JP6028330B2 - Recording device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting liquid onto a recording medium.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a recording apparatus including a recording unit that records an image including characters and figures by ejecting ink as a kind of liquid from a liquid ejecting head on a sheet as a kind of recording medium has been put into practical use. ing. This type of recording apparatus supplies ink from an ink cartridge (liquid container) containing ink to a recording unit that is also a consumption unit that consumes ink through a supply needle inserted into the ink cartridge. Then, recording is performed by ejecting the supplied ink from the liquid ejecting head onto the paper as the image is recorded, and the ink is consumed. Therefore, this type of recording device is also a liquid consuming device.

  When a relatively large amount of printing is performed in such a recording apparatus, in order to supply ink to the liquid ejecting head continuously and stably, the ink is stored from an external tank in which the capacity of the consumed ink is larger than that of the ink cartridge. A supply configuration has been proposed. For example, in Patent Document 1, an attachment in which an ink supply tube as a connection tube for supplying ink to a liquid ejecting head is connected to a mounting portion of an ink cartridge is mounted. A configuration is disclosed in which ink is supplied from a large-capacity external tank provided outside the main body of the recording apparatus through an ink supply tube by mounting the attachment.

JP 2006-212845 A

  However, the recording apparatus having the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1 needs to prepare an attachment separately when supplying liquid from the external tank to the liquid ejecting head. In addition, since the recording apparatus needs to have a structure in which the attachment can be mounted on the mounting portion of the ink cartridge, there is a problem that the cost of the apparatus increases.

  The present invention has been made to solve at least one of the above problems, and a main object thereof is to provide a recording apparatus capable of supplying liquid from an external tank to a recording unit without using an attachment. is there.

  In order to achieve the above object, a recording apparatus of the present invention includes a recording unit that performs recording by ejecting liquid onto a recording medium, a liquid container mounting unit on which a liquid container that stores the liquid can be mounted, A flow path forming part in which a flow path through which the liquid stored in the liquid container mounted on the liquid container mounting part flows is formed, one end is connected to the flow path forming part, and the other end is connected to the flow path forming part. A connection tube that forms a flow path of the liquid from the flow path forming part side to the recording part side by being connected to the recording part, and an auxiliary that is different from the liquid container attached to the liquid container mounting part A liquid container, and one end of the connection tube is connectable to the auxiliary liquid container, and a connection port with the connection tube included in the auxiliary liquid container is included in the flow path forming unit. Common to the connection port with the connection tube It is configured to.

  According to this configuration, since one end of the connection tube can be connected to the auxiliary liquid container instead of the flow path forming part, the attachment is taken from a liquid container different from the liquid container mounted on the liquid container mounting part. The liquid can be supplied to the recording unit without using it. Therefore, the shape of the auxiliary liquid container can be formed in a shape that is not limited to the shape that can be mounted on the liquid container mounting portion.

In the recording apparatus of the present invention, the auxiliary liquid container is provided outside the casing of the recording apparatus.
According to this configuration, the auxiliary liquid container can have a shape that can accommodate a larger amount of ink than the liquid container having a shape mounted on the liquid container mounting portion.

In the recording apparatus of the present invention, the auxiliary liquid container causes the liquid to flow out from the auxiliary liquid container to the connection tube due to a water head difference.
According to this configuration, it is possible to supply the liquid from the auxiliary liquid container to the recording unit using the water head difference without using a complicated pressurizing device, for example.

The recording apparatus of the present invention further comprises outflow prevention means for preventing outflow of the liquid from the flow path forming portion in a state where one end of the connection tube is connected to the auxiliary liquid container.
According to this configuration, even if one end of the connection tube is removed from the flow path forming portion, the liquid does not flow out from the flow path forming portion. Therefore, by directly connecting one end of the removed connection tube to, for example, an external tank, it is possible to supply liquid from the external tank to the recording unit without using an attachment.

  In the recording apparatus according to the aspect of the invention, the flow path forming portion may be driven with an opening portion where one end of the connection tube is connected to a flow path end of the flow path to open the liquid in the flow path. An outflow mechanism for allowing the liquid to flow out from the section, and the outflow prevention means prevents the liquid from flowing out of the flow path forming section by at least one of sealing the opening and stopping the driving of the outflow mechanism. .

  According to this configuration, when one end of the connection tube is not connected to the opening of the flow path forming portion, it is possible to easily prevent the liquid from flowing out from the opening.

1 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The perspective view which looked at the printer of an embodiment in the state where a part of apparatus case was removed. FIG. 3 is a structural perspective view around a cartridge holder included in the printer of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a structural perspective view around the cartridge holder showing a state in which ink is supplied from the ink cartridge in the printer according to the embodiment.

  As an embodiment of the present invention, a multifunction machine including an image reading device that reads an image, and ejects ink, which is an example of liquid, onto a sheet, which is an example of a recording medium, from a liquid ejecting head. An ink jet printer (also simply referred to as “printer”) as a recording apparatus that prints and records images and the like will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 11 according to the present embodiment includes an apparatus main body 12, a scanner unit 13 as an image reading apparatus mounted on the apparatus main body 12 in an antigravity direction (upward direction), It is constituted by. The apparatus main body 12 is constituted by an apparatus case 14 as a casing made up of a plurality of members, and includes a recording unit 20 (see FIG. 2) that ejects ink onto the paper P and records it.

  In the apparatus case 14, an operation panel 15 that is operated by the user when operating the printer 11 is disposed on the upper side in the front direction, which is the discharge direction of the printed paper P (the white arrow in the figure). The operation panel 15 includes a display unit 15a (for example, a liquid crystal display) for displaying a menu screen and the like, and various operation buttons 15b provided around the display unit 15a.

  In the device case 14, a front cover 16 constituting a part of the housing is attached to the lower side of the operation panel 15 so as to be opened and closed. The front cover 16 is opened forward by a hinge (not shown) provided below the front cover 16. Note that the front cover 16 is provided with a recessed portion 16a for a user to put a hand on when the front cover 16 is opened and closed. In the apparatus case 14, a sheet discharge table 19 is disposed below the front cover 16 to discharge the paper P discharged from the apparatus main body 12 to the outside of the apparatus main body 12.

  The printer 11 is provided with a paper feed cassette 18 on which the paper P is placed in a stacked state below the paper discharge tray 19, and the uppermost stacked paper P stored therein is formed in the apparatus main body 12 one by one. The paper is sent to a conveyance path (not shown) and conveyed to the recording unit 20. The paper feeding cassette 18 can be inserted into and removed from the apparatus main body 12, and a hook-shaped gripping portion 18 a is provided on the front side of the paper feeding cassette 18 for the user to put on when pulling out the paper feeding cassette 18 from the apparatus main body 12. Thus, the sheet feeding cassette 18 can be easily pulled forward from the apparatus main body 12. Also, a transport tray (not shown) in which a paper tray 17 on which the paper P is placed is provided on the rear side of the device main body 12 and the paper P placed on the paper tray 17 is also formed in the device main body 12. To the recording unit 20.

  In the printer 11, an ink tank 50 serving as an auxiliary liquid container that stores ink consumed by the recording unit 20 is disposed on the left side of the apparatus main body 12 when viewed from the front. And an external tank disposed in a contact state or a non-contact state. The ink tank 50 stores four types of ink (in this embodiment, each color ink of cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink). Then, the ink supply tubes 44C, 44M, 44Y, and 44K as connection tubes that form the flow paths of the respective inks are used to open holes 14b provided in the apparatus case 14 via the connection terminals 43 provided at one end thereof. Each ink is supplied into the apparatus main body 12. In the following description, the ink supply tubes 44C, 44M, 44Y, and 44K are collectively referred to as the ink supply tube 44 without being distinguished.

  In the printer 11, each ink in the ink tank 50 thus supplied from the ink tank 50 into the apparatus main body 12 is supplied from the ink tank 50 to the recording unit 20 through the ink supply tube 44, and the ink supplied in the recording unit 20. An ink supply system that consumes the ink is configured. This configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each ink supplied from the ink tank 50 is supplied to the carriage 21 connected to the other end opposite to one end where the connection terminal 43 is provided by the ink supply tube 44. The liquid is supplied to the liquid jet head 22 through a flow path provided in the carriage 21. At this time, in the present embodiment, each ink is supplied to the liquid ejecting head 22 using a water head difference between the ink tank 50 and the liquid ejecting head 22. Each supplied ink is ejected from the liquid ejecting head 22 onto the paper P when the carriage 21 moves, and an image or the like is printed on the paper P.

  That is, a guide shaft 23 extending in the width direction (left-right direction) intersecting with the discharge direction of the paper P in the apparatus case 14 is installed. The carriage 21 is supported on the guide shaft 23 so as to be movable along the left-right direction. A part of the carriage 21 is fixed to a belt 24 that moves in accordance with the driving of a carriage motor (not shown), and reciprocates along the width direction (left-right direction) of the paper P as the scanning direction as the belt moves. A liquid ejecting head 22 that ejects ink onto the paper P is supported on the lower surface side of the carriage 21. Then, the liquid jet head 22 is moved by moving the carriage 21, and ink is ejected from the moving liquid jet head 22 to print (record) an image or the like on the paper P. In the present embodiment, the carriage 21 and the liquid ejecting head 22 correspond to the recording unit 20.

  Further, in the printer 11, unlike the ink supply system that supplies each ink from the ink tank 50 to the recording unit 20, another ink supply system that supplies each ink from the ink-in cartridge to the recording unit 20 is provided. That is, the printer 11 includes a liquid container mounting portion 30 having a guide portion 31a and a cartridge holder 31, and a flow path through which each ink stored in the ink cartridges 55C, 55M, 55Y, and 55K (see FIG. 4) flows. And a provided flow path forming unit 40. The ink cartridges 55C, 55M, 55Y, and 55K (hereinafter collectively referred to as “ink cartridges 55”) are attached to the cartridge holder 31 so that each ink contained in the ink cartridge 55 forms a flow path. Flows into the section 40. Further, the ink that has flowed into the flow path forming section 40 flows out from the opening 42 provided in the flow path forming section 40 by the ink outflow mechanism provided in the flow path forming section 40. Therefore, by supplying each ink flowing out from the opening 42 to the ink supply tube 44, each ink can be supplied from the flow path forming unit 40 side to the recording unit 20 side.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, when one end (connection terminal 43) of the ink supply tube 44 is not connected to the flow path forming unit 40, one end is connected to the ink tank 50 and the ink tank 50 side. Ink is supplied to the recording unit 20 side. The connection port with the ink supply tube 44 (connection terminal 43) included in the ink tank 50 is common to the connection port with the ink supply tube 44 (connection terminal 43) included in the flow path forming unit 40, that is, the opening 42. It is configured.

  In addition, when one end (connection terminal 43) of the ink supply tube 44 is not connected to the flow path forming unit 40, an outflow prevention means is provided so that the ink does not flow out from the opening 42 provided in the flow path forming unit 40. It has been. In other words, the ink flow path of the opening 42 is sealed by the cap member 45 serving as a sealing member, so that the ink does not flow out of the opening 42 against the flow caused by the outflow mechanism. This outflow prevention means will be described with reference to FIG. 3 including the outflow mechanism provided in the flow path forming unit 40 and the ink flow path.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid container mounting portion 30 includes a supply needle 35 as a supply member provided behind the space portion SP1 in a substantially box-shaped cartridge holder 31 having a space portion SP1 that opens to the front. have. The supply needle 35 is inserted into an ink cartridge 55 (not shown in FIG. 2), which is guided by a guide portion 31a extending forward from the bottom of the cartridge holder 31 and slidably moved from the front to the rear. By this insertion, each ink flows from the ink cartridge 55 to the supply needle 35 in the liquid container mounting portion 30.

  Each ink that has flowed into the supply needle 35 enters a flow path 41 a that is a flow path of ink provided in a flow path forming body 41 that constitutes a flow path forming section 40 disposed behind the liquid container mounting section 30. Inflow. The flow path 41 a is provided with an outflow mechanism that causes ink to flow out from the opening 42. In this embodiment, the outflow mechanism is configured by a diaphragm pump (not shown), a check valve, or the like that varies the pressure in the flow path 41a. And the fluctuation | variation of the pressure with respect to the ink of the flow path 41a is implemented by driving a diaphragm pump with the drive source which is not shown in figure. By this pressure fluctuation and the check valve, each ink flows in the flow path 41a and flows out from the opening 42 provided at the flow path end of the flow path 41a in the flow path forming portion 40. In the present embodiment, the opening 42 is formed with a connection port with the connection terminal 43 by a member having an opening serving as an ink flow path.

  Accordingly, in the printer 11, in the case of an ink supply system that supplies each ink by flowing from the ink tank 50 side to the recording unit 20 side via the ink supply tube 44 connected to the ink tank 50, the ink is supplied from the opening 42. A cap member 45 is attached to the opening 42 so that the flow path end (opening) of the flow path 41a is sealed. Alternatively, the opening 42 may be melted to seal the channel end (opening), or an adhesive may be poured to seal the channel end (opening).

  The operation of the ink supply system from the ink tank 50 having such a configuration will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, since the ink tank 50 is disposed outside the apparatus main body 12 (apparatus case 14), it is a liquid container that contains a large volume of ink. Further, ink is supplied to the recording unit 20 without using a separate outflow mechanism or the like by utilizing the water head difference. Even when ink flows in the flow path forming unit 40 such as when the ink cartridge 55 is mounted, the opening 42 is sealed, so that the ink flowing through the flow path 41a by the outflow mechanism is stored. The outflow from the opening 42 is suppressed.

  By the way, in the printer 11, when ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 55, predetermined information data (for example, data such as identification of the ink cartridge and remaining amount of ink) with the storage element provided in the ink cartridge 55. Communication. That is, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, electrical terminals 32 </ b> C, 32 </ b> M, 32 </ b> Y, and 32 </ b> K that communicate information data with each ink cartridge 55 are provided on the top of the cartridge holder 31. When the ink cartridge 55 is attached, the storage element provided in each ink cartridge 55 is connected to each of the electric terminals 56 (see FIG. 4) provided corresponding to the electric terminals 32C, 32M, 32Y, and 32K. Predetermined information data is communicated between them. With this communication, the printer 11 executes a recording process on the paper P in the recording unit 20 or updates predetermined information data stored in the storage element for each ink cartridge 55.

  For this reason, when the ink supply tube 44 is directly connected to the supply needle 35 to supply ink from the ink tank 50, communication between the ink tank 50 and the electrical terminals 32C, 32M, 32Y, and 32K is not performed. For this reason, the recording process of the recording unit 20 may not be executed. Alternatively, since the ink tank 50 contains a larger amount of ink than the ink cartridge 55, for example, even if ink remains in the ink tank 50, the information data becomes zero and the recording process is not executed. In some cases.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, communication is performed with the electrical terminals 32C, 32M, 32Y, and 32K, and predetermined information data is corrected or reset to reset the ink from the ink tank 50. The dummy cassette 60 for updating the information data so as to match the state of supplying the liquid is mounted on the liquid container mounting portion 30. That is, the dummy cassette 60 has a cassette body 61 that can be mounted on the cartridge holder 31 instead of each ink cartridge 55. In addition, the electrical terminals 62C, 62M, 62Y, and 62K provided on the upper surface of the cassette body 61 can perform data communication with the electrical terminals 32C, 32M, 32Y, and 32K in the mounted state. In the state in which communication is possible, for example, by operating a button 63 provided on the front surface of the cassette body 61, the information data is appropriately updated so as to match the ink supply state from the ink tank 50. As a result, in the printer 11, the recording process in the recording unit 20 is continuously executed. Note that a plurality (four in this case) of dummy cassettes 60 corresponding to the respective ink cartridges 55C, 55M, 55Y, and 55K may be prepared and attached to the cartridge holder 31.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Since one end (connection terminal 43) of the ink supply tube 44 can be connected to the ink tank 50, it is possible to use an attachment from a liquid container different from the ink cartridge 55 attached to the liquid container attachment part 30 without using an attachment. Ink can be supplied to the recording unit 20. Therefore, the shape of the ink tank 50 can be formed in a shape that is not limited to the shape that can be mounted on the liquid container mounting portion 30.

(2) The ink tank 50 can have a shape that can accommodate a larger volume of ink than the ink cartridge 55 that is mounted on the liquid container mounting portion 30.
(3) It is possible to supply ink from the ink tank 50 to the recording unit 20 using a water head difference without using a complicated pressurizing device, for example.

  (4) Even if one end (connection terminal 43) of the ink supply tube 44 is removed from the flow path forming unit 40 (opening 42), ink does not flow out from the flow path forming unit 40 (opening 42). Therefore, by directly connecting one end (connection terminal 43) of the removed ink supply tube 44 to the ink tank 50, it is possible to supply ink from the ink tank 50 to the recording unit 20 without using an attachment.

  (5) In the flow path forming unit 40, the outflow of ink from the flow path 41a can be prevented by an easy method such as sealing the opening 42 or stopping the operation of the flow mechanism. Therefore, when one end (connection terminal 43) of the ink supply tube 44 is not connected to the opening 42 of the flow path forming unit 40, the ink can be easily prevented from flowing out of the opening 42.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In the above embodiment, the connection terminal 43 preferably has the same structure as the attachment structure to the opening 42 formed in the cap member 45 on the side opposite to the connection side of the ink supply tube 44. Or it is preferable that the opening part 42 is made into the shape where the connection terminal 43 is directly attached, without interposing another member. This modification will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 4, according to this modification, the connection terminal 43 can be removed from the ink tank 50 and directly attached to the opening 42 from which the cap member 45 is removed. In this way, for example, the ink cartridge 55C is mounted on the liquid container mounting portion 30, the supply needle 35 is inserted, and after flowing in the flow path 41a of the flow path forming portion 40, the flow out from the opening 42 by the outflow mechanism. The cyan ink to be sent can be sent to the ink supply tube 44C. The same applies to other color inks.

  As a result, for example, even if the ink in the ink tank 50 is consumed, the ink can be supplied from the ink cartridge 55 to the recording unit 20 simply by changing the connection of the ink supply tube 44 from the ink tank 50 to the opening 42. it can. When the ink in the ink cartridge 55 is consumed and the ink supply source is switched to the ink tank 50, the connection of the ink supply tube 44 may be changed from the opening 42 to the ink tank 50. Of course, the cap member 45 is attached to the opening 42 and sealed when this change is made. As described above, according to the present modification, the ink supply system from the ink tank 50 and the ink supply system from the ink cartridge 55 can be easily changed.

  In the above embodiment, when one end (connection terminal 43) of the ink supply tube 44 is not connected to the opening 42 of the flow path forming unit 40, the outflow prevention means does not necessarily prevent the ink from flowing out from the opening 42. May be. For example, when the ink cartridge 55 has not been mounted in the past, such as when the printer 11 is used for the first time, ink does not exist in the flow path forming unit 40 or the amount of liquid until it flows out exists in the flow path 41a. Absent. In such a case, since the ink does not flow out from the opening 42, the outflow prevention means is unnecessary.

  In the above embodiment, the ink tank 50 may supply ink by a method other than the water head difference. For example, a method of supplying the ink to the ink supply tube 44 by pressurizing the ink by pressurizing the inside of the ink tank 50 with air pressure using a pressurizing unit may be employed.

  In the above implementation liquid, the arrangement position of the ink tank 50 is not necessarily limited to the outside of the apparatus case 14. For example, the inside of the apparatus case 14 may be sufficient, and the structure by which at least one part of the apparatus case 14 was formed as the ink tank 50 may be sufficient.

  In the above embodiment, when one end (connection terminal 43) of the ink supply tube 44 is not connected to the flow path forming unit 40 (flow path 41a), the one end does not necessarily need to be connected to the ink tank 50. For example, during maintenance such as replacing the ink supply tube 44, the connection terminal 43 is removed from the opening 42 of the flow path forming unit 40, and one end of the ink supply tube 44 is not connected to the flow path 41a. Since the outflow of ink from the opening 42 can be suppressed, maintenance work is facilitated.

  In the above embodiment, the outflow prevention means for preventing the ink from flowing out from the opening 42 may be implemented by a method other than the sealing of the opening 42. For example, ink outflow may be prevented by stopping the ink pressure fluctuation operation and stopping the outflow mechanism. Specifically, by stopping a driving source (for example, a decompression pump) that operates the diaphragm pump, it is possible to make the ink pressure fluctuation ineffective and stop the operation of the diaphragm pump. As a result, in the flow path forming unit 40, the ink pressure fluctuation operation in the outflow mechanism can be stopped by an easy method of stopping the operation of the diaphragm pump, and the outflow of ink from the opening 42 can be prevented. Of course, the outflow prevention means may be configured by both the sealing of the opening 42 and the stop of the ink pressure fluctuation operation.

  In the above embodiment, the recording medium is not limited to the paper P, and may be a plate member made of a metal plate, a resin plate, a cloth, or the like. That is, any member that can be transported and can be recorded by the ink consumed by the recording unit 20 can be employed as a recording medium.

  In the above-described embodiment, the recording unit 20 is not limited to a serial printer in which the liquid ejecting head 22 reciprocates with the carriage 21, and can perform printing in the maximum paper width range even when the liquid ejecting head 22 is fixed. A line head type printer may also be used.

  In the above-described embodiment, the printer 11 may be an apparatus that does not include the scanner unit 13, or may be a multifunction machine that has functions such as a FAX apparatus and a copying apparatus together with the recording unit 20.

  In the above embodiment, the recording apparatus is embodied as the ink jet printer 11 including the liquid ejecting head that ejects ink. However, the recording apparatus is specifically exemplified as a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges liquid other than ink. May be used. Various liquid ejecting apparatuses including a liquid ejecting head that discharges a minute amount of liquid droplets can be used. In addition, a droplet means the state of the liquid discharged from the said liquid ejecting apparatus, and shall also include what pulls a tail in granular shape, tear shape, and thread shape. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, it may be in a state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a liquid with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts ) And liquids as one state of the substance, as well as particles in which functional material particles made of solid materials such as pigments and metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. Further, representative examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. As a specific example of the liquid ejecting apparatus, for example, a liquid containing a material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface emitting display, or a color filter in a dispersed or dissolved form. There is a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting. Alternatively, it may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a bio-organic material used for biochip manufacturing, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid that is used as a precision pipette and a sample, a printing apparatus, a micro dispenser, or the like. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto the substrate or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as an acid or an alkali to etch the substrate may be employed. The present invention can be applied to any one of these liquid ejecting apparatuses.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printer as recording apparatus, 14 ... Apparatus case as housing | casing, 20 ... Recording part, 30 ... Liquid container mounting part, 40 ... Flow path formation part, 41a ... Flow path, 42 ... Opening part as connection port , 43 ... connection terminals, 44 ... ink supply tube as a connection tube, 50 ... ink tank as an auxiliary liquid container, 55 ... ink cartridge as a liquid container, P ... paper as a recording medium.

Claims (5)

A recording unit that performs recording by ejecting liquid onto a recording medium;
A liquid container mounting portion to which a liquid container for storing the liquid can be mounted;
A flow path forming part in which a flow path through which the liquid stored in the liquid container mounted on the liquid container mounting part flows; and
One end is connected to the flow path forming section, and the other end is connected to the recording section, thereby forming a connection tube that forms the liquid flow path from the flow path forming section to the recording section.
An auxiliary liquid container different from the liquid container mounted on the liquid container mounting part;
With
Connecting portion is formed on the one end of the connection tube,
The connection portion is switchably connected to a connection port arranged in the auxiliary liquid container and a connection port arranged in the flow path forming unit,
The connection tube connects the recording section and the auxiliary liquid container by connecting the connection section to a connection port disposed in the auxiliary liquid container, and connects the connection section to the flow path forming section. It is possible to switch between the state where the recording part and the flow path forming part are connected by connecting to the connection port arranged in
The recording apparatus, wherein the liquid container mounting part and the auxiliary liquid container are installed on the same side with respect to a paper discharge part for discharging the recording medium. The recording apparatus according to claim 1,
The auxiliary liquid container is provided outside a housing of the recording apparatus ;
It said connection tube, the auxiliary when connected to a liquid container, wherein is derived from the housing is connected to the auxiliary liquid container recording apparatus characterized Rukoto. The recording apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary liquid container causes the liquid to flow out from the auxiliary liquid container to the connection tube due to a water head difference. The recording apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A recording apparatus comprising: an outflow prevention means for preventing outflow of the liquid from the flow path forming portion in a state where one end of the connection tube is connected to the auxiliary liquid container. The recording apparatus according to claim 4,
The flow path forming unit includes an opening part where one end of the connection tube is connected to a flow path end of the flow path, and an outflow mechanism that causes the liquid in the flow path to flow out from the opening part by being driven. Have
The recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the outflow prevention unit prevents the liquid from flowing out of the flow path forming unit by at least one of sealing the opening and stopping driving of the outflow mechanism.