Recording device

Abstract

To enable operation of refilling an ink tank with liquid to be properly executed.SOLUTION: A recording device is provided with: a carriage 31 that can move in a width direction crossing a conveying direction of a medium; a recording head 32 mounted on the carriage 31; a liquid storage part 40 that stores liquid to be supplied to the recording head 32 and has a filling port 46b into which liquid can be filled from a refilling container 50 and a liquid-level visually-recognizing part 42 that can visually recognize a position of the liquid level of liquid; and a display part 15 that guides operation, where the liquid-level visually-recognizing part 42 and the display part 15 are provided at a front surface 4 side of the device, and the display part 15 is arranged above the liquid-level visually-recognizing part 42.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a liquid ejection apparatus (recording apparatus) having an ink tank (liquid) capable of replenishing ink and a recording head that ejects the liquid supplied from the ink tank from a nozzle to record an image on a medium is known (for example, Patent Document 1). The recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes a recording unit that records an image on a medium, a conveyance roller unit that sends out the medium toward the recording unit, a discharge roller unit that discharges the medium on which the image has been recorded from the recording unit, an ink tank that stores the liquid supplied to the recording head, an optical sensor that detects the remaining amount of the liquid in the ink tank, and a display unit on which various types of information are displayed. When the remaining amount of the liquid in the ink tank decreases, the user is prompted to replenish the liquid in the ink tank, and the user replenishes the liquid in the ink tank.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the recording apparatus described in Patent Document 1, since the ink tank that stores the liquid supplied to the recording head and the display unit on which various types of information are displayed are arranged separately, for example, it is difficult to execute an operation of replenishing the liquid in the ink tank while referring to the information displayed on the display unit, and there is a possibility that the operation of replenishing the liquid in the ink tank may not be properly executed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The recording device includes a carriage movable in a width direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the medium, a recording head mounted on the carriage, a liquid storage unit that stores the liquid supplied to the recording head and has an injection port through which the liquid can be injected from a replenishment container and a liquid level viewing unit through which the position of the liquid level can be visually recognized, and a display unit that guides operations. The liquid level viewing unit and the display unit are provided on the front side of the device, and the display unit is disposed above the liquid level viewing unit.

[0006] In the recording device, it has a housing case that houses the liquid storage unit, and the housing case is provided with an opening through which the liquid level viewing unit can be visually recognized. It is preferable that the front surface of the housing case including the opening and the surface of the display unit are arranged to be in the same plane.

[0007] In the recording device, it is preferable that the liquid level viewing unit and the display unit are arranged at one of the ends in the width direction on the front surface of the device.

[0008] The recording device further has a discharge unit that discharges the medium, and it is preferable that the liquid level viewing unit and the discharge unit are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction.

[0009] The recording device further has a paper feed tray that feeds the medium, and it is preferable that the liquid level viewing unit and the paper feed tray are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction.

[0010] In the recording device, it is preferable that the color of the liquid level viewing unit and the color of the housing in the display unit are the same dark color system.

[0011] In the recording device, it is preferable that the liquid level viewing unit and the display unit protrude from the front surface of the device in a direction intersecting the width direction.

[0012] In the recording device, when viewed from a direction intersecting the conveyance direction and the width direction, it is preferable that a part of the display unit overlaps at least one of the discharge unit and the paper feed tray.

[0013] In the recording device, it is preferable that the display unit is tiltable.

[0014] In the recording device, a front door is provided on the front side of the device and is arranged in the width direction with respect to the liquid level viewing unit. When the front of the device is viewed from the front, it is preferable that the edge of the front door and the boundary between the front surfaces of the display unit and the housing case are arranged on the same line.

[0015] The recording device further has a scanner unit rotatably attached to the device main body, and it is preferable that the display unit is attached to the edge of the scanner unit and is rotatable together with the scanner unit.

[0016] In the recording device, the liquid supplied to the recording head is preferably supplied from the liquid storage unit through a tube.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0017]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] 1. Embodiment 1 1.1 Outline of the Recording Device FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the recording apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1. FIGS. 3 to 5 are other perspective views of the recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIGS. 1 to 3, a state in which the scanner unit 10 is closed with respect to the apparatus main body 3 is illustrated. In FIGS. 4 and 5, a state in which the scanner unit 10 is opened with respect to the apparatus main body 3 is illustrated. In FIG. 5, a state in which the yellow liquid is replenished from the replenishment container 50 to the ink tank 46Y is illustrated. First, referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, an outline of the recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a rectangular parallelepiped-shaped apparatus main body 3 and a scanner unit 10 attached to the upper part of the apparatus main body 3, and is installed on a horizontal plane. In the following description, the longitudinal direction (width direction) of the rectangular parallelepiped-shaped apparatus main body 3 is defined as the X direction, the short side direction (depth direction) of the apparatus main body 3 is defined as the Y direction, and the height direction of the apparatus main body 3 is defined as the Z direction. Also, the tip side of the arrow indicating the direction is defined as the + direction, and the base end side of the arrow indicating the direction is defined as the - direction. Note that the +Y direction side of the apparatus main body 3 is an example of the front surface of the apparatus in the present application, and hereinafter will be referred to as the apparatus front surface 4. Also, when viewing the apparatus front surface 4 from the +Y direction side, it corresponds to the case of frontally viewing the apparatus front surface in the present application.

[0020] The scanner unit 10 is disposed above the apparatus main body 3 and is rotatably attached to the apparatus main body 3 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). In the scanner unit 10, a scanner housing 11 (see FIG. 4) on which a document is placed and the document is read and an upper lid 12 are stacked in this order. The upper lid 12 is a cover that protects the scanner housing 11 and is rotatable with respect to the scanner housing 11 as illustrated by a two-dot chain line in the figure. Further, a display unit 15 is attached to the +Y direction end of the upper lid 12.

[0021] As shown by the solid line and the two-dot chain line in the figure, the display unit 15 is rotatable with respect to the scanner housing 11 together with the upper lid 12, and is tiltable with respect to the upper lid 12. That is, the display unit 15 is attached to the end of the scanner unit 10, and is rotatable together with the scanner unit 10 and is tiltable. The display unit 15 is composed of a liquid crystal display module having a touch panel, and has a display panel 16 having a touch panel and a housing 17. The display unit 15 has a mechanism (display function) for guiding the operation of the recording apparatus 1 and a function for performing various settings for the recording apparatus 1. The user can tilt the display unit 15 to a position where it is easily visible, and perform various operations on the recording apparatus 1 while referring to the image displayed on the display unit 15. Further, the user can tilt the display unit 15 to a position where it is easily touched, and perform various settings of the recording apparatus 1 via the display unit 15. Thus, the recording apparatus 1 has a display unit 15 for guiding the operation of the recording apparatus 1. Further, when the display unit 15 is tiltable with respect to the upper lid 12, the operation guidance displayed on the display unit 15 becomes easier to view, and the operation of performing various settings of the recording apparatus 1 becomes easier.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, by rotating the display unit 15 together with the scanner unit 10 and opening the scanner unit 10 to which the display unit 15 is attached with respect to the apparatus main body 3, the liquid is replenished from the replenishment container 50 to the ink tank 46. When replenishing the liquid from the replenishment container 50 to the ink tank 46, since the display unit 15 is arranged away from the ink tank 46, the display unit 15 does not obstruct the operation of replenishing the liquid from the replenishment container 50 to the ink tank 46. For this reason, the display unit 15 can be enlarged. That is, when the display unit 15 is attached to the end of the scanner unit 10 and has a configuration in which the display unit 15 is rotatable together with the scanner unit 10, it becomes possible to enlarge the display unit 15, and the user can easily view the image guiding the operation displayed on the display unit 15.

[0023] Returning to FIGS. 1 and 2, a recording unit 30 is disposed inside the apparatus main body 3. The recording unit 30 is configured to be able to record an image on a medium using a liquid. The recording unit 30 includes a carriage 31, a recording head 32 mounted on the carriage 31, and a tube 33 for supplying liquid to the recording head 32. The tube 33 is connected to the recording unit 30 and the liquid storage unit 40. The liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 40 is supplied to the recording unit 30 via the tube 33.

[0024] The carriage 31 is supported by a guide shaft (not shown) and is movable in the width direction of the medium that intersects the conveyance direction in which the medium is conveyed. In the present embodiment, the width direction of the medium is the +X direction or the -X direction, which is an example of the width direction that intersects the conveyance direction of the medium in the present application. The carriage 31 is movable in the width direction of the medium (+X direction or -X direction). The recording head 32 is movable in the width direction of the medium together with the carriage 31. The recording head 32 has a common liquid chamber (not shown), a pressure generating chamber (not shown), a piezoelectric element (not shown), nozzles (not shown), etc., and discharges liquid onto the medium. In the recording apparatus 1, a desired image is recorded on the medium by alternately repeating the operation of discharging liquid onto the medium while the recording head 32 moves in the width direction of the medium and the operation of conveying the medium in the conveyance direction.

[0025] A display unit 15 is disposed at the upper part on the +X direction side of the apparatus front surface 4, and a liquid level viewing portion 42 of the storage case 41 is disposed at the lower part on the +X direction side of the apparatus front surface 4. That is, the display unit 15 is disposed above the liquid level viewing portion 42 and near the liquid level viewing portion 42. In this way, the recording apparatus 1 has a configuration in which the display unit 15 is disposed above the liquid level viewing portion 42. On the apparatus front surface 4, the front side housing 5 is disposed in the -X direction with respect to the display unit 15, and the front door 22 is disposed in the -X direction with respect to the liquid level viewing portion 42. Further, a power button 14 for switching the power on and off is disposed on the front side housing 5. In this way, the recording apparatus 1 has a configuration in which the front door 22 is disposed in the width direction (-X direction) of the medium with respect to the liquid level viewing portion 42. The front door 22 can be opened and closed with respect to the apparatus main body 3 (see FIGS. 1 and 3).

[0026] Although details will be described later, the liquid storage unit 40 includes a storage case 41 and an ink tank 46 stored inside the storage case 41. The surface on the +Y direction side of the storage case 41 is the liquid level viewing unit 42. The user can view the position of the liquid level of the liquid stored in the ink tank 46 in the storage case 41 through the liquid level viewing unit 42 of the storage case 41. As described above, the recording apparatus 1 has a configuration in which the display unit 15 and the liquid level viewing unit 42 are arranged on one of the end portions in the width direction of the medium on the apparatus front surface 4 (the +X direction side of the apparatus front surface 4). Note that the display unit 15 and the liquid level viewing unit 42 may be arranged on the -X direction side of the apparatus front surface 4 instead of the +X direction side of the apparatus front surface 4. Also, when both the liquid level viewing unit 42 and the display unit 15 are arranged on one of the end portions in the width direction of the medium on the apparatus front surface 4, the display unit 15 can be arranged above the liquid level viewing unit 42 and close to the liquid level viewing unit 42.

[0027] On the apparatus front surface 4, the surface on the +Y direction side of the display unit 15 and the surface on the +Y direction side of the front surface of the storage case 41 are arranged on the same plane. That is, the recording apparatus 1 has a configuration in which the display unit 15 and the liquid level viewing unit 42 are not arranged on the same plane, but the surface on the +Y direction side of the display unit 15 and the surface on the +Y direction side of the front surface of the storage case 41 are arranged on the same plane. When the surface on the +Y direction side of the display unit 15 and the surface on the +Y direction side of the front surface of the storage case 41 are arranged on the same plane, the display unit 15 can be arranged close to the storage case 41 and close to the liquid level viewing unit 42. Note that the display unit 15 and the liquid level viewing unit 42 may be arranged on the same plane. Furthermore, on the front surface 4 of the apparatus, the surface on the +Y direction side of the display unit 15 and the surface on the +Y direction side of the front surface of the housing case 41 are arranged in the +Y direction with respect to the surface on the +Y direction side of the front-side housing 5, and protrude in the +Y direction intersecting the width direction (+X direction, -X direction) of the medium. That is, the recording apparatus 1 has a configuration in which the display unit 15 and the liquid surface viewing unit 42 protrude in a direction intersecting the width direction of the medium. When the liquid surface viewing unit 42 and the display unit 15 protrude in a direction intersecting the width direction of the medium, the volume of the ink tank 46 in the liquid storage unit 40 can be increased compared to the case where the liquid surface viewing unit 42 and the display unit 15 do not protrude in a direction intersecting the width direction of the medium, and a large amount of liquid can be stored in the liquid storage unit 40.

[0028] In the front door 22, the portion 22a arranged on the -Z direction side with respect to the front-side housing 5 is arranged on the same plane as the front-side housing 5. Furthermore, in the front door 22, the portion 22b arranged on the +X direction side is arranged in the +Y direction with respect to the surface on the +Y direction side of the front-side housing 5, and protrudes in the +Y direction intersecting the width direction of the medium. That is, the front door 22 has a portion 22b protruding in the +Y direction intersecting the width direction of the medium and a portion 22a arranged on the same plane as the front-side housing 5. Furthermore, the portion 22b in the front door 22, the surface on the +Y direction side of the display unit 15, and the surface on the +Y direction side of the front surface of the housing case 41 are arranged on the same plane.

[0029] The end 22c on the +Z direction side of the front door 22 is an example of the end of the front door in the present application. The end 22c of the front door 22 is a portion arranged at the boundary between the front door 22 and the front-side housing 5. When viewing the front surface 4 of the apparatus from the +Y direction (when viewing the front surface 4 of the apparatus frontally), the end 22c of the front door 22 and the boundary 7 between the liquid surface viewing unit 42 and the display unit 15 can be regarded as being arranged on substantially the same line visually. That is, the recording apparatus 1 has a configuration in which when viewing the front surface 4 of the apparatus frontally, the end 22c of the front door 22 and the boundary 7 between the display unit 15 and the liquid surface viewing unit 42 are arranged on the same line. When the end 22c of the front door 22 and the boundary 7 between the display unit 15 and the liquid surface viewing unit 42 are arranged on the same line, it becomes difficult for the front door 22 to interfere with the display unit 15 and the liquid surface viewing unit 42, and the opening and closing of the front door 22 become easy. In the present application, being arranged on the same line means a state that can be regarded as being arranged on substantially the same line visually. For example, it may include portions that are not arranged on the same line. Further, being arranged on the same plane in the present application means a state that can be regarded as being arranged on substantially the same plane visually. For example, it may include portions that are not arranged on the same plane.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, a paper feed tray 20 and a discharge tray 21 which is an example of a discharge portion are accommodated in the apparatus main body 3. The discharge tray 21 is arranged above the paper feed tray 20. That is, the discharge tray 21 is arranged in the +Z direction with respect to the paper feed tray 20, and the paper feed tray 20 is arranged in the -Z direction with respect to the discharge tray 21. When the front door 22 is opened with respect to the apparatus main body 3, the paper feed tray 20 and the discharge tray 21 are exposed, and the discharge tray 21 and the paper feed tray 20 can be inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body 3.

[0031] The paper feed tray 20 is configured to be able to accommodate a medium. By inserting the paper feed tray 20 with the medium accommodated therein into the apparatus main body 3, the medium can be set inside the apparatus main body 3. With the front door 22 opened with respect to the apparatus main body 3 and a part of the discharge tray 21 pulled out to the outside of the apparatus main body 3 as shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure, the recording apparatus 1 executes recording on the medium. The medium accommodated in the paper feed tray 20 is sent out toward the recording unit 30 while being curved inside the apparatus main body 3 so that its posture is reversed, sent out toward the discharge tray 21 after an image is recorded in the recording unit 30, and placed on the discharge tray 21. In the recording unit 30, an operation in which the recording head 32 discharges liquid while moving in the width direction (+X direction, -X direction) of the medium and an operation in which the medium is conveyed in the +Y direction are alternately repeated, whereby a desired image is recorded on the medium. Note that the conveyance direction of the medium in the present application is the direction in which the medium is conveyed in the recording unit 30 (+Y direction). Further, the direction intersecting the conveyance direction (+Y direction) and the width direction (+X direction, -X direction) in the present application is the Z direction. Further, when viewed from the Z direction, it corresponds to the case when viewed from the direction intersecting the conveyance direction and the width direction in the present application.

[0032] In the present embodiment, the position in the width direction (position in the X direction) of the medium of the liquid level viewing unit 42 is different from the position in the width direction of the medium of the discharge tray 21, and the position in the width direction of the medium of the liquid level viewing unit 42 is different from the position in the width direction of the medium of the paper feed tray 20. Then, the liquid level viewing unit 42 is less likely to interfere with the discharge tray 21 and the paper feed tray 20, and the user can easily view the ink tank 46 through the liquid level viewing unit 42. Further, when viewed from the Z direction, a part of the display unit 15 overlaps with the discharge tray 21 and the paper feed tray 20. Then, the dimension in the width direction (dimension in the X direction) of the medium of the recording apparatus 1 can be shortened, and the recording apparatus 1 can be made compact. Note that when viewed from the Z direction, a part of the display unit 15 may overlap with either the discharge tray 21 or the paper feed tray 20, or may overlap with both the discharge tray 21 and the paper feed tray 20. That is, when viewed from the Z direction, it is sufficient that a part of the display unit 15 overlaps with at least one of the discharge tray 21 and the paper feed tray 20.

[0033] 1.2 Outline of the liquid storage unit Next, referring to FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, the outline of the liquid storage unit 40 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the liquid storage unit 40 includes a storage case 41 and an ink tank 46 housed in the storage case 41. The ink tank 46 stores the liquid supplied to the recording head 32. In the storage case 41, the liquid level viewing part 42 is the part (the surface on the +Y direction side of the storage case 41) where the user can visually recognize the position of the liquid level of the liquid stored in the ink tank 46. In addition to the liquid level viewing part 42, the storage case 41 has an openable and closable upper lid 44. The upper lid 44 is a cover that protects the ink tank 46. When the upper lid 44 is opened, the liquid can be replenished from the replenishment container 50 (see FIG. 5) into the injection port 46b of the ink tank 46. In this way, the liquid storage part 40 stores the liquid supplied to the recording head 32, and has an injection port 46b through which the liquid can be injected from the replenishment container 50 and a liquid level viewing part 42 where the position of the liquid level of the liquid can be visually recognized.

[0034] Six ink tanks 46 are stored in the storage case 41. The six ink tanks 46 are an ink tank 46K1 that stores a black liquid containing a black pigment as a coloring material, an ink tank 46K2 that stores a black liquid containing a black dye as a coloring material, an ink tank 46GR that stores a gray liquid containing a gray dye as a coloring material, an ink tank 46C that stores a cyan liquid containing a cyan pigment as a coloring material, an ink tank 46M that stores a magenta liquid containing a magenta pigment as a coloring material, and an ink tank 46Y that stores a yellow liquid containing a yellow pigment as a coloring material. In the liquid storage part 40, the ink tank 46K1 that stores a black liquid containing a black pigment, the ink tank 46K2 that stores a black liquid containing a black dye, the ink tank 46GR that stores a gray liquid, the ink tank 46C that stores a cyan liquid, the ink tank 46M that stores a magenta liquid, and the ink tank 46Y that stores a yellow liquid are arranged in order in the +X direction.

[0035] Note that the number of ink tanks 46 stored in the storage case 41 is not limited to six, and may be less than six or more than six. The coloring material contained in the liquid may be a pigment or a dye. Furthermore, a liquid containing no coloring material may also be used.

[0036] A black liquid containing a black pigment as a coloring material is less likely to bleed and is suitable for recording, for example, letters and markers. A black liquid containing a black dye as a coloring material has good color reproducibility and is suitable for recording, for example, photos. Therefore, a black liquid containing a black pigment as a coloring material is used for monochrome printing and printing such as markers. A black liquid containing a black dye as a coloring material is used for printing such as photos. Furthermore, when an intermediate color between white and black is recorded with a gray liquid containing a gray dye as a coloring material, the color reproducibility is further improved. Therefore, a gray liquid containing a gray dye as a coloring material is used for printing such as photos.

[0037] The ink tank 46 has a main body portion 46a for storing the liquid, an injection port 46b through which the liquid can be injected from the replenishment container 50, and a cap member 46c. One end of the cap member 46c serves as a rotation axis, and the other end is rotatable with respect to the main body portion 46a. The cap member 46c seals the injection port 46b and suppresses the drying of the liquid stored in the main body portion 46a. The main body portion 46a is made of a translucent or transparent material, and the liquid stored in the main body portion 46a can be visually recognized from the outside. Further, on the main body portion 46a, there are provided scale lines 48 for notifying that the liquid is in an empty state, scale lines 49 for notifying that the liquid is in a full state, and the like. Also, the surface of the main body portion 46a where the scale lines 48 and 49 are provided is the viewing surface 47.

[0038] The liquid level viewing portion 42 is provided with an opening 43 that exposes the viewing surface 47 of each of the six ink tanks 46. The user can visually recognize the viewing surface 47 of the ink tank 46 through the opening 43 of the liquid level viewing portion 42. That is, the user can observe the viewing surface 47 of the ink tank 46 through the liquid level viewing portion 42, visually recognize the position of the liquid level of the liquid stored in the ink tank 46, and appropriately grasp the remaining amount of the liquid stored in the ink tank 46 by the scale lines 48 and 49.

[0039] In the recording apparatus 1, in order to make it easier for the user to visually recognize the remaining amount of the liquid stored in the ink tank 46, the color of the liquid level viewing portion 42 and the color of the housing 17 in the display portion 15 are the same dark color (the same dark shade). Specifically, both the color of the liquid level viewing portion 42 and the color of the housing 17 in the display portion 15 are black. When the user determines that the remaining amount of the liquid stored in the ink tank 46 has decreased based on the scale lines 48 and 49, as shown in FIG. 5, the user opens the scanner unit 10 with respect to the apparatus main body 3, inserts the refill container 50 into the inlet 46b of the ink tank 46, and refills the ink tank 46 with the liquid from the refill container 50.

[0040] As described above, the recording apparatus 1 has an ink tank 46 that can be refilled with liquid from the refill container 50, and when the remaining amount of the liquid stored in the ink tank 46 decreases, it is a recording apparatus in which the user can refill the ink tank 46 with the liquid from the refill container 50. However, in a recording apparatus in which the user can refill the ink tank with the liquid from the refill container, there has been a case where the user makes a mistake in the operation of injecting (refilling) the liquid into the ink tank, the liquid is not properly refilled into the ink tank, and the liquid spills from the ink tank. Furthermore, when the liquid spills from the ink tank, there is a risk that the spilled liquid adheres to the electrical components of the recording apparatus and the recording apparatus (electrical components) malfunctions, or that the spilled liquid contaminates the surroundings of the recording apparatus.

[0041] For example, there has been a case where the user mistakes the position of the ink tank with a low remaining amount of liquid and refills the liquid into another ink tank with a large remaining amount of liquid, and the liquid spills from the other ink tank. Generally, in a recording apparatus in which the user can refill the ink tank with the liquid from the refill container, the shapes of the refill container and the inlet of the ink tank are devised so that the refill container can be inserted only into the inlet of the corresponding ink tank. For example, the refill container for storing yellow liquid can be inserted only into the inlet of the ink tank for storing yellow liquid. However, there have been problems such that the refill container is forcibly inserted into the inlet of another ink tank that it does not correspond to, unnecessary liquid is mixed into the liquid stored in the other ink tank, and the unnecessary liquid spills from the other ink tank, or the liquid stored in the other ink tank becomes unusable. For example, there have been problems such that a refill container containing yellow liquid is forcibly inserted into the inlet of a magenta ink tank containing magenta liquid, the yellow liquid is mixed into the magenta liquid, and the yellow liquid spills from the magenta ink tank, or the magenta liquid stored in the magenta ink tank becomes unusable. Thus, in a recording apparatus in which a user can refill liquid from a refill container into an ink tank, there has been a case where a user who is not accustomed to refilling the liquid performs an inconvenient operation, causing an unexpected problem.

[0042] Furthermore, since many users are not familiar with the operation of the recording apparatus and are not accustomed to refilling the liquid, there is a risk that the above-mentioned inconvenient operation will be performed, causing an unexpected problem. Therefore, it is important to provide a recording apparatus in which even a user who is not accustomed to refilling the liquid can easily understand the correct operation and can easily perform the correct operation of refilling the liquid into the ink tank. The recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which even a user who is not accustomed to refilling the liquid into the ink tank 46 can easily understand the correct operation of refilling the liquid into the ink tank 46 and can easily perform the correct operation of refilling the liquid into the ink tank 46. Therefore, the details thereof will be described below.

[0043] When the remaining amount of the liquid stored in the ink tank 46 decreases and the ink tank 46 needs to be refilled with the liquid, the user touches and selects an icon that explains the liquid refilling operation displayed on the display unit 15. Then, the display unit 15 displays, in a frame-by-frame manner, an image that visually guides the operation of replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46, and the user visually confirms, from the image displayed on the display unit 15, the operation of replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46. In the recording apparatus 1, since the operation of replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46 is visually displayed in the figure, even for a user who is not familiar with the operation of replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46, compared with the case where a sentence explaining the operation of replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46 is displayed, the operation of replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46 is more easily and properly understood.

[0044] When the explanation of the operation of replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46 is completed, the user touches and selects the icon for starting the replenishment of the liquid. Then, the display unit 15 displays an image that visually guides the position of the ink tank 46 to be replenished with the liquid, the type of the liquid to be replenished (for example, color), and the like. Since it is visually displayed by the image, even for a user who is not familiar with the operation of replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46, compared with the case where it is displayed by a sentence, the position of the ink tank 46 to be replenished with the liquid, the type of the liquid to be replenished, and the replenishment container 50 in which the liquid to be replenished is stored can be correctly grasped.

[0045] In the recording apparatus 1, the display unit 15 for guiding the operation is arranged near the liquid level viewing unit 42. When the display unit 15 is arranged near the liquid level viewing unit 42, the user can confirm the information regarding the operation of replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46 while visually recognizing the image displayed on the display unit 15 and the state of the liquid storage unit 40 together. Therefore, compared with the case where the image displayed on the display unit 15 and the state of the liquid storage unit 40 are visually recognized separately, the user can more easily and correctly grasp the operation of replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46. If the display unit 15 is arranged far from the liquid storage unit 40 and it becomes difficult to visually recognize the display unit 15 and the liquid storage unit 40 together, the user will separately visually recognize the image displayed on the display unit 15 and the state of the liquid storage unit 40 while changing the line of sight, and confirm the operation of replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46. In this case, misunderstandings and misinterpretations are likely to occur, and the user may misapprehend the operation of replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46.

[0046] As described above, in the recording apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, since it is easy to appropriately recognize the operation of replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46 from the image visually displayed on the display unit 15, and it is easy to appropriately recognize the information for replenishing the liquid, even a user who is not accustomed to replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46 can appropriately execute the operation of replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46.

[0047] 2. Embodiment 2 FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 and is a perspective view of a recording apparatus 2 according to Embodiment 2. In the recording apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, the display unit 15 is attached to the apparatus main body 3. In the recording apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1, the display unit 15 is attached to the upper lid 12 of the scanner unit 10. This is the main difference between the present embodiment and Embodiment 1. Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 6, the outline of the recording apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment will be described centering on the differences from Embodiment 1. Also, the same components as those in Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Embodiment 1, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 6, the display unit 15 is attached to the apparatus main body 3 and is arranged above the liquid level viewing unit 42. The display unit 15 is non-rotatable together with the scanner unit 10 but tiltable with respect to the apparatus main body 3. In the recording apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, even when the scanner unit 10 is opened with respect to the apparatus main body 3 to replenish the liquid into the ink tank 46, the display unit 15 is disposed near the liquid level viewing unit 42 (liquid storage unit 40). On the other hand, in the first embodiment, when the scanner unit 10 is opened with respect to the apparatus main body 3 to replenish the liquid into the ink tank 46, the display unit 15 is disposed far from the liquid level viewing unit 42 (liquid storage unit 40). That is, in the recording apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment, even when replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46, the display unit 15 for guiding the operation is disposed near the liquid level viewing unit 42 (liquid storage unit 40).

[0049] As shown in FIG. 6, when replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46, an image 18 for guiding the color of the liquid to be replenished and the characteristics (for example, shape and color) of the replenishing container 50, and an image 19 for guiding the position of the ink tank 46 into which the liquid is to be replenished are displayed. Since the ink tank 46 into which the liquid is to be replenished is indicated by the image 19, the user can correctly select the ink tank 46 into which the liquid is to be replenished, and there is no risk of erroneously selecting another ink tank 46. Furthermore, since the color of the liquid to be replenished and the characteristics (for example, shape and color) of the replenishing container 50 are displayed by the image 18, the user can correctly select the replenishing container 50 for replenishing the liquid, and there is no risk of erroneously selecting another replenishing container 50.

[0050] Furthermore, when replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46, the operation of replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46 can be executed while referring to the image displayed on the display unit 15. Therefore, even a user who is not accustomed to replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46 can appropriately execute the operation of replenishing the liquid into the ink tank 46.

[0051] 3. Modification In the above-described embodiment, the liquid storage unit 40 is provided in the apparatus main body 3 instead of in the carriage 31, but the liquid storage unit 40 may be provided in the carriage 31.

[0052] The following describes the content derived from the embodiment.

[0053] The recording device includes a carriage movable in a width direction intersecting the conveyance direction of the medium, a recording head mounted on the carriage, a liquid storage unit that stores the liquid supplied to the recording head and has an injection port through which the liquid can be injected from a replenishment container and a liquid level viewing unit through which the position of the liquid level of the liquid can be visually recognized, and a display unit that guides operations. The liquid level viewing unit and the display unit are provided on the front side of the device, and the display unit is disposed above the liquid level viewing unit.

[0054] The liquid level viewing unit is a part through which a part (for example, an ink tank) in the liquid storage unit where the liquid is stored can be visually recognized. The user can grasp the position of the part where the liquid is stored and the position of the liquid level of the liquid by the liquid level viewing unit. Further, the display unit that guides operations is disposed above the liquid level viewing unit and near the liquid level viewing unit. Since the display unit is disposed near the liquid level viewing unit, the user can execute an operation of replenishing the liquid into the liquid storage unit while visually recognizing the display unit and the liquid level viewing unit together and referring to the operation guidance displayed on the display unit.

[0055] For example, when executing an operation of replenishing the liquid into the liquid storage unit while visually recognizing the display unit and the liquid level viewing unit separately, the user executes an operation of replenishing the liquid into the liquid storage unit after memorizing the information displayed on the display unit, so that misunderstandings and misinterpretations are likely to occur, and there is a possibility that the operation of replenishing the liquid into the liquid storage unit may not be properly executed. For example, when the operation of replenishing the liquid storage unit is displayed on the display unit so as to be visually understandable and the operation of replenishing the liquid into the liquid storage unit is executed while referring to the operation displayed on the display unit, the user does not need to memorize the information displayed on the display unit, so that misunderstandings and misinterpretations are less likely to occur, and the operation of replenishing the liquid into the liquid storage unit is properly executed.

[0056] The recording device has a housing case that houses the liquid storage section. An opening is provided in the housing case to enable visual recognition of the liquid level viewing section. Preferably, the front surface of the housing case including the opening and the surface of the display section are arranged to be in the same plane.

[0057] When the front surface of the housing case including the opening and the surface of the display section are arranged on the same plane, compared with the case where they are not arranged on the same plane, the display section is arranged closer to the housing case. Thus, it becomes easier for the user to perform the operation of replenishing the liquid into the liquid storage section while visually recognizing the display section and the housing case together.

[0058] In the recording device, preferably, the liquid level viewing section and the display section are arranged at one end of the width direction on the front surface of the device.

[0059] When both the liquid level viewing section and the display section are arranged at one end of the width direction on the front surface of the device, the display section can be arranged above the liquid level viewing section and close to the liquid level viewing section.

[0060] The recording device further has a discharge section for discharging the medium. Preferably, the liquid level viewing section and the discharge section are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction.

[0061] When the liquid level viewing section and the discharge section are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction, it becomes difficult for them to interfere with each other. Compared with the case where they interfere with each other, it becomes easier for the user to confirm the portion where the liquid is stored by the liquid level viewing section.

[0062] The recording device further has a paper feed tray for feeding the medium. Preferably, the liquid level viewing section and the paper feed tray are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction.

[0063] When the liquid level viewing part and the paper feed tray are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction, it becomes difficult for the liquid level viewing part and the paper feed tray to interfere with each other, and compared with the case where the liquid level viewing part and the paper feed tray interfere with each other, it becomes easier for the user to confirm the part where the liquid is stored by the liquid level viewing part.

[0064] In the recording apparatus, it is preferable that the color of the liquid level viewing part and the color of the housing in the display part are the same dark color system.

[0065] When the color of the liquid level viewing part and the color of the housing in the display part are the same dark color system, it becomes easier for the user to grasp the color of the liquid stored in the liquid storage part through the liquid level viewing part.

[0066] In the recording apparatus, it is preferable that the liquid level viewing part and the display part protrude from the front surface of the apparatus in a direction intersecting the width direction.

[0067] When the liquid level viewing part and the display part protrude in a direction intersecting the width direction, compared with the case where the liquid level viewing part and the display part do not protrude in a direction intersecting the width direction, the volume of the part where the liquid is stored in the liquid storage part can be increased, and a large amount of liquid can be stored in the liquid storage part.

[0068] In the recording apparatus, when viewed from a direction intersecting the conveyance direction and the width direction, it is preferable that a part of the display part overlaps at least one of the discharge part and the paper feed tray.

[0069] When a part of the display part overlaps at least one of the discharge part and the paper feed tray, compared with the case where a part of the display part does not overlap at least one of the discharge part and the paper feed tray, the area where the display part, the discharge part, and the paper feed tray are arranged becomes narrower when viewed from a direction intersecting the conveyance direction and the width direction, and the recording apparatus can be made compact.

[0070] In the recording apparatus, it is preferable that the display part is tiltable.

[0071] When the display unit is tiltable, the user can tilt the display unit to a visible position to view the operation guidance displayed on the display unit.

[0072] In the recording device, a front door is provided on the front side of the device, which is arranged in the width direction with respect to the liquid level viewing unit. When the front of the device is viewed from the front, it is preferable that the edge of the front door, the front of the display unit, and the front of the storage case are arranged on the same line.

[0073] When the edge of the front door, the display unit, and the front of the storage case are arranged on the same line, it becomes difficult for the front door to interfere with the display unit and the storage case, and the opening and closing of the front door becomes easy.

[0074] The recording device further has a scanner unit rotatably attached to the device main body. The display unit is preferably attached to the edge of the scanner unit and is rotatable together with the scanner unit.

[0075] Since the scanner unit and the display unit can rotate integrally to expose the liquid storage unit, even if the display unit is enlarged, the operation of replenishing the liquid from the replenishing container to the liquid storage unit is less likely to be hindered. As a result, the display unit can be enlarged, and the user can easily view the operation guidance displayed on the display unit.

[0076] In the recording device, the liquid supplied to the recording head is preferably supplied from the liquid storage unit through a tube.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0077] 1…Recording device, 3…Device body, 4…Device front, 5…Front-side housing, 7…Boundary, 10…Scanner unit, 11…Scanner housing, 12…Upper lid, 14…Power button, 15…Display unit, 16…Display panel, 17…Housing, 20…Paper feed tray, 21…Paper discharge tray, 22…Front door, 22c…Edge of the front door, 30…Recording unit, 31…Carriage, 32…Recording head, 33…Tube, 40…Liquid storage unit, 41…Storage case, 42…Liquid level viewing unit, 43…Opening, 44…Upper lid, 46…Ink tank, 46b…Inlet, 47…Viewing surface, 48, 49…Scale lines, 50…Refill container.

Claims

1. a carriage that is movable in a width direction intersecting a conveying direction of the medium; a recording head mounted on the carriage; a liquid storage section for storing liquid to be supplied to the recording head, the liquid storage section having an inlet through which the liquid can be poured from a refill container and a liquid level visualizing section through which the position of the liquid level can be visually confirmed; A display unit for guiding operations; Equipped with The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid level visualizing section and the display section are provided on a front side of the apparatus, and the display section is disposed above the liquid level visualizing section.

2. a housing case that houses the liquid housing portion, an opening is provided in the housing case to allow the liquid level visualizing portion to be visually recognized; 2. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein a front surface of the container case including the opening and a surface of the display unit are disposed so as to be flush with each other.

3. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid level visualizing portion and the display portion are disposed on one of the ends in the width direction on the front surface of the apparatus.

4. Further, a discharge unit that discharges the medium is provided.

4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid level visualizing section and the discharge section are disposed adjacent to each other in the width direction.

5. The medium further includes a paper feed tray for feeding the medium, 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid level visualizing portion and the paper feed tray are disposed adjacent to each other in the width direction.

6. 6. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein the color of the liquid level visualizing portion and the color of the housing of the display portion are the same dark color.

7. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid level visualizing portion and the display portion protrude from the front surface of the apparatus in a direction intersecting with the width direction.

8. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a part of the display unit overlaps with at least one of the discharge unit and the paper feed tray when viewed from a direction intersecting the transport direction and the width direction.

9. 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is tiltable.

10. a front door disposed in the width direction with respect to the liquid level visualizing unit on the front side of the device; The recording device according to any one of claims 2 to 9, characterized in that, when the front of the device is viewed from the front, the edge of the front door, the display unit and the front of the storage case are arranged on the same line.

11. The device further includes a scanner unit that is rotatably attached to the device body, 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display unit is attached to an end of the scanner unit and is rotatable together with the scanner unit.

12. 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supplied to the recording head is supplied from the liquid storage section through a tube.

Images