JP7143689B2 - system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a system comprising a liquid bottle in which liquid is stored and a tank to which the liquid bottle is connected.

As a configuration that can keep the liquid level of the liquid stored in the tank constant by sequentially supplying the liquid to the tank from a cartridge connected to the tank each time the liquid stored in the tank is consumed, a so-called A system is disclosed in which liquid is supplied from a cartridge to a tank using a chicken feed method (see Patent Document 1).

In the system disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,400,000, the tank is below the cartridge. The tank also has an air communication portion that communicates with the atmosphere. Also, the tank communicates with the cartridge through two channels, an atmospheric channel and a liquid channel. When the liquid in the tank is consumed and the liquid level of the liquid becomes lower than the opening at the lower end of the air passage, air enters the tank through the air communication portion and enters the cartridge through the air passage. Then, the liquid corresponding to the volume of the air that has entered the cartridge is supplied from the cartridge to the tank through the liquid channel. When the liquid surface reaches the opening of the air channel, the liquid supply is stopped. In this way, the liquid level in the tank is kept constant.

Further, there is known a system capable of replenishing the liquid from the inlet of the tank when the liquid in the tank is consumed (see Patent Document 2). In such a system, for example, the tank is replenished with the liquid stored in the liquid bottle by inserting the liquid bottle into the inlet.

JP 2006-205528 A JP 2012-20495 A

In the so-called chicken feed type system disclosed in Patent Document 1, when the liquid bottle is connected vertically downward from above the tank, a space for positioning the liquid bottle is required above the tank. Therefore, if the scanner is positioned above the tank, for example, as in a multifunction machine, it is necessary to move the scanner to secure a sufficient space above the tank for the bottle to be positioned.

If the liquid bottle can be connected from the front of the tank, the liquid channel and the gas channel in the liquid bottle extend obliquely instead of vertically. As a result, there is a risk that air (bubbles) that has flowed from the tank through the gas flow path into the liquid bottle may flow back into the tank after flowing into the liquid flow path in the liquid bottle.

The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and its object is to facilitate the connection between the tank and the liquid bottle, and to reduce the possibility that the air that has flowed from the tank into the liquid bottle will flow back into the tank. To provide a system capable of

(1) A system according to the present invention includes a tank having a storage chamber for storing liquid, and a liquid bottle connected to the tank through a supply port. The tank includes an atmosphere communication portion that communicates the storage chamber with the atmosphere, a first opening that is positioned below at least a portion of the atmosphere communication portion in the storage chamber, and a second opening that is positioned outside the storage chamber. A first tubular body protruding from an outer wall of the tank, a third opening located in the storage chamber, and a fourth opening located outside the storage chamber are connected to each other. and a second tubular body that defines a gas flow path to the tank and protrudes from an outer wall of the tank. The first tubular body and the second tubular body extend obliquely upward from the outer wall of the tank along an extending direction intersecting the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The second opening penetrates the peripheral wall of the first tubular body. The fourth opening penetrates the peripheral wall of the second tubular body. The liquid bottle has a valve movable between a first position closing the supply port and a second position remote from the supply port.

According to the above configuration, since there is a peripheral wall of the tubular body between the second opening and the fourth opening, that is, since the second opening and the fourth opening are separated from each other, the liquid can flow into the liquid bottle from the fourth opening. The inflowing gas is suppressed from reaching the second opening.

(2) Preferably, the second opening is located at a different position from the fourth opening in the extending direction.

According to the above configuration, since the second opening and the fourth opening are separated from each other in the extension direction, the gas flowing into the liquid bottle from the fourth opening is suppressed from reaching the second opening. In addition, the second opening and the fourth opening at different positions in the extending direction means that the edges of the two openings do not completely overlap each other. For example, when the centers of two openings having the same shape are used as reference positions, the two reference positions are located at different positions in the extending direction.

(3) Preferably, the second opening is located below the fourth opening.

According to the above configuration, the gas that has flowed into the liquid bottle through the fourth opening moves upward in the liquid as air bubbles, so it is difficult for the gas to reach the second opening located below the fourth opening.

(4) Preferably, an elastically deformable elastic body is positioned on a surface of the valve facing the supply port.

According to the above configuration, even if the end face of the first tubular body or the second tubular body is open, the end face of the first tubular body or the second tubular body abuts against the elastic body, thereby closing the opening of the end face. be done. As a result, the gas does not flow in or out from the opening in the end face.

(5) Preferably, the first tubular body and the second tubular body are one tubular body partitioned by a partition wall.

According to the said structure, a 1st tubular body and a 2nd tubular body are simply comprised. In addition, since one tubular body is inserted into the supply port of the liquid bottle, the configuration of the liquid bottle is simplified. Also, the connection between the tank and the liquid bottle is easy.

(6) A system according to the present invention includes a tank having a storage chamber for storing liquid, and a liquid bottle connected to the tank through a supply port. The tank includes an atmosphere communication portion that communicates the storage chamber with the atmosphere, a first opening that is positioned below at least a portion of the atmosphere communication portion in the storage chamber, and a second opening that is positioned outside the storage chamber. A first tubular body protruding from an outer wall of the tank, a third opening located in the storage chamber, and a fourth opening located outside the storage chamber are connected to each other. and a second tubular body that defines a gas flow path to the tank and protrudes from an outer wall of the tank. The first tubular body and the second tubular body extend obliquely upward from the outer wall of the tank along an extending direction intersecting the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. At least one of the second opening and the fourth opening is opened in the end surface of the first tubular body or the second tubular body. The liquid bottle has a valve movable between a first position closing the supply port and a second position remote from the supply port. In the valve, an abutting wall abutting against the first tubular body or the second tubular body having an open end surface is provided with the second opening or the fourth opening opening at the end surface and the internal space of the liquid bottle. , a bottle flow path is formed in which the tank and the liquid bottle communicate with each other in a connected state.

According to the above configuration, in the connected state in which the tank and the liquid bottle are connected, the second opening or the fourth opening opening at the end face is connected to the internal space of the liquid bottle through the bottle channel. This realizes a configuration in which the opening is formed in the end surface of the first tubular body or the second tubular body, and the second opening and the fourth opening are separated from each other. Therefore, the gas flowing into the liquid bottle from the fourth opening is suppressed from reaching the second opening.

(7) Preferably, the second opening is located below the fourth opening.

According to the above configuration, the gas that has flowed into the liquid bottle through the fourth opening moves upward in the liquid as air bubbles, so it is difficult for the gas to reach the second opening located below the fourth opening.

(8) Preferably, the fourth opening opens in the end face of the second tubular body, and the second opening penetrates the peripheral wall of the first tubular body.

According to the above configuration, in the connected state, the liquid in the liquid bottle remaining near the supply port, that is, near the peripheral wall of the first tubular body, easily flows into the liquid channel through the second opening. This makes it difficult for the liquid to remain in the liquid bottle.

(9) Preferably, the first tubular body and the second tubular body are one tubular body partitioned by a partition wall.

According to the said structure, a 1st tubular body and a 2nd tubular body are simply comprised. In addition, since one tubular body is inserted into the supply port of the liquid bottle, the configuration of the liquid bottle is simplified. Also, the connection between the tank and the liquid bottle is easy.

According to the present invention, the connection between the tank and the liquid bottle is easy, and the possibility that the air that has flowed from the tank into the liquid bottle will flow back into the tank can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the multifunction device 10, in which (A) shows a state in which the cover 70 is in the closed position, and (B) shows a state in which the cover 70 is in the open position. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer section 11. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the carriage 23, the platen 42, the guide rails 43 and 44, and the ink tank 100. As shown in FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the ink tank 100. FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the ink tank 100M. FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the liquid bottle 80 and the ink tank 100M, showing a state where the liquid bottle 80 is not connected to the ink tank 100M. FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the liquid bottle 80 and the ink tank 100M, showing the state in which the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100M. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tubular body 112 of the ink tank 100M. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the liquid bottle 80. FIG. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the tip portion 84 of the liquid bottle 80 and the tubular body 112 of the ink tank 100M in FIG. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the tip portion 84 of the liquid bottle 80 and the tubular body 112 of the ink tank 100M in FIG. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tubular body 112 of the ink tank 100M according to the first modification. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the tip portion 84 of the liquid bottle 80 and the tubular body 112 of the ink tank 100M that is not in the connected state according to the first modification. FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the tip portion 84 of the liquid bottle 80 in the connected state and the tubular body 112 of the ink tank 100M according to the first modification. FIG. 15 is an external perspective view showing rubber 71 and valve 88 according to the second modification. FIG. 16 is an enlarged view of the tip portion 84 of the liquid bottle 80 in the connected state and the periphery of the tubular body 112 of the ink tank 100M according to the second modification. FIG. 17 is an enlarged view showing the vicinity of the tubular body 112 of the ink tank 100M according to the modification of the second modification.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. It should be noted that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention. Further, in the following description, progress from the starting point to the end point of the arrow is expressed as direction, and movement on the line connecting the starting point and the end point of the arrow is expressed as direction. In other words, orientation is a component of direction. Furthermore, the vertical orientation is based on the orientation in which the multifunction device 10 and the ink tank 100 installed in the multifunction device 10 are installed on a horizontal plane for use (see FIGS. 1 and 2, and may be referred to as the “usage orientation”). A direction 7 is defined, a front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface of the MFP 10 having an opening 13 (see FIG. 1) as the front, and a left-right direction 9 is defined when the MFP 10 is viewed from the front. The up-down direction 7, the front-rear direction 8, and the left-right direction 9 are orthogonal to each other. In this embodiment, in the usage posture, the up-down direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 correspond to the horizontal direction.

[Overall Configuration of MFP 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, a multi-function device 10 (an example of a system) has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape. The multi-function device 10 has a printer section 11 at its lower portion for recording an image on a sheet of paper 12 (see FIG. 2) using an inkjet recording method. The printer section 11 has a housing 14 with an opening 13 formed in a front wall 14A.

As shown in FIG. 2, the inside of the housing 14 includes a feeding section 15, a feeding tray 20, a discharge tray 21, a conveying roller section 54, a recording section 24, a discharge roller section 55, A platen 42 and an ink tank 100 are arranged. The MFP 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function.

[Feed tray 20, discharge tray 21]
As shown in FIG. 1 , the feed tray 20 is inserted into and removed from the multifunction device 10 along the front-rear direction 8 through the opening 13 . The opening 13 is located on the front surface of the multi-function device 10 and at the center in the left-right direction 9 . As shown in FIG. 2, the feed tray 20 can support a plurality of stacked sheets of paper 12 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the discharge tray 21 is arranged above the feed tray 20 . The ejection tray 21 supports the paper 12 ejected from between the recording section 24 and the platen 42 by the ejection roller section 55 .

[Feeding unit 15]
The feeding unit 15 feeds the paper 12 supported by the feeding tray 20 to the transport path 65 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the feeding section 15 includes a feeding roller 25 , a feeding arm 26 and a shaft 27 . The feeding roller 25 is rotatably supported at the tip of the feeding arm 26 . The feeding roller 25 is driven by a feeding motor (not shown). The feeding arm 26 is rotatably supported by a shaft 27 supported by a frame (not shown) of the printer section 11 . The feed arm 26 is urged to rotate toward the feed tray 20 by its own weight or elastic force of a spring or the like.

[Conveyance path 65]
As shown in FIG. 2, the conveying path 65 refers to a space partially formed inside the printer section 11 by the outer guide member 18 and the inner guide member 19 facing each other at a predetermined interval. The transport path 65 extends rearward from the rear end of the feed tray 20 , extends upward at the rear of the printer section 11 , makes a U-turn forward, passes through the space between the recording section 24 and the platen 42 , and exits the discharge tray 21 . This is the route leading to As shown in FIG. 3, the conveying path 65 between the conveying roller portion 54 and the discharge roller portion 55 is provided at a substantially central portion of the multifunction machine 10 in the left-right direction 9 and extends in the front-rear direction 8. . The conveying direction 29 of the paper 12 in the conveying path 65 is indicated by a chain-dotted arrow in FIG.

[Conveyance roller unit 54]
As shown in FIG. 2 , the transport roller section 54 is arranged on the transport path 65 . The transport roller section 54 has a transport roller 60 and a pinch roller 61 facing each other. The transport roller 60 is driven by a transport motor (not shown). The pinch roller 61 rotates together with the rotation of the conveying roller 60 . The paper 12 is conveyed in the conveying direction 29 by being nipped between the conveying roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 that are driven by the conveying motor and rotated.

[Discharge roller unit 55]
As shown in FIG. 2 , the discharge roller portion 55 is arranged downstream in the transport direction 29 from the transport roller portion 54 in the transport path 65 . The discharge roller portion 55 has a discharge roller 62 and a spur 63 facing each other. The discharge roller 62 is driven by a transport motor (not shown). The spur 63 rotates with the rotation of the discharge roller 62 . The paper 12 is conveyed in the conveying direction 29 by being nipped between a discharge roller 62 and a spur 63 that are driven by a conveying motor and rotated.

[Recording unit 24]
As shown in FIG. 2 , the recording section 24 is arranged between the transport roller section 54 and the discharge roller section 55 on the transport path 65 . The recording unit 24 is arranged to face the platen 42 in the vertical direction 7 with the transport path 65 interposed therebetween. The recording unit 24 has a carriage 23 and a recording head 39 .

As shown in FIG. 3 , the carriage 23 is supported by guide rails 43 and 44 extending in the left-right direction 9 at positions spaced apart in the front-rear direction 8 . The guide rails 43 and 44 are supported by the frame of the printer section 11 . Carriage 23 is connected to a known belt mechanism provided on guide rails 44 . The belt mechanism is driven by a carriage drive motor (not shown). A carriage 23 connected to a belt mechanism reciprocates along the left-right direction 9 by being driven by a carriage motor. The movement range of the carriage 23 extends to the right and left of the conveying path 65, as indicated by the dashed line in FIG.

An ink tube 32 and a flexible flat cable 33 extend from the carriage 23 .

The ink tube 32 connects the ink tank 100 and the recording head 39 . The ink tube 32 transfers ink (an example of liquid) stored in four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M (these may be collectively referred to as “ink tanks 100”) to the recording head 39 . supply to The ink tank 100 is an example of a tank. More specifically, four ink tubes 32B, 32Y, 32C, and 32M through which inks of respective colors (black, magenta, cyan, and yellow) circulate (these are sometimes collectively referred to as "ink tubes 32"). ) extend from the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M, respectively, and are connected to the carriage 23 in a bundled state.

A flexible flat cable 33 electrically connects a control board on which a controller (not shown) for controlling the operation of the multifunction device 10 is mounted and the recording head 39 . The flexible flat cable 33 transmits control signals output from the controller to the recording head 39 .

As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 23 has a recording head 39 mounted thereon. A plurality of nozzles 40 are arranged on the lower surface of the recording head 39 . Tips of the plurality of nozzles 40 are exposed from the bottom surface of the recording head 39 . The recording head 39 ejects ink from nozzles 40 as minute ink droplets. While the carriage 23 is moving, the recording head 39 ejects ink droplets onto the paper 12 supported by the platen 42 . An image is thus recorded on the paper 12 . Also, this consumes the ink stored in the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M.

[Platen 42]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the platen 42 is arranged between the transport roller portion 54 and the discharge roller portion 55 in the transport path 65 . The platen 42 is arranged to face the recording section 24 in the vertical direction 7 with the transport path 65 interposed therebetween. The platen 42 supports the paper 12 conveyed by the conveying roller section 54 from below.

[Cover 70]
As shown in FIG. 1B, an opening 22 is formed in the right portion of the front wall 14A of the housing 14. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1A, a cover 70 is attached to the housing 14 so as to cover the opening 22 . The cover 70 is rotatable between a closed position (the position shown in FIG. 1A) that closes the opening 22 and an open position that opens the opening 22 (the position shown in FIG. 1B). be. As shown in FIG. 1A, when the cover 70 is in the closed position, the tubular body 112 (see FIGS. 1B and 4) of the ink tank 100 is closed from the outside. As shown in FIG. 1B, when the cover 70 is in the open position, the tubular body 112 of the ink tank 100 is exposed to the outside. As shown in FIG. 1A, the cover 70 has an opening 97 formed therein. A space is expanded in a portion of the interior of the housing 14 located behind the opening 22 . The ink tank 100 is arranged in this space.

[Ink tank 100]
The ink tank 100 shown in FIG. 4 is provided in the printer section 11 . The ink tank 100 supplies ink to the recording section 24 provided in the printer section 11 . The ink tank 100 includes four ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C and 100M.

Each ink tank 100 stores ink of a different color. Specifically, black ink is stored in the ink tank 100B, yellow ink is stored in the ink tank 100Y, cyan ink is stored in the ink tank 100C, and magenta ink is stored in the ink tank 100M. However, the number of ink tanks 100 and the color of ink are not limited to the above examples.

The configuration of each of the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M is such that the length of the ink tank 100B in the horizontal direction 9 is longer than the length of each of the other three ink tanks 100Y, 100C, and 100M in the horizontal direction. Except for, it is almost the same configuration. Therefore, the configuration of the ink tank 100M will be described below, and the description of the configurations of the other ink tanks 100B, 100Y, and 100C will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ink tank 100M has a frame composed of a front wall 101, a rear wall 110, an upper wall 104, a lower wall 105, a right wall 107 and a left wall . The front wall 101, rear wall 110, upper wall 104, and lower wall 105 are made of resin. The right wall 107 and left wall 108 are made of film. A film as the right wall 107 is attached to the openings formed at the right ends of the front wall 101 , the rear wall 110 , the upper wall 104 and the lower wall 105 . A film as the left wall 108 is attached to openings formed at the left ends of the front wall 101 , the rear wall 110 , the upper wall 104 and the lower wall 105 . As a result, an ink chamber 111 (see FIG. 6, an example of a storage chamber) partitioned by a front wall 101, a rear wall 110, an upper wall 104, a lower wall 105, a right wall 107, and a left wall 108 is formed.

It should be noted that whether each wall of the frame is made of resin or film is not limited to the above. For example, only the back wall 110 may be film and the other walls may be resin. Also, for example, a portion of the right wall 107 may be made of resin, and the remaining portion of the right wall 107 may be made of film. Furthermore, a portion of the left wall 108 may be made of resin and the remaining portion of the left wall 108 may be made of film.

The resin portion of the frame is integrally formed of resin having translucency such that the ink in the ink chamber 111 can be visually recognized from the outside of the ink tank 100 . The resin portion of the frame is made of polypropylene, for example. The resin portion of the frame is integrally molded, for example, by injection molding of a resin material.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the front wall 101 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10 through the opening 97 of the cover 70 and the opening 22 of the housing 14 . The front wall 101 is visible from the front of the MFP 10 , and the user can check the remaining amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 111 from the front of the MFP 10 through the front wall 101 .

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the front wall 101 is composed of an upright wall 102 and an inclined wall 106 . The vertical wall 102 extends in the vertical direction 7 and the horizontal direction 9 . The inclined wall 106 is a wall that connects the upper end of the standing wall 102 and the front end of the upper wall 104 . The inclined wall 106 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 .

The ink tank 100M has a first line 146 and a second line 147. As shown in FIG. A first line 146 and a second line 147 are formed on the standing wall 102 .

The first line 146 extends in the left-right direction 9 . The position of the first line 146 in the vertical direction 7 is the same height as the liquid surface of the ink when the maximum amount of ink that is allowed to be stored in the ink chamber 111 is stored in the ink tank 100M in the use posture. be.

The second line 147 extends in the left-right direction 9 . The second line 147 is positioned below the first line 146 . The position of the second line 147 in the vertical direction 7 is the same height as the liquid surface of the ink when the amount of ink smaller than the maximum amount is stored in the ink chamber 111 in the ink tank 100M in the usage posture. be. In this embodiment, the position of the second line 147 in the vertical direction 7 corresponds to the amount of ink required to be replenished in the ink chamber 111 when the minimum amount of ink required to be replenished is stored in the ink tank 100M in the use posture. level with the liquid surface.

The ink tank 100M has an atmosphere communication hole 113 (an example of an atmosphere communication portion). Although the air communication hole 113 is formed in the upper wall 104 in this embodiment, it may be formed in a wall other than the upper wall 104 . The atmosphere communication hole 113 is a hole that communicates the atmosphere outside the ink tank 100</b>M with the ink chamber 111 . The atmosphere communication hole 113 and the ink chamber 111 may be directly communicated as shown in FIG. 6, or may be communicated via an atmosphere passage through which air passes. A semi-permeable membrane (not shown) may be attached to the atmosphere communication hole 113 or the atmosphere channel. A semipermeable membrane is a porous membrane having minute pores that block passage of ink and allow passage of gas. The atmosphere communication hole 113 and the ink chamber 111 are communicated with each other through the atmosphere passage, and in the case of a configuration in which a semipermeable membrane is attached to the atmosphere communication hole 113 or the atmosphere passage, the atmosphere communication hole 113 and the atmosphere passage , and the semipermeable membrane correspond to the air communication portion, and the air communication hole 113 corresponds to the air communication port.

As shown in FIG. 6, the ink tank 100M has an outflow port 115 through which the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 flows out. Outlet 115 is an opening formed in rear wall 110 . The ink tube 32 is connected to the outflow port 115 . As shown in FIG. 3, the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 is supplied to the recording head 39 through the outflow port 115 and the ink tube 32 .

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the ink tank 100M has a protruding portion 120 obliquely protruding forward and upward from the outer surface 106A of the inclined wall 106. As shown in FIG. The projecting portion 120 is formed above the tubular body 112 . The projecting portion 120 can be bent by external force. The projection 120 has a projection 120A projecting forward and downward at its tip. Protrusions 120A are engageable with protrusions 86 of liquid bottle 80, which will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ink tank 100M has ribs 148 on the outer surface 106A of the inclined wall 106. As shown in FIG. Rib 148 is formed below tubular body 112 . The rib 148 extends generally in the horizontal direction 9 from the vicinity of the right end of the inclined wall 106 to the vicinity of the left end thereof. More specifically, the rib 148 is inclined downward toward the right side of the center in the left-right direction 9 and downward toward the left side of the center in the left-right direction 9 . Inclined.

Since the ribs 148 are formed on the outer surface 106A of the inclined wall 106, even if ink leaks from the tubular body 112 when the ink is injected into the ink chamber 111 through the tubular body 112, the leaked ink can be prevented. The ribs 148 prevent the adhesive from adhering to the outer surface of the standing wall 102 , especially below the first line 146 on the outer surface of the standing wall 102 . In addition, since the ribs 148 are inclined, the ink adhering to the ribs 148 from above is guided to the outside of the ink tank 100 in the horizontal direction 9 along the ribs 148 . As a result, the possibility of ink adhering to the outer surface of the vertical wall 102 can be reduced, so that the ink inside the ink chamber 111 can be prevented from being visually observed from the outside of the ink tank 100 through the vertical wall 102 due to the adhered ink. can be lowered. Note that the rib 148 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 5, and may not necessarily be provided.

[Cube 112]
As shown in FIG. 5, the ink tank 100M has a tubular body 112 (an example of a first tubular body and a second tubular body). The tubular body 112 obliquely protrudes forward and upward from the outer surface 106A of the inclined wall 106 . That is, the tubular body 112 extends in a direction having components in the front-back direction 8 (horizontal direction) and up-down direction 7 (vertical direction). In this embodiment, the tubular body 112 extends in a direction inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the horizontal direction. The tubular body 112 protrudes from a position below the protrusion 120 on the inclined wall 106 . The tubular body 112 is inserted into the supply port 85 of the liquid bottle 80 (see FIG. 7). As a result, the ink stored in the liquid bottle 80 is injected into the ink chamber 111 .

The tubular body 112 has a cylindrical shape. Note that the tubular body 112 is not limited to a cylindrical shape as long as it has a tubular shape, and may have a polygonal tubular shape such as a rectangular tubular shape, for example.

As shown in FIG. 8, the tubular body 112 has two through holes 112C (an example of a fourth opening) penetrating the peripheral wall of the tubular body 112 at its tip (the end located outside the ink chamber 111). , through holes 112D (an example of a second opening). The two through holes 112C and 112D are independent. That is, the peripheral wall of the tubular body 112 exists between the two through holes 112C and 112D. 112 C of through-holes are formed in the upper side of the tubular body 112 (in detail, the surface which has an upward component among the outer surfaces of the tubular body 112). The through-hole 112D is formed on the lower side of the tubular body 112 (more specifically, the surface of the outer surface of the tubular body 112 that has a downward component). The distal end of the tubular body 112 is closed without being opened by the outer wall 112A.

112 C of through-holes are in the direction which the tubular body 112 extends in a position different from the through-hole 112D. Note that the through holes 112C and the through holes 112D are located at different positions in the direction in which the tubular body 112 extends means that the through holes 112C and the through holes 112D do not completely overlap in the direction. Moreover, in the vertical direction 7, the through hole 112D is positioned below the through hole 112C. The through hole 112D positioned below the through hole 112C in the vertical direction 7 means that at least part of the through hole 112D is positioned below the lowest position of the through hole 112C in the vertical direction 7.

As shown in FIG. 6, a partition wall 103 is formed to surround the opening 112B of the ink chamber 111. As shown in FIG. Partition wall 103 extends downward from inner surface 106B of inclined wall 106 . The front portion 103A of the partition 103 extends below the rear portion 103B of the partition 103 .

As shown in FIG. 6, the tubular body 112 has a partition wall 117 (an example of a partition wall) in its internal space. The partition 117 extends from the outer wall 112</b>A at the tip of the inner space of the tubular body 112 to the space surrounded by the partition 103 in the ink chamber 111 . The partition wall 117 extends in the inner space of the tubular body 112 along the axial direction of the tubular body 112 (in other words, the projecting direction of the tubular body 112). The partition 117 extends in the space surrounded by the partition 103 in the ink chamber 111 along the direction in which the partition 103 extends (in other words, the vertical direction 7).

The partition 117 partitions the inner space of the tubular body 112 and the space in the ink chamber 111 surrounded by the partition 103 into two spaces. One of the two spaces is the gas channel 121 . The other of the two spaces is the liquid channel 122 .

The gas flow path 121 is composed of a portion behind and above the partition wall 117 in the internal space of the tubular body 112 and a portion behind the partition wall 117 in the space surrounded by the partition wall 103 in the ink chamber 111 . In other words, the gas flow path 121 is a space surrounded by the rear portion 103B of the partition 103 and the partition 117 in the ink chamber 111 .

The liquid flow path 122 is composed of a portion of the inner space of the tubular body 112 that is located forward and below the partition wall 117 and a portion of the space that is surrounded by the partition wall 103 in the ink chamber 111 and is located forward of the partition wall 117 . That is, the liquid flow path 122 is a space surrounded by the front portion 103A of the partition 103 and the partition 117 in the ink chamber 111 .

An opening 121</b>A (an example of a third opening) of the gas flow path 121 opens downward at a rear portion 103</b>B of the partition wall 103 in the ink chamber 111 . An opening 122A (an example of a first opening) of the liquid channel 122 opens downward at the front portion 103A of the partition wall 103 in the ink chamber 111 . That is, the opening 121A of the gas channel 121 is located above the opening 122A of the liquid channel 122. As shown in FIG. The opening 121A of the gas flow path 121 is at the same position as the first line 146 in the up-down direction 7 . The gas channel 121 and the liquid channel 122 are located below the air communication hole 113 .

The other end of the gas flow path 121 communicates with the outside of the ink tank 100M through the through hole 112C of the tubular body 112. As shown in FIG. The other end of the liquid channel 122 communicates with the outside of the ink tank 100M through the through hole 112D of the tubular body 112. As shown in FIG.

On the condition that the opening 122A of the liquid channel 122 is positioned below the opening 121A of the gas channel 121, at least a portion of the gas channel 121 other than the opening 121A is located in the liquid channel 122. It may be positioned below the opening 122A.

In addition, when the air communication portion is composed of the air communication hole 113 and the air flow path, the air communication hole 113 is positioned above the opening 121A of the gas flow path 121 and the opening 122A of the liquid flow path 122. As a condition, at least part of the air channel may be located below the opening 121A of the gas channel 121 and the opening 122A of the liquid channel 122 .

[Liquid bottle 80]
A liquid bottle 80 shown in FIG. 9 is connected to the ink tank 100 and has a generally cylindrical shape. The liquid bottle 80 is a container that has an internal space and stores ink in the internal space.

The liquid bottles 80 are provided corresponding to the ink tanks 100B, 100Y, 100C, and 100M, and contain ink of the same color as the corresponding ink tanks 100 . That is, black ink is stored in the internal space of the liquid bottle 80 corresponding to the ink tank 100B, and yellow ink is stored in the internal space of the liquid bottle 80 corresponding to the ink tank 100Y. Cyan ink is stored in the internal space of the liquid bottle 80 corresponding to 100C, and magenta ink is stored in the internal space of the liquid bottle 80 corresponding to the ink tank 100M. In the present embodiment, the liquid bottle 80 has the same configuration regardless of the color of the stored ink. ).

Liquid bottle 80 is constituted by an outer wall 81 . The outer wall 81 defines the internal space of the liquid bottle 80 . The outer wall 81 has a body portion 82 , a tapered portion 83 and a tip portion 84 .

The body portion 82 has a cylindrical shape. The tapered portion 83 has a truncated cone shape. The tapered portion 83 extends along the axial direction 151 from one end of the liquid bottle 80 in the axial direction 151 (in other words, the longitudinal direction of the main body portion 82) while decreasing in diameter. In other words, the taper portion 83 extends in the radial direction 152 of the liquid bottle 80 (in other words, the direction crossing the axial direction 151) toward the tip of the liquid bottle 80 (in other words, the tip portion 84 and a supply port 85 described later). Thinner.

The tip portion 84 protrudes along the axial direction 151 from one end of the tapered portion 83 (the end of the tapered portion 83 opposite to the main body portion 82 ). The tip portion 84 has a supply port 85 . The supply port 85 is part of the interior space of the liquid bottle 80 . As shown in FIG. 6 , the supply port 85 penetrates the distal end portion 84 in the axial direction 151 . One end of the supply port 85 (the end on the base end side of the distal end portion 84 ) communicates with the internal space of the tapered portion 83 . The other end of the supply port 85 (the tip end of the tip portion 84) opens to the outside of the liquid bottle 80 and communicates with the outside. In other words, the internal space of the liquid bottle 80 communicates with the outside through the supply port 85 . A protrusion 86 is formed on the outer surface of the tip portion 84 .

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, the liquid bottle 80 has a wall 87, a valve 88, a coil spring 89 and a seal 90 in its interior space.

The wall 87 protrudes from the inner surface of the liquid bottle 80 in the inner space of the liquid bottle 80 so as to be positioned on the axis of the supply port 85 (an imaginary line 150 passing through the center of the supply port 85 and extending along the axial direction 151). ing. Wall 87 has an outer surface perpendicular to the axis of supply port 85 . The outer surface of wall 87 functions as a spring seat for coil spring 89 .

As shown in FIG. 10, valve 88 is positioned between supply port 85 and wall 87 . One end of the coil spring 89 abuts against the wall 87 . The other end of the coil spring 89 abuts on the valve 88 . The seal 90 is a ring-shaped member made of an elastic member such as rubber. The seal 90 is located on the other end side of the supply port 85 (the tip side of the tip portion 84 ) from the valve 88 . The seal 90 is in close contact with the inner peripheral surface that defines the supply port 85 .

The valve 88 is movable along an axial direction 151 between a closed position (an example of a first position) shown in FIGS. 6 and 10 and an open position (an example of a second position) shown in FIG.

When valve 88 is in the closed position, valve 88 abuts seal 90 . As a result, the other end of the supply port 85 (opening of the supply port 85 that communicates with the outside) is closed, and communication between the internal space of the liquid bottle 80 and the outside of the liquid bottle 80 is blocked by the valve 88. there is

When valve 88 is in the open position, valve 88 is spaced from seal 90 . As a result, the other end of the supply port 85 is open, and the internal space of the liquid bottle 80 and the outside of the liquid bottle 80 are communicated.

A coil spring 89 biases valve 88 toward seal 90 . Therefore, the valve 88 is always in the closed position when no external force is applied (when the liquid bottle 80 is not attached to the ink tank 100).

[Connection of Liquid Bottle 80 and Ink Tank 100]
The connection of the liquid bottle 80 and the ink tank 100 will be described below.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, when the liquid bottle 80 is not connected to the ink tank 100, the valve 88 of the liquid bottle 80 is in the closed position.

When the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the tubular body 112, the supply port 85 and the outer wall 112A of the tubular body 112 face each other, and the protrusion 86 faces the projecting portion 120 of the ink tank 100. close to 112.

When the tubular body 112 is inserted into the supply port 85 , the outer peripheral surface of the tubular body 112 is in liquid-tight contact with the inner peripheral surface of the seal 90 . This prevents ink from leaking through the gap between the liquid bottle 80 and the tubular body 112 .

Also, when the tubular body 112 is inserted into the supply port 85 , the outer wall 112 A of the tubular body 112 contacts the valve 88 and pushes the valve 88 toward the inner space of the liquid bottle 80 . As a result, the valve 88 moves away from the seal 90 against the biasing force of the coil spring 89 and moves from the closed position to the open position.

Further, when the protrusion 86 approaches the protrusion 120 and comes into contact with the protrusion 120A, the protrusion 120 receives a reaction force from the protrusion 86 and bends. Furthermore, when the projection 86 is closer to the front wall 101 than the projection 120A by inserting the tubular body 112 into the supply port 85, the bent projecting portion 120 elastically returns to its original state. Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the protrusion 86 and the protrusion 120A are engaged. As a result, the liquid bottle 80 is locked in the ink tank 100 .

The tube 112 is inserted into the supply port 85, the valve 88 is moved to the open position, the valve 118 is moved to the open position, and the projection 86 is engaged with the projection 120A (shown in FIGS. 7 and 10). state) is the connected state. In the connected state, the through holes 112C and 112D of the tubular body 112 are located in the internal space of the liquid bottle 80. As shown in FIG.

The supply of ink from the liquid bottle 80 to the ink tank 100 in the connected state shown in FIGS. 7 and 11 will be described below.

When the liquid bottle 80 is connected to the ink tank 100 and the through holes 112C and 112D of the tubular body 112 are positioned in the inner space of the liquid bottle 80, the gas flow path 121 and the liquid flow path 122 flow through the inner space of the liquid bottle 80. and the ink chamber 111 communicate with each other. As a result, the ink stored in the internal space of the liquid bottle 80 circulates to the liquid channel 122 through the through hole 112D and circulates to the ink chamber 111 through the opening 122A of the liquid channel 122 . Further, when ink is circulated, air enters the ink chamber 111 through the atmosphere communication hole 113 and flows into the internal space of the liquid bottle 80 from the gas flow path 121 through the through hole 112C. Here, the volume of ink flowing from the liquid bottle 80 to the ink tank 100 and the volume of air flowing from the ink tank 100 to the liquid bottle 80 are substantially the same. In this manner, so-called gas-liquid replacement is performed.

As the ink flows into the ink chamber 111, the ink level in the ink chamber 111 rises and reaches the opening 121A of the gas channel 121 (in other words, the same height as the first line 146). and the ink chamber 111 are interrupted. This stops the flow of air from the ink chamber 111 to the internal space of the liquid bottle 80 . Therefore, the flow of ink from the internal space of the liquid bottle 80 to the ink chamber 111 is stopped. When the liquid bottle 80 is removed from the ink tank 100, the replenishment of ink to the ink chamber 111 is completed.

[Action and effect of the embodiment]
According to the above embodiment, since the peripheral wall of the tubular body 112 is between the through holes 112C and 112D, that is, the through holes 112C and 112D are separated from each other, the gas (bubbles) flowing into the liquid bottle 80 through the through holes 112C ) is suppressed from reaching the through hole 112D.

Further, since the through-holes 112C and 112D are separated in the direction in which the tubular body 112 extends, the gas (bubbles) flowing into the liquid bottle 80 from the through-hole 112C is suppressed from reaching the through-hole 112D.

Further, since the through-hole 112D is located below the through-hole 112C, the gas (bubble) flowing into the liquid bottle 80 from the through-hole 112C moves upward in the ink as a bubble. It is difficult to reach the through hole 112C located at .

In addition, since the gas channel 121 and the liquid channel 122 are formed by partitioning one tubular body 112 by the partition wall 117, the tubular body 112 is easily configured. Further, since one tubular body 112 is inserted through the supply port 85 of the liquid bottle 80, the configuration of the liquid bottle 80 is simplified. Also, the connection between the tank 100 and the liquid bottle 80 is easy.

[First modification]
In the above embodiment, the through holes 112C and 112D are separated in the direction in which the tubular body 112 extends. good too. Moreover, the tip of the tubular body 112 may be an opening instead of being closed by the outer wall 112A.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, openings 114A and 114B are formed at the distal end of tubular body 112 . 114 A of openings are openings which connect the gas flow path 121 and the exterior. The opening 114B is an opening that communicates the liquid channel 122 with the outside.

112 C of through-holes have penetrated the outer peripheral wall of the tubular body 112, and are continuing with 114 A of openings. The through hole 112D penetrates the outer peripheral wall of the tubular body 112 and is continuous with the opening 114B. The through holes 112C and 112D are independent openings, and the outer peripheral wall of the tubular body 112 exists between them. Moreover, the through holes 112C and 112D are located at substantially the same position in the direction in which the tubular body 112 extends.

As shown in FIG. 13, rubber 71 (an example of an elastic body) is provided on the contact surface of the valve 88 that contacts the seal 90 . The rubber 71 is disc-shaped and positioned at the center (on the axis) of the contact surface of the valve 88 . The outer diameter of rubber 71 is larger than the outer diameter of tubular body 112 . The rubber 71 is elastically deformable so as to be compressed by contact with the tip of the tube 112 .

As shown in FIG. 14, the tip of the tubular body 112 contacts the rubber 71 in the connected state. The rubber 71 is biased by the coil spring 89 together with the valve 88 and is pressed against the tip of the tubular body 112 . As a result, the rubber 71 is elastically deformed so as to be compressed, and the rubber 71 is brought into close contact with the tip surface of the tubular body 112 defining the openings 114A and 114B at the tip of the tubular body 112, so that the openings 114A and 114B are closed by the rubber 71. blocked. This prevents gas (bubbles) from flowing in and out from the opening 114A.

[Second modification]
In the first modification, the surface where the rubber 71 abuts the tip of the tubular body 112 is flat, but instead of this, as shown in FIG. , a groove 72 (an example of a bottle channel) may be formed in a region located within the opening 114A of the tubular body 112 . In this case, the opening 114A functions as the opening of the gas flow path 121 instead of the through hole 112C. That is, the through hole 112C may be closed.

One end of the groove 72 is located in a region located within the opening 114A on the contact surface 71A of the rubber 71 . The groove 72 is a concave groove, and one end of the groove 72 does not reach the outer peripheral surface 71B of the rubber 71 . The other end of the groove 72 reaches the outer peripheral surface 71B of the rubber 71 and opens at the outer peripheral surface 71B. The position where the other end of the groove 72 opens on the outer peripheral surface 71B of the rubber 71 is the position where the outer peripheral surface 71B faces upward in the connected state.

As shown in FIG. 16, the tip of the tubular body 112 contacts the rubber 71 in the connected state. The rubber 71 is biased by the coil spring 89 together with the valve 88 and is pressed against the tip of the tubular body 112 . As a result, the rubber 71 is elastically deformed so as to be compressed, and the rubber 71 comes into close contact with the distal end surface of the tubular body 112 defining the opening 114B at the distal end of the tubular body 112, and the opening 114B is closed by the rubber 71. Therefore, the ink in the liquid bottle 80 flows into the liquid channel 122 through the through hole 112D of the tubular body 112. As shown in FIG.

The distal end surface of tubular body 112 defining opening 114A at the distal end of tubular body 112 is in close contact with rubber 71, but groove 72 is located within opening 114A. As a result, the air reaches the opening 114A through the gas flow path 121 and flows into the liquid bottle 80 from the outer peripheral surface 71B of the rubber 71 through the groove 72. As shown in FIG. Since the opening of the groove 72 on the outer peripheral surface 71B of the rubber 71 faces upward in the connected state, the gas (bubbles) flowing into the liquid bottle 80 from the opening 114A hardly reaches the through hole 112D.

Further, since the through hole 112D penetrates the outer peripheral wall of the tubular body 112, the ink in the liquid bottle 80 remaining near the supply port 85 of the liquid bottle 80 in the connected state, that is, near the outer peripheral wall of the tubular body 112, It is easy to flow into the liquid channel 122 through the through hole 112D. This makes it difficult for ink to remain in the liquid bottle 80 .

In the second modified example, the through hole 112C is not formed and the opening 114A functions as the opening of the gas channel 121. Instead, the through hole 112D is closed and the opening 114B is the liquid channel 122. may function as an opening for the In this case, the groove 72 is formed in a region located within the opening 114B on the contact surface 71A of the rubber 71 and opens downward on the outer peripheral surface 71B.

Also, as shown in FIG. 17, the outer peripheral wall of the tubular body 112 may not have the through holes 112C and 112D, and may have only the openings 114A and 114B. In this case, the opening 114A is located closer to the base end side (inclined wall 106 side) of the tubular body 112 than the opening 114B in the direction in which the sensor 112 extends. Further, the groove 72 is formed in a region located within the opening 114B on the contact surface 71A of the rubber 71, and opens downward on the outer peripheral surface 71B.

[Other Modifications]
In the above-described embodiment, the protrusion 86 and the projecting portion 120 lock the upper side of the liquid bottle 80 to the ink tank 100, but the presence or absence of a mechanism for locking the liquid bottle 80 to the ink tank 100 is arbitrary, and is not necessarily provided. It doesn't have to be.

Further, in the above embodiment, the ink tank 100 has one tubular body 112 . The internal space of the tubular body 112 is partitioned into a gas channel 121 and a liquid channel 122 by the partition wall 117 . However, the ink tank 100 may have two tubular bodies that define the gas flow path 121 and the liquid flow path 122 independently. In this case, the liquid bottle 80 has two supply ports into which two tubular bodies are inserted to communicate with the internal space.

Also, the shapes of the liquid bottle 80 and the ink tank 100 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the liquid bottle 80 may have a cylindrical shape without the tapered portion 83, or may have a quadrangular prism shape. Alternatively, the ink tank 100 may have a rectangular parallelepiped shape without the inclined wall 106 .

Although ink has been described as an example of liquid in the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, in place of the ink, a pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto the paper prior to the ink during printing, water that is sprayed near the nozzles 40 of the recording head 39 to prevent the nozzles 40 of the recording head 39 from drying, or the like. , may be an example of a liquid.

10 MFP (system)
71 Rubber (elastic body)
72 Groove (bottle flow path)
80 Liquid bottle 81 External wall 85 Supply port 87 Partition wall 88 Valve 100 Ink tank (tank)
111... Ink chamber (storage chamber)
112 ... tubular body (first tubular body, second tubular body)
112C... through hole (fourth opening)
112D... through hole (second opening)
113... Atmosphere communication hole (atmosphere communication part)
121 Gas flow path 121A Opening (third opening)
122... Liquid channel 122A... Opening (fourth opening)

Claims (8)

a tank having a storage chamber for storing liquid;
a liquid bottle connected to the tank through a supply port,
The tank above
an atmosphere communication part that communicates the storage chamber with the atmosphere;
defining a liquid flow path connecting a first opening positioned below at least a portion of the air communication portion in the storage chamber and a second opening positioned outside the storage chamber, and an outer wall of the tank; a first tubular body protruding from
a second tubular body defining a gas flow path connecting a third opening located in the storage chamber and a fourth opening located outside the storage chamber and projecting from an outer wall of the tank; cage,
The first tubular body and the second tubular body extend obliquely upward from the outer wall of the tank along an extending direction that intersects the vertical direction and the horizontal direction,
The second opening penetrates the peripheral wall of the first tubular body and is located at a different position from the fourth opening in the extending direction,
The fourth opening penetrates the peripheral wall of the second tubular body,
The system of claim 1, wherein the liquid bottle has a valve movable between a first position closing the supply port and a second position remote from the supply port. a tank having a storage chamber for storing liquid;
a liquid bottle connected to the tank through a supply port,
The tank above
an atmosphere communication part that communicates the storage chamber with the atmosphere;
defining a liquid flow path connecting a first opening positioned below at least a portion of the air communication portion in the storage chamber and a second opening positioned outside the storage chamber, and an outer wall of the tank; a first tubular body protruding from
a second tubular body defining a gas flow path connecting a third opening located in the storage chamber and a fourth opening located outside the storage chamber and projecting from an outer wall of the tank; cage,
The first tubular body and the second tubular body extend obliquely upward from the outer wall of the tank along an extending direction that intersects the vertical direction and the horizontal direction,
The second opening penetrates the peripheral wall of the first tubular body and is located below the fourth opening ,
The fourth opening penetrates the peripheral wall of the second tubular body,
The system of claim 1, wherein the liquid bottle has a valve movable between a first position closing the supply port and a second position remote from the supply port . 3. The system according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein an elastically deformable elastic body is located on the surface of the valve facing the supply port. 4. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein one tubular body of the first tubular body and the second tubular body is partitioned by a partition wall. a tank having a storage chamber for storing liquid;
a liquid bottle connected to the tank through a supply port,
The tank above
an atmosphere communication part that communicates the storage chamber with the atmosphere;
defining a liquid flow path connecting a first opening positioned below at least a portion of the air communication portion in the storage chamber and a second opening positioned outside the storage chamber, and an outer wall of the tank; a first tubular body protruding from
a second tubular body defining a gas flow path connecting a third opening located in the storage chamber and a fourth opening located outside the storage chamber and projecting from an outer wall of the tank; cage,
The first tubular body and the second tubular body extend obliquely upward from the outer wall of the tank along an extending direction that intersects the vertical direction and the horizontal direction,
At least one of the second opening and the fourth opening is open at the end surface of the first tubular body or the second tubular body,
the liquid bottle has a valve movable between a first position closing the supply port and a second position away from the supply port;
In the valve, an abutting wall abutting against the first tubular body or the second tubular body having an open end surface is provided with the second opening or the fourth opening opening at the end surface and the internal space of the liquid bottle. and a system in which a bottle flow path is formed to communicate with the tank and the liquid bottle in a connected state. 6. The system of claim 5 , wherein said second opening is located below said fourth opening. The fourth opening opens to the end surface of the second tubular body,
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein said second opening extends through the peripheral wall of said first tubular body. 8. The system according to any one of claims 5 to 7 , wherein one tubular body of the first tubular body and the second tubular body is partitioned by a partition wall.

Images