Recording device

Abstract

To provide a technique that can suppress liquid from leaking out in a recording device, while securing workability in replacing a tank that stores liquid such as ink.SOLUTION: A recording device, which performs recording on a recording medium by discharging liquid to the medium, comprises: storing means that stores liquid; moving means, arranged to enable the storing means to be replaced, which can move between a replacing position at which the storing means can be replaced and a storing position at which the storing means is stored inside the recording device; and support means that can support a flow path connected to the storing means and deform following movement of the moving means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that discharges ink to record. [Background technology]

[0002] An inkjet recording device, which records by ejecting ink onto a recording medium using a recording head, is equipped with an ink tank that stores ink to be supplied to the recording head, and a waste liquid tank that collects waste ink generated during recovery operations for the recording head.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a technology that prevents waste ink from leaking when the waste liquid tank is replaced by providing a valve mechanism at the connection between the device and the waste liquid tank, opening the valve mechanism when the waste liquid tank is stored, and sealing the valve mechanism when the waste liquid tank is replaced. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-086438 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, with the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, when using ink that easily solidifies when exposed to air, the valve mechanism that connects the device to the waste liquid tank may not function properly due to solidification of the ink, and there is a risk of waste ink leaking out of the device.

[0006] To solve this problem, it is possible to remove the waste liquid tank from the device and replace it outside the device. However, in this case, when removing the waste liquid tank from the device and storing it back in the device, the waste liquid tube that guides the waste ink to the waste liquid tank may be pinched or bent by other members and become blocked, which may cause ink to leak inside the device.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide technology that can suppress leakage of liquid such as ink within the device while ensuring ease of replacement of tanks that store the liquid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention is a recording device that ejects liquid onto a recording medium to record, the recording device comprising: a storage means for storing liquid; a moving means for arranging the storage means in a replaceable manner and capable of moving between an exchange position where the storage means can be replaced and a storage position where the storage means is stored inside the recording device; and a support means for supporting a flow path connected to the storage means and capable of deforming in accordance with the movement of the moving means. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to ensure ease of replacement of a tank that stores liquid such as ink, while preventing leakage of the liquid within the device. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording apparatus. [Diagram 2] FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow path connected to a maintenance unit. [Figure 6]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the waste liquid reservoir in the storage position. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is an external view of the device in the vicinity of the waste liquid storage unit in the storage position. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a waste ink tank and a waste liquid tank. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the waste reservoir in the replacement position. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is an external view of the device in the vicinity of the waste liquid storage unit in the replacement position. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of the waste liquid storage section. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] An example of an embodiment of a recording device will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiment does not limit the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the present embodiment are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention. Furthermore, the positions, shapes, and the like of the components described in the embodiment are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to only those.

[0012] (Configuration of recording device) The recording device according to the present embodiment may be a device equipped only with a function of ejecting ink onto a recording medium to record an image, or may be a multifunction device equipped with a function of reading an image. In the following description, a large inkjet recording device such as a commercial printer will be described as an example. In addition, in this specification, when a user faces the recording device (when facing the surface shown in FIG. 1), the direction from the left side to the right side of the device is described as the X direction, the direction from the back side to the front side is described as the Y direction, and the direction from the lower side to the upper side is described as the Z direction. In this way, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are directions from one side to the other side, and are appropriately represented by adding "+ (plus)", and the direction from the other side to one side of each direction is represented by adding "- (minus)".

[0013] 1 is a schematic diagram of a recording apparatus according to the present embodiment. The recording apparatus 10 is a sheet-fed inkjet recording apparatus capable of recording images on sheets S of a variety of sizes using ink and a reaction liquid that reacts with the ink. The recording apparatus 10 includes a feed module 12 that stores sheets S of a variety of sizes and feeds the stored sheets S, and a print module 14 that records on the sheets S fed by the feed module 12. The recording apparatus 10 also includes a drying module 16 that dries the ink and reaction liquid on the sheets S recorded in the print module 14, and a fixing module 18 that fixes the ink on the sheets S. The recording apparatus 10 also includes a cooling module 20 that cools the sheets S, an inversion module 22 that inverts the sheets S, and a stacking module 24 onto which the sheets S are discharged and stacked.

[0014] The recording device 10 includes a control unit (not shown) that controls the overall operation. In the recording device 10, a cut-paper-like sheet S fed from the feeding module 12 is processed while being conveyed along a conveying path formed in each module, and is discharged to a stacking module 24 with an image recorded thereon. The conveying paths provided in the recording device 10 include a conveying path 11 for executing processing in each module, and a conveying path 13 for returning the sheet S, one side of which has been recorded, to the feeding module 12 during double-sided recording. The conveying path 13 merges with the conveying path 11 at the feeding module 12 and the cooling module 20. Each module will be described below.

[0015] <Feeding module> The feeding module 12 includes a storage 32 that stores sheets S. The storage 32 is configured to be movable in the Y direction, and can store sheets S therein by being pulled out in the +Y direction from a state where it is stored in the recording device 10. The storage 32 can be pushed in the -Y direction from a pulled out state and stored in the recording device 10, so that it can feed the stored sheets S. In this embodiment, three storages 32 are provided, but this is not limited thereto, and one or two storages 32 may be provided, or four or more storages 32 may be provided. The sheets S stored in the storage 32 are fed one by one to the print module 14 by a separation belt (not shown) and a feed roller (not shown).

[0016] <Print module> The print module 14 includes a pre-recording registration correction unit (not shown), a belt unit 34, and a recording head 36. The pre-recording registration correction unit corrects the inclination and position of the sheet S fed from the feeding module 12. The belt unit 34 transports the sheet S whose inclination and the like have been corrected by the pre-recording registration correction unit. The recording head 36 is disposed at a position facing the sheet S transported by the belt unit 34. The belt unit 34 is configured to be able to adsorb and transport the sheet S, thereby maintaining a constant distance between the recording head 36 and the sheet S. The recording head 36 ejects ink from above onto the sheet S transported by the belt unit 34, thereby applying ink (reaction liquid) to the sheet S and recording an image.

[0017] The recording head 36 is equipped with a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting ink (reaction liquid) by an inkjet method. The recording head 36 has a plurality of nozzles arranged in a width direction (Y direction) of the sheet S intersecting with the conveying direction (-X direction) of the sheet S, with a length corresponding to the width of the sheet S recordable by the recording device 10. Furthermore, the recording heads 36 are provided individually for each type of ink and reaction liquid, and the recording heads 36 are arranged along the X direction. The recording heads 36 are configured to eject ink by various known inkjet methods using heat elements, piezoelectric elements, electrostatic elements, or MEMS elements.

[0018] In this embodiment, the recording device 10 includes a recording head that ejects yellow (Y) ink, a recording head that ejects magenta (M) ink, a recording head that ejects cyan (C) ink, a recording head that ejects black (Bk) ink, and a recording head that ejects a reaction liquid (R). That is, in this embodiment, the recording device 10 includes five recording heads 36. Note that, in this embodiment, the recording device 10 is configured to be capable of ejecting four types of ink and one type of reaction liquid, but is not limited to this. That is, the recording device 10 may be configured to eject one, two, three, or five or more types of ink, may not eject a reaction liquid, or may be configured to eject two or more types of reaction liquid.

[0019] Each recording head 36 is connected to an ink tank (not shown) that stores the corresponding type of ink or reaction liquid via a tube. Each recording head 36 is supplied with the ink or reaction liquid stored in the ink tank connected to it. The ink tanks are detachably disposed in the recording device 10.

[0020] The print module 14 may be provided with, for example, an in-line scanner (not shown) downstream in the transport direction (-X direction) of the recording head 36. In this case, the recording device 10 uses the in-line scanner to detect the misalignment and color density of the image recorded on the sheet S, and corrects the recorded image based on the detection results.

[0021] The print module 14 also includes a maintenance unit 38 having a configuration for maintaining and restoring the ink ejection characteristics of the recording head 36 in good condition, and a waste liquid storage unit 40 for storing waste liquid generated by a recovery operation on the recording head 36 using the maintenance unit 38. The maintenance unit 38, which will be described in detail later, includes a configuration for protecting the nozzle surface on which the nozzles are formed in the recording head 36, a configuration for wiping the nozzle surface, and a configuration for sucking ink from the nozzles. Note that the configuration provided in the maintenance unit 38 is not limited to this, and it may include various known configurations for performing a recovery operation on the recording head 36.

[0022] The maintenance unit 38 is configured to be movable in the X direction, and is movable between a standby position (position shown in FIG. 1) where it does not overlap with the recording head 36 in the X direction, and an operating position located directly below the recording head 36 and where a recovery operation is performed on the recording head 36. The recording head 36 is configured to be movable in the Z direction, and is movable between a recording position (position shown in FIG. 1) where recording is performed on the sheet S transported by the belt unit 34, and a recovery position where a recovery operation is performed by the maintenance unit 38 in the operating position.

[0023] In the waste liquid storage section 40, a waste ink tank 530 (see FIG. 6) capable of storing waste ink and a waste liquid tank 540 (see FIG. 6) capable of storing waste reaction liquid are arranged in an exchangeable manner. The waste liquid storage section 40 is configured to be movable in the Y direction between a storage position stored in the recording device 10 and an exchange position pulled out from the recording device 10 and capable of replacing the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540. Details of the waste liquid storage section 40 will be described later.

[0024] <Drying module> The drying module 16 reduces the liquid component contained in the ink applied onto the sheet S by the recording head 36, and executes a process to improve the fixation of the ink to the sheet S. The drying module 16 includes a decoupling unit 42, a belt unit 44, and a hot air blowing unit 46. The sheet S recorded in the print module 14 is transported to the decoupling unit 42 in the drying module 16.

[0025] The decoupling unit 42 can transport the sheet S by wind pressure from above and friction of the belt, and gently holds and transports the sheet S on the belt by wind pressure, thereby suppressing deviation of the sheet S transported from the print module 14. The belt unit 44 adsorbs and transports the sheet S transported from the decoupling unit 42. The hot air blowing unit 46 is disposed above the belt unit 44, and blows hot air onto the sheet S transported by the belt unit 44 to dry the ink applied to the recording surface of the sheet S facing the hot air blowing unit 46. The drying method in the drying module 16 is not limited to the method using hot air, and may be, for example, a method of irradiating the recording surface of the sheet S with electromagnetic waves (ultraviolet rays, infrared rays, etc.) or a conductive heat transfer method by contact with a heating element. Alternatively, a combination of these methods may be used.

[0026] <Fixing module> The fixing module 18 includes a fixing belt unit 48. The fixing belt unit 48 is configured to be capable of conveying the sheet S in the -X direction while sandwiching it between heated upper belt 48a and lower belt 48b. The sheet S conveyed from the drying module 16 is conveyed in a state of being sandwiched between the upper belt 48a and the lower belt 48b. As a result, the ink applied to the recording surface of the sheet S is fixed to the recording surface.

[0027] <Cooling module> The cooling module 20 includes a plurality of cooling sections 50 for cooling the sheet S, and cools the sheet S transported from the fixing module 18. The cooling sections 50 take in outside air into a cooling box (not shown) with a fan (not shown), increase the pressure inside the cooling box, and blow the air inside the cooling box against the sheet S transported on the transport path 11, thereby cooling the sheet S. The cooling sections 50 are also disposed above and below the transport path 11, and are disposed so as to be able to cool the sheet S from both sides thereof.

[0028] The cooling module 20 is provided with a switching unit 52 that switches the transport path. The switching unit 52 can switch the transport path of the transported sheet S to the transport path 11 or the transport path 13. When the transport path is switched by the switching unit 52, the sheet S transported by the cooling module 20 advances from the switching unit 52 to the transport path 13 and is transported to the feeding module 12. When the switching unit 52 does not switch, the sheet S transported by the cooling module 20 is transported from the cooling module 20 to the reversing module 22.

[0029] During double-sided recording, the sheet S is transported to the transport path 13, and then transported to the feeding module 12 via the cooling module 20, the fixing module 18, the drying module 16, and the print module 14. The sheet S transported to the feeding module 12 through the transport path 13 is transported back to the transport path 11, where recording is performed in the print module 14. Note that the fixing module 18 is provided with an inversion unit 54 in the transport path 13 that inverts the sheet S from front to back.

[0030] <Inversion module> The inversion module 22 includes an inversion unit 56 that inverts the sheet S conveyed from the cooling module 20. In the inversion module 22, the inversion unit 56 can change the side of the sheet S discharged from the stacking module 24 that faces upward when stacked.

[0031] <Loading module> The stacking module 24 includes a top tray 58 provided on the upper surface of the stacking module 24, and a stacking section 60 provided inside the stacking module 24. In the recording device 10, the discharge destination of the sheet S can be selected to be either the top tray 58 or the stacking section 60.

[0032] (Recording head configuration) Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the recording head 36. FIG.

[0033] In the recording head 36, a nozzle plate 202 having a plurality of nozzles capable of ejecting ink arranged in the Y direction is arranged on a surface (nozzle surface) 36a facing the sheet S transported by the belt unit 34. In the recording head 36, the nozzle plate 202 is arranged so that a nozzle row is formed with a length corresponding to the length of the sheet S in the width direction (Y direction) that can be recorded by the recording device 10.

[0034] Moreover, in the recording head 36, positioning portions 204a, 204b for positioning the recording head 36 with respect to the configuration of the maintenance portion 38 are formed near both ends in the Y direction. In the recording head 36, one recess 204aa is formed in the positioning portion 204a located on one side in the Y direction, i.e., the rear side, when the recording head 36 is mounted on the recording device 10. In the recording head 36, two recesses 204ba, 204bb are formed in the positioning portion 204b located on the other side in the Y direction, i.e., the front side, when the recording head 36 is mounted on the recording device 10. The two recesses 204ba, 204bb are formed side by side in the X direction.

[0035] The recess 204aa is formed so as to be able to fit with the protrusions 306a and 416a, which will be described later, and the recesses 204ba and 204bb are formed so as to be able to fit with the protrusions 306b and 416b, which will be described later. The shapes of the recesses 204aa, 204ba, and 204bb may be different from each other or may be the same shape.

[0036] (Maintenance Department Composition) Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the maintenance unit 38. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a cap unit 302 provided in the maintenance unit 38. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a cleaning unit 402 provided in the maintenance unit 38.

[0037] The maintenance unit 38 includes a cap unit 302 for protecting the nozzle surface 36a of the recording head 36, and a cleaning unit 402 capable of wiping the nozzle surface 36a of the recording head 36 and suctioning ink from the nozzles. In the maintenance unit 38, the cap unit 302 and the cleaning unit 402 are each independently movable in the X direction and are configured to move between a standby position and an operating position.

[0038] <Cap section configuration> The cap unit 302 includes a cap 304 that protects the nozzle surface 36a of the corresponding recording head 36, and a support member 308 that supports the cap 304 (see FIG. 3). The support member 308 is slidably disposed on a rail (not shown) provided on the housing of the recording device 10, and is configured to be movable in the X direction by the drive of a drive motor (not shown).

[0039] The cap unit 302 also includes positioning units 306 at both ends of each cap 304 in the Y direction for positioning the recording head 36 relative to the cap 304. The positioning unit 306 includes a protrusion 306a that can be fitted into the recess 204aa of the positioning unit 204a provided on the recording head 36 on one side in the Y direction, i.e., the rear side, when the maintenance unit 38 is placed on the recording device 10. The positioning unit 306 also includes two protrusions 306b that can be fitted into the recesses 204ba, 204bb of the positioning unit 204b provided on the recording head 36 on the other side in the Y direction, i.e., the front side, when the maintenance unit 38 is placed on the recording device 10. The two protrusions 306b are arranged side by side in the X direction.

[0040] The cap portion 302 is configured so that the cap 304 can be raised and lowered together with the positioning portion 306 on the support member 308. The cap 304 is raised when the cap portion 302 is located at the operating position and the recording head 36 is located, for example, at the recovery position. This makes it possible to cap the nozzle surface 36a with the cap 304 while positioning the cap 304 relative to the recording head 36 by the positioning portions 204a and 204b of the recording head 36 and the positioning portion 306 of the cap portion 302.

[0041] The cap unit 302 protects the nozzle surface 36a of the recording head 36 by capping the nozzle surface 36a with the cap 304. The cap unit 302 is also configured to be able to reduce the pressure inside the cap 304, and is configured to be able to suck ink from each nozzle by reducing the pressure inside the cap 304 with the nozzle surface 36a capped.

[0042] <Cleaning section configuration> The cleaning unit 402 includes a liquid applying unit 404 that applies cleaning liquid to the nozzle surface 36a of the recording head 36, and a removal unit 406 that wipes off and removes ink, paper dust, cleaning liquid, and the like that are attached to the nozzle surface 36a (see FIG. 4). The cleaning unit 402 also includes a negative pressure applying unit 408 that applies negative pressure to the nozzle surface 36a to remove ink that has adhered or thickened near the nozzles and in the nozzles, and to remove bubbles that have occurred in the nozzles. The liquid applying unit 404, the removal unit 406, and the negative pressure applying unit 408 are each provided for each recording head 36 on the support member 410, and are configured to be movable in the Y direction. In the recording device 10, a recovery operation is performed on the nozzle surface 36a of the recording head 36 by a combination of the liquid applying unit 404, the removal unit 406, and the negative pressure applying unit 408.

[0043] The cleaning unit 402 includes beam members 412 and 414 extending in the X direction near both ends in the Y direction of the support member 410. The beam members 412 and 414 are provided with a positioning unit 416 that positions the liquid applying unit 404, the removing unit 406, and the negative pressure applying unit 408 relative to the recording head 36, as well as the positioning units 204a and 204b of the recording head 36. Specifically, the beam member 412 is provided with a convex portion 416a that can be fitted into the concave portion 204aa of the positioning unit 204a provided in the recording head 36. The beam member 414 is provided with two convex portions 416b that can be fitted into the concave portions 204ba and 204bb of the positioning unit 204b of the recording head 36.

[0044] (Flow path configuration) Next, we will explain the flow paths connected to the maintenance unit 38. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing various flow paths connected to the maintenance unit 38. Note that in Fig. 5, in order to make it easier to understand, some components are not shown.

[0045] The recording apparatus 10 includes a supply unit 500 for supplying cleaning liquid to the cleaning unit 402 and applying negative pressure. The supply unit 500 is provided independently of the configuration of the maintenance unit 38 corresponding to each recording head 36. That is, the supply unit 500 includes a cap 304, a liquid deposition unit 404, and a supply unit 500Y connected to a negative pressure deposition unit 408 corresponding to the recording head 36 that ejects Y ink. The supply unit 500 also includes a supply unit 500M connected to a cap 304, a liquid deposition unit 404, and a negative pressure deposition unit 408 corresponding to the recording head 36 that ejects M ink. The supply unit 500 also includes a supply unit 500C connected to a cap 304, a liquid deposition unit 404, and a negative pressure deposition unit 408 corresponding to the recording head 36 that ejects C ink. Furthermore, the supply unit 500 includes a cap 304 corresponding to the recording head 36 that ejects Bk ink, a liquid deposition unit 404, and a supply unit 500Bk connected to a negative pressure application unit 408. The supply unit 500 also includes a cap 304 corresponding to the recording head 36 that ejects reaction liquid, a liquid deposition unit 404, and a supply unit 500R connected to a negative pressure application unit 408.

[0046] Since the configuration of each supply unit 500 is the same, Fig. 5 illustrates the internal configuration of the supply unit 500Y, and omits illustration of the internal configuration of the other supply units 500. Also, Fig. 5 omits illustration of the caps 304, the liquid deposition unit 404, and the negative pressure deposition unit 408 for the two recording heads 36.

[0047] A cleaning liquid pack 502 for storing cleaning liquid to be supplied to the maintenance unit 38 is detachably disposed in the recording apparatus 10. The cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid pack 502 is sent to a cleaning liquid sub-tank 506 by a pump 504. The cleaning liquid can be sent from the cleaning liquid sub-tank 506 to the cap 304, the liquid deposition unit 404, and the negative pressure application unit 408 by a supply pump 508 provided in each supply unit 500. The timing of supplying the cleaning liquid to the cap 304 is controlled by an opening / closing valve 510 provided between the supply pump 508 and the cap 304. The timing of supplying the cleaning liquid to the liquid deposition unit 404 is controlled by an opening / closing valve 512 provided between the supply pump 508 and the liquid deposition unit 404. The timing of supplying the cleaning liquid to the negative pressure application unit 408 is controlled by an opening / closing valve 514 provided between the supply pump 508 and the negative pressure application unit 408.

[0048] Each supply unit 500 is provided with a negative pressure tank 518 capable of storing waste ink (waste reaction liquid) sucked from the connected cap 304 and negative pressure applying section 408 and having its interior made negative by a suction pump 516. A filter 525 is provided between the suction pump 516 and the negative pressure tank 518. The negative pressure tank 518 is connected to the cap 304 and the negative pressure applying section 408. Therefore, negative pressure can be applied to the cap 304 and the negative pressure applying section 408 by driving the suction pump 516. The application of negative pressure to the cap 304 is controlled by an opening / closing valve 520 provided between the suction pump 516 and the negative pressure tank 518, and an opening / closing valve 522 provided between the negative pressure tank 518 and the cap 304. The application of negative pressure to the negative pressure applying section 408 is controlled by an opening / closing valve 520 and an opening / closing valve 524 provided between the negative pressure tank 518 and the negative pressure applying section 408.

[0049] The recording device 10 includes a drain subtank 532 connected to a waste ink tank 530 housed replaceably in the waste liquid storage section 40. The drain subtank 532 is connected to the negative pressure tanks 518 of the supply units 500Y, 500M, 500C, and 500Bk. A pump 534 is provided between the drain subtank 532 and the negative pressure tank 518, and the waste ink in the negative pressure tank 518 of each supply unit 500 can be sent to the drain subtank 532 by driving the pump 534. The waste ink stored in the drain subtank 532 can be sent to the waste ink tank 530 by a pump 536 provided between the drain subtank 532 and the waste ink tank 530.

[0050] The recording apparatus 10 also includes a drain subtank 542 connected to a waste liquid tank 540 replaceably housed in the waste liquid storage section 40. The drain subtank 542 is connected to a negative pressure tank 518 of the supply unit 500R. A pump 544 is provided between the drain subtank 542 and the negative pressure tank 518, and the waste reaction liquid in the negative pressure tank 518 of the supply unit 500R can be sent to the drain subtank 542 by driving the pump 544. The waste reaction liquid stored in the drain subtank 542 can be sent to the waste liquid tank 540 by a pump 546 provided between the drain subtank 542 and the waste liquid tank 540.

[0051] Furthermore, the maintenance unit 38 is provided with a collection tray 526 for collecting cleaning liquid and the like that overflows from the liquid deposition unit 404. The collection tray 526 is divided into a first area 526a for collecting cleaning liquid and the like from the liquid deposition unit 404 corresponding to the recording head 36 that ejects ink, and a second area 526b for collecting cleaning liquid and the like from the liquid deposition unit 404 corresponding to the recording head 36 that ejects reaction liquid. In other words, the collection tray 526 is configured such that the cleaning liquid collected in the first area 526a and the cleaning liquid collected in the second area 526b are not mixed together.

[0052] The first region 526a is connected to the drain sub-tank 532. The cleaning liquid collected in the first region 526a is sent to the drain sub-tank 532 by a pump 538 provided between the collection tray 526 and the drain sub-tank 532. The second region 526b is connected to the drain sub-tank 542. The cleaning liquid collected in the second region 526b is sent to the drain sub-tank 542 by a pump 548 provided between the collection tray 526 and the drain sub-tank 542.

[0053] The waste liquid storage unit 40 is provided with a sensor (not shown) capable of detecting the amount of waste liquid stored in the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540. Based on the detection result of this sensor, the recording device 10 notifies the user to replace the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540.

[0054] As described above, in the recovery flow path for the waste liquid generated in the maintenance unit 38, the waste ink containing ink and the cleaning liquid used to clean the ink, and the waste reaction liquid containing reaction liquid and the cleaning liquid used to clean the reaction liquid are sent without mixing to the waste ink tank 530 or the waste liquid tank 540. This makes it possible to prevent the ink and the reaction liquid from reacting in the recovery flow path, causing the ink to solidify and block the flow path.

[0055] (Configuration of waste liquid storage section) Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the waste liquid storage unit 40. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the waste liquid storage unit 40 in the stored position. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the recording device 10 in the vicinity of the waste liquid storage unit 40 in the stored position.

[0056] The waste liquid storage unit 40 includes a tank tray 602 that supports the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540 from below (see FIG. 6). The tank tray 602 includes a recovery tray 526 that collects and collects the leaked waste liquid when the waste liquid leaks from the supported waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540. The tank tray 602 may also have the function of the recovery tray 526. The waste liquid storage unit 40 also includes rails 604 that support the tank tray 602 substantially horizontally and movably support the tank tray 602 between the storage position and the replacement position. In this embodiment, the tank tray 602 functions as a moving unit that can move the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540 in the Y direction.

[0057] The waste liquid storage unit 40 is provided with a cover member 606 on the other side in the Y direction of the tank tray 602, i.e., on the front side. A grip portion 608 that a user can hang on is formed on the left underside of the cover member 606. The cover member 606 constitutes the exterior of the recording device 10 (print module 14) when the waste liquid storage unit 40 is located in the storage position. In this specification, "the waste liquid storage unit 40 is located in the storage position (replacement position)" will be appropriately referred to as "the tank tray 602 is located in the storage position (replacement position)".

[0058] Here, the exterior on the front side of the print module 14 of the recording device 10 includes an upper cover 702 located above the waste liquid storage section 40, and a left cover 704 located to the left of the waste liquid storage section 40 (see FIG. 7). The exterior also includes a lower cover 706 located below the waste liquid storage section 40, and a lower left cover 708 located to the left of the lower cover 706 and below the left cover 704.

[0059] When the waste liquid storage unit 40 is in the storage position, the cover member 606 is located at a position that generally coincides in the Y direction with the left cover 704, the lower cover 706, and the lower left cover 708. When the waste liquid storage unit 40 is in the storage position, the upper cover 702 is located on the other side in the Y direction, that is, on the forward side, of the cover member 606.

[0060] Furthermore, when the waste liquid storage unit 40 is in the storage position, a gap is provided in the Z direction between the cover member 606 and the lower cover 706. This allows the user to easily access the handle portion 608 provided on the lower surface of the cover member 606 when the waste liquid storage unit 40 is in the storage position, and allows the user to easily move the waste liquid storage unit 40 in the Y direction from the storage position.

[0061] The waste liquid storage unit 40 is provided with a damper member 610 on the rear side of the tank tray 602 for reducing impact when the tank tray 602 comes into contact with a structure (not shown) located on the rear side of the waste liquid storage unit 40 when the tank tray 602 is moved from the replacement position to the storage position. In addition, the waste liquid storage unit 40 is provided with a retraction portion 612 on the rear side of the tank tray 602 for retracting the tank tray 602, which has moved to the vicinity of the storage position, rearward to position it at the storage position when the tank tray 602 is moved from the replacement position to the storage position.

[0062] The waste liquid storage section 40 is provided in the tank tray 602 between the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540 arranged side by side in the X direction, and includes a flow path support member 614 that supports a flow path connecting the drain sub-tank, the waste ink tank, and the waste liquid tank. Specifically, the flow path support member 614 supports a flow path 630 that connects the drain sub-tank 532 and the waste ink tank 530, and a flow path 640 that connects the drain sub-tank 542 and the waste liquid tank 540. The flow paths 630 and 640 are, for example, flexible tubes. The flow path support member 614 is configured to deform in response to the movement of the waste liquid storage section 40 in the Y direction, and to regulate contact with other components of the flow paths 630 and 640 at the deforming portion. In this embodiment, the flow path support member 614 supports the flow paths 630 and 640, and functions as a support portion that can deform in response to the movement of the tank tray 602.

[0063] (Waste ink tank and waste liquid tank configuration) Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540. In Fig. 8, the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540 are shown in their arrangement positions in the waste liquid storage section 40.

[0064] The waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540 are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval in the X direction in the waste liquid storage section 40. A flow path support member 614 is disposed between the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540. In this embodiment, the waste ink tank 530 has a larger capacity than the waste liquid tank 540.

[0065] <Waste ink tank> The waste ink tank 530 is fitted with a tank cap 802 at the rear right side when placed in the waste liquid storage section 40. The tank cap 802 may be provided anywhere on the upper surface of the waste ink tank 530, but is determined in consideration of the position of the flow path support member 614 and the ease of installation and removal of the waste ink tank 530. That is, when the waste liquid storage section 40 is configured as in this embodiment, the tank cap 802 is positioned at the rear right side, thereby shortening the length of the flow path 630 from the flow path support member 614 and improving the ease of installation and removal of the waste ink tank 530. In addition, the tank cap 802 is provided with a connection port 804 connected to the flow path 630 and an atmosphere communication port 806 that communicates the inside of the waste ink tank 530 with the atmosphere. In this way, in this embodiment, the tank cap 802 functions as a connection member that can connect the waste ink tank 530 and the flow path 630.

[0066] The waste ink tank 530 is formed with a pair of notches 808 that can be gripped by a user to carry the waste ink tank 530. The pair of notches 808 includes a notch 808a formed by cutting out a part of the right side surface and bottom surface on the right side of the waste ink tank 530, and a notch 808b formed by cutting out a part of the left side surface and bottom surface on the left side of the waste ink tank 530. The waste liquid stored in the waste ink tank 530 is discarded from the waste ink tank 530 after the tank cap 802 is removed.

[0067] <Waste tank> The tank cap 812 is attached to the rear side of the waste liquid tank 540 when the waste liquid tank 540 is placed in the waste liquid storage section 40. The tank cap 812 may be placed anywhere on the upper surface of the waste liquid tank 540, but is determined in consideration of the placement position of the flow path support member 614 and the ease of installation and removal of the waste liquid tank 540. That is, when the waste liquid storage section 40 is configured as in this embodiment, the tank cap 812 is positioned on the rear side, which shortens the length of the flow path 640 from the flow path support member 614 and improves the ease of installation and removal of the waste liquid tank 540. The tank cap 812 is formed with a connection port 814 connected to the flow path 640 and an atmosphere communication port 816 that communicates the inside of the waste liquid tank 540 with the atmosphere. Thus, in this embodiment, the tank cap 812 functions as a connection member that can connect the waste liquid tank 540 and the flow path 640.

[0068] The waste liquid tank 540 is formed with a handle 818 that can be grasped by a user to carry the waste liquid tank 540. The handle 818 is disposed on the upper surface of the waste liquid tank 540 and includes a pair of standing parts 818a that stand at a predetermined interval from the upper surface, and a connecting part 818b that connects the pair of standing parts 818a at their upper end parts. The user carries the waste liquid tank 540 by gripping the connecting part 818b. The waste liquid stored in the waste liquid tank 540 is discarded from the waste liquid tank 540 after removing the tank cap 812. In addition, the handle 818 is preferably designed to be located at a position lower in the height direction than the flow path support member 614 (main body fixing part 906 described later) when the waste liquid tank 540 is placed on the tank tray 602.

[0069] The waste liquid tank 540 may be provided with a pair of notches like the waste ink tank 530, instead of the handle portion 818. Also, the waste ink tank 530 may be provided with a handle portion like the waste liquid tank 540, instead of the pair of notches 808. In this case, since the waste ink tank 530 extends in the X direction, two handle portions may be provided with a gap between them in the X direction.

[0070] (Configuration of Flow Channel Support Member) Next, a description will be given of the configuration of the flow path support member 614. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the flow path support member 614.

[0071] The flow path support member 614 includes a carrier portion 902 that movably supports, while housing and protecting, the flow paths 630, 640 that move in association with the movement of the tank tray 602 in the Y direction. The flow path support member 614 also includes a tray fixing portion 904 that fixes the carrier portion 902 to the tank tray 602, and a body fixing portion 906 that fixes the carrier portion 902 to the housing portion of the recording device 10, located directly above the tank tray 602 in the storage position.

[0072] The tray fixing part 904 is provided on the rear side of the tank tray 602, and one end of the carrier part 902 is connected to the tray fixing part 904. The main body fixing part 906 is extended in the Y direction, and fixes the flow path 630 and the flow path 640 at at least one position. The other end of the carrier part 902 is connected to the main body fixing part 906 on the front side. The carrier part 902 is extended forward from the tray fixing part 904 located below the waste liquid storage part 40, and then curved upward at a predetermined curvature and folded back to the rear side to be connected to the main body fixing part 906 located above the waste liquid storage part 40. The predetermined curvature is, for example, a curvature that does not bend the flow paths 630 and 640 inserted therethrough when the tank tray 602 moves in the Y direction.

[0073] The carrier part 902 is configured by repeatedly linking a plurality of unit parts 900 with pins. The flow paths 630, 640 are inserted into the interior of each unit part 900. When the tank tray 602 is moved in the Y direction, the unit parts 900 move from the upper position to the curved part and from the curved part to the lower position, or from the lower position to the curved part and from the curved part to the upper position, while maintaining a predetermined curvature of the carrier part 902. The upper position is a height position that approximately coincides with the main body fixing part 906, and the lower position is a height position that approximately coincides with the tray fixing part 904. In this way, in this embodiment, the carrier part 902 functions as a variable part that deforms with the movement of the tank tray 602 in the Y direction.

[0074] The flow paths 630 and 640 are guided from the rear side of the main body fixing part 906 toward the front side, and are inserted into the carrier part 902 at the front side of the main body fixing part 906, and are guided from the front side toward the rear side. The flow path 630 guided toward the rear side by the carrier part 902 is guided diagonally rearward to the left side, and is guided upward from the vicinity of the end part on the rear side of the tank tray 602. Thereafter, the flow path 630 is guided forward or diagonally forward to the left side at a height position that is approximately the same as the main body fixing part 906, and is connected to the connection port 804 of the tank cap 802. The flow path 640 guided toward the rear side by the carrier part 902 is guided diagonally rearward to the right side, and is guided upward from the vicinity of the end part on the rear side of the tank tray 602. Thereafter, the flow path 640 is guided forward or diagonally forward to the right side at a height position that is approximately the same as the main body fixing part 906, and is connected to the connection port 814 of the tank cap 812.

[0075] (Replacing the waste ink tank and waste liquid tank) Next, replacement of the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540 in the waste liquid storage unit 40 will be described. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the waste liquid storage unit 40 when the tank tray 602 is in the replacement position. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the appearance of the recording device 10 near the waste liquid storage unit 40 when the tank tray 602 is in the replacement position.

[0076] When replacing the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540, first, the tank tray 602 in the storage position is pulled out to the replacement position. Specifically, the user puts his / her hands on the grips 608 and pulls out the tank tray 602 in the storage position from the rear side to the front side. As the tank tray 602 moves from the rear side to the front side, the flow path support member 614 deforms in accordance with the movement of the carrier portion 902 while maintaining the curvature of the curved portion of the carrier portion 902. That is, the unit parts 900 of the carrier portion 902 that were located on the tank tray 602 (lower position) (see FIG. 6) move from the front side to the upper position via the curved portion (see FIG. 10).

[0077] At this time, in the waste liquid storage section 40, the upstream side (pump 536, 546 side) of the flow paths 630, 640 is fixed on the main body fixing section 906, so it is not deformed by the movement. On the other hand, in the waste liquid storage section 40, the downstream side (waste ink tank 530, waste liquid tank 540 side) of the flow paths 630, 640 is inserted into the carrier section 902, so it is deformed following the deformation of the carrier section 902. The carrier section 902 is curved in one part, and is formed linearly along the moving direction of the tank tray 602 in the other part, and surrounds the periphery of the flow paths 630, 640. Therefore, the flow paths 630, 640 do not come into contact with other components or bend due to the movement of the tank tray 602.

[0078] When the tank tray 602 is pulled out to the replacement position, the flow path 630 is removed from the connection port 804 of the tank cap 802 in the waste ink tank 530, and the waste ink tank 530 is removed from the tank tray 602. The user grasps the pair of notches 808 in the waste ink tank 530 and removes the waste ink tank 530 from the tank tray 602. The flow path support member 614 is designed such that the carrier portion 902 is positioned rearward of the notches 808a when the tank tray 602 is in the replacement position (see FIG. 10). Therefore, when removing the waste ink tank 530, the flow path support member 614 is unlikely to come into contact with the user's hand, and damage to the flow path support member 614 due to contact with the user's hand is suppressed. In addition, the flow path 640 is removed from the connection port 814 of the tank cap 812 in the waste liquid tank 540, and the waste liquid tank 540 is removed from the tank tray 602. The user grasps the handle 818 of the waste liquid tank 540 and removes the waste liquid tank 540 from the tank tray 602.

[0079] Here, the replacement position is a position where the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540 can be easily removed from the tank tray 602. Specifically, when the tank tray 602 is located at the replacement position, the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540 are located forward of the upper cover 702, which is formed by protruding most forward around the waste liquid storage section 40 (see FIG. 11). That is, the tank caps 802 and 812 are also located forward of the upper cover 702. Therefore, at the replacement position, the space above the left side of the waste ink tank 530 is widely opened, and the space above the right side of the waste liquid tank 540 is widely opened. As a result, during the installation and removal of the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540 to and from the tank tray 602, including the installation and removal of the flow paths 630 and 640 from the connection ports 804 and 814, these members and the user's hands are less likely to interfere with other components of the recording device 10. Therefore, the user can easily remove the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540 from the waste liquid storage section 40.

[0080] In this embodiment, the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540 are positioned forward of the upper cover 702 at the replacement position, but this is not limited to this. If the size and shape of the components of the waste liquid storage unit 40 can be taken into consideration and the work of attaching and detaching each tank to and from the tank tray 602 can be easily performed, each tank and the upper cover 702 may overlap in the Y direction at the replacement position. The size and shape of the components of the waste liquid storage unit 40 refer to, for example, the size and shape of the waste ink tank 530, the waste liquid tank 540, the tank caps 802, 812, and the tank tray 602 in the height direction.

[0081] Thereafter, new waste ink tank 530 and waste liquid tank 540 are placed on the tank tray 602, and the flow path 630 is connected to the connection port 804 of the tank cap 802 of the waste ink tank 530. Also, the flow path 640 is connected to the connection port 814 of the tank cap 812 of the waste liquid tank 540. Then, the user presses the cover member 606 to move the tank tray 602, which is in the replacement position, to the storage position.

[0082] (Action and effect) As described above, in the recording device according to the present embodiment, in the tank tray movable in the Y direction, a flow path support member is provided in a waste liquid storage section supporting a tank for storing waste ink, etc., and the flow path support member supports a flow path for guiding waste ink, etc. to the tank. The flow path support member is provided with a main body fixing section fixed to the housing of the recording device, and a carrier section in the tank tray that is deformable following the movement of the tank tray. The main body fixing section fixes the flow path above the storage position where the tank tray is stored in the device. The carrier section is curved after being extended forward from the main body fixing section, folded back from the front side to the rear side, and extended so as to overlap with the main body fixing section in the gravity direction (-Z direction), and is configured to be able to store the flow path inside. Then, when the tank tray is pulled out to the outside of the device and the waste liquid storage section is located at an exchange position where the tank can be replaced, the tank is located forward of the cover member forming the exterior of the device near the waste liquid storage section.

[0083] This allows the tank to be replaced outside the device during tank replacement, making it possible to make full use of the space above the tank tray. This prevents the user's hands and the tank to be replaced from coming into contact with other components of the recording device, improving the ease of use when replacing the tank and preventing damage to the components caused by the tank and hands. Furthermore, even if ink that is prone to solidifying when exposed to the atmosphere is used, the components that come into contact with the atmosphere during replacement are also located outside, making it easier to replace components that have become stuck.

[0084] In addition, the flow path support member prevents the flow path from coming into contact with or bending other components when the tank tray is moved to the storage position or replacement position. This makes it possible to suppress leakage of waste ink within the device. Furthermore, by making the flow path support member approximately the same size as the tank in the height direction (Z direction), the waste liquid storage section can be made smaller in the height direction. In addition, in this embodiment, since the flow path support member is configured to support two flow paths, the waste liquid storage section is made smaller than a configuration in which each of the two flow paths is supported by a different flow path support member.

[0085] (Other embodiments) The above-described embodiment may be modified as shown in the following (1) to (7).

[0086] (1) In the above embodiment, the waste liquid storage unit 40 includes the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540, but is not limited to this. For example, in a case where the recording apparatus 10 is configured not to eject reaction liquid, the waste liquid storage unit 40 includes one waste ink tank 1202 as shown in Fig. 12. In this case, the flow path support member 1204 is arranged to extend along the Y direction on the side where the tank cap 1206 of the waste ink tank 1202 is provided (the right side in Fig. 12) in the X direction.

[0087] (2) In the above embodiment, the waste ink tank 530 has a pair of notches 808 formed by cutting out a portion of the bottom surface and the left and right sides, which can be grasped, and the waste liquid tank 540 has a handle portion 818 provided on the top surface, which can be grasped, but this is not limited to the above. Various known techniques can be used to configure the grip portions of the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the top surface of the tank may be provided with a handle portion 1208 that the user can place their hands on to lift the tank.

[0088] (3) In the above embodiment, the two flow paths 630 and 640 are supported by one flow path support member 614, but the present invention is not limited to this. The flow paths 630 and 640 may be supported by different flow path support members. In this case, the flow path support member does not need to be disposed between the waste ink tank 530 and the waste liquid tank 540. For example, the flow path support member supporting the flow path 630 may be disposed on the left side of the waste ink tank 530. In this case, it is preferable that the tank cap 802 of the waste ink tank 530 is provided on the left rear side of the upper surface of the waste ink tank 530. Also, the flow path support member supporting the flow path 640 may be disposed on the right side of the waste liquid tank 540.

[0089] (4) In the above embodiment, the positioning mechanism for the cap 304, the liquid applying unit 404, the removing unit 406, the negative pressure applying unit 408, and the like with respect to the recording head 36 is configured to fit a concave portion into a convex portion, but this is not limited thereto. For example, a configuration such as an abutting unit provided on the recording head 36 may be configured to abut against a predetermined position of the cap unit 302 and the cleaning unit 402 to position them. Alternatively, a pin may be provided on one of the recording head 36 and the cap unit 302 and the cleaning unit 402, and a hole may be provided on the other, and the two may be positioned by inserting the pin into the hole.

[0090] (5) Although not specifically described in the above embodiment, the present invention is not limited to being applied to a waste liquid storage section that stores waste ink and waste reaction liquid. That is, the present invention may be applied to a configuration that stores ink to be supplied to a recording head. For example, an ink storage section in which four ink tanks that store different types of ink are arranged side by side in the X direction in a tank tray that is movable in the Y direction is taken as an example. In this case, for example, a first flow path support member that supports a first flow path for supplying ink from the first ink tank and a second flow path for supplying ink from the second ink tank is arranged between the first ink tank and the second ink tank from the right side. In addition, a second flow path support member that supports a third flow path for supplying ink from the third ink tank and a fourth flow path for supplying ink from the fourth ink tank is arranged between the second ink tank and the fourth ink tank from the right side. In this case, ink is supplied to the corresponding recording head through the flow paths supported by the first flow path support member and the second flow path support member.

[0091] (6) In the above embodiment, the recording device 10 is configured to eject ink and a reaction liquid that reacts with the ink, but this is not limited to this. The recording device 10 may be configured to eject various liquids, such as a coating liquid that protects the recording surface and a treatment liquid that performs a predetermined treatment on the recording medium after recording.

[0092] (7) The above embodiment and the various configurations shown in (1) to (6) above may be combined as appropriate.

[0093] The disclosure of the above embodiment includes the following configurations and methods. (Configuration 1) A recording apparatus that discharges liquid onto a recording medium, A storage means for storing a liquid; a moving means for moving the storage means between an exchange position where the storage means is exchangeable and a storage position where the storage means is stored inside the recording device; a support means for supporting a flow path connected to said storage means and capable of deforming in accordance with the movement of said moving means. (Configuration 2) The support means is a fixed portion extending in a moving direction of the moving means and fixed to the recording device; a variable section having one end connected to the fixed section, extending from one side to the other side in the moving direction, curved at a predetermined curvature and folded back from the other side to the one side, and extending so as to overlap with the fixed section in the gravity direction, and having the other end fixed to the moving means. (Configuration 3) 3. The recording device according to configuration 2, wherein the variable section is configured by linking unit components with pins. (Configuration 4) The recording apparatus according to configuration 2 or 3, wherein the storage means has a connection member connectable to the flow path, the connection member being positioned on one side in the moving direction. (Configuration 5) 5. The recording device according to configuration 4, wherein the connection member is located on the side of the storage means where the support means is located. (Configuration 6) the storage unit stores liquid to be ejected onto a recording medium; 6. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the liquid stored in the storage means is supplied to a recording means that ejects the liquid through the flow path. (Configuration 7) The storage means stores waste liquid generated by a recovery operation for maintaining and recovering the liquid ejection characteristics in a good condition, 6. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein the waste liquid is sent to the storage means through the flow path. (Configuration 8) the storage means includes a first storage means for storing a first liquid and a second storage means for storing a second liquid; 6. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 5, wherein in the moving means, the first storage means and the second storage means are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting a moving direction of the moving means. (Configuration 9) The recording device according to configuration 8, wherein the support means supports a first flow path connected to the first storage means and a second flow path connected to the second storage means between the first storage means and the second storage means. (Configuration 10) The support means is a first support means for supporting a first flow path connected to the first storage means; The recording apparatus according to configuration 8, further comprising: second support means for supporting a second flow path connected to the second storage means. (Configuration 11) a first recording means for ejecting the first liquid; A second recording means for discharging the second liquid, the first liquid is ink supplied to the first recording means, 11. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 8 to 10, wherein the second liquid is a reactive liquid that reacts with the ink and is supplied to the second recording means. (Configuration 12) A first recording means for ejecting ink; A second recording means for ejecting a reaction liquid that reacts with the ink, the first liquid includes waste ink generated by a recovery operation for maintaining and recovering the ejection characteristics of the ink in the first recording means in a good condition, The recording device according to any one of configurations 8 to 10, characterized in that the second liquid includes waste reaction liquid generated by a recovery operation for maintaining and recovering the ejection characteristics of the reaction liquid in the second recording means. (Configuration 13) 13. The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 12, wherein, at the exchange position, the storage means does not overlap an exterior of the recording device in a moving direction of the moving means. (Configuration 14) 14. The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 13, wherein the storage means includes a gripping portion that can be gripped. (Configuration 15) 15. The recording device according to configuration 14, wherein the gripping portion is a cutout portion formed by cutting out a part of a side surface and a bottom surface of the storage means. (Configuration 16) 16. The recording device according to configuration 15, wherein, at the exchange position, the gripping portion does not overlap with the supporting means in the moving direction of the moving means. (Configuration 17) 15. The recording device according to configuration 14, wherein the grip portion is a handle portion provided upright on an upper surface of the storage means. (Configuration 18) 15. The recording device according to configuration 14, wherein the grip portion is a handhold portion that can be placed on an upper surface of the storage means to lift the storage means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 10 Recording Device 530 Waste ink tank 540 Waste Liquid Tank 602 Tank Tray 614 Flow path support member

Claims

1. A recording apparatus that discharges liquid onto a recording medium to record, A storage means for storing a liquid; a moving means for moving the storage means between an exchange position where the storage means is exchangeable and a storage position where the storage means is stored inside the recording device; a support means for supporting a flow path connected to said storage means and capable of deforming in accordance with the movement of said moving means.

2. The support means is a fixed portion extending in a moving direction of the moving means and fixed to the recording device; 2. The recording device according to claim 1, further comprising: a variable section, one end of which is connected to the fixed section, extends from one side in the moving direction to the other side, and then curves at a predetermined curvature and folds back from the other side to the one side, extending so as to overlap with the fixed section in the direction of gravity, and the other end of which is fixed to the moving means.

3. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the variable section is configured by linking unit components with pins.

4. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reservoir has a connection member connectable to the flow path, the connection member being positioned on one side in the moving direction.

5. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the connection member is located on a side of the storage means where the support means is located.

6. the storage unit stores liquid to be ejected onto a recording medium; 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid stored in the storage means is supplied to a recording means that ejects the liquid through the flow path.

7. The storage means stores waste liquid generated by a recovery operation for maintaining and recovering the ejection characteristics of the liquid in a good condition, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the waste liquid is sent to the storage means through the flow path.

8. the storage means includes a first storage means for storing a first liquid and a second storage means for storing a second liquid; 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in said moving means, said first storage means and said second storage means are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting a moving direction of said moving means.

9. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the support means supports a first flow path connected to the first storage means and a second flow path connected to the second storage means between the first storage means and the second storage means.

10. The support means is a first support means for supporting a first flow passage connected to the first storage means; 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: second support means for supporting a second flow path connected to the second storage means.

11. a first recording means for ejecting the first liquid; a second recording means for discharging the second liquid, the first liquid is ink supplied to the first recording means, 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second liquid is a reactive liquid that reacts with the ink and is supplied to the second recording means.

12. a first recording means for ejecting ink; A second recording means for ejecting a reaction liquid that reacts with the ink, the first liquid includes waste ink generated by a recovery operation for maintaining and recovering the ejection characteristics of the ink in the first recording means, 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the second liquid includes waste reaction liquid generated by a recovery operation for maintaining and recovering good ejection characteristics of the reaction liquid in the second recording means.

13. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, at the exchange position, the storage means does not overlap an exterior of the recording apparatus in the moving direction of the moving means.

14. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit includes a gripping portion that can be gripped.

15. 15. The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the gripping portion is a cutout portion formed by cutting out a part of a side surface and a bottom surface of the storage means.

16. 16. The recording apparatus according to claim 15, wherein, at the replacement position, the gripping portion does not overlap with the supporting means in the moving direction of the moving means.

17. 15. The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the grip portion is a handle portion provided upright on an upper surface of the storage means.

18. 15. The recording apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the grip portion is a handhold portion that can be placed on an upper surface of the storage means to lift up the storage means.

Images