JP6825247B2 - Supply device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a supply device including a plurality of tanks capable of replenishing liquid through a supply port.

A printer having a plurality of tanks capable of replenishing ink and a recording head for ejecting ink supplied from each tank from a nozzle and recording an image on paper is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When the ink in each tank is consumed, the user can replenish each tank with the ink stored in the bottle from the supply port provided in each tank.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-51306

When each tank is installed in a printer, there is at least a marginal misalignment for each tank. Then, when a plurality of tanks are installed in the printer, the maximum value of the positional deviation between the tanks becomes a value obtained by multiplying the tolerance of each tank by the number of tanks, which becomes large.

Such misalignment can be reduced by installing a tank unit in which a plurality of tanks are integrated in the printer, as in the printer disclosed in Patent Document 1. As a result, the resulting misalignment can be suppressed to the value of the tolerance of one tank unit. In the printer disclosed in Patent Document 1, each tank has a structure in which a film is attached to only one of a pair of surfaces. Therefore, it has been easy to configure a plurality of tanks to be integrated.

However, when each tank is configured so that the film is attached to both of the pair of surfaces, it is difficult to make a configuration in which a plurality of tanks can be integrated while maintaining the ease of attaching the film. ..

Further, the above-mentioned misalignment can be reduced by installing the plurality of tanks in a state where they are arranged without a gap in the printer. As a result, the resulting misalignment can be suppressed to the value of the tolerance of one tank.

However, when each tank is configured so that the film is attached to both of the pair of surfaces, if a plurality of tanks are installed in the printer in a state where they are arranged side by side without a gap, the films in the adjacent tanks come into contact with each other and the film is formed. There was a risk of damage.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to prevent misalignment of each tank even when a plurality of tanks having films attached to both of the pair of surfaces are arranged side by side. The purpose is to provide a supply device that can be reduced.

(1) The supply device according to the present invention has a liquid storage chamber partitioned by a pair of first surfaces facing the first direction along the horizontal direction, and a supply port for supplying liquid to the liquid storage chamber. It includes a plurality of tanks having the tank, a binding member that holds the plurality of tanks in a lined state along the first direction, and a housing that supports the binding member. At least a part of each of the pair of first surfaces is made of a film. The bundling member includes a contact portion that contacts the plurality of tanks and positions the plurality of tanks in the first direction with a gap from each other.

According to the above configuration, the bundling member holds the plurality of tanks, so that the plurality of tanks are integrated. As a result, it is possible to reduce the misalignment between the tanks when the binding member is supported by the housing.

Further, according to the above configuration, the plurality of tanks are held by the binding member with a gap between them in the first direction. This makes it possible to prevent the films of adjacent tanks from coming into contact with each other. As a result, the possibility of film breakage can be reduced.

(2) The housing includes a side wall having a first opening. In each of the plurality of tanks, a second surface connecting the pair of first surfaces is arranged in the housing so as to be accessible from the outside of the housing through the first opening. The binding member covers the second surface of each of the plurality of tanks.

The bundling member holds a plurality of tanks arranged side by side along the first direction. Here, the second surface of each tank can be accessed from the outside of the housing through the first opening. That is, the second surface of each tank may be exposed to the outside of the housing. However, according to the above configuration, the bundling member covers the second surface of each tank.

As described above, since the binding member covers the second surface of each tank, it also covers the gap between the second surfaces of the adjacent tanks. As a result, even if the film constituting the first surface protrudes from the gap or is visible through the gap, the film is covered with the binding member. That is, the film is not exposed to the outside of the housing. As a result, the possibility of film breakage can be reduced.

(3) The bundling member includes a second opening that exposes a part of the second surface of each of the plurality of tanks.

According to the above configuration, when the wall having the second surface is formed of the translucent material, the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber can be visually recognized through the second opening.

(4) For example, on the second surface, a first mark provided at a position corresponding to the liquid level when the amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber is the first amount, and storage in the liquid storage chamber. A second mark is provided at a position corresponding to the liquid level when the liquid is a second amount less than the first amount.

(5) The bundling member includes a third opening that exposes the supply port of each of the plurality of tanks.

According to the above configuration, in a state where the bundling member holds a plurality of tanks, the supply port can be accessed through the third opening to supply the liquid to the liquid storage chamber.

(6) For example, the supply device is provided corresponding to each of the supply ports, and a plurality of caps that can be moved to a sealing position where the supply port is sealed and a separation position away from the supply port. The binding member includes a cap attachment portion to which the plurality of caps can be attached.

(7) The housing includes a side wall having a first opening. Each of the plurality of tanks is arranged in the housing so as to be accessible from the outside of the housing through the first opening. The supply device includes a cover that can be moved to a closed position that closes the first opening and an open position that opens the first opening. The cover includes ribs located between adjacent caps in the plurality of caps at the sealing position at the closing position.

According to the above configuration, when at least one of the plurality of caps is displaced from the sealing position in the first direction, the cover cannot be placed in the closed position due to contact between the displaced caps and the ribs. .. Thereby, it is possible to identify whether or not the cap is in an inappropriate position depending on whether or not the cover can be moved to the closed position.

(8) The housing includes a side wall having a first opening. Each of the plurality of tanks is arranged in the housing so as to be accessible from the outside of the housing through the first opening. The supply device includes a cover that can be moved to a closed position that closes the first opening and an open position that opens the first opening. The cover is provided at a position where the cover is in contact with the plurality of caps at the sealing position or at a position near the plurality of caps at the sealing position, and the movement of the plurality of caps from the respective sealing positions. It has a regulatory department that regulates.

According to the above configuration, if at least one of the plurality of caps is moved from the sealing position toward the separated position, specifically, if at least one of the plurality of caps is not firmly inserted into the supply port, this cap The cover cannot be placed in the closed position due to contact between the cover and the regulation part. Thereby, it is possible to identify whether or not the cap is in an inappropriate position depending on whether or not the cover can be moved to the closed position.

(9) Each of the plurality of tanks includes an engaging portion that engages with the binding member. The binding member includes an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion of each of the plurality of tanks. By engaging the engaging portion and the engaged portion, the plurality of tanks are positioned in a second direction along the horizontal direction and orthogonal to the first direction.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent each tank held by the binding member from being displaced in the second direction.

(10) The bundling member is a first surface of the pair of first surfaces of the tanks located at both ends of the first direction of the plurality of held tanks, which are located on the outer side of the first direction. Cover at least part of.

According to the above configuration, of the plurality of tanks held by the binding member, of the pair of first surfaces of the tanks located at both ends in the first direction, the first surface located on the outer side in the first direction is set as the binding member. Can be covered by. As a result, even if the film is present at a position corresponding to the first surface located on the outer side in the first direction, the binding member covers the film, so that the possibility of damage to the film can be reduced. it can.

(11) The contact portion contacts a portion other than the film in the plurality of tanks.

According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the film from being damaged due to contact with the contact portion.

(12) For example, the first direction is parallel to the horizontal direction, and the dimensions of each of the plurality of tanks in the first direction are orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the horizontal direction. And shorter than the vertical dimension.

According to the present invention, even when a plurality of tanks having a film attached to both of the pair of surfaces are arranged side by side, the misalignment of each tank can be reduced.

1A and 1B are external perspective views of the multifunction device 10. FIG. 1A shows a state in which the cover 70 is in the closed position, and FIG. 1B shows a state in which the cover 70 is in the open position. FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer unit 11. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the carriage 23 and the tank set 99. FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of the ink tank 100, and FIG. 4B is a rear perspective view of the ink tank 100. FIG. 5A is a front perspective view of the ink tank 100B, and FIG. 5B is a rear perspective view of the ink tank 100B. FIG. 6 is a right side view of the ink tank 100. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the tank set 99 and the cover 70 at the closed position. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the tank set 99 and the cover 70 in the open position. 9 (A) is a front perspective view of the tank set 99, and FIG. 9 (B) is a rear perspective view of the tank set 99. 10 (A) is a front perspective view of the binding member 120, and FIG. 10 (B) is a rear perspective view of the binding member 120. FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink tank 100 and the binding member 120. FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink tank 100, the binding member 120, and the cover 70. 13 (A) is a sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 9 (B), and FIG. 13 (B) is a sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 9 (B).

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. It goes without saying that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention. Further, in the following description, the direction from the start point to the end point of the arrow is expressed as the direction, and the traffic on the line connecting the start point and the end point of the arrow is expressed as the direction. In other words, orientation is a component of direction. Further, based on the posture in which the multifunction device 10 and the ink tank 100 installed in the multifunction device 10 are installed on a horizontal surface so that they can be used (the posture shown in FIG. 1 may be referred to as "use posture"). The vertical direction 7 is defined, the front-rear direction 8 (an example of the second direction) is defined with the surface of the multifunction device 10 where the opening 13 is provided as the front surface, and the multifunction device 10 is viewed from the front in the left-right direction 9 (first). An example of direction) is defined. In the present embodiment, in the usage posture, the vertical direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction 8 and the horizontal direction 9 correspond to the horizontal direction.

[Overall configuration of multifunction device 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 10 (an example of a supply device) has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The multifunction device 10 has a printer unit 11 at the bottom, which records an image on paper 12 (see FIG. 2) by an inkjet recording method. The printer unit 11 has a housing 14 having an opening 13 formed in the front wall 14A. As shown in FIG. 2, inside the housing 14, a feeding unit 15, a feeding tray 20, a discharge tray 21, a transport roller unit 54, a recording unit 24, a discharge roller unit 55, and the like, A platen 42, a tank set 99, and a binding member 120 (see FIG. 1) are arranged. The multifunction device 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function.

[Feeding tray 20, discharge tray 21]
As shown in FIG. 1, the feed tray 20 is inserted and removed from the multifunction device 10 by the user along the front-rear direction 8 through the opening 13. The opening 13 is located on the front surface of the multifunction device 10 and at the center of the left-right direction 9. The feed tray 20 can support a plurality of stacked sheets 12. The discharge tray 21 is arranged above the feed tray 20 and is inserted and removed together with the feed tray 20. The discharge tray 21 supports the paper 12 discharged from between the recording unit 24 and the platen 42 by the discharge roller unit 55.

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

[Transport path 65]
As shown in FIG. 2, the transport path 65 refers to a space in which a part thereof is formed by the outer guide member 18 and the inner guide member 19 facing each other at predetermined intervals inside the printer unit 11. The transport path 65 is a path extending rearward from the rear end of the feed tray 20. The transport path 65 is a path that extends upward at the rear portion of the printer unit 11 and makes a U-turn forward to reach the discharge tray 21 through the space between the recording unit 24 and the platen 42. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transport path 65 between the transport roller portion 54 and the discharge roller portion 55 is provided in the substantially central portion of the multifunction device 10 in the left-right direction 9, and is provided in the front-rear direction 8. It is extending. The transport direction 16 of the paper 12 in the transport path 65 is indicated by the arrow of the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.

[Conveying roller unit 54]
As shown in FIG. 2, the transport roller unit 54 is arranged upstream of the recording unit 24 in the transport direction 16. The transfer roller unit 54 has a transfer roller 60 and a pinch roller 61 facing each other. The transfer roller 60 is driven by a transfer motor. The pinch roller 61 rotates with the rotation of the transport roller 60. The paper 12 is sandwiched between the transfer roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 that rotate forward by the forward rotation of the transfer motor, and is conveyed in the transfer direction 16.

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

[Recording unit 24]
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 24 is arranged between the transport roller portion 54 and the discharge roller portion 55 in the transport direction 16. The recording unit 24 is arranged so as to face the platen 42 in the vertical direction 7 with the transport path 65 interposed therebetween. The recording unit 24 includes a carriage 23 and a recording head 39 (an example of a liquid consuming unit).

As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 23 is supported by guide rails 43 and 44 extending in the left-right direction 9 at positions separated from each other in the front-rear direction 8. The guide rails 43 and 44 are supported by the frame of the printer unit 11. The carriage 23 is connected to a known belt mechanism provided on the guide rail 44. The belt mechanism is driven by a carriage motor (not shown). The carriage 23 connected to the belt mechanism reciprocates along the left-right direction 9 by driving the carriage motor. The moving range of the carriage 23 extends from the carrier path 65 to the right and left as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.

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

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

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

As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 23 is equipped with a recording head 39. A plurality of nozzles 40 are arranged on the lower surface of the recording head 39. The tips of the plurality of nozzles 40 are exposed from the lower surface of the recording head 39. The recording head 39 ejects ink from the nozzle 40 as minute ink droplets. In the process of moving the carriage 23, the recording head 39 ejects ink droplets toward the paper 12 supported by the platen 42. As a result, the image is recorded on the paper 12. In addition, this consumes the ink stored in the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M.

[Platen 42]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the platen 42 is arranged between the transport roller portion 54 and the discharge roller portion 55 in the transport direction 16. The platen 42 is arranged so as to face the recording unit 24 in the vertical direction 7 with the transport path 65 interposed therebetween. The platen 42 supports the paper 12 conveyed by the conveying roller portion 54 from below.

[Cover 70]
As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 22 (an example of the first opening) is formed on the right side of the front wall 14A (an example of the side wall) of the housing 14. A cover 70 is attached to the housing 14 so as to cover the opening 22. The cover 70 has a closing position for closing the opening 22 (positions shown in FIGS. 1A and 7) and an opening position for opening the opening 22 (positions shown in FIGS. 1B and 8). It can rotate between.

A pair of convex portions (not shown) are formed in the vicinity of the lower end of the opening 22 in the housing 14. The pair of convex portions face each other in the left-right direction 9. Of the pair of convex portions, the right convex portion projects to the left toward the left convex portion. Of the pair of convex portions, the left convex portion projects to the right toward the right convex portion.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cover 70 is formed with a pair of convex portions. Holes are formed in the pair of convex portions. Note that FIG. 8 shows only the left convex portion 83 and the hole 85 among the pair of convex portions and holes. Of the pair of convex portions and holes, the right convex portion and hole are located in a portion hidden by the side wall 88. A pair of convex portions of the housing 14 are inserted into the holes. As a result, the cover 70 is supported by the housing 14 so as to be rotatable around the rotation axis 70A extending in the left-right direction 9 near the lower end of the housing 14.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cover 70 includes a main wall 87, a pair of side walls 88, an upper wall 89, and a protruding wall 90. In the following description of the configuration of the cover 70, each direction is indicated assuming that the cover 70 is the closed position.

The main wall 87 is a wall extending in the vertical direction 7 and the horizontal direction 9. As shown in FIG. 8, a first wall 91, a second wall 92 (an example of a regulation portion), a rib 93, and an opening 97 are formed on the rear surface of the main wall 87.

The first wall 91, the second wall 92, and the rib 93 project rearward from the main wall 87. The first wall 91 and the second wall 92 extend along the left-right direction 9. The first wall 91 is located at the upper end of the main wall 87. The second wall 92 is located below the first wall 91. The first wall 91 and the second wall 92 face each other in the vertical direction 7. The rib 93 extends in the vertical direction 7. Five ribs 93 are arranged at intervals of 9 in the left-right direction. The rib 93 connects the first wall 91 and the second wall 92. As a result, four spaces 94 are formed. Each space 94 is partitioned by a main wall 87, a first wall 91, a second wall 92, and a rib 93. The rear end of each space 94 is open.

The opening 97 is located below the second wall 92.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the pair of side walls 88 project rearward from the right and left ends of the main wall 87. The pair of side walls 88 face each other in the left-right direction 9. The pair of side walls 88 are provided with a pair of convex portions including the above-mentioned left convex portion 83 at the lower end portion thereof.

The upper wall 89 projects rearward from the upper end of the main wall 87.

The protruding wall 90 projects upward from the upper wall 89. A convex portion 95 projecting rearward is formed on the protruding wall 90. With the cover 70 in the closed position, the convex portion 95 is inserted into the concave portion (not shown) formed in the housing 14. As a result, the cover 70 is held in the closed position.

A space is expanded in the portion of the inside of the housing 14 located behind the opening 22. A tank set 99, which will be described later, is arranged in this space. The front edge of the space is partitioned by a cover 70 at the closed position. The rear end of the space is partitioned by a back wall (not shown) arranged behind the cover 70 so as to face the cover 70.

In the present embodiment, the cover 70 moves to the closed position and the open position by rotating, but may move to the closed position and the open position by other than rotation. For example, the cover 70 may be configured to be removable from the housing 14. In this case, the cover 70 is positioned in the closed position by being attached to the housing 14, and is located in the open position by being removed from the housing 14.

[Tank set 99]
The tank set 99 stores the ink supplied to the recording head 39. As shown in FIG. 9, the tank set 99 includes four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M and a binding member 120.

Ink of different colors is stored in each ink tank 100. Specifically, black ink is stored in the ink tank 100B, yellow ink is stored in the ink tank 100Y, cyan ink is stored in the ink tank 100C, and magenta ink is stored in the ink tank 100M. However, the number of ink tanks 100 and the color of ink are not limited to the above examples. The configuration of each ink tank 100 will be described later.

The binding member 120 holds four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M in a line along the left-right direction 9. The configuration of the binding member 120 will be described later.

The four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are arranged side by side in a row along the left-right direction 9. Of the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M, the ink tank 100B is arranged on the far right and the ink tank 100M is arranged on the far left. The arrangement position of the ink tank 100 is not limited to the above. The ink tank 100B has a larger size than the other ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M, and particularly has a width in the left-right direction 9. The size relationship of the ink tank 100 is not limited to the above. The ink tank 100B has a larger allowable ink storage amount than the other ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M. The magnitude relationship of the allowable storage amount of the ink tank 100 is not limited to the above.

As shown in FIG. 1, the tank set 99 is stationary inside the housing 14 at the right front portion of the housing 14. In other words, the tank set 99 is fixed to the multifunction device 10 so that it cannot be easily removed from the multifunction device 10. Note that "cannot be easily removed" means, for example, that the user cannot easily remove the tank set 99 from the housing 14 of the multifunction device 10 under normal use conditions, and is skilled. This is intended to exclude the case where the repairer removes the tank set 99 from the housing 14 of the multifunction device 10 for repair. Therefore, it is sufficient that the user cannot easily remove the tank set 99 from the housing 14 of the multifunction device 10 under normal use conditions.

[Ink tank 100]
The configuration of the ink tank 100 will be described in detail below. Since the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M have the same configuration, one of the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M will be referred to as an ink tank 100, and the configuration will be described below. Further, since the configuration of the ink tank 100B is similar to the configuration of the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, 100M, the portion different from the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, 100M after the explanation of the configuration of the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, 100M. The configuration is explained. In this case, even if the shapes of the ink tank 100B and the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M are slightly different, the same reference numerals are given to the configurations having the same functions. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the multifunction device 10 and the ink tank 100 stationary in the multifunction device 10 are in a usage posture.

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

As a whole, the frame 141 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape in which the dimensions along the left-right direction 9 are short and the dimensions along the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 are longer than the dimensions along the left-right direction 9. Further, the dimension of the front-rear direction 8 is longer than the dimension of the vertical direction 7.

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

The frame 141 may be made of a material other than resin. Further, the frame 141 may have a configuration in which a plurality of members are combined.

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

The front wall 101 is composed of a standing wall 102 and an inclined wall 106. The vertical wall 102 extends in the vertical direction 7 and the horizontal direction 9. The inclined wall 106 is a wall connecting the upper end of the vertical wall 102 and the front end of the upper wall 104. The inclined wall 106 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8.

The front surface 102A of the vertical wall 102 and the front surface 106A of the inclined wall 106 in each ink tank 100, that is, the front surface of the frame 141 of each ink tank 100 (an example of the second surface) are the opening 97 of the cover 70 and the opening 22 of the housing 14. It is exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10 via. That is, the front surface of the frame 141 of each ink tank 100 faces the outside of the housing 14. That is, each ink tank 100 is arranged in the housing 14 so that the front surface of the frame 141 of each ink tank 100 can be accessed from the outside of the housing 14 through the opening 22 and the opening 97. With such a configuration, the front surface of the frame 141 of each ink tank 100 can be visually recognized from the front of the multifunction device 10, and the user can check the remaining amount of ink stored in each ink tank 100. ..

The left wall 103 is a wall extending rearward from the left end of the front wall 101. The upper end of the left wall 103 is connected to the front portion of the upper wall 104. The lower end of the left wall 103 is connected to the front portion of the lower wall 105. In other words, the left wall 103 is a wall that connects the left end of the front wall 101, the front left end of the upper wall 104, and the front left end of the lower wall 105. That is, the left wall 103 is provided only on the front portion of the frame 141, and is not provided on the rear portion of the frame 141.

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

The lower wall 105 is a wall extending rearward from the lower end of the front wall 101. The lower wall 105 is formed downward away from the upper wall 104. As described above, the front portion of the lower wall 105 is connected to the lower end of the left wall 103.

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

As shown in FIG. 4A, the right side of the frame 141 is open. The right surface of the frame 141 is sealed by welding the film 142 to the right surfaces of the front wall 101, the lower wall 105, the rear wall 110, the upper wall 104, and the inner wall 107.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the rear portion of the left surface of the frame 141 is open. The left surface of the frame 141 is sealed by welding the film 143 to the left surfaces of the lower wall 105, the rear wall 110, the upper wall 104, and the inner wall 107.

The front surface of the frame 141 (front surface 102A of the vertical wall 102 and front surface 106A of the inclined wall 106) is connected by a front end on the right side of the frame 141 and a front end on the left side of the frame 141. The rear surface of the frame 141 (rear surface 110A of the rear wall 110) is connected by the rear end of the right surface of the frame 141 and the rear end of the left surface of the frame 141. The rear surface 110A is an example of the third surface. The right surface of the frame 141 and the left surface of the frame 141 face each other in the left-right direction. The right and left surfaces of the frame 141 are examples of a pair of first surfaces.

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

The first line 146 extends in the left-right direction 9. The position of the first line 146 in the vertical direction 7 is the position of the ink when the maximum amount of ink (an example of the first amount) that can be stored is stored in the ink chamber 111 in the usage posture of the multifunction device 10. It is the same height as the liquid level. That is, the first line 146 is provided at a position corresponding to the liquid level when the maximum amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is reached. The position of the first line 146 in the vertical direction 7 is not limited to the same height as the liquid level of the ink when the maximum amount of ink is stored in the ink chamber 111.

The second line 147 extends in the left-right direction 9. The second line 147 is located below the first line 146. Specifically, the position of the second line 147 in the vertical direction 7 is the liquid level of the ink when the multifunction device 10 is stored in the ink chamber 111 in an amount smaller than the maximum amount in the usage posture. It is the same height. In the present embodiment, at the position 7 in the vertical direction of the second line 147, the minimum amount (an example of the second amount) of ink that requires replenishment of ink is stored in the ink chamber 111 when the ink tank 100 is in the usage posture. At the same height as the liquid level of the ink. That is, the second line 147 is provided at a position corresponding to the liquid level when the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is the minimum amount.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a convex portion 108 is formed on the upper wall 104. As shown in FIG. 6, the convex portion 108 is composed of a plate portion 121 and a rib 122. The plate portion 121 has an inclined surface 123 that goes upward as it goes backward. The rib 122 is arranged so as to connect the plate portion 121 and the upper wall 104. The rib 122 is shorter in the left-right direction 9 than the plate portion 121. With such a configuration, the convex portion 108 bends downward by acting on the inclined surface 123 by a force in at least one of the rearward or downward directions.

As shown in FIG. 6, a convex portion 109 is formed on the lower wall 105. The convex portion 109 is composed of a plate portion 124 and a rib 125. The plate portion 124 has an inclined surface 126 that goes downward toward the rear. The rib 125 is arranged so as to connect the plate portion 124 and the lower wall 105. The rib 125 is shorter in the left-right direction 9 than the plate portion 124. With such a configuration, the convex portion 109 bends upward by acting on the inclined surface 126 by a force in at least one of the rearward and upward directions.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a convex portion 130 is formed on the upper wall 104. The convex portion 130 is formed in front of the convex portion 108. The convex portion 130 extends along the front-rear direction 8.

Convex portions 131 and 132 are formed on the upper wall 104. The convex portions 131 and 132 are formed in front of the convex portions 130. The convex portion 132 is formed in front of the convex portion 131. The protrusions 131 and 132 extend along the left-right direction 9.

As shown in FIG. 6, a convex portion 133 is formed on the lower wall 105. The convex portion 133 is formed on the sub lower wall 105A. The sub lower wall 105A is formed in the front portion of the lower wall 105 and is located above the lower wall 105.

A convex portion 134 is formed on the lower wall 105. The convex portion 134 is formed in front of the convex portion 109. The convex portion 134 extends along the left-right direction 9.

A convex portion 135 is formed on the sub lower wall 105A. The convex portion 135 extends along the left-right direction 9. In the present embodiment, the convex portion 135 extends from the convex portion 133 to the right and left. The protruding length of the convex portion 135 is shorter than the protruding length of the convex portion 133. That is, the protruding tip of the convex portion 135 is located above the protruding tip of the convex portion 133.

[Ink chamber 111]
As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 140 has an ink chamber 111 (an example of a liquid storage chamber) inside the housing 140. The ink chamber 111 is an internal space of the ink tank 100, and ink is stored in the ink chamber 111. The ink chamber 111 is partitioned by a front wall 101, a left wall 103, an upper wall 104, a lower wall 105, a rear wall 110, an inner wall 107, a film 142, and a film 143. That is, the ink chamber 111 is partitioned by the right side of the frame 141 made of the film 142 and the left side of the frame 141 made of the left wall 103 and the film 143. The ink chamber 111 is divided into a plurality of parts by the inner wall 107.

In this embodiment, the right side of the ink chamber 111 is partitioned by the left side of the film 142. That is, the entire right surface of the ink chamber 111 is made of the film 142. Further, the left side of the ink chamber 111 is partitioned by the right side of the film 143 and the right side of the left wall 103. That is, a part of the left surface of the ink chamber 111 is made of the film 143.

The right side of the ink chamber 111 may be partitioned by the film 142 and the wall. That is, a part of the right side of the ink chamber 111 may be made of the film 142. Further, the left surface of the ink chamber 111 may be partitioned only by the film 143. That is, the entire left surface of the ink chamber 111 may be made of the film 143.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the usage posture of the multifunction device 10, in other words, in a state where the upper wall 104 constitutes the upper portion of the ink tank 100 and the lower wall 105 constitutes the lower portion of the ink tank 100, the ink chamber 111 is formed. When the maximum amount of ink that can be stored is stored, the liquid level of the ink is the position shown by the broken line 191 in FIG. That is, the liquid level of the ink is the same height as the first line 146 as described above.

In the usage posture of the multifunction device 10, in other words, when the upper wall 104 constitutes the upper part of the ink tank 100 and the lower wall 105 constitutes the lower part of the ink tank 100, the ink chamber 111 needs to be replenished with ink. When the amount of ink is stored, the liquid level of the ink is the position shown by the alternate long and short dash line 192 in FIG. That is, the liquid level of the ink is the same height as the second line 147 as described above.

[Ink outflow path 114]
As shown in FIG. 4B, the housing 140 includes an ink outflow path 114. The ink outflow passage 114 is a continuous passage for discharging the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 to the outside of the ink tank 100.

One end of the ink outflow path 114 communicates with the ink chamber 111 through openings 149 and 150 (see FIG. 6) formed at the boundary between the lower wall 105 and the rear wall 110. The other end of the ink outflow path 114 communicates with the protrusion 157 through an opening 156 formed in the rear wall 110. The opening 156 is located above the openings 149 and 150.

The protruding portion 157 projects rearward from the peripheral portion of the opening 156 of the rear surface 110A (an example of the third surface) of the rear wall 110, that is, toward the outside of the ink tank 100. Here, in a state where the tank set 99 is stationary inside the housing 14 of the multifunction device 10, the rear surface 110A of the rear wall 110 faces inward of the housing 14. That is, the protruding portion 157 protrudes inward of the housing 14. The protrusion 157 is hollow. The front end of the internal space of the protrusion 157 communicates with the ink outflow path 114 by an opening 156. The rear end of the internal space of the protrusion 157 communicates with the outside of the ink tank 100 by an opening 158.

In a state where the ink tank 100 is stationary inside the housing 14, the protrusion 157 is directly or indirectly connected to the ink tube 32. As a result, the ink that has entered the internal space of the protrusion 157 from the ink outflow path 114 through the opening 156 flows out to the ink tube 32.

From the above, the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 communicates with the nozzle 40 of the recording head 39 via the ink outflow path 114, the internal space of the protrusion 157, and the ink tube 32. The protrusion 157 does not have to be directly connected to the ink tube 32. For example, the other end of the needle whose one end is connected to the ink tube 32 may be inserted into the protrusion 157.

[Atmospheric passage 170]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the housing 140 has an atmospheric passage 170. The atmospheric communication passage 170 is a communication passage for communicating the ink chamber 111 and the outside of the ink tank 100. In other words, the atmospheric communication passage 170 is a communication passage for opening the ink chamber 111 to the atmosphere.

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

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

As shown in FIG. 4B, a labyrinth 179 is formed between the position where the semipermeable membrane 183 is attached in the atmospheric passage 170 and the atmospheric opening 187. The labyrinth 179 is a continuous passage extending along the front-rear direction 8 while repeating U-turns in the up-down direction 7 by providing a plurality of partition walls 186 extending in the vertical direction 7 side by side in the front-rear direction 8.

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

Hereinafter, the ink tank 100B will be described with respect to parts different from the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M. The parts of the ink tank 100B having the same configurations as the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M are designated by the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 4, and the description thereof will be omitted. Further, the difference between the configuration of the predetermined portion in the ink tank 100B and the configuration of the portion corresponding to the predetermined portion of the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, 100M is that the configuration of the predetermined portion in the ink tank 100B is 9 in the left-right direction. In the case of only the point of being long, the portion corresponding to the predetermined portion in the ink tank 100B is designated by the same reference numeral as in FIG. 4, and the description thereof is omitted.

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

[Supply port 112]
As shown in FIG. 9A, each of the inclined walls 106 of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M has supply ports 112B, 112Y, 112C, 112M for injecting ink into the ink chamber 111 ( A generic term for these may be referred to as "supply port 112"). The supply port 112 penetrates the inclined wall 106 in the thickness direction and communicates the ink chamber 111 with the outside of the ink tank 100.

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

[Binding member 120]
As shown in FIG. 9, the bundling member 120 holds the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M in a line along the left-right direction 9.

As shown in FIG. 10, the binding member 120 includes a front wall 71, a right wall 72, a left wall 73, an upper wall 74, and a lower wall 75.

The front wall 71 is composed of a standing wall 76 and a sloping wall 77. The vertical wall 76 extends in the vertical direction 7 and the horizontal direction 9. The inclined wall 77 is a wall connecting the upper end of the standing wall 76 and the front end of the upper wall 74. The inclined wall 77 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8.

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

As shown in FIG. 11, a convex portion 78 extending downward from the lower wall 75 is formed. The convex portion 78 is formed on the right end portion and the left end portion of the lower wall 75. The convex portion 78 is inserted into a hole 162 formed in the bottom plate 161 of the housing 14 of the printer portion 11. As a result, the binding member 120 is fixed and supported by the housing 14.

The binding member 120 is fixed and supported on the housing 14 while holding the ink tank 100 (the state shown in FIG. 8).

As shown in FIG. 10B, the front wall 71, the right wall 72, the left wall 73, the upper wall 74, and the lower wall 75 form an internal space 127 of the binding member 120. As shown in FIG. 9, four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are inserted from the rear toward the internal space 127. As a result, the front parts of the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M occupy the internal space 127.

As shown in FIG. 10B, a plurality of openings 79 are formed at the rear portion of the upper wall 74. Each opening 79 corresponds to four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, 100M. That is, in the present embodiment, four openings 79 are formed. The opening 79 is formed at a position corresponding to the convex portion 108 (see FIGS. 4 to 6) of the ink tank 100 in a state where the ink tank 100 is inserted into the internal space 127.

A plurality of openings 80 are formed at the rear of the lower wall 75. Each opening 80 corresponds to four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. That is, in the present embodiment, four openings 80 are formed. The opening 80 is formed at a position corresponding to the convex portion 109 (see FIG. 6) of the ink tank 100 when the ink tank 100 is inserted into the internal space 127.

A plurality of openings 68 are formed in the upper wall 74. Each opening 68 extends forward from each opening 79. That is, in the present embodiment, four openings 68 are formed. The opening 68 is formed at a position corresponding to the convex portion 130 (see FIG. 6) of the ink tank 100 in a state where the ink tank 100 is inserted into the internal space 127.

A plurality of openings 69 are formed in the lower wall 75. Each opening 69 corresponds to four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. That is, in the present embodiment, four openings 69 are formed. Each opening 69 is formed in front of the opening 80. The opening 69 extends along the anteroposterior direction 8. The opening 69 is formed at a position corresponding to the convex portion 133 (see FIG. 6) of the ink tank 100 in a state where the ink tank 100 is inserted into the internal space 127.

In the process of inserting the ink tank 100 into the internal space 127, the convex portion 108 comes into contact with the surface 74A of the upper wall 74 on the internal space 127 side, is pressed, and bends downward. Further, the convex portion 109 comes into contact with the surface 75A on the internal space 127 side of the lower wall 75, is pressed, and bends upward. When the ink tank 100 is further inserted, the convex portion 108 is in a state of being inserted into the opening 79, and the convex portion 109 is in a state of being inserted into the opening 80. As a result, the bending of the convex portions 108 and 109 is eliminated.

In this state, the convex portion 108 is engaged with the opening 79, as shown in FIG. Further, in this state, the convex portion 109 is engaged with the opening 80. The convex portion 108 and the convex portion 109 are examples of the engaging portion. The opening 79 and the opening 80 are examples of the engaged portion.

When the ink tank 100 tries to move forward with respect to the coupling member 120 in a state where the convex portion 108 and the opening 79 are engaged, the convex portion 108 comes into contact with the front edge surface 79A that partitions the front end of the opening 79. As a result, the forward movement of the ink tank 100 with respect to the coupling member 120 is restricted. Further, when the ink tank 100 tries to move rearward with respect to the coupling member 120 in a state where the convex portion 108 and the opening 79 are engaged, the convex portion 108 and the trailing edge surface 79B for partitioning the rear end of the opening 79. Contact. As a result, the backward movement of the ink tank 100 with respect to the coupling member 120 is restricted.

When the ink tank 100 tries to move forward with respect to the coupling member 120 in a state where the convex portion 109 and the opening 80 are engaged, the convex portion 109 comes into contact with the front edge surface 80A that partitions the front end of the opening 80. As a result, the forward movement of the ink tank 100 with respect to the coupling member 120 is restricted. Further, when the ink tank 100 tries to move rearward with respect to the coupling member 120 in a state where the convex portion 109 and the opening 80 are engaged, the convex portion 109 and the trailing edge surface 80B for partitioning the rear end of the opening 80. Contact. As a result, the backward movement of the ink tank 100 with respect to the coupling member 120 is restricted.

As described above, the convex portion 108 comes into contact with the edge surface of the opening 79, and the convex portion 109 comes into contact with the edge surface of the opening 80, so that the ink tank 100 is positioned in the front-rear direction 8.

Further, in a state where the convex portion 108 and the opening 79 are engaged and the convex portion 109 and the opening 80 are engaged, as shown in FIG. 12, the convex portions 131 and 132 are the internal spaces of the upper wall 74. It is in contact with the surface 74A on the 127 side, and the convex portions 134 and 135 are in contact with the surface 75A on the internal space 127 side of the lower wall 75. As a result, the ink tank 100 is positioned in the vertical direction 7. It should be noted that there may be a gap of substantially public difference between the convex portions 131 and 132 and the surface 74A.

Further, in a state where the convex portion 108 and the opening 79 are engaged and the convex portion 109 and the opening 80 are engaged, the convex portion 130 is inserted into the opening 68 as shown in FIG. 13 (A). There is. When the ink tank 100 tries to move to the right with respect to the coupling member 120 in a state where the convex portion 130 is inserted into the opening 68, the convex portion 130 comes into contact with the right edge surface 68A that partitions the right end of the opening 68. Further, when the ink tank 100 tries to move to the left with respect to the coupling member 120 in a state where the convex portion 130 is inserted into the opening 68, the convex portion 130 hits the left edge surface 68B that partitions the left end of the opening 68. Get in touch.

Further, in a state where the convex portion 108 and the opening 79 are engaged and the convex portion 109 and the opening 80 are engaged, the convex portion 133 is inserted into the opening 69 as shown in FIG. 13 (B). There is. When the ink tank 100 tries to move to the right with respect to the coupling member 120 in a state where the convex portion 133 is inserted into the opening 69, the convex portion 133 comes into contact with the right edge surface 69A that partitions the right end of the opening 69. Further, when the ink tank 100 tries to move to the left with respect to the coupling member 120 in a state where the convex portion 133 is inserted into the opening 69, the convex portion 133 hits the left edge surface 69B that partitions the left end of the opening 69. Get in touch.

As described above, the convex portion 130 comes into contact with the edge surface of the opening 68, and the convex portion 133 comes into contact with the edge surface of the opening 69, whereby the ink tank 100 is positioned in the left-right direction 9. The edge faces 68A and 68B of the opening 68 and the edge faces 69A and 69B of the opening 69 are examples of contact portions.

As shown in FIG. 13, a gap 98 is formed between adjacent ink tanks 100 in a state of being positioned in the left-right direction 9. As described above, as shown in FIG. 9, the binding member 120 holds the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M in a line in a line along the left-right direction 9. The arrangement order of the ink tanks 100 is the ink tank 100B, the ink tank 100Y, the ink tank 100C, and the ink tank 100M in order from the right.

As shown in FIG. 9, in a state where the binding member 120 holds the ink tank 100, the front wall 71 covers the front wall 101 of the ink tank 100, and the upper wall 74 is the upper wall 104 of the ink tank 100. The lower wall 75 covers the front part of the lower wall 105 of the ink tank 100.

Further, in a state where the binding member 120 holds the ink tank 100, the right wall 72 covers the front portion (right wall 159) of the right side of the ink tank 100B arranged on the far right of the four ink tanks 100. The left wall 73 covers the front portion (left wall 103) of the left surface of the ink tank 100M arranged on the leftmost side of the four ink tanks 100. That is, the bundling member 120 is a surface (right surface of the ink tank 100B) located on the outer side in the left-right direction 9 of the right and left surfaces of the ink tanks 100B and 100M located at both left and right ends of the plurality of ink tanks 100 held. , And the left side of the ink tank 100M).

From the above, the binding member 120 covers the front portion of the ink tank 100 while holding the ink tank 100.

As shown in FIG. 10A, a plurality of openings 81 (an example of the second opening) are formed in the vertical wall 76 of the front wall 71 of the binding member 120. The openings 81 are formed at intervals of 9 in the left-right direction. Each opening 81 corresponds to four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. That is, in the present embodiment, four openings 81 are formed. In the present embodiment, the shape of each opening 81 is rectangular, but the shape may be other than rectangular.

As shown in FIG. 9A, in a state where the binding member 120 holds each ink tank 100, the vertical wall 102 of the front wall 101 of each ink tank 100 is exposed to the outside of the binding member 120 through the opening 81. It is possible. Specifically, the front surface 102A of the standing wall 102 and the first line 146 and the second line 147 formed on the front surface 102A can be exposed. Further, as shown in FIG. 7, when the binding member 120 holds each ink tank 100 and the cover 70 is in the closed position, the standing wall 102 of each ink tank 100 opens the opening 81 and the cover of the binding member 120. It can be exposed to the outside of the printer unit 11 through the opening 97 of the 70.

As shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of openings 82 (an example of a third opening) are formed in the inclined wall 77 of the front wall 71 of the binding member 120. The openings 82 are formed at intervals of 9 in the left-right direction. Each opening 82 corresponds to four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. That is, in the present embodiment, four openings 82 are formed. In the present embodiment, the shape of each opening 82 is circular, but it may be a shape other than circular.

As shown in FIG. 9A, in a state where the binding member 120 holds each ink tank 100, the supply port 112 of each ink tank 100 can be exposed to the outside of the binding member 120 through the opening 82. ..

As shown in FIG. 10, a cap attachment portion 155 to which the cap 113 described later is attached is formed on the front portion of the upper wall 74 of the binding member 120.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10B, the cap mounting portion 155 is partitioned by ribs 151 and 152 extending in the left-right direction 9 and a plurality of ribs 153 extending in the front-rear direction 8. .. The rib 152 is formed behind the rib 151. Gap 154 is formed at a plurality of positions of the rib 151. Each gap 154 is formed behind each opening 82. The position of each gap 154 in the left-right direction 9 is the same as the position of each opening 82 in the left-right direction 9. Each rib 153 connects the rib 151 and the rib 152. Each rib 153 is formed on both outer sides of each gap 154 in the left-right direction 9.

The cap mounting portion 155 is not limited to the configuration including the ribs 151, 152, and 153 described above as long as the cap 113 can be mounted.

[Cap 113]
As shown in FIG. 9, the ink tank 100 includes caps 113B, 113Y, 113C, and 113M (these may be collectively referred to as “cap 113”). The ink tank 100 includes four caps 113B, 113Y, 113C, 113M corresponding to the four supply ports 112B, 112Y, 112C, 112M of the ink tank 100.

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

The cap portion 115 has an outer shape in which the convex portion 115B protrudes from the center of the disc portion 115A having a substantially disk shape.

The elastically deformed portion 116 has a band shape. One end of the elastically deformed portion 116 is connected to the cap portion 115. The other end of the elastically deformed portion 116 is connected to the mounting portion 117. As shown in FIG. 9, the elastically deformed portion 116 is in a state of being substantially straightened in a state where no force is applied from the outside. A convex portion 116A is formed at one end of the elastically deformed portion 116. The convex portion 116A projects opposite to the cap portion 115 with the elastically deformed portion 116 interposed therebetween.

The mounting portion 117 has an outer shape in which a convex portion 117B protrudes from a rectangular parallelepiped rectangular portion 117A having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The boundary between the rectangular portion 117A and the convex portion 117B is constricted. The convex portion 117B has a shape corresponding to the shape of the cap mounting portion 155 (the region defined by the ribs 151, 152, 153). That is, the convex portion 117B can be fitted with the cap mounting portion 155. Further, in a state where the convex portion 117B and the cap mounting portion 155 are fitted, the boundary between the rectangular portion 117A and the convex portion 117B is inserted into the gap 154. That is, the cap 113 is attached to the binding member 120 by fitting the convex portion 117B and the cap attachment portion 155.

The cap 113 can be moved to the sealing position shown in FIG. 8 and the separated position shown in FIG. 9 while being attached to the binding member 120.

The cap 113 at the sealing position seals the supply port 112 in a liquid-tight manner by the convex portion 115B of the cap portion 115 coming into close contact with the wall surface partitioning the peripheral edge of the supply port 112. As shown in FIG. 8, in the state where the cap 113 is located at the sealing position, the elastically deformed portion 116 is in a state of being curved in an arc shape.

As shown in FIG. 9, the cap portion 115 is separated from the supply port 112 in a state where the cap 113 is located at the separated position. As a result, the supply port 112 is opened. As a result, it becomes possible to inject ink into the ink chamber 111 through the supply port 112. In the state where the cap 113 is located at the separated position, the elastically deformed portion 116 is in a state of elastic recovery and extending substantially straight.

As shown in FIG. 12, when the cover 70 is rotated to the closed position while the cap 113 is located at the sealing position, the ribs 93 formed on the cover 70 are adjacent caps in the left-right direction 9. It is located between the convex portions 116A of the cap portion 115 of the 113. In other words, in the viewpoint along the left-right direction 9, the rib 93 and the convex portion 116A partially overlap each other.

Further, when the cover 70 is rotated to the closed position while the cap 113 is located at the sealing position, the second wall 92 formed on the cover 70 is above the disk portion 115A of the cap portion 115 of the cap 113. It is located in the vicinity. As a result, when the cap 113 moves from the sealing position to the separated position, the disk portion 115A comes into contact with the second wall 92, and the movement cannot be performed. That is, the second wall 92 restricts the movement of the cap 113 from the sealing position.

[Action and effect of the above embodiment]
According to the above embodiment, the bundling member 120 holds the plurality of ink tanks 100, so that the plurality of ink tanks 100 are integrated. As a result, it is possible to reduce the positional deviation between the ink tanks 100 in a state where the binding member 120 is supported by the housing 14.

Further, according to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the plurality of ink tanks 100 are held by the binding member 120 with a gap 98 between them in the left-right direction 9. As a result, it is possible to prevent the films 142 and 143 of the adjacent ink tanks 100 from coming into contact with each other. As a result, the possibility of damage to the films 142 and 143 can be reduced.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the bundling member 120 holds a plurality of ink tanks 100 in a state of being arranged side by side in the left-right direction 9. Here, the front surface of the frame 141 of each ink tank 100 can be accessed from the outside of the housing 14 of the multifunction device 10 through the opening 22. That is, the front surface of the frame 141 of each ink tank 100 may be exposed to the outside of the housing 14 of the multifunction device 10. However, according to the above embodiment, the binding member 120 covers the front surface of the frame 141 of each ink tank 100.

As described above, since the binding member 120 covers the front surface of each ink tank 100, it also covers the gap 98 between the front surfaces of the frames 141 of the adjacent ink tank 100. As a result, even if the films 142 and 143 constituting the right and left surfaces of the frame 141 of each ink tank 100 protrude from the gap 98 or are visible through the gap 98, the films 142 and 143 are bound members. Covered by 120. That is, the films 142 and 143 are not exposed to the outside of the housing 14. As a result, the possibility of damage to the films 142 and 143 can be reduced.

Further, according to the above embodiment, when the front wall 101 of the ink tank 100 is formed of a translucent material, the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 can be visually recognized through the opening 81.

Further, according to the above embodiment, in a state where the binding member 120 holds the plurality of ink tanks 100, the supply port 112 can be accessed through the opening 82 to supply the ink to the ink chamber 111.

Further, according to the above embodiment, when at least one of the plurality of caps 113 is displaced from the sealing position in the left-right direction 9, the displaced cap 113 and the rib 93 of the cover 70 come into contact with each other. The cover 70 cannot be in the closed position. Thereby, it is possible to identify whether or not the cap 113 is in an inappropriate position depending on whether or not the cover 70 can be moved to the closed position.

Further, according to the above embodiment, when at least one of the plurality of caps 113 is moved from the sealing position toward the separated position, specifically, at least one of the plurality of caps 113 is exactly inserted into the supply port 112. If not, the cover 70 cannot be placed in the closed position due to the contact between the cap 113 and the second wall 92 of the cover 70. Thereby, it is possible to identify whether or not the cap 113 is in an inappropriate position depending on whether or not the cover 70 can be moved to the closed position.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the binding member 120 is positioned by engaging the convex portions 108 and 109 with the openings 79 and 80, so that each ink tank 100 held by the binding member 120 is moved in the front-rear direction. It is possible to prevent the position from shifting to 8.

Further, according to the above embodiment, among the plurality of ink tanks 100 held by the binding member 120, the front portion (right wall 159) of the right surface of the ink tank 100B located at the right end, and the plurality of inks held by the binding member 120. The front portion (left wall 103) of the left surface of the ink tank 100M located at the left end of the tank 100 can be covered by the binding member 120. As a result, the film 142 at the rear of the right side of the ink tank 100B extends to the front of the right side of the ink tank 100B, and the film 143 at the rear of the left side of the ink tank 100M extends to the front of the left side of the ink tank 100M. Even if it is extended to, the binding member 120 covers the extended films 142 and 143. Therefore, the possibility of damage to the films 142 and 143 can be reduced.

[Modification example]
In the above embodiment, the convex portions 108 and 109 of the ink tank 100 are examples of engaging portions, the openings 79 and 80 of the binding member 120 are examples of engaged portions, and the respective edge surfaces 68A of the openings 68. The 68B and the edge surfaces 69A and 69B of the opening 69 were examples of the contact portions. However, the engaging portion, the engaged portion, and the abutting portion may be different from the above-described embodiment, provided that the ink tank 100 has a function of positioning the ink tank 100.

For example, the abutting portion may be a rib protruding downward from the upper wall 74 and extending in the front-rear direction 8, and a rib protruding upward from the lower wall 75 and extending in the front-rear direction 8. These ribs are located between adjacent ink tanks 100 in the left-right direction 9. When these ribs come into contact with the ink tank 100, the ink tank 100 is positioned in the left-right direction 9. Further, when the ink tanks 100 are positioned, a gap 98 corresponding to the length of these ribs in the left-right direction 9 is formed between the adjacent ink tanks 100.

In the above embodiment, the edge faces 68A and 68B of the opening 68 of the binding member 120 and the edge faces 69A and 69B of the opening 69, that is, the contact portions, are in contact with the convex portions 130 and 133 of the ink tank 100. However, the contact portion may come into contact with a portion other than the convex portions 130 and 133 in the ink tank 100. However, the contact portion abuts only on the portion of the ink tank 100 other than the films 142 and 143.

The portion that comes into contact with the ink tank 100 and positions the ink tank 100 in the left-right direction 9, that is, the contact portion does not come into contact with the films 142 and 143 of the ink tank 100. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the films 142 and 143 from being damaged due to contact with the contact portion.

In the above embodiment, ink has been described as an example of a liquid, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, instead of the ink, a pretreatment liquid that is ejected to the recording paper prior to the ink during printing, or water that is sprayed near the nozzle 40 of the recording head 39 to prevent the nozzle 40 of the recording head 39 from drying out. However, it may be an example of a liquid.

10 ... Multifunction device (supply device)
14 ... Housing 68 ... Aperture 68A, 68B ... Edge surface (contact portion) of opening 68
69 ... Aperture 69A, 69B ... Edge surface (contact portion) of opening 69
100 ... Ink tank (tank)
111 ... Ink chamber (liquid storage chamber)
120 ... Bundling member 130 ... Convex portion 133 ... Convex portion 142, 143 ... Film

Claims (12)

A liquid storage chamber partitioned by a pair of first surfaces facing the first direction along the horizontal direction, and a plurality of tanks having a supply port for supplying liquid to the liquid storage chamber.
A binding member that is different from the plurality of tanks and holds the plurality of tanks in a lined state along the first direction.
A housing that supports the binding member and
At least a part of each of the pair of first surfaces is made of a film.
The binding member is
A supply device including a contact portion that contacts the plurality of tanks and positions the plurality of tanks with a gap from each other in the first direction. The housing comprises a side wall with a first opening.
In each of the plurality of tanks, a second surface connecting the pair of first surfaces is arranged in the housing so as to be accessible from the outside of the housing through the first opening.
The supply device according to claim 1, wherein the binding member covers the second surface of each of the plurality of tanks. The supply device according to claim 2, wherein the binding member includes a second opening that exposes a part of the second surface of each of the plurality of tanks. On the second surface, the first mark provided at a position corresponding to the liquid level when the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber is the first amount, and the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber are described above. The supply device according to claim 3, wherein a second mark provided at a position corresponding to a liquid level when the amount is a second amount smaller than the first amount is provided. The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the binding member includes a third opening that exposes the supply port of each of the plurality of tanks. The supply device is provided corresponding to each of the supply ports, and includes a plurality of caps that can be moved to a sealing position where the supply port is sealed and a separation position away from the supply port.
The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the binding member includes a cap attachment portion to which the plurality of caps are attached. The housing comprises a side wall with a first opening.
Each of the plurality of tanks is arranged in the housing so as to be accessible from the outside of the housing through the first opening.
The supply device includes a cover that can be moved to a closed position that closes the first opening and an open position that opens the first opening.
The supply device according to claim 6, wherein the cover includes ribs located between adjacent caps in the plurality of caps at the sealing position at the closing position. The housing comprises a side wall with a first opening.
Each of the plurality of tanks is arranged in the housing so as to be accessible from the outside of the housing through the first opening.
The supply device includes a cover that can be moved to a closed position that closes the first opening and an open position that opens the first opening.
The cover is provided at a position where the cover is in contact with the plurality of caps at the sealing position or at a position near the plurality of caps at the sealing position, and the movement of the plurality of caps from the respective sealing positions. The supply device according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising a regulatory unit that regulates. Each of the plurality of tanks includes an engaging portion that engages with the binding member.
The binding member includes an engaged portion that engages with the engaging portion of each of the plurality of tanks.
Claims 1 to 8 in which the plurality of tanks are positioned in a second direction along the horizontal direction and orthogonal to the first direction by engaging the engaging portion and the engaged portion. The supply device according to any one of. The binding member is at least one of the pair of first surfaces of the tanks located at both ends of the first direction of the plurality of held tanks, which are located on the outer side of the first direction. The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which covers the portion. The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the contact portion contacts a portion other than the film in the plurality of tanks. The first direction is parallel to the horizontal direction and
Any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the dimension of each of the plurality of tanks in the first direction is shorter than the dimension in the second direction which is orthogonal to the first direction and parallel to the horizontal direction and the dimension in the vertical direction. Supply device described in parallel.

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