Technical Field
[0001]
The present invention relates to a liquid ejection apparatus and a
tank or the like.
B ackground Art
[0002]
An inkjet printer t h a t is one type of a liquid ejection apparatus
performs printing on a printing" medium such as printing paper by ejecting
ink that is one example of a liquid from a liquid ejection head onto the
printing medium. A conventionally known configuration of t h i s Inkjet
printer includes an ink tank provided to store ink. For example, Patent
Literature 1 discloses one exemplified configuration of increasing the
capacity of an ink tank. In this configuration, in an attitude that ink is
ejectable from a liquid ejection head, a liquid level in a liquid chamber is
located at a higher position than a nozzle of the liquid ejection head, and a
liquid inlet port communicating with the liquid chamber is sealed with a
plug member. In order to take the air from outside into the liquid chamber,
the other end of a communication p a t h having one end communicating with
an air hole is located at a lower position than the nozzle of t he liquid ejection
head in the liquid chamber. A meniscus is formed in the communication
path, so as to stabilize ink supply to the liquid ejection head.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0003]
P T L i : JP2012-144016A
Summary
Technical problem
[0004]
In the attitude that ink is ejectable from the liquid ejection head, at
some position of the liquid level, accidental removal of t h e plug member is
likely to make the liquid chamber communicate with the outside air via the
1
XX040A3123-WlJEnglish_Spec_for_rlling
liquid inlet port and thereby deteriorate the stabilit3r of ink supply to the
liquid ejection head.
In the configuration of Patent Literature 1, the ink tank is placed in a
container unit externally attached to a casing of t h e Inkjet printer. In the
course of detaching the container unit for the purpose of pouring ink into the
ink tank, the liquid inlet port with the plug member placed therein is
exposed outside. This configuration is more likely to cause accidental
removal of the plug member.
An object of the invention is thus to provide a liquid ejection
apparatus that employs an ink tank including a liquid chamber that
maintains a liquid level at a higher position t h a n a nozzle of a liquid ejection
head and that a plug member placed in a liquid inlet port is unlikely to be
accidentally removed.
Solution to Problem
[0005]
The invention may be implemented by the following aspects or
embodiments.
[0006]
[Aspect l]
According to one aspect, there is provided a liquid ejection apparatus.
The liquid ejection apparatus may comprise a tank that is configured to
contain a liquid; a liquid ejection head that communicates with the tank and
is configured to eject the liquid; a casing that is configured to place the tank
and the liquid ejection head inside thereof; and a cover that is configured to
cover the casing. The tank may include a container portion that is
configured to contain the liquid, an air introducing path that is arranged to
introduce the air into (lie container portion, an inlet port that is configured to
pour the liquid into the container portion, a sealing member that is
configured to seal the inlet port, and an outlet port that is formed to supply
the liquid through a tube into the liquid ejection head. In an attitude that
the liquid is ejectable from the liquid ejection head, the liquid may be
contained in the container portion such that a liquid level of t he liquid in the
container portion is located at a higher position t h a n a nozzle of t he liquid
ejection head in a vertical direction; an inlet port t h a t is an opening of the air
introducing p a t h on a container portion side thereof majr be located at a
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XX040A3123-WlJSnglish_Spec_foi'_filing
lower position t h a n the nozzle of the liquid ejection head in the vertical
direction; and the sealing member may be covered by part of the cover.
[0007]
In the configuration of t h i s aspect, the casing of the liquid ejection
apparatus integrally covers the tank and the liquid ejection head, and
additionally the casing also covers the sealing member of the tank. In the
attitude of the liquid ejection apparatus t h a t the liquid is ejectable from the
liquid ejection head, this configuration reduces the likelihood that the
sealing member is accidentally removed by, for example, the operator's
improper use. The inlet port configured to introduce the air outside of t he
tank into the container portion is located at the lower position t h a n the
nozzle of the liquid ejection head in the vertical direction. This
configuration is more likely to suppress a variation in pressure applied to the
liquid flowing out of the tank and thereby facilitates the pressure of the
liquid supplied from the tank to the liquid ejection head to be maintained at
a constant level.
[0008]
[Aspect 2]
In the liquid ejection apparatus of the above aspect, the cover may
constitute part of a scanner unit.
[0009]
In this aspect, the cover constitutes part of the scanner unit. This
provides the liquid ejection apparatus with a simple configuration including
the functions of the scanner.
[0010]
[Aspect 3]
In the liquid ejection apparatus of the above aspect, the tank may
further include an air chamber that communicates with the container
portion via the air introducing path, and an air communication port that is
formed to introduce the air into the air chamber.
[0011]
In this aspect, even when the liquid ejection apparatus is inclined to
cause the liquid in the container portion to enter the air introducing path,
the liquid is retained in the air chamber before being leaked out through the
air communication port. This configuration accordingly suppresses leakage
of ink from the liquid ejection apparatus.
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XX040A3123-Wl„English„Spec_for_filmg
[0012]
[Aspect 4]
In the liquid ejection apparatus of t he above aspect, the container
portion may be extended in a first direction t h a t is a longitudinal direction of
the container portion. A dimension of the container portion in the first
direction may be longer t h a n a dimension of the container portion in a
direction perpendicular to the first direction. At least part of an area of the
tank overlapping the container portion may have optical transparenc}' along
the first direction. At least an area of the casing overlapping the part of t he
area of the tank having optical transpareixy may have optical transparencj^.
[0013]
In this aspect, the liquid in the container portion is visible via the
area of the tank having optical transparencj^. The area of the casing having
optical transparency overlaps the area of the tank having optical
transparency, so that the liquid in the container portion is visible from
outside of the casing. The liquid ejection apparatus of this aspect thus
enables the liquid in the tank to be visually checked from outside of the
casing. Additionally, in this liquid ejection apparatus, at least p a r t of t he
area of the tank overlapping the container portion has optical transparency
along the first direction. Accordingly, this liquid ejection apparatus causes
the liquid in the tank to be visible along the longitudinal direction of the
container portion. This configuration enables the liquid in the tank to be
visually checked over a wide range of the container portion, thus improving
the visibility of the liquid.
[0014]
[Aspect 5]
In the liquid ejection apparatus of the above aspect, the first
direction may intersect with a horizontal direction.
[0015]
In this aspect, the first direction is the direction intersecting with the
horizontal direction, so that the container portion is inclined to the
horizontal direction. The liquid in the container portion is thus
accumulated on one end side of t he container portion in the longitudinal
direction. This facilitates the remaining amount of the liquid to be visually
checked relative to the length of the container portion in the first direction.
[0016]
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XX040A3123-Wl_English_Spec_for_filing
[Aspect 6]
In the liquid ejection apparatus of the above aspect, a sectional area
of the container portion cut in a direction perpendicular to the first direction
may be constant along the first direction.
[0017]
In this aspect, the sectional area of t he container portion cut in the
direction perpendicular to the first direction is constant along the first
direction. This provides a constant proportionality factor between the
amount of consumption of the liquid in the container portion and the amount
of displacement of t he liquid level. This facilitates prediction of a change in
remaining amount of the liquid.
[0018]
[Aspect 7]
In the liquid ejection apparatus of the above aspect, an optically
transparent area of t h e casing that is the area having optical transparency
may be configured on a front side of the liquid ejection apparatus.
[0019]
In this aspect, the optically transparent area of t he casing is
configured on the front side of the liquid consuming apparatus. This
configuration facilitates the visual recognition by the operator who faces the
front of t h e liquid consuming apparatus.
[0020]
[Aspect 8]
According to another aspect, in a liquid ejection apparatus that
includes a tank that is configured to contain a liquid; a liquid ejection head
that communicates with the tank and is configured to eject the liquid; a
casing that is configured to place the tank and the liquid ejection head inside
thereof; and a cover that is configured to cover the casing, there is configured
the tank. The tank may comprise a container portion that is configured to
contain the liquid; an air introducing path that is arranged to introduce the
ah into the container portion! an inlet port that is configured to pour the
liquid into the container portion; a sealing member t h a t is configured to seal
the inlet port; and an outlet port that is formed to supply the liquid through
a tube into the liquid ejection head. In an attitude that the liquid is
ejectable from the liquid ejection head, the liquid may be contained in the
container portion such that a liquid level of the liquid in the container
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XX040A3123-Wl^English_Spec_for_filing
portion is located at a higher position t h a n a nozzle of t he liquid ejection
head in a vertical direction. In the attitude that the liquid is electable from
the liquid ejection head, the sealing member may be covered by part of the
cover.
[0021]
In this aspect, the tank, along with the liquid ejection head, is placed
inside of the casing of t he liquid ejection apparatus. Additionally, the
sealing member of t he tank is covered by part of t he cover. In the attitude of
the liquid ejection apparatus that the liquid is ejectable from the liquid
ejection head, this configuration reduces the likelihood that the sealing
member is accidentally removed from the tank by, for example, the operator's
improper use.
[0022]
[Aspect 9]
In the tank of the above aspect, in the attitude t h a t the liquid is
electable from the liquid ejection head, an inlet port t h a t is an opening of the
air introducing p a t h on a container portion side thereof may be located at a
lower position t h a n the nozzle of the liquid ejection head in the vertical
direction.
[0023]
In this aspect, the inlet port configured to introduce the air outside of
the tank into the container portion is located at the lower position than the
nozzle of the liquid ejection head in the vertical direction. This
configviration is more likely to suppress a variation in pressure applied to the
liquid flowing out of the t a n k and thereby facilitates the pressure of the
liquid supplied from the tank to the liquid ejection head to be maintained at
a constant level.
[0024]
[Aspect 10]
In the tank of the above aspect, the container portion may be
extended in a first direction that is a longitudinal direction of the container
portion. A dimension of the container portion in the first direction ma}' be
longer t h a n a dimension of the container portion in a direction perpendicular
to the first direction. At least part of an area of the tank overlapping the
container portion may have optical transparency in the first direction. A
sectional area of the container portion cut in a direction perpendicular to the
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XX040A3123-Wl_English_Spec_for_filing
first direction may be constant along the first direction.
[00253
In this aspect, the sectional area of the container portion cut in the
direction perpendicular to the first direction is constant along the first
direction. This provides a constant proportionality factor between the
amount of consumption of the liquid in the container portion and the amount
of displacement of the liquid level. This facilitates prediction of a change in
remaining amount of the liquid.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0026]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a multifunction printer
according to an embodiment)'
Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the multifunction printer of
the embodiment!
Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a printer of the embodiment;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating mechanics of the printer of
the embodiment;
Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the schematic
configuration of a tank according to a first embodiment;
Fig. 6 is a sectional view illustrating a communication path of the
first embodiment;
Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating the flow of ink from the tank to a
liquid ejection head according to the first embodiment;
Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating mechanics of a printer
according to a second embodiment;
Fig. 9 is a perspective view illustrating the mechanics of the printer
of the second embodiment;
Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the schematic
configuration of a tank of the second embodiment;
Fig. 11 is a diagram illustrating pouring of ink into the tank of the
second embodiment; and
Fig. 12 is a sectional view illustrating another configuration of a tank
according to a modification of the embodiment.
Description of Embodiments
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XX040A3123-Wl_English_Spec„fbr_filing
[0027]
The following describes a multifunction printer as one example of a
liquid ejection apparatus according to an embodiment with reference to
drawings. The multifunction printer 1 of t he embodiment includes a
printer 3 and a scanner unit 5 as shown in Fig. 1. In the multifunction
printer 1, the printer 3 and the scanner unit 5 are stacked. In the use state
of t h e printer 3, the scanner unit 5 is placed vertically on the printer 3. XYZ
axes as coordinate axes t h a t are orthogonal to one another are shown in Fig.
1. The XYZ axes are also added as appropriate in subsequent drawings.
In t h e state of Fig. 1, the printer 3 is placed on a horizontal plane (XY plane)
defined by an X-axis direction and a Yr-axis direction. A Z-axis direction is a
direction orthogonal to the XY plane, and -Z-axis direction represents
vertically downward.
[0028]
The scanner unit 5 is flatbed type having an imaging element (not
shown) such as an image sensor, a platen and a cover. The scanner unit 5 is
capable of reading an image or the like recorded on a medium such as paper
via the imaging element in the form of image data. The scanner unit 5
accordingly serves as a reader of the image or the like. As shown in Fig. 2,
the scanner unit 5 is provided to be rot at able relative to a casing 7 of the
printer 3. A printer 3-side surface of t he platen of the scanner unit 5 also
serves as a cover of the printer 3 to cover the casing 7 of the printer 3.
[0029]
The printer 3 performs printing on a printing medium P such as
printing paper with ink as one example of liquid. As shown in Fig. 3, the
printer 3 includes the casing 7 and a plurality of tanks 9. The casing 7 is an
integrally molded component that forms an outer shell of the printer 3 and
includes mechanics II of the printer 3. The plurality of tanks 9 are placed
inside of the casing 7 to respectively contain inks used for printing. This
embodiment provides four tanks 9. The four tanks 9 respectively contain
different inks. This embodiment employs four different inks, i.e., black,
yellow, magenta and cyan. Each of t he four tanks 9 is provided to contain a
different ink.
[0030]
The printer 3 also has an operation panel 12. The operation panel
12 is provided with a power button 13A and other operation buttons 13B.
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XX040A3123-Wl„English_Spec_for_filing
An operator who operates the printer 3 faces the operation panel 12 to
operate the power button 13A and the operation buttons 13B. A front face
of t he printer 3 is a surface where the operation panel 12 is provided. The
casing 7 has a window 14 provided on the front face of the printer 3. The
window 14 has optical transparency. The four tanks 9 described above are
placed at a position overlapping the window 14. This configuration enables
the operator to observe the four tanks 9 through the window 14.
[0031]
According to this embodiment, a region of each of the tank 9 facing
the window 9 has optical transparency, so that ink contained in the tank 9 is
visible through t h e region of the tank 9 having optical transparency. This
enables the operator to observe the four tanks 9 through the window 14 and
thereby visually check the amounts of inks remaining in the respective tanks
9. According to this embodiment, the window 14 is provided on t h e front
surface of the printer 3. This configuration enables the operator facing the
operation panel 12 to visually recognize the respective tanks 9 through the
window 14. This accordingly enables the operator to check the remaining
amounts of inks in the respective tanks 9 while operating t h e printer 3.
[0032]
As shown in Fig. 4 that is a schematic diagram of the mechanics 11,
the printer 3 includes a liquid ejection assembly 15 and supply tubes 16.
The liquid ejection assembly 15 includes a carriage 17, a liquid ejection head
19 and four relay units 21. The liquid ejection head 19 and the four relay
units 21 are mounted on the carriage 17. The supply tubes 16 are flexible
and are provided between the tanks 9 and the relay units 21. The tank 9
has an inlet port 61 (described later) provided with a plug 93. The plug 93
is covered by part of the scanner unit 5 that serves as a cover of the printer 3.
The ink contained in each of the tanks 9 is supplied through the supply tube
16 to the relay unit 21. The relay unit 21 relays the ink which is supplied
from the tank 9 through the supply tube 16, to the liquid ejection head 19.
The liquid ejection head 19 ejects the supplied ink from a nozzle 20
(described later) in the form of ink droplets. The cover of the printer 3 to
cover over the plug 93 is not limited to the configuration using the platen of
the scanner unit 5 but may be a cover of the scanner unit 5 itself.
[0033]
The printer 3 also has a medium feeding mechanism (not shown) and
9
XX040A3123-Wl_Englishj3pec_forJiling
a head carrying mechanism, (not shown). The medium feeding mechanism
drives a feed roller 22 by the power from a motor (not shown), so as to feed a
printing medium P in the Y-axis direction. The head carrying mechanism
transmits the power from a motor 23 via a timing belt 25 to the carriage 17,
so as to carry the carriage 17 along the X-axis direction. As described above,
the liquid ejection head 19 is mounted on the carriage 17. The liquid
ejection head 19 is thus movable in the X-axis direction via the carriage 17
by the head carrying mechanism. The medium feeding mechanism and the
head carrying mechanism cause ink to be ejected from the liquid ejection
head 19 while changing the position of the liquid ejection head 19 relative to
the printing medium P, so as to complete printing on the printing medium P.
[0034]
[First Embodiment]
The tank 9 has a casing 31 and a sheet member 33 as shown in Fig. 5.
The casing 31 is made of a synthetic resin such as nylon or polypropylene.
The sheet member 33 is made of a synthetic resin (for example, nylon or
polypropylene) in a film-like shape and has flexibility. The casing 31
includes a container portion 35 and an air chamber 37.
[0035]
The container portion 35 includes first wall 41, a second wall 42, a
third wall 43, a fourth wall 44 and a fifth wall 45. The second wall 42, the
third wall 43, the fourth wall 44 and the fifth wall 45 are arranged to
intersect with the first wall 41 respectively. The second wall 42 and the
third wall 43 are located to face each other across the first wall 41 in the
Z-axis direction. The fourth wall 44 and the fifth wall 45 are located to face
each other across the first wall 41 in the Y-axis direction. The second wall
42 intersects with both the fourth wall 44 and the fifth wall 45. The third
wall 43 also intersects with both the fourth wall 44 and the fifth wall 45. in
the printer 3 shown in Fig. 3, the fourth wall 44 faces the window 14.
According to this embodiment, the tank 9 is made of a material having
optical transparency.
[0036]
In the planar view, the first wall 41 shown in Fig. 5 is surrounded by
the second wall 42, the third wall 43, the fourth wall 44 and the fifth wall 45.
The second wall 42, the third wall 43, the fourth wall 44 and the fifth wall 45
are protruded from the first wall 41 in the -X-axis direction. Accordingly,
10
XX040A3123-Wl_Eng]ish_Spec_for_filing
the container portion 35 is formed in a recessed shape by the first wall 41 as
bottom as well as the second wall 42, the third wall 43, the fourth wall 44
and the fifth wall 45. A recess 35A is formed by t h e first wall 41, the second
wall 42, the third wall 43, the fourth wall 44 and the fifth wall 45. The
recess 35A is formed to be concave in the +X-axis direction. The recess 35A
is open in the -X-axis direction, i.e., on the sheet member 33-side. Ink is
contained in the recess 35A.
[0037]
According to this embodiment, in the container portion 35, a length of
the fourth wall 44 along the Z-axis direction is longer t h a n a length of the
second wall 42 along the Y-axis direction. In other words, in the container
portion 35, a dimension along the Z-axis direction is longer than a dimension
along a direction perpendicular to the Z-axis direction. The container
portion 35 is accordingly in a long shape along the Z-axis direction. The
container portion 35 is extended in the Z-axis direction as its longitudinal
direction.
[0038]
The air chamber 37 is provided on an opposite side to a recess
35A-side of the fifth wall 45. The air chamber 37 is protruded from the fifth
wall 45 on an opposite side to a fourth wall 44-side of t he fifth wall 45, i.e., on
a +Y-axis direction side of the fifth wall 45. The air chamber 37 includes a
first wall 41, the fifth wall 45, a sixth wall 46, a seventh wall 47, an eighth
wall 48, a ninth wall 49 and a tenth wall 50. The first wall 41 of the
container portion 35 is identical with the first wall 41 of t he air chamber 37.
In other words, according to this embodiment, the container portion 35 and
the air chamber 37 share the first wall 41. The second wall 42 and the sixth
wall 46 are continuous with each other.
[0039]
The sixth wall 46 is protruded from the fifth wall 45 on the opposite
side to the fourth wall 44'side of the fifth wall 45, i.e., on the + Y-axis
direction side of the fifth wall 45. The seventh wall 47 is located to face the
sixth wall 46 across the first wall 41 of the air chamber 37 in the Z-axis
direction. The sixth wall 46 and the seventh wall 47 are thus opposed to
each other across the first wall 41 of t he air chamber 37 in the Y-axis
direction. The eighth wall 48 is located to face the fifth wall 45 across the
first wall 41 of t he air chamber 37 in the Y-axis direction. The ninth wall 49
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XX040A3123-Wl_English_Spec_fovJiling
is located to face the fifth wall 45 across the first wall 41 of the air chamber
37 in the Y-axis direction, on an opposite side to a sixth wall 46_side of the
seventh wall 47, i.e., on a -Z-axis direction side of the seventh wall 47. The
ninth wall 49 is located between the fifth wall 45 and the eighth wall 48 in
the Y-axis direction. The seventh wall 47 is placed between the eighth wall
48 and the ninth wall 49.
[0040]
The sixth wall 46 intersects with both the fifth wall 45 and the eighth
wall 48. The seventh wall 47 intersects with both the eighth wall 48 and
the ninth wall 49. The tenth wall 50 is located to face the sixth wall 46 and
the second wall 42 across the first wall 41 of the air chamber 37 in the Z-axis
direction, on an opposite side to a sixth wall 46-side of the ninth wall 49, i.e.,
on a -Z-axis direction side of the ninth wall 49. The tenth wall 50 is
protruded from the seventh wall 47 on a fifth wall 45-side of the seventh wall
47, i.e., on a -Y-axis direction side of the seventh wall 47. The t e n th wall 50
is arranged to intersect with the fifth wall 45 and to be protruded into the
recess 35A. There is a clearance provided between the t e n th wall 50 and
the fourth wall 44.
[0041]
In the planar view, the first wall 41 of t he air chamber 37 is
surrounded by the fifth wall 45, the sixth wall 46, the seventh wall 47, the
eighth wall 48, the ninth wall 49 and the tenth wall 50. The fifth wall 45,
the sixth wall 46, the seventh wall 47, the eighth wall 48, the ninth wall 49
and the tenth wall 50 are protruded from the first wall 41 in the -X-axis
direction. Accordingly, the air chamber 37 is formed in a recessed shape bjr
the first wall 41 as bottom and the fifth wall 45, the sixth wall 46, the
seventh wall 47, the eighth wall 48, the ninth wall 49 and the tenth wall 50.
A recess 37vVof the air chamber 37 is formed by the first wall 41, the fifth
wall 45, the sixth wall 46, the seventh wall 47, the eighth wall 48, the ninth
wall 49 and the tenth wall 50. The recess 37Ais formed to be concave in the
+X-axis direction. The recess 37Ais open in the -X-axis direction, i.e., on
the sheet member 33-side. The recess 35A and the recess 37A are separated
from each other by the fifth wall 45. The amounts of protrusion of the
second wall 42 to the tenth wall 50 from the first wall 41 are set to an
identical protrusion amount, except a cutout 50A of the fifth wall 45. The
cutout 50A of the fifth wall 45 is located on the first wall 41-side of a sheet
12
XX040A3123-Wl__English_SpecJbrJilmg
member 33-side end of t he fifth wall 45.
[0042]
An inlet port 61 is provided on the second wall 42. A supply port 63
is provided on the fifth wall 45. An air communication port 67 is provided
on the eighth wall 48. The supphy port 63 is located between the third wall
43 and the tenth wall 50 in the Z-axis direction. The inlet port 61 and the
supply port 63 respectively serve to make outside of the casing 31
communicate with inside of the recess 35A. The air communication port 67
serves to make outside of t he casing 31 communicate with inside of t he
recess 37A. The inlet port 61 is open in the longitudinal direction (Z-axis
direction) of t he fourth wall 44. The supply port 63 and the air
communication port 67 are respectively open in a direction intersecting with
the longitudinal direction of the fourth wall 44.
[0043]
As shown in Fig. 6, a communication p a t h 81 is provided in the
casing 31 to make the recess 37A and the recess 35A communicate with each
other. The communication path 81 is parted by a partition wall 82 and the
tenth wall 50 in the recess 35A. The partition wall 82 is protruded from the
first wall 41 in the -X-axis direction, i.e., from the first wall 41 toward the
sheet member 33, in the recess 35A. The partition wall 82 is continuous
with the tenth wall 50 as shown in Fig. 6. The communication p a t h 81 is
formed as a groove in the partition wall 82. The communication path 81
provided as a groove in the partition wall 82 is formed to be concave in a
direction from an opposite side end to a first wall 41-side of t he partition wall
82 toward the first wall 41. The amount of protrusion of the partition wall
82 from the first wall 41 is set to be equal to the protrusion amounts of the
second wall '12 to the tenth wall 50.
{0044]
As shown in Fig. 5, the sheet member 33 is arranged to face the first
wall 41 across the second wall 42 to the tenth wall 50 in the X-axis direction.
In the planar view, the sheet member 33 has dimensions to cover the recess
35A and the recess 37A. The sheet member 33 is joined with respective
ends of the second wall 42 to the t e n th wall 50 and the partition wall 82 with
keeping a clearance from the first wall 41. The recess 35A and the recess
37A are accordingly sealed by the sheet member 33. The sheet member 33
maj' thus be regarded as a cover for the casing 31.
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XX040A3123-Wl_English_SpecJbr_filing
[0045]
In the tank 9, as shown in Fig. 7, ink 91 is contained inside of the
recess 35A. Fig. 7 illustrates a section of t he inlet port 61, the supply port
63, the air communication port 67 and the communication path 81 of t he
tank 9 cut along a YZ plane. The ink 91 in the recess 35A is supplied from
the supply port 63 to the liquid ejection head 19. According to this
embodiment, for example, in the use state of the printer 3 for printing, the
supply tube 16 is connected with the supply port 63, and the inlet port 61 is
closed by the plug 93. The supply tube 16 connects the supply port 63 with
the relay unit 21. The ink 91 in the recess 35A is supplied from the supply
port 63 through the supply tube 16 into the relay unit 21. The relay unit 21
is provided with a supply path 95 connecting with the liquid ejection head 19
The ink 91 in the relay unit 21 is flowed through a filter 94 and is supplied
through the supply p a t h 95 to the liquid ejection head 19.
[0046]
The amount of the ink 91 in the relay unit 21 decreases with progress
in printing by means of the liquid ejection head 19. During this time, the
internal pressure of the relay unit 21 decreases to be lower t h a n the
atmospheric pressure. When the internal pressure of the relay unit 21
becomes lower than a negative pressure based on a head difference Dl
between the tank 9 and the liquid ejection head 19, the ink 91 in the recess
35Ais supplied through the supply tube 16 into the relay unit 21 due to this
pressure difference. The head difference Dl corresponds to a difference in
height in the vertical direction between an ink surface adjacent to the air
chamber 37 in the tank 9 (in this embodiment, a surface 50B of the tenth
wall 50 facing the second wall 42) and the nozzle 20 of the liquid ejection
head 19.
(0047]
According to this embodiment, the surface 50B is located vertically
below a lower limit line LMl indicating a lower limit of the amount of the ink
91 in the tank 9. The surface 50B is also located vertically above the supply
port 63. In the state that a liquid level 91A of t he ink 91 in the recess 35Ais
located between an upper limit line LM2 indicating an upper limit of the
amount of the ink 91 in the tank 9 and the lower limit line LMl, this
configuration reduces a variation in head difference Dl accompanied with a
change in position of t he liquid level 91A. As a result, this makes the ink 91
14
XX040A3123-Wl__English_Spec_for_filing
likely to be supplied stably to the liquid ejection head 19. This
configuration is also likely to lower the height position in the vertical
direction of the liquid ejection head 19 relative to the tank 9. Accordingly,
this is likely to reduce the height dimension of t h e printer 3 in a
configuration that the long tank 9 is stood in the vertical direction. This
results in downsizing the printer 3 and the multifunction printer 1.
[0048]
The amount of the ink 91 in the recess 35A decreases with progress
in printing by means of the liquid ejection head 19. During this time, the
internal pressure of the recess 35A decreases to be lower t h a n the
atmospheric pressure. When the internal pressure of t he recess 35A
becomes lower t h a n the atmospheric pressure, the air 97 in the recess 37A is
flowed through the communication p a t h 81 into the recess 35A. The
internal pressure of the recess 35A is thus more likely to be maintained at
the atmospheric pressure. In the communication p a t h 81, a meniscus is
formed on the boundary between the ink 91 on the recess 35A-side and the
air on the recess 37A-side. This suppresses the ink 91 in the recess 35A
from being flowed into the recess 37A.
[0049]
The ink 91 in the tank 9 is thus supplied to the liquid ejection head
19 as described above. When the ink 91 in the recess 35Aof the tank 9 is
consumed and the remaining amount of t he ink 91 reaches the lower limit,
the operator is allowed to refill the tank 9 with ink newly supplied from the
inlet port 61. In the course of newly pouring ink into the tank 9, the air
communication port 67 is closed, and the ink flow p a t h from the supply port
63 to the nozzle 20 of the liquid ejection head 19 is closed. This suppresses
the poured ink from flowing through the communication path 81 into the air
chamber 37 (recess 37A) in the course of newly pouring the ink into the tank
9. This also suppresses the poured ink from flowing out of the supply port
63 toward the liquid ejection head 19 in the course of newly pouring the ink
into the tank 9. When the amount of ink poured from the inlet port 61
reaches the upper limit in the container portion 35, the operator places the
plug 93 in the inlet port 61 and subsequently opens the air communication
port 67 and the ink flow path from the supply port 63 to the nozzle 20 of the
liquid ejection head 19.
[0050]
15
XX040A3123-Wl_English_Spec_for_filing
In the attitude of the printer 3 t h a t a liquid is ejectable from the
liquid ejection head 19, the plug 93 placed in the inlet port 61 is covered by
the cover of the printer 3. This configuration reduces the likelihood t h a t the
plug 93 is accidentally removed by, for example, the operator's improper use.
[0051]
According to this embodiment, the scanner unit 5 or the cover of the
printer 3 corresponds to the cover. The plug 93 corresponds to the sealing
member. The supply tube 16 corresponds to the tube. The Z-axis direction
corresponds to the first direction. The supply port 63 corresponds to the
outlet port. The communication path 81 corresponds to the air introducing
path.
[0052]
According to this embodiment, the ink in the container portion 35 is
visible through the fourth wall 44 of the tank 9. The window 14 provided in
the casing 7 of t he printer 3 is located to overlap the fourth wall 44 of t he
tank 9, so that the ink in the container portion 35 is visible from outside of
the casing 7. In this printer 3, this enables the ink in the tank 9 to be
visually checked from outside of the casing 7. Additionally, in this printer 3,
the longitudinal direction of the container portion 35 is the Z-axis direction.
Accordingly, in this printer 3, the ink in the tank 9 is visible from outside of
the casing 7 along the longitudinal direction of the container portion 35.
This configuration allows the operator to visually check the ink in each tank
9 over the wide range of the container portion 35, thus improving the
visibility of ink.
[0053]
According to this embodiment, in the use state of the printer 3, the
Z-axis direction intersects with the horizontal direction. In the attitude
that the Z-axis direction intersects with the horizontal direction, the
longitudinal direction of the container portion 35 is inclined to the horizontal
direction. When the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, the
longitudinal direction of the container portion 35 is perpendicular to the
horizontal direction. The ink in the container portion 35 is accordingly
accumulated on one end side of the container portion 35 in the longitudinal
direction. This facilitates the remaining amount of ink to be visually
checked relative to the length of the container portion 35 in the Z-axis
direction. In the attitude that the Z-axis direction intersects with the
16
XX040A3123-Wl_English_Spec_for_filing
horizontal direction, consumption of a fixed amount of i nk 91 provides a
larger amount of displacement of the liquid level 91A, compared with in the
attitude that the Z-axis direction is along the horizontal direction (i.e., the
attitude that the longitudinal direction is the horizontal direction). This is
attributed to a difference in sectional area of the container portion 35 in the
horizontal direction. In the attitude that the Z-axis direction intersects
with the horizontal direction, the remaining amount of ink is more readily
recognizable with the eye, compared with the attitude t h a t the Z-axis
direction is along the horizontal direction.
[0054]
[Second Embodiment]
A printer 3 according to a second embodiment has four tanks 101 as
shown in Fig. 8 that is a perspective view of mechanics 11. In the use state
of t he printer 3, a fourth wall 44 of each of the tanks 101 faces the front. In
the second embodiment, on the other hand, when ink is to be newly poured
into the tank 101, the operator rotates the tank 101 in an illustrated
direction Rl prior to the pouring operation. In other words, the tanks 101
are configured to be rotatable in the second embodiment.
[0055]
When the tank 101 is rotated in the direction R l , the attitude of the
tank 101 is changed as shown in Fig. 9. When the tank 101 is rotated in the
direction Rl, a second wall 42 of the tank 101 faces the front, and a plug 93
provided in an inlet port 61 (described later) of the tank 9 is exposed. As
described above, the configuration of the second embodiment is similar to the
configuration of t he multifunction printer 1 and the printer 3 of the first
embodiment, except that the tanks 9 of the first embodiment are replaced
with the tanks 101 and that the tanks 101 are configured to be rotatable.
Accordingly, in the description below, the identical components to those of
the first embodiment are expressed by the identical signs to those of the first
embodiment and are not described in detail here.
[0056]
As shown in Fig. 10, the tank 101 has a casing 103 and a sheet
member 105. The casing 103 is made of t he same material as that of the
casing 31. The sheet member 105 is also made of the same material as that
of t he sheet member 33. The casing 103 includes a container portion 35 and
an air chamber 37. The container portion 35 includes a first wall 41 to a
17
XX040A3123-Wl_English_Spec_for_filing
fifth wall 45 and has a similar configuration to that of the first embodiment.
The air chamber 37 includes the first wall 41 and a sixth wall 46 to a tenth
wall 50 and has a similar configuration to that of the first embodiment. In
the second embodiment, the second wall 42 and the sixth wall 46 form a step.
In other words, in the second embodiment, the second wall 42 is not
continuous with the sixth wall 46.
[0057]
In the longitudinal direction (Z-axis direction) of the fourth wall 44,
the sixth wall 46 is located on a third wall 43-side of the second wall 42. In
the longitudinal direction of t he fourth wall 44, an inlet port 61 is provided in
the fifth wall 45 arranged to connect the second wall 42 with the sixth wall
46. According to the second embodiment, the inlet port 61 is open in a
direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the fourth wall 44.
The sheet member 105 has a similar configuration to t h a t of the sheet
member 33 except a portion formed to along the step between the second
wall 42 and the sixth wall 46. The supply of ink from the t a n k 101 to the
liquid ejection head 19 and the head difference Dl of the second embodiment
are similar to those of t he first embodiment and are not specifically described
here.
[0058]
According to the second embodiment, when ink is newly poured into
the tank 101, the tank 101 is maintained in an attitude that the longitudinal
direction of the fourth wall 44 and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction)
intersect with each other (hereinafter called pouring attitude) as shown in
Fig. 11. In the pouring attitude illustrated in Fig. 11, the longitudinal
direction of the fourth wall 44 and the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) are
perpendicular to each other. In the pouring attitude, the second wall 42 of
the tank 101 faces the front as shown in Fig. 9. In the use state of the
printer 3, on the other hand, the longitudinal direction of the fourth wall 44
of the tank 101 and the horizontal direction (XY plane) of the tank 101 arc
maintained in such an attitude that intersect with each other (hereinafter
called use attitude). In the pouring attitude shown in Fig. 11, the operator
newly pours ink from a bottle 109 or the like filled with new ink through the
inlet port 61 into the tank 101. The second embodiment described above
has the similar advantageous effects to those of the first embodiment.
[0059]
18
XX040A3123-Wl_English_SpecJfor_filing
In the attitude of t he printer 3 that a liquid is ejectable from the
liquid ejection head 19, the plug 93 placed in the inlet port 61 is covered by
the cover of t he printer 3. This configuration reduces the likelihood that the
plug 93 is accidentally removed bj', for example, the operator's improper use.
[0060]
With regard to the tank 9 or the tank 101, the sectional area of the
container portion 35 in the horizontal direction (XY plane) is preferably
constant from the upper limit line LM2 to the lower limit line LMl in the
vertical direction. This configuration provides a constant proportionality
factor between the amount of consumption of the ink 91 in the container
portion 35 and the amount of displacement of the liquid level 91A. The
constant proportionality factor between the amount of consumption of the
ink 91 in the container portion 35 and the amount of displacement of the
liquid level 91 facilitates a change in the remaining amount of the ink 91 in
the container portion 35 to be accurately recognized. In the use attitude,
the configuration of the container portion 35 is not limited to the
configuration described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment,
as long as the sectional area of t he container portion 35 in the horizontal
direction (XY plane) is constant from the upper limit line LM2 to the lower
limit line LMl in the vertical direction. As long as the sectional area of t he
container portion 35 is constant in the use attitude, the container portion 35
may employ a configuration that the fourth wall 44 and the fifth wall 45 are
formed b3r curved surfaces as shown in Fig. 12.
[0061]
In the respective embodiments described above, when the liquid
ejection apparatus has the functions of the printer 3 but does not have the
functions of the scanner unit 5, the cover of the printer 3 arranged to cover
the plug 93 may have any configuration that covers the casing 7. In this
modified application, the casing 7 may be formed integrally with the cover of
the printer 3.
[0062]
In the respective embodiments described above, the liquid ejection
apparatus may be a liquid ejection apparatus that sprays, ejects or applies
and thereby consumes a liquid other than ink. The liquid ejected in the
form of very small amounts of droplets from the liquid ejection apparatus
may be in a granular shape, a teardrop shape or a tapered threadlike shape.
19
XX040A3123-Wl„English_Spec_for_nling
The liquid herein may be any material consumed in the,liquid ejection
apparatus. The liquid may be any material in the liquid phase and may
include liquid-state materials of high viscosity or low viscosity, sols, aqueous
gels and other liquid-state materials including inorganic solvents, organic
solvents, solutions, liquid resins and liquid metals (metal melts). The liquid
is not limited to the liquid state as one of the three states of matter but
includes solutions, dispersions and mixtures of t he functional solid material
particles, such as pigment particles or metal particles, solved in, dispersed in
or mixed with a solvent. Typical examples of the liquid include ink
described in the above embodiments and liquid crystal. The ink herein
includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as various
liquid compositions, such as gel inks and hot-melt inks. A concrete example
of t h e liquid consuming apparatus may be a liquid ejection apparatus t h at
ejects a liquid in the form of a dispersion or a solution containing a material
such as an electrode material or a color material used for production of liquid
crystal displays, EL (electroluminescent) displays, surface emission displays
and color fdters. The liquid ejection apparatus may also be a liquid ejection
apparatus that ejects a bioorganic material used for manufacturing biochips,
a liquid ejection apparatus that is used as a precision pipette and ejects a
liquid as a sample, a printing apparatus or a micro dispenser. Additionally,
the liquid ejection apparatus may be a liquid ejection apparatus for pinpoint
ejection of lubricating oil on precision machines such as machines and
cameras or a liquid ejection apparatus that ejects a transparent resin
solution of, for example, an ultraviolet curable resin, onto a substrate to
manufacture a hemispherical microlens (optical lens) used for optical
communication elements and the like. As another example, the liquid
ejection apparatus may be a liquid ejection apparatus that ejects an acidic or
alkaline etching solution to etch a substrate or the like.
Reference Signs List
[0063]
1 multifunction printer
3 printer
5 scanner unit
7 casing
9 tank
20
XX040A3123-Wl_English_SpecJbr_filing
11
12
14
15
16
17
19
20
21
31
35A
33
35
37
37A
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
50A
50B
61
63
67
81
82
91
91A
93
95
mechanics
operation panel
window
liquid ejection assembly
supply tube
carriage
liquid ejection head
nozzle
relay unit
casing
recess
sheet member
container portion
air chamber
recess
first wall
second wall
third wall
fourth wall
fifth wall
sixth wall
seventh wall
eighth wall
ninth wall
tenth wall
cutout
surface
inlet port
supply port
air communication port
communication path
partition wall
ink
liquid level
plug
supply path
XX040A3123-Wl_English_Spec_forJiling
97 the air
101 tank
103 casing
105 sheet member
P printing medium
22
XX040A3123-Wl_English_SpecJbr„filing

CLAIMS:
1. A liquid ejection apparatus, comprising:
a tank configured to contain a liquid J
a liquid ejection head communicated with the tank and configured to
eject the liquid!
a casing configured to place the tank and the liquid ejection head
inside thereof; and
a cover configured to cover the casing,
the tank comprising a container portion configured to contain the
liquid, an air introducing path arranged to introduce the air into the
container portion, an inlet port configured to pour the hquid into the
container portion, a sealing member configured to seal the inlet port, and an
outlet port formed to supply the liquid through a tube into the liquid ejection
head, and
in an attitude that the liquid is ejectable from the liquid ejection head,
the liquid being contained in the container portion such that a liquid level of
the liquid in the container portion is located at a higher position than a
nozzle of the liquid ejection head in a vertical direction; an inlet port, which
is an opening of the ah* introducing path on a container portion side thereof,
being located at a lower position than the nozzle of the hquid ejection head in
the vertical direction; and the sealing member being covered by part of the
cover.
2. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 3,
the cover constituting part of a scanner unit.
3. The liquid ejection apparatus according to either claim 1 or claim
2,
the tank further comprising an air chamber communicated with the
container portion via the air introducing path, and an air communication
port formed to introduce the air into the air chamber.
4. The liquid ejection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
the container portion being extended in a first direction that is a
longitudinal direction of the container portion,
23
XX040A3123-Wl_English_SpecJfoi-_filing
a dimension of the container portion in the first direction being
longer than a dimension of the container portion in a direction perpendicular
to the first direction,
at least part of an area of t h e tank, which is overlapping the
container portion, having optical transparency along the first direction, and
at least an area of the casing, which is overlapping the part of the
area of the tank having optical transparency, having optical transparency.
5. The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 4,
the first direction intersecting with a horizontal direction.
6. The liquid ejection apparatus according to either claim 4 or claim
5,
a sectional area of the container portion, which is cut in a direction
perpendicular to the first direction, being constant along the first direction.
7. The liquid ejection apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
an optically transparent area of t he casing, which is the area having
optical transparency, being configured on a front side of t he liquid ejection
apparatus.
8. In a liquid ejection apparatus that includes a tank that is
configui*ed to contain a liquid; a liquid ejection head that communicates with
the tank and is configured to eject the liquid; a casing that is configured to
place the t a n k and the liquid ejection head inside thereof; and a cover t h a t is
configured to cover the casing, the tank comprising:
a container portion configured to contain the liquid;
an air introducing path arranged to introduce the air into the
container portion!
an inlet port configured to pour the liquid into the container portion;
a sealing member configured to seal the inlet port; and
an outlet port formed to supply the liquid through a tube into the
liquid ejection head,
in an attitude that the liquid is ejectable from the liquid ejection head,
the liquid being contained in the container portion such that a liquid level of
the liquid in the container portion is located at a higher position than a
24
XX040A3123-WlJEnglish_Spec_forjmng
nozzle of the liquid ejection head in a vertical direction; an inlet port, which
is an opening of the air introducing path on a container portion side thereof,
being located at a lower position than the nozzle of the liquid ejection head in
the vertical direction; and the sealing member being covered by part of the
cover.
i
9. The tank according to claim 8,
the container portion being extended in a first direction that is a
longitudinal direction of the container portion,
a dimension of the container portion in the first direction being
longer than a dimension of the container portion in a direction perpendicular
to the first direction,
at least part of an area of the tank, which is overlapping the
container portion, having optical transparency in the first direction, and
a sectional area of the container portion, which is cut in a direction
perpendicular to the first direction, being constant along the first direction.