Recording device

Abstract

To provide a characteristic technique to a liquid storage container.SOLUTION: A recording device includes recording means for discharging liquid and performing recording, and a liquid storage container which is defined by a peripheral wall part having an opening and a sealing member sealing the opening, and includes a storage chamber storing the liquid and an outlet part of the liquid, wherein the liquid storage container has a first side part on a recording region side where recording is performed by the recording means and a second side part on a side opposite to the first side part, the opening and the sealing member are arranged on the first side part, and a flow channel communicating the storage chamber with the output part is formed on the second side part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Printing devices equipped with a print head that ejects liquid, such as inkjet printers, are well known. The liquid consumed by the print head is stored in a liquid container. When the printing device is in its in-use position, the liquid is designed to prevent leakage from the print head due to the difference in head height between the liquid container and the print head. However, depending on the state of transportation and packaging, the printing device may be installed in a different position than when in use. For example, a printing device may be installed with its side facing up during transportation.

[0003] As a result, the liquid container may be positioned higher than the liquid ejection surface of the print head. If the liquid ejection surface of the print head is not covered with a cap and the nozzle meniscus is broken by the adhesion of foreign matter, there is a risk that liquid will leak from the print head due to gravity. As a technique for suppressing liquid leakage caused by changes in the attitude of the printing device, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for reducing the amount of ink leaking by providing two ink chambers (ink chambers) for storing ink. A portion of the ink chamber is sealed with a flexible film. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-177789 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In the ink tank configuration of Patent Document 1, the film is located on the outer wall side of the recording device. With this configuration, the film may be scratched when exterior components are assembled during the manufacturing process of the recording device. Furthermore, a window that allows the ink tank chamber to be viewed from the outside is often formed on the outer wall of the recording device so that the user can check the remaining ink level. In the configuration of Patent Document 1, because the film faces the window, the film may be scratched by the intrusion of foreign matter from outside the recording device. Such scratches may cause the film to tear.

[0006] The present invention provides a distinctive technology for a liquid storage container. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] According to the present invention, A recording device, a carriage that moves and carries a first head that ejects color ink and a second head that ejects black ink; a container; The container comprises: a first storage chamber having an opening sealed by a sealing member in a first wall portion of the container, the first storage chamber storing the color ink; an injection part to which a removable lid is attached and which allows the color ink to be injected into the first storage chamber; a second storage chamber that communicates with the atmosphere and stores air when the lid is attached to the injection part; an upper limit display portion that indicates an upper limit amount of the color ink that can be contained in the first container; a communication section that is located at a position higher than the upper limit display section when the recording device is in an in-use position, and that communicates the first storage chamber with the second storage chamber; the first wall of the container of Opposition side a groove formed in the second wall portion for forming a flow path through which the color ink flows; death, The groove does not have a portion where the color ink flows downward on the second wall portion when the recording device is in use. A recording device is provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, a distinctive technique can be provided for a liquid storage container. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the recording device of FIG. 1 as seen from another angle. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the internal mechanism of the recording apparatus of FIG. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams of the position of the carriage. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are a front view and a plan view of a carriage and a liquid container. [Figure 6] 1A and 1B are exploded perspective views of a liquid storage container. [Figure 7] 1A and 1B are a right side view and a left side view of the main body of the liquid storage container. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are exploded perspective views of a liquid storage container. [Figure 9] 1A and 1B are a right side view and a left side view of the main body of the liquid storage container. [Figure 10] 10(A) to 10(C) are explanatory diagrams showing different postures of the recording device. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing different positions of the recording device. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing different positions of the recording device. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing different positions of the recording device. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are explanatory diagrams showing different positions of the recording device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention claimed. Although multiple features are described in the embodiments, not all of these multiple features are necessarily essential to the invention, and multiple features may be combined arbitrarily. Furthermore, in the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0011] <Outline of the recording device> 1 and 2 are perspective views of a recording apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The recording apparatus 1 is a serial-type inkjet recording apparatus in which a recording head is mounted on a carriage that moves back and forth. However, the present invention is also applicable to other recording apparatuses, such as inkjet recording apparatuses equipped with a so-called full-line recording head, which is provided with multiple nozzles that eject liquid over an area corresponding to the width of the recording medium. In the figures, arrows D1 and D2 indicate horizontal directions that are orthogonal to each other, and arrow D3 indicates the up-down direction (direction of gravity). In the following description, unless otherwise specified, it is assumed that the recording apparatus 1 is installed on a horizontal surface, with the D1 direction representing the depth direction, the D2 direction representing the left-right direction, and the D3 direction representing the height direction when in use.

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

[0013] The recording device 1 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and has a housing 101 that forms its outer wall. A tray 110 on which recording media to be recorded are loaded is provided at the front of the recording device 1 and is slidable in the D1 direction. Also, above the tray 110, an ejection port 111 is formed through which recorded recording media are ejected.

[0014] The housing 101 has a plurality of windows 104 to 109. The user can visually check the internal configuration of the housing 101 through the windows 104 to 109. In this embodiment, the user can visually check the remaining amount of ink contained in the liquid container 6 (see FIG. 3) through the windows 104 to 109. The windows 104 to 109 in this embodiment are openings formed in the housing 101. The windows 104 to 109 may not be openings but may be made of a translucent material, and this material may be colored and transparent or colorless and transparent. The windows 104 to 107 are formed in the front of the housing 101, with the window 104 formed at the left end and the windows 105 to 107 formed at the right end. A tray 110 and a discharge port 111 are located between the window 104 and the windows 105 to 107. The window 108 is formed on the front side of the left side of the housing 101, and the window 109 is formed on the front side of the right side of the housing 101.

[0015] The recording apparatus 1 is equipped with openable and closable covers 102 and 103. Opening the covers 102 and 103 makes it possible to refill a liquid storage container (described below) located inside (below) the covers with liquid ink. The cover 102 is located at the upper front left end of the recording apparatus 1, and the cover 103 is located at the upper front right end of the recording apparatus 1.

[0016] In addition to Figs. 1 and 2, Figs. 3 to 5(B) will be referred to. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the internal mechanism of the recording device 1. Figs. 4(A) and (B) are explanatory diagrams of the position of the carriage 2. Figs. 5(A) and 5(B) are a front view and a plan view showing the arrangement of the carriage 2 and multiple liquid storage containers 6B, 6C, 6M, and 6Y. Note that Figs. 1 and 2 are schematic perspective views with a partially opened top to show the internal configuration of the housing 101.

[0017] The carriage 2 is supported on rails 3 extending in the D2 direction and is reciprocally movable in the D2 direction by a drive mechanism (not shown). The drive mechanism includes, for example, a belt transmission mechanism including an endless belt connected to the carriage 2 and a motor as a drive source for driving the belt transmission mechanism. The carriage 2 carries a recording head 9 and moves in the D2 direction. In this embodiment, two recording heads 9 corresponding to different ink types are mounted on the carriage 2 (see FIG. 5A). One recording head 9 ejects liquid ink contained in a liquid storage container 6B, and the other recording head 9 ejects liquid ink contained in liquid storage containers 6C, 6M, and 6Y. Each recording head 9 has an ink ejection surface 9a formed with multiple nozzles for ejecting ink, and the ink ejection surface 9a faces a platen 8 that supports the recording medium P. An image is recorded by ejecting ink from the recording head 9 onto the recording medium P during the movement of the carriage 2. This operation is called a recording scan. The range of movement of the ink ejection surface 9a on the platen 8, which is caused by the range of movement of the carriage 2, is a printing area where printing is performed.

[0018] The transport unit 7 is a mechanism for transporting the recording medium P. The transport unit 7 is equipped with a transport roller 7a. A pinch roller (not shown) is pressed against the transport roller 7a, and while the recording medium P is sandwiched between them at a nip, the rotation of the transport roller 7a transports the recording medium P forward in the direction D1. The transport unit 7 intermittently transports the recording medium P so that it passes between the platen 8 and the ink ejection surface 9a. By alternately repeating the transport operation of the recording medium P by the transport unit 7 and printing scans, it is possible to record an image on the recording medium P in page units.

[0019] A recovery unit 4 is provided at one end of the carriage 2's range of movement. The recovery unit 4 is a mechanism for maintaining the ink ejection performance of the print head 9. The recovery unit 4 includes a cap 4a that covers the print head 9. A cap 4a is provided for each print head 9, capping the ink ejection surface 9a to prevent the nozzles from drying out. The recovery unit 4 can also perform recovery operations, such as creating negative pressure inside the cap 4a to suck ink from the print head 9. Figure 4(A) shows the carriage 2 positioned at the right end (home position) of its range of movement. The carriage 2 is positioned above the recovery unit 4, which allows the cap 4a to cap the ink ejection surface 9a and perform recovery operations for the print head 9. Figure 4(B) shows the carriage 2 positioned at the left end of its range of movement. In this position, the carriage 2 is not positioned above the recovery unit 4, and capping the ink ejection surface 9a is not possible.

[0020] The liquid storage containers 6B, 6C, 6M, and 6Y are ink tanks that store liquid ink to be ejected by the recording head 9. In the following description, when the liquid storage containers 6B, 6C, 6M, and 6Y are collectively referred to or when no distinction is made between them, they will be referred to as the liquid storage container 6. In this embodiment, the liquid storage container 6 is a stationary container that is fixed to the recording device 1. When the remaining ink level becomes low, the user refills the liquid storage container 6 with ink without removing the liquid storage container 6 from the recording device 1.

[0021] Each liquid container 6 contains a different type of ink. In the present embodiment, the liquid containers 6B, 6C, 6M, and 6Y contain black ink, cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink, respectively. The types of liquid ink ejected by the recording head 9 are not limited to four types as in the present embodiment, but may be one type or multiple types other than four, and the number of liquid containers should be at least equal to the number of types of liquid ink.

[0022] The liquid storage containers 6C, 6M, and 6Y are containers of the same structure, but the liquid storage container 6B has a larger capacity than the liquid storage containers 6C, 6M, and 6Y. Therefore, the width of the liquid storage container 6B in the direction D2 is wider than that of the liquid storage containers 6C, 6M, and 6Y. The liquid storage container 6B is disposed at the left end in the front part of the recording device 1. The liquid storage container 6B is made of a light-transmitting material, and the user can visually check the remaining amount of ink contained therein through the windows 104 and 108. When refilling ink, the user opens the cover 102. This exposes the top of the liquid storage container 6B, making it possible to refill the ink.

[0023] The liquid storage containers 6C to 6Y are arranged side by side in the direction D2 at the right end in the front part of the recording device 1. The liquid storage containers 6C to 6Y are also made of a light-transmitting material. The user can see the remaining amount of ink stored in the liquid storage container 6C through window 105, the liquid storage container 6M through window 106, and the liquid storage container 6Y through windows 107 and 109. When refilling the liquid storage containers 6C to 6Y with ink, the user opens cover 103. This exposes the tops of the liquid storage containers 6C to 6Y, making it possible to refill them with ink.

[0024] The liquid storage containers 6B, 6C, 6M, and 6Y are connected to the recording head 9 via individual tubes 5, and ink is supplied to the recording head 9 via the tubes 5. The tubes 5 are flexible, and can stably supply ink to the recording head 9 regardless of the movement or position of the carriage 2.

[0025] <Structure of liquid container> <Structure of liquid storage container 6B> The structure of the liquid storage container 6B will be described with reference to Figures 6(A) and 6(B) in addition to Figures 5(A) and 5(B). Figures 6(A) and 6(B) are exploded perspective views of the liquid storage container 6B.

[0026] The liquid container 6B has an overall rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a front side 6a, a left side 6b, a right side 6c, a top side 6d, a bottom side 6e, and a rear side 6f. The front side 6a and the rear side 6f are opposite sides, and the left side 6b and the right side 6c are opposite sides. Comparing the positions of the left side 6b and the right side 6c, the right side 6c is the side on the inside of the device, closer to the recording head 9, and the left side 6b is the opposite side, closer to the outside of the device. In other words, the right side 6c is the side on the recording area where recording is performed by the recording head 9. The rear side 6f has a step midway in the D3 direction, and the width of the liquid container 6B in the D1 direction is shorter on the top side 6d side and longer on the bottom side 6e side.

[0027] The liquid storage container 6B has a main body 11 and sealing members 12 and 13 fixed to the main body 11. In this embodiment, the sealing members 12 and 13 are flexible films fixed to the main body 11 by adhesive or welding. The sealing member 12 is disposed on the right side 6c of the liquid storage container 6B and covers and seals the openings and grooves on the right side of the main body 11. The sealing member 13 is disposed on the left side 6b of the liquid storage container 6B and seals the openings and grooves on the left side of the main body 11. The main body 11 is a hollow structure made of resin and is a forming member that forms the following components. The main body 11 and the sealing members 12 and 13 are all light-transmitting members, allowing the interior of the liquid storage container 6B to be seen from the outside. These members may be colored and transparent, or colorless and transparent.

[0028] The liquid storage container 6B has a cylindrical injection port 21 formed on the top portion 6d by the main body 11. The injection port 21 is exposed when the cover 102 is opened. When refilling with ink, ink is injected through the injection port 21. A removable lid 20 is attached to the injection port 21. A groove 21a is formed on the top portion 6d of the main body 11 around the injection port 21. The groove 21a catches ink that drips outside the injection port 21 when refilling with ink.

[0029] The liquid storage container 6B has a cylindrical outlet portion 22 formed by the main body 11 at a stepped portion of the rear portion 6f. The outlet portion 22 is an outlet for the ink stored in the liquid storage container 6B and is a liquid outlet for allowing the ink to flow out to the recording head 9. A tube 5 is connected to the outlet portion 22, and the ink stored in the liquid storage container 6B is supplied from the outlet portion 22 to the recording head 9 via the tube 5.

[0030] The liquid storage container 6B has a cylindrical atmosphere communication part 23 formed on the top part 6d by the main body 11. The atmosphere communication part 23 is a communication port that connects the inside of the liquid storage container 6B to the atmosphere and allows gas-liquid exchange as the stored ink flows out.

[0031] The liquid storage container 6B has an ink visible surface 25 formed on the front side portion 6a by the main body 11. The ink visible surface 25 is a light-transmitting surface that allows the user to visually check from the outside (through windows 104 and 108) the remaining amount of ink stored in the storage chamber 26 behind it. The ink visible surface 25 is formed with a lower limit indicator 25b that indicates the minimum remaining amount that indicates when it is time to refill the ink, an upper limit indicator 25a that indicates the maximum remaining amount when the ink should be refilled, and an indicator 25c that indicates the remaining amount at which a recovery operation can be performed by the recovery device 4. These indicators 25a to 25c are formed by the shape of the main body 11 (such as by forming recesses or protrusions) or by printing a diagram.

[0032] The liquid storage container 6B has an engagement portion 24a formed on the front side 6a by the main body 11, and an engagement portion 24b formed on the rear side 6f by the main body 11. The engagement portions 24a and 24b engage with engagement portions (not shown) formed on the inside of the housing 101 to fix and position the liquid storage container 6B.

[0033] The liquid storage container 6B has a storage chamber 26 for storing ink on the side of the bottom part 6e, and buffer chambers 29a-29e on the side of the top part 6d. The storage chamber 26 is in communication with the atmosphere communication part 23 via the buffer chambers 29a-29e. The buffer chambers 29a-29e prevent ink from flowing from the storage chamber 26 to the atmosphere communication part 23 and leaking outside the liquid storage container 6B.

[0034] The storage chamber 26 is defined by the main body 11 and the sealing member 12. The main body 11 has peripheral wall portions 26a, 26b, 26d to 26f having an opening 26c as a configuration for forming the storage chamber 26, and the opening 26c is sealed by the sealing member 12 to form a liquid-tight storage chamber 26. The peripheral wall portions 26a, 26b, 26d to 26f form the front wall portion, left wall portion, top wall portion, bottom wall portion, and rear wall portion of the storage chamber 26, respectively. The opening 26c opens to the right side of the main body 11, and the sealing member 12 forms the right wall portion of the storage chamber 26.

[0035] The peripheral wall (upper wall) 26d separates the storage chamber 26 from buffer chambers 29a-29e, which are the spaces above it. The peripheral wall (upper wall) 26d also communicates with the injection passage 28, which is the space above it, at a communication section 26d' (see FIG. 7B), and the injection passage 28 communicates with the injection section 21. The injection passage 28 is defined by the main body 11 and the sealing member 12. Ink injected from the injection section 21 flows into the storage chamber 26 through the injection passage 28 and is stored therein. The peripheral wall (left wall) 26b forms the lower part of the left side 6b of the liquid storage container 6B and has a protrusion 26g that protrudes outward (to the left). The protrusion 26g protrudes into the window 108. From outside the recording device 1, a user can visually check the remaining amount of ink in the storage chamber 26 through the translucent protrusion 26g. Furthermore, by forming the protrusion 26g, the ink containing space of the containing chamber 26 can be expanded.

[0036] A plurality of ribs 27 formed by the main body 11 are arranged inside the accommodation chamber 26. The ribs 27 extend from the peripheral wall portion (left wall portion) 26b to a position close to the opening 26c, and support the sealing member 12 from the inside, thereby reducing the occurrence of unevenness.

[0037] When the maximum amount of ink is contained in the storage chamber 26, the liquid level will be approximately the same as the position of the upper limit indicator 25a. The outlet 22 is located higher than the upper limit indicator 25a. Therefore, when the maximum amount of ink is contained in the storage chamber 26, the outlet 22 will be located above the ink level, and ink will not leak from the outlet 22.

[0038] The buffer chambers 29a to 29e are defined by the main body 11 and the sealing member 13. The main body 11 has a peripheral wall portion that opens on the left side and that individually forms the buffer chambers 29a to 29e, and by sealing the openings with the sealing member 13, each of the buffer chambers 29a to 29e is formed.

[0039] The flow path provided in the liquid storage container 6B will be described with reference to FIGS. 7(A) and 7(B) in addition to FIGS. 6(A) and 6(B).

[0040] The flow path 31 is a flow path that connects the storage chamber 26 and the outlet 22. The flow path 31 is formed in the left side portion 6b of the liquid storage container 6B. Specifically, the flow path 31 is defined by a groove 31c formed in the peripheral wall (left wall 26b) of the main body 11 and a sealing member 13 that seals the groove 31c. The flow path 31 has a portion extending in the D3 direction and a portion extending in the D1 direction, and is L-shaped overall. One end 31a of the flow path 31 is the end on the storage chamber 26 side, and penetrates the lower part at the front of the peripheral wall (left wall 26b) to open into the storage chamber 26. The other end 31b of the flow path 31 is the end on the outlet 22 side, and is connected to the outlet 22.

[0041] The flow path 32 is a flow path that communicates between the injection passage 28 and the buffer chamber 29a. The flow path 32 is formed in the left side portion 6b of the liquid storage container 6B. Specifically, the flow path 32 is defined by a groove 32c formed in the main body 11 and a sealing member 13 that seals the groove 32c. One end 32a of the flow path 32 is the end on the injection passage 28 side and opens into the injection passage 28. The end 32a is formed on a protrusion that protrudes to the right from the left wall of the injection passage 28. The other end 32b of the flow path 32 is the end on the buffer chamber 29a side and opens into the buffer chamber 29a.

[0042] The flow path 33 is a flow path that connects the buffer chamber 29a and the buffer chamber 29b. The flow path 33 is formed in the right side portion 6c of the liquid storage container 6B. Specifically, the flow path 33 is defined by a groove 33c formed in the main body 11 and a sealing member 12 that seals the groove 33c. One end 33a of the flow path 33 is the end on the buffer chamber 29a side and opens to the buffer chamber 29a. The other end 33b of the flow path 33 is the end on the buffer chamber 29b side and opens to the buffer chamber 29b.

[0043] The flow path 34 is a flow path that connects the buffer chamber 29b and the buffer chamber 29c. The flow path 34 is formed in the right side portion 6c of the liquid storage container 6B. Specifically, the flow path 34 is defined by a groove 34c formed in the main body 11 and a sealing member 12 that seals the groove 34c. One end 34a of the flow path 34 is the end on the buffer chamber 29b side and opens to the buffer chamber 29b. The other end 34b of the flow path 34 is the end on the buffer chamber 29c side and opens to the buffer chamber 29c.

[0044] The flow path 35 is a flow path that connects the buffer chamber 29c and the buffer chamber 29d. The flow path 35 is formed in a winding manner on the right side 6c of the liquid storage container 6B. Specifically, the flow path 35 is defined by a groove 35c formed in the main body 11 and a sealing member 12 that seals the groove 35c. One end 35a of the flow path 35 is the end on the buffer chamber 29c side and opens into the buffer chamber 29c. The end 35a is formed on a protrusion that protrudes to the left from the right wall of the buffer chamber 29c. The other end 35b of the flow path 35 is the end on the buffer chamber 29d side and opens into the buffer chamber 29d.

[0045] The flow path 36 is a flow path that connects the buffer chamber 29d and the buffer chamber 29e. The flow path 36 is formed in the right side portion 6c of the liquid storage container 6B. Specifically, the flow path 36 is defined by a groove 36c formed in the main body 11 and a sealing member 12 that seals the groove 36c. One end 36a of the flow path 36 is the end on the buffer chamber 29d side and opens to the buffer chamber 29d. The other end 36b of the flow path 36 is the end on the buffer chamber 29e side and opens to the buffer chamber 29e. The buffer chamber 29e is in communication with the atmosphere-communication portion 23.

[0046] A gas-liquid separation membrane may be provided in each of the flow paths 32 to 36 that connect the storage chamber 26 to the atmosphere communication portion 23. This makes it possible to reduce leakage of ink from the atmosphere communication portion 23 to the outside when ink flows from the storage chamber 26 to the atmosphere communication portion 23.

[0047] <Structure of liquid storage container 6Y> The structure of the liquid storage container 6Y will be described with reference to Figures 8(A) and 8(B) in addition to Figures 5(A) and 5(B). Figures 8(A) and 8(B) are exploded perspective views of the liquid storage container 6Y. Note that the liquid storage containers 6C and 6M have the same structure as the liquid storage container 6Y, and therefore their description will be omitted.

[0048] The liquid storage container 6Y has basically the same structure as the liquid storage container 6B, but differs in that it is narrower in width, the left and right configurations are swapped, and it includes a support portion 41a. For this reason, in each drawing, the same components of the liquid storage container 6Y as those of the liquid storage container 6B are denoted by the same reference numerals. The support portion 41a is a portion that supports a harness (not shown).

[0049] The liquid container 6Y has an overall rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a front side 6a, a left side 6b, a right side 6c, a top side 6d, a bottom side 6e, and a rear side 6f. The front side 6a and the rear side 6f are opposite sides, and the left side 6b and the right side 6c are opposite sides. Comparing the positions of the left side 6b and the right side 6c, the left side 6b is the side on the inside of the device, closer to the recording head 9, and the right side 6c is the opposite side, closer to the outside of the device. In other words, the left side 6b is the side on the recording area where recording is performed by the recording head 9. The rear side 6f has a step midway in the D3 direction, and the width of the liquid container 6Y in the D1 direction is shorter on the top side 6d side and longer on the bottom side 6e side.

[0050] The liquid storage container 6Y has a main body 41 corresponding to the main body 11 of the liquid storage container 6B, a sealing member 43 fixed to the main body 41 and corresponding to the sealing member 12 of the liquid storage container 6B, and a sealing member 42 fixed to the main body 41 and corresponding to the sealing member 13 of the liquid storage container 6B.

[0051] The sealing members 42 and 43 in this embodiment are flexible films and are fixed to the main body 41 by adhesion or welding. The sealing member 43 is disposed on the right side 6c of the liquid storage container 6Y and covers and seals the openings and grooves on the right side of the main body 41. The sealing member 42 is disposed on the left side 6b of the liquid storage container 6Y and seals the openings and grooves on the left side of the main body 41. The main body 41 is a hollow structure made of resin and is a forming member that forms the following components. The main body 41 and the sealing members 42 and 43 are all light-transmitting members, and the inside of the liquid storage container 6Y can be seen from the outside. These members may be colored and transparent, or colorless and transparent.

[0052] The liquid storage container 6Y has a cylindrical injection port 21 formed on the top portion 6d by the main body 41. The injection port 21 is exposed when the cover 103 is opened. When refilling with ink, ink is injected through the injection port 21. A removable lid 20 is attached to the injection port 21. A groove 21a is formed on the top portion 6d of the main body 41 around the injection port 21. The groove 21a catches ink that drips outside the injection port 21 when refilling with ink.

[0053] The liquid storage container 6Y has a cylindrical outlet portion 22 formed in a stepped portion of the rear portion 6f by the main body 41. The outlet portion 22 is an outlet for ink stored in the liquid storage container 6Y and is a liquid outlet for allowing the ink to flow out to the recording head 9. A tube 5 is connected to the outlet portion 22, and the ink stored in the liquid storage container 6Y is supplied from the outlet portion 22 to the recording head 9 via the tube 5.

[0054] The liquid storage container 6Y has a cylindrical atmosphere communication part 23 formed on the top part 6d by the main body 41. The atmosphere communication part 23 is a communication port that connects the inside of the liquid storage container 6Y to the atmosphere and allows gas-liquid exchange as the stored ink flows out.

[0055] The liquid storage container 6Y has an ink visible surface 25 formed on the front side portion 6a by the main body 41. The ink visible surface 25 is a light-transmitting surface that allows the user to visually check from the outside (through windows 107 and 109) the amount of ink remaining in the storage chamber 26 behind it. The ink visible surface 25 is formed with a lower limit indicator 25b that indicates the minimum remaining amount that will determine when it is time to refill the ink, an upper limit indicator 25a that indicates the maximum remaining amount when the ink should be refilled, and an indicator 25c that indicates the minimum remaining amount at which a recovery operation can be performed by the recovery device 4. These indicators 25a to 25c are formed by the shape of the main body 41 (such as by forming recesses or protrusions) or by printing a diagram.

[0056] The liquid storage container 6Y has an engagement portion 24a formed on the front side 6a by the main body 41, and an engagement portion 24b formed on the rear side 6f by the main body 41. The engagement portions 24a and 24b engage with engagement portions (not shown) formed on the inside of the housing 101 to fix and position the liquid storage container 6Y.

[0057] The liquid storage container 6Y has a storage chamber 26 for storing ink on the side of the bottom part 6e, and buffer chambers 29a to 29e on the side of the top part 6d. The storage chamber 26 is in communication with the atmosphere communication part 23 via the buffer chambers 29a to 29e. The buffer chambers 29a to 29e prevent ink from flowing from the storage chamber 26 to the atmosphere communication part 23 and leaking outside the liquid storage container 6Y.

[0058] The storage chamber 26 is defined by a main body 41 and a sealing member 42. The main body 41 has peripheral wall portions 26a, 26b, 26d to 26f having an opening 26c as a component for forming the storage chamber 26, and the opening 26c is sealed with the sealing member 42 to form a liquid-tight storage chamber 26. The peripheral wall portions 26a, 26b, 26d to 26f form the front wall portion, right wall portion, top wall portion, bottom wall portion, and rear wall portion of the storage chamber 26, respectively. The opening 26c opens to the left side of the main body 41, and the sealing member 42 forms the left wall portion of the storage chamber 26.

[0059] The peripheral wall (upper wall) 26d separates the storage chamber 26 from buffer chambers 29a-29e, which are the spaces above it. The peripheral wall (upper wall) 26d also communicates with the injection passage 28, which is the space above it, at a communication section 26d' (see FIG. 9B), and the injection passage 28 communicates with the injection section 21. The injection passage 28 is defined by the main body 41 and the sealing member 42. Ink injected from the injection section 21 flows into the storage chamber 26 through the injection passage 28 and is stored therein. The peripheral wall (right wall) 26b forms the lower part of the right side 6c of the liquid storage container 6Y and has a protrusion 26g that protrudes outward (to the right). The protrusion 26g protrudes into the window 109. From outside the recording device 1, a user can visually check the remaining ink amount in the storage chamber 26 through the translucent protrusion 26g. Furthermore, by forming the protrusion 26g, the ink containing space of the containing chamber 26 can be expanded.

[0060] A plurality of ribs 27 formed by the main body 41 are arranged inside the accommodation chamber 26. The ribs 27 extend from the peripheral wall portion (right wall portion) 26b to a position close to the opening 26c, and support the sealing member 42 from the inside, thereby reducing the occurrence of unevenness.

[0061] When the maximum amount of ink is contained in the storage chamber 26, the liquid level is approximately aligned with the position of the upper limit indicator 25a. The outlet 22 is located higher than the upper limit indicator 25a. Therefore, even when the maximum amount of ink is contained in the storage chamber 26, the ink will not leak from the outlet 22.

[0062] The buffer chambers 29a to 29e are defined by a main body 41 and a sealing member 43. The main body 41 has a peripheral wall portion that opens on the right side and that individually forms the buffer chambers 29a to 29e, and by sealing the openings with the sealing member 43, each of the buffer chambers 29a to 29e is formed.

[0063] The flow paths provided in the liquid storage container 6Y will be described with reference to FIGS. 9A and 9B in addition to FIGS. 8A and 8B.

[0064] The flow path 31 is a flow path that connects the storage chamber 26 and the outlet 22. The flow path 31 is formed in the right side 6c of the liquid storage container 6Y. Specifically, the flow path 31 is defined by a groove 31c formed in the peripheral wall (right wall 26b) of the main body 41 and a sealing member 43 that seals the groove 31c. The flow path 31 has a portion extending in the D3 direction and a portion extending in the D1 direction, and is L-shaped overall. One end 31a of the flow path 31 is the end on the storage chamber 26 side, and penetrates the lower part at the front of the peripheral wall (right wall 26b) to open to the storage chamber 26. The other end 31b of the flow path 31 is the end on the outlet 22 side, and is connected to the outlet 22.

[0065] The flow path 32 is a flow path that communicates between the injection passage 28 and the buffer chamber 29a. The flow path 32 is formed in the right side portion 6c of the liquid storage container 6Y. Specifically, the flow path 32 is defined by a groove 32c formed in the main body 41 and a sealing member 43 that seals the groove 32c. One end 32a of the flow path 32 is the end on the injection passage 28 side and opens into the injection passage 28. The end 32a is formed in a protrusion that protrudes to the left from the right wall portion of the injection passage 28. The other end 32b of the flow path 32 is the end on the buffer chamber 29a side and opens into the buffer chamber 29a.

[0066] The flow path 33 is a flow path that connects the buffer chamber 29a and the buffer chamber 29b. The flow path 33 is formed in the left side portion 6b of the liquid storage container 6Y. Specifically, the flow path 33 is defined by a groove 33c formed in the main body 41 and a sealing member 42 that seals the groove 33c. One end 33a of the flow path 33 is the end on the buffer chamber 29a side and opens to the buffer chamber 29a. The other end 33b of the flow path 33 is the end on the buffer chamber 29b side and opens to the buffer chamber 29b.

[0067] The flow path 34 is a flow path that connects the buffer chamber 29b and the buffer chamber 29c. The flow path 34 is formed in the left side portion 6b of the liquid storage container 6Y. Specifically, the flow path 34 is defined by a groove 34c formed in the main body 41 and a sealing member 42 that seals the groove 34c. One end 34a of the flow path 34 is the end on the buffer chamber 29b side and opens to the buffer chamber 29b. The other end 34b of the flow path 34 is the end on the buffer chamber 29c side and opens to the buffer chamber 29c.

[0068] The flow path 35 is a flow path that connects the buffer chamber 29c and the buffer chamber 29d. The flow path 35 is formed in a winding manner on the left side portion 6b of the liquid storage container 6Y. Specifically, the flow path 35 is defined by a groove 35c formed in the main body 41 and a sealing member 42 that seals the groove 35c. One end 35a of the flow path 35 is the end on the buffer chamber 29c side and opens into the buffer chamber 29c. The end 35a is formed on a protrusion that protrudes to the right from the left wall of the buffer chamber 29c. The other end 35b of the flow path 35 is the end on the buffer chamber 29d side and opens into the buffer chamber 29d.

[0069] The flow path 36 is a flow path that connects the buffer chamber 29d and the buffer chamber 29e. The flow path 36 is formed in the left side portion 6b of the liquid storage container 6Y. Specifically, the flow path 36 is defined by a groove 36c formed in the main body 41 and a sealing member 42 that seals the groove 36c. One end 36a of the flow path 36 is the end on the buffer chamber 29d side and opens to the buffer chamber 29d. The other end 36b of the flow path 36 is the end on the buffer chamber 29e side and opens to the buffer chamber 29e. The buffer chamber 29e is in communication with the atmosphere-communication part 23.

[0070] A gas-liquid separation membrane may be provided in each of the flow paths 32 to 36 that connect the storage chamber 26 to the atmosphere communication portion 23. This makes it possible to reduce leakage of ink from the atmosphere communication portion 23 to the outside when ink flows from the storage chamber 26 to the atmosphere communication portion 23.

[0071] <Recording device orientation> The mechanism for suppressing ink leakage when the recording device 1 is in a position other than when in use will be described below. Fig. 10(A) schematically shows the arrangement of the liquid storage container 6 and the carriage 2 (and the recording head 9) when the recording device 1 is in an in-use position. Each liquid storage container 6 contains a maximum amount of ink 10 in the storage chamber 26. In this position, if the side of the carriage 2 in direction D2 is called the inside and the opposite side is called the outside, the flow path 31 of each liquid storage container 6 is located outside the liquid storage container 6, and the sealing members 12 and 42 that form the walls of the storage chamber 26 are located inside.

[0072] Because the sealing members 12 and 42 form the walls of the storage chamber 26, damage to them directly leads to ink leakage. The sealing members 12 and 42 of this embodiment are films, and therefore are easily scratched. If the sealing members 12 and 42 were positioned outside the liquid storage container 6, they would come into contact with the inner wall surface of the housing 101 or the surrounding structure when assembling the liquid storage container 6B or 6Y, and the sealing members 12 and 42 could be scratched. Furthermore, during use, they could come into contact with external foreign matter through the windows 108 and 109. In this embodiment, the sealing members 12 and 42 are configured to be positioned inside the liquid storage container 6, which improves the protective performance of the sealing members 12 and 42 and structurally prevents them from being scratched.

[0073] Furthermore, the positioning of the flow path 31 outside the liquid storage container 6 contributes to suppressing ink leakage when the recording device 1 is in a position other than that when in use. Below, we will explain how to suppress ink leakage when the recording device 1 changes from the in-use position (maximum amount of ink) of Figure 10(A) to another position, separately for each position of the recording device 1.

[0074] First, a case where the carriage 2 is located at the home position will be described. When the operation of the recording device 1 has ended normally, the carriage 2 is controlled so as to stop at the home position.

[0075] 10(B) shows an example of a position where the right side of the recording device 1 is on the bottom and the left side is on the top. In this position, the liquid storage container 6B is located on the top side, and the liquid storage containers 6C, 6M, and 6Y and the carriage 2 are located on the bottom side.

[0076] In this position, there is only a small difference in height between the liquid containers 6C, 6M, and 6Y and the ink ejection surface 9a of the recording head 9. Therefore, even if the meniscus is broken on the ink ejection surface 9a, there is little risk that the ink contained in the liquid containers 6C, 6M, and 6Y will leak from the ink ejection surface 9a.

[0077] On the other hand, the liquid storage container 6B is located higher than the ink ejection surface 9a of the recording head 9. However, the flow path 31 of the liquid storage container 6B is located higher than the storage chamber 26. In other words, the end 31a of the flow path 31 is located above the liquid level of the ink in the storage chamber 26. Therefore, the flow path 31 is not filled with ink from the storage chamber 26, and ink does not flow out from the outlet 22. As a result, there is little risk of the ink stored in the liquid storage container 6B leaking from the ink ejection surface 9a.

[0078] Next, a case will be described in which the recording device 1 is left in this position for a long period of time and the external air pressure fluctuates. For example, if the external air pressure increases from when the device was first left unused, the pressure will be such that air flows into the liquid storage container 6 through the atmosphere communication part 23, and no ink leakage will occur. Conversely, if the external air pressure decreases from when the device was first left unused (for example, when the recording device 1 is transported to a high altitude or when a tropical cyclone reaches the area where the recording device 1 is installed), the pressure will be such that the ink in the storage chamber 26 moves from the injection passage 28 to the buffer chamber 29a.

[0079] In this case, the liquid storage container 6B is not filled with ink because the flow path 32 is formed in the left side portion 6b and is located higher than the storage chamber 26 and the injection passage 28. Therefore, there is little risk of ink leaking from the atmosphere communication portion 23.

[0080] In the liquid storage containers 6C, 6M, and 6Y, the flow path 32 is formed in the right side portion 6c and is positioned lower than the storage chamber 26 and the injection passage 28, so it can be filled with ink. However, because the end 32a of the flow path 32 is provided on the protrusion, ink will not flow into the flow path 32 until the ink level in the injection passage 28 reaches or exceeds the height of the protrusion. At this stage, the amount of ink flowing into the flow path 32 can be reduced. Furthermore, because the flow paths 33 to 36 are formed in the left side portion 6b, they are positioned higher than the storage chamber 26 and the injection passage 28. Therefore, ink will not flow in. Therefore, there is little risk of ink leaking from the atmosphere-communicating portion 23.

[0081] 10(C) shows an example of an orientation in which the left side of the recording device 1 is down and the right side is up. In this orientation, the liquid storage containers 6C, 6M, 6Y and the carriage 2 are located on the upper side, and the liquid storage container 6B is located on the lower side.

[0082] In this position, there is only a small difference in height between the liquid storage containers 6C, 6M, and 6Y and the ink ejection surface 9a of the recording head 9. Therefore, even if the meniscus is broken on the ink ejection surface 9a, there is little risk that the ink stored in the liquid storage containers 6C, 6M, and 6Y will leak from the ink ejection surface 9a. Furthermore, because the liquid storage container 6B is located lower than the ink ejection surface 9a of the recording head 9, there is also little risk that the ink stored in the liquid storage container 6B will leak from the ink ejection surface 9a.

[0083] Next, a case will be described in which the recording device 1 is left in this position for a long period of time and the external air pressure fluctuates. For example, if the external air pressure increases from when the device was first left unused, the pressure will be such that air flows into the liquid storage container 6 through the atmosphere communication part 23, and no ink leakage will occur. If the external air pressure decreases from when the device was first left unused, the pressure will be such that ink in the storage chamber 26 moves from the injection passage 28 to the buffer chamber 29a.

[0084] In this case, the liquid containers 6C, 6M, and 6Y are not filled with ink because the flow path 32 is formed in the right side portion 6c and is located higher than the storage chamber 26 and the injection passage 28. Therefore, there is little risk of ink leaking from the atmosphere communication portion 23.

[0085] In the liquid storage container 6B, the flow path 32 is formed in the left side portion 6b and is positioned lower than the storage chamber 26 and the injection passage 28, so it can be filled with ink. However, because the end portion 32a of the flow path 32 is provided on the protrusion, ink will not flow into the flow path 32 until the ink level in the injection passage 28 reaches or exceeds the height of the protrusion. At this stage, the amount of ink flowing into the flow path 32 can be reduced. Furthermore, because the flow paths 33 to 36 are formed in the right side portion 6c, they are positioned higher than the storage chamber 26 and the injection passage 28. Therefore, ink will not flow in. Therefore, there is little risk of ink leaking from the atmosphere-communicating portion 23.

[0086] 11(A) illustrates an example of a position in which the front of the recording device 1 is downwards and the rear is upwards. In this position, the carriage 2 is positioned on the upper side, and the liquid storage container 6 is positioned on the lower side. Because the ink ejection surface 9a of the recording head 9 is positioned higher than the liquid storage container 6, even if the meniscus is broken on the ink ejection surface 9a, there is little risk of the ink stored in the liquid storage container 6 leaking from the ink ejection surface 9a. Furthermore, the outlet portion 22 is positioned higher than the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 26, so ink will not leak out from the outlet portion 22.

[0087] Next, a case will be described in which the recording device 1 is left in this position for a long period of time and the external air pressure fluctuates. For example, if the external air pressure increases from when the device was first left unused, the pressure will be such that air flows into the liquid storage container 6 through the atmosphere communication part 23, and no ink leakage will occur. If the external air pressure decreases from when the device was first left unused, the pressure will be such that ink in the storage chamber 26 moves from the injection passage 28 to the buffer chamber 29a.

[0088] However, because the end 32a of the flow path 32 is located at a higher position than the front side part 6a of the liquid storage container 6, ink will not flow into the flow path 32 until the ink level in the injection passage 28 reaches or exceeds the height of the end 32a. At this stage, the amount of ink flowing into the flow path 32 can be reduced. In addition, the buffer chambers 29a to 29e and the flow paths 33 to 36 are located at a higher position than the injection passage 28. As ink flows into some of these spaces and the liquid level does not rise any further, there is little risk of ink leaking from the atmosphere-communicating part 23.

[0089] 11(B) illustrates an example of a position in which the front of the recording device 1 is up and the rear is down. In this position, the liquid storage container 6 is located on the upper side, and the carriage 2 is located on the lower side. However, since the end 31a of the flow path 31 is located at a high position above the storage chamber 26, there is little risk of ink from the storage chamber 26 flowing into the flow path 31. In other words, the end 31a of the flow path 31 is located above the liquid level of the ink in the storage chamber 26.

[0090] Next, a case will be described in which the recording device 1 is left in this position for a long period of time and the external air pressure fluctuates. For example, if the external air pressure increases from when the device was first left unused, the pressure will be such that air flows into the liquid storage container 6 through the atmosphere communication part 23, and no ink leakage will occur. If the external air pressure decreases from when the device was first left unused, the pressure will be such that ink in the storage chamber 26 moves from the injection passage 28 to the buffer chamber 29a.

[0091] However, because the injection passage 28 and the end 32a of the flow path 32 are located at a high position, there is little risk that the ink in the storage chamber 26 will flow into the injection passage 28 and the flow path 32. Therefore, there is little risk that the ink will leak from the atmosphere communication part 23.

[0092] 14(A) illustrates an example of an inverted position of the recording device 1. In this position, the difference in height between the liquid container 6 and the ink ejection surface 9a of the recording head 9 is small, so even if the meniscus is broken on the ink ejection surface 9a, there is little risk of the ink contained in the liquid container 6 leaking from the ink ejection surface 9a. Furthermore, because the end 31a of the flow path 31 is located at a high position above the storage chamber 26, the flow path 31 is not filled with ink from the storage chamber 26, and ink does not flow out from the outlet 22. From this perspective, there is also little risk of the ink contained in the liquid container 6 leaking from the ink ejection surface 9a.

[0093] Next, a case will be described in which the recording device 1 is left in this position for a long period of time and the external air pressure fluctuates. For example, if the external air pressure increases from when the device was first left unused, the pressure will be such that air flows into the liquid storage container 6 through the atmosphere communication part 23, and no ink leakage will occur. If the external air pressure decreases from when the device was first left unused, the pressure will be such that ink in the storage chamber 26 moves from the injection passage 28 to the buffer chamber 29a.

[0094] The ink in the storage chamber 26 flows into the injection passage 28, but because the end 32a of the flow passage 32 is located at a high position away from the upper portion 6d of the liquid storage container 6, the ink does not flow into the flow passage 32 until the ink level in the injection passage 28 reaches or exceeds the height of the end 32a. At this stage, the amount of ink flowing into the flow passage 32 can be reduced. Furthermore, because the ends 33a to 35a of the flow passages 33 to 35 are also located at a high position relative to the respective buffer chambers 29a to 29c, ink flows into some of the spaces in the buffer chambers 29a to 29c, preventing the ink level from rising any further, and therefore reducing the risk of ink leaking from the atmosphere-communicating part 23.

[0095] Next, we will explain what happens when the carriage 2 is located at the end of its movement range opposite the home position (the position shown in Figure 4(B)) and the nozzle meniscus is broken on the ink ejection surface 9a. As described above, the carriage 2 is normally located at the home position, but if the operation of the recording device 1 ends with an error or a power outage occurs, the carriage 2 may stop at a position other than the home position. In this case, the ink ejection surface 9a is not covered by the cap 4a, increasing the possibility that the nozzle meniscus on the ink ejection surface 9a will be broken.

[0096] 12(A) shows an example of a position where the right side of the recording device 1 is on the bottom and the left side is on the top. In this position, the liquid storage container 6B and the carriage 2 are located on the top side, and the liquid storage containers 6C, 6M, 6Y and the carriage 2 are located on the bottom side.

[0097] In this position, there is little risk of ink contained in the liquid container 6B leaking from the ink ejection surface 9a because there is only a small difference in height between the liquid container 6B and the ink ejection surface 9a of the recording head 9. Furthermore, because the liquid containers 6C, 6M, and 6Y are located lower than the recording head 9, there is little risk of ink contained in the liquid containers 6C, 6M, and 6Y leaking from the ink ejection surface 9a.

[0098] Next, a case will be described in which the recording device 1 is left in this position for a long period of time and the external air pressure fluctuates. For example, if the external air pressure increases from when the recording device 1 was first left, the pressure state will be such that air flows into the liquid storage container 6 from the atmosphere communication part 23, and ink leakage will not occur. Conversely, if the external air pressure decreases from when the recording device 1 was first left, the pressure state will be such that ink in the storage chamber 26 moves from the injection passage 28 to the buffer chamber 29a. In this case, for the same reasons as those explained in the example of Figure 10(B), there is little risk of ink leaking from the atmosphere communication part 23 in each liquid storage container 6.

[0099] 12(B) shows an example of a position where the left side of the recording device 1 is down and the right side is up. In this position, the liquid storage containers 6C, 6M, and 6Y are located on the upper side, and the liquid storage container 6B and the carriage 2 are located on the lower side.

[0100] In this position, the difference in height between the liquid container 6B and the ink ejection surface 9a of the recording head 9 is small, so there is little risk of ink contained in the liquid container 6B leaking from the ink ejection surface 9a.

[0101] On the other hand, the liquid storage containers 6C, 6M, and 6Y are located higher than the ink ejection surface 9a of the recording head 9. However, the flow paths 31 of the liquid storage containers 6C, 6M, and 6Y are located higher than the storage chambers 26. In other words, the ends 31a of the flow paths 31 are located above the liquid level of the ink in the storage chambers 26. Therefore, the flow paths 31 are not filled with ink from the storage chambers 26, and ink does not flow out from the outlets 22. As a result, there is little risk of the ink stored in the liquid storage containers 6C, 6M, and 6Y leaking from the ink ejection surface 9a.

[0102] Next, a case will be described in which the recording device 1 is left in this position for a long period of time and the external air pressure fluctuates. For example, if the external air pressure increases from when the recording device 1 was first left, the pressure state will be such that air flows into the liquid storage container 6 from the atmosphere communication part 23, and ink leakage will not occur. Conversely, if the external air pressure decreases from when the recording device 1 was first left, the pressure state will be such that ink in the storage chamber 26 moves from the injection passage 28 to the buffer chamber 29a. In this case, for the same reasons as those explained in the example of Figure 10(C), there is little risk of ink leaking from the atmosphere communication part 23 in each liquid storage container 6.

[0103] 13(A) illustrates an example of a position in which the front of the recording device 1 is facing down and the rear is facing up. In this position, the carriage 2 is positioned on the upper side, and the liquid storage container 6 is positioned on the lower side. Because the ink ejection surface 9a of the recording head 9 is positioned higher than the liquid storage container 6, there is little risk of the ink stored in the liquid storage container 6 leaking from the ink ejection surface 9a. In addition, the outlet portion 22 is positioned higher than the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 26, so ink will not leak out from the outlet portion 22.

[0104] Next, a case will be described in which the recording device 1 is left in this position for a long period of time and the external air pressure fluctuates. For example, if the external air pressure increases from when the recording device 1 was first left, the pressure state will be such that air flows into the liquid storage container 6 from the atmosphere communication part 23, and ink leakage will not occur. Conversely, if the external air pressure decreases from when the recording device 1 was first left, the pressure state will be such that ink in the storage chamber 26 moves from the injection passage 28 to the buffer chamber 29a. In this case, for the same reasons as those explained in the example of FIG. 11(A), there is little risk of ink leaking from the atmosphere communication part 23 in each liquid storage container 6.

[0105] 13(B) illustrates an example of a position in which the front of the recording device 1 is up and the rear is down. In this position, the liquid storage container 6 is located on the upper side, and the carriage 2 is located on the lower side. However, since the end 31a of the flow path 31 is located at a high position above the storage chamber 26, there is little risk of ink from the storage chamber 26 flowing into the flow path 31. In other words, the end 31a of the flow path 31 is located above the liquid level of the ink in the storage chamber 26.

[0106] Next, a case will be described in which the recording device 1 is left in this position for a long period of time and the external air pressure fluctuates. For example, if the external air pressure increases from when the recording device 1 was first left, the pressure state will be such that air flows into the liquid storage container 6 from the atmosphere communication part 23, and ink leakage will not occur. Conversely, if the external air pressure decreases from when the recording device 1 was first left, the pressure state will be such that ink in the storage chamber 26 moves from the injection passage 28 to the buffer chamber 29a. In this case, for the same reasons as those explained in the example of Figure 11(B), there is little risk of ink leaking from the atmosphere communication part 23 in each liquid storage container 6.

[0107] 14(B) illustrates an example of an inverted position of the recording device 1. In this position, the difference in height between the liquid storage container 6 and the ink ejection surface 9a of the recording head 9 is small, so there is little risk of ink stored in the liquid storage container 6 leaking from the ink ejection surface 9a. Furthermore, because the end 31a of the flow path 31 is located at a high position above the storage chamber 26, the flow path 31 is not filled with ink from the storage chamber 26, and ink does not flow out from the outlet 22. From this perspective, there is also little risk of ink stored in the liquid storage container 6 leaking from the ink ejection surface 9a.

[0108] Next, a case will be described in which the recording device 1 is left in this position for a long period of time and the external air pressure fluctuates. For example, if the external air pressure increases from when the recording device 1 was first left, the pressure state will be such that air flows into the liquid storage container 6 from the atmosphere communication part 23, and ink leakage will not occur. Conversely, if the external air pressure decreases from when the recording device 1 was first left, the pressure state will be such that ink in the storage chamber 26 moves from the injection passage 28 to the buffer chamber 29a. In this case, for the same reasons as those explained in the example of Figure 14(A), there is little risk of ink leaking from the atmosphere communication part 23 in each liquid storage container 6.

[0109] As described above, in this embodiment, even when the recording apparatus 1 is in a different orientation from that during use, the risk of ink outflow can be reduced, and the amount of ink leakage can be reduced.

[0110] <Other embodiments> In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the recording head 9 is divided into a recording head for black ink and a recording head for cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink, but this configuration is not limited to this, and a recording head integrated with all four colors may be used. Also, the number of storage chambers 26 and buffer chambers 29a to 29e in the above embodiment is merely an example, and is not limited to this number.

[0111] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the liquid container 6 has the protrusion 26g, but the protrusion 26g may not be present. Furthermore, the liquid container 6 has the ink-visible surface 25 on the front side 6a, but the ink-visible surface 25 may be formed on another surface, such as the left side 6b or the right side 6c. Furthermore, although the example in which the housing 101 has the windows 104 to 109 has been described, a configuration without windows may also be employed.

[0112] The invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1 recording device, 6 liquid storage container, 6b left side portion, 6c right side portion, 12 sealing member, 13 sealing member, 22 outlet portion, 26 storage chamber, 31 flow path

Claims

1. A recording device, a carriage that moves and carries a first head that ejects color ink and a second head that ejects black ink; a container; The container comprises: a first storage chamber having an opening sealed by a sealing member in a first wall portion of the container, the first storage chamber storing the color ink; an injection portion to which a removable lid is attached and which allows the color ink to be injected into the first storage chamber; a second storage chamber that communicates with the atmosphere and stores air when the lid is attached to the injection portion; an upper limit display portion that indicates an upper limit amount of the color ink that can be contained in the first container; a communication section that is located at a position higher than the upper limit display section when the recording device is in an in-use position, and that communicates the first storage chamber with the second storage chamber; a groove formed in a second wall portion of the container opposite to the first wall portion, the groove forming a flow path through which the color ink flows; The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the groove does not have a portion along the second wall portion through which the color ink flows downward when the recording apparatus is in use.

2. A recording device, a carriage that moves and carries a first head that ejects color ink and a second head that ejects black ink; a container; The container comprises: a first storage chamber having an opening sealed by a sealing member in a first wall portion of the container, the first storage chamber storing the color ink; an injection portion to which a removable lid is attached and which allows the color ink to be injected into the first storage chamber; a second storage chamber that communicates with the atmosphere and stores air when the lid is attached to the injection portion; a communication section that is located at a position higher than a liquid level when the maximum amount of color ink is contained in the first storage chamber in an attitude of the recording device during use, and that communicates the first storage chamber with the second storage chamber; a groove formed in a second wall portion of the container opposite to the first wall portion, the groove forming a flow path through which the color ink flows; The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the groove does not have a portion along the second wall portion through which the color ink flows downward when the recording apparatus is in use.

3. 3. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container has a lower limit indicator that indicates a lower limit amount of the color ink that can be contained in the first container.

4. 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color ink flows through the flow path toward the first head.

5. 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a tube connecting the first head and the container, the tube being connected to an outlet of the container.

6. 6. The recording device according to claim 1, further comprising a cover for covering the injection section.

7. 7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the injection portion is formed on the top of the container.

8. 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 7, wherein a second groove is formed in the top portion around the injection portion.

9. a conveying roller for conveying the recording medium in a first direction; 9. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the container is provided downstream of the first head in the first direction.

10. 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the groove is not sealed by the sealing member.

11. 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the color ink is any one of cyan ink, magenta ink, and yellow ink.

12. A recording device described in any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the groove does not have a portion that is folded in the vertical direction in the second wall portion in the said attitude.

Images