Tank set and liquid consuming device

Abstract

To provide a tank set capable of increasing liquid amount which can be stored in each tank while maintaining an occupied space of a plurality of tanks small.SOLUTION: A tank set 99 includes a plurality of ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M which are arranged in a line. Each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M is constituted of a body 140 having an ink chamber 111 which is partitioned by a right surface and a left surface facing to each other so as to store ink, an inlet 112 for injecting ink into the ink chamber 111 and an opening 158 which makes ink flow out from the ink chamber 111 toward a recording head 39. In each of two surfaces which are extended in a longitudinal direction 8 crossing a lateral direction 9 arranged in a line in each ink tank 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M, at least a part is constituted of films 142 and 143.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tank set having a plurality of tanks that can be replenished with liquid through a liquid inlet, and a liquid consuming device to which the tank set is attached. [Background technology]

[0002] There is known a printer that has a tank that can be refilled with ink and a recording head that records an image on paper by ejecting the ink supplied from the tank from nozzles (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When the ink in the tank is consumed, the user can refill it with ink stored in a bottle through the liquid inlet of the tank.

[0003] Some printers have multiple tanks. For example, if the printer is capable of color printing, it generally has multiple tanks corresponding to the inks of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. The multiple tanks are usually arranged in a line. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-51306 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] It is desirable that each tank store as much ink as possible, while at the same time occupying as little space as possible for the multiple tanks.

[0006] The present invention was made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a tank set that can increase the amount of liquid that can be stored in each tank while maintaining a small space occupied by multiple tanks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The tank set according to the present invention comprises, for example, a plurality of tanks arranged side by side. Each tank is composed of a housing having a liquid storage chamber partitioned by two opposing surfaces for storing liquid, an inlet for injecting liquid into the liquid storage chamber, and a liquid outlet for allowing liquid to flow out of the liquid storage chamber toward the liquid consumption section, and at least a portion of each of the two surfaces extending in a direction intersecting the direction in which they are aligned in a row is made of film.

[0008] According to the above configuration, at least a portion of each of the two surfaces of each tank is made of film. Here, the film is thin, so the length of the tank set in the direction in which they are lined up can be shortened.

[0009] Furthermore, if a tank having two sides at least partially made of film and a tank having two sides not made of film have the same external dimensions, the tank having two sides at least partially made of film can store more liquid than the tank having two sides not made of film. In other words, the above configuration allows each tank of the tank set to store a larger amount of liquid.

[0010] (2) The tank set according to the present invention comprises a plurality of tanks arranged in a row. Each tank is composed of a housing having a liquid storage chamber partitioned by two opposing surfaces for storing liquid, an inlet for injecting liquid into the liquid storage chamber, and a liquid outlet for discharging liquid from the liquid storage chamber toward the liquid consumption section, and two adjacent tanks are arranged with their surfaces, at least a portion of which is made of film, facing each other.

[0011] Typically, there is a gap of at least the tolerance between two adjacent tanks. According to the above configuration, the two adjacent tanks are arranged with their surfaces, at least partially made of film, facing each other. When liquid is stored in the liquid storage chamber of a specific tank having a film, the film bulges toward the tank adjacent to the specific tank due to the liquid pressure. This bulge increases the amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber.

[0012] (3) In two adjacent tanks, the films constituting the opposing surfaces between the two housings are in contact with each other at least in part.

[0013] According to the above configuration, the amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber can be increased by the amount of gaps between the films being eliminated.

[0014] (4) In two adjacent tanks, the films constituting the opposing surfaces between the two housings are spaced apart from each other.

[0015] When at least a portion of the two surfaces is made of film, there is a risk that the films may come into contact with each other and be damaged. With the above configuration, the films are spaced apart from each other, which reduces the possibility of such damage.

[0016] (5) At least one tank of the tank set has at least a portion of each of the two surfaces made of film.

[0017] According to the above configuration, at least one tank in the tank set has two sides, each of which is at least partially made of film. Therefore, the tank set having the above configuration can be configured to have a shorter length in the direction of alignment than a tank set having only one of its two sides, at least partially made of film. Furthermore, the tank set having the above configuration can store a larger amount of liquid in each tank than a tank set having only one of its two sides, at least partially made of film.

[0018] (6) All of the tanks in the tank set have at least a portion of each of the two surfaces made of film.

[0019] According to the above configuration, all of the tanks in the tank set have at least a portion of each of their two sides made of film. Therefore, the tank set with the above configuration can have a shorter length in the direction of alignment than a tank set in which only some of the tanks have at least a portion of each of their two sides made of film. Furthermore, the tank set with the above configuration can store a larger amount of liquid in each tank than a tank set in which only some of the tanks have at least a portion of each of their two sides made of film.

[0020] (7) In two adjacent tanks, the opposing surfaces between the two housings are parallel to each other.

[0021] According to the above configuration, the length of the tank sets in the direction in which they are lined up can be shortened.

[0022] (8) The present invention can also be understood as a liquid consuming device including the tank set and a liquid consuming section that consumes the liquid stored in the liquid storage chambers of each of the tanks. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the amount of liquid that can be stored in each tank while keeping the space occupied by the multiple tanks small. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the appearance of the multifunction device 10, in which (A) shows a state in which the cover 70 is in the closed position, and (B) shows a state in which the cover 70 is in the open position. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a schematic internal structure of the printer unit 11. As shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the carriage 23 and the tank set 99. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the ink tank 100. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the ink tank 100. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a right side view of the ink tank 100. As shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a left side view of the ink tank 100. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the ink tank 100B. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of the ink tank 100B. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a right side view of the ink tank 100B. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a left side view of the ink tank 100B. [Figure 12] 12(A) is a schematic diagram of the AA cross section of FIG. 6, and FIG. 12(B) is a schematic diagram of the BB cross section of FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the AA cross section of FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic view of an ink tank 100 according to a modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a front view showing a schematic arrangement of the ink tanks 100 in the tank set 99. As shown in FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic view of an ink tank 100 in a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] An embodiment of the present invention will now be described. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. In the following description, the direction of movement from the start point of an arrow to the end point of the arrow is expressed as a "direction," and the direction of movement on the line connecting the start point and end point of the arrow is expressed as a "direction." In other words, a direction is one component of a direction. Furthermore, the up-down direction 7 is defined based on the position in which the multifunction device 10 and the ink tank 100 installed in the multifunction device 10 are usably installed on a horizontal surface (the position shown in FIG. 1 , which may be referred to as the "usage position"). The front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface of the multifunction device 10 where the opening 13 is provided as the front, and the left-right direction 9 is defined when viewing the multifunction device 10 from the front. In this embodiment, in the usage position, the up-down direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 correspond to horizontal directions.

[0026] [Overall configuration of the multifunction device 10] As shown in FIG. 1, a multifunction device 10 (an example of a device) has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The multifunction device 10 has a printer unit 11 at the bottom that records images on paper 12 (see FIG. 2) using an inkjet recording method. The printer unit 11 has a housing 14 with an opening 13 formed in a front wall 14A. As shown in FIG. 2, inside the housing 14, a feed unit 15, a feed tray 20, a discharge tray 21, a transport roller unit 54, a recording unit 24, a discharge roller unit 55, a platen 42, and a tank set 99 are arranged. The multifunction device 10 has various functions, such as a facsimile function and a printing function.

[0027] [Feed tray 20, output tray 21] As shown in FIG. 1 , the feed tray 20 is inserted into and removed from the multifunction device 10 by a user in the front-to-back direction 8 through the opening 13. The opening 13 is located on the front of the multifunction device 10 and in the center in the left-to-right direction 9. The feed tray 20 is capable of supporting a plurality of stacked sheets of paper 12. The discharge tray 21 is disposed above the feed tray 20 and is inserted and removed together with the feed tray 20. The discharge tray 21 supports the sheets of paper 12 discharged from between the recording unit 24 and the platen 42 by the discharge roller unit 55.

[0028] [Feeding section 15] The feed unit 15 feeds the paper 12 supported on the feed tray 20 to the transport path 65. As shown in FIG. 2, the feed unit 15 includes a feed roller 25, a feed arm 26, and a shaft 27. The feed roller 25 is rotatably supported at the tip of the feed arm 26. The feed roller 25 rotates in a direction to transport the paper 12 in the transport direction 16 by reverse rotation of a transport motor (not shown). Hereinafter, the rotation of the feed roller 25, transport roller 60, and discharge roller 62 in a direction to transport the paper 12 in the transport direction 16 will be referred to as "forward rotation." The feed arm 26 is rotatably supported on the shaft 27, which is supported on the frame of the printer unit 11. The feed arm 26 is urged to rotate toward the feed tray 20 by its own weight or the elastic force of a spring or the like.

[0029] [Transportation Route 65] As shown in FIG. 2, the transport path 65 refers to a space, part of which is formed inside the printer unit 11 by the outer guide member 18 and the inner guide member 19 that face each other at a predetermined distance. The transport path 65 is a path that extends rearward from the rear end of the feed tray 20. The transport path 65 extends upward at the rear of the printer unit 11, makes a forward U-turn, passes through the space between the recording unit 24 and the platen 42, and reaches the discharge tray 21. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transport path 65 between the transport roller unit 54 and the discharge roller unit 55 is provided in approximately the center of the multifunction device 10 in the left-right direction 9, and extends in the front-rear direction 8. The transport direction 16 of the paper 12 in the transport path 65 is indicated by a dashed arrow in FIG. 2.

[0030] [Transport roller unit 54] As shown in FIG. 2, the transport roller unit 54 is disposed upstream of the recording unit 24 in the transport direction 16. The transport roller unit 54 has a transport roller 60 and a pinch roller 61 that face each other. The transport roller 60 is driven by a transport motor. The pinch roller 61 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the transport roller 60. The paper 12 is sandwiched between the transport roller 60 and the pinch roller 61, which rotate forward due to the forward rotation of the transport motor, and transported in the transport direction 16.

[0031] [Discharge roller part 55] As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge roller unit 55 is disposed downstream of the recording unit 24 in the conveying direction 16. The discharge roller unit 55 has a discharge roller 62 and a spur 63 that face each other. The discharge roller 62 is driven by a conveying motor. The spur 63 rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the discharge roller 62. The paper 12 is sandwiched between the discharge roller 62 and the spur 63, which rotate forward due to the forward rotation of the conveying motor, and is conveyed in the conveying direction 16.

[0032] [Records 24] 2, the recording unit 24 is disposed between the conveying roller unit 54 and the discharge roller unit 55 in the conveying direction 16. The recording unit 24 is disposed opposite the platen 42 in the up-down direction 7, with the conveying path 65 sandwiched between them. The recording unit 24 includes a carriage 23 and a recording head 39 (an example of a liquid consuming unit).

[0033] As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 23 is supported by guide rails 43, 44 that extend in the left-right direction 9 and are spaced apart in the front-rear direction 8. The guide rails 43, 44 are supported by the frame of the printer unit 11. The carriage 23 is connected to a known belt mechanism that is provided on the guide rail 44. The belt mechanism is driven by a carriage motor (not shown). The carriage 23 connected to the belt mechanism moves back and forth in the left-right direction 9 by being driven by the carriage motor. The range of movement of the carriage 23 extends to the right and left of the transport path 65, as shown by the dashed dotted lines in FIG. 3.

[0034] An ink tube 32 and a flexible flat cable 33 extend from the carriage 23 .

[0035] The ink tube 32 connects the tank set 99 and the recording head 39 . The ink tubes 32 supply ink (an example of liquid) stored in four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M (which may be collectively referred to as "ink tanks 100") that make up the tank set 99 to the recording head 39. The ink tank 100 is an example of a tank. More specifically, four ink tubes 32B, 32Y, 32C, and 32M (which may be collectively referred to as "ink tubes 32") through which ink of each color (black, magenta, cyan, and yellow) flows extend from the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M, respectively, and are connected to the carriage 23 in a bundled state.

[0036] The flexible flat cable 33 electrically connects a control board on which a control unit (not shown) is mounted and the recording head 39. The flexible flat cable 33 transmits a control signal output from the control unit to the recording head 39.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 23 carries a recording head 39. A plurality of nozzles 40 are arranged on the underside of the recording head 39. The tips of the plurality of nozzles 40 are exposed from the underside of the recording head 39. Hereinafter, the surface on which the tips of the nozzles 40 are exposed may be referred to as the "nozzle surface." The recording head 39 ejects ink as tiny ink droplets from the nozzles 40. As the carriage 23 moves, the recording head 39 ejects ink droplets toward the paper 12 supported by the platen 42. This causes an image to be recorded on the paper 12. This also consumes the ink stored in the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M.

[0038] The printer unit 11 is equipped with a maintenance mechanism (not shown). The maintenance mechanism performs maintenance on the recording head 39. In detail, the maintenance mechanism performs a purging operation to suck ink and air from inside the nozzles 40 and an operation to remove foreign matter adhering to the nozzle surface. The maintenance mechanism sends ink sucked from the nozzles 40 of the recording head 39 through a tube (not shown) to a waste ink tank (not shown). The maintenance mechanism is located directly below the carriage 23, which is located to the right or left of the transport path 65.

[0039] Before the purge operation is performed, the carriage 23 moves directly above the maintenance mechanism. After that, a cap (not shown) of the maintenance mechanism moves upward to cover the nozzle surface. The cap is connected to a waste ink tank via a tube. A rotary tube pump is installed in the tube. The tube is rotated by driving the tube pump. This causes the ink inside the recording head 39 to be sucked out. The sucked ink is then discharged into the waste ink tank through the cap and the tube.

[0040] The tube is blocked at least at one point by a rotary tube pump.

[0041] [Platen 42] 2 and 3, the platen 42 is disposed between the transport roller unit 54 and the discharge roller unit 55 in the transport direction 16. The platen 42 is disposed opposite the recording unit 24 in the up-down direction 7, with the transport path 65 sandwiched between them. The platen 42 supports the paper 12 transported by the transport roller unit 54 from below.

[0042] [Tank Set 99] The tank set 99 stores ink to be supplied to the recording head 39. As shown in Fig. 1, the tank set 99 includes four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. Each ink tank 100 stores ink of a different color. Specifically, black ink is stored in ink tank 100B, yellow ink is stored in ink tank 100Y, cyan ink is stored in ink tank 100C, and magenta ink is stored in ink tank 100M. However, the number of ink tanks 100 and the colors of ink are not limited to the above example.

[0043] The four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are arranged in a line along the left-right direction 9. The left-right direction 9 is just an example of the arrangement direction. Of the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M, the ink tank 100B is arranged on the far right, and the ink tank 100M is arranged on the far left. Note that the arrangement positions of the ink tanks 100 are not limited to the above. The ink tank 100B is larger in size, particularly in width in the left-right direction 9, than the other ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M. Note that the size relationship between the ink tanks 100 is not limited to the above. The ink tank 100B has a larger ink storage capacity than the other ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M. Note that the size relationship between the ink tanks 100's storage capacity is not limited to the above.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 1 , the tank set 99 is fixed inside the housing 14, at the front right portion of the housing 14. In other words, the tank set 99 is fixed to the multifunction device 10 so that it cannot be easily removed from the multifunction device 10. Note that "cannot be easily removed" means, for example, that a user cannot easily remove the tank set 99 from the housing 14 of the multifunction device 10 in a normal state of use, excluding cases where a skilled repairman removes the tank set 99 from the housing 14 of the multifunction device 10 for repair. Therefore, it is sufficient that a user cannot easily remove the tank set 99 from the housing 14 of the multifunction device 10 in a normal state of use.

[0045] The front surface of each ink tank 100 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10 through an opening 22 formed in the right portion of the front wall 14A of the housing 14. The opening 22 is adjacent to the opening 13 in the left-right direction 9. A cover 70 is provided on the housing 14. The cover 70 is rotatable between a closed position (position shown in FIG. 1(A)) that covers the opening 22 and an open position (position shown in FIG. 1(B)) that exposes the opening 22. The cover 70 is supported by the housing 14 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis 70A of a rotation shaft (not shown) that extends in the left-right direction 9 near the lower end of the cover 70 in the up-down direction 7.

[0046] The configuration of the ink tank 100 will be described in detail below. Because the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M have the same configuration, the following description will refer to one of the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M as the ink tank 100. Because the configuration of the ink tank 100B is similar to the configurations of the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M, the configurations of the ink tanks 100B will be described first, followed by a description of the portions that differ from the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M. In this case, even if the shapes of the ink tank 100B and the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M are slightly different, components that have similar functions are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the following description, unless otherwise specified, the multifunction device 10 and the ink tank 100 installed in the multifunction device 10 are in the usage position.

[0047] [Ink Tank 100] 4 and 5, the ink tank 100 is made up of a housing 140 that forms the outer shape of the ink tank. The housing 140 includes a frame 141 and two films 142 and 143.

[0048] The frame 141 has a flattened rectangular parallelepiped shape that is short in the left-right direction 9 and longer in both the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 than the dimension in the left-right direction 9. The dimension in the front-rear direction 8 is longer than the dimension in the up-down direction 7. In other words, the ink tank 100 has a first side along the front-rear direction 8, a second side along the up-down direction 7 that is shorter than the first side, and a third side along the left-right direction 9 that is shorter than the second side.

[0049] The frame 141 is made of a resin that is translucent enough to allow the ink in the ink chambers 111 (described later) to be visible from outside the ink tank 100. The frame 141 is made of, for example, polypropylene. The frame 141 is integrally molded, for example, by injection molding a resin material. The rigidity of the frame 141 is higher than the rigidity of the films 142 and 143.

[0050] The frame 141 may be made of a material other than resin. The frame 141 may also be made of a combination of multiple members. For example, the first ink chamber 131 and the second ink chamber 132, which will be described later, may be made of two separate housings, and these two housings may be connected by a tube or the like.

[0051] The frame 141 includes a front wall 101, a left wall 103, an upper wall 104, a lower wall 105, a rear wall 110, and inner walls 69, 71 to 79, and 151 to 155.

[0052] The front wall 101 is composed of a standing wall 102 and an inclined wall 106. The standing wall 102 extends in the up-down direction 7 and the left-right direction 9. The inclined wall 106 connects the upper end of the standing wall 102 and the front end of the upper wall 104, and is inclined with respect to the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8.

[0053] The left wall 103 is a wall that extends rearward from the left end of the front wall 101. The upper end of the left wall 103 is connected to the front portion of the upper wall 104. The lower end of the left wall 103 is connected to the front portion of the lower wall 105. In other words, the left wall 103 is a wall that connects the left end of the front wall 101, the front left end of the upper wall 104, and the front left end of the lower wall 105. In other words, the left wall 103 is provided only in the front portion of the frame 141, and is not provided in the rear portion of the frame 141.

[0054] The upper wall 104 extends rearward from the upper end of the front wall 101 (the rear end of the inclined wall 106). A front portion of the upper wall 104 is connected to the upper end of the left wall 103. A convex portion 144 that protrudes upward is formed on the frame 141 from approximately the center of the upper wall 104 in the front-to-rear direction 8 to the rear portion. The convex portion 144 includes a front wall 144A that protrudes upward from approximately the center of the upper wall 104 in the front-to-rear direction 8, a rear wall 144B that protrudes upward from the rear portion of the upper wall 104, and an upper wall 144C that connects the upper end of the front wall 144A and the upper end of the rear wall 144B.

[0055] The lower wall 105 is a wall that extends rearward from the lower end of the front wall 101. The lower wall 105 is formed at a distance downward from the upper wall 104 in the up-down direction 7. As described above, the front portion of the lower wall 105 is connected to the lower end of the left wall 103. The left end portion of the lower wall 105 is bent upward. The upper end of the bent lower wall 105 is connected to the lower surface of the inner wall 72, which will be described later (see FIG. 5).

[0056] The rear wall 110 is formed at a distance rearward from the front wall 101 in the front-to-rear direction 8. As described above, the upper end of the rear wall 110 is connected to the rear end of the upper wall 104. The lower end of the rear wall 110 is connected to the rear end of the lower wall 105. The left portion of the rear wall 110 is configured to be longer in the front-to-rear direction 8 than the right portion of the rear wall 110. An ink outflow path 114, which will be described later, is formed in this long left portion of the rear wall 110.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the inner wall 71 extends downward from the upper wall 104 and the upper wall 144C of the protrusion 144. The inner wall 71 is a wall that extends in the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8. The inner wall 71 is provided in the hatched area shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 . The inner wall 71 is provided somewhere between the right and left ends of the frame 141 in the left-right direction 9. For example, the inner wall 71 is provided in approximately the center of the frame 141 in the left-right direction 9. As a result, the interior of the frame 141 is divided into left and right sections at the location where the inner wall 71 is provided. The inner wall 71 may also be provided near the right end or near the left end of the frame 141 in the left-right direction 9. Note that the inner wall 71 preferably does not include the right and left ends of the frame 141 because it defines a portion of a communication passage, which will be described later.

[0058] 4 and 5, the inner wall 72 is provided in the vicinity of the lower wall 105 between the upper wall 104 and the lower wall 105 in the vertical direction 7. The inner wall 72 extends rearward while sloping upward from the front end to the rear end of the lower wall 105. The front end of the inner wall 72 is connected to a portion of the front end side of the lower wall 105. The rear end of the inner wall 72 is in front of the rear wall 110 and is spaced apart from the rear wall 110.

[0059] The inner wall 73 extends generally upward in the up-down direction 7 from the rear end of the inner wall 72 while maintaining a constant distance between it and the rear wall 110. The inner wall 73 extends to the inside of the convex portion 144 while bending to follow the outer shape of the convex portion 144. The upper end of the inner wall 73 is below an upper wall 1444C of the convex portion 144 and spaced apart from the upper wall 144C. A portion of the inner wall 73 (a portion below an inner wall 75 described below) is provided from the right end to the left end of the frame 141. Meanwhile, the other portion of the inner wall 73 is provided from the right end of the frame 141 to the inner wall 71.

[0060] The inner wall 69 extends in the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8. The inner wall 69 is located between the inner wall 72 and an inner wall 75 (described later) in the up-down direction 7. The inner wall 69 is located in front of the inner wall 73. The inner wall 69 is provided in approximately the center of the frame 141 in the left-right direction 9. As a result, the rear ink chamber 138 of the first ink chamber 131 (described later) is divided into left and right sections at the location where the inner wall 69 is provided. The lower end of the inner wall 69 is connected to the rear part of the inner wall 72. The upper end of the inner wall 69 is connected to the rear part of the inner wall 75. The rear end of the inner wall 69 is connected to the inner wall 73.

[0061] The inner walls 74 to 77 described below extend rightward from the inner wall 71 (see FIG. 6). In other words, the inner walls 74 to 77 are provided from the inner wall 71 to the right end of the frame 141.

[0062] 4 and 6, the inner wall 74 extends downward in front of the lower surface 104A of the upper wall 104. The left end of the inner wall 74 is connected to the left wall 103, and the rear surface of the inner wall 74 in the front-rear direction 8 is connected to the front end of the inner wall 71.

[0063] The inner wall 75 extends rearward from the lower end of the inner wall 74. The rear end of the inner wall 75 is connected to the inner wall 73.

[0064] The inner wall 76 extends forward from the upper end of the inner wall 73. In other words, the inner wall 76 is located higher than the inner wall 75. The front end of the inner wall 76 is located rearward of a through-hole 175, which will be described later.

[0065] The inner wall 77 extends rearward from the lower end of the front wall 144A of the protrusion 144. The front portion of the inner wall 77 is located between the upper wall 144C of the protrusion 144 and the inner wall 75 in the vertical direction 7, and faces both the upper wall 104 and the inner wall 75 in the vertical direction 7. The rear portion of the inner wall 77 is located between the inner wall 76 and the inner wall 75, and faces both the inner wall 76 and the inner wall 75 in the vertical direction 7. The rear end of the inner wall 77 is in front of the inner wall 73 and is spaced apart from the inner wall 73.

[0066] Inner walls 78 and 79, which will be described below, extend to the right and left from the inner wall 71 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). In other words, the inner walls 78 and 79 are provided across the frame 141 from the right end to the left end.

[0067] 4 and 5, inner wall 78 extends in the up-down direction 7 and the left-right direction 9. Inner wall 78 is provided rearward of and spaced apart from front wall 144A of protrusion 144. Inner wall 78 faces inner wall 76 in the front-rear direction 8, with through-hole 175 sandwiched therebetween. That is, the inner wall 78 is provided between the front wall 144A and the through-hole 175 in the front-rear direction 8.

[0068] The inner wall 79 extends in the up-down direction 7 and the left-right direction 9. The inner wall 79 is located rearward of the inner wall 74 and forward of the inner wall 69. The upper end of the inner wall 79 is connected to the inner wall 75. The lower end of the inner wall 79 is connected to the inner wall 72. The left end of the inner wall 79 is connected to the left wall 103.

[0069] Inner walls 151 and 152, which will be described below, extend leftward from inner wall 71 (see FIG. 7). In other words, the inner walls 151 and 152 are provided from the inner wall 71 to the left end of the frame 141 .

[0070] 5 and 7, inner wall 151 is a wall that connects the lower end of front wall 144A of protrusion 144 and the rear part of upper wall 144C of protrusion 144. Inner wall 151 extends rearward from the lower end of front wall 144A, then extends upward, then extends rearward, then extends upward, and reaches upper wall 144C.

[0071] The inner wall 152 is a wall that connects two locations on the upper wall 144C of the protrusion 144. The two locations are the front end of the upper wall 144C and the center of the upper wall 144C in the front-to-rear direction 8. The inner wall 152 extends downward from the underside of the front end of the upper wall 144C, then extends rearward, and then extends upward, reaching the underside of the center of the upper wall 144C in the front-to-rear direction 8. The inner wall 152 is surrounded by the upper wall 144C and the inner wall 151 in a side view of the ink tank 100 seen from the left.

[0072] 4, the right side of frame 141 is open. The right side of frame 141 is sealed by welding film 142 to the right sides of front wall 101, lower wall 105, rear wall 110, upper wall 104, inner walls 72 to 79, front wall 144A of convex portion 144, rear wall 144B of convex portion 144, and upper wall 144C of convex portion 144.

[0073] 5 , the rear of the left surface of frame 141 is open. The left surface of frame 141 is sealed by welding film 143 to rear wall 110, upper wall 104, inner wall 72, inner wall 79, inner wall 151, inner wall 152, front wall 144A of convex portion 144, rear wall 144B of convex portion 144, upper wall 144C of convex portion 144, and a left surface of partition wall 186, which will be described later.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 4, the outer surface (front surface) of the standing wall 102 of the front wall 101 is provided with a first line 146 and a second line 147.

[0075] The first line 146 extends in the left-right direction 9. The position of the first line 146 in the up-down direction 7 is the same height as the liquid level of the ink when the maximum amount of ink that can be stored (an example of the first amount) is stored in the ink chamber 111 when the multifunction device 10 is in the usage position. Note that the position of the first line 146 in the up-down direction 7 is not limited to being the same height as the liquid level of the ink when the maximum amount of ink is stored in the ink chamber 111.

[0076] The second line 147 extends in the left-right direction 9. The second line 147 is positioned lower than the first line 146. More specifically, the position of the second line 147 in the up-down direction 7 is the same height as the ink level when the ink chamber 111 is filled with an amount of ink less than the maximum amount described above when the ink tank 100 is in the usage position. In this embodiment, the position of the second line 147 in the up-down direction 7 is the same height as the ink level when the ink chamber 111 is filled with the minimum amount of ink that requires refilling when the ink tank 100 is in the usage position.

[0077] [Ink chamber 111] 4 and 5, the housing 140 has an ink chamber 111 (an example of a liquid storage chamber) therein. The ink chamber 111 is the internal space of the ink tank 100, and stores ink. The ink chamber 111 includes a first ink chamber 131 and a second ink chamber 132.

[0078] The first ink chamber 131 includes a space, which will be described below, and a first communication passage 171, which is an atmosphere communication passage, that communicates with the space. The second ink chamber 132 includes a space, which will be described below, a second communication passage 172, which is an atmosphere communication passage, that communicates with the space, a buffer chamber 148, and an ink outflow path 114. The atmosphere communication path, the buffer chamber 148, and the ink outflow path 114 will be described later.

[0079] The first ink chamber 131 is defined by a front wall 101, a left wall 103, a lower wall 105, a rear wall 110, an inner wall 72, an inner wall 73, an inner wall 74, an inner wall 75, an upper wall 104, an inner wall 151, an upper wall 144C of the protrusion 144, a film 142, and a film 143. The front wall 101 defines the front surface of the first ink chamber 131. The lower wall 105 and the inner wall 72 define the lower surface of the first ink chamber 131. The inner wall 73 defines the rear surface of the first ink chamber 131. The inner wall 75, the inner wall 74, and the upper wall 104 define the upper surface of the first ink chamber 131. The film 142 defines the right surface of the first ink chamber 131. The left wall 103 and the film 143 define the left surface of the first ink chamber 131.

[0080] The first ink chamber 131 is divided into a front ink chamber 137 and a rear ink chamber 138 by an inner wall 79. The front surface of the inner wall 79 defines the rear surface of the front ink chamber 137. The rear surface of the inner wall 79 defines the front surface of the rear ink chamber 138.

[0081] The upper end of the inner wall 79 is cut out from the right end to the left. As a result, an opening 135 is formed at the upper end of the inner wall 79. The opening 135 is defined by the inner wall 79, the inner wall 75, and the film 142. The lower end of the inner wall 79 is cut out from the right end to the left. As a result, an opening 136 is formed at the lower end of the inner wall 79. The opening 136 is defined by the inner wall 79, the inner wall 75, and the film 142. The front ink chamber 137 and the rear ink chamber 138 are in communication with each other via the openings 135 and 136.

[0082] As shown in Figures 4 and 6, the second ink chamber 132 is located below and behind the first ink chamber 131. The second ink chamber 132 is generally L-shaped in a side view of the ink tank 100 seen from the left. The second ink chamber 132 includes a lower ink chamber 51 and an upper ink chamber 52. The lower ink chamber 51 is located below the first ink chamber 131. The upper ink chamber 52 extends upward from the rear end of the lower ink chamber 51. The upper ink chamber 52 is located behind the rear ink chamber 138 of the first ink chamber 131.

[0083] The lower ink chamber 51 is defined by a lower wall 105, an inner wall 72, and a film 142. The lower wall 105 defines the front, bottom, and left sides of the lower ink chamber 51. The inner wall 72 defines the top side of the lower ink chamber 51. The film 142 defines the right side of the lower ink chamber 51. The rear side of the lower ink chamber 51 is open. At the rear side, the lower ink chamber 51 communicates with the upper ink chamber 52.

[0084] The front end of the inner wall 72 is cut out from the right end to the left. As a result, an opening 145 is formed in the front end of the inner wall 72. The opening 145 is defined by the inner wall 72, the lower wall 105, and the film 142. The front ink chamber 137 of the first ink chamber 131 and the lower ink chamber 51 of the second ink chamber 132 are in communication with each other through the opening 145.

[0085] The upper ink chamber 52 is defined by a rear wall 110, an inner wall 73, and a film 142. The rear wall 110 defines the rear and left sides of the upper ink chamber 52. The inner wall 73 defines the front side of the upper ink chamber 52. The film 142 defines the right side of the upper ink chamber 52. The lower side of the upper ink chamber 52 is open. At the lower side, the upper ink chamber 52 communicates with the lower ink chamber 51.

[0086] The upper surface of the upper ink chamber 52 is open. Here, this upper surface is an imaginary surface, and is at the same height as the first line 146. In other words, this upper surface is at the same height as the liquid level of the ink when the ink chamber 111 is filled with the maximum amount of ink that can be stored when the ink tank 100 is in the usage position. The upper ink chamber 52 communicates with a second communication passage 172 of the atmosphere communication passage, which will be described later, at this upper surface. In other words, this upper surface is the boundary between the upper ink chamber 52 and the second communication passage 172. Note that this boundary is not limited to the position described above, and may be, for example, above or below the first line 146.

[0087] As described above, the right side of the ink chamber 111 is defined by the left side 142L of the film 142 (see FIG. 12(A)). In other words, the entire right side of the ink chamber 111 is formed by the film 142. The left side of the ink chamber 111 is defined by the right side 143R of the film 143 and the right side 103R of the left wall 103 (see FIG. 12(A)). In other words, a portion of the left side of the ink chamber 111 is formed by the film 143. The right and left sides of the ink chamber 111 are examples of two sides.

[0088] The right side of the ink chamber 111 may be defined by the film 142 and a wall. That is, part of the right side of the ink chamber 111 may be formed by the film 142. The left side of the ink chamber 111 may be defined only by the film 143. That is, the entire left side of the ink chamber 111 may be formed by the film 143.

[0089] Furthermore, the right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 do not need to be a single plane. For example, as shown in FIG. 12(A), when the film 143 is welded, the right surface 143R of the film 143 is located to the left of the right surface 103R of the left wall 103. In other words, there is a step between the right surface 143R of the film 143 and the right surface 103R of the left wall 103. Even in this case, the second surface is made up of the right surface 143R of the film 143 and the right surface 103R of the left wall 103. In other words, the second surface is made up of multiple planes with steps.

[0090] The right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 face each other while being spaced apart from each other. In other words, the right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 are surfaces that face each other.

[0091] In this embodiment, of the right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111, a part of the film 142 that forms the right surface of the ink chamber 111 and a part of the film 143 that forms the left surface of the ink chamber 111 face each other.

[0092] 12(A), a portion of film 142 that is rearward of inner wall 79 and forward of inner wall 69 faces a portion of film 143 that is forward of inner wall 69, without any other member therebetween. In other words, a central portion 142A of film 142 in the front-to-rear direction 8 and a central portion 143A of film 143 in the front-to-rear direction 8 face each other without any other member therebetween.

[0093] Further, the rear portion 142B of the film 142 and the rear portion 143B of the film 143 face each other with the inner wall 69 interposed therebetween.

[0094] It should be noted that what faces the front portion 142C of the film 142 on the left surface of the ink chamber 111 is not the film 143 but the left wall 103. In other words, the front portion 142C of the film 142 does not face the film 143.

[0095] From the above, when a part of film 142 and a part of film 143 face each other, it means that the films face each other.

[0096] The right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 both extend in the front-rear direction 8 and the up-down direction 7. That is, the right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 each have a first side along the front-rear direction 8 and a second side along the up-down direction 7. Furthermore, because the right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 both extend in the front-rear direction 8 and the up-down direction 7, the right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 are parallel to each other. The front-rear direction 8 is an example of a direction that intersects with the direction of alignment. The right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 do not have to be parallel to each other. For example, the right surface of the ink chamber 111 may be inclined relative to the left surface of the ink chamber 111.

[0097] When the ink tank 100 is in the usage position, in other words, when the upper wall 104 forms the upper part of the ink tank 100 and the lower wall 105 forms the lower part of the ink tank 100, and the ink chamber 111 is filled with the maximum amount of ink that can be stored, the ink level is at the position indicated by the dashed line 191 in Figure 6. In other words, as described above, the ink level is at the same height as the first line 146.

[0098] At this time, the liquid level of the ink stored in the first ink chamber 131 and the liquid level of the ink stored in the second ink chamber 132 are the same in vertical height (height in the up-down direction 7).

[0099] Furthermore, at this time, the ink liquid level in the first ink chamber 131 and the ink liquid level in the second ink chamber 132 are formed independently of each other. Specifically, the ink liquid level in the first ink chamber 131 is surrounded by the front wall 101, the inner wall 73, the film 142, the left wall 103, and the film 143. On the other hand, the ink liquid level in the second ink chamber 132 is surrounded by the rear wall 110, the inner wall 73, and the film 142.

[0100] The ink level in the first ink chamber 131 and the ink level in the second ink chamber 132 may be formed independently of each other not only when the maximum amount of ink that can be stored in the ink chamber 111 is stored. For example, the ink level in the first ink chamber 131 and the ink level in the second ink chamber 132 may be formed independently of each other when the ink chamber 111 stores an amount of ink that brings the ink level stored in the ink chamber 111 to the same height as the second line 147. Of course, the ink level in the first ink chamber 131 and the ink level in the second ink chamber 132 may be formed independently of each other when the ink chamber 111 stores the maximum amount of ink that can be stored, when the ink chamber 111 stores an amount of ink that brings the ink level stored in the ink chamber 111 to the same height as the second line 147, and / or when other amounts of ink are stored.

[0101] Furthermore, even when the ink tank 100 is not in the use position, the ink liquid level in the first ink chamber 131 and the ink liquid level in the second ink chamber 132 are formed independently of each other.

[0102] For example, when the lower wall 105 forms the upper part of the ink tank 100 and the upper wall 104 forms the lower part of the ink tank 100, and the maximum amount of ink that can be stored in the ink chamber 111 is stored, the ink level is at the position indicated by the dashed line 192 in Figure 6. That is, it is the position of the broken line 192 shown between the first line 146 and the second line 147 in the vertical direction 7.

[0103] Also, for example, when the front wall 101 forms the upper part of the ink tank 100 and the rear wall 110 forms the lower part of the ink tank 100, and the maximum amount of ink that can be stored in the ink chamber 111 is stored, the ink liquid level is at the position indicated by the dashed line 193 in Figure 6.

[0104] Also, for example, when the rear wall 110 forms the upper part of the ink tank 100 and the front wall 101 forms the lower part of the ink tank 100, and the maximum amount of ink that can be stored in the ink chamber 111 is stored, the ink level is at the position indicated by the two-dot chain line 194 in Figure 6.

[0105] [Buffer Room 148] 4 and 6, the housing 140 has a buffer chamber 148 therein. The buffer chamber 148 is an internal space of the ink tank 100, and is located between the second ink chamber 132 and an ink outflow path 114, which will be described later. In other words, the ink stored in the second ink chamber 132 flows into the ink outflow path 114 via the buffer chamber 148.

[0106] The buffer chamber 148 is provided in the lower right rear portion of the housing 140. The buffer chamber 148 is defined by an inner wall 153, an inner wall 154, an inner wall 155, the lower wall 105, the rear wall 110, and the film 142.

[0107] The inner wall 153 protrudes forward from the front surface at the lower right of the rear wall 110 and extends in the left-right direction 9. The inner wall 153 defines the upper surface of the buffer chamber 148. The inner wall 154 protrudes upward from the upper surface at the rear right of the bottom wall 105 and extends in the left-right direction 9. The inner wall 154 defines the front surface of the buffer chamber 148. The inner wall 155 is a wall extending in the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8, and is surrounded by the inner wall 153, the inner wall 154, the rear wall 110, and the bottom wall 105. The inner wall 155 defines the left surface of the buffer chamber 148. The bottom wall 105 defines the bottom surface of the buffer chamber 148. The rear wall 110 defines the rear surface of the buffer chamber 148. The film 142 defines the right surface of the buffer chamber 148.

[0108] The lower right end of the inner wall 154 is cut out from the right end to the left. As a result, an opening 149 is formed in the lower right end of the inner wall 154. The opening 149 is defined by the inner wall 154 and the film 142. The opening 149 connects the lower right rear portion of the second ink chamber 132 with the buffer chamber 148. In this embodiment, the inner wall 154 is cut out in a semicircular shape, but the shape of the cutout is not limited to a semicircular shape and may be, for example, rectangular.

[0109] A circular opening 150 is formed in the center of the inner wall 155. The opening 150 connects the buffer chamber 148 with the ink outflow channel 114. Ink stored in the second ink chamber 132 flows into the opening 150 via the buffer chamber 148. In other words, the opening 150 is an ink inlet (an example of a liquid inlet) for allowing ink to flow from the buffer chamber 148 into the ink outflow channel 114. The shape of the opening 150 is not limited to a circle, and it may be, for example, rectangular.

[0110] The opening 149 is partially defined by the film 142. Therefore, a meniscus is not stably formed in the opening 149. In this embodiment, an inner wall 155 is provided, and the opening 150 is formed in the inner wall 155. The entire periphery of the opening 150 is defined by the inner wall 155. Therefore, a stable meniscus pressure is generated in the opening 150. As a result, a meniscus is stably formed in the opening 150. As a result, regardless of the orientation of the ink tank 100, it is possible to prevent air bubbles from entering the ink outflow path 114, which will be described below.

[0111] [Ink outflow channel 114] 5 and 7, the housing 140 has an ink outflow path 114. The ink outflow path 114 is a communicating path for allowing ink stored in the second ink chamber 132 to flow out of the ink tank 100. In this embodiment, the ink stored in the first ink chamber 131 moves to the second ink chamber 132 through the opening 145, and therefore the ink outflow path 114 can also be said to be a communicating path for allowing ink stored in the first ink chamber 131 and the second ink chamber 132 to flow out of the ink tank 100.

[0112] The ink outlet passage 114 communicates with the buffer chamber 148 through an opening 150. The ink outlet passage 114 extends leftward from the opening 150, then upward, then downward, and then rightward to an opening 156.

[0113] The ink outflow path 114 is formed as a groove recessed from the left surface of the rear wall 110 to the right. The ink outflow path 114 is defined by a rear wall 110 except for a part of its right surface and its left surface. The area surrounding an opening 156 on the right surface of the ink outflow path 114 is defined by an inner wall 155. The left surface of the ink outflow path 114 is defined by a film 143.

[0114] The frame 141 has a cylindrical protrusion 157. The protrusion 157 protrudes rearward from the periphery of an opening 156 in the rear wall 110. The front end of the internal space of the protrusion 157 communicates with the ink outflow path 114 through the opening 156. The rear end of the internal space of the protrusion 157 communicates with the outside of the ink tank 100 through an opening 158 (an example of a liquid outflow port). The ink tube 32 is connected to the protrusion 157 through the opening 158.

[0115] As described above, one end of the ink outflow path 114 communicates with the second ink chamber 132 through the buffer chamber 148. The other end of the ink outflow path 114 communicates with the internal space of the protrusion 157 and with the nozzle 40 of the recording head 39 through the ink tube 32. In other words, the opening 158 allows the ink that has flowed in from the opening 150 to flow out toward the recording head 39. When the ink in the ink outflow path 114 is consumed by the ejection of ink droplets from the recording head 39, it becomes able to move toward the recording head 39.

[0116] Here, the ink outflow path 114 is a flow path. A flow path is a space that has one end connected to the ink chamber 111, and when the other end is closed, ink stored in the ink chamber 111 does not flow into the space regardless of the attitude of the ink tank 100. In this embodiment, the ink tank 100 has only the ink outflow path 114 as a flow path, but may have flow paths other than the ink outflow path 114.

[0117] This will be described in detail below. As described above, the tube extending from the cap of the maintenance mechanism, which can cover the nozzle 40 of the recording head 39, is blocked by the pump. Therefore, when the nozzle 40 is covered by the cap, the other end of the ink outflow path 114 (the end closer to the protruding portion 157) communicates with the blocked tube through the internal space of the protruding portion 157, the ink tube 32, the recording head 39, and the cap. In other words, the other end of the ink outflow path 114 is blocked. The cross-sectional area of ​​the ink outflow path 114 is configured to be sufficiently smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the second ink chamber 132. Therefore, even if the ink tank 100 is changed to a position other than the use position, that is, regardless of the position of the ink tank 100, ink stored in the second ink chamber 132 does not flow into the ink outflow path 114. Note that when the nozzle 40 is not covered by the cap, the nozzle 40 is open. In other words, the other end of the ink outflow path 114 is open. Therefore, the ink stored in the second ink chamber 132 can flow into the ink outlet channel 114.

[0118] On the other hand, the opening 145 described above and the atmosphere communication passage described below are boundaries. A boundary is a space that has at least one end connected to the ink chamber 111, and is a space into which ink stored in the ink chamber 111 can flow even if one end or the other end is closed. In this embodiment, the ink tank 100 has only the opening 145 and the atmosphere communication passage as boundaries, but the ink tank 100 may have boundaries other than the opening 145 and the atmosphere communication passage.

[0119] [Atmospheric communication passage] As shown in Figures 4 to 7, the housing 140 has an atmosphere communication passage. The atmosphere communication passage is a communication passage that connects the ink chamber 111 with the outside of the ink tank 100. In other words, the atmosphere communication passage is a communication passage that opens the ink chamber 111 to the atmosphere. The atmosphere communication passage includes a first communication passage 171 and a second communication passage 172 shown in Figures 4 and 6, and a third communication passage 173 shown in Figures 4 to 7. The first communication passage 171 and the second communication passage 172 are located to the right of the inner wall 71. The third communication passage 173 is located both to the right and left of the inner wall 71.

[0120] 4 and 6, the first communication passage 171 communicates with the front ink chamber 137 of the first ink 131 through an opening 174. The opening 174 is formed by cutting out the front right end of the inner wall 75 from the right end to the left. The opening 174 is defined by the inner wall 75, the inner wall 74, and the film 142.

[0121] The first communication passage 171 extends rearward from the opening 174, then makes a U-turn and extends forward, leading to a through-hole 175 (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The through-hole 175 is provided in the inner wall 71. The through-hole 175 is provided slightly forward of the center of the protrusion 144 in the front-rear direction 8. The through-hole 175 communicates with the right side of the inner wall 71 and the left side of the inner wall 71.

[0122] The first communication passage 171 is defined on its front, rear, top, and bottom sides by the upper wall 104, the inner wall 73, the inner wall 74, the inner wall 75, the inner wall 76, and the inner wall 77. The left side of the first communication passage 171 is defined by the inner wall 71, and the right side is defined by the film 142.

[0123] The second communication passage 172 communicates at its lower end with the upper surface (imaginary surface) of the upper ink chamber 52 of the second ink chamber 132. The second communication passage 172 extends upward from the communication position with the upper ink chamber 52, then extends forward, then extends upward, then extends forward, and reaches the through-hole 175.

[0124] The second communication passage 172 is defined on its rear and top sides by the rear wall 110, the top wall 104, the rear wall 144B of the protrusion 144, and the top wall 144C of the protrusion 144. The second communication passage 172 is defined on its front and bottom sides by the inner walls 73 and 76. The second communication passage 172 is defined on its left side by the inner wall 71, and on its right side by the film 142.

[0125] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the third communication passage 173 includes a left communication passage 176, a right communication passage 177, a rear communication passage 178, and a labyrinth 179.

[0126] The left communication passage 176 extends leftward from the through-hole 175 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) to the left end of the frame 141. The left communication passage 176 communicates with the first communication passage 171 and the second communication passage 172 via the through-hole 175. The left communication passage 176 communicates with the right communication passage 177 via an opening 180. The opening 180 is formed by cutting out the lower left end of the inner wall 78 from the left end to the right. The opening 180 is defined by the inner wall 78, the inner wall 152, and the film 143.

[0127] The left communicating passage 176 is defined on the front by the inner wall 78, on the rear and bottom by the inner wall 152, on the top by the upper wall 144C of the convex portion 144, and on the left by the film 143.

[0128] The right communication passage 177 extends rightward from the opening 180 to the right end of the frame 141. As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7, an opening 181 is formed in the portion of the inner wall 71 where the right communication passage 177 is formed. The opening 181 connects the left portion of the inner wall 71 to the right portion of the inner wall 71.

[0129] As shown in Figure 4, surrounding wall 182 protrudes to the right from the periphery of opening 181 in inner wall 71. A lower inner surface 182A of surrounding wall 182 is inclined so that the right end is positioned higher than the left end. A semipermeable membrane 183 (see Figure 4) is attached to the protruding tip surface of surrounding wall 182, i.e., the right surface of surrounding wall 182. As a result, right communicating passage 177 is closed by semipermeable membrane 183.

[0130] The semipermeable membrane 183 is a porous membrane having minute pores that block the passage of ink but allow the passage of gas. For example, the semipermeable membrane 183 is made of a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinylether copolymer, or tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer.

[0131] As shown in Figures 5 and 7, the portion of the right-hand communicating passage 177 to the left of inner wall 71 is defined on the front and bottom by inner wall 152, on the rear by inner wall 78, on the top by upper wall 144C of convex portion 144, and on the right side except for opening 181 by inner wall 71 (see Figure 6), and on the left by film 143.

[0132] 4 and 6, the right side of the inner wall 71 of the right-hand communicating passage 177 is defined on the front side by the front wall 144A of the convex portion 144, on the lower side by the inner wall 77 and the lower inner surface 182A of the surrounding wall 182, on the rear side by the inner wall 78, on the upper side by the upper wall 144C of the convex portion 144, on the part excluding the opening 181 on the left side by the inner wall 71, and on the right side by the film 142.

[0133] 5 and 7, the rear communication passage 178 communicates with a portion of the right communication passage 177 that is to the right of the inner wall 71, through an opening 184 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) formed between the front wall 144A of the convex portion 144 and the inner wall 71. The rear communication passage 178 extends leftward from the opening 184 and then extends rearward, reaching the labyrinth 179 through an opening 185 formed between the inner walls 151 and 152.

[0134] The rear connecting passage 178 is defined on the bottom and front by the inner wall 151 and the front wall 144A of the convex portion 144, on the rear and top by the inner wall 152, on the right by the inner wall 71, and on the left by the film 143.

[0135] The labyrinth 179 is a communication passage that extends along the front-rear direction 8 while making repeated U-turns in the up-down direction 7, due to the fact that a plurality of partition walls 186 extending in the up-down direction 7 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction 8. One end (front lower end) of the labyrinth 179 communicates with the rear communication passage 178 through an opening 185. The other end (rear upper end) of the labyrinth 179 communicates with an atmosphere opening port 187 (see FIG. 5).

[0136] The atmosphere open port 187 is configured as a hole that penetrates the upper wall 144C of the convex portion 144 in the up-down direction 7. The lower end of the atmosphere open port 187 communicates with the labyrinth 179. The upper end of the atmosphere open port 187 communicates with the outside of the ink tank 100. The atmosphere open port 187 is located above the ink level when the ink chamber 111 is filled with the maximum amount of ink that can be stored when the ink tank 100 is in the usage position.

[0137] As described above, the atmosphere communication passage communicates with the first ink chamber 131 of the ink chamber 111 at the opening 174, and also communicates with the second ink chamber 132 of the ink chamber 111 at the lower end of the second communication passage 172, as shown in Fig. 4. On the other hand, the atmosphere communication passage communicates with the outside of the ink tank 100 at the atmosphere open port 187, as shown in Fig. 5.

[0138] [Ink Tank 100B] The configuration of the ink tank 100B will be described below with reference to Figures 8 to 11. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the ink tank 100B is longer in the left-right direction 9 than the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M (see Figures 4 and 5).

[0139] The following describes the portions of ink tank 100B that differ from ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M. Portions of ink tank 100B that have the same configuration as ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M are given the same reference numerals as in Figures 4 to 7, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, if the only difference between the configuration of a specific portion of ink tank 100B and the configuration of a corresponding portion of ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M is that the configuration of the specific portion of ink tank 100B is longer in the left-right direction 9, the portion of ink tank 100B that corresponds to the specific portion is given the same reference numeral as in Figures 4 to 7, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0140] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the housing 140 of the ink tank 100B includes a frame 141 and three films 139, 142, and 143.

[0141] As shown in Figures 8 and 10, ink tank 100B does not have the left wall 103 (see Figure 5) that ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M have, but does have a right wall 159. The right wall 159 is a wall that extends rearward from the right end of the front wall 101. The upper end of the right wall 159 is connected to the front portion of the top wall 104. The lower end of the right wall 159 is connected to the front portion of the bottom wall 105. In other words, right wall 159 is a wall that connects the right end of the front wall 101, the front right end of the top wall 104, and the front right end of the bottom wall 105. In other words, right wall 159 is provided only at the front portion of frame 141, and not at the rear portion of frame 141.

[0142] 8 and 9, a recess 162 is formed in the front portion of the top wall 104. The recess 162 is defined by side walls 162A, 162B, 162C and the top wall 104.

[0143] Ink tank 100B does not have inner wall 71 (see FIG. 6). Ink tank 100B has inner wall 160 (see FIGS. 8 and 10) and inner wall 161 (see FIGS. 9 and 11) that correspond to inner wall 71 (see FIG. 6).

[0144] The inner walls 160 and 161 extend downward from the upper wall 104 and the upper wall 144C of the protrusion 144. The inner walls 160 and 161 are walls that extend in the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8.

[0145] The inner wall 160 is provided in the hatched area shown in Fig. 10. The inner wall 160 is provided at a position between the right end and the left end of the frame 141 in the left-right direction 9. For example, the inner wall 160 is provided to the right of the center of the frame 141 in the left-right direction 9.

[0146] The inner wall 161 is provided in the hatched area shown in Fig. 11. The inner wall 161 is provided somewhere to the left of the inner wall 160 between the right and left ends of the frame 141 in the left-right direction 9. For example, the inner wall 161 is provided to the left of the center of the frame 141 in the left-right direction 9.

[0147] 8 and 10 , the portion of inner wall 73 above inner wall 75, the portion of inner wall 75 closer to inner wall 73, inner wall 76, and inner wall 77 extend rightward from inner wall 160. In other words, the portion of inner wall 73 above inner wall 75, the portion of inner wall 75 closer to inner wall 73, inner wall 76, and inner wall 77 are provided to the right of inner wall 160.

[0148] 9 and 11, the inner wall 74 and the portion of the inner wall 75 close to the inner wall 74 extend leftward from the side wall 162A. In other words, the inner wall 74 and the portion of the inner wall 75 close to the inner wall 74 are provided to the left of the side wall 162A.

[0149] 9 and 11, the inner wall 74 extends downward from the left front portion of the upper wall 104. The inner wall 74 is not connected to the inner wall 160 or the inner wall 161, but is connected to the side wall 162A.

[0150] The inner wall 75 extends rearward from the lower end of the inner wall 74. In this rearward extending portion, the inner wall 75 extends leftward from the side wall 162A. Next, the inner wall 75 extends rightward. In this rightward extending portion, the front end of the inner wall 75 is connected to the side wall 162B (see FIG. 8) and the rear end is connected to the front wall 144A of the protrusion 144 (see FIGS. 8 and 11). Next, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, the inner wall 75 extends rearward. In this rearward extending portion, the inner wall 75 extends rightward from the inner wall 160.

[0151] The right end of the inner wall 79 is connected to the right wall 159 .

[0152] The inner wall 151 is a wall that connects the lower end of the front wall 144A of the protrusion 144 and the rear wall 144B of the protrusion 144. The inner wall 151 extends rearward from the lower end of the front wall 144A, then extends upward, then extends rearward, then extends upward, then extends rearward, and reaches the rear wall 144B.

[0153] 8, the rear part of the right surface of frame 141 is open. The right surface of frame 141 is sealed by welding film 142 to the right surfaces of lower wall 105, rear wall 110, upper wall 104, inner walls 72, 73, 75 to 79, side wall 162B of recess 162, front wall 144A of protrusion 144, rear wall 144B of protrusion 144, and upper wall 144C of protrusion 144.

[0154] 9 , the left surface of frame 141 is open. The left surface of frame 141 is sealed by welding film 143 to rear wall 110, upper wall 104, lower wall 105, inner wall 72, inner wall 74, inner wall 75, inner wall 78, inner wall 79, inner wall 151, inner wall 152, front wall 144A of protrusion 144, rear wall 144B of protrusion 144, upper wall 144C of protrusion 144, and a left surface of partition wall 186.

[0155] 8 and 9, the first ink chamber 131 is defined by the front wall 101, the right wall 159, the bottom wall 105, the rear wall 110, the inner wall 72, the inner wall 73, the inner wall 74, the inner wall 75, the top wall 104, the inner wall 151, the film 142, and the film 143. The right wall 159 and the film 142 define the right surface of the first ink chamber 131.

[0156] As shown in FIG. 9 , the upper end of the inner wall 79 is cut out from the left end to the right. As a result, an opening 163 is formed at the upper end of the inner wall 79. The opening 163 is defined by the inner walls 79, 75, and the film 143. The lower end of the inner wall 79 is cut out from the left end to the right. As a result, an opening 164 is formed at the lower end of the inner wall 79. The opening 164 is defined by the inner walls 79, 75, and the film 143. The front ink chamber 137 and the rear ink chamber 138 are in communication with each other through the openings 163 and 164.

[0157] The front end of the inner wall 72 is cut out from the left end to the right. As a result, an opening 165 is formed in the front end of the inner wall 72. The opening 165 is defined by the inner wall 72, the lower wall 105, and the film 143. The front ink chamber 137 of the first ink chamber 131 and the lower ink chamber 51 of the second ink chamber 132 are in communication with each other through the opening 165.

[0158] The right side of the ink chamber 111 is defined by the right wall 159 and the left side 142L of the film 142. In other words, a part of the right side of the ink chamber 111 is formed by the film 142.

[0159] The left side of the ink chamber 111 is defined by the right side of the right surface 143R of the film 143. In other words, the entire left side of the ink chamber 111 is formed by the film 143.

[0160] The right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 face each other while being spaced apart from each other. In other words, the right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 are surfaces that face each other.

[0161] In the ink tank 100B, a part of the film 142 that forms the right surface of the ink chamber 111 and a part of the film 143 that forms the left surface of the ink chamber 111 face each other.

[0162] 12(B), a portion of film 142 that is forward of inner wall 69 in the front-to-rear direction 8 and a portion of film 143 that is rear of inner wall 79 and forward of inner wall 69 face each other without any other member therebetween. In other words, a central portion 142A of film 142 in the front-to-rear direction 8 and a central portion 143A of film 143 in the front-to-rear direction 8 face each other.

[0163] Further, the rear portion 142B of the film 142 and the rear portion 143B of the film 143 face each other with the inner wall 69 interposed therebetween.

[0164] The portion of the right surface of the ink chamber 111 that faces the front portion 143C of the film 143 is not the film 142 but the right wall 159. In other words, the front portion 143C of the film 143 does not face the film 142.

[0165] 8 and 10, the first communication passage 171 and the second communication passage 172 are located to the right of the inner wall 160. As shown in FIGS. 8 to 11, the third communication passage 173 is located both to the right of the inner wall 160 and to the left of the inner wall 161.

[0166] 9, the first communication passage 171 communicates with the front ink chamber 137 of the first ink 131 through the opening 166. The opening 166 is formed by cutting out the front left end of the inner wall 75 from the left end to the right. The opening 166 is defined by the inner wall 75, the inner wall 74, and the film 143.

[0167] The first communication passage 171 extends rearward from the opening 166 and then extends to the right. Next, as shown in FIG. 8, the first communication passage 171 extends rearward, then makes a U-turn and extends forward, leading to a through-hole 175 (see FIG. 10). The through-hole 175 is a hole that penetrates the inner walls 160 and 161 in the left-right direction 9, and connects the first communication passage 171, the second communication passage 172, and the third communication passage 173.

[0168] 9, the portion of first communication passage 171 extending rearward from opening 166 is defined by upper wall 104, side wall 162A of recess 162, inner wall 74, inner wall 75, and film 143. The portion of first communication passage 171 extending to the right is defined by upper wall 104, side wall 162B of recess 162, inner wall 75, and front wall 144A of protrusion 144. As shown in FIG. 8, the portion of first communication passage 171 to the right of inner wall 71 is defined by inner wall 71, inner wall 73, inner wall 75, inner wall 76, inner wall 77, and film 142.

[0169] As shown in FIG. 9, the frame 141 has a protrusion 167 (an example of a liquid level detector) that protrudes rearward from the rear wall 110. The protrusion 167 detects the liquid level of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 of the ink tank 100 in the usage position by being irradiated with light by an optical sensor 98 (described later). The protrusion 167 is shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped. The protrusion 167 has an internal space 167A, and the front and rear ends of the protrusion 167 are open. The front end of the internal space 167A of the protrusion 167 communicates with the upper ink chamber 52 of the second ink chamber 132. In other words, the internal space 167A is provided in the second ink chamber 132. The rear end of the protrusion 167 is open. The open rear end of the protrusion 167 is closed by attaching a film 139.

[0170] In a horizontal cross section of the ink tank 100 at a height below the upper end and above the lower end of the internal space 167A of the protruding portion 167, the cross-sectional area of ​​the second ink chamber 132 when viewed from above is smaller than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first ink chamber 131 when viewed from above. The internal space 167A of the protruding portion 167 is connected to the second ink chamber 132, which has a smaller cross-sectional area.

[0171] In this embodiment, the internal space 167A of the protruding portion 167 communicates with the second ink chamber 132, but the internal space 167A may also communicate with the first ink chamber 131. In other words, the internal space 167A may be provided in the first ink chamber 131. In this case, the protruding portion 167 may protrude from, for example, the front wall 101 or the left wall 103.

[0172] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the protrusion 167 is provided only on the ink tank 100B among the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M. However, the protrusion 167 may be provided on at least one of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M.

[0173] [Optical Sensor 98] The printer unit 11 is equipped with an optical sensor 98. The optical sensor 98 is attached to the housing 14. As shown by the dashed lines in Figure 9, when the tank set 99 is placed inside the housing 14, the optical sensor 98 is located to the right and left of the protrusion 167 of the frame 141 of the ink tank 100B.

[0174] The optical sensor 98 includes a light-emitting unit 98A and a light-receiving unit 98B. The light-emitting unit 98A and the light-receiving unit 98B are arranged on either side of a protrusion 167 in the left-right direction 9. The light-emitting unit 98A is located to the right of the protrusion 167. The light-receiving unit 98B is located to the left of the protrusion 167. The positions of the light-emitting unit 98A and the light-receiving unit 98B may be reversed.

[0175] The positions of the light-emitting unit 98A and the light-receiving unit 98B in the up-down direction 7 are determined so that the position at which the light-emitting unit 98A emits light to the light-receiving unit 98B and the position at which the light-receiving unit 98B receives light from the light-emitting unit 98A are at a height below the second line 147. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the optical sensor 98 is located below the second line 147. In other words, the height of the position on the protrusion 167 corresponding to the optical path of the light emitted from the optical sensor 98 is lower than the dashed line shown in FIG. 10. Here, the dashed line indicates the ink level, which is the minimum amount of ink that must be stored before the ink tank in the usage position needs to be refilled. Therefore, the position of the protrusion 167 in the up-down direction 7 includes a position below the second line 147.

[0176] The optical sensor 98 is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) of the multifunction device 10 via an electric circuit.

[0177] Light is emitted from the light-emitting element 98A toward the light-receiving element 98B. The emitted light passes through the protrusion 167 and enters the internal space 167A of the protrusion 167. If the liquid level of the ink stored in the internal space 167A is above the light irradiation path, the light is blocked by the ink stored in the internal space 167A and does not reach the light-receiving element 98B. This causes the optical sensor 98 to output a low-level signal to the control unit. On the other hand, if the ink liquid level is below the light path, the light travels through the air in the internal space 167A. In this case, the light passes through the internal space 167A and reaches the light-receiving element 98B. This causes the optical sensor 98 to output a high-level signal to the control unit.

[0178] The control unit determines that the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is higher than the second line 147 when the signal from the optical sensor 98 is low level, and determines that the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is lower than the second line 147 when the signal from the optical sensor 98 is high level.

[0179] [Inlet 112] As shown in FIG. 1B, the inclined walls 106 of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are each provided with an inlet 112B, 112Y, 112C, or 112M (sometimes collectively referred to as "inlet 112") for injecting ink into the first ink chamber 131 of the ink chamber 111. The inlet 112 penetrates the inclined walls 106 in the thickness direction, connecting the corresponding first ink chamber 131 to the outside of the ink tank 100. The inner surface of the inclined wall 106 faces the front ink chamber 137 of the first ink chamber 131. The outer surface of the inclined wall 106 faces the outside of the ink tank 100. Therefore, the inlet 112 directly connects the first ink chamber 131 to the outside of the ink tank 100. That is, in this embodiment, the inlet 112 is provided in the first ink chamber 131 that does not have the protruding portion 167, out of the first ink chamber 131 and the second ink chamber 132. The inlet 112 may be for injecting ink into the second ink chamber 132.

[0180] The inclined wall 106 and the filler port 112 provided in the inclined wall 106 are exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10 through the opening 22 when the cover 70 is positioned in the open position. The position (filling position) of the ink tank 100 when ink is filled into the first ink chamber 131 through the filler port 112 is the usage position. In other words, when the ink tank 100 is in the usage position, ink is filled into the first ink chamber 131 through the filler port 112.

[0181] [Cap 113] 1, the ink tank 100 has caps 113B, 113Y, 113C, and 113M that are detachable from the inclined wall 106 to close the filler port 112. There are four caps 113B, 113Y, 113C, and 113M corresponding to the four filler ports 112B, 112Y, 112C, and 112M of the ink tank 100. As shown in FIG. 1(A), the cap 113 attached to the inclined wall 106 comes into close contact with the wall surface that defines the periphery of the inlet 112, thereby closing the inlet 112. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1(B), the cap 113 removed from the inclined wall 106 opens the inlet 112. The cap 113 is attached to or detached from the inclined wall 106 with the cover 70 in the open position. Furthermore, by removing the cap 113 from the inlet 112, ink can be injected into the ink chamber 111 through the inlet 112.

[0182] [Cover 70] As shown in FIG. 1 , the cover 70 is provided so as to be able to open and close the opening 22 formed in the front wall 14A of the housing 14. The cover 70 rotates around a rotation axis 70A extending in the left-right direction 9. The cover 70 has an outer shape corresponding to the size of the opening 22 and is box-shaped and opens toward the opening 22. In the closed position, the cover 70 covers the standing wall 102 and inclined wall 106 of the front wall 101 of the ink tank 100. In the open position, the cover 70 exposes the standing wall 102 and inclined wall 106 of the front wall 101 of the ink tank 100 to the outside of the housing 14.

[0183] [Arrangement of ink tanks 100 in tank set 99] The four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M in the tank set 99 are arranged close to one another. As a result, the films 142 and 143 that form at least a portion of the opposing surfaces between two adjacent ink tanks 100 (the left surface of the housing 140 of ink tank 100B and the right surface of the housing 140 of ink tank 100Y, the left surface of the housing 140 of ink tank 100Y and the right surface of the housing 140 of ink tank 100C, and the left surface of the housing 140 of ink tank 100C and the right surface of the housing 140 of ink tank 100M) are spaced apart from one another.

[0184] Here, the right surface of the housing 140 of the ink tank 100 refers to the right surface of at least one of the film 142 or the right wall 159. Furthermore, the left surface of the housing 140 of the ink tank 100 refers to the left surface of at least one of the film 143 or the left wall 103.

[0185] The right and left surfaces of the housings 140 of the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M extend in the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8, respectively. Therefore, in two adjacent ink tanks 100, the opposing surfaces of the two housings 140 are parallel to each other.

[0186] As described above, in the ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M, at least a portion of the right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 are made up of films 142 and 143, respectively (see FIG. 12A). Similarly, in the ink tank 100B, at least a portion of the right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 are made up of films 142 and 143, respectively (see FIG. 12B). Therefore, in the tank set 99, the four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are arranged as shown in FIG. 15A.

[0187] In FIG. 15, the portions of the ink tank 100 drawn with solid lines indicate that they are made up of walls, and the portions of the ink tank 100 drawn with dashed lines indicate that at least a portion of the ink tank 100 is made up of film.

[0188] In the tank set 99 shown in FIG. 15(A), the right and left surfaces of the ink chambers 111 of all four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M are at least partially formed with films 142 and 143.

[0189] Furthermore, in the tank set 99 shown in Figure 15(A), in all combinations of two adjacent ink tanks 100 (ink tank 100B and ink tank 100Y, ink tank 100Y and ink tank 100C, and ink tank 100C and ink tank 100M), the surfaces at least partially made of film are arranged facing each other.

[0190] 15A, the tank set 99 in this embodiment includes film on both the right and left sides of the ink chambers of all of the ink tanks 100. However, the tank set 99 may be configured such that some of the ink tanks 100 include film on both the right and left sides of the ink chambers 111, while other ink tanks 100 include film on only one of the right and left sides of the ink chambers 111.

[0191] For example, in the tank set 99 shown in Figure 15(B), the ink tanks 100Y and 100C include film on both the right and left sides of the ink chamber 111, while the ink tanks 100B and 100M include film on only one of the right and left sides of the ink chamber 111.

[0192] 15(A), in this embodiment, the surfaces including the film are arranged to face each other in all combinations of two adjacent ink tanks 100. However, it is also possible that the surfaces including the film are arranged to face each other in only some combinations of two adjacent ink tanks 100.

[0193] For example, in the tank set 99 shown in Figure 15(C), in the combination of ink tank 100B and ink tank 100Y, the left surface of the housing 140 of ink tank 100B and the right surface of the housing 140 of ink tank 100Y, which face each other, are surfaces that include a film. In addition, in the combination of ink tank 100C and ink tank 100M, the left surface of the housing 140 of ink tank 100C and the right surface of the housing 140 of ink tank 100M, which face each other, are surfaces that include a film. On the other hand, the left surface of the housing 140 of ink tank 100Y and the right surface of the housing 140 of ink tank 100C, which face each other, are both surfaces that do not include a film. In other words, in the combination of ink tank 100Y and ink tank 100C, the surfaces that include a film are not positioned opposite each other.

[0194] [Effects of the above embodiment] According to the above embodiment, at least a portion of each of the right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 of each ink tank 100 is made of the films 142, 143. Here, the films 142, 143 are thinner than the walls. Therefore, the length of the tank set 99 in the left-right direction 9 can be shortened.

[0195] Furthermore, if an ink tank 100 in which at least a portion of each of the right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 is formed with the films 142, 143 and an ink tank 100 in which the right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 are not formed with the films 142, 143 have the same external dimensions, the ink tank 100 in which at least a portion of each of the right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 is formed with the films 142, 143 can store more ink than the ink tank 100 in which the right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 are not formed with the films 142, 143. In other words, according to the above embodiment, the amount of ink that can be stored in each ink tank 100 of the tank set 99 can be increased.

[0196] Furthermore, there is usually a gap of at least the tolerance between two adjacent ink tanks 100. According to the above embodiment, two adjacent ink tanks 100 are arranged so that the surfaces at least partially made up of the films 142, 143 face each other. Then, when ink is stored in the ink chamber 111 of a given ink tank 100 having the films 142, 143, the films 142, 143 bulge out toward the ink tank adjacent to the given ink tank 100 due to the liquid pressure of the ink. The amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 can be increased by the amount of this bulge.

[0197] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the films 142 and 143 are in contact with each other, so there is no gap between the films 142 and 143. This allows the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 to be increased accordingly.

[0198] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, in at least one ink tank 100 of the tank set 99, at least a portion of each of the right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 is formed with the film 142, 143. Therefore, the tank set 99 configured as described above can be configured to have a shorter length in the left-right direction 9 than a tank set 99 in which at least a portion of only one of the right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 is formed with the film 142 or 143. Furthermore, the tank set 99 configured as described above can store a larger amount of ink in each ink tank 100 than a tank set 99 in which at least a portion of only one of the right and left surfaces of the ink chamber 111 is formed with the film 142 or 143.

[0199] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, all of the ink tanks 100 in the tank set 99 have at least a portion of each of the right and left sides of the ink chambers 111 formed with the films 142, 143. Therefore, the tank set 99 configured as described above can have a shorter length in the left-right direction 9 than a tank set 99 in which at least a portion of each of the right and left sides of the ink chambers 111 of only some of the multiple ink tanks 100 are formed with the films 142, 143. Furthermore, the tank set 99 configured as described above can store a larger amount of ink in each ink tank 100 than a tank set 99 in which at least a portion of each of the right and left sides of the ink chambers 111 of only some of the multiple ink tanks 100 are formed with the films 142, 143.

[0200] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the opposing surfaces between the two housings 140 of the two adjacent ink tanks 100 are parallel to each other. This allows the length of the tank set 99 in the left-right direction 9 to be shortened.

[0201] [Variations] In the above embodiment, in each ink tank 100, a portion of film 142 and a portion of film 143 face each other, but films 142 and 143 do not have to face each other as shown in Figures 14 and 16. In Figure 16, the right side surface of housing 140 is made up of film 142, and a portion of rear wall 110 is made up of film 143.

[0202] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the films 142 and 143 that form at least a portion of the opposing surfaces between two adjacent ink tanks 100 are spaced apart from each other, but they may also be in contact with each other.

[0203] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, one filler port 112 is provided for each ink tank 100, but two or more filler ports may be provided.

[0204] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, one air opening port 187 is provided for each ink tank 100, but two or more may be provided.

[0205] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, each ink tank 100 is provided with one opening 158 through which ink flows out of the ink chamber 111, but two or more openings may be provided.

[0206] In the above embodiment, the second ink chamber 132 is provided with the buffer chamber 148 and the ink outflow path 114, but the first ink chamber 131 may also be provided with the buffer chamber 148 and the ink outflow path 114. In this case, the buffer chamber 148 is interposed between the first ink chamber 131 and the ink outflow path 114. In addition, both the first ink chamber 131 and the second ink chamber 132 may also be provided with the buffer chamber 148 and the ink outflow path 114.

[0207] In the above embodiment, ink has been described as an example of a liquid, but the present invention is not limited to this. In other words, instead of ink, examples of liquids that may be used include a pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto the recording paper prior to the ink during printing, or water that is sprayed near the nozzles 40 of the recording head 39 to prevent the nozzles 40 of the recording head 39 from drying out. [Explanation of symbols]

[0208] 10...Multifunction device 39 Recording head (liquid consumption part) 99···Tank Set 100···Ink tank (tank) 111 Ink chamber (liquid storage chamber) 112...Inlet 140....Case 142...Film 143···Film 158...Opening (liquid outlet)

Claims

1. A tank installed in a device having a liquid consumption unit, and connected to the liquid consumption unit so as to allow liquid to flow through it, The outer surface of the above-mentioned tank comprises a first surface that extends vertically in the operating position of the tank, The outer surface of the tank described above comprises a second surface that extends vertically at a position separated from the first surface in the first direction in the above operating position, A first storage chamber for storing liquid, A liquid inlet for injecting liquid into the first storage chamber, A second storage chamber for storing liquid, comprising a second storage chamber communicating with the first storage chamber, The liquid channel is connected to the second storage chamber via a communication port and comprises a liquid channel that communicates with the outside of the tank via a protruding portion. The above-mentioned communication port is located closer to the second surface than to the first surface of the tank.

2. The tank according to claim 1, wherein the second storage chamber is located below the first storage chamber in the above-mentioned operating position.

3. A third surface that constitutes the outer surface of the tank and extends vertically in the above operating position, the third surface intersecting the first surface, The outer surface of the tank described above comprises a fourth surface that extends vertically at a position separated from the third surface and the second surface perpendicular to the vertical direction and the first direction in the above operating position, The tank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the above-mentioned communication port is located closer to the fourth surface than to the third surface.

4. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the protruding portion is located closer to the second surface than to the first surface.

5. The first surface is, The first line and, The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a second line located below the first line in the above-mentioned operating position.

6. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first direction is the front-rear direction.

7. A frame and, The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a film adhered to the frame and constituting at least a portion of the first surface and the second surface.

8. The tank according to claim 7, wherein the communication opening is partitioned by the film that constitutes the second surface.

9. The tank according to claim 8, wherein the film partitions the first storage chamber and the communication port.

10. The tank according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the liquid flow path is partitioned by the film.

11. The tank according to any one of claims 7 to 10, wherein the first direction is the left-right direction.

12. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the communication port is partitioned by the bottom surface of the second storage chamber in the above-mentioned operating position.

13. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the protruding portion is connected to a tube that allows liquid to flow between the tank and the liquid consumption portion.

14. The tank according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising an atmospheric vent that connects at least one of the first storage chamber or the second storage chamber to the outside of the tank.

15. A first line shown on the outer surface of the tank, The tank has a second line shown on its outer surface, which is located below the first line in the above operating position. The tank according to claim 1, wherein the liquid flow path has a portion located above the first line in the above operating position.

Images