Recording device

Abstract

To suppress a liquid dripped when injecting the liquid with respect to a tank contaminating the periphery of the tank.SOLUTION: A recording device includes: a first tank having a storage chamber for storing a liquid supplied to a recording head; a first communication part provided in the first tank, and for communicating the inside of the first tank with the atmosphere; a first flow passage where a liquid flows toward the storage chamber from a bottle; a second flow passage where the air flows toward the bottle from the storage chamber; and a second communication part for communicating the storage chamber with the atmosphere. An opening of the first flow passage, an opening of the second flow passage and the second communication part are detachably capped by a tank cap, and in a state where the second communication part is capped by the tank cap, the first communication part is not capped by the tank cap.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording device for recording an image. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an ink tank provided with an ink inlet that allows ink to flow into an ink storage chamber. A user can replenish ink from an ink supply container into the ink tank through the ink inlet. Since ink may drip near the ink inlet during ink replenishment, an absorber that can absorb ink can be provided on the top of the ink tank to prevent contamination caused by dripping ink. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2017-222152 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, there is a limit to the amount of ink that can be absorbed by the absorber, and ink exceeding a predetermined amount cannot be absorbed, which may make it impossible to prevent contamination due to dripping ink.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a recording device that can prevent liquid dripping when pouring liquid into a tank from contaminating the area around the tank. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, the recording device of the present invention comprises a first tank having a storage chamber for storing liquid to be supplied to a recording head, a first communication section provided in the first tank and connecting the inside of the first tank to the atmosphere, a first flow path through which liquid flows from a bottle to the storage chamber, a second flow path through which air flows from the storage chamber to the bottle, and a second communication section that connects the storage chamber to the atmosphere, wherein the opening of the first flow path, the opening of the second flow path, and the second communication section are removably capped by a tank cap, and when the second communication section is capped by the tank cap, the first communication section is not capped by the tank cap. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording device that can prevent the liquid dripping when the liquid is poured into the tank from contaminating the area around the tank. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of an inkjet recording apparatus according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the tank unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an ink tank according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing details of a needle according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 5A and 5B are schematic diagrams illustrating an ink injection operation. [Figure 7] 2A to 2C are cross-sectional schematic views illustrating features of a needle according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of an injection section according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 4 is a cross-sectional view showing ink being injected from an ink bottle through an injection section according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of an injection section according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of an injection section according to a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of an injection section according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a detailed configuration of a pouring auxiliary member according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of an ink tank according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is an external perspective view showing a modified example of the injection auxiliary member according to the fourth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [First embodiment] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the following embodiments do not limit the present invention, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the present invention. Furthermore, the relative arrangements, shapes, etc. of the components described in the embodiments are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention to only those.

[0010] <Device configuration> FIG. 1(a) is an external perspective view showing an inkjet recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as recording apparatus) 1 in this embodiment. The recording apparatus 1 comprises a housing 5, a recording head 3 (see FIG. 2) that performs a recording operation on a recording medium, and an ink tank 11 as an ink storage container that contains ink to be supplied to the recording head 3. In this embodiment, the ink tank 11 is disposed on the front of the housing 5 and is fixed to the device body. Also on the front of the housing 5 is an operation unit 4 that allows a user to perform operations such as inputting commands to the recording apparatus 1. In this embodiment, the operation unit 4 also includes a display panel that can display errors in the recording apparatus 1.

[0011] A paper feed cassette 6 that can be inserted or removed by a user into the housing 5 is provided on the front surface of the housing 5. A window 6a is provided in the paper feed cassette 6 so that the user can see the recording media loaded inside. The window 6a is preferably made of a transparent material such as glass or plastic.

[0012] A scanner unit 2 that reads documents is provided on the top of the housing 5 so as to be openable and closable relative to the housing 5. FIG. 1(b) is an external perspective view of the recording device 1 showing a state in which the scanner unit 2 is open relative to the housing 5. When the scanner unit 2 is opened, a tank cover 12 that can cover the top surface of the ink tank 11 is exposed. In FIG. 1(b), the tank cover 12 is in a closed state. Details of the tank cover 12 will be described later. Note that a main body cover that does not have the scanner unit 2 mounted thereon may be configured to be openable and closable relative to the housing 5.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal configuration of the recording device 1. The recording device 1 uses a feeding unit (not shown) to feed recording media loaded in a paper feed cassette 6 provided on the front of the housing 5 or a paper feed tray 7 provided on the rear. The recording media fed by the feeding unit are transported by a transport roller (transport unit) 40 onto a platen 42 located opposite the recording head 3. The platen 42 is a member for guiding and supporting the recording medium onto which the recording head 3 records. After recording by the recording head 3 has completed, the recording medium is discharged onto a paper discharge tray (discharge section) 43 by a discharge roller (discharge unit) 41. The paper discharge tray 43 is located above the paper feed cassette 6.

[0014] The direction in which the recording medium is transported by the transport roller 40 (the Y direction in FIG. 2) is referred to as the transport direction. That is, the upstream side of the transport direction corresponds to the rear side of the housing 5, and the downstream side of the transport direction corresponds to the front side of the housing 5.

[0015] The recording head 3 is mounted on a carriage 31 that moves back and forth in a main scanning direction (X direction shown in FIG. 2) that intersects with the transport direction. In this embodiment, the transport direction and the main scanning direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0016] The recording head 3 ejects ink droplets while moving in the main scanning direction together with the carriage 31, and records one band of image on the recording medium (recording operation). After one band of image has been recorded, the recording medium is transported a predetermined distance in the transport direction by the transport rollers 40 (intermittent transport operation). By repeating this one band of recording operation and intermittent transport operation, an image is recorded on the entire recording medium based on the image data.

[0017] The recording device 1 is provided with a maintenance unit within the scanning area of ​​the carriage 31, but outside the recording area where recording is performed by the recording head 3. The maintenance unit is a unit that performs maintenance processing to maintain the ejection performance of the recording head 3, and is arranged in a position that can face the ejection port surface on which the ink ejection ports are arranged. The recording head 3 shown in FIG. 2 is located in a position (home position) where maintenance processing by the maintenance unit can be performed. The maintenance unit is equipped with a cap that can cap the ejection port surface, and a suction recovery mechanism that performs a suction operation to forcibly suck ink while the port surface is capped, thereby removing residual air bubbles and thickened ink from the ejection ports.

[0018] In this embodiment, an example of a serial head in which the recording head 3 is mounted on a carriage 31 is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this and can also be applied to a line head in which multiple ejection ports are arranged in an area corresponding to the width of the recording medium.

[0019] An ink tank 11 is provided in the recording device 1 for each color of ink ejected by the recording head 3. In this embodiment, four ink tanks are provided: a black ink tank 11K, a cyan ink tank 11C, a magenta ink tank 11M, and a yellow ink tank 11Y, which are collectively referred to as the ink tanks 11. Note that cyan, magenta, and yellow are merely examples of color inks, and the present invention is not limited to these.

[0020] 2, the black ink tank 11K is disposed to the left of the paper discharge tray 43 and paper feed cassette 6 when viewed from the front of the recording device 1. On the other hand, the cyan ink tank 11C, magenta ink tank 11M, and yellow ink tank 11Y are disposed to the right of the paper discharge tray 43 and paper feed cassette 6 when viewed from the front of the recording device 1. In other words, the paper discharge tray 43 and paper feed cassette 6 are provided between the black ink tank 11K and the color ink tanks. Each ink tank 11 is connected to the recording head 3 by a flexible tube 8 that forms a supply flow path for supplying ink to the recording head 3.

[0021] The recording device 1 is also provided with a black tank cover 12Bk and a color tank cover 12Cl. The black tank cover 12Bk covers the top surface of the black ink tank 11K. Meanwhile, the color tank cover 12Cl integrally covers the top surfaces of the cyan ink tank 11C, magenta ink tank 11M, and yellow ink tank 11Y. Hereinafter, the black tank cover 12Bk and the color tank cover 12Cl will be collectively referred to as tank covers 12.

[0022] In this embodiment, ink is supplied from the ink tank 11 to the recording head 3 via a tube 8, but this is not limited to this and the invention can also be applied to a so-called on-carriage configuration in which the ink tank 11 is mounted on the carriage 31 together with the recording head 3.

[0023] <Ink injection operation> 3(a) to 3(d) are external perspective views of the tank unit 10 including the ink tank 11 and its peripheral configuration. Since the basic configuration of the tank unit 10 is common to all ink colors, the black tank unit will be used as an example for explanation.

[0024] 3(a) shows a state in which the tank cover 12 is closed, and FIG. 3(b) shows a state in which the tank cover 12 is open. The user can access the tank cap 13 by opening the tank cover 12 in the S1 direction.

[0025] An injection port 14 for injecting ink is provided on the top surface of the ink tank 11, and the injection port 14 can be sealed with a tank cap 13. The tank cap 13 is composed of a cap portion 13a for sealing the injection port 14 and a lever portion 13b that supports the cap portion 13a and can be operated by the user, and the lever portion 13b is rotatably supported on the main body of the recording device 1. The user can inject ink by removing the cap portion 13a from the injection port 14 while rotating the lever portion 13b in the S2 direction shown in FIG. 3(b) (see FIG. 3(c)). Note that the lever portion 13b may be configured to be rotatably supported on the ink tank 11 or the tank cover 12.

[0026] The cap portion 13a of the tank cap 13 is made of a rubber-elastic material, and the lever portion 13b is made of plastic or the like. In this embodiment, the lever portion 13b is color-coded to correspond to the color of the ink contained in the ink tank 11. That is, the lever portion 13b for black ink is black or gray, the lever portion 13b for cyan ink is cyan, the lever portion 13b for magenta ink is magenta, and the lever portion 13b for yellow ink is yellow. This prevents the user from filling the ink tank 11 with the wrong color ink. Note that not only the lever portion 13b but also the cap portion 13a may be color-coded.

[0027] 3(d) shows the state in which ink is being injected by inserting the ink bottle 15, which is an ink refill container, into the injection part 14 with the tank cap 13 removed. In this embodiment, the ink in the ink bottle 15 is injected into the ink tank 11 by gas-liquid exchange with the air in the ink tank 11.

[0028] <Ink tank configuration> FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ink tank 11. The ink tank 11 includes an ink storage chamber 16 that stores ink, an ink supply port 17 for supplying ink from the ink storage chamber 16 to the recording head 3, an air storage chamber 18 that stores air, and an air communication port 19 that connects the air storage chamber 18 to the atmosphere. The ink storage chamber 16 is disposed at the top of the ink tank 11 and opens onto the first side surface. FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view of the ink tank 11 as seen from the first side surface. One end of the ink supply port 17 is connected to the ink storage chamber 16, and the other end is connected to the tube 8 (see FIG. 2). The ink storage chamber 16 is able to store ink by covering the opening on the first side surface with a flexible film (not shown).

[0029] The air chamber 18 is disposed below the ink chamber 16 and opens to a second side surface opposite the first side surface. FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view of the ink tank 11 as viewed from the second side surface. The second side surface of the air chamber 18 is divided into multiple chambers, and the chambers communicate with each other via communication channels 18a disposed on the first side surface. The second side surface on which the air chamber 18 opens is also covered by a flexible film (not shown). The chambers of the air chamber 18 do not communicate with each other on the second side surface, but communicate with each other via the communication channels 18a disposed on the first side surface.

[0030] The air chamber 18 and the ink chamber 16 are connected by a connection path 20 that extends downward from the bottom surface of the ink chamber 16, and the lower end of the connection path 20 serves as the gas-liquid exchange section between the ink and air. The connection path 20 is arranged on the first side surface side of the ink tank 11. The gas-liquid exchange section of the connection path 20 has a cross-sectional area large enough to maintain the ink meniscus. An atmosphere communication port 19 that communicates with the atmosphere is provided at the top of the air chamber 18, and the atmosphere communication port 19 and the connection path 20 are arranged at a distance.

[0031] During normal use, ink is supplied from the ink chamber 16 to the recording head 3 as ink is ejected from the recording head 3, and air of the same volume as the supplied ink is supplied from the air chamber 18 to the ink chamber 16 via the air-liquid exchanger. However, if the air in the ink chamber 16 expands due to fluctuations in temperature or air pressure, destroying the meniscus of the air-liquid exchanger, the ink in the ink chamber 16 will fall into the air chamber 18 due to the head difference. For this reason, the air chamber 18 has a volume large enough to contain the ink contained in the ink chamber 16 when it is fully filled. In this way, the air chamber 18 also serves as a buffer chamber that prevents ink from leaking into the device through the atmosphere vent 19.

[0032] Furthermore, even if the recording device 1 is in a position different from that during normal use with ink contained in the air chamber 18, the air communication port 19 and the connection path 20 are disposed apart, thereby preventing ink from leaking from the air communication port 19. Furthermore, the air chamber 18 is partitioned into multiple chambers between the connection path 20 and the air communication port 19, which hinders the flow of ink and further prevents ink leakage. Furthermore, the side on which the partitioned air chamber 18 opens and the side on which the communication flow path 18a is provided are different, which makes it difficult for ink to move between adjacent partitioned chambers, thereby preventing ink from leaking from the air communication port 19.

[0033] <Needle configuration> The ink tank 11 is further provided with a needle 22 as an injection assisting member that assists the injection of ink. Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the details of the needle 22 of this embodiment. The needle 22 is composed of a first flow path 24a and a second flow path 24b that is shorter than the first flow path 24a, and connects the inside and outside of the ink tank 11. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of ​​the first flow path 24a is configured to be larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second flow path 24b.

[0034] The first flow path 24a is defined by a first upper end 23a that is exposed above the upper end of the injection part 14 and opens toward the outside of the ink tank 11, and a first lower end 25a that opens toward the inside of the ink tank 11 (ink storage chamber 16). The second flow path 24b is defined by a second upper end 23b that is exposed from the injection part 14 and opens toward the outside of the ink tank 11, and a second lower end 25b that opens toward the inside of the ink tank 11 (ink storage chamber 16).

[0035] The first upper end 23a of the first flow path 24a is formed higher in the direction of gravity so as to protrude upward than the second upper end 23b of the second flow path 24b. Furthermore, both the first upper end 23a and the second upper end 23b open obliquely with respect to the direction in which the flow paths extend, forming a high slope toward the center where they meet. Furthermore, the first lower end 25a is formed lower in the direction of gravity so as to protrude downward than the second lower end 25b. In other words, the distance between the first lower end 25a and the bottom surface of the ink chamber 16 is shorter than the distance between the second lower end 25b and the bottom surface of the ink chamber 16.

[0036] 6A and 6B are schematic diagrams illustrating the ink injection operation using gas-liquid exchange according to this embodiment. FIG. 6A shows the ink tank 11 in an empty state. Of the first flow path 24a and the second flow path 24b forming the needle 22, one functions as an ink flow path and the other functions as an air flow path during the ink injection operation. The opening of the ink bottle 15 is sealed with a sealing member (not shown), and is configured so that ink does not drip even when the opening is facing downward as shown in FIG. 6A.

[0037] As shown in Figure 6(b), when the ink bottle 15 is inserted into the ink tank 11, the needle 22 opens the sealing member of the ink bottle 15. As a result, ink from the ink bottle 15 flows into the ink tank 11 through the first flow path 24a, and air from the ink tank 11 flows into the ink bottle 15 through the second flow path 24b. In other words, the first flow path 24a functions as an ink flow path, and the second flow path 24b functions as an air flow path. In this way, ink is injected into the ink tank 11 by utilizing gas-liquid exchange, where ink and air move back and forth between the ink tank 11 and the ink bottle 15.

[0038] As shown in Figure 6(c), when the ink level L reaches the second lower end 25b of the second flow path 24b, which functions as an air flow path, air cannot flow out from the second lower end 25b to the ink bottle 15, and gas-liquid exchange stops. In other words, the injection of ink from the ink bottle 15 to the ink tank 11 stops based on the position of the second lower end 25b when the ink bottle 15 is inserted into the ink tank 11. This is the principle of ink injection operation that utilizes gas-liquid exchange.

[0039] Next, the features of the needle 22 of this embodiment will be described in detail using FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view when a user starts an ink injection operation. FIG. 7(a) shows the state immediately after the ink bottle 15 is inserted into the injection part 14. When the needle 22 is inserted into the ink bottle 15, the first upper end 23a of the first flow path 24a protrudes upward compared to the second upper end 23b of the second flow path 24b, so the first flow path 24a comes into contact with the ink contained in the ink bottle 15 first. As a result, the needle 22 of this embodiment is configured so that the first flow path 24a is easily determined as the ink flow path.

[0040] 7(b) shows the state after ink injection from the ink bottle 15 into the ink tank 11 (ink storage chamber 16) has begun. Ink injection using air-liquid exchange is configured so that ink flows from the ink bottle 15 into the ink tank 11 in an amount equal to the amount of air that flows from the ink tank 11 into the ink bottle 15. Therefore, the more easily air can form bubbles and separate from the needle 22, the smoother the ink will flow in.

[0041] Next, the detailed configuration of the injection part 14 will be described using Figure 8. Figure 8(a) is a simplified schematic top view of the ink tank 11, and Figure 8(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the injection part 14 as viewed from direction A shown in Figure 8(a). The injection part 14 is composed of a wall part 21 that is formed integrally with the main body of the ink tank 11 and defines the opening of the injection part 14, and a needle 22 that is inserted into the space surrounded by the wall part 21. In addition, an ink receiving part 30 that receives ink is provided between the needle 22 and the wall part 21. In this embodiment, the ink receiving part 30 is formed integrally with the ink tank 11.

[0042] The ink receiving portion 30 partially covers the opening surrounded by the wall portion 21, and the portion not covered by the wall portion 21 serves as a communication portion 32 that communicates with the ink storage chamber 16. Furthermore, the ink receiving portion 30 is provided with a guide portion 45 for guiding ink from the needle 22 toward the communication portion 32.

[0043] The guide portion 45 in this embodiment has a groove shape that is lower than the surrounding area of ​​the ink receiving portion 30. Therefore, not only the ink dripping from the needle 22 but also the ink received by the ink receiving portion 33 is guided to the guide portion 45 by the capillary force of the groove shape and directed toward the communicating portion 32. Because the communication section 32 communicates with the ink storage chamber 16, as shown by the arrow in Figure 8(b), ink that drips down the outside of the needle 22 during ink injection and is received in the ink receiving section 30 falls into the ink storage chamber 16 via the communication section 32. This allows ink that drips during ink injection to be supplied to the recording head 3 and can be used for recording operations by the recording head 3.

[0044] In this way, by providing the ink receiving section 30 that receives the ink in the injection section 14 and providing the ink receiving section 30 with a guide section 45 for guiding the ink to the communication section 32 (ink storage chamber 16), it is possible to prevent the surrounding area from being contaminated by ink dripping when the ink is injected.

[0045] In FIG. 8, two communication portions 32 and two guide portions 45 are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and one of each or three or more of each may be provided.

[0046] 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the area around the injection port 14 when ink is being injected from the ink bottle 15. When injecting ink, the tip 151 protruding from the ink bottle 15 is inserted into the injection port 14. As this is inserted, the needle 22 is inserted into the tip 151 and they engage with each other, causing ink to flow from the tip 151 through the needle 22 into the ink chamber 16. At this time, an abutment surface 152 provided around the tip 151 abuts against the upper end 121 of the wall portion 21, thereby positioning the ink bottle 15 and the injection port 14. In this embodiment, the abutment surface 152 is provided so as to surround the tip 151, but it may be provided in a location different from the tip 151.

[0047] When the ink bottle 15 and the filling part 14 are positioned, the tip 151 and the ink receiving part 30 are spaced apart and do not come into contact with each other. That is, the length (height) of the wall 21 of the filling part 14 is configured to be longer than the length of the tip 151 protruding from the abutment surface 152. This prevents ink received by the ink receiving part 30 from adhering to the tip 151, and reduces ink dripping from the tip 151 when the user removes the ink bottle 15 from the filling part 14.

[0048] In this way, by positioning the ink bottle 15 and the injection part 14 by the abutment surface 152, which is different from the needle 22 and the ink receiving part 30, it is possible to reduce ink dripping from the ink bottle 15.

[0049] In this embodiment, the ink tank 11 is fixed to the recording device 1 and ink is supplied through a tube 8, but this is not limited to this and the invention can also be applied to a so-called on-carriage configuration in which the ink tank is mounted on a carriage 31 together with the recording head 3. That is, an ink tank mounted on the carriage 31 may be provided with an inlet and a needle, and the user may inject ink from an ink bottle.

[0050] Second Embodiment The configuration of the injection part 14 of the second embodiment will be described using Figures 10 and 11. Figure 10(a) is a simplified schematic top view of the ink tank 11, and Figure 10(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the injection part 14 as seen from direction B shown in Figure 10(a). As in the first embodiment, the injection part 14 is composed of a wall part 21 and a needle 22.

[0051] Between the wall portion 21 and the needle 22, there are provided an inclined portion 49 serving as an ink receiving portion, and a communicating portion 44 that communicates with the ink containing chamber 16. The inclined portion 49 is inclined so that its height decreases toward the communicating portion 44. Therefore, ink received by the inclined portion 49 is guided along the inclination to the communicating portion 44 and falls into the ink containing chamber 16. In other words, the inclined portion 49 fulfills the roles of the ink receiving portion 30 that receives ink and the guide portion 45 that guides ink in the first embodiment, in a single member.

[0052] Figure 11 shows a modified example of the second embodiment. Figure 11(a) is a simplified schematic top view of the ink tank 11, and Figure 11(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the injection part 14 as seen from direction C shown in Figure 11(a). In this modified example, a first inclined part 53A, a second inclined part 53B, a first communicating part 54A, and a second communicating part 54B are provided between the wall part 21 and the needle 22.

[0053] The first inclined portion 53A is inclined so that its height decreases toward the first communicating portion 54A, and the second inclined portion 53B is inclined so that its height decreases toward the second communicating portion 54B. In this way, even with a configuration having multiple inclined portions and communicating portions, contamination of the surrounding area by ink dripping from the ink bottle 15 or the like can be suppressed, as in the first embodiment.

[0054] Third Embodiment The configuration of the injection part 14 of the third embodiment will be described using Figure 12. Figure 12(a) is a simplified schematic top view of the ink tank 11, and Figure 12(b) is a schematic cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the injection part 14 as viewed from direction D shown in Figure 12(a). As in the first embodiment, the injection part 14 is composed of a wall part 21 and a needle 22.

[0055] Between the wall portion 21 and the needle 22, there are provided an ink receiving portion 63 that receives ink, and a communication portion 64 that communicates with the ink storage chamber 16. The ink receiving portion 63 is provided with a guide portion 65 in the shape of an inclined groove to guide the ink to the communication portion 64. The guide portion 65 is inclined so that its height decreases toward the communication portion 64. Therefore, ink can be guided to the ink storage chamber 16 more smoothly than the guide portion 45 of the first embodiment. The number of communication portions 64 and guide portions 65 is not limited to two.

[0056] [Fourth embodiment] The configuration of injection section 14 of the fourth embodiment will be described using Figures 13 to 15. Figure 13(a) shows a schematic perspective view of the exterior of injection assist member 71, and Figure 13(b) shows a cross-sectional view of injection assist member 71. In the fourth embodiment, a needle section 72 that assists the injection of ink and an ink receiving section 74 that receives ink that drips onto the outside of needle section 72 during ink injection are formed integrally. A notch 75 is provided in ink receiving section 74, which serves as a communication section with ink storage chamber 16.

[0057] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of an ink tank 81 according to the fourth embodiment. In the first embodiment, the ink chamber that contains ink was disposed above the air chamber that contains air, but in the fourth embodiment, the ink chamber 86 is disposed below the air chamber 88. The ink tank 81 is further provided with an ink supply port 87 for supplying ink from the ink chamber 86 to the print head 3, and an air communication port 89 that connects the air chamber 88 to the atmosphere. The ink chamber 86 and the air chamber 88 communicate with each other via a communication port (not shown). The ink tank 81 also has an injection port 84 for injecting ink into the ink chamber 86.

[0058] 14, injection auxiliary member 71 is inserted into and attached to injection portion 84. Ink receiving portion 74 of inserted injection auxiliary member 71 abuts against inner rib 84a that protrudes inward from injection portion 84, thereby positioning injection auxiliary member 71 relative to injection portion 84. When injection auxiliary member 71 is positioned, notch 75 does not abut against inner rib 84a, and therefore serves as a communicating portion that communicates with ink storage chamber 86. In other words, ink received by ink receiving portion 74 falls into ink storage chamber 86 through notch 75.

[0059] FIG. 15 is an external perspective view showing a modified example of the injection assist member 71 shown in FIG. 13. As in the first embodiment, the ink receiving portion 74 is provided with a groove-shaped guide portion 73 that guides ink toward the cutout portion 75. Furthermore, the injection assist member 71 shown in FIG. 15 has a hook portion 76 below the ink receiving portion 74. The hook portion 76 is a flexible hook-shaped member that abuts against the underside of the inner rib 84a when inserted into the injection portion 84. This makes it possible to prevent the injection assist member 71 from coming out of the injection portion 84.

[0060] In this way, by integrally forming the needle portion 72 and the ink receiving portion 74, the positioning of the injection assist member 71 and the injection portion 84 can be achieved by the ink receiving portion 74. This makes it easier to manufacture the ink tank 81 than when an ink receiving portion is provided for the filling portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 1. Inkjet recording device (recording device) 3 Recording head 11 Ink tank 14 Injection part 16 Ink chamber 30 Ink receiver 32 Communication part 45 Guide section

Claims

1. a first tank having a storage chamber for storing liquid to be supplied to the recording head; a first communication portion provided in the first tank and communicating the inside of the first tank with the atmosphere; a first flow path through which liquid flows from the bottle toward the storage chamber; a second flow path through which air flows from the storage chamber toward the bottle; a second communication portion that communicates the storage chamber with the atmosphere, an opening of the first flow path, an opening of the second flow path, and the second communication portion are detachably capped by a tank cap; a tank cap for capping the second communication portion; a tank cap for capping the first communication portion; a tank cap for capping the second communication portion;

2. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a receiving portion for receiving liquid dripping outside the first flow path.

3. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first flow path and the receiving portion are integrally formed, and the second communication portion is provided in the receiving portion.

4. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the receiving portion is detachably capped by the tank cap.

5. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the tank cap is supported by a lever portion rotatably supported on the first tank or the recording apparatus.

6. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the lever portion is color-coded to correspond to the color of the liquid contained in the first tank.

7. a first tank having a storage chamber for storing liquid to be supplied to the recording head; a first communication portion provided in the first tank and communicating the inside of the first tank with the atmosphere; a first flow path through which liquid flows from the bottle toward the storage chamber; a receiving portion for receiving liquid dripping outside the first flow path; a second communication portion that communicates the storage chamber with the atmosphere, The recording apparatus is characterized in that the first flow path and the receiving portion are integrally formed, and the second communication portion is provided in the receiving portion.

8. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a second flow path through which air flows from the storage chamber toward the bottle.

9. 9. The recording device according to claim 1, wherein when the liquid is poured from the bottle into the storage chamber, the first flow path and the second flow path are inserted into the tip of the bottle.

10. A recording device described in any one of claims 1 to 6 or 8 to 9, characterized in that the distance between a first lower end of the first flow path and a bottom surface of the storage chamber is smaller than the distance between a second lower end of the second flow path and the bottom surface.

11. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the liquid received by the receiving portion falls into the containing chamber through the second communicating portion.

12. 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transport roller for transporting the recording medium in a transport direction.

13. 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a carriage that carries the recording head and moves in a direction intersecting the transport direction.

14. a second tank for storing liquid to be supplied to the recording head; 14. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first tank and the second tank are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting the transport direction.

15. 15. The recording apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the first tank is disposed downstream of the transport roller in the transport direction.

Images