Liquid ejection device

Abstract

A liquid ejection device includes a housing provided with at least an upper surface and a side surface, and a liquid tank arranged in the housing and refillable with liquid from the outside. A display unit indicating a remaining amount of liquid in the liquid tank is arranged at at least one of the junctions each of which joins the upper surface to one of the side surfaces.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on January 26, 2021, with application number 202110101090.3 and title "Liquid Spraying Device and Liquid Tank". Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to a liquid injection device and a liquid tank. Background Technology

[0003] Liquid injection devices are equipped with liquid tanks for storing liquid, and liquid is supplied from the liquid tanks to the liquid injection heads. There are two main types of liquid tanks used in liquid injection devices: box-type and liquid-refillable type. In cases where the remaining liquid level is low (or when the liquid is exhausted), the box-type liquid tank is replaced. On the other hand, in the case of the liquid-refillable type liquid tank, if the remaining liquid level decreases, the liquid tank is refilled and used continuously.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-144281 (hereinafter referred to as Reference 1) discloses a liquid injection device that includes a liquid refill type liquid tank. A liquid injection device employing a liquid refill type liquid tank is needed so that the user can easily identify the remaining liquid volume and thus determine the liquid refill time. In the case of the liquid injection device disclosed in Reference 1, when compared with that in Reference 1... Figure 1 A window is formed on the lower part of the front surface of the device, opposite to the liquid tank in the device shown in Figure 2. The user can use this window to identify the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid tank, which is formed by a transparent component.

[0005] In the liquid injection device of Reference 1, the remaining amount display is located in the lower part of the liquid injection device. In some cases, this makes it complicated for the user to identify the remaining amount of liquid in the tank. At the same time, this liquid injection device is inconvenient because the user must look at the liquid injection device from the side to accurately determine the remaining amount of liquid. Summary of the Invention

[0006] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid injection device is provided, comprising: a housing having at least an upper surface and a side surface; a liquid tank disposed within the housing and refillable with liquid from the outside; and a display unit indicating the amount of liquid remaining in the liquid tank and disposed at at least one of the engagement portions, each engagement portion engaging the upper surface to one of the side surfaces.

[0007] Other features of this disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 This is a schematic perspective view showing a liquid injection device;

[0009] Figure 2A and Figure 2B This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a display unit;

[0010] Figure 3 This is a schematic perspective view showing a liquid injection device;

[0011] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the liquid injection device;

[0012] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of providing a variable-angle reflector;

[0013] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the liquid injection device;

[0014] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of a liquid tank;

[0015] Figure 8A and Figure 8B This is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the liquid tank when viewed from the front surface side and the top surface side;

[0016] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of changing the gradient of a separating component;

[0017] Figure 10A and Figure 10B This is a schematic diagram showing the appearance of the liquid tank when viewed through the observation window; and

[0018] Figures 11A to 11C This is a schematic diagram showing various examples of partition components. Detailed Implementation

[0019] Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description, the same components will be indicated by the same reference numerals. It should also be noted that the relative arrangement, shape, etc., of the components described in the embodiments are merely examples. In this specification, reference numerals ending in letters will indicate references to individual structures, while common items may be indicated by reference numerals without suffixes as appropriate.

[0020] <<First Embodiment>>

[0021] Figure 1This is a schematic perspective view illustrating an example of the liquid jetting device 10 of this embodiment. The liquid jetting device 10 of this embodiment is a printing device. The liquid jetting device 10 is a device configured to jet ink as a liquid. The liquid jetting device 10 can be refilled with liquid from the outside. The liquid jetting device 10 includes a liquid jetting head 17, a carriage 18 for mounting the liquid jetting head 17, a liquid tank 16, and a housing 19.

[0022] The liquid tank 16 is located near the front right portion of the liquid injection device 10. It should be noted that the front-back, left-right, and up-down directions described in this specification are assumed to be the directions indicated in the corresponding drawings. Figure 1 One aspect of the liquid jetting device 10 in use is shown, wherein the upper direction corresponds to the upward direction in the direction of gravity, the lower direction corresponds to the downward direction in the direction of gravity, and the left-right and front-back directions correspond to the horizontal direction. The liquid jetting device 10 includes a cap (not shown) for refilling the liquid tanks. The user can refill each liquid tank 16 with liquid by opening the refill cap and inserting the ink bottle into the liquid tank 16.

[0023] The carriage 18 can move left and right within the housing 19. While spraying liquid, the carriage 18 scans a printing medium, such as paper, placed below it in the direction of gravity in the left-right direction, thereby forming an image on the printing medium. By repeatedly scanning and spraying liquid with the carriage 18 while feeding paper, the image is printed onto the surface of the sheet. A sub-ink tank for temporary ink storage can be installed in the carriage 18.

[0024] A paper feed tray (not shown) is mounted on housing 19. The user opens the paper feed tray and sets the paper for feeding. The paper is fed under carriage 18 and undergoes printing. The paper with the printed image is then ejected.

[0025] The carriage 18 is connected to the liquid tank 16 via a tube or similar (not shown), and ink is supplied from the liquid tank 16 to the carriage 18. Each tube is of sufficient length and is designed such that the engagement portion of the tube, as well as the tube itself, is protected from damage when the carriage 18 performs right- and left-sweeping motions.

[0026] The housing 19 includes an upper surface 11 and side surfaces 12 (12a and 12b). The side surfaces 12 are surfaces that form part of the housing 19 and are directly or indirectly joined to the upper surface 11, which forms part of the housing 19, either directly or indirectly through any component. The side surfaces 12 may be: a side surface (front surface 12a) on which the operation panel 15 of the liquid injection device 10 is disposed; a rear surface (not shown) on the opposite side of the front surface; or any side surface located on the right and left sides of the side surfaces 12b when viewed from the front surface.

[0027] In the liquid injection device 10 of this embodiment, the side where the upper surface 11 is directly or indirectly joined to the side surface 12 via any component is referred to as the joining portion 13 (13a and 13b). Furthermore, in the liquid injection device 10 of this embodiment, a display unit 14 indicating the remaining liquid level is arranged at one of the joining portions 13. In other words, the display unit 14 indicating the remaining liquid level is arranged in the region where the upper surface 11 is joined to one of the side surfaces 12. Figure 1 In the example, the display unit 14 is arranged at the joint portion 13a formed by the front surface 12a and the upper surface 11. Here, the display unit 14 only needs to be arranged in the region where at least the upper surface 11 is joined to the side surface 12, and the display unit 14 can be arranged to extend over at least one of the upper surface 11 and the side surface 12. This arrangement of the display unit 14, which indicates the remaining liquid volume on the joint portion 13, allows the user to easily identify the remaining liquid volume in the liquid container 16. In other words, in Figure 1 In the example, the user can identify the remaining liquid level in the liquid tank 16 by using the display unit 14 from the front, top, right, or left surface side of the liquid jetting device 10. Typically, the liquid jetting device 10 is mounted on a given base or similar object at below the user's eye level, as the user operates the operation panel 15 or similar and sets the printing media into the liquid jetting device 10. Therefore, by arranging the display unit 14 at least in the area where the top surface 11 meets the side surface 12, the user can easily identify the remaining liquid level in the liquid tank 16.

[0028] Here, the display unit 14 can be arranged not only on the joint portion 13a formed by the upper surface 11 and the front surface 12a, but also on the joint portion 13b formed by the upper surface 11 and the right or left side surface 12b. Simultaneously, the display unit 14 can be arranged at the joint portion (not shown) formed by the upper surface 11 and the rear surface (not shown). As described above, by arranging the display unit 14 in the region corresponding to the side where the upper surface 11 of the housing 19 is joined to its side surface 12 (such as the region spanning the upper portion of the side surface 12b and the joint portion 13b), the user can identify the remaining liquid volume in the liquid tank 16 from a wider angle. It should be noted that in Figure 1 In this configuration, the joining portion 13b is disposed on an extension of the side surface 12b (within the plane defined by the extension of the side surface 12b). Although the display unit 14 may be disposed on the joining portion 13b, from a viewpoint visible from above, it is particularly preferred that the display unit 14 be disposed on a surface such as the joining portion 13a, which is inclined relative to the vertical direction.

[0029] As mentioned above, in Figure 1 In the liquid injection device 10 shown, the joining portion 13a is a surface inclined relative to the vertical direction, or in other words, a region formed by chamfering the peak defined by the upper surface 11 and the front surface 12a. The display unit 14 is then arranged in the chamfered region. Specifically, in the housing 19, the upper surface 11 is joined to the front surface 12a via the joining portion 13a, which is formed by chamfering the peak defined by the upper surface 11 and the front surface 12a. However, the joining portion 13a is not limited to this example. Depending on the design of the liquid injection device 10, the peak defined by the upper surface 11 and the front surface 12a can be provided as the joining portion, and the display unit 14 can be arranged at this joining portion. Simultaneously, the joining portion (display unit 14) can be formed as a curved surface.

[0030] Typically, the liquid injection device 10 handles a variety of liquids, such as cyan, magenta, yellow, and black liquids. In this case, a display unit 14 corresponding to the remaining liquid amount for each color is provided. Figure 1 An example of a liquid injection device 10 is shown, which is provided with display units 14 for the remaining liquid amount for four colors. The display units 14 for all colors may be provided at the joint portion 13a on one side, or the display units for each color may be provided in a distributed manner on the joint portions on both sides or more sides.

[0031] Meanwhile, when the display unit 14 is arranged on the joint portion 13b, and if the upper surface of the liquid jetting device 10 is equipped with a scanner or the like, the joint portion between the upper surface and the side surface can be defined as the edge of the scanner's cover, and the display unit 14 can be arranged thereon. Specifically, the display unit 14 can be arranged on the scanner's cover, which is movable during its operation. Optionally, the display unit 14 can be arranged at the edge that serves as the axis for opening and closing the cover.

[0032] Figure 2A and Figure 2B This is a schematic diagram showing an example of display unit 14. (Example) Figures 1 to 2B As shown, the display unit 14 is preferably displayed in such a manner that by using the horizontal direction (which corresponds to...) Figure 1 The remaining amount is visually identifiable by the scale markings on the left and right sides of the scale. Figure 2A The display unit 14 shows a case where the amount of remaining liquid in the liquid tank 16 is relatively large. Figure 2BThe display unit 14 is shown in a case where the amount of remaining liquid in the liquid tank 16 is relatively small. A joint portion 13 is formed along the upper surface 11 and side surface 12 of the housing 19. Therefore, the extension direction of the joint portion 13, in which the upper surface 11 joins to the side surface 12 ( Figure 1 The display unit 14 is arranged on the joint portion 13 in the left-right direction (in the middle), and can provide a display area for easy visual identification of the remaining amount. Figure 2 shows an example of the display unit 14, in which the length of the indicator indicating the remaining amount varies in the extension direction of the joint portion according to the remaining amount in the liquid tank 16.

[0033] For the display method applicable to display unit 14, the indicator of the remaining quantity can be increased or decreased by using light emission from LEDs or the like. Optionally, a float can be arranged in the liquid tank 16 and can detect the height of the liquid level and display the amount of liquid accordingly. Furthermore, if two or more liquid tanks 16 are provided, the display unit 14 can be used as an indicator of the remaining quantity depending on the color of the liquid.

[0034] Figure 1 An example has been described in which a display unit 14 for four colors of liquid is disposed at a joint portion 13a (where the front surface 12a is joined to the upper surface 11). Here, the display unit 14 only needs to be disposed at at least one location in the joint portion 13 where the upper surface 11 is joined to the side surface 12. In other words, the display unit 14 can be disposed at two or more locations in the joint portion 13. For example, the display unit 14 for two colors can be disposed at the joint portion 13a and at the joint portion 13b between the upper surface 11 and the side surface 12b, respectively.

[0035] While this embodiment is applicable to liquid spraying devices including box-type liquid tanks, it is more effective when applied to a liquid spraying device 10 including a liquid refillable type liquid tank 16. In the case where the liquid tank in the liquid spraying device is box-type, the user of the liquid spraying device can prepare a new box when the liquid in one of the boxes is about to run out, and replace the box after the liquid is actually used up. On the other hand, in the case where the liquid tank is refillable, the user can refill each box with the corresponding liquid each time it is about to run out. In this respect, the configuration that facilitates visual identification of the remaining liquid volume is more advantageous to the user when the liquid spraying device 10 specifically includes a refillable liquid tank 16.

[0036] Although this embodiment has described an example in which a window for observing the remaining liquid level in the liquid tank 16 is not formed in the housing 19, such a window for observing the remaining liquid level in the liquid tank 16 can be formed alternatively. Meanwhile, if the liquid tank 16 is housed in a tank housing unit (not shown) fixed to the housing 19, the aforementioned window can be provided in the tank housing unit.

[0037] As described above, in this embodiment, the display unit 14 for the remaining liquid level is arranged at the joint portion 13 where the upper surface 11 and the side surface 12 of the housing 19 meet each other. Therefore, the display unit for the remaining liquid level can be identified from the lateral direction (from the right or left side), from above, and from an oblique direction of the housing 19, thereby enabling the user to easily confirm the remaining liquid level.

[0038] <<Second Embodiment>>

[0039] The first embodiment described an example of providing a display unit for displaying the remaining amount in a liquid container, wherein the upper surface of the housing is joined to a joint portion of its side surface. This embodiment will describe an example of providing a structure that allows visual identification of the remaining amount in the liquid container on two or more surfaces of the housing. It should be noted that this embodiment will describe an example of confirming the remaining amount of liquid by having the user visually inspect the height of the liquid level in the liquid container without relying on a liquid level sensor or the like.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a schematic perspective view showing the liquid injection device 10 of this embodiment. As in the example described in the first embodiment, the liquid injection device 10 of this embodiment also includes a housing 19. The housing 19 includes an upper surface 11 and side surfaces 12 (12a and 12b). Overall, the housing 19 is generally formed in a cuboid shape. A liquid tank 16 is disposed inside the housing. Overall, the liquid tank 16 is generally formed in a cuboid shape. Here, the liquid injection device 10 may include a liquid injection head, operating unit, etc., as described in the first embodiment. However, for the purpose of simplifying the description, ... Figure 3 These components are not shown in the diagram.

[0041] In the liquid injection device 10 of this embodiment, a front surface observation window 31 (opening) for checking the remaining amount in the liquid tank 16 is formed in the front surface 12a of the housing 19. The front surface 12a can be defined as a surface in which an operating unit (not shown) is provided. In addition, an upper surface observation window 32 for checking the remaining amount in the liquid tank 16 is also formed in the upper surface 11 of the housing 19.

[0042] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the liquid injection device 10 in the middle, showing the liquid jetting along the path through... Figure 3 An example of a planar liquid jetting device 10 comprising a liquid tank 16, a front surface observation window 31, and an upper surface observation window 32. A predetermined volume of liquid 33 is contained within the internal space of the liquid tank 16. Among the surfaces constituting the liquid tank 16, at least two surfaces (surface 38a and surface 38b) parallel to the front surface 12a of the liquid jetting device 10 are made of, for example, transparent components with optical transparency. Specifically, the liquid tank 16 is configured such that the height of the liquid level 33 within the liquid tank 16 can be visually discerned through these two surfaces.

[0043] The liquid tank 16 is arranged inside the liquid injection device 10 at a position opposite to the front surface observation window 31. Specifically, the front surface observation window 31 of the liquid injection device 10 is located at a position corresponding to the front surface of the liquid tank 16 arranged in the liquid injection device. The user can visually identify the liquid level of the liquid 33 contained in the liquid tank 16 through the front surface observation window 31.

[0044] Furthermore, in the liquid injection device 10, a light-reflecting member 34, for example formed by a right-angle prism, is installed between the liquid tank 16 and the rear surface 12c of the liquid injection device 10. The light-reflecting member 34 is installed such that it is located on an extension of the line of sight when the user is looking through the upper surface observation window 32. In other words, the light-reflecting member 34 is positioned such that it covers the intersection of the line of sight through the front surface observation window 31 of the liquid injection device 10 and the line of sight through the upper surface observation window 32 of the liquid injection device 10.

[0045] By peering into the liquid jetting device 10 through the upper surface viewing window 32, the user can observe the surface (surface 38a) of the liquid tank 16 formed by the transparent component through the light-reflecting member 34. As a result, the user can also visually identify the liquid level of the liquid 33 by observing the liquid jetting device 10 through the upper surface viewing window 32.

[0046] As described above, this embodiment includes a visual recognition mechanism that allows the user to visually identify the liquid level in the liquid tank 16 from both the front and upper surfaces. As previously stated, the visual recognition mechanism includes a front surface viewing window 31, an upper surface viewing window 32, and a light-reflecting member 34. This visual recognition mechanism allows the user to observe the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid tank 16 from surfaces other than the front surface of the liquid injection device 10. In other words, the user can observe the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid tank 16 from two or more surfaces of the liquid injection device 10. Consequently, the user can observe the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid tank 16 without having to view the front surface of the liquid injection device 10 from its side.

[0047] Here, the surfaces 38a and 38b of the liquid tank 16 do not always need to be entirely formed of transparent components. Instead, at least a portion of each of the surfaces 38a and 38b needs to be formed of transparent components. For example, the area corresponding to the light-reflecting member 34 can be formed of a transparent component. Meanwhile, within the liquid injection device 10, spaces without shielding components are formed between the upper surface observation window 32 and the light-reflecting member 34, and between the surface 38a of the liquid tank 16 and the light-reflecting member 34. Each of the front surface observation window 31 and the upper surface observation window 32 can be a simple opening, or a light-transmitting transparent component can be fitted into such an opening. Meanwhile, the front surface observation window 31 can be integrated with the liquid tank 16.

[0048] Figure 5 Showing the direction Figure 4 The structure shown provides an example of a variable-angle reflector 39. (As shown) Figure 5 As shown, attaching the variable-angle reflector 39 to one of the four sides of the upper surface observation window 32 allows the user to visually identify the remaining amount of liquid 33 from directions other than from above. Depending on the position of the variable-angle reflector 39 attached to the four sides of the upper surface observation window 32, the user can also visually identify the remaining amount of liquid 33 from the right, left, or rear surface side. Furthermore, the angle of the variable-angle reflector 39 is adjustable, allowing the user to observe the remaining amount of liquid 33 by changing the angle while maintaining a comfortable viewing posture.

[0049] Figures 3 to 5 An example of setting up a front surface observation window 31 and an upper surface observation window 32 has been described. However, it is not necessary to provide a front surface observation window 31. Specifically, the liquid injection device 10 only needs to be configured such that the remaining amount of liquid 33 in the liquid tank 16 can be observed from a surface other than its front surface 12a.

[0050] <<Third Embodiment>>

[0051] The second embodiment has already described an example of a liquid jetting device provided with a light-reflecting member 34. This embodiment will describe an example in which a user can check the remaining liquid volume from two or more surfaces of the liquid jetting device 10 without using the light-reflecting member 34.

[0052] Figure 6 yes Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of the liquid injection device 10 in the middle, showing the liquid jetting along the path through... Figure 3 An example of a planar liquid jetting device 10 comprising a liquid tank 16, a front surface observation window 31, and an upper surface observation window 32. Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the liquid tank 16 in this embodiment is shown.

[0053] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, a predetermined volume of liquid 33 is contained in the liquid tank 16 of this embodiment. The liquid tank 16 can be arranged in the housing of the liquid injection device 10, and can be refilled with liquid from the outside while arranged in the housing. The liquid tank 16 also includes a perforated colored plate (hereinafter referred to as a partition member 35). In the liquid tank 16, the liquid 33 can move between the regions on both sides of the partition member 35 through the holes provided in the partition member 35. Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown, the partition member 35 is arranged with a predetermined gradient from the bottom surface of the liquid tank 16 relative to the direction of gravity (vertical direction). Figure 6 and Figure 7 In the example, the lower portion of the partition member 35 is located on the bottom surface of the front surface side of the liquid tank 16, while the upper portion of the partition member 35 is located on the upper surface of the middle portion between the front and rear surfaces of the liquid tank 16. Among the surfaces constituting the liquid tank 16, the surface 38a opposite to the front surface of the liquid injection device 10 and the surface 38c opposite to the upper surface of the liquid injection device 10 are formed by, for example, transparent components with optical transparency.

[0054] Figure 8A and Figure 8B This shows the liquid tank 16 as viewed from the front surface side and the top surface side. Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing the appearance of the liquid tank 16. Note that... Figure 8A and Figure 8B The appearance of liquid tank 16 is shown when viewed alone. When a user views liquid tank 16 from the front surface, the user can, based on, as... Figure 8A The remaining amount of liquid 33 contained in the liquid tank 16 can be visually identified through the observable area of ​​the partition member 35 shown. In other words, the user can visually identify the remaining amount of liquid 33 (the height of the liquid level) by observing the liquid tank 16 through the observation window 31 on the front surface of the liquid injection device 10 that contains the liquid tank 16.

[0055] Meanwhile, when the user observes the liquid tank 16 from the top surface, the user can, based on, such as Figure 8B The remaining amount of liquid 33 can be visually identified in the observable area of ​​the partition member 35 shown. In other words, by observing the liquid tank 16 from the observation window 32 on the upper surface of the liquid injection device 10 that contains the liquid tank 16, the user can also visually identify the remaining amount of liquid 33 (the height of the liquid level) from above.

[0056] Figure 9 The changes were shown Figure 6 An example of the gradient of the separating member 35 is shown. Figure 9As shown, the partition member 35 is installed in such a way that it passes through the intersection of the extension portion extending towards the liquid tank on the upper side of the front surface observation window 31 and the extension portion extending towards the liquid tank on the rear surface side of the upper surface observation window 32. As a result of installing the partition member 35 as described above, the same visually identifiable remaining quantity can be displayed regardless of which observation window the user is near.

[0057] Figure 10A and Figure 10B This shows the effect of observing from various viewing windows. Figure 9 A schematic diagram of the appearance of the liquid tank 16 in the case of the configuration shown. Figure 10A The appearance of the liquid tank 16 as viewed through the front surface viewing window 31 is shown, and Figure 10B The appearance of the liquid tank 16 as viewed through the observation window 32 on the upper surface is shown. For example... Figure 10A and Figure 10B As shown, the area of ​​the partition member 35 that can be observed when viewed from the front surface viewing window 31 is the same as the area of ​​the partition member 35 that can be observed when viewed from the top surface viewing window 32. This configuration is useful when the user is observing from both the front and top surfaces.

[0058] Figures 11A to 11C This is a schematic diagram illustrating various examples of a separating member. The separating member 35 only needs to allow liquid to communicate (pass through) between the separating regions. In this respect, the shape of the separating member 35 is not limited to... Figure 7 The shapes shown are as follows. For example... Figure 11A As shown, the separator 35 can be formed through a dispersing circular hole. The separator 35 can be formed by providing, for example... Figure 11B The linear hole shown is formed. The linear hole can also be used as an alternative to a scale. Alternatively, the separator 35 can have holes on its side surface, such as... Figure 11C As shown. This embodiment has described an example where the partition member 35 is formed as a straight plate. However, the partition member 35 is not limited to this configuration. The partition member 35 may be a plate formed as a step, or it may be a curved plate. Furthermore, the partition member 35 should be arranged in a manner that allows liquid to communicate between the areas separated by the partition member 35. In this case, the side surface of the partition member 35 need not contact the side surface of the liquid tank 16. In other words, the partition member 35 only needs to be a component that defines a space in which liquid can communicate between the separated areas.

[0059] at the same time, Figure 7An example has already been described in which the lower portion of the partition member 35 is located on the bottom surface of the front surface side of the liquid tank 16, while the upper portion of the partition member 35 is located on the upper surface of the middle portion between the front and rear surfaces of the liquid tank 16. However, the partition member 35 is not limited to this configuration. Specifically, the upper portion of the partition member 35 may be located on the upper surface of the front surface side of the liquid tank 16, while the lower portion of the partition member 35 may be located on the bottom surface of the middle portion between the front and rear surfaces of the liquid tank 16. In other words, the gradient of the partition member 35 can be reversed. Furthermore, the position of the partition member 35 within the liquid tank 16 can be appropriately changed according to the relationship between the front surface observation window 31 and the upper surface observation window 32. For example, if... Figure 9 Compared to the position shown, if the upper surface observation window 32 is formed closer to the rear surface by a predetermined distance, then the partition member 35 can also be set further away. Figure 9 The position shown is closer to the predetermined distance from the rear surface.

[0060] As described above, the visual recognition mechanism according to this embodiment includes a front surface observation window 31, an upper surface observation window 32, and a partition member 35 in the liquid tank 16. In this embodiment, the partition member 35, which is provided with holes, is disposed in the liquid tank 16. When the liquid tank 16 is observed from the front surface observation window 31 or the upper surface observation window 32 of the liquid injection device 10, the appearance of the partition member 35 changes according to the remaining amount of liquid 33. As a result, the user can visually identify the remaining amount (liquid level) in the liquid tank 16 based on the appearance of the partition member 35.

[0061] <<Other Embodiments>>

[0062] Each of the embodiments described above has illustrated that the liquid jetting device 10 is an example of a printing device. However, the liquid jetting device 10 is not limited to printing devices. These embodiments can be applied to any type of device, as long as the device is designed to allow the user to check the remaining liquid level and refill the device with liquid as needed.

[0063] Meanwhile, the second and third embodiments have described an example of installing one liquid tank in the liquid injection device 10. However, two or more liquid tanks can be installed alternatively. In this case, the respective liquid tanks are preferably arranged and installed such that the user can visually identify the remaining amount of the respective liquid from either the front surface observation window 31 or the upper surface observation window 32. Simultaneously, the gradient of the separating member 35 can be varied according to the amount of liquid contained in each of the liquid tanks.

[0064] 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 given the broadest interpretation to include all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1.A liquid ejection apparatus comprising: a housing including at least an upper surface and a plurality of side surfaces including a front surface; a plurality of liquid tanks arranged in the housing and each capable of being refilled with liquid from the outside; an operation panel arranged on at least one of the upper surface and the side surfaces; and a plurality of display units each corresponding to a respective one of the plurality of liquid tanks and each configured to indicate a remaining liquid amount in the respective liquid tank, the plurality of display units being arranged at a joining portion joining the upper surface of the housing to the front surface of the housing and formed by chamfering a peak defined by the upper surface and the front surface, wherein the display units corresponding to the plurality of liquid tanks, respectively, are arranged along an extension direction of the joining portion, and wherein the display units are configured such that a length of an indicator indicating a remaining liquid amount varies in the extension direction of the joining portion according to the remaining liquid amount. 2.The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display units corresponding to the plurality of liquid tanks, respectively, are arranged at the same joining portion. 3.The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a color corresponding to a color of liquid is used in the display units for indicating a remaining liquid amount. 4.The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display units are arranged at the joining portion to join the side surface to the upper surface, an operation unit for operating the liquid ejection apparatus is provided on the upper surface. 5.The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display units are gauges indicating a remaining amount by using light emission of an LED. 6.The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, in a state where the liquid tanks are arranged within the housing to eject liquid, the liquid tanks are not visible from the outside of the housing. wherein 7.The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, the housing does not have a window or an opening configured to make a remaining liquid amount in a liquid tank visible from the outside of the housing. wherein 8.The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, the joining portion is a region that is chamfered over an entire width of a front side of the housing. wherein ​

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