JP2014034189A - Liquid jet apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid jet apparatus capable of closing a space between a housing unit and a cover member while enabling circulation of a liquid from a liquid storage unit provided outside the housing unit to a liquid jet head provided in the housing unit.SOLUTION: A liquid jet apparatus includes a printing function unit 12A having an opening 12K, which exposes at least a part of a movement area of a carriage 21, formed therein, an image reading unit 13 that is displaceable with respect to the printing function unit 12A, an ink tank 19 that stores ink, an ink supply tube 40 that connects the ink tank 19 and a liquid jet head so that the ink can flow therebetween, and a through hole 80 through which the ink supply tube 40 is inserted into the opening 12K from the outside of the printing function unit 12A. The printing function unit 12A includes a tray containing portion 12H composed of a housing portion formed to project in a discharge direction of paper and an operation panel portion 18 composed of a housing portion presenting an inclined surface the lower side of which more projects in the discharge direction than the upper side thereof. The through hole 80 is provided in at least one of the printing function unit 12A and the image reading unit 13.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid onto a target.

  Conventionally, as a kind of liquid ejecting apparatus, an ink jet printer that performs printing (recording) by ejecting ink from a liquid ejecting head to a target such as a sheet is known. In such a printer, when a relatively large amount of printing is performed, an ink cartridge is supplied from an ink tank having a relatively large ink storage capacity through an ink supply tube in order to stably and stably supply ink to the liquid ejecting head. A configuration has been proposed in which ink is supplied to (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the printer having such a configuration, the liquid ejecting head is mounted on a carriage provided in the main body housing so as to be reciprocally movable in the main scanning direction with respect to the paper. An ink supply tube extending from an ink tank provided outside the main body housing is inserted into the carriage movement region through the upper opening of the main body housing, and is connected to an ink cartridge mounted on the carriage.

China Utility Model Registration Notice CN2825289Y

  By the way, in the above-described printer, a cover member (cover) that can be displaced in a direction to open and close the opening is provided in the casing (main body housing). The ink supply tube is inserted between the cover member and the peripheral portion of the opening by being sandwiched between the cover member displaced in the direction of closing the opening and the casing. A spacer for forming a gap is provided. For this reason, the space between the opening of the housing portion and the cover member cannot be blocked by the spacer, and dust or the like may enter the carriage movement region from the outside of the housing portion through the gap. It was.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to distribute liquid from a liquid storage portion provided outside the housing portion to a liquid ejecting head provided in the housing portion. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of closing the space between a casing portion and a cover member while making it possible.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus that solves the above-described problem, a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid to a target and a carriage including the liquid ejecting head are movably disposed, and at least a movement region of the disposed carriage A housing part formed with an opening for exposing a part thereof, a cover member displaceable with respect to the housing part, and the liquid ejected by the liquid ejecting head are located outside the housing part. A liquid storage section that stores the liquid; a liquid supply tube that connects the liquid storage section and the liquid ejecting head so that the liquid can flow; and supply the liquid from outside the housing section into the opening. An insertion portion through which the tube is inserted, and the housing portion is provided with a tray housing portion in which a discharge tray for receiving the target discharged from the housing portion is retractably stored. An inclined surface that is configured by a housing portion that protrudes in the discharge direction of the target, and that has an operation panel portion that is operated during use in an upper position than the tray storage portion, and the lower side protrudes to the discharge direction side from the upper side. The insertion part is provided in at least one of the casing part and the cover member.

  According to this configuration, even when the cover member closes the opening of the casing, the liquid supply tube is inserted into the opening of the casing through the insertion portion provided in at least one of the casing and the cover member. And the liquid can be supplied to the carriage side disposed inside the casing. For this reason, for example, while the liquid can be supplied from the liquid storage portion provided outside the housing portion to the liquid ejecting head provided in the carriage disposed in the housing portion, the cover member is provided with the opening portion of the housing portion. It can be in a closed state.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the insertion portion is provided in a concave portion formed in at least one of the housing portion and the cover member.
According to this configuration, when the liquid supply tube is inserted through the insertion portion, the liquid supply tube can be easily guided to the insertion portion by the recess.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the other of the housing portion and the cover member may include the concave portion formed in the one when the cover member is displaced from a position side where the opening is opened to a position side where the opening is closed. It is preferable that a convex portion is disposed at a position opposite to the convex portion, and the insertion portion is provided between the convex portion and the concave portion.

  According to this configuration, in a state where the cover member closes the opening of the housing portion, the liquid supply tube is inserted between the convex portion and the concave portion, thereby stably positioning the liquid supply tube at the insertion portion. be able to.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the insertion portion is provided on a side surface on one end side in the moving direction of the carriage in at least one of the housing portion and the cover member.

  According to this configuration, since the longitudinal direction of the liquid supply tube inserted from the insertion portion can be a direction along the carriage moving direction, the tube length necessary for supplying the liquid to the moving carriage can be reduced. It can be easily inserted into the housing.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the insertion portion is a concave groove formed by cutting out at least one of the housing portion and the cover member.
According to this configuration, the configuration in which the liquid supply tube can be inserted into the space region in the opening of the housing through the concave groove even when the cover member closes the opening of the housing is easy. Can be realized.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the insertion portion is a through hole provided in at least one of the housing portion and the cover member.
According to this configuration, it is possible to easily realize a configuration in which the liquid supply tube can be inserted into the opening of the housing through the through hole even when the cover member closes the opening of the housing. Can do.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the liquid supply tube is connected to a plurality of tubes via a joint that connects the tubes.
According to this configuration, the liquid supply tube can be adjusted to an optimum length for routing by connecting a plurality of tubes.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that one or a plurality of the liquid supply tubes are provided.
According to this configuration, the liquid can be supplied from the respective liquid storage units to the liquid jet heads by the number of liquid supply tubes corresponding to the number of the liquid storage units.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a printer as an example of an embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus. (A) is a perspective view which shows the state which raised the image reading part in the printer provided with the insertion part of 1st Embodiment, (b) is a perspective view which shows the coupling of an ink supply tube. The perspective view which shows the state which lifted the image reading part in the printer with which the insertion part of 2nd Embodiment was provided in the printing function part. The perspective view which shows the state which lifted the image reading part in the printer with which the insertion part of 2nd Embodiment was provided in the image reading part. The perspective view which shows the printer provided with the insertion part of the modification of 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, as an embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus, an ink jet type that includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects ink as an example of liquid and ejects ink onto paper as an example of a target to print an image including characters and figures The printer will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Overall configuration of printer>
As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 11 according to the present embodiment includes an apparatus main body 12 that has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an ink tank 19 that is an example of a liquid storage unit that is separate from the apparatus main body 12 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. have. Although not shown in FIG. 1, in the printer 11, the ink accommodated in the ink tank 19 is ink disposed by a gap forming member having the configuration of first to third embodiments described later. The ink is supplied from the ink tank 19 side located outside the apparatus main body 12 to the apparatus main body 12 side via the supply tube 40.

  The apparatus main body 12 on the ink supply side is provided with a printing function unit 12A as an example of a housing part that houses the printing unit 20 on the lower side in the gravity direction, while the anti-gravity direction side thereof. An image reading unit 13 having an image reading mechanism such as a scanner for reading a document (image) is disposed as an example of a cover member on the upper side. The image reading unit 13 rotates (displaces) around a rotation shaft 13a provided at one side end (rear side) of the apparatus main body 12, and a side end side of the apparatus main body 12 opposite to the rotation shaft 13a. The (front side) is lifted. That is, the hand grip portion 13T is recessed on the side surface (right and left side surfaces) of the image reading section 13, and the user of the printer 11 inserts his hand into the hand grip section 13T for maintenance, for example. Can be lifted. By this lifting, in the printing function unit 12A provided above the printing unit 20, an opening 12K that exposes at least a part of the movement region of the carriage 21 that is arranged to be reciprocally movable (see FIG. 2A). Is exposed.

  Further, an automatic document feeder 14 that automatically supplies a read document to the image reading unit 13 is disposed above the image reading unit 13. The automatic document feeder 14 rotates around a rotation shaft 14a provided at one end (rear side) of the apparatus main body 12, and the side end side (front) of the apparatus main body 12 opposite to the rotation shaft 14a. Side) is lifted. By lifting the automatic document feeder 14, the user can manually supply the read document to the image reading unit 13.

  In addition, on the rear side of the apparatus main body 12, a mounting table 15 on which a plurality of sheets P can be stacked is provided. The paper P placed on the mounting table 15 is conveyed one by one from the rear to the front to the printing unit 20 provided in the printing function unit 12A, and the printing unit 20 performs printing on the paper P. Is called. That is, the paper P is transported from the mounting table 15 to the printing unit 20 by a transport mechanism (not shown), and the printing unit 20 intersects the direction (mainly referred to as the sub-scanning direction Y) of the paper P (this is the main direction). An image is printed by ejecting ink onto the paper P from the liquid ejecting head 22 reciprocally moved by a moving mechanism (not shown) along the scanning direction X). The paper P on which an image has been printed by the printing unit 20 is further conveyed forward (sub-scanning direction Y) from the printing unit 20 and discharged from a paper discharge port 16 provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A). Paper.

  Below the paper discharge port 16 in the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A), there is a tray storage unit 12H in which a stacker 17 as an example of a discharge tray that receives the paper P discharged from the paper discharge port 16 is stored. It is constituted by a housing portion that is formed to project in the paper P discharge direction (here, the sub-scanning direction Y). By this protrusion, the stacker 17 can be easily pulled out from the apparatus main body 12 by the gripping portion 17a, and is pulled out from the apparatus main body 12 according to the length in the discharge direction (conveyance direction) of the discharged paper P.

  On the other hand, on the upper side of the paper discharge port 16 in the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A), an operation panel unit 18 for executing a printing operation or the like in the printing unit 20 is disposed. The operation panel portion 18 is configured by a housing portion that has an inclined surface that protrudes toward the discharge direction of the paper P from the lower side to the upper side. An operation member that is operated when printing such as a display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display) 18a for displaying a menu screen or the like on the inclined surface and an operation button 18b such as a power button is provided, and the operation by the user is easy. Has been.

  The printing unit 20 included in the printer 11 according to the present embodiment includes a carriage 21 as an example of a moving body that reciprocates in the main scanning direction X, and a liquid ejecting head 22 that ejects ink onto the carriage 21. . The carriage 21 is guided by a guide frame 30 that is a plate member extending along the main scanning direction X, and is arranged to be movable (reciprocating) in the main scanning direction X. That is, the guide frame 30 has a rail portion 31 in which an upper rail 31A and a lower rail 31B are provided by bending the member into a substantially U shape at both upper and lower end portions of the plate member orthogonal to the main scanning direction X. ing. The rear end side of the carriage 21 is supported by the upper rail 31A and the lower rail 31B. The carriage 21 is guided by the upper rail 31A and the lower rail 31B while being in a so-called cantilever state, and moves the rail portion 31 along the main scanning direction X. Move back and forth. Then, ink supplied from the ink supply tube 40 is ejected from the liquid ejecting head 22 provided in the carriage 21 that reciprocates, and printing on the paper P is performed.

  In the printer 11 of this embodiment, a relay adapter AD that relays ink supplied via the ink supply tube 40 to the liquid ejecting head 22 is mounted on the carriage 21, and the ink is transferred from the mounted relay adapter AD to the liquid ejecting head. 22 is supplied. Accordingly, when the ink supply tube 40 that supplies ink from the ink tank 19 that contains ink is connected to the relay adapter AD, the ink supply tube 40 causes the ink between the ink tank 19 and the liquid ejecting head 22 to be ink. Forms a flow path of ink that can flow.

  Here, it is assumed that one type of ink (for example, black ink) is supplied from the ink tank 19 and one relay adapter AD corresponding to the one type of ink is attached to the carriage 21. Of course, when a plurality of types of ink are supplied from the ink tank 19, the relay adapter AD is mounted with a plurality (four at the maximum in FIG. 1) of the relay adapters AD.

<< First Embodiment >>
Next, a first embodiment according to the insertion portion that enables the ink supply tube 40 to be inserted into the apparatus main body 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, the printing function unit 12A is provided with a through hole 80 into which the ink supply tube 40 can be inserted in the length direction as an example of the insertion unit.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the ink tank 19 that stores the ink ejected from the liquid ejecting head 22 is disposed outside the right housing as viewed from the front side in the sub-scanning direction Y with respect to the apparatus main body 12. Has been. That is, the ink tank 19 is disposed outside the moving region of the carriage 21 and at a position near the home position HP in the main scanning direction X. One end side of the ink supply tube 40 that functions as a flow path for the ink stored in the ink tank 19 is connected to the ink tank 19. The other end side of the ink supply tube 40 is inserted into the moving region of the carriage 21 exposed from the position near the home position HP in the main scanning direction X of the carriage 21 through the opening 12K provided in the printing function unit 12A. The relay adapter AD mounted on the carriage 21 is connected.

  In the present embodiment, the other end side of the ink supply tube 40 whose one end side is connected to the ink tank 19 is the right side surface of the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A) when viewed from the front side in the sub-scanning direction Y. It is inserted into the apparatus main body 12 from the outside of the apparatus main body 12 through the through hole 80 provided in 12R. That is, the through hole 80 has an opening on the side surface on one end side in the movement direction (main scanning direction X) of the carriage 21, that is, the right side surface 12R of the casing member of the printing function unit 12A, and is a space outside the printing function unit 12A. The area and the space area serving as the movement area of the carriage 21 in the printing function unit 12A are communicated with each other.

  The other end of the ink supply tube 40 inserted from the through hole 80 is inserted into the movement region of the carriage 21 exposed by the opening 12K, with the longitudinal direction thereof being a direction along the movement direction of the carriage 21. 21 is connected to the relay adapter AD mounted on the terminal 21. Accordingly, the portion that is folded back along the main scanning direction X between the through hole 80 in the length direction of the ink supply tube 40 and the relay adapter AD (in FIG. 2A, it is curved in a substantially U shape). Is formed as a deformable movable portion 40H that follows and deforms as the carriage 21 moves.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 2B, in the present embodiment, the ink supply tube 40 is configured such that a plurality of tubes are connected via a joint 40C that connects the tubes in the length direction. Also good. The joints 40 </ b> C are provided at a plurality of locations according to the number of tubes connected between the ink tank 19 and the carriage 21, and allow ink to flow between the connected tubes. By the way, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2B as an example, two joints 40C are provided via a joint 40C having a structure having a through-hole portion and a cylindrical portion into which the tube is inserted on both sides. A joint where the tubes are joined is formed at one place in the deformable movable portion 40H of the ink supply tube 40 as shown in FIG.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the through hole 80 is opposite to the home position HP in the main scanning direction X of the carriage 21 in the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A) as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It is good also as a structure provided in the left side 12L of the apparatus main body 12 (printing function part 12A) of the side.

  Also in this embodiment, the other end of the ink supply tube 40 inserted from the through hole 80 is inserted into the moving region of the carriage 21 exposed by the opening 12K, with the longitudinal direction being the direction along the main scanning direction X. Thus, the relay adapter AD mounted on the carriage 21 is connected. Then, a portion between the through hole 80 and the relay adapter AD in the length direction of the ink supply tube 40 is a portion that gently curves and extends as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2A, for example. As a result, the movable movable portion 40H that deforms following the movement of the carriage 21 is formed. When the through-hole 80 is provided in the left side surface 12L, the ink tank 19 is on the left side when viewed from the front side in the sub-scanning direction Y with respect to the apparatus main body 12 in order to shorten the length of the ink supply tube 40. It is preferable to be disposed outside the housing, that is, at a position opposite to the home position HP in the main scanning direction X of the carriage 21.

Next, the operation of the printer 11 according to the first embodiment will be described.
The ink supply tube 40 allows ink to flow from the ink tank 19 side to the liquid ejecting head 22 side through the through hole 80 in both the state where the image reading unit 13 opens the opening 12K and the state where the opening 12K is closed. Become. The shape of the through-hole 80 is not limited to the quadrangle shown in FIG. 2A, and may be any shape such as a circle or an ellipse as long as the ink supply tube 40 can be inserted without being crushed. May be. Further, for example, a tapered shape (not shown) in which the opening area decreases from the opening end of the right side surface 12R toward the back side may be provided.

  In addition, there is a high probability that the ink supply tube 40 inserted from the through hole 80 provided in the right side surface 12 </ b> R which is one end side in the movement direction of the carriage 21 can be inserted along the movement direction of the carriage 21. Therefore, the longitudinal direction of the ink supply tube 40 inserted from the through hole 80 can be a direction along the moving direction of the carriage 21.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Even when the image reading unit 13 closes the opening 12K of the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A), the ink supply tube 40 is inserted into the opening 12K of the printing function unit 12A, and the printing function unit Ink can be supplied to the carriage 21 provided inside 12A. Therefore, for example, the ink reading unit 13 can be supplied from the ink tank 19 provided outside the apparatus main body 12 to the liquid ejecting head 22 provided in the apparatus main body 12, and the image reading unit 13 can be connected to the opening 12K of the printing function unit 12A. Can be in a closed state.

  (2) The longitudinal direction of the ink supply tube 40 inserted from the through hole 80 can be a direction along the moving direction of the carriage 21. Accordingly, the tube length necessary for supplying ink to the moving carriage 21 (for example, the tube of the ink supply tube 40 necessary for forming the deformable movable portion 40H that deforms following the movement of the carriage 21). Length) can be easily inserted into the opening 12K.

<< Second Embodiment >>
Next, a second embodiment relating to the insertion portion that enables the ink supply tube 40 to be inserted into the apparatus main body 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. In the second embodiment, a concave groove 85 into which the ink supply tube 40 can be inserted in the length direction is provided in the printing function unit 12A or the image reading unit 13 as an example of an insertion unit. In the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. Further, the illustration of the joint 40C of the ink supply tube 40 is omitted in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ink tank 19 that stores the ink ejected from the liquid ejecting head 22 is disposed outside the right housing as viewed from the front side in the sub-scanning direction Y with respect to the apparatus main body 12. . One end side of the ink supply tube 40 that functions as a flow path for the ink stored in the ink tank 19 is connected to the ink tank 19. The other end side of the ink supply tube 40 is inserted into the moving region of the carriage 21 exposed from the position near the home position HP in the main scanning direction X of the carriage 21 through the opening 12K provided in the printing function unit 12A. The relay adapter AD mounted on the carriage 21 is connected.

  In the printer 11, as shown in FIG. 3, on the upper side of the printing function unit 12A, the image reading unit 13 is pivotally supported on the front side of the opening 12K when the side that rotatably supports the image reading unit 13 is the back side. A concave portion 12b as an example of a concave portion is formed at a position facing a protruding portion 13b as an example of a convex portion that protrudes toward the printing function unit 12A provided in the reading unit 13. Further, on the back side of the opening 12K, a concave-shaped portion 12c as an example of a concave portion is provided at a position facing a protruding portion 13c as an example of a convex portion that protrudes toward the printing function unit 12A provided in the image reading unit 13. Is formed. Note that the concave-shaped portions 12b are formed on both sides of the opening 12K in the main scanning direction X.

  In the insertion portion of the present embodiment, a concave groove 85 is formed so as to communicate with the opening 12K in at least one of the concave portions 12b and 12c. In this embodiment, the groove 85 has a substantially U-shaped or rectangular cross-sectional shape, and is formed with a groove width and a groove depth that are substantially the same as the tube outer diameter of the ink supply tube 40. The casing is cut out along the main scanning direction X. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the concave grooves 85 are formed in all the concave portions 12b and 12c. The ink supply tube 40 is inserted into the concave groove 85 formed in the concave portion 12b on the right side before the opening 12K.

  The other end of the ink supply tube 40 inserted from the concave groove 85 is inserted into the movement region of the carriage 21 with its longitudinal direction being a direction along the movement direction of the carriage 21, and the relay mounted on the carriage 21. Connected to adapter AD. Therefore, a portion that is folded along the main scanning direction X between the groove 85 in the length direction of the ink supply tube 40 and the relay adapter AD (a portion that is curved in a substantially U shape in FIG. 3). ) Is formed as a deformable movable portion 40H that deforms following the movement of the carriage 21.

  In addition, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3, the ink supply tube 40 may be inserted into the concave groove 85 formed in the concave portion 12c. Further, when the ink supply tube 40 is inserted into the concave groove 85, as an example, as shown by a two-dot chain line in the left concave portion 12b in FIG. 3, the ink supply tube 40 has a tube length from the other end. The ink supply tube 40 can be inserted into the concave groove 85 from above while being inserted into the opening 12K having a predetermined length.

Next, the operation of the printer 11 according to the second embodiment will be described.
Even when the image reading unit 13 is displaced to the closing position that closes the opening 12K of the printing function unit 12A, the ink supply tube 40 is connected to the main body 12 through the concave groove 85 formed in the concave shape part 12b. Communicate between inside and outside. Therefore, the other end side of the ink supply tube 40 whose one end side is connected to the ink tank 19 provided outside the apparatus main body 12 can be inserted into the space area of the opening 12 </ b> K through the concave groove 85. In this regard, in the present embodiment, the concave groove 85 is formed between the ink supply tube 40 between the printing function unit 12A and the image reading unit 13 in a state where the image reading unit 13 closes the opening 12K of the printing function unit 12A. It functions as an insertion part for inserting.

According to the said 2nd Embodiment, in addition to the effect (1) in the said 1st Embodiment, the following effects can be acquired.
(3) When the ink supply tube 40 is inserted through the concave groove 85, the ink supply tube 40 can be easily guided to the concave groove 85 by the concave portion 12b.

  (4) In a state where the image reading unit 13 closes the opening 12K of the printing function unit 12A, the ink supply tube 40 is inserted between the protruding portion 13b and the recessed shape portion 12b, so that the ink supply tube 40 is recessed. The groove 85 can be stably positioned.

  (5) Since the longitudinal direction of the ink supply tube 40 inserted from the concave groove 85 can be the direction along the moving direction of the carriage 21, it is necessary to follow the moving carriage 21 and supply ink. A long tube length can be easily inserted into the printing function unit 12A.

(6) Even if the image reading unit 13 closes the opening 12K of the printing function unit 12A by the notched groove 85, the ink supply tube passes through the groove 85 and the opening of the printing function unit 12A. It is possible to easily realize a configuration that can be inserted into a space area within 12K.
<Modification>
In addition, you may change the said embodiment into another embodiment as follows.

  In the first embodiment, a through hole 80 as an insertion portion may be provided on the image reading portion 13 side. In the case of this modified example, although not shown, the image reading unit 13 communicates with one opening provided on the lower surface facing the opening 12K and the other opening provided on a surface other than the lower surface. Through-holes are formed. Then, the end of the ink supply tube 40 inserted from the other opening is disposed so as to be drawn out from the one opening and inserted into the opening 12K.

In the second embodiment, the concave groove 85 as the insertion portion may be provided not on the printing function unit 12A side but on the image reading unit 13 side. Hereinafter, this modification will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, in the present modified example, the groove 13 b as an example of the protrusion protruding toward the printing function unit 12 </ b> A provided in the image reading unit 13 has a groove at a position facing the recessed portion 12 b. 85 is formed as an insertion part. That is, the concave groove 85 allows the space area of the opening 12K and the space area outside the apparatus main body 12 to communicate with each other when the image reading section 13 rotates and closes the opening 12K of the printing function section 12A. The shape is a predetermined length and is cut out from the right side surface 13R side of the image reading unit 13 along the main scanning direction X into the housing. The ink supply tube 40 can be inserted into the formed concave groove 85.

  Therefore, in the present modification, before the image reading unit 13 is rotated to the closed state of the opening 12K, the ink supply tube 40 is substantially opposed to the groove 85 on the upper surface of the recessed portion 12b of the printing function unit 12A. Place it in. In this way, when the image reading unit 13 is rotated to close the opening 12K, the ink supply tube 40 is smoothly inserted into the concave groove 85 formed in the image reading unit 13. Become.

  At this time, the concave groove 85 is preferably formed with a groove width or groove depth that is substantially the same as or slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ink supply tube 40. In this way, since the ink supply tube 40 is inserted into the concave groove 85 in a fitted state, the movement of the ink supply tube 40 in the longitudinal direction is restricted. Therefore, a portion that is folded along the main scanning direction X between the concave groove 85 in the length direction of the ink supply tube 40 and the relay adapter AD (a portion that is curved in a substantially U shape in FIG. 4). ) Is formed as a deformable movable portion 40H that deforms following the movement of the carriage 21.

  In the second embodiment, the concave groove 85 as the insertion portion may be provided in both the printing function unit 12 </ b> A and the image reading unit 13. An example of this modification will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in this modification, a first concave portion as an example of a concave portion is provided on each of the concave shape portion 12b side of the printing function portion 12A and the protruding portion 13b side of the image reading portion 13 in the handle portion 13T. The groove 86 and the second concave groove 87 are formed so that the groove shapes are opposed to each other. That is, the concave groove 85 as the insertion portion is cut out from the right side surface 12R toward the inside of the housing along the main scanning direction X so that the space area of the opening 12K and the space area outside the apparatus main body 12 are communicated with each other. The first concave groove 86 and the second concave groove 87 are formed. Then, in a state where the image reading unit 13 rotates and closes the opening 12K of the printing function unit 12A, the ink supply tube 40 can be inserted into the concave groove 85 formed by overlapping them vertically. ing.

  According to this configuration, since the groove depth cut out in each of the image reading unit 13 and the printing function unit 12A can be reduced, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, ink is supplied on the front side (rear side) in the sub-scanning direction Y. The area range of the housing portion where the concave groove 85 can be formed is widened such that the concave groove 85 of the tube 40 can be formed.

  In the second embodiment, the concave groove 85 does not necessarily have to be formed in the concave portions 12b and 12c. The point is that the concave groove 85 may be formed in any part of the casing of the apparatus main body 12 as long as the position does not affect the operation of the printer 11.

  In the first and second embodiments, it has been described that there is one ink supply tube 40. However, when the printer 11 is provided with a plurality of ink tanks 19 as a matter of course, the respective ink tanks 19 are provided with respective inks. A configuration may be adopted in which ink is supplied to the liquid ejecting head 22 side through the supply tube 40. As an example, a case where a plurality of ink supply tubes 40 are arranged in the modification of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, here, two (plural) ink supply tubes 40 are inserted into a concave groove 85 formed so that the groove width is widened so that the two tubes can be inserted. At this time, the ink supply tube 40 is inserted in a state of being parallel in the horizontal direction along the plane of the concave portion 12b. Then, it is connected to two relay adapters AD provided on the carriage 21.

  The two ink supply tubes 40 may be configured by tubes connected in parallel to each other, or may be configured by individual tubes that are individually separated. When the ink tanks 19 are located at different positions (for example, positions on the left and right sides with respect to the apparatus main body 12), the two ink supply tubes 40 are located at different positions (the right side surface 12R and the left side surface 12L). You may make it insert from the formed ditch | groove 85, respectively.

  According to this configuration, by providing the number of ink supply tubes 40 corresponding to the number of ink tanks 19, it is possible to supply ink from each ink tank 19 to the liquid ejecting head 22.

  In the first embodiment, the through hole 80 does not necessarily have to be provided on the side surface of the apparatus main body 12 that is a surface that intersects the main scanning direction X. For example, if the ink supply tube 40 inserted into the space region of the opening 12K from the through hole 80 can be extended in the direction along the main scanning direction X after the insertion, the through hole 80 has the main scanning direction X. May be provided on the front surface or the back surface (rear surface) which is a surface along the surface.

  In the second embodiment, the concave groove 85 is not necessarily cut out in the direction along the main scanning direction X. For example, if the ink supply tube 40 inserted into the space area of the opening 12K from the concave groove 85 can be extended in the direction along the main scanning direction X after insertion, the concave groove 85 has the sub-scanning direction Y. It may be formed by cutting out in the direction along.

  In the above embodiment, the relay adapter AD may not be mounted on the carriage 21. That is, the ink supplied from the ink tank 19 provided outside the printing function unit 12A through the ink supply tube 40 may be supplied to the liquid ejecting head 22 side without the relay adapter AD.

  In the first and second embodiments, the ink tank 19 may be attached to the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A) or the image reading unit 13 using a fixing member (for example, a screw or an adhesive). Good. Further, the mounting position can be the left and right side wall portions or the rear surface when viewed from the front side (front side) in the sub-scanning direction Y. Alternatively, the upper surface of the automatic document feeder 14 is also possible.

In the above embodiment, the target is not limited to paper, and a cloth, a resin film, a resin sheet, a metal sheet, or the like may be adopted.
In the printer 11 of the first to third embodiments, the cover member disposed on the upper side of the printing function unit 12A does not include the image reading unit 13 or the automatic document feeder 14, and at least the opening 12K. It may be a casing member that covers a part.

  In the above embodiment, the printer 11 may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or ejects liquid other than ink. Note that the state of the liquid ejected as a minute amount of liquid droplets from the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a granular shape, a tear shape, and a thread-like shape. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, it may be in a state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a liquid with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts ). Further, not only a liquid as one state of a substance but also a substance in which particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or a metal particle are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent is included. Typical examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. As a specific example of the liquid ejecting apparatus, for example, a liquid containing a material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface emitting display, or a color filter in a dispersed or dissolved form. There is a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting the liquid. Further, it may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a bio-organic matter used for biochip manufacturing, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid as a sample that is used as a precision pipette, a printing apparatus, a micro dispenser, or the like. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. May be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects the liquid onto the substrate. Further, it may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as acid or alkali in order to etch a substrate or the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printer as an example of liquid ejecting apparatus, 12 ... Apparatus main body, 12A ... Print function part as an example of housing | casing part, 12H ... Tray storage part, 12K ... Opening part, 13 ... Image reading as an example of cover member 18, operation panel unit, 19, ink tank as a liquid storage unit, 21, carriage, 22, liquid ejecting head, 40, ink supply tube as an example of liquid supply tube, 40 C, joint, 80, through hole, 85: concave groove, P: paper as an example of the target.

Claims (8)

A liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto a target;
A casing provided with a liquid jet head, wherein the carriage is movably disposed, and an opening that exposes at least a part of a movement region of the disposed carriage is formed;
A cover member displaceable with respect to the housing part;
The liquid ejected by the liquid ejecting head is positioned outside the housing unit, and stores a liquid containing the liquid,
A liquid supply tube that connects the liquid container and the liquid jet head so that the liquid can flow;
An insertion part for inserting the liquid supply tube into the opening from outside the housing part;
With
The housing portion is configured by a housing portion in which a tray storage portion in which a discharge tray that receives the target discharged from within the housing portion is retractably stored is formed to protrude in the discharge direction of the target, The operation panel portion that is operated during use is constituted by a housing portion that exhibits an inclined surface that protrudes toward the discharge direction side from the upper side at an upper position than the tray storage portion,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insertion portion is provided in at least one of the housing portion and the cover member.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insertion portion is provided in a concave portion formed in at least one of the housing portion and the cover member.   The other of the housing part and the cover member has a convex part at a position facing the concave part formed on one side when the cover member is displaced from the position side where the opening part is opened to the position side where the opening part is closed. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the insertion portion is provided between the convex portion and the concave portion.   The said insertion part is provided in the side surface of the one end side in the moving direction of the said carriage in at least one of the said housing | casing part and the said cover member, The Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The liquid ejecting apparatus described.   5. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insertion part is a concave groove formed by cutting out at least one of the casing part and the cover member.   5. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the insertion portion is a through hole provided in at least one of the housing portion and the cover member.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply tube is connected to a plurality of tubes via a joint that connects the tubes.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or a plurality of the liquid supply tubes are provided.