between the first liquid container 70 and the liquid ejecting head 40 in the ink flow path FP and can open and close the ink flow path FP.

The opening/closing portions 8 and 9 are valves for manually opening and closing the flow path members 81 and 85. The user can manually open and close the opening and closing unit 9 by removing the panel 91.

For example, the opening/closing units 8 and 9 may have a cam and a means for rotating the cam, and when the cam is rotated, the flow path members 81 and 85 are in a compressed state, the flow path members 81 and 85 are closed, and when the cam is further rotated, the compressed state of the flow path members 81 and 85 is released, and the flow path members 81 and 85 are opened.

For example, the opening/closing portions 8 and 9 may be clips that are attached so as to sandwich the flow path members 81 and 85 and can crush the flow path members 81 and 85 to close the flow path members 81 and 85.

The opening/closing unit 8 can open and close the first flow path member 81, and the opening/closing unit 9 can open and close the second flow path member 85.

For example, when the opening/closing units 8 and 9 are opened, the ink stored in the first liquid storage container 70 can be supplied to the liquid ejecting head 40.

For example, when the first channel member 81 is closed by the opening/closing unit 8, the first liquid container 70 can be removed from the frame portion 12 without ink leakage, and the first liquid container 70 can be replaced. For example, when the first channel member 81 is closed by the opening/closing unit 8 and the second channel member 85 is closed by the opening/closing unit 9, the second liquid container 77 can be removed from the frame portion 12 without ink leakage and the second liquid container 77 can be replaced.

According to this structure, the convenience of the user is improved.

As described above, the amount of ink stored in the first liquid container 70 is larger than the amount of ink stored in the second liquid container 77, and the first liquid container 70 can store a larger amount of ink than the second liquid container 77.

That is, in the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, since the user supplies ink to the first liquid container 70 having a large ink storage amount, the frequency of ink supply is reduced compared to the case where the user supplies ink to the second liquid container 77 having a small ink storage amount, and convenience of the user is improved.

Since the ink is stored in both the first liquid storage container 70 and the second liquid storage container 77, even if the ink stored in the first liquid storage container 70 becomes empty, the ink is supplied from the second liquid storage container 77 to the liquid ejection head 40, and therefore, the printing process by the printing unit 30 is not interrupted, and the printing unit 30 can continue to perform the printing process and continue to form an image on the printing medium N.

Further, since the ink can be replenished from the replenishment container to the first liquid container 70 in the state where the ink is supplied from the second liquid container 77 to the liquid ejecting head 40, when the ink is replenished from the replenishment container to the first liquid container 70, the printing process of the printing unit 30 is not interrupted, and the printing unit 30 can continue to execute the printing process and continue to form an image on the printing medium N.

According to this structure, the productivity of the printer 1 can be improved.

As shown in fig. 5, a pressure regulating valve 60 is disposed upstream of the liquid ejecting head 40. The pressure regulating valve 60 is provided on a second flow path member 85 forming a part of the flow path FP of the ink. In detail, the pressure regulating valve 60 is provided between the second liquid container 77 and the liquid ejecting head 40 in the flow path FP of the ink.

The ink contained in the first liquid containing container 70 is supplied to the liquid ejecting head 40 via the first flow path member 81, the second liquid containing container 77, the second flow path member 85, and the pressure regulating valve 60.

The flow paths of the flow path members 81 and 85 (the flow paths formed by the flow path members 81 and 85) are arranged on the upstream side of the pressure regulating valve 60, and the flow paths of the liquid ejecting head 40 (the flow paths formed by the liquid ejecting head 40) are arranged on the downstream side of the pressure regulating valve 60. In addition, the pressure regulating valve 60 forms a flow passage of the pressure regulating valve 60.

That is, the ink stored in the first liquid storage container 70 reaches the flow path of the liquid ejecting head 40 via the flow paths of the flow path members 81 and 85 and the flow path of the pressure regulating valve 60, and is ejected from the nozzles 44 of the liquid ejecting head 40 onto the printing medium N.

The pressure regulating valve 60 includes a case member 61, an ink inlet 62, an ink supply chamber 63, a filter 64 provided in the ink supply chamber 63, a valve body 65, a pressure chamber 66, a flexible member 67, an ink outlet 68, and a spring 69. The ink introduction port 62, the ink supply chamber 63, the valve element 65, the pressure chamber 66, and the ink discharge port 68 are arranged in this order from the upstream side in the flow path of the pressure regulating valve 60.

Further, a flow path of the pressure regulating valve 60 is formed by the ink introduction port 62, the ink supply chamber 63, the pressure chamber 66, and the ink discharge port 68.

The ink supply chamber 63 is a space that forms an upstream portion of the flow path of the pressure regulating valve 60, is provided in the case member 61, and contains ink. The ink supply chamber 63 has an upstream side communicating with the flow paths of the flow path members 81 and 85 via the ink introduction port 62, and a downstream side communicating with the pressure chamber 66.

The pressure chamber 66 is a space in which ink is accommodated, which forms a downstream portion of the flow path of the pressure regulating valve 60 and is defined by the case member 61 and the flexible member 67. The pressure chamber 66 has an upstream side communicating with the ink supply chamber 63 and a downstream side communicating with the flow path of the liquid ejecting head 40 via the ink outlet port 68.

The valve element 65 is disposed so as to extend from the ink supply chamber 63 to the pressure chamber 66. The valve body 65 is formed to be thicker at an end portion of the valve body 65 on the ink supply chamber 63 side and an end portion of the valve body 65 on the pressure chamber 66 side, and is formed to be thinner between the end portion of the valve body 65 on the ink supply chamber 63 side and the end portion of the valve body 65 on the pressure chamber 66 side.

The flexible member 67 is displaced in a direction in which the volume of the pressure chamber 66 increases when the pressure of the pressure chamber 66 increases, and is displaced in a direction in which the volume of the pressure chamber 66 decreases when the pressure of the pressure chamber 66 decreases.

The spring 69 is disposed in a compressed state between a portion of the case member 61 forming the pressure chamber 66 and an end portion of the valve element 65 on the pressure chamber 66 side. Thus, the end of the valve body 65 on the pressure chamber 66 side is pressed by the spring 69, and the valve body 65 is displaced together with the flexible member 67.

For example, when the pressure in the pressure chamber 66 becomes high and the flexible member 67 is displaced in a direction in which the volume of the pressure chamber 66 becomes large, the valve member 65 is displaced together with the flexible member 67, and the valve member 65 comes into contact with the portion of the case member 61 where the ink supply chamber 63 is formed. Thus, the flow passage of the pressure regulating valve 60 is closed.

For example, when the pressure in the pressure chamber 66 becomes low and the flexible member 67 is displaced in a direction in which the volume of the pressure chamber 66 becomes small, the valve member 65 is displaced together with the flexible member 67, and the valve member 65 is separated from the portion of the case member 61 where the ink supply chamber 63 is formed. Thus, the flow passage of the pressure regulating valve 60 is opened.

Fig. 5 illustrates a state in which the flow passage of the pressure regulating valve 60 is opened.

As described in detail below, when the pressure on the downstream side (the pressure of the flow path of the liquid ejecting head 40) is less than a predetermined negative pressure, as shown in fig. 5, the valve body 65 is separated from the portion of the case member 61 where the ink supply chamber 63 is formed, and the flow path of the pressure regulating valve 60 is opened.

Although not shown, when the pressure on the downstream side (the pressure in the flow path of the liquid ejecting head 40) is not less than the predetermined negative pressure, the flexible member 67 is displaced in a direction in which the volume of the pressure chamber 66 increases, the valve member 65 is displaced together with the flexible member 67, the valve member 65 comes into contact with the portion of the case member 61 where the ink supply chamber 63 is formed, and the flow path of the pressure regulating valve 60 is closed.

The liquid ejection head 40 includes: an ink introduction passage 41, a common liquid chamber 42, a pressure generation chamber 43, and a nozzle 44.

The pressure generation chambers 43 communicate with a plurality of nozzles 44, respectively. That is, the pressure generating chambers 43 and the nozzles 44 are provided so as to correspond one to one. The common liquid chamber 42 is an ink chamber common to the plurality of pressure generation chambers 43, and communicates with the ink introduction passage 41 and the plurality of pressure generation chambers 43. The ink supplied from the flow path of the pressure regulating valve 60 is supplied into the common liquid chamber 42 via the ink introduction passage 41.

The pressure generating chamber 43 has a piezoelectric element 45. The piezoelectric element 45 is, for example, a piezoelectric actuator of a longitudinal vibration mode in which the piezoelectric element extends and contracts in the axial direction. When the piezoelectric element 45 contracts, the pressure generation chamber 43 expands. With this expansion, the pressure of the ink in the pressure generation chamber 43 becomes lower, and the ink flows from the common liquid chamber 42 into the pressure generation chamber 43. When the piezoelectric element 45 extends, the pressure generation chamber 43 contracts. With this contraction, the pressure of the ink in the pressure generation chamber 43 becomes high, and the ink is ejected from the nozzle 44 communicating with the pressure generation chamber 43.

As such, in the liquid ejection head 40, the ink is ejected from the nozzles 44 by the pressure change of the ink in the pressure generation chamber 43.

In the liquid ejecting head 40, in a non-printing state where ink is not ejected from the nozzles 44, the flow pressure of the ink is adjusted so that the ink does not leak from the nozzles 44 and so that a negative pressure acts on the ink in the flow path of the liquid ejecting head 40. That is, a negative pressure is applied to the flow path of the liquid ejecting head 40 disposed on the downstream side of the pressure regulating valve 60.

On the other hand, since the first liquid storage container 70 is disposed at a position higher than the liquid ejecting head 40, the ink stored in the first liquid storage container 70 tends to flow toward the liquid ejecting head 40 by a water head difference, and a positive pressure is applied to the flow path from the first liquid storage container 70 to the pressure regulating valve 60. That is, positive pressure is applied to the flow paths of the flow path members 81 and 85 disposed on the upstream side of the pressure regulating valve 60.

When the ink is ejected from the nozzles 44 and the ink in the flow paths of the liquid ejecting head 40 is consumed, the pressure in the flow paths of the liquid ejecting head 40 decreases, and the pressure in the pressure chambers 66 communicating with the liquid ejecting head 40 decreases. When the pressure on the downstream side (the pressure in the flow path of the liquid ejecting head 40) is lower than a predetermined negative pressure, the pressure in the pressure chamber 66 becomes lower, the flexible member 67 is displaced in a direction in which the volume of the pressure chamber 66 becomes smaller, the valve body 65 is separated from the portion of the case member 61 where the ink supply chamber 63 is formed, and the flow path of the pressure regulating valve 60 is opened.

In this way, ink is supplied from the ink supply chamber 63 to the pressure chamber 66, and ink is replenished from the pressure chamber 66 to the flow path of the liquid ejection head 40.

When the ink is replenished from the pressure chamber 66 into the flow path of the liquid ejection head 40, the pressure of the flow path of the liquid ejection head 40 becomes high, and the pressure on the downstream side (the pressure of the flow path of the liquid ejection head 40) is not less than a predetermined negative pressure. When the pressure on the downstream side (the pressure in the flow path of the liquid ejecting head 40) is not less than the predetermined negative pressure, the pressure in the pressure chamber 66 becomes high, the flexible member 67 is displaced in a direction in which the volume of the pressure chamber 66 becomes large, the valve body 65 contacts the portion of the case member 61 where the ink supply chamber 63 is formed, and the flow path of the pressure regulating valve 60 is closed.

As described above, in the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the pressure regulating valve 60 that is opened when the downstream pressure is less than the predetermined negative pressure is provided in the flow path from the second liquid storage container 77 to the liquid ejecting head 40 in the flow path FP of the ink.

As a result, when the ink is ejected from the nozzles 44, the ink in the flow path of the liquid ejecting head 40 is consumed, and the pressure on the downstream side is made lower than the predetermined negative pressure, the valve body 65 of the pressure regulating valve 60 is slightly opened, and the ink is replenished from the flow path of the flow path member 81, 85 disposed on the upstream side with respect to the pressure regulating valve 60 toward the flow path of the liquid ejecting head 40 disposed on the downstream side with respect to the pressure regulating valve 60.

When the flow path of the pressure regulating valve 60 is closed by the valve body 65, the pressure change of the flow path member 81, 85 disposed on the upstream side with respect to the pressure regulating valve 60 and the pressure change of the flow path of the liquid ejecting head 40 disposed on the downstream side with respect to the pressure regulating valve 60 are shut off. As a result, the positive pressure in the flow channels of the flow channel members 81 and 85 does not affect the negative pressure in the flow channels of the liquid ejecting head 40.

In this way, in a non-printing state where ink is not ejected from the nozzles 44, the negative pressure in the flow path of the liquid ejecting head 40 is maintained, and a state where ink does not leak from the nozzles 44 is maintained. That is, by providing the pressure regulating valve 60 on the upstream side of the liquid ejecting head 40, even if the first liquid storage container 70 in which the ink is stored is provided at a position higher than the liquid ejecting head 40, the ink does not leak from the nozzles 44 in the non-printing state.

Further, when the first liquid container 70 containing ink is provided at a position higher than the liquid ejecting head 40, the ink can be supplied to the liquid ejecting head 40 by the water head difference, and for example, an ink supply unit such as a liquid sending pump can be omitted, and cost reduction of the printer 1 can be achieved.

Further, when the pressure change of the flow path member 81 or 85 disposed on the upstream side with respect to the pressure regulating valve 60 and the pressure change of the flow path of the liquid ejecting head 40 disposed on the downstream side with respect to the pressure regulating valve 60 are shut off, the pressure of the ink in the pressure generating chamber 43 is appropriately changed because the pressure generating chamber 43 is not affected by the positive pressure in the flow path of the flow path member 81 or 85, and the ink is appropriately ejected from the nozzle 44 communicating with the pressure generating chamber 43.

That is, by providing the pressure regulating valve 60 on the upstream side with respect to the liquid ejecting head 40, the ink is appropriately ejected from the liquid ejecting head 40 onto the printing medium N, and the quality of the image formed on the printing medium N can be improved.

1.3 ink injection method

Next, an ink injection method according to the present embodiment will be described.

When the user injects ink into the first liquid storage container 70, the first liquid storage container 70 is attached to the housing 12 such that the outlet 74 of the first liquid storage container 70 is positioned on the side closer to the scanner cover 15 (on the side in the (-X direction) than the scanner cover 15 and the first liquid storage container 70 is positioned above the liquid ejecting head 40 in the extending direction (X axis direction) of the cover shaft 18.

Further, the user mounts the second liquid container 77 on the housing 12 so that the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77 is positioned on the side closer to the scanner cover 15 (the side in the (-X direction)) in the extending direction (the X axis direction) of the cover shaft 18.

Then, the user injects the ink from the refill container into the first liquid container 70 through the injection port 71 of the first liquid container 70.

As described above, in the ink injection method according to the present embodiment, the first liquid container 70 is disposed such that the outlet 74 is positioned on the-X direction side with respect to the scanner cover 15 and above the liquid ejecting head 40 in the extending direction (X-axis direction) of the cover shaft 18, the second liquid container 77 is attached to the frame body portion 12 such that the inlet 78 is positioned on the-X direction side with respect to the scanner cover 15 in the extending direction (X-axis direction) of the cover shaft 18, and the ink is injected into the first liquid container 70 through the inlet 71 of the first liquid container 70.

In the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, since the first liquid storage container 70 provided with the inlet port 71, the second liquid storage container 77 provided with the inlet port 78, and the scanner cover 15 provided with the CIS module 6 are attached to the apparatus front surface, the user can perform the subsidiary tasks for the first liquid storage container 70, the second liquid storage container 77, and the CIS module 6 from the apparatus front surface.

For example, when the amount of ink stored in the first liquid storage container 70 becomes small, the user performs a task of injecting ink from the injection port 71 into the first liquid storage container 70 from the front surface of the apparatus.

For example, when the first liquid container 70 and the second liquid container 77 are contaminated with ink, the user performs a dependent operation of removing the ink adhering to the first liquid container 70 and the second liquid container 77 from the front surface of the apparatus.

For example, when the interiors of the first liquid container 70 and the second liquid container 77 are contaminated with foreign matter, the user removes the first liquid container 70 and the second liquid container 77 from the front surface of the apparatus, and performs a task of replacing the first liquid container 70 and the second liquid container 77 and a task of cleaning the interiors of the first liquid container 70 and the second liquid container 77 from the front surface of the apparatus.

For example, when foreign matter such as paper dust or dirt adheres to the contact glass 7 of the CIS module 6 and the CIS module 6 cannot properly read an image of the document medium M, the user performs an auxiliary operation of returning the CIS module 6 to a normal state from the front surface of the apparatus.

Specifically, when the CIS module 6 cannot properly acquire an image of the document medium M, the user rotates the scanner cover 15 from the cover position P1 to the open position P2, and opens the contact glass 7 of the CIS module 6. The user removes foreign substances or dirt attached to the contact glass 7 using an air gun, a wiper, or the like. Finally, the user rotates the scanner cover 15 from the open position P2 to the closed position P1, and restores the CIS module 6 to a state in which the image of the document medium M can be properly read.

When the jam of the document medium M occurs in the conveyance path, the user performs a sub-job for removing the jam of the document medium M from the front surface of the apparatus.

Specifically, when a jam of the document medium M occurs in the conveyance path, the user rotates the scanner cover 15 from the cover position P1 to the open position P2, and takes out the document medium M that has become a jam in the conveyance path. Finally, the user rotates the scanner cover 15 from the open position P2 to the closed position P1, and returns the document medium M to a state in which it can be conveyed toward the CIS module 6.

In the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the first liquid container 70, the inlet port 71 and the outlet port 74 of the first liquid container 70, and the second liquid container 77 and the inlet port 78 of the second liquid container 77 are located on the-X direction side with respect to the scanner cover 15 in the extending direction (X-axis direction) of the cover shaft 18, are disposed at positions different from the scanner cover 15, and do not overlap with the scanner cover 15 in a planar view viewed from the Y-axis direction.

According to this configuration, even if the attachment work for the liquid storage containers 70 and 77 performed from the front surface of the apparatus and the attachment work for the CIS module 6 performed from the front surface of the apparatus by opening and closing the scanner cover 15 are performed simultaneously, these works do not interfere with each other, and the operability is not easily deteriorated. Further, even if the attachment work for the liquid storage containers 70 and 77 performed from the front surface of the apparatus and the attachment work for the transport path performed from the front surface of the apparatus by opening and closing the scanner cover 15 are performed simultaneously, these operations do not interfere with each other, and the operability is not easily deteriorated.

In the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the first flow path member 81 disposed outside the housing portion 12 is positioned on the-X direction side with respect to the scanner cover 15 in the extending direction (X-axis direction) of the cover shaft 18, is disposed at a position different from the scanner cover 15, and does not overlap the scanner cover 15 in a plan view viewed from the Y-axis direction.

In the printer 1 according to the present embodiment, since the hook 93 that positions the first flow path member 81 on the-X direction side with respect to the scanner cover 15 in the extending direction of the cover shaft 18 is provided in the frame body portion 12, the first flow path member 81 is reliably positioned on the-X direction side with respect to the scanner cover 15, is disposed at a position different from the scanner cover 15, and does not overlap the scanner cover 15 in a plan view viewed from the Y axis direction.

With the above configuration, even if the scanner cover 15 is opened and closed to perform the attachment work of the CIS module 6 and the attachment work of the conveying path, the scanner cover 15 and the first flow path member 81 do not interfere with each other. For example, it is difficult to cause a problem that the scanner cover 15 interferes with the first flow path member 81, the first flow path member 81 is pulled by the scanner cover 15, and an excessive force is applied to the first flow path member 81.

Therefore, a problem caused by applying an excessive force to the first flow path member 81 is suppressed.

Specifically, a problem is suppressed in which the connection between the outlet 74 of the first liquid container 70 and the first channel member 81 is released, and ink leaks from the outlet 74 of the first liquid container 70. The connection between the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77 and the first channel member 81 is released, and the ink is prevented from leaking from the first channel member 81.

Since the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77 is located below the cover shaft 18, the connection portion between the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77 and the first flow path member 81 is located below the cover shaft 18. Since the lower portion of the scanner cover 15 is the cover shaft 18, the connection portion between the inflow port 78 of the second liquid container 77 and the first flow path member 81 is located below the scanner cover 15.

Therefore, by opening and closing the scanner cover 15, the connection portion between the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77 and the first flow path member 81 located below the scanner cover 15 is less likely to interfere with the scanner cover 15, and an excessive force is less likely to be applied to the connection portion between the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77 and the first flow path member 81, so that the connection between the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77 and the first flow path member 81 is less likely to be released.

Further, when the first flow path member 81 is detached from the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77 to replace the second liquid container 77 and ink is scattered from the connection portion between the inlet 78 of the second liquid container 77 and the first flow path member 81, the scattered ink is likely to fall below the scanner cover 15, and therefore, the ink is less likely to adhere to the scanner cover 15.

Description of the symbols

1 … printer; 6 … CIS module; 7 … contact glass; 8. 9 … an opening and closing part; 11 … a leg; 12 … a frame body part; 15 … scanner housing; 16 … insertion opening; 17 discharge port 17 …; 18 … shroud shaft; 20 … control section; 21 … an operation part; 25 … setting part; 26 … support portion; 30 … print unit; 31 … printing part; 32 … guide shaft; 33 … a carriage; 39 … discharge port; 40 … liquid ejection head; a 50 … scanner unit; 51 … first roller pair; 52 … a first drive roller; 53 … first driven roller; 54 … a second driven roller; 56 … a second roller pair; 57 … second drive roller; 58 … third driven roller; 52a, 53a, 54a, 57a, 58a … axis; 70. 70K, 70C, 70M, 70Y … first liquid storage containers; 71 … injection port; 72 … a body portion; 73 … cover member; 74 … outflow port; 75 … hood part; 77. 77K, 77C, 77M, 77Y … second liquid container; 78 … flow inlet; 81 … first flow path member; 82 … flow passage member body; 83 … cover member; 85 … second flow path member; 93 … hook; 94 … bundle the components.

Claims (7)

1. A printer is characterized by comprising:

a liquid ejecting section capable of ejecting liquid;

a first liquid container that is provided with an inlet through which the liquid is injected and an outlet through which the liquid flows out, and that is located above the liquid ejecting section;

a second liquid container that is provided with an inflow port into which the liquid contained in the first liquid container flows, and that is provided between the first liquid container and the liquid ejecting section in a flow path of the liquid from the first liquid container to the liquid ejecting section;

a pipe connected to the outlet and the inlet so as to communicate the first liquid container with the second liquid container;

a housing portion to which the second liquid container is attached and which houses the liquid ejecting portion;

a reading unit that reads a conveyed original medium; and

a scanner cover that constitutes a front surface of the housing portion and is rotatable about a cover shaft as a rotation center between an open position where the reading portion is opened and a closed position where the reading portion is covered,

the outflow port and the inflow port are located on one side of the scanner housing in an extending direction of the housing shaft.

2. The printer of claim 1,

a pressure regulating valve provided between the second liquid container and the liquid ejecting section in the flow path,

the pressure control valve is opened when the pressure on the downstream side of the pressure control valve is less than a predetermined negative pressure.

3. Printer according to claim 1 or 2,

the amount of the liquid contained in the first liquid container is larger than the amount of the liquid contained in the second liquid container.

4. The printer of claim 1,

the liquid ejecting apparatus includes an opening/closing unit that is provided between the first liquid container and the liquid ejecting unit in the flow path and that can open and close the flow path.

5. The printer of claim 1,

the housing axis is located at a lower portion in the scanner housing,

the inflow port is located lower than the cover shaft.

6. The printer according to claim 1, comprising:

a roller pair that is disposed downstream of the reading section in a conveyance direction in which the original document medium is conveyed, and that nips the original document medium;

a control section that controls the reading section and the roller pair,

a nip position in the axial direction of the roller pair, the nip position being sandwiched by the roller pair, is located at a position different from the outflow port and the inflow port,

the control unit holds the original medium whose reading by the reading unit is completed by the roller pair.

7. The printer of claim 1,

the frame body portion is provided with a fixing portion that positions the tube on the one side of the scanner cover in an extending direction of the cover shaft.

Images