Tank and liquid consumption device

Abstract

The invention provides a tank and a liquid consumption device which can easily ensure the volume precision of a storage chamber for storing liquid. The tank (100) is provided with a wall defining a first storage chamber (111D), and an outlet (114) through which liquid flows out from the first storage chamber (111D). The wall has a lower wall (105), an upper wall (104), and a peripheral wall connecting the lower wall (105) and the upper wall (104). The inner surface (105A) of the lower wall (105) includes a flat surface (221) extending in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, and a convex surface (222) protruding downward from the flat surface (221). The outlet (114) is located in a convex space (222A) defined by the convex surface (222). One of the lower wall (105) and the upper wall (104) is integrally formed with the peripheral wall. The other of the lower wall (105) and the upper wall (104) is connected to the integrally formed wall in a liquid-tight manner while covering an opening formed in the integrally formed wall.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tank capable of storing liquid for supplying liquid to a liquid consuming portion, and a liquid consuming device provided with the tank. Background Art

[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a liquid ink tank for storing liquid ink for supplying liquid ink to a recording head. The liquid ink tank described in patent document 1 has a front wall, a right wall, a left wall, an upper wall, and a lower wall. The internal space of the liquid ink tank is divided by the front wall, the right wall, the left wall, the upper wall, and the lower wall. The rear surface of the liquid ink tank is open. The internal shape of the liquid ink tank is determined by a mold pulled backward from the open rear surface of the liquid ink tank. The rear surface of the liquid ink tank is sealed by welding a film to the rear end surfaces of the right wall, the left wall, the upper wall, and the lower wall. A plurality of partition walls extending in the front-to-back direction and the up-and-down direction are arranged in the internal space of the liquid ink tank at intervals in the left-to-right direction. Thus, a plurality of liquid ink chambers are divided in the internal space of the liquid ink tank.

[0003] The lower wall includes an upper wall, a lower wall located below the upper wall, and a connecting wall connecting the upper wall and the lower wall. The opening is located below the upper wall. The opening is connected to the print head through an ink outflow path.

[0004] Prior art literature

[0005] Patent Literature

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-508 Summary of the invention

[0007] Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] In the ink tank of Patent Document 1, since the internal shape of the ink tank is defined by a mold pulled backward from the open rear surface of the ink tank, the rear surface of the ink tank is sealed by a film. Therefore, there is a problem that the volume of the ink chamber is easily changed and the volume accuracy is easily reduced.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a tank and a liquid consuming device that are capable of easily ensuring the volume accuracy of a storage chamber for storing a liquid.

[0010] Means for solving problems

[0011] (1) The present disclosure relates to a tank. The tank includes: a wall defining a first storage chamber for storing a liquid; and an outflow port connected to the first storage chamber to allow the liquid to flow out of the first storage chamber. The wall includes: a lower wall extending in a direction intersecting the up-down direction; an upper wall located above the lower wall and extending in a direction intersecting the up-down direction; and a peripheral wall extending in the up-down direction to connect the lower wall and the upper wall. The lower wall includes an inner surface defining the first storage chamber, the inner surface including a plane extending in a direction intersecting the up-down direction and a convex surface protruding downward from the plane. The outflow port is located in a convex space defined by the convex surface. One of the lower wall and the upper wall is integrally formed with the peripheral wall. The other of the lower wall and the upper wall is liquid-tightly connected to the integrally formed wall in a state of covering an opening formed in the integrally formed wall.

[0012] The outflow port is located in a convex space defined by a convex surface protruding downward from a flat surface, so that the liquid is exhausted well. The other of the lower wall and the upper wall is connected to the integrally formed wall in a liquid-tight manner, so the necessity of using a film to define the first storage chamber in a direction intersecting the vertical direction is reduced. Therefore, it is easy to ensure the volume accuracy of the first storage chamber.

[0013] (2) The other of the lower wall and the upper wall may be connected to the integrally molded wall in a liquid-tight manner by welding.

[0014] The other of the lower wall and the upper wall can be easily connected to the integrally formed wall in a liquid-tight manner.

[0015] (3) Alternatively, the peripheral wall may include a front wall defining the front end of the first storage chamber. Alternatively, the front wall may include: a first mark indicating that the liquid level of the first storage chamber is at a first position; and a second mark indicating that the liquid level of the first storage chamber is at a second position below the first position. Alternatively, the other of the lower wall and the upper wall may be liquid-tightly connected to the integrally formed wall at a position other than between the first mark and the second mark in the vertical direction.

[0016] Compared with a case where the other of the lower wall and the upper wall is fluid-tightly connected between the first mark and the second mark, the distance error between the first mark and the second mark is suppressed, so the positional accuracy of the first mark and the second mark can be ensured.

[0017] (4) Alternatively, the upper wall and the peripheral wall may be integrally formed. Alternatively, the tank may include an inlet that penetrates the integrally formed wall and is used to inject liquid. Alternatively, the lower wall and the integrally formed wall may be connected to each other in a liquid-tight manner.

[0018] Since the injection port for liquid injection is provided in the wall formed integrally with the upper wall and the peripheral wall, the strength of the wall defining the first storage chamber is ensured compared to a case where the injection port is provided in the upper wall not formed integrally with the peripheral wall.

[0019] (5) The lower wall may be connected to the integrally formed wall in a liquid-tight manner at a position below the second mark.

[0020] The required strength of the portion of the wall defining the first storage chamber below the position of the second mark is lower than the required strength of the portion of the wall defining the first storage chamber above the position of the first mark. Therefore, compared with the case where the lower wall is liquid-tightly connected to the integrally formed wall above the second mark, the strength of the wall defining the first storage chamber can be effectively improved.

[0021] (6) The outflow port may be located in the convex space without being in contact with the convex surface.

[0022] It is difficult for the foam of the liquid adhering to the convex surface to enter the outflow port.

[0023] (7) The tank may include: an opening penetrating the upper wall and connected to a liquid consumption portion for consuming the liquid; and an outflow pipe connected to the opening and extending downwardly so that the liquid flows out from the first storage chamber to the liquid consumption portion through the outflow port at the lower end and the opening.

[0024] The liquid in the first storage chamber flows out to the liquid consumption part through the outflow pipe connected to the opening located in the upper wall. Therefore, compared with the case where the outflow path extends from the outflow port in a direction intersecting the up-down direction and extending upward, the outflow path is short. There is no need to define the outflow path using a film attached to the outer surface of the tank. Therefore, liquid ink leakage caused by damage to the film does not occur. Since there is no risk of damage to the film, it is easy to ensure the strength of the tank.

[0025] (8) A cross-sectional area of ​​a lower portion of the outflow pipe cut along a horizontal plane may be smaller than a cross-sectional area of ​​an upper portion of the outflow pipe cut along a horizontal plane.

[0026] While ensuring the drawability of the mold, it is difficult for liquid foam to enter the outflow pipe through the outflow port.

[0027] (9) The flat surface may be inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction so as to extend downward toward the convex surface.

[0028] Since the liquid is easily collected in the convex space defined by the convex surface, the exhaustibility of the ink is improved.

[0029] (10) The tank may include a second storage chamber for storing liquid. The peripheral wall may include a partition wall that partitions the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber in a left-right direction orthogonal to the up-down direction.

[0030] Since the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are separated in the left-right direction by the partition wall, the tank can be miniaturized compared to a case where the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are provided with a gap in the left-right direction.

[0031] (11) Alternatively, the tank may include a first sensor for detecting the liquid level of the liquid stored in the first storage chamber. Alternatively, the first sensor may include: a light projecting unit for projecting light; and a light receiving unit for outputting a first signal when not receiving the light projected by the light projecting unit, and outputting a second signal when receiving the light projected by the light projecting unit. Alternatively, the light projecting unit may be covered by a first cover made of silicon. Alternatively, the light receiving unit may be covered by a second cover made of silicon.

[0032] When the liquid level in the first storage chamber drops, liquid is less likely to remain on the path of light at the facing surface of the first cover and the second cover, so the detection accuracy of the first sensor is improved.

[0033] (12) Alternatively, the lower wall may include: a first receiving portion, which protrudes upward from the lower end of the lower wall; and a second receiving portion, which protrudes upward from the lower end of the lower wall and is opposite to the first receiving portion. Alternatively, the light-emitting portion may be located in a first receiving space defined by the first receiving portion. Alternatively, the light-receiving portion may be located in a second receiving space defined by the second receiving portion. Alternatively, the first cover may cover the outer surface of the first receiving portion. Alternatively, the second cover may cover the outer surface of the second receiving portion.

[0034] The user can place the light projecting unit in the first receiving space by inserting the light projecting unit into the first receiving space from below the lower wall. The user can place the light receiving unit in the second receiving space by inserting the light receiving unit into the second receiving space from below the lower wall. Therefore, the sensor can be easily installed.

[0035] (13) The tank may include a second sensor for detecting a liquid level of the liquid stored in the first storage chamber. The sensor may include a rotating member having a float and a detected portion and rotatably disposed in the first storage chamber.

[0036] The rotating member rotates by the buoyancy of the float generated by the residual amount of liquid in the storage chamber. Therefore, the detection position of the second sensor can be arranged at a position higher than the liquid level in the storage chamber, and the components of the second sensor such as the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit can be arranged at a position higher than the detection position of the second sensor. Therefore, it is easy to effectively use the space around the detection position in the first storage chamber.

[0037] (14) Alternatively, the tank may include a first sensor for detecting the liquid level of the liquid stored in the first storage chamber. Alternatively, the first sensor may include: a light-emitting unit for projecting light; and a light-receiving unit for outputting a first signal when not receiving the light projected by the light-emitting unit, and outputting a second signal when receiving the light projected by the light-emitting unit. Alternatively, the peripheral wall may include a front wall defining the front end of the first storage chamber. Alternatively, the front wall may include a visual confirmation surface for visually confirming the first storage chamber from the front. Alternatively, the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit may be covered by a light-shielding unit for shielding light.

[0038] The light projected from the light projecting portion is shielded by the light shielding portion, thereby preventing the user from perceiving the light projected from the light projecting portion through the visual confirmation surface.

[0039] (15) The present disclosure relates to a tank. The tank includes: a lower wall defining the lower end of a first storage chamber for storing liquid; an upper wall defining the upper end of the first storage chamber; and an outflow path for allowing liquid to flow out from the first storage chamber to the outside, the outflow path including: an outflow port connected to the first storage chamber; and an opening connected to the outside. The lower wall has an inner surface defining the first storage chamber, the inner surface including a plane extending in a direction intersecting the up-down direction and a convex surface protruding downward from the plane. Alternatively, the outflow path may be a tube extending downward in the first storage chamber from the opening penetrating the upper wall to the outflow port located in a convex space defined by the convex surface.

[0040] The outflow port is located in a convex space defined by a convex surface protruding downward from a flat surface, so that the liquid is easily exhausted. Since the outflow path is a tube extending downward in the first storage chamber from the opening penetrating the upper wall to the outflow port located in the convex space defined by the convex surface, the outflow path is shorter than when the outflow path extends from the outflow port in a direction intersecting the up-down direction and extends upward on the outer surface of the tank. There is no need to define the outflow path using a film adhered to the outer surface of the tank. Therefore, liquid ink leakage caused by damage to the film does not occur. Since there is no risk of damage to the film, it is easy to ensure the strength of the tank.

[0041] (16) The present disclosure relates to a tank. The tank includes: an upper wall defining an upper end of a first storage chamber for storing liquid; a lower wall located below the upper wall and defining a lower end of the first storage chamber; a peripheral wall defining an end of the first storage chamber in a direction intersecting the vertical direction; and an injection port penetrating the upper wall for injection of liquid. The upper wall is integrally formed with the peripheral wall. The lower wall is liquid-tightly connected to a wall integrally formed with the upper wall and the peripheral wall.

[0042] The lower wall is connected to the wall formed by integrally forming the upper wall and the peripheral wall in a liquid-tight manner, so the necessity of using a film to define the first storage chamber in a direction intersecting the vertical direction is reduced. Therefore, it is easy to ensure the volume accuracy of the first storage chamber. The injection port for liquid injection is provided in the upper wall of the wall formed by integrally forming the upper wall and the peripheral wall, so it is easy to ensure the strength of the wall defining the first storage chamber compared to the case where the injection port is provided in the upper wall that is not integrally formed with the peripheral wall.

[0043] (17) The present disclosure relates to a liquid consumption device. The liquid consumption device includes a housing, the tank disposed in an internal space of the housing, and the liquid consumption unit located behind the tank. The outflow port is located in front of the first storage chamber.

[0044] For example, when the liquid consumption device is transported, in order to effectively utilize the space, the rear part of the liquid consumption device is sometimes in a position where it comes down. In this case, since the liquid consumption part comes down the tank, the liquid in the storage chamber is likely to leak from the liquid consumption part through the outflow port of the outflow pipe. In the above structure, since the outflow port is located at the front side of the storage chamber, even if the rear part of the liquid consumption device comes down, the outflow port is likely to go to a position above the liquid level of the liquid in the storage chamber. Therefore, it is difficult for the liquid in the storage chamber to flow out from the outflow port through the outflow pipe to the liquid consumption part, thereby suppressing the leakage of the liquid from the liquid consumption part.

[0045] (18) The outflow port may be located on the front side of the convex space.

[0046] Since the gap between the outflow port and the front surface of the convex surface becomes smaller, it is difficult for the foam of the liquid to enter the gap when the rear portion of the liquid consumption device is in a downward position. Therefore, it is difficult for the foam to adhere to the outflow port. Even if the foam adheres to the outflow port, the foam is easy to fall from the outflow port.

[0047] (19) The present disclosure relates to a liquid consumption device. The liquid consumption device includes: a housing; the tank located on one side of the interior space of the housing in a left-right direction orthogonal to the up-down direction; and the liquid consumption unit located on the side of the interior space of the housing in the left-right direction opposite to the one side. The outflow port is located on the one side of the left-right direction in the first storage chamber.

[0048] For example, when the liquid consumption device is transported, in order to effectively utilize the space, the left or right part of the liquid consumption device is sometimes in a position where the left or right part comes down. In this case, since the liquid consumption part comes down from the tank, the liquid in the storage chamber is easily leaked from the liquid consumption part through the outflow port of the outflow pipe. In the above structure, since the outflow port is located on one side in the left-right direction in the storage chamber, even if the left or right part of the liquid consumption device is in a position where the left or right part comes down, the outflow port is easy to go to a position above the liquid level of the liquid in the storage chamber. Therefore, it is difficult for the liquid in the storage chamber to flow out from the outflow port through the outflow pipe to the liquid consumption part, thereby suppressing the leakage of the liquid from the liquid consumption part.

[0049] Effects of the Invention

[0050] According to the present invention, it is easy to ensure the volume accuracy of the storage chamber for storing liquid in the tank. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] Figure 1 It is a perspective view of the appearance of the multifunction peripheral 10 .

[0052] Figure 2 It is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer unit 11 .

[0053] Figure 3 It is a plan view showing the arrangement of the carriage 23 and the ink tank 100 .

[0054] Figure 4 It is a three-dimensional view of the liquid ink tank assembly 51.

[0055] Figure 5 It is a perspective view of the liquid ink tank 100 .

[0056] Figure 6 It is a longitudinal sectional view of the liquid ink tank assembly 51 cut along a plane including the liquid ink chamber 111D.

[0057] Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the liquid ink bottle 80 .

[0058] Figure 8 This is a longitudinal sectional view obtained by cutting along a plane including the ink chamber 111A in a state where the ink bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank assembly 51 .

[0059] Fig. 9 This is a cross-sectional view showing four ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D obtained by cutting a portion of the ink tank 100 above the bottom wall 105 along a horizontal plane.

[0060] Fig.10 This is a perspective view of the ink tank 100 as viewed diagonally from below.

[0061] Fig.11 It is a perspective view in which a part of the lower wall 105 is enlarged.

[0062] Fig.12 It is a perspective view showing a state where the sensor 311 is installed.

[0063] Fig.13 This is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the rear portion of the multifunction peripheral 10 is in a downward position.

[0064] Fig.14 This is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the left portion of the multifunction peripheral 10 is in a downward position.

[0065] Fig.15 1 is a schematic diagram showing that the lower wall 105 is fluid-tightly connected to the integrally formed wall 511 .

[0066] Fig.16 This is a diagram showing that the upper wall 104 is fluid-tightly connected to the integrally formed wall 511 .

[0067] Fig.17 It is a perspective view showing the sensor 318 .

[0068] Fig.18 This is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink tank assembly 51 of the modified example cut along a plane including the ink chamber 111D. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] The following describes an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the embodiment described below is only an example of the present invention, and the embodiment of the present invention can of course be appropriately changed within the scope of not changing the main purpose of the present invention. In addition, in the following description, a direction from the starting point of a single arrow toward the end point is expressed as a direction, and the two directions of a double arrow are expressed as directions. That is, the direction is a component of a direction. Upward and downward are respectively a component of the up and down directions, and are opposite directions to each other. Leftward and rightward are respectively a component of the left and right directions, and are opposite directions to each other. Forward and backward are respectively a component of the front and back directions, and are opposite directions to each other. In addition, in the present embodiment, the up and down direction is equivalent to the gravity direction, and the front and back direction and the left and right direction are equivalent to the horizontal direction.

[0070] The up-down direction is defined based on the state or posture in which the multifunction device 10 is set to be usable, the front-rear direction is defined based on the side of the multifunction device 10 provided with the opening 13 as the front side, and the left-right direction is defined by observing the multifunction device 10 from the front side. Figure 1 The state is sometimes expressed as "in-use state". Figure 1 The posture is sometimes referred to as a “use posture.” The front side of the multifunction peripheral 10 where the opening 13 is provided is the front surface.

[0071] [Overall Structure of the Multifunction Device 10]

[0072] like Figure 1 As shown, the multifunction machine 10 has a substantially rectangular housing 8. The multifunction machine 10 has a scanning unit 9 and a printer unit 11 in the internal space of the housing 8. The scanning unit 9 is located at the upper part of the internal space of the housing 8. The scanning unit 9 has a scanning function. The printer unit 11 is located below the scanning unit 9 in the internal space of the housing 8. The printer unit 11 has a printing function. The printer unit 11 uses an inkjet recording method to record in Figure 2 The image is recorded on the paper 12 shown. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the printer unit 11 includes a feed unit 15, a feed tray 20, a discharge tray 21, a conveying path 65, a conveying roller unit 54, a recording unit 24, a discharge roller unit 55, a platen 42, and an ink tank assembly 51. The multifunction device 10 is an example of a liquid consuming device. In addition, the multifunction device 10 may omit the scanner unit 9.

[0073] [Feed tray 20, discharge tray 21]

[0074] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the opening 13 is located at the center of the left-right direction on the front surface of the multifunction device 10. The feed tray 20 moves in the front-rear direction through the opening 13 by the user's operation. Figure 2 As shown, the feed tray 20 supports a plurality of stacked sheets of paper 12. The discharge tray 21 is located above the feed tray 20. The discharge tray 21 moves in the front-rear direction together with the feed tray 20. The discharge tray 21 supports the sheets of paper 12 discharged by the discharge roller unit 55.

[0075] [Feeding section 15]

[0076] The feeding unit 15 feeds the paper 12 supported by the feeding tray 20 to the conveying path 65. Figure 2 As shown, the feed unit 15 includes a feed roller 25, a feed arm 26, and a shaft 27. The feed roller 25 is rotatably supported at the front end portion of the feed arm 26. The feed roller 25 is driven by a conveying motor (not shown) and rotates in a direction for conveying the paper 12 in the conveying direction 16. Hereinafter, the rotation of the feed roller 25, the conveying roller 60, and the discharge roller 62 in the direction for conveying the paper 12 in the conveying direction 16 will be referred to as "positive rotation". The feed arm 26 is rotatably supported by a shaft 27 supported by a frame of the printer unit 11. The feed arm 26 is urged by its own weight or elastic force generated by a spring or the like to rotate toward the feed tray 20 side.

[0077] [Conveying path 65]

[0078] like Figure 2As shown in FIG. 1 , the conveying path 65 is, for example, a space defined by the outer guide member 18 and the inner guide member 19 that are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval. The conveying path 65 extends from the rear end of the feed tray 20 to the rear of the printer unit 11. The conveying path 65 extends from the bottom to the top behind the printer unit 11 and makes a U-turn, passes through the space between the recording unit 24 and the platen 42, and reaches the discharge tray 21. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the conveying path 65 between the conveying roller portion 54 and the discharge roller portion 55 is located substantially in the center of the multifunction device 10 in the left-right direction and extends in the front-back direction. The conveying direction 16 of the paper 12 in the conveying path 65 is Figure 2 Indicated by a single-dot dash arrow.

[0079] [Conveyor Roller Section 54]

[0080] like Figure 2 As shown, the conveying roller portion 54 is located at a position upstream of the recording portion 24 in the conveying direction 16. The conveying roller portion 54 includes a conveying roller 60 and a pinch roller 61. The conveying roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 are opposed to each other in the up-down direction. The conveying roller 60 is driven by the conveying motor to rotate. The pinch roller 61 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the conveying roller 60. When the conveying roller 60 rotates forwardly due to the forward rotation of the conveying motor, the paper 12 is clamped by the conveying roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 and conveyed in the conveying direction 16.

[0081] [Discharge Roller Section 55]

[0082] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , the discharge roller section 55 is located downstream of the recording section 24 in the conveying direction 16. The discharge roller section 55 includes a discharge roller 62 and a toothed disc 63. The discharge roller 62 and the toothed disc 63 are opposed to each other in the up-down direction. The discharge roller 62 is driven by the conveying motor to rotate. The toothed disc 63 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the discharge roller 62. When the discharge roller 62 rotates forwardly due to the forward rotation of the conveying motor, the paper 12 is sandwiched by the discharge roller 62 and the toothed disc 63 and conveyed in the conveying direction 16.

[0083] [Recording Department 24]

[0084] like Figure 2 As shown, the recording unit 24 is located between the conveying roller unit 54 and the discharge roller unit 55 in the conveying direction 16. The recording unit 24 is vertically opposed to the platen 42 across the conveying path 65. The recording unit 24 is located vertically above the conveying path 65. The recording unit 24 includes a carriage 23 and a recording head 39.

[0085] like Figure 3As shown, the carriage 23 is supported by guide rails 43 and 44. The guide rails 43 and 44 are supported by the frame of the printer unit 11. The guide rails 43 and 44 are separated in the front-rear direction and extend in the left-right direction respectively. The guide rails 43 and 44 reach the outer side of the conveying path 65 in the left-right direction. The carriage 23 is connected to a known belt mechanism provided on the guide rail 44. The belt mechanism is driven to rotate by a carriage motor (not shown). When the belt mechanism rotates, the carriage 23 moves in the left-right direction. The movement range of the carriage 23 is Figure 3 The carriage 23 moves to the right and left of the conveyance path 65 in the left-right direction.

[0086] The liquid ink tank 100 and the recording head 39 are connected via a liquid ink tube 32. A control substrate on which a control unit (not shown) is mounted and the recording head 39 are electrically connected via a flexible flat cable 33. The liquid ink tube 32 and the flexible flat cable 33 extend from the carriage 23, respectively. The liquid ink tube 32 supplies the liquid ink stored in the liquid ink tank 100 to the recording head 39. The flexible flat cable 33 transmits a control signal output from the control unit to the recording head 39.

[0087] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 As shown, the carriage 23 carries a recording head 39. The recording head 39 can move in the left-right direction between the standby position P1 and the maintenance position P2 by the movement of the carriage 23. The standby position P1 is located to the left of the conveying path 65. The left is an example of a side opposite to one side in the left-right direction. The maintenance position P2 is located to the right of the conveying path 65. A plurality of nozzles 40 are located on the lower surface of the recording head 39. The recording head 39 ejects liquid ink as tiny liquid ink droplets from the nozzles 40. During the movement of the carriage 23, the recording head 39 ejects liquid ink droplets onto the paper 12 supported by the platen 42. Thereby, an image is recorded on the paper 12. The recording head 39 is an example of a liquid consumption unit.

[0088] [Pressing plate 42]

[0089] like Figure 2 as well as Figure 3 As shown, the platen 42 is located between the transport roller unit 54 and the discharge roller unit 55 in the transport direction 16. The platen 42 is opposed to the recording unit 24 in the vertical direction. The platen 42 supports the paper 12 transported by the transport roller unit 54 from below.

[0090] [Liquid ink tank assembly 51]

[0091] like Figure 4 as well as Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the liquid ink tank assembly 51 includes a liquid ink tank 100, a tank cover 110, and a tank lid 127. The liquid ink tank 100 is an example of a tank. Figure 4 In the embodiment, the can cover 127 is omitted. Figure 1 As shown, the liquid ink tank assembly 51 is located inside the multifunction machine 10. The liquid ink tank assembly 51 is fixed to the multifunction machine 10 in a manner that the user cannot easily remove it from the multifunction machine 10. The opening is located on the front surface of the housing 8 of the multifunction machine 10 and is located at the right end in the left-right direction. The liquid ink tank assembly 51 is located behind the opening of the housing 8. In other words, the liquid ink tank assembly 51 is located in the internal space of the housing 8 at a position to the right of the center in the left-right direction. The right is an example of one side in the left-right direction.

[0092] The cover 70 is provided on the housing 8 so as to be located in front of the opening of the housing 8. The cover 70 is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction at the lower end side in the vertical direction. Figure 1 The cover 70 is rotated from the covering position shown to the exposed position where the opening of the housing 8 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10. That is, the cover 70 can be moved from the covering position of the ink tank assembly 51 to the exposed position. Figure 1 The covering position shown is rotated to an exposed position where the liquid ink tank assembly 51 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction machine 10. The cover 70 has an opening. Even when the cover 70 is in the covering position, a portion of the liquid ink tank assembly 51 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction machine 10 through the opening of the cover 70. In addition, the fact that a portion of the liquid ink tank assembly 51 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction machine 10 through the opening of the cover 70 means that a user can visually confirm at least a portion of the liquid ink tank assembly 51 from the outside of the multifunction machine 10 through the opening of the cover 70, and does not mean that a portion of the liquid ink tank assembly 51 protrudes to the outside of the multifunction machine 10 through the opening of the cover 70.

[0093] like Figure 6 , Fig. 9 As shown, the liquid ink tank 100 has four liquid ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D inside. The four liquid ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D are arranged in order from left to right along the left-right direction. The three liquid ink chambers 111A, 111B, and 111C store any one of the liquid inks of different colors, yellow, cyan, and magenta. The liquid ink chamber 111D stores black liquid ink. Liquid ink is an example of a liquid. In addition, as types of liquid ink, for example, pigment liquid ink containing a pigment and dye liquid ink containing a dye can be listed. In addition, each liquid ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D can also store a cleaning liquid containing water instead of liquid ink. The cleaning liquid is an example of a liquid.

[0094] like Figure 4 , Figure 5 , Fig. 9As shown, the shape of the liquid ink tank 100 is roughly a rectangular parallelepiped. The liquid ink tank 100 has a front wall 101, a right wall 102, a left wall 103, an upper wall 104, a lower wall 105, a rear wall 106, and four partition walls 131, 132, 133, 134. The front wall 101, the right wall 102, the left wall 103, the upper wall 104, the rear wall 106, and the four partition walls 131, 132, 133, 134 are integrally formed by, for example, injection molding a resin material. Fig.15 As shown in FIG. 1 , the wall 511 integrally formed by injection molding opens downward. The lower wall 105 is a molded product different from the wall 511 integrally formed by injection molding. In addition, the lower wall 105 is molded from the same resin material as the wall 511 integrally formed.

[0095] The lower wall 105 is welded to the lower end of the integrally formed wall 511 while covering the opening 512 of the integrally formed wall 511. Thus, the lower wall 105 is liquid-tightly connected to the lower end of the integrally formed wall 511. Examples of welding include heat welding by applying heat from the outside, high-frequency welding and ultrasonic welding by heating using high frequency or ultrasonic waves, and laser welding by heating using the heat of a laser.

[0096] The front wall 101, the right wall 102, the left wall 103, the upper wall 104, and the rear wall 106 have light transmittance to the extent that the liquid level of the liquid ink inside can be visually confirmed from the outside of the liquid ink tank 100. The front surface 101B of the front wall 101 has a visual confirmation surface 233 that allows the four liquid ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D to be visually confirmed from the front.

[0097] The three partition walls 131, 132, 133 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. Each partition wall 131, 132, 133 is in the shape of a flat plate extending in the front-back direction and the up-down direction. The partition wall 131 is arranged at intervals on the right side of the left wall 103. The partition wall 132 is arranged at intervals on the right side of the partition wall 131. The partition wall 133 is arranged at intervals on the right side of the partition wall 132. The front end of each partition wall 131, 132, 133 is connected to the rear surface of the front wall 101. The upper end of each partition wall 131, 132, 133 is connected to the lower surface of the upper wall 104. The lower end of each partition wall 131, 132, 133 is connected to the upper surface of the lower wall 105.

[0098] The partition wall 134 is located behind the three partition walls 131, 132, and 133. The partition wall 134 is a flat plate extending in the up-down direction and the left-right direction. The rear ends of the three partition walls 131, 132, and 133 are connected to the front surface of the partition wall 134. The partition wall 134 is connected to the right surface of the left wall 103 from the rear end of the partition wall 133.

[0099] The ink chamber 111A is partitioned by the rear surface of the front wall 101 , the right surface of the left wall 103 , the lower surface of the upper wall 104 , the upper surface 105A of the lower wall 105 , the left surface of the partition wall 131 , and the front surface of the partition wall 134 .

[0100] The ink chamber 111A has a bias chamber 141A. The bias chamber 141A is located forward of the center of the ink chamber 111A in the front-rear direction. The center A1 of the bias chamber 141A in the left-right direction is bent to the right into a concave shape by the front part of the left wall 103 and the front part of the partition wall 131, thereby being offset to the right compared to the center A2 of the ink chamber 111A in the left-right direction.

[0101] The ink chamber 111B is partitioned by the rear surface of the front wall 101 , the lower surface of the upper wall 104 , the upper surface of the lower wall 105 , the right surface of the partition wall 131 , the left surface of the partition wall 132 , and the front surface of the partition wall 134 .

[0102] The ink chamber 111B has a bias chamber 141B. The bias chamber 141B is located forward of the center of the ink chamber 111B in the front-rear direction. The center A3 of the bias chamber 141B in the left-right direction is bent to the right into a concave shape by the front part of the partition wall 131 and the front part of the partition wall 132, thereby being offset to the right compared to the center A4 in the left-right direction of the ink chamber 111B.

[0103] The ink chamber 111C is partitioned by the rear surface of the front wall 101, the lower surface of the upper wall 104, the upper surface of the lower wall 105, the right surface of the partition wall 132, the left surface of the partition wall 133, and the front surface of the partition wall 134. The ink chamber 111C is an example of a second storage chamber.

[0104] The ink chamber 111C has a bias chamber 141C. The bias chamber 141C is located forward of the center of the ink chamber 111C in the front-rear direction. The center A5 of the bias chamber 141C in the left-right direction is bent to the right into a concave shape by the front part of the partition wall 132 and the front part of the partition wall 133, thereby being offset to the right compared to the center A6 of the ink chamber 111C in the left-right direction.

[0105] The liquid ink chamber 111D is divided by the rear surface of the front wall 101, the left surface of the right wall 102, the lower surface of the upper wall 104, the upper surface of the lower wall 105, the front surface of the rear wall 106, the right surface of the partition wall 133, and the rear surface of the partition wall 134. The liquid ink chamber 111D is an L-shaped extending backward from the rear surface of the front wall 101 and bending to the left. The rear side of the liquid ink chamber 111D is located behind the three liquid ink chambers 111A, 111B, and 111C. The volume of the liquid ink chamber 111D is larger than the volume of each liquid ink chamber 111A, 111B, and 111C. The liquid ink chamber 111D is an example of a first storage chamber. The front wall 101, the right wall 102, the upper wall 104, the lower wall 105, the rear wall 106, the partition wall 133, and the partition wall 134 are examples of walls. The front wall 101, the right wall 102, the rear wall 106, the partition wall 133, and the partition wall 134 are examples of peripheral walls. The partition wall 133 is an example of a partition wall. In addition, the front wall 101, the right wall 102, the rear wall 106, the partition wall 133, and the partition wall 134 may not be completely parallel to the up-down direction.

[0106] The ink chamber 111D has an offset chamber 141D. The offset chamber 141D is located forward of the center of the ink chamber 111D in the front-rear direction. The center A7 of the offset chamber 141D in the left-right direction is bent to the right in a concave shape by the front part of the partition wall 133, thereby being offset to the right compared to the center A8 of the ink chamber 111D in the left-right direction.

[0107] The upper surface 105A of the lower wall 105 in each of the liquid ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D includes a plane 221 extending in the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction and a convex surface 222 protruding downward from the plane 221. Each convex surface 222 defines a convex space 222A that is substantially rectangular and long in the front-to-back direction. Each convex space 222A extends rearward from the approximate center in the front-to-back direction of each bias chamber 141A, 141B, 141C, and 141D to the approximate center in the front-to-back direction of each liquid ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D. Each convex space 222A is located at the center A1, A3, A5, and A7 in the left-to-right direction of each bias chamber 141A, 141B, 141C, and 141D.

[0108] The plane 221 has an inclined surface 221A provided from the approximate center of the front-to-back direction of the four convex spaces 222A to the front surface of the rear wall 106. The inclined surface 221A is provided from the right surface of the left wall 103 to the left surface of the right wall 102. The inclined surface 221A is inclined relative to the front-to-back direction in a manner that it is directed downward as it is directed forward. Thus, the liquid ink stored in each liquid ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D is easily concentrated in each convex space 222A. The upper surface 105A of the lower wall 105 is an example of the inner surface of the lower wall.

[0109] like Fig. 9 , Fig.10 , Fig.11 As shown, the front housing portion 225 and the rear housing portion 226 are located at the rear of the offset chamber 141D. The rear housing portion 226 is arranged at a distance from the front housing portion 225 to the rear. The rear housing portion 226 is opposite to the front housing portion 225 in the front-to-back direction. The front housing portion 225 and the rear housing portion 226 protrude upward from the lower end of the lower wall 105, respectively, thereby dividing a roughly cubic front housing space 225A and a rear housing space 226A. The front housing portion 225 and the rear housing portion 226 are open downward. The outer surface of the front housing portion 225 is entirely covered by a front cover 227. The front cover 227 is made of silicon. The outer surface of the rear housing portion 226 is entirely covered by a rear cover 228. The rear cover 228 is made of silicon. The front housing portion 225 is an example of a first housing portion. The front housing space 225A is an example of a first housing space. The front cover 227 is an example of a first cover. The rear storage portion 226 is an example of a second storage portion. The rear storage space 226A is an example of a second storage space. The rear cover 228 is an example of a second cover.

[0110] like Figure 6 , Fig. 9 , Fig.12 As shown, the sensor 311 is located at the rear of the bias chamber 141D. The sensor 311 detects the position of the liquid surface of the liquid ink in the liquid ink chamber 111D. The sensor 311 has a light projecting portion 311A ​​and a light receiving portion 311B. The light projecting portion 311A ​​is arranged in the front receiving space 225A by being inserted into the front receiving space 225A from below the lower wall 105. The light receiving portion 311B is arranged in the rear receiving space 226A by being inserted into the rear receiving space 226A from below the lower wall 105. The light projecting portion 311A ​​and the light receiving portion 311B are fixed to a flat substrate 313, and the substrate 313 is fixed to a protrusion 312 protruding downward from the lower wall 105. Thus, the light projecting portion 311A ​​and the light receiving portion 311B are respectively held in the front receiving space 225A and the rear receiving space 226A.

[0111] The light projecting section 311A ​​projects light backward toward the light receiving section 311B. When the liquid level of the liquid ink chamber 111D is located at a position higher than the optical path of the light projected from the light projecting section 311A ​​to the light receiving section 311B, the light projected from the light projecting section 311A ​​passes through the front receiving section 225 and the front cover 227 backward, then passes through the liquid ink backward and reaches the rear receiving section 226. The light reaching the rear receiving section 226 passes through the rear cover 228 and the rear receiving section 226 backward and is received by the light receiving section 311B. On the other hand, when the liquid level of the liquid ink chamber 111D is located at a position lower than the optical path of the light projected from the light projecting section 311A ​​to the light receiving section 311B, the light projected from the light projecting section 311A ​​is refracted at the front cover 227 and does not reach the light receiving section 311B.

[0112] The light receiving unit 311B can receive the light projected from the light projecting unit 311A. When the light receiving unit 311B receives the light projected from the light projecting unit 311A, it outputs a detection signal to the controller. The sensor 311 is an example of a first sensor. The detection signal is an example of a second signal. When the light receiving unit 311B does not receive the light projected from the light projecting unit 311A, it outputs a non-detection signal to the controller. The non-detection signal is an example of a first signal.

[0113] like Figure 5 As shown, the front surface 101B of the front wall 101 has four upper marks 181 and four lower marks 182. The four upper marks 181 and the four lower marks 182 are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. The four upper marks 181 are located above the middle part of the front surface 101B in the up-down direction. The four upper marks 181 are located in the upper part of the front surface 101B. The four upper marks 181 are located below the upper end of the front surface 101B. Each upper mark 181 has an upper line 181A extending in the left-right direction and an upper arrow 181B located on the lower side of the upper line 181A. The vertex of the upper arrow 181B is located in the center of the upper line 181A in the left-right direction. The left-right position of each upper mark 181 is consistent in each liquid ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D. Each upper mark 181 indicates that when there is a liquid surface at the position of the upper line 181A, the liquid ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D are full of liquid ink. The upper mark 181 is an example of a first mark. The position of the upper line 181A is an example of a first position. In addition, the upper mark 181 may be a mark consisting of only one of the upper line 181A and the upper arrow 181B.

[0114] The four lower marks 182 are located at a position lower than the middle part in the up-down direction of the front surface 101B. The four lower marks 182 are located at the lower part of the front surface 101B. The four lower marks 182 are located at a position higher than the lower end of the front surface 101B. Among the four lower marks 182, each lower mark 182 has a lower line 182A extending in the left-right direction and a lower arrow 182B located on the upper side of the lower line 182A. The vertex of the lower arrow 182B is located at the center of the left-right direction of the lower line 182A. The left-right position of each lower mark 182 is consistent in each liquid ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D. Each lower mark 182 indicates that when there is a liquid level at the position of the lower line 182A, it is necessary to replenish the liquid ink to each liquid ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D. The lower mark 182 is an example of a second mark. The position of the lower line 182A is an example of the second position. In addition, the lower mark 182 may be a mark consisting of only one of the lower line 182A and the lower arrow 182B. In addition, the four upper marks 181 and the four lower marks 182 may be integrally formed with the front surface 101B, or may be affixed to the front surface 101B as a sticker.

[0115] The upper surface of the upper wall 104 is composed of a plurality of surfaces extending in the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction. The upper wall 104 has an atmosphere communication port 112 that connects each liquid ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D to the outside. Each atmosphere communication port 112 penetrates the upper wall 104 in the up-down direction. The upper surface of the upper wall 104 has an inclined surface 104A. The inclined surface 104A is located at the front end portion of the upper surface of the upper wall 104. The inclined surface 104A is inclined relative to the front-to-back direction in a manner that extends downward as it approaches the front. The inclined surface 104A is arranged from the left end to the right end of the liquid ink tank 100.

[0116] The upper wall 104 has four openings 113 that connect the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D to the outside. The four openings 113 are located in front of the air communication port 112. The four openings 113 are provided at intervals in the left-right direction. Each opening 113 is an example of an opening.

[0117] like Figure 6 , Fig. 9As shown, the outflow tube 124 is connected to each opening 113. Each outflow tube 124 is a tube body extending downward in a circular tubular shape from each opening 113 along the up-down direction in each offset chamber 141A, 141B, 141C, 141D. The lower end of each outflow tube 124 has an outflow port 114 opening downward. Each outflow tube 124 demarcates an outflow path 150 extending from the outflow port 114 to the opening 113 along the up-down direction. Each outflow port 114 is located in each convex space 222A. Thus, each outflow port 114 is located to the right of the center A2, A4, A6, A8 in the left-right direction of each liquid ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D. Each outflow port 114 is located in front of the center of each convex space 222A in the front-back direction. Each outflow port 114 is separated from each convex surface 222. Each outflow port 114 is located below the center of each convex space 222A in the up-down direction. Each outflow port 114 is located slightly above the lower end of each convex space 222A.

[0118] Each outflow pipe 124 has a small diameter portion 124A located in each convex space 222A and a large diameter portion 124B located above the small diameter portion 124A. The small diameter portion 124A is cylindrical. The inner diameter of the large diameter portion 124B is larger than the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 124A. The large diameter portion 124B is in the shape of a conical cylinder whose diameter increases upward. The cross-sectional area S1 of the outflow path 150 cut by a horizontal plane in the small diameter portion 124A is smaller than the cross-sectional area S2 of the outflow path 150 cut by a horizontal plane in the large diameter portion 124B.

[0119] A rubber seal member 160 is press-fitted into each outflow pipe 124 through each opening 113. The seal member 160 has a through hole 160A extending in the up-down direction.

[0120] like Figure 4 , Figure 6 As shown, each outflow tube 124 is connected to a connection portion 170 disposed on the upper surface of the upper wall 104. The connection portion 170 has a flat substrate 170A that can be detachably fixed to the upper wall 104 and four cylindrical barrel portions 170B extending downward from the substrate 170A in the vertical direction. The substrate 170A has a thin film and four liquid ink flow paths 191. The four liquid ink flow paths 191 are divided by a groove formed on the upper surface of the substrate 170A and a thin film attached to the upper surface of the substrate 170A. In addition, Figure 4 , Figure 6, the film is omitted. Each liquid ink flow path 191 is connected to the liquid ink tube 32 connected to the recording head 39. Each barrel 170B has a liquid ink flow path 192 through which liquid ink can flow. Each liquid ink flow path 192 is connected to any one of the four liquid ink flow paths 191. Each barrel 170B is liquid-tightly inserted into the through hole 160A of each sealing member 160. Thus, each liquid ink flow path 192 is connected to the outflow path 150 of each outflow tube 124. The liquid ink stored in each liquid ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D flows to the recording head 39 through each outflow tube 124, each liquid ink flow path 192, each liquid ink flow path 191, and the liquid ink tube 32. When the ink in each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D is consumed by ejecting the ink from the recording head 39 , air flows into each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D through each of the atmosphere communication ports 112 .

[0121] The cylindrical annular wall 122 covering the periphery of the tank tube body 115 and the communication port 119 is located at the front end of the upper wall 104. The annular wall 122 extends from the front end of the upper wall 104 in an extending direction intersecting the gravity direction and the horizontal direction, and is inclined and upwardly extended forwardly parallel to the tank tube body 115. The tank tube body 115 protrudes upwardly compared to the front end of the annular wall 122.

[0122] The tank tube body 115 is located on the inner side of the annular wall 122. The tank tube body 115 is a circular tube extending obliquely upward from the upper wall 104 toward the front along an extension direction intersecting the gravity direction and the horizontal direction. The upper end of the tank tube body 115 opens to the outside of each liquid ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D. The lower end of the tank tube body 115 opens to the inside of each liquid ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D. The internal space of the tank tube body 115 connects the outside and the inside of each liquid ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D. The tank tube body 115 is located at a position rearward of the center of the annular wall 122. In other words, when viewed from the extension direction in which the tank tube body 115 extends, the axis passing through the center of the tank tube body 115 is located at a position rearward of the axis passing through the center of the annular wall 122. The front end of the can tube body 115 is a forked shape that branches in the left-right direction. By making the top end of the can tube body 115 a forked shape that branches in the left-right direction, gaps are provided above and below the top end of the can tube body 115.

[0123] The communication port 119 is located on the inner side of the annular wall 122 in the inclined surface 104A. The communication port 119 penetrates the upper wall 104 in the up-down direction. The front side of the communication port 119 is circular, and the rear side is a quadrilateral. In other words, the communication port 119 is a shape in which one side of the front side of the quadrilateral bulges into an arc shape. The communication port 119 connects the outside and the inside of each liquid ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D. The communication port 119 is located in front of the tank tube body 115. The communication port 119 is located at a position lower than the tank tube body 115. In other words, when viewed from the extension direction extending from the tank tube body 115, a straight line extending in the extension direction through the center of the communication port 119 observed from the extension direction extending from the tank tube body 115 is located in a position forward of the axis passing through the center of the tank tube body 115. The communication port 119 is located in a position forward of the center of the annular wall 122. In other words, when viewed from the extending direction of the annular wall 122, a straight line extending in the extending direction through the center of the communication port 119 viewed from the extending direction of the annular wall 122 is located forward of an axis passing through the center of the annular wall 122. The communication port 119 is an example of an injection port.

[0124] like Figure 4 As shown, the tank cover 110 holds the liquid ink tank 100 in a state of covering the front side of the liquid ink tank 100 from the front. The tank cover 110 has a front wall 201, an upper wall 202, a right wall 203, a left wall 204, a lower wall 205, and an inclined wall 206. The front wall 201 covers the front of the liquid ink tank 100. The front wall 201 has an opening 207. Through the opening 207, a portion of the front wall 101 of the liquid ink tank 100 is exposed to the front of the tank cover 110. In addition, the fact that a portion of the front wall 101 of the liquid ink tank 100 is exposed to the front of the tank cover 110 through the opening 207 means that the user can at least visually confirm a portion of the front wall 101 of the liquid ink tank 100 from the front of the tank cover 110 through the opening 207, and does not mean that a portion of the front wall 101 of the liquid ink tank 100 protrudes to the front of the tank cover 110 through the opening 207.

[0125] The tank cover 110 may include a light-transmitting cover that covers the opening 207 in a state where the front wall 101 of the liquid ink tank 100 can be visually confirmed from the front of the tank cover 110. The light-transmitting cover may include four upper marks 181 and four lower marks 182. That is, the tank cover 110 may include four upper marks 181 and four lower marks 182, and the liquid ink tank 100 may not include the four upper marks 181 and four lower marks 182.

[0126] The upper wall 202 covers a portion of the front side of the upper wall 104 of the liquid ink tank 100. The right wall 203 covers a portion of the right wall 102 of the liquid ink tank 100. The left wall 204 covers a portion of the left wall 103 of the liquid ink tank 100. The lower wall 205 covers the lower wall 105 of the liquid ink tank 100.

[0127] The inclined wall 206 is connected to the upper end of the front wall 201 and to the front end of the upper wall 202. The inclined wall 206 is located above the annular wall 122 of the liquid ink tank 100. The inclined wall 206 is located in front of the annular wall 122 of the liquid ink tank 100. That is, the inclined wall 206 is located relative to the annular wall 122 in the direction in which the annular wall 122 extends from the front end of the upper wall 104 along the extension direction. The outer surface of the inclined wall 206 intersects the gravity direction and the horizontal direction. The outer surface of the inclined wall 206 is inclined relative to the front-to-back direction in a manner that extends downward as it approaches the front. The inclined wall 206 covers a portion of the inclined surface 104A of the upper wall 104 of the liquid ink tank 100.

[0128] The inclined wall 206 has four through holes 72 arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. Each through hole 72 penetrates the inclined wall 206 in the up-down direction. The inner circumference of each through hole 72 is cylindrical and extends in a direction orthogonal to the outer surface of the inclined wall 206, that is, in the direction obliquely upward to the front. That is, each through hole 72 is cylindrical. In addition, the cylindrical shape mentioned here refers to the shape of a closed space formed by the inner circumference forming a circle, and the shape of the opening formed by the inner circumference is not necessarily limited to a circle. In addition, regardless of the length of the inner circumference extending in the direction toward which the opening formed on the inner circumference faces, in other words, regardless of the thickness of the through hole 72, it is set to be cylindrical. The inner circumference of each through hole 72 surrounds each annular wall 122 when viewed from the front obliquely upward. The four through holes 72 are arranged in a manner corresponding to any one of the four liquid ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D. That is, when viewed from the front obliquely upward, the four through holes 72 overlap with the four ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D, respectively. Each annular wall 122 and each communication port 119 are exposed to the outside of the tank cover 110 through each through hole 72. Figure 6 As shown, each tank tube body 115 protrudes to the outside of the tank cover 110 through each through hole 72. Each tank tube body 115 and each communication port 119 can be visually confirmed through each through hole 72. Each through hole 72 has a shape into which a bottle cap 82 of a liquid ink bottle 80 described later can be inserted.

[0129] like Figure 6 As shown, the tank cover 127 can be attached and detached relative to the annular wall 122. The tank cover 127 is a cylindrical component with one end closed. When the tank cover 127 is removed from the annular wall 122, it is not connected to the liquid ink tank 100 and the tank cover 110, but is completely separated. That is, the liquid ink tank assembly 51 does not have a holding component composed of an arm or the like that holds the tank cover 127 removed from the annular wall 122 in a state connected to the liquid ink tank 100 or the tank cover 110.

[0130] [Positional Relationship between Ink Tank 100 and Recording Head 39]

[0131] like Figure 3 As shown, the recording head 39 is located behind the rear wall 106 of the ink tank 100 in the front-rear direction. The recording head 39 located at the standby position P1 is located to the left of the ink cartridge 100 .

[0132] [Liquid ink bottle 80]

[0133] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the liquid ink bottle 80 is connected to the liquid ink tank assembly 51. The liquid ink bottle 80 includes a bottle body 81, a bottle cap 82, and a valve 161. The bottle body 81 is a cylindrical shape with an open upper end. The bottle body 81 has a liquid ink storage chamber 147 for storing liquid ink. The bottle cap 82 is a cylindrical shape that is detachably mounted on the upper end of the bottle body 81. The internal space of the bottle cap 82 is connected to the liquid ink storage chamber 147.

[0134] The bottle cap 82 has a protrusion 94, an opening 95 and a bottle tube 96. Figure 7 As shown, the protrusion 94 is a cylindrical wall extending upward. The protrusion 94 can be inserted into the through hole 72 of the tank cover 110. The outer peripheral surface of the protrusion 94 has a shape matching the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 72. The opening 95 and the bottle tube body 96 are located at the upper end of the protrusion 94. The opening 95 connects the inside of the liquid ink bottle 80 with the outside. Figure 7 As shown, the bottle tube body 96 is located in front of the opening 95. The bottle tube body 96 extends upward from the upper end of the bottle cap 82. The bottle tube body 96 connects the inside of the liquid ink bottle 80 with the outside. Figure 8 As shown, a valve 161 is disposed in the inner space of the bottle cap 82. The valve 161 closes the opening 95 and the opening of the bottle tube body 96 on the side of the liquid ink storage chamber 147. The valve 161 can be moved along Figure 7 The vertical direction shown moves to a closed position where the opening 95 and the opening of the bottle tube body 96 on the ink storage chamber 147 side are closed and an open position where the opening 95 and the opening of the bottle tube body 96 on the ink storage chamber 147 side are opened.

[0135] [Connection between the Liquid Ink Bottle 80 and the Liquid Ink Tank 100]

[0136] The following, such as Figure 8 , an example of connecting the liquid ink bottle 80 to the liquid ink chamber 111A is shown. The user inserts the protrusion 94 of the liquid ink bottle 80 into the through hole 72 of the tank cover 110. The bottle tube body 96 of the liquid ink bottle 80 is connected to the communication port 119 of the liquid ink tank 100, and the tank tube body 115 of the liquid ink tank 100 is inserted into the opening 95 of the liquid ink bottle 80. At this time, the valve 161 is moved from the closed position to the open position by the tank tube body 115 inserted into the opening 95. Thus, the connection between the liquid ink bottle 80 and the liquid ink tank 100 is completed.

[0137] When the liquid ink bottle 80 is connected to the liquid ink tank 100, the liquid ink in the liquid ink storage chamber 147 flows into the liquid ink chamber 111A of the liquid ink tank 100 through the bottle tube body 96. At the same time, the air in the liquid ink tank 100 flows into the liquid ink storage chamber 147 through the tank tube body 115. In this way, the so-called gas-liquid replacement occurs, and the liquid ink in the liquid ink bottle 80 is supplied to the liquid ink chamber 111A.

[0138] [Effects of the Embodiments]

[0139] In the liquid ink tank 100, the outflow port 114 is located in the convex space 222A defined by the convex surface 222 protruding downward from the plane, so the liquid ink is easily exhausted. Since the lower wall 105 is liquid-tightly connected to the wall 511 that integrally forms the front wall 101, the right wall 102, the left wall 103, the upper wall 104, the rear wall 106, and the four partition walls 131, 132, 133, and 134, there is little need to use a film to define the four liquid ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D in the direction intersecting the vertical direction. Therefore, it is easy to ensure the volume accuracy of the four liquid ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D, and it is easy to ensure the strength of the liquid ink tank 100 in the direction intersecting the vertical direction.

[0140] In the ink tank 100, the lower wall 105 is formed of the same resin material as the integrally formed wall 511, so no film is used as the wall defining the four ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D. Therefore, there is no risk of film damage.

[0141] In the ink tank 100 , the lower wall 105 is connected to the integrally formed wall 511 in a liquid-tight manner by welding, and thus the liquid-tight connection is reliably achieved through the integrally formed wall 511 .

[0142] In the ink tank 100, the four lower marks 182 are located above the lower end of the front surface 101B, so the lower wall 105 is connected to the integrally formed wall 511 at a position away from the four lower marks 182. Therefore, compared with the case where the lower wall 105 is connected to the four upper marks 181 and the four lower marks 182 in a liquid-tight manner, the distance error between the four upper marks 181 and the four lower marks 182 is small, so the position accuracy of the four upper marks 181 and the four lower marks 182 is ensured.

[0143] In the liquid ink tank 100, the communication port 119 is provided in the upper wall 104 of the wall 511 formed integrally with the front wall 101, the right wall 102, the left wall 103, the upper wall 104, the rear wall 106, and the four partition walls 131, 132, 133, 134. Therefore, compared with the case where the communication port 119 is provided in the upper wall 104 which is liquid-tightly connected to the integrally formed wall 511, the strength of the wall defining each liquid ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D can be ensured. In addition, in the wall defining each liquid ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D, the required strength of the portion below the position of the four lower marks 182 is lower than the required strength of the portion above the position of the four upper marks 181. Therefore, compared with a case where the lower wall 105 is liquid-tightly connected to the integrally formed wall 511 above the four lower marks 182 , the strength of the wall defining the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D is higher.

[0144] In the ink tank 100 , each outlet 114 is provided in each convex space 222A to be separated from each convex surface 222 . Therefore, it is difficult for the foam of the ink adhering to each convex surface 222 to enter each outlet 114 .

[0145] In the liquid ink tank 100, the liquid ink in each liquid ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D flows out toward the recording head 39 through each outflow tube 124 connected to each opening 113 located on the upper wall 104. Therefore, for example, compared with the case where the outflow path 150 extends horizontally from the outflow port 114 and extends upward on the outer surface of the liquid ink tank 100, the outflow path 150 is shorter. There is no need to define the outflow path 150 using a film attached to the outer surface of the liquid ink tank 100. Therefore, liquid ink leakage caused by damage to the film does not occur. Since there is no risk of damage to the film, it is easy to ensure the strength of the liquid ink tank.

[0146] In the ink tank 100, the cross-sectional area S1 of the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 124A in the outflow tube 124 is smaller than the cross-sectional area S2 of the inner diameter of the large diameter portion 124B. Therefore, it is easy to remove the mold from the wall 511 that integrally molds the front wall 101, the right wall 102, the left wall 103, the upper wall 104, the rear wall 106, and the four partition walls 131, 132, 133, and 134. It is difficult for the foam of the ink to enter the outflow tube 124 through the outflow port 114.

[0147] In the ink tank 100, the upper surface 105A of the lower wall 105 extends backward from each convex space 222A and has an inclined surface 221A that is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction so as to be directed downward as it is directed forward. Therefore, since the ink stored in each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D is easily concentrated in each convex space 222A, the ink is easily exhausted.

[0148] In the liquid ink tank 100, the four liquid ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D are separated in the left-right direction by three partition walls 131, 132, and 133, so the liquid ink tank 100 is miniaturized compared to the case where the four liquid ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction.

[0149] In the ink tank 100, the light projecting portion 311A ​​is covered by a silicon front cover 227. The light receiving portion 311B is covered by a silicon rear cover 228. Therefore, when the liquid level of the ink in the ink chamber 111D drops, it is difficult for the ink to remain on the path of the light projected from the light projecting portion 311A ​​toward the light receiving portion 311B, so the detection accuracy of the sensor 311 is high.

[0150] In the ink tank 100 , the user can insert the light projector 311A ​​and the light receiver 311B into the front storage space 225A and the rear storage space 226A from below the bottom wall 105 , respectively. Therefore, it is easy to assemble the light projector 311A ​​and the light receiver 311B to the bottom wall 105 .

[0151] For example, when transporting the multifunction device 10, in order to effectively utilize the space, as shown in FIG. Fig.13 As shown in FIG. 1 , the rear part of the multifunction device 10 may be in a position where the rear part of the multifunction device 10 comes to the bottom. In this case, since the recording head 39 comes to the bottom of the ink cartridge 100, the ink in each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D is likely to leak from the recording head 39 through each outlet 114 of each outlet tube 124. However, in the multifunction device 10, each outlet 114 is located in front of the center of each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D in the front-rear direction, so each outlet 114 is likely to come to a position above the liquid level T1 of the ink stored in each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D. Therefore, the ink in each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D is unlikely to flow out from the recording head 39 through each outlet 114, so that the ink leakage from the recording head 39 is suppressed.

[0152] In the liquid ink tank 100, each flow outlet 114 is located in front of the center of each convex space 222A in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the gap between each flow outlet 114 and the front surface of each convex surface 222 becomes smaller, so when the rear part of the multifunction device 10 is in a downward position, it is difficult for the foam of the liquid ink to enter the gap. Therefore, even if the foam of the liquid ink adheres to each flow outlet 114, the foam of the liquid ink is easy to fall from each flow outlet 114.

[0153] For example, when transporting the multifunction device 10, in order to effectively utilize the space, as shown in FIG. Fig.14As shown in FIG. 1 , the left part of the multifunction device 10 may be in a posture where the left part comes to the bottom. In this case, since the recording head 39 comes to the bottom of the ink cartridge 100, the ink in each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D is likely to leak from the recording head 39 through each outlet 114 of each outlet tube 124. However, in the multifunction device 10, each outlet 114 is located to the right of the center A2, A4, A6, A8 in the left-right direction of each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D, so each outlet 114 is likely to come to a position above the liquid level T2 of the ink stored in each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D. Therefore, the ink in each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D is unlikely to flow out of the recording head 39 through each of the flow outlets 114 , thereby suppressing leakage of the ink from the recording head 39 .

[0154] [Modifications]

[0155] In the ink tank 100, the front wall 101, the right wall 102, the left wall 103, the upper wall 104, the rear wall 106, and the four partition walls 131, 132, 133, 134 are integrally formed, but the front wall 101, the right wall 102, the left wall 103, the lower wall 105, the rear wall 106, and the four partition walls 131, 132, 133, 134 may also be integrally formed. In this case, the upper wall 104 is connected to the upper end of the integrally formed wall 511 in a liquid-tight manner in a state of covering the opening 512 of the integrally formed wall 511.

[0156] In the ink tank 100, the lower wall 105 is welded to the wall 511 formed by integrally forming the front wall 101, the right wall 102, the left wall 103, the upper wall 104, the rear wall 106, and the four partition walls 131, 132, 133, and 134. However, the lower wall 105 is not limited to welding as long as it can be connected to the integrally formed wall 511 in a liquid-tight manner. For example, as a method of liquid-tight connection, a method of pressing the lower wall 105 formed of rubber or a flexible resin into the opening 512 of the integrally formed wall 511 and a method of sticking a tape on the connection portion between the lower wall 105 and the integrally formed wall 511 can be cited.

[0157] In the ink tank 100, openings may be provided in parts of the front wall 101, the right wall 102, the left wall 103, the rear wall 106, and the four partition walls 131, 132, 133, and 134. In this case, the openings may be welded while being covered with a film.

[0158] In the ink tank 100, the lower wall 105 is welded to the integrally formed wall 511 at a position separated downward from the positions of the four lower marks 182, but the lower wall 105 may be welded to the integrally formed wall 511 at a position between the four lower marks 182 and the four upper marks 181, for example. Fig.16 As shown, the lower wall 105 can be integrally formed with the peripheral walls such as the front wall 101 and the rear wall 106, and the upper wall 104 can also be welded to the integrally formed wall 511. In this case, the upper wall 104 can be welded at a position separated upward from the positions of the four upper marks 181, and the upper wall 104 can also be welded at a position between the four lower marks 182 and the four upper marks 181.

[0159] In the ink tank 100 , each outlet 114 is provided in each convex space 222A to be separated from each convex surface 222 , but may be in contact with each convex surface 222 in each convex space 222A as long as ink can flow therein.

[0160] In the ink tank 100 , the outflow tube 124 extends downward from the opening 113 formed in the upper wall 104 , but may extend upward from the opening 113 formed in the lower wall 105 , for example.

[0161] In the ink tank 100, the inner diameter of the small diameter portion 124A in the outflow tube 124 is smaller than the inner diameter of the large diameter portion 124B, but for example, the inner diameter of the outflow tube 124 may be constant from the outflow port 114 to the opening 113. In other words, the cross-sectional area of ​​the outflow path 150 along the horizontal direction may be constant from the outflow port 114 to the opening 113.

[0162] In the ink tank 100 , the inclined surface 221A in the upper surface 105A of the lower wall 105 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction, but may be parallel to a horizontal plane, for example.

[0163] In the ink tank 100 , the four ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D are arranged adjacent to each other in the left-right direction by three partition walls 131 , 132 , and 133 , but may be arranged at intervals in the left-right direction.

[0164] In the ink tank 100, the light projecting portion 311A ​​of the sensor 311 is covered by the front cover 227 made of silicon, but may be covered by the front cover 227 formed of a material other than silicon as long as light can be transmitted, or may not be covered by the front cover 227. In addition, the light receiving portion 311B of the sensor 311 may be covered by the rear cover 228 formed of a material other than silicon as long as light can be transmitted, or may not be covered by the rear cover 228.

[0165] When the front cover 227 and the rear cover 228 are omitted, Fig.18As shown, the light projecting section 311A ​​and the light receiving section 311B may also be covered by a light shielding section 433 that blocks light. The light shielding section 433 is a box-shaped section that opens downward. The front housing section 225 and the rear housing section 226 are located in the internal space of the light shielding section 433. The light shielding section 433 is made of rubber and is elastically deformed in a manner that expands the internal space of the light shielding section 433, thereby being mounted on the outer surfaces of the front housing section 225 and the rear housing section 226. In this way, the light projected from the light projecting section 311A ​​is blocked by the light shielding section 433, so that the user can be prevented from perceiving the light projected from the light projecting section 311A ​​through the visual confirmation surface 233. In addition, the light shielding section 433 may also be mounted on the lower wall 105 by thermally riveting to the lower wall 105 while covering the front housing section 225 and the rear housing section 226. Instead of the light projecting section 311A ​​and the light receiving section 311B, an electrode disposed at the detection position of the sensor 311 may be used. In this case, the electrode may be covered by the light shielding portion 433 .

[0166] As the liquid ink used in each liquid ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D, in the case of using pigment liquid ink, since the viscosity of the pigment liquid ink is higher than that of the dye liquid ink, the liquid ink is easy to remain on the path of the light projected from the light projecting portion 311A ​​toward the light receiving portion 311B. Therefore, it is preferred that the light projecting portion 311A ​​and the light receiving portion 311B are covered by a front cover 227 and a rear cover 228 made of silicon, respectively. In the case of using pigment liquid ink, infrared light as invisible light can be used, so the light projected from the light projecting portion 311A ​​will not be perceived by the user through the visual confirmation surface 233. On the other hand, since the viscosity of the dye liquid ink is lower than that of the pigment liquid ink, the liquid ink is difficult to remain on the path of the light projected from the light projecting portion 311A ​​toward the light receiving portion 311B. However, in the case of using dye liquid ink, since invisible light cannot be used as the light projected by the light projecting portion 311A, it is necessary to use visible light. In this case, since the light projected from the light projecting section 311A ​​can be perceived by the user through the visual confirmation surface 233 , it is preferable that the light projecting section 311A ​​and the light receiving section 311B are covered by the light shielding section 433 .

[0167] In the liquid ink tank 100, the light-emitting part 311A ​​and the light-receiving part 311B of the sensor 311 are inserted into the front receiving space 225A from the bottom of the lower wall 105 and assembled to the lower wall 105, but the method of assembling the light-emitting part 311A ​​and the light-receiving part 311B is not particularly limited as long as they are assembled in a manner that can detect the liquid level of the liquid ink in the liquid ink chamber 111D. For example, the front receiving part 225 and the rear receiving part 226 open to the top may be set on the upper surface 105A of the lower wall 105, and the light-emitting part 311A ​​and the light-receiving part 311B may be inserted from above into the front receiving space 225A and the rear receiving space 226A divided by the front receiving part 225 and the rear receiving part 226 to be assembled to the lower wall 105. In this case, a cover member that closes the upper end openings of the front receiving part 225 and the rear receiving part 226 may also be provided.

[0168] In the ink tank 100, the front receiving portion 225 and the rear receiving portion 226 are located behind the offset chamber 141D, but the front receiving portion 225 and the rear receiving portion 226 may be omitted. Fig.17 As shown, instead of the sensor 311, a sensor 318 may be provided in the ink chamber 111A. The sensor 318 includes a light projecting portion for projecting light, a light receiving portion for receiving light projected from the light projecting portion, a support member 319, and a rotating member 320. The support member 319 is located on the upper surface 105A of the lower wall 105. Fig.17 , the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part are omitted. The supporting member 319 has two opposing walls 319A that are opposed to each other in the left-right direction. The rotating member 320 has: an arm 320A that is supported on the two opposing walls 319A in a rotatable manner; a detected part 320B that is located at the front end of the arm 320A; and a float 320C that is located at the base end of the arm 320A. The arm 320A rotates by the buoyancy of the float 320C generated based on the remaining amount of liquid ink in the liquid ink chamber 111A. When the liquid ink in the liquid ink chamber 111A reaches the detection position of the sensor 318, the arm 320A rotates in such a way that the detected part 320B reaches the highest position. The light-emitting part and the light-receiving part are located in a position that sandwiches the detected part 320B that is located at the highest position in the left-right direction. When the detected part 320B is located at the highest position, the light projected from the light-emitting part is blocked by the detected part 320B, so the light-receiving part cannot receive the light. When the detected portion 320B is located at a position lower than the highest position, the light receiving portion receives the light projected from the light projecting portion. In this way, since the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion are arranged at a position separated upward from the detection position of the sensor 318, it is easy to effectively use the space around the detection position in the liquid ink chamber 111A. In addition, the sensor 318 can also be provided in one or more of the four liquid ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D. The sensor 318 is an example of a second sensor.

[0169] In the ink tank 100, each outlet 114 is located at a position forward of the center of each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D in the front-to-back direction, but the position of each outlet 114 is not limited as long as it is located in each convex space 222A. For example, each outlet 114 may be located in the center of each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D in the front-to-back direction. In this case, each convex surface 222 that partitions each convex space 222A is also arranged in the center of each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D in the front-to-back direction.

[0170] In the ink tank 100, each outlet 114 is located forward of the center of each convex space 222A in the front-rear direction, but the position of each outlet 114 is not limited as long as it is located in each convex space 222A. For example, each outlet 114 may be located in the center of each convex space 222A in the front-rear direction.

[0171] In the ink tank 100, each outlet 114 is located to the right of the center of each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D in the left-right direction, but the position of each outlet 114 is not limited as long as it is located in each convex space 222A. For example, each outlet 114 may be located in the center of each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D in the left-right direction. In this case, each offset chamber 141A, 141B, 141C, 141D is omitted.

[0172] In the ink tank 100, the communication port 119 is located on the inclined surface 104A of the upper wall 104, but may be located on the horizontal surface of the upper wall 104, for example. In this case, the upper wall 104 may not have the inclined surface 104A.

[0173] In the liquid ink tank 100, the upper surface 105A of the lower wall 105 includes a convex surface 222 protruding downward from the plane 221, but the convex surface 222 may be omitted. The lower wall 105 may also be formed of a thin film. Even in this case, compared with the case where the thin film divides the upper ends of the four liquid ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D or the ends in the direction intersecting the vertical direction, the thin film is not easily deformed, so it is easy to ensure the volume accuracy of the four liquid ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D.

[0174] Description of Reference Numerals

[0175] 10...Compound machine (liquid consumption device);

[0176] 39... recording head (liquid consumption part);

[0177] 100...Liquid ink tank (can);

[0178] 104...upper wall;

[0179] 105...lower wall;

[0180] 105A...upper surface (inner surface);

[0181] 111C...Liquid ink chamber (second storage chamber);

[0182] 111D...Liquid ink chamber (first storage chamber);

[0183] 114...outflow;

[0184] 124...Outflow pipe;

[0185] 133...partition wall;

[0186] 150...Outflow path;

[0187] 181...upper mark (first mark);

[0188] 182...lower mark (second mark);

[0189] 221... plane;

[0190] 222...convex;

[0191] 222A...Convex Space;

[0192] 225...Front Containment Section (First Containment Section);

[0193] 225A...Front containment space (first containment space);

[0194] 226...rear storage section (second storage section);

[0195] 226A...rear containment space (second containment space);

[0196] 227...Front cover (first cover);

[0197] 228...rear cover (second cover);

[0198] 233... Visual confirmation of the surface;

[0199] 311...sensor(first sensor);

[0200] 311A...Light projection part;

[0201] 311B...light receiving part;

[0202] 318...sensor (second sensor);

[0203] 433...Shading part;

[0204] 511... one-piece wall;

[0205] 512...open your mouth.

Claims

1. A tank having: A wall defining a first storage chamber for storing liquid; and an outflow port, connected to the first storage chamber, so that the liquid flows out of the first storage chamber, The wall has: the lower wall, extending in a direction intersecting the superior and inferior directions; an upper wall, located above the lower wall, extending in a direction intersecting the up-down direction; and The peripheral wall extends in the up-down direction to connect the lower wall with the upper wall. The lower wall has an inner surface defining the first storage chamber, and the inner surface includes a plane extending in a direction intersecting the up-down direction and a convex surface protruding downward from the plane. The outflow port is located in the convex space defined by the convex surface, One of the lower wall and the upper wall is integrally formed with the peripheral wall, The other of the lower wall and the upper wall is connected to the integrally formed wall in a liquid-tight manner in a state of covering an opening formed in the integrally formed wall.

2. The tank according to claim 1, wherein The other of the lower wall and the upper wall is connected to the integrally formed wall in a liquid-tight manner by welding.

3. The tank according to claim 1, wherein: The peripheral wall has a front wall defining a front end of the first storage chamber, The front wall has: a first mark indicating that the liquid level of the first storage chamber is at a first position; and a second mark indicating that the liquid level of the first storage chamber is located at a second position lower than the first position; The other of the lower wall and the upper wall is connected to the integrally molded wall in a liquid-tight manner at a position other than between the first mark and the second mark in the up-down direction.

4. The tank according to claim 3, wherein: The upper wall and the peripheral wall are integrally formed, The tank has an inlet penetrating through the integrally formed wall and into which liquid is injected. The lower wall is connected to the integrally formed wall in a fluid-tight manner.

5. The tank according to claim 4, wherein: The lower wall is fluid-tightly connected to the integrally formed wall below the second mark.

6. The tank according to claim 1, wherein: The outflow port is located in the convex space without contacting the convex surface.

7. The tank according to claim 6, wherein: The tank has: an opening, penetrating the upper wall and connected to a liquid consumption part for consuming liquid; and The outflow pipe is connected to the opening and extends downward, and allows the liquid to flow out from the first storage chamber to the liquid consumption unit through the outflow port located at the lower end and the opening.

8. The tank according to claim 7, wherein: The cross-sectional area of ​​the lower portion of the outflow pipe cut along a horizontal plane is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the upper portion of the outflow pipe cut along a horizontal plane.

9. The tank according to claim 1, wherein: The flat surface is inclined with respect to a direction perpendicular to the up-down direction so as to extend downward toward the convex surface.

10. The tank according to claim 1, wherein: The tank has a second storage chamber for storing liquid. The peripheral wall has a partition wall that partitions the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber in a left-right direction that is orthogonal to the up-down direction.

11. The tank according to claim 1, wherein: The tank includes a first sensor for detecting a liquid level of the liquid stored in the first storage chamber. The first sensor has: a light-projecting portion for projecting light; and The light receiving unit outputs a first signal when not receiving the light projected by the light projecting unit, and outputs a second signal when receiving the light projected by the light projecting unit. The light projecting part is covered by a first cover made of silicon. The light receiving portion is covered by a second cover made of silicon.

12. The tank according to claim 11, wherein The lower wall has: A first receiving portion protrudes upward from the lower end of the lower wall; as well as The second receiving portion protrudes upward from the lower end of the lower wall and is opposite to the first receiving portion. The light projection unit is located in a first receiving space defined by the first receiving unit. The light receiving part is located in a second receiving space defined by the second receiving part. The first cover covers the outer surface of the first housing portion, The second cover covers an outer surface of the second housing portion.

13. The tank according to claim 1, wherein: The tank includes a sensor for detecting a liquid level of the liquid stored in the first storage chamber. The sensor includes a rotating member having a float and a detected portion and rotatably provided in the first storage chamber.

14. The tank according to claim 1, wherein The tank includes a first sensor for detecting a liquid level of the liquid stored in the first storage chamber. The first sensor has: a light-projecting portion for projecting light; and The light receiving unit outputs a first signal when not receiving the light projected by the light projecting unit, and outputs a second signal when receiving the light projected by the light projecting unit. The peripheral wall has a front wall defining a front end of the first storage chamber, The front wall has a visual confirmation surface that enables visual confirmation of the first storage chamber from the front. The light projecting unit and the light receiving unit are covered by a light shielding unit that shields light.

15. A tank comprising: a lower wall defining a lower end of a first storage chamber for storing liquid; an upper wall defining an upper end of the first storage chamber; as well as An outflow path allows the liquid to flow out from the first storage chamber to the outside, and the outflow path includes: an outflow port, communicating with the first storage chamber; and an opening communicating with the outside, The lower wall has an inner surface defining the first storage chamber, the inner surface including a plane extending in a direction intersecting the up-down direction and a convex surface protruding downward from the plane. The outflow path is a tube extending downward in the first storage chamber from the opening penetrating the upper wall to the outflow port located in the convex space defined by the convex surface.

16. A tank comprising: an upper wall defining an upper end of a first storage chamber for storing liquid; a lower wall, located below the upper wall and defining a lower end of the first storage chamber; a peripheral wall defining an end portion of the first storage chamber in a direction intersecting the up-down direction; and An injection port runs through the upper wall for liquid injection. The upper wall and the peripheral wall are integrally formed, The lower wall is fluid-tightly connected to a wall integrally formed with the upper wall and the peripheral wall.

17. A liquid consumption device comprising: case; The tank according to claim 7, disposed in the inner space of the housing; and The liquid consumption unit is located behind the tank. The outflow port is located at the front side of the first storage chamber.

18. The liquid consuming device according to claim 17, wherein: The outflow port is located at the front side of the convex space.

19. A liquid consumption device comprising: case; The tank according to claim 7, located on one side in the left-right direction orthogonal to the up-down direction in the internal space of the housing; and The liquid consumption unit is located on a side opposite to the one side in the left-right direction in the internal space of the housing. The outflow port is located at the one side in the left-right direction in the first storage chamber.

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