Tank and liquid consuming device

Abstract

To provide a tank which makes it easy to ensure volumetric accuracy of a storage chamber in which a liquid is accumulated.SOLUTION: A tank 100 comprises a wall defining a first storage chamber 111D, and an outflow port 114 which flows a liquid 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. An inner surface 105A of the lower wall 105 includes a plane 221 extending in a direction crossing a vertical direction, and a convex 222 projecting downward from the plane 221. The outflow port 114 is positioned in a projected space 222A defined by the convex 222. One of the lower wall 105 and the upper wall 104 is molded integrally with the peripheral wall. The other of the lower wall 105 and the upper wall 104 is fluid-tightly connected to the integrally molded wall in the state of covering an opening formed in the integrally molded wall.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tank capable of storing a liquid for supplying the liquid to a liquid consumption unit and a liquid consumption device in which the tank is installed.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an ink tank for storing ink for supplying the ink to a recording head. The 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 ink tank is partitioned by the front wall, the right wall, the left wall, the upper wall, and the lower wall. The rear surface of the ink tank is open. The internal shape of the ink tank is defined by a mold drawn backward from the open rear surface of the ink tank. The rear surfaces of the right wall, the left wall, the upper wall, and the lower wall are sealed by welding a film thereto. In the internal space of the ink tank, a plurality of partition walls extending in the front-rear direction and the up-down direction are spaced apart in the left-right direction. Thereby, a plurality of ink chambers are partitioned in the internal space of the ink tank.

[0003] The lower wall has an upper-stage wall, a lower-stage wall located below the upper-stage wall, and a connecting wall connecting the upper-stage wall and the lower-stage wall. An opening is located below the upper-stage wall. The opening communicates with the recording head through an ink outflow path.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the ink tank of Patent Document 1, since the internal shape of the ink tank is defined by a mold that is drawn backward from the open rear surface of the ink tank, the rear surface of the ink tank is sealed with a film. For this reason, there is a problem that the volume of the ink chamber is likely to change and the volume accuracy is likely to be low.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a tank and a liquid consumption device that can easily ensure the volume accuracy of a storage chamber in which a liquid is stored.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] (1) The present disclosure relates to a tank. The tank includes a wall that defines a first storage chamber in which a liquid is stored, and an outlet that communicates with the first storage chamber and allows the liquid to flow out of the first storage chamber. The wall has a lower wall that extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, an upper wall that is located above the lower wall and extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, and a peripheral wall that extends along the vertical direction and connects the lower wall and the upper wall. The lower wall has an inner surface that defines the first storage chamber and includes a plane that extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and a convex surface that protrudes downward from the plane. The outlet 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.

[0008] Since the outlet is located in a convex space defined by a convex surface that protrudes downward from a plane, the usability of the liquid is good. Since the other of the lower wall and the upper wall is liquid-tightly connected to the integrally formed wall, the necessity of using a film to define the first storage chamber in a direction intersecting the vertical direction is reduced. For this reason, it is easy to ensure the volume accuracy of the first storage chamber.

[0009] (2) The other of the lower wall and the upper wall may be liquid-tightly connected to the integrally formed wall by welding.

[0010] It is easy for the other of the lower wall and the upper wall to be liquid-tightly connected to the integrally formed wall.

[0011] (3) The peripheral wall may have a front wall that defines the front end of the first storage chamber. The front wall may have a first mark indicating that the liquid level in the first storage chamber is at a first position, and a second mark indicating that the liquid level in the first storage chamber is at a second position below the first position. 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.

[0012] Compared with the case where the other of the lower wall and the upper wall is liquid-tightly connected between the first mark and the second mark, an error in the distance between the first mark and the second mark is suppressed, so the positional accuracy of the first mark and the second mark is ensured.

[0013] (4) The upper wall may be integrally formed with the peripheral wall. The tank may penetrate the integrally formed wall and be provided with an injection port through which liquid is injected. The lower wall may be liquid-tightly connected to the integrally formed wall.

[0014] Since the injection port through which liquid is injected is provided in the wall where the upper wall and the peripheral wall are integrally formed, the strength of the wall defining the first storage chamber is ensured compared to the case where the injection port is provided in the upper wall that is not integrally formed with the peripheral wall.

[0015] (5) The lower wall may be liquid-tightly connected to the integrally formed wall below the second mark.

[0016] 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, the strength of the wall defining the first storage chamber can be effectively improved as compared with the case where the lower wall is liquid-tightly connected to the wall integrally formed above the second mark.

[0017] (6) The above-mentioned outlet may be located in the above-mentioned convex space without contacting the above-mentioned convex surface.

[0018] Bubbles of the liquid adhering to the convex surface are less likely to enter the outlet.

[0019] (7) The above-mentioned tank may include an opening that penetrates the above-mentioned upper wall and is connected to a liquid consumption part that consumes liquid, and an outflow pipe that is connected to the above-mentioned opening and extends downward, and allows the liquid to flow out from the above-mentioned first storage chamber to the above-mentioned liquid consumption part through the above-mentioned outlet located at the lower end and the above-mentioned opening.

[0020] The liquid in the first storage chamber flows out to the liquid consumption part through an outflow pipe connected to an opening located in the upper wall. Therefore, the outflow path is shorter as compared with the case where the outflow path extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction from the outlet and extends upward along the outer surface of the tank. There is no need to define the outflow path by a film attached to the outer surface of the tank. Therefore, ink leakage due to damage to the film does not occur. Since there is no risk of film damage, it is easy to ensure the strength of the tank.

[0021] (8) The cross-sectional area of the lower part of the above-mentioned outflow pipe cut by a horizontal plane may be smaller than the cross-sectional area of the upper part of the above-mentioned outflow pipe cut by a horizontal plane.

[0022] While ensuring the drawability of the mold, it becomes difficult for bubbles of the liquid to enter the outflow pipe through the outlet.

[0023] (9) The above-mentioned plane may be inclined with respect to the direction orthogonal to the vertical direction so as to extend downward as it approaches the above-mentioned convex surface.

[0024] Since liquid tends to collect in the convex space defined by the convex surface, the ink consumption performance is improved.

[0025] (10) The tank may include a second storage chamber for storing liquid. The peripheral wall may have 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.

[0026] Since the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are separated in the left - right direction by the partition wall, the tank is miniaturized compared to the case where they are spaced apart in the left - right direction.

[0027] (11) The tank may include a first sensor for detecting the liquid level of the liquid stored in the first storage chamber. The first sensor may include a light - projecting part that projects light, and a light - receiving part that outputs a first signal when it does not receive the light projected by the light - projecting part and outputs a second signal when it receives the light projected by the light - projecting part. The light - projecting part may be covered by a first cover made of silicon. The light - receiving part may be covered by a second cover made of silicon.

[0028] When the liquid level in the first storage chamber drops, it becomes difficult for liquid to remain on the optical path on the opposing surface between the first cover and the second cover, so the detection accuracy of the first sensor is improved.

[0029] (12) The lower wall may have a first accommodating part that protrudes upward from the lower end of the lower wall, and a second accommodating part that protrudes upward from the lower end of the lower wall and faces the first accommodating part. The light - projecting part may be located in a first accommodating space defined by the first accommodating part. The light - receiving part may be located in a second accommodating space defined by the second accommodating part. The first cover may cover the outer surface of the first accommodating part. The second cover may cover the outer surface of the second accommodating part.

[0030] The user can place the light projecting part in the first accommodation space by inserting the light projecting part into the first accommodation space from below the lower wall. The user can place the light receiving part in the second accommodation space by inserting the light receiving part into the second accommodation space from below the lower wall. Therefore, the installation of the sensor becomes easy.

[0031] (13) The above-mentioned tank may be provided with a second sensor for detecting the liquid level of the liquid stored in the first storage chamber. The above-mentioned sensor has a float and a detected part, and may have a rotating member rotatably provided in the first storage chamber.

[0032] The rotating member rotates by the buoyancy of the float generated based on the remaining amount of the liquid in the storage chamber. Therefore, the detection position of the second sensor can be arranged above the liquid level of the storage chamber, so that the components of the second sensor such as the light projecting part and the light receiving part can be arranged above the detection position of the second sensor. Therefore, it is easy to effectively utilize the space around the detection position in the first storage chamber.

[0033] (14) The above-mentioned tank may be provided with a first sensor for detecting the liquid level of the liquid stored in the first storage chamber. The above-mentioned first sensor may have a light projecting part for projecting light, and a light receiving part that outputs a first signal when it does not receive the light projected by the light projecting part and outputs a second signal when it receives the light projected by the light projecting part. The above-mentioned peripheral wall may have a front wall that defines the front end of the first storage chamber. The above-mentioned front wall may have a visual recognition surface through which the first storage chamber can be visually recognized from the front. The above-mentioned light projecting part and the above-mentioned light receiving part may be covered by a light shielding part that shields light.

[0034] Since the light projected from the light projecting part is shielded by the light shielding part, the user is suppressed from perceiving the light projected from the light projecting part through the visual recognition surface.

[0035] (15) The present disclosure relates to a tank. The tank includes a lower wall that defines the lower end of a first storage chamber in which a liquid is stored, an upper wall that defines the upper end of the first storage chamber, and an outflow passage that allows the liquid to flow out from the first storage chamber to the outside. The outflow passage includes an outlet that communicates with the first storage chamber and an opening that communicates with the outside. The lower wall has an inner surface that defines the first storage chamber and includes a flat surface that extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and a convex surface that protrudes downward from the flat surface. The outflow passage may be a tubular body that extends downward in the first storage chamber from the opening that penetrates the upper wall to the outlet located in a convex space defined by the convex surface.

[0036] Since the outlet is located in a convex space defined by a convex surface that protrudes downward from the flat surface, the usability of the liquid is good. Since the outflow passage is a tubular body that extends downward in the first storage chamber from the opening that penetrates the upper wall to the outlet located in a convex space defined by the convex surface, the outflow passage is shorter compared to the case where the outflow passage extends in a direction intersecting the vertical direction from the outlet and extends upward on the outer surface of the tank. It is not necessary to define the outflow passage by a film attached to the outer surface of the tank. Therefore, ink leakage due to damage to the film does not occur. Since there is no risk of film damage, it is easy to ensure the strength of the tank.

[0037] (16) The present disclosure relates to a tank. The tank includes an upper wall that defines the upper end of a first storage chamber in which a liquid is stored, a lower wall that is located below the upper wall and defines the lower end of the first storage chamber, a peripheral wall that defines an end portion in a direction intersecting the vertical direction in the first storage chamber, and an injection port that penetrates the upper wall and into which the liquid is injected. The upper wall is integrally formed with the peripheral wall. The lower wall is liquid-tightly connected to the wall formed by integrally molding the upper wall and the peripheral wall.

[0038] Since the lower wall is liquid-tightly connected to the wall formed by integrally molding the upper wall and the peripheral wall, the need to use 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. Since the injection port into which the liquid is injected is provided in the upper wall of the wall formed by integrally molding the upper wall and the peripheral wall, it is easier to ensure the strength of the wall defining the first storage chamber than in the case where the injection port is provided in the upper wall not integrally molded with the peripheral wall.

[0039] (17) The present disclosure relates to a liquid consumption device. The liquid consumption device includes a housing, the tank installed in the internal space of the housing, and the liquid consumption unit located behind the tank. The outlet is located on the front side of the first storage chamber.

[0040] For example, when transporting the liquid consumption device, in order to effectively utilize the space, the rear part of the liquid consumption device may be in a posture where it comes downward. In this case, since the liquid consumption unit comes below the tank, the liquid in the storage chamber is likely to leak from the liquid consumption unit through the outlet of the outflow pipe. In the above configuration, since the outlet is located on the front side of the storage chamber, even when the rear part of the liquid consumption device is in a posture where it comes downward, the outlet is likely to be 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 outlet through the outflow pipe to the liquid consumption unit, so that leakage of the liquid from the liquid consumption unit is suppressed.

[0041] (18) The outlet may be located on the front side of the convex space.

[0042] Since the clearance between the outlet and the front surface of the convex surface becomes small, when the rear part of the liquid consumption device is in a posture where it comes downward, it is difficult for liquid bubbles to enter the clearance. Therefore, it is difficult for bubbles to adhere to the outlet. Even if bubbles adhere to the outlet, the bubbles are likely to fall from the outlet.

[0043] (19) This disclosure relates to a liquid consumption device. The liquid consumption device includes a housing, a tank located on one side in the left-right direction orthogonal to the vertical direction in the internal space of the housing, and a liquid consumption unit located on the side opposite to the one side in the left-right direction in the internal space of the housing. The outlet is located on the one side in the left-right direction in the first storage chamber.

[0044] For example, when transporting the liquid consumption device, in order to effectively utilize the space, the left or right part of the liquid consumption device may be in a posture where it is below. In this case, since the liquid consumption unit is below the tank, the liquid in the storage chamber is likely to leak from the liquid consumption unit through the outlet of the outflow pipe. In the above configuration, since the outlet is located on one side in the left-right direction in the storage chamber, even when the left or right part of the liquid consumption device is in a posture where it is below, the outlet is likely to be above the liquid level of the liquid in the storage chamber. Therefore, since the liquid in the storage chamber hardly flows out to the liquid consumption unit through the outflow pipe from the outlet, leakage of the liquid from the liquid consumption unit is suppressed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0045] According to the present invention, it is easy to ensure the volume accuracy of the storage chamber in which the liquid of the tank is stored.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0046]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

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Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

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Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. It should be noted that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention. In the following description, one direction from the starting point to the end point of a single arrow is expressed as the direction, and the bidirectional of both arrows is expressed as the orientation. That is, the direction is one component of the orientation. The upward and downward directions are each one component of the vertical direction and are opposite to each other. The leftward and rightward directions are each one component of the horizontal direction and are opposite to each other. The forward and backward directions are each one component of the front-rear direction and are opposite to each other. In this embodiment, the vertical direction corresponds to the gravitational direction, and the front-rear direction and the left-right direction correspond to the horizontal direction.

[0048] Furthermore, the vertical direction is defined based on the state or posture in which the multifunction machine 10 is installed for use, the front-rear direction is defined with the side where the opening 13 of the multifunction machine 10 is provided as the front side, and the left-right direction is defined when the multifunction machine 10 is viewed from the front side. Note that the state of FIG. 1 may be referred to as the "use state". Also, the posture of FIG. 1 may be referred to as the "use posture". The front side where the opening 13 of the multifunction machine 10 is provided is the front surface.

[0049] [Overall Configuration of Multifunction Machine 10] As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 10 has a casing 8 that is generally rectangular parallelepiped. The multifunction machine 10 has a scanner unit 9 and a printer unit 11 in the internal space of the casing 8. The scanner unit 9 is located in the upper part of the internal space of the casing 8. The scanner unit 9 has a scanning function. The printer unit 11 is located below the scanner unit 9 in the internal space of the casing 8. The printer unit 11 has a printing function. The printer unit 11 records an image on the paper 12 shown in FIG. 2 by an inkjet recording method. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the printer unit 11 includes a feeding unit 15, a feeding tray 20, a discharge tray 21, a conveyance path 65, a conveyance roller unit 54, a recording unit 24, a discharge roller unit 55, a platen 42, and an ink tank set 51. The multifunction machine 10 is an example of a liquid consumption device. Note that the multifunction machine 10 may be one in which the scanner unit 9 is omitted.

[0050] [Paper feed tray 20, discharge tray 21] As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 13 is located at the front of the multifunction machine 10 and at the center in the left - right direction. The paper feed tray 20 moves back and forth through the opening 13 by a user's operation. As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed tray 20 supports a plurality of stacked sheets of paper 12. The discharge tray 21 is located above the paper feed tray 20. The discharge tray 21 moves back and forth together with the paper feed tray 20. The discharge tray 21 supports the sheets of paper 12 discharged by the discharge roller unit 55.

[0051] [Paper feed unit 15] The paper feed unit 15 feeds the sheets of paper 12 supported on the paper feed tray 20 to the conveyance path 65. As shown in FIG. 2, the paper feed unit 15 includes a paper feed roller 25, a paper feed arm 26, and a shaft 27. The paper feed roller 25 is rotatably supported at the tip of the paper feed arm 26. The paper feed roller 25 is driven by a conveyance motor (not shown) and rotates in the direction of conveying the sheets of paper 12 in the conveyance direction 16. Hereinafter, the fact that the paper feed roller 25, the conveyance roller 60, and the discharge roller 62 rotate in the direction of conveying the sheets of paper 12 in the conveyance direction 16 is denoted as "forward rotation". The paper feed arm 26 is rotatably supported by a shaft 27 supported by the frame of the printer unit 11. The paper feed arm 26 is biased to rotate toward the paper feed tray 20 by its own weight or an elastic force such as a spring.

[0052] [Conveyance path 65] As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyance path 65 refers to, for example, a space defined by outer guide members 18 and inner guide members 19 that face each other at predetermined intervals. The conveyance path 65 extends from the rear end portion of the paper feed tray 20 to the rear of the printer unit 11. The conveyance path 65 extends upward from below while making a U-turn behind the printer unit 11 and reaches the discharge tray 21 through the space between the recording unit 24 and the platen 42. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the conveyance path 65 between the conveyance roller unit 54 and the discharge roller unit 55 is located approximately at the center of the multifunction machine 10 in the left-right direction and extends in the front-rear direction. The conveyance direction 16 of the sheet 12 in the conveyance path 65 is indicated by the arrow of the dashed line in FIG. 2.

[0053] [Conveyance roller unit 54] As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyance roller unit 54 is located upstream of the recording unit 24 in the conveyance direction 16. The conveyance roller unit 54 has a conveyance roller 60 and a pinch roller 61. The conveyance roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 face each other in the vertical direction. The conveyance roller 60 rotates when the drive of the conveyance motor is transmitted. The pinch roller 61 rotates along with the rotation of the conveyance roller 60. When the conveyance roller 60 rotates forward due to the forward rotation of the conveyance motor, the sheet 12 is sandwiched between the conveyance roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 and conveyed in the conveyance direction 16.

[0054] [Discharge roller unit 55] As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge roller unit 55 is located downstream of the recording unit 24 in the conveyance direction 16. The discharge roller unit 55 has a discharge roller 62 and an impeller 63. The discharge roller 62 and the impeller 63 face each other in the vertical direction. The discharge roller 62 rotates when the drive is transmitted from the conveyance motor. The impeller 63 rotates along with the rotation of the discharge roller 62. When the discharge roller 62 rotates forward due to the forward rotation of the conveyance motor, the sheet 12 is sandwiched between the discharge roller 62 and the impeller 63 and conveyed in the conveyance direction 16.

[0055] [Recording unit 24] As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 24 is located between the conveyance roller unit 54 and the discharge roller unit 55 in the conveyance direction 16. The recording unit 24 faces the platen 42 in the vertical direction with the conveyance path 65 therebetween. The recording unit 24 is located above the conveyance path 65 in the vertical direction. The recording unit 24 includes a carriage 23 and a recording head 39.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 3, 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 spaced apart in the front-rear direction and each extends in the left-right direction. The guide rails 43 and 44 reach outward of the conveyance 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 rotated by the transmission of drive from 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 indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 3. The carriage 23 moves to the right and left in the left-right direction from the conveyance path 65.

[0057] The ink tank 100 and the recording head 39 are connected by an ink tube 32. The control board on which a control unit (not shown) is mounted and the recording head 39 are electrically connected by a flexible flat cable 33. The ink tube 32 and the flexible flat cable 33 extend from the carriage 23, respectively. The ink tube 32 supplies the ink stored in the ink tank 100 to the recording head 39. The flexible flat cable 33 transmits the control signal output from the control unit to the recording head 39.

[0058] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the carriage 23 mounts the recording head 39. The recording head 39 is movable in the left - right direction by the movement of the carriage 23 between a standby position P1 and a maintenance position P2. The standby position P1 is located to the left of the conveyance path 65. The left side is an example of one side opposite to one side in the left - right direction. The maintenance position P2 is located to the right of the conveyance path 65. A plurality of nozzles 40 are located on the lower surface of the recording head 39. The recording head 39 discharges ink as minute ink droplets from the nozzles 40. In the process of the carriage 23 moving, the recording head 39 discharges ink droplets toward the sheet 12 supported by the platen 42. Thereby, an image is recorded on the sheet 12. The recording head 39 is an example of a liquid - consuming part.

[0059] [Platen 42] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the platen 42 is located between the conveyance roller unit 54 and the discharge roller unit 55 in the conveyance direction 16. The platen 42 faces the recording unit 24 in the up - down direction. The platen 42 supports the sheet 12 conveyed by the conveyance roller unit 54 from below.

[0060] [Ink Tank Set 51] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the ink tank set 51 has an ink tank 100, a tank cover 110, and a tank cap 127. The ink tank 100 is an example of a tank. Note that in FIG. 4, the tank cap 127 is omitted. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink tank set 51 is located inside the multifunction machine 10. The ink tank set 51 is fixed to the multifunction machine 10 so that it cannot be easily removed by the user. An opening is located at the front surface of the casing 8 of the multifunction machine 10 and at the right end in the left - right direction. The ink tank set 51 is located behind the opening of the casing 8. In other words, the ink tank set 51 is located to the right of the center in the left - right direction in the internal space of the casing 8. The right side is an example of one side in the left - right direction.

[0061] The cover 70 is provided on the casing 8 so as to be positioned in front of the opening of the casing 8. The cover 70 is rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the left - right direction at the lower end side in the up - down direction. The cover 70 is rotatable from the covering position shown in FIG. 1 that covers the opening of the casing 8 to an exposing position that exposes the opening of the casing 8 to the outside of the multifunction machine 10. That is, the cover 70 is rotatable from the covering position shown in FIG. 1 that covers the ink tank set 51 to an exposing position that exposes the ink tank set 51 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 part of the ink tank set 51 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction machine 10 through the opening of the cover 70. Note that the fact that a part of the ink tank set 51 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction machine 10 through the opening of the cover 70 means that at least a part of the ink tank set 51 can be visually recognized by the user from the outside of the multifunction machine 10 through the opening of the cover 70, and does not mean that a part of the ink tank set 51 protrudes to the outside of the multifunction machine 10 through the opening of the cover 70.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, the ink tank 100 includes four ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D inside. The four ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D are arranged in a row along the left - right direction in order from the left. Three ink chambers 111A, 111B, and 111C store any one of yellow, cyan, and magenta inks of different colors. The ink chamber 111D stores black ink. Ink is an example of a liquid. Note that examples of the type of ink include pigment ink containing a pigment and dye ink containing a dye. Further, each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D may store a cleaning liquid containing water instead of ink. The cleaning liquid is an example of a liquid.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 9, the outer shape of the ink tank 100 is generally a rectangular parallelepiped. The 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, and 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, and 134 are integrally formed, for example, by injection molding a resin material. As shown in FIG. 15, the wall 511 integrally formed by injection molding has an opening facing downward. The lower wall 105 is a molded product different from the wall 511 integrally formed by injection molding. Note that the lower wall 105 is molded from the same resin material as the integrally formed wall 511.

[0064] The lower wall 105 is welded to the lower end of the integrally formed wall 511 in a state of covering the opening 512 of the integrally formed wall 511. Thereby, the lower wall 105 is liquid-tightly connected to the lower end of the integrally formed wall 511. Examples of the welding include heat welding by applying heat from the outside, high-frequency welding and ultrasonic welding by heating with high frequency or ultrasonic waves, and laser welding by heating with the heat of laser light.

[0065] The front wall 101, the right wall 102, the left wall 103, the upper wall 104, and the rear wall 106 have a light-transmitting property that allows the liquid level of the ink inside to be visible from the outside of the ink tank 100. The front surface 101B of the front wall 101 has a visible surface 233 from which the four ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D can be seen from the front.

[0066] The three partition walls 131, 132, and 133 are spaced apart in the left - right direction. Each of the partition walls 131, 132, and 133 is in the shape of a flat plate extending in the front - rear direction and the up - down direction. The partition wall 131 is located at a distance to the right of the left wall 103. The partition wall 132 is located at a distance to the right of the partition wall 131. The partition wall 133 is located at a distance to the right of the partition wall 132. The front ends of each of the partition walls 131, 132, and 133 are connected to the rear surface of the front wall 101. The upper ends of each of the partition walls 131, 132, and 133 are connected to the lower surface of the upper wall 104. The lower ends of each of the partition walls 131, 132, and 133 are connected to the upper surface of the lower wall 105.

[0067] The partition wall 134 is located behind the three partition walls 131, 132, and 133. The partition wall 134 is in the shape of 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 from the rear end of the partition wall 133 to the right surface of the left wall 103.

[0068] The ink chamber 111A is defined 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.

[0069] The ink chamber 111A has an offset chamber 141A. The offset chamber 141A is located in front of the center in the front - rear direction of the ink chamber 111A. The center A1 in the left - right direction of the offset chamber 141A is shifted to the right of the center A2 in the left - right direction of the ink chamber 111A due to the front - side portions of the left wall 103 and the partition wall 131 being bent concavely to the right.

[0070] The ink chamber 111B is defined 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.

[0071] The ink chamber 111B has an offset chamber 141B. The offset chamber 141B is located forward of the center in the front-rear direction of the ink chamber 111B. The center A3 in the left-right direction of the offset chamber 141B is shifted to the right of the center A4 in the left-right direction of the ink chamber 111B due to the front portions of the partition wall 131 and the front portion of the partition wall 132 being bent concavely to the right.

[0072] The ink chamber 111C is defined 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.

[0073] The ink chamber 111C has an offset chamber 141C. The offset chamber 141C is located forward of the center in the front-rear direction of the ink chamber 111C. The center A5 in the left-right direction of the offset chamber 141C is shifted to the right of the center A6 in the left-right direction of the ink chamber 111C due to the front portions of the partition wall 132 and the front portion of the partition wall 133 being bent concavely to the right.

[0074] The ink chamber 111D is defined 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 ink chamber 111D is L-shaped, extending rearward from the rear surface of the front wall 101 and bending to the left. The rear side of the ink chamber 111D is located rearward of the three ink chambers 111A, 111B, and 111C. The volume of the ink chamber 111D is larger than the volumes of the respective ink chambers 111A, 111B, and 111C. The 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. Note that the front wall 101, the right wall 102, the rear wall 106, the partition wall 133, and the partition wall 134 do not have to be completely parallel to the vertical direction.

[0075] The ink chamber 111D has an offset chamber 141D. The offset chamber 141D is located in front of the center in the front-rear direction of the ink chamber 111D. The center A7 in the left-right direction of the offset chamber 141D is shifted to the right of the center A8 in the left-right direction of the ink chamber 111D due to the front part of the partition wall 133 being bent concave to the right.

[0076] The upper surface 105A of the lower wall 105 in each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D includes a flat surface 221 that extends in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and a convex surface 222 that protrudes downward from the flat surface 221. Each convex surface 222 demarcates a substantially rectangular parallelepiped-shaped convex space 222A that is long in the front-rear direction. Each convex space 222A extends rearward from the approximate center in the front-rear direction of each of the offset chambers 141A, 141B, 141C, 141D to the approximate center in the front-rear direction of each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D. Each convex space 222A is located at the centers A1, A3, A5, A7 in the left-right direction of each of the offset chambers 141A, 141B, 141C, 141D.

[0077] The flat surface 221 has an inclined surface 221A that extends from the approximate center in the front-rear direction of the four convex spaces 222A to the front surface of the rear wall 106. The inclined surface 221A extends from the right surface of the left wall 103 to the left surface of the right wall 102. The inclined surface 221A is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction so as to go downward as it goes forward. Thereby, the ink stored in each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D easily gathers 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.

[0078] As shown in FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, a front storage portion 225 and a rear storage portion 226 are located behind the offset chamber 141D. The rear storage portion 226 is spaced rearward from the front storage portion 225. The rear storage portion 226 faces the front storage portion 225 in the front-rear direction. The front storage portion 225 and the rear storage portion 226 respectively partition a substantially cubic front storage space 225A and a rear storage space 226A by protruding upward from the lower end of the lower wall 105. The front storage portion 225 and the rear storage portion 226 are open downward. The entire outer surface of the front storage portion 225 is covered by a front cover 227. The front cover 227 is made of silicon. The entire outer surface of the rear storage portion 226 is covered by a rear cover 228. The rear cover 228 is made of silicon. The front storage portion 225 is an example of a first storage portion. The front storage space 225A is an example of a first storage 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.

[0079] As shown in FIGS. 6, 9, and 12, a sensor 311 is located behind the offset chamber 141D. The sensor 311 detects the position of the ink liquid level in the ink chamber 111D. The sensor 311 has a light projecting portion 311A and a light receiving portion 311B. The light projecting portion 311A is disposed in the front storage space 225A by being inserted into the front storage space 225A from below the lower wall 105. The light receiving portion 311B is disposed in the rear storage space 226A by being inserted into the rear storage 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 fixed to a protruding portion 312 protruding downward from the lower wall 105. Thereby, the light projecting portion 311A and the light receiving portion 311B are respectively held in the front storage space 225A and the rear storage space 226A.

[0080] The light projecting unit 311A projects light backward toward the light receiving unit 311B. When the liquid level of the ink chamber 111D is located above the optical path of the light projected from the light projecting unit 311A to the light receiving unit 311B, the light projected from the light projecting unit 311A passes through the front housing part 225 and the front cover 227 backward, then passes through the ink backward and reaches the rear housing part 226. The light that reaches the rear housing part 226 passes through the rear cover 228 and the rear housing part 226 backward and is received by the light receiving unit 311B. On the other hand, when the liquid level of the ink chamber 111D is located below the optical path of the light projected from the light projecting unit 311A to the light receiving unit 311B, the light projected from the light projecting unit 311A is refracted at the front cover 227 and does not reach the light receiving unit 311B.

[0081] The light receiving unit 311B is capable of receiving 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.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 5, 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 positioned at intervals in the left-right direction. The four upper marks 181 are positioned above the middle part in the up-down direction on the front surface 101B. The four upper marks 181 are positioned at the upper part on the front surface 101B. The four upper marks 181 are positioned below the upper end of the front surface 101B. Each upper mark 181 has an upper line 181A extending along the left-right direction and an upper arrow 181B positioned below the upper line 181A. The apex of the upper arrow 181B is positioned at the center in the left-right direction of the upper line 181A. The left-right position of each upper mark 181 coincides with each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D. Each upper mark 181 indicates that the ink in each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D is full when there is a liquid level at the position of the upper line 181A. 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. Note that the upper mark 181 may be a mark consisting of only one of the upper line 181A and the upper arrow 181B.

[0083] The four lower marks 182 are located below the vertical middle part on the front surface 101B. The four lower marks 182 are located in the lower part on the front surface 101B. The four lower marks 182 are located above the lower end of the front surface 101B. Each of the four lower marks 182 has a lower line 182A extending along the left - right direction and a lower arrow 182B located below the lower line 182A. The apex of the lower arrow 182B is located at the left - right center of the lower line 182A. The left - right position of each lower mark 182 coincides with each of the ink chambers 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 about time to replenish ink to each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D. The lower mark 182 is an example of the second mark. The position of the lower line 182A is an example of the second position. Note that the lower mark 182 may be a mark consisting of only one of the lower line 182A and the lower arrow 182B. Also, the four upper marks 181 and the four lower marks 182 may be integrally formed with the front surface 101B, or may be attached to the front surface 101B as a sticker.

[0084] The upper surface of the upper wall 104 is composed of a plurality of surfaces extending in the front - rear direction and the left - right direction. The upper wall 104 has an air - communication port 112 that communicates each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D with the outside. Each air - communication port 112 penetrates the upper wall 104 in the vertical 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 on the upper surface of the upper wall 104. The inclined surface 104A is inclined with respect to the front - rear direction so as to extend downward as it goes forward. The inclined surface 104A extends from the left end to the right end of the ink tank 100.

[0085] The upper wall 104 has four openings 113 that communicate each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D with the outside. The four openings 113 are located in front of the air - communication port 112. The four openings 113 are spaced apart along the left - right direction. Each opening 113 is an example of an opening.

[0086] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 9, an outflow pipe 124 is connected to each opening 113. Each outflow pipe 124 is a tubular body that extends downward in a circular tube shape along the vertical direction from each opening 113 to each offset chamber 141A, 141B, 141C, 141D. The lower end of each outflow pipe 124 has an outlet 114 that opens downward. Each outflow pipe 124 defines an outflow path 150 that extends along the vertical direction from the outlet 114 to the opening 113. Each outlet 114 is located in each convex space 222A. As a result, each outlet 114 is located to the right of the centers A2, A4, A6, A8 in the left-right direction of each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D. Each outlet 114 is located in front of the center in the front-rear direction in each convex space 222A. Each outlet 114 is separated from each convex surface 222. Each outlet 114 is located below the center in the vertical direction in each convex space 222A. Each outlet 114 is located slightly above the lower end of each convex space 222A.

[0087] 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 has a cylindrical shape. 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 has a conical tube shape with a diameter that 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.

[0088] 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 that extends along the vertical direction.

[0089] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, each outflow pipe 124 is connected to a connection portion 170 disposed on the upper surface of the upper wall 104. The connection portion 170 includes a flat plate-like substrate 170A detachably fixed to the upper wall 104, and four cylindrical tubular portions 170B extending downward along the vertical direction from the substrate 170A. The substrate 170A has a film and four ink flow paths 191. The four ink flow paths 191 are defined by grooves formed on the upper surface of the substrate 170A and a film laminated on the upper surface of the substrate 170A. Note that the film is omitted in FIGS. 4 and 6. Each ink flow path 191 is connected to an ink tube 32 connected to the recording head 39. Each tubular portion 170B has an ink flow path 192 through which ink can flow. Each ink flow path 192 communicates with any one of the four ink flow paths 191. Each tubular portion 170B is liquid-tightly inserted into the through hole 160A of each seal member 160. Thereby, each ink flow path 192 communicates with the outflow path 150 of each outflow pipe 124. The ink stored in each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D flows to the recording head 39 through each outflow pipe 124, each ink flow path 192, each ink flow path 191, and the ink tube 32. When ink is ejected from the recording head 39 and the ink in each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D is consumed, air flows into each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D through each air communication port 112.

[0090] At the front end portion of the upper wall 104, there is located a cylindrical annular wall 122 that covers the periphery of the tank tube 115 and the communication port 119. The annular wall 122 extends obliquely upward forward in parallel with the tank tube 115 along an extending direction intersecting the gravitational direction and the horizontal direction from the front end portion of the upper wall 104. The tank tube 115 projects upward from the tip of the annular wall 122.

[0091] Inside the annular wall 122, there is a tank tube body 115. The tank tube body 115 is a circular tube extending obliquely upward forward from the upper wall 104 along an extending direction intersecting the gravitational direction and the horizontal direction. The upper end of the tank tube body 115 opens outside each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D. The lower end of the tank tube body 115 opens inside each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D. The internal space of the tank tube body 115 connects the outside and the inside of each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D. The tank tube body 115 is located behind the center of the annular wall 122. In other words, the axis passing through the center of the tank tube body 115 is located behind the axis passing through the center of the annular wall 122 when viewed from the extending direction in which the tank tube body 115 extends. The tip of the tank tube body 115 is bifurcated in the left-right direction. Due to the tip of the tank tube body 115 being bifurcated in the left-right direction, voids are located above and below the tip of the tank tube body 115.

[0092] Inside the annular wall 122 on the inclined surface 104A, there is a communication port 119. The communication port 119 penetrates the upper wall 104 in the vertical direction. The front side of the communication port 119 is circular, and the rear side is square. In other words, the communication port 119 has a shape in which one side of the front side of the square bulges in an arc shape. The communication port 119 connects the outside and the inside of each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D. The communication port 119 is located in front of the tank tube body 115. The communication port 119 is located below the tank tube body 115. In other words, the straight line extending in the extending direction through the center of the communication port 119 when viewed from the extending direction in which the tank tube body 115 extends is located in front of the axis passing through the center of the tank tube body 115 when viewed from the extending direction in which the tank tube body 115 extends. The communication port 119 is located in front of the center of the annular wall 122. In other words, the straight line extending in the extending direction through the center of the communication port 119 when viewed from the extending direction in which the annular wall 122 extends is located in front of the axis passing through the center of the annular wall 122 when viewed from the extending direction in which the annular wall 122 extends. The communication port 119 is an example of an injection port.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 4, the tank cover 110 holds the ink tank 100 in a state of covering the front side of the 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 ink tank 100. The front wall 201 has an opening 207. Through the opening 207, a part of the front wall 101 of the ink tank 100 is exposed to the front of the tank cover 110. Note that the fact that a part of the front wall 101 of the ink tank 100 is exposed to the front of the tank cover 110 through the opening 207 means that at least a part of the front wall 101 of the ink tank 100 can be visually recognized by the user from the front of the tank cover 110 through the opening 207, and does not mean that a part of the front wall 101 of the ink tank 100 protrudes to the front of the tank cover 110 through the opening 207.

[0094] The tank cover 110 may have a light-transmissive cover that covers the opening 207 in a state where the front wall 101 of the ink tank 100 is visible from the front of the tank cover 110. The light-transmissive cover may have four upper marks 181 and four lower marks 182. That is, the tank cover 110 may have the four upper marks 181 and the four lower marks 182, and the ink tank 100 may not have the four upper marks 181 and the four lower marks 182.

[0095] The upper wall 202 covers a part of the front side of the upper wall 104 of the ink tank 100. The right wall 203 covers a part of the right wall 102 of the ink tank 100. The left wall 204 covers a part of the left wall 103 of the ink tank 100. The lower wall 205 covers the lower wall 105 of the ink tank 100.

[0096] The inclined wall 206 is connected to the upper end of the front wall 201 and is connected to the front end of the upper wall 202. The inclined wall 206 is located above the annular wall 122 of the ink tank 100. The inclined wall 206 is located in front of the annular wall 122 of the ink tank 100. That is, the inclined wall 206 is positioned with respect to the annular wall 122 in a direction in which the annular wall 122 extends along the extending direction from the front end portion of the upper wall 104. The outer surface of the inclined wall 206 intersects the direction of gravity and the horizontal direction. The outer surface of the inclined wall 206 is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction so as to extend downward as it goes forward. The inclined wall 206 covers a part of the inclined surface 104A of the upper wall 104 of the ink tank 100.

[0097] 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 vertical direction. The inner peripheral surface of each through hole 72 is cylindrical and extends in a direction orthogonal to the outer surface of the inclined wall 206, that is, obliquely upward in the front direction. That is, each through hole 72 is cylindrical. Here, the cylindrical shape refers to a shape in which the inner peripheral surface forms a closed space by going around once, and the shape of the opening formed by the inner peripheral surface is not necessarily circular. Also, regardless of the length of the inner peripheral surface extending in the direction of the opening formed by the inner peripheral surface, in other words, regardless of the thickness of the through hole 72, it is cylindrical. The inner peripheral surface of each through hole 72 surrounds each annular wall 122 when viewed obliquely upward from the front. The four through holes 72 are positioned so as to correspond to any one of the four ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D. That is, each of the four through holes 72 overlaps each of the four ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D when viewed obliquely upward from the front. Each annular wall 122 and each communication port 119 are exposed outside the tank cover 110 through each through hole 72. As shown in FIG. 6, each tank tube 115 protrudes outside the tank cover 110 through each through hole 72. Each tank tube 115 and each communication port 119 are visible through each through hole 72. Each through hole 72 has a shape into which the bottle cap 82 of the ink bottle 80 described later can be inserted.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 6, the tank cap 127 is detachable from the annular wall 122. The tank cap 127 is a cylindrical member with one end closed. When the tank cap 127 is removed from the annular wall 122, it is not connected to the ink tank 100 and the tank cover 110 and is completely separated. That is, the ink tank set 51 does not have a holding member composed of an arm or the like that holds the tank cap 127 removed from the annular wall 122 in a state of being connected to the ink tank 100 or the tank cover 110.

[0099] [Position relationship between ink tank 100 and recording head 39] As shown in FIG. 3, 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 tank 100.

[0100] [Ink bottle 80] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the ink bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank set 51. The ink bottle 80 has a bottle body 81, a bottle cap 82, and a valve 161. The bottle body 81 has a cylindrical shape with an open upper end. The bottle body 81 has an ink storage chamber 147 for storing ink. The bottle cap 82 is detachably attached to the upper end of the bottle body 81 and has a cylindrical shape. The internal space of the bottle cap 82 communicates with the ink storage chamber 147.

[0101] The bottle cap 82 has a protrusion 94, an opening 95, and a bottle tube 96. As shown in FIG. 7, 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 that conforms to the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 72. The opening 95 and the bottle tube 96 are located at the upper end of the protrusion 94. The opening 95 communicates the inside and the outside of the ink bottle 80. As shown in FIG. 7, the bottle tube 96 is located in front of the opening 95. The bottle tube 96 extends upward from the upper end of the bottle cap 82. The bottle tube 96 communicates the inside and the outside of the ink bottle 80. As shown in FIG. 8, a valve 161 is disposed in the internal space of the bottle cap 82. The valve 161 closes the openings of the opening 95 and the bottle tube 96 on the ink storage chamber 147 side. The valve 161 is movable along the vertical direction shown in FIG. 7 between a closed position where the openings of the opening 95 and the bottle tube 96 on the ink storage chamber 147 side are closed and an open position where the openings of the opening 95 and the bottle tube 96 on the ink storage chamber 147 side are opened.

[0102] [Connection between Ink Bottle 80 and Ink Tank 100] Hereinafter, as shown in FIG. 8, an example in which the ink bottle 80 is connected to the ink chamber 111A is shown. The user inserts the protrusion 94 of the ink bottle 80 into the through hole 72 of the tank cover 110. The bottle tube 96 of the ink bottle 80 is connected to the communication port 119 of the ink tank 100, and the tank tube 115 of the ink tank 100 is inserted into the opening 95 of the ink bottle 80. At this time, the valve 161 is moved from the closed position to the open position by the tank tube 115 inserted into the opening 95. Thereby, the connection between the ink bottle 80 and the ink tank 100 is completed.

[0103] When the ink bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100, the ink in the ink storage chamber 147 flows into the ink chamber 111A of the ink tank 100 through the bottle tube 96. At the same time, the air in the ink tank 100 flows into the ink storage chamber 147 through the tank tube 115. In this way, so-called gas-liquid replacement occurs, and the ink in the ink bottle 80 is supplied to the ink chamber 111A.

[0104] [Operation and Effect of Embodiment] In the ink tank 100, since the outlet 114 is located in the convex space 222A defined by the convex surface 222 protruding downward from the plane, the ink consumption property is good. Since the lower wall 105 is liquid-tightly connected to the wall 511 formed by integrally molding 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, there is little need to use a film to define the four ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D in the directions intersecting in the vertical direction. Therefore, it is easy to ensure the volume accuracy of the four ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D, and it is easy to ensure the strength of the ink tank 100 in the directions intersecting in the vertical direction.

[0105] In the ink tank 100, since the lower wall 105 is a molded product molded from the same resin material as the integrally molded wall 511, no film is used for the walls defining the four ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D. Therefore, there is no risk of film breakage.

[0106] In the ink tank 100, since the lower wall 105 is liquid-tightly connected to the integrally molded wall 511 by welding, it is surely liquid-tightly connected by the integrally molded wall 511.

[0107] In the ink tank 100, since the four lower marks 182 are located above the lower end of the front surface 101B, the lower wall 105 is liquid-tightly connected to the integrally formed wall 511 at a position farther below than the positions of the four lower marks 182. For this reason, compared with the case where the lower wall 105 is liquid-tightly connected between the four upper marks 181 and the four lower marks 182, the error in the distance between the four upper marks 181 and the four lower marks 182 is small, so the positional accuracy of the four upper marks 181 and the four lower marks 182 is ensured.

[0108] In the ink tank 100, the communication port 119 is located in the upper wall 104 of the integrally formed wall 511 where 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. For this reason, compared with the case where the communication port 119 is located in the upper wall 104 that is liquid-tightly connected to the integrally formed wall 511, the strength of the walls defining each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D is ensured. Also, in the walls defining each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D, the required strength of the portion below the positions of the four lower marks 182 is lower than the required strength of the portion above the positions of the four upper marks 181. For this reason, compared with the 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 walls defining each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D is high.

[0109] In the ink tank 100, each outlet 114 is located away from each convex surface 222 in each convex space 222A. For this reason, it is difficult for the bubbles of the ink adhering to each convex surface 222 to enter each outlet 114.

[0110] In the ink tank 100, the ink in each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D flows out to the recording head 39 through each outflow pipe 124 connected to each opening 113 located in the upper wall 104. For this reason, for example, the outflow path 150 is shorter compared to a case where the outflow path 150 extends horizontally from the outlet 114 and extends upward along the outer surface of the ink tank 100. It is not necessary to define the outflow path 150 by a film attached to the outer surface of the ink tank 100. For this reason, ink leakage due to film breakage does not occur. Since there is no risk of film breakage, it is easy to ensure the strength of the ink tank.

[0111] In the ink tank 100, the cross-sectional area S1 of the inner diameter of the small-diameter portion 124A in the outflow pipe 124 is smaller than the cross-sectional area S2 of the inner diameter of the large-diameter portion 124B. For this reason, it is easy to draw out the mold from the wall 511 in which 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 are integrally formed. Ink bubbles are less likely to enter the outflow pipe 124 through the outlet 114.

[0112] In the ink tank 100, the upper surface 105A of the lower wall 105 extends rearward from each convex space 222A and has an inclined surface 221A that inclines downward with respect to the front-rear direction so as to go downward as it goes forward. For this reason, the ink stored in each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D easily gathers in each convex space 222A, so the usability of the ink is high.

[0113] In the ink tank 100, since the four ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D are separated in the left-right direction by the three partition walls 131, 132, and 133, the ink tank 100 is miniaturized compared to a case where the four ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D are spaced apart in the left-right direction.

[0114] In the ink tank 100, the light projecting unit 311A is covered by the front cover 227 made of silicon. The light receiving unit 311B is covered by the rear cover 228 made of silicon. Therefore, when the liquid level of the ink in the ink chamber 111D drops, it is difficult for the ink to remain on the optical path of the light projected from the light projecting unit 311A toward the light receiving unit 311B, so the detection accuracy of the sensor 311 is high.

[0115] In the ink tank 100, the user can insert the light projecting unit 311A and the light receiving unit 311B into the front accommodation space 225A and the rear accommodation space 226A respectively from below the lower wall 105. Therefore, it is easy to assemble the light projecting unit 311A and the light receiving unit 311B to the lower wall 105.

[0116] For example, when the multifunction machine 10 is being transported, in order to effectively utilize the space, as shown in FIG. 13, the rear part of the multifunction machine 10 may be in a posture where it comes downward. In this case, since the recording head 39 comes below the ink tank 100, the ink in each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D is likely to leak from the recording head 39 through each outlet 114 of each outflow pipe 124. However, in the multifunction machine 10, each outlet 114 is located in front of the center in the front-rear direction of each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D, so it is likely to be above the liquid level T1 of the ink stored in each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D. Therefore, it is difficult for the ink in each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D to flow out of the recording head 39 through each outlet 114, so leakage of ink from the recording head 39 is suppressed.

[0117] In the ink tank 100, each outlet 114 is located in front of the center in the front-rear direction in each convex space 222A. Therefore, since the clearance between each outlet 114 and the front surface of each convex surface 222 becomes small, when the rear part of the multifunction machine 10 is in a posture where it comes downward, it is difficult for ink bubbles to enter the clearance. Therefore, even if ink bubbles adhere to each outlet 114, the ink bubbles are likely to fall from each outlet 114.

[0118] For example, when the multifunction device 10 is being transported, in order to make effective use of space, as shown in FIG. 14, the left part of the multifunction device 10 may be in a posture where it faces downward. In this case, since the recording head 39 comes below the ink tank 100, the ink in each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D is likely to leak from the recording head 39 through each outlet 114 of each outflow pipe 124. However, in the multifunction device 10, each outlet 114 is located to the right of the centers A2, A4, A6, and A8 in the left - right direction of each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D, and thus is likely to be above the liquid level T2 of the ink stored in each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D. For this reason, it is difficult for the ink in each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D to flow out of the recording head 39 through each outlet 114, and thus leakage of ink from the recording head 39 is suppressed.

[0119] [Modification Example] 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, and 134 are integrally formed. However, 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, and 134 may be integrally formed. In this case, the upper wall 104 is liquid - tightly connected to the upper end of the integrally formed wall 511 in a state of covering the opening 512 of the integrally formed wall 511.

[0120] In the ink tank 100, the lower wall 105 is welded to the integrally formed wall 511 formed by 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, as long as the lower wall 105 can be liquid - tightly connected to the integrally formed wall 511, it is not limited to welding. For example, as a method of liquid - tight connection, there are a method of press - fitting 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 taping the connection part between the lower wall 105 and the integrally formed wall 511.

[0121] In the ink tank 100, openings may be provided in part 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, 134. In this case, the film may be welded in a state covering the openings.

[0122] In the ink tank 100, the lower wall 105 was welded to the integrally formed wall 511 at a position farther below than the positions of the four lower marks 182. However, for example, it may be welded to the integrally formed wall 511 at a position between the four lower marks 182 and the four upper marks 181. As shown in FIG. 16, the lower wall 105 may be integrally formed with the peripheral walls such as the front wall 101 and the rear wall 106, and the upper wall 104 may be welded to the integrally formed wall 511. In this case, the upper wall 104 may be welded at a position farther above than the positions of the four upper marks 181, or the upper wall 104 may be welded at a position between the four lower marks 182 and the four upper marks 181.

[0123] In the ink tank 100, each outlet 114 was located away from each convex surface 222 in each convex space 222A. However, if ink can flow in, it may be in contact with each convex surface 222 in each convex space 222A.

[0124] In the ink tank 100, the outflow pipe 124 extends downward from the opening 113 formed in the upper wall 104. However, for example, it may extend upward from the opening 113 formed in the lower wall 105.

[0125] In the ink tank 100, the inner diameter of the small-diameter portion 124A of the outflow pipe 124 was smaller than the inner diameter of the large-diameter portion 124B. However, for example, the inner diameter of the outflow pipe 124 may be constant from the outlet 114 to the opening 113. In other words, the cross-sectional area along the horizontal direction of the outflow path 150 may be constant from the outlet 114 to the opening 113.

[0126] In the ink tank 100, the inclined surface 221A on the upper surface 105A of the lower wall 105 was inclined with respect to the front-rear direction. However, for example, it may be parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0127] In the ink tank 100, the four ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D were arranged adjacent to each other in the left - right direction by the three partition walls 131, 132, and 133, but they may be arranged with a space in the left - right direction.

[0128] In the ink tank 100, the light - emitting part 311A of the sensor 311 was covered by the front cover 227 made of silicon. However, as long as light can pass through, it may be covered by a front cover 227 made of a material other than silicon, or it may not be covered by the front cover 227. Also, as long as light can pass through, the light - receiving part 311B of the sensor 311 may be covered by a rear cover 228 made of a material other than silicon, or it may not be covered by the rear cover 228.

[0129] When the front cover 227 and the rear cover 228 are omitted, as shown in FIG. 18, the light - emitting part 311A and the light - receiving part 311B may be covered by a light - shielding part 433 that shields light. The light - shielding part 433 is a box - shaped that opens downward. The front accommodation part 225 and the rear accommodation part 226 are located in the internal space of the light - shielding part 433. The light - shielding part 433 is made of rubber and is attached to the outer surfaces of the front accommodation part 225 and the rear accommodation part 226 by being elastically deformed so as to expand the internal space of the light - shielding part 433. In this way, the light projected from the light - emitting part 311A is shielded by the light - shielding part 433, so that the user is suppressed from perceiving the light projected from the light - emitting part 311A through the visual recognition surface 233. Note that the light - shielding part 433 may be attached to the lower wall 105 by being thermally caulked to the lower wall 105 in a state of covering the front accommodation part 225 and the rear accommodation part 226. Instead of the light - emitting part 311A and the light - receiving part 311B, electrodes arranged at the detection positions of the sensor 311 may be used. In this case, the electrodes may be covered by the light - shielding part 433.

[0130] When pigment ink is used as the ink for each of the ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D, the viscosity of the pigment ink is higher than that of the dye ink, so ink is likely to remain on the path of the light projected from the light projecting unit 311A toward the light receiving unit 311B. For this reason, the light projecting unit 311A and the light receiving unit 311B are preferably covered by a front cover 227 and a rear cover 228 made of silicon, respectively. When pigment ink is used, since infrared light, which is invisible light, can be used, the light projected from the light projecting unit 311A is not perceived by the user through the viewing surface 233. On the other hand, since the viscosity of the dye ink is lower than that of the pigment ink, ink is less likely to remain on the path of the light projected from the light projecting unit 311A toward the light receiving unit 311B. However, when dye ink is used, since invisible light cannot be used as the light projected by the light projecting unit 311A, it is necessary to use visible light. In this case, since the light projected from the light projecting unit 311A can be perceived by the user through the viewing surface 233, it is preferable that the light projecting unit 311A and the light receiving unit 311B are covered by the light shielding unit 433.

[0131] In the ink tank 100, the light projecting unit 311A and the light receiving unit 311B of the sensor 311 are inserted into the front accommodation space 225A from below the lower wall 105 and assembled to the lower wall 105. However, the assembling method of the light projecting unit 311A and the light receiving unit 311B is not particularly limited as long as it can detect the liquid level of the ink in the ink chamber 111D. For example, a front accommodation part 225 and a rear accommodation part 226 that are open upward may be provided on the upper surface 105A of the lower wall 105, and the light projecting unit 311A and the light receiving unit 311B may be inserted into the front accommodation space 225A and the rear accommodation space 226A partitioned by the front accommodation part 225 and the rear accommodation part 226 from above and assembled to the lower wall 105. In this case, a lid member for closing the upper end openings of the front accommodation part 225 and the rear accommodation part 226 may be provided.

[0132] In the ink tank 100, the front storage portion 225 and the rear storage portion 226 were located behind the offset chamber 141D, but the front storage portion 225 and the rear storage portion 226 may be omitted. In this case, instead of the sensor 311, as shown in FIG. 17, a sensor 318 may be provided in the ink chamber 111A. The sensor 318 includes a light projecting portion that projects light, a light receiving portion that receives the 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. In FIG. 17, the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion are omitted. The support member 319 has two opposing walls 319A that oppose each other in the left-right direction. The rotating member 320 includes an arm 320A rotatably supported by the two opposing walls 319A, a detected portion 320B located at the tip of the arm 320A, and a float 320C 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 ink in the ink chamber 111A. The arm 320A rotates so that the detected portion 320B comes to the highest position when the ink in the ink chamber 111A reaches the detection position of the sensor 318. The light projecting portion and the light receiving portion are located at positions that sandwich the detected portion 320B at the highest position in the left-right direction. When the detected portion 320B is at the highest position, the light receiving portion cannot receive the light because the light projected from the light projecting portion is blocked by the detected portion 320B. When the detected portion 320B is at a position lower than the highest position, the light receiving portion receives the light projected from the light projecting portion. By doing so, since the light projecting portion and the light receiving portion are arranged at positions away from above the detection position of the sensor 318, it is easy to effectively use the space around the detection position in the ink chamber 111A. Note that the sensor 318 may be provided in one or more of the four ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, and 111D. The sensor 318 is an example of a second sensor.

[0133] In the ink tank 100, each outlet 114 was located in front of the center in the front-rear direction of each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D. However, if it is located in each convex space 222A, the position of each outlet 114 is not limited. For example, each outlet 114 may be located at the center in the front-rear direction of each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D. In this case, each convex surface 222 that partitions each convex space 222A is also arranged at the center in the front-rear direction of each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D.

[0134] In the ink tank 100, each outlet 114 was located in front of the center in the front-rear direction of each convex space 222A. However, if it is located in each convex space 222A, the position of each outlet 114 is not limited. For example, each outlet 114 may be located at the center in the front-rear direction of each convex space 222A.

[0135] In the ink tank 100, each outlet 114 was located to the right of the center in the left-right direction of each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D. However, if it is located in each convex space 222A, the position of each outlet 114 is not limited. For example, each outlet 114 may be located at the center in the left-right direction of each ink chamber 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D. In this case, each offset chamber 141A, 141B, 141C, 141D is omitted.

[0136] In the ink tank 100, the communication port 119 was located on the inclined surface 104A of the upper wall 104. However, for example, it may be located on the horizontal surface of the upper wall 104. In this case, the upper wall 104 may not have the inclined surface 104A.

[0137] In the ink tank 100, the upper surface 105A of the lower wall 105 included the convex surface 222 that protruded downward from the flat surface 221. However, the convex surface 222 may be omitted. The lower wall 105 may be constituted by a film. Even in this way, compared with the case where the film partitions the upper ends of the four ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D or the ends in the direction intersecting the vertical direction, the film is less likely to be deformed, so it is easy to ensure the volume accuracy of the four ink chambers 111A, 111B, 111C, 111D.

Description of Symbols

[0138] 10 ··· Multifunction machine (liquid consumption device) 39 ··· Recording head (liquid consumption section) 100 ··· Ink tank (tank) 104 ··· Upper wall 105 ··· Lower wall 105A ··· Upper surface (inner surface) 111C ··· Ink chamber (second storage chamber) 111D ··· Ink chamber (first storage chamber) 114 ··· Outlet 124 ··· Outlet pipe 133 ··· Partition wall 150 ··· Outlet path 181 ··· Upper mark (first mark) 182 ··· Lower mark (second mark) 221 ··· Plane 222 ··· Convex surface 222A ··· Convex space 225 ··· Front housing section (first housing section) 225A ··· Front housing space (first housing space) 226 ··· Rear housing section (second housing section) 226A ··· Rear housing space (second housing space) 227 ··· Front cover (first cover) 228 ··· Rear cover (second cover) 233 ··· Visual recognition surface 311 ··· Sensor (first sensor) 311A ··· Light projecting section 311B ··· Light receiving section 318 ··· Sensor (second sensor) 433 ··· Light shielding section 511 ··· Integrally formed wall 512 ··· Opening

Claims

1. a wall defining a first chamber in which a liquid is stored; an outlet communicating with the first storage chamber and allowing liquid to flow out of the first storage chamber; The above wall is A lower wall extending in a direction intersecting the vertical direction; an upper wall located above the lower wall and extending in a direction intersecting the up-down direction; a peripheral wall extending in a vertical direction and connecting the lower wall and the upper wall; The lower wall has an inner surface that defines the first storage chamber, the inner surface including a plane extending in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and a convex surface protruding downward from the plane, the outlet 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 tank wherein the other of the lower wall and the upper wall is liquid-tightly connected to the integrally molded wall while covering an opening formed in the integrally molded wall.

2. 2. The tank according to claim 1, wherein the other of the lower wall and the upper wall is liquid-tightly connected to the integrally molded wall by welding.

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

4. The upper wall is integrally formed with the peripheral wall, a filler hole is provided through the integrally molded wall for filling the liquid therein; 4. The tank according to claim 3, wherein the bottom wall is connected to the integral wall in a liquid-tight manner.

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

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

7. an opening penetrating the upper wall and connected to a liquid consuming portion that consumes liquid; The tank as described in claim 6, further comprising an outflow pipe connected to the opening, extending downward, and allowing liquid to flow from the first storage chamber to the liquid consumption section through the outflow outlet located at the lower end and the opening.

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

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

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

11. A first sensor is provided to detect a liquid level of the liquid stored in the first storage chamber, The first sensor is a light-projecting unit that projects light; a light receiving unit that outputs a first signal when the light projected by the light projecting unit is not received, and outputs a second signal when the light projected by the light projecting unit is received, The light-emitting unit is covered with a first cover made of silicon, 2. The tank according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving portion is covered with a second cover made of silicon.

12. The lower wall is A first storage portion protruding upward from a lower end of the lower wall; a second storage portion that protrudes upward from a lower end of the lower wall and faces the first storage portion, The light projecting unit is located in a first accommodation space defined by the first accommodation unit, The light receiving portion is located in a second accommodation space defined by the second accommodation portion, The first cover covers an outer surface of the first housing portion, The tank according to claim 11, wherein the second cover covers an outer surface of the second container.

13. A sensor is provided to detect a liquid level of the liquid stored in the first storage chamber, 2. The tank according to claim 1, wherein the sensor has a float and a detected part, and has a rotating member rotatably provided in the first storage chamber.

14. A first sensor is provided to detect a liquid level of the liquid stored in the first storage chamber, The first sensor is a light-projecting unit that projects light; a light receiving unit that outputs a first signal when the light projected by the light projecting unit is not received, and outputs a second signal when the light projected by the light projecting unit is received, The peripheral wall has a front wall that defines a front end of the first storage chamber, The front wall has a visible surface through which the first storage chamber can be seen from the front, 2. The tank according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion are covered with a light blocking portion that blocks light.

15. a lower wall defining a lower end of a first storage chamber in which liquid is stored; An upper wall defining an upper end of the first storage chamber; An outflow path for outflowing liquid from the first storage chamber to the outside, the outflow path including an outlet communicating with the first storage chamber and an opening communicating with the outside, The lower wall has an inner surface that defines the first storage chamber, the inner surface including a plane extending in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and a convex surface protruding downward from the plane, A tank, wherein the outflow path is a pipe extending downward within the first storage chamber from the opening penetrating the upper wall to the outflow outlet located in a convex space defined by the convex surface.

16. an upper wall defining an upper end of a first storage chamber in which liquid is stored; 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 vertical direction; an inlet penetrating the upper wall and through which a liquid is injected; The upper wall is integrally formed with the peripheral wall, The lower wall is liquid-tightly connected to a wall formed by integrally molding the upper wall and the peripheral wall.

17. A housing and The tank according to claim 7, which is installed in the internal space of the housing; the liquid consumption section being located rearward of the tank, The liquid consuming device, wherein the outlet is located in front of the first storage chamber.

18. The liquid consumption device according to claim 17, wherein the outlet is located at a front side of the convex space.

19. A housing and The tank according to claim 7, which is located on one side in a left-right direction perpendicular to a top-bottom direction in the internal space of the housing; the liquid consuming unit is located on an opposite side to the one side in the left-right direction in the internal space of the housing, The liquid consuming device, wherein the outlet is located on one side of the first storage chamber in the left-right direction.

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