Liquid discharge device

Abstract

To properly perform an opening operation of a valve so as not to impair convenience for a user.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes: a container which has an injection section for injecting liquid and stores liquid to be supplied to a liquid discharge head for discharging liquid; a cap member which has a cap section for capping the injection section and is swingable between a closed position where the cap section closes the injection section and an open position where the cap section does not close the injection section; and a tank access cover which is swingable between a closed position where the cap member is covered and an open position where the cap member can be opened and closed. A swing shaft of the cap member and a swing shaft of the tank access cover are parallel to a horizontal direction and are different in mutual direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Some liquid ejection devices have a tube that supplies the liquid from a tank that stores the liquid to a head that ejects the liquid, and are also known to have a valve that closes the tube. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which the tube is crushed by rotating a rotating lever in a choke valve located on the side of the ink tank, thereby preventing the flow of ink. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2014-79910 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the tube is blocked by the user manually opening and closing the valve, so if the user makes a mistake and the tube is not opened during use, it is not possible to move on to ejection to the head, which is inconvenient for the user.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to perform an appropriate valve opening operation without impairing convenience for the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the liquid ejection device of the present invention comprises: an injection section for injecting liquid, a container for storing liquid to be supplied to an ejection head that ejects liquid; a cap section for capping the injection section, a cap member that can swing between a closed position in which the cap section blocks the injection section and an open position in which the cap section does not block the injection section; and a tank access cover that can swing between a closed position that covers the cap section and an open position that allows the cap section to be opened and closed, wherein the swing axis of the cap member and the swing axis of the tank access cover are parallel to the horizontal direction and have different orientations from each other. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the valve opening operation can be performed appropriately without impairing convenience for the user. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a liquid ejection device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an internal mechanism of a liquid ejection device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1A is a perspective view of a container and its peripheral configuration according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a schematic view of a container and its peripheral configuration according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control unit of the liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 5A to 5C are perspective views showing a procedure for preparing to replenish ink in the liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1A is a perspective view showing a procedure for preparing to replenish ink in the liquid ejection device according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view showing an open state of the injection part in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 7A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the cap member and the cover part are being moved to the closed position in the first embodiment, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged view of a P1 portion in FIG. [Figure 8]8A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the cap member and the cover part in the first embodiment have been moved to a closed position, and FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of a portion P2 in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cover and a valve in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 5A to 5C are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of the valve in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of the valve and the cam lever portion in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the configuration of a cam lever portion in the first embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of the valve and the cam lever portion in the first embodiment, as viewed from the +X direction. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the operation of the valve and the cam lever portion in the first embodiment, viewed from the −X direction. [Figure 15] FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the operation when the tank access cover is moved to a closed position in the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which the engaging portion of the tank cover is not engaged in the first embodiment. [Figure 17] 10 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the tank access cover and the tank cover portion when the tank access cover is moved to the closed position in a state where the tank cover portion is not in the closed position in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 18] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by an MPU according to the first embodiment. [Figure 19] 1A is a side view of a cap portion according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of the cap portion according to the first embodiment. [Figure 20] 10A is a cross-sectional view showing an example of an ink leakage location in the first embodiment, and FIGS. 10B and 10C are perspective views showing other configuration examples of the groove in the cap portion in the first embodiment. [Figure 21] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the configuration of a tank access cover and a tank cover in a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the accompanying drawings, the same or similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] <Outline of the liquid ejection device> FIG. 1 is an external view of a liquid ejection device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, as seen from the front. The liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment is an inkjet recording device that ejects ink as a liquid to perform recording on a recording medium, but the present invention is also applicable to various liquid ejection devices other than inkjet recording devices. In the figure, arrows X and Y indicate horizontal directions that are orthogonal to each other, and arrow Z indicates the up-down direction (direction of gravity). The X direction is the width direction (left-right direction) of the liquid ejection device 1. The Y direction is the depth direction of the liquid ejection device 1.

[0011] "Recording" not only includes the formation of meaningful information such as characters and figures, but also includes the formation of images, patterns, designs, etc. on a recording medium, whether meaningful or insignificant, or the processing of the medium, regardless of whether it is manifested in a way that can be perceived visually by humans. In addition, although sheet-like paper is assumed as the "recording medium" in this embodiment, it may also be cloth, plastic film, etc.

[0012] The liquid ejection device 1 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape overall and includes a device main body 2 and a body cover unit 3 with multiple covers. The body cover unit 3 is provided to cover the device main body 2 and constitutes the top of the liquid ejection device 1. In this embodiment, the body cover unit 3 includes a paper feed cover 301 for setting recording media, an access cover 302 for performing maintenance work inside the device, and a tank access cover 303 (second cover unit) that covers the part that supplies ink to the device's tank. It also includes a reading unit (scanner unit) 3a for reading images from a document. The entire reading unit 3a can be opened and closed, similar to the access cover 302, to perform maintenance work inside the device. The front of the liquid ejection device 1 is provided with an ejection unit 10 from which recorded recording media are ejected. The front of the liquid ejection device 1 also includes an operation unit 36 ​​for receiving operations from an operator. The operation unit 36 ​​includes a touch-panel display unit that receives input operations from the operator and displays information to the operator.

[0013] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the internal mechanism of the liquid ejection device 1. The liquid ejection device 1 includes an ejection head 4, which is a liquid ejection head that ejects liquid. In this embodiment, the ejection head 4 is a recording head that performs recording by ejecting ink supplied from a container 5 onto a recording medium. The ejection head 4 has an ejection surface 4a (see FIG. 3) on which a plurality of nozzles that eject ink are formed. Each nozzle is provided with, for example, an electrothermal conversion element (heater), which is heated by passing electricity through the element to cause the ink to foam, and the resulting foaming energy is used to eject the ink.

[0014] The ejection head 4 is mounted on a carriage 6. The carriage 6 is moved back and forth in the X direction (main scanning direction) by a drive unit (not shown). The drive unit includes a drive pulley and a driven pulley 7b (not shown) that are spaced apart in the X direction, an endless belt 7c wound around these pulleys, and a carriage motor (not shown) that is a drive source for rotating the drive pulley. The carriage 6 is connected to the endless belt 7c, and moving the endless belt 7c causes the carriage 6 to move in the X direction. As the carriage 6 moves, an image is recorded by ejecting ink from the ejection head 4 onto a recording medium. This operation is sometimes called recording scanning.

[0015] As described above, the liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment is a serial type inkjet recording device in which the ejection head 4 is mounted on a reciprocating carriage 6. However, the present invention is also applicable to other recording devices, such as an inkjet recording device equipped with a so-called full-line ejection head (recording head) in which multiple nozzles are provided to eject liquid in an area corresponding to the width of the recording medium.

[0016] The liquid ejection device 1 includes a feeding unit 8 that transports the recording medium and a transport unit 9. The feeding unit 8 includes a roll setting unit 8c that supplies the banner-shaped continuous recording medium R from a roll, and a recording medium feeding mechanism (not shown). The feeding mechanism includes a feeding roller (not shown) and a feeding motor 8b (see FIG. 4) that is a drive source that rotates the feeding roller.

[0017] The transport unit 9 is a mechanism that transports the recording medium fed from the feeding unit 8 in the Y direction (sub-scanning direction). The transport unit 9 is equipped with a transport roller 9a and a transport motor 9b (Figure 4) that is the drive source for rotating the transport roller 9a. A pinch roller 9c is pressed against the transport roller 9a, and the recording medium is sandwiched in the nip between them. The rotation of the transport roller 9a intermittently transports the recording medium to the ejection head 4. The printing operation is performed by alternating between the transport operation of the printing medium by the transport unit 9 and printing scanning.

[0018] In this embodiment, the container 5 is a stationary container that is fixed to the liquid ejection device 1. When the remaining amount of ink becomes low, the operator refills the container 5 with ink without removing the container 5 from the liquid ejection device 1.

[0019] The containers 5C, 5M, 5Y, and 5Bk have the same structure because they contain different colors of ink, and are arranged side by side in the Y direction on the right side at the front of the liquid ejection device 1. The tops of the containers 5C to 5Bk are each covered by a common tank cover part 13 (first cover part).

[0020] <Container structure> 3(A) is a perspective view showing the peripheral structure of the containers 5 and the discharge head 4. In this embodiment, the containers 5 include containers 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5Bk, and the containers 5 are connected to the discharge head 4 by supply tubes 14.

[0021] FIG. 3(B) shows a schematic diagram of the container 5 and its surrounding structure. Although the containers 5Y, 5M, 5C, and 5Bk differ in the location where the ink flow path is connected and the length of the supply tube 14, they basically have the structure shown in FIG. 3(B). The container 5 includes a storage section 54 for storing ink, an air-liquid exchange section 52, and a buffer chamber 53. The buffer chamber 53 can store ink that is pushed out when the air in the storage section 54 expands due to changes in air pressure or temperature. An injection section 51 for replenishment liquid (replenishment ink) is provided at the top of the container 5. The injection section 51 is closed by a cap section 120. When refilling ink, the operator removes the cap section 120 from the injection section 51 to open the injection section 51 and perform the ink refilling operation. A cap section 120 is provided for each container 5.

[0022] Passages 14a and 15a communicate with the interior of container 5. Passage 14a communicates with storage section 54 and is a liquid supply path (ink supply path) that supplies ink from container 5 to ejection head 4, and is formed by supply tube 14, which is a flexible tube. Passage 15a communicates with buffer chamber 53 and is an atmosphere communication path that connects the interior of container 5 to the atmosphere, and is formed by atmosphere communication tube 15, which is a flexible tube. Valve 16 opens and closes passages 14a and 15a. In this embodiment, a dedicated valve 16 is provided for each of containers 5C to 5Bk.

[0023] The gas-liquid exchanger 52 is provided at a position lower than the ejection surface 4a of the ejection head 4 by a height H. In other words, it is configured to apply a negative pressure to the ejection surface 4a due to a head difference of height H. This makes it possible to prevent ink from leaking out from the ejection surface 4a. In addition, the buffer chamber 53 is located at the bottom of the container 5. This makes it possible to prevent ink from leaking out from the atmosphere communication passage 15a.

[0024] During recording, both the ink supply path 14a and the atmosphere communication path 15a must be open to supply ink to the ejection head 4. On the other hand, when refilling the container 5 with ink, both the ink supply path 14a and the atmosphere communication path 15a must be closed. When refilling ink, the ink level in the container 5 may become higher than the ejection surface 4a of the ejection head 4. If the ink supply path 14a is open at this time, pressure due to a head difference of height Hm is applied to the ejection surface 4a, which may cause ink to leak from the ejection surface 4a. While it is possible to design the ink level in the container 5 so that it does not become higher than the ejection surface 4a of the ejection head 4, this would restrict the ink capacity of the container 5 and the design flexibility of the liquid ejection device 1 in the Z direction. Furthermore, if the atmosphere communication path 15a is not closed, the filled ink may flow into the buffer chamber 53. In such a case, there is a risk that the buffer chamber 53 will not be able to fully fulfill its role of storing ink pushed out from the storage portion 54 when there is a change in air pressure or temperature.

[0025] For these reasons, it is necessary to avoid erroneous opening and closing of the passages 14a, 15a by the valve 16. In this embodiment, the valve 16 opens and closes in conjunction with the movement of the tank access cover 303 and the tank cover part 13. In other words, the tank access cover 303 and the tank cover part 13 function as an operating part that allows an operator to operate the opening and closing mechanism of the valve 16. This allows the operator to open and close the valve 16 manually, without using a sensor or actuator.

[0026] The recovery unit 11 is a mechanism for maintaining the ink ejection performance of the ejection head 4 and is located at one end of the movement range of the carriage 6. The recovery unit 11 includes a cap 11a that covers the ejection surface 4a of the ejection head 4 and a pump 11b that sucks ink from the ejection head 4 through the cap 11a. The cap 11a can be moved between a position that covers the ejection surface 4a and a position that is spaced apart from the ejection surface 4a by a mechanism (not shown). Covering (capping) the ejection surface 4a with the cap 11a prevents the ejection surface 4a from drying out. Furthermore, by operating the pump 11b with the ejection surface 4a capped by the cap 11a, thickened ink adhering to the ejection head 4 can be removed and the passage 14a and the ejection head 4 can be refilled with ink. When a recording operation is performed with the passage 14a and the ejection head 4 filled with ink, ink is supplied from the container 5 to compensate for the amount of ink removed from the ejection head 4 (the amount ejected).

[0027] <Control unit> 4 is a block diagram of the control unit 30 of the liquid ejection device 1. The MPU 31 is a processor that controls the various operations of the liquid ejection device 1 and processes data. The MPU 31 executes programs stored in a storage device 32 to control the entire liquid ejection device 1. The storage device 32 is composed of, for example, a ROM and a RAM. In addition to the programs executed by the MPU 31, the storage device 32 also stores various types of data required for processing, such as data received from the host computer 100.

[0028] The MPU 31 controls the ejection head 4 via a driver 34a. The MPU 31 controls the carriage motor 7a via a driver 34b. The MPU 31 also controls the transport motor 9b and the feed motor 8b via drivers 34c and 34d.

[0029] The MPU 31 also performs control operations by acquiring detection results from a group of various sensors 35 provided in the liquid ejection device 1. The group of sensors 35 includes a cover detection sensor 35a. The MPU 31 also controls the display of the display unit of the operation unit 36 ​​and accepts operations on the operation unit 36 ​​by the operator.

[0030] The host computer 100 is, for example, a personal computer or a mobile terminal (such as a smartphone or tablet terminal) used by an operator. A printer driver 101 is installed in the host computer 100, which performs communication between the host computer 100 and the liquid ejection device 1. The liquid ejection device 1 is provided with an interface unit 33, and communication between the host computer 100 and the MPU 31 is performed via the interface unit 33. For example, when an operator inputs an instruction to execute a recording operation to the host computer 100, the printer driver 101 collects data of the image to be recorded and settings related to the recording (information such as the quality of the recorded image), and instructs the liquid ejection device 1 to execute the recording operation.

[0031] <Operations when refilling liquid> The procedure for refilling the container 5 with ink will be described with reference to FIGS. 5(A) to 6(B). When refilling the container 5 with ink, it is necessary to expose the filling portion 5a. In the liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment, the tank access cover 303 is configured to be manually movable by an operator between a closed position (position in FIG. 1) that covers the inside of the device body 2 and an open position that exposes the inside of the device body 2. FIG. 5(A) shows the state in which the tank access cover 303 has been moved to the open position. In this embodiment, the tank access cover 303 is supported by the device body 2 so as to be able to swing freely between the open position and the closed position. The swing center 3b of the tank access cover 303 is set on the right side surface of the device body 2, parallel to the Y direction.

[0032] When the tank access cover 303 moves to the open position, the tank cover section 13 that was covered by the tank access cover 303 in the closed position is exposed, and the tank cover section 13 becomes openable and closable. In the liquid ejection device 1 of this embodiment, each tank cover section 13 is configured to be manually movable by an operator between a closed position (position in FIG. 5(A)) that covers the top of the container 5 and an open position (position in FIG. 5(B)) that exposes the top of the container 5.

[0033] FIG. 5(B) shows a state in which the tank cover portion 13 has been moved to the open position. In this embodiment, the tank cover portion 13 is supported by the device body 2 so as to be swingable between the open position and the closed position. The swing center 13a of the tank cover portion 13 is parallel to the X direction and is set at an end of the tank cover portion 13. Moving the tank cover portion 13 to the open position allows access to the cap portion 120 that covers the injection portion 5a of the container 5 corresponding to each tank cover portion 13. In other words, moving the tank cover portion 13 to the open position exposes the cap portion 120.

[0034] Then, by removing the cap portion 120 from the container 5 to be refilled with ink, the injection portion 5a is exposed, allowing for ink refill. FIG. 6(A) shows a state in which the cap portions 120 of all containers 5 have been removed from the injection portions 5a. FIG. 6(B) shows a state in which the tank cover portion 13 of container 5Bk in particular is in the open position and the cap portion 120Bk has been removed. In this state, the operator can refill ink into container 5Bk from the injection portion 5a. After refilling, the cap portion 120 closes the injection portion 5a, the tank cover portion 13 is moved to the closed position, and the tank access cover 303 is also moved to the closed position. This completes the ink refilling process, and the printer is ready to start recording.

[0035] <Configuration of Cap Member and Cover Portion> Each cap portion 120 is provided with a cap member 12. The configuration of the cap member 12 and the configuration of the tank cover portion 13 will be described with reference to Figs. 7(A) to 9. Fig. 7(A) is a diagram showing a state in which the cap member 12Bk and the tank cover portion 13 are in the process of being moved to the closed position, and Fig. 7(B) is an enlarged view of part P1 in Fig. 7(A). Fig. 8(A) is a diagram showing a state in which the cap member 12Bk and the tank cover portion 13 have been moved to the closed position, and Fig. 8(B) is an enlarged view of part P2 in Fig. 8(A). Figs. 9(A) and 9(B) are explanatory views of the tank cover portion 13 and the valve 16.

[0036] Although the configurations of the cap member 12Bk, tank cover portion 13, and cap portion 120 related to the container 5Bk will be mainly described here, the cap members 12C to 12Y and tank cover portion 13 corresponding to the containers 5C to Y have similar configurations.

[0037] First, the cap member 12Bk will be described. The cap member 12Bk has an arm portion 121. The cap portion 120Bk is replaceably supported at one end of the arm portion 121, and a shaft portion 122 is formed at the other end. The arm portion 121 branches into two branches from a midpoint in the longitudinal direction to the other end, and a gap 121a is formed therebetween. The cap member 12Bk is supported by the device main body 2 at the shaft portion 122 so as to be swingable, and the swing center 12a (FIG. 6(A)) is parallel to the X direction.

[0038] The cap portion 120Bk is a cylindrical member that is open at its tip and closed at its base. A seal portion 123 is formed midway along its axial direction, and its tip portion 124 defines a circular opening. The filling portion 5a has a cylindrical filling hole 5b and a tube portion 5c erected at the center of the filling hole 5b. An ink refill bottle is inserted into the filling hole 5b, and the ink in the bottle is filled into the container 5Bk via the tube portion 5c. Note that the tip portion 124 is located closer to the tip of the cap portion 120Bk than the seal portion 123 in the insertion direction into the filling hole 5b.

[0039] Cap portion 120Bk is movable between an open position shown in Fig. 6(B) and a closed position shown in Fig. 8(A). In the closed position, cap portion 120Bk is inserted into injection hole 5b to close injection portion 5a. In the open position, cap portion 120Bk is removed from injection hole 5b to open injection portion 5a.

[0040] An operator can manually move the cap member 12Bk from the closed position to the open position by pulling it up, and can also manually move the cap member 12Bk from the open position to the closed position by pushing it down.

[0041] In this embodiment, the cap member 12Bk is disposed within the swing space of the tank cover portion 13, and the swing center 12a is located between the swing center 13a and the filling port 5a in the Y direction. Therefore, when the tank cover portion 13 is in the closed position, the cap member 12Bk is covered by the tank cover portion 13. Therefore, the cap member 12Bk cannot be moved to the open position unless the tank cover portion 13 is moved to the open position. Covering the cap member 12Bk with the tank cover portion 13 prevents the cap member 12Bk from accidentally moving to the open position, opening the filling port 5a, and causing ink to leak from the filling port 5a.

[0042] The cap member 12Bk can be moved independently from the open position to the closed position, but the cap member 12Bk can also be moved from the open position to the closed position by moving the tank cover unit 13 from the open position to the closed position. The inner wall surface of the tank cover unit 13 is formed with a pressing portion 134 that abuts against the cap member 12Bk when moving from the open position to the closed position. As shown in FIG. 7A, the pressing portion 134 abuts against the cap member 12Bk during the process of moving the tank cover unit 13 from the open position to the closed position, moving the cap member 12Bk to the closed position. After refilling ink, the operator can simultaneously move the tank cover unit 13 to the closed position, thereby closing the filling port 5a. This configuration also prevents the operator from forgetting to move the cap member 12Bk to the closed position (forgetting to close the filling port 5a).

[0043] Next, the tank cover part 13 will be described. The tank cover part 13 has an engagement part 130 at one end and a pair of bearing parts 132 at the other end. A shaft part of a cam member 162 of the valve 16, which will be described later, is inserted into the bearing part 132, and the tank cover part 13 is supported around this shaft part so that it can swing freely. The engagement part 130 engages with an engagement part 20 on the device main body 2 side. The engagement part 20 is formed on a member provided on the inside of the outer wall of the device main body 2, and its position is fixed. By engaging with the engagement part 130, the engagement part 20 restricts the tank cover part 13 from moving from the closed position to the open position, and maintains it in the closed position.

[0044] In this embodiment, the engaging portion 130 has a hook or clasp shape at its tip, with a protrusion 130a protruding toward the swing center 13a in the Y direction. On the other hand, the engaging portion 20 is a protrusion protruding toward the opposite side of the swing center 13a in the Y direction, and is formed by forming a recess below it. The protrusion 130a abuts against the lower surface 20a of the engaging portion 20, thereby restricting the movement of the tank cover portion 13 from the closed position to the open position. Figures 7(A) to 8(B) show the engagement between the engaging portion 130 and the engaging portion 20 when the tank cover portion 13 is moved from the open position to the closed position.

[0045] When the operator operates the tank cover portion 13 from the open position to the closed position, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the protrusion 130a abuts against the engaging portion 20, and the engaging portion 130 elastically deforms in the direction of the arrow (the opposite direction from the swing center 13a in the Y direction). Then, when the protrusion 130a climbs over the engaging portion 20 downward, the engaging portion 130 elastically returns in the direction of the arrow D2 (toward the swing center 13a in the Y direction) as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. This engages the engaging portion 130 with the engaging portion 20. When the operator operates the tank cover portion 13 from the closed position to the open position, the opposite phenomenon occurs, disengaging the engaging portion 130 from the engaging portion 20. In this embodiment, the engaging portion 130 is configured to elastically deform, but conversely, the engaging portion 20 may be configured to elastically deform. Alternatively, both may be configured to elastically deform. Alternatively, the engaging portion 130 and the engaging portion 20 may be displaced by elastic deformation of one or both of the tank cover portion 13 and a part of the device main body 2.

[0046] When the engaging portion 130 elastically deforms from the state shown in Fig. 7(B) to the state shown in Fig. 8(B), an appropriate clicking sensation is given to the operator performing the operation, which allows the operator to feel that the tank cover portion 13 has moved to the closed position and entered the engaged state (that the filling portion 5a has been closed by the cap portion 120Bk).

[0047] Here, to provide the operator with a pleasant clicking sensation, it is necessary to manage the appropriate amount of interference (amount of overlap in the Y direction in a natural state) when the protrusion 130a overcomes the engaging portion 20. If the amount of interference is large, the amount of elastic deformation of the engaging portion 130 when the protrusion 130a overcomes the engaging portion 20 increases, requiring a large operating force from the operator. If the operating force is large, the operator may mistakenly believe that the tank cover portion 13 has moved to the closed position. Conversely, if the amount of interference is small, the amount of elastic deformation of the engaging portion 130 is small, and a sufficient clicking sensation may not be generated.

[0048] In terms of design, the amount of interference can be adjusted by the distance L0 from the swing center 13a of the tank cover portion 13 to the protrusion 130a and the engagement portion 20, as shown in Figure 8(A). However, in this embodiment, the tank cover portion 13 is supported so as to be able to swing freely using a part of the valve 16 (cam member 162). The amount of interference may vary depending on the dimensional tolerances of each part and assembly errors.

[0049] Therefore, in this embodiment, a configuration is provided in which the tank cover portion 13 is positioned at an intermediate position in the Y direction in the closed position. Specifically, a plate-shaped abutment portion 131 that protrudes from the inner wall surface of the tank cover portion 13 is provided integrally with the tank cover portion 13. The abutment portion 131 protrudes in a direction intersecting the direction connecting the swing center 13a and the engagement portion 130, at a position between the swing center 13a and the engagement portion 130, and protrudes downward in the Z direction in the closed position of the tank cover portion 13. An abutment portion 21 that abuts against the abutment portion 131 is provided on the side of the device main body 2.

[0050] The contact operation between the contact portion 131 and the contact portion 21 will be described with reference to Figures 7(A) and 8(A). Figure 7(A) shows a state in the middle of moving the tank cover portion 13 from the open position to the closed position. The tip side of the contact surface 131a of the contact portion 131 is curved and the remaining part is flat. At the stage of Figure 7(A), the tip side of the contact surface 131a begins to contact the contact portion 21. Note that the contact surface of the contact portion 21 is a vertical surface. At the stage of Figure 8(A) (when the tank cover portion 13 reaches the closed position), the flat part of the contact surface 131a and the contact portion 21 are in contact.

[0051] With this configuration, the amount of interference can be adjusted by adjusting the distance L1 from the contact surface between the contact portion 131 and the contact portion 21 to the protrusion 130a and the engagement portion 20, as shown in Figure 8(A). This minimizes variations in the amount of interference due to dimensional tolerances of each part and assembly errors. This provides the operator with a pleasant clicking sensation.

[0052] <Valve> Next, a description will be given of the valve 16. Although the configuration of the valve 16 corresponding to the container 5Bk will be mainly described here, the valves 16 corresponding to the containers 5C to 5Y also have the same configuration.

[0053] 9(A) and 9(B) are perspective views of the cover and the valve. The valve 16 includes a base member 160, a displacement member 161, a cam member 162, and a case 166, and simultaneously opens and closes the passages 14a and 15a of the container 5Bk. The base member 160 includes a Y-direction groove-shaped support portion 160a on which an intermediate portion of the supply tube 14 is placed, and a Y-direction groove-shaped support portion 160b on which an intermediate portion of the atmosphere communication tube 15 is placed. The base member 160 also includes a slot 160c extending in a direction intersecting the support portions 160a and 160b (i.e., a direction crossing the tubes 14 and 15), into which the displacement member 161 is inserted so as to be displaceable in the Z direction (the radial direction of the tubes 14 and 15). The cam member 162 is an overall shaft-shaped member that is placed on top of the displacement member 161 and is supported by a case 166 so as to be rotatable about an axis in the X direction. The case 166 houses the displacement member 161 and the central portion of the cam member 162 in the axial direction, and is fixed to the base member 160.

[0054] Cam member 162 has a cam surface 163 in its axial center that abuts against displacement member 161. Cam surface 163 is formed so that, when cam member 162 rotates in direction D3, it presses displacement member 161 in a direction that crushes tubes 14, 15, thereby closing passages 14a, 15a. Cam surface 163 is formed so that, when cam member 162 rotates in direction D4 (the opposite direction to direction D3), it releases the pressure on tubes 14, 15, thereby opening passages 14a, 15a.

[0055] A lever-shaped contact portion 164 is formed on one axial end of the cam member 162, which contacts the contact portion 133 of the tank cover portion 13. When the tank cover portion 13 swings in the opening direction, the contact portion 133 comes into contact with the contact portion 164, causing the cam member 162 to rotate in the D3 direction.

[0056] Furthermore, a lever-shaped protrusion 165 is formed on the other axial end of the cam member 162, and in this embodiment, this protrusion has the sole function of clarifying the orientation of the cam member 162.

[0057] Figures 10(A) to 10(C) are cross-sectional views illustrating the operation of the valve, showing the stages in which passage 14a is blocked. Figure 10(A) shows the state in which valve 16 opens passage 14a. As cam member 162 rotates in the D3 direction as shown in Figure 10(B), cam surface 163 presses displacement member 161 against supply tube 14, and atmosphere communication tube 15 begins to collapse. Then, as shown in Figure 10(C), supply tube 14 is collapsed and passage 14a is blocked. Although not shown, the same applies to passage 15a and atmosphere communication tube 15.

[0058] Figures 11(A) to 11(C) show the rotation of the cam member 162 and cam lever member 177 in conjunction with the movement of the tank cover portion 13. Figure 11(A) shows the state in which the tank cover portion 13 is located in the closed position. At this time, the valve 16 opens the passages 14a and 15a. Figure 11(B) shows the state in which the tank cover portion 13 has moved from the closed position to the open position. Due to the contact between the abutment portion 133 and the abutment portion 164, the cam member 162 and the cam lever member 177 rotate in the D3 direction as the tank cover portion 13 moves. As a result, the passages 14a and 15a are closed according to the principle explained in Figures 10(A) to 10(C). When refilling ink, the valve 16 can reliably close the passages 14a and 15a.

[0059] The abutment between the abutment portion 133 and the abutment portion 164 is limited to the swing of the tank cover portion 13 in the opening direction. Even if the tank cover portion 13 is returned from the state shown in Figure 11(B) to the closed position as shown in Figure 11(C), the abutment portion 133 does not abut against the abutment portion 164. Therefore, the cam member 162 and the cam lever member 177 do not rotate in the D4 direction, and the valve 16 is not linked to the movement of the tank cover portion 13.

[0060] Figure 12 is a perspective view of the configuration of the cam lever section. As described above, the shaft of the cam member 162 is inserted into a pair of bearings 132 provided on the tank cover section 13, and the tank cover section 13 is supported so as to be able to swing freely around the swing center 13a. A cam lever member 177 that can swing around the swing center 13a is attached to one of the pair of bearings 132. One end 177a of the cam lever member 177 is configured to overlap a part of the tank cover section 13. Therefore, when the tank cover section 13 moves from the closed position to the open position, the cam lever member 177 is lifted by the tank cover section 13 and rotates in the R1 direction.

[0061] On the other hand, the cam lever member 177, which is lifted and rotated by the tank cover part 13, does not move in conjunction with the movement of the tank cover part 13 from the open position to the closed position. Therefore, simply moving the tank cover part 13 from the open position to the closed position does not return the one end part 177a of the cam lever member 177 to the state shown in Figure 12, where it covers part of the tank cover part 13.

[0062] Cam lever member 177 is also provided with cam lever portion 177b as an operating portion, and cam lever portion 177a rotates around swing center 13a in conjunction with the rotation of cam lever member 177. Cam lever portion 177b is capable of contacting lever pressing portion 176a. Here, lever member (moving member) 176 is a member that can swing around central axis 176b.

[0063] Therefore, the cam lever portion 177b and the lever member 176 move in conjunction with each other's movements. For example, when the cam lever member 177 rotates in the R1 direction, the cam lever portion 177b also rotates in the R1 direction from the position shown in Figure 12. At this time, the lever pressing portion 176a comes into contact with the cam lever portion 177b and is pushed up as the cam lever portion 177b rotates in the R1 direction.

[0064] Figures 13(A) to 13(C) and 14(A) to 14(C) show the rotation of cam member 162 and the operation of cam lever member 176 and cam lever member 177 in conjunction with the movement of tank access cover 303. Figure 13 is a perspective view from the +X direction, and Figure 14 is a perspective view from the -X direction. Figures 13(A) and 14(A) show the state in which tank access cover 303 has been moved from the closed position to the open position. At this time, tank cover portion 13 is in the closed position as shown in Figure 11(A), and passages 14a and 15a are open. One end 177a of cam lever member 177 is in a state in which it overlaps tank cover portion 13.

[0065] 13(B) and 14(B) show a state in which the tank cover unit 13 has been moved further to the open position from the state in which the tank access cover is in the open position as shown in FIGS. 13(A) and 14(A). At this time, the tank cover unit 13 is in the state shown in FIG. 11(B), with the tank access cover 303 and the tank cover unit 13 both in the open position, and the passages 14a and 15a being closed by the valve 16. The tank cover unit 13 is provided with an operating unit 1301, which has a shape with a recess. By hooking the user's finger into the recess of the operating unit 1301, the operability when the user opens or closes the tank cover unit 13 is improved.

[0066] As described above, the lever pressing portion 176a of the cam lever member 177 covers a portion of the upper surface of the tank cover portion 13. Therefore, when the tank cover portion 13 moves from the closed position to the open position, the cam lever member 177 also rotates in the direction D3 in FIG. 12 in conjunction with the movement of the tank cover portion 13. Accordingly, the cam lever portion 177b also rotates in the direction D3 and pushes up the lever pressing portion 176a. As a result, the lever member 176 is rotated upward about the central axis 176b relative to the state shown in FIG. 13(A). At this time, the lever pressing portion 176a of the lever member 176 is close to the protrusion 3c provided on the tank access cover 303. The protrusion 3c is positioned so that at least a portion of the protrusion 3c overlaps with the lever pressing portion 176a when the liquid discharger 1 is viewed from above along the Z axis. In this embodiment, the protrusion 3c is provided on the opposite side of the axis of rotational movement of the access cover 303 (the lower end in the Z direction in Figure 13) from the end (the end side of the liquid ejection device 1, the upper end side in the Z direction in Figure 13) that the user grips for operation.

[0067] Figures 13(C) and 14(C) show the state in which the tank cover portion 13 has been moved to the closed position from the state shown in Figures 13(B) and 14(B). The tank cover portion 13 is in the closed position as shown in Figure 11(C), and the tank access cover 303 is in the open position. As described above, the cam lever member 177 is not linked to the movement of the tank cover portion 13 to the closed position, and therefore maintains the state in which it has rotated in the R1 direction in Figure 13(B). Like the cam lever member 177, the lever member 176 also maintains the state shown in Figure 13(B). In other words, in this state, the valve 16 continues to close the passages 14a and 15a.

[0068] Figure 15 is a perspective view from behind the X axis showing the state when tank access cover 303 is moved from the open position to the closed position. The user can close tank access cover 303 when tank cover unit 13 is in the closed position. Below, we will explain the operation of each part when moving tank access cover 303 from the state shown in Figure 13(C) to the closed position.

[0069] In the state shown in FIG. 13(C), the lever pressing portion 176a is in close proximity to the protruding portion 3c of the tank access cover 303. As described above, the protruding portion 3c is positioned so that it at least partially overlaps with the lever pressing portion 176a when the liquid discharger 1 is viewed from above along the Z axis. Therefore, when the tank access cover 303 is moved in the direction from the open position to the closed position (the closing direction), the protruding portion 3c and the lever pressing portion 176a come into contact with each other. As the tank access cover 303 further moves in the closing direction, the lever pressing portion 176a is pressed downward by the protruding portion 3c, and the lever member 176 rotates in the direction D6. Here, because the lever pressing portion 176a is in contact with the cam lever portion 177, the force that the lever member 176 receives from the protruding portion 3c is transmitted to the cam lever portion 177 via the lever pressing portion 176a. The cam lever portion 177 receives a downward force from the lever pressing portion 176a and rotates in the direction D4, causing the cam lever member 177 to also rotate in the direction D4.

[0070] At this time, the abutment portion 164 of the cam member 162 abuts against one end portion 177a of the cam lever member 177, which is rotating in the D4 direction, and the cam member 162 also rotates in the D4 direction, displacing the displacement member 161 and opening the passages 14a and 15a. In this way, by linking the opening operation of the valve 16 with the movement of the tank access cover 303 to the closed position, the passages 14a and 15a can be reliably opened. As described above, the protrusion 3c, which is the point of application of force to the lever pressing member 176a, is located closer to the axis of rotation of the tank access cover 303 and farther from the point of application of force where the user grips the access cover. The force exerted by the user to move the tank access cover 303 in the closing direction is efficiently transmitted to the protrusion 3c and used to press the lever pressing portion 176a downward. In this way, the user can open and close the valve with little force.

[0071] Cam lever portion 177 may be configured to rotate in direction D4 by lever member 176 and then further rotate in direction D4 due to the reaction force of passages 14a and 15a pressed by cam member 162. Furthermore, instead of a configuration in which protrusion 3c abuts against and presses lever pressing portion 176a to rotate lever member 176 in direction D6, protrusion 3c may abut against any part of lever member 176 to rotate lever member 176. For example, protrusion 3c may abut against central axis 176b rather than lever pressing portion 176a to rotate lever member 176 in direction D6. In this case, lever member 176 can be pushed downward by increasing the protruding length of protrusion 3c.

[0072] When tank access cover 303 pivots in the closing direction, protrusion 3c abuts against lever member 176, and when tank access cover 303 pivots in the opening direction, they separate. Therefore, the movement of tank access cover 303 to the open position does not affect the movement of lever member 176 or cam lever member 177. Therefore, passages 14a and 15a are not closed by valve 16 simply by moving tank access cover 303 in the opening direction.

[0073] In this embodiment, when the tank cover unit 13 is in the open position, as illustrated in FIGS. 5(B), 6(B), and 13(B), the tank cover unit 13 is tilted rearward from the vertical position, resulting in an upright position. Therefore, if an attempt is made to move the cover 3 from the open position to the closed position in this state, it will interfere with the tank cover unit 13 and will not be able to move to the closed position. In other words, the open tank cover unit 13 restricts the movement of the tank access cover 303 to the closed position. This prevents the tank access cover 303 from accidentally closing during ink refilling, which would cause the valve 16 to be in an open state.

[0074] As described above, in this embodiment, the valve 16 is not opened by the action of moving the tank cover part 13 in the closing direction. As a result, even if the tank cover part 13 is moved to the closed position before the cap part 120 fully closes the injection part 5a, the valve 16 does not open, preventing ink leakage from the ejection head 4a and ink flow into the buffer chamber 53.

[0075] <Example of cover open / close detection and control> The cover detection sensor 35a shown in Figure 4 detects the position of the tank access cover 303. For example, the cover detection sensor 35a is a mechanical switch that is pressed when the tank access cover 303 is in the closed position, or an optical sensor that optically detects that the tank access cover 303 is in the closed position. As described above, when the tank access cover 303 is in the closed position, the valve 16 is in an open state, allowing ink to be supplied to the ejection head 4. To prevent a recording operation from being performed when ink cannot be supplied, the recording operation can be performed by referring to the detection result of the cover detection sensor 35a.

[0076] 16 is a diagram showing a state in which the engaging portion 130 of the tank cover portion 13 is not engaged with the engaging portion 20. In this embodiment, the tank cover portion 13 is provided with a biasing member 18. The biasing member 18 biases the tank cover portion 13 upward, and when the engagement between the engaging portion 130 and the engaging portion 20 is released, biases the tank cover portion 13 so that it is maintained in a position away from the closed position in the opening direction. This causes the tank cover portion 13 to be lifted upward by ZP, making it easier for the user to visually understand that it has not been moved to the closed position.

[0077] 17 is a perspective view showing the relationship between the tank access cover 303 and the tank cover part 13 when the tank access cover 303 is moved to the closed position while the tank cover part 13 is not in the closed position. As described above, when the engagement part 130 and the engagement part 20 are not engaged, the tank cover part 13 is raised by the biasing member 18. The tank access cover 303 is provided with a rib part, rib 303A, which moves along a movement trajectory D303 when the tank access cover 303 is moved from the open position to the closed position. The rib 303A is provided on the surface of the tank access cover 303 facing the liquid ejection device 1, i.e., the surface facing the tank cover part 13 when in the closed position.

[0078] When the tank cover part 13 is lifted by the biasing member 18, the tip 1302 of the tank cover part 13 is in a position where it interferes with the movement trajectory D303 of the rib 303A. In other words, when the tank access cover 303 is moved to the closed position while the tank cover part 13 is lifted, the rib 303A and the tip 1302 of the tank cover part 13 come into contact as shown in Figure 17. Here, the movement trajectory D13 of the tip 1302 of the tank cover part 13 is a trajectory that includes movement in the Y direction, and the movement trajectory D303 of the tank access cover 303 is a trajectory that includes movement in the X direction.

[0079] The movement trajectory D13 of the tank cover portion 13 and the movement trajectory D303 of the rib 303A are trajectories that include movements in different directions. Therefore, when an attempt is made to move the tank access cover 303 in the closing direction with the tip portion 1302 abutting the rib 303A, the tank access cover 303 and the tank cover portion 13 push against each other, hindering their movements. Therefore, when the tank cover portion 13 is raised by the biasing member 18, the tank access cover 303 cannot be moved to the closed position, and the cover detection sensor 35a detects that it is not in the closed position.

[0080] The tank cover part 13 in this embodiment is provided with the operation part 1301 as described in Fig. 13. The rib 303A is caught in the recess of the operation part 1301, which makes it easier for the tank cover part 13 and the rib 303A to interfere with each other.

[0081] Although the effect of the rib 303A corresponding to the container 5Bk has been mainly described here, the rib 303A corresponding to the containers 5C to 5Y is also set, and the same effect can be realized.

[0082] The tank cover portion 13 may not include the biasing member 18. When the tank cover portion 13 does not include the biasing member 18 and the engagement portion 130 and the engagement portion 20 are not engaged, the tip of the abutment surface 131a abuts against the abutment portion 21, as shown in FIG. 7A. By providing the rib 303A of the tank access cover 303 so that it abuts against the tip portion 1302 of the tank cover portion 13 in this state, movement of the tank access cover 303 is inhibited, as described above. As a result, even if the tank cover portion 13 is not lifted by the biasing member 18, the tank access cover 303 cannot be moved to the closed position unless the tank cover portion 13 is in the closed position. Therefore, the cover detection sensor 35a detects that the tank access cover 303 is not in the closed position.

[0083] With the above configuration, when tank cover unit 13 is not in the closed position, tank access cover 303 cannot be moved to the closed position, and this state is detected by cover detection sensor 35a. As described above, valve 16 is opened when tank access cover 303 is in the closed position. Therefore, by detecting that tank access cover 303 is not in the closed position by the sensor, it is possible to prevent a recording operation from being started without realizing that passages 14a and 15a are blocked.

[0084] FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the MPU 31, which is a setting process relating to permission and prohibition of execution of recording operations, and is executed periodically.

[0085] In S1, the detection result of the cover detection sensor 35a is acquired. In S2, it is determined whether or not the tank access cover 303 is in the closed position based on the detection result acquired in S1. If it is determined that the tank access cover 303 is in the closed position, the process proceeds to S3, and if it is determined that the tank access cover 303 is not in the closed position, the process proceeds to S4.

[0086] In S3, permission for recording operation is set. When a new recording job is instructed by the host computer 100, the recording operation is started. In S4, prohibition of recording operation is set. Even if a new recording job is instructed by the host computer 100, the recording operation is not started. Furthermore, if prohibition of recording operation is set during recording operation, the recording operation is interrupted. A notification may be given to the operator to move the tank access cover 303 to the closed position.

[0087] <Maintaining sealing performance with the cap> When the injection port 5a is closed with the cap portion 120, ink may leak if a foreign object such as a hair is caught between the two. To prevent such leakage, it has been known to apply a sealing liquid to the seal portion 123. The sealing liquid fills the gap and prevents ink leakage even if a foreign object is caught between the cap portion 120 and the injection port 5a.

[0088] However, this sealing liquid may be accidentally wiped off by an operator when refilling ink, etc. If a foreign object is then caught, there is a risk of ink leaking. Therefore, a groove may be formed in the tip 124 of the cap part 120, and sealing liquid may be applied to this groove. The sealing liquid is retained in the groove, preventing it from being accidentally wiped off by an operator.

[0089] Figures 19(A) and 19(B) are diagrams showing an example. Figure 19(A) is a side view of the cap portion 120, and Figure 19(B) is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of the cap portion 120. A plurality of grooves 125 are formed in the outer peripheral surface of the tip portion 124 in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, the plurality of grooves 125 are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

[0090] Each groove 125 has a depth D in the radial direction of the opening defined by tip portion 124, a width W in the circumferential direction, and a length in a direction inclined relative to the axial direction. A sealing liquid is applied to seal portion 123 and tip portion 124 in advance, such as at the factory shipping stage, and the sealing liquid is held in each groove 125.

[0091] According to this configuration, even if an operator attempts to wipe off the sealing liquid on the cap portion 120, the sealing liquid in the multiple grooves 125 is located in a recessed position, and therefore not all of the sealing liquid will be wiped off. Therefore, even if a foreign object is subsequently caught between the cap portion 120 and the injection hole 5a, the sealing liquid in the grooves 125 is guided by capillary action to the gap around the foreign object, preventing ink leakage. For example, even if a foreign object such as a hair is caught in the circled portion P3 (the portion between the seal portion 123 and the inner wall surface of the injection hole 5b) in FIG. 20(A) and a tiny gap is created, the sealing liquid in the grooves 125 will fill it, preventing ink leakage.

[0092] By making the depth D of the groove 125 equal to or greater than the width (D≧W), the specific surface area can be increased, and the sealing liquid retention performance of the groove 125 can be improved. The sealing liquid may contain a hygroscopic component such as glycerin. This allows the sealing liquid to absorb moisture in the air inside the container 5, making it easier to fill the groove 125 with the sealing liquid.

[0093] The shape of groove 125 is not limited to the shape exemplified in Figures 19(A) and 19(B). For example, as exemplified in Figures 20(B) and 20(C), the longitudinal direction of groove 125 may be inclined circumferentially with respect to an imaginary plane passing through the central axis of the opening defined by tip portion 124. Furthermore, in this embodiment, cap portion 120 is inserted into injection portion 5a to close injection portion 5a, but a shape in which injection portion 5a is inserted into cap portion 120 may also be employed. In this case, groove 125 may be formed on the inner wall surface of the opening into which injection portion 5a is inserted.

[0094] (Second embodiment) The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below, but a description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0095] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing the configuration of the tank access cover 303 and tank cover unit 13 of the liquid ejection device 1 in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the pivot center 3b of the tank access cover 303 and the pivot center 3a of the tank cover unit 13 of the liquid ejection device 1 are both configured to be parallel to the X direction. As in the first embodiment, the tank cover unit 13 pivots in the D4 or D5 direction around the pivot center 13a. The tank access cover 303 pivots in the D7 or D8 direction around the pivot center 3b. In addition, the tank access cover 303 is provided with a rib 303A.

[0096] 21 shows the state in which the tank access cover 303 is moved to the closed position when the engagement portion 130 of the tank cover portion 13 is not engaged with the engagement portion 20 and the tank cover portion 13 is not in the closed position. When the engagement portion 130 of the tank cover portion 13 is not engaged with the engagement portion 20, the tank cover portion 13 is pushed up by the biasing member 18. When the tank access cover 303 is moved in the closing direction (direction D7) from the open position in this state, the rib 303A comes into contact with the tip 1302 of the tank cover portion 13. Here, the movement trajectory D303 of the rib 303A and the movement trajectory D13 of the tank cover portion 13 intersect, and therefore the movements of each other are hindered.

[0097] If tank access cover 303 is moved further in the D7 direction from this state, tank cover portion 13 and tank access cover 303 will come into a state of tension with each other. Therefore, while tank cover portion 13 is being raised by biasing member 18, tank access cover 303 cannot be moved to the closed position, and cover detection sensor 35a detects that it is not in the closed position.

[0098] In both the first and second embodiments, the tank access cover 303 may also function as the access cover 302 for performing maintenance work inside the liquid ejection device 1. Also, in both embodiments, the tank access cover 303 and the tank cover portion 13 are illustrated as moving by swinging, but they may be configured to move between the open and closed positions by translation. Furthermore, while the example illustrates a configuration in which the valve 16 opens and closes both the passage 14a and the passage 15a, the valve may be configured to open and close either one of the passages. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1 Liquid discharge device 3c protrusion 4 Discharge head 5 containers 13 Tank cover 51 Injection part 176 Lever member 177 Cam lever member 303 Tank Access Cover

Claims

1. a container having an injection section for injecting the liquid and containing the liquid to be supplied to the ejection head that ejects the liquid; a cap member having a cap portion that caps the injection portion, the cap portion being swingable between a closed position in which the cap portion closes the injection portion and an open position in which the cap portion does not close the injection portion; a tank access cover that is pivotable between a closed position that covers the cap member and an open position that allows the cap member to be opened and closed; A liquid ejection device, wherein the pivot axis of the cap member and the pivot axis of the tank access cover are parallel to the horizontal direction and oriented in different directions.

2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , wherein the pivot axis of the cap member is parallel to a first direction, the pivot axis of the tank access cover is parallel to a second direction, and the first direction and the second direction are perpendicular to each other.

3. an access cover that is opened and closed for maintenance work inside the liquid ejection device; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the access cover does not cover the cap member.

4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3 , wherein the container is disposed at a position not covered by the access cover.

5. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , further comprising a carriage that moves and carries the ejection head.

6. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , further comprising a reading unit for reading an image of a document.

7. The liquid ejection device according to claim 6 , wherein the reading unit is opened and closed for maintenance work inside the liquid ejection device.

8. a conveying roller that conveys the recording medium in a conveying direction; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a setting unit for setting the recording medium, the setting unit being disposed upstream of the transport roller in the transport direction.

9. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 8 , further comprising a paper feed cover that covers the setting section.

10. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , further comprising a tube connecting the ejection head and the container.

11. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , further comprising a cap for covering the ejection surface of the ejection head.

12. The liquid ejection device according to claim 11, further comprising a pump connected to the cap for sucking liquid from the ejection head.

13. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , further comprising an operation unit that accepts operations by an operator.

14. a carriage that carries the ejection head and moves in a main scanning direction; a discharge unit through which the recording medium recorded by the ejection head is discharged, The liquid ejection device according to claim 13, wherein the operation unit and the ejection section overlap in the main scanning direction.

15. a discharge unit for discharging a recording medium recorded by the discharge head; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , wherein the container is disposed on the right side of the discharge portion when the liquid ejection device is viewed from the front.

16. 16. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid is ink, and the liquid ejection apparatus is a recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting the ink onto a recording medium using the ejection head.

17. The liquid ejection device according to claim 16, wherein an ink refill bottle is inserted into the injection section.

18. 18. A liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the injection section includes a pipe section having a flow path defined by an upper end opening toward the outside of the container and a lower end opening toward the inside of the container.

19. A liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the cap member has an arm portion, one end of which supports the cap portion, and the other end of which is formed with an axis portion that is supported so as to be able to swing freely.

20. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , wherein the cap portion has a plurality of grooves in a circumferential direction.

Images