Liquid discharge device

Abstract

To improve the reliability of electric connection between a liquid discharge device and a storage part storing a waste liquid.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a liquid discharge device that has a device body which has discharge means for discharging a liquid, and a storage part which is attached / detached to / from the device body, and stores a waste liquid of the liquid, wherein the device body has: a storage space for housing the storage part, a connection part protruding into the storage space to connect with the storage part, an electric connection terminal provided at the connection part to face a first wall part defining the storage space, and a restriction member arranged in the storage space and restricting entry of an object into the space between the first wall part and the electric connection terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Inkjet recording devices perform a nozzle recovery operation to maintain print quality. In this process, waste ink that is not used for printing is generated, and some inkjet recording devices are provided with a replaceable waste ink tank to store the waste ink. The waste ink is configured to be sent to the waste ink tank using an ink flow path, a flow path connection, or the like. For example, in Patent Document 1, a device-side connection terminal that can be electrically connected to a waste ink tank-side connection terminal provided on the waste ink tank is provided on the waste ink tank attachment / detachment section of the inkjet recording device. The state of the waste ink tank, etc., can be detected by the device-side connection terminal coming into contact with the waste ink tank-side connection terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2018-202648 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the configuration described in Patent Document 1, when the waste ink tank is removed, the terminal contact portion is exposed to the opening side, making it easy for the user to touch the terminal contact portion. Therefore, in a liquid ejection device having a storage portion for storing waste liquid, it is necessary to improve the reliability of the electrical connection with the storage portion.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejection device that improves the reliability of electrical connection with a storage section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, a device body having a discharge means for discharging a liquid; a storage section that is detachable from the device body and stores the waste liquid; A liquid ejection device, The device body includes: an accommodation space that accommodates the storage unit; a connecting portion that protrudes into the storage space and connects to the storage portion; an electrical connection terminal provided on the connection portion and facing a first wall portion that defines the accommodating space; a restricting member disposed in the accommodation space and configured to restrict intrusion of an object into the space between the first wall portion and the electrical connection terminal; A liquid ejection device characterized by the above features is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, in a liquid ejection device having a storage section for storing waste liquid, it is possible to improve the reliability of electrical connection with the storage section. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] Plan view of the storage space. [Figure 9] Front view of the storage unit [Figure 10] Cross-section of the housing [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13]FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. [Figure 17] FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0010] First Embodiment Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid ejection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. In each figure, arrows X, Y, and Z indicate directions that intersect with each other, and in this embodiment, are perpendicular to each other. When the liquid ejection device 100 is placed on a horizontal surface, the left-right direction is the X direction, the front-back direction is the Y direction, and the up-down direction is the Z direction. The X and Y directions can also be called lateral directions.

[0011] The liquid ejection apparatus according to this embodiment will be described below, taking an inkjet recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as recording apparatus) that ejects ink onto a recording medium to perform recording.

[0012] "Recording" not only includes the formation of meaningful information such as characters and figures, but also includes the formation of images, patterns, designs, etc. on a recording medium, whether meaningful or insignificant, or the processing of the medium, regardless of whether it is manifested in a way that can be perceived visually by humans. In addition, although sheet-like paper is assumed as the "recording medium" in this embodiment, it may also be cloth, plastic film, etc.

[0013] The recording apparatus 100 includes an apparatus main body 10, a feeding unit 8 for feeding a recording medium, and a transport unit 1 for transporting the recording medium.

[0014] The transport unit 1 includes a transport roller 11 that transports the recording medium, a pinch roller 12 that is driven by the transport roller 11, and a platen 13 that supports the recording medium transported by the transport roller 11. The recording medium is sandwiched between the transport roller 11 and the pinch roller 12 and can be transported in the ±Y direction.

[0015] The recording device 100 also includes, in the device body 10, a recording head 2 that records an image by ejecting liquid onto a recording medium transported by the transport unit 1. The recording head 2 is, in other words, an ejection head that ejects liquid. Ink stored in ink tanks 9 is supplied to the recording head 2 via tubes 91. The recording device 100 includes four ink tanks 9, each containing black ink, cyan ink, yellow ink, and magenta ink. The recording head 2 is disposed opposite a platen 13. An image is recorded on the recording medium by ejecting ink from the recording head 2 onto the recording medium transported onto the platen 13. The device body 10 also includes a discharge roller 14 that ejects the recording medium recorded on by the recording head 2 onto a tray (not shown).

[0016] The print head 2 has ejection energy generating elements, such as electrothermal transducers (heaters) or piezoelectric elements, and ejects ink from the ejection orifices. When an electrothermal transducer is used, the heat generated by the element causes the ink to bubble, and the resulting bubble-generating energy is used to eject the ink from the ejection orifices. The print head may be a serial scan type or a full line type. In the serial scan type, the print head is mounted on a carriage 22 and moves back and forth in the X direction. Ejecting ink while moving the ejection head in the X direction is called a print scan. An image is printed on the print medium by alternately transporting the print medium and printing scans of the print head. In this embodiment, the serial scan type is assumed. In the full line type, a long ejection head extending in the X direction is used to print an image while continuously transporting the print medium.

[0017] A recovery unit 3 is disposed in the device main body 10. The recovery unit 3 is disposed outside the printing area (outside the ejection area) of the print head 2, and performs recovery operations related to restoring and maintaining the ejection performance of the print head 2. Examples of such recovery operations include preliminary ejection, which ejects a predetermined amount of ink before and after a printing operation, and an operation to suck remaining ink from the ejection ports of the print head 2. The print head 2 is moved onto the recovery unit 3 when a recovery operation is required. Furthermore, the ink ejected from the print head 2 by the recovery operation of the recovery unit 3 is stored in a storage section 7 housed in a storage space S1, which will be described later.

[0018] 2 is a block diagram showing the control system of the recording device 100 in this embodiment. The recording device 100 includes an MPU 201 that controls the overall operation of the recording device 100, such as the operation of each component and data processing, and a ROM 211 that stores various programs and data executed by the MPU 201. The recording device 100 also includes a RAM 212 that temporarily stores processing data executed by the MPU 201 and data received from a host computer 300 (described later).

[0019] The MPU 201 is connected to a printhead driver 202 and controls the driving of the printhead 2 via the printhead driver 202. The MPU 201 is also connected to a carriage motor driver 203 and controls the driving of a carriage motor 204 that moves the carriage 22 via the carriage motor driver 203. The MPU 201 is also connected to a transport motor driver 205 and controls the driving of a transport motor 206 that drives the transport rollers 11 and discharge rollers 14 via the transport motor driver 205. The MPU 201 is also connected to a suction motor driver 207 and controls a suction motor 208 that drives the suction pump 32 via the suction motor driver 207.

[0020] The MPU 201 is connected to an interface (I / F) unit 209, and is connected to a host computer 300 via the I / F unit 209. The host computer 300 is provided with a driver 301 for collecting recording information such as the recorded image and recording quality and communicating with the recording device 100 when a user instructs the start of recording. The MPU 201 is also connected to an operation and display unit 210, and controls the display on the operation and display unit 210. The MPU 201 is also connected to an electrical connection terminal 62 on the recording device main body 10, which will be described later.

[0021] The electrical connection terminal 62 has an electrical contact that electrically connects the control unit of the apparatus main body 100 to the storage unit 7. The storage unit 7 is provided with, for example, an electrical circuit. The MPU 201 can, for example, detect whether the storage unit 7 is connected to the apparatus main body 10 via the electrical connection terminal 62. The MPU 201 can, for example, calculate the amount of waste ink discharged to the storage unit 7 via the electrical connection terminal 62, write the calculated amount to a memory such as the ROM 211, and update the calculated amount, thereby managing the amount of waste ink held in the storage unit 7. For example, when the amount of waste ink held in the storage unit 7 exceeds a predetermined amount, the MPU 201 notifies the user via the operation display unit 210 that the storage unit 7 needs to be replaced. The user removes the storage unit 7 that is full of waste ink and installs a new storage unit 7.

[0022] The recovery unit 3 will be further described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the recovery unit 3 in this embodiment. The recovery unit 3 includes a cap 31 that caps and protects the ejection port surface of the recording head 2, on which the ejection ports for ejecting ink are formed, and a suction pump 32 that reduces the pressure inside the cap 31. In this embodiment, the recording head 2 has an ejection port surface for each type of ink. The cap 31 includes a color ink cap 31a that caps the ejection port surface for color inks, and a black ink cap 31b that caps the ejection port surface for black ink. The recovery unit 3 includes a suction tube 33 that connects the cap 31 and the suction pump 32.

[0023] The device main body 10 includes a discharge unit 4 for discharging waste ink sucked by the suction pump 32 into the storage unit 7, and a discharge tube 5 that connects the suction pump 32 to the discharge unit 4. The discharge unit 4 includes a color ink discharge unit 4a that discharges color inks, and a black ink discharge unit 4b that discharges black ink. The discharge unit 4 is provided on an upper wall 6U that defines the upper surface side of the storage space S1 in the height direction of the storage space S1 that accommodates the storage unit 7.

[0024] The storage section 6 and the storage section 7 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 4 to 10. First, Figs. 4 and 5 will be referred to. Figs. 4 and 5 are diagrams for explaining the storage section 6. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the storage section 6. Fig. 5 is a plan view showing the inside of the storage section 6, and is also an enlarged view of a lower wall section 6D, which will be described later.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 4, the storage unit 6 has a storage space S1 that stores the storage unit 7. The storage unit 6 has a lower wall portion 6D that defines the lower side of the storage space S1 in the height direction (up-down direction) of the storage space S1. The lower wall portion 6D also has a holding structure 60 that holds waste ink discharged from the discharge portion 4. By providing the lower wall portion 6D with the holding structure 60, even if the recording device 100 is installed on an inclined surface, for example, waste ink dripping from the discharge portion 4 when replacing the storage unit 7 can be prevented from leaking out of the device body 10. Furthermore, the waste ink can be held without providing an additional member such as an absorber.

[0026] The holding structure 60 has a concave-convex structure. In this embodiment, the concave-convex structure is a plurality of protrusions 600 protruding from the lower wall portion 6D. As shown in FIG. 5, the holding structure 60 is formed to surround a drip position P1 where waste ink discharged from the discharge portion 4 drips onto the lower wall portion 6D. Here, the drip position P1 is illustrated as being directly below the black ink discharge portion 4b in the height direction of the storage space S1. Note that the holding structure 60 is also formed to surround a drip position P2 for waste ink discharged from the color ink discharge portion 4a (see FIG. 8). Even if waste ink drips from the discharge portion 4 when the storage portion 7 is replaced, the waste ink is held by capillary force due to contact with the plurality of protrusions 600.

[0027] In addition, along the Y direction from the dropping position P1, the convex portions 600a, 600b, 600c, and 600d are arranged in order of proximity to the dropping position P1. The distance L1 between the convex portions 600a and 600b is shorter than the distance L2 between the convex portions 600b and 600c. Furthermore, the distance L2 is shorter than the distance L3 between the convex portions 600c and 600d. In addition, along the X direction from the dropping position P1, the convex portions 600e, 600f, and 600g are arranged in order of proximity to the dropping position P1. The distance L4 between the convex portions 600e and 600f is shorter than the distance L5 between the convex portions 600f and 600g. In other words, the multiple convex portions 600 are arranged so that the intervals between them become wider as the distance from the dropping position P1 of the waste ink discharged from the discharge unit 4 increases. For example, waste ink dropped at dropping position P1 is held by convex portions 600a, 600e, and the like adjacent to dropping position P1. The held waste ink is diffused by capillary force to convex portions 600b, 600f, and other convex portions located farther from the dropping position. In other words, waste ink dripping from the discharge unit 4 comes into contact with adjacent convex portions 600 and diffuses into the surrounding area. Meanwhile, as described above, the multiple convex portions 600 are arranged so that the greater the distance from dropping position P1 of the waste ink discharged from the discharge unit 4, the greater the spacing between them, thereby preventing the waste ink from diffusing.

[0028] Moreover, the holding structure 60 further includes a side wall 601 that surrounds the plurality of convex portions 600. By providing the side wall 601 that surrounds the plurality of convex portions 600 in this manner, for example, it is possible to prevent waste ink from spreading on the lower wall portion 6D.

[0029] Reference is now made to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the container 6 and Figure 7 is a perspective view of the reservoir 7.

[0030] The device body 10 includes a connection portion 61 that protrudes in the Y direction into the storage space S1 and connects to the storage unit 7. In this embodiment, the connection portion 61 of the device body 10 has a convex shape and engages with a concave connection portion 71 provided on the storage unit 7. As shown in FIG. 7 , the recording device 100 includes a box-shaped storage unit 7 that is detachable from the device body 10. The storage unit 7 is a waste ink tank (waste liquid tank) that stores waste ink as waste liquid. The storage unit 7 includes a storage port 70 on the upper surface side in the vertical direction of the device body 10. The storage port 70 is an opening for storing waste ink discharged from the recording head 2 inside the storage unit 7. When the storage unit 7 is accommodated in the storage space S1, the storage port 70 is positioned so as to overlap the discharge portion 4 in the vertical direction. The storage unit 7 includes a concave connection portion 71 and an electrical connection terminal 72 provided on the bottom surface of the connection portion 71.

[0031] The device body 10 is provided with an electrical connection terminal 62 that is provided in the connection portion 61 and faces the bottom wall portion 6D that defines the lower side of the storage space S1. That is, the electrical connection terminal 62 is provided on the bottom surface of the connection portion 61 on the side opposite to the discharge portion 4 side (the bottom wall portion 6D side). The electrical connection terminal 62 of the device body 10 is a terminal for electrically connecting with the electrical connection terminal 72 of the storage portion 7. The device body 10 is electrically connected to the storage portion 7 via the electrical connection terminal 62. By electrically connecting the device body 10 and the storage portion 7 in this way, it is possible, for example, to detect whether the storage portion 7 is attached to the device body 10 as described above. In addition, it is possible, for example, to manage the amount of waste ink stored in the storage portion 7.

[0032] Device body 10 is provided with a restricting member 63 that is disposed in storage space S1 and restricts the intrusion of objects into space S2 between lower wall portion 6D and electrical connection terminal 62. By disposing restricting member 63 in storage space S1 in this manner, it is possible to prevent the user's fingers or the like from coming into contact with electrical connection terminal 63 when replacing storage unit 7, for example, and to protect electrical connection terminal 63. This improves the reliability of the electrical connection between device body 10 and the storage unit.

[0033] In this embodiment, the restricting member 63 is a member that protrudes from the lower wall portion 6D in the height direction of the storage space S1. That is, the restricting member 63 is disposed in the space S2 between the lower wall portion 6D and the electrical connection terminal 62, and can also be said to be a member that narrows the space S2. By narrowing the space S2 in this way, it is possible to restrict an object from entering the space S2.

[0034] The restricting member 63 is interposed between the lower wall portion 6D and the electrical connection terminal 62, and has a facing portion 630 facing the electrical connection terminal 62. In this embodiment, the facing portion 630 is a flat surface. The facing portion 630 facing the electrical connection terminal 62 can, for example, restrict an object from entering from below the electrical connection terminal.

[0035] The restricting member 63 has a support portion 631 that protrudes from the lower wall portion 6D and supports the facing portion 630. When the storage unit 7 is accommodated in the accommodation space S1, a part of the storage unit 7 is located between the facing portion 630 and the electrical connection terminal 62. In other words, when the storage unit 7 is connected to the connection portion 61, it can be said that the support portion 631 supports the storage unit 7 via the facing portion 630.

[0036] The restricting member 63 has a guide portion 632 that guides the connection of the storage unit 7 to the connection portion 61. The guide portion 632 is an inclined portion 6320 that slopes from the opposing portion 630 to the lower wall portion 6D in the connection direction in which the storage unit 7 is connected to the connection portion 61. When replacing the storage unit 7, for example, the storage unit 7 is guided to the connection portion 61 along the slope of this inclined portion 6320. This improves convenience when storing the storage unit 7 in the storage space S1. The guide portion 632 may be, for example, a member such as a rail.

[0037] The restricting member 63 will be further described with reference to Figures 8 to 10. Figure 8 is a plan view of the storage space S1, which corresponds to a view showing the interior of the storage space S1. Figure 9 is a front view of the storage unit 7, which corresponds to a view from the insertion / removal direction (connection direction) of the storage unit 7. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the storage unit 6 as seen in the direction of the arrows A-A in Figure 8, which corresponds to a view showing the interior of the storage space S1.

[0038] 8 and 9, the facing portion 630 is formed at a position overlapping the electrical connection terminal 62 in a plan view of the accommodation space S1. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 10, a distance L10 between the electrical connection terminal 62 and the facing portion 630 is shorter than a distance L11 between the electrical connection terminal 62 and the lower wall portion 6D. That is, the facing portion 630 is provided closer to the electrical connection terminal 62 than the lower wall portion 6D in the height direction (up-down direction) of the accommodation space S1. In this way, by providing the facing portion 630 on the electrical connection terminal 62 side, it is possible to prevent an object from entering the space S2.

[0039] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of preventing a person's finger from entering the space S2, the distance L10 may be, for example, 40.0 mm or less, or 30.0 mm or less, or may be 14.2 mm or less, which is the width of the first joint of a typical person's little finger. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of connecting the storage unit 7 to the connection unit 61, the distance L10 may be, for example, 1 mm or more, or 2.0 mm or more, or even 2.8 mm or more.

[0040] Furthermore, the electrical connection terminal 62 and the regulating member 63 are provided at positions away from the waste ink dripping positions P1 and P2 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). In other words, the connection part 61 and the regulating member 63 are provided at positions in the up-down direction of the storage space S1 that avoid being directly below the discharge part 4. By providing the connection part 61 and the regulating member 63 at such positions, it is possible to prevent waste ink dripping from the discharge part 4 from adhering to the electrical connection terminal 62 of the connection part 61 when the storage part 7 is replaced.

[0041] The restricting member 63 also includes a portion located on a line connecting the drip position P1 of the waste ink discharged from the discharge portion 4 and the electrical connection terminal 62. This prevents waste ink dripping from the discharge portion 15 from falling onto the holding structure 60, bouncing back, and adhering to the electrical connection terminal 62.

[0042] <Other embodiments> Please refer to FIGS. 11(a) to 11(c). FIGS. 11(a) to 11(c) are cross-sectional views of the holding structure 60, illustrating another example of the holding structure 60. In the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 11(a), the uneven structure is a plurality of convex portions 600 protruding from the lower wall portion 6D. However, as illustrated in FIG. 11(b), the uneven structure may be a plurality of concave portions 602 formed on the lower wall portion 6D. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 11(c), the uneven structure may be a combination of a plurality of convex portions 600 and a plurality of concave portions 602. In this way, even the uneven structures illustrated in FIGS. 11(b) and 11(c) can retain waste ink.

[0043] Please refer to FIG. 12. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another example of the holding structure 60 and corresponds to a perspective view of the storage section 6. In the first embodiment, an example was shown in which the holding structure 60 includes a side portion 601 that surrounds a plurality of convex portions 600. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the holding structure 60 may include an intermediate wall 604 that separates the plurality of convex portions 600. By including the intermediate wall 604 in the holding structure 60 in this way, it is possible to prevent the waste ink from diffusing from the dropping position P1.

[0044] Please refer to Figures 13(a) and 13(b). Figures 13(a) and 13(b) are diagrams for explaining another example of the holding structure 60, and are cross-sectional views of the holding structure 60. As shown in Figure 13(a), the side wall 601 may be the same height as the multiple protrusions 600. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 13(b), the height of the side wall 601 may be greater than the multiple protrusions 600.

[0045] Please refer to FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b). FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b) are diagrams for explaining another example of the holding structure 60 and correspond to enlarged views of a portion of the recording head 2. In the first embodiment, an example was described in which the holding structure 60 is formed on the lower wall portion 6D of the accommodation space S1 in which the storage unit 7 is accommodated. As shown in FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b), an ink tank 400 that supplies ink to the recording head main body 20 is detachably connected to the recording head 2. The recording head 2 has an inlet portion 21 through which ink supplied from the ink tank 400 flows into the recording head main body 20. The above-mentioned holding structure 60 may be provided, for example, in a removable portion of the recording head 2 that attaches and detaches the ink tank 400. In this way, by providing the holding structure 60 in the removable portion, it is possible to retain ink that drips when the ink tank 60 is replaced.

[0046] Please refer to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating another example of the regulating member 63 and corresponds to a front view of the storage space. In the first embodiment, an example in which the electrical connection terminal 62 is provided below the connection portion 61 has been described, but this is not limiting. For example, the electrical connection terminal 62 may be provided on a side surface of the connection portion 61. Furthermore, the regulating member 63 may be provided opposite the electrical connection terminal 62 provided on the side surface of the connection portion 61, between the electrical connection terminal 62 and the dripping position P1. Even when the electrical connection terminal 62 is provided on the side, forming the regulating member 63 in such a position can prevent the user from touching the electrical connection terminal 62 and preventing ink from adhering to the electrical connection terminal 62.

[0047] Please refer to Figures 16(a) to 16(e), which are diagrams for explaining other examples of the restricting member 63 and are partially enlarged views of the accommodation space S1.

[0048] In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16(a), an example has been described in which the restricting member 63 is provided at a position on the outer periphery of the connection portion 61 facing the electrical connection terminal 62. As shown in FIG. 16(b), the restricting member 63 may be provided, for example, on the outer periphery of the connection portion 61 so as to surround the lower side and one side of the electrical connection terminal 62. As shown in FIG. 16(c), the restricting member 63 may be provided, for example, on the outer periphery of the connection portion 61 so as to surround the lower side and both sides of the electrical connection terminal 62. As shown in FIGS. 16(d) and 16(e), the restricting member 63 may be a member that surrounds the entire outer periphery of the connection portion 61. The member that surrounds the entire outer periphery of the connection portion 61 may be, for example, a polygonal wall ( FIG. 16(d)) or a circular wall ( FIG. 16(e)) when the accommodation space S1 is viewed from the insertion / removal direction of the storage portion 7. In this way, the restricting member 63 may be a wall provided on the outer periphery of the connecting portion 61 so as to surround at least the electrical connection terminal 62 .

[0049] Please refer to FIG. 17. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating another example of the restricting member 63, and corresponds to a perspective view of the storage space S1. In the first embodiment, the restricting member 63 is provided between the electrical connection terminal 62 and the lower wall portion 6D. As shown in FIG. 17, the restricting member 63 may be provided, for example, on the front side of the space S2 in the connection direction in which the storage unit 7 is connected to the connection portion 61, and may be a member that covers at least a portion of the space S2 when viewed from the connection direction. Even in this configuration, it is possible to restrict the user's hand from entering the space S2 from the connection direction.

[0050] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that realizes one or more functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and having one or more processors in the computer of the system or device read and execute the program.The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that realizes one or more functions.

[0051] <Summary of the embodiment> The above-described embodiments disclose the following liquid ejection device and storage unit. (Item 1) a device body having a discharge means for discharging a liquid; a storage section that is detachable from the device body and stores the waste liquid; A liquid ejection device, The device body includes: an accommodation space that accommodates the storage unit; a connecting portion that protrudes into the storage space and connects to the storage portion; an electrical connection terminal provided on the connection portion and facing a first wall portion that defines the accommodating space; a restricting member disposed in the accommodation space and configured to restrict intrusion of an object into the space between the first wall portion and the electrical connection terminal; A liquid ejection device characterized by: (Item 2) The regulating member is a member disposed in a space between the first wall portion and the electrical connection terminal, and narrowing the space; 2. The liquid ejection device according to item 1, (Item 3) The regulating member is a facing portion interposed between the first wall portion and the electrical connection terminal and facing the electrical connection terminal; 3. The liquid ejection device according to item 1 or 2, (Item 4) The regulating member is a support portion that protrudes from the first wall portion and supports the opposing portion; 4. The liquid ejection device according to item 3, (Item 5) The regulating member is a guide portion for guiding the connection of the storage portion to the connection portion; 5. The liquid ejection device according to item 3 or 4, (Item 6) The guide unit is an inclined portion inclined from the opposing portion to the first wall portion in a connection direction in which the storage portion is connected to the connection portion; 6. The liquid ejection device according to item 5, (Item 7) The facing portion is The first wall portion is provided closer to the electrical connection terminal. 7. The liquid ejection device according to any one of items 3 to 6, (Item 8) The distance between the facing portion and the electrical connection terminal is 14.2mm or less, 8. The liquid ejection device according to any one of items 3 to 7, characterized in that: (Item 9) The regulating member is a wall provided on the outer periphery of the connection portion so as to surround at least the electrical connection terminal; 2. The liquid ejection device according to item 1, (Item 10) a discharge section provided in a second wall section defining an upper surface side in a height direction of the storage space, the discharge section discharging the waste liquid from the device body to the storage section; The connection portion and the restriction member are The storage space is provided at a position that avoids being directly below the discharge portion in the vertical direction. 10. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid ejection device is a liquid ejection device. (Item 11) The first wall portion is A lower surface side of the storage space is defined, The regulating member is a portion located on a line connecting a drip position of the waste liquid discharged from the discharge portion and the electrical connection terminal; Item 11. A liquid ejection device according to item 10. (Item 12) The first wall portion is Further, a holding structure for holding the waste liquid dropped at the dropping position is provided. Item 12. The liquid ejection device according to item 11. (Item 13) The holding structure includes: It has a concave-convex structure, Each of the plurality of convex portions of the concave-convex structure is The farther the distance from the dropping position, the wider the interval between them. Item 13. The liquid ejection device according to item 12. (Item 14) The holding structure includes: Further comprising a side wall surrounding the plurality of protrusions. Item 14. The liquid ejection device according to item 13. (Item 15) the device body further includes recovery means for performing a recovery operation of the discharge performance of the discharge means, The storage unit is a waste liquid tank for storing waste liquid of the liquid discharged from the discharge means by the recovery operation of the recovery means; 15. The liquid ejection device according to any one of items 1 to 14, (Item 16) The liquid ejection device a recording device that ejects ink as the liquid onto a recording medium; 16. The liquid ejection device according to any one of items 1 to 15, (Item 17) a member that is provided on the front side of the space in a connection direction in which the storage portion is connected to the connection portion, and that covers at least a part of the space when viewed from the connection direction; Item 2. The liquid ejection device according to item 1,

[0052] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 4 Discharge section: 7 Storage section: 10 Recording device: 10 Device body: S1 Storage space: S2 Space: 60 Holding structure: 61 Connection section: 62 Electrical connection terminal: 63 Regulating member

Claims

1. a device body having a discharge means for discharging a liquid; a storage section that is detachable from the device body and stores the waste liquid; A liquid ejection device, The device body includes: a storage space that stores the storage unit; a connecting portion that protrudes into the storage space and is connected to the storage portion; an electrical connection terminal provided on the connection portion and facing a first wall portion that defines the accommodation space; a restricting member disposed in the accommodation space and configured to restrict an object from entering the space between the first wall portion and the electrical connection terminal; A liquid ejection device characterized by:

2. The regulating member is a member disposed in a space between the first wall portion and the electrical connection terminal, and narrowing the space; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

3. The regulating member is a facing portion interposed between the first wall portion and the electrical connection terminal and facing the electrical connection terminal; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

4. The regulating member is a support portion that protrudes from the first wall portion and supports the opposing portion; 4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3.

5. The regulating member is a guide portion for guiding the connection of the storage portion to the connection portion; 4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3.

6. The guide unit is an inclined portion inclined from the opposing portion to the first wall portion in a connection direction in which the storage portion is connected to the connection portion; 6. The liquid ejection device according to claim 5.

7. The facing portion is the first wall portion is provided closer to the electrical connection terminal; 4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3.

8. The distance between the facing portion and the electrical connection terminal is 14.2 mm or less, 4. The liquid ejection device according to claim 3.

9. The regulating member is a wall provided on the outer periphery of the connection portion so as to surround at least the electrical connection terminal; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

10. a discharge section provided in a second wall section defining an upper surface side in a height direction of the storage space, the discharge section discharging the waste liquid from the device body to the storage section; The connection portion and the restriction member are The storage space is provided at a position that avoids being directly below the discharge portion in the vertical direction. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

11. The first wall portion is A lower surface side of the storage space is defined, The regulating member is a portion located on a line connecting a drip position of the waste liquid discharged from the discharge portion and the electrical connection terminal; The liquid ejection device according to claim 10 .

12. The first wall portion is Further, a holding structure for holding the waste liquid dropped at the dropping position is provided. The liquid ejection device according to claim 11 .

13. The holding structure includes: It has a concave-convex structure, Each of the plurality of convex portions of the concave-convex structure is The farther the distance from the dropping position, the wider the interval between them. The liquid ejection device according to claim 12 .

14. The holding structure includes: Further comprising a side wall surrounding the plurality of protrusions. The liquid ejection device according to claim 13 .

15. the device body further includes recovery means for performing a recovery operation of the discharge performance of the discharge means, The storage unit is a waste liquid tank for storing waste liquid of the liquid discharged from the discharge means by the recovery operation of the recovery means; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

16. The liquid ejection device a recording device that ejects ink as the liquid onto a recording medium; The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 .

17. a member that is provided on a front side of the space in a connection direction in which the storage portion is connected to the connection portion, and that covers at least a part of the space when viewed from the connection direction; 2. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein:

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