Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To provide a liquid ejection device that is able to bring the atmosphere opening port of a storage unit into a communication state or non-communication state and is able to maintain the communication state or the non-communication state of the atmosphere opening port even when a power source is not supplied.SOLUTION: A multifunctional machine 10 includes: a head 38 having a nozzle 39 that ejects ink; a tank 80 located higher than an opening of the nozzle 39 and in which ink is stored so as to form a liquid surface; an atmosphere communication passage 90 that allows communication between an air layer 78 and outside through an atmosphere opening port 88; and a valve unit 91 that brings the atmosphere opening port 88 or the atmosphere communication passage 90 into a communication state or a non-communication state by driving a BU electric actuator 49. While power is not supplied to the BU electric actuator 49, the valve unit 91 maintains the communication state or the non-communication state of the atmosphere opening port 88 or the atmosphere communication passage 90 by immediately preceding drive of the BU electric actuator 49.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device having a head that ejects liquid supplied from a reservoir. [Background technology]

[0002] Inkjet recording apparatuses are known as liquid ejection apparatuses. In inkjet recording apparatuses, in order to ensure stable ejection of ink, a meniscus that is concave when viewed from the outside of the head is formed in the nozzle of the head.

[0003] In the inkjet recording device described in Patent Document 1, when the head is in a state where it ejects ink, the valve body 201 opens the air inflow adjustment portion 62. This allows air to flow into the ink tank 54 through the air inflow adjustment portion 62. When the ink tank 54 moves below the operation portion 202, the valve body 201 changes position due to contact with the operation portion 202, and the air inflow adjustment portion 62 is closed. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2002-321386 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the inkjet recording device described in Patent Document 1, the position of the head where the valve body 201 closes the air inflow adjustment unit 62 and the position of the head where it opens are fixed. In other words, the air inflow adjustment unit 62 cannot be opened or closed regardless of the position of the head. Therefore, for example, when a so-called jam occurs in which paper cannot be conveyed, the air inflow adjustment unit 62 cannot be immediately closed, and as a result, there is a risk that ink will continue to leak from the nozzle of the head onto the paper. Also, when there is a risk that the meniscus of the nozzle of the head will be broken due to environmental changes in temperature and air pressure, the air inflow adjustment unit 62 cannot be immediately opened.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and its object is to provide a liquid ejection device that can put the atmospheric opening of the storage section into a connected or disconnected state regardless of the position of the head, and that can maintain the connected or disconnected state of the atmospheric opening even when power is not supplied. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) A liquid ejection device according to the present invention includes a head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid, a storage section at least a portion of which is located above an opening of the nozzle and in which the liquid is stored while forming a liquid level, an atmosphere communication passage that communicates a gas layer in the storage section with the outside through an atmosphere opening, and a valve unit having an electric actuator that is driven by receiving a supply of power and that brings the atmosphere opening port or the atmosphere communication passage into a connected or disconnected state by driving the electric actuator. The valve unit holds the atmosphere opening port or the atmosphere communication passage into a connected or disconnected state by driving the electric actuator immediately before when power is not supplied to the electric actuator.

[0008] According to this configuration, it is possible to set the timing for opening or closing the atmosphere opening or the atmosphere communication passage regardless of the state of the head. Also, when power is not supplied to the electric actuator, the atmosphere opening or the atmosphere communication passage is maintained in the open or closed state.

[0009] (2) Preferably, the liquid ejection device further includes a state sensor that detects a state of the liquid ejection device and outputs a detection signal according to the detection result, and a controller, the controller driving the electric actuator to bring the valve unit into the non-communicating state on condition that it is determined that the state of the liquid ejection device is abnormal based on the detection signal.

[0010] According to this configuration, when the liquid ejection device is in an abnormal state, the valve unit is put into a non-communicating state, so that liquid is prevented from continuing to flow out of the head.

[0011] (3) Preferably, the liquid ejection device further includes a housing having an opening, a cover for opening and closing the opening, and a cover sensor for outputting a detection signal in response to the cover being opened relative to the opening. The status sensor is the cover sensor, and the controller determines that the status of the liquid ejection device is abnormal on condition that the detection signal is acquired from the cover sensor.

[0012] (4) Preferably, the liquid ejection device further includes a housing, a tray on which a medium is placed, and a tray sensor, the status sensor being the tray sensor, the tray being movable between a first position where the medium can be supplied to the housing and a second position where the medium cannot be supplied, the tray sensor outputting a detection signal in response to the tray being at the second position, and the controller determining that the status of the liquid ejection device is abnormal on condition that the detection signal is acquired from the tray sensor.

[0013] (5) Preferably, the liquid ejection device further includes a housing having a transport path, and a media sensor that outputs a detection signal in response to detection of a medium in the transport path. The status sensor is the media sensor, and the controller determines whether the transport of the medium is abnormal based on the detection signal obtained from the media sensor, and determines that the status of the liquid ejection device is abnormal if the transport of the medium is determined to be abnormal.

[0014] (6) Preferably, the liquid ejection device further includes a liquid sensor that outputs a detection signal in response to the amount of liquid stored in the storage section being less than a predetermined amount. The status sensor is the liquid sensor, and the controller determines that the status of the liquid ejection device is abnormal on condition that the detection signal is obtained from the liquid sensor.

[0015] (7) Preferably, the liquid ejection device further includes a carriage that carries the head and moves, a position sensor that outputs a signal according to the movement of the carriage, and a controller, the controller determining whether the carriage is located at a standby position based on the signal output from the position sensor, and, based on the determination that the carriage is located at the standby position, driving the electric actuator to bring the valve unit into the communicating state.

[0016] According to this configuration, when the carriage is located at the standby position, even if the temperature of the external environment changes, the meniscus of the nozzle is prevented from being damaged.

[0017] (8) Preferably, the liquid ejection device further includes a suction mechanism that suctions liquid from the nozzles of the head, and a controller, the controller driving the suction mechanism and driving the electric actuator to bring the valve unit into the communicating state.

[0018] According to this configuration, it is easy to suck liquid from the nozzles of the head.

[0019] (9) Preferably, the liquid ejection device further includes a controller that drives the electric actuator to bring the valve unit into the communicating state when the head is ejecting liquid from the nozzles.

[0020] According to this configuration, the liquid ejection device can easily eject liquid continuously from the nozzles of the head.

[0021] (10) Preferably, the liquid ejection device further includes an environmental sensor that outputs a detection signal according to an external environmental state, and a controller, the controller driving the electric actuator to bring the valve unit into the communicating state when it is determined that the external environment has changed based on the detection signal from the environmental sensor.

[0022] According to this configuration, the liquid ejection device prevents the meniscus of the nozzle from being destroyed even if the external environment, such as the temperature or air pressure, changes.

[0023] (11) Preferably, the liquid ejection device includes a cap that is movable between a covering position that covers the nozzle and a spaced position that is spaced from the nozzle, and a cap valve unit that switches a cap opening that connects an internal space of the cap to the outside between a connected state and a non-connected state, the cap valve unit switching the cap opening from a non-connected state to a connected state when a power source is switched from on to off.

[0024] According to this configuration, in the liquid ejection device, the nozzle is covered with the cap, so that evaporation of liquid from the nozzle is reduced. When the power is off, the cap opening is in a communicating state, so that even if the external environment changes, such as the temperature rising, the air in the internal space of the cap enters the nozzle and the meniscus is reduced from being destroyed.

[0025] (12) In a preferred embodiment of the liquid ejection device, the valve unit further includes a rotating body that changes its position between the non-communicating state and the communicating state by rotating. The electric actuator includes a first electric actuator and a second electric actuator, the first electric actuator is driven by a supply of electric power to rotate the rotating body from the non-communicating state to the communicating state, and the second electric actuator is driven by a supply of electric power to rotate the rotating body from the communicating state to the non-communicating state.

[0026] (13) In the liquid ejection device, preferably, the valve unit further includes a rotating body that changes its position between the non-communicating state and the communicating state by rotating, and the electric actuator is a rotating machine having an eccentric cam that comes into contact with the rotating body to rotate it.

[0027] (14) Preferably, the liquid ejection device further includes a carriage which carries and moves the head, the reservoir, and the valve unit.

[0028] (15) Preferably, the liquid ejection device further includes a carriage that carries the head and the reservoir and moves. The air open port and the valve unit are not carried by the carriage, and the air open port and the reservoir are connected by a gas flow path.

[0029] (16) Preferably, the liquid ejection device further includes a carriage that carries the head and moves. The reservoir and the valve unit are not carried by the carriage, and the reservoir and the head are connected by a liquid flow path.

[0030] (17) Preferably, in the liquid ejection device, the carriage moves in a scanning direction, and the head ejects liquid when the carriage is moving in the scanning direction.

[0031] (18) Preferably, in a liquid ejection device, the storage section has a first storage chamber, and a second storage chamber connected to the first storage chamber and the head so that liquid can flow therethrough.

[0032] (19) In the liquid discharge device, preferably, the atmosphere communication passage has at least one of a labyrinth structure or a semipermeable membrane. Effect of the Invention

[0033] According to the present invention, the air opening port of the storage unit can be put into a connected or disconnected state regardless of the position of the head. Furthermore, even if power is not supplied, the connected or disconnected state of the air opening port is maintained. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multifunction peripheral 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a schematic internal structure of the printer unit 11. As shown in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the platen 42 and the recording unit 24 taken along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction 8, and shows a state in which the carriage 40 is located at the standby position and the cap 70 is located at the covering position. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the platen 42 and the recording unit 24 taken along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction 8, and shows a state in which the carriage 40 is located at the standby position and the cap 70 is located at the separated position. [Diagram 5] Figure 5 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the platen 42 and the recording unit 24 cut along a plane perpendicular to the front-to-rear direction 8, and shows the carriage 40 positioned above the media passing area 36 and the cap 70 positioned in the separated position. [Figure 6] 6(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views showing the atmosphere communication device 48, illustrating the operation when power is supplied to the first electric actuator 49A. [Figure 7]7(a) and (b) are cross-sectional views showing the atmosphere communication device 48, illustrating the operation when power is supplied to the second electric actuator 50A. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of the multifunction device 10. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the drive control of the valve unit 91 during image recording. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the drive control of the valve unit 91 by the state sensor 31. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the abnormality processing. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the drive control after the end of image recording. [Figure 13] 13(a) to (d) are cross-sectional views showing the atmosphere communication device 48A of the multifunction device 10 according to the first modification, illustrating states in which the valve unit 91A changes its position between the communicating state and the non-communicating state. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a carriage of the multifunction device 10 according to the second modification. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a carriage of the multifunction device 10 according to the third modification. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a carriage of the multifunction device 10 according to the fourth modification. [Figure 17] FIG. 17(a) is a diagram showing a labyrinth structure 187 provided on the upper wall 82 of the tank 80 of the multifunction device 10 relating to the fifth modified example, and FIG. 17(b) is a diagram showing a semipermeable membrane 188 provided on the atmosphere opening port 88 of the multifunction device 10 relating to the sixth modified example. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a partial cross-sectional view of an atmosphere communication device 48F of a multifunction device 10 according to the seventh modification, illustrating a state in which a valve unit 91F changes its position between a communicating state and a non-communicating state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiment described below is merely one example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be appropriately modified within the scope of the present invention. In addition, in the following description, the progress from the starting point of the arrow to the end point is expressed as a direction, and the movement on the line connecting the starting point and the end point of the arrow is expressed as a direction. In addition, in the following description, the up-down direction 7 is defined based on the state in which the multifunction device 10 is installed so as to be usable (the state in FIG. 1), the front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface in which the opening 13 is provided as the front surface 23, and the left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction device 10 is viewed from the front. The up-down direction 7, the front-rear direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 are mutually perpendicular.

[0036] [Overall structure of multifunction device 10] As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 10 (an example of a liquid ejection device) has a housing 14 having a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. A printer unit 11 is provided at the bottom of the housing 14. The multifunction device 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function. The multifunction device 10 has a function of recording an image on one side of a sheet of paper 12 (see FIG. 2, an example of a medium) by an inkjet method as a print function. The multifunction device 10 may record an image on both sides of the sheet of paper 12. An operation unit 17 is provided at the top of the housing 14. The operation unit 17 is composed of buttons that are operated to instruct image recording and for various settings, a liquid crystal display that displays various information, and the like. In this embodiment, the operation unit 17 is composed of a touch panel having both the functions of a button and a liquid crystal display.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 2, the printer unit 11 includes a feed tray 20, a feed unit 16, an outer guide member 18, an inner guide member 19, a pair of transport rollers 59, a pair of discharge rollers 44, a platen 42, a recording unit 24, a cap 70 (see FIG. 3), an air communication device 48 (see FIG. 3), a sheet sensor 120 (an example of a media sensor), a rotary encoder 75 (see FIG. 8), a controller 130 (see FIG. 8), and a memory 140 (see FIG. 8). These are arranged inside the housing 14. Also, inside the housing 14, various status sensors 31 are arranged to detect the status of the multifunction device 10 and output a detection signal according to the detection result. In this embodiment, the status sensors 31 are a tray sensor 110, a cover sensor 150, an encoder 35, a sheet sensor 120, a liquid sensor 163, and a temperature sensor 115. The status sensor 31 is not limited to the above, and may be various sensors provided in the well-known multifunction device 10.

[0038] [Feed Tray 20] As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 13 is formed in a front surface 23 of the printer unit 11. Paper 12 is placed on a feed tray 20 (an example of a tray). The feed tray 20 can be inserted into and removed from the housing 14 through the opening 13 by moving in the front-rear direction 8. The feed tray 20 can be moved between a feed position (see FIGS. 1 and 2, an example of a first position) where the feed tray 20 is attached to the housing 14 and can feed the paper 12 to the housing 14, and a non-feed position (an example of a second position) where the feed tray 20 is removed from the housing 14 and cannot feed the paper 12 to the housing 14. The feed tray 20 moves to the feed position by being inserted backward into the housing 14, and moves to the non-feed position by being pulled forward into the housing 14.

[0039] The feed tray 20 is a box-shaped member that is open at the top and stores the papers 12. As shown in Fig. 2, the papers 12 are supported in a stacked state on a bottom plate 22 of the feed tray 20. The discharge tray 21 is disposed above the front part of the feed tray 20. The papers 12 that have been image-recorded by the recording unit 24 and discharged are supported on the upper surface of the discharge tray 21.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, when the feed tray 20 is in the feed position, the paper 12 supported by the feed tray 20 can be fed to the transport path 65 .

[0041] A tray sensor 110 is disposed at the rear lower portion inside the housing 14. The tray sensor 110 is supported by a bottom wall 141 of the housing 14. The tray sensor 110 is a sensor for detecting whether the feed tray 20 is located at the feed position. The tray sensor 110 is not limited to the one described in this embodiment, and any known tray sensor can be used. For example, in this embodiment, the tray sensor 110 includes a shaft 111, a detector 112 that is rotatable about the shaft 111, and an optical sensor 113 having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element that receives light emitted from the light-emitting element.

[0042] [Feeding section 16] 2, the feeding unit 16 is disposed below the recording unit 24 and above the bottom plate 22 of the feeding tray 20. The feeding unit 16 includes a feeding roller 25, a feeding arm 26, a drive transmission mechanism 27, and a shaft 28. The feeding roller 25 is rotatably supported at the tip of the feeding arm 26. The feeding roller 25 is driven by a feeding motor 102. The feeding roller 25 feeds the paper 12 in the feeding tray 20 to the transport path 65.

[0043] [Transport Path 65] 2, a transport path 65 extends from the rear end of the feed tray 20. The transport path 65 includes a curved portion 33 and a straight portion 34. The curved portion 33 extends upward, making a U-turn from the rear to the front. The straight portion 34 extends generally along the front-rear direction 8.

[0044] The curved portion 33 is formed by an outer guide member 18 and an inner guide member 19 which face each other with a predetermined gap between them. The outer guide member 18 and the inner guide member 19 are provided to extend in the left-right direction 9. The straight portion 34 is formed by the recording unit 24 and a platen 42 which face each other with a predetermined gap between them at the position where the recording unit 24 is disposed.

[0045] The paper 12 supported on the feed tray 20 is transported along the curved portion 33 by the feed roller 25 and reaches the pair of transport rollers 59. The paper 12 held between the pair of transport rollers 59 is transported forward along the straight portion 34 toward the recording unit 24. The paper 12 that has reached directly below the recording unit 24 has an image recorded on it by the recording unit 24. The paper 12 with the image recorded on it is transported forward along the straight portion 34 and discharged onto the discharge tray 21. As a result, the paper 12 is transported along the transport direction 15 indicated by the dashed-dotted arrow in FIG. 2.

[0046] [Opening and closing cover 145] 2, opening / closing cover 145 (an example of a cover) is supported rotatably around shaft 145A extending in left-right direction 9 by rear wall 142 of housing 14 having an opening. In this embodiment, shaft 145A is located at the lower end of opening / closing cover 145, but the position of shaft 145A is not limited thereto.

[0047] The opening / closing cover 145 is rotatable between a blocking position indicated by a solid line in Fig. 2 and an opening position indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 2. The outer guide member 18 is attached to the opening / closing cover 145. That is, the outer guide member 18 rotates integrally with the opening / closing cover 145. When the opening / closing cover 145 is in the blocking position, the outer guide member 18 forms a curved portion 33. At this time, the curved portion 33 is blocked from the outside of the housing 14. When the opening / closing cover 145 is in the open position, the curved portion 33 is exposed to the outside of the housing 14. This allows the user to easily remove paper 12 jammed in the transport path 65.

[0048] A cover sensor 150 is disposed at the upper rear inside the housing 14. The cover sensor 150 is supported by a frame (not shown) of the multifunction device 10. The cover sensor 150 is a sensor for detecting the position of the openable cover 145, and outputs a detection signal corresponding to the cover being opened relative to the opening. The cover sensor 150 is not limited to the one described in this embodiment, and a known one may be used. For example, in this embodiment, the cover sensor 150 includes a shaft 151, a detector 152 that is rotatable about the shaft 151, and an optical sensor 153 having a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element that receives light emitted from the light-emitting element.

[0049] When the opening / closing cover 145 is in the open position (in other words, when the opening / closing cover 145 is not in the blocking position), the detector 152 is in the state shown by the dashed line in Fig. 2 due to its own weight. At this time, the tip of the detector 152 is in the space where the upper part of the opening / closing cover 145 is located when the opening / closing cover 145 is in the blocking position. At this time, the detector 152 deviates from the optical path from the light-emitting element to the light-receiving element of the optical sensor 153, and light passes through the optical path. Therefore, a high-level signal is output from the optical sensor 153 to the controller 130 (see Fig. 8).

[0050] When the opening / closing cover 145 rotates from the open position to the blocking position, the upper part of the opening / closing cover 145 pushes the detector 152 forward. This causes the detector 152 to rotate from the position depicted by the dashed line in FIG. 2 to the position depicted by the solid line. As a result, the tip of the detector 152 enters the optical path from the light-emitting element to the light-receiving element of the optical sensor 153, blocking the light passing through the optical path. Therefore, a low-level signal is output from the optical sensor 153 to the controller 130 (see FIG. 8). The detector 152 may be biased to the position depicted by the dashed line in FIG. 2 by, for example, a spring other than its own weight.

[0051] [Transport roller pair 59 and discharge roller pair 44] 2, a conveying roller pair 59 is disposed in the straight section 34. A discharge roller pair 44 is disposed downstream of the conveying roller pair 59 in the straight section 34 in the conveying direction 15.

[0052] The conveying roller pair 59 includes a conveying roller 60 and a pinch roller 61 disposed below the conveying roller 60 so as to face the conveying roller 60. The pinch roller 61 is pressed against the conveying roller 60 by an elastic member (not shown) such as a coil spring. The conveying roller pair 59 is capable of pinching the paper 12.

[0053] The discharge roller pair 44 includes a discharge roller 62 and a spur roller 63 disposed above the discharge roller 62 so as to face the discharge roller 62. The spur roller 63 is pressed toward the discharge roller 62 by an elastic member (not shown) such as a coil spring. The discharge roller pair 44 is capable of clamping the paper 12.

[0054] The conveying roller 60 and the discharge roller 62 are rotated by a driving force applied from a conveying motor 101 (see FIG. 8). When the conveying roller 60 rotates with the paper 12 sandwiched between the conveying roller pair 59, the paper 12 is conveyed in the conveying direction 15 by the conveying roller pair 59 and conveyed onto the platen 42. When the discharge roller 62 rotates with the paper 12 sandwiched between the discharge roller pair 44, the paper 12 is conveyed in the conveying direction 15 by the discharge roller pair 44 and discharged onto the discharge tray 21.

[0055] [Platen 42] 2, the platen 42 is disposed in the straight portion 34 of the transport path 65. The platen 42 faces the recording unit 24 in the up-down direction 7. The platen 42 supports the paper 12 transported on the transport path 65 from below.

[0056] The paper 12 transported on the transport path 65 passes through a medium passing area 36 (see FIGS. 3 to 5) between the right and left ends of the platen 42 in the left-right direction 9.

[0057] [Record 24] 2, the recording unit 24 is disposed above the platen 42 and faces the platen 42. The recording unit 24 includes a carriage 40, a head 38, and a tank 80 (an example of a storage unit).

[0058] The carriage 40 is supported by two guide rails 56, 57 spaced apart in the front-rear direction 8 so as to be movable along a left-right direction 9 (one example of a scanning direction) perpendicular to the transport direction 15. The carriage 40 in this embodiment is mounted with a tank 80 with at least a portion of it positioned above the head 38. The carriage 40 is movable in the left-right direction 9 from the right of the medium passing area 36 to the left of the medium passing area 36. When not recording an image, the carriage 40 is located at a standby position opposite the cap 70. The movement direction of the carriage 40 is not limited to the left-right direction 9, but may be any direction intersecting with the transport direction 15.

[0059] Guide rail 56 is disposed upstream of head 38 in conveying direction 15. Guide rail 57 is disposed downstream of head 38 in conveying direction 15. Guide rails 56, 57 are supported by a pair of side frames (not shown) disposed outside straight portion 34 of conveying path 65 in left-right direction 9. Carriage 40 moves by receiving driving force from carriage drive motor 103 (an example of a drive source) as shown in FIG.

[0060] An encoder 35 (see FIG. 8, an example of a position sensor) is disposed on the guide rail 56 or the guide rail 57. The encoder 35 includes an encoder strip extending in the left-right direction 9, and an optical sensor provided at a position on the carriage 40 facing the encoder strip. The encoder strip is marked with a pattern in which light-transmitting sections that transmit light and light-shielding sections that block light are alternately arranged at a pitch in the left-right direction 9. A pulse signal is detected by the optical sensor detecting the light-transmitting sections and the light-shielding sections. The pulse signal is a signal corresponding to the position of the carriage 40 in the left-right direction 9. The pulse signal is output to the controller 130 (see FIG. 8). That is, the encoder 35 outputs a signal corresponding to the movement of the carriage 40.

[0061] The head 38 is mounted on the carriage 40. A lower surface 68 of the head 38 is exposed downward and faces the platen 42. The head 38 ejects ink when the carriage 40 moves in the left-right direction 9. The head 38 has a plurality of nozzles 39, an ink flow path 37, and a piezoelectric element 45.

[0062] The multiple nozzles 39 are opened in the lower surface 68 of the head 38 and eject ink (an example of liquid). The ink flow path 37 connects the tank 80 to the multiple nozzles 39. The piezoelectric element 45 (see FIG. 8) ejects ink droplets downward from the nozzles 39 by deforming a part of the ink flow path 37. The piezoelectric element 45 is operated by being supplied with power by the controller 130 (see FIG. 8).

[0063] The liquid sensor 163 is provided near the tank 80. The liquid sensor 163 outputs a detection signal in response to the ink stored in the tank 80 being less than a predetermined amount. The liquid sensor 163 is not limited to the one described in this embodiment, and any known liquid sensor can be used. For example, the liquid sensor 163 includes a light-emitting unit (not shown) and a light-receiving unit (not shown). When the ink stored in the tank 80 is less than the predetermined amount and light from the light-emitting unit to the light-receiving unit is blocked, a low-level signal is output from the liquid sensor 163 to the controller 130, and when the ink is equal to or greater than the predetermined amount and light passes from the light-emitting unit to the light-receiving unit, a high-level signal is output from the liquid sensor 163 to the controller 130.

[0064] The tank 80 (an example of a storage section) is mounted on the carriage 40. The tank 80 has an ink chamber 81. Ink is stored in the ink chamber 81, forming a liquid surface. The ink chamber 81 is divided into a gas layer 78 and an ink layer 79 by the ink liquid surface. A temperature sensor 115 (an example of an environmental sensor) is provided near the tank 80. The temperature sensor 115 outputs a detection signal according to the state of the external environment to the controller 130. Note that the tank 80 may be provided with a pressure sensor 114 instead of the temperature sensor 115, which detects the pressure inside the gas layer 78.

[0065] In this embodiment, the recording unit 24 includes one tank 80. This one tank 80 stores black ink. Note that the color of the ink stored in the tank 80 is not limited to black. Although the recording unit 24 includes the tank 80, the ink may be supplied from an ink cartridge.

[0066] The tank 80 is located above the head 38. In this embodiment, the entire tank 80 is located above the head 38. It is sufficient that at least a portion of the tank 80 is located above the opening of the nozzle 39.

[0067] The ink layer 79 of the ink chamber 81 communicates with the plurality of nozzles 39 via the ink flow passage 37. Ink is supplied from the ink chamber 81 to the nozzles 39 through the ink flow passage 37.

[0068] An inlet 83 for injecting ink into the ink chamber 81 is provided on an upper wall 82 of the tank 80. The inlet 83 penetrates the upper wall 82 in the thickness direction, and connects the gas layer 78 of the ink chamber 81 to the outside of the tank 80. When ink is to be refilled, a bottle (not shown) is inserted into the inlet 83, and ink is injected from the bottle into the ink chamber 81 through the inlet 83. Note that the inlet 83 may be provided in a position other than the upper wall 82, as long as it connects the upper part of the ink chamber 81 to the outside.

[0069] 3 to 5, an air opening port 88 is provided in the upper wall 82 of the tank 80. The air opening port 88 connects the gas layer 78 of the ink chamber 81 to the outside.

[0070] [Atmospheric Ventilator 48] 3 to 7, an atmosphere communication device 48 is provided near the atmosphere opening port 88. The atmosphere communication device 48 in this embodiment includes a valve unit 91 and a drive mechanism 92.

[0071] The valve unit 91 is provided near the right side of the atmosphere open port 88. The valve unit 91 puts the atmosphere open port 88 in a connected or disconnected state by driving a valve unit electric actuator (hereinafter also referred to as a BU electric actuator) 49. Furthermore, when power is not supplied to the BU electric actuator 49, the previous BU electric actuator 49 is driven to keep the atmosphere open port 88 in a connected or disconnected state. The connected state is a state in which the atmosphere open port 88 is open, connecting the gas layer 78 of the ink chamber 81 to the outside. The disconnected state is a state in which the atmosphere open port 88 is closed, and the gas layer 78 of the ink chamber 81 is airtightly isolated from the outside.

[0072] The valve unit 91 includes a rotating body 96 , a rotating shaft 97 , and a rotating support base 98 .

[0073] The rotating body 96 has a flat plate shape bent near the center and is V-shaped when viewed in the front-rear direction 8. A portion of the rotating body 96 extending leftward from the bent point is referred to as a first rotating body 99, and a portion extending rightward is referred to as a second rotating body 100. A rotation shaft 97 protrudes from the rotating body 96 along the front-rear direction 8 from the boundary between the first rotating body 99 and the second rotating body 100.

[0074] The rotating support base 98 protrudes upward from the upper wall 82 of the tank 80. The rotating support base 98 is located to the right of the atmosphere open port 88. The rotating support base 98 supports a rotation shaft 97 so that the rotation shaft 97 can rotate along the front-rear direction 8. As the rotating body 96 rotates around the rotation shaft 97, the first rotating body 99 closes or opens the atmosphere open port 88.

[0075] The drive mechanism 92 includes a BU electric actuator 49 that is driven by receiving power supply, and a coil spring 51. The BU electric actuator 49 is a so-called solenoid valve. The BU electric actuator 49 includes a first electric actuator 49A and a second electric actuator 50A. The coil spring 51 includes a first coil spring 51A and a second coil spring 52A. The drive mechanism 92 is operated by receiving power from the controller 130, and drives the valve unit 91. The drive mechanism 92 is provided on the upper wall 82 of the tank 80.

[0076] The first electric actuator 49A is supported, for example, by a first support base 94 located to the left of the rotary support base 98 on the upper wall 82. The second electric actuator 50A is supported, for example, by a second support base 95 located to the right of the upper wall 82.

[0077] The first electric actuator 49A includes a first coil portion 107 and a first plunger 125, and the second electric actuator 50A includes a second coil portion 108 and a second plunger 126. The tip portions of the first plunger 125 and the second plunger 126 are integrally joined to form a contact portion 127. The lower end of the contact portion 127 is located above the rotation shaft 97.

[0078] First coil section 107 has an electromagnetic coil. First plunger 125 has a shaft portion inserted into first coil section 107 that is magnetic, and when an induced magnetic field is generated in first coil section 107, first plunger 125 moves to the right relative to first coil section 107.

[0079] The second coil section 108 also has an electromagnetic coil. The shaft portion of the second plunger 126 that is inserted into the second coil section 108 has magnetism, and when an induced magnetic field is generated in the second coil section 108, the second plunger 126 moves leftward relative to the second coil section 108.

[0080] 6, a first spring seat 105 protrudes upward to the left of the first support base 94. The first spring seat 105 is located to the left of the atmosphere opening port 88. The first coil spring 51A is supported by the first spring seat 105 and a first plunger 125 of the first electric actuator 49A and extends in the left-right direction 9.

[0081] A second spring seat 106 protrudes upward near the right end of the upper wall 82 of the tank 80. The second spring seat 106 is located to the right of the atmosphere opening port 88. The second coil spring 52A extends in the left-right direction 9 while being supported by the second spring seat 106 and a second plunger 126 of the second electric actuator 50A. When power is not supplied to the first electric actuator 49A and the second electric actuator 50A, the first coil spring 51A and the second coil spring 52A hold the abutment portion 127 above the rotation shaft 97.

[0082] 6(a), in a state in which power is supplied to the first coil portion 107 and power is not supplied to the second coil portion 108, the abutment portion 127 is in a state in which it has moved to the rightmost position relative to the first coil portion 107. In this state, the abutment portion 127 is located to the right of the rotation shaft 97 and above the second rotating body 100. At this time, the rotating body 96 is in a state in which it has rotated to the most clockwise position, and the first rotating body 99 is separated from the atmosphere opening port 88. In other words, the rotating body 96 changes its posture from a non-communicating state to a communicating state by rotating.

[0083] When power supply to the first coil portion 107 is stopped without power being supplied to the second coil portion 108 from the connected state, the contact portion 127 moves leftward by the biasing forces of the first coil spring 51A and the second coil spring 52A and stops above the rotating shaft 97, as shown in Fig. 6(b). Since the contact portion 127 is of a length such that it does not come into contact with the rotating shaft 97, the attitude of the rotating body 96 is maintained and the first rotating body 99 remains separated from the atmosphere opening port 88.

[0084] When power is supplied to the second coil portion 108 from the connected state without supplying power to the first coil portion 107, the abutment portion 127 moves to the leftmost position relative to the second coil portion 108 as shown in Fig. 7(a). In this state, the abutment portion 127 is located to the left of the rotation shaft 97 and above the first rotating body 99. At this time, the rotating body 96 is in a state in which it has rotated to the farthest counterclockwise, and the first rotating body 99 closes the atmosphere opening port 88. In other words, the rotating body 96 changes its position from the connected state to the non-communicating state by rotating.

[0085] When power supply to the second coil portion 108 is stopped without power being supplied to the first coil portion 107 from the non-communicating state, the contact portion 127 moves to the right by the biasing forces of the first coil spring 51A and the second coil spring 52A, as shown in Fig. 7(b), and stops above the rotating shaft 97. Therefore, the posture of the rotating body 96 is maintained, and the first rotating body 99 remains blocking the atmosphere opening port 88.

[0086] The first rotating body 99 puts the valve unit 91 into a non-communicating state by abutting against the atmosphere opening port 88, and an elastic member may be provided on the underside of the first rotating body 99 to improve the sealing performance with the atmosphere opening port 88.

[0087] Further, the driving mechanism 92 has been described taking as an example a case where the coil spring 51 has the first coil spring 51A and the second coil spring 52A, but is not limited thereto. That is, the driving mechanism 92 may be provided with a single coil spring.

[0088] The multifunction device 10 may also have, for example, a power switch for switching between a power supply state in which power is supplied to the multifunction device 10 and a power non-supply state in which power is not supplied, and may further have a power button which is a soft switch for switching the multifunction device 10 to a power saving standby state or a standby state when power is being supplied to the multifunction device 10. The valve unit 91 may be switched between the connected state and the non-connected state after the soft switch is operated.

[0089] In addition, in this embodiment, an example has been described in which the valve unit 91 is provided near the right side of the atmospheric opening port 88, but the valve unit 91 may also be provided near the left side of the atmospheric opening port 88.

[0090] [Cap 70] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, in addition to the platen 42 in the left-right direction 9, in this embodiment, a cap 70 is located at a standby position (the position shown in Figures 3 and 4) to the right of the medium passing area 36. When the carriage 40 is in the standby position, the cap 70 is located below the carriage 40 and faces the carriage 40 (more specifically, the nozzles 39 of the head 38). The cap 70 is a box-shaped member that is open at the top. The cap 70 is made of an elastic material such as rubber.

[0091] The cap 70 is supported on the frame 46 via a known movable mechanism 71, and can be moved up and down by the movable mechanism 71 that receives driving force from a cap drive motor 104 (see FIG. 8). The frame 46 is located to the right of the platen 42, and is a plate-like member that extends in the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9. The movable mechanism 71 is, for example, a mechanism using a ball screw or a mechanism using a cam.

[0092] The cap 70 is movable between a covering position in which the nozzles 39 are covered as shown in Fig. 3 and a spaced position in which the cap 70 is spaced from the nozzles as shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 3, the cap 70 in the covering position has its upper end pressed against the lower surface 68 of the head 38 from below. This results in the cap 70 covering the multiple nozzles 39 opening in the lower surface 68 from below. At this time, a cap internal space 76 is formed that is defined by the cap 70 and the lower surface 68 of the head 38. The spaced position is a position lower than the covering position. The cap 70 in the spaced position is spaced from the lower surface 68 of the head 38.

[0093] A through hole 72 (an example of a cap opening) that communicates an internal space 76 of the cap 70 with the outside is provided on the bottom surface 70A of the cap 70. One end of a tube 73 is connected to the through hole 72. The tube 73 is a flexible resin tube. One end of the tube 73 is connected to the through hole 72, thereby forming a cap communication passage 74 that communicates the cap internal space 76 with the outside through the through hole 72. The other end of the tube 73 is connected to a cap valve unit 67 that makes the through hole 72 or the cap communication passage 74 in a communication state or a non-communication state. The cap valve unit 67 has a cap valve unit electric actuator 53 (see FIG. 8). The cap valve unit 67 makes the through hole 72 or the cap communication passage 74 in a communication state or a non-communication state. When the power supply to the cap valve unit electric actuator 53 is shifted from on to off, the cap valve unit 67 changes from a non-communication state to a communication state. The communicating state is a state in which the through hole 72 or the cap communication passage 74 communicates the cap internal space 76 with the outside. The non-communicating state is a state in which the through hole 72 or the cap communication passage 74 is closed off from the outside. In the non-communicating state, the cap internal space 76 communicates with the pump 77.

[0094] The cap internal space 76 is connected to a pump 77 (an example of a suction mechanism). The pump 77 applies suction pressure to the cap internal space 76. When the cap 70 is in the covering position to cover the nozzles 39 and the cap valve unit 67 is in a non-communicating state, the cap internal space 76 becomes negative pressure and foreign matter is sucked out of the nozzles 39 into the cap internal space 76 together with the ink.

[0095] [Sheet sensor 120] 2, the sheet sensor 120 is located upstream of the pair of conveying rollers 59 in the conveying path 65 in the conveying direction 15. The sheet sensor 120 includes a shaft 121, a detector 122 that is rotatable about the shaft 121, and an optical sensor 123 that has a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element that receives light emitted from the light-emitting element.

[0096] One end of the detector 122 protrudes into the transport path 65. When no external force is applied to one end of the detector 122, the other end of the detector 122 enters the optical path from the light-emitting element to the light-receiving element of the optical sensor 123 and blocks the light passing through the optical path. At this time, a low-level signal is output from the optical sensor 123 to the controller 130 (see FIG. 8). When one end of the detector 122 is pushed by the leading edge of the paper 12 and rotates (see the detector 122 depicted by the dashed line in FIG. 2), the other end of the detector 122 moves out of the optical path, and light passes through the optical path. At this time, a high-level signal is output from the optical sensor 123 to the controller 130. The detector 122 is biased by a spring or the like to the position depicted by the solid line in FIG. 2.

[0097] [Rotary Encoder 75] The rotary encoder 75 includes an encoder disk and an optical sensor. When the encoder disk rotates, a pulse signal is generated by the optical sensor and the pulse signal is output to the controller 130.

[0098] [Controller 130 and Memory 140] Hereinafter, the configurations of the controller 130 and the memory 140 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. In Figs. 8 to 12, the valve unit 91 is referred to as BU, the carriage 40 is referred to as CR, the cap valve unit 67 is referred to as CBU, and the cap valve unit electric actuator 53 is referred to as CBU electric actuator.

[0099] The controller 130 controls the overall operation of the multifunction device 10. The controller 130 includes a CPU 131 and an ASIC 135. The memory 140 includes a ROM 132, a RAM 133, and an EEPROM 134. The CPU 131, the ASIC 135, the ROM 132, the RAM 133, and the EEPROM 134 are connected to each other via an internal bus 137.

[0100] The ROM 132 stores programs for the CPU 131 to control various operations. The RAM 133 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data and signals used when the CPU 131 executes the programs, or as a working area for data processing. The EEPROM 134 stores settings, flags, etc. that should be retained even after the power is turned off.

[0101] The ASIC 135 is connected to the transport motor 101, the feed motor 102, the carriage drive motor 103, the cap drive motor 104, the BU electric actuator 49, and the cap valve unit electric actuator 53. The ASIC 135 incorporates a drive circuit for controlling each motor. The CPU 131 outputs a drive signal for rotating each motor to the drive circuit corresponding to each motor. The drive circuit outputs a drive power corresponding to the drive signal acquired from the CPU 131 to the corresponding motor. This causes the corresponding motor to rotate. That is, the controller 130 controls the feed motor 102 to cause the feed unit 16 to feed the paper 12. The controller 130 also controls the transport motor 101 to cause the transport roller pair 59 and the discharge roller pair 44 to transport the paper 12. The controller 130 controls the carriage drive motor 103 to move the carriage 40. The controller 130 controls the cap driving motor 104 to drive the movable mechanism 71 and move the cap 70. The controller 130 controls the BU electric actuator 49 to drive the valve unit 91. The controller 130 controls the cap valve unit electric actuator 53 to drive the cap valve unit 67.

[0102] The tray sensor 110 is connected to the ASIC 135. When the controller 130 receives a low-level signal from the tray sensor 110, the controller 130 detects that the feed tray 20 is located at the feed position. When the controller 130 receives a high-level signal from the tray sensor 110, the controller 130 detects that the feed tray 20 is not located at the feed position.

[0103] A cover sensor 150 is connected to the ASIC 135. When the controller 130 receives a low-level signal from the cover sensor 150, the controller 130 detects that the opening / closing cover 145 is in the closed position. When the controller 130 receives a high-level signal from the cover sensor 150, the controller 130 detects that the opening / closing cover 145 is in the open position.

[0104] The sheet sensor 120 is connected to the ASIC 135. The sheet sensor 120 outputs a detection signal in response to detection of the paper 12 in the conveying path 65. When the controller 130 receives a high-level signal from the sheet sensor 120, it detects that the paper 12 is present at the arrangement position of the sheet sensor 120. When the controller 130 receives a low-level signal from the sheet sensor 120, it detects that the paper 12 is not present at the arrangement position of the sheet sensor 120.

[0105] The rotary encoder 75 is connected to the ASIC 135. The controller 130 calculates the amount of rotation of the conveyor motor based on the electrical signal received from the optical sensor of the rotary encoder 75.

[0106] A liquid sensor 163 is connected to the ASIC 135. When the controller 130 receives a low-level signal, it detects that the amount of ink stored in the tank 80 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. When the controller 130 receives a high-level signal, it detects that the amount of ink stored in the tank 80 is less than the predetermined amount.

[0107] A temperature sensor 115 is connected to the ASIC 135. The controller 130 recognizes the environmental temperature of the tank 80 based on the output result of the temperature sensor 115. The controller 130 calculates a change in temperature based on the information received from the temperature sensor 115 and drives the BU electric actuator 49. The tank 80 may be provided with a pressure sensor 114 instead of the temperature sensor 115. In this case, the pressure sensor 114 is connected to the ASIC 135. The controller 130 recognizes the pressure in the gas layer 78 based on the output result of the pressure sensor 114. The controller 130 calculates a change in pressure based on the information received from the pressure sensor 114 and drives the BU electric actuator 49.

[0108] The controller 130 recognizes the position of the paper 12 based on the amount of rotation of the conveying motor 101 after the electrical signal received from the sheet sensor 120 changes from low level to high level (i.e., after it is detected that the leading edge of the paper 12 has reached the position where the sheet sensor 120 is positioned).

[0109] The encoder 35 is connected to the ASIC 135. The controller 130 recognizes the position and movement distance of the carriage 40 based on the pulse signal received from the encoder 35.

[0110] The ASIC 135 is connected to the piezoelectric element 45 of the head 38. The controller 130 controls the supply of power to the piezoelectric element 45, and causes ink droplets to be selectively ejected from the multiple nozzles 39.

[0111] The BU electric actuator 49 is connected to the ASIC 135. The controller 130 moves the plunger 125 by supplying a current to a coil disposed in the BU electric actuator 49.

[0112] The ASIC 135 is connected to the cap valve unit electric actuator 53. The controller 130 drives the cap valve unit 67 by supplying a current to the cap valve unit electric actuator 53.

[0113] The controller 130 is not limited to the above, and may be one in which only the CPU 131 performs various processes, or one in which only the ASIC 135 performs various processes, or one in which the CPU 131 and the ASIC 135 work together to perform various processes. The controller 130 may be one in which one CPU 131 performs processes independently, or one in which multiple CPUs 131 share the processes. The controller 130 may be one in which one ASIC 135 performs processes independently, or one in which multiple ASICs 135 share the processes.

[0114] [Drive control of valve unit 91 during image recording] Next, the drive control of the valve unit 91 by the controller 130 during image recording will be described with reference to Fig. 9. In Fig. 9, steps S110 to S220 are executed.

[0115] First, in normal image recording, in response to receiving an input to start printing via the operation unit 17, or in response to receiving print data from an external information device, the controller 130 drives the feed motor 102 to feed the paper 12 to the conveying path 65 (S110). At this time, the valve unit 91 is in a communicating state, and the pressure (air pressure) in the ink chamber 81 of the tank 80 is atmospheric pressure.

[0116] In response to the sheet sensor 120 detecting the leading edge of the paper 12, the controller 130 drives the transport motor 101 and causes the transport roller pair 59 to perform cueing to position the leading edge of the paper 12 below the recording unit 24 (S120).

[0117] The controller 130 intermittently transports the paper 12 that has been indexed directly below the recording unit 24 (S130), and when the paper 12 is stopped, drives the carriage drive motor 103 to move the carriage 40 while ejecting ink from the nozzles 39 of the head 38 to perform pass printing (S140).

[0118] When pass printing is performed, the controller 130 determines whether a jam has occurred due to, for example, the paper 12 being curved when the carriage 40 moves in the left-right direction 9 (S150). The occurrence of a jam is determined, for example, when the controller 130 determines, based on the signal output by the encoder 35, that the moving speed of the carriage 40 has fallen below a threshold value.

[0119] When the controller 130 determines that a jam has occurred (S150: Yes), it stops the carriage drive motor 103 and stops the carriage 40 (S180). After stopping the carriage drive motor 103, the controller 130 drives the BU electric actuator 49 to put the valve unit 91 into a non-communicating state (S190). At this time, the pressure (atmospheric pressure) in the ink chamber 81 of the tank 80 is atmospheric pressure. Next, the controller 130 notifies the user that a jam has occurred through the operation unit 17 (S200). After notifying the user, the controller 130 determines whether the jam has been cleared (S210). The controller 130 determines whether the jam has been cleared, for example, based on whether the user has input to the operation unit 17 that the jam has been cleared. When the controller 130 determines that the jam has not been cleared (S210: No), it continues to make a determination until the jam is cleared. On the other hand, when the controller 130 determines that the user has removed the paper 12 and the jam has been cleared (S210: Yes), it drives the BU electric actuator 49 to open the valve unit 91 (S220). After step S220, the controller 130 drives the feed motor 102 to feed the paper 12 to the conveying path 65 in order to start new image recording (S110).

[0120] In step S150, when the controller 130 determines that a jam has not occurred (S150: No), it determines whether or not printing on the paper 12 has been completed (S160). When the controller 130 determines that printing on the paper 12 has not been completed (S160: No), it repeats the intermittent conveyance (S130) and pass printing (S140) until printing on the entire paper 12 has been completed (S160: Yes).

[0121] On the other hand, when the controller 130 determines in step S160 that printing on the paper 12 has ended (S160: Yes), it determines whether or not there is a next page on which to record an image (S170). When the controller 130 determines that there is a next page on which to record an image (S170: Yes), it drives the feed motor 102 to feed the paper 12 to the conveying path 65 to start image recording on the next page (S110). On the other hand, when the controller 130 determines that there is no next page on which to record an image (S170: No), it ends image recording.

[0122] [Drive control of valve unit 91 using state sensor] Next, a description will be given of the drive control of the valve unit 91 by the status sensor of the controller 130. As shown in Fig. 10, the controller 130 executes steps S310 to S400, and, on condition that it has determined that the status of the multifunction device 10 is abnormal based on the detection signal of the status sensor, drives the BU electric actuator 49 to change the valve unit 91 from a connected state to a non-connected state.

[0123] First, the controller 130 executes steps S310 to S340 at a predetermined interval (for example, every few milliseconds). That is, the controller 130 refers to the detection signal acquired from the tray sensor 110 (S310), refers to the detection signal acquired from the cover sensor 150 (S320), refers to the detection signal acquired from the sheet sensor 120 (S330), and refers to the detection signal acquired from the liquid sensor 163 (S340). Note that steps S310 to S340 may be executed in a different order or in parallel.

[0124] When the controller 130 receives a low-level detection signal from the tray sensor 110 (S310: No), the controller 130 determines that the multifunction device 10 is normal because the feed tray 20 is located at the feed position attached to the housing 14. When the controller 130 receives a high-level signal, which is a detection signal corresponding to the tray sensor 110 being at the second position (S310: Yes), that is, when the signal received from the tray sensor 110 changes from a low level to a high level, the controller 130 determines that the multifunction device 10 is abnormal. In this case, abnormality processing is executed (S350).

[0125] When the controller 130 receives a low-level detection signal from the cover sensor 150 (S320: No), the controller 130 determines that the multifunction device 10 is normal because the opening / closing cover 145 is in the blocked position (closed). When the controller 130 receives a high-level detection signal from the cover sensor 150 (S320: Yes), the controller 130 determines that the multifunction device 10 is abnormal because the opening / closing cover 145 is in the open position. In this case, abnormality processing is executed (S350).

[0126] When the controller 130 receives a high-level signal from the sheet sensor 120 (S330: No), the controller 130 determines that the multifunction device 10 is normal because the sheet 12 is present at the arrangement position of the sheet sensor 120. When the controller 130 receives a low-level detection signal from the sheet sensor 120 (S330: Yes), the controller 130 determines that there is an abnormality in the conveyance because the sheet 12 is not present at the arrangement position of the sheet sensor 120. In this case, abnormality processing is executed (S350).

[0127] When the controller 130 receives a low-level detection signal from the liquid sensor 163 (S340: No), the controller 130 determines that the multifunction device 10 is normal because the ink stored in the tank 80 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount. When the controller 130 receives a high-level detection signal from the liquid sensor 163 (S340: Yes), the controller 130 determines that the ink stored in the tank 80 is less than a predetermined amount, so the multifunction device 10 is abnormal. In this case, abnormality processing is executed (S360).

[0128] After acquiring a high-level signal from the liquid sensor 163 and executing the abnormality process (S360), the controller 130 judges whether or not ink has been refilled (S370). The judgement of ink refill is performed, for example, by the controller 130 judging whether or not the user has inputted an instruction to refill ink to the operation unit 17. When the controller 130 judges that ink has not been refilled (S370: No), it continues to judge until ink is refilled. When the controller 130 judges that ink has been refilled (S370: Yes), it executes a purge. That is, the controller 130 drives the cap valve unit electric actuator 53 to put the cap valve unit 67 into a non-communicating state (S380). The controller 130 drives the pump 77 (S390). This forcibly discharges ink from the nozzles 39 of the head 38. When the purge is completed, the controller 130 drives the cap valve unit electric actuator 53 to change the cap valve unit 67 from the non-communicating state to the communicating state (S400). After executing the purge, the controller 130 ends the control.

[0129] The specific content of the abnormality process (S350, S360) will be described below with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG.

[0130] In the abnormality processing (S350, S360), the controller 130 executes steps S510 to S550. As shown in Fig. 11, the controller 130 drives the BU electric actuator 49 to put the valve unit 91 in a connected state into a non-connected state and then into a connected state.

[0131] Specifically, after acquiring an abnormality detection signal from the status sensor 31, the controller 130 drives the BU electric actuator 49 to change the valve unit 91 from a connected state to a disconnected state (S510). By the valve unit 91 being in a disconnected state, the ink chamber 81 of the tank 80 is cut off from the atmosphere and becomes sealed.

[0132] Next, the controller 130 judges whether the abnormality of the multifunction device 10 has been resolved (S520). For example, when a high-level detection signal is acquired from the tray sensor 110 (S310), the controller 130 judges that the abnormality has been resolved when the feed tray 20 is attached to the housing 14 again (S520: Yes). When it is determined that there is an abnormality in step S320, the controller 130 judges that the abnormality has been resolved when the opening / closing cover 145 is closed (S520: Yes). When it is determined that there is an abnormality in step S330, the controller 130 judges that the abnormality has been resolved because the sheet 12 is present at the arrangement position of the sheet sensor 120 by acquiring a high-level detection signal from the sheet sensor 120 (S520: Yes). Furthermore, when it is determined in step S340 that there is an abnormality, the controller 130 acquires a low-level signal from the liquid sensor 163 and receives input from the user to the operation unit 17 that ink has been refilled, and thus determines that the amount of ink stored in the tank 80 is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount and that the abnormality has been resolved (S520: Yes).

[0133] After determining that the abnormality has been resolved, the controller 130 determines whether the carriage 40 is located at the standby position (S530). If the carriage 40 is not located at the standby position (S530: No), the controller 130 drives the carriage drive motor 103 to move the carriage 40 to the standby position (S540). Next, the controller 130 drives the BU electric actuator 49 to change the valve unit 91 from a non-communicating state to a communicating state (S550).

[0134] On the other hand, in step S530, when the carriage 40 is located at the standby position (S530: Yes), the controller 130 drives the BU electric actuator 49 to change the valve unit 91 from the non-communicating state to the communicating state (S550).

[0135] When the valve unit 91 is put into a communicating state in step S550, the controller 130 drives the carriage drive motor 103 to move the carriage 40 to the standby position. Then, the controller 130 drives the cap drive motor 104 upward. This moves the cap 70 to the covering position.

[0136] The abnormality processing ends when the above-mentioned control is performed.

[0137] [Drive control of valve unit 91 after image recording is completed] Next, the drive control of the valve unit 91 by the controller 130 after the image recording is completed will be described. As shown in Fig. 12, after the image recording is completed, the controller 130 executes steps S610 to S700, and drives the BU electric actuator 49 to change the valve unit 91 from a non-communicating state to a communicating state, depending on a change in the external environment of the ink chamber 81.

[0138] After the image recording is completed, the controller 130 judges whether the carriage 40 is at the standby position (S610). If the controller 130 judges that the carriage 40 is not at the standby position (S610: No), the controller 130 continues to judge whether the carriage 40 is at the standby position.

[0139] On the other hand, when the carriage 40 is at the standby position (S610: Yes), the controller 130 drives the BU electric actuator 49 to put the valve unit 91 in a non-communicating state (S620). Next, the controller 130 acquires the temperature of the ink chamber 81 from the temperature sensor 115 (S630). The controller 130 stores the temperature acquired from the temperature sensor in the memory 140.

[0140] Next, the controller 130 sets a timer and starts counting the elapsed time since the valve unit 91 was put into a non-communicating state by driving the BU electric actuator 49 (S640). The controller 130 judges whether the current time after the timer is set is a predetermined time preset in the memory 140 (S650). In response to judging that the predetermined time has elapsed at the present time (S650: Yes), the controller 130 judges whether the temperature in the ink chamber 81 has increased by ΔT or more with respect to the preset temperature (S660). Specifically, the controller 130 acquires temperature information from the temperature sensor 115 and calculates the temperature difference with the temperature information stored in the memory 140. Then, it judges whether the calculated temperature difference is ΔT or more. In response to judging that the temperature in the ink chamber 81 has increased by ΔT or more (S660: Yes), the controller 130 drives the BU electric actuator 49 to put the valve unit 91 into a communicating state from a non-communicating state (S670). On the other hand, when the controller 130 determines that the temperature inside the ink chamber 81 has not increased by ΔT or more (S660: No), it resets the timer (S680) and restarts counting the elapsed time.

[0141] In step 650, when the controller 130 determines that a predetermined time has not yet elapsed (S650: No), it determines whether or not there is an input from the user, such as to start image recording (S690). When the controller 130 determines that there is no input from the user (S690: No), it continues to make a determination until there is an input from the user. On the other hand, when there is an input from the user (S690: Yes), the controller 130 drives the BU electric actuator 49 to put the valve unit 91 into a communicating state (S700). Thereafter, the controller 130 ends the drive control of the valve unit 91 after image recording.

[0142] [Effects of the embodiment] According to this embodiment, it is possible to set the timing for putting the atmosphere open port 88 into a connected or disconnected state regardless of the state of the head 38. In other words, it is possible to put the atmosphere open port 88 into a connected or disconnected state regardless of whether the carriage 40 is located at the standby position or not. Furthermore, when power is not being supplied to the BU electric actuator 49, such as when power supply is stopped, the atmosphere open port 88 is maintained in a connected or disconnected state.

[0143] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the state of the multifunction device 10 becomes abnormal, for example, when the feed tray 20 is not in the feed position, the valve unit 91 is kept in a non-communicating state until the abnormality is resolved, thereby preventing ink from continuing to leak from the head 38.

[0144] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, when the carriage 40 is in the standby position, even if the temperature of the external environment changes, the meniscus of the nozzle 39 is prevented from being broken due to an increase in pressure within the ink chamber 81 or the like.

[0145] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, by putting the air opening port 88 into a communicating state and connecting the ink chamber 81 to the outside, ink can be easily sucked from the nozzles 39 of the head .

[0146] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if the ink decreases and the pressure inside the ink chamber 81 drops below atmospheric pressure as image recording is performed, the atmospheric opening 88 can be kept in communication so that ink can be easily ejected continuously from the nozzle 39 of the head 38.

[0147] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if the external environment such as temperature or air pressure changes, the drop in pressure within the ink chamber 81 can be suppressed by keeping the air vent 88 in a connected state, and the meniscus of the nozzle 39 can be prevented from being destroyed.

[0148] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, the cap 70 covers the nozzle 39, thereby reducing the evaporation of ink from the nozzle 39. When the power is off, the through-hole 72 is in communication, so that even if the external environment changes, such as the temperature rising, the air in the internal space 76 of the cap 70 is prevented from entering the nozzle 39 and destroying the meniscus.

[0149] [Variation 1] In the above embodiment, the drive mechanism 92 moves the abutment portion 127 in the left-right direction 9 to change the position of the valve unit 91 between the connected state and the non-connected state. However, the drive mechanism 92A may be one that changes the position of the valve unit 91A between the connected state and the non-connected state by rotating an eccentric cam 159 as shown in FIG. 13 .

[0150] As shown in FIG. 13, the atmosphere communication device 48A includes a valve unit 91A and a rotating mechanism 92A.

[0151] The valve unit 91A includes a rotating body 96A and a rotating shaft 97A.

[0152] The rotating body 96A is bent near the center and has a V shape when viewed in the front-rear direction 8. The rotating body 96A is provided to the right of the atmosphere opening port 88. A portion of the rotating body 96A extending leftward from the bent point is referred to as a first rotating body 99A, and a portion extending rightward is referred to as a second rotating piece 100A. A rotation shaft 97A protrudes from the rotating body 96A along the front-rear direction 8 from the boundary between the first rotating body 99A and the second rotating piece 100A.

[0153] The first rotating body 99A has a first upper surface 116 on the top surface on the tip side. The first upper surface 116 is horizontal when the first rotating body 99A is in a horizontal state. The first rotating body 99A also has a first inclined surface 117 on the top surface on the base end side. The first inclined surface 117 is in an inclined state when the first rotating body 99A is in a horizontal state.

[0154] The second rotating piece 100A has a second upper side surface 118 on the upper surface on the tip end side. The second upper side surface 118 is horizontal when the second rotating piece 100A is in a horizontal state. The second rotating piece 100A has a second inclined surface 119 on the upper surface on the base end side. The second inclined surface 119 is in an inclined state when the second rotating piece 100A is in a horizontal state.

[0155] The rotating mechanism 92A includes a support wall 156, a cam shaft 157, a regulating shaft 158, and an eccentric cam 159. The rotating mechanism 92A rotates when power is supplied from the controller 130, and drives the valve unit 91A.

[0156] The support wall 156 is provided on the upper wall 82. The support wall 156 is formed, for example, in a flat plate shape, and is provided in the vicinity of the atmosphere opening port 88. A cam shaft 157 extending in the forward direction is provided on the support wall 156. In addition, the support wall 156 is provided with restriction shafts 158 on both the left and right sides of the cam shaft 157, respectively, for restricting the rotation of an eccentric cam 159.

[0157] The eccentric cam 159 is rotatably supported by a camshaft 157. The eccentric cam 159 is formed with a contact portion 127A extending toward the rotating body 96A of the valve unit 91. The eccentric cam 159 also is formed with a restriction portion 161 that abuts against the restriction shaft 158. This limits the range of rotation of the eccentric cam 159.

[0158] The operation of eccentric cam 159 by turning on and off the power supply to rotation mechanism 92A will now be described.

[0159] For example, as shown in FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b), when power is supplied from a non-powered state, the eccentric cam 159 rotates, and the abutment portion 127A rotates leftward from a position above the rotation shaft 97. The rotated abutment portion 127A transmits a driving force to the first rotating body 99A to rotate the rotating body 96A. At this time, as shown in FIG. 13(b), the movement of the eccentric cam 159 is restricted by the restriction portion 161 abutting against the restriction shaft 158 ​​disposed on the left. As a result, the abutment portion 127A stops near the boundary between the first upper surface 116 and the first inclined surface 117. Then, the position of the valve unit 91 changes from the communicating state to the non-communicating state.

[0160] When the state in which the controller 130 was being powered changes to a state in which the power supply is stopped, the eccentric cam 159 rotates to the right as shown in Fig. 13(c) and the abutment portion 127A stops at a position above the rotation shaft 97. At this time, the valve unit 91 is held without any change in posture, and the atmosphere open port 88 remains in a non-communicating state.

[0161] Furthermore, when a current is supplied in the opposite direction to the above-mentioned current direction from the power supply stopped state, the eccentric cam 159 rotates rightward as shown in Figs. 13(c) and (d), and the contact portion 127A rotates rightward. The rotated contact portion 127A transmits a driving force to the second rotating piece 100A to rotate the rotating body 96A. At this time, the movement of the eccentric cam 159 is restricted by the restriction portion 161 abutting against the restriction shaft 158 ​​disposed on the right as shown in Fig. 13(d). As a result, the contact portion 127A stops near the boundary between the second upper side surface 118 and the second inclined surface 119. Then, the valve unit 91 changes its posture from the non-communicating state to the communicating state.

[0162] [Variation 2] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the air open port 88 and the valve unit 91 are mounted on the carriage 40. However, the air open port 88B and the valve unit 91B do not have to be mounted on the carriage 40, as shown in Fig. 14. For example, the tank 80 mounted on the carriage 40 may be connected to the air open port 88B via the gas flow path 180.

[0163] In this modified example, the recording unit 24 includes a carriage 40, a head 38, and a tank 80. The head 38 and the tank 80 are mounted on the carriage 40. The tank 80 has an ink chamber 81. The ink chamber 81 is partitioned into a gas layer 78 and an ink layer 79. The ink layer 79 communicates with the plurality of nozzles 39 via the ink flow paths 37. An injection port 83 for injecting ink into the ink chamber 81 is provided on an upper wall 82 of the tank 80. In addition, an atmosphere communication device 48B for putting an atmosphere open port 88 into a communicating state or a non-communicating state is provided on the upper wall 82.

[0164] The atmosphere communication device 48B is not mounted on the carriage 40, but is installed, for example, in the frame portion. The atmosphere communication device 48B is supported by a frame portion 181. An atmosphere release port 88B is provided in a lower wall 182 of the frame portion 181. The atmosphere release port 88B is closed or opened by a rotating body 96 of a valve unit 91.

[0165] The gas flow path 180 is configured as a passage from the ink chamber 81 to the air open port 88. The gas flow path 180 is a tubular member having a space inside. The gas flow path 180 communicates between the gas layer 78 of the tank 80 and the outside through a through hole 183 provided in the upper wall 82 of the tank 80 and the air open port 88B.

[0166] [Variation 3] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the tank 80 and the valve unit 91 are mounted on the carriage 40. However, the tank 80C and the valve unit 91C do not have to be mounted on the carriage 40, as shown in Fig. 15. For example, the head 38 mounted on the carriage 40 may be connected to a tank 80C not mounted on the carriage 40 via an ink flow path 37C (an example of a liquid flow path).

[0167] In this modified example, the recording unit 24 includes a carriage 40 and a head 38. The head 38 is mounted on the carriage 40. The head 38 has a plurality of nozzles 39. The plurality of nozzles 39 are connected to a tank 80C by an ink flow path 37C. The ink flow path 37C includes:

[0168] The tank 80C is not mounted on the carriage 40, but is installed, for example, on a frame portion. The tank 80C has an ink chamber 81C. The ink chamber 81C is partitioned into a gas layer 78C and an ink layer 79C. The ink layer 79C communicates with the multiple nozzles 39 via the ink flow path 37C. An injection port 83C is provided in an upper wall 82C of the tank 80C. In addition, an atmosphere communication device 48C that sets the atmosphere open port 88C to a communicating or non-communicating state is provided in the upper wall 82.

[0169] The atmosphere communication device 48C is provided on the upper wall 82C of the tank 80C, in the vicinity of the atmosphere opening port 88C. The ink flow path 37C is configured as a passage from the ink chamber 81C to the plurality of heads .

[0170] [Variation 4] In the above embodiment, an example was given of the recording unit 24 having one tank 80, but the tank 80 may be composed of a first storage chamber 80D and a second storage chamber 81D, for example, as shown in FIG. 16.

[0171] The first storage chamber 80D has a first ink chamber 82D therein. Also, the second storage chamber 81D has a second ink chamber 83D. The first ink chamber 82D is connected to the second ink chamber 83D by an ink flow passage 164 so that ink can flow therethrough. Also, the second ink chamber 83D is connected to the head 38 so that ink can flow therethrough.

[0172] The ink flow passage 164 is a tubular member having a space therein. The space therein communicates with the first ink chamber 82D and the second ink chamber 83D via through holes provided in the first storage chamber 80D and the second storage chamber 81D.

[0173] An atmosphere communication device 48 is provided at an atmosphere open port 88 of the first storage chamber 80D, and a valve unit 91 is driven by a drive mechanism 92 to put the atmosphere open port 88 into a communicating state or a non-communicating state.

[0174] [Variation 5] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the tank 80 is provided with an atmosphere opening port 88 that connects the gas layer 78 of the ink chamber 81 to the outside, but an atmosphere communication passage 90E may be provided to connect the gas layer of the tank to the outside. The atmosphere communication passage 90E is configured as a passage to the atmosphere opening port 88. The atmosphere communication passage 90E may have a labyrinth structure 187, for example, as shown in FIG. 17(a).

[0175] The atmosphere communication passage 90E is a communication passage for communicating an ink chamber (not shown) with the outside. In other words, the atmosphere communication passage 90E is a communication passage for opening the ink chamber to the atmosphere.

[0176] The atmosphere communication passage 90E is formed in a groove shape on the upper wall 82, and the upper part is closed by a film 189. One end of the atmosphere communication passage 90E communicates with the internal chamber via an opening 190 formed in the upper wall 82. The other end of the atmosphere communication passage 90E communicates with the outside via an atmosphere open port 88 formed in the upper wall 82. In this modified example, the atmosphere communication passage 90E has a labyrinth structure 187 that extends in the left-right direction 9 while making repeated U-turns in the front-rear direction 8.

[0177] [Variation 6] In the above embodiment, the atmosphere opening port 88 is open to the outside in a communicating state, but the atmosphere opening port 88 may have a semipermeable membrane 188 .

[0178] For example, as shown in FIG. 17(b), a semipermeable membrane 188 is provided on the other end side of the atmosphere communication passage 90E communicating with the outside so as to close the atmosphere opening port 88E.

[0179] The semipermeable membrane 188 is a porous membrane having minute holes that block the passage of ink and allow the passage of gas. For example, the semipermeable membrane 188 is made of a fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkylvinylether copolymer, or tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer. As a result, the ink stored in the internal chamber is blocked by the semipermeable membrane 188 and cannot flow out of the storage section through the atmosphere communication passage 90E and the atmosphere opening 88E. On the other hand, air can freely move between the internal chamber and the outside of the storage section.

[0180] [Variation 7] In the above embodiment, the atmosphere communication device 48 configured with the valve unit 91 and the drive mechanism 92 including the first electric actuator 49A and the second electric actuator 50A as shown in Figures 7 and 8 has been described as an example, but other devices may be used as the atmosphere communication device 48. For example, a device having a mechanism as shown in Figure 18 may be used.

[0181] In this modified example, the atmosphere communication device 48 is provided on an upper wall 82F of a tank 80F that stores ink. The atmosphere communication device 48F is provided on the upper wall 82F above an atmosphere opening 88 that connects the ink chamber 81F of the tank 80F to the outside.

[0182] The atmosphere communication device 48F includes a drive mechanism 92F and a valve unit 91F.

[0183] The drive mechanism 92F drives the valve unit 91F in the vertical direction 7. The drive mechanism 92F includes a plunger 125F and an electric actuator (not shown). When power is supplied to the drive mechanism 92F, the drive mechanism 92F operates in the vertical direction 7 and drives the valve unit 91F. The drive mechanism 92F is provided on an upper wall 82F of the tank 80F.

[0184] The valve unit 91F includes a packing 165, a base portion 166, a slide portion 167, a pair of elastic portions 168, 168, and a restriction pin 169.

[0185] The packing 165 is a member for preventing air from leaking from a gap when the valve unit 91F is in a non-communicating state. The lower part of the packing 165 abuts against a base part 166. The packing 165 is elastically deformed by being pressed by a lid part 173 described later.

[0186] The base portion 166 is formed in a substantially disk shape having a through hole 170 in the center. The bottom surface of the base portion 166 is formed to be flat. The through hole 170 is continuous with the air opening port 88 when the base portion 166 is installed. In other words, when the base portion 166 is installed in the tank 80F, the air opening port 88 connects the gas layer 78F of the ink chamber 81F to the outside. In addition, a protrusion 171 is formed on the upper surface of the base portion 166 to hold the packing 165 on the base portion 166. The protrusion 171 is formed so as to protrude upward on the inner and outer circumferential sides of the packing 165.

[0187] The slide portion 167 is connected to the base portion 166 via a pair of elastic portions 168, 168, and moves in the vertical direction 7 when a driving force is applied by the drive mechanism 92F. The slide portion 167 is configured to be slidable relative to a fixed member 172 fixed to the tank 80F, for example. The slide portion 167 includes a lid portion 173, a main body portion 174, and a pillar portion 175.

[0188] The lid portion 173 closes or opens the atmosphere open port 88 to put the atmosphere open port 88 in a connected or disconnected state. The lid portion 173 is disposed close to the base portion 166 with a packing 165 sandwiched therebetween. The lid portion 173 is formed, for example, in a disk shape.

[0189] The upper end of the pillar portion 175 is fixed to the main body portion 174, and extends downward from the main body portion 174. The pillar portion 175 supports the lid portion 173 at its lower end.

[0190] The main body portion 174 is supported by a pair of elastic portions 168, 168. The main body portion 174 is movable in the up-down direction 7 relative to the fixed member 172. As shown in Fig. 18, the main body portion 174 is connected to the fixed member 172 via a restricting pin 169 that restricts the range of movement in the up-down direction. A groove portion 176 is formed on the front surface of the main body portion 174.

[0191] One end of the restriction pin 169 is slidably connected to the fixed member 172. The other end of the restriction pin 169 is supported by the fixed member 172 so as to be rotatable.

[0192] As shown in FIG. 18 , groove portion 176 has a first groove 177 extending diagonally upward to the right from the bottom of main body portion 174, a second groove 178 extending upward from the upper right end of first groove 177, a third groove 179 extending diagonally downward to the left from the upper end of second groove 178, a fourth groove 180 extending diagonally upward to the left from the lower left end of third groove 179, a fifth groove 181 extending downward from the upper left end of fourth groove 180, and a sixth groove 182 extending diagonally downward to the right from the lower end of fifth groove 181.

[0193] The start point of the first groove 177 coincides with the end point of the sixth groove 182. The first groove 177 and the third groove 179 are parallel and have the same groove length. The second groove 178 and the fifth groove 181 are parallel and have the same groove length. The fourth groove 180 and the sixth groove 182 are parallel and have the same groove length. The second groove 178 is formed deeper than the first groove 177, and is configured so that the regulating pin 169 does not return from the second groove 178 to the first groove 177 after moving from the first groove 177 to the second groove 178. Similarly, the third groove 179 is formed deeper than the second groove 178, the fourth groove 180 is formed deeper than the third groove 179, and the fifth groove 181 is formed deeper than the fourth groove 180. The first groove 177 is formed to be deeper than the sixth groove 182. That is, the restriction pin 169 moves in the order of the first groove 177, the second groove 178, the third groove 179, the fourth groove 180, the fifth groove 181, and the sixth groove 182.

[0194] The operation of the slide portion 167 relative to the restriction pin 169 will now be described.

[0195] As shown in FIG. 18(a), when the slide portion 167 is at the uppermost position, the regulating pin 169 is located at the start point of the first groove 177, which is the lowest of the groove portion 176. At this time, the lid portion 173 is separated from the base portion 166, and the atmosphere opening port 88 is in a communicating state. Next, when the electric actuator is supplied with power, the slide portion 167 is pushed downward by the plunger 125F, and the regulating pin 169 moves to the end point of the first groove 177. Furthermore, since the slide portion 167 is pushed downward, the regulating pin 169 moves from the start point of the second groove 178 to the end point of the second groove 178, as shown in FIG. 18(b). At this time, the lid portion 173 approaches the base portion 166 while elastically deforming the packing 165, and the atmosphere opening port 88 is in a non-communicating state.

[0196] Next, when the power supply to the electric actuator is stopped, as shown in Fig. 18(c), the plunger 125F returns upward and the slide portion 167 is urged upward by the pair of elastic portions 168, 168. As a result, the restriction pin 169 moves from the start point of the third groove 179 to the end point of the third groove 179 and stops there. At this time, the cover portion 173 moves upward away from the base portion 166 but remains in contact with the restored packing 165. Therefore, the atmosphere opening port 88 is maintained in a non-communicating state.

[0197] After that, when power is supplied to the electric actuator again, the restriction pin 169 moves from the start point of the fourth groove 180 to the end point of the fourth groove 180. Next, when power supply to the electric actuator is stopped, the restriction pin 169 moves from the start point of the fifth groove 181, through the end point of the fifth groove 181, to the end point of the sixth groove 182, and stops there. At this time, the lid portion 173 is in the state shown in Fig. 18(a). In other words, the lid portion 173 is separated from the base portion 166, and the atmosphere opening port 88 is in a communicating state. [Explanation of symbols]

[0198] 9... Left and right direction (example of scanning direction) 10...Multifunction device (liquid discharge device) 12... Paper (medium) 13...Aperture 14. Housing 20·············Feed tray (tray) 31 Status sensor 35 Encoder (position sensor) 38 Head 39 Nozzle 40 Carriage (support member) 49 Electric actuator 49A: First electric actuator 50A·········Second electric actuator 65...Transport path 67 Cap valve unit 70 Cap 72: Through hole (cap opening) 76...Inner space of cap 77 Pump (suction mechanism) 78. Gas layer 80, 80F... Tank (storage section) 80D: First storage chamber 81D Second storage chamber 88B, 88C, 88E: Open to atmosphere 90E Atmospheric communication passage 91, 91F... Valve unit 96 Rotating body 110 Tray sensor 114: Pressure sensor (environmental sensor) 115 Temperature sensor (environmental sensor) 120 Sheet sensor (media sensor) 130 Controller 145···········Opening cover (cover) 150··········Cover sensor 159 Eccentric cam 163 Liquid sensor 180 Gas flow path 182 Liquid flow path 187 Labyrinth structure 188... Semi-permeable membrane

Claims

1. A housing, A tray on which the medium is placed; A tray sensor; A head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid; a reservoir portion at least a portion of which is located above the opening of the nozzle and in which the liquid is stored while forming a liquid level; an atmosphere communication passage that communicates the gas layer of the storage portion with the outside through an atmosphere opening port; a valve unit having an electric actuator that is driven by receiving a supply of electric power and that brings the atmosphere release port or the atmosphere communication passage into a connected state or a disconnected state by driving the electric actuator; A controller, the valve unit holds the atmosphere release port or the atmosphere communication passage in a connected state or a disconnected state by driving the electric actuator immediately before when power is not supplied to the electric actuator, the tray is movable between a first position at which the medium can be supplied to the housing and a second position at which the medium cannot be supplied; the tray sensor outputs a detection signal corresponding to the tray being in the second position; The liquid ejection apparatus, wherein the controller drives the electric actuator to bring the valve unit into the non-communicating state on condition that the detection signal is acquired from the tray sensor.

2. A housing having a transport path; A head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid; a reservoir portion at least a portion of which is located above the opening of the nozzle and in which the liquid is stored while forming a liquid level; an atmosphere communication passage that communicates the gas layer of the storage portion with the outside through an atmosphere opening port; a valve unit having an electric actuator that is driven by receiving a supply of electric power and that brings the atmosphere release port or the atmosphere communication passage into a connected state or a disconnected state by driving the electric actuator; a medium sensor that outputs a detection signal in response to detecting a medium in the transport path; A controller, the valve unit holds the atmosphere release port or the atmosphere communication passage in a connected state or a disconnected state by driving the electric actuator immediately before when power is not supplied to the electric actuator, The controller determines whether the transport of the medium is abnormal based on the detection signal obtained from the media sensor, and if it determines that the transport of the medium is abnormal, drives the electric actuator to bring the valve unit into the non-communicating state.

3. a carriage which carries the head and moves; a position sensor that outputs a signal corresponding to the movement of the carriage, The above controller is determining whether the carriage is located at a standby position based on a signal output from the position sensor; 3. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electric actuator is driven to bring the valve unit into the communicating state based on the determination that the carriage is located at the standby position.

4. a suction mechanism for sucking liquid from the nozzle of the head, 3. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller drives the electric actuator to bring the valve unit into the communicating state when the suction mechanism is driven.

5. A liquid ejection device as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the controller drives the electric actuator to bring the valve unit into the connected state when the head is ejecting liquid from the nozzle.

6. Further comprising an environmental sensor that outputs a detection signal according to the state of the external environment, 3. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the controller drives the electric actuator to bring the valve unit into the communicating state on condition that it is determined that the external environment has changed based on the detection signal of the environmental sensor.

7. a cap that is movable between a covering position where the nozzle is covered and a spaced position where the nozzle is spaced from the cap; a cap valve unit that sets a cap opening that communicates an internal space of the cap with the outside to the communicated state or the non-communicated state, 7. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the cap valve unit changes the cap opening from the non-communicating state to the communicating state when a power source is switched from on to off.

8. The valve unit further includes a rotating body that changes its position between the non-communicating state and the communicating state by rotating. The electric actuator includes a first electric actuator and a second electric actuator, the first electric actuator is driven by a supply of electric power to rotate the rotating body from the non-communicating state to the communicating state; 8. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the second electric actuator is driven by a supply of electric power to rotate the rotating body from the communicating state to the non-communicating state.

9. The valve unit further includes a rotating body that changes its position between the non-communicating state and the communicating state by rotating.

8. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the electric actuator is a rotating device having an eccentric cam that comes into contact with the rotating body to rotate it.

10. A head having a nozzle for ejecting liquid; a reservoir portion at least a portion of which is located above the opening of the nozzle and in which the liquid is stored while forming a liquid level; an atmosphere communication passage that communicates the gas layer of the storage portion with the outside through an atmosphere opening port; a valve unit having an electric actuator that is driven by receiving a power supply and that brings the atmosphere release port or the atmosphere communication passage into a connected state or a disconnected state by driving the electric actuator, The valve unit further includes a rotating body that changes its position between the non-communicating state and the communicating state by rotating. The electric actuator includes a first electric actuator and a second electric actuator, the first electric actuator is driven by a supply of electric power to rotate the rotating body from the non-communicating state to the communicating state; The second electric actuator is driven by a supply of power to rotate the rotating body from the communicating state to the non-communicating state.

11. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , further comprising a carriage that carries the head, the storage section, and the valve unit and moves.

12. a carriage that carries the head and the storage unit and moves; 11. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the atmosphere open port and the valve unit are not mounted on the carriage, and the atmosphere open port and the storage section are connected by a gas flow path.

13. A carriage that carries and moves the head is further provided, 11. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir and the valve unit are not mounted on the carriage, and the reservoir and the head are connected by a liquid flow path.

14. The carriage moves in a scanning direction, 14. The liquid ejection device according to claim 11, wherein the head ejects liquid when the carriage is moving in the scanning direction.

15. The storage section includes: A first storage chamber; and The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , further comprising: a second storage chamber connected to the first storage chamber and the head so that liquid can flow therethrough.

16. The liquid ejection device according to claim 1 , wherein the atmosphere communication passage has at least one of a labyrinth structure and a semipermeable membrane.

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