JP6969178B2 - Supply device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a supply device having a housing to which a first liquid supply unit or a second liquid supply unit can be selectively attached.

Conventionally, an inkjet recording type image recording device for recording an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink stored in an ink cartridge from a nozzle is known. In such a so-called inkjet recording device, there is a configuration in which a new ink cartridge can be mounted each time the ink is consumed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Further, an inkjet recording type image recording apparatus having a tank capable of replenishing ink and a recording head for ejecting ink supplied from the tank from a nozzle and recording an image on a recording medium is known (for example, a patent). See Document 2). When the ink in the tank is consumed, the user can refill the tank with the ink stored in the bottle from the supply port provided in the tank.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-152575 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2015-199261

Even if the unit that supplies ink is composed of an ink cartridge or a tank, the image recording unit that records an image on a recording medium using the supplied ink can be common. can. Therefore, even if the ink supply configuration is different, the cost can be reduced by sharing the other members.

However, if the unit that supplies ink is different, the shape of the cover that opens and closes the opening of the housing in which the unit is arranged is different.

For example, in a tank, the supply port is often located at the top of the tank. Then, the ink is replenished from the bottle to the tank by inserting the bottle into the supply port while turning the mouth of the bottle downward or diagonally downward. Therefore, the front wall of the tank needs to project forward from the opening of the housing. Then, the cover needs to project forward from the opening of the housing according to the tank.

On the other hand, in the ink cartridge, ink is not replenished from the supply port unlike the tank. Therefore, the front wall of the ink cartridge does not need to protrude forward from the opening of the housing, but rather does not protrude forward from the opening of the housing from the viewpoint of the aesthetic appearance of the housing. It is desirable that the cover does not protrude forward from the opening of the housing in accordance with the ink cartridge.

Therefore, it is conceivable to replace a plurality of types of covers according to various units while standardizing the shape of the housing. However, when replacing multiple types of covers, the position of the rotation axis of the cover for opening and closing the cover, the position of the stopper for holding the cover in the open position, and the position of the sensor for detecting the closed position of the cover The problem arises that the position is different for each cover.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to maintain the commonality of members as much as possible in a supply device having a housing in which a plurality of units can be selectively attached. The purpose is to provide a means for dealing with the difference in the cover due to the difference in the cover.

(1) The supply device according to the present invention is provided on a housing having a storage space that opens to the outside, a first cover that opens and closes the opening, and an opening peripheral edge of the housing, and rotates the first cover. A first attachment that movably supports, a first liquid supply unit housed in the storage space, a second cover that opens and closes the opening in place of the first cover, and the opening peripheral edge of the housing. A second attachment provided in place of the first attachment and rotatably supporting the second cover, a second liquid supply unit accommodated in the accommodation space in place of the first liquid supply unit, and a casing. A stopper formed on the peripheral edge of the opening of the body and in contact with the first cover and the second cover to hold the first cover and the second cover in an open position for opening the opening, and the stopper. A sensor for detecting that the first cover and the second cover are in a closed position that closes the opening is provided. The sensor is arranged at the first position in a state where the first attachment is fixed to the housing and the first cover is supported by the first attachment. The sensor is arranged in a second position different from the first position in a state where the second attachment is fixed to the housing and the second cover is supported by the second attachment. The first cover includes a first detected portion that comes into contact with the stopper at the open position and is detected by the sensor at the first position at the closed position. The second cover includes a second detected portion that comes into contact with the stopper at the open position and is detected by the sensor at the second position at the closed position.

According to this configuration, the placement position of the sensor differs depending on whether the cover to be attached is the first cover or the second cover. As a result, the stopper that holds the first cover in the open position and the stopper that holds the second cover in the open position can be shared.

(2) The supply device according to the present invention is formed in the housing, and can be attached to and detached from the fixing portion for fixing the sensor to either the first position or the second position and the housing. Yes, the sensor can be attached, and the sensor is attached to the housing with the sensor attached to the detachable member for fixing the sensor to the other of the first position or the second position. ..

If the fixing portion for fixing the sensor to the first position and the fixing portion for fixing the sensor to the second position are both formed in the housing, the following problems may occur. When the first position and the second position are close to each other, the first detected portion may interfere with the fixed portion that fixes the sensor to the second position. In addition, the second detected portion may interfere with the fixed portion that fixes the sensor in the first position.

According to this configuration, when the sensor is fixed to either the first position or the second position by the fixing portion, the detachable member is detached from the housing, so that the first detected portion or the first detected portion or the first position is detected. 2 It is possible to prevent one of the detected portions from interfering with the detachable member.

Further, by setting the position of the fixed portion to the position opposite to the other of the first detected portion or the second detected portion that detects the sensor fixed by the detachable member with respect to the detachable member, the first detected portion is detected. It is possible to prevent the other portion of the portion or the second detected portion from interfering with the fixed portion.

(3) The supply device according to the present invention can be attached to and detached from the housing, and the sensor can be attached. By mounting the sensor on the housing with the sensor attached, the sensor can be attached. A detachable member for fixing to at least one of the first position and the second position is provided.

According to this configuration, when the detachable member is mounted on the housing so that the sensor is located at either the first position or the second position, the sensor is located at the other of the first position or the second position. By not mounting another detachable member on the housing, it is possible to prevent the first to be detected portion or the second to be detected portion from interfering with the other detachable member.

If the distance between the first position and the second position is so large that the first detected portion and the second detected portion do not interfere with the detachable member, the sensor is positioned at the first position. The detachable member can be attached to the housing so that the sensor can be attached to the housing so that the sensor is located at the second position. Further, in this case, a detachable member for fixing the two sensors at both the first position and the second position can be mounted on the housing.

(4) The supply device according to the present invention can be attached to and detached from the housing, and the sensor can be attached. By attaching the sensor to the housing with the sensor attached, the sensor can be attached. The first detachable member fixed to the first position and the detachable member can be attached to and detached from the housing, and the sensor can be attached to the housing. A second detachable member for fixing the sensor to the second position is provided.

According to this configuration, when one of the first attachment / detachment member or the second attachment / detachment member is attached to the housing, the other of the first attachment / detachment member or the second attachment / detachment member is not attached to the housing. It is possible to prevent the detected unit or the second detected unit from interfering with the first attachment / detachment member or the second attachment / detachment member. When the distance between the first position and the second position is so large that the first to be detected portion and the second to be detected portion do not interfere with the first attachment / detachment member or the second attachment / detachment member, Both the first detachable member and the second detachable member can be attached to the housing.

(5) The supply device according to the present invention includes a first supported body supported by the housing and a second supported body supported by the housing in place of the first supported body. .. The first supported body includes the first attachment, the sensor at the first position, and the stopper. The second supported body includes the second attachment, the sensor at the second position, and the stopper.

According to this configuration, the positions of the attachment, the sensor, and the stopper can be made to correspond to the required cover only by replacing the first supported body and the second supported body.

(6) The supply device according to the present invention is provided on a housing having a storage space that opens to the outside, a first cover that opens and closes the opening, and an opening peripheral edge of the housing, and rotates the first cover. A first attachment that movably supports, a first liquid supply unit housed in the storage space, a second cover that opens and closes the opening in place of the first cover, and the opening peripheral edge of the housing. A second attachment provided in place of the first attachment and rotatably supporting the second cover, a second liquid supply unit accommodated in the accommodation space in place of the first liquid supply unit, and a casing. A stopper formed on the peripheral edge of the opening of the body and in contact with the first cover and the second cover to hold the first cover and the second cover in an open position for opening the opening, and the stopper. A sensor for detecting that the first cover and the second cover are in a closed position that closes the opening is provided. The stopper is formed at the third position in a state where the first attachment is fixed to the housing and the first cover is supported by the first attachment. In a state where the second attachment is fixed to the housing and the second cover is supported by the second attachment, the stopper is formed at a fourth position different from the third position. The first cover includes a third detected portion that comes into contact with the stopper formed at the third position at the open position and is detected by the sensor at the closed position. The second cover includes a fourth detected portion that comes into contact with the stopper formed at the fourth position at the open position and is detected by the sensor at the closed position.

According to this configuration, the forming position of the stopper differs depending on whether the cover to be attached is the first cover or the second cover. As a result, the sensor that detects that the first cover is in the closed position and the sensor that detects that the second cover is in the closed position can be shared.

(7) The supply device according to the present invention includes a first supported body supported by the housing and a second supported body supported by the housing in place of the first supported body. .. The first supported body includes the first attachment, the sensor, and the stopper at the third position. The second supported body includes the second attachment, the sensor, and the stopper at the fourth position.

According to this configuration, the positions of the attachment, the sensor, and the stopper can be made to correspond to the required cover only by replacing the first supported body and the second supported body.

(8) For example, the first liquid supply unit includes a cartridge that can be inserted into the accommodation space through the opening and stores the liquid.

(9) For example, the second liquid supply unit includes a storage chamber for storing the liquid and a tank having a supply port for supplying the liquid to the storage chamber. In the tank, the supply port is exposed to the outside through the opening.

(10) The second cover in the closed position supported by the second attachment in a state of being fixed to the housing is in a position protruding from the outer surface of the housing. The tank includes a wall on which the supply port is formed and located outside the housing with respect to the outer surface of the housing. The wall is inclined in the vertical direction so as to go upward as it approaches the housing from the outside of the housing.

According to this configuration, when refilling the tank with liquid, the bottle can be inserted into the supply port with the mouth of the bottle facing diagonally downward. Therefore, the tank having this configuration can have a shorter protrusion length from the outer surface of the housing than the tank having a configuration in which the bottle is inserted into the supply port while the mouth of the bottle is directed downward.

(11) The outer surface of the first cover in the closed position supported by the first attachment in a state of being fixed to the housing is flush with the outer surface of the housing.

According to this configuration, the appearance of the feeder can be enhanced by reducing the unevenness of the appearance of the feeder.

(12) For example, the opening is formed on the side wall of the housing in the usage posture in which the supply device is used.

According to the present invention, in a supply device having a housing in which a plurality of units can be selectively attached, it is possible to cope with a difference in cover due to a difference in units while maintaining commonality of members as much as possible.

FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the multifunction device 10 having an ink cartridge mounting specification. FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer unit 11. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the arrangement of the carriage 23 and the platen 42. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the housing 14. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the housing 14, the first attachment 51, and the refill unit 250. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the multifunction device 10 when the cover 70 is in the closed position, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view of the multifunction device 10 when the cover 70 is in the open position. FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of the ink cartridge 251. FIG. 8 is an external perspective view of the multifunction device 10 having a tank set mounting specification. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the housing 14 and the second attachment 52. 10 (A) is a cross-sectional view of the multifunction device 10 when the cover 230 is in the closed position, and FIG. 10 (B) is a cross-sectional view of the multifunction device 10 when the cover 230 is in the open position. FIG. 11 is a front exploded perspective view of the tank set 99. FIG. 12 is a rear exploded perspective view of the tank set 99. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the housing 14 and the tank set 99. 14A and 14B are perspective views showing the periphery of the sensor 130 in the housing 14, in which FIG. 14A shows a state in which the sensor fixing member 135 is not attached, and FIG. 14B shows the sensor fixing member 135. The state in which is attached is shown. 15A and 15B are cross-sectional views schematically showing the housing 14 and the cover 70 in the second embodiment. FIG. 15A shows a state in which the cover 70 is in the closed position, and FIG. 15B shows the cover 70 in the closed position. Shows the open position. 16A and 16B are cross-sectional views schematically showing the housing 14 and the cover 230 in the second embodiment, in which FIG. 16A shows a state in which the cover 230 is in a closed position, and FIG. 16B shows a state in which the cover 230 is in a closed position. Shows the open position. 17 (A) is an external perspective view of the first supported body 151, and FIG. 17 (B) is an external perspective view of the second supported body 152. 18 (A) is an external perspective view of the first supported body 161 and FIG. 18 (B) is an external perspective view of the second supported body 162.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. It is needless to say that the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the embodiments of the present invention can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention. Further, in the following description, the direction from the start point to the end point of the arrow is expressed as the direction, and the traffic on the line connecting the start point and the end point of the arrow is expressed as the direction. In other words, orientation is a component of direction. Further, the vertical direction 7 is defined based on the posture in which the multifunction device 10 is installed on a horizontal plane so that it can be used (the posture shown in FIGS. 1 and 8 and may be referred to as "use posture"), and the multifunction device 10 is combined. The front-rear direction 8 is defined with the surface of the machine 10 where the opening 13 is provided as the front surface, and the left-right direction 9 is defined when the multifunction device 10 is viewed from the front surface. In the present embodiment, in the usage posture, the vertical direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction 8 and the horizontal direction 9 correspond to the horizontal direction.

[Overall configuration of multifunction device 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction device 10 (an example of a supply device) has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The multifunction device 10 has a printer unit 11 at the bottom, which records an image on paper 12 (see FIG. 2) by an inkjet recording method. The printer unit 11 has a housing 14 having an opening 13 formed in the front wall 14A. As shown in FIG. 2, inside the housing 14, a feed unit 15, a feed tray 20, a discharge tray 21, a transport roller unit 54, a recording unit 24, a discharge roller unit 55, and the like are included. A platen 42 and a refill case 252 (see FIG. 5) of the refill unit 250 are arranged. The multifunction device 10 has various functions such as a facsimile function and a print function.

[Feeding tray 20, discharge tray 21]
As shown in FIG. 1, the feed tray 20 is inserted and removed from the multifunction device 10 by the user along the front-rear direction 8 through the opening 13. The opening 13 is located on the front surface of the multifunction device 10 and at the center of the left-right direction 9. As shown in FIG. 2, the feed tray 20 can support a plurality of stacked sheets 12. The discharge tray 21 is arranged above the feed tray 20. The discharge tray 21 supports the paper 12 discharged from between the recording unit 24 and the platen 42 by the discharge roller unit 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 unit 15 includes a feeding roller 25, a feeding arm 26, and a shaft 27. The feeding roller 25 is rotatably supported by the tip of the feeding arm 26. The feed roller 25 rotates in the direction of transporting the paper 12 in the transport direction 16 due to the reversal of the transport motor (not shown). Hereinafter, the rotation of the feeding roller 25, the transport roller 60, and the discharge roller 62 in the direction of transporting the paper 12 in the transport direction 16 is referred to as “forward rotation”. The feeding arm 26 is rotatably supported by a shaft 27 supported by the frame of the printer unit 11. The feeding arm 26 is rotationally urged toward the feeding tray 20 by its own weight or an elastic force due to a spring or the like.

[Transport route 65]
As shown in FIG. 2, the transport path 65 refers to a space in which a part thereof is formed by the outer guide member 18 and the inner guide member 19 facing each other at predetermined intervals inside the printer unit 11. The transport path 65 is a path extending rearward from the rear end portion of the feed tray 20. The transport path 65 is a path that extends upward in the rear part of the printer unit 11 and makes a U-turn forward, passes through the space between the recording unit 24 and the platen 42, and reaches the discharge tray 21. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the transport path 65 between the transport roller section 54 and the discharge roller section 55 is provided in the substantially central portion of the multifunction device 10 in the left-right direction 9, and is provided in the front-rear direction 8. It is extended. The transport direction 16 of the paper 12 in the transport path 65 is indicated by an arrow of the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.

[Conveying roller unit 54]
As shown in FIG. 2, the transport roller unit 54 is arranged upstream of the recording unit 24 in the transport direction 16. The transport roller unit 54 has a transport roller 60 and a pinch roller 61 facing each other. The transfer roller 60 is driven by a transfer motor. The pinch roller 61 rotates with the rotation of the transport roller 60. The paper 12 is sandwiched between the transfer roller 60 and the pinch roller 61 that rotate forward by the forward rotation of the transfer motor, and is conveyed in the transfer direction 16.

[Discharge roller section 55]
As shown in FIG. 2, the discharge roller unit 55 is arranged downstream of the recording unit 24 in the transport direction 16. 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 transfer motor. The spur 63 rotates with the rotation of the discharge roller 62. The paper 12 is sandwiched between the discharge roller 62 and the spur 63 that rotate in the forward direction due to the normal rotation of the transfer motor, and is conveyed in the transfer direction 16.

[Recording unit 24]
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 24 is arranged between the transport roller portion 54 and the discharge roller portion 55 in the transport direction 16. The recording unit 24 is arranged so as to face the platen 42 in the vertical direction 7 with the transport path 65 interposed therebetween. The recording unit 24 includes a carriage 23 and a recording head 39.

As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 23 is supported by guide rails 43 and 44, each of which is extended in the left-right direction 9 at positions separated from each other in the front-rear direction 8. The guide rails 43 and 44 are supported by the frame of the printer unit 11. The carriage 23 is connected to a known belt mechanism provided on the guide rail 44. The belt mechanism is driven by a carriage motor (not shown). The carriage 23 connected to the belt mechanism reciprocates along the left-right direction 9 by driving the carriage motor. The range of movement of the carriage 23 extends to the right and left of the carrier path 65, as shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG.

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

The ink tube 32 connects the refill case 252 (see FIG. 5) of the refill unit 250 and the recording head 39. The ink tube 32 supplies ink (an example of a liquid) stored in each ink cartridge 251 of the refill unit 250 to the recording head 39. The ink cartridge 251 is an example of a cartridge. Four ink tubes 32 through which inks of each color (black, magenta, cyan, yellow) are distributed are provided corresponding to each ink cartridge 251 and are connected to the carriage 23 in a bundled state. .. In the embodiment in which the tank set 99 is provided instead of the refill unit 250 (see FIGS. 8 and 9), the ink tube 32 connects the tank set 99 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) and the recording head 39.

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

As shown in FIG. 2, the carriage 23 is equipped with a recording head 39. A plurality of nozzles 40 are arranged on the lower surface of the recording head 39. The tips of the plurality of nozzles 40 are exposed from the lower surface of the recording head 39. The recording head 39 ejects ink from the nozzle 40 as minute ink droplets. In the process of moving the carriage 23, the recording head 39 ejects ink droplets toward the paper 12 supported by the platen 42. As a result, the image is recorded on the paper 12. Further, this consumes the ink stored in each ink cartridge 251.

[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 direction 16. The platen 42 is arranged so as to face the recording unit 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 portion 54 from below.

[First attachment 51]
As shown in FIG. 4, an opening 22 is formed in the right portion of the front wall 14A (an example of the side wall) of the housing 14. A storage space 17 capable of accommodating the refill case 252 (see FIG. 5) of the refill unit 250 is formed on the back side of the opening 22. The opening 22 communicates the inside and the outside of the housing 14. As shown in FIG. 5, a first attachment 51 is provided on the opening peripheral edge portion 22A below the opening 22. In the present embodiment, the first attachment 51 is integrally formed with the housing 14, and protrudes forward from the opening peripheral edge portion 22A. The first attachment 51 may be separate from the housing 14. In this case, the first attachment 51 is fixed to the housing 14 by screwing or the like.

The first attachment 51 includes a support portion 47 that rotatably supports the cover 70. A pair of support portions 47 project outward from the left and right ends of the first attachment 51 in the left-right direction 9.

[Cover 70]
As shown in FIG. 6, a cover 70 (an example of the first cover) is attached to the housing 14 via the first attachment 51 so as to cover the opening 22. The cover 70 is rotatable between a closed position that closes the opening 22 (the position shown in FIG. 6A) and an open position that opens the opening 22 (the position shown in FIG. 6B). be.

As shown in FIG. 5, the support portions 47 of the first attachment 51 are provided in pairs separated from each other in the left-right direction 9. As shown in FIG. 6, the cover 70 is rotatable around a rotation axis 70A (rotation center) extending in the left-right direction 9. The rotation axis 70A is a line passing through the center of the support portion 47. The cover 70 in the closed position shown in FIG. 6A is held in the closed position by a known means such as fitting or a magnet.

As shown in FIG. 1, the outer surface 70B of the cover 70 in the closed position supported by the first attachment 51 is flush with the outer surface of the front wall 14A of the housing 14. The outer surface 70B and the outer surface of the front wall 14A do not have to be flush with each other.

As shown in FIG. 6, the cover 70 includes a main body 91 and an arm 92. The main body 91 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member. The arm 92 extends from the main body 91 toward the housing 14. The arm 92 extends substantially along the circumferential direction about the rotation axis 70A. The tip portion 92A (an example of the first detected portion) of the arm 92 projects substantially along the radial direction of the rotation axis 70A so as to be separated from the rotation axis 70A.

[Refill unit 250]
The refill unit 250 (an example of the first liquid supply unit) is housed in the storage space 17 (see FIGS. 4 to 6) of the housing 14. The refill unit 250 includes a refill case 252 (see FIG. 5) and four ink cartridges 251 (see FIG. 7).

The refill case 252 shown in FIG. 5 has a box shape that can accommodate four ink cartridges 251 in a state of being arranged in the left-right direction 9. The refill case 252 has an opening 252A in front. In a state where the refill unit 250 is provided in the accommodation space 17 of the housing 14, the opening 252A of the refill case 252 can be exposed to the outside through the opening 22 of the housing 14.

The refill case 252 is provided with a lock bar for holding the ink cartridge 251 in a mounted state, an optical sensor or a contact for detecting the remaining amount of ink and the type of the ink cartridge 251. Since the configuration of the above is known, detailed description thereof will be omitted in the present embodiment.

Although not shown, ink needles are provided at the rear and bottom of the refill case 252. The ink needle protrudes forward from the rear part of the refill case 252.

The ink cartridge 251 shown in FIG. 7 is a container in which ink is stored. The four ink cartridges 251 each store inks of different colors. A storage chamber (not shown) for storing ink is formed inside the main body 255 of the ink cartridge 251. An ink supply unit 256 is provided behind and below the main body 255. The ink supply unit 256 projects rearward from the main body 255. An ink supply port 257 is formed at the rear end of the ink supply unit 256. In a state where no external force is applied, the valve closes the ink supply port 257 by being urged backward by a coil spring (not shown).

The ink cartridge 251 is inserted into the refill case 252 provided in the accommodation space 17 through the opening 22. When the ink cartridge 251 is inserted into the refill case 252, the ink needle enters the ink supply port 257. The ink needle moves the bulb forward against the urging force of the coil spring. As a result, the ink stored in the storage chamber of the main body 255 can be distributed to the ink needle. An ink tube 32 (see FIG. 3) is directly or indirectly connected to the ink needle. As a result, the ink flowing through the ink needle flows into the ink tube 32.

A lock portion 262 is provided on the upper surface of the main body 255. The lock portion 262 can be engaged with the lock bar (not shown) of the refill case 252. By engaging the lock portion 262 with the lock bar, the ink cartridge 251 is held in the mounting posture against the urging force of the coil spring.

[Multifunction device 10 with tank set mounting specifications]
The above-mentioned multifunction device 10 (see FIGS. 1 to 7) had an ink cartridge mounting specification. In the following, the configuration of the multifunction device 10 with the tank set mounting specifications will be described. In the following description, the differences from the multifunction device 10 having the ink cartridge mounting specifications will be described.

A cover 230 is attached to the multifunction device 10 of the tank set mounting specification shown in FIG. 8 in place of the cover 70. Further, a second attachment 52 (see FIG. 9) is attached to the multifunction device 10 in place of the first attachment 51. Further, the multifunction device 10 to which the cover 230 and the second attachment 52 are attached is equipped with a tank set 99 (an example of the second liquid supply unit, see FIG. 11) in place of the refill unit 250.

[Second attachment 52]
As shown in FIG. 9, a second attachment 52 is provided in place of the first attachment 51 on the opening peripheral edge portion 22A below the opening 22 of the front wall 14A of the housing 14. In the present embodiment, the second attachment 52 is attached to the housing 14 so as to cover the first attachment 51. The second attachment 52 is fixed to the opening peripheral edge portion 22A below the opening 22 of the housing 14 by screwing. The second attachment 52 projects forward from the opening peripheral edge portion 22A.

The second attachment 52 includes a support portion 49 that rotatably supports the cover 230. A pair of support portions 49 project from the left and right ends of the second attachment 52 to the outside in the left-right direction 9.

[Cover 230]
As shown in FIG. 10, a cover 230 (an example of the second cover) is attached to the housing 14 via the second attachment 52 so as to cover the opening 22. The cover 230 is rotatable between a closed position that closes the opening 22 (the position shown in FIG. 10A) and an open position that opens the opening 22 (the position shown in FIG. 10B). be.

As shown in FIG. 9, the support portions 49 of the second attachment 52 are provided in pairs separated from each other in the left-right direction 9. As shown in FIG. 10, the cover 230 is rotatable around a rotation axis 230A (center of rotation) extending in the left-right direction 9. The rotation axis 230A is a line passing through the center of the support portion 49. The cover 70 in the closed position shown in FIG. 10 (A) is held in the closed position by a known means such as fitting or a magnet.

As shown in FIG. 10, the cover 230 includes a main body 291 and an arm 292. The main body 291 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped member.

As shown in FIG. 8, the main body 291 of the cover 230 in the closed position supported by the second attachment 52 fixed to the housing 14 is positioned so as to project forward from the outer surface of the front wall 14A of the housing 14. It is in. That is, the main body 291 of the cover 230 in the closed position (see FIG. 10A) is located in front of the main body 91 of the cover 230 in the closed position (see FIG. 6A).

As shown in FIG. 10, the arm 292 extends from the main body 291 toward the housing 14. The arm 292 extends substantially along the circumferential direction about the rotation axis 230A. The tip portion 292A (an example of the second detected portion) of the arm 292 projects substantially along the radial direction of the rotation axis 230A so as to be separated from the rotation axis 230A.

The rotation axis 230A of the cover 230 (rotation center of the cover 230) is located in front of the rotation axis 70A of the cover 70 (rotation center of the cover 70). As a result, in the closed position, the front surface of the cover 230 can be easily positioned forward from the front surface of the cover 70. Further, the rotation axis 230A is located above the rotation axis 230A. This makes it easy for the rotating tip of the cover 70 to be positioned below the rotating tip of the cover 230 in the open position. The positional relationship between the rotation axis 230A of the cover 230 and the rotation axis 70A of the cover 70 is not limited to the above-mentioned positional relationship. For example, the rotation axis 230A of the cover 230 may be located behind the rotation axis 70A of the cover 70.

As shown in FIG. 8, the cover 230 is formed with an opening 232. When the cover 230 is in the closed position, a part of each of the ink tank 100 and the holding member 120 is visible from the outside through the opening 232. In addition, in FIG. 8, the ink tank 100 and the holding member 120 which can be visually recognized through the opening 232 are omitted.

[Tank set 99]
The tank set 99 is housed in the storage space 17 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) of the housing 14. The tank set 99 stores ink supplied to the recording head 39. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the tank set 99 includes four ink tanks 100 (an example of a tank) for storing inks of different colors, a holding member 120, and a connecting member 200.

The holding member 120 and the connecting member 200 hold the four ink tanks 100 in a line along the left-right direction 9. The ink tank 100 arranged at the right end has a larger capacity of ink that can be stored than the other ink tanks 100, but the size relationship of the ink tank 100 is not particularly limited.

[Ink tank 100]
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the ink tank 100 as a whole has a shorter dimension along the left-right direction 9, and the dimension along the vertical direction 7 and the front-back direction 8 is smaller than the dimension along the left-right direction 9. Is also a long flat rectangular shape. Further, the dimension of the front-rear direction 8 is longer than the dimension of the vertical direction 7. In addition, in FIGS. 11 and 12, the side surface of the ink tank 100 is open, and the opened side surface is sealed with a film.

The ink tank 100 is made of a resin having a translucency such that the ink in the ink chamber 111 (an example of the storage chamber) for storing the ink can be visually recognized from the outside of the ink tank 100.

The ink tank 100 includes a vertical wall 102 and a sloping wall 106. In a state where the ink tank 100 is mounted on the multifunction device 10, the vertical wall 102 and the inclined wall 106 are located in front of the outer surface of the front wall 14A of the housing 14, that is, on the outer side of the housing 14 than the outer surface. There is.

The vertical wall 102 extends in the vertical direction 7 and the horizontal direction 9. The sloping wall 106 (an example of a wall) extends rearward from the upper end of the standing wall 102 upward. In other words, the inclined wall 106 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction 7 so as to move upward toward the outer side of the housing 14 as it approaches the housing 14.

The vertical wall 102 of each ink tank 100 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10 through the opening 81 (see FIGS. 11 and 13) of the holding member 120 and the opening 232 (see FIG. 8) of the cover 230. With such a configuration, the vertical wall 102 of each ink tank 100 can be visually recognized from the front of the multifunction device 10, and the user can confirm the remaining amount of ink stored in each ink tank 100.

As shown in FIG. 11, a first line 146 and a second line 147 are formed on the vertical wall 76 of each ink tank 100.

The first line 146 extends in the left-right direction 9. The position of the first line 146 in the vertical direction 7 is at the same height as the liquid level of the ink when the maximum amount of ink that can be stored is stored in the ink chamber 111 in the usage posture of the multifunction device 10. be.

The second line 147 extends in the left-right direction 9. The second line 147 is located below the first line 146. The position of the second line 147 in the vertical direction 7 is the same height as the liquid level of the ink when the minimum amount of ink that requires ink replenishment is stored in the ink chamber 111 in the usage posture of the multifunction device 10. That's right.

As shown in FIG. 12, the protrusion 157 projects rearward from the rear wall 110. The protrusion 157 is hollow. The internal space of the protrusion 157 communicates with the ink chamber 111. The ink needle 223 (see FIG. 11) of the connecting member 200 is inserted into the protrusion 157. The ink needle 223 is directly or indirectly connected to the ink tube 32. As a result, the ink that has entered the internal space of the protrusion 157 from the ink chamber 111 flows out to the ink tube 32 through the ink needle 223.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the ink tank 100 has an atmospheric communication passage 170. The atmospheric communication passage 170 is a communication passage for communicating the ink chamber 111 and the outside of the ink tank 100.

The inclined wall 106 of the ink tank 100 is formed with a supply port 112 for injecting ink into the ink chamber 111. The supply port 112 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction device 10 through the opening 22 by positioning the cover 230 in the open position.

When the liquid level of the ink stored in the ink chamber 111 of the ink tank 100 reaches a height of the second line 147 or less, the ink stored in the bottle (not shown) is replenished to the ink chamber 111 by the user through the supply port 112. Will be done. By arranging the supply port 112 on the inclined wall 106, it is easy to replenish the ink into the ink tank 100 from diagonally above the supply port 112.

[Holding member 120]
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the holding member 120 holds four ink tanks 100 in a line from the front in the front-rear direction 8 along the left-right direction 9. The holding member 120 is a box-shaped member having an opening at the rear. The holding member 120 covers the front portion of the ink tank 100 in a state where the ink tank 100 is held.

The holding member 120 includes a vertical wall 76, an inclined wall 77, and an upper wall 74. As shown in FIG. 13, when the ink tank 100 is mounted on the multifunction device 10, the vertical wall 76 and the inclined wall 77 are in front of the outer surface of the front wall 14A of the housing 14, that is, the housing is more than the outer surface. It is located on the outside of 14.

The standing wall 76 extends in the vertical direction 7 and the horizontal direction 9. The inclined wall 77 extends rearward from the upper end of the standing wall 76 toward the upper side. In other words, the inclined wall 77 extends upward from the upper end of the vertical wall 76 toward the outer surface of the front wall 14A of the housing 14.

As shown in FIG. 11, a plurality of openings 81 are formed in the vertical wall 76 of the holding member 120. The openings 81 are formed at intervals of 9 in the left-right direction. Each opening 81 corresponds to four ink tanks 100. When the holding member 120 holds each ink tank 100 and the cover 70 is in the closed position, the first line 146 and the second line 147 formed on the vertical wall 102 of each ink tank 100 open the holding member 120. It can be exposed to the outside of the printer unit 11 through the opening 97 of the 81 and the cover 70.

A plurality of openings 82 are formed in the inclined wall 77 of the holding member 120. The openings 82 are formed at intervals of 9 in the left-right direction. Each opening 82 corresponds to four ink tanks 100. In a state where the holding member 120 holds each ink tank 100, the supply port 112 of each ink tank 100 can be exposed to the outside of the holding member 120 through the opening 82.

A plurality of caps 113 are attached to the front portion of the upper wall 74 of the holding member 120. 11 and 12 show a state in which the cap 113 is not attached to the holding member 120. Each cap 113 corresponds to four ink tanks 100. Each cap 113 is molded from an elastically deformable material such as rubber or elastomer. The cap 113 can be moved to a sealing position and a separated position in a state of being attached to the holding member 120. The cap 113 at the sealing position seals the supply port 112 in a liquid-tight manner. The supply port 112 is opened while the cap 113 is located at a separated position. As a result, it becomes possible to inject ink into the ink chamber 111 through the supply port 112.

[Connecting member 200]
As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the connecting member 200 holds four ink tanks 100 in a line from the rear in the front-rear direction 8 along the left-right direction 9. The connecting member 200 has a support body 201 and a connecting portion 202. The connecting member 200 is configured by combining the connecting portion 202 from the rear of the support main body 201. In the present embodiment, the support main body 201 and the connecting portion 202 are configured as separate members, but the support main body 201 and the connecting portion 202 may be integrally formed.

The support body 201 is fixed to and supported by the housing 14. Four grooves 210 extending along the front-rear direction 8 are formed on the upper surface of the support main body 201. The front end of the groove 210 is open forward. The width of each groove 210 in the left-right direction 9 is slightly larger than the width of the four ink tanks 100. Each groove 210 serves as a guide that allows the four ink tanks 100 integrally held by the holding member 120 to slide in the front-rear direction 8 while positioning in the left-right direction 9 when connected to the connecting member 200. Function.

Above the groove 210 of the support main body 201, rods 217 protruding forward are provided. The rear wall 110 of each ink tank 100 comes into contact with the front end of each rod 217, whereby the position behind each ink tank 100 is determined.

The connecting portion 202 has a connecting plate 221, a guide cylinder 222, an ink needle 223, an ink flow path 224, and a joint 225. The connecting plate 221 is fixed to the support body 201 by screws 226.

The guide cylinder 222 has a cylindrical shape that protrudes forward from the connecting plate 221. The guide cylinder 222 is located above the groove 210. Four guide cylinders 222 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction 9 corresponding to each groove 210. The guide cylinder 222 can accommodate the protruding portion 157 of the ink tank 100 in its internal space. When the ink needle 223 is inserted into the through hole of the protruding portion 157, the guide cylinder 222 accommodates the protruding portion 157 to position the ink needle 223 and the protruding portion 157.

In the internal space of the guide cylinder 222, an ink needle 223 that is a coaxial line with the guide cylinder 222 is arranged. The ink needle 223 is a tube extending in the front-rear direction 8. By inserting the ink needle 223 into the protruding portion 157 of the ink tank 100, the internal space of the ink needle 223 and the ink chamber 111 of the ink tank 100 communicate with each other.

An ink flow path 224 is formed on the rear surface of the connecting plate 221. The ink flow path 224 is configured as an independent flow path corresponding to each ink needle 223. The ink flow path 224 is formed by sealing the opening surface (rear surface) of the groove formed on the rear surface of the connecting plate 221 with a film (not shown). Each ink flow path 224 is continuous with the opening at the rear end of each ink needle 223. Further, each ink flow path 224 is continuous with each joint 225 formed on the upper portion of the connecting plate 221. An ink tube 32 is connected to each joint 225. The connecting portion 202 constitutes an ink flow path that communicates from the ink chamber 111 of the ink tank 100 to the ink tube 32.

[Pillar 93]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the housing 14 includes a pillar portion 93 at the opening peripheral edge portion 22B on the left side of the opening 22. The pillar portion 93 projects upward from the bottom portion of the housing 14. An opening 94 is formed in the pillar portion 93.

As shown in FIG. 6, the arm 92 of the cover 70 penetrates the opening 94 in a state where the cover 70 is attached to the housing 14 via the first attachment 51. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the cover 70 is in the open position, the tip portion 92A of the arm 92 of the cover 70 is in contact with the rear surface 93A (an example of the stopper) of the pillar portion 93 from the rear. As a result, the cover 70 is restricted from rotating in the direction of the arrow 101 beyond the open position. That is, the cover 70 is held in the open position.

As shown in FIG. 10, the arm 292 of the cover 230 penetrates the opening 94 in a state where the cover 230 is attached to the housing 14 via the second attachment 52. As shown in FIG. 10B, when the cover 230 is in the open position, the tip portion 292A of the arm 292 of the cover 230 is in contact with the rear surface 93A of the pillar portion 93 from the rear. As a result, the cover 230 is restricted from rotating in the direction of the arrow 101 further than the open position. That is, the cover 230 is held in the open position.

[Sensor 130]
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the housing 14 includes a pair of protruding walls 131 (an example of a fixed portion) facing the left-right direction 9 behind the pillar portion 93. As shown in FIG. 14, the right protruding wall 131 of the pair of protruding walls 131 includes a notch 132. The left protruding wall 131 of the pair of protruding walls 131 includes a recess 133 recessed from the right side to the left.

The housing 14 is provided with screw holes 134 in front of the pair of protrusions 131 and to the right of the pair of protrusions 131. A sensor fixing member 135 (an example of the detachable member, see FIG. 14B) that can be attached to and detached from the housing 14 can be fixed to the housing 14 by being fastened to the screw holes 134. As shown in FIG. 14B, the sensor fixing member 135 includes a screw hole 135A formed on one end side and a pair of facing protrusions 135B formed on the other end side. The sensor fixing member 135 is fixed to the housing 14 by screwing a screw 136 into the screw hole 135A and the screw hole 134 of the housing 14. Holes 135C are formed in each of the pair of protrusions 135B.

As shown in FIG. 14A, the sensor 130 is arranged between the pair of protrusions 131 in a state where the cover 70 is attached to the housing 14 via the first attachment 51. The sensor 130 includes a pair of protrusions 130A protruding outward in the left-right direction 9 from both left and right ends thereof. The protrusion 130A protruding to the right is inserted into the notch 132 of the right protrusion 131. The protrusion 130A protruding to the left is inserted into the recess 133 of the left protrusion 131. As a result, the sensor 130 is fixed between the pair of protrusions 131. The arrangement position of the sensor 130 at this time is an example of the first position. When the sensor 130 is arranged between the pair of protruding walls 131, the sensor fixing member 135 is not fixed to the housing 14.

As shown in FIG. 14B, in a state where the cover 230 is attached to the housing 14 via the second attachment 52, the sensor fixing member 135 has a pair of protrusions 135B with the screw holes 134 on the right side. Is fixed to the housing 14 so as to take a posture in which is on the left side. In this posture, the pair of protrusions 135B face each other in the left-right direction 9. Further, the sensor 130 is arranged between the pair of protrusions 135B of the sensor fixing member 135. The protrusion 130A protruding to the right is inserted into the hole 135C of the right protrusion 135B. The protrusion 130A protruding to the left is inserted into the hole 135C of the left protrusion 135B. As a result, the sensor 130 is fixed between the pair of protrusions 135B of the sensor fixing member 135. The arrangement position of the sensor 130 when the sensor fixing member 135 to which the sensor 130 is fixed is fixed to the housing 14 is an example of the second position. The first position and the second position may be different positions, and the positional relationship between the first position and the second position is not limited to the positional relationship shown in FIG. 14 (positional relationship arranged in front and behind).

In this embodiment, the sensor 130 is mechanical. The sensor 130 includes a protrusion (not shown) rotatably supported on the main body of the sensor 130. In a state where the sensor 130 is fixed to the pair of protruding walls 131 of the housing 14 or the sensor fixing member 135, the protrusions project forward from the main body of the sensor 130. The protrusion is urged upward by an urging member (not shown) such as a spring arranged inside the main body of the sensor 130.

When the cover 70 is attached to the housing 14 via the first attachment 51 and the cover 70 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 6A, the tip portion 92A of the arm 92 of the cover 70 is the housing. It abuts on the protrusion of the sensor 130 fixed to the pair of protrusions 131 of 14, and pushes the protrusion downward against the urging force of the urging member (see FIG. 14A). As a result, the tip portion 92A is detected by the sensor 130. At this time, the sensor 130 outputs either a high level signal or a low level signal to the control unit (not shown). On the other hand, when the cover 70 is in the open position shown in FIG. 6B, the tip portion 92A of the arm 92 of the cover 70 is separated from the protrusion. As a result, the protrusion rotates upward due to the urging force of the urging member. At this time, the sensor 130 outputs the other high-level or low-level signal to the control unit (not shown).

When the cover 230 is attached to the housing 14 via the second attachment 52 and the cover 230 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 10 (A), the tip portion 292A of the arm 292 of the cover 230 is fixed to the sensor. It abuts on the protrusion of the sensor 130 fixed to the member 135 and pushes the protrusion downward against the urging force of the urging member (see FIG. 14B). As a result, the tip portion 92A is detected by the sensor 130. At this time, the sensor 130 outputs either a high level signal or a low level signal to the control unit (not shown). On the other hand, when the cover 230 is in the open position shown in FIG. 10 (B), the tip portion 292A of the arm 292 of the cover 230 is separated from the protrusion. As a result, the protrusion rotates upward due to the urging force of the urging member. At this time, the sensor 130 outputs the other high-level or low-level signal to the control unit (not shown).

As described above, the sensor 130 detects whether the covers 70 and 230 are in the open position or the closed position, and outputs the detection result as a signal to the control unit.

In the present embodiment, the cover 230 is positioned so as to project forward from the outer surface of the front wall 14A of the housing 14. Therefore, when the cover 230 is opened and closed, the lower end portion of the cover 230 may come into contact with the mounting surface on which the multifunction device 10 is mounted. In order to prevent the contact, in the present embodiment, the cover 230 is arranged so as to have a space between the lower end thereof and the mounting surface. That is, the cover 230 is arranged so that the lower end thereof is located above the lower end of the cover 70. As a result, the rotation center 230A of the cover 230 is located above the rotation center 70A of the cover 70. Then, the position of the tip end portion 292A of the arm 292 when the cover 230 is in the closed position is positioned rearward by the amount that the rotation center 230A is located above. As a result, when the cover 230 is in the closed position, the tip portion 292A of the arm 292 comes into contact with the main body of the sensor 130 fixed to the sensor fixing member 135, and the tip portion 292A abuts on the protrusion of the sensor 130. May not be possible.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in the state where the sensor fixing member 135 is fixed to the housing 14 (see FIG. 14B), the sensor 130 fixed to the sensor fixing member 135 has its front end at the rear end. On the other hand, it is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction 8 so as to be located above. As a result, the front end of the sensor 130 can be positioned slightly rearward. As a result, it is possible to prevent the tip portion 292A from coming into contact with the main body of the sensor 130 as described above.

[Action and effect of this embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, the arrangement position of the sensor 130 differs depending on whether the cover to be attached is the cover 70 or the cover 230. As a result, the pillar portion 93 that holds the cover 70 in the open position and the pillar portion 93 that holds the cover 230 in the open position can be shared.

If the sensor fixing member 135 is formed in the housing 14 like the pair of protruding walls 131, the following problems may occur. When the first position and the second position are close to each other, the tip end portion 92A of the arm 92 may interfere with the sensor fixing member 135.

According to the present embodiment, when the sensor 130 is fixed to the first position by a pair of protruding walls 131, the sensor fixing member 135 is detached from the housing 14 to cause the tip of the arm 92. It is possible to prevent the portion 92A from interfering with the sensor fixing member 135.

According to the present embodiment, the supply port 112 is formed on the inclined wall 106. Therefore, when refilling the ink tank 100 with ink, the bottle can be inserted into the supply port 112 while the mouth of the bottle is directed diagonally downward. Therefore, in the ink tank 100 of the present embodiment, the protrusion length from the outer surface of the housing 14 can be made shorter than that of the ink tank having a configuration in which the bottle is inserted into the supply port 112 with the mouth of the bottle facing downward.

According to this embodiment, the outer surface of the cover 70 is flush with the outer surface of the housing 14. As a result, the unevenness of the appearance of the multifunction device 10 can be reduced, and the appearance of the multifunction device 10 can be enhanced.

[Embodiment 2]
In the above-described embodiment (hereinafter, also referred to as the first embodiment), the arm 92 of the cover 70 and the arm 292 of the cover 230 both penetrate the opening 94 formed in the pillar portion 93. On the other hand, in the above embodiment, when the cover 70 is attached to the housing 14 via the first attachment 51, the position where the sensor 130 is attached is such that the cover 230 is attached to the housing 14 via the second attachment 52. It was different from the position where the sensor 130 was mounted when it was mounted.

In the second embodiment described in detail below, the position where the sensor 130 is attached when the cover 70 is attached to the housing 14 via the first attachment 51 is such that the cover 230 is attached to the housing via the second attachment 52. It is the same position as the sensor 130 is attached when it is attached to 14. On the other hand, the position where the arm 92 of the cover 70 penetrates the pillar portion 93 is different from the position where the arm 292 of the cover 230 penetrates the pillar portion 93.

Hereinafter, a configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described in the second embodiment. On the other hand, the description of the configuration common to the first embodiment in the second embodiment is omitted.

In the second embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the sensor 130 is fixed to the housing 14 regardless of whether the cover attached to the housing 14 is the cover 70 or the cover 230. That is, in the second embodiment, the sensor fixing member 135 is not used.

The shape of the arm 92 of the cover 70 and the arm 292 of the cover 230 is such that the position of the tip portion 92A when the cover 70 is in the closed position and the position of the tip portion 292A when the cover 230 is in the closed position are at the same position. It is composed of various shapes. Then, the height of the tip portion 92A when the cover 70 is in the open position and the height of the tip portion 292A when the cover 230 is in the open position are different positions.

Therefore, in the second embodiment, the pillar portion 93 is replaced depending on whether the cover 70 is attached to the housing 14 or the cover 230 is attached to the housing 14. That is, in the second embodiment, the pillar portion 93 is removable from the housing 14. Two openings located at heights corresponding to the arms 92 and 292 of the covers 70 and 230 may be formed in the pillar portion 93. In this case, the pillar portion 93 does not have to be detachable from the housing 14. In the first embodiment, the pillar portion 93 may or may not be detachable from the housing 14.

The upper end 94A (see FIG. 15B) of the opening 94 of the pillar portion 93 attached to the housing 14 when the cover 70 is attached to the housing 14 is the housing 14 when the cover 230 is attached to the housing 14. It is lower than the upper end 94A (see FIG. 16B) of the opening 94 of the pillar portion 93 attached to the. That is, the position (an example of the third position) of the rear surface 93A (an example of the stopper) of the pillar portion 93 with which the tip portion 92A (an example of the third detected portion) of the arm 92 of the cover 70 in the open position abuts is the open position. The tip portion 292A (an example of the fourth detected portion) of the arm 292 of the cover 230 is located below the position (an example of the fourth position) of the rear surface 93A (an example of the stopper) of the pillar portion 93 with which the tip portion 292A (an example of the fourth detected portion) abuts. ..

From the above, in the second embodiment, the tip end portion 92A of the arm 92 of the cover 70 is detected by the sensor 130 which is in contact with the rear surface 93A formed in the third position in the open position and is fixed to the housing 14 in the closed position. NS. Further, the tip portion 292A of the arm 292 of the cover 230 is detected by the sensor 130 which is in contact with the rear surface 93A formed at the fourth position in the open position and is fixed to the housing 14 in the closed position.

According to the second embodiment, the formation position of the opening 94 of the pillar portion 93 differs depending on whether the cover to be attached is the cover 70 or the cover 230. As a result, the sensor 130 that detects that the cover 70 is in the closed position and the sensor 130 that detects that the cover 230 is in the closed position can be set at the same position.

[Modified Example 1]
In the first embodiment, the replacement of the attachment and the change of the mounting position of the sensor 130 are individually executed according to the type of the cover to be mounted. However, the replacement of the attachment and the change of the mounting position of the sensor 130 may be executed at the same time. In order to enable such simultaneous execution, the multifunction device 10 has a first supported body 151 shown in FIG. 17 (A) and a second supported body 152 shown in FIG. 17 (B). Be prepared.

The first supported body 151 is accommodated in the accommodation space 17 (see FIGS. 4 to 6) of the housing 14, and is supported by the housing 14. The second supported body 152 is accommodated in the accommodation space 17 of the housing 14 instead of the first supported body 151, and is supported by the housing 14.

As shown in FIG. 17A, the first supported body 151 includes a main body 153, a first attachment 51, a pillar portion 93, and a sensor 130. The main body 153 has a plate shape. The main body 153, the first attachment 51, and the pillar portion 93 are integrated. The main body 153, the first attachment 51, and the pillar portion 93 may be separate bodies. The first attachment 51 is formed at the front end portion of the main body 153. The pillar portion 93 projects upward from the left end portion of the front end portion of the main body 153. The sensor 130 is attached to a position corresponding to the first position on the main body 153.

As shown in FIG. 17B, the second supported body 152 includes a main body 154, a second attachment 52, a pillar portion 93, and a sensor 130. The main body 154 has a plate shape. The main body 154, the second attachment 52, and the pillar portion 93 are integrated. The main body 154, the second attachment 52, and the pillar portion 93 may be separate bodies. The second attachment 52 is formed at the front end portion of the main body 154. The pillar portion 93 projects upward from the left end portion of the front end portion of the main body 154. The sensor 130 is attached to a position corresponding to the second position on the main body 154.

The position of the opening 94 of the pillar portion 93 in the first supported body 151 is the same as the position of the opening 94 of the pillar portion 93 in the second supported body 152.

According to this modification, the position of the attachment, the position of the sensor 130, and the position of the opening 94 of the pillar portion 93 can be made to correspond to the required cover only by replacing the first supported body 151 and the second supported body 152. can.

In the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the sensor 130 is arranged at the first position by being attached to the protrusion 131 formed on the housing 14, and is a sensor fixing member that can be attached to and detached from the housing 14. It was placed in the second position by being attached to the 135. However, the means for arranging the sensors 130 at a plurality of positions is not limited to the means of the first embodiment.

For example, the housing 14 may have a plurality of screw holes 134. Then, the arrangement position of the sensor 130 may be changed depending on which screw hole 134 the sensor fixing member 135 is attached to.

Further, a plurality of types of sensor fixing members 135 having different shapes may be prepared. Then, by attaching a certain type of sensor fixing member 135 (an example of the first attachment / detachment member) to the screw hole 134, the sensor 130 fixed to the certain type of sensor fixing member 135 is positioned at the first position. By attaching another type of sensor fixing member 135 (an example of a second attachment / detachment member) to the screw hole 134, the sensor 130 fixed to the other type of sensor fixing member 135 is positioned at the second position. You may.

[Modified Example of Embodiment 2]
In the second embodiment, the replacement of the attachment and the replacement of the pillar portion 93 are individually performed according to the type of the cover to be attached. However, the replacement of the attachment and the replacement of the pillar portion 93 may be executed at the same time. In order to enable such simultaneous execution, the multifunction device 10 has a first supported body 161 shown in FIG. 18 (A) and a second supported body 162 shown in FIG. 18 (B). Be prepared.

The first supported body 161 is housed in the housing space 17 (see FIGS. 10 and 11) of the housing 14, and is supported by the housing 14. The second supported body 162 is accommodated in the accommodation space 17 of the housing 14 in place of the first supported body 161 and is supported by the housing 14.

As shown in FIG. 18A, the first supported body 161 includes a main body 163, a first attachment 51, a pillar portion 93, and a sensor 130. The main body 163 has a plate shape. The main body 163, the first attachment 51, and the pillar portion 93 are integrated. The main body 163, the first attachment 51, and the pillar portion 93 may be separate bodies. The first attachment 51 is formed at the front end portion of the main body 163. The pillar portion 93 projects upward from the left end portion of the front end portion of the main body 153. An opening 94 is formed at a position corresponding to the third position in the pillar portion 93. The sensor 130 is attached to the rear of the pillar portion 93 at the left end portion of the main body 153.

As shown in FIG. 18B, the second supported body 152 includes a main body 164, a second attachment 52, a pillar portion 93, and a sensor 130. The main body 164 has a plate shape. The main body 164, the second attachment 52, and the pillar portion 93 are integrated. The main body 164, the second attachment 52, and the pillar portion 93 may be separate bodies. The second attachment 52 is formed at the front end portion of the main body 164. The pillar portion 93 projects upward from the left end portion of the front end portion of the main body 164. An opening 94 is formed at a position corresponding to the fourth position in the pillar portion 93. The sensor 130 is attached to the rear of the pillar portion 93 at the left end portion of the main body 153.

The mounting position of the sensor 130 on the first supported body 161 is the same as the mounting position of the sensor 130 on the second supported body 162.

According to this modification, the position of the attachment, the position of the sensor 130, and the position of the opening 94 of the pillar portion 93 can be made to correspond to the required cover only by replacing the first supported body 161 and the second supported body 162. can.

[Other variants]
In the first and second embodiments, the configuration in which the cover, the attachment, and the liquid supply unit are two types is described. Further, in the first embodiment, the configuration in which the sensor 130 can be arranged in two positions, the first position and the second position, has been described. Further, in the second embodiment, a configuration has been described in which the rear surface 93A of the pillar portion 93 with which the tip end portion 92A of the arm 92 of the cover 70 in the open position abuts has two positions, the third position and the fourth position. However, there may be three or more types of covers, attachments, and liquid supply units. Further, the sensor 130 may be arranged at three or more positions. Further, the position of the rear surface 93A of the pillar portion 93 with which the tip end portion 92A of the arm 92 of the cover 70 in the open position abuts may be three or more.

The refill unit 250 and the tank set 99 are both examples of the first liquid supply unit and the second liquid supply unit. For example, two refill units having different shapes and sizes supply the first liquid supply unit and the second liquid supply unit. It may be a unit, or two tank sets having different shapes and sizes may be a first liquid supply unit and a second liquid supply unit.

The mounting positions of the first attachment 51 and the second attachment 52 are not limited to the lower part of the opening 22, and may be above or to the side of the opening 22. Therefore, the mounting positions of the covers 70 and 230 may also be above or to the side of the opening 22. Further, the first attachment 51 and the second attachment 52 may be configured to surround the entire circumference of the opening 22. Further, the first attachment 51 and the second attachment 52 do not necessarily have to be each composed of one member, and may be configured as a pair provided above and below the opening 22, for example.

The opening 22 may be formed in a portion other than the right portion of the front wall 14A of the housing 14. For example, the opening 22 may be formed on the right wall, the left wall, the upper wall, or the like of the housing 14.

In the ink tank 100, the supply port 112 may be formed in addition to the inclined wall 106. For example, when the ink tank 100 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape without the inclined wall 106, the supply port 112 may be formed on the upper wall of the ink tank 100. In this case, the ink stored in the bottle is replenished into the ink tank 100 from above with respect to the supply port 112.

The sensor 130 is not limited to the mechanical sensor as described above, and known sensors can be used. For example, the sensor 130 may be an optical sensor.

In the above embodiment, ink has been described as an example of a liquid, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That is, instead of the ink, a pretreatment liquid that is ejected to the recording paper prior to the ink during printing, or water that is sprayed in the vicinity of the nozzle 40 of the recording head 39 to prevent the nozzle 40 of the recording head 39 from drying out. However, it may be an example of a liquid.

10 ... Multifunction device (supply device)
14 ... Housing 17 ... Accommodation space 22 ... Opening 22A ... Opening peripheral edge 51 ... First attachment 52 ... Second attachment 70 ... Cover (first cover)
92 ... Arm 92A ... Tip of arm 92 (first detected part)
93 ... Pillar part 93A ... Rear surface (stopper) of pillar part 93
99 ... Tank set (second liquid supply unit)
130 ... Sensor 230 ... Cover (second cover)
250 ... Refill unit (1st liquid supply unit)
292 ... Arm 292A ... Tip of arm 292 (second detected part)

Claims (12)

A housing with a storage space that opens to the outside,
The first cover that opens and closes the above opening,
A first attachment provided on the peripheral edge of the opening of the housing and rotatably supporting the first cover,
The first liquid supply unit housed in the storage space and
A second cover that opens and closes the opening in place of the first cover,
A second attachment, which is provided on the peripheral edge of the opening of the housing in place of the first attachment and rotatably supports the second cover,
A second liquid supply unit housed in the storage space in place of the first liquid supply unit,
A stopper formed on the peripheral edge of the opening of the housing and in contact with the first cover and the second cover to hold the first cover and the second cover in an open position for opening the opening. ,
A supply device including a sensor that detects that the first cover and the second cover are in a closed position that closes the opening.
With the first attachment fixed to the housing and the first cover supported by the first attachment, the sensor is placed in the first position.
In a state where the second attachment is fixed to the housing and the second cover is supported by the second attachment, the sensor is arranged in a second position different from the first position.
The first cover includes a first detected portion that comes into contact with the stopper at the open position and is detected by the sensor at the first position at the closed position.
The second cover includes a second detected portion that comes into contact with the stopper at the open position and is detected by the sensor at the second position at the closed position .
The position of the stopper is the same when both the first cover and the second cover are used . A fixing portion formed in the housing and fixing the sensor to either the first position or the second position,
The sensor can be attached to and detached from the housing, and by mounting the sensor on the housing with the sensor attached, the sensor can be attached to the other of the first position or the second position. The supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a detachable member fixed to the device. The sensor can be attached to and detached from the housing, and by mounting the sensor on the housing with the sensor attached, the sensor can be attached to at least the first position or the second position. The supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a detachable member fixed to one side. A first detachable member that can be attached to and detached from the housing, can be attached to the sensor, and is attached to the housing with the sensor attached to fix the sensor to the first position. When,
A second detachable member that can be attached to and detached from the housing, can be attached to the sensor, and is attached to the housing with the sensor attached to fix the sensor to the second position. The supply device according to claim 1. The first supported body supported by the housing and
A second supported body supported by the housing instead of the first supported body is provided.
The first supported body includes the first attachment, the sensor at the first position, and the stopper.
The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the second supported body includes the second attachment, the sensor at the second position, and the stopper. A housing with a storage space that opens to the outside,
The first cover that opens and closes the above opening,
A first attachment provided on the peripheral edge of the opening of the housing and rotatably supporting the first cover,
The first liquid supply unit housed in the storage space and
A second cover that opens and closes the opening in place of the first cover,
A second attachment, which is provided on the peripheral edge of the opening of the housing in place of the first attachment and rotatably supports the second cover,
A second liquid supply unit housed in the storage space in place of the first liquid supply unit,
A stopper formed on the peripheral edge of the opening of the housing and in contact with the first cover and the second cover to hold the first cover and the second cover in an open position for opening the opening. ,
A supply device including a sensor that detects that the first cover and the second cover are in a closed position that closes the opening.
In a state where the first attachment is fixed to the housing and the first cover is supported by the first attachment, the stopper is formed at the third position.
In a state where the second attachment is fixed to the housing and the second cover is supported by the second attachment, the stopper is formed at a fourth position different from the third position.
The first cover includes a third detected portion that comes into contact with the stopper formed at the third position at the open position and is detected by the sensor at the closed position.
The second cover includes a fourth detected portion that comes into contact with the stopper formed at the fourth position at the open position and is detected by the sensor at the closed position .
The position of the sensor is the same when both the first cover and the second cover are used . The first supported body supported by the housing and
A second supported body supported by the housing instead of the first supported body is provided.
The first supported body includes the first attachment, the sensor, and the stopper at the third position.
The supply device according to claim 6, wherein the second supported body includes the second attachment, the sensor, and the stopper at the fourth position. The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first liquid supply unit includes a cartridge that can be inserted into the accommodation space through the opening and stores the liquid. The second liquid supply unit includes a tank having a storage chamber for storing the liquid and a supply port for supplying the liquid to the storage chamber.
The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the tank is such that the supply port is exposed to the outside through the opening. The second cover in the closed position supported by the second attachment in a state of being fixed to the housing is in a position protruding from the outer surface of the housing.
The tank is provided with a wall on which the supply port is formed and located outside the housing with respect to the outer surface of the housing.
The supply device according to claim 9, wherein the wall is inclined in the vertical direction so as to move upward from the outside of the housing toward the housing. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the outer surface of the first cover in the closed position supported by the first attachment in a state of being fixed to the housing is flush with the outer surface of the housing. Feeding device. The supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the opening is formed on the side wall of the housing in the usage posture in which the supply device is used.

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