printer

Abstract

To miniaturize a printer.SOLUTION: A printer includes a first ink tank and a second ink tank. When three axes which are orthogonal to each other are an X-axis, a Y-axis and a Z-axis, the first ink tank and the second ink tank are placed onto a XY-flat plane, a window part through which liquid levels in the respective first ink tank and second ink tank can be visualized from the outside of the printer is provided on a XZ-flat plane or a YZ-flat plane, and the first ink tank and the second ink tank have a first portion in which the first ink tank and the second ink tank are arranged in parallel to each other in a direction along the Y-axis and a second portion which offsets the first portion in a direction along the X-axis. At least one of the first portion and the second portion is opposed to the window part and has a visualizing part through which the liquid level can be visualized from the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3A

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] As shown in Patent Document 1, a conventional printer is known in which ink tanks are arranged on both sides of an outlet through which paper is discharged, along the carriage movement direction (main scanning direction). Furthermore, as shown in Patent Document 2, a printer is known in which a plurality of ink tanks are arranged so as to be stacked one on top of the other. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-168790 [Patent Document 2] Chinese Utility Model No. 207825741 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the printer described in Patent Document 1, as ink tanks become larger in capacity and the number of ink types increases, the space required to place the ink tanks tends to become larger in the main scanning direction, resulting in an increase in the width of the printer. Also, because a guide section leading into the ink tank is provided around the ink injection section for injecting ink, a relatively large width is required, making it difficult to reduce the width of each ink tank and resulting in a large width in the space required to place the ink tanks. Furthermore, in the printer described in Patent Document 2, it is difficult to inject ink into the ink tank located at the bottom, and in an embodiment in which the ink tank located at the bottom is moved forward to expose the ink injection section, extra space must be secured. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The printer is a printer equipped with a first ink tank and a second ink tank, where three mutually perpendicular axes are defined as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, and the first ink tank and the second ink tank are placed on the XY plane, and a window portion is provided in the XZ plane or the YZ plane, which allows the liquid levels in each of the first ink tank and the second ink tank to be visible from outside the printer, and the first ink tank and the second ink tank each have a first portion where the first ink tank and the second ink tank are juxtaposed in a direction along the Y-axis, and a second portion offset from the first portion in a direction along the X-axis, and at least one of the first portion and the second portion faces the window portion and has a visibility portion which allows the liquid levels to be visible from outside.

[0006] The printer is equipped with an ink tank placed on the XY plane, where three mutually perpendicular axes are defined as the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, and the ink tank is equipped with an ink introduction tube that communicates with the inside of the ink tank and receives ink supply from an ink supply container, a cap that is removably attached to the ink introduction tube, and a hinge portion that is connected to the cap and serves as a rotation fulcrum when the cap is attached or detached, and the hinge portion is positioned at a position offset from the ink introduction tube in the direction along the X-axis and the direction along the Y-axis. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1A] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a printer. [Figure 1B] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of a printer. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a first ink tank. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a first ink tank. [Figure 2C] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a first ink tank. [Figure 3A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a combination of the first ink tank and the second ink tank. [Figure 3B]FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a combination of the first ink tank and the second ink tank. [Figure 4A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a configuration in which the first to fourth ink tanks are combined. [Figure 4B] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration in which the first to fourth ink tanks are combined. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a configuration in which the first to fourth ink tanks are combined. [Figure 6A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an ink supply adapter. [Figure 6B] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an ink supply adapter. [Figure 6C] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the configuration of an ink supply adapter. [Figure 7A] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an ink supply container. [Figure 7B] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection state between the ink tank and the ink supply container. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another configuration of the window portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another configuration of the visualizing unit. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing another embodiment in which ink tanks are combined. [Figure 11A] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the configuration of another ink tank. [Figure 11B] FIG. 11B is a perspective view showing the configuration of the printer shown in FIG. 11A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] First, the configuration of the printer 1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the printer 1 includes a housing 5. The housing 5 is a frame that defines the outer shape of the printer 1. The housing 5 contains a recording head 3 that performs recording operations on a recording medium, an ink tank 11 that contains ink to be supplied to the recording head 3, and other components. In this embodiment, the ink tank 11 is located at the +Y end of the housing 5. The ink tank 11 is also fixed inside the housing 5 (the main body of the printer 1). The front of the housing 5 (the +Y end) is provided with an operation unit 4 that allows the user to input commands and perform other operations on the printer 1. The operation unit 4 also includes a display panel that can display printer 1 errors and the like.

[0009] A paper feed cassette 6 that can be inserted into or removed from the housing 5 by a user is provided on the front surface of the housing 5. The paper feed cassette 6 stores recording media.

[0010] A scanner unit 2 that reads documents is provided on the top of the housing 5 so as to be openable and closable relative to the housing 5. FIG. 1B shows the scanner unit 2 in an open state relative to the housing 5. When the scanner unit 2 is opened, a tank cover 12 that can cover the top surface of the ink tank 11 is exposed. The tank cover 12 is configured to be openable and closable relative to the ink tank 11. In FIG. 1B, the tank cover 12 is in a closed state. Note that a main body cover that does not have the scanner unit 2 mounted thereon may also be configured to be openable and closable relative to the housing 5.

[0011] The printer 1 uses a feeding unit (not shown) to feed recording media loaded in a paper feed cassette 6 provided on the front of the housing 5 or a paper feed tray (not shown) provided on the rear. The recording media fed by the feeding unit are transported by a transport roller (not shown) onto a platen 42 located opposite the recording head 3. The platen 42 is a member for guiding and supporting the recording medium on which recording is performed by the recording head 3. Once recording by the recording head 3 has been completed, the recording medium is discharged onto a paper discharge tray 43 by a discharge roller (not shown). The paper discharge tray 43 is located above the paper feed cassette 6. The paper discharge tray 43 is configured to be movable between a housed state in which it is housed within the housing 5 and a protruding state in which it protrudes in the +Y direction relative to the housing 5. Once recording has been completed, the recording medium is supported on the discharge tray in the protruding state.

[0012] The direction in which the recording medium is transported by the transport roller and the discharge roller is referred to as the transport direction (+Y direction). That is, the upstream side of the transport direction corresponds to the rear side of the housing 5, and the downstream side of the transport direction corresponds to the front side of the housing 5.

[0013] The recording head 3 is mounted on a carriage 31 that moves back and forth in a main scanning direction (direction along the X axis) that intersects with the transport direction. In this embodiment, the transport direction and the main scanning direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0014] The recording head 3 ejects ink droplets while moving in the main scanning direction together with the carriage 31, and records one band of image onto the recording medium (recording operation). After one band of image has been recorded, the recording medium is transported a predetermined distance in the transport direction by a transport roller (intermittent transport operation). By repeating this one-band recording operation and intermittent transport operation, an image is recorded on the entire recording medium based on the image data.

[0015] In this embodiment, an example of a serial head in which the recording head 3 is mounted on a carriage 31 is shown, but it can also be applied to, for example, a line head in which multiple ejection openings are arranged in an area corresponding to the width of the recording medium.

[0016] An ink tank 11 is provided in the printer 1 for each type (e.g., color) of ink ejected by the recording head 3. In this embodiment, when viewed from the front of the printer 1, the ink tanks 11 are arranged on both sides of the paper output tray 43 and the paper feed cassette 6. Four ink tanks 11 (first ink tank 11a, second ink tank 11b, third ink tank 11c, and fourth ink tank 11d) are arranged in the -X direction of the paper output tray 43 and the paper feed cassette 6. Each ink tank 11 contains ink of a different color, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow, or black. In this case, black is, for example, a dye ink. Furthermore, one ink tank 11 (fifth ink tank 11e) is disposed in the +X direction of the paper output tray 43 and the paper feed cassette 6. The fifth ink tank 11e is, for example, black. In this case, black is, for example, pigment ink. Each ink tank 11 is connected to the recording head 3 by a flexible tube 8 that constitutes a supply flow path for supplying ink to the recording head 3 .

[0017] The printer 1 is provided with a window 20 through which the liquid level in each ink tank 11 can be visually observed. In this embodiment, the window 20 is provided at the end of the housing 5 in the +Y direction. In other words, the window 20 is disposed on the XZ plane of the housing 5. The window 20 may be a window frame with a through-hole, or the housing 5 may be configured to be transparent or translucent.

[0018] Next, we will explain the configuration of the ink tank 11. Specifically, we will explain the configuration of the first ink tank 11a as an example.

[0019] 2A and 2B, the first ink tank 11a is a container capable of storing ink. The first ink tank 11a is an L-shaped container in a plan view. The first ink tank 11a has a first surface 101, which is an end surface in the +Z direction and formed horizontally, a second surface 102, which is an end surface in the -Z direction and formed horizontally, a third surface 103, which is an end surface in the +Y direction and formed along the XZ plane, a fourth surface 104, which is an end surface in the -Y direction and formed along the XZ plane, a fifth surface 105, which is between the third surface 103 and the fourth surface 104 and formed along the XZ plane, a sixth surface 106, which is an end surface in the +X direction and formed along the YZ plane, a seventh surface 107, which is an end surface in the -X direction and formed along the YZ plane, and an eighth surface 108, which is between the sixth surface 106 and the seventh surface 107 and formed along the YZ plane. The fifth surface 105 connects the sixth surface 106 and the eighth surface 108 .

[0020] In the first ink tank 11a of this embodiment, the first surface 101 and the second surface 102 have the same shape in a plan view. The length dimension of the fourth surface 104 in the direction along the X axis is three times the length dimension of the third surface 103 in the direction along the X axis. The length dimension of the fifth surface 105 in the direction along the X axis is twice the length dimension of the third surface 103 in the direction along the X axis. In other words, the length dimension of the fourth surface 104 in the direction along the X axis is the same as the sum of the length dimension of the third surface 103 in the direction along the X axis and the length dimension of the fifth surface 105 in the direction along the X axis. Furthermore, the length dimension of seventh surface 107 in the direction along the Y axis is twice the length dimension of sixth surface 106 in the direction along the Y axis, and twice the length dimension of eighth surface 108 in the direction along the Y axis. In other words, the length dimension of sixth surface 106 in the direction along the Y axis and the length dimension of eighth surface 108 in the direction along the Y axis are the same, and the length dimension of seventh surface 107 in the direction along the Y axis is the same as the sum of the length dimension of sixth surface 106 in the direction along the Y axis and the length dimension of eighth surface 108 in the direction along the Y axis. The third surface 103, the fourth surface 104, the fifth surface 105, the sixth surface 106, the seventh surface 107, and the eighth surface 108 have the same length dimension in the direction along the Z axis.

[0021] The first ink tank 11a is placed on the XY plane inside the housing 5. More specifically, the first ink tank 11a is disposed so that the second surface 102 is in contact with the XY plane inside the housing 5. Here, the main body portion of the first ink tank 11a is formed of a synthetic resin, such as polypropylene or polystyrene. The seventh surface 107 is formed of a film. The sixth surface 106 and the eighth surface 108 may also be formed of a film.

[0022] The first ink tank 11a has a first portion 210 and a second portion 220 that is offset from the first portion 210 in the direction along the X-axis. Specifically, the first portion 210 is a portion whose volume is calculated by multiplying the area calculated by multiplying the length dimension of the fifth surface 105 along the X-axis by the length dimension of the sixth surface 106 along the Y-axis by the length dimension of the fifth surface 105 (sixth surface 106) along the Z-axis. In addition, the second portion 220 is a portion whose volume is calculated by multiplying the area calculated by multiplying the length dimension of the third surface 103 along the X axis by the length dimension of the seventh surface 107 along the Y axis by the length dimension of the third surface 103 (seventh surface 107) along the Z axis. In the first ink tank 11a, the first portion 210 and the second portion 220 are formed to be continuous, and the second portion 220 is positioned at a position offset in the direction along the X axis relative to the first portion 210. Note that the first portion 210 and the second portion 220 are distinguishable by the external shape of the first ink tank 11a, and the inside of the first ink tank 11a is a single space that stores ink.

[0023] Furthermore, the length of the first portion 210 along the X-axis is shorter than the length along the Y-axis. That is, the length of the fifth surface 105 along the X-axis is shorter than the length of the sixth surface 106 along the Y-axis. This increases the ink capacity that can be stored in the first ink tank 11a, while preventing the width along the X-axis from becoming too large.

[0024] Furthermore, the length dimension of the second portion 220 in the direction along the X axis is shorter than the length dimension of the first portion 210 in the direction along the X axis. In other words, the length dimension of the third surface 103 in the direction along the X axis is shorter than the length dimension of the fifth surface 105 in the direction along the X axis. This reduces the length of the first ink tank 11a in the direction along the X axis, and therefore prevents the width of the first ink tank 11a in the direction along the X axis from increasing.

[0025] The first ink tank 11a has a visual confirmation section 150 in at least one of the first section 210 and the second section 220, which faces the window section 20 and allows the liquid level to be visually confirmed from the outside. In this embodiment, the third surface 103 of the first ink tank 11a is disposed so as to face the end of the housing 5 in the +Y direction. Therefore, the visual confirmation section 150 is disposed on the third surface 103 of the second section 220 of the first ink tank 11a. The third surface 103 is formed to be transparent or translucent. This allows the liquid level (ink containment state) to be confirmed through the third surface 103. The visual confirmation section 150 is appropriately provided with markers (e.g., scales or marks) corresponding to ink level standards (e.g., upper and lower limits). In this embodiment, the visual confirmation section 150 on the third surface 103 is provided with an upper limit marker 151 corresponding to the upper limit and a lower limit marker 152 corresponding to the lower limit. Additionally, an intermediate marker 153 is provided between the upper limit marker 151 and the lower limit marker 152. For example, when refilling ink from outside into the first ink tank 11a, if the ink level reaches the upper limit marker 151 corresponding to the upper limit, the user stops injecting ink. Also, for example, if the ink level (liquid level) reaches the lower limit marker 152, the user refills ink into the first ink tank 11a.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 2B, the first ink tank 11a of this embodiment is also provided with a viewing portion 150 on the fourth surface 104, which is opposite the third surface 103. The configuration of the viewing portion 150 is the same as that described above. In the example of FIG. 2B, the viewing portion 150 is located in the center of the fourth surface 104 in the direction along the X axis. Therefore, the first ink tank 11a of this embodiment can be placed in the main body of the printer 1, flipped 180 degrees around the Z axis.

[0027] The first ink tank 11a is equipped with an ink introduction tube 160 that introduces ink supplied from an ink supply container 400 (FIG. 7A). In this embodiment, the ink introduction tube 160 is disposed in the first section 210 of the first ink tank 11a. More specifically, it is disposed on the first surface 101 of the first section 210. Because the ink introduction tube 160 is disposed in the first section 210, the width of the second section 220 in the direction along the X axis can be made relatively small, and an increase in the width of the first ink tank 11a in the direction along the X axis can be suppressed. 2C, the ink introduction tube 160 has a generally cylindrical shape extending in the +Z direction from the first surface 101. A partition wall 165 extending along the Z axis is provided inside the ink introduction tube 160, and this partition wall 165 forms a first flow path 161 and a second flow path 162. When ink is introduced into the interior from the ink supply container 400 through the ink introduction tube 160, for example, the first flow path 161 functions as an introduction path for introducing ink into the interior, and the second flow path 162 functions as an air exhaust path for exhausting air from the interior.

[0028] An ink receiving portion 170 that receives ink is provided around the ink introduction tube 160. In this embodiment, the ink receiving portion 170 is provided in the first portion 210. The ink receiving portion 170 is a wall portion that protrudes from the first surface 101 in the +Z direction and surrounds the entire periphery of the ink introduction tube 160. This forms a partitioned area between the ink introduction tube 160 and the ink receiving portion 170. Therefore, when ink is introduced from the ink supply container 400 through the ink introduction tube 160, ink dripping from the ink supply container 400 is blocked by the ink receiving portion 170, thereby preventing contamination of other portions. Furthermore, because the ink receiving portion 170 is disposed in the first portion 210, which has a relatively large area in a plan view, an increase in the width in the direction along the X axis can be prevented. A communication hole 172 that communicates from the first surface 101 to the interior may be provided in the area defined between the ink introduction tube 160 and the ink receiving portion 170. In this way, ink dripping from the ink supply container 400 or the ink introduction tube 160 can flow into the first ink tank 11a through the communication hole 172.

[0029] The second, third, and fourth ink tanks 11b, 11c, and 11d have the same shape as the first ink tank 11a. This reduces the number of molding molds required, improving productivity. Furthermore, the first to fourth ink tanks 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d can be easily arranged inside the housing 5.

[0030] Next, the manner in which the first ink tank 11a and the second ink tank 11b are placed inside the housing of the printer 1 will be described. 3A and 3B, the second ink tank 11b is placed inverted 180° about the Z axis relative to the first ink tank 11a. Specifically, the second ink tank 11b is positioned so that the fourth surface 104 faces the +Y direction. As a result, the visual confirmation portion 150 provided on the fourth surface 104 faces the +Y direction.

[0031] The first portion 210 of the first ink tank 11a and the first portion 210 of the second ink tank 11b are arranged side by side in the direction along the Y axis. Specifically, the sixth surface 106 of the first ink tank 11a and the eighth surface 108 of the second ink tank 11b face each other, the eighth surface 108 of the first ink tank 11a and the sixth surface 106 of the second ink tank 11b face each other, and the fifth surface 105 of the first ink tank 11a and the fifth surface 105 of the second ink tank 11b face each other. As a result, the first portions 210 of the first ink tank 11a and the second ink tank 11b are arranged side by side in the direction along the Y axis. In other words, when viewed in the -Y direction, the first portions 210 are arranged overlapping each other. The second portions 220 of the first ink tank 11a and the second ink tank 11b are arranged on both sides of each first portion 210 along the X axis. In FIG. 3B, for ease of explanation, the boundary between first portion 210 and second portion 220 is shown by a dashed line. In this embodiment, the ink introduction tube 160 of the first ink tank 11a and the ink introduction tube 160 of the second ink tank 11b are arranged in the direction along the Y axis. This makes it possible to prevent the width of the arrangement space for the first ink tank 11a and the second ink tank 11b from increasing in the direction along the X axis.

[0032] Furthermore, the first ink tank 11a and the second ink tank 11b are arranged so that the outer shape of the first ink tank 11a and the second ink tank 11b when combined is rectangular in a plan view. This allows the arrangement space for the first ink tank 11a and the second ink tank 11b to be used efficiently. For example, if the first ink tank 11a and the second ink tank 11b are each formed in a key shape in a plan view as shown in Fig. 3B, when they are arranged in a staggered configuration, the outer shape will be approximately rectangular in a plan view.

[0033] Next, the mounting configuration of the four ink tanks 11 (first to fourth ink tanks 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d) inside the housing of the printer 1 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the third ink tank 11c and the fourth ink tank 11d are combined and mounted in the same manner as the first ink tank 11a and the second ink tank 11b. That is, the first through fourth ink tanks 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d are arranged so that the combination of the first ink tank 11a and the second ink tank 11b is continuous along the X-axis. In this case, the arrangement of the third ink tank 11c corresponds to the arrangement of the first ink tank 11a, and the arrangement of the fourth ink tank 11d corresponds to the arrangement of the second ink tank 11b. The seventh surface 107 of the second ink tank 11b and the seventh surface 107 of the third ink tank 11c are arranged opposite each other. This makes it difficult to create unnecessary empty space, and prevents the installation space for the ink tanks 11 from becoming too large. Furthermore, the arrangement of the ink tanks 11 is standardized, facilitating manufacturing.

[0034] Furthermore, multiple ink introduction tubes 160 are arranged in parallel in the direction along the X-axis. Furthermore, multiple ink introduction tubes 160 are arranged in parallel in the direction along the Y-axis. This makes it possible to prevent the width of the arrangement space for the first to fourth ink tanks 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d from increasing in size in the direction along the X-axis, compared to, for example, a configuration in which the ink tanks 11 are simply lined up along the X-axis. Furthermore, for example, the second portion 220 of the third ink tank 11c is positioned between the second ink tank 11b and the fourth ink tank 11d, which prevents the width of the arrangement space for the first to fourth ink tanks 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d from increasing in size along the X-axis. Furthermore, since the ink introduction tubes 160 of the ink tanks 11 are arranged at the same height, ink can be easily introduced from the ink supply container 400 to each ink tank 11 . In this embodiment, four ink tanks 11 are arranged, but the present invention is not limited to this and five or more ink tanks may be arranged.

[0035] Next, the positional relationship between the ink tank 11 and the window portion 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 5, at least one of the first portion 210 and the second portion 220 of each ink tank 11 faces the window portion 20 and has a visual confirmation portion 150 that allows the liquid level to be visually confirmed from the outside. In this embodiment, the first ink tank 11a is arranged so that the visible portion 150 provided on the third surface 103 of the second portion 220 faces in the +Y direction. The second ink tank 11b is arranged so that the visible portion 150 provided on the fourth surface 104 of the first portion 210 faces in the +Y direction. The third ink tank 11c is arranged so that the visible portion 150 provided on the third surface 103 of the second portion 220 faces in the +Y direction. The fourth ink tank 11d is arranged so that the visible portion 150 provided on the fourth surface 104 of the first portion 210 faces in the +Y direction. The window portions 20 are provided in positions corresponding to the visible portions 150 of each ink tank 11. As a result, even though the first ink tank 11a and the second ink tank 11b have first portions 210 that are arranged side by side in a direction along the Y axis, the liquid levels of both the first and second ink tanks 11a, 11b can be seen from the outside, making it possible to check the ink consumption status and the liquid level when refilling ink, making it easy to use. Furthermore, if the direction along the X axis is the main scanning direction of the carriage 31, it is possible to prevent the printer 1 from becoming larger in size along the X axis. Because the output tray 43 ejects recording media in the +Y direction, it tends to take up space on the +Y side of the housing 5, but if the printer 1 becomes larger in size along the X axis, when the printer 1 is placed with its back facing a wall, the area it occupies on the wall tends to increase; however, this embodiment makes it easy to avoid this. In this embodiment, the windows 20 are arranged at equal intervals in the direction along the X axis.

[0036] Next, the configuration of the ink supply adapter 300 will be described. As shown in Figures 6A and 6B, when the tank cover 12 (Figure 1B) is in the open state, the ink refill adapter 300 is exposed. The ink refill adapter 300 is provided above the ink tanks 11, and is a lid-like member that covers the area of ​​each ink tank 11 except for the ink introduction tubes 160 and the ink receiving portions 170. That is, the ink refill adapter 300 has a through-hole formed in the direction along the Z axis, and the ink introduction tubes 160 and the ink receiving portions 170 are exposed through the through-hole.

[0037] The ink supply adapter 300 of this embodiment comprises caps 310 that are removably attached to each ink introduction tube 160, and hinge portions 320 that are connected to each cap 310 and serve as a rotation fulcrum when each cap 310 is attached or detached. The cap 310 is made of an elastic member and covers the ink introduction tube 160. This seals the ink introduction tube 160, making it possible to prevent evaporation of ink inside the ink tank 11. The cap 310 is placed on each ink tank 11, and the user opens the cap 310 corresponding to the ink tank 11 that needs to be replenished with ink. This exposes the ink introduction tube 160, making it possible to replenish ink.

[0038] The hinge portion 320 is a rod-shaped member, one end of which is connected to the cap 310, and the other end of which is rotatably supported by the ink refill adapter 300. The hinge portion 320 is disposed at a position offset in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction relative to the ink introduction tube 160. In this embodiment, the hinge portion 320 is disposed so as to be inclined in the -Y direction relative to the ink introduction tube 160 of the first ink tank 11a in accordance with the -X direction. The hinge portions 320 corresponding to the second, third, and fourth ink tanks 11b, 11c, and 11d are disposed in a similar manner. Therefore, the hinge portion 320 corresponding to the second ink tank 11b is disposed offset in the Y-axis direction relative to the hinge portion 320 corresponding to the first ink tank 11a. Furthermore, the hinge portion 320 corresponding to the third ink tank 11c is disposed offset in the X-axis direction relative to the hinge portion 320 corresponding to the first ink tank 11a. The hinge part 320 corresponding to the fourth ink tank 11d is disposed offset in the direction along the Y axis from the hinge part 320 corresponding to the third ink tank 11c. Furthermore, the hinge part 320 corresponding to the fourth ink tank 11d is disposed offset in the direction along the X axis from the hinge part 320 corresponding to the second ink tank 11b.

[0039] This allows the distance from the hinge part 320 to the cap 310 (ink introduction tube 160) to be relatively long, so that when attaching or detaching the cap 310, it is easy to apply force in the direction along the Z axis along which the ink introduction tube 160 extends, and it is difficult to apply load to the ink introduction tube 160 or the cap 310. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult for the ink introduction tube 160, the cap 310, etc. to be damaged. Furthermore, since the ink introduction tubes 160 of each ink tank 11 are positioned at the same height, it is possible to use the same configuration for the caps 310 and hinge portions 320, which simplifies the mechanism for attaching and detaching the caps 310 to each ink tank 11. The arrangement of each hinge portion 320 may be set as appropriate. For example, the hinge portion 320 for the ink introduction tube 160 of the first ink tank 11a may be arranged so that it is inclined in the -Y direction according to the -X direction, and the hinge portion 320 for the ink introduction tube 160 of the second ink tank 11b may be arranged so that it is inclined in the +Y direction according to the +X direction. This arrangement also provides the same effect as above.

[0040] 6C, the portion of each ink tank 11 corresponding to the first portion 210 is provided with an identification portion 330 that can identify whether or not the ink tank 11 can be connected to the ink supply container 400 depending on the type (e.g., color) of ink contained therein. The identification portion 330 in this embodiment is provided on the ink supply adapter 300. The identification portion 330 is disposed in correspondence with the ink introduction tube 160 of each ink tank 11. Note that the cap 310 and hinge portion 320 are omitted from FIG. 6C.

[0041] The identifier 330 has a recess 331 and a protrusion 332 formed on the side of the recess 331. The recess 331 is a recess that is recessed in the -Z direction. The protrusion 332 is located in the inner region of the recess 331 and is composed of a rod-shaped convex portion that extends in the +Z direction. Each identifier 330 is composed of multiple protrusions 332. Furthermore, each identifier 330 is formed so that the number, shapes, and placement positions of the protrusions 332 differ. As a result, when refilling each ink tank 11 with ink using the ink refill container 400, only the ink refill container 400 that is compatible with the type of ink in any of the ink tanks 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d to be refilled can be inserted into the ink introduction tube 160. Furthermore, the protrusions 332 are disposed on the +Y side and the -Y side of each ink introduction tube 160. This allows the length dimension along the X axis to be shortened, and therefore prevents the width of the arrangement space for the first ink tank 11a to the fourth ink tank 11d along the X axis from increasing.

[0042] Furthermore, the protrusions 332 arranged on the +Y and -Y sides of each ink introduction tube 160 are formed to be point-symmetrical with respect to the center point of the ink introduction tube 160 in plan view. This eliminates restrictions on the insertion direction of the ink supply container 400 into the ink introduction tube 160, making the supply work easier.

[0043] In this embodiment, the ink supply adapter 300 is provided, and the indicator 330, cap 310, and hinge 320 are provided on the ink supply adapter 300, but this is not limiting. For example, the ink supply adapter 300 may be omitted. In this case, each ink tank 11 may be provided with the indicator 330, cap 310, and hinge 320. This also achieves the same effects as described above.

[0044] Next, the configuration of the ink supply container 400 will be described. 7A, the ink supply container 400 includes a container main body 410 and an ink outlet forming portion 420. The ink supply container 400 includes a lid portion that covers the ink outlet forming portion 420. The container body 410 is a cylindrical container with a bottom. Ink is stored in the internal space of the container body 410. The container body 410 is made of, for example, a transparent or translucent material. For example, polypropylene can be used as such a material.

[0045] The ink outlet forming portion 420 has an ink outlet portion 421 for leading the ink contained in the container main body 410 to the outside. The ink outlet forming portion 420 also has uneven portions 422 at two locations around the ink outlet portion 421. The uneven portions 422 extend in a direction along the Z axis. Each uneven portion 422 is arranged point-symmetrically about the central axis CX. The shape of the uneven portions 422 varies depending on the type of ink contained in the ink supply container 400, and the shape of the uneven portions 422 is a shape that fits with the protrusions 332 of the indicator 330 corresponding to each ink tank 11. More specifically, the shape of the uneven portions 422 is a shape that is predetermined for each type of ink contained in the ink supply container 400, and each shape is a shape that fits with the protrusions 332 predetermined for each type of ink.

[0046] 7B, the ink outlet portion 421 is fitted into the ink introduction tube 160 of the ink tank 11 corresponding to the ink supply container 400. This allows the ink contained in the ink supply container 400 to be replenished into the ink tank 11. Then, for example, when replenishing ink into the ink tank 11, the user stops the ink replenishing when the ink level reaches the upper limit mark 151 corresponding to the upper limit. Note that when replenishing ink, ink dripping from the ink supply container 400 or the ink introduction tube 160 flows into the ink tank 11 through the communication hole 172.

[0047] Other embodiments will be described below. In the above embodiment, a window 20 is provided for each visible portion 150 of each ink tank 11, but this is not limiting. For example, as shown in Fig. 8, one window 20 may be formed for each visible portion 150 of the first to fourth ink tanks 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d.

[0048] In the above embodiment, the visual confirmation portion 150 is provided in the center of the fourth surface 104 in the direction along the X axis, but this is not limiting. For example, the visual confirmation portion 150 may be provided at the end of the fourth surface 104 in the -X direction. In this case, as shown in Fig. 9, a window portion 20 is formed corresponding to each visual confirmation portion 150. This can also achieve the same effect as above.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the first to fourth ink tanks 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d have the same shape, but this is not limiting. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the first ink tank 11a and the second ink tank 11b may have the same shape, and the third ink tank 11c and the fourth ink tank 11d may have the same shape. In this case, the first ink tank 11a and the fourth ink tank 11d are line-symmetrical with respect to an imaginary line extending along the Y axis in a plan view, and the second ink tank 11b and the third ink tank 11c are line-symmetrical with respect to an imaginary line extending along the Y axis in a plan view. Even in this case, the combination of the first ink tank 11a and the second ink tank 11b is rectangular in a plan view, and the combination of the third ink tank 11c and the fourth ink tank 11d is rectangular in a plan view, and the same effect as described above can be obtained.

[0050] While each ink tank 11 in the above embodiment includes one first portion 210 and one second portion 220, this is not limiting. For example, as shown in FIG. 11A , each ink tank 11 may include multiple second portions 220. Specifically, the second portions 220 may be provided on both sides of the first portion 210 along the X axis. In this case, the first portion 210 of the first ink tank 11a and the first portion 210 of the second ink tank 11b are juxtaposed to each other along the Y axis. The first ink tank 11a and the second ink tank 11b are disposed in the -X direction with respect to the paper output tray 43 and the paper feed cassette 6. The first ink tank 11a is disposed in the -Y direction with respect to the second ink tank 11b. In this case, the visual confirmation portions 150 of the first ink tank 11a and the second ink tank 11b are provided at the -X direction ends of the first ink tank 11a and the second ink tank 11b. 11B, the window 20 of the printer 1A is provided at the -X direction end of the housing 5. In other words, the window 20 is provided on the YZ plane. This also achieves the same effect as above.

[0051] In the printer 1A, the third ink tank 11c and the fourth ink tank 11d are disposed in the +X direction relative to the paper output tray 43 and the paper feed cassette 6. As described above, the second portions 220 are provided on both sides of the first portion 210 along the X axis, and the first portions 210 of the third ink tank 11c and the fourth ink tank 11d are juxtaposed to each other in the direction along the Y axis. The third ink tank 11c is disposed on the -Y direction of the fourth ink tank 11d. The visual confirmation portions 150 of the third ink tank 11c and the fourth ink tank 11d are provided at the +X direction ends of the third ink tank 11c and the fourth ink tank 11d. Therefore, a window portion 20 is also provided at the +X direction end of the housing 5.

[0052] Although the window 20 is provided in the housing 5, it is not limited to this. For example, it may be provided in the housing (including the cover) that houses the ink tank 11 depending on the housing form of the ink tank 11.

[0053] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the ink introduction tube 160 is disposed in the first portion 210, but this is not limiting. For example, the ink introduction tube 160 may be disposed in the second portion 220, or may be disposed in a region spanning the first portion 210 and the second portion 220. In this way, for example, the distance between the ink introduction tubes 160 between the first ink tank 11a and the second ink tank 11b can be made relatively large, making it easier to replenish ink and less likely to cause color mixing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1,1A...printer, 2...scanner unit, 3...recording head, 4...operation unit, 5...casing, 6...paper feed cassette, 8...tube, 11...ink tank, 11a...first ink tank, 11b...second ink tank, 11c...third ink tank, 11d...fourth ink tank, 11e...fifth ink tank, 12...tank cover, 20...window, 31...carriage, 42...platen, 43...paper output tray, 101...first side, 102...second side, 103...third side, 104...fourth side, 105...fifth side, 106...sixth side, 107...seventh side , 108...8th surface, 150...visible portion, 151...upper limit mark, 152...lower limit mark, 153...intermediate mark, 160...ink introduction tube, 161...first flow path, 162...second flow path, 165...partition wall, 170...ink receiving portion, 172...communicating hole, 210...first part, 220...second part, 300...ink refill adapter, 310...cap, 320...hinge portion, 330...identification portion, 331...recess, 332...protrusion, 400...ink refill container, 410...container main body portion, 420...ink outlet forming portion, 421...ink outlet portion, 422...uneven portion.

Claims

1. A printer equipped with a first ink tank and a second ink tank, When three mutually orthogonal axes are defined as an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis, the first ink tank and the second ink tank are placed on an XY plane, and windows are provided on the XZ plane or the YZ plane that allow the liquid levels in the first ink tank and the second ink tank to be visually observed from outside the printer, The first ink tank and the second ink tank each include: a first portion in which the first ink tank and the second ink tank are juxtaposed in a direction along the Y axis; a second portion offset from the first portion in a direction along the X-axis, At least one of the first portion and the second portion has a visual confirmation portion that faces the window portion and allows the liquid level to be visually confirmed from the outside, The printer, wherein the first ink tank and the second ink tank are formed in the same shape.

2. The printer according to claim 1 , A printer, wherein the first portion has a length dimension along the X axis that is shorter than a length dimension along the Y axis.

3. 3. The printer according to claim 1, a length dimension of the second portion along the X axis that is shorter than a length dimension of the first portion along the X axis.

4. The printer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, a printer, wherein an ink introduction pipe for introducing ink replenished from an ink supply container is disposed in each of the first portions of the first ink tank and the second ink tank.

5. The printer according to claim 4, The printer further comprises an ink receiving section for receiving the ink provided around the ink introduction tube.

6. The printer according to claim 4 or claim 5, A printer, wherein a portion of each of the first ink tank and the second ink tank corresponding to the first portion is provided with an identification portion that can identify whether or not the first ink tank and the second ink tank can be connected to the ink supply container depending on the type of ink contained therein.

7. The printer according to any one of claims 4 to 6, The printer further comprises caps that are detachably attached to each of the ink introduction tubes, and hinge portions that are connected to each of the caps and serve as rotation fulcrums when each of the caps is attached or detached, and each of the hinge portions is positioned offset in the direction along the X-axis and the direction along the Y-axis with respect to each of the ink introduction tubes that correspond to each of the caps.

8. A printer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, a combination of the first ink tank and the second ink tank arranged to form a rectangle in a plan view, and the combination arranged to be continuous in a direction along an X axis;

Images