Recording device and liquid container

Abstract

To solve that problem that there is a possibility that it is hard to recognize a liquid surface of liquid in a liquid storage part when a light emitting part emits light to the inside of the liquid storage part.SOLUTION: A recording device 101 comprises a liquid storage part 46 that can store liquid, a recording head 22 that ejects the liquid supplied from the liquid storage part 46 to a medium; and a light emitting part 301 that emits light. The liquid storage part 46 has a float 48 that can float on the liquid in the liquid storage part 46 and move in response to movement of a liquid surface LS of the liquid while maintaining a posture thereof, and a front surface 43F which enables the liquid in the liquid storage part 46 to be visually recognize from the outside of the liquid storage part 46. The float 48 has a front surface 48a that receives the light from the light emitting part 301 to light up when viewed from a direction opposing to the front surface 43F.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an inkjet printer, an example of a recording device that records by ejecting ink, an example of a liquid, onto printing paper. This printer includes a recording head that ejects ink and a liquid container having a liquid storage section that stores the ink to be supplied to the recording head. This printer also includes a light-emitting section that illuminates the inside of the liquid storage section. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-182834 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the printer and liquid container described in Patent Document 1, when the inside of the liquid storage portion is illuminated by the light emitting portion, it may be difficult to see the ink level inside the liquid storage portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The recording device comprises a liquid storage section capable of storing liquid, a recording head that ejects the liquid supplied from the liquid storage section onto a medium, and a light-emitting section that emits light, wherein the liquid storage section has a float that floats on the liquid in the liquid storage section and can move in accordance with the movement of the liquid surface while maintaining its posture, and a viewing surface that allows the liquid in the liquid storage section to be seen from outside the liquid storage section, and the float has a light-emitting surface that appears to glow when viewed from the direction facing the viewing surface by receiving the light from the light-emitting section.

[0006] The liquid container comprises a liquid storage section capable of storing liquid, a float that floats on the liquid in the liquid storage section and can move in accordance with the movement of the liquid surface while maintaining its posture, a viewing surface that allows the liquid in the liquid storage section to be seen from outside the liquid storage section, and a light-emitting section provided on the float, and the float has a light-emitting surface that appears to glow when viewed from the direction facing the viewing surface as the light-emitting section emits light.

[0007] The liquid container is a liquid container that can be attached to an attachment section of a recording device that has a recording head that ejects liquid, a light-emitting section that emits light, and an attachment section, and comprises a liquid storage section that can store the liquid, a float that floats on the liquid in the liquid storage section and can move in accordance with the movement of the liquid surface while maintaining its posture, and a viewing surface that allows the liquid in the liquid storage section to be seen from outside the liquid storage section, and when attached to the attachment section, the area of ​​the liquid storage section that faces the light-emitting section is transparent or translucent, and the float has a light-emitting surface that receives light from the light-emitting section and appears to glow when viewed from the direction facing the viewing surface. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the recording device with the scanner unit open. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is another perspective view of the recording device with the scanner unit open. [Figure 4] FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the essential parts of the liquid storage device shown in FIG. 4, taken along line d6-d6, when the opening / closing cover and the cap lever are in a closed state. FIG. [Figure 7] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the essential parts of the liquid storage device shown in FIG. 4, taken along line d6-d6, when the opening / closing cover and the cap lever are in an open state. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the liquid storage portion when the liquid amount has reached a lower limit. [Figure 10] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part showing the d10-d10 cross section of the liquid storage part shown in FIG. 9. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the recording apparatus. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a liquid storage section according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a liquid storage section according to a third embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a liquid storage section according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a liquid storage section according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention will be described below based on embodiments. In each drawing, the same components are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0010] In each figure, X, Y, and Z represent three mutually orthogonal spatial axes. In this specification, the directions along these axes are referred to as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis directions. When specifying a direction, a positive direction is designated as "+" and a negative direction as "-," and both positive and negative signs are used to indicate the direction, with the direction indicated by the arrow in each figure being the + direction and the direction opposite the arrow being the - direction. The Z-axis direction indicates the vertical direction, with the +Z direction indicating a vertically downward direction and the -Z direction indicating a vertically upward direction. The plane including the X-axis and Y-axis is referred to as the XY plane, the plane including the X-axis and Z-axis is referred to as the XZ plane, and the plane including the Y-axis and Z-axis is referred to as the YZ plane. The XY plane is also referred to as a horizontal plane. Furthermore, the three spatial axes X, Y, and Z, which are not limited to positive and negative directions, are referred to as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis.

[0011] 1. Embodiment 1 The schematic configuration of a recording apparatus 101 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The recording apparatus 101 according to this embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped main body 102, a scanner unit 10 attached to the top of the main body 102, and a liquid containing apparatus 103, and is installed on a horizontal plane. The width direction of the medium, which intersects with the transport direction in which the medium is transported, is the +X direction or -X direction along the X axis, and the transport direction in which the medium is transported is the +Y direction along the Y axis.

[0012] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, scanner unit 10 is disposed on top of device body 102 and is attached so as to be rotatable relative to device body 102. In scanner unit 10, scanner housing 11, on which a document is placed and read, and document cover 12 are stacked in this order. Document cover 12 is a cover that protects scanner housing 11 and is rotatable relative to scanner housing 11. Furthermore, display unit 15 is attached to the end of document cover 12 in the +Y direction.

[0013] 1, the display unit 15 is rotatable relative to the scanner housing 11 together with the document cover 12, and is tiltable relative to the document cover 12. In other words, the display unit 15 is attached to the end of the scanner unit 10, and is rotatable and tiltable together with the scanner unit 10.

[0014] The display unit 15 is composed of a liquid crystal display module with a touch panel function. The display unit 15 functions as a notification unit that displays operation guidance for the recording device 101 and notifies information related to the recording device 101, and as an operation unit that performs various settings for the recording device 101. The user can tilt the display unit 15 to a position that is easy to see and perform various operations on the recording device 101 while referring to the images displayed on the display unit 15. Furthermore, the user can tilt the display unit 15 to a position that is easy to touch and perform various settings for the recording device 101 via the display unit 15.

[0015] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, by rotating the display unit 15 together with the scanner unit 10 and opening the scanner unit 10 to which the display unit 15 is attached relative to the device main body 102, liquid can be replenished from the refill container 90 to the liquid storage container 40 of the liquid storage device 103.

[0016] 1, the recording device 101 has a power operation unit 16 on the front of the device main body 102. By operating the power operation unit 16, the user can switch between a powered state in which the recording device 101 is powered on and a powered-off state in which the recording device 101 is powered off.

[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the recording device 101 has, inside the device main body 102, a transport unit 25 that transports a medium, and a recording unit 20. The transport unit 25 transports the medium in a transport direction that is the +Y direction. The recording unit 20 is configured to be able to record an image on the medium using liquid. As shown in FIG. 1, the recording unit 20 has a carriage 21, a recording head 22 that is mounted on the carriage 21 and ejects liquid onto the medium, and a tube 23 for supplying liquid to the recording head 22. The liquid supplied to the recording head 22 is contained in a liquid storage container 40 of the liquid storage device 103. The recording head 22 and the liquid storage container 40 are connected by the tube 23. The tube 23 is an example of a liquid supply unit. The recording device 101 has the recording head 22 that ejects liquid, and the liquid storage container 40. The liquid storage container 40 is an example of a liquid container.

[0018] The carriage 21 is supported by a guide shaft and is movable in the width direction of the medium, which intersects with the transport direction in which the medium is transported. The recording head 22 is movable together with the carriage 21 in the width direction of the medium. The recording head 22 has a common liquid chamber, individual liquid chambers, ejection elements, and nozzles (not shown), and ejects liquid onto the medium. The recording device 101 according to this embodiment records a desired image on the medium by alternately repeating an operation in which the recording head 22 ejects liquid onto the medium while moving in the width direction of the medium, and an operation in which the medium is transported in the transport direction by the transport unit 25.

[0019] Next, the liquid storage device 103 will be described. As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 8, the liquid storage device 103 has a liquid storage container 40 capable of storing liquid, an illumination unit 300, a housing 30 in which the liquid storage container 40 is housed, an upper wall unit 61, an opening / closing cover 31, a cap lever 50, an opening / closing detection unit 71, and a locking mechanism 72. Note that Figure 4 does not show the cap lever 50, which is a component of the liquid storage device 103. In Figure 5, the cap lever 50 is shown by a two-dot chain line.

[0020] 4, six liquid storage containers 40 are housed within the housing 30. The six liquid storage containers 40 include a liquid storage container 40K1 that contains a black liquid containing a black pigment as a colorant, a liquid storage container 40K2 that contains a black liquid containing a black dye as a colorant, a liquid storage container 40GR that contains a gray liquid containing a gray dye as a colorant, a liquid storage container 40C that contains a cyan liquid containing a cyan pigment as a colorant, a liquid storage container 40M that contains a magenta liquid containing a magenta pigment as a colorant, and a liquid storage container 40Y that contains a yellow liquid containing a yellow pigment as a colorant. The liquid storage container 40K1, the liquid storage container 40K2, the liquid storage container 40GR, the liquid storage container 40C, the liquid storage container 40M, and the liquid storage container 40Y are arranged in this order in the +X direction.

[0021] The number of liquid storage containers 40 housed in the housing 30 is not limited to six, and may be less than six, one, or more than six. The coloring material contained in the liquid housed in the liquid storage container 40 may be a pigment or a dye. Furthermore, the liquid housed in the liquid storage container 40 may not contain a coloring material.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 5, the top surface 42 of the liquid storage container 40 is provided with an inlet 41a through which liquid can be poured from a refill container 90, and an air inlet 45. The air inlet 45 is connected to the intermediate storage section 41b, and is capable of introducing air into the intermediate storage section 41b. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 8, the liquid storage container 40 has a liquid storage section 46 that is located in the +Z direction with respect to the top surface 42 and is capable of storing liquid.

[0023] As shown in Figures 8 and 10, the liquid storage section 46 has a front surface 43F, a rear surface 43B, a bottom surface 43S, a top surface 43U, a right side surface 43R, and a left side surface 43L. The front surface 43F is a wall surface that defines the outer shape of the liquid storage section 46 on the +Y direction side. The rear surface 43B is a wall surface that defines the outer shape of the liquid storage section 46 on the -Y direction side. The bottom surface 43S is a wall surface that defines the outer shape of the liquid storage section 46 on the +Z direction side. The top surface 43U is a wall surface that defines the outer shape of the liquid storage section 46 on the -Z direction side. The right side surface 43R is a wall surface that defines the outer shape of the liquid storage section 46 on the +X direction side. The left side surface 43L is a wall surface that defines the outer shape of the liquid storage section 46 on the -X direction side.

[0024] Liquid can be injected into liquid storage section 46 via injection section 41, which includes injection port 41a. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, injection section 41 is composed of injection port 41a, intermediate storage section 41b, inlet 41c, relay flow path 41d, and outlet 41e. Intermediate storage section 41b is located between injection port 41a and liquid storage section 46 in the Z-axis direction and communicates with injection port 41a. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, relay flow path 41d is provided on left side surface 43L of liquid storage section 46 and has inlet 41c opening on the side surface of intermediate storage section 41b on the −X-direction side and outlet 41e opening on left side surface 43L of liquid storage section 46, connecting intermediate storage section 41b and liquid storage section 46. 9, outlet 41e opens at a position in the +Z direction from the upper surface of float 48 when the amount of liquid in liquid storage section 46 is at a lower limit amount, which will be described later. This reduces the frequency with which liquid adheres to the upper surface of float 48.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 5, an outlet 49d connected to the tube 23 is provided on the upper surface 43U of the liquid storage portion 46. The liquid in the liquid storage portion 46 is supplied to the recording head 22 via the outlet flow path 49 including the outlet 49d and the tube 23. Thus, the recording head 22 ejects the liquid supplied from the liquid storage portion 46 onto the medium. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the outlet flow path 49 is composed of an outlet 49a, a first connection flow path 49b, a second connection flow path 49c, and the outlet 49d. As shown in FIG. 10, the first connection flow path 49b is provided on the left side surface 43L of the liquid storage portion 46 and has an outlet 49a that opens to the left side surface 43L. The outlet 49a discharges the liquid from the liquid storage portion 46 to the outlet flow path 49. As shown in Fig. 8, second connection flow path 49c is provided on the +Z direction side of upper surface 43U of liquid storage portion 46, and connects first connection flow path 49b and outlet 49d. Note that liquid storage portion 46 is connected to atmosphere inlet 45 via intermediate storage portion 41b. As shown in Fig. 9, outlet 49a opens at a position in the +Z direction above the upper surface of float 48 when the amount of liquid in liquid storage portion 46 is at a lower limit amount, which will be described later. This reduces the frequency with which liquid adheres to the upper surface of float 48.

[0026] As shown in Figures 5 and 8, a window member 43Fa is provided on the front surface 43F of the liquid storage portion 46. The window member 43Fa is made of a translucent or transparent material, and allows the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 46 and the liquid surface LS to be viewed from outside the liquid storage portion 46. The window member 43Fa is an example of a viewing surface. As long as the material used to form the window member 43Fa is a resin material, polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), etc. can be used.

[0027] In this embodiment, the viewing surface is a surface along the XZ plane. The window member 43Fa is provided with a scale 44, such as a scale 44a indicating that the liquid volume is at its lower limit and a scale 44b indicating that the liquid volume is at its upper limit. The lower limit in this embodiment is the liquid volume when the liquid storage section 46 is low, and is the liquid volume at which it is desirable to refill the liquid container 40 with liquid. The upper limit in this embodiment is the liquid volume at which refilling the liquid container 40 with liquid is not necessary, and some air is present in the liquid storage section 46. The lower limit and upper limit are examples of predetermined volumes. In FIGS. 8 and 9, a lower limit liquid level LL, which is the liquid level LS when the liquid volume is at its lower limit, and an upper limit liquid level LH, which is the liquid level LS when the liquid volume is at its upper limit, are indicated by two-dot chain lines.

[0028] Furthermore, if the liquid storage portion 46 is made of a translucent or transparent material, the window member 43Fa may be omitted. In this case, too, the user can check the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 46 and the liquid level LS from outside the liquid storage portion 46 through the front surface 43F. Thus, the front surface 43F is an example of a viewing surface. In other words, the liquid storage portion 46 has a front surface 43F that allows the liquid in the liquid storage portion 46 to be viewed from outside the liquid storage portion 46.

[0029] As shown in Figures 8 to 10, the liquid storage section 46 has a float 48. Note that Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of the main parts when the liquid volume in each of the liquid storage sections 46 of the six liquid storage containers 40 is at its lower limit. The float 48 floats on the liquid in the liquid storage section 46 and moves in response to movement of the liquid level LS in the Z-axis direction. The float 48 in this embodiment is made of a material with a lower specific gravity than the liquid stored in the liquid storage section 46. For example, polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE) can be used as the material for the float 48.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 10 , the float 48 of this embodiment has a rectangular thin plate shape with its longitudinal direction oriented in the Y-axis direction and its transverse direction oriented in the X-axis direction when viewed from the Z-axis direction. The float 48 of this embodiment is made of a translucent or transparent material. The refractive index of the material constituting the float 48 is greater than that of the atmosphere and greater than that of the liquid stored in the liquid storage section 46. Therefore, the float 48 functions as a light-guiding member, guiding light entering from the rear surface 48b, which is the side surface on the −Y-axis side of the float 48, to the front surface 48a, which is the side surface on the +Y-axis side of the float 48. Therefore, each side surface defining the outline of the float 48 can be considered a light-guiding surface that guides light. The rear surface 48b, the front surface 48a, and each side surface defining the outline of the float 48 can also be considered translucent or transparent. The refractive index of the material constituting the float 48 is preferably 1.4 or higher, and more preferably 1.5 or higher.

[0031] Furthermore, when viewed from the Z-axis direction, a gap is secured between the side surface of float 48 and the inner surface of liquid storage portion 46. Furthermore, hemispherical protrusions 48P are provided on the side surfaces of float 48 on the +X direction side and the -X direction side. This prevents the sliding resistance between float 48 and the inner surface of liquid storage portion 46 from increasing even when the inner surfaces of the +X direction side and the -X direction side of the liquid storage portion 46 are deformed. For this reason, float 48 of this embodiment does not have a structure that allows it to be rotatably held on a rotation shaft provided in liquid storage portion 46.

[0032] 8 and 9, the float 48 of this embodiment moves in response to movement of the liquid level LS in the Z-axis direction, while maintaining a posture in which the top surface, which is the side surface of the float 48 on the -Z direction side, is aligned with the liquid level LS. Furthermore, the float 48 of this embodiment floats on the liquid in the liquid storage section 46. As a result, the top surface, which is the side surface of the float 48 on the -Z direction side, is positioned in the -Z direction relative to the liquid level LS. Furthermore, a portion of the front surface 48a of the float 48 is positioned in the -Z direction relative to the liquid level LS. Furthermore, a portion of the rear surface 48b of the float 48 is positioned in the -Z direction relative to the liquid level LS.

[0033] In this case, when looking inside the liquid storage portion 46 from the +Y direction, which is the direction facing the front surface 43F of the liquid storage portion 46, at least a portion of the front surface 48a of the float 48 is visible. Furthermore, the front surface 48a of the float 48 moves in accordance with movement of the liquid level LS in the Z axis direction while maintaining a state along the XZ plane. As a result, with the recording device 101 of this embodiment, even if the liquid level LS of the liquid in the liquid storage portion 46 is difficult to see, for example, the position of the liquid level LS of the liquid can be recognized by looking at the front surface 48a of the float 48. Therefore, it is easier to recognize the amount of liquid in the liquid storage portion 46 compared to a case where the float 48 is not provided inside the liquid storage portion 46.

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 8 to 10 , the illumination unit 300 of this embodiment is provided outside the liquid storage unit 46. The illumination unit 300 has a light-emitting unit 301 that emits light. The light-emitting unit 301 emits visible light. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , the light-emitting unit 301 is provided at a position on the −Y direction side of the rear surface 43B of the liquid storage unit 46. The light-emitting unit 301 is also provided so that the position of the light-emitting front surface 301a corresponds to the position of the lower limit liquid level LL of the liquid in the liquid storage unit 46 in the Z-axis direction. Note that although the light-emitting unit 301 of this embodiment is attached to the housing 30, it may also be attached to the rear surface 43B of the liquid storage unit 46.

[0035] As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, when the amount of liquid in the liquid storage portion 46 is at the lower limit, the front surface 301a of the light-emitting portion 301 faces the rear surface 48b of the float 48. In this embodiment, a window member 43Ba is provided on the rear surface 43B of the liquid storage portion 46 in an area facing the front surface 301a of the light-emitting portion 301. The window member 43Ba is made of a translucent or transparent material, and visible light emitted by the light-emitting portion 301 passes through the window member 43Ba and enters the liquid storage portion 46. As shown in FIG. 10, the illumination portion 300 in this embodiment has six light-emitting portions 301 arranged side by side in the X-axis direction, corresponding to the liquid storage portions 46 of the six liquid storage containers 40. Note that if the liquid storage portions 46 are made of a translucent or transparent material, the window member 43Ba may be omitted.

[0036] Light-emitting unit 301 emits visible light, which passes through window member 43Ba and illuminates the inside of liquid storage unit 46, including the liquid and float 48, from outside liquid storage unit 46. This makes it easier for recording device 101 of the present embodiment to check the liquid stored in liquid storage unit 46 and the liquid level LS of the liquid from outside liquid storage unit 46, compared to a case where lighting unit 300 is not provided.

[0037] 9, when the amount of liquid in the liquid storage portion 46 is at a lower limit, light emitted from the front surface 301a of the light-emitting portion 301 enters the float 48 from the rear surface 48b of the float 48. The rear surface 48b of the float 48 is an example of an entry surface. The float 48 of this embodiment functions as a light-guiding member, as described above. Therefore, light from the light-emitting portion 301 that enters the float 48 from the rear surface 48b of the float 48 is guided inside the float 48 toward the front surface 48a. In FIG. 9, the path OP of light guided inside the float 48 from the rear surface 48b toward the front surface 48a is indicated by a dashed arrow.

[0038] The light guided to the front surface 48a of the float 48 passes through the window member 43Fa of the liquid storage portion 46 and reaches the +Y side of the liquid storage portion 46, which is outside the liquid storage portion 46. As a result, when the inside of the liquid storage portion 46 is viewed from the +Y side, which faces the front surface 43F of the liquid storage portion 46, the front surface 48a of the float 48 appears to glow. In other words, by receiving light from the light-emitting portion 301, the float 48 has a front surface 48a that appears to glow when the inside of the liquid storage portion 46 is viewed from the +Y side, which faces the front surface 43F of the liquid storage portion 46. The front surface 48a of the float 48 is an example of a light-emitting surface.

[0039] As a result, in the recording device 101 of this embodiment, even if the lower limit liquid level LL of the liquid is difficult to see when the amount of liquid in the liquid storage section 46 is at the lower limit, the position of the lower limit liquid level LL of the liquid can be recognized by looking at the front surface 48a of the float 48, making it easier to recognize the amount of liquid in the liquid storage section 46 compared to when a float 48 is not provided in the liquid storage section 46.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 30 has a viewing section 34 and a wall section 36. The viewing section 34 is provided with a through-hole 35 that exposes the front surface 43F of the liquid storage section 46. The wall section 36 is disposed in the -Z direction relative to the viewing section 34. A user can see through the front surface 43F from the through-hole 35 of the viewing section 34 and determine the amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage section 46. Note that, as long as it is possible to expose the front surface 43F of the liquid storage section 46, instead of the through-hole 35, the viewing section 34 may be provided with a cutout shape in which a portion of the viewing section 34 is removed.

[0041] 13 to 15, a visual confirmation member 34a made of a translucent or transparent material may be provided in the through-hole 35 of the visual confirmation portion 34. As long as the material making up the visual confirmation member 34a is a resin material, it is possible to use polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), or the like.

[0042] 4, the upper wall portion 61 has six cap lever attachment portions 62 corresponding to the six liquid storage containers 40, an opening / closing cover attachment portion 63, a first recess 64, a second recess 65, and a lock pin protrusion hole 66. The cap lever attachment portion 62 is a cylindrical shaft extending along the X axis. The opening / closing cover attachment portion 63 is a cylindrical shaft extending along the X axis. The opening / closing cover 31 becomes rotatable around the opening / closing cover attachment portion 63 by engaging one end of the opening / closing cover 31 with the opening / closing cover attachment portion 63.

[0043] 6 and 7, the cap lever 50 has an end 53, an engagement portion 51, a cap 54 that can close the injection port 41a, and a protrusion 55 provided on the engagement portion 51. When the engagement portion 51 is engaged with the cap lever attachment portion 62 of the upper wall portion 61, the cap lever 50 becomes rotatable around the cap lever attachment portion 62 as an axis.

[0044] 2, the cap lever 50 is disposed in a position where the filler port 41a of the liquid storage containers 40K1, 40K2, 40GR, 40C, and 40M is sealed, and the cap lever 50 is disposed in a position where the filler port 41a of the liquid storage container 40Y is opened. As shown in FIGS. 2, 6, and 7, the cap lever 50 is rotatable between a closed state where the filler port 41a of the liquid storage container 40 is sealed, and an open state where the filler port 41a of the liquid storage container 40 is opened. As shown in FIG. 3, when the cap lever 50 is in the open state, the filler port 41a of the liquid storage container 40 is opened, and liquid can be refilled from the refill container 90 into the liquid storage portion 46 of the liquid storage container 40.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 6, the opening / closing cover 31 protects the cap levers 50 and the upper wall portion 61. The opening / closing cover 31 rotates about an opening / closing cover mounting portion 63, and can be in a closed state in which it covers six cap levers 50 (not shown), as shown by two-dot chain lines in Fig. 4, and an open state in which it exposes six cap levers 50 (not shown), as shown by solid lines in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the opening / closing cover 31 has a regulated portion 31a.

[0046] When the amount of liquid stored in the liquid storage portion 46 becomes low and the user wishes to refill the liquid storage container 40 with liquid from the refill container 90, the user changes the access cover 31 from the closed state shown in FIG. 6 to the open state shown in FIG. 7. The user then places their finger on the end 53 of the cap lever 50 and moves the cap lever 50 from the closed state to the open state, thereby changing the filler port 41a of the liquid storage container 40 from a sealed state to an open state, as shown in FIG. 7. The user then inserts the tip of the refiller container 90 into the filler port 41a of the liquid storage container 40 and refills the liquid from the refill container 90 into the liquid storage portion 46 of the liquid storage container 40.

[0047] As shown in Figures 4, 6 and 7, the filler port 41a is arranged in the first recess 64. Therefore, as shown in Figure 6, when the cap lever 50 is in the closed state, the cap 54 is inserted into the first recess 64. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, when refilling the liquid storage portion 46 of the liquid storage container 40 with liquid from a refill container 90, the tip of the refill container 90 is inserted into the first recess 64. At this time, the first recess 64 functions as a guide portion that guides the position of the tip of the refill container 90.

[0048] The second recess 65 has a cap lever attachment portion 62 and an open / closed state detection portion 71 disposed therein. The open / closed state detection portion 71 is provided so as to be able to detect either the closed state or the open state of the cap lever 50. Six open / closed state detection portions 71 are provided corresponding to the six cap levers 50. The protrusion 55 of the cap lever 50 functions as a detection target portion for detecting either the closed state or the open state of the cap lever 50.

[0049] In this embodiment, the open / close detection unit 71 is a contact sensor having a movable detector 71a. The detector 71a can be biased in the protruding direction and can be displaced between protruding and retracting. The open / close detection unit 71 is not limited to a contact sensor, and may be a limit switch, a pressure sensor, or an angle sensor that detects the rotation angle of the cap lever 50. The open / close detection unit 71 is also not limited to a contact sensor, and may be a non-contact sensor such as a transmission photo sensor or an ultrasonic sensor, as long as it can detect either the closed state or the open state of the cap lever 50.

[0050] 6, the detector 71a is pushed by the protrusion 55 and retracts in a direction that reduces the amount of protrusion, and by detecting the protrusion 55, the open / closed detector 71 enters a state in which it can detect the closed state of the cap lever 50. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the detector 71a protrudes without being pushed by the protrusion 55 and does not detect the protrusion 55, and the open / close detector 71 enters a state in which it can detect the open state of the cap lever 50.

[0051] 4, the locking mechanism 72 is provided at a position on the +Z direction side of the upper wall portion 61. The locking mechanism 72 is also provided at a position on the −X direction side in the X axis direction adjacent to the first recessed portion 64 in which the filler port 41a of the liquid storage container 40K1 is disposed. The locking mechanism 72 is provided so as to be switchable between a locked state in which the opening / closing cover 31 cannot be shifted from the closed state to the open state, and an unlocked state in which the opening / closing cover 31 can be shifted from the closed state to the open state.

[0052] The locking mechanism 72 of this embodiment is a solenoid that linearly moves a locking pin (not shown) by magnetic force generated by passing a current through an electromagnetic coil. The locking pin is the movable iron core of the solenoid. The locking pin is movable between a retracted position where the tip of the locking pin is located within the locking pin protruding hole 66 and a protruding position where the tip of the locking pin protrudes in the +Y direction from the retracted position.

[0053] In this embodiment, the lock pin in the protruding position restricts the upward movement of the restricted portion 31a of the opening / closing cover 31 in the closed state. At this time, the opening / closing cover 31 is in a locked state where it cannot move from the closed state to the open state. Meanwhile, the lock pin in the retracted position does not restrict the upward movement of the opening / closing cover 31 in the closed state. At this time, the opening / closing cover 31 is in an unlocked state where it can move from the closed state to the open state.

[0054] In this embodiment, the lock pin of the lock mechanism 72 moves from the protruding position to the retracted position when current is applied to the lock mechanism 72. That is, the open-close cover 31 is unlocked when current is applied to the lock mechanism 72, and is locked when current is cut off to the lock mechanism 72. Therefore, the open-close cover 31 in this embodiment is locked when the power to the recording device 101 is cut off.

[0055] Next, the electrical configuration of the recording device 101 will be described. As shown in Fig. 11, the recording device 101 includes a control unit 111. The control unit 111 is connected to the scanner unit 10, power operation unit 16, display unit 15, and open / close detection unit 71 via an input interface (not shown). The control unit 111 is also connected to the display unit 15, transport unit 25, recording unit 20, locking mechanism 72, and light-emitting unit 301 of illumination unit 300 via an output interface (not shown). The display units 15 and 215, which serve as notification units, have the function of displaying and notifying information received along with display instructions in accordance with the instructions.

[0056] Here, the control unit 111 is connected to the display unit 215 of the host device 210, which is an external device, via a communication interface, a communication cable, a wireless communication line, or the like (not shown) in the device main body 102. The control unit 111 transmits data together with a signal requesting the display of information based on the data to at least one of the display unit 15 and the host device 210, and performs notification processing to notify the user by displaying information based on the data on the display unit 15 or the display unit 215. Examples of the host device 210 include a personal computer, a smartphone, a mobile phone, and a personal digital assistant.

[0057] The control unit 111 includes, for example, a built-in CPU and memory (not shown), and performs various controls by the CPU executing programs stored in the memory. The CPU is a calculation processing unit. The control unit 111 has a function of displaying information on either the display unit 15 or the display unit 215, thereby notifying the user of the information by displaying the information.

[0058] The control unit 111 causes either the display unit 15 or the display unit 215 to notify information relating to either the closed state or the open state of the cap lever 50 based on the detection result that the open / close detection unit 71 has detected either the closed state or the open state of the cap lever 50. Furthermore, if the open / close detection unit 71 has detected the open state of the cap lever 50 when an operation to cut off the power to the recording device 101 has been performed, the control unit 111 causes either the display unit 15 or the display unit 215 to notify information requesting that the cap lever 50 be put into the closed state.

[0059] The control unit 111 manages the amount of liquid in the liquid storage portion 46 of each liquid storage container 40. When the user has finished pouring liquid into the liquid storage portion 46 of the liquid storage container 40, the user inputs information about the liquid level position in the liquid storage portion 46 to the recording device 101 by operating the display unit 15 or the host device 210. The control unit 111 obtains the current amount of liquid in the liquid storage portion 46 after the liquid has been poured based on the input information about the liquid level position. The control unit 111 also measures the amount of liquid consumed by the recording unit 20, and manages the current amount of liquid in the liquid storage portion 46 for each liquid storage container 40 by subtracting the current amount of liquid consumed from the previous amount of liquid for each liquid storage container 40.

[0060] The control unit 111 controls the recording unit 20 to perform a liquid ejection operation in which liquid is ejected toward the medium transported by the transport unit 25, and flushing in which liquid unrelated to printing is ejected. The control unit 111 also controls a maintenance device (not shown) to perform a cleaning operation in which liquid is forcibly discharged from the nozzles of the recording head 22. The recording device 101 includes a carriage motor (not shown) as a drive source for moving the carriage 21 in the width direction of the medium, and the control unit 111 controls the liquid ejection of the recording head 22 and the drive of the carriage motor to perform a liquid ejection operation in which liquid is ejected onto the recording head 22 that is mounted on the carriage 21 and moving.

[0061] The control unit 111 controls the transport unit 25 to feed a medium from a medium storage cassette (not shown) and transport the fed medium along a predetermined transport path. The transport unit 25 includes, for example, a roller-type or belt-type transport mechanism and a transport motor (not shown) that serves as its drive source. The control unit 111 controls the transport motor to control the transport of the medium.

[0062] The control unit 111 controls the locking mechanism 72 by controlling the supply of electricity to the locking mechanism 72, and switches between a locked state in which the opening / closing cover 31 cannot be moved from a closed state to an open state, and an unlocked state in which the opening / closing cover 31 can be moved from a closed state to an open state. For example, when there is a liquid storage container 40 in which the amount of liquid in the liquid storage unit 46 has reached a lower limit, the control unit 111 switches the locking mechanism 72 from the locked state to the unlocked state.

[0063] The control unit 111 controls the light-emitting state of the light-emitting unit 301 to notify the user of the operating state of the recording device 101. The control unit 111 also reduces the power consumption of the recording device 101 by controlling the light-emitting state of the light-emitting unit 301. For example, the control unit 111 turns off the light-emitting unit 301 during printing and turns it on when printing is not being performed. For example, the control unit 111 turns on the light-emitting unit 301 when the user operates the power operation unit 16 to turn on the power to the recording device 101, and turns off the light-emitting unit 301 during printing. For example, the control unit 111 turns on the light-emitting unit 301 when the power operation unit 16, the display unit 15, the scanner unit 10, the opening / closing cover 31, etc. are operated, and turns off the light-emitting unit 301 if no operation is performed for a certain period of time.

[0064] Furthermore, for example, the control unit 111 turns on the light-emitting unit 301 when the opening / closing cover 31 is opened, and turns off the light-emitting unit 301 a certain time after the opening / closing cover 31 is closed. For example, the control unit 111 turns on or flashes the light-emitting unit 301 when the amount of liquid in the liquid storage unit 46 approaches a lower limit. This notifies the user that the liquid storage container 40 needs to be refilled with liquid. For example, the control unit 111 turns on or flashes the light-emitting unit 301 when the locking mechanism 72 is in an unlocked state. For example, when the amount of liquid in the liquid storage unit 46 of any liquid storage container 40 has reached its lower limit, the control unit 111 displays this on either the display unit 15 or the display unit 215, and keeps the light-emitting unit 301 corresponding to the liquid storage unit 46 whose amount of liquid has reached its lower limit on or flashes until the opening / closing cover 31 changes from the open state to the closed state.

[0065] As described above, the recording device 101 according to the first embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0066] The recording device 101 comprises a liquid storage section 46 capable of storing liquid, a recording head 22 that ejects the liquid supplied from the liquid storage section 46 onto a medium, and a light-emitting section 301 that emits light, the liquid storage section 46 having a float 48 that floats on the liquid in the liquid storage section 46 and can move in accordance with the movement of the liquid level LS of the liquid while maintaining its posture, and a front surface 43F that makes the liquid in the liquid storage section 46 visible from outside the liquid storage section 46, the float 48 having a front surface 48a that appears to glow when viewed from a direction facing the front surface 43F by receiving the light from the light-emitting section 301. As a result, the float 48 appears to glow, making it easy for the user to recognize the liquid level LS.

[0067] Light-emitting unit 301 is provided outside liquid storage unit 46, and the area of ​​liquid storage unit 46 facing light-emitting unit 301 is transparent or translucent, so that light-emitting unit 301 illuminates float 48 from outside liquid storage unit 46. This makes it easy to position light-emitting unit 301. Furthermore, maintenance of light-emitting unit 301 is easy.

[0068] The float 48 guides the light from the light emitting portion 301 that enters the float 48 toward the front surface 48a. This allows the float 48 to function as a light guiding member, making it easier to stabilize the light emitting state of the front surface 48a.

[0069] Float 48 has rear surface 48b through which the light from light-emitting portion 301 enters, and light-emitting portion 301 is provided in a position opposite rear surface 48b when the amount of liquid in liquid storage portion 46 reaches the lower limit. In this way, front surface 48a of float 48 appears to glow when the amount of liquid in liquid storage portion 46 reaches the lower limit, thereby notifying the user that the amount of liquid in liquid storage portion 46 has reached the lower limit.

[0070] The recording device 101 further includes a control unit 111 that controls the turning on and off of the light-emitting unit 301. By controlling the turning on and off of the light-emitting unit 301 by the control unit 111, the light-emitting state of the float 48 can be changed and the operating state of the recording device 101 can be notified to the user.

[0071] The recording device 101 further includes an injection unit 41 that can inject the liquid into the liquid storage unit 46. As a result, the liquid storage unit 46 can also be used in a top-up type recording device 101 that is used by refilling the liquid.

[0072] 2. Embodiment 2 Next, a liquid storage device 103 in a recording apparatus 101 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that parts common to the liquid storage device 103 according to the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. Descriptions of actions and effects similar to those of the first embodiment will also be omitted.

[0073] 12, the liquid storage device 103 of the second embodiment differs from the liquid storage device 103 of the first embodiment in that the illumination unit 300 includes a light guiding unit 302 and there is only one light emitting unit 301. The light emitting unit 301 is provided at a position on the -Y direction side with respect to the six liquid storage containers 40 and on the -X direction side of the rear surface 43B of the liquid storage unit 46 of the liquid storage container 40K1. The light emitting unit 301 of the present embodiment is provided so that light emitted from a front surface 301a is directed in the +X direction.

[0074] Light guiding unit 302 is made of a translucent or transparent material. Light guiding unit 302 has entrance surface 302b, irradiation surface 302a, and rear surface 302r. Light guiding unit 302 of this embodiment is a light guiding member that guides light entering from entrance surface 302b toward irradiation surface 302a. For example, the material that constitutes light guiding unit 302 can be a resin material such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polyamide (PA), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).

[0075] The entrance surface 302b is a side surface on the −X direction side of the light guiding unit 302, and is provided at a position facing the front surface 301a of the light emitting unit 301. The entrance surface 302b is located on the −X direction side of the rear surface 43B of the liquid storage unit 46 in the liquid storage container 40K1.

[0076] The irradiation surface 302a is a side surface of the light guiding unit 302 on the +Y direction side. The irradiation surface 302a extends from a position on the −X direction side of the rear surface 43B of the liquid storage portion 46 in the liquid storage container 40K1 to a position on the +X direction side of the rear surface 43B of the liquid storage portion 46 in the liquid storage container 40Y. The irradiation surface 302a is provided at a position facing the window member 43Ba of the liquid storage portion 46 in the liquid storage containers 40K1, 40K2, 40GR, 40C, 40M, and 40Y. The irradiation surface 302a is provided to correspond to the position of the lower limit liquid level LL of the liquid in the liquid storage portion 46 in the Z axis direction. As a result, when the amount of liquid in the liquid storage portion 46 is at the lower limit, the irradiation surface 302a faces the rear surface 48b of the float 48.

[0077] The rear surface 302r is a side surface on the -Y direction side of the light guiding unit 302. The rear surface 302r extends from a position that is on the -X direction side of the rear surface 43B of the liquid storage unit 46 in the liquid storage container 40K1 to a position that is on the +X direction side of the rear surface 43B of the liquid storage unit 46 in the liquid storage container 40Y. The rear surface 302r is formed by a plurality of reflective surfaces, and has a sawtooth shape that extends in the X-axis direction.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 12 , light emitted from front surface 301a of light-emitting unit 301 enters light-guiding unit 302 from entrance surface 302b of light-guiding unit 302. The light from light-emitting unit 301 that enters light-guiding unit 302 from entrance surface 302b is guided inside light-guiding unit 302 toward irradiation surface 302a by multiple reflective surfaces that constitute rear surface 302r and the side surface of light-guiding unit 302 on the +Z direction side and the -Z direction side. The light from light-emitting unit 301 that is guided to irradiation surface 302a passes through window member 43Ba and enters liquid storage unit 46, illuminating the interior of six liquid storage units 46, including the liquid and float 48. In other words, light-emitting unit 301 is provided outside liquid storage unit 46 and illuminates float 48 via light-guiding unit 302. Furthermore, the recording device 101 of this embodiment illuminates the floats 48 in the plurality of liquid storage sections 46 with one light emitting section 301 via the light guiding section 302 .

[0079] Furthermore, when the amount of liquid in the liquid storage portion 46 at this time is at the lower limit, the light from the light-emitting portion 301 that is guided to the irradiation surface 302a enters the float 48 from the rear surface 48b of the float 48 and is guided toward the front surface 48a inside the float 48. In Figure 12, the path OP of the light that is guided inside the six floats 48 from the rear surface 48b toward the front surface 48a is indicated by the dashed arrow.

[0080] The light guided to front surface 48a of float 48 passes through window member 43Fa of liquid storage portion 46 and reaches the +Y direction side of liquid storage portion 46, which is outside liquid storage portion 46. As a result, when the inside of liquid storage portion 46 is viewed from the +Y direction, which is the direction facing front surface 43F of liquid storage portion 46, front surface 48a of float 48 appears to be glowing.

[0081] As described above, the recording device 101 according to the second embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0082] Recording device 101 further includes light guiding section 302 that guides the light from light emitting section 301, and light emitting section 301 is provided outside liquid storage section 46 and illuminates float 48 via light guiding section 302. This allows light emitting section 301 to be provided at a position away from liquid storage section 46 in recording device 101.

[0083] Light guiding unit 302 has an irradiation surface 302a that irradiates the light from light emitting unit 301 toward float 48, and float 48 has a rear surface 48b into which the light irradiated from irradiation surface 302a enters, and irradiation surface 302a is provided in a position that faces rear surface 48b when the amount of liquid in liquid storage unit 46 reaches a lower limit. This makes it possible to notify the user that the amount of liquid in liquid storage unit 46 has reached a predetermined amount.

[0084] The recording device 101 includes a plurality of liquid storage sections 46, and the floats 48 in the plurality of liquid storage sections 46 are illuminated by a single light emitting section 301 via a light guiding section 302. This allows the plurality of floats 48 to be illuminated by a single light emitting section 301.

[0085] 3. Embodiment 3 Next, a liquid storage device 103 in a recording apparatus 101 according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that parts common to the liquid storage device 103 of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. Descriptions of actions and effects similar to those of the first embodiment will also be omitted.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 13, the liquid storage device 103 of the third embodiment differs from the liquid storage device 103 of the first embodiment in that the liquid storage section 46 of the liquid storage container 40 has a float 448, a float guide 46G, and a window member 43Sa, but does not have a window member 43Ba, and the illumination section 300 has a light-guiding section 303.

[0087] 13, liquid storage section 46 of this embodiment includes a float 448, a float guide 46G, and a window member 43Sa. Float 448 floats on the liquid in liquid storage section 46 and moves in response to movement of liquid level LS in the Z-axis direction. Float 448 includes a bottom surface 448b, which is the side surface on the +Z direction side; a reflecting surface 448r, which is an inclined surface located in the -Z direction of bottom surface 448b; and a front surface 448a, which is a side surface located on the +Y direction side of bottom surface 448b and reflecting surface 448r. In this embodiment, the inclination angle of reflecting surface 448r with respect to the XY plane is 45 degrees.

[0088] The material constituting the float 448 of this embodiment is the same as that of the float 48 of embodiment 1. Therefore, a portion of the reflecting surface 448r of the float 448 is located in the -Z direction with respect to the liquid level LS. Also, a portion of the front surface 448a of the float 448 is located in the -Z direction with respect to the liquid level LS. Also, like embodiment 1, the float 448 of this embodiment functions as a light-guiding member that guides light that enters from the bottom surface 448b to the front surface 448a of the float 448.

[0089] The float guide 46G of the liquid storage section 46 guides the float 448 so that the float 448 moves in response to movement of the liquid level LS in the Z-axis direction while maintaining the front surface 448a along the XZ plane. The float guide 46G is provided at a distance from the front surface 43F in the Y-axis direction so that the float 448 is located between the front surface 43F and the float guide 46G. The float guides 46G are provided as a pair on the −X-direction side of the right side surface 43R and the +X-direction side of the left side surface 43L, and are protrusions extending in the Z-axis direction. The pair of float guides 46G are provided at a distance from each other in the X-axis direction. Therefore, in the liquid storage section 46, the area on the +Y-direction side of the float guide 46G and the area on the −Y-axis side of the float guide 46G are continuous without being interrupted by the float guide 46G.

[0090] Window member 43Sa is provided on bottom surface 43S of liquid storage section 46 at a position facing bottom surface 448b of float 448. Window member 43Sa is also provided at a position facing irradiation surface 303a of light guiding section 303, which will be described later. Window member 43Sa is made of a translucent or transparent material. The same material as window member 43Ba in embodiment 1 can be used as the material for window member 43Sa. Note that if liquid storage section 46 is made of a translucent or transparent material, window member 43Sa may be omitted.

[0091] The light guiding unit 303 is made of a translucent or transparent material. The light guiding unit 303 includes an entrance surface 303b, an irradiation surface 303a, and reflection surfaces 303r1, 303r2, and 303r3. The light guiding unit 303 of this embodiment is a light guiding member that guides light entering from the entrance surface 303b toward the irradiation surface 303a. The light guiding unit 303 can be made of the same resin material as the light guiding unit 302 of the second embodiment. The inclination angle of the reflection surfaces 303r1, 303r2, and 303r3 with respect to the XY plane in this embodiment is 45 degrees.

[0092] The entrance surface 303b is provided at a position facing the front surface 301a of the light-emitting unit 301. The entrance surface 303b is located on the -Y side of the rear surface 43B of the liquid storage portion 46. The reflecting surface 303r1 is located in the +Y direction of the entrance surface 303b and on the -Y side of the rear surface 43B of the liquid storage portion 46. The reflecting surface 303r2 is located in the +Z direction of the reflecting surface 303r1 and on the +Z side of the bottom surface 43S of the liquid storage portion 46 in the Z-axis direction. The reflecting surface 303r3 is located in the +Y direction of the reflecting surface 303r2 and on the +Z side of the window member 43Sa of the liquid storage portion 46.

[0093] Irradiation surface 303a is located on the -Z direction side of reflection surface 303r3 and on the +Z direction side of window member 43Sa of liquid storage portion 46. Irradiation surface 303a faces window member 43Sa of liquid storage portion 46. As a result, irradiation surface 303a faces bottom surface 448b of float 448.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 13 , when the amount of liquid in liquid storage portion 46 is at a lower limit, light emitted from front surface 301a of light-emitting portion 301 enters light-guiding portion 303 from entrance surface 303b of light-guiding portion 303. The light from light-emitting portion 301 that enters light-guiding portion 303 from entrance surface 303b is guided inside light-guiding portion 303 toward irradiation surface 303a by the side surfaces of light-guiding portion 303, including reflection surfaces 303r1, 303r2, and 303r3. The light from light-emitting portion 301 that is guided to irradiation surface 303a passes through window member 43Sa and enters liquid storage portion 46, illuminating the interior of liquid storage portion 46, including the liquid and float 448. In other words, light-emitting portion 301 is provided outside liquid storage portion 46 and illuminates float 448 via light-guiding portion 303.

[0095] Furthermore, the light from the light-emitting unit 301 guided to the irradiation surface 303a enters the inside of the float 448 from the bottom surface 448b of the float 448, and is guided toward the front surface 448a inside the float 448 by the side surface of the float 448 including the reflection surface 448r. In Fig. 13, the path OP along which the light from the light-emitting unit 301 travels from the entrance surface 303b of the light-guiding unit 303 toward the +Y direction side of the visualizing member 34a of the liquid storage device 103 is indicated by a dashed arrow.

[0096] The light guided to front surface 448a of float 448 passes through window member 43Fa of liquid storage portion 46 and reaches the +Y direction side of liquid storage portion 46, which is outside liquid storage portion 46. As a result, when the inside of liquid storage portion 46 is viewed from the +Y direction, which is the direction facing front surface 43F of liquid storage portion 46, front surface 448a of float 448 appears to glow. Front surface 448a is an example of a light-emitting surface.

[0097] In this embodiment, even when the amount of liquid in liquid storage portion 46 is not at the lower limit, for example, when it is at the upper limit, the light from light-emitting portion 301 that is guided to irradiation surface 303a and enters liquid storage portion 46 enters float 448 from bottom surface 448b of float 448 via the liquid in liquid storage portion 46, although the amount of light is reduced compared to when the amount of liquid is at the lower limit. Therefore, in this embodiment, regardless of the amount of liquid in liquid storage portion 46, when the inside of liquid storage portion 46 is viewed from the +Y direction, which is the direction facing front surface 43F of liquid storage portion 46, front surface 448a of float 448 appears to glow. Accordingly, by controlling portion 111 lighting or blinking light-emitting portion 301, float 448 appears to glow regardless of the amount of liquid in liquid storage portion 46, making it easier for the user to recognize the liquid level LS.

[0098] 4. Embodiment 4 Next, a liquid storage device 103 in a recording device 101 according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that parts common to the liquid storage device 103 of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. Descriptions of actions and effects similar to those of the first embodiment will also be omitted.

[0099] As shown in FIG. 14, the liquid storage device 103 of the fourth embodiment differs from the liquid storage device 103 of the first embodiment in that the liquid storage section 46 of the liquid storage container 40 has a float 548 and a float guide 46G, does not have a window member 43Ba, and the light-emitting section 301 is provided inside the float 548.

[0100] 14, the liquid storage section 46 of this embodiment has a float 548 and a float guide 46G. The float 548 floats on the liquid in the liquid storage section 46 and moves in response to movement of the liquid level LS in the Z-axis direction. The float 548 includes a light-emitting section 301 and a secondary coil 301C for supplying power to the light-emitting section 301. The light-emitting section 301 is provided in the float 548 with its front surface 301a facing a front surface 548a, which is the side surface of the float 548 on the +Y direction side.

[0101] The secondary coil 301C is a power receiving coil in wireless power transfer using electromagnetic induction. When the secondary coil 301C supplies the received power to the light emitting unit 301, the light emitting unit 301 emits light. The secondary coil 301C is provided inside the float 548 so as to face the right side surface 43R of the liquid storage unit 46. A primary coil (not shown) is provided on the right side surface 43R of the liquid storage unit 46. The primary coil is a power transmitting coil in wireless power transfer, and is supplied with an AC voltage under the control of the control unit 111. The primary coil is provided over an area facing the secondary coil 301C, which moves as the float 548 moves in the Z-axis direction.

[0102] The float 548 of this embodiment is made of a translucent or transparent material. The float 548 may be made of the same resin material as the float 48 of embodiment 1. The float 548 floats on the liquid in the liquid storage section 46. At this time, a portion of the front surface 548a of the float 548 is positioned in the -Z direction relative to the liquid level LS.

[0103] The float guide 46G of the liquid storage section 46 guides the float 548 so that the float 548 moves in response to movement of the liquid level LS in the Z-axis direction while maintaining the front surface 548a along the XZ plane. The float guide 46G is provided at a distance from the front surface 43F in the Y-axis direction so that the float 548 is located between the front surface 43F and the float guide 46G. The float guides 46G are provided as a pair on the −X-direction side of the right side surface 43R and the +X-direction side of the left side surface 43L, and are protrusions extending in the Z-axis direction. The pair of float guides 46G are provided at a distance from each other in the X-axis direction. Therefore, in the liquid storage section 46, the area on the +Y-direction side of the float guide 46G and the area on the −Y-axis side of the float guide 46G are continuous without being interrupted by the float guide 46G.

[0104] Under the control of the control unit 111, an AC voltage is supplied to the primary coil, causing the secondary coil 301C to receive power and the light emitting unit 301 to emit light in the +Y direction. The front surface 548a of the float 548 receives the light from the light emitting unit 301 from inside the float 548. The light from the light emitting unit 301 passes through the front surface 548a of the float 548 and travels in the +Y direction. In Figure 14, the dashed arrow indicates a path OP along which the light from the light emitting unit 301 travels in the +Y direction from the visualizing member 34a of the liquid containing device 103.

[0105] Light that passes through front surface 548a of float 548 passes through window member 43Fa of liquid storage portion 46 and reaches the +Y direction side of liquid storage portion 46, which is outside liquid storage portion 46. As a result, when the inside of liquid storage portion 46 is viewed from the +Y direction, which is the direction facing front surface 43F of liquid storage portion 46, front surface 548a of float 548 appears to glow. Front surface 548a is an example of a light-emitting surface. In this embodiment, regardless of the amount of liquid in liquid storage portion 46, when the inside of liquid storage portion 46 is viewed from the +Y direction, which is the direction facing front surface 43F of liquid storage portion 46, front surface 548a of float 548 appears to glow. In this manner, by controlling portion 111 lighting or blinking light-emitting portion 301, float 548 appears to glow regardless of the amount of liquid in liquid storage portion 46, making it easier for the user to visually recognize the liquid level LS.

[0106] As described above, the recording device 101 and the liquid container 40 according to the fourth embodiment can provide the following effects.

[0107] In the recording device 101, the light-emitting unit 301 is provided inside the float 548, and the front surface 548a is transparent or translucent, and receives light from the light-emitting unit 301 from the inside of the float 548. This makes it easy for the recording device 101 to stabilize the light-emitting state of the front surface 548a of the float 548, regardless of the position of the float 548 in the Z-axis direction. This makes it easy for the user to recognize the liquid level LS.

[0108] The liquid storage container 40 includes a liquid storage section 46 capable of storing liquid, a float 548 that floats on the liquid in the liquid storage section 46 and moves in accordance with the movement of the liquid level LS of the liquid while maintaining its posture, a front surface 43F that allows the liquid in the liquid storage section 46 to be seen from outside the liquid storage section 46, and a light-emitting section 301 provided on the float 548, and the float 548 has a front surface 548a that appears to glow when viewed from the direction facing the front surface 43F due to the light emitted by the light-emitting section 301. This makes it easy for the liquid storage container 40 to stabilize the light-emitting state of the front surface 548a of the float 548 regardless of the position of the float 548 in the Z-axis direction. This makes it easy for the user to recognize the liquid level LS.

[0109] 5. Embodiment 5 Next, a liquid storage device 103 in a recording apparatus 101 according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Note that parts common to the liquid storage device 103 of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted. Descriptions of actions and effects similar to those of the first embodiment will also be omitted.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 15, the liquid storage device 103 of the fifth embodiment differs from the liquid storage device 103 of the first embodiment in that the liquid storage section 46 of the liquid storage container 40 has a float 648 and a window member 43Ua, and does not have a window member 43Ba.

[0111] 15, the liquid storage section 46 of this embodiment has a float 648 and a window member 43Ua. The float 648 floats on the liquid in the liquid storage section 46 and moves in response to movement of the liquid level LS in the Z-axis direction. The float 648 has a front surface 648r, which is a side surface located on the +Y direction side. The front surface 648r is an inclined surface that reflects light received from the -Z direction side of the float 648 toward the +Y direction of the float 648. In this embodiment, the inclination angle of the front surface 648r with respect to the XY plane is 45 degrees.

[0112] The material constituting the float 648 of this embodiment may be the same resin material as the float 48 of embodiment 1, but it does not have to be translucent or transparent. For example, the material constituting the float 648 may be white, or the surface of the float 648 may be subjected to stainless steel vapor deposition. The float 648 floats on the liquid in the liquid storage section 46. At this time, a portion of the front surface 648r of the float 648 is located on the −Z direction side with respect to the liquid level LS.

[0113] The window member 43Ua is provided on the upper surface 43U of the liquid storage portion 46 in a position on the −Z direction of the front surface 648r of the float 648, and faces the front surface 648r. The window member 43Ua is made of a translucent or transparent material. The same material as the window member 43Ba of the first embodiment can be used as the material for the window member 43Ua. Note that if the liquid storage portion 46 is made of a translucent or transparent material, the window member 43Ua may be omitted. The light-emitting unit 301 of the illumination unit 300 is provided on the −Z direction side of the window member 43Ua, and the front surface 301a faces the window member 43Ua. The front surface 301a of the light-emitting unit 301 is provided on the −Z direction side of the front surface 648r of the float 648, and faces the front surface 648r with the window member 43Ua interposed therebetween. Although the light emitting section 301 in this embodiment is attached to the upper surface 43U of the liquid storing section 46, it may also be attached to the housing 30.

[0114] 15, light emitted from front surface 301a of light-emitting unit 301 passes through window member 43Ua and enters liquid storage portion 46, illuminating the inside of liquid storage portion 46, including float 648. In other words, light-emitting unit 301 is provided outside liquid storage portion 46, and illuminates the inside of liquid storage portion 46 from outside liquid storage portion 46.

[0115] Furthermore, light emitted from front surface 301a of light-emitting unit 301 in the +Z direction passes through window member 43Ua, enters liquid storage unit 46, and reaches front surface 648r of float 648. Light from light-emitting unit 301 received by front surface 648r of float 648 is reflected by front surface 648r and travels in the +Y direction, passes through window member 43Fa of liquid storage unit 46, and reaches the +Y side of liquid storage unit 46, which is outside of liquid storage unit 46. As a result, when the inside of liquid storage unit 46 is viewed from the +Y direction, which is the direction facing front surface 43F of liquid storage unit 46, front surface 648r of float 648 appears to be glowing. Front surface 648r is an example of a light-emitting surface.

[0116] In this embodiment, regardless of the amount of liquid in liquid storage portion 46, front surface 648r of float 648 appears to glow when the inside of liquid storage portion 46 is viewed from the +Y direction, which is the direction facing front surface 43F of liquid storage portion 46. Accordingly, by control portion 111 lighting or blinking light-emitting portion 301, float 648 appears to glow regardless of the amount of liquid in liquid storage portion 46, making it easier for the user to recognize the liquid level LS.

[0117] The recording device 101 and liquid storage container 40 according to the above-described embodiment of the present invention are basically configured as described above, but it is of course possible to modify or omit parts of the configuration without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, the above-described embodiment and other embodiments described below can be combined with each other within the scope of technical compatibility. Other embodiments will be described below.

[0118] In the above embodiment, the housing 30 of the liquid storage device 103 may not have the visible portion 34 and the wall portion 36. For example, the liquid storage device 103 may have the housing 30 function as an attachment portion that detachably accommodates a replaceable liquid storage container 40. In this case, for example, liquid storage container 40 in embodiment 1 is a liquid storage container 40 that can be attached to housing 30 of recording device 101, which includes recording head 22 that ejects liquid, light-emitting unit 301 that emits light, and housing 30, and includes liquid storage section 46 that can store the liquid, float 48 that floats on the liquid in liquid storage section 46 and can move in accordance with movement of liquid level LS of the liquid while maintaining its posture, and front surface 43F that makes the liquid in liquid storage section 46 visible from outside liquid storage section 46, and when attached to housing 30, the area of ​​liquid storage section 46 that faces light-emitting unit 301 is transparent or translucent, and float 48 has a front surface 48a that appears to glow when viewed from the direction facing front surface 43F by receiving the light from light-emitting unit 301. According to this, when liquid storage container 40 is attached to housing 30, float 48 appears to glow, making it easy for a user to recognize the liquid level LS. It should be noted that, when the light emitting unit 301 is provided on the upper surface 43U of the liquid storing unit 46 as in the fifth embodiment, the recording device 101 does not need to include the light emitting unit 301.

[0119] In the first embodiment described above, the light-emitting unit 301 may be provided so that the position of the front surface 301a corresponds to the position of the upper limit liquid level LH ​​of the liquid in the liquid storage unit 46 in the Z-axis direction. A window member 43Ba may be provided on the rear surface 43B of the liquid storage unit 46 in a position facing the front surface 301a of the light-emitting unit 301. In this way, when the user refills the liquid storage container 40 with liquid, the control unit 111 can light up or blink the light-emitting unit 301, thereby notifying the user that the amount of liquid in the liquid storage unit 46 has reached the upper limit.

[0120] In the above-described embodiments, a plurality of light emitters 301 may be provided for one liquid storage section 46. For example, in the first embodiment, a light emitter 301 may be provided whose front surface 301a is positioned at the lower limit liquid level LL of the liquid in the liquid storage section 46 in the Z-axis direction, and another light emitter 301 whose front surface 301a is positioned at the upper limit liquid level LH ​​of the liquid in the liquid storage section 46. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, in addition to the light emitter 301 whose front surface 301a is positioned at the lower limit liquid level LL of the liquid in the liquid storage section 46 in the Z-axis direction, another light emitter 301 may be provided on the upper surface 43U of the liquid storage section 46 that obliquely illuminates an area on the +Y direction side of the center of the upper surface of the float 48 from above in the -Y direction. Then, by the control section 111 lighting or blinking the light emitter 301, the upper surface of the float 48 appears to glow when the inside of the liquid storage section 46 is viewed from the +Y direction, which is the direction facing the front surface 43F of the liquid storage section 46. In this case, the upper surface of the float 48 is an example of a light-emitting surface.

[0121] In the second embodiment, window member 43Ba may be formed to extend in the Z-axis direction of rear surface 43B of liquid storage portion 46. Irradiation surface 302a may be formed to extend in the Z-axis direction of rear surface 43B of liquid storage portion 46 so that irradiation surface 302a of light guiding unit 302 faces rear surface 48b of float 48 across window member 43Ba, regardless of the position of liquid level LS of the liquid in liquid storage portion 46. In this way, by control unit 111 lighting or blinking light-emitting unit 301, front surface 48a of float 48 appears to glow when the inside of liquid storage portion 46 is viewed from the +Y direction facing front surface 43F of liquid storage portion 46, regardless of the amount of liquid in liquid storage portion 46. In other words, even if the liquid level LS of the liquid in the liquid storage section 46 and the position of the float 48 change when the control section 111 lights up or flashes the light-emitting section 301, the front surface 48a of the float 48 will appear to glow when looking inside the liquid storage section 46 from the +Y direction, which is the direction facing the front surface 43F of the liquid storage section 46.

[0122] In the above-described embodiments, float 48 may be made of a plurality of materials, provided that it floats on the liquid in liquid storage portion 46. For example, in float 648 of embodiment 5, front surface 648r may be made of stainless steel, and the other portions may be made of polypropylene (PP).

[0123] In the above embodiments, the shape of the float is not particularly limited as long as it has a light-emitting surface. For example, the float 48 in the first embodiment may be cylindrical with a circular front surface 48a, or may be prismatic with a triangular front surface 48a. Furthermore, for example, the float 648 in the fifth embodiment may be spherical, and a float guide 46G may be provided, as in the third embodiment.

[0124] In the above-described embodiment, the color of the light emitted by light-emitting unit 301 may be changeable, and control unit 111 may change the color when light-emitting unit 301 lights up or flashes. For example, in embodiment 1, control unit 111 may cause light-emitting unit 301 to light up with green light when the amount of liquid in liquid storage unit 46 is greater than a lower limit, and may cause light-emitting unit 301 to flash with yellow light when the amount of liquid in liquid storage unit 46 falls below the lower limit. Furthermore, for example, control unit 111 may cause light-emitting unit 301 to light up with red light when the amount of liquid in liquid storage unit 46 falls below the lower limit.

[0125] In the third embodiment, the interiors of six liquid storage sections 46 containing liquid and floats 448 may be illuminated by one light emitting section 301 via light guiding section 303. In this case, for example, by branching light guiding section 303 midway, six irradiation surfaces 303a facing window members 43Sa of the respective liquid storage sections 46 may be provided.

[0126] In the above embodiment, when the illumination unit 300 has a plurality of light-emitting units 301, the colors of the visible light emitted by the light-emitting units 301 may be different.

[0127] In the above embodiment, the floats in the plurality of liquid storage sections 46 may be different colors.

[0128] In the third embodiment, the liquid storage device 103 does not have to include the light emitting unit 301. In this case, for example, the light emitting unit 301 may be provided in the device body 102 at a position on the −Y side of the liquid storage device 103, or at a position on the −X side of the liquid storage device 103.

[0129] In the fourth embodiment, the float 548 may include a battery capable of supplying power to the light emitting unit 301, instead of the secondary coil 301C.

[0130] In the above embodiment, the recording head 22 and the liquid container 40 do not have to be connected by the tube 23. In this case, the recording device 101 may mount the recording head 22 and the liquid container 40 on the carriage 21, and while the carriage 21 moves in the width direction of the medium, alternately repeat a liquid ejection operation in which the recording head 22 ejects liquid onto the medium and a transport operation in which the medium is transported in the transport direction by the transport unit 25, thereby recording a desired image on the medium. [Explanation of symbols]

[0131] 10...scanner unit, 11...scanner housing, 12...document cover, 15...display unit, 16...power operation unit, 20...recording unit, 21...carriage, 22...recording head, 23...tube, 25...transport unit, 30...casing, 31...opening cover, 31a...regulated unit, 34...visible unit, 34a...visible member, 35...through hole, 36...wall unit, 40, 40K1, 40K2, 40GR, 40C, 40M, 40Y...liquid storage container, 41...injection unit, 41a...injection port , 41b...intermediate storage section, 41c...inlet, 41d...relay flow path, 41e...outlet, 42...top surface, 43B...rear surface, 43Ba...window member, 43F...front surface, 43Fa...window member, 43L...left side surface, 43R...right side surface, 43S...bottom surface, 43Sa...window member, 43U...top surface, 43Ua...window member, 44...scale portion, 45...atmospheric inlet port, 46...liquid storage section, 46G...float guide, 48,448,548,648...float, 48a,448a,548a ...front surface, 48b...rear surface, 48P...protrusion, 49...outlet flow path, 49a...discharge port, 49b...first connecting flow path, 49c...second connecting flow path, 49d...outlet port, 50...cap lever, 51...engagement portion, 53...end portion, 54...cap, 55...protrusion, 61...upper wall portion, 62...cap lever mounting portion, 63...opening / closing cover mounting portion, 64...first recess, 65...second recess, 66...lock pin protrusion hole, 71...opening / closing detection portion, 71a...detector, 72...lock mechanism, 90...refill container, 101...recording device, 102...device main body, 103...liquid storage device, 111...control unit, 210...host device, 215...display unit, 300...illumination unit, 301...light-emitting unit, 301a...front surface, 301C...secondary coil, 302, 303...light-guiding unit, 302a, 303a...irradiation surface, 302b, 303b...entry surface, 302r...rear surface, 303r1, 303r2, 303r3...reflective surface, 448b...bottom surface, 448r...reflective surface, 648r...front surface.

Claims

1. a liquid storage section capable of storing liquid; a recording head that ejects the liquid supplied from the liquid storage section onto a medium; a light emitting unit that is provided outside the liquid storage unit and emits light; Equipped with The liquid storage section is The liquid floats in the liquid in the liquid storage portion, and responds to the movement of the liquid surface while maintaining its posture. A float that can be moved as needed, a viewing surface that allows the liquid in the liquid storage portion to be viewed from outside the liquid storage portion; and a region of the liquid storage section facing the light emitting section is transparent or translucent; The float is When receiving the light from the light emitting unit, the light is shining when viewed from the direction facing the viewing surface. The light-emitting surface that appears an entrance surface into which the light from the light emitting unit enters; and the light emitting unit illuminates the float from outside the liquid storage unit, The light emitting unit emits light from the entrance surface when the amount of the liquid in the liquid storage unit reaches a predetermined amount. and A recording device characterized by:

2. The float directs the light from the light emitting portion that enters the float toward the light emitting surface. Lead, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

3. a light guide section for guiding the light from the light emitting section; The light emitting unit is provided outside the liquid storage unit, and emits light to the float via the light guiding unit. Illuminate, 2. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

4. The light guide portion has an irradiation surface that irradiates the light from the light emitting portion toward the float. death, The float has an entrance surface through which the light irradiated from the irradiation surface enters, The irradiation surface is the entry surface when the amount of the liquid in the liquid storage portion reaches a predetermined amount. and 4. The recording apparatus according to claim 3.

5. A plurality of the liquid storage portions is provided, The floats in the plurality of liquid storage sections are guided to one of the Illuminated by the light-emitting part, 5. The recording apparatus according to claim 3 or 4.

6. Further, a control unit is provided to control turning on and off the light emitting unit.

6. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a recording medium having a recording capacity of 1000 kW.

7. Further provided is an injection part capable of injecting the liquid into the liquid storage part.

7. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a recording medium having a recording capacity of 1000 kW.

8. When the amount of liquid in the liquid storage section is at a lower limit, the light from the light emitting section Entering the float from the inlet surface, 8. The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recording medium is a recording medium.

9. a liquid storage section capable of storing liquid; a recording head that ejects the liquid supplied from the liquid storage section onto a medium; a light-emitting unit that emits light; a light guide portion that guides the light from the light emitting portion; Equipped with The liquid storage section is The liquid floats in the liquid in the liquid storage portion, and responds to the movement of the liquid surface while maintaining its posture. A float that can be moved as needed, a viewing surface that allows the liquid in the liquid storage portion to be viewed from outside the liquid storage portion; and The light emitting unit is provided outside the liquid storage unit, and emits light to the float via the light guiding unit. Illuminate, The light guide portion has an irradiation surface that irradiates the light from the light emitting portion toward the float. death, The float is When receiving the light from the light emitting unit, the light is shining when viewed from the direction facing the viewing surface. The light-emitting surface that appears an entrance surface into which the light emitted from the irradiation surface enters; The irradiation surface is the entry surface when the amount of the liquid in the liquid storage portion reaches a predetermined amount. and A recording device characterized by:

10. A plurality of the liquid storage portions is provided, The floats in the plurality of liquid storage sections are guided to one of the Illuminated by the light-emitting part, 10. The recording apparatus according to claim 9.

11. When the amount of liquid in the liquid storage portion is at a lower limit, the light from the light emitting portion is Entering the float from the inlet surface, 11. The recording apparatus according to claim 9 or 10.

12. a plurality of liquid storage sections capable of storing liquid; a recording head that ejects the liquid supplied from the liquid storage section onto a medium; a light-emitting unit that emits light; a light guide portion that guides the light from the light emitting portion; Equipped with The plurality of liquid storage sections include: The liquid floats in the liquid in the liquid storage portion, and responds to the movement of the liquid surface while maintaining its posture. A float that can be moved as needed, a viewing surface that allows the liquid in the liquid storage portion to be viewed from outside the liquid storage portion; and The light emitting unit is provided outside the liquid storage unit, and emits light to the float via the light guiding unit. Illuminate, The float is oriented in a direction facing the viewing surface by receiving the light from the light emitting portion. It has a light-emitting surface that appears to glow when viewed from the outside, The floats in the plurality of liquid storage sections are guided to one of the Illuminated by the light-emitting part, A recording device characterized by:

13. The float has an entrance surface through which the light from the light-emitting portion enters, When the amount of liquid in the liquid storage portion is at the lower limit, the light from the light emitting portion Entering the float from the inlet surface, 13. The recording apparatus according to claim 12.

14. The light emitting section is configured to emit light from the entrance surface when the amount of the liquid in the liquid storage section reaches a predetermined amount. and 14. The recording apparatus according to claim 13.

15. the light emitting unit is provided outside the liquid storage unit, a region of the liquid storage section facing the light emitting section is transparent or translucent; The light emitting unit illuminates the float from outside the liquid storage unit.

15. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the recording medium is a recording medium having a recording capacity of 1000 kJ / s.

16. The float directs the light from the light emitting portion that enters the float toward the light emitting surface. Lead, 16. The recording apparatus according to claim 15.

17. Further, a control unit is provided to control turning on and off the light emitting unit.

17. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

18. Further provided is an injection part capable of injecting the liquid into the liquid storage part.

18. The recording apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the recording apparatus is a recording medium.

19. In front of a recording device having a recording head for discharging liquid, a light emitting section for emitting light, and a mounting section A liquid container that can be attached to the attachment portion, a liquid storage section capable of storing the liquid; The liquid floats in the liquid in the liquid storage portion, and moves in response to the movement of the liquid surface while maintaining its posture. and a movable float. a viewing surface that allows the liquid in the liquid storage portion to be viewed from outside the liquid storage portion; Equipped with When attached to the attachment portion, a region of the liquid storage section facing the light emitting section is transparent or translucent; The float is When receiving light from the light emitting unit, the light appears to be shining when viewed from the direction facing the viewing surface. A light-emitting surface that can an entrance surface through which the light from the light emitting portion enters; When the amount of the liquid in the liquid storage portion reaches a predetermined amount, the entrance surface is Located opposite to A liquid container characterized by:

Images