Liquid storage body and liquid jet device

Abstract

To effectively suppress sedimentation of a liquid sedimentation component in a liquid storage body.SOLUTION: A liquid storage body comprises a liquid storage part for storing a liquid, and a magnetic material which is arranged within the liquid storage part and which is constituted to be movable along a vertical direction in an attitude in which the liquid storage body is used.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid container and a liquid ejecting device.

Background Art

[0002] Regarding a liquid container, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for suppressing sedimentation of sediment components in a liquid contained in a liquid pack. In the technique of Patent Document 1, the liquid in the liquid pack is stirred by rotating or moving a stirrer contained in the liquid pack.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In Patent Document 1, the specific operation of the stirrer for effectively suppressing sedimentation has not been sufficiently studied. Sediment components settle downward due to gravity. Therefore, even if the stirrer is simply rotated or moved, sedimentation may not be effectively suppressed depending on, for example, the usage environment of the liquid container and the type of liquid.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid container is provided. The liquid container includes a liquid storage portion for storing a liquid, and a magnetic body disposed in the liquid storage portion and configured to be movable along the vertical direction in a posture in which the liquid container is used.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a liquid ejection device is provided. The liquid ejection device includes a mounting portion for mounting the liquid container of the above aspect, and one or more electromagnets. The electromagnet includes at least one of a first electromagnet positioned above the magnetic body and a second electromagnet positioned below the magnetic body when the liquid container is mounted on the mounting portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

Figure 1

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Figure 17

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0008] A. First Embodiment: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejecting apparatus 11. The liquid ejecting apparatus 11 is, for example, an inkjet printer that performs printing by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium such as paper. The liquid ejecting apparatus 11 includes an outer casing 12 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. On the front portion of the outer casing 12, in order from the bottom side upward, there are arranged a rotatable front cover 15 that covers a mounting portion 14 on which a container 13 is detachably mounted, and a mounting opening 17 on which a cassette 16 capable of accommodating a medium is mounted. Further, above the mounting opening 17, there are arranged a discharge tray 18 from which the medium is discharged and an operation panel 19 for operating the liquid ejecting apparatus 11. Note that the front surface of the outer casing 12 refers to a side surface having a height and a width and mainly used for operating the liquid ejecting apparatus 11.

[0009] In the mounting portion 14 of the present embodiment, a plurality of containers 13 can be mounted in a manner arranged in the width direction. For example, as the plurality of containers 13, three or more containers 13 including a first container 13S and a second container 13M having a longer width length than the first container 13S can be mounted on the mounting portion 14. And a liquid container 20 is removably placed on these containers 13. That is, the liquid container 20 is placed on a container 13 that is detachably mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus 11. Further, when the container 13 on which the liquid container 20 is placed is mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus 11, the liquid container 20 is mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus 11. The container 13 can be detachably mounted on the mounting portion 14 even in a single state in which it does not hold the liquid container 20, and is a component provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus 11. Hereinafter, the state in which the liquid container 20 is mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 and used is referred to as the "mounted state" or the "used state". Also, the posture of the liquid container 20 in the mounted state and the used state is also referred to as the "used posture".

[0010] Inside the outer casing 12, a liquid injection unit 21 that injects liquid from a nozzle and a carriage 22 that reciprocates along a scanning direction that coincides with the width direction of the liquid injection device 11 are provided. The liquid injection unit 21 moves together with the carriage 22 and prints on the medium by injecting the liquid supplied from the liquid container 20 placed on the container 13 toward the medium. In other embodiments, the liquid injection unit 21 may be a line head whose position is fixed without reciprocating movement.

[0011] In the present embodiment, the direction that intersects, preferably orthogonally, the movement path when the container 13 is attached to the attachment portion 14 is the width direction, and the direction in which the movement path extends is the depth direction. Further, the width direction and the depth direction are substantially along the horizontal plane. In the drawings, it is assumed that the outer casing 12 is placed on the horizontal plane, and the direction of gravity is indicated by the Z-axis, and the movement direction when the container 13 is attached to the attachment portion 14 is indicated by the Y-axis. The movement direction may also be referred to as the attachment direction to the attachment portion 14 or the insertion direction into the accommodation space, and the opposite direction of the movement direction may be referred to as the extraction direction. Further, the width direction is indicated by the X-axis that is orthogonal to the Z-axis and the Y-axis. That is, the width direction, the gravity direction, and the attachment direction intersect, preferably orthogonally, and are the directions in the case of representing the width, height, and depth lengths, respectively.

[0012] The liquid injection device 11 includes a control unit 42. The control unit 42 controls each part of the liquid injection device 11. The control unit 42 in the present embodiment is configured as a computer including one or more processors 421, a memory 422 including a ROM and a RAM, and an input / output interface and an internal bus (not shown). The processor 421, the memory 422, and the input / output interface are configured to be able to communicate bidirectionally via the internal bus. The processor 421 realizes various functions including a function of executing printing and a function of controlling the voltage applied to an electromagnet (to be described later) by executing a program (not shown) stored in the memory 422.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the mounting portion 14. The mounting portion 14 has a frame body 24 that forms an accommodation space capable of accommodating one or more, in this embodiment, four containers 13. The frame body 24 forms an insertion port 25 that communicates with the accommodation space from the front side on the front lid 15 side. Further, the frame body 24 preferably has a plurality of sets of linear guide rails 26 formed of one or more convex or concave shapes extending in the depth direction to guide the movement of the container 13 during attachment and detachment.

[0014] The container 13 is inserted into the accommodation space through the insertion port 25 and moves along a movement path extending toward the back, thereby being mounted on the mounting portion 14. In FIG. 2, only the vicinity of the front plate forming the insertion port 25 of the frame body 24 is shown by a solid line. On the back side of the accommodation space, one or more, in this embodiment, four connection mechanisms 29 are provided so as to correspond to the containers 13 individually.

[0015] The liquid injection device 11 includes a supply flow path 30 that supplies liquid from a liquid container 20 mounted on the mounting portion 14 together with the container 13 toward the liquid injection portion 21, and a supply mechanism 31 configured to send the liquid stored in the liquid container 20 to the supply flow path 30.

[0016] The supply flow path 30 is provided for each color or type of liquid and includes an ink introduction needle 32 to which the liquid container 20 is connected and a flexible supply tube 33. A pump chamber (not shown) is provided between the ink introduction needle 32 and the supply tube 33. The downstream end of the ink introduction needle 32 and the upstream end of the supply tube 33 communicate with the pump chamber. The pump chamber is partitioned from a pressure chamber (not shown) via a flexible membrane.

[0017] The supply mechanism 31 includes a voltage conversion mechanism 34 and a drive source 35 for the voltage conversion mechanism 34, and a voltage conversion flow path 36 that connects the voltage conversion mechanism 34 and the above-described voltage conversion chamber. When the voltage conversion mechanism 34 reduces the pressure in the voltage conversion chamber through the voltage conversion flow path 36 by driving the drive source 35 such as a motor, the flexible film bends and displaces toward the voltage conversion chamber side, thereby reducing the pressure in the pump chamber. Along with the pressure reduction in this pump chamber, the liquid stored in the liquid storage body 20 is sucked into the pump chamber through the ink introduction needle 32. This is called suction drive. After that, when the voltage conversion mechanism 34 releases the pressure reduction in the voltage conversion chamber through the voltage conversion flow path 36, the flexible film bends and displaces toward the pump chamber side, thereby increasing the pressure in the pump chamber. Then, along with the pressure increase in the pump chamber, the liquid in the pump chamber flows out into the supply tube 33 in a pressurized state. This is called discharge drive. And the supply mechanism 31 supplies the liquid from the liquid storage body 20 to the liquid ejection unit 21 by alternately repeating the suction drive and the discharge drive.

[0018] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the connection mechanism 29. The connection mechanism 29 has a first connection mechanism 29F and a second connection mechanism 29S at positions sandwiching the ink introduction needle 32 in the width direction. The first connection mechanism 29F is disposed vertically below the ink introduction needle 32 and includes an arm 38 that protrudes in the extraction direction. A locking portion 39 is provided at the tip of the arm 38. The arm 38 is configured such that the tip side is rotatable about the base end side. The locking portion 39 is disposed, for example, protruding vertically upward from the arm 38, on the movement path of the container 13 when the container 13 is mounted on the mounting portion 14. The locking portion 39 fits into an engagement groove 78 provided on the back surface of the container 13 when the container 13 is mounted on the mounting portion 14, restricting the container 13 from being easily removed from the mounting portion 14.

[0019] The first connection mechanism 29F includes a terminal portion 40 that is disposed vertically above the ink introduction needle 32 and protrudes in the extraction direction. The terminal portion 40 is connected to the control unit 42 via an electrical line 41 such as a flat cable. The terminal portion 40 preferably has an upper end protruding more in the extraction direction than the lower end and is disposed so as to face obliquely downward. Also, it is preferable to dispose a pair of guide convex portions 40a that protrude in the width direction and extend along the mounting direction on both sides of the terminal portion 40 in the width direction.

[0020] The second connection mechanism 29S is preferably disposed vertically above the ink introduction needle 32 and includes a block 44 for preventing misinsertion that protrudes in the extraction direction. The block 44 has a concavo-convex shape disposed downward. The shape of this concavo-convexity is different for each connection mechanism 29.

[0021] The connection mechanism 29 includes a pair of positioning protrusions 45, 46, an extrusion mechanism 47 disposed so as to surround the ink introduction needle 32, and a liquid receiving portion 48 that protrudes in the extraction direction below the ink introduction needle 32. The pair of positioning protrusions 45, 46 are arranged side by side in the width direction with the ink introduction needle 32 therebetween so as to be included in the first connection mechanism 29F and the second connection mechanism 29S, respectively. The positioning protrusions 45, 46 can be, for example, rod-shaped protrusions that are parallel to each other and protrude in the extraction direction. The protruding length of the positioning protrusions 45, 46 in the extraction direction is preferably longer than the protruding length of the ink introduction needle 32 in the extraction direction.

[0022] The extrusion mechanism 47 includes a frame member 47a that surrounds the base end portion of the ink introduction needle 32, a pressing portion 47b that protrudes in the extraction direction from the frame member 47a, and a biasing portion 47c that biases the container 13 in the extraction direction via the pressing portion 47b. The biasing portion 47c can be, for example, a coil spring interposed between the frame member 47a and the pressing portion 47b.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a mounting body 50 mounted on the mounting portion 14. In the present embodiment, the mounting body 50 is constituted by a container 13 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape and a liquid container 20 placed on the container 13. FIGS. 4 and 5 described later show a perspective view of the second container 13M as the container 13. Note that the first container 13S, the second container 13M, and the liquid containers 20 placed thereon differ only in the size in the width direction and have the same structure.

[0024] The liquid container 20 is for supplying the liquid having a sedimentation component to the liquid ejection device 11. The liquid container 20 includes a bag 60 and an adapter 61. The bag 60 has flexibility. The bag 60 may be of a pillow type or a gusset type. The bag 60 of this embodiment is a pillow type bag formed by stacking two rectangular films and joining their peripheries to each other. The film constituting the bag 60 is formed of a material having flexibility and gas barrier properties. For example, the film material may be polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, polyethylene, etc. Also, the film may be formed using a laminated structure in which a plurality of films made of these materials are laminated. In such a laminated structure, for example, the outer layer may be formed of PET or nylon having excellent impact resistance, and the inner layer may be formed of polyethylene having excellent ink resistance. Furthermore, a film having a layer on which aluminum or the like is vapor-deposited may be one of the constituent members of the laminated structure.

[0025] The bag 60 has a liquid storage section 60c therein for storing liquid. The liquid storage section 60c stores ink in which a pigment serving as a sedimentation component is dispersed in a solvent. The bag 60 has one end 60a and the other end 60b located on the opposite side to the one end 60a. The adapter 61 is attached to the one end 60a of the bag 60. The adapter 61 includes a liquid outlet section 52 for leading the liquid in the liquid storage section 60c to the liquid ejection device 11. The liquid outlet section 52 can also be called a "supply port."

[0026] FIG. 4 shows three directions D, T, and W that are orthogonal to each other. In the present embodiment, the D direction is the direction along the Y direction shown in FIG. 1 and is the direction in which the bag 60 extends. In the following description, among the D directions, the direction from the liquid outlet portion 52 toward the other end portion 60b side of the bag 60 is defined as the +D direction, and the direction opposite to the +D direction is defined as the -D direction. Further, among the outer dimensions of the liquid container 20, the direction with the smallest dimension is defined as the T direction. And the direction orthogonal to the D direction and the T direction is defined as the W direction. In the present embodiment, the T direction is the direction along the Z direction, and the +T direction corresponds to the -Z direction. Also, the W direction is the direction along the X direction, and the +W direction corresponds to the +X direction. In the present embodiment, the T direction is the thickness direction of the bag 60. In the following, when simply referring to the upward direction, it refers to the +T direction in the mounted state, and when simply referring to the downward direction, it refers to the -T direction in the mounted state.

[0027] When the mounting body 50 is mounted on the mounting portion 14 shown in FIG. 2, if the advancing side when mounted is defined as the tip and the end on the opposite side of the tip is defined as the base end, the connection structure 51 is provided at the tip portion. The connection structure 51 has a first connection structure 51F and a second connection structure 51S on both sides sandwiching the liquid outlet portion 52 in the width direction, respectively.

[0028] The first connection structure 51F includes a connection terminal 53 disposed vertically above the liquid outlet portion 52. The connection terminal 53 is provided, for example, on the surface of a circuit board, and this circuit board includes a storage portion that stores various information regarding the liquid container 20. The information regarding the liquid container 20 includes, for example, information indicating the type of the liquid container 20, the liquid storage capacity, and the like.

[0029] The connection terminal 53 is preferably disposed in the recess 53a provided in a manner of opening upward and in the mounting direction so as to face obliquely upward. Also, it is preferable to dispose guide recesses 53g extending in the mounting direction on both sides of the connection terminal 53 in the width direction.

[0030] The second connection structure 51S preferably includes an insertion prevention identification portion 54 disposed vertically above the liquid outlet portion 52. The identification portion 54 has unevenness with a shape that fits into the block 44 of the corresponding connection mechanism 29 shown in FIG. 3.

[0031] The connection structure 51 includes a pair of positioning holes 55, 56, a biasing force receiving portion 57 that receives the biasing force of the biasing portion 47c shown in FIG. 3, and an insertion portion 58 that extends below the liquid outlet portion 52. The positioning holes 55, 56 are arranged in the width direction with the liquid outlet portion 52 interposed therebetween so as to be included in the first connection structure 51F and the second connection structure 51S, respectively. The first positioning hole 55 included in the first connection structure 51F is a circular hole, while the second positioning hole 56 included in the second connection structure 51S is preferably a long hole having a substantially elliptical shape that is long in the width direction.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the liquid container 20 and the container 13 that constitute the mounting body 50. A notch 65a that engages with the insertion portion 58 provided on the adapter 61 of the liquid container 20 is formed at the tip of the container 13. Further, first holes 55a and second holes 56a are formed on both sides in the width direction of the notch 65a, and first holes 55b and second holes 56b are formed at the tip of the adapter 61. When the liquid container 20 is placed on the container 13, the first holes 55a and 55b are aligned in the depth direction with each other, and the second holes 56a and 56b are aligned in the depth direction with each other. The first positioning hole 55 is constituted by the first holes 55a and 55b, and the second positioning hole 56 is constituted by the second holes 56a and 56b.

[0033] The adapter 61 includes a handle portion 62. The handle portion 62 is formed of a member separate from the adapter 61 and is movable relative to the adapter 61. Specifically, the handle portion 62 is movable by rotating about a rotation shaft 63 provided on the adapter 61. The rotation shaft 63 is formed so as to open on both sides in the width direction, and a bottomed semi-cylindrical portion protrudes from the upper surface of the adapter 61.

[0034] The gripping part 62 has a gripping portion 62a that is gripped by the user. The gripping portion 62a is located on the side of the bag 60 farther from the adapter 61 in the depth direction than the shaft portion 62b pivotally supported by the pivot shaft 63. And the gripping part 62 is rotatable between a first posture in which the gripping portion 62a and the pivot shaft 63 are at the same height or the gripping portion 62a is located at a position lower than the pivot shaft 63, and a second posture in which the gripping portion 62a is located at a position higher than the pivot shaft 63.

[0035] The container 13 has an engagement receiving portion 65 at the tip portion where the adapter 61 of the liquid container 20 can be engaged. The adapter 61 includes a connection terminal 53, a recess 53a, a guide recess 53g, an identification portion 54, a first hole 55b, and a second hole 56b. The engagement receiving portion 65 of the container 13 includes a biasing receiving portion 57, a first hole 55a, and a second hole 56a. The adapter 61 is located at the tip of the container 13 when engaged with the engagement receiving portion 65.

[0036] The container 13 includes a bottom plate 67 that forms the bottom surface, side plates 68 erected vertically upward from both ends in the width direction of the bottom plate 67, a front plate 69 erected vertically upward from the base end of the bottom plate 67, and a front plate 70 erected vertically upward from the tip of the bottom plate 67.

[0037] In the container 13, the bottom plate 67, the side plates 68, the front plate 69, and the front plate 70 constitute a main body portion that forms a storage space for storing the liquid container 20. The container 13 has an opening 13a for inserting and removing the liquid container 20 with respect to the storage space. In the present embodiment, the opening 13a of the container 13 opens upward in the vertical direction, which is a direction different from the mounting direction in which the container 13 advances when mounted on the mounting portion 14.

[0038] The adapter 61 is provided with a plurality of substantially round hole-shaped guided portions 72 formed to penetrate in the guiding direction. In the present embodiment, two guided portions 72 are formed side by side in the width direction.

[0039] In addition, the engagement receiving portion 65 of the container 13 is provided with a plurality of guide portions 73 having a substantially cylindrical shape protruding in the guiding direction from the bottom plate 67. In the present embodiment, two guide portions 73 are formed so as to be arranged in the width direction. The guiding direction intersects, preferably orthogonally, with the bottom plate 67 or the opening 13a and is along the side plate 68. In the present embodiment, the guiding direction is along the T direction.

[0040] The guide portion 73 provided on the container 13 guides the guided portion 72 provided on the adapter 61 in the guiding direction. On the other hand, the guided portion 72 provided on the adapter 61 is guided in the guiding direction by the guide portion 73 provided on the container 13.

[0041] In the present embodiment, the guide portion 73 has a convex shape forming a substantially semi-cylindrical shape, and the side surface of the guide portion 73 along the guiding direction has a flat regulating portion 73a located on the tip side and a curved surface portion 73b on the base end side of the regulating portion 73a.

[0042] The guided portion 72 is formed in a shape having a regulating portion 72a and a curved surface portion 72b so as to follow the shape of the guide portion 73. The regulating portions 72a and 73a regulate the escape and rotation of the liquid container 20 placed on the container 13.

[0043] Furthermore, on the front end surface of the adapter 61, for example, a dome-shaped protrusion 75 having at least chamfered corners in the guiding direction is formed. Also, on the front plate 70 of the container 13, an engagement hole 76 that engages with the protrusion 75 is formed. In this way, when the liquid container 20 is placed on the container 13, it is possible to give the user a feeling or touch like a click feeling that the engagement between the container 13 and the liquid container 20 is completed. The protrusion 75 and the engagement hole 76 of the present embodiment are formed so as to be paired and arranged on both sides in the width direction with the liquid outlet portion 52 and the notch 65a of the container 13 interposed therebetween.

[0044] Here, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the connection of the connection mechanism 29 of the connection structure 51 provided in the wearing body 50 will be described. When the wearing body 50 is inserted into the accommodation space and the tip approaches the connection mechanism 29, first, the tips of the positioning protrusions 45 and 46 having a long protruding length in the extraction direction engage with the positioning holes 55 and 56 of the wearing body 50 in a manner that restricts the movement of the wearing body 50 in the width direction. Since the second positioning hole 56 is an elliptical long hole extending in the width direction, the positioning protrusion 45 that enters the circular first positioning hole 55 serves as a positioning reference.

[0045] After the positioning protrusions 45 and 46 engage with the positioning holes 55 and 56, when the wearing body 50 further advances inward, the biasing receiving portion 57 contacts the pressing portion 47b and receives the biasing force of the biasing portion 47c, and the liquid outlet portion 52 of the liquid container 20 is connected to the ink introduction needle 32. When the liquid container 20 is in a new state, a film is welded to the tip of the liquid outlet portion 52, and this film is broken by the ink introduction needle 32. It is preferable that the positioning protrusions 45 and 46 position the wearing body 50 before the ink introduction needle 32 is connected to the liquid outlet portion 52.

[0046] When the wearing body 50 is inserted into the correct position, the identification portion 54 fits properly with the block 44 of the connection mechanism 29. On the other hand, when an attempt is made to mount the wearing body 50 in the wrong position, the identification portion 54 does not fit with the block 44, so the wearing body 50 cannot advance further inward, preventing misinstallation.

[0047] Also, when the wearing body 50 advances in the mounting direction, the terminal portion 40 enters the recess 53a of the wearing body 50, and the position is adjusted by the guide recess 53g being guided by the guide protrusion 40a, and contacts the connection terminal 53. Thereby, the connection terminal 53 is electrically connected to the terminal portion 40, and information is exchanged between the circuit board and the control unit 42. Thus, it is preferable to arrange the first positioning hole 55 serving as a positioning reference in the first connection structure 51F including the connection terminal 53 among the first connection structure 51F and the second connection structure 51S.

[0048] When the liquid outlet portion 52 of the liquid container 20 is connected to the ink introduction needle 32 in a state where the liquid can be supplied, and the connection terminal 53 comes into contact with the terminal portion 40 and is electrically connected, the connection to the connection mechanism 29 of the connection structure 51 is completed.

[0049] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the adapter 61. The adapter 61 is divisible in the T direction and includes a lid member 61a and a bottom member 61b. The lid member 61a is mainly formed with an identification portion 54. The bottom member 61b is mainly formed with an insertion portion 58 and a recess 53a. An internal structure 200 is disposed inside the bag 60. A part of a liquid outlet member 66 that constitutes a part of the internal structure 200 is exposed from an end portion of the bag 60 in the -D direction. The exposed portion of the liquid outlet member 66 is provided with a liquid outlet portion 52 and a fixing portion 66s.

[0050] In the present embodiment, the bottom member 61b is provided with a first protrusion 61c and a second protrusion 61d in the +T direction. The first protrusion 61c and the second protrusion 61d are provided at positions sandwiching the insertion portion 58 in the W direction. The fixing portion 66s is provided with a first through hole 66c and a second through hole 66d at positions sandwiching the liquid outlet portion 52 in the width direction. The first protrusion 61c is inserted into the first through hole 66c, and the second protrusion 61d is inserted into the second through hole 66d. By sandwiching the fixing portion 66s between the lid member 61a and the bottom member 61b from the +T direction side and the -T direction side, a part of an end portion on the -D direction side of the bag 60 is sandwiched between the lid member 61a and the bottom member 61b together with the fixing portion 66s, and the bag 60 is fixed to the adapter 61.

[0051] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the internal structure 200. FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the internal structure 200. FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the internal structure 200. FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically showing the structure inside the internal structure 200. FIG. 11 is a view of the internal structure 200 as seen from the +D direction side. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the spacer member 90.

[0052] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, the internal structure 200 includes a liquid outlet member 66, a spacer member 90, a liquid outlet pipe 80, and a magnetic body 150. As will be described later, the magnetic body 150 is configured to be movable along the vertical direction in the usage posture of the liquid container 20. Further, in the present embodiment, the magnetic body 150 is disposed on the spacer member 90. In FIGS. 7 to 9 and FIG. 12, the magnetic body 150 is schematically shown by a broken line and hatching. In the usage state of the liquid container 20, the liquid outlet member 66, the liquid outlet pipe 80, and the spacer member 90 are arranged along the horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, the liquid outlet member 66, the liquid outlet pipe 80, and the spacer member 90 are arranged in this order from the -D direction side toward the +D direction side.

[0053] The liquid outlet member 66 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is a member provided with a liquid outlet portion 52 for attaching to one end portion 60a of the bag 60 and leading out the liquid in the bag 60 to the outside. Specifically, the liquid outlet portion 52 is a member for leading out the liquid in the liquid storage portion 60c to the liquid injection device 11. The liquid outlet member 66 includes a welding portion 66a to which the opening portion 60d of the bag 60 is welded. The welding portion 66a includes a portion having the largest outer circumference among the liquid outlet members 66.

[0054] As shown in FIG. 8, two cylindrical first protrusions 661 and 662 are provided at the +D direction side end of the liquid outlet member 66. The internal spaces of the first protrusions 661 and 662 communicate with the internal space of the liquid outlet portion 52. A flexible tubular liquid outlet pipe 80 is connected to the first protrusions 661 and 662. The liquid outlet pipe 80 includes a first flow path portion 81 and a second flow path portion 82. The -D direction side end of the first flow path portion 81 is connected to the first protrusion 661. The -D direction side end of the second flow path portion 82 is connected to the first protrusion 662.

[0055] The spacer member 90 shown in FIGS. 7 to 12 is a structure for partitioning a region of a certain volume inside the bag 60. The spacer member 90 restricts the shrinkage of the bag 60 in the thickness direction. The spacer member 90 is formed of a synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, for example. As shown in FIG. 7, the spacer member 90 is provided at a position intersecting the TD plane passing through the central axis CX of the liquid outlet 52 within the liquid storage portion 60c. The TD plane is a plane including the T direction and the D direction.

[0056] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the spacer member 90 has a spacer flow path 95 for flowing a liquid. The spacer flow path 95 is a flow path provided inside the spacer member 90. The spacer flow path 95 sequentially includes a liquid inlet 910, a confluence portion 907, and a filter chamber 110 from the upstream side of the spacer flow path 95. The spacer flow path 95 is connected to the liquid outlet 52 via the first flow path portion 81 and the second flow path portion 82 of the liquid outlet pipe 80. The liquid in the liquid storage portion 60c flows into the spacer flow path 95 from the liquid inlet 910, flows through the liquid outlet pipe 80 to the liquid outlet 52, and is led out from the liquid outlet 52 to the outside.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 7 to 12, the spacer member 90 integrally includes a regulating structure 901 and a filter portion 902. The regulating structure 901 is disposed at the end portion of the spacer member 90 on the +D direction side. The filter portion 902 is disposed on the -D direction side of the spacer member 90 relative to the regulating structure 901 and is disposed at the end portion on the +T direction side.

[0058] The restricting structure 901 is a part that functions as a spacer for restricting the shrinkage of the bag 60 in the thickness direction. The restricting structure 901 has an inclined surface 91 on the +D direction side that inclines such that the dimension along the T direction increases as it goes from the +D direction side toward the -D direction side. In the present embodiment, the restricting structure 901 has inclined surfaces 91 on the +T direction side and the -T direction side with respect to the central axis CX, respectively. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when viewed from the W direction, the restricting structure 901 has a shape that tapers toward the +D direction side. In the present embodiment, grooves along the D direction and grooves along the W direction are formed in the inclined surface 91. Note that in the present embodiment, the “surface” includes not only a surface composed only of a flat surface, but also a surface with grooves or recesses formed on its surface, a surface with protrusions or convex portions formed on its surface, and a virtual surface surrounded by a frame. That is, as long as it can be grasped as a “surface” as a whole, there may be unevenness or through holes in a certain region occupied by the surface.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 8, the filter portion 902 is integrally formed with the restricting structure 901. The filter portion 902 has a filter chamber 110. Note that the filter portion 902 and the restricting structure 901 may be integrally joined or assembled after being formed as separate bodies.

[0060] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the filter chamber 110 has an opening 905 in a portion facing the inner surface of the bag 60. That is, the filter chamber 110 has an opening 905 in the end surface on the +T direction side. A film 112 for sealing the opening 905 is disposed in the opening 905. The film 112 is joined by being welded to the edge of the opening 905. By welding the film 112 to the opening 905 of the filter portion 902, the filter chamber 110 is partitioned and formed in the filter portion 902. As described above, the filter chamber 110 constitutes a part of the spacer flow path 95.

[0061] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, a filter 111 for filtering liquid is disposed in the filter chamber 110. In the filter chamber 110, the filter 111 is disposed along the WD plane. The WD plane is a plane including the W direction and the D direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the filter chamber 110 is partitioned by the filter 111 into an upper space S1 and a lower space S2. In the present embodiment, the filter 111 is formed of a metal mesh made of SUS. The filter 111 may be formed of a metal nonwoven fabric. The filter 111 is welded to the edge of the internal opening 906 located between the upper space S1 and the lower space S2 in the filter chamber 110. The filter 111 filters foreign matter mixed in the bag 60 or foreign matter generated in the bag 60. Note that the filter 111 may be disposed so that the liquid flowing into the filter chamber 110 is filtered, and may be disposed inclined with respect to the WD plane or along the T direction.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the spacer member 90 includes a plurality of liquid inlets 910. The liquid inlet 910 is an opening for taking liquid into the filter chamber 110. The plurality of liquid inlets 910 includes a first liquid inlet 92 and a second liquid inlet 93. The first liquid inlet 92 and the second liquid inlet 93 communicate with the upper space S1 of the filter chamber 110, respectively. The filter chamber 110 has a confluence portion 907 where the liquids flowing in from the plurality of liquid inlets 910 merge between the filter 111 and the plurality of liquid inlets 910. In other words, the confluence portion 907 is provided upstream of the filter 111 and downstream of the plurality of liquid inlets 910 in the liquid flow direction. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 12, a rib 908 for preventing the film 112 from contacting the bottom surface of the confluence portion 907 is provided in the confluence portion 907 in the +T direction.

[0063] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 , the multiple liquid inlets 910 are arranged at different height positions when the liquid container 20 is in use. Specifically, when the liquid container 20 is in use, the second liquid inlet 93 is arranged at a higher position in the T direction than the first liquid inlet 92. By arranging the liquid inlets 910 in this manner, liquid can flow into the spacer channel 95 from relatively upper and lower portions of the liquid container 60c in use. As a result, even if a concentration gradient occurs in the vertical direction due to settling of sediment components in the liquid container 60c, variation in the concentration of the liquid discharged from the liquid container 60c can be suppressed. The second liquid inlet 93 is formed at the end of the filter chamber 110 on the +D direction side, near the upper end of the regulating structure 901, and faces in the +D direction. Meanwhile, the first liquid inlet 92 is formed near the lower end of the regulating structure 901, facing in the -T and +D directions. In this embodiment, the opening area of the first liquid inlet 92 is larger than the opening area of the second liquid inlet 93. The opening area is the area of the portion of each inlet that opens into the space inside the bag 60.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 11 , a first groove 912 is formed in the regulating structure 901 on the +D side of the first liquid inlet 92, in a portion from the lower inclined surface 91 to the WD plane passing through the central axis CX. The first groove 912 is formed to be connected to the first liquid inlet 92. Liquid easily flows into the first liquid inlet 92 from the +D side through this first groove 912. Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 11 , 12 , and 18 , a second groove 913 is formed in the regulating structure 901 on the +D side of the second liquid inlet 93, in a portion from the upper inclined surface 91 to the WD plane passing through the central axis CX. The second groove 913 is formed to be connected to the second liquid inlet 93. Liquid easily flows into the second liquid inlet 93 from the +D side through this second groove 913.

[0065] 8, two cylindrical second protrusions 141, 142 are arranged side by side in the W direction at the -D direction end of the filter section 902. The internal spaces of the second protrusions 141, 142 communicate with the lower space S2 of the filter chamber 110. The second protrusion 141 is connected to the +D direction end of the first flow path section 81, and the second protrusion 142 is connected to the +D direction end of the second flow path section 82.

[0066] 10 , the liquids that flow in from the first liquid inlet 92 and the second liquid inlet 93 join at the joining point 907 within the filter chamber 110, and then flow from the upper space S1 to the lower space S2 through the filter 111, where they are filtered by the filter 111. The liquid filtered by the filter 111 passes through the flow paths within the second convex portions 141, 142, the liquid outlet pipe 80, and the first convex portions 661, 662, and is discharged to the outside from the liquid outlet portion 52 of the liquid outlet member 66.

[0067] As described above, in Fig. 7 to Fig. 9 and Fig. 12, the magnetic body 150 is schematically shown by dashed lines and hatching. In this embodiment, the magnetic body 150 is made of a ferromagnetic material. Specifically, the magnetic body 150 is made of, for example, SUS430, iron, or nickel. The term "ferromagnetic body" includes a ferromagnetic body having ferromagnetic properties and a ferrimagnetic body having ferrimagnetic properties.

[0068] In this embodiment, the magnetic body 150 is accommodated in a magnetic body accommodating portion 96 provided in the spacer member 90. The magnetic body accommodating portion 96 in this embodiment is provided on the upper side of the spacer member 90 in the usage posture. The magnetic body accommodating portion 96 is formed by being partitioned by a part of the filter portion 902 and the film 112. Specifically, a side surface of the magnetic body accommodating portion 96 on the +D direction side is formed by a first wall portion 921. A side surface of the magnetic body accommodating portion 96 in the W direction and a side surface of the magnetic body accommodating portion 96 on the -D direction side are formed by a second wall portion 922 of the filter portion 902. A side surface of the magnetic body accommodating portion 96 on the -T direction side is formed by an upper surface portion 923 that is a part of the upper surface of the filter portion 902. The second wall portion 922 is a portion that partitions the vicinity of the junction portion 907 of the spacer flow path 95. As shown in FIG. 12 , the vicinity of the confluence 907 refers to a portion including a first partial flow path Pt1 extending along the direction D among the flow paths extending from the first liquid inlet 92, and a second partial flow path Pt2 extending along the direction D among the flow paths extending from the second liquid inlet 93. The first wall 921 is a portion formed on the +D direction side of the confluence 907 so as to connect the wall defining the first partial flow path Pt1 and the wall defining the second partial flow path Pt2. That is, the first wall 921 is a portion formed so as to connect the second wall 922. With this configuration, the space SP within the magnetic body accommodating portion 96 is liquid-tightly isolated from the space within the liquid accommodating portion 60c. Therefore, the magnetic body 150 accommodated in the magnetic body accommodating portion 96 is isolated from the liquid within the liquid accommodating portion 60c.

[0069] Specifically, in the present embodiment, the magnetic body 150 is fixed to the bottom surface of the magnetic body housing portion 96. The magnetic body 150 may be fixed to the bottom surface via an adhesive, for example, or may be fixed to the bottom surface via a fixture such as a screw or a bolt, or may be engaged or fitted to the bottom surface. Further, in other embodiments, the magnetic body 150 may be fixed not to the bottom surface of the magnetic body housing portion 96 but to, for example, a side surface or an upper surface. Further, in other embodiments, the magnetic body 150 may not be fixed within the magnetic body housing portion 96 and may be arranged within the magnetic body housing portion 96 without being fixed. Even in this case, the magnetic body 150 can be retained within the magnetic body housing portion 96 by the outer wall of the filter portion 902 partitioning the magnetic body housing portion 96 or the film 112.

[0070] Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the present embodiment, the magnetic body housing portion 96 is arranged at a position inside the outer edge of the spacer member 90. Therefore, the magnetic body 150 is arranged at a position inside the outer edge of the spacer member 90. That is, the magnetic body 150 is arranged so as not to protrude beyond the outer edge of the spacer member 90 in any of the D direction, the T direction, and the W direction.

[0071] Further, as shown in FIG. 9, in the present embodiment, the magnetic body 150 is arranged at a position where the vertical dimension is the largest among the horizontal positions in the use posture of the spacer member 90. Specifically, the magnetic body 150 is arranged at the position P1. The position P1 is located on the -D direction side of the inclined surface 91. The above-described magnetic body housing portion 96 is provided at a position where the magnetic body 150 can be arranged at the position P1.

[0072] FIG. 13 is an explanatory view showing the liquid container 20 in the mounted state. The liquid ejecting apparatus 11 in the present embodiment includes one or more electromagnets 250. Specifically, the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 includes a first electromagnet 251 and a second electromagnet 252 as the electromagnets 250. The first electromagnet 251 is located above the magnetic body 150 in the mounted state. The second electromagnet 252 is located below the magnetic body 150 in the mounted state. Each electromagnet 250 is disposed, for example, in the frame body 24 of the mounting portion 14 described above. Note that each electromagnet 250 may be disposed not only in the frame body 24 but also at any part in the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 as long as the magnetic body 150 can be moved in the vertical direction by the magnetic force generated. Further, when a plurality of liquid containers 20 can be mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 as in the present embodiment, the electromagnets 250 may be provided one set for each liquid container 20, or may be provided corresponding to only some of the liquid containers 20. When the electromagnets 250 are provided corresponding to only some of the liquid containers 20, it is preferable to provide the electromagnets 250 corresponding to the liquid containers 20 that contain a liquid that is more likely to cause sedimentation. Each electromagnet 250 is connected to the control unit 42 and an external power source (not shown) via the wiring portion 255. The voltage applied to each electromagnet 250 is controlled by the control unit 42. As will be described later, in the present embodiment, the control unit 42 controls the on / off of the voltage applied to each electromagnet 250.

[0073] FIG. 14 is a first diagram for explaining the movement of the magnetic body 150. FIG. 15 is a second diagram for explaining the movement of the magnetic body 150. FIG. 14 shows the state of the magnetic body 150 when the first electromagnet 251 is turned on and the second electromagnet 252 is turned off. FIG. 15 shows the state of the magnetic body 150 when the first electromagnet 251 is turned off and the second electromagnet 252 is turned on. Note that FIG. 13 shows a state in which both electromagnets 250 are off.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 14, when the first electromagnet 251 is turned on, the magnetic body 150 is attracted to the first electromagnet 251 by the magnetic force generated by the first electromagnet 251. As a result, the magnetic body 150 moves upward within the liquid storage portion 60c. Specifically, in this embodiment, when the magnetic body 150 is attracted to the first electromagnet 251, an upward force is applied by the magnetic body 150 to the spacer member 90, and the spacer member 90 moves upward together with the magnetic body 150 while bending the liquid outlet tube 80 upward. Conversely, as shown in FIG. 15, when the second electromagnet 252 is turned on, the magnetic body 150 is attracted to the second electromagnet 252 by the magnetic force generated by the second electromagnet 252. As a result, the magnetic body 150 moves downward within the liquid storage portion 60c. Specifically, in this embodiment, when the magnetic body 150 is attracted to the second electromagnet 252, a downward force is applied to the spacer member 90 by the magnetic body 150, and the spacer member 90 moves downward together with the magnetic body 150 while bending the liquid discharge tube 80 downward. This vertical movement of the magnetic body 150 can vertically agitate the liquid in the liquid storage portion 60c. Specifically, in this embodiment, the spacer member 90, which moves vertically together with the magnetic body 150, can effectively vertically agitate the liquid in the liquid storage portion 60c.

[0075] In this embodiment, the control unit 42 of the liquid ejecting device 11 switches on and off the voltage applied to each electromagnet 250 at a predetermined cycle when moving the magnetic body 150. Specifically, the control unit 42 in this embodiment alternately switches on and off the voltage applied to each of the first electromagnet 251 and the second electromagnet 252. Through this control, the magnetic body 150 repeatedly moves up and down periodically within the liquid storage portion 60c.

[0076] The control unit 42 may execute stirring at a desired timing or in a desired manner of the user, for example, triggered by a predetermined operation by the user. Further, the control unit 42 may execute stirring in a predetermined manner according to a predetermined schedule, for example. In this case, the control unit 42 preferably executes stirring more frequently with respect to the liquid container 20 that stores a liquid in which sedimentation components are more likely to sediment, or executes stirring so that the number of times the magnetic body 150 reciprocates up and down in one stirring is larger. When a plurality of liquid containers 20 can be attached to the liquid injection device 11 as in the present embodiment, for example, an electromagnet 250 is arranged for each set of the liquid containers 20, and the voltage applied to each set of electromagnets 250 can be individually controlled, so that stirring at a frequency and time suitable for the liquid stored in each liquid container 20 can be individually executed for each liquid container 20. Data for determining the stirring schedule and the stirring mode may be stored, for example, in a storage unit provided on the circuit board of the liquid container 20, or may be stored in the memory 422 of the control unit 42 of the liquid injection device 11.

[0077] According to the liquid container 20 in the present embodiment described above, the magnetic body 150 configured to be movable along the vertical direction in the use posture of the liquid container 20 is arranged in the liquid storage portion 60c. Therefore, by moving the magnetic body 150 in the vertical direction by magnetic force, the liquid in the liquid storage portion 60c can be effectively stirred, and sedimentation of sedimentation components in the liquid can be effectively suppressed.

[0078] Further, in the present embodiment, the magnetic body 150 is arranged on the spacer member 90 and is configured to be movable along the vertical direction together with the spacer member 90. According to this configuration, by moving the spacer member 90 in the vertical direction together with the magnetic body 150 by magnetic force, the liquid in the liquid storage portion 60c can be more effectively stirred by the spacer member 90. Therefore, sedimentation of sedimentation components can be more effectively suppressed.

[0079] Furthermore, by arranging the magnetic body 150 on various components disposed within the liquid storage unit 60c, such as the spacer member 90, as in this embodiment, contact between the agitating member and the inner wall of the liquid storage unit 60c can be reduced compared to, for example, a case in which an agitating member for agitating the liquid in the liquid storage unit 60c is disposed within the liquid storage unit 60c so that it can move independently without being attached to any component. That is, contact between the agitating member and the bag 60 can be reduced. As a result, damage to the bag 60 caused by the agitating member can be reduced. Furthermore, compared to, for example, a case in which the agitating member is fixed to the inner wall of the liquid storage unit 60c, i.e., the inside of the bag 60, by welding or the like, a decrease in durability of the bag 60 due to the welded portion can be reduced, thereby further improving the durability of the bag 60.

[0080] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the magnetic substance 150 can effectively agitate the liquid in the liquid storage portion 60c, so that, for example, a component of the spacer member 90 for suppressing variations in liquid concentration due to settling of sedimentary components can be appropriately omitted, further improving the degree of freedom in the configuration of the spacer member 90. As a result, for example, the configuration of the spacer member 90 can be further simplified. For example, by configuring the spacer member 90 so that liquid can flow into the filter chamber 110 from the opening 905 without providing the film 112, it is possible to appropriately omit the liquid inlets 910, the confluence portion 907, and the like of the spacer flow path 95.

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the magnetic body 150 is disposed at the position where the vertical dimension is greatest among the horizontal positions of the spacer member 90 in the usage posture. Therefore, the portion of the spacer member 90 with the largest vertical dimension can be easily moved up and down, and the liquid in the liquid storage portion 60c can be stirred more effectively. Furthermore, compared to disposing the magnetic body 150 in a portion with a relatively small vertical dimension, it is easier to ensure space for disposing the magnetic body 150. As a result, for example, it is easier to dispose a larger magnetic body 150. Furthermore, the degree of freedom in disposing the magnetic body 150 can be increased.

[0082] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the magnetic body 150 is accommodated in the magnetic body accommodating portion 96 of the spacer member 90 and is isolated from the liquid in the liquid accommodating portion 60c. Therefore, compared to a configuration in which the magnetic body 150 and the liquid are not isolated, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the quality of the liquid due to contact between the magnetic body 150 and the liquid.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the magnetic body 150 is disposed at a position more inward than the outer edge of the spacer member 90. Therefore, the magnetic body 150 can be disposed in a more space-saving manner. Furthermore, since the magnetic body 150 does not protrude outward from the outer edge of the spacer member 90, damage to the bag 60 due to contact between the magnetic body 150 and the bag 60 can be suppressed.

[0084] Furthermore, in the liquid ejection device 11 of this embodiment, the agitation of the liquid in the liquid container 20 can be controlled by controlling the voltage applied to each electromagnet 250. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the liquid can be agitated more effectively by controlling the voltage applied to the first electromagnet 251 and the second electromagnet 252. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the voltage applied to each of the first electromagnet 251 and the second electromagnet 252 is alternately switched on and off, thereby allowing the liquid to be agitated effectively with simple control.

[0085] B. Second embodiment: 16 is a diagram schematically illustrating the internal structure of an internal structure 200 according to the second embodiment. In this embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the spacer member 90b does not include a magnetic body containing portion 96. Furthermore, the magnetic body 150 is not isolated from the liquid in the liquid containing portion 60c, but is instead disposed in a spacer flow path 95. The liquid containing body 20 and the liquid ejection device 11 according to this embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment in respect of points that are not specifically described.

[0086] In this embodiment, the magnetic body 150 is disposed upstream of the filter 111 in the spacer flow channel 95. Specifically, in this embodiment, the magnetic body 150 is disposed at the junction 907 of the spacer flow channel 95, and is fixed to the bottom portion on the −T direction side of the junction 907. Note that in other embodiments, the magnetic body 150 is not limited to being disposed at the junction 907, and may be disposed, for example, in the upper space S1, near the first liquid inlet 92, near the second liquid inlet 93, or the like.

[0087] According to the liquid container 20 of the present embodiment described above, the magnetic body 150 is disposed upstream of the filter 111 in the spacer flow channel 95. According to this configuration, the magnetic body 150 is disposed within the spacer flow channel 95, allowing the magnetic body 150 to be disposed in a more space-saving manner. Furthermore, even if, for example, the magnetic body 150 causes foreign matter to become mixed into the liquid in the liquid container 60c, the foreign matter can be removed by the filter 111, which is disposed downstream of the magnetic body 150. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the quality of the liquid discharged from the liquid container 60c from being reduced due to the magnetic body 150.

[0088] C. Other Embodiments: (C-1) In each of the above embodiments, the magnetic body 150 is disposed in the spacer member 90. However, the magnetic body 150 does not have to be disposed in the spacer member 90. For example, the magnetic body 150 may be disposed in another member within the liquid storage portion 60c. In this case, the magnetic body 150 may be provided in the liquid discharge pipe 80.

[0089] 17 is a perspective view of an internal structure 200b according to another embodiment. Unlike the first and second embodiments, the spacer member 90c of the internal structure 200b is connected to the +D-direction end of the liquid lead-out member 66 by a rod-shaped connecting member 85 extending along the D direction. More specifically, an insertion portion provided at the +D-direction end of the connecting member 85 is press-fitted from the -W direction toward the +W direction into an insertion port provided along the W direction near the -D-direction end of the regulating structure 901. Meanwhile, the -D-direction end of the connecting member 85 is engaged and fixed by a locking protrusion provided near the +D-direction end of the liquid lead-out member 66. In this embodiment, the magnetic body 150 may be disposed in the connecting member 85 or in a connection portion 87 between the connecting member 85 and the regulating structure 901. In this case, the connecting member 85 may be made of, for example, a flexible material or formed into a bellows structure so that it can move up and down together with the magnetic body 150. In Fig. 17, an example of the magnetic body 150 arranged at the connection portion 87 is schematically shown by a dashed line.

[0090] (C-2) In each of the above embodiments, the magnetic body 150 is disposed at a position where the vertical dimension is greatest among the horizontal positions of the spacer member 90 in the usage posture. However, the magnetic body 150 does not have to be disposed in this manner, and may be disposed at any position on the spacer member 90, for example. Similarly, the magnetic body 150 does not have to be disposed at a position inside the outer edge of the spacer member 90.

[0091] (C-3) In the second embodiment, the magnetic body 150 is disposed upstream of the filter 111 in the spacer flow channel 95. In contrast, the magnetic body 150 may be disposed downstream of the filter 111 in the spacer flow channel 95, for example.

[0092] (C-4) In each of the above embodiments, the liquid ejection device 11 is provided with a first electromagnet 251 and a second electromagnet 252. However, for example, the liquid ejection device 11 may be provided with only one of the first electromagnet 251 and the second electromagnet 252. Even in this case, the control unit 42 can periodically move the magnetic body 150 up and down within the liquid storage portion 60c by switching the voltage applied to the electromagnet 250 on and off at a predetermined cycle. Note that in a normal usage position where no voltage is applied to the electromagnet 250, the liquid outlet tube 80 may bend due to gravity, causing the spacer member 90 and the magnetic body 150 to be positioned further downward than when the liquid outlet tube 80 is not bent. Therefore, when one of the first electromagnet 251 and the second electromagnet 252 is provided, it is more preferable to provide the first electromagnet 251. In this way, even if the spacer member 90 and the magnetic body 150 are positioned lower in the normal usage position, the spacer member 90 and the magnetic body 150 can be attracted upward by the magnetic force generated by applying a voltage to the first electromagnet 251. As a result, compared to when only the second electromagnet 252 is provided, the liquid in the liquid storage portion 60c can be more effectively stirred.

[0093] (C-5) In each of the above embodiments, the liquid ejection device 11 is provided with an electromagnet 250, and the magnetic body 150 is moved up and down by the magnetic force generated by the electromagnet 250. However, the up and down movement of the magnetic body 150 may be achieved by, for example, a permanent magnet. In this case, for example, the magnetic body 150 can be moved up and down within the liquid storage portion 60c by moving a permanent magnet arranged above or below the magnetic body 150 closer to or farther away from the magnetic body 150 using an actuator (not shown) driven under the control of the control unit 42. In this case, from the perspective of saving space in the liquid ejection device 11, it is preferable to move the permanent magnet along the horizontal direction in the usage position.

[0094] (C-6) In each of the above embodiments, the magnetic body 150 may be composed of a hard magnetic material. Specifically, the magnetic body 150 may be composed of, for example, a permanent magnet such as a ferrite magnet or a neodymium magnet. When the magnetic body 150 is composed of a hard magnetic material, not only the adsorption of the magnetic body 150 by magnetic force but also, for example, the repulsion of the magnetic body 150 by magnetic force can be utilized to move the magnetic body 150 vertically within the liquid storage portion 60c.

[0095] (C-7) The present disclosure is not limited to an inkjet printer and a liquid container for supplying ink to the inkjet printer, but can also be applied to any liquid injection device that injects other liquids than ink and liquid containers used for those liquid injection devices. For example, it can be applied to various liquid injection devices and their liquid containers as follows. (1) An image recording device such as a facsimile machine. (2) A color material injection device used for manufacturing a color filter for an image display device such as a liquid crystal display. (3) An electrode material injection device used for forming electrodes of an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, a surface emission display (Field Emission Display, FED), etc. (4) A liquid injection device that injects a liquid containing a biological organic substance used for manufacturing a biochip. (5) A sample injection device as a precision pipette. (6) A lubricating oil injection device. (7) A resin liquid injection device. (8) A liquid injection device that injects lubricating oil pinpoint into precision machinery such as watches and cameras. (9) A liquid injection device that injects a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin liquid onto a substrate to form a micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) used for an optical communication element, etc. (10) A liquid injection device that injects an acidic or alkaline etching solution to etch a substrate, etc. (11) A liquid injection device provided with a liquid consumption head that discharges any other minute droplets.

[0096] The term "droplets" refers to the state of liquid ejected from a liquid ejection device, and includes droplets, teardrops, and string-like tails. The term "liquid" as used herein refers to any material that can be consumed by a liquid ejection device. For example, "liquid" refers to any material in its liquid phase, including materials with high or low viscosity, as well as liquid materials such as sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, and liquid metals (metal melts). The term "liquid" also includes not only liquids as a single state of matter, but also particles of functional materials composed of solids such as pigments and metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Representative examples of liquids include inks and liquid crystals, as described in the above embodiments. Here, "ink" encompasses various liquid compositions, such as general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot-melt inks.

[0097] D. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various forms without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the present disclosure can also be realized in the following forms. The technical features in the above embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described below can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the problems of the present disclosure or to achieve some or all of the effects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0098] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid container including a liquid storage portion for storing liquid, and a magnetic body disposed within the liquid storage portion and configured to be movable in a vertical direction when the liquid container is in a usage position. According to this aspect, by moving the magnetic body in the vertical direction by magnetic force, the liquid in the liquid storage portion can be effectively stirred, and sedimentation of sedimentary components in the liquid can be effectively suppressed.

[0099] (2) In the above-described embodiment, it may further include a spacer member disposed inside the liquid storage portion, and the magnetic body may be disposed on the spacer member and configured to be movable along the vertical direction together with the spacer member. According to this embodiment, by moving the spacer member in the vertical direction together with the magnetic body by magnetic force, the liquid in the liquid storage portion can be more effectively agitated by the spacer member. Therefore, sedimentation of sediment components can be more effectively suppressed.

[0100] (3) In the above-described embodiment, the magnetic body may be disposed at a position where the dimension in the vertical direction is the largest among the horizontal positions of the spacer member in the above-described posture. According to this embodiment, since it is easy to move the portion having the largest dimension in the vertical direction of the spacer member in the vertical direction, the liquid in the liquid storage portion can be agitated more effectively.

[0101] (4) In the above-described embodiment, the spacer member may be a magnetic body storage portion that stores the magnetic body, and may include a magnetic body storage portion that isolates the magnetic body from the liquid in the liquid storage portion. According to this embodiment, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the quality of the liquid due to contact between the magnetic body and the liquid.

[0102] (5) In the above-described embodiment, the spacer member has a spacer flow path inside for flowing the liquid, the spacer flow path includes a filter chamber in which a filter for filtering the liquid is disposed, and a liquid outlet member having a liquid outlet portion for leading out the liquid in the liquid storage portion, and a liquid outlet pipe connected to the filter chamber and the liquid outlet portion and flowing the liquid filtered by the filter to the liquid outlet portion. The magnetic body may be disposed upstream of the filter in the spacer flow path. According to this embodiment, the magnetic body can be disposed in a more space-saving manner, and it is possible to suppress a decrease in the quality of the liquid led out from the liquid storage portion due to the magnetic body.

[0103] (6) In the above embodiment, the magnetic body may be disposed at a position inside the outer edge of the spacer member. According to this embodiment, the magnetic body can be disposed in a more space-saving manner.

[0104] (7) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a liquid ejection device. The liquid ejection device includes a mounting portion for mounting the liquid container of the above aspect, and one or more electromagnets. The electromagnets include at least one of a first electromagnet located above the magnetic body when the liquid container is mounted in the mounting portion, and a second electromagnet located below the magnetic body in the above state. According to this aspect, the agitation of the liquid contained in the liquid container can be controlled by controlling the voltage applied to the electromagnets.

[0105] (8) The liquid ejection device of the above aspect may further include a control unit that switches on and off the voltage applied to each of the electromagnets at a predetermined cycle. According to this aspect, the liquid can be agitated with simple control.

[0106] (9) In the liquid ejecting device of the above aspect, the electromagnet may include the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet. According to this aspect, by controlling the voltage applied to the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet, the liquid can be stirred more effectively.

[0107] (10) The liquid ejecting device of the above aspect may further include a control unit that alternately switches on and off the voltages applied to the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet. According to this aspect, the liquid can be effectively agitated with simple control.

[0108] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described liquid containers and liquid ejection devices, but can be realized in various forms, such as liquid ejection systems. [Explanation of symbols]

[0109] 11...liquid ejection device, 12...exterior body, 13...container, 13M...second container, 13S...first container, 13a...opening, 14...mounting portion, 15...front cover, 16...cassette, 17...mounting port, 18...ejection tray, 19...operation panel, 20...liquid container, 21...liquid ejection portion, 22...carriage, 24...frame body, 25...insertion port, 26...guide rail, 29...connection mechanism, 29F...first connection mechanism, 29S...second connection mechanism, 30...supply flow path, 31...supply mechanism, 32...ink introduction needle, 33...supply tube, 34...transformer mechanism, 35...driving source, 36...transformer Pressure flow path, 38...arm, 39...locking portion, 40...terminal portion, 40a...guiding protrusion portion, 41...electrical circuit, 42...control portion, 44...block, 45, 46...protrusion portion, 47...extrusion mechanism, 47a...frame member, 47b...pressure portion, 47c...urging portion, 48...liquid receiving portion, 50...attachment body, 51...connection structure, 51F...first connection structure, 51S...second connection structure, 52...liquid outlet portion, 53...connection terminal, 53a...recess, 53g...guiding recess, 54...identification portion, 55...positioning hole, 55a...first hole, 55b...first hole, 56...positioning hole, 56a...second hole, 56b...second Two holes, 57... biasing receiving portion, 58... insertion portion, 60... bag, 60a... one end portion, 60b... other end portion, 60c... liquid storage portion, 60d... opening portion, 61... adapter, 61a... lid member, 61b... bottom member, 61c... first protrusion, 61d... second protrusion, 62... handle portion, 62a... grip portion, 62b... shaft portion, 63... rotation shaft, 65... engagement receiving portion, 65a... notch, 66... liquid lead-out member, 66a... welding portion, 66c... first through-hole, 66d... second through-hole, 66s... fixing portion, 67... bottom plate, 68... side plate, 69... front plate, 70... tip plate, 72... guided portion, 72a ...regulating portion, 72b...curved surface portion, 73...guiding portion, 73a...regulating portion, 73b...curved surface portion, 75...protrusion portion, 76...engaging hole, 78...engaging groove, 80...liquid outlet pipe, 81...first flow path portion, 82...second flow path portion, 85...connecting member, 87...connecting portion, 90, 90b, 90c...spacer member, 91...inclined surface, 92...first liquid inlet port, 93...second liquid inlet port, 95...spacer flow path, 96...magnetic material accommodating portion, 110...filter chamber, 111...filter, 112...film, 141...second convex portion, 142...second convex portion, 150...magnetic material, 200,200b... internal structure, 250... electromagnet, 251... first electromagnet, 252... second electromagnet, 255... wiring section, 421... processor, 422... memory, 661... first convex portion, 662... first convex portion, 901... regulating structure, 902... filter section, 905... opening, 906... internal opening, 907... confluence section, 908... rib, 910... liquid inlet, 912... first groove, 913... second groove, 921... first wall section, 922... second wall section, 923... upper surface portion

Claims

1. A liquid container, a liquid storage portion for storing liquid; a magnetic body that is disposed within the liquid container portion and configured to be movable in the up-down direction when the liquid container is in a usage position;

2. The liquid container according to claim 1 , a spacer member disposed inside the liquid storage portion; The magnetic body is disposed on the spacer member and configured to be movable along the up-down direction together with the spacer member.

3. The liquid container according to claim 2, The magnetic body is disposed at a position in the horizontal direction of the spacer member in the attitude where the dimension in the up-down direction is greatest.

4. The liquid container according to claim 2, The spacer member is a magnetic body containing portion that contains the magnetic body and isolates the magnetic body from the liquid in the liquid containing portion.

5. The liquid container according to claim 2, the spacer member has a spacer flow path therein through which the liquid flows; the spacer flow path includes a filter chamber in which a filter that filters the liquid is disposed; a liquid outlet member having a liquid outlet portion for guiding the liquid in the liquid storage portion; a liquid outlet pipe connected to the filter chamber and the liquid outlet portion, for allowing the liquid filtered by the filter to flow to the liquid outlet portion; The magnetic body is disposed upstream of the filter in the spacer flow channel.

6. The liquid container according to claim 2, The magnetic body is disposed at a position inside an outer edge of the spacer member.

7. a mounting portion for mounting the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 6; one or more electromagnets; The electromagnet includes at least one of a first electromagnet that is positioned above the magnetic body when the liquid container is attached to the attachment portion, and a second electromagnet that is positioned below the magnetic body in the same state.

8. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 7, The liquid ejection device further includes a control unit that switches on and off the voltage applied to each of the electromagnets at a predetermined cycle.

9. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 7, The electromagnet includes the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet.

10. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 9, The liquid ejection device includes a control unit that alternately switches on and off voltages applied to the first electromagnet and the second electromagnet.

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