Ink jet recording apparatus

Abstract

There is provided an ink jet recording apparatus capable of preventing a user from erroneously performing an opening and closing operation of a valve in the supply of ink to a recording head from an ink tank. The ink jet recording apparatus includes a recording head configured to eject ink, an ink tank provided in an apparatus body, including an filling portion for filling ink to be supplied to the recording head, and configured to store the filled ink, a cover member configured to be movable to a position where the filling portion is not exposed and a second position where the filling portion is exposed, and a valve configured to be switchable between an opened state where ink can be supplied to the recording head from the ink tank and a closed state where the supply of ink to the recording head from the ink tank is blocked, wherein the valve operates interlocking with the movement of the cover member, and is in the opened state when the cover member is at the first position and in the closed state when the cover member is at the second position.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:
 a recording head configured to eject ink; 
 an ink tank including an injection portion for injecting ink to be supplied to the recording head; 
 a first cover member configured to be movable to a first position such that the injection portion is not exposed, and movable to a second position such that the injection portion is exposed; 
 an ink supply path configured to supply the ink from the ink tank to the recording head; 
 an air communication path for allowing communication of inside of the ink tank with external air; and 
 a switching portion configured to be switchable between an open state to open the ink supply path and the air communication path in a case where the first cover member moves from the second position to the first position and a closed state to close the ink supply path and the air communication path in a case where the first cover member moves from the first position to the second position. 
 
     
     
       2. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the switching portion is switched from the closed state to the open state when the first cover member moves from the second position to the first position, and the switching portion is switched from the open state to the closed state when the first cover member moves from the first position to the second position. 
 
     
     
       3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a cap for sealing the injection portion,
 wherein the first cover member is prevented from moving from the second position to the first position by abutting on the cap in a case where the cap does not seal the injection portion. 
 
     
     
       4. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the ink supply path and the air communication path are formed of a tube, 
 the switching portion has a cam member rotatable with respect to movement of the first cover member, and a displacement member configured to displace by frictionally sliding with the cam member so as to close the tube. 
 
     
     
       5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a second cover member pivotably supported on an apparatus body of the ink jet recording apparatus to be openable and closable,
 wherein the first cover member cannot be operated in a case where the second cover member is closed, and can be operated in a case where the second cover member is opened. 
 
     
     
       6. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 5 , further comprising a detection means configured to detect opening and closing of the second cover member,
 wherein a recording operation can be performed in a case where the detection means detects that the second cover member is closed, and cannot be performed in a case where the detection means detects that the second cover member is opened. 
 
     
     
       7. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the first cover member prevents the second cover member from being closed when the first cover member is at the second position. 
     
     
       8. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein the second cover member has a reading unit capable of reading an image on a document. 
     
     
       9. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the switching portion is switched interlocking with the movement of the first cover member. 
     
     
       10. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the ink tank is provided in an apparatus body of the ink jet recording apparatus. 
     
     
       11. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:
 a recording head configured to eject ink; 
 an ink tank including an injection portion for injecting ink to be supplied to the recording head via an ink supply path; 
 a first cover member configured to be movable to a first position such that the injection portion is not exposed, and movable to a second position such that the injection portion is exposed; 
 an air communication path for allowing communication of inside of the ink tank with external air; and 
 a switching portion configured to be switchable between an open state to open the air communication path in a case where the first cover member moves from the second position to the first position and a closed state to close the air communication path in a case where the first cover member moves from the first position to the second position. 
 
     
     
       12. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 11 ,
 wherein the switching portion is switched from the closed state to the open state when the first cover member moves from the second position to the first position, and the switching portion is switched from the open state to the closed state when the first cover member moves from the first position to the second position. 
 
     
     
       13. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the switching portion is switched interlocking with the movement of the first cover member. 
     
     
       14. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 12 , wherein the ink tank is provided in an apparatus body of the ink jet recording apparatus. 
     
     
       15. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:
 a recording head configured to eject ink to record an image;   an ink tank provided in an apparatus body of the ink jet recording apparatus, including an ink storage portion for storing ink and a filling portion for supplying ink into the ink storage portion;   a first cover member configured to be movable to a first position where the filling portion is not exposed and a second position where the filling portion is exposed;   an air communication port configured to communicate the ink storage portion with air; and   a switching portion configured to switch between a state in which air enters the ink tank through the air communication port in a case where the first cover member is in the first position and ink in the ink storage portion is reduced, and a state in which air leaves the ink storage portion from a port which is different from the air communication port in a case where the first cover member is in the second position.    
     
     
       16. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the switching portion provides a state that air enters the ink tank in a case where the first cover member is in the first position.  
     
     
       17. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the switching portion prevents air leaving from the ink storage portion through the air communication port in a case where the first cover member is in the second position and ink is injected from the filling portion into the ink storage portion.  
     
     
       18. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the switching portion allows ink in the ink storage portion to flow into the recording head in a case where the first cover member is in the first position.  
     
     
       19. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the switching portion prevents ink in the ink storage portion from flowing into the recording head in a case where the first cover member is in the first position.  
     
     
       20. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 an air storage portion configured to store air and communicate with the ink storage portion.   wherein the switching portion, in a case where the first cover member is in the first position, prevents ink in the ink storage portion from entering the air storage portion by preventing air from entering or leaving the air communication port.    
     
     
       21. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the first cover member is pivotably supported on the apparatus body of the ink jet recording apparatus to be openable and closable.  
     
     
       22. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 an air storage portion configured to store air and communicate with the ink storage portion; and   an air communication path is provided so as to extend upward along the ink storage portion.   wherein the air storage portion communicates with the air communication port through the air communication path.    
     
     
       23. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein
 the first cover member includes a plurality of first cover members,   the switching portion includes a plurality of switching portions, and   opening and closing of one of the plurality of first cover members acts on a switching state of one of the plurality of switching portions.    
     
     
       24. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a second cover member configured to be movable to a third position where the first cover member is not exposed and a fourth position where the first cover member is exposed,   wherein the first cover member is not operable in a case where the second cover member is closed, and is operable in a case where the second cover member is opened.    
     
     
       25. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the second cover member is pivotably supported on the apparatus body of the ink jet recording apparatus to be openable and closable.  
     
     
       26. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 24 , further comprising:
 a detection means configured to detect opening and closing of the second cover member,   wherein a recording operation is performable in a case where the detection means detects that the second cover member is closed, and is not performable in a case where the detection means detects that the second cover member is opened.    
     
     
       27. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 24 , wherein the first cover member prevents the second cover member from being closed in a case where the first cover member is at the second position.  
     
     
       28. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:
 a recording head configured to eject ink to record an image;   an ink tank provided in an apparatus body of the ink jet recording apparatus, including an ink storage portion for storing ink and a filling portion for supplying ink to the ink storage portion;   a first cover member configured to be movable to a first position where the filling portion is not exposed and a second position where the filling portion is exposed;   an air communication port configured to communicate the ink storage portion with air; and   a switching portion configured to switch between a state that air enters the ink tank through the air communication port in a case where the first cover member is in the first position and ink in the ink storage portion is reduced, and a state that ink in the ink storage portion does not flow into the recording head in a case where the first cover member is in the second position.    
     
     
       29. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the switching portion provides a state in which air leaves the ink storage portion from a port which is different from the air communication port in a case where the first cover member is in the second position and ink is injected from the filling portion into the ink storage portion.  
     
     
       30. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 29 , wherein the switching portion provides a state that air is prevented from entering into the ink storage portion or leaving from the ink storage portion through the air communication port in a case where the first cover member is in the second position.  
     
     
       31. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 28 , wherein the switching portion, in a case where the first cover member is in the first position, allows ink in the ink storage portion to flow into the recording head.  
     
     
       32. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 31 , wherein
 the first cover member includes a plurality of first cover members,   the switching portion includes a plurality of switching portions, and   opening and closing of one of the first cover members acts on a switching state of one of the plurality of switching portions.    
     
     
       33. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 31 , further comprising:
 a second cover member configured to be movable to a third position where the first cover member is not exposed and a fourth position where the first cover member is exposed.   wherein the first cover member is not operable in a case where the second cover member is closed, and is operable in a case where the second cover member is opened.    
     
     
       34. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 33 , wherein the second cover member is pivotably supported on the apparatus body of the ink jet recording apparatus to be openable and closable.  
     
     
       35. An ink jet recording apparatus comprising:
 a recording head configured to eject ink to record an image;   an ink tank provided in an apparatus body of the ink jet recording apparatus, including an ink storage portion for storing ink and a filling portion for supplying ink to the ink storage portion;   a first cover member configured to be movable to a first position where the filling portion is not exposed and a second position where the filling portion is exposed;   an air communication port configured to communicate the ink storage portion with air; and   a portion configured to provide a state in which air enters or leaves the ink storage portion through the air communication port or a state in which air does not enter or does not leave the ink storage portion through the air communication port according to whether the first cover member is in the first position or in the second position.    
     
     
       36. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 35 , wherein, according to whether the first cover member is in the first position or in the second position, the member provides a state in which air enters or leaves the ink storage portion through the air communication port and ink in the ink storage portion does not flow into the recording head, or a state in which air does not enter or does not leave the ink storage portion through the air communication port and ink in the ink storage portion flows into the recording head.  
     
     
       37. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 35 , wherein
 the first cover member includes a plurality of first cover members,   the ink jet recording apparatus includes a plurality of portions, and   opening and closing of one of the first cover members acts on a switching state of one of the plurality of portions.    
     
     
       38. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 35 , further comprising:
 a second cover member configured to be movable to a third position where the first cover member is not exposed and a fourth position where the first cover member is exposed,   wherein the first cover member is not operable in a case where the second cover member is closed, and is operable in a case where the second cover member is opened.    
     
     
       39. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 38 , wherein the second cover member is pivotably supported on the apparatus body of the ink jet recording apparatus to be openable and closable.  
     
     
       40. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 39 , wherein the switching portion provides a state in which air leaves the ink storage portion from a port which is different from the air communication port in a case where the first cover member is in the second position and ink is injected from the filling portion into the ink storage portion.  
     
     
       41. An ink tank provided to an ink jet recording apparatus having a first cover member comprising:
 a filling portion configured to inject ink to be supplied to a recording head;   an ink storage portion configured to store ink injected from the filling portion; and   an air communication port configured to communicate the ink storage portion with air,   wherein the ink tank is in a state in which air enters the ink tank through the air communication port in a case where the filling portion is covered by the first cover member and ink in the ink storage portion is reduced, and   the ink tank is in a state in which air leaves the ink storage portion from a port which is different from the air communication port in a case where the filling portion is not covered by the first cover member.    
     
     
       42. The ink tank according to  claim 41 , wherein the ink tank is in a state that air enters the ink storage portion in a case where the filling portion is covered by the first cover member and ink in the ink tank is reduced.  
     
     
       43. The ink tank according to  claim 41 , wherein, in a case where the filling portion is not covered by the first cover member and ink is injected from the filling portion into the ink storage portion, the ink tank is in a state that air does not enter or leave the ink storage portion through the air communication port.  
     
     
       44. The ink tank according to  claim 41 ,
 wherein the ink tank is in a state that ink in the ink storage portion is allowed to flow into the recording head in a case where the filling portion is covered by the first cover member, and   the ink tank is in a state that ink in the ink storage portion is not allowed to flow into the recording head in a case where the filling portion is not covered by the first cover member.    
     
     
       45. An ink tank provided to an ink jet recording apparatus having a first cover member comprising:
 a filling portion configured to inject ink to be supplied to a recording head;   an ink storage portion configured to store ink injected from the filling portion; and   an air communication port configured to communicate the ink storage portion with air,   wherein the ink tank is in a state that air enters the ink tank through the air communication port in a case where the filling portion is covered by the first cover member and ink in the ink storage portion is reduced, and   the ink tank is in a state that ink in the ink storage portion does not flow into the recording head in a case where the filling portion is not covered by the first cover member.    
     
     
       46. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 45 , wherein the ink tank is in a state in which air leaves the ink storage portion from a port which is different from the air communication port in a case where the filling portion is not covered by the first cover member and ink is injected from the filling portion into the ink storage portion.  
     
     
       47. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 45 , wherein the ink tank is in a state that air is prevented from entering into the ink storage portion or leaving from the ink storage portion through the air communication port in a case where the filling portion is not covered by the first cover member and ink is injected from the filling portion into the ink storage portion.  
     
     
       48. The ink jet recording apparatus according to  claim 45 , wherein the ink tank is in a state that ink in the ink storage portion is allowed to flow into the recording head in a case where the filling portion is covered by the first cover member, and
 the ink tank is in a state that ink in the ink storage portion is not allowed to flow into the recording head in a case where the filling portion is not covered by the first cover member.