Recording device

By setting up a liquid container and maintenance unit on the outside of the recording device, combined with an internal ink leakage storage section and detection sensor, leaked ink can be quickly detected and collected, solving the problem of long ink leakage detection time in the prior art, and realizing early prevention of ink leakage and equipment protection.

CN116533638BActive Publication Date: 2026-05-08CANON KK
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
CANON KK
Filing Date
2023-01-29
Publication Date
2026-05-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing recording equipment requires time to detect ink leaks after they occur, which can lead to continued ink leakage and damage.

Method used

A liquid container, maintenance unit, and liquid reservoir are installed on the outside of the recording device. Liquid is drawn from the recording head by a suction unit, and an ink leakage reservoir and detection sensor are installed inside the device to quickly detect and collect leaked ink.

Benefits of technology

It reduces the time from ink leakage to detection, prevents further ink leakage, protects internal equipment components, notifies operators early and stops recording operations, and prevents damage.

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Abstract

A recording apparatus includes a liquid container configured to house a liquid to be supplied to a recording head outside a recording region of the recording apparatus, the recording head configured to perform recording by discharging the liquid to a recording medium in the recording region; a maintenance unit arranged outside the recording region, including a suction unit configured to suction the liquid from the recording head, and configured to perform maintenance of the recording head; and a liquid reservoir below the liquid container and the maintenance unit.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure generally relates to a recording device. Background Technology

[0002] Some known recording devices that perform recording by discharging ink from a recording head to a medium include a reservoir for storing the ink to be supplied to the recording head and / or a maintenance unit for maintaining the recording head. In the event of internal ink leakage in such devices, measures are needed to prevent ink from leaking out of the device. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-160825 discusses a construction in which an ink absorber is arranged at a part of the device where ink leakage may occur, and an ink detection unit is provided to detect the absorption of ink by the ink absorber.

[0003] In the structure discussed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-160825, ink leakage inside the device is detected by detecting the ink absorbed by the ink absorber. Therefore, after ink leakage occurs, time should be required to detect the ink leakage.

[0004] The purpose of this disclosure is to reduce the time from the occurrence of ink leakage to its detection in the event of ink leakage inside a recording device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] According to some embodiments, the recording device includes: a liquid container configured to contain liquid to be supplied to a recording head outside the recording area of ​​the recording device, the recording head being configured to perform recording by discharging liquid into a recording medium in the recording area; a maintenance unit disposed outside the recording area, including a suction unit configured to draw liquid from the recording head and configured to perform maintenance on the recording head; and a liquid reservoir below the liquid container and the maintenance unit.

[0006] Other features of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0007] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the recording device according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2 This is a perspective view showing the internal structure of a recording device according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0009] Figure 3A This is a schematic perspective view of the container and its surrounding structure according to a first exemplary embodiment. Figure 3B It is a schematic diagram of the container and its surrounding structure according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0010] Figure 4This is a perspective view of the construction of the container and recovery unit according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0011] Figure 5A This is a schematic diagram of the periphery of the ink retention section according to the first exemplary embodiment when viewed from the Y direction. Figure 5B This is a perspective view of the container holding housing and the recovery unit holding housing according to a first exemplary embodiment.

[0012] Figure 6 This is a schematic top view illustrating the structure of the ink retention section according to the first exemplary embodiment.

[0013] Figure 7 This is a block diagram of the control unit of a recording device according to a first exemplary embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0014] The various exemplary embodiments, features, and aspects of this disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0015] The first exemplary embodiment of this disclosure will now be described. First, an outline of an inkjet recording apparatus according to this exemplary embodiment will be described.

[0016] <Overview of the recording equipment>

[0017] Figure 1 This is an external view of the recording device 1 according to this exemplary embodiment. The recording device 1 according to this exemplary embodiment is an inkjet recording device that performs recording by ejecting ink, which is a liquid, onto a recording medium. In this exemplary embodiment, sheet paper is assumed to be the recording medium; however, the recording medium may be fabric, plastic film, or the like. In the figure, arrows X and Y represent horizontal directions that intersect each other perpendicularly, and arrow Z represents the vertical direction (direction of gravity). The X direction is the width direction (left-right direction) of the recording device 1. The Y direction is the depth direction of the recording device 1.

[0018] The recording device 1 is generally flattened in a rectangular-parallelogram shape and includes a device body 2 and a main body cover 3 with multiple covers. The main body cover 3 is configured to cover the device body 2 and form the top of the recording device 1. According to this exemplary embodiment, the main body cover 3 includes a sheet feed cover 301 for setting the recording medium, an access cover 302 for performing maintenance work inside the recording device 1, and a tank access cover 303 covering a portion (from which ink is supplied to the tank of the device).

[0019] A reading unit (scanning unit) 3a is provided for reading file images, and the entire reading unit 3a can be opened and moved in a manner similar to that of the access cover 302 to perform internal maintenance work. A discharge section 10 for discharging the recording medium after recording is provided at the front of the recording device 1. An operation unit 36 ​​for receiving operator input is also provided at the front of the recording device 1. The operation unit 36 ​​includes a display unit of a touch panel system, receives operator input, and displays information to the operator.

[0020] Figure 2 This is an explanatory diagram showing the internal mechanism of the recording device 1. The recording device 1 includes a recording head 4 for discharging ink. According to this exemplary embodiment, the recording head 4 performs recording by discharging ink supplied from containers 5C, 5M, 5Y, 5Bk (hereinafter also simply referred to as containers 5), which are liquid containers, to a recording medium. The recording head 4 includes a discharge surface 4a (see...). Figure 3B The discharge surface 4a includes multiple nozzles (discharge sections) for discharging ink. Each nozzle is equipped with, for example, an electrothermal conversion element (heater). The electrothermal conversion element heats and foams the ink by passing electricity, and generates energy to discharge ink from its respective nozzle.

[0021] The recording head 4 is mounted on the carriage 6 and supported by a drive unit (not shown), enabling reciprocating motion in the X direction (main scanning direction). The drive unit includes a drive pulley (not shown), driven pulleys 7b spaced apart in the X direction, an endless belt 7c wound around these pulleys, and a carriage motor (not shown) as the drive source for rotating the drive pulleys. The carriage 6 is coupled to the endless belt 7c, and when the endless belt 7c is in motion, the carriage 6 moves in the X direction. During the movement of the carriage 6, ink is discharged from the recording head 4 onto the recording medium, thereby recording an image. The area where liquid can be discharged onto the recording medium is called the recording area, and the operation of moving the carriage 6 while ink is discharged from the recording head 4 in the recording area is called recording scan.

[0022] As described above, the recording device 1 according to this exemplary embodiment is a serial inkjet recording device, wherein the recording head 4 is mounted on a reciprocating carriage 6. However, the exemplary embodiment is also applicable to inkjet recording devices including a full-line recording head, which includes a plurality of nozzles configured to discharge liquid into an area corresponding to the width of the recording medium.

[0023] Recording apparatus 1 includes a supply unit 8 and a transport unit 9 for conveying recording media. The supply unit 8 includes a roll setting section 8c for supplying a continuous strip-shaped recording medium R from a roll, and a supply mechanism (not shown) for the recording medium. The supply mechanism includes a supply roller (not shown) and a supply motor 8b (see [link to relevant documentation]) that serves as a drive source for rotating the supply roller. Figure 7 ).

[0024] The transport unit 9 is a mechanism for transporting the recording medium supplied from the supply unit 8 along the Y direction (sub-scanning direction). The transport unit 9 includes a transport roller 9a and a transport motor 9b, which serves as a drive source for rotating the transport roller 9a (see [link to motor description]). Figure 7 The pressure roller 9c is in pressure contact with the transfer roller 9a, and the recording medium is held between the transfer roller 9a and the pressure roller 9c by the gap between them. The recording medium is intermittently transferred to the recording head 4 by the rotation of the transfer roller 9a. The recording operation is performed by alternately repeating the transfer operation of the recording medium and the recording scan by the transfer unit 9.

[0025] <Structure of Ink Supply System and Waste Ink Collection System>

[0026] like Figure 2 As shown, in this exemplary embodiment, container 5 is a fixed container attached to recording device 1. When the ink level is low, the operator replenishes the ink in container 5 without removing it from recording device 1.

[0027] Containers 5C, 5M, 5Y, and 5Bk are configured to correspond to the number of ink colors to be stored and are arranged side-by-side in the Y direction along the right side surface of the recording device 1. A common cap portion 13 covers the upper part of containers 5C to 5Bk.

[0028] Figure 3A This is a perspective view showing containers 5C to 5Bk, valve 16, and recording head 4, and their surrounding structures. Containers 5C to 5Bk are connected to recording head 4 via supply pipe 14.

[0029] Figure 3B The diagram schematically illustrates the structure of a container 5 and its surroundings. Each of the containers 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5Bk essentially possesses... Figure 3B The structure shown varies between containers 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5Bk, except for the connection points of the ink flow path and the length of the supply pipe 14. Each container 5 includes a storage section 54 for storing ink, an air-liquid exchange section 52, and a buffer chamber 53. The buffer chamber 53 stores ink that is pushed out of the storage section 54 when the air in the storage section 54 expands due to pressure or temperature changes. An injection section 51 for replenishing liquid (ink replenishment) is provided at the top of the container 5. The injection section 51 is closed by a cap 120. To replenish ink, the operator removes the cap 120 from the injection section 51 and performs the ink replenishment operation with the injection section 51 open. A cap 120 is provided for each container 5.

[0030] Channels 14a and 15a are connected within container 5. Channel 14a is a liquid supply path (ink supply path) that communicates with storage section 54 and supplies ink from container 5 to recording head 4. Channel 14a is formed by supply tube 14, which is a flexible tube. Channel 15a is an air communication path that communicates with buffer chamber 53 and connects the interior of container 5 to air. Channel 15a is formed by air communication tube 15, which is a flexible tube. Valve 16 opens and closes channels 14a and 15a. In this exemplary embodiment, dedicated valve 16 is provided in each container 5C to 5Bk.

[0031] The gas-liquid exchange section 52 is positioned at a height H lower than the discharge surface 4a of the recording head 4. In other words, a negative pressure caused by the head difference at height H is applied to the discharge surface 4a. This prevents ink from leaking out of the discharge surface 4a. The buffer chamber 53 is located at the bottom of the container 5. This prevents ink from leaking out of the air communication path 15a.

[0032] The recovery unit 11 is a mechanism for maintaining the ink ejection performance of the record head 4 and is arranged at one end of the travel range of the carriage 6. The recovery unit 11 includes a cap 11a covering the ejection surface 4a of the record head 4, a pump 11b for drawing ink from the record head 4 via the cap 11a, etc. The cap 11a can be moved by a mechanism (not shown) to a position where the cap 11a covers the ejection surface 4a and a position where it is separated from the ejection surface 4a. The cap 11a covers the ejection surface 4a, thereby preventing the ejection surface 4a from drying out.

[0033] With the cap 11a covering the discharge surface 4a, the pump 11b performs a suction operation, thereby removing thick ink adhering to the recording head 4 and filling the channel 14a and the recording head 4 with ink. When a recording operation is performed with the channel 14a and the recording head 4 filled with ink, ink is supplied from the container 5 at a reduced rate (discharge rate) from the recording head 4. In this exemplary embodiment, a tubular pump is used as pump 11b; however, components other than a tubular pump can be used.

[0034] A waste ink collection tank 12 is provided, which collects the ink sprayed or discharged from the discharge surface 4a and is connected to the pump 11b through a drain pipe 11c. When the pump 11b operates, the drawn ink is collected into the waste ink collection tank 12 through the drain pipe 11c.

[0035] <Control Unit>

[0036] Figure 7This is a block diagram showing the control unit 30 of the recording device 1. The microprocessor unit (MPU) 31 includes one or more processors, circuits, or combinations thereof that control the operation of the recording device 1, data processing, etc. The MPU 31 controls the entire recording device 1 by executing a program stored in a storage device 32. The storage device 32 includes, for example, read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). In addition to storing the program executed by the MPU 31, the storage device 32 also stores various types of data for processing, such as data received from the host 100.

[0037] MPU 31 controls the recording head 4 via driver 34a. MPU 31 controls the carriage motor 7a via driver 34b. MPU 31 controls the transfer motor 9b and the supply motor 8b via drivers 34c and 34d, respectively.

[0038] MPU 31 performs control operations by acquiring the detection results of sensor group 35, which includes various sensors installed in recording device 1. Sensor group 35 includes the detection sensor 35a described below. MPU 31 performs display control of the display unit of operation unit 36 ​​and receives operations performed by the operator on operation unit 36.

[0039] For example, host 100 is a personal computer or mobile terminal (e.g., a smartphone or tablet terminal) used by an operator. A printer driver 101, which performs communication between host 100 and recording device 1, is installed in host 100. Recording device 1 includes an interface unit 33 through which communication between host 100 and MPU 31 is performed. For example, when an operator inputs the execution of a recording operation into host 100, printer driver 101 collects data of the image to be recorded and settings related to the recording (such as the quality of the recorded image), and instructs recording device 1 to perform the recording operation. As used herein, the term "unit" generally refers to firmware, software, hardware, circuitry, or a combination thereof for achieving a particular purpose.

[0040] <Ink Leakage Detection Structure>

[0041] In the event of unexpected malfunctions within the recording device 1, such as a failure at the connection (not shown) between the supply pipe 14 and each container 5, a failure at the connection between the drain pipe 11c and the pump 11b, or a partial rupture of the container 5 and the pump 11b, ink leakage may occur. If the operator continues to use the recording device 1 while ink leakage is occurring, ink may further leak from inside the device to the outside. Therefore, the leaked ink will remain in the device. If the ink leakage is not addressed, ink will continue to leak. Therefore, a structure for detecting ink leakage is also provided. Here, reference will be made to... Figures 4 to 6This describes the ink leakage detection structure according to this exemplary embodiment.

[0042] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the structure of container 5 and recovery unit 11. The recording device 1 according to this exemplary embodiment includes an ink retention section (liquid retention section) 200 below containers 5C, 5M, 5Y, 5Bk and recovery unit 11. The recording device 1 includes a detection sensor 35a (see...). Figure 5A and Figure 5B The detection sensor 35a is a detection unit that detects ink leakage into the liquid reservoir. For example, in addition to detection by the detection sensor 35a, an observation window can be provided in the ink leakage reservoir 200 to allow the operator to visually inspect the ink leakage.

[0043] Figure 5A This is a schematic diagram of the ink retention area and its surroundings when viewed from the Y direction. The ink retention area 200 is divided into an ink retention chamber 200a and an ink retention chamber 200b by a retention chamber side 210a. A detection sensor 35a detects the presence or absence of ink in the ink retention chamber 200a (liquid retention chamber). The detection sensor 35a includes a pair of electrode terminals and detects ink leakage based on the resistance change caused by the conduction of the electrode terminals due to leaked ink. In this exemplary embodiment, the detection sensor 35a is disposed on the recovery unit holding housing 202 described below and is arranged such that its end extends into the retention chamber 200a. The construction of the detection sensor 35a is not limited to the above-described construction, and the detection sensor 35a may have a construction including multiple electrode terminals or other constructions. The detection sensor 35a may be disposed on each container holding housing 201, or may extend from other parts into the retention chamber 200a.

[0044] Figure 5B This is a perspective view of the container holding housing 201 and the recovery unit holding housing 202. Containers 5C, 5M, 5Y, and 5Bk are each supported by the corresponding container holding housing 201, which is a barrel-shaped container support, and are held in predetermined positions within the recording device 1. The recovery unit 11 and the waste ink collection tank 12 are supported by the barrel-shaped recovery unit holding housing 202 (suction unit support) and are held in predetermined positions within the recording device 1.

[0045] Each container holding housing 201 includes an ink guide 201a, located at a position corresponding to one of the containers 5C, 5M, 5Y, and 5Bk. The recovery unit holding housing 202 includes ink guides 202a, 202b, and 202c. The ink guides 201a, 202a, 202b, and 202c are positioned facing the ink leakage retention chamber 200a. The number of ink guides provided in the recovery unit holding housing 202 does not need to be three; providing one or more ink guides is sufficient. The number of ink guides provided in each container holding housing 201 can be one or more.

[0046] In the event of ink leakage from any one or more of containers 5C, 5M, 5Y, and 5Bk, the leaked ink initially flows to the lower part of the container holding housing 201. The ink that has reached the lower part of the container holding housing 201 further flows to the ink guide 201a, and is guided by the ink guide 201a into the leaked ink retention chamber 200a. Similarly, ink leaking from the recovery unit 11 and the waste ink collection tank 12 flows to the lower part of the recovery unit holding housing 202, and is guided by the ink guides 202a to 202c into the leaked ink retention chamber 200a. In this exemplary embodiment, the ink guides are therefore positioned near the portion where ink leakage may occur to guide the leaked ink into the leaked ink retention chamber 200a (the first leaked ink retention chamber).

[0047] An inclined portion that is tilted relative to the ink guide portion can be provided at the lower part of each container holding housing 201 and / or recovery unit holding housing 202, thereby facilitating the easy access of leaked ink to the ink guide portion.

[0048] As described above, the detection sensor 35a is arranged in the ink leakage reservoir 200a, and the detection sensor 35a is arranged such that its end is closer to the bottom surface of the ink leakage reservoir 200a than its upper end near the side 210a of the reservoir. This allows the detection sensor 35a to detect ink in the ink leakage reservoir 200a when ink flows into it. In order to detect ink inflow even when a small amount of ink flows into the ink leakage reservoir 200a, the detection sensor 35a is preferably arranged such that its end is close to the bottom surface of the ink leakage reservoir 200a.

[0049] If the amount of ink leaking into the ink retention chamber 200a exceeds the amount that can be retained in the ink retention chamber 200a, the leaked ink overflows the side 210a of the retention chamber and enters the ink retention chamber 200b, where it remains. Note that by lowering the height of a portion of the side 210a of the retention chamber, an ink outflow section (liquid outflow section) can be formed through which the ink flows out of the ink retention chamber 200a, thereby controlling the ink inflow position to the ink retention chamber 200b. The ink outflow section is not limited to a structure that changes the height of a portion of the side 210a of the retention chamber, and can be formed by providing a hole.

[0050] Even if ink leakage occurs when the recording device 1 is tilted, it is necessary to prevent ink from leaking out of the ink retention chamber 200. To this end, it is necessary to prevent ink from flowing out from the retention chamber side 210b surrounding the ink retention chamber 200b. Therefore, it is desirable that the upper end of the retention chamber side 210b is located at the highest possible position. The upper end of the retention chamber side 210b is located above the lowest part of the upper end of the retention chamber side 210a, thereby preventing ink that has already overflowed the retention chamber side 210a and / or the ink outlet from further overflowing the retention chamber side 210b and flowing out of the device.

[0051] Therefore, it is desirable that the upper end of the storage chamber side 210b is located above the upper end of the storage chamber side 210a. When the ink outlet is provided on the storage chamber side 210a, it is desirable that the upper end of the storage chamber side 210b is located above the ink outlet.

[0052] Figure 6 This is a schematic top view showing the structure of the ink retention section 200. Figure 6 In the image, the ink leakage reservoir 200a is located in the gray-painted portion, and the ink guides 201a, 202a, 202b, and 202c are located in the portion shown by the dashed circle. Furthermore, the ink leakage reservoir 200b is adjacent to the ink leakage reservoir 200a, with the reservoir side 210a located between the two.

[0053] Even if leaked ink flows into the ink retention chamber 200a from any ink guide, it is desirable to make the time from ink inflow to detection of ink leakage equal among the ink guides in order to prevent excessive delay in the detection of ink leakage from one guide. For this purpose, it is desirable to make the distances from each ink guide 201a, 202a, 202b, and 202c to the detection sensor 35a equal to each other. For example, if the distance from the detection sensor 35a to one ink guide is denoted by D, depending on the construction of each guide and sensor, the distance from the detection sensor 35a to another ink guide is preferably set to 98% to 102% of distance D.

[0054] On the other hand, when it is difficult to make the distance from the detection sensor 35a to each ink guide substantially equal, it is desirable to arrange the detection sensor 35a at a position that minimizes the distance difference from the detection sensor 35a to each ink guide. This reduces the time difference between ink inflow and detection of ink leakage, even if ink flows into the ink leakage reservoir 200a from any ink guide. Furthermore, minimizing the amount of ink that can remain in the ink leakage reservoir 200a allows the detection sensor 35a to detect ink leakage early, even with small leakage amounts. Therefore, it is desirable to minimize the amount of ink that can remain in the ink leakage reservoir 200a. Note that multiple detection sensors 35a can be configured to detect ink that has already flowed in from each ink guide as early as possible.

[0055] Ink leakage inside the recording device occurs due to the factors described above. Specifically, if the pumping operation of pump 11b continues during a process where ink leakage occurs near pump 11b, the amount of leaked ink increases. In this exemplary embodiment, if pump 11b is operating while the detection sensor 35a detects ink leakage, the recording device 1 stops the pumping operation of pump 11b. This prevents the leakage of ink from increasing, thereby preventing damage caused by ink leakage.

[0056] In the event of ink leakage at the connection between any container 5 and the supply pipe 14, stopping the recording operation can prevent further ink leakage. Therefore, if ink leakage is detected during the recording operation of the recording head 4, the recording device 1 can stop the recording operation.

[0057] In contrast, in the event of ink leakage from any container 5 due to, for example, the rupture of container 5, ink leakage will continue even when pump 11b stops or recording operation ceases as described above, due to the head difference of the ink within container 5. Therefore, even in the event of ink leakage due to the rupture of any container 5, it is desirable that the ink retention section 200 have a capacity sufficient to retain the amount of ink that can be contained in one or more containers 5 in order to retain the leaked ink in the recording device 1. In this exemplary embodiment, although the ink retention chamber 200a has a small capacity, the ink retention chamber 200b has a large capacity to ensure sufficient capacity as the ink retention section 200. The ink retention chamber 200b may include multiple retention chambers.

[0058] With the above configuration, when ink leakage occurs inside the recording device 1, the ink leakage is detected by the detection sensor 35a. The detection result can be notified to the operator through a notification unit such as the host 100 or the operation unit 36. The notification can be made by sound, light, screen display such as a display unit, vibration, etc. Ink leakage is notified to the operator by one or more such units, and the recording device 1 stops recording operation and the pump 11b, which prevents the leakage of ink from increasing. After notifying the operator, the operation of the recording device 1 can be restricted to prevent the operator from restarting the recording operation and the pumping operation of the pump 11b.

[0059] As described above, since the leaked ink is guided from the ink guide to the ink retention chamber 200a, the leaked ink is collected in one portion regardless of the location of the leak. This allows the detection sensor 35a to detect the ink leak. Furthermore, because the ink retention chamber 200a has a small capacity, the time from when an ink leak occurs inside the recording device until it is detected can be reduced. This allows for earlier detection of ink leaks.

[0060] While this disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation to cover all such variations and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. A recording device, comprising: A liquid container disposed outside the recording area of ​​the recording device is configured to contain liquid to be supplied to the recording head, the recording head being configured to perform recording by discharging the liquid into the recording medium in the recording area; A maintenance unit, disposed outside the recording area, includes a suction unit configured to draw liquid from the recording head and configured to perform maintenance on the recording head; A first liquid reservoir is disposed below the liquid container and the maintenance unit and is configured to retain liquid flowing out of the liquid container and the maintenance unit; A second liquid reservoir is disposed adjacent to the first liquid reservoir and configured to store liquid flowing out of the first liquid reservoir. The second liquid reservoir can store a larger amount of liquid than the first liquid reservoir. as well as The detection unit is configured to detect whether liquid has flowed into the first liquid reservoir.

2. The recording device according to claim 1, further comprising: A first flow path is configured to guide liquid that has leaked from the liquid container to the first liquid reservoir; as well as The second flow path is configured to guide liquid that has leaked from the maintenance unit to the first liquid reservoir.

3. The recording device according to claim 2, wherein, The first flow path is formed by a first opening facing the bottom of the liquid container and a second opening facing the first liquid reservoir, and The second flow route is formed by a third opening facing the bottom of the maintenance unit and a fourth opening facing the first liquid reservoir.

4. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein, The liquid container and the maintenance unit are adjacent to each other.

5. The recording device according to claim 2, wherein, The recording device includes a plurality of the liquid containers. In the recording area, the recording head can move in a first direction and in a second direction opposite to the first direction, and The liquid containers are arranged side by side in a third direction that intersects both the first and second directions.

6. The recording device according to claim 5, wherein, Multiple first flow paths are arranged to correspond one-to-one with multiple liquid containers.

7. The recording device according to claim 6, wherein, The detection unit is positioned at the point where the difference in distance from the detection unit to each of the plurality of first flow paths is minimized.

8. The recording device according to claim 6, wherein, The distance from the detection unit to each of the plurality of first flow paths is substantially equal to that of each other.

9. The recording device according to claim 6, wherein, The detection unit is positioned at the point where the difference between the distance from the detection unit to the first flow path and the distance from the detection unit to the second flow path is minimized.

10. The recording device according to claim 6, wherein, The distance from the detection unit to the first flow path and the distance from the detection unit to the second flow path are substantially equal to each other.

11. The recording device according to claim 6, wherein, If the detection unit detects the presence of liquid in the first liquid reservoir, it stops discharging liquid through the recording head.

12. The recording device according to claim 6, wherein, The maintenance unit performs a maintenance operation by using the suction unit to aspirate liquid from the recording head, and stops the maintenance operation if the detection unit detects the presence of liquid in the first liquid reservoir during the maintenance operation.

13. The recording device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification unit configured to notify an operator of a liquid leak when the detection unit detects the presence of liquid in the first liquid reservoir.

14. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein, The second liquid reservoir is adjacent to the first liquid reservoir, wherein there is a wall between the two.

15. The recording device according to claim 14, wherein, The wall portion includes a liquid guide portion, and The liquid guide unit guides the liquid from the first liquid reservoir to the second liquid reservoir.

16. The recording device according to claim 14, wherein, The second liquid reservoir is surrounded by a second wall, and The upper end of the second wall portion is located at a position higher than the upper end of the wall portion.

17. The recording device according to claim 15, wherein, The second liquid reservoir is surrounded by a second wall, and The upper end of the second wall portion is located above the liquid guide portion.

18. The recording device according to claim 14, wherein, The amount of liquid that can be retained in the first liquid reservoir and the second liquid reservoir is greater than or equal to the amount of liquid that can be contained in the liquid container.

19. A recording device, comprising: A liquid container disposed outside the recording area of ​​the recording device is configured to contain liquid to be supplied to the recording head, the recording head including a discharge section configured to discharge liquid into the recording medium in the recording area; A cap unit disposed outside the recording area is configured to cover the discharge portion of the recording head; A first liquid reservoir is disposed below the liquid container and the cap unit and is configured to retain liquid flowing out of the liquid container and the cap unit; A second liquid reservoir is disposed adjacent to the first liquid reservoir and configured to store liquid flowing out of the first liquid reservoir. The second liquid reservoir can store a larger amount of liquid than the first liquid reservoir. as well as The detection unit is configured to detect whether liquid has flowed into the first liquid reservoir.

Citation Information

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