Recording device

Abstract

To provide a recording device capable of stably protecting a waste liquid storage body.SOLUTION: A recording device comprises: a main body having an opening opened in a first direction at a first end in the first direction, and having a first regulation part and a second regulation part; a recording part; a waste liquid storage body attached to the main body so as to be detachable from the main body in the first direction through the opening; and a cover 8 which closes the opening and is detachable from the main body, the cover 8 being configured to be elastically deformable in a direction intersecting the first direction, and having a first regulated part 13 whose movement in the first direction is regulated by the first regulation part, and a second regulated part 18 whose movement in the first direction is regulated by the second regulation part. The second regulated part 18 extends upward in a gravity direction from a lower end of the cover 8 in the gravity direction, and the main body has a notch that is adjacent to the second regulation part in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and is opened in the first direction through which the second regulated part 18 passes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording apparatus equipped with a waste liquid container. [Background technology]

[0002] A conventional recording device that ejects a liquid such as ink to record an image on a recording medium includes a waste liquid container that stores waste liquid that is not ejected from the liquid ejection head toward the recording medium but is instead discharged as waste liquid. The waste liquid container is configured to be detachable from the main body of the recording device, and a user can discard the waste liquid stored in the waste liquid container by removing the waste liquid container.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a recording device that includes a main body, a waste liquid container that is detachable from the main body, and a cover that is detachable from the main body along a rail that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the waste liquid container is attached and detached. When the waste liquid container is attached to the main body, the opening for inserting and removing the waste liquid container is closed by the cover, and the waste liquid container is covered by the cover. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-202648 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the above-described configuration, the waste liquid container and the cover are attached and detached in different directions, which may reduce the workability of the attachment and detachment operation or require a large space for the attachment and detachment operation. Furthermore, in the above-described configuration, to prevent the cover from being unintentionally removed in the attachment and detachment direction, a locking claw for locking the cover to the main body is provided only at one location on the top end. Therefore, for example, if you try to lift the recording device from the bottom and put your hand on the cover from the direction in which the rail extends, the cover may come off from the bottom.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an object to provide a recording device that can stably protect a waste liquid container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the recording apparatus of the present invention comprises: a main body having an opening that opens in a first direction formed at an end in the first direction and having a first restricting portion and a second restricting portion; a waste liquid container that contains waste liquid discharged from a recording unit that discharges liquid onto a recording medium to record an image, the waste liquid container being attached to the main body so as to be detachable in the first direction from the main body via the opening; a cover that covers the opening and is removable from the main body, the cover being configured to be elastically deformable in a direction intersecting the first direction, and having a first restricted portion whose movement in the first direction is restricted by the first restricting portion, and a second restricted portion whose movement in the first direction is restricted by the second restricting portion; Equipped with the second restricted portion protrudes upward in the direction of gravity from a lower end of the cover in the direction of gravity, The main body has a notch formed adjacent to the second restricting portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction and through which the second restricted portion passing through in the first direction can pass. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording device that can stably protect a waste liquid container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the front side of the multifunction peripheral equipped with a printer. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the rear of the multifunction peripheral. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the inner surface of the cover. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the printer with the cover removed. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of part F in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of part B of FIG. 3 taken along the line DD. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of part C in FIG. 3 taken along line DD. [Figure 10] 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along E-E axis. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a part of the cover is removed from the main body. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The following describes in detail exemplary embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings. The dimensions, materials, shapes, and relative positions of the components described in the embodiments may be changed as appropriate depending on the configuration and various conditions of the device to which the invention is applied. In other words, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0011] The following describes an example in which the present invention is applied to a so-called inkjet printer, which records an image by ejecting ink as an image-recording liquid onto a recording medium (recording material). Examples of recording devices to which the present invention can be applied include printers and other devices used as output devices for multi-function electronic devices including printers, copiers, facsimiles, and computers, as well as workstations. That is, the present invention is applicable to recording devices that record an image by ejecting liquid onto a recording medium such as a recording sheet based on image information transmitted by a control signal. Note that "recording" not only includes the formation of meaningful information such as characters and figures, but also broadly includes the formation of images, patterns, and the like on a recording medium, whether meaningful or unmeaning, or the processing of the medium, regardless of whether the information is visible to humans. In addition, although a sheet material (paper) is assumed as the "recording medium" (recording material) in this embodiment, cloth, plastic film, and the like may also be used.

[0012] First Embodiment (Multifunction machine 4)

[0023] A multifunction peripheral (inkjet recording device) 4 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view showing the front side of the multifunction peripheral 4 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the rear side of the multifunction peripheral 4. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part A in FIG. 2, showing the periphery of the cover of the printer 1. The multifunction peripheral 4 is configured by integrating a printer 1, which is a recording device that ejects ink onto a recording medium to record an image, a scanner (document reading device) 2 that reads image information from a document, and an ADF (automatic document feeder) 3 that transports the document. In the multifunction peripheral 4, the scanner 2 is placed on the printer 1, and the ADF 3 is placed on the scanner 2. The bottom of the multifunction peripheral 4 (printer 1) is formed by a base 9. The present invention is applicable to recording devices such as the multifunction peripheral 4, as well as to recording devices similar to the printer 1 that do not have the scanner 2 or ADF 3 but simply have a recording unit.

[0013] In the following description, the left-right direction (width direction) of the multifunction device 4 is referred to as the X direction, the depth direction as the Y direction, and the height direction as the Z direction. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction intersect with each other (directions that are perpendicular to each other in the first embodiment). In the left-right direction, when viewing the multifunction device 4 from the front side, the right direction is the +X direction, and the left direction is the -X direction. In the depth direction, the front (front, front) direction is the +Y direction, and the back (rear) direction is the -Y direction. In the height direction, the upward direction is the +Z direction, and the downward direction is the -Z direction. In each drawing, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction are appropriately indicated by arrows. These directions are determined based on the installation surface of the multifunction device 4. For example, when the multifunction device 4 is installed on a horizontal surface, which is a normally assumed installation state, the Z direction, which is the height direction, coincides with the direction of gravity (vertical direction), and the X and Y directions are horizontal.

[0014] The multifunction device 4 includes an operation panel 5, an ASF (automatic sheet feeder) 6, and a control unit (not shown). The operation panel 5 is provided at the end of the front side of the multifunction device 4, and a user can instruct the multifunction device 4 to perform recording operations and the like via the operation panel 5. The control unit is, for example, a control circuit board provided inside the main body of the multifunction device 4.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, a detachable cover 8 is attached to the rear side (-Y direction) and right side (+X direction) end of the printer 1. The cover 8 is a protective part that covers an opening (first opening) formed in the main body 1a and protects the liquid container. The main body 1a of the printer 1 is provided with a plurality of restricting parts that restrict movement of the cover 8 in a predetermined direction to prevent it from being unintentionally removed. The cover 8 is also provided with a plurality of restricted parts whose movement is restricted by the restricting parts.

[0016] A recording unit (liquid ejection unit) that ejects ink onto a recording medium to record an image is provided inside the main body 1a of the printer 1. In the first embodiment, the recording unit (not shown) has a liquid ejection head as a liquid ejection unit that ejects ink onto the recording medium.

[0017] The cover 8 forms the rear surface 11 and part of the right side surface 7, which are the exterior surfaces of the printer 1 (multifunction device 4). The surface of the cover 8 that forms the rear surface 11 is referred to as surface 11a, and the surface of the cover 8 that forms the right side surface 7 is referred to as surface 7a. The intersection of the rear surface 11 and the right side surface 7 is referred to as intersection 10, and the intersection of surface 11a and surface 7a is referred to as intersection 10a. In other words, intersection 10 is part of the rear surface 11 and the right side surface 7, and intersection 10a is part of surface 11a and surface 7a. Furthermore, intersection 10a is part of intersection 10.

[0018] (Cover 8) The cover 8 will be described in more detail. Figure 4 is an external perspective view of the cover 8 as seen from the side facing inward of the main body 1a when the cover 8 is attached to the main body 1a of the printer 1. Figure 4 shows the directions (X direction, Y direction, Z direction) when the cover 8 is attached to the main body 1a.

[0019] The cover 8 has an inner surface 12 that faces the inside of the main body 1a when attached to the main body 1a, and a bottom portion 17 that extends in the +Y direction from the end of the inner surface 12 in the -Z direction (downward) and forms the lower part of the cover 8. The inner surface 12 is composed of a flat portion 12a that is the back surface of the surface 11a, and a curved portion 12b that is the back surface of the intersection portion 10a. The bottom portion 17 is formed over substantially the entire area of ​​the cover 8 in the X direction, and faces the mounting surface of the printer 1 (multifunction device 4).

[0020] The cover 8 is formed with locking claws 13, flanges 14, locking portions 15, 16, protrusions 18, and protrusions 19 as restricted portions to prevent the cover 8 from being unintentionally detached from the main body 1a. In the first embodiment, the locking claws 13 and flanges 14 are provided on the flat portion 12a, the locking portions 15 and 16 are provided on the curved portion 12b, and the protrusions 18 and 19 are provided on the bottom portion 17.

[0021] The locking claw 13 is a first restricted portion formed at the end of the inner surface 12 of the cover 8 in the -X direction (left side) and at the center in the Z direction (vertical direction). The locking claw 13 is formed to extend from the flat portion 12a of the inner surface 12 toward the +Y direction (back side), and its extension direction is inclined from the +Y direction toward the -X direction. In other words, the locking claw 13 extends in the +Y direction and the -X direction. The end of the locking claw 13 in the +Y direction is a free end, and the locking claw 13 is configured to be elastically deformable in the +X direction from the end in the -Y direction (toward the inner surface 12) as a starting point. For example, when the locking claw 13 is pressed in the +X direction, the locking claw 13 bends so that its tip moves toward the +X direction.

[0022] The flange 14 extends in the +Y direction from the flat portion 12a of the inner surface 12 so as to cover the locking claw 13 from three directions: the +X direction side and both Z directions. Specifically, the flange 14 has an upper surface 14a located on the +Z direction side of the locking claw 13 and facing the +Z direction, a side surface 14b located on the +X direction side of the locking claw 13 and facing the +X direction, and a lower surface 14c located on the -Z direction side of the locking claw 13 and facing the -Z direction. That is, the flange 14 is formed to have a C-shape when viewed in the +Y direction. The side surface 14b of the flange 14 abuts against the main body 1a and functions as a positioning surface that determines the position of the cover 8 in the X direction. The lower surface 14c of the flange 14 abuts against the main body 1a and functions as a positioning surface that determines the position of the cover 8 in the Z direction. The cover 8 is supported by the main body 1a via the lower surface 14c of the flange 14. However, the positioning configuration of the cover 8 in the X direction and the Z direction is not limited to the above.

[0023] Between the surface of flange 14 facing the +Z direction and the surface facing the -Z direction, and adjacent to locking claw 13 in the -X direction, inner surface 12 is not formed and penetrates in the Y direction. When removing cover 8, the user can insert their finger into the penetration and press locking claw 13. As described above, locking claw 13 is provided so as to extend at an angle in the -X direction, and is shaped to be easy for the user to press.

[0024] Protrusions 18 and 19 are formed side by side in the X direction on bottom 17 and are second restricted portions that protrude in the +Z direction from the upper surface of bottom 17. Protrusion 18 is provided at the end of bottom 17 in the -X direction, and protrusion 19 is provided at the end of bottom 17 in the +X direction.

[0025] Locking portion 15 and locking portion 16 are third restricted portions provided side by side in the Z direction at the end of inner surface 12 of cover 8 in the +X direction (right side). Locking portion 15 is provided at the end of curved surface portion 12b in the +Z direction, and locking portion 16 is provided at the end in the -Z direction below locking portion 15. Locking portion 15 and locking portion 16 each have a surface facing inner surface 12 and two surfaces connecting said surface to inner surface 12 so as to form an opening that opens in the -X direction. Restricting portions provided on main body 1a are inserted into the portions surrounded by inner surface 12 and locking portion 15, and the inner surface 12 and locking portion 16, respectively.

[0026] 5 is an external perspective view showing the printer 1 with the cover 8 removed and showing an attachment portion to which the cover 8 is attached. The printer 1 is provided with a waste liquid container 20 for storing waste liquid discharged from the recording unit (liquid ejection unit). In the first embodiment, the waste liquid container 20 is attached to a housing 21 that constitutes a part of the main body 1a.

[0027] By removing the cover 8, the housing 21 constituting the main body 1a and the waste liquid container 20 attached to the housing 21 are exposed, and the waste liquid container 20 can be removed from the housing 21. With the cover 8 removed, the waste liquid container 20 can be removed from the housing 21 (main body 1a) in the -Y direction, and can be attached to the housing 21 in the +Y direction, which is the direction opposite to the removal direction. In the first embodiment, the housing 21 is configured as a separate body from another housing such as the base 9 of the main body 1a, but it may also be configured as an integral part of the main body 1a.

[0028] The main body 1a (housing 21 in the first embodiment) is provided with a locking portion 24 that locks the locking claw 13, an opening (second opening) 25 into which the flange 14 is inserted, an elastically deformable locking claw 22 that locks the locking portion 15, and an elastically deformable locking claw 23 that locks the locking portion 16. Furthermore, a flange 26 with its longitudinal direction aligned in the X direction is provided at both the −Z direction end and the −Y direction end of the main body 1a (base 9 in the first embodiment). The flange 26 is formed with a notch 27 through which the protrusion 18 passes when the cover 8 is attached or detached, and a notch 28 through which the protrusion 19 passes. In other words, the flange 26 of the main body 1a is provided with a plurality of notches corresponding to the plurality of protrusions provided on the cover 8.

[0029] Locking portion 24 is a first restricting portion that restricts movement of locking claw 13, which is a first restricted portion, in the +Y direction. Flange 26 is a second restricting portion that restricts movement of protrusions 18 and 19, which are second restricted portions, in the +Y direction. Locking claw 22 is a third restricting portion that restricts movement of locking portion 15, which is a third restricted portion, in the +Y direction. Similarly, locking claw 23 is a third restricting portion that restricts movement of locking portion 16, which is a third restricted portion, in the +Y direction. These restricting portions restrict the corresponding restricted portions from moving in the +Y direction. The restricting configuration of the restricting portions and restricted portions will be described in detail below.

[0030] Fig. 6 is an external perspective view of the base 9 arranged on the bottom surface of the multifunction device 4. Fig. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of part F in Fig. 6, showing details of the flange 26 provided on the base 9. The base 9 is provided with an offset portion 30 that is spaced apart in the +Z direction from a bottom portion 29 having a bottom surface that is the lowest surface of the base 9. The offset portion 30 is located at the end of the base 9 in the -Y direction and at the end in the -X direction, and has a generally rectangular shape that is long in the X direction when viewed in the Z direction.

[0031] Flange 26 extends in the -Z direction from the +Y end of offset portion 30. The length of flange 26 in the Z direction is shorter than the Z direction distance from bottom 29 to offset portion 30, and flange 26 does not abut against the placement surface of multifunction device 4. A notch 27 that penetrates in the Y direction is formed at the +X end of flange 26, and a notch 28 that penetrates in the Y direction is formed at the -X end.

[0032] (Cover 8 attached) The attachment state of the cover 8 to the main body 1a will be described in more detail. FIG. 8 is a DD cross-sectional view of portion B in FIG. 3, showing the engagement state between the locking claw 13 and the locking portion 24. The engagement structure between the locking claw 13 and the locking portion 24 is a so-called snap fit. The tip 13a of the locking claw 13 facing the +Y direction protrudes in the -X direction. The locking portion 24 is a beam-shaped protrusion extending from the housing 21 in the +X direction. When the cover 8 is attached to the main body 1a, the surface of the tip 13a facing the -Y direction abuts against the surface of the locking portion 24 facing the +Y direction. With this configuration, movement of the locking claw 13 in the -Y direction is restricted by the locking portion 24. Furthermore, the surface of the locking claw 13 facing the -X direction abuts against the tip of the locking portion 24 facing the +X direction. In this way, the locking portion 24 also functions as a positioning portion for the cover 8 in the X direction.

[0033] Note that locking claw 13 does not necessarily need to abut against locking portion 24 in the Y direction, and a gap in the Y direction may be provided between locking claw 13 and locking portion 24. Even in this configuration, tip portion 13a is located on the +Y direction side of locking portion 24, and tip portion 13a of locking claw 13 is positioned so as to overlap locking portion 24 when viewed in the Y direction, thereby locking portion 24 restricts movement of locking claw 13 in the -Y direction. This prevents cover 8 from being unintentionally removed.

[0034] The tip 13a of the locking claw 13 has an inclined surface 13b that slopes in the -X direction as it approaches the -Y direction. Similarly, the tip of the locking portion 24 in the +X and -Y directions has an inclined surface 13b that slopes in the -Y direction as it approaches the -Y direction. In this configuration, when cover 8 is attached, if locking claw 13 moves in the +Y direction, inclined surface 13b and inclined surface 24a come into contact with each other, and locking claw 13 receives a force in the +X direction and elastically deforms in the +X direction. Then, tip end 13a of locking claw 13 passes over locking portion 24 and moves in the +Y direction relative to locking portion 24.

[0035] With the cover 8 attached to the main body 1a, the flange 14 is inserted into the opening 25 and positioned inside the opening 25. At this time, the side surface 14b of the flange 14 abuts against the positioning portion 1b provided on the main body 1a (the housing 21 in the first embodiment). That is, the main body 1a abuts against the locking claw 13 of the cover 8 in the +X direction at the locking portion 24, and abuts against the flange 14 of the cover 8 in the -X direction at the positioning portion 1b, thereby positioning the cover 8 in the X direction.

[0036] Furthermore, when the cover 8 is attached to the main body 1a, the lower surface 14c of the flange 14 abuts against a support portion (not shown) that is part of the wall surface of the opening 25 of the main body 1a. The support portion supports the cover 8 from below via the flange 14. That is, movement of the cover 8 in the -Z direction is restricted by the main body 1a. On the other hand, the upper surface 14a of the flange 14 faces the wall surface of the opening 25 at a distance. Then, when the cover 8 attempts to move in the +Z direction, the flange 14 abuts against the wall surface, and the movement of the cover 8 in the +Z direction is restricted by the main body 1a. That is, the wall surface that constitutes the opening 25 functions as a fourth restricting portion that restricts movement of the flange 14 in the +X direction, the -Z direction, and the +Z direction, and the flange 14 functions as a fourth restricted portion.

[0037] 9 is a DD cross-sectional view of part C in FIG. 3, showing the state in which locking portion 15 and locking claw 22 are locked. Locking claw 22 has a plate shape parallel to the YZ plane, and is arranged to extend from a base at the +Y direction end connected to housing 21 to a tip in the -Y direction. Furthermore, a protrusion that protrudes in the +X direction is provided at the tip (-Y direction end) of locking claw 22. Slits extending in the Y direction are formed on both sides of locking claw 22 in the Z direction, and locking claw 22 is configured to be elastically deformable in the X direction.

[0038] When cover 8 is attached to main body 1a, the protruding portion at the tip of locking claw 22 in the +X direction is inserted into the opening of locking portion 15 and is positioned between locking portion 15 and inner surface 12 of cover 8. The surface of locking portion 15 facing the -Y direction faces the surface of locking claw 22 facing the +Y direction with a gap therebetween, and when cover 8 attempts to move in the -Y direction, locking portion 15 abuts against locking claw 22. Similarly, because locking portions 15 are located on both sides of locking claw 22 in the Z direction, when cover 8 attempts to move in the Z direction, locking portion 15 abuts against locking claw 22. Note that locking portion 16 and locking claw 23 are configured in the same manner. Therefore, movement of cover 8 in the -Y, +Z, and -Z directions is restricted by locking claws 22 and 23.

[0039] The tip of the locking portion 15 in the +Y direction is formed with an inclined surface 15a that slopes in the -X direction as it approaches the -Y direction. Similarly, the tip (protrusion) of the locking claw 22 in the +X and -Y directions is formed with an inclined surface 22a that slopes in the +X direction as it approaches the +Y direction. With this configuration, when the cover 8 is attached, if the locking portion 15 moves in the +Y direction, the inclined surface 15a and the inclined surface 22a abut against each other, and the locking claw 22 receives a force in the -X direction and elastically deforms in the -X direction. Then, the tip of the locking portion 15 passes the locking claw 22 and moves in the +Y direction relative to the locking claw 22. The locking claw 22 can be configured to be elastically deformable, for example, by forming a slit extending in the Y direction on both sides of the Z direction. The locking portion 16 and the locking claw 23 are configured in a similar manner.

[0040] 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 3, showing the positional relationship between the protrusion 18, the protrusion 19, the flange 26, the notch 27, and the notch 28. When viewed in the Y direction, the protrusions 18 and 19 are slightly The cover 8 is disposed so that at least a portion of the cover 8 overlaps with the flange 26. In other words, when the cover 8 attempts to move in the -Y direction, the protrusions 18 and 19 come into contact with the flange 26. Therefore, the movement of the cover 8 in the -Y direction is restricted by the flange 26.

[0041] When removing cover 8, cover 8 is moved so that protrusion 18 passes through notch 27 in the -Y direction and protrusion 19 passes through notch 28 in the -Y direction. Similarly, when attaching cover 8, cover 8 is moved so that protrusion 18 passes through notch 27 in the +Y direction and protrusion 19 passes through notch 28 in the +Y direction.

[0042] As described above, in the first embodiment, movement of cover 8 in the -Y direction is restricted by locking claw 22, locking claw 23, locking portion 24, and flange 26, which prevents cover 8 from unintentionally detaching from main body 1a. Cover 8 is provided with locking claw 13 at its end in the +X direction, and with locking portions 15 and 16 at its end in the -X direction. Cover 8 is also provided with locking portion 15 at its end in the +Z direction (upper), and with protrusions 18 and 19 at its end in the -Z direction (lower). In other words, cover 8 is provided with restricting portions at both one end and the other end in the X and Z directions to restrict movement in the -Y direction, which reliably prevents cover 8 from unintentionally detaching.

[0043] When lifting the multifunction device 4, if a hand touches the multifunction device 4 from below as if lifting the bottom (the end in the -Z direction), it is conceivable that the hand will come into contact with the cover 8, applying force in a direction to remove the cover 8. In this case, if a structure to prevent the cover 8 from coming off is not provided on or near the bottom, the cover 8 may be deformed and damaged, or may come off the main body 1a. However, in the first embodiment, because the protrusions 18, 19, and flange 26 are provided on the bottom, movement and deformation of the cover 8 are restricted at the bottom, even when the multifunction device 4 or the printer 1 is lifted and force is applied in a direction to remove the cover 8. Therefore, the cover 8 is prevented from deforming and coming off the main body 1a, and therefore the cover 8 can be more effectively prevented from coming off.

[0044] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which a portion of the cover 8 has been removed from the housing 21 of the main body 1a. The cover 8 is supported by the main body 1a via the flange 14, and the bottom surface of the cover 8 (the underside of the bottom portion 17) is located on the +Z side of the bottom surface of the base 9. When the cover 8 is attached to the main body 1a and viewed in the Y direction, the distance from the bottom surface of the base 9 to the bottom surface of the cover 8 is configured to be shorter than the Z-direction distance between the overlapping portion of the protrusion 18 (protrusion 19) and the flange 26. With this configuration, when the cover 8 moves in the -Y direction and the protrusion 18 or protrusion 19 abuts against the flange 26, the mounting surface of the multifunction printer 4 restricts the cover 8 from moving in the -Z direction, preventing the protrusion 18 or protrusion 19 from coming off the flange 26 in the -Z direction. This prevents the cover 8 from coming off in the -Z direction.

[0045] (Attaching and detaching the cover 8) The operation of attaching and detaching cover 8 to and from main body 1a will now be described in detail. To remove cover 8, the user first inserts a finger into a gap provided on the -X direction side of locking claw 13 of cover 8 and pushes locking claw 13 in the +X direction. Then, with locking claw 13 elastically deformed in the +X direction, when cover 8 is pulled in the -Y direction, cover 8 changes its posture so that it rotates around a rotation axis extending in the Z direction.

[0046] When the posture of the cover 8 changes, the tip 13a of the locking claw 13 moves in the -Y direction relative to the locking portion 24, and the protrusions 18 and 19 move in the +X and -Y directions to pass through the notches 27 and 28. In other words, when viewed in the Y direction, the cover 8 is configured to be movable between a first position where at least a part of the protrusions 18 and 19 overlaps with the flange 26, and a second position where the entire protrusion 18 overlaps with the notch 27 and the entire protrusion 19 overlaps with the notch 28. Note that the cover 8 is configured to rotate, for example, around the contact point between the flange 14 and the positioning portion 1b. Alternatively, the locking portion 15 and the locking claw 22 may come into contact with each other during the removal operation and rotate from the contact point. Figure 11 shows a state in which the locking claw 22 locks the locking portion 15 and the locking claw 23 locks the locking portion 16, but the locking claw 13 and the protrusions 18 and 19 are not locked.

[0047] After the restricted states between locking claw 13 and locking portion 24, and between protrusion 18, protrusion 19 and flange 26 are released, the restricted states between locking portion 15 and locking claw 22, and between locking portion 16 and locking claw 23 can be released by slightly moving cover 8 in the +X direction. Then, cover 8 can be moved in the -Y direction to completely remove it from main body 1a. Thereafter, the user can freely access waste liquid container 20 exposed from main body 1a and attach or detach it to or from housing 21.

[0048] The cover 8 can be attached in approximately the reverse order of the removal of the cover 8. That is, the +X-direction end of the cover 8 is first attached to the main body 1a so that the locking portion 15 is locked with the locking claw 22 and the locking portion 16 is locked with the locking claw 23. Then, by rotating the cover 8 and bringing the -X-direction end of the cover 8 closer to the main body 1a, the protrusions 18 and 19 pass through the notches 27 and 28, and the locking claw 13 is pushed by the locking portion 24 and elastically deforms in the +X direction before being locked by the locking portion 24. In the first embodiment, the locking claws 22 and 23 are also configured to be elastically deformable, and therefore the cover 8 can also be attached to the main body 1a simply by moving the entire cover 8 in the +Y direction to elastically deform the locking claws 13, 22, and 23.

[0049] As described above, in the first embodiment, the cover 8 can be rotated relative to the main body 1a to disengage the engaging portions, move it slightly in the +X direction, and then remove it in the -Y direction. The waste liquid container 20 is also configured to be detachable from the main body 1a in the -Y direction. Similarly, when attaching the cover 8 to the main body 1a, the cover 8 can be attached to the main body 1a by moving it in the +Y direction. The waste liquid container 20 is also configured to be attachable to the main body 1a in the +Y direction. Therefore, according to the configuration of the first embodiment, the attachment and detachment directions of the cover 8 and the waste liquid container 20 can be aligned, and unintentional removal of the cover 8 can be prevented. In other words, the cover 8 and the waste liquid container 20 can be configured to be detachable in a small space with good operability, and the waste liquid container 20 can be more reliably protected. With this configuration, for example, even if the multifunction device 4 is placed with its +X direction end against a wall, the user can easily attach and detach the cover 8 and the waste liquid container 20.

[0050] In the first embodiment, the cover 8 is provided with two locking portions 15, 16. However, this is not limited to this configuration, and one or three or more locking portions may be provided. Similarly, in the first embodiment, the cover 8 is provided with two protrusions 18, 19. However, this is not limited to this configuration, and one or three or more protrusions may be provided. Furthermore, the flange 14 is configured to include a flat surface facing the −X direction, a flat surface facing the +Z direction, and a flat surface facing the −Z direction. However, this is not limited to this configuration, and for example, the flange 14 may be configured with a continuous curved surface. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the locking claw 13 is configured to be elastically deformable. However, the locking portion 24 that locks the locking claw 13 may be configured to be elastically deformable. Furthermore, the locking claw 13 may be configured to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the Z direction, and a spring may be provided that biases the locking claw 13 in the −X direction, so that the locking claw 13 can rotate and release its engagement with the locking portion 24.

[0051] <Modification> In the first embodiment, the cover 8 is disposed at the end of the printer 1 in the +X direction, and the elastic deformation direction of the locking claw 13 (the direction in which the locking claw 13 and the locking portion 24 are disengaged) is the +X direction. Also, the adjacent direction of the notch 27 relative to the protrusion 18 (i.e., the direction in which the flange 26 and the protrusion 18 are disengaged) and the direction in which the locking claw 22 and the locking portion 15 are disengaged are also the +X direction. However, application of the present invention is not limited to this configuration. Therefore, the following describes modified examples of the first embodiment. This will be explained in more detail.

[0052] For example, as a modified example, the positional relationship of the cover 8, the elastic deformation direction of the locking claws 13, and the locking release directions may be configured to be opposite to those of the first embodiment. That is, the cover 8 may be provided at the end of the printer 1 in the -X direction, the locking claws 13 may be configured to be elastically deformable in the -X direction, and the locking release directions may be configured to be the -X direction. In this way, even in a configuration in which the configuration of the first embodiment is flipped left and right with respect to the center line of the printer 1 in the X direction, the cover 8 and the waste liquid container 20 can be attached and detached with ease in a small space.

[0053] Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the elastic deformation direction (+X direction) of the locking claw 13 of the cover 8 is the same as the adjacent direction of the notch 27 relative to the protrusion 18 (the direction in which the protrusion 18 and the flange 26 are disengaged), but this configuration is not limited to this. For example, the elastic deformation direction of the locking claw 13 may be the +Z direction, and the adjacent direction of the notch 27 relative to the protrusion 18 may be the +X direction. Even in this configuration, the user can remove the cover 8 from the main body 1a by moving the entire cover 8 in the +X direction and then in the -Y direction while elastically deforming the locking claw 13 in the +Z direction. In other words, the elastic deformation direction of the locking claw 13 only needs to intersect the removal direction of the cover 8 (first direction, -Y direction in the first embodiment), and does not necessarily need to coincide with the adjacent direction of the notch 27 relative to the protrusion 18 (second direction, +X direction in the first embodiment).

[0054] The disclosure of this embodiment includes the following configuration. (Configuration 1) a main body having an opening that opens in a first direction formed at an end in the first direction and having a first restricting portion and a second restricting portion; a waste liquid container that contains waste liquid discharged from a recording unit that discharges liquid onto a recording medium to record an image, the waste liquid container being attached to the main body so as to be detachable in the first direction from the main body via the opening; a cover that covers the opening and is removable from the main body, the cover being configured to be elastically deformable in a direction intersecting the first direction, and having a first restricted portion whose movement in the first direction is restricted by the first restricting portion, and a second restricted portion whose movement in the first direction is restricted by the second restricting portion; Equipped with the second restricted portion protrudes upward in the direction of gravity from a lower end of the cover in the direction of gravity, A recording device characterized in that the main body has a notch formed adjacent to the second regulating portion in a second direction that intersects the first direction, and through which the second regulated portion that penetrates in the first direction can pass. (Configuration 2) the first restricted portion is located at a position opposite to the first direction with respect to the first restricting portion and overlaps with the first restricting portion when viewed in the first direction; The recording device described in configuration 1, characterized in that the second regulated portion is located on the opposite side of the second direction from the second regulating portion and is located at a position that overlaps with the second regulating portion when viewed in the first direction. (Configuration 3) the cover has a bottom portion that extends from a lower end of the cover in the direction of gravity in a direction opposite to the first direction and faces a placement surface of the recording device, 3. The recording device according to configuration 1 or 2, wherein the second regulated portion extends upward in the direction of gravity from the bottom portion. (Configuration 4) the cover has a plurality of the second restricted portions, the second restricting portion is a flange having a longitudinal direction in the second direction, The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 3, wherein the flange is provided with a plurality of the notches corresponding to the second restricted portions, respectively. (Configuration 5) 5. The recording apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 4, wherein the first restricted portion is elastically deformable in the second direction. (Configuration 6) The recording device according to configuration 5, wherein the cover is provided at an end of the main body in the second direction. (Configuration 7) The recording device according to configuration 5 or 6, wherein the first regulated portion extends from an inner surface of the cover facing the inside of the main body in a direction opposite to the first direction and toward the second direction. (Configuration 8) a sloped surface is formed at a tip end portion of the first restricting portion in the first direction, the sloped surface being sloped in a direction opposite to the second direction as it progresses in the first direction, A recording device described in any one of configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that an inclined surface is formed at the tip of the first regulated portion in the direction opposite to the first direction, the inclined surface inclining toward the direction opposite to the second direction as it approaches the first direction. (Configuration 9) the main body has a third restriction portion configured to be elastically deformable in a direction opposite to the second direction, The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 8, wherein the cover has a third regulated portion whose movement in the first direction is regulated by the third regulating portion, the third regulated portion being located at an upper end of the cover in the direction of gravity. (Configuration 10) The recording device according to configuration 9, wherein in the second direction, the first regulated portion is located at one end of the cover, and the third regulated portion is located at the other end of the cover. (Configuration 11) When the opening is defined as a first opening, a second opening that opens in the first direction is formed in the main body, The recording device according to any one of configurations 1 to 10, wherein the cover has a flange extending from the inward-facing surface of the main body in a direction opposite to the first direction and positioned inside the second opening. (Configuration 12) the flange has a side surface facing the second direction, 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the main body has a positioning portion that abuts against the side surface of the flange to determine the position of the cover in the second direction. (Configuration 13) the flange has a lower surface facing downward in the direction of gravity, 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the main body has a support portion that abuts against the lower surface of the flange and supports the cover from below in the direction of gravity via the flange. (Configuration 14) the flange has an upper surface facing upward in the direction of gravity, 14. The recording device according to any one of configurations 11 to 13, wherein the main body has a fourth restricting portion that opposes the upper surface of the flange and restricts upward movement in the direction of gravity. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1... printer (recording device), 1a... main body, 8... cover, 13... locking claw (first restricted portion), 18... protrusion (second restricted portion), 20... waste liquid container, 24... locking portion (first restricted portion), 26... flange (second restricted portion)

Claims

1. a main body having an opening that opens in a first direction formed at an end in the first direction and having a first restricting portion and a second restricting portion; a waste liquid container that contains waste liquid discharged from a recording unit that discharges liquid onto a recording medium to record an image, the waste liquid container being attached to the main body so as to be detachable in the first direction from the main body via the opening; a cover that covers the opening and is removable from the main body, the cover being configured to be elastically deformable in a direction intersecting the first direction, and having a first restricted portion whose movement in the first direction is restricted by the first restricting portion, and a second restricted portion whose movement in the first direction is restricted by the second restricting portion; Equipped with the second restricted portion protrudes upward in the direction of gravity from a lower end of the cover in the direction of gravity, A recording device characterized in that the main body has a notch formed adjacent to the second regulating portion in a second direction intersecting the first direction, and through which the second regulated portion passing through in the first direction can pass.

2. the first restricted portion is located on a side opposite to the first direction with respect to the first restricting portion and is located at a position overlapping the first restricting portion when viewed in the first direction, The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the second regulated portion is located on the opposite side of the second direction from the second regulating portion, and is located in a position that overlaps with the second regulating portion when viewed in the first direction.

3. the cover has a bottom portion that extends from a lower end of the cover in the gravity direction in a direction opposite to the first direction and faces a placement surface of the recording device, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second regulated portion extends upward in the direction of gravity from the bottom portion.

4. the cover has a plurality of the second restricted portions, the second restricting portion is a flange having a longitudinal direction in the second direction, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the flange has a plurality of the notches formed in correspondence with the second restricted portions.

5. 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first restricted portion is elastically deformable in the second direction.

6. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cover is provided at an end of the main body in the second direction.

7. 6. The recording apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first restricted portion extends from an inner surface of the cover facing the inside of the main body in a direction opposite to the first direction and in the second direction.

8. a sloped surface that slopes in a direction opposite to the second direction as it extends in the first direction is formed at a tip end of the first restricting portion in the first direction, The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that a tip end of the first regulated portion in the direction opposite to the first direction is formed with an inclined surface that slopes in the direction opposite to the second direction as it approaches the first direction.

9. the main body has a third restriction portion configured to be elastically deformable in a direction opposite to the second direction, The recording device according to claim 1, characterized in that the cover has a third regulated portion whose movement in the first direction is regulated by the third regulating portion, the third regulated portion being located at an upper end of the cover in the direction of gravity.

10. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first regulated portion is located at one end of the cover, and the third regulated portion is located at the other end of the cover in the second direction.

11. When the opening is defined as a first opening, a second opening that opens in the first direction is formed in the main body, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cover has a flange extending from a surface facing the inside of the main body in a direction opposite to the first direction and positioned inside the second opening.

12. the flange has a side surface facing the second direction, 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the main body has a positioning portion that abuts against the side surface of the flange to determine the position of the cover in the second direction.

13. the flange has a lower surface facing downward in the direction of gravity, 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the main body has a support portion that abuts against the lower surface of the flange and supports the cover from below in the direction of gravity via the flange.

14. the flange has an upper surface facing upward in the direction of gravity, 12. The recording apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the main body has a fourth restricting portion that opposes the upper surface of the flange and restricts upward movement in the direction of gravity.

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