JP2014034190A - Liquid ejection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid ejection device capable of suppressing obstruction of movement of a carriage due to liquid supply tubes.SOLUTION: A liquid ejection device comprises: a housing 12H formed with an opening 12K exposing at least a part of a movement area of a carriage 21 provided with a liquid ejection head; an ink tank 19T positioned outside the movement area of the carriage 21; ink supply tubes 40 for connecting the ink tank 19T and an adapter AD on the carriage 21 such that ink can flow therebetween; and a fixing section for fixing parts of the ink supply tubes 40 in a lengthwise direction. The housing 12H is constituted by a housing portion where an operation panel section 18 exhibits an inclined surface with a lower side protruding closer to a discharge direction side than an upper side while being formed with a storage section 12S of a paper feed cassette 15 protruding in a discharge direction of a sheet. The ink supply tubes 40 have movable portions 40H that are deformed in a follow-up manner to movement of the carriage 21 at parts of a liquid ejection head side rather than at portions fixed by a fixture 63.

Description

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

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

  In the printer having such a configuration, the liquid ejecting head is mounted on a carriage that can move in the scanning direction inside the main body housing. 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. In this case, the ink supply tube is inserted into the carriage movement region in the ink supply tube by fixing the middle portion in the length direction by a fixing member provided so as to cross the upper opening of the main body housing. The end is guided to the ink cartridge.

China Utility Model Registration Notice CN2825289Y

  By the way, in the above printer, since the fixing member is provided across the opening as a dedicated member for fixing the ink supply tube, the ink supply tube fixed to the fixing member may hinder the movement of the carriage. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a main object thereof is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of suppressing the liquid supply tube from obstructing the movement of the carriage.

  In a 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 part of a movement region of the carriage is disposed. A housing portion having an opening to be exposed, a liquid storage portion positioned outside the moving region of the carriage in a state of storing the liquid, and a connection between the liquid storage portion and the liquid ejecting head are connected. And a liquid supply tube having a deformable movable portion that follows and deforms as the carriage moves, a fixing portion that fixes a portion of the liquid supply tube in the length direction so as not to move relative to the opening, and the target. The housing part is detachably housed in a housing part that is formed to project in the discharge direction of the target. And a feeding cassette portion provided in a state of projecting in the discharging direction, and the inclined surface of the housing portion exhibiting an inclined surface in which the lower side protrudes more toward the discharging direction than the upper side at a position above the feeding cassette unit The deformation movable portion is formed in a portion of the liquid supply tube on the downstream side that is closer to the liquid ejecting head than the fixed portion.

  According to this configuration, a part of the liquid supply tube can be fixed so as not to move relative to the opening of the casing, so that the deformable movable part that follows and deforms as the carriage moves between the opening and the liquid ejecting head. Can be formed stably. As a result, it is possible to suppress the liquid supply tube from hindering the movement of the carriage.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the fixed portion is provided at a substantially central portion in a movement area of the carriage in the movement direction of the carriage.
According to this configuration, since the deformable movable portion of the liquid supply tube has substantially the same tube length on both sides of the carriage movement range, the length of the liquid supply tube existing on the liquid ejecting head side from the fixed portion is the shortest. It becomes possible to suppress.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a cover member that is pivotally supported by the housing part to open and close the opening, and the fixing part covers the cover in the housing part with respect to the opening. It is preferable to be provided on the side that supports the member.

  According to this configuration, when the cover member opens the opening of the housing portion, the field of view in the opening is unlikely to be hindered by the liquid supply tube, so it is relatively easy to confirm the internal state through the opening.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid ejecting apparatus further includes a support member that is disposed in a state of projecting from the opening of the housing unit and supports a part of the liquid supply tube, and the fixing unit supports the support in the liquid supply tube. It is preferable that a part supported by the member is fixed, and the support member is provided so as to be displaceable in the moving direction of the carriage.

  According to this configuration, by displacing the support member in a direction away from the substantially central position of the opening of the housing, the user can easily insert a finger into the carriage movement region through the opening of the housing. Can do. Therefore, even when the carriage is in the middle of the moving region, for example, carriage maintenance or target jam processing can be performed relatively easily.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that one end side in the length direction of the support member is rotatably attached to the housing portion.
According to this configuration, by rotating the support member with respect to the housing unit, it is possible to easily realize a configuration that allows the support member to be displaced in a direction away from the approximate center position of the opening of the housing unit. it can.

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.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the liquid storage portion is located outside the housing portion.
According to this configuration, since restrictions on the amount of liquid stored outside the casing are relaxed, it is possible to provide a liquid storage unit that can store a relatively large amount of liquid.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first printer in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the first printer in a state where a stacker and a manual sheet feeding mechanism are opened. The perspective view which shows the 1st printer in the state which opened the image reading part. The perspective view which shows an example of a coupling. The perspective view which shows another example of a coupling. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a first printer having another routing structure of the ink supply tube in the first embodiment. The perspective view which shows a 1st printer provided with the routing structure of the ink supply tube in 2nd Embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a drawing structure of an ink supply tube. FIG. 10 is a schematic side cross-sectional view showing a routing structure of an ink supply tube in a third embodiment. The perspective view which shows a 1st printer provided with the drawing structure of an ink supply tube. The perspective view which shows a 1st printer provided with the routing structure of the ink supply tube in 4th Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the 2nd printer in 5th Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the 2nd printer in the state which opened the stacker and the manual paper feed mechanism. The perspective view which shows the 2nd printer in the state which opened the cover part. The perspective view which shows the 2nd printer provided with the drawing structure of the ink supply tube in 6th Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the 2nd printer provided with the routing structure of the ink supply tube in 7th Embodiment. The perspective view which shows a 2nd printer provided with the drawing structure of the ink supply tube in 8th Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the 2nd printer provided with the routing structure of the ink supply tube in other embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, as a first embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus, an ink jet 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 type printer will be described with reference to the drawings.
<Overall configuration of printer>
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 11 according to the present embodiment includes a printing function unit 12 </ b> A (printer unit) including an apparatus body 12 having a printing function, and an image reading unit 13 (scanner) having a scanning function above the apparatus body 12. Unit). In the following description, this printer composed of a multifunction machine is referred to as the first printer 11. The first printer 11 supplies ink from an ink tank 19T (see FIG. 3) as an example of a separate liquid container that has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape through an ink supply tube 40 (see FIG. 3) provided by a fixed portion. Receive.

  The first printer 11 is provided with a printing function unit 12A as an example of a housing unit that houses the printing unit 20 on the lower side in the gravity direction, and on the upper side on the anti-gravity direction side. An image reading unit 13 having an image reading mechanism such as a scanner for reading a document (image) is provided as an example of a cover member. The image reading unit 13 is configured to rotate (displace) around a hinge 13a provided at one end (rear side) of the apparatus main body 12, and to lift the front side opposite to the hinge 13a. That is, a hand grip portion 13T is recessed on the side surface (both left and right side surfaces) of the image reading section 13, and the user of the first printer 11 inserts his hand into the hand grip portion 13T for maintenance, for example. The part 13 can be lifted. By this lifting, the opening 12K (see FIG. 3) that exposes at least a part of the moving region of the carriage 21 that is arranged to be reciprocally movable in the printing function unit 12A (that is, the apparatus main body 12) is exposed.

  Further, an automatic document feeder 14 (Auto document feeder) 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 hinge 14a (see FIG. 2) provided at one end (rear side) of the apparatus body 12, and the front side opposite to the hinge 14a is lifted. By lifting the automatic document feeder 14, the document table 13b (see FIG. 2) forming the upper surface of the image reading unit 13 is exposed, and the user can manually supply the read document to the image reading unit 13. is there.

  Here, the automatic document feeder 14 includes a document tray 14d for setting a document on the upper side of a rectangular plate-shaped main body 14c, and a guide member for positioning the document in the width direction on the document tray 14d. 14e is provided. The documents set on the document tray 14d are fed one by one onto the document table 13b of the image reading unit 13 by the operation of the feeding mechanism unit 14f arranged on the left side in FIG. 14c is discharged.

  A sheet feeding cassette 15 that can store a plurality of sheets of paper P is detachably provided at the lower portion of the apparatus main body 12. The paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 15 is fed 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 feeds the fed paper P Print on. That is, the paper P fed from the paper feed cassette 15 is transported to the printing unit 20 by a transport mechanism including rollers 24 and 25 described later. In the printing unit 20, the sheet from the liquid ejecting head 22 reciprocally moves by a moving mechanism along a direction (referred to as the main scanning direction X) intersecting the transport direction of the paper P (referred to as the sub-scanning direction Y). Ink is ejected onto P, and an image or the like is printed on paper P. The printed paper P that has been printed by the printing unit 20 is discharged (discharged) from a paper discharge port 16 provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A).

  In the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A), a stacker 17 as an example of a discharge tray that receives the paper P discharged from the paper discharge port 16 is positioned above the paper feed cassette 15 and below the paper discharge port 16. Is stored. The stacker 17 is used by being pulled out from the apparatus main body 12 by a length corresponding to the size of the discharged paper P.

  The housing portion 12S having a housing recess for housing the paper feed cassette 15 and the stacker 17 at the center in the width direction is configured by a housing portion that is formed to protrude in the paper P discharge direction (here, the sub-scanning direction Y). Yes. The container 12S is protruded in this way because the length required in the sub-scanning direction Y of the paper feed cassette 15 is longer than the length in the sub-scanning direction Y of the housing 12H required for the printing unit 20. This is because it is long. For this reason, the paper feed cassette 15 and the stacker 17 are accommodated so that the front end faces are aligned in the accommodating portion 12S in a state of protruding from the apparatus main body 12 in the sub-scanning direction Y (forward). Specifically, when the length of the apparatus main body 12 in the sub-scanning direction Y is determined in accordance with the length of the paper feed cassette 15 required to accommodate the paper P of a predetermined size (for example, A4 size). Since the apparatus main body 12 is increased in size (increase in the bottom area), only the accommodating portion of the paper feed cassette 15 is protruded in order to avoid this as much as possible. In other words, the portions of the paper feed cassette 15 and the housing portion 12S are protruded forward by passing through both sides of the housing portion 12S for housing the paper feed cassette 15. Further, since the front position when the stacker 17 is stored is determined in accordance with the front position where the paper feed cassette 15 protrudes, the protruding length when the stacker 17 is pulled out is secured relatively long. Further, the protrusion enables the stacker 17 to be easily pulled out from the apparatus main body 12 by the gripping portion 17a. In this manner, the first printer 11 is increased in size (especially the bottom of the printer) while the sheet feeding cassette 15 is detachably provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 12 and the sheet can be fed from the front side of the apparatus main body 12. (Increase in area) is relatively suppressed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, operations for performing various operations such as causing the printing unit 20 to perform a printing operation at a position above the paper discharge port 16 in the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A). A panel portion 18 is disposed. The base 12 </ b> B of the operation panel unit 18 is configured by a housing portion that has an inclined surface that protrudes toward the discharge direction of the paper P (that is, the sub-scanning direction Y) from the upper side thereof. A display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display) 18a and operation buttons 18b for displaying a menu screen and the like are attached to the inclined surface of the base 12B. The operation buttons 18b include, for example, a power button, a selection button for selecting a desired item from the menu screen, and a print start button for instructing start of printing. The operation panel unit 18 protrudes forward of the apparatus main body 12 and the display surface and the operation surface thereof are inclined to the front, so that the visibility of the display unit 18a and the operability of the operation buttons 18b are good for the user. Secured.

  The printing unit 20 included in the first printer 11 of 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. Provided. 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. The guide frame 30 has an upper rail 31A and a lower rail 31B formed by bending the members into a substantially U shape at both upper and lower end portions of the plate member orthogonal to the main scanning direction X. The carriage 21 reciprocates in the main scanning direction X with its rear end supported by the upper rail 31A and the lower rail 31B. Then, the ink supplied from the ink tank 19T (see FIG. 3) through 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.

  The carriage 21 has a substantially square box shape with the upper part opened, and an adapter AD that relays ink supplied through the ink supply tube 40 to the liquid ejecting head 22 is mounted on the concave mounting portion of the carriage 21. Yes. Ink is supplied to the liquid jet head 22 from the adapter AD mounted on the carriage 21. Therefore, the ink supply tube 40 connected to the adapter AD forms a part of an ink flow path in which ink can flow between the ink tank 19T and the liquid ejecting head 22.

  The first printer 11 of this example is compatible with color printing. In the example of FIG. 1, the adapter AD is mounted with a plurality (for example, four) of the same number of ink colors (for example, four colors) necessary for color printing. . Of course, only the black adapter AD can be attached, and the first printer 11 can be used as a monochrome printing compatible printer. The carriage 21 can be used with an ink cartridge mounted thereon, and the adapter AD has a square plate shape that matches the shape and size of the ink cartridge corresponding to the first printer 11. However, since the ink volume is smaller than that of the ink cartridge, the shape and size of the adapter AD may be appropriately changed as long as it can be mounted on the mounted portion of the carriage 21.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a slot 32 for inserting a card such as a memory card or a communication card and a communication port corresponding to a predetermined communication method such as USB communication are provided at the left end of the front surface of the apparatus body 12. 33 (connector) is provided. The first printer 11 can perform printing based on data received from a host device via USB communication or the like, and photo printing performed by reading image data such as a photo from a memory card.

  FIG. 2 shows the first printer 11 with the automatic document feeder 14 removed. When the automatic document feeder 14 is opened, the document table 13b of the image reading unit 13 shown in FIG. 2 is exposed, and is long in the sub-scanning direction Y at a position below the reading surface (glass surface). The read head 13 </ b> H is provided so as to be movable in the main scanning direction X. A concave groove 13c that accommodates a flexible flat cable 13F (hereinafter referred to as “FFC13F”) connected to one end of the reading head 13H is formed at the bottom of the image reading unit 13 so as to extend in the main scanning direction X. Has been. When the reading head 13H moves in the main scanning direction X, the FFC 13F moves in the concave groove 13c so as to follow this, so that the reading head 13H receives the original reading signal through the FFC 13F throughout the moving path. Transmission to a controller (not shown) in one printer 11 is possible. Note that a conveyance surface 13 d of a sheet fed from the automatic document feeder 14 is formed at a position adjacent to the document table 13 b on the upper surface of the image reading unit 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a manual paper feed mechanism 35 is provided on the back side of the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A). The manual paper feed mechanism 35 is a mechanism for feeding one sheet of paper P set manually by the user. The manual paper feed mechanism 35 includes a substantially square plate-shaped paper feed tray 35a, a pair of paper guides 35b operated when positioning the paper P on the paper feed tray 35a in the width direction, and the manual paper feed mechanism 35. And a protective plate 35c provided for the purpose of preventing a foreign matter or the like from dropping to a feeding port (not shown) in the open state. The paper feed tray 35a is provided so as to be rotatable within a predetermined angle range with a base end portion (lower end portion in FIG. 2) as a center, and has an open position shown in FIG. 2 and is placed at a closed position where it is rotated from the open position to the front side of FIG. The protection plate 35c is urged in a direction approaching the paper feed tray 35a side by the elastic force of a torsion coil spring (not shown). When the paper feed tray 35a is opened, the lower region of the paper feed tray 35a is separated by a predetermined distance ( For example, it is disposed in a protective position shown in FIG. 2, which is arranged in a posture separated by 3 to 10 mm to prevent foreign matter from entering the feeding port.

  The stacker 17 is a three-stage type as an example, and includes a first tray 17b, a second tray 17c, and a third tray 17d. The first tray 17b is slidably connected to the apparatus body 12, and the second tray 17c is slidably connected to the first tray 17b. The third tray 17d is pivotally connected to the tip of the second tray 17c, and is in a closed position in which the third tray 17d is stored so as to overlap the second tray 17c. It is placed in an open position that rises in posture and also functions as a paper stopper.

  Next, the configuration of the printing unit 20 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, a position in the housing 12 </ b> H that faces the lower surface (nozzle formation surface) of the liquid jet head 22 (see FIG. 1) provided at the lower portion of the carriage 21 is along the main scanning direction X. A long support base 23 extending in the direction is arranged. A transport roller 24 and a paper discharge roller 25 are disposed at positions upstream and downstream of the support base 23 in the sub-scanning direction Y. The paper P accommodated in the paper feed cassette 15 is in a state where a pickup roller (not shown) is in contact with the upper surface thereof. As the pickup roller rotates, the uppermost one of the sheets P is sent out along a path passing through the rear side, and the sent out sheet P passes along the outer peripheral surface of a feeding roller (not shown). Is reversed in the sub-scanning direction Y, and then reaches the transport roller 24, and is fed onto the support base 23 by the rotation of the transport roller 24.

  In the housing 12H, an endless timing belt 27 wound around a pair of pulleys 26 is disposed along a guide frame 30 located on the back side of the carriage 21. It is fixed to a part of the timing belt 27. A linear encoder 28 extending in parallel with the timing belt 27 is stretched under the timing belt 27, and the position of the carriage 21 is detected based on the detection signal.

  When a carriage motor (not shown) whose output shaft is connected to one pulley 26 is driven forward and backward, the timing belt 27 rotates forward and backward, and the carriage 21 reciprocates in the main scanning direction X along the rails 31A and 31B. To do. A recording operation in which ink is ejected from the liquid ejecting head 22 during the movement of the carriage 21 to record one line (one pass) on the paper P, and a transport operation in which the paper P is transported to the next recording position. By alternately performing the above, a document or an image is printed on the paper P. At this time, ejection / non-ejection of ink for each nozzle of the liquid ejection head 22 is controlled according to the carriage position detected based on the detection signal of the linear encoder 28.

  Ink used by the liquid ejecting head 22 in this printing is supplied from each ink tank 19T in the external tank unit 19 to the liquid ejecting head 22 via each ink supply tube 40 and each adapter AD. In the tank unit 19 of this example, for example, four ink tanks 19T for storing four different colors of ink are accommodated. Examples of these four colors include black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). In the example of FIG. 3, of the four ink tanks 19T, one that stores black ink, which consumes a relatively large amount of ink, is a large tank with a wide width, and a small number of three each store three colors of color ink. It is a narrow small tank.

  The adapter AD that can be mounted on the carriage 21 is thicker for black ink and thinner than that for color ink according to the shape and size of the ink cartridge of the corresponding ink color. The carriage 21 has mounting recesses for a plurality of (four) ink cartridges, and when the adapter AD is mounted in these mounting recesses, the terminal on the back of the carriage 21 comes into contact with the terminal on the carriage 21 side.

  Next, the configuration of the first embodiment relating to the fixing portion for fixing the ink supply tube 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. The fixing portion of the first embodiment has a configuration in which the ink supply tube 40 is fixed to the housing 12H that forms the opening 12K with a fixing tool. In addition, various members, such as a string, a rubber band, a clip, an adhesive tape, and an adhesive, can be used as the fixture. By the way, in this embodiment, it demonstrates as what uses an adhesive tape as an example of a fixing tool. Moreover, in description of FIGS. 3-5, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same structural member as FIG. 1, and those description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ink tank 19T is disposed outside the movement region of the carriage 21, and in particular in this example, is disposed outside the housing 12H. The ink tank 19T is disposed at the left outer side of the housing 12H, that is, at a position opposite to the home position in the main scanning direction X when the first printer 11 is viewed from the front side (the front side in the sub scanning direction Y). Yes. One end of the ink supply tube 40 is connected to the ink tank 19T, and the opposite side portion of the ink supply tube 40 is an opening provided in the housing 12H from a position near the home position in the main scanning direction X of the carriage 21. It is inserted into the moving area of the carriage 21 exposed through 12K. The inserted other end is connected to an adapter AD mounted on the carriage 21. Specifically, one end of the ink supply tube 40 is connected to a discharge pipe (not shown) provided in communication with the ink tank 19T at the lower part of the tank unit 19, and the other end is mounted on the carriage 21. Connected to a supply pipe (not shown) on the upper surface of the adapter AD. Each ink supply tube 40 connected between the tank unit 19 and the adapter AD on the carriage 21 has an opening 12K when the hinge 13a side that pivotally supports the image reading unit 13 is the back side. Is extended in a state extending substantially straight in the main scanning direction X.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an elongated plate-like support plate 41 as an example of a support member is provided on the upper surface of the housing 12H so as to cross the opening 12K in the sub-scanning direction Y. ing. The length of the support plate 41 in the longitudinal direction is slightly longer than the width of the opening 12K in the sub-scanning direction Y. When the image reading unit 13 is closed, the upper surface 12U of the housing 12H is locked at a position corresponding to the locking protrusion 36 protruding from the front end of the back surface of the image reading unit 13 at a substantially central position in the width direction. A locking recess 12d that locks with the protrusion 36 is provided. One end of the support plate 41 uses a screw hole (not shown) formed to fix a member to be locked (not shown) on the bottom surface of the locking recess 12d, and the housing 12H is inserted into the screw hole. The screw 43 is screwed in a state of slightly protruding from the upper surface of the metal plate and inserted into the hole at the end of the support plate 41, and is supported rotatably about the screw 43. Therefore, by rotating the support plate 41 around the screw 43 in a plane parallel to the opening surface of the opening 12K, the angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the support plate 41 with the main scanning direction X can be changed, and the support plate 41 is supported. The fixed position of a part of the ink supply tube 40 on the plate 41 can be adjusted in the main scanning direction X.

  Then, the end (free end) of the rotating front end side of the support plate 41 is fixed to the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H by the fixture 42 in a state where the angle is adjusted to a position where a part of the ink supply tube 40 is fixed. ing. For example, an adhesive tape is used for the fixture 42. Of course, the fixture 42 may be a screw or an adhesive. It should be noted that, in the upper surface portion 12U of the apparatus main body 12, a detected recessed portion 38 into which a protrusion 37 provided on the back surface of the image reading portion 13 is inserted when the image reading portion 13 is closed is located slightly to the left of the locking recessed portion 12d. Is formed. A vent 47 is formed around the opening 12K in the upper surface 12U of the housing 12H.

  Further, at the position on the back side of the opening 12K in the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H, the protruding portion is located at the position corresponding to the protruding portion protruding at the back side corresponding to the recessed groove 13c of the image reading portion 13. A recess 12b is formed in which is disposed. In the case where the ink supply tube 40 is routed around the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H as in the present embodiment, it is desirable to route the ink supply tube 40 while avoiding the recess 12b in which the protruding portion is accommodated.

  A boss 29 having a substantially cylindrical shape is fixed to the upper surface of the housing 12H so as to protrude upward by a predetermined length. In other words, the boss 29 is sandwiched between the print function unit 12A and the image reading unit 13 when the image reading unit 13 is rotated in the closing direction for closing the opening 12K, thereby printing the image reading unit 13 and the image reading unit 13 together. It is provided to ensure a gap through which the ink supply tube 40 is inserted between the functional unit 12A. In FIG. 3, two bosses 29 are provided in order to stably form the gap, but one boss 29 may be provided.

  Now, the middle part in the longitudinal direction of the ink supply tube 40 inserted through the gap formed by the boss 29 in this way is fixed to the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H by a fixing tool 61 (for example, an adhesive tape). In the present embodiment, as an example, a description will be given on the assumption that a plurality of fixtures (three adhesive tapes in FIG. 3) are used. Of course, as many fixing tools as necessary for fixing the ink supply tube 40 are used.

  Specifically, the ink supply tube 40 first extends from a tank unit 19 in which a plurality of ink tanks 19T are accommodated in a tank case, and extends in the main scanning direction X from the left side surface in FIG. It is fixed by the first fixing member 61 at a portion extending and disposed on the upper surface portion 12U. Next, a downstream intermediate portion of the ink supply tube 40 that is closer to the adapter AD is sequentially fixed to the upper surface of the support plate 41 by the second fixing tool 62 and the third fixing tool 63.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the portion near the adapter AD in the ink supply tube 40 is held in a bundled state by a holding member 44 fixed to the right side surface in FIG. 3 of the carriage 21, and is held by the holding member 44. The downstream ends of the bundled positions are respectively connected to supply pipes (not shown) on the upper surface of the adapter AD.

  The middle part of the ink supply tube 40 fixed by the fixtures 61 to 63 is restricted from moving in the length direction of the ink supply tube 40 and in the direction intersecting the length direction. Therefore, the fixtures 61 to 63 that fix the middle portion of the ink supply tube 40 function as an example of a fixing portion.

  In the present embodiment, among the plurality of fixtures 61 to 63, the third fixture 63 (for example, an adhesive tape) that fixes the ink supply tube 40 to the middle portion of the most downstream side with respect to the housing 12H. In addition, a part of the ink supply tube 40 in the length direction is a fixing unit that fixes the ink supply tube 40 in a state in which the ink supply tube 40 cannot move relative to the opening 12K. As a result, the portion between the third fixture 63 and the adapter AD in the length direction of the ink supply tube 40, more precisely, the portion between the third fixture 63 and the holding member 44 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the deformation movable portion 40H deforms following the movement of the carriage 21. In other words, the tube length of the deformable movable portion 40H is defined by the fixing position of the third fixing tool.

  Here, the deformation | transformation movable part 40H is demonstrated easily. The ink supply tube 40 shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 is the one when the carriage 21 is located at the home position, and the curved portion 40C of the ink supply tube 40 when the carriage 21 is located at the non-home position is shown in FIG. It is indicated by a two-dot chain line. In the example of FIG. 3, the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 are arranged in a planar shape by being arranged in a row in the radial direction so that the respective center lines are substantially located on the same plane. The plurality of ink supply tubes 40 are curved in the shape of a circular arc in the middle, and the portions (tube surfaces) on both sides sandwiching the curved portion are arranged so as to extend in substantially parallel to each other in the vertical direction.

  When the carriage 21 moves, the curved portion 40C of the ink supply tube 40 moves in the carriage movement direction at a movement distance (in other words, movement speed) that is approximately half the movement distance (that is, movement speed) of the carriage 21. At this time, in the process in which the carriage 21 moves from the home position to the non-home position, the ink supply tube 40 follows the movement of the carriage 21 while moving the bending portion 40C to the left in FIG. In this way, the ink supply tube 40 is deformed while the position of the bending portion 40C is changed in the main scanning direction X during the movement of the carriage 21. For this reason, the ink supply tube 40 does not bend or rampage during the movement of the carriage 21. Therefore, even during the movement of the carriage 21, the ink can be smoothly supplied to the adapter AD on the carriage 21 through the ink supply tube 40. In addition, it is easy to avoid a situation in which the ink supply tube 40 is violently brought into contact with, for example, the paper P or the transport system roller 24, the timing belt 27, and the like, thereby causing defective printing.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 21 moves from the position where the curved portion 40C and the carriage 21 are closest (home position in FIG. 3) to the position where the curved portion 40C and the carriage 21 are farthest (anti-home position). To do. In the process in which the carriage 21 moves throughout the moving region, the portion that contributes to the formation of the curved portion 40C in the ink supply tube 40 becomes the deformable movable portion 40H. Then, at the position of the bending portion 40C (the position of the bending portion 40C indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3), the upstream portion in the ink supply direction from the bending portion 40C is a non-movable portion that does not contribute to the formation of the bending portion. Become. Here, the boundary portion between the deformable movable portion 40H and the non-movable portion may be fixed by the fixed portion. However, in this embodiment, the position upstream of the boundary portion by a predetermined distance is provided in order to allow some margin. A part of the ink supply tube 40 is fixed. As an example, the predetermined distance is preferably set to a value equal to or less than the longer distance of the distance corresponding to 30% of the tube length of the deformable movable portion 40H and 5 cm. This is because, when the ink supply tube 40 is fixed at a position that greatly exceeds a predetermined distance from the boundary portion to the upstream side, the portion that does not contribute to the formation of the curved portion is not fixed and the length of the deformable movable portion 40H is increased. This is to avoid as much as possible the situation in which the holding becomes unstable and the tube portion forming the deformable movable portion 40H is violated. Of course, a part of fixing the ink supply tube 40 with the third fixing tool 63 (for example, an adhesive tape) may be a boundary part or a part exceeding a predetermined distance from the boundary part to the upstream side.

  In the present embodiment, the third fixture 63 fixes a portion of the ink supply tube 40 that is slightly upstream of the substantially central portion in the movement region of the carriage 21 in the main scanning direction X. For this reason, the ink supply tube 40 has substantially the same length on both sides of the moving range of the carriage 21 around the fixed portion, although the left portion in FIG. 3 is slightly shorter than the right portion. ing. In this embodiment, the portion of the ink supply tube 40 between the boundary with the non-movable part and the holding member 44 is the deformable movable part 40H.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the ink supply tube 40 is preferably configured such that a plurality of tubes 40A and 40B are connected via a joint 40J in the length direction. The joints 40J are provided at a plurality of locations according to the number of tubes connected between the ink tank 19T and the carriage 21, and allow ink to flow between the connected tubes. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the joint 40 </ b> J connects the two tubes 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B on the support plate 41 of the ink supply tube 40. Since the tubes 40A and 40B connected to both sides of the joint 40J are fixed by fixtures 62 and 63 (for example, adhesive tape), the tubes 40A and 40B are not easily detached from the joint 40J.

  The joint 40J used in the present embodiment has a cylindrical joint body 45 and a pair of pipe portions 46 protruding from both end faces in the axial direction of the joint body 45 as shown in FIG. The portion 46 communicates in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 5, the joint 40 </ b> J includes a rectangular plate-like joint body 45 and four pairs of pipe portions 46 that project from the both end surfaces of the joint body 45 in the axial direction by four pairs. The pipe portions 46 in pairs communicate with each other in the axial direction.

  The joint of the tubes 40A and 40B connected via the joint 40J is located at a portion other than the deformable movable portion 40H of the ink supply tube 40 as shown in FIG. For this reason, since the location connected by the joint 40J of the ink supply tube 40 does not become the curved portion 40C, the tube is difficult to come off from the joint 40J.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the ink supply tube 40 is routed so that the position where the bending portion 40 </ b> C of the deformable movable portion 40 </ b> H is formed is opposite to the carriage 21 in FIG. 3. May be. In FIG. 6, some components such as the transport mechanism of the paper P that should be visible from the opening 12K and the movement mechanism of the carriage 21 are omitted.

  In the example of FIG. 6, the tank unit 19 is disposed outside the moving area of the carriage 21, particularly outside the home position side of the housing 12 </ b> H. The ink supply tube 40 first extends from the tank unit 19 and extends in the main scanning direction X from the right side surface or the back side of the apparatus main body 12 in FIG. It is fixed by adhesive tape. Next, the downstream middle portion of the ink supply tube 40 that is closer to the adapter AD is connected to the upper surface of the support plate 41 by a second fixture 62 and a third fixture 63 (for example, an adhesive tape, respectively). Are sequentially fixed. A portion of the ink supply tube 40 upstream of the curved portion 40C by a predetermined distance is fixed by the third fixture 63, and the third fixture 63 functions as an example of a fixing portion.

  The portion near the adapter AD in the ink supply tube 40 is bundled by a holding member 44 fixed to the left side surface of the carriage in FIG. 6, and the downstream end of the position bundled by the holding member 44 is the adapter AD. Is connected to a supply pipe (not shown) on the upper surface. In the present embodiment, the portion of the ink supply tube 40 between the boundary with the non-movable portion and the holding member 44 is the deformable movable portion 40H. In FIG. 6, a joint 40J of the ink supply tube 40 is provided as necessary. In the example of FIG. 6, as in FIG. 3, the portions on both sides sandwiching the joint 40 </ b> J connecting the tubes 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B are fixed to the upper surface of the support plate 41 by the second and third fixing members 62 and 63. ing. As shown in FIG. 6, the support plate 41 is adjusted to an angle rotated slightly clockwise with respect to the angle of the support plate 41 in FIG. 3.

Next, the operation of the first printer 11 of the first embodiment will be described.
In the first printer 11, the fixing portion can be easily formed by fixing the ink supply tube 40 so as not to move relative to the opening portion 12 </ b> K with fixing members 61 to 63 (for example, adhesive tape). . Further, by adjusting the angle of the support plate 41 and adjusting the fixing position of the third fixture 63, a part of the upstream side from the deformable movable portion 40H that deforms following the movement of the carriage 21 by a predetermined distance. It is possible to fix.

  Further, when the ink supply tube 40 is removed from the apparatus main body 12 in order to perform maintenance of the ink supply tube 40, the ink supply tube 40 can be easily attached to the apparatus main body 12 by removing the fixtures 61 to 63 (for example, adhesive tape). Can be removed from.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since a part (middle part) of the ink supply tube 40 can be fixed so as not to move relative to the opening 12K of the apparatus main body 12 (printing function part 12A), the carriage between the opening 12K and the liquid ejecting head 22 can be fixed. Thus, the deformable movable portion 40H that follows and deforms with the movement of 21 can be stably formed. As a result, it is possible to suppress the ink supply tube 40 from hindering the movement of the carriage 21.

  (2) Since the deformable movable portion 40H of the ink supply tube 40 has substantially the same tube length on both sides of the moving range of the carriage 21, the length of the ink supply tube 40 existing on the liquid ejecting head 22 side from the fixed portion is reduced. It can be kept relatively short.

  (3) Since the third fixture 63, which is an example of the fixing portion, is provided on the side that supports the image reading portion 13 with respect to the opening portion 12K, the image reading portion 13 is the opening portion of the housing 12H. When 12K is opened, the field of view in the opening 12K is not easily obstructed by the liquid supply tube. For this reason, it is relatively easy to confirm the inside of the apparatus main body 12 through the opening 12K. For example, when a paper jam error occurs, it is easy to check the jam state of the paper P, and the paper jam processing can be performed relatively smoothly.

  (4) By displacing the support plate 41 in a direction away from the substantially central position of the opening 12K of the apparatus main body 12 in the main scanning direction X, the user moves the carriage through the opening 12K of the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A). The finger can be easily inserted into the 21 moving areas. Therefore, even when the carriage 21 is in the middle of the moving region, for example, maintenance of the carriage 21 or paper jam processing can be performed relatively easily.

  (5) Since the support plate 41 is provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the upper surface portion 12U of the apparatus main body 12, the support plate 41 can be displaced in a direction away from a substantially central position in the main scanning direction X of the opening 12K of the apparatus main body 12. It is possible to relatively easily realize the configuration.

  (6) In order to lock the image reading unit 13 to the apparatus main body 12 in a closed state, a screw hole formed for a screw for fixing a locking member in a locking recess 12d provided in the upper surface portion 12U is used. The screw 43 screwed into the screw hole was used as the rotation shaft of the support plate 41. For this reason, the support plate 41 can be pivotally supported at a substantially central position in the main scanning direction X of the opening 12K, and the ink supply tube 41 can be supported without tilting the longitudinal direction of the support plate 41 with respect to the sub-scanning direction Y. Forty suitable fixing points can be supported. Therefore, the support plate 41 can be made to have a relatively short length. For example, the support plate 41 that is retracted by rotation during maintenance or paper jam processing does not get in the way. Moreover, since the existing screw hole is used, it is not necessary to perform extra processing such as screw hole processing on the housing 12H.

  (7) By connecting a plurality of tubes via the joint 40J, the ink supply tube 40 can be adjusted to an optimum length for routing. Further, since it is only necessary to draw a plurality of tubes having a length that is relatively easy to handle, the drawing operation of the ink supply tube 40 becomes relatively simple.

  (8) The joint of the tubes 40A and 40B connected via the joint 40J is located at a portion other than the deformable movable portion 40H of the ink supply tube 40. For this reason, since the location connected by the joint 40J of the ink supply tube 40 does not become the curved portion 40C, the tube is difficult to come off from the joint 40J.

  (9) Since a plurality of ink tanks 19T are provided and a plurality of ink supply tubes 40 corresponding to the number of the ink tanks 19T are routed, a plurality of colors of ink are passed through each adapter AD through the plurality of ink supply tubes 40. It can be supplied to the liquid jet head 22 to support color printing.

  (10) Since the ink tank 19T is located outside the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A), the restriction on the ink storage amount is relaxed. Therefore, the ink tank 19T that can store a large amount of ink can be provided.

  (11) The sheet feeding cassette 15 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 12S formed by the casing portion protruding and formed on the front surface portion of the housing 12H so that the front surface is aligned with the accommodating portion 12S. However, the size of the first printer 11 (particularly increase in the bottom area of the printer) can be relatively suppressed for the configuration that enables the sheet feeding. Further, the base portion 12B of the operation panel portion 18 is configured by a housing portion that has an inclined surface that protrudes toward the discharge direction (that is, the sub-scanning direction Y) of the paper P from the lower side to the upper side. And the display part 18a (for example, liquid crystal display) and the operation button 18b are attached to the inclined surface of the base 12B. For this reason, the visibility of the display unit 18a is improved and the operability of the operation button 18b is also ensured.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the configuration of the second embodiment relating to the fixing portion for fixing the ink supply tube 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. In the description of FIGS. 7 and 8, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate. The joint 40J of the ink supply tube 40 is not shown in FIGS.

  An example of the fixed portion of the second embodiment is an inclined block 65 fixed to a part of the peripheral edge of the opening 12K in the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H, as shown in FIG. The inclined block 65 holds the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 with respect to the opening surface of the opening 12K in a state where the surfaces (tube surfaces) passing through the respective center lines are inclined at a predetermined angle. The holding member 66 fixed to the side surface of the carriage 21 in a state in which a part of the ink supply tube 40 on the adapter AD side is bundled has a portion extending along the main scanning direction X from the holding member 66 to the upstream side. Inclined and held so as to have the same inclination as the inclination by.

  A detailed structure will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken at the holding member 66 fixed to the side surface of the carriage 21 in the main scanning direction X in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the inclined block 65 has a triangular prism shape, and the inclined surface 65a is fixed to the upper surface portion 12U in a direction extending in the main scanning direction X. A plurality of (four in this example) ink supply tubes 40 are fixed to the inclined surface 65a by a fixture 63 (for example, an adhesive tape) in a state of being arranged in a line.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the holding member 66 fixed to the side surface of the carriage 21 is formed with an inclined surface 66a whose surface on the side facing the inclined block 65 is parallel to the inclined surface 65a. Therefore, the plurality of tubes extending from the adapter AD and bundled by the holding member 66 are arranged in an example so as to form a tube surface that is substantially parallel to the tube surface on the inclined block 65 side along the inclined surface 66a. It is held in the state. And the deformation | transformation movable part 40H is formed in the state which mutually opposed substantially parallel in the state where the tube surface of both sides inclined diagonally on both sides of the curved part 40C.

  For this reason, even in a configuration in which the space for routing the ink supply tube 40 in the opening 12K of the housing 12H cannot be secured, a tube surface that is opposed substantially parallel to the opening surface of the opening 12K is formed in an oblique posture. The deformable movable part 40H can be formed.

According to the said 2nd Embodiment, in addition to the effect (1)-(11) in the said 1st Embodiment, the following effects can be acquired.
(12) Even in a configuration in which the space for drawing the ink supply tube 40 cannot be secured in the opening 12K of the housing 12H, a tube surface that faces substantially parallel to the opening surface of the opening 12K in an oblique posture is formed. The deformable movable part 40H can be formed.

(Third embodiment)
Next, the configuration of the third embodiment relating to the fixing portion for fixing the ink supply tube 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. In the description of FIGS. 9 and 10, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate. The joint 40J of the ink supply tube 40 is not shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 7, an example of the fixing portion of the third embodiment is a fixing tool 63 (for example, an adhesive tape) that fixes a part of the ink supply tube 40 at the peripheral edge of the opening 12K in the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H. ).

  Specifically, the ink supply tube 40 first extends from the tank unit 19 and extends in the main scanning direction X from the right side surface in FIG. It is fixed by a fixing tool 61. Next, the downstream intermediate portion of the ink supply tube 40 that is closer to the adapter AD is fixed sequentially by the second fixing device 62 and the third fixing device 63 at the portion disposed on the upper surface portion 12U. The

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the portion near the adapter AD in the ink supply tube 40 has an adhesive tape on the upper surface of the distal end portion of the support member 68 that extends obliquely upward from the back surface portion of the carriage 21 to the rear upper side (back side upper side). 69 is fixed in a bundled state. In addition, the downstream end of the ink supply tube 40 from the portion fixed to the support member 68 by the adhesive tape 69 is connected to a supply pipe (not shown) on the upper surface of the adapter AD.

  A part of the ink supply tube 40 is fixed at a position upstream by a predetermined distance from the boundary with the non-movable part by the third fixing tool 63, so that the deformable movable part 40H is located downstream of the fixed position. Is formed.

  A detailed structure will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken at the support member 68 fixed to the back surface of the carriage 21 in the main scanning direction X in FIG. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the support member 68 whose base end portion is fixed to the back surface portion of the carriage 21 includes a support portion 68 a that extends obliquely upward to the rear side and then extends rearward substantially horizontally. Have. The support 68a is located at a height that is a predetermined distance away from the upper surface of the peripheral edge of the opening 12K. A part of the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 is fixed to the upper surface of the support portion 68 a with an adhesive tape 69.

  Therefore, a plurality of tube portions (tube surfaces) disposed on the upper surface of the rear peripheral edge along the opening 12K in the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H, and the upper surface of the support portion 68a that is the tip portion of the support member 68. A plurality of tube portions (tube surfaces) supported by the upper and lower portions are opposed to each other in the vertical direction. For this reason, the distance between the position of the carriage 21 indicated by a solid line in FIG. 10 (home position in this example) and the position of the carriage 21 indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 10 (the end position on the side opposite to the home position in this example). In the process of moving, the deformable movable portion 40H deforms the position of the bending portion 40C in the main scanning direction X.

  With such a structure, the ink supply tube 40 can be disposed on the upper side of the housing 12H even in a configuration in which it is difficult to secure a space for routing the ink supply tube 40 in the opening 12K of the housing 12H. Ink can be supplied from the unit 19 to each adapter AD on the carriage 21 while preventing the ink supply tube 40 from violating.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, the configuration of the fourth embodiment relating to a fixing portion for fixing the ink supply tube 40 will be described with reference to FIG. In the description of FIG. 11, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate. Further, the illustration of the joint 40J of the ink supply tube 40 is omitted in FIG.

  An example of the fixing portion of the fourth embodiment is basically the same as that shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of (for example, four (N + M), for example, four) ink supply tubes 40 extending from each of the plurality of adapters AD are divided into N (for example, two) and the remaining. It is divided into M (for example, 2) (where N and M are natural numbers). Then, one end portion of the N ink supply tubes 40 is connected to each ink tank 19T in the tank unit 19A disposed on the outer side of the left side (anti-home position side) of the housing 12H, and the M ink supply tubes 40 are connected. Is connected to each ink tank 19T in the tank unit 19B arranged on the right side (home position side) of the housing 12H.

  Of the plurality of ink supply tubes 40, N are fixed to the left end of the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H by a fixture 61 (for example, adhesive tape), and a part of the downstream side is fixed to the upper surface of the support plate 41. It is fixed by two fixing tools 62 and 63. On the other hand, the remaining M ink supply tubes 40 are fixed to the rear peripheral edge portion along the opening 12K on the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H by fixing tools 71 and 72 (for example, adhesive tape), and the downstream side thereof. The tube routing direction is inverted in the opposite direction at the portion, and the inverted portion is fixed to the upper surface of the support plate 41 by the fixture 63. The four ink supply tubes 40 fixed to the upper surface of the support plate 41 by the fixing members 63 extend in the same direction (rightward in FIG. 11) and are fixed to the right side surface of the carriage 21. After being bundled by the holding member 44, each other end is connected to a supply pipe (not shown) protruding from the upper surface of each adapter AD. In the present embodiment, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the support plate 41 are fixed by any fixing method (not shown) of an adhesive tape, an adhesive, and a screw. Of course, as in the first embodiment, one end of the support plate 41 may be rotatably supported around the screw 43, and the other end may be fixed using a known fixture such as an adhesive tape. As described above, even if the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 are divided into left and right portions, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, the configuration of the second printer 11A that does not have the image reading function will be described with reference to FIGS. The first printer 11 in the first to fourth embodiments is a so-called multi-function device, but the second printer 11A in the following embodiments includes a print function unit (printer unit), but an image reading unit (scanner unit). Does not have. In addition, in description of FIGS. 12-14, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same structural member as FIGS. 1-3, and those description is abbreviate | omitted suitably. The configuration related to the fixing unit for fixing the ink supply tube 40 corresponds to the first embodiment applied to the single-function second printer 11A having only the printing function.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the second printer 11 </ b> A of the present embodiment includes a print function unit 12 </ b> A including an apparatus body 12 having a print function. The second printer 11 </ b> A receives ink from an ink tank 19 </ b> T (see FIG. 14) as an example of a liquid storage unit that is separate from the apparatus main body 12 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the second printer 11A, the ink stored in the ink tank 19T is supplied from the ink tank 19T side located outside the apparatus main body 12 to the apparatus main body 12 side through the ink supply tube 40 (see FIG. 14). .

  The apparatus main body 12 of the second printer 11 </ b> A includes a housing 12 </ b> H that houses the printing unit 20. The lid 75 as an example of a cover member rotates (displaces) around a hinge 75a provided at one end (rear side) of the apparatus main body 12, and the front end side (on the opposite side of the hinge 75a) ( In FIG. 14, the front end side) is lifted. The user of the second printer 11A can lift the lid 75 during maintenance, for example. By this lifting, an opening 12K (see FIG. 14) that exposes at least a part of the moving region of the carriage 21 that is provided above the printing unit 20 and is reciprocally movable in the printing function unit 12A is exposed.

  Further, a manual paper feed mechanism 35 is provided on the rear side of the lid 75 in the apparatus main body 12. This manual paper feed mechanism 35 is of an open / close type in which a cover 35e also serving as a paper feed tray 35a (see FIG. 13) can be rotated around its rear end, and when not in use, as shown in FIG. It is kept closed. A concave gripping portion 35f is formed at the front end portion of the cover 35e in the closed state, and the user grips the gripping portion 35f and rotates the cover 35e rearward so that the paper feed tray 35a rises diagonally. It will be in the open state at the time of use used as a posture (refer to Drawing 13). The configuration of the manual paper feed mechanism 35 in the open state will be described later.

  A sheet feeding cassette 15 that can store a plurality of sheets of paper P is detachably provided at the lower portion of the apparatus main body 12. The paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 15 is fed 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 is applied to the fed paper P. The printing is performed by 20. The configuration of the printing unit 20 is basically the same as that of the first printer 11 in the first embodiment. The printed paper P that has been printed by the printing unit 20 is discharged from a paper discharge port 16 provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A).

  A stacker 17 as an example of a discharge tray is accommodated at a position on the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12 </ b> A) above the paper feed cassette 15 and below the paper discharge outlet 16. The stacker 17 is used by being pulled from the apparatus main body 12 by a length corresponding to the size of the paper P in the paper P discharge direction (conveyance direction).

  The housing portion 12S having a housing recess for housing the paper feed cassette 15 and the stacker 17 at the center in the width direction is configured by a housing portion that is formed to protrude in the paper P discharge direction (here, the sub-scanning direction Y). Yes. The container 12S is protruded in this way because the length required in the sub-scanning direction Y of the paper feed cassette 15 is longer than the length of the housing 12H required for the printing unit 20 in the sub-scanning direction. Because. For this reason, the paper feed cassette 15 and the stacker 17 are accommodated so that the front end faces are aligned in the accommodating portion 12S in a state of protruding from the apparatus main body 12 in the sub-scanning direction Y (forward). Specifically, when the length of the apparatus main body 12 in the sub-scanning direction Y is determined in accordance with the length of the paper feed cassette 15 required to accommodate the paper P of a predetermined size (for example, A4 size). Since the apparatus main body 12 is increased in size (increase in the bottom area), only the accommodating portion of the paper feed cassette 15 is protruded in order to avoid this even a little. In other words, an increase in the bottom area of the second printer 11 </ b> A can be suppressed by forming a shape that extends outward in the width direction of the housing portion 12 </ b> S. Further, since the front position when the stacker 17 is stored is determined in accordance with the front position where the paper feed cassette 15 protrudes, the protruding length when the stacker 17 is pulled out is secured relatively long. Further, the protrusion enables the stacker 17 to be easily pulled out from the apparatus main body 12 by the gripping portion 17a. As described above, the second printer 11A is increased in size (especially the bottom of the printer) while the paper feed cassette 15 is detachably provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 12 and the paper can be fed from the front side of the apparatus main body 12. (Increase in area) is relatively suppressed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 12, an operation panel unit 18 for performing various operations such as causing the printing unit 20 to execute a printing operation is disposed on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A). . The operation panel portion 18 is configured by a housing portion that has an inclined surface whose lower side protrudes from the upper side toward the paper P discharge direction (that is, the sub-scanning direction Y). An operation button 18 b is provided on the inclined surface of the operation panel unit 18. Examples of the operation button 18b include a power button and a print start button. Since the operation surface of the operation panel 18 is an inclined surface that is lowered toward the front, the operability of the operation button 18b is ensured satisfactorily for the user.

  As shown in FIG. 13, a manual paper feed mechanism 35 is provided on the back side of the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A). The manual paper feed mechanism 35 is a mechanism for the user to manually set and feed a single sheet P. The manual paper feed mechanism 35 includes a substantially square plate-like paper feed tray 35a, a pair of paper guides 35b for positioning the paper in the width direction on the paper feed tray 35a, and an open state of the manual paper feed mechanism 35. And a protective plate 35c provided for the purpose of preventing foreign matter or the like from dropping into a feeding port (not shown). The paper feed tray 35a is provided so as to be rotatable within a predetermined angle range around its base end (lower end in FIG. 13), and is in an open state shown in FIG. And, it is arranged in a closed state that is rotated from this open state to the near side in FIG. The protective plate 35c is urged in the direction approaching the paper feed tray 35a side by the elastic force of the torsion coil spring 35g. When the paper feed tray 35a is opened, the foreign matter that has fallen to the opened position enters the feeding port. It arrange | positions in the protection position shown in FIG.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 13, the stacker 17 is a three-stage type as an example, and includes a first tray 17b, a second tray 17c, and a third tray 17d. The first tray 17b is slidably connected to the apparatus body 12, and the second tray 17c is slidably connected to the first tray 17b. The third tray 17d is pivotally connected to the tip of the second tray 17c, and is in a closed position in which the third tray 17d is stored so as to overlap the second tray 17c. It is placed in an open position that rises in posture and also functions as a paper stopper.

  As shown in FIG. 14, a detection projection 37 is formed on the back surface of the lid 75 so as to protrude at a position on the left side in the width direction on the rotation tip side. When the lid 75 is closed, the projection 37 is inserted into a detected recess 38 that is recessed in the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12. A sensor (not shown) for detecting the protrusion 37 inserted into the detected recess 38 is provided in the apparatus main body 12 at a position corresponding to the detected recess 38. The controller in the second printer 11 </ b> A performs the instructed printing when the sensor detects the closed state of the lid 75, but is instructed when the sensor does not detect the closed state of the lid 75. Even if there is printing, the printing is not started.

  Next, the configuration of the fifth embodiment relating to a fixing portion for fixing the ink supply tube 40 will be described with reference to FIG. The fixing portion of the fifth embodiment has a configuration in which the ink supply tube 40 is fixed to the housing 12H that forms the opening 12K by a fixing tool. In addition, various members, such as a string, a rubber band, a clip, an adhesive tape, and an adhesive, can be used as the fixture. By the way, in this embodiment, it demonstrates as what uses an adhesive tape as an example of a fixing tool. Moreover, in description of FIGS. 3-5, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected about the same structural member as FIG. 1, and those description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

In this embodiment, first, the configuration of the printing unit 20 will be briefly described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a carriage 21, a liquid ejecting head 22, a support base 23, a transport roller 24, a paper discharge roller 25, a guide frame 30, a timing belt 27, a linear encoder 28, and the like are provided in the housing 12H. ing.

  Ink used by the liquid ejecting head 22 in this printing is supplied from each ink tank 19T in the external tank unit 19 to the liquid ejecting head 22 via each ink supply tube 40 and each adapter AD. In the tank unit 19 of this example, for example, four ink tanks 19T for storing four different colors of ink are accommodated. Examples of these four colors include black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ink tank 19T is disposed outside the movement region of the carriage 21, and in particular in this example, is disposed outside the housing 12H. The ink tank 19T is disposed at the left outer side of the housing 12H, that is, at a position opposite to the home position in the main scanning direction X when the second printer 11A is viewed from the front side (the front side in the sub scanning direction Y). Yes. One end of the ink supply tube 40 is connected to the ink tank 19T, and the opposite side portion of the ink supply tube 40 is an opening provided in the housing 12H from a position near the home position in the main scanning direction X of the carriage 21. It is inserted into the moving area of the carriage 21 exposed through 12K. The inserted other end is connected to an adapter AD mounted on the carriage 21. Each ink supply tube 40 connected between the tank unit 19 and the adapter AD on the carriage 21 has a back side portion of the opening 12K when the side on which the lid 75 is rotatably fixed is the back side. Is extended in a state extending substantially straight in the main scanning direction X.

  As shown in FIG. 14, an elongated plate-like support plate 41 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 12 </ b> H so as to cross the opening 12 </ b> K in the sub-scanning direction Y. The length of the support plate 41 in the longitudinal direction is slightly longer than the width of the opening 12K in the sub-scanning direction Y. An end portion of the support plate 41 is rotatably provided by a shaft portion 41a. For this reason, the angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the support plate 41 and the main scanning direction X can be changed by rotating the support plate 41 around the shaft portion 41a in a plane parallel to the opening surface of the opening 12K. ing.

  Then, the end (free end) opposite to the rotation center of the support plate 41 whose angle is adjusted to a position where a part of the ink supply tube 40 is fixed is a casing by a fixing tool (not shown) (for example, an adhesive tape). It is fixed to the upper surface portion 12U of 12H. Of course, you may fix the free end part of the support plate 41 after angle adjustment with a screw or an adhesive agent. In addition, in the upper surface portion 12U of the apparatus main body 12, a detected recess into which a protrusion 37 provided on the back surface of the lid portion 75 is inserted when the lid portion 75 is closed on the left side of the operation panel portion 18 in FIG. 38 is formed. In addition, vent holes 47 are formed at predetermined positions around the opening 12K on the upper surface 12U of the housing 12H.

  A boss 29 having a substantially cylindrical shape is fixed to the upper surface of the housing 12H so as to protrude upward by a predetermined length. In other words, the boss 29 is sandwiched between the printing function unit 12A and the image reading unit 13 when the lid unit 75 is rotated in the closing direction for closing the opening 12K, and thus the lid unit 75 and the printing function unit. 12A is provided to ensure a gap through which the ink supply tube 40 is inserted. In FIG. 14, two bosses 29 are provided in order to stably form the gap, but one boss 29 may be provided.

  Now, the middle part in the longitudinal direction of the ink supply tube 40 inserted through the gap formed by the boss 29 is fixed to the upper surface of the housing 12H by a fixture. This embodiment demonstrates as what is fixed using three adhesive tapes as an example. Of course, the number of adhesive tapes necessary for fixing the ink supply tube 40 is used.

  Specifically, the ink supply tube 40 is first attached to a portion that extends from the tank unit 19 and extends from the left side surface of FIG. It fixes with the 1st fixing tool 61 (for example, adhesive tape). Next, the second fixing tool 62 (for example, an adhesive tape) and a third fixing part where the intermediate portion of the ink supply tube 40 on the downstream side, which is the connection side to the adapter AD, is attached to the upper surface of the support plate 41. It is sequentially fixed by a tool 63 (for example, an adhesive tape).

  As shown in FIG. 3, the portion near the adapter AD in the ink supply tube 40 is held by being bundled by a holding member 44 fixed to the right side surface in FIG. 3 of the carriage 21, and is bundled by the holding member 44. The end portions on the downstream side of the positions are connected to supply pipes (not shown) on the upper surface of the adapter AD.

  The middle part of the ink supply tube 40 fixed by the fixtures 61 to 63 is restricted from moving in the length direction of the ink supply tube 40 and in the direction intersecting the length direction. Therefore, the fixtures 61 to 63 that fix the middle portion of the ink supply tube 40 function as an example of a fixing portion.

  In the present embodiment, among the plurality of fixtures 61 to 63, the third fixture 63 that fixes the most downstream intermediate portion of the ink supply tube 40 with respect to the housing 12 </ b> H is the ink supply tube 40. It becomes a fixed part which fixes a part of the length direction in to be immovable relative to the opening 12K. As a result, the portion between the third fixture 63 and the adapter AD in the length direction of the ink supply tube 40, more precisely, the portion between the third fixture 63 and the holding member 44 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the deformable movable portion 40H is configured to follow and deform as the carriage 21 moves. In other words, the tube length of the deformable movable portion 40H is defined by the fixing position of the third fixing tool 63.

  In the example of FIG. 14, the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 are arranged in a planar shape by being arranged in a row in the radial direction so that the respective center lines are substantially located on the same plane. The plurality of ink supply tubes 40 are curved in a circular arc shape in the middle, and the portions (tube surfaces) on both sides sandwiching the curved portion are arranged so as to extend substantially in parallel in the vertical direction.

  When the carriage 21 moves, the curved portion 40C of the ink supply tube 40 moves in the carriage movement direction at a movement distance (movement speed if reduced) that is approximately half the movement distance (that is, movement speed) of the carriage 21. At this time, in the process in which the carriage 21 moves from the home position to the non-home position, the ink supply tube 40 follows the movement of the carriage 21 while moving the bending portion 40C to the left in FIG. Therefore, the ink supply tube 40 does not bend or rampage during the movement of the carriage 21, and the ink can be smoothly supplied to the adapter AD on the carriage 21 through the ink supply tube 40. In addition, it is easy to avoid a situation in which the ink supply tube 40 is violently brought into contact with, for example, the paper P or the conveyance system roller 24, the timing belt 27, and the like, thereby causing defective printing.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the process in which the carriage 21 moves through the entire moving region, the portion that contributes to the formation of the curved portion 40 </ b> C in the ink supply tube 40 becomes the deformable movable portion 40 </ b> H. A portion upstream of the curved portion 40C in the ink supply direction becomes a non-movable portion that does not contribute to the formation of the curved portion. Here, the boundary portion between the deformable movable portion 40H and the non-deformable portion may be fixed by a fixed portion. However, in this embodiment, the position upstream of the boundary portion by a predetermined distance is provided in order to allow some margin. A part of the ink supply tube 40 is fixed. This is because, when the ink supply tube 40 is fixed at a position that greatly exceeds a predetermined distance from the boundary portion to the upstream side, the portion that does not contribute to the formation of the curved portion is not fixed and the length of the deformable movable portion 40H is increased. This is to avoid as much as possible the situation in which the holding becomes unstable and the tube portion forming the deformable movable portion 40H is violated. Of course, a part of fixing the ink supply tube 40 by the third fixing tool 63 (fixing part) may be a boundary part or a part exceeding a predetermined distance from the boundary part to the upstream side.

  In the present embodiment, the third fixture 63 fixes a portion of the ink supply tube 40 that is slightly upstream of the substantially central portion in the movement region of the carriage 21 in the main scanning direction X. For this reason, the ink supply tube 40 is substantially equal to both sides of the moving range of the carriage 21 around the fixing portion by the fixing device 63, although the left portion in FIG. 14 is slightly shorter than the right portion. It is length.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 14, in the present embodiment, the ink supply tube 40 is preferably configured such that a plurality of tubes 40A and 40B are connected via a joint 40J in the length direction. As shown in FIG. 14, the joint 40 </ b> J connects the two tubes 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B on the support plate 41 of the ink supply tube 40. Since the tubes 40A and 40B connected to both sides of the joint 40J are fixed by the fixtures 62 and 63, the tubes 40A and 40B are not easily detached from the joint 40J.

  The joint 40J used in this embodiment includes the joint 40J shown in FIG. 4 or the joint 40J shown in FIG. The joint of the tubes 40A and 40B connected via the joint 40J is located at a portion other than the deformable movable portion 40H of the ink supply tube 40 as shown in FIG. For this reason, since the location connected by the joint 40J of the ink supply tube 40 does not become the curved portion 40C, the tube is difficult to come off from the joint 40J.

According to the fifth embodiment described in detail above, the effects (1) to (11) in the first embodiment can be obtained similarly.
(Sixth embodiment)
Next, the configuration of the sixth embodiment relating to a fixing portion for fixing the ink supply tube 40 will be described with reference to FIG. The sixth embodiment is an example in which the routing structure of the ink supply tube 40 in the second embodiment is applied to the second printer 11A. In the description of FIG. 15, the same components as those in FIGS. 12 to 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate. Further, the illustration of the joint 40J of the ink supply tube 40 is omitted in FIG.

  An example of the fixed portion of the sixth embodiment is an inclined block 65 fixed to a part of the peripheral edge of the opening 12K in the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H, as shown in FIG. The inclined block 65 holds the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 with respect to the opening surface of the opening 12K in a state where the surfaces (tube surfaces) passing through the respective center lines are inclined at a predetermined angle. The holding member 66 fixed to the side surface of the carriage 21 in a state in which a part of the ink supply tube 40 on the adapter AD side is bundled has a portion extending along the main scanning direction X from the holding member 66 to the upstream side. Inclined and held so as to have the same inclination as the inclination by.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the detailed structure is that the inclined block 65 has a triangular prism shape, and the inclined surface 65a is fixed to the upper surface portion 12U in a direction extending in the main scanning direction X. A plurality of (four in this example) ink supply tubes 40 are fixed to the inclined surface 65a by a fixture 63 (for example, an adhesive tape) in a state of being arranged in a line.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the holding member 66 fixed to the side surface of the carriage 21 is formed with an inclined surface 66a whose surface on the side facing the inclined block 65 is parallel to the inclined surface 65a. Therefore, the plurality of tubes extending from the adapter AD and bundled by the holding member 66 are arranged in an example so as to form a tube surface that is substantially parallel to the tube surface on the inclined block 65 side along the inclined surface 66a. It is held in the state. And the deformation | transformation movable part 40H is formed in the state which mutually opposed substantially parallel in the state where the tube surface of both sides inclined diagonally on both sides of the curved part 40C.

  For this reason, even in a configuration in which the space for routing the ink supply tube 40 in the opening 12K of the housing 12H cannot be secured, a tube surface that is opposed substantially parallel to the opening surface of the opening 12K is formed in an oblique posture. The deformable movable part 40H can be formed. In addition, the effects (1) to (11) in the first embodiment can be obtained similarly.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, the configuration of the seventh embodiment relating to a fixing portion for fixing the ink supply tube 40 will be described with reference to FIG. The seventh embodiment is an example in which the routing structure of the ink supply tube 40 in the third embodiment is applied to the second printer 11A. In the description of FIG. 16, the same components as those in FIGS. 12 to 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Further, the illustration of the joint 40J of the ink supply tube 40 is omitted in FIG.

  An example of the fixing portion of the seventh embodiment is a fixing tool 63 (for example, an adhesive tape) that fixes a part of the ink supply tube 40 at the peripheral edge portion of the opening 12K in the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H, as shown in FIG. ). Specifically, the ink supply tube 40 first extends from the tank unit 19 and extends in the main scanning direction X from the right side surface in FIG. It is fixed by a fixing tool 61. Next, the downstream intermediate portion of the ink supply tube 40 that is closer to the adapter AD is fixed sequentially by the second fixing device 62 and the third fixing device 63 at the portion disposed on the upper surface portion 12U. The

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, the portion near the adapter AD in the ink supply tube 40 has an adhesive tape on the upper surface of the distal end portion of the support member 68 that extends obliquely upward from the rear surface portion of the carriage 21 to the upper rear side (the upper rear side). 69 is fixed in a bundled state. In addition, the downstream end of the ink supply tube 40 from the portion fixed to the support member 68 by the adhesive tape 69 is connected to a supply pipe (not shown) on the upper surface of the adapter AD.

  A part of the ink supply tube 40 is fixed at a position upstream by a predetermined distance from the boundary with the non-movable part by the fixing tool 63, so that the deformable movable part 40H is formed on the downstream side of the fixed position. Yes.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the support member 68 whose base end portion is fixed to the back surface portion of the carriage 21 includes a support portion 68 a that extends obliquely upward to the rear side and then extends rearward substantially horizontally. Have. The support 68a is located at a height that is a predetermined distance away from the upper surface of the peripheral edge of the opening 12K. A part of the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 is fixed to the upper surface of the support portion 68 a with an adhesive tape 69.

  Therefore, a plurality of tube portions (tube surfaces) disposed on the upper surface of the rear peripheral edge along the opening 12K in the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H, and the upper surface of the support portion 68a that is the tip portion of the support member 68. A plurality of tube portions (tube surfaces) supported by the upper and lower portions are opposed to each other in the vertical direction. Therefore, the distance between the position of the carriage 21 indicated by the solid line in FIG. 16 (in this example, the home position) and the position of the carriage 21 indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 16 (the end position on the side opposite to the home position in this example). In the process of moving, the deformable movable portion 40H deforms the position of the bending portion 40C in the main scanning direction X.

  With such a structure, the ink supply tube 40 can be disposed on the upper side of the housing 12H even in a configuration in which it is difficult to secure a space for routing the ink supply tube 40 in the opening 12K of the housing 12H. Ink can be supplied from the unit 19 to each adapter AD on the carriage 21 while preventing the ink supply tube 40 from violating. In addition, the effects (1) to (11) in the first embodiment can be obtained similarly.

(Eighth embodiment)
Next, the configuration of the eighth embodiment according to the fixing portion for fixing the ink supply tube 40 will be described with reference to FIG. The eighth embodiment is an example in which the routing structure of the ink supply tube 40 in the fourth embodiment is applied to the second printer 11A. In the description of FIG. 17, the same constituent members as those in FIGS. The joint 40J of the ink supply tube 40 is not shown in FIG.

  An example of the fixing portion of the eighth embodiment is basically the same as that shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of (for example, four (N + M), for example, four) ink supply tubes 40 extending from each of the plurality of adapters AD are divided into N (for example, two) and the remaining. It is divided into M (for example, 2) (where N and M are natural numbers). Then, one end portion of the N ink supply tubes 40 is connected to each ink tank 19T in the tank unit 19A disposed on the outer side of the left side (anti-home position side) of the housing 12H, and the M ink supply tubes 40 are connected. Is connected to each ink tank 19T in the tank unit 19B arranged on the right side (home position side) of the housing 12H.

  Of the plurality of ink supply tubes 40, N are fixed to the left end of the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H by a fixture 61 (for example, adhesive tape), and a part of the downstream side is fixed to the upper surface of the support plate 41. It is fixed by two fixing tools 62 and 63. On the other hand, the remaining M ink supply tubes 40 are fixed to the rear peripheral edge portion along the opening 12K on the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H by fixing tools 71 and 72 (for example, adhesive tape), and the downstream side thereof. The tube routing direction is inverted in the opposite direction at the portion, and the inverted portion is fixed to the upper surface of the support plate 41 by the fixture 63. The four ink supply tubes 40 fixed to the upper surface of the support plate 41 by the fixing members 63 extend in the same direction (rightward in FIG. 17) and are fixed to the right side surface of the carriage 21. After being bundled by the holding member 44, each other end is connected to a supply pipe (not shown) protruding from the upper surface of each adapter AD. In the present embodiment, both ends in the longitudinal direction of the support plate 41 are fixed by any fixing method (not shown) of an adhesive tape, an adhesive, and a screw. Of course, as in the first embodiment, one end of the support plate 41 may be rotatably supported around the screw 43, and the other end may be fixed using a known fixture such as an adhesive tape. As described above, even if the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 are divided into left and right portions, the same effects as in the fifth embodiment can be obtained.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment into another embodiment as follows.
In the fifth to eighth embodiments, it has been described that there are a plurality of ink supply tubes 40. However, when one ink tank 19T is provided in the second printer 11A, the number of ink supply tubes 40 is 1 from the ink tank 19T side. The ink supply tube 40 may be used to supply ink to the liquid ejecting head 22 side. As an example, an example in which one ink supply tube 40 is used in the drawing structure of the ink supply tube 40 in the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, one ink supply tube 40 extending from one ink tank 19 </ b> T is fixed by fixing members 62 and 63 at a portion supported by a support plate 41. The other end of the ink supply tube 40 is connected to a single adapter AD mounted on the carriage 21. For example, if black ink is stored in the ink tank 19T, a large amount of monochrome printing can be performed. Of course, also in the sixth to eighth embodiments, a configuration in which one ink supply tube 40 is routed can be employed.

  In the first to fourth embodiments, when the image reading unit 13 is rotated to close the opening 12K of the printing function unit 12A, the image reading unit 13 is moved toward the printing function unit 12A in the swinging direction. In the case where a protruding portion that protrudes is provided, the ink supply tube 40 is preferably disposed at an avoidance position that is not crushed by the protruding portion.

  The support member need not have a length that crosses the opening 12K, and may be cantilevered by making it shorter than the width of the opening 12K in the sub-scanning direction Y. In this case, the position where the cantilevered support member is attached to the upper surface portion 12U may be either the upstream side or the downstream side of the upper surface portion 12U with the opening 12K in the sub-scanning direction Y.

  In each of the above embodiments, the position of the fixing portion of the ink supply tube 40 that is fixed by the third fixing tool 63 is not necessarily the substantially central portion of the movement region of the carriage 21. In short, it is sufficient that the ink supply tube 40 is in a position that does not hinder the movement of the carriage 21.

  It is sufficient that the support member is provided so as to be displaceable in the movement direction of the carriage 21 (main scanning direction X). For example, the support member may be provided so as to be slidable in the carriage movement direction. Furthermore, the displacement direction is not horizontal, but may be vertical or oblique.

In the above embodiments, the fixed position of the boss 29 may be another position. Further, the shape of the boss is not limited to a cylindrical shape, and may be a polygonal shape. Alternatively, a rib shape may be used.
In each of the above embodiments, the adapter AD may not be mounted on the carriage 21. That is, the ink supplied from the ink tank 19T provided outside the printing function unit 12A through the ink supply tube 40 may be supplied to the liquid ejecting head 22 side without passing through the adapter AD.

  In each of the above embodiments, the ink tank 19T does not necessarily have to be located outside the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A). For example, as long as it is outside the movement area of the carriage 21, it may be inside the apparatus main body 12. In this case, the boss 29 is not necessarily fixed.

  In each of the above embodiments, the ink tank 19T 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). 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 first printer 11 of the first to fourth 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, but the opening 12K. The member which covers at least one part of may be sufficient.

  The target is not limited to paper, and may be a resin film, a metal foil, a metal film, a resin-metal composite film (laminate film), a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, a ceramic sheet, or the like.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the liquid ejecting apparatus is embodied as a printer. However, the liquid ejecting apparatus is not limited to a printer used for printing, and other liquids other than ink (the particles of the functional material are dispersed or mixed in the liquid). And a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges a liquid material or a fluid material such as a gel). 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 a liquid ejecting apparatus, 12 ... Apparatus main body, 12A ... Printing function part, 12B ... Base part, 12H ... Case as an example of a housing | casing part, 12S ... While constituting an example of a feeding cassette part A housing part as an example of a projecting housing part, 12K... An opening, 13... An image reading part as an example of a cover member, 13a... A hinge, 14a. In addition, a sheet feeding cassette as an example of a feeding cassette, 18 ... an operation panel unit, 19T ... an ink tank as an example of a liquid storage unit, 21 ... a carriage, 22 ... a liquid ejecting head, 40 ... an ink as an example of a liquid supply tube Supply tube, 40A, 40B ... Tube, 40H ... Deformation movable part, 40C ... Curved part, 40J ... Joint, 40H ... Deformation movable part, 41 ... Supporting member Support plate as an example, 60 ... fixtures, paper as an example of a P ... medium, X ... main scanning direction, Y ... sub-scanning direction.

Claims (8)

A liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto a target;
A casing having the liquid ejecting head disposed in a movable manner, and a housing formed with an opening that exposes at least a part of the moving region of the carriage;
A liquid storage portion located outside the moving region of the carriage in a state of storing the liquid;
A liquid supply tube having a deformable movable portion that connects between the liquid storage portion and the liquid ejecting head and deforms following the movement of the carriage;
A fixing portion for fixing a part of the liquid supply tube in the length direction so as not to move relative to the opening;
The feeding cassette capable of accommodating the target is detachably accommodated in a casing part that protrudes in the discharge direction of the target so that the feeding cassette projects in the discharging direction together with the casing part. And
An operation panel portion provided on the inclined surface of the housing portion that presents an inclined surface in which the lower side protrudes more toward the discharge direction side than the upper side at a position above the feeding cassette unit;
With
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deformable movable portion is formed in a downstream portion of the liquid supply tube that is closer to the liquid ejecting head than the fixed portion.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion is provided at a substantially central portion in a movement area of the carriage in a movement direction of the carriage. A cover member that is pivotally supported by the housing part and opens and closes the opening;
3. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion is provided on a side of the housing portion that pivotally supports the cover member with respect to the opening. A support member that is disposed in a state of projecting from the opening of the housing and supports a part of the liquid supply tube;
The fixing portion fixes a part of the liquid supply tube supported by the support member,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support member is provided so as to be displaceable in a moving direction of the carriage.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 4, wherein one end side of the supporting member in the length direction is attached to the casing so as to be rotatable.   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.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid storage unit is located outside the housing unit.