JP2014034191A - Liquid ejection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid ejection device that allows work of leading out liquid supply tubes to be easily performed.SOLUTION: A liquid ejection device comprises: a device main body 12 formed with an opening 12K exposing at least a part of a movement area of a carriage 21; an image reading section 13 displaceable with respect to the device main body 12; an ink tank 19T positioned outside a printing function section; ink supply tubes 40 for supplying ink from the ink tank 19T to a liquid ejection head; and a spacer 51 for forming a gap between the device main body 12 and the image reading section 13. A storage section 12S of a paper feed cassette 15 is constituted by a housing portion protrusively formed in a discharge direction of a sheet. An operation panel section 18 is constituted by a housing portion exhibiting an inclined surface where a lower side protrudes closer to a discharge direction side than an upper side. The spacer 51 causes the ink supply tubes 40 to pass through the gap formed while forming the gap that is large enough so as not to block at least ink flow passages of the ink supply tubes 40.

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid onto a target.

  Conventionally, as a kind of liquid ejecting apparatus, an ink jet printer that performs printing (recording) by ejecting ink from a liquid ejecting head to a target such as a sheet is known. In such a printer, in order to continuously and stably supply ink to the liquid ejecting head when a relatively large amount of printing is performed, ink is supplied from an ink tank having a relatively large ink storage capacity through an ink supply tube. A configuration for supplying ink to a cartridge has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In the printer having such a configuration, the liquid ejecting head is mounted on a carriage provided in the main body casing (main body housing) so as to be capable of reciprocating in the main scanning direction with respect to the paper. An ink supply tube extending from a liquid container (ink tank) provided outside the casing is inserted into the carriage movement region through the upper opening of the casing, and the ink cartridge mounted on the carriage is inserted into the carriage. Connected.

  At this time, a cover member (cover) that is displaceable in a direction to open and close the opening is provided in the main body housing, and an ink supply tube is provided between the cover member displaced in a direction to close the opening and the casing. Will be sandwiched. Therefore, a spacer for inserting the ink supply tube is provided between the cover member and the peripheral portion of the opening. The spacer has a substantially annular shape that allows the ink supply tube to be inserted by moving the ink supply tube in the length direction thereof, and the ink supply tube inserted inside the spacer makes its outer surface abut against the inner surface of the spacer. Is restricted from moving in the direction intersecting the length direction.

Taiwan Patent No. 538909

  Therefore, in the printer having the above configuration, when the ink supply tube is attached to or removed from the spacer, the end of the ink supply tube that is connected to the ink tank or the ink cartridge is the connection partner. It was necessary to remove it from the ink tank or ink cartridge. That is, in the ink supply tube, the end connected to the ink tank or the ink cartridge is once removed through a free end, and the spacer is moved while moving the ink supply tube in the length direction. It was necessary to insert it inside and remove it from the inside of the spacer. As a result, there is a problem that a complicated operation is required when the ink supply tube is routed while restricting movement in the direction intersecting the length direction.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus that can easily perform an operation of drawing a liquid supply tube.

A liquid ejecting apparatus that solves the above problem includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto a target;
A carriage provided with the liquid ejecting head is movably arranged, and a housing part formed with an opening that exposes at least a part of a movement region of the carriage, and the opening part with respect to the housing part. A cover member provided so as to be displaceable in a direction to open and close; a liquid storage portion positioned outside the housing portion in a state in which the liquid is stored; and the liquid between the liquid storage portion and the liquid ejecting head. A liquid supply tube that is connected to be able to flow, a gap forming member that forms a gap between the housing portion and the cover member when the cover member is displaced toward the opening, and the target is accommodated A feed that is provided in a state of projecting in the discharge direction together with the casing portion by allowing a possible feeding cassette to be detachably accommodated in the casing portion formed to protrude in the discharge direction of the target A set portion, and an operation panel portion provided on the inclined surface of the casing portion that presents an inclined surface in which the lower side protrudes toward the discharge direction side from the upper side at a position higher than the feeding cassette unit, The gap forming member forms a gap having a size that does not block at least the liquid flow path of the liquid supply tube, and the liquid supply tube passes through the gap.

  According to this configuration, by providing the gap forming member between the casing portion and the cover member, the liquid is supplied to the liquid ejecting head side without removing the end portion by the liquid supply tube that does not block the liquid flow path. The operation of drawing in a state where it can be supplied can be easily performed.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the gap forming member has an abutting portion that abuts on an outer surface of the liquid supply tube and restricts the liquid supply tube from moving in a direction intersecting the length direction thereof. .

  According to this configuration, even if the end of the liquid supply tube is not removed, by passing the liquid supply tube through the gap formed by the gap forming member, the outer surface thereof comes into contact with the contact portion of the gap forming member. Since it passes, it can be in the state where it was controlled to move in the direction which intersects the length direction. Therefore, the operation of drawing the liquid supply tube while restricting the movement in the direction intersecting the length direction can be easily performed.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the gap forming member has a recess into which the liquid supply tube can be inserted.
According to this configuration, the liquid supply tube is inserted into the inside of the recess through the opening of the recess, and the liquid supply tube is brought into contact with the inner surface of the recess, thereby removing the end of the liquid supply tube without removing the end of the liquid supply tube. Movement can be regulated.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the gap forming member has a slit for passing the liquid supply tube.
According to this configuration, by moving the liquid supply tube between the state inserted into the gap forming member and the non-inserted state through the slit formed in a part of the gap forming member, the end of the liquid supply tube is moved. It is possible to easily perform the operation of routing the liquid supply tube without removing it.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the gap forming member includes a fixing screw that is screwed to at least one of the housing portion and the cover member.
According to this configuration, the fixing screw protrudes from the surface of the housing portion at the shaft portion that is not screwed with the housing portion, so that a gap can be formed between the housing portion and the cover member. Further, for example, by fixing the fixing screws next to each other and inserting the liquid supply tube between the shaft portions through the gap between the adjacent fixing screws to bring the liquid supply tube into contact with the shaft portion, the end of the liquid supply tube is The movement of the liquid supply tube can be regulated without removing it.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the gap forming member is provided in the cover member, and the liquid supply tube has a slit that is detached from the gap forming member when the cover member is displaced in a direction to open the opening. It is preferable to have.

  According to this configuration, the liquid supply tube is removed without removing the end of the liquid supply tube from the gap forming member that is displaced integrally with the cover member as the cover member is displaced in the direction of opening the opening. Can be removed.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the liquid supply tube is connected to a plurality of tubes via a joint that connects the tubes.
According to this configuration, the liquid supply tube can be adjusted to an optimum length for routing by connecting a plurality of tubes.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that one or a plurality of the liquid supply tubes are provided.
According to this configuration, the liquid can be supplied from the respective liquid storage units to the liquid jet heads by the number of liquid supply tubes corresponding to the number of the liquid storage units.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a first printer in the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the first printer in a state where a stacker and a manual sheet feeding mechanism are opened. The perspective view which shows the 1st printer in the state which opened the image reading part. (A), (b) The schematic front view of a spacer. (A), (b) The perspective view which shows an example of a coupling. FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a first printer having another routing structure for an ink supply tube in the second embodiment. The perspective view which shows a 1st printer provided with the routing structure of the ink supply tube in 3rd Embodiment. (A), (b) The model perspective view which shows the routing structure of an ink supply tube. (A), (b) The model perspective view which shows the routing structure of the ink supply tube in 4th Embodiment. The perspective view which shows a 1st printer provided with the drawing structure of an ink supply tube. The perspective view which shows a 1st printer provided with the routing structure of the ink supply tube in 5th Embodiment. The front sectional view which shows the fixing screw in a latching | locking part. The partial side view which shows a 1st printer. Schematic front view showing spacers in the sixth embodiment The perspective view which shows a 2nd printer provided with the drawing structure of an ink supply tube. The perspective view which shows the 2nd printer in 7th Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the 2nd printer in the state which opened the stacker and the manual paper feed mechanism. The perspective view which shows a 2nd printer provided with the drawing structure of an ink supply tube. (A) The perspective view which shows a 2nd printer provided with the routing structure of the ink supply tube in other embodiment, (b) The front view of a spacer. (A) The perspective view which shows a 2nd printer provided with the routing structure of the ink supply tube in other embodiment, (b) A front view in a spacer. (A) The perspective view which shows a 2nd printer provided with the routing structure of the ink supply tube in other embodiment, (b) A front view in a spacer. (A) The perspective view which shows a 2nd printer provided with the routing structure of the ink supply tube in other embodiment, (b) A front view in a spacer. The perspective view which shows the 2nd printer provided with the routing structure of the ink supply tube in other embodiment. (A)-(d) The perspective view which shows the other example of a spacer.

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, as a first embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus, an ink jet that includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects ink as an example of liquid and ejects ink onto paper as an example of a target to print an image including characters and figures The type printer will be described with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 11 according to the present embodiment includes a printing function unit 12 </ b> A (printer unit) including an apparatus body 12 having a printing function, and an image reading unit 13 (scanner) having a scanning function above the apparatus body 12. Unit). In the following description, this printer composed of a multifunction machine is referred to as the first printer 11. The first printer 11 supplies ink from an ink tank 19T (see FIG. 3) as an example of a separate liquid container that has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape through an ink supply tube 40 (see FIG. 3) provided by a fixed portion. Receive.

  The first printer 11 is provided with a printing function unit 12A as an example of a housing unit that houses the printing unit 20 on the lower side in the gravity direction, and on the upper side on the anti-gravity direction side. An image reading unit 13 having an image reading mechanism such as a scanner for reading a document (image) is provided as an example of a cover member. The image reading unit 13 is configured to rotate (displace) around a hinge 13a provided at one end (rear side) of the apparatus main body 12, and to lift the front side opposite to the hinge 13a. That is, a hand grip portion 13T is recessed on the side surface (both left and right side surfaces) of the image reading section 13, and the user of the first printer 11 inserts his hand into the hand grip portion 13T for maintenance, for example. The part 13 can be lifted. By this lifting, the opening 12K (see FIG. 3) that exposes at least a part of the moving region of the carriage 21 that is arranged to be reciprocally movable in the printing function unit 12A (that is, the apparatus main body 12) is exposed.

  Further, an automatic document feeder 14 (Auto document feeder) that automatically supplies a read document to the image reading unit 13 is disposed above the image reading unit 13. The automatic document feeder 14 rotates around a hinge 14a (see FIG. 2) provided at one end (rear side) of the apparatus body 12, and the front side opposite to the hinge 14a is lifted. By lifting the automatic document feeder 14, the document table 13b (see FIG. 2) forming the upper surface of the image reading unit 13 is exposed, and the user can manually supply the read document to the image reading unit 13. is there.

  Here, the automatic document feeder 14 includes a document tray 14d for setting a document on the upper side of a rectangular plate-shaped main body 14c, and a guide member for positioning the document in the width direction on the document tray 14d. 14e is provided. The documents set on the document tray 14d are fed one by one onto the document table 13b of the image reading unit 13 by the operation of the feeding mechanism unit 14f arranged on the left side in FIG. 14c is discharged.

  A sheet feeding cassette 15 that can store a plurality of sheets of paper P is detachably provided at the lower portion of the apparatus main body 12. The paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 15 is fed one by one from the rear to the front to the printing unit 20 provided in the printing function unit 12A, and the printing unit 20 feeds the fed paper P Print on. That is, the paper P fed from the paper feed cassette 15 is transported to the printing unit 20 by a transport mechanism including rollers 24 and 25 described later. In the printing unit 20, the sheet from the liquid ejecting head 22 reciprocally moves by a moving mechanism along a direction (referred to as the main scanning direction X) intersecting the transport direction of the paper P (referred to as the sub-scanning direction Y). Ink is ejected onto P, and an image or the like is printed on paper P. The printed paper P that has been printed by the printing unit 20 is discharged (discharged) from a paper discharge port 16 provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A).

  In the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A), a stacker 17 as an example of a discharge tray that receives the paper P discharged from the paper discharge port 16 is positioned above the paper feed cassette 15 and below the paper discharge port 16. Is stored. The stacker 17 is used by being pulled out from the apparatus main body 12 by a length corresponding to the size of the discharged paper P.

  The housing portion 12S having a housing recess for housing the paper feed cassette 15 and the stacker 17 at the center in the width direction is configured by a housing portion that is formed to protrude in the paper P discharge direction (here, the sub-scanning direction Y). Yes. The container 12S is protruded in this way because the length required in the sub-scanning direction Y of the paper feed cassette 15 is longer than the length in the sub-scanning direction Y of the housing 12H required for the printing unit 20. This is because it is long. For this reason, the paper feed cassette 15 and the stacker 17 are accommodated so that the front end faces are aligned in the accommodating portion 12S in a state of protruding from the apparatus main body 12 in the sub-scanning direction Y (forward). Specifically, when the length of the apparatus main body 12 in the sub-scanning direction Y is determined in accordance with the length of the paper feed cassette 15 required to accommodate the paper P of a predetermined size (for example, A4 size). Since the apparatus main body 12 is increased in size (increase in the bottom area), only the accommodating portion of the paper feed cassette 15 is protruded in order to avoid this as much as possible. In other words, the portions of the paper feed cassette 15 and the housing portion 12S are protruded forward by passing through both sides of the housing portion 12S for housing the paper feed cassette 15. Further, since the front position when the stacker 17 is stored is determined in accordance with the front position where the paper feed cassette 15 protrudes, the protruding length when the stacker 17 is pulled out is secured relatively long. Further, the protrusion enables the stacker 17 to be easily pulled out from the apparatus main body 12 by the gripping portion 17a. In this manner, the first printer 11 is increased in size (especially the bottom of the printer) while the sheet feeding cassette 15 is detachably provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 12 and the sheet can be fed from the front side of the apparatus main body 12. (Increase in area) is relatively suppressed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, operations for performing various operations such as causing the printing unit 20 to perform a printing operation at a position above the paper discharge port 16 in the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A). A panel portion 18 is disposed. The base 12 </ b> B of the operation panel unit 18 is configured by a housing portion that has an inclined surface that protrudes toward the discharge direction of the paper P (that is, the sub-scanning direction Y) from the upper side thereof. A display unit (for example, a liquid crystal display) 18a and operation buttons 18b for displaying a menu screen and the like are attached to the inclined surface of the base 12B. The operation buttons 18b include, for example, a power button, a selection button for selecting a desired item from the menu screen, and a print start button for instructing start of printing. The operation panel unit 18 protrudes forward of the apparatus main body 12 and the display surface and the operation surface thereof are inclined to the front, so that the visibility of the display unit 18a and the operability of the operation buttons 18b are good for the user. Secured.

  The printing unit 20 included in the first printer 11 of the present embodiment includes a carriage 21 as an example of a moving body that reciprocates in the main scanning direction X, and a liquid ejecting head 22 that ejects ink onto the carriage 21. Provided. The carriage 21 is guided by a guide frame 30 that is a plate member extending along the main scanning direction X, and is arranged to be movable (reciprocating) in the main scanning direction X. The guide frame 30 has an upper rail 31A and a lower rail 31B formed by bending the members into a substantially U shape at both upper and lower end portions of the plate member orthogonal to the main scanning direction X. The carriage 21 reciprocates in the main scanning direction X with its rear end supported by the upper rail 31A and the lower rail 31B. Then, the ink supplied from the ink tank 19T (see FIG. 3) through the ink supply tube 40 is ejected from the liquid ejecting head 22 provided in the carriage 21 that reciprocates, and printing on the paper P is performed.

  The carriage 21 has a substantially square box shape with the upper part opened, and an adapter AD that relays ink supplied through the ink supply tube 40 to the liquid ejecting head 22 is mounted on the concave mounting portion of the carriage 21. Yes. Ink is supplied to the liquid jet head 22 from the adapter AD mounted on the carriage 21. Therefore, the ink supply tube 40 connected to the adapter AD forms a part of an ink flow path in which ink can flow between the ink tank 19T and the liquid ejecting head 22.

  The first printer 11 of this example is compatible with color printing. In the example of FIG. 1, the adapter AD is mounted with a plurality (for example, four) of the same number of ink colors (for example, four colors) necessary for color printing. . Of course, only the black adapter AD can be attached, and the first printer 11 can be used as a monochrome printing compatible printer. The carriage 21 can be used with an ink cartridge mounted thereon, and the adapter AD has a square plate shape that matches the shape and size of the ink cartridge corresponding to the first printer 11. However, since the ink volume is smaller than that of the ink cartridge, the shape and size of the adapter AD may be appropriately changed as long as it can be mounted on the mounted portion of the carriage 21.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a slot 32 for inserting a card such as a memory card or a communication card and a communication port corresponding to a predetermined communication method such as USB communication are provided at the left end of the front surface of the apparatus body 12. 33 (connector) is provided. The first printer 11 can perform printing based on data received from a host device via USB communication or the like, and photo printing performed by reading image data such as a photo from a memory card.

  FIG. 2 shows the first printer 11 with the automatic document feeder 14 removed. When the automatic document feeder 14 is opened, the document table 13b of the image reading unit 13 shown in FIG. 2 is exposed, and is long in the sub-scanning direction Y at a position below the reading surface (glass surface). The read head 13 </ b> H is provided so as to be movable in the main scanning direction X. A concave groove 13c that accommodates a flexible flat cable 13F (hereinafter referred to as “FFC13F”) connected to one end of the reading head 13H is formed at the bottom of the image reading unit 13 so as to extend in the main scanning direction X. Has been. When the reading head 13H moves in the main scanning direction X, the FFC 13F moves in the concave groove 13c so as to follow this, so that the reading head 13H receives the original reading signal through the FFC 13F throughout the moving path. Transmission to a controller (not shown) in one printer 11 is possible. Note that a conveyance surface 13 d of a sheet fed from the automatic document feeder 14 is formed at a position adjacent to the document table 13 b on the upper surface of the image reading unit 13.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a manual paper feed mechanism 35 is provided on the back side of the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A). The manual paper feed mechanism 35 is a mechanism for feeding one sheet of paper P set manually by the user. The manual paper feed mechanism 35 includes a substantially square plate-shaped paper feed tray 35a, a pair of paper guides 35b operated when positioning the paper P on the paper feed tray 35a in the width direction, and the manual paper feed mechanism 35. And a protective plate 35c provided for the purpose of preventing a foreign matter or the like from dropping to a feeding port (not shown) in the open state. The paper feed tray 35a is provided so as to be rotatable within a predetermined angle range with a base end portion (lower end portion in FIG. 2) as a center, and has an open position shown in FIG. 2 and is placed at a closed position where it is rotated from the open position to the front side of FIG. The protection plate 35c is urged in a direction approaching the paper feed tray 35a side by the elastic force of a torsion coil spring (not shown). When the paper feed tray 35a is opened, the lower region of the paper feed tray 35a is separated by a predetermined distance ( For example, it is disposed in a protective position shown in FIG. 2, which is arranged in a posture separated by 3 to 10 mm to prevent foreign matter from entering the feeding port.

  The stacker 17 is a three-stage type as an example, and includes a first tray 17b, a second tray 17c, and a third tray 17d. The first tray 17b is slidably connected to the apparatus body 12, and the second tray 17c is slidably connected to the first tray 17b. The third tray 17d is pivotally connected to the tip of the second tray 17c, and is in a closed position in which the third tray 17d is stored so as to overlap the second tray 17c. It is placed in an open position that rises in posture and also functions as a paper stopper.

  Next, the configuration of the printing unit 20 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, a position in the housing 12 </ b> H that faces the lower surface (nozzle formation surface) of the liquid jet head 22 (see FIG. 1) provided at the lower portion of the carriage 21 is along the main scanning direction X. A long support base 23 extending in the direction is arranged. A transport roller 24 and a paper discharge roller 25 are disposed at positions upstream and downstream of the support base 23 in the sub-scanning direction Y. The paper P accommodated in the paper feed cassette 15 is in a state where a pickup roller (not shown) is in contact with the upper surface thereof. As the pickup roller rotates, the uppermost one of the sheets P is sent out along a path passing through the rear side, and the sent out sheet P passes along the outer peripheral surface of a feeding roller (not shown). Is reversed in the sub-scanning direction Y, and then reaches the transport roller 24, and is fed onto the support base 23 by the rotation of the transport roller 24.

  In the housing 12H, an endless timing belt 27 wound around a pair of pulleys 26 is disposed along a guide frame 30 located on the back side of the carriage 21. It is fixed to a part of the timing belt 27. A linear encoder 28 extending in parallel with the timing belt 27 is stretched under the timing belt 27, and the position of the carriage 21 is detected based on the detection signal.

  When a carriage motor (not shown) whose output shaft is connected to one pulley 26 is driven forward and backward, the timing belt 27 rotates forward and backward, and the carriage 21 reciprocates in the main scanning direction X along the rails 31A and 31B. To do. A recording operation in which ink is ejected from the liquid ejecting head 22 during the movement of the carriage 21 to record one line (one pass) on the paper P, and a transport operation in which the paper P is transported to the next recording position. By alternately performing the above, a document or an image is printed on the paper P. At this time, ejection / non-ejection of ink for each nozzle of the liquid ejection head 22 is controlled according to the carriage position detected based on the detection signal of the linear encoder 28. Note that the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H is in a state in which the image reading unit 13 is closed at a position corresponding to the locking protrusion 36 protruding from the front end of the back surface of the image reading unit 13 at a substantially central position in the width direction. A locking recess 12d that is locked with the locking protrusion 36 is provided. In addition, in the upper surface portion 12U of the apparatus main body 12, a detected concave portion 38 into which a protrusion 37 provided on the back surface of the image reading portion 13 is inserted when the image reading portion 13 is closed is located slightly to the left of the locking concave portion 12d. Is formed. A vent 47 is formed around the opening 12K in the upper surface 12U of the housing 12H.

  Ink used by the liquid ejecting head 22 in this printing is supplied from each ink tank 19T in the external tank unit 19 to the liquid ejecting head 22 via each ink supply tube 40 and each adapter AD. In the tank unit 19 of this example, for example, four ink tanks 19T for storing four different colors of ink are accommodated. Examples of these four colors include black (K), cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). In the example of FIG. 3, of the four ink tanks 19T, one that stores black ink, which consumes a relatively large amount of ink, is a large tank with a wide width, and a small number of three each store three colors of color ink. It is a narrow small tank.

  The adapter AD that can be mounted on the carriage 21 is thicker for black ink and thinner than that for color ink according to the shape and size of the ink cartridge of the corresponding ink color. The carriage 21 has mounting recesses for a plurality of (four) ink cartridges, and when the adapter AD is mounted in these mounting recesses, the terminal on the back of the carriage 21 comes into contact with the terminal on the carriage 21 side.

  Next, a first embodiment relating to the arrangement of the ink supply tube 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the first embodiment, the spacer 51 as an example of a gap forming member in which a concave portion into which the ink supply tube 40 can be inserted from the direction intersecting the length direction is formed as the contact portion is used as the printing function portion 12A and the image reading portion. Provided between the unit 13.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ink tank 19 </ b> T that stores the ink supplied to the carriage 21 (adapter AD) side is disposed outside the housing on the left side when viewed from the front side in the sub-scanning direction Y with respect to the apparatus main body 12. Has been. That is, the ink tank 19T is disposed outside the moving region of the carriage 21 and at a position near the anti-home position in the main scanning direction X. One end side of the ink supply tube 40 that functions as a flow path for the ink stored in the ink tank 19T is connected to the ink tank 19T. Further, the other end side of the ink supply tube 40 is inserted into a moving region of the carriage 21 exposed from the position near the anti-home position in the main scanning direction X of the carriage 21 through the opening 12K provided in the printing function unit 12A. It is connected to an adapter AD mounted on the carriage 21.

  Specifically, one end of the ink supply tube 40 is connected to a discharge pipe (not shown) provided in communication with the ink tank 19T at the lower part of the tank unit 19, and the other end is mounted on the carriage 21. Connected to a supply pipe (not shown) on the upper surface of the adapter AD. Each ink supply tube 40 connected between the tank unit 19 and the adapter AD on the carriage 21 has an opening 12K when the hinge 13a side that pivotally supports the image reading unit 13 is the back side. Is extended in a state extending substantially straight in the main scanning direction X.

  As shown in FIG. 3, an elongated plate-like support plate 41 as an example of a support member is horizontally mounted on the upper surface of the housing 12H so as to cross the opening 12K in the sub-scanning direction Y. The length of the support plate 41 in the longitudinal direction is slightly longer than the width of the opening 12K in the sub-scanning direction Y. One end portion of the support plate 41 is fixed to the upper surface portion 12U by a fixing tool or an adhesive (not shown).

  The support plate 41 is arranged at a position for fixing a part of the ink supply tube 40 in the main scanning direction X, and the other end is fixed to the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H by a fixing tool or an adhesive (not shown). Has been. For example, an adhesive tape is used for this fixture. Of course, the fixture may be a screw or an adhesive.

  Further, at the position on the back side of the opening 12K in the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H, the protruding portion is located at the position corresponding to the protruding portion protruding at the back side corresponding to the recessed groove 13c of the image reading portion 13. A recess 12b is formed in which is disposed. In the case where the ink supply tube 40 is routed around the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H as in the present embodiment, it is desirable to route the ink supply tube 40 while avoiding the recess 12b in which the protruding portion is accommodated.

  A spacer 51 as an example of a gap forming member is fixed to the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H so as to protrude upward by a predetermined length. That is, the spacer 51 is sandwiched between the print function unit 12A and the image reading unit 13 when the image reading unit 13 is rotated in the closing direction that closes the opening 12K, whereby the image reading unit 13 and the printing unit 13 are printed. It is provided to ensure a gap through which the ink supply tube 40 is inserted between the functional unit 12A. The spacer 51 of this example is a boss 51A having a substantially U-shape when viewed from the axial direction.

  Now, the portion of the ink supply tube 40 inserted in the gap formed by the spacer 51 in the longitudinal direction and supported on the support plate 41 is fixed to the support plate 41 by the fixtures 61 and 62. Is fixed.

  Specifically, the ink supply tube 40 first extends from a tank unit 19 in which a plurality of ink tanks 19T are accommodated in a tank case, and extends in the main scanning direction X from the left side surface in FIG. The portion extending and disposed on the upper surface portion 12U is held by a spacer 51 having a U-shaped cross section fixed to the upper surface portion 12U. In this state, the ink supply tube 40 is restricted from moving in the direction intersecting the longitudinal direction.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4A, the spacer 51 has a U-shaped cross section, and is fixed in the same direction (upward) from the bottom wall portion 52a fixed to the upper surface portion 12U and both ends of the bottom wall portion 52a. And a pair of abutting portions 52b that suspend in the vertical direction. A recess 52c is formed between the pair of contact portions 52b. The recess 52c has a width that allows the four ink supply tubes 40 to be adjacently arranged in parallel. Further, the height of the contact portion 52 b is equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the ink supply tube 40, and the image reading portion 13 is closed at a place on the upper surface portion 12 U where the spacer 51 is fixed, and the back surface of the contact portion 52 b becomes the spacer 51. The value is set such that a necessary gap can be secured between the apparatus main body 12 and the image reading unit 13 when hit.

  Next, the downstream intermediate portion of the ink supply tube 40 that is closer to the adapter AD is fixed to the upper surface of the support plate 41 by the first fixing device 61 and the second fixing device 62.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the portion near the adapter AD in the ink supply tube 40 is held in a bundled state by a holding member 44 fixed to the right side surface in FIG. 3 of the carriage 21, and is held by the holding member 44. The downstream ends of the bundled positions are respectively connected to supply pipes (not shown) on the upper surface of the adapter AD.

  The middle portion of the ink supply tube 40 fixed by the fixing members 61 and 62 is restricted from moving in the length direction of the ink supply tube 40 and in the direction intersecting the length direction. Therefore, the fixtures 61 to 63 that fix the middle portion of the ink supply tube 40 function as an example of a fixing portion.

  In the present embodiment, among the plurality of fixtures 61 and 62, the first fixture 61 (for example, an adhesive tape) that fixes the ink supply tube 40 to the middle portion of the most downstream side with respect to the housing 12H. In addition, a part of the ink supply tube 40 in the length direction is a fixing unit that fixes the ink supply tube 40 in a state in which the ink supply tube 40 cannot move relative to the opening 12K. As a result, a portion between the first fixture 61 and the adapter AD in the length direction of the ink supply tube 40, more precisely, a portion between the second fixture 62 and the holding member 44 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the deformation movable portion 40H deforms following the movement of the carriage 21. In other words, the tube length of the deformable movable part 40H is defined by the fixing position of the second fixture.

  Here, the deformation | transformation movable part 40H is demonstrated easily. The ink supply tube 40 shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 is the one when the carriage 21 is located at the home position, and the curved portion 40C of the ink supply tube 40 when the carriage 21 is located at the non-home position is shown in FIG. It is indicated by a two-dot chain line. In the example of FIG. 3, the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 are arranged in a planar shape by being arranged in a row in the radial direction so that the respective center lines are substantially located on the same plane. The plurality of ink supply tubes 40 are curved in the shape of a circular arc in the middle, and the portions (tube surfaces) on both sides sandwiching the curved portion are arranged so as to extend in substantially parallel to each other in the vertical direction.

  When the carriage 21 moves, the curved portion 40C of the ink supply tube 40 moves in the carriage movement direction at a movement distance (in other words, movement speed) that is approximately half the movement distance (that is, movement speed) of the carriage 21. At this time, in the process in which the carriage 21 moves from the home position to the non-home position, the ink supply tube 40 follows the movement of the carriage 21 while moving the bending portion 40C to the left in FIG. In this way, the ink supply tube 40 is deformed while the position of the bending portion 40C is changed in the main scanning direction X during the movement of the carriage 21. For this reason, the ink supply tube 40 does not bend or rampage during the movement of the carriage 21. Therefore, even during the movement of the carriage 21, the ink can be smoothly supplied to the adapter AD on the carriage 21 through the ink supply tube 40. In addition, it is easy to avoid a situation in which the ink supply tube 40 is violently brought into contact with, for example, the paper P or the transport system roller 24, the timing belt 27, and the like, thereby causing defective printing.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the carriage 21 moves from the position where the curved portion 40C and the carriage 21 are closest (home position in FIG. 3) to the position where the curved portion 40C and the carriage 21 are farthest (anti-home position). To do. In the process in which the carriage 21 moves throughout the moving region, the portion that contributes to the formation of the curved portion 40C in the ink supply tube 40 becomes the deformable movable portion 40H. Then, at the position of the bending portion 40C (the position of the bending portion 40C indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 3), the upstream portion in the ink supply direction from the bending portion 40C is a non-movable portion that does not contribute to the formation of the bending portion. Become. Here, the boundary portion between the deformable movable portion 40H and the non-movable portion may be fixed by the fixed portion. However, in this embodiment, the position upstream of the boundary portion by a predetermined distance is provided in order to allow some margin. A part of the ink supply tube 40 is fixed. As an example, the predetermined distance is preferably set to a value equal to or less than the longer distance of the distance corresponding to 30% of the tube length of the deformable movable portion 40H and 5 cm. This is because, when the ink supply tube 40 is fixed at a position that greatly exceeds a predetermined distance from the boundary portion to the upstream side, the portion that does not contribute to the formation of the curved portion is not fixed and the length of the deformable movable portion 40H is increased. This is to avoid as much as possible the situation in which the holding becomes unstable and the tube portion forming the deformable movable portion 40H is violated. Of course, a part of fixing the ink supply tube 40 with the second fixing tool 62 (for example, an adhesive tape) may be a boundary part or a part exceeding a predetermined distance from the boundary part to the upstream side.

  In the present embodiment, the second fixing tool 62 fixes a portion on the upstream side of the ink supply tube 40 slightly in the main scanning direction X from the substantially central portion in the movement region of the carriage 21. For this reason, the ink supply tube 40 has substantially the same length on both sides of the moving range of the carriage 21 around the fixed portion, although the left portion in FIG. 3 is slightly shorter than the right portion. ing. In this embodiment, the portion of the ink supply tube 40 between the boundary with the non-movable part and the holding member 44 is the deformable movable part 40H.

  Incidentally, as shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the ink supply tube 40 is preferably configured such that a plurality of tubes 40A and 40B are connected via a joint 40J in the length direction. The joints 40J are provided at a plurality of locations according to the number of tubes connected between the ink tank 19T and the carriage 21, and allow ink to flow between the connected tubes. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, the joint 40 </ b> J connects the two tubes 40 </ b> A and 40 </ b> B on the support plate 41 of the ink supply tube 40. Since the tubes 40A and 40B connected to both sides of the joint 40J are fixed by the fixtures 61 and 62, the tubes 40A and 40B are not easily detached from the joint 40J.

  The joint 40J used in the present embodiment has a cylindrical joint body 45 as shown in FIG. 5A and a pair of pipe portions 46 protruding from both end faces in the axial direction of the joint body 45. The pair of pipe portions 46 communicate with each other in the axial direction. 5B, the joint 40J includes a rectangular plate-shaped joint body 45 and four pairs of pipe portions 46 that project from the both end surfaces of the joint body 45 in the axial direction. The four pairs of pipe portions 46 communicate with each other in the axial direction.

  The joint of the tubes 40A and 40B connected via the joint 40J is located at a portion other than the deformable movable portion 40H of the ink supply tube 40 as shown in FIG. For this reason, since the location connected by the joint 40J of the ink supply tube 40 does not become the curved portion 40C, the tube is difficult to come off from the joint 40J.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, the ink supply tube 40 is routed so that the position where the bending portion 40 </ b> C of the deformable movable portion 40 </ b> H is formed is opposite to the carriage 21 in FIG. 3. May be. In FIG. 6, some components such as the transport mechanism of the paper P that should be visible from the opening 12K and the movement mechanism of the carriage 21 are omitted.

Next, the operation of the first printer 11 of the first embodiment will be described.
In the first printer 11, when the ink supply tube 40 is removed from the spacer 51 in order to perform maintenance of the ink supply tube 40, the following operation is performed. That is, in a state where the spacer 41 is attached to the upper surface portion 12U (the apparatus main body 12), the middle portion in the length direction of the ink supply tube 40 is moved in a direction crossing the length direction and taken out from the inner space of the spacer 51. . At this time, in order to remove the ink supply tube 40 from the spacer 51, the end of the ink supply tube 40 on the side connected to the ink tank 19T is removed from the ink tank 19T, or the adapter AD in the ink supply tube 40 is connected to the adapter AD. It is unnecessary to remove the connected end from the adapter AD. Therefore, the ink supply tube 40 is removed from the spacer 51 without requiring a complicated operation.

  On the other hand, when the ink supply tube 40 is attached to the spacer 51, the following operation is performed. That is, in a state where the spacer 51 is attached to the apparatus main body 12, the middle portion in the length direction of the ink supply tube 40 is moved in a direction crossing the length direction and inserted into the recess 52 c of the spacer 51.

  Even when the ink supply tube 40 is attached to the spacer 51 in this way, the end of the ink supply tube 40 that is connected to the ink tank 19T is removed from the ink tank 19T, or the adapter AD It is unnecessary to remove the end of the side connected to the adapter AD from the adapter AD. Therefore, the ink supply tube 40 is attached to the spacer 51 without requiring a complicated operation.

  In addition, a plurality of ink supply tubes 40 are held horizontally in a parallel state in the recess 52 c of the spacer 51. For this reason, it also has a function as a guide that guides the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 so that the tube surfaces facing each other on both sides of the curved portion 40C face each other in the vertical direction. Therefore, when the deformation movable portion 40H deforms while changing the position of the bending portion 40C following the movement of the carriage 21, an appropriate form can be maintained.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) By providing the spacer 51 between the apparatus main body 12 and the image reading unit 13, the ink supply tube 40 that does not block the ink flow path allows the ink to be removed without removing the end from the ink tank 19T or the adapter AD. Can be easily performed in a state where the liquid can be supplied to the liquid jet head 22 side.

  (2) Even if the end portion of the ink supply tube 40 is not removed from the ink tank 19T or the adapter AD, the ink supply tube 40 is passed in such a way that its outer surface comes into contact with the concave portion 52c of the spacer 51. It is possible to make the movement in the direction intersecting with the restricted state. Therefore, the operation of drawing the ink supply tube 40 while restricting the movement in the direction intersecting the length direction can be easily performed.

  (3) Since one ink supply tube 40 is configured by connecting a plurality of tubes via a joint 40J connecting the tubes, the ink supply tube 40 is connected by connecting the plurality of tubes by the joint 40J. Can be adjusted to the optimum length for routing. Further, since it is only necessary to draw a plurality of tubes having a length that is relatively easy to handle, the drawing operation of the ink supply tube 40 becomes relatively simple.

  (4) The joint of the tubes 40A and 40B connected via the joint 40J is located at a portion other than the deformable movable portion 40H of the ink supply tube 40. For this reason, since the location connected by the joint 40J of the ink supply tube 40 does not become the curved portion 40C, the tube is difficult to come off from the joint 40J.

  (5) Since one or a plurality of ink supply tubes are provided, ink can be supplied from each ink tank 19T to the liquid ejecting head 22 by the number of ink supply tubes 40 corresponding to the number of ink tanks 19T. .

  (6) Since a plurality of ink tanks 19T are provided and a plurality of ink supply tubes 40 corresponding to the number of the ink tanks 19T are routed, a plurality of colors of ink are passed through each adapter AD through the plurality of ink supply tubes 40. It can be supplied to the liquid jet head 22 to support color printing.

  (7) Since the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 are provided on the side (back side) that pivotally supports the image reading unit 13 with respect to the opening 12K, the image reading unit 13 is the opening 12K of the housing 12H. When the is opened, the field of view in the opening 12K is not easily obstructed by the ink supply tube 40. For this reason, it is relatively easy to confirm the inside of the apparatus main body 12 through the opening 12K. For example, when a paper jam error occurs, it is easy to check the jam state of the paper P, and the paper jam processing can be performed relatively smoothly.

  (8) Since the ink tank 19T is located outside the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A), the restriction on the amount of ink stored is relaxed. Therefore, the ink tank 19T that can store a large amount of ink can be provided.

  (9) The sheet feeding cassette 15 is accommodated in the accommodating portion 12S formed by the casing portion protruding from the front surface portion of the housing 12H so that the front surface is aligned with the accommodating portion 12S. However, the size of the first printer 11 (particularly increase in the bottom area of the printer) can be relatively suppressed for the configuration that enables the sheet feeding. Further, the base portion 12B of the operation panel portion 18 is configured by a housing portion that has an inclined surface that protrudes toward the discharge direction (that is, the sub-scanning direction Y) of the paper P from the lower side to the upper side. And the display part 18a (for example, liquid crystal display) and the operation button 18b are attached to the inclined surface of the base 12B. For this reason, the visibility of the display unit 18a is improved and the operability of the operation button 18b is also ensured.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment relating to the arrangement of the ink supply tube 40 will be described with reference to FIG. 4B and FIG. In the second embodiment, the gap forming member between the printing function unit 12A and the image reading unit 13 is the spacer 51 fixed to the upper surface unit 12U. The spacer 51 is a cylindrical body 51B having a substantially cylindrical shape when viewed from the axial direction. In the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the tank unit 19 that accommodates the plurality of ink tanks 19T is located on the home position side with respect to the housing 12H. The ink supply tube 40 having one end connected to each ink tank 19T is fixed to the upper surface portion 12U on the side opposite to the support shaft side of the image reading portion 13 with respect to the opening portion 12K.

  As shown in FIG. 4B, the spacer 51 has a substantially cylindrical shape when viewed from the axial direction, and is identical to the bottom wall portion 52a fixed to the upper surface portion 12U and from both ends of the bottom wall portion 52a. And a pair of abutting portions 52b that suspend in the direction (upward). The pair of abutting portions 52b extend horizontally from the respective upper ends in a direction approaching each other, and a slit 53 having a width slightly shorter than the outer diameter of the ink supply tube 40 is formed between the respective extending tips. . A recess 52c is formed between the pair of contact portions 52b. The recess 52c has a width that allows the four ink supply tubes 40 to be adjacently arranged in parallel. Further, the height of the contact portion 52 b is equal to or larger than the outer diameter of the ink supply tube 40, and the image reading portion 13 is closed at a place on the upper surface portion 12 U where the spacer 51 is fixed, and the back surface of the contact portion 52 b becomes the spacer 51. The value is set such that a necessary gap can be secured between the apparatus main body 12 and the image reading unit 13 when hit.

  Next, a plurality of downstream intermediate portions of the ink supply tube 40 that are closer to the adapter AD are fixed to the slit member 64 that is fixed at a substantially central position in the main scanning direction X of the opening 12K on the upper surface 12U. The tubes are sandwiched in a parallel state in the vertical direction.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the portion near the adapter AD in the ink supply tube 40 is held in a bundled state by a holding member 44 fixed to the right side surface in FIG. 3 of the carriage 21, and is held by the holding member 44. The downstream ends of the bundled positions are connected to a supply pipe (not shown) on the front surface of the adapter AD.

  When the carriage 21 moves from the home position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 6 to the non-home position indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 6, the ink supply tube 40 follows the movement of the carriage 21 from the portion supported by the slit member 64. Also the downstream part moves. Further, the ink supply tube 40 indicated by a two-dot chain line extending from the back side in FIG. 6 of the tank unit 19 is held by the spacer 51 (cylindrical body 51B) fixed to the right side at the back side of the upper surface portion 12U. A portion closer to the adapter AD than the portion may be bundled by the holding member 44 and connected to the supply pipe on the front surface of the adapter AD.

Next, the operation of the first printer 11 in the second embodiment will be described.
In the first printer 11, when the ink supply tube 40 is removed from the spacer 51 in order to perform maintenance of the ink supply tube 40, the following operation is performed. That is, in the state where the spacer 51 is attached to the upper surface portion 12U, the middle portion of the ink supply tube 40 in the length direction is moved in a direction crossing the length direction, and the spacer 53 is passed through the slit 53 with elastic deformation. Remove from 51 internal space. At this time, in order to remove the ink supply tube 40 from the spacer 51, the end of the ink supply tube 40 on the side connected to the ink tank 19T is removed from the ink tank 19T, or the adapter AD in the ink supply tube 40 is connected to the adapter AD. It is unnecessary to remove the connected end from the adapter AD. Therefore, the ink supply tube 40 is removed from the spacer 51 without requiring a complicated operation.

  On the other hand, when the ink supply tube 40 is attached to the spacer 51, the following operation is performed. That is, in a state where the spacer 51 is attached to the apparatus main body 12, the middle portion in the length direction of the ink supply tube 40 is moved in a direction crossing the length direction, and the spacer 53 is passed through the slit 53 with elastic deformation. It inserts in 51 inner space (refer FIG.4 (b)).

  Even when the ink supply tube 40 is attached to the spacer 51 in this way, the end of the ink supply tube 40 that is connected to the ink tank 19T is removed from the ink tank 19T, or the adapter AD It is unnecessary to remove the end of the side connected to the adapter AD from the adapter AD. Therefore, the ink supply tube 40 is attached to the spacer 51 without requiring a complicated operation.

According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(10) The ink supply tube 40 is inserted inside the recess 52c through the opening (slit 53) of the recess 52c, and the ink supply tube 40 is brought into contact with the inner surface of the recess 52c. The movement of the ink supply tube 40 can be regulated without removing it from the tank 19T or the adapter AD.

  (11) The ink supply tube 40 is moved between the state inserted into the cylindrical body 51B and the non-inserted state through the slit 53 formed in a part of the peripheral wall of the cylindrical body 51B serving as the contact portion 52b. Therefore, it is not necessary to remove the end of the ink supply tube 40 from the ink tank 19T or the adapter AD. Therefore, the drawing operation of the ink supply tube 40 can be easily performed.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment relating to the arrangement of the ink supply tube 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the third embodiment, the gap forming member between the printing function unit 12 </ b> A and the image reading unit 13 is an inclined block 54 that can hold a plurality of ink supply tubes 40 obliquely. In the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the inclined block 54, which is an example of a spacer, is fixed to a part of the peripheral portion on the near side of the opening 12 </ b> K in the upper surface portion 12 </ b> U of the housing 12 </ b> H. The inclined block 54 holds the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 with respect to the opening surface of the opening 12K in a state where the surfaces (tube surfaces) passing through the respective center lines are inclined at a predetermined angle. The holding member 55 fixed to the front surface of the carriage 21 in a state where a part of the ink supply tube 40 on the adapter AD side is bundled is a portion extending along the main scanning direction X from the holding member 55 to the upstream side. Hold it so that it is tilted in the same direction as the tilt by.

  A detailed structure will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken at the holding member 55 fixed to the side surface of the carriage 21 in the main scanning direction X in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the inclined block 54 has a support portion 54a fixed to the upper surface portion 12U, and a rectangular tubular portion 54b extending in a state inclined from the support portion 54a. A slit 53 having a width slightly shorter than the outer diameter of the ink supply tube 40 is formed in the portion 54b. In the plurality of ink supply tubes 40, the surfaces (tube surfaces) connecting the respective axes in the recesses 54c of the cylindrical portion 54b are inclined at an angle of about 30 to 60 degrees with respect to the opening surface of the opening 12K.

  The holding member 55 fixed to the carriage 21 side is attached with an inclination angle so that the tube surfaces connecting the axes of the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 face each other in parallel with the tube surface on the inclined block 54 side. ing. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the deformable movable portion 40 </ b> H is formed between a portion held by the inclined block 54 and a portion held by the holding member 55 among the plurality of ink supply tubes 40. It is formed. In addition, the height of the inclined block 54 from the upper surface portion 12U is set to a value that can form a necessary gap between the apparatus main body 12 and the image reading unit 13.

Next, the operation of the first printer 11 in the second embodiment will be described.
In the first printer 11, when the ink supply tube 40 is removed from the inclined block 54 in order to perform maintenance of the ink supply tube 40, the length direction of the ink supply tube 40 with the inclined block 54 attached to the upper surface portion 12U. Is moved in the direction intersecting the length direction. Then, the ink supply tube 40 is taken out from the inner space of the inclined block 54 through the slit 53 while being elastically deformed. At that time, in order to remove the ink supply tube 40 from the inclined block 54, the end of the ink supply tube 40 on the side connected to the ink tank 19T is removed from the ink tank 19T, or the adapter AD in the ink supply tube 40 is removed. It is unnecessary to remove the end of the side connected to the adapter AD from the adapter AD. Therefore, the ink supply tube 40 is removed from the spacer 51 without requiring a complicated operation.

  On the other hand, when the ink supply tube 40 is attached to the inclined block 54, the intermediate portion of the ink supply tube 40 in the length direction is crossed with the length direction with the inclined block 54 attached to the apparatus main body 12. It is moved and inserted into the inner space of the inclined block 54 through the slit 53 with elastic deformation. Even when the ink supply tube 40 is attached to the inclined block 54, the end of the ink supply tube 40 that is connected to the ink tank 19T is removed from the ink tank 19T or connected to the adapter AD. It is not necessary to remove the end portion on the side from the adapter AD. Therefore, the ink supply tube 40 is attached to the inclined block 54 without requiring complicated work.

Therefore, according to the third embodiment, in addition to the same effects (1) to (11) as those of the above embodiments, the following effects can be obtained.
(12) Since the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 can be inclined and supported at a predetermined angle while also serving as a spacer with the slit 53, even if there is no space for routing the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 in the opening 12K, By disposing the portion outside the opening 12K, a plurality of ink supply tubes 40 can be routed while forming the deformable movable portion 40H.
(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment relating to the arrangement of the ink supply tube 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. In the fourth embodiment, the gap forming member between the printing function unit 12 </ b> A and the image reading unit 13 is a long inclined block 57 that can hold a plurality of ink supply tubes 40 obliquely. In the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the inclined block 57 which is an example of a spacer is long and is fixed to a part of the peripheral portion on the back side of the opening 12K in the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H. The inclined block 57 holds the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 with respect to the opening surface of the opening 12K in a state where the surfaces (tube surfaces) passing through the respective center lines are inclined at a predetermined angle. A holding member 58 fixed to the front surface of the carriage 21 in a state where a part of the ink supply tube 40 on the adapter AD side is bundled is a portion extending along the main scanning direction X from the holding member 58 to the upstream side. Hold it so that it is tilted in the same direction as the tilt by.

  A detailed structure will be described with reference to FIG. 9A and 9B show the curved portion 40C side from the vicinity of the left end surface in FIG. 10 of the inclined block 57 when the carriage 21 is in the position indicated by the two-dot chain line in the main scanning direction X in FIG. A schematic cross section is shown. As shown in FIG. 9, the inclined block 57 includes a leg portion 57a fixed to the upper surface portion 12U and a clamping portion 57b extending in an inclined state from the leg portion 57a, and ink is supplied to the clamping portion 57b. A slit 57c having the same width as the outer diameter of the tube 40 is formed. The depth direction of the slit 57c is inclined at an angle in the range of about 30 to 60 degrees with respect to the opening surface of the opening 12K. For this reason, the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 are held in a state where the surfaces connecting the respective axes are inclined.

  The holding member 58 fixed on the carriage 21 side is attached with an inclination angle so that the tube surfaces connecting the respective axes of the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 face each other in parallel with the tube surface on the inclined block 57 side. ing. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the deformable movable portion 40 </ b> H is formed between a portion held by the inclined block 57 and a portion held by the holding member 58 among the plurality of ink supply tubes 40. It is formed. For this reason, the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 have the deformable movable portion 40H formed so as to face each other substantially in parallel with the tube surfaces on both sides inclined obliquely across the curved portion 40C. In addition, the height of the inclined block 57 from the upper surface portion 12U to the upper wall surface 57d is set to a value that can form a necessary gap between the apparatus main body 12 and the image reading portion 13. Therefore, a necessary gap is ensured when the image reading unit 13 is closed.

  For this reason, even in a configuration in which the space for routing the ink supply tube 40 in the opening 12K of the housing 12H cannot be secured, a tube surface that is opposed substantially parallel to the opening surface of the opening 12K is formed in an oblique posture. The deformable movable part 40H can be formed.

According to the said 4th Embodiment, the effect (1)-(12) in each said embodiment can be acquired similarly.
(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment relating to the arrangement of the ink supply tube 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the fifth embodiment, the gap forming member between the printing function unit 12A and the image reading unit 13 is a fixing screw provided on the upper surface. In the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a support plate 41 similar to that in the first embodiment is installed so as to cross the opening 12K, and the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 are replaced with the spacers 51 in the first embodiment, and the fixtures 63 ( For example, it is fixed with an adhesive tape.

  As shown in FIG. 12, a cylindrical portion 12e having a screw hole 12f is formed on the bottom surface of the locking recess 12d formed in the upper surface portion 12U of the housing 12H. The locking member 39 is formed with a cylindrical portion 39a and a locking portion 39b extending outward from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 39a. The cylindrical portion 39a of the locking member 39 is assembled in a state of being extrapolated to the cylindrical portion 12e, and in this state, the screw is screwed into the screw hole 12f so that the locking member 39 is attached to the bottom surface portion of the locking recess 12d. Fixed. In this example, the screw hole 12f is used, the fixing screw 59 having a long shaft portion 59a is used, and the fixing screw 59 is screwed in a state protruding from the upper surface of the housing 12H by a predetermined length necessary for forming a gap. . The head of the fixing screw 59 comes into contact with the back surface of the image reading unit 13, and a gap for inserting the ink supply tube 40 is formed between the apparatus main body 12 and the image reading unit 13. At this time, the head 59c of the fixing screw 59 may be in contact with the locking projection 36.

Next, the operation of the first printer 11 in the fifth embodiment will be described.
As shown in FIG. 13, in a state where the image reading unit 13 is closed, the back surface of the image reading unit 13 abuts against the head 59 c of the fixing screw 59, so that the ink supply tubes are inserted into the passages of the plurality of ink supply tubes 40. A gap larger than that which does not crush 40 is formed.

  In the first printer 11, when removing the ink supply tube 40 from the printing function unit 12 </ b> A in order to perform maintenance of the ink supply tube 40, the user easily removes the ink supply tube 40 from the printing function unit 12 </ b> A by lifting the image reading unit 13. It is possible. That is, since the image reading unit 13 is brought into contact with the head of the fixing screw 59 by gravity, the gap between the image reading unit 13 and the printing function unit 12A through which the ink supply tube 40 is inserted is determined. It can be expanded according to the amount of lifting.

According to the fifth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects (1), (3), (4), and (5) to (9) in the respective embodiments.
(13) Since the fixing screw 59 protrudes from the upper surface portion 12U in the shaft portion 56 and does not screw into the housing portion of the printing function unit 12A, a gap is easily formed between the apparatus main body 12 and the image reading unit 13. Can be formed.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment relating to the arrangement of the ink supply tube 40 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15. In the fifth embodiment, the gap forming member between the printing function unit 12A and the image reading unit 13 is fixed to the image reading unit 13 side. In the description of the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the lower surface of the image reading unit 13 has a position corresponding to the upper surface portion 12 </ b> U of the apparatus main body 12 on the front side (front side) in the sub-scanning direction Y opposite to the hinge 13 a side. A spacer 51 is provided. In the present embodiment, the spacer 51 is attached to the image reading unit 13 by being bonded or screwed on the left side when viewed from the front side in the sub-scanning direction Y. Of course, the spacer 51 may be attached to the right side when viewed from the front side in the sub-scanning direction Y in the image reading unit 13.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the spacer 51 is a cylindrical body 51C similar to the cylindrical body 51A in the second embodiment. The slit 53 is provided so as to face the apparatus main body 12 side which is the gravity direction side. Accordingly, the ink supply tube 40 is inserted into the inner space of the spacer 51 by being pushed into the slit 53 from below. Note that the width dimension of the slit 53 of the spacer 51 is such that the ink supply tube 40 is moved by its own weight while the image reading unit 13 moves (swings) to a position where the opening 12K of the printing function unit 12A is exposed. In FIG. 14, the dimension is set to a dimension that allows passage through the slit 53 after elastic deformation as indicated by a two-dot chain line.

Next, the operation of the first printer 11 in the sixth embodiment will be described.
In the sixth embodiment, when the ink supply tube 40 is removed from the image reading unit 13 in order to perform maintenance of the ink supply tube 40, the image reading unit 13 is once lifted. Then, the ink supply tube 40 inserted into the inner space of the spacer 51 is lifted together with the lifted image reading unit 13, so that the weight of the tube generated along with the lifting is the longitudinal direction of the tube. Acts in the downward direction to intersect. As a result, the ink supply tube 40 is removed from the inner space of the spacer 51 through the slit 53 and removed from the image reading unit 13 as shown in FIG.

  Although illustration and explanation are omitted here, in this embodiment, when the image reading unit 13 is displaced in a direction to open the opening 12K of the printing function unit 12A, the ink supply tube 40 and the spacer 51 read the image. It is good also as a structure removed from the part 13. FIG.

According to the sixth embodiment, in addition to the effects (1) to (4) in the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(14) Ink without removing the end of the ink supply tube 40 from the spacer 51 that is displaced integrally with the image reading unit 13 as the image reading unit 13 is displaced in the direction of opening the opening 12K. The supply tube 40 can be removed.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, the configuration of the second printer 11A having no image reading function will be described with reference to FIGS. The first printer 11 in the first to sixth embodiments is a so-called multi-function device. The second printer 11A in the following embodiments includes a print function unit (printer unit), but an image reading unit (scanner unit). Does not have. In the description of FIGS. 16 to 18, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted as appropriate. The configuration related to the fixing unit for fixing the ink supply tube 40 corresponds to the first embodiment applied to the single-function second printer 11A having only the printing function.

  As shown in FIG. 16, the second printer 11 </ b> A of the present embodiment includes a print function unit 12 </ b> A including an apparatus body 12 having a print function. The second printer 11 </ b> A receives ink from an ink tank 19 </ b> T (see FIG. 18) as an example of a liquid storage unit that is separate from the apparatus main body 12 and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the second printer 11A, the ink stored in the ink tank 19T is supplied from the ink tank 19T side located outside the apparatus main body 12 to the apparatus main body 12 side through the ink supply tube 40 (see FIG. 18). .

  The apparatus main body 12 of the second printer 11 </ b> A includes a housing 12 </ b> H that houses the printing unit 20. The lid 75 as an example of a cover member rotates (displaces) around a hinge 75a provided at one end (rear side) of the apparatus main body 12, and the front end side (on the opposite side of the hinge 75a) ( In FIG. 18, the front end side) is lifted. The user of the second printer 11A can lift the lid 75 during maintenance, for example. By this lifting, an opening 12K (see FIG. 18) that exposes at least a part of the moving region of the carriage 21 that is provided above the printing unit 20 and that can be reciprocated in the printing function unit 12A is exposed.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, a manual paper feed mechanism 35 is provided on the rear side of the lid 75 in the apparatus main body 12. The manual paper feed mechanism 35 is of an open / close type in which a cover 35e that also serves as a paper feed tray 35a (see FIG. 17) can be rotated around the rear end portion. When the cover 35e is not in use, as shown in FIG. It is kept closed. A concave gripping portion 35f is formed at the front end portion of the cover 35e in the closed state, and the user grips the gripping portion 35f and rotates the cover 35e rearward so that the paper feed tray 35a rises diagonally. It will be in the open state at the time of use used as a posture (refer to Drawing 13). The configuration of the manual paper feed mechanism 35 in the open state will be described later.

  A sheet feeding cassette 15 that can store a plurality of sheets of paper P is detachably provided at the lower portion of the apparatus main body 12. The paper P stored in the paper feed cassette 15 is fed one by one from the rear to the front to the printing unit 20 provided in the printing function unit 12A, and the printing unit is applied to the fed paper P. The printing is performed by 20. The configuration of the printing unit 20 is basically the same as that of the first printer 11 in the first embodiment. The printed paper P that has been printed by the printing unit 20 is discharged from a paper discharge port 16 provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A).

  A stacker 17 as an example of a discharge tray is accommodated at a position on the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12 </ b> A) above the paper feed cassette 15 and below the paper discharge outlet 16. The stacker 17 is used by being pulled from the apparatus main body 12 by a length corresponding to the size of the paper P in the paper P discharge direction (conveyance direction).

  As shown in FIG. 16, the accommodating portion 12S having an accommodating recess for accommodating the paper feed cassette 15 and the stacker 17 at the center in the width direction is formed to protrude in the paper P discharge direction (here, the sub-scanning direction Y). It is comprised by the housing | casing part. The container 12S is protruded in this way because the length required in the sub-scanning direction Y of the paper feed cassette 15 is longer than the length of the housing 12H required for the printing unit 20 in the sub-scanning direction. Because. For this reason, the paper feed cassette 15 and the stacker 17 are accommodated so that the front end faces are aligned in the accommodating portion 12S in a state of protruding from the apparatus main body 12 in the sub-scanning direction Y (forward). Specifically, when the length of the apparatus main body 12 in the sub-scanning direction Y is determined in accordance with the length of the paper feed cassette 15 required to accommodate the paper P of a predetermined size (for example, A4 size). Since the apparatus main body 12 is increased in size (increase in the bottom area), only the accommodating portion of the paper feed cassette 15 is protruded in order to avoid this as much as possible. In other words, an increase in the bottom area of the second printer 11 </ b> A can be suppressed by forming a shape that extends outward in the width direction of the housing portion 12 </ b> S. Further, since the front position when the stacker 17 is stored is determined in accordance with the front position where the paper feed cassette 15 protrudes, the protruding length when the stacker 17 is pulled out is secured relatively long. Further, the protrusion enables the stacker 17 to be easily pulled out from the apparatus main body 12 by the gripping portion 17a. As described above, the second printer 11A is increased in size (especially the bottom of the printer) while the paper feed cassette 15 is detachably provided on the front surface of the apparatus main body 12 and the paper can be fed from the front side of the apparatus main body 12. (Increase in area) is relatively suppressed.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 16, an operation panel unit 18 for performing various operations such as causing the printing unit 20 to execute a printing operation is disposed on the upper portion of the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A). . The operation panel portion 18 is configured by a housing portion that has an inclined surface whose lower side protrudes from the upper side toward the paper P discharge direction (that is, the sub-scanning direction Y). An operation button 18 b is provided on the inclined surface of the operation panel unit 18. Examples of the operation button 18b include a power button and a print start button. Since the operation surface of the operation panel 18 is an inclined surface that is lowered toward the front, the operability of the operation button 18b is ensured satisfactorily for the user.

  As shown in FIG. 17, a manual paper feed mechanism 35 is provided on the back side of the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A). The manual paper feed mechanism 35 is a mechanism for the user to manually set and feed a single sheet P. The manual paper feed mechanism 35 includes a substantially square plate-like paper feed tray 35a, a pair of paper guides 35b for positioning the paper in the width direction on the paper feed tray 35a, and an open state of the manual paper feed mechanism 35. And a protective plate 35c provided for the purpose of preventing foreign matter or the like from dropping into a feeding port (not shown). The paper feed tray 35a is provided so as to be rotatable within a predetermined angle range around its base end (lower end in FIG. 17), and is in an open state shown in FIG. And, it is arranged in a closed state in which it is rotated from this open state to the near side of FIG. The protective plate 35c is urged in the direction approaching the paper feed tray 35a side by the elastic force of the torsion coil spring 35g. It arrange | positions in the protection position shown in FIG.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 17, the stacker 17 is a three-stage type as an example, and includes a first tray 17b, a second tray 17c, and a third tray 17d. The first tray 17b is slidably connected to the apparatus body 12, and the second tray 17c is slidably connected to the first tray 17b. The third tray 17d is pivotally connected to the tip of the second tray 17c, and is in a closed position in which the third tray 17d is stored so as to overlap the second tray 17c. It is placed in an open position that rises in posture and also functions as a paper stopper.

  As shown in FIG. 18, a detection projection 37 is formed on the back surface of the lid 75 so as to protrude at a position on the left side in the width direction on the rotation tip side. When the lid 75 is closed, the projection 37 is inserted into a detection recess 38 that is recessed in the upper surface of the apparatus main body 12. A sensor (not shown) for detecting the protrusion 37 inserted into the recess 38 is provided in the apparatus main body 12 at a position corresponding to the recess 38. The controller in the second printer 11 </ b> A performs the instructed printing when the sensor detects the closed state of the lid 75, but is instructed when the sensor does not detect the closed state of the lid 75. Even if there is printing, the printing is not started.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 extending from the ink tank 19 </ b> T are held in a state of being inserted into the recesses 52 c of the spacer 51 by the same tube routing structure as in the first embodiment. . The plurality of ink supply tubes 40 are fixed by fixtures 61 and 62 at a portion supported on the support plate 41, and are connected between the fixtures 61 and 62 via a joint 40J. And the deformation | transformation movable part 40H is formed in the downstream of the fixing location of the fixing tool 62 among the plurality of ink supply tubes 40.

Therefore, according to the second printer 11A, the same effects (1) to (9) as in the first embodiment can be obtained.
Each embodiment in the first printer 11 and the second printer 11A may be changed to another embodiment as described below.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the spacer 51 in the second embodiment may be used in the second printer 11A. In the example of FIG. 19, the support plate 42 has a cantilever structure, and the portions of the plurality of ink supply tubes 40 supported on the support plate 42 are fixed by fixtures 61 and 62. In FIG. 19, the joint 40J between the fixtures 61 and 62 is omitted. According to this configuration, the same effect as in the second embodiment can be obtained.

  20A and 20B, in the second printer 11A, the inclined block 57 and the holding member 58 in the fourth embodiment may be used to draw a plurality of ink supply tubes 40. Good.

As shown in FIGS. 21A and 21B, in the second printer 11A, the fixing screw 59 in the fifth embodiment may be used to form a gap.
As shown in FIGS. 22A and 22B, in the second printer 11A, the spacer 51 (51C) in the sixth embodiment is attached to the back surface of the lid portion 75, which is an example of a guide member, to form a gap forming member. It is good.

  As shown in FIG. 23, in the second printer 11A, the spacer 51 (51C) in the first embodiment may be used and one ink supply tube 40 may be routed. In this case, in each embodiment in the first printer 11, one ink supply tube 40 may be routed. Furthermore, in the second printer 11A, one ink supply tube 40 may be routed in the routing structure of the ink supply tube 40 of each embodiment other than the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 23, in the second printer 11 </ b> A, the spacer 51 (51 </ b> C) in the sixth embodiment may be attached to the back surface of the lid portion 75, which is an example of a guide member, to serve as a gap forming member.

  As shown in FIG. 24A, the gap forming member has a pair of fixing screws 59 as an example of a regulating member with respect to a screw hole 59H formed in at least one of the printing function unit 12A and the image reading unit 13. The shaft portion 59a may be partially screwed at a distance in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the axial direction of the shaft portion 59a. Of course, the distance between the pair of fixing screws 59 is set according to the number of ink supply tubes 40 inserted between them. Incidentally, FIG. 24A shows a case where four ink supply tubes 40 are inserted in parallel as an example. According to this configuration, the ink supply tube 40 is inserted between the shaft portions 59a through the gap between the pair of adjacent fixing screws 59, and the ink supply tubes 40 are brought into contact with the shaft portions 59a. The movement of the ink supply tube 40 can be regulated without removing the end portion of the 40. Alternatively, the gap forming member may be used as the spacer 51 having a configuration in which the ink supply tube 40 can be inserted into the inner space by allowing the slit 53 to pass through an intermediate portion in the length direction of the ink supply tube 40 without elastic deformation. Good.

  -As shown in Drawing 24 (b), a crevice formation member serves as a field adjacent to contact surface 51S to a member to which cylindrical body 51A is attached among peripheral walls of cylindrical body 51A which constitutes spacer 51. It is good also as a structure by which the slit 53 was formed in the side wall part 51H. According to this configuration, the ink supply tube 40 inserted into the spacer 51 can restrict movement along the direction of gravity when the first printer 11 is in use. Therefore, for example, when used in the sixth embodiment, the ink supply tube 40 is attached to the image reading unit 13 side in a state where the image reading unit 13 is rotated (displaced) so as to expose the opening 12K. Can be prevented from inadvertently exiting in the direction of gravity.

  -As shown in Drawing 24 (c) and (d), joint 51E may serve as spacer 51 as an example of a gap formation member. As shown in the figure, the joint 51E that also serves as the spacer 51 has a rectangular parallelepiped main body 51b and four pairs of pipe portions 51a that protrude from the both end surfaces in the axial direction of the main body 51b. The pipe portions 51a are connected in pairs in the axial direction. According to this configuration, the joint and the spacer need only be one part, which contributes to a reduction in the number of parts.

  In the first embodiment, the member that contacts the outer surface of the ink supply tube 40 and restricts the movement of the ink supply tube 40 is a spacer 41 that forms a gap between the printing function unit 12A and the image reading unit 13. May be provided with a gap forming member having a separate member configuration.

  In the fourth embodiment, the member 41 that contacts the outer surface of the ink supply tube 40 and restricts the movement of the ink supply tube 40 is a spacer 41 for forming a gap between the printing function unit 12 </ b> A and the lid 75. You may provide the clearance gap formation member made into another member structure.

  In the third and sixth embodiments, the ink supply tube 40 does not necessarily have to be separated from the spacer 51 when the image reading unit 13 and the lid 75 are displaced in the direction of opening the opening 12K. . The image reading unit 13 and the cover unit 75 may be configured to be extracted from the spacer 51 by the user after being displaced in the direction of opening the opening 12K.

  In the first to sixth embodiments, the adapter AD may not be mounted on the carriage 21. That is, the ink supplied from the ink tank 19T provided outside the printing function unit 12A through the ink supply tube 40 may be supplied to the liquid ejecting head 22 side without passing through the adapter AD.

  In the first to sixth embodiments, the ink tank 19T may be attached to the apparatus main body 12 (printing function unit 12A) or the image reading unit 13 using a fixing member (for example, a screw or an adhesive). Good. The mounting position can be the left and right side wall portions and the rear surface when viewed from the front side (front side) in the sub-scanning direction Y. Alternatively, the upper surface of the automatic document feeder 14 is also possible.

-In the said 1st-6th embodiment, a target is not limited to paper, You may employ | adopt cloth, a resin film, a resin sheet, a metal sheet, etc.
The first printer 11 and the second printer 11A of the above embodiment may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges liquid other than ink. Note that the state of the liquid ejected as a minute amount of liquid droplets from the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a granular shape, a tear shape, and a thread-like shape. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, it may be in a state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a liquid with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts ). Further, not only a liquid as one state of a substance but also a substance in which particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or a metal particle are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent is included. Typical examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. As a specific example of the liquid ejecting apparatus, for example, a liquid containing a material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface emitting display, or a color filter in a dispersed or dissolved form. There is a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting the liquid. Further, it may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a bio-organic matter used for biochip manufacturing, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid as a sample that is used as a precision pipette, a printing apparatus, a micro dispenser, or the like. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. May be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects the liquid onto the substrate. Further, it may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as acid or alkali in order to etch a substrate or the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... The 1st printer as an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, 11A ... The 2nd printer as an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, 12 ... Apparatus main body, 12H ... The housing | casing as an example of a housing | casing part, 12S ... Feed cassette part An accommodating portion constituting one example, 12K... Opening portion, 13... Image reading portion as an example of a cover member, 15... Feeding cassette constituting an example of a feeding cassette portion and an example of a feeding cassette, 18. Panel part, 19T: Ink tank as liquid container, 21 ... Carriage, 22 ... Liquid ejecting head, 40 ... Ink supply tube as an example of liquid supply tube, 40A, 40B ... Tube, 40J ... Joint, 51 ... Gap formation Spacer as an example of member, 51A, 51B, 51C ... cylindrical body, 51c ... concave part as an example of contact part, 51E ... joint, 52b ... Department, 52c ... recess, 53 ... slit, 59 ... fixing screw, 75 ... lid portion as an example of the cover member, the paper as an example of a P ... target.

Claims (8)

A liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid onto a target;
A casing provided with a liquid jet head, wherein the carriage is movably disposed, and an opening that exposes at least a part of a movement region of the carriage is formed;
A cover member provided to be displaceable in a direction to open and close the opening with respect to the casing;
A liquid container located outside the casing in a state of containing the liquid;
A liquid supply tube that connects the liquid container and the liquid jet head so that the liquid can flow;
A gap forming member that forms a gap between the casing and the cover member when the cover member is displaced toward the opening;
The feeding cassette capable of accommodating the target is detachably accommodated in a casing part that protrudes in the discharge direction of the target so that the feeding cassette projects in the discharging direction together with the casing part. And
An operation panel portion provided on the inclined surface of the housing portion that presents an inclined surface in which the lower side protrudes more toward the discharge direction side than the upper side at a position above the feeding cassette unit;
With
The gap forming member forms a gap having a size that does not block at least the liquid flow path of the liquid supply tube;
The liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the liquid supply tube is passed through the gap.   The gap forming member includes an abutting portion that abuts against an outer surface of the liquid supply tube and restricts the liquid supply tube from moving in a direction intersecting a length direction thereof. The liquid ejecting apparatus described.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the gap forming member has a recess into which the liquid supply tube can be inserted.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the gap forming member is formed with a slit through which the liquid supply tube passes.   5. The liquid according to claim 1, wherein the gap forming member includes a fixing screw that is screwed into at least one of the housing portion and the cover member. Injection device.   The gap forming member is provided in the cover member, and the liquid supply tube has a slit that is disengaged from the gap forming member when the cover member is displaced in a direction to open the opening. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of tubes are connected to the liquid supply tube via a joint that connects the tubes.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one or a plurality of the liquid supply tubes are provided.