Abstract:
A liquid ejecting apparatus capable of supplying liquid stably and continuously through a liquid supplying tube which performs a following deformation in accordance with a movement of a carriage embedded with a liquid ejecting head, while achieving compactness of a main body of the apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head capable of ejecting ink onto a sheet; a carriage capable of reciprocating inside a main body case in a state of being embedded with the liquid ejecting head and an adaptor capable of supplying ink to the liquid ejecting head; and an ink supplying tube which performs a following deformation in the main body case in accordance with the reciprocation of the carriage in a state of being led out to be able to supply ink from an ink tank at an upstream side, disposed outside a movement range of the carriage, to the adaptor at a downstream side.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects liquid supplied using a liquid supply tube. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     In the related art, as a type of a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects liquid toward a target, an ink jet printer is widely known. As such a printer, there is a so-called on-carry type printer in which a plurality of ink cartridges which accommodate ink, and a liquid ejecting head which ejects ink supplied from each ink cartridge onto a sheet are installed on a carriage which can perform reciprocating movement. 
     On the other hand, in recent years, a printer which can perform mass printing by being provided with an ink tank with a large capacity at the outside of a main body of the printer, and continuously providing ink to a liquid ejecting head in the main body of the printer through an ink supplying tube from the ink tank, not supplying ink from an ink cartridge which is installed on such a carriage has been developed (for example, PTL 1). 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     PTL 1: JP-A-2012-61624 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     Meanwhile, in such a printer, a plurality of ink supplying tubes which deform along with a movement of a carriage on which a liquid ejecting head is installed are pulled around so as to be horizontally aligned in a direction which intersects a movement direction of the carriage. For this reason, a space for pulling around an ink supplying tube in which the plurality of ink supplying tubes can be arranged in a horizontally aligned state should be secured, and accordingly, it is difficult to make the main body of the printer compact. On the other hand, in a case of a use situation of solely printing documents in which only ink of a specific color such as black ink is intensively used, for example, it is not necessary for an ink supplying tube corresponding to each color with a low frequency of use, except for the specific color, to be pulled around at all. 
     In addition, in a liquid ejecting apparatus in which a liquid ejecting head ejects liquid which is supplied from a liquid tank through a liquid supply tube which performs follow-up deformation along with a movement of a carriage on which the liquid ejecting head is installed, such a situation becomes almost common without being limited to the above-described ink jet printer. 
     The present invention has been made in view of the above described situation, and an object thereof is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus which can stably and continuously supply liquid through a liquid supply tube which performs follow-up deformation along with a movement of a carriage on which a liquid ejecting head is installed while making an apparatus main body compact. 
     Solution to Problem 
     Hereinafter, means for solving the above described problem, and an operational effect thereof will be described. 
     A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head which can eject liquid onto a target; a carriage which can perform a reciprocating movement in an apparatus main body in a state of having the liquid ejecting head installed thereon, and an adaptor which can supply the liquid to the liquid ejecting head; and one liquid supply tube which performs follow-up deformation in the apparatus main body along with the reciprocating movement of the carriage in a state of being pulled around so as to supply the liquid from a liquid tank which becomes an upstream side arranged at an outside of a movement range of the carriage to the adaptor which becomes a downstream side. 
     According to the configuration, since it is sufficient to provide a space for pulling only one liquid ejecting tube around in the main body of the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is possible to make the apparatus main body compact compared to a case in which a plurality of ink supplying tubes are pulled around in a state of being horizontally aligned. Accordingly, it is possible to stably and continuously supply liquid through the liquid supply tube which performs follow-up deformation along with a movement of the carriage on which the liquid ejecting head is installed while making the apparatus main body compact. 
     In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid supply tube may be configured by including a first extending portion which is in a state of extending along a movement direction of the carriage in the apparatus main body from the liquid tank side; a curved portion which is in a curved state which is reversed in a vertical direction by being stretched out to the downstream side from the first extending portion; a second extending portion which is in a state of extending along the movement direction of the carriage in the apparatus main body by being stretched out to the downstream side from the curved portion; and a connection unit which is connected to the adaptor by being stretched out to the downstream side from the second extending portion, in which the first extending portion and the second extending portion may be pulled around so that at least partial portions thereof overlap with each other in the vertical direction. 
     According to the configuration, since the liquid supply tube is configured so that at least a part of the second extending portion overlaps with the first extending portion in the vertical direction along with a movement of the carriage, it is possible to further reliably make the apparatus main body compact in the movement direction of the carriage, and in a forward-backward direction which intersects the vertical direction. 
     In the liquid ejecting apparatus, a connection portion of the adaptor to the liquid supply tube may be installed at a position which is separated from an end portion of the carriage which is a side opposite to a side on which the liquid tank is arranged, in the movement direction of the carriage. 
     According to the configuration, when the carriage is located at a position at which the carriage is separated farthest from the liquid tank in a reciprocating movement range of the carriage, it is possible to make a protruding amount of the liquid supply tube (when there is a curved portion, the curved portion) which protrudes from an end portion of the carriage in the movement direction of the carriage small. In this manner, it is possible to make the apparatus main body in the movement direction of the carriage compact by making a space for securing the protruding amount of the liquid supply tube small. 
     In the liquid ejecting apparatus, a protective plate which is additionally provided on the outer side of the liquid supply tube which performs follow-up deformation, and performs follow-up deformation along with the reciprocating movement of the carriage together with the liquid supply tube may be further provided. 
     According to the configuration, it is possible to prevent the liquid supply tube which performs follow-up deformation along with the reciprocating movement of the carriage from coming into contact with other components in the apparatus main body by providing the protective plate. 
     In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the protective plate may include a regulation unit which regulates a movement of the liquid supply tube in a direction intersecting an extending direction of the liquid supply tube. 
     According to the configuration, the regulation unit of the protective plate regulates a movement of the liquid supply tube in the direction intersecting the extending direction of the liquid supply tube when the liquid supply tube performs follow-up deformation along with the reciprocating movement of the carriage. In this manner, it is possible to prevent the liquid supply tube from coming into contact with other components in the apparatus main body by moving in the direction intersecting the extending direction. 
     In the liquid ejecting apparatus, a plurality of liquid supply tubes are connected with each other through a joint which connects tubes therebetween. 
     According to the configuration, it is possible to individually exchange the liquid supply tubes on the upstream side and the downstream side which are connected through the joint. In this manner, it is possible to improve maintainability related to an exchange of the liquid supply tube. 
     In the liquid ejecting apparatus, a cover which is mounted on the carriage from a direction intersecting a vertical direction may be further provided in order to cover the adaptor which is installed on the carriage from above. 
     According to the configuration, it is possible to make a mounting failure of the cover be easily recognized by a user who views the liquid ejecting apparatus from above in general, when the cover is mounted in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, compared to a case in which the cover is mounted in the vertical direction. 
     In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the cover may include a pressing unit which presses a connection unit so that a movement of the connection unit is regulated when the cover is mounted on the carriage. 
     According to the configuration, the pressing unit presses the connection unit of the liquid supply tube when the cover is mounted on the carriage, and regulates a movement thereof. Accordingly, for example, even when the liquid supply tube receives a force generated in the extending direction of the liquid supply tube due to follow-up deformation of the liquid supply tube which is performed along with the reciprocating movement of the carriage, it is possible to prevent the liquid supply tube from being pulled out from the adaptor. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a multifunction peripheral according to one embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view which illustrates an internal structure of a recording apparatus. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a carriage when a cover is not mounted. 
         FIG. 4(   a ) is a perspective view when the cover is viewed obliquely from above, and  FIG. 4(   b ) is a perspective view when the cover is viewed obliquely from below. 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram which illustrates an internal configuration of the recording apparatus,  FIG. 5(   a ) is a partially enlarged view of  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 5(   b ) is a perspective view of a regulation unit. 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram which illustrates a state in which the cover is mounted on the carriage,  FIG. 6(   a ) is a perspective view in the middle of mounting, and  FIG. 6(   b ) is a perspective view when the mounting is completed. 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram which illustrates a carriage which is reciprocating,  FIG. 7(   a ) is a perspective view when the carriage is located at one end side of a movement region, and  FIG. 7(   b ) is a perspective view when the carriage is located at the other end side of the movement region. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, one embodiment of a multifunction peripheral which includes a recording apparatus as an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus will be described with reference to drawings. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a multifunction peripheral  11  includes a recording apparatus  12 , a scanner unit  14  which is installed on a main body case  13  of the recording apparatus  12 , and an ink tank  15  as an example of a liquid tank which is detachably mounted on one side face of the recording apparatus  12 . In addition, in the specification, an antigravity direction is referred to as a higher direction, and a gravity direction is referred to as a lower direction. In addition, a direction which extends in the higher direction and lower direction is illustrated as a vertical direction Z. 
     The recording apparatus  12  can perform recording with respect to a sheet P which is an example of a target, and meanwhile, the scanner unit  14  can read an image, or the like, which is recorded on an original document. The scanner unit  14  includes a scanner main body unit  16  of which a part is rotatably connected to the main body case  13  of the recording apparatus  12 , and a transport unit  17  which is arranged above the scanner main body unit  16 . The scanner main body unit  16  is attached so as to be able to be displaced between a closed position at which the higher part of the main body case  13  is covered and an open position at which the higher part of the main body case  13  is open with respect to the recording apparatus  12 , through a rotating mechanism  18  such as a hinge which is provided on one end side thereof. In addition, the transport unit  17  is attached so as to be displaced between a covered position and an open position of the higher part of the scanner main body unit  16  with respect to the scanner main body unit  16  through a rotation mechanism  19  such as a hinge which is provided on one end side thereof. 
     In addition, in the following description, in the multifunction peripheral  11 , a side on which the rotating mechanisms  18  and  19  are provided is referred to as a rear side or a rear surface side, and a side opposite thereto is referred to as a front side. In addition, a direction of moving back and forth is illustrated as a forward-backward direction Y direction. 
     An operation panel  20  is arranged on the front face side of the multifunction peripheral  11 . The operation panel  20  includes a display unit (for example, liquid crystal display)  21  for displaying a menu screen, or the like, and various operation buttons  22  which are provided around the display unit  21 . 
     In the recording apparatus  12 , a sheet discharging port  23  for discharging a sheet P from the main body case  13  is open at a position which is the lower part of the operation panel  20 . In addition, a sheet discharging stand  24  which can be drawn out is accommodated on the lower part of the sheet discharging port  23  in the recording apparatus  12 . In addition, a medium support body  25  which can be drawn out, and is in a shape of an approximately rectangular plate on which a plurality of sheets P can be loaded is attached to the rear surface side of the recording apparatus  12 . 
     In addition, a transport mechanism which is not illustrated is accommodated in the main body case  13 . In addition, when a sheet p is guided into the main body case  13  through a sheet feeding port  26 , the sheet p is transported to the front side using the transport mechanism in the main body case  13 , and is discharged to the outside of the main body case  13  through the sheet discharging port  23 . That is, the forward direction in the forward-backward direction Y is also a direction in which the sheet p is transported in the main body case  13 . In addition, a direction which intersects (according to the embodiment, is orthogonal to) both the vertical direction Z and the forward-backward direction Y is set to the main scanning direction X. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a strip plate-shaped guide frame  31  in which the main scanning direction X is the longitudinal direction, and the vertical direction Z is the transverse direction is provided in the main body case  13 . A guide rail  32  which extends in the main scanning direction X is formed in the higher end portion and the lower end portion of the guide frame  31 , when an edge portion of the higher side and an edge portion of the lower side of the guide frame  31  with a regular width which extends in the longitudinal direction are bent toward the front direction, respectively. In addition, in the guide rail  32 , a carriage  50  is supported so as to reciprocate in a direction which extends in the longitudinal direction. 
     A liquid ejecting head  34  which can eject ink to a sheet P is held on the lower face side of the carriage  50 . A plurality of liquid ejecting nozzles (not illustrated) open on the lower face side of the liquid ejecting head  34 . Meanwhile, an adaptor  35  which can supply ink to the liquid ejecting head  34  is mounted on the carriage  50 . The adaptor  35  is formed in approximately the same shape as an ink cartridge which is mounted on a so-called on carry-type printer which ejects ink supplied from an ink housing body which is mounted on the carriage  50 . In addition, a connection tube portion  35   a  in a circular tube shape which protrudes to the front side is provided at a portion which is exposed to a spatial region on the upper part of the adaptor  35  in a state in which the carriage  50  is mounted, and an ink supplying tube  70  which can supply ink from the ink tank  15  to the connection tube portion  35   a  is connected to the portion. In addition, a support member  37  for supporting the sheet P on the lower part of the liquid ejecting head  34  is arranged at a base portion in the main body case  13  by setting the main scanning direction X as the longitudinal direction. 
     Pulleys  38  which form a pair so as to be aligned in the main scanning direction X (one pulley is not illustrated), and an endless timing belt  39  which is wound around both pulleys are arranged on the rear side of the carriage  50 . A driving axis of a carriage motor  40  is attached to one pulley. In addition, when the carriage motor  40  is driven by switching between both normal and reverse directions, and when the timing belt  39  is normally and reversely rotated, the carriage  50  performs a reciprocating movement in the main scanning direction X. In addition, recording is performed when the liquid ejecting head  34  which moves along with the carriage  50  ejects ink droplets to the sheet P which is supported by the support member  37 . In addition, a linear encoder  41  for detecting a position of the carriage  50  in the main scanning direction X is provided so as to extend on a movement path of the carriage  50  on the rear side of the carriage  50 . In addition, a position which becomes the lower part of the carriage  50  in  FIG. 2  is a home position at which maintenance of the liquid ejecting head  34  is performed. 
     Subsequently, a specific configuration of the carriage  50  will be described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the carriage  50  has a box shape with an opening  51  in the higher direction in the vertical direction Z, includes a first side wall  52  in the forward-backward direction Y, and a second side wall  53  on the rear side in the forward-backward direction Y. In addition, the carriage  50  includes a third side wall  54  which becomes a side wall on the ink tank  15  side, and a fourth side wall  55  which becomes an end portion (side wall) on the opposite side to the side on which the ink tank  15  is arranged in the main scanning direction X. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , at the higher end portion of the first side wall  52 , a first guide unit  56  which has a horizontal band shape, and can support the ink supplying tube  70  of which a downstream end is connected to the connection tube portion  35   a  of the adaptor  35  is formed so as to describe an arc toward the fourth side wall  55  in the main scanning direction X from the front side in the forward-backward direction Y. In addition, in the first guide unit  56 , a pair of guide walls  57  which can interpose the ink supplying tube  70  between both sides in the horizontal direction is formed so as to face each other along the extending direction of the first guide unit  56 . 
     In addition, in a higher end of each guide wall  57 , a hook-shaped tube locking unit  57   a  which protrudes to a higher end of the guide wall  57  on the other side which faces thereto is formed. In addition, in a higher end of the guide wall  57  on the outer side which forms a larger arc shape than that of the guide wall  57  on the other side, in both guide walls  57 , a hook-shaped cover locking unit  57   b  which protrudes to the outer side thereof is formed. In addition, at a portion extending in the main scanning direction X of the first guide unit  56 , a plurality of protective plate locking units  56   a  (two in embodiment) which form a hook shape in the rear direction are formed on the higher end thereof. 
     In addition, the height of the first side wall  52  in the vertical direction Z is formed so as to be low compared to other side walls  53  to  55 . For this reason, the first guide unit  56  which extends from the higher end portion of the first side wall  52  is also provided at a position which is lower than other side walls  53  to  55 . In addition, the cover locking unit  52   a  which has a right-angled triangle shape when planarly viewed is formed in a protruding manner in the front direction in the position adjacent to the fourth side wall  55  which is an higher end portion of the first side wall  52 . 
     A cover locking unit  54   a  which protrudes in the rightward direction which becomes the ink tank  15  side is formed in the third side wall  54  in a higher end portion at an approximately center position in the forward-backward direction Y thereof. In addition, a screw hole  58  is formed in a direction which goes along the vertical direction Z in a higher end portion at a corner portion of the carriage  50  which is formed by the third side wall  54  and the first side wall  52 . 
     A plurality of (two in embodiment) positioning holes  55   a  are formed in the fourth side wall  55  in a higher end portion thereof in a direction which goes along the main scanning direction X in a penetrating manner. Each of the positioning holes  55   a  is formed at a position which is close to the first side wall  52 , and the second side wall  53 , in the higher end portion on the fourth side wall  55 . 
     In addition, a plurality of (four in embodiment) mounting units  59  on which the adaptor  35  can be mounted are arranged in line in the main scanning direction X in a region of the carriage  50  in which the carriage is surrounded by each of the side walls  52  to  54 . In addition, each of the mounting units  59  is divided by an upright rib  53   a  which is erected toward the front side in the forward-backward direction Y from the second side wall  53  of the carriage  50 . In addition, according to the embodiment, the adaptor  35  is mounted on the mounting unit  59  which is closest to the ink tank  15  side (right side in  FIG. 3 ) among each of mounting units  59  which are divided by the upright ribs  53   a . Accordingly, in  FIG. 3 , the mounting unit  59  which is located on the rightmost side among four mounting units  59  is in a hidden state when the adaptor  35  is mounted. 
     Subsequently, a cover  60  which covers the opening  51  of the carriage  50  will be described. 
     In addition, each direction such as the forward-backward direction, the horizontal direction, and the vertical direction of the cover  60  in the following description is set to a direction in a posture of the cover when being mounted on the carriage  50  as illustrated in  FIGS. 6(   a ) and  6 ( b ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4(   a ), the cover  60  forms a shape corresponding to the opening  51  of the carriage  50  when planarly viewed, and a rectangular notch  60   a  is formed at a corner portion on the right rear side thereof. The notch  60   a  is formed at a position corresponding to the corner portion on the right rear side which is formed by the second side wall  53  and the third side wall  54  of the carriage  50  when the cover  60  is mounted on the opening  51  of the carriage  50 . In addition, a side wall  61  which is in a pendulous state when being mounted on the carriage  50 , and a covering lid unit  62  which has in an approximate fan-shape when planarly viewed are formed at a side portion on the front side which is the opposite side to the side in the forward-backward direction Y on which the notch  60   a  is formed in the cover  60 . The covering lid unit  62  is provided so that the first guide unit  56  is covered from the higher side at a position corresponding to the first guide unit  56  of the carriage  50 , when the cover  60  is mounted on the carriage  50 . 
     In the covering lid unit  62  of the cover  60 , a hole portion  62   a  is formed in a direction which goes along the vertical direction Z, and a hook-shaped unit for locking  62   b  is provided on the lower side of the hole portion  62   a  so as to close a part of the hole portion  62   a . In addition, the unit for locking  62   b  can be engaged with the hook-shaped cover locking unit  57   b  of the carriage  50 . In addition, a unit for locking  61   a  is formed in an end portion on the side opposite to the side on which the covering lid unit  62  is formed in the main scanning direction X in the side wall  61  on the front side of the cover  60  by providing two grooves on the side wall  61 . The unit for locking  61   a  can be engaged with the cover locking unit  52   a  of the carriage  50  using own elastic deformation. 
     In addition, a side wall  63  which is in an approximate triangular shape when viewed from the side is formed on the right side portion of the cover  60 . In addition, a notch-shaped unit for locking  63   a  is formed in a higher end portion of the side wall  63 . The unit for locking  63   a  can be engaged with the cover locking unit  54   a  of the carriage  50 . In addition, a plate portion  64  which extends in a direction intersecting the side wall  63  is formed in a lower end portion of the right side wall  63  of the cover  60 , and a through hole  64   a  is formed on the plate portion  64  in a direction which goes along the vertical direction Z. The through hole  64   a  is formed so as to correspond to the screw hole  58  of the carriage when the cover  60  is mounted on the carriage  50  in the vertical direction Z. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4(   b ), a plurality of (two in embodiment) positioning convex portions  65   a  which protrude toward a direction which goes along the main scanning direction X are formed on a side wall  65  which is formed on a side portion which becomes the left side (right side in  FIG. 4(   b )), when the cover is mounted on the carriage  50  in a perspective view from the rear surface of the cover  60 . The positioning convex portion  65   a  is provided so as to correspond to the positioning hole  55   a  which is formed in the carriage  50 . 
     In addition, on the rear surface side of the cover  60 , a pressing unit  62   c  which protrudes to the lower part in the vertical direction Z is formed in the covering lid unit  62  so as to extend in the forward-backward direction Y. The pressing unit  62   c  presses a portion at which the cover  60  is arranged on the first guide unit  56  in the ink supplying tube  70 , when being mounted on the carriage  50 , that is, a connection unit  75  (refer to  FIG. 3 ) which is arranged in a state of being bent by a predetermined length from the downstream end which is connected to the connection tube portion  35   a  of the adaptor  35 , and regulates a movement thereof. 
     Subsequently, a configuration related to an ink supply system in which ink is supplied from the ink tank  15  which is arranged on the outer side of the main body case  13  to the liquid ejecting head  34  will be described in detail. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5(   a ), the ink tank  15  which is the furthest upstream side in the ink supply system is detachably mounted on one side surface (right side in  FIG. 2)  in the main scanning direction X of the main body case  13 . A slide cover  15   a  is provided on the higher face of the ink tank  15 , and it is possible to supply ink into the ink tank  15  through an ink inlet (not illustrated) which appears when the slide cover  15   a  is in an open state. 
     In addition, the ink supplying tube  70  which supplies ink from the ink tank  15  on the upstream side to the adaptor  35  on the downstream side is arranged in the main body case  13 . First, a portion of the ink supplying tube  70  on the furthest upstream side becomes an introduction unit  71  which is introduced into the main body case  13  from the ink tank  15 . The introduction unit  71  is mounted on a second guide unit  42  which extends in the main scanning direction X on the higher side of the sheet discharging port  23  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) in the main body case  13 , and is fixed so as not to move and be deformed. In addition, an end portion of the introduction unit  71  on the upstream side is connected to the ink tank  15 ; however, in contrast to this, an end portion of the introduction unit  71  on the downstream side is connected to a joint unit  43  as an example of a joint which is arranged on the second guide unit  42  by being fixed. 
     The joint unit  43  includes a unit for fixing  43   a  which extends in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the second guide unit  42 , and is fixed to the second guide unit  42  through both end portions of the unit for fixing  43   a . In addition, connection ports  43   b  and  43   c  which can connect the ink supplying tube  70  are formed in a protruding manner toward both directions in the main scanning direction X in the unit for fixing  43   a  of the joint unit  43 . That is, the connection port  43   b  which faces the upstream side is connected to a downstream end of the introduction unit  71  of the ink supplying tube  70 , and on the other hand, the connection port  43   c  which faces the downstream side is connected to an upstream side end of a first extending portion  72  which extends to the downstream side in the main body case  13 . In this way, the joint unit  43  connects the introduction unit  71  and the first extending portion  72  to each other in such a manner that the ink can flow therethrough. In addition, since the introduction unit  71  and the first extending portion  72  are detachably connected to the joint unit  43 , the ink supplying tube  70  on the upstream side and downstream side which are formed through the joint unit  43  can be individually exchanged, respectively. 
     The first extending portion  72  is mounted on the second guide unit  42  in a state of extending along the main scanning direction X on the downstream side of the joint unit  43  (left side in figure). In addition, the first extending portion  72  is fixed so as not to move using a rib  44  and an interposing member  45  at a position which is slightly closer to the ink tank  15  than a center position in the main scanning direction X of the second guide unit  42 . The ribs  44  form a pair in the forward-backward direction Y intersecting the longitudinal direction of the second guide unit  42 , and are formed toward a higher direction in a protruding manner. In addition, the pair of ribs  44  interposes the first extending portion  72  therebetween in a direction which goes along the forward-backward direction Y. Meanwhile, the interposing member  45  fixes the second guide unit  42  using a screw in a state in which the first extending portion  72  is interposed in a direction which goes along the vertical direction Z along with the second guide unit  42 . In this manner, the first extending portion  72  is fixed so as not to move with respect to the second guide unit  42  using the rib  44  and the interposing member  45 . 
     A curved portion  73  at which the extending direction of the first extending portion  72  is reversed while being bent in the vertical direction Z is provided on the downstream side of the first extending portion  72 . The curved portion  73  is maintained in a state of being curved using elasticity of the ink supplying tube  70 . 
     A second extending portion in a state of extending in the main scanning direction X is provided on the downstream side of the curved portion  73 . Here, the first extending portion  72  and the second extending portion  74  are provided so that at least a part (all in the embodiment) thereof overlaps with each other in the vertical direction Z. 
     The connection unit  75  which bends the extending direction of the second extending portion  74  to the rear side, and connects an end portion on the downstream side to the adaptor  35  which is mounted on the carriage  50  is provided on the downstream side of the second extending portion  74 . That is, the connection unit  75  which is also the furthest downstream portion of the ink supplying tube  70  is connected to the connection tube portion  35   a  of which the downstream end protrudes to the front side from the adaptor  35 , while being guided by the first guide unit  56 . In addition, the connection unit  75  is fixed to the first guide unit  56  when being locked to a tube locking unit  57   a  of the first guide unit  56 . At this time, the connection unit  75  is in a simple arrangement state in which the extending direction is simply curved by a predetermined angle (90° in embodiment). In addition, the adaptor  35  according to the embodiment is mounted on the mounting unit  59  which is closest to the ink tank  15  side. For this reason, the connection tube portion  35   a  of the adaptor  35  which is connected to the ink supplying tube  70  is located at a position which is separated from the fourth side wall  55  which is an end portion which becomes the side opposite to the side on which the ink tank  15  is arranged in the movement direction of the carriage  50  (main scanning direction X). 
     In addition, all of the above-described introduction unit  71 , the first extending portion  72 , the curved portion  73 , the second extending portion  74 , and the connection unit  75  are flow path portions which configure the ink supplying tube  70 . In addition, through the ink supplying tube  70  which is configured in this manner, it is possible to stably and continuously supply ink from the ink tank  15  which is mounted on the outer side of the main body case  13  to the adaptor  35  which is mounted on the carriage  50 . In addition, since the ink supplying tube  70  is configured of a material which elastically deforms, the ink supplying tube  70  can perform follow-up deformation according to a reciprocating movement of the carriage  50 . 
     In addition, a twist prevention line (not illustrated) is formed on the circumferential surface of the ink supplying tube  70  along the extending direction. The twist prevention line is formed in order to prevent an occurrence of twisting in the ink supplying tube  70  when arranging the ink supplying tube  70  in the main body case  13 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5(   a ), the protective plate  46  which performs follow-up deformation along with the ink supplying tube  70  is additionally provided on the outer side of the first extending portion  72 , the curved portion  73 , and the second extending portion  74  in the ink supplying tube  70  which performs follow-up deformation according to the reciprocating movement of the carriage  50 . A plurality of units for locking  46   a  (two in embodiment), and a plurality of escape holes  46   b  (two in embodiment) are formed in the protective plate  46  at an end portion on the downstream side. The unit for locking  46   a  is provided corresponding to the protective plate locking unit  56   a  of the first guide unit  56  of the carriage  50 , and the escape hole  46   b  is provided corresponding to a tube locking unit  57   a  and a cover locking unit  57   b . In addition, the end portion on the downstream side of the protective plate  46  is fixed to the carriage  50  when the tube locking unit  57   a  and the cover locking unit  57   b  are inserted into the escape hole  46   b , and the unit for locking  46   a  is locked to the protective plate locking unit  56   a . Meanwhile, the end portion on the downstream side of the protective plate  46  is fixed to the second guide unit  42  and the interposing member  45  in a state of being interposed therebetween along with the first extending portion  72 . 
     In addition, as illustrated in  FIG. 5(   b ), a regulation unit  47  which regulates a movement of the ink supplying tube  70  in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the ink supplying tube  70  is provided on the protective plate  46 . The regulation unit  47  has the illustrated form when being inserted into two slits  46   c  which are formed on the protective plate  46 , and when a part thereof is folded thereafter. In addition,  FIG. 5(   b ) is a diagram in which a region surrounded by a two-dot chained line circle in  FIG. 5(   a ) is viewed from the rear side. 
     In  FIG. 5(   b ), four faces which form an acute angle with respect to the extending direction of the ink supplying tube  70  become a fall out prevention unit  47   a  which suppresses falling out of the regulation unit  47  from the slit  46   c  of the protective plate  46 . In addition, in  FIG. 5(   b ), the regulation unit  47  is arranged so as to surround the circumference of the ink supplying tube  70  when an engaging male unit  47   b  and an engaging female unit  47   c  which are folded back from the near side and the far side toward the ink supplying tube  70  are engaged with each other. In addition, similarly to the protective plate  46 , the regulation unit  47  is also configured of an elastic material, and the regulation unit  47  can be inserted into the slit  46   c , or cause the engaging male unit  47   b  and the engaging female unit  47   c  to be engaged by deforming a part of the regulation unit  47 . In addition, in  FIG. 5(   a ), the regulation unit  47  regulates the second extending portion  74  in the ink supplying tube  70 ; however, since the regulation unit performs follow-up deformation (movement) along with the ink supplying tube  70  with respect to the carriage  50  which performs reciprocating movement, the regulation unit regulates the curved portion  73  or the first extending portion  72  according to a position of the carriage  50 . 
     Subsequently, operations of the multifunction peripheral  11  will be described. 
     Meanwhile, the adaptor  35  is mounted on the mounting unit of the carriage  50 , and then the cover  60  is mounted in order to cover the opening  51  of the carriage  50 . First, a case in which the cover  60  is mounted on the carriage  50  will be described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 6(   a ), when mounting the cover  60 , first, the cover  60  is mounted from above at a position which is slightly shifted to the right side with respect to the carriage  50 . In addition, the positioning convex portion  65   a  (refer to  FIG. 3)  is inserted into the positioning hole  55   a  when the cover  60  is moved to the left side with respect to the carriage  50  along the main scanning direction X intersecting the vertical direction Z. In addition, at the same time, units for locking  61   a ,  63   a , and  62   b  on the cover  60  side are locked to cover locking units  52   a ,  54   a , and  57   a  on the carriage  50  side. 
       FIG. 6(   b ) illustrates a state in which mounting of the cover  60  on the carriage  50  is completed. In this state, the pressing unit  62   c  of the cover  60  (refer to  FIG. 4(   b )) gently presses the connection unit  75  of the ink supplying tube  70  which is supported by the first guide unit  56  in the vertical direction Z. In addition, in this state, since a screw hole  58  which is formed in the carriage  50  and a through hole  64   a  of the cover  60  overlap with each other in the vertical direction Z (refer to  FIG. 6(   a )), it is possible to mount the cover  60  more strongly on the carriage  50  by screwing these together. On the other hand, it is also possible to detach the cover  60  from the carriage  50 . 
     Subsequently, the ink supplying tube  70  which performs follow-up deformation with respect to the carriage  50  which performs reciprocating movement in a case of performing printing on a sheet P will be described. 
     Meanwhile, the multifunction peripheral  11  performs recording by ejecting ink to a sheet P which is transported in the forward-backward direction Y from the carriage  50  which performs reciprocating movement in the main scanning direction X. At this time, the ink supplying tube  70  which connects the adaptor  35  which is mounted on the carriage  50  and the ink tank  15  which is mounted on the outer side of the main body case  13  performs follow-up deformation along with the reciprocating movement of the carriage  50 . 
       FIG. 7(   a ) illustrates a case in which the carriage  50  is located at a position which is closest to the ink tank  15  (refer to  FIG. 5)  NS. When the carriage  50  is located at the closest position NS in a range of the reciprocating movement thereof, the second extending portion  74  is in a state of being longer than the first extending portion  72  in the main scanning direction X, and the curved portion  73  is in a state of being located at approximately a center in a reciprocating movement range of the carriage  50 . 
     On the other hand,  FIG. 7(   b ) illustrates a case in which the carriage  50  is located at a position which is farthest from the ink tank  15  (refer to  FIG. 5)  FS in the reciprocating movement range. When the carriage  50  is located at the farthest position FS, the second extending portion  74  is in a state of being shortest in the main scanning direction X, and on the other hand, the first extending portion  72  is in a state of being longest. In addition, the curved portion  73  is in a state of being located at a position which is close to the farthest position MF side in the main scanning direction X. Here, in the main scanning direction X, the curved portion  73  is arranged between the third side wall  54  and the fourth side wall  55  of the carriage  50 , and does not protrude toward the outside from the fourth side wall  55 . Accordingly, even when the multifunction peripheral  11  repeatedly performs a reciprocating movement in the main scanning direction X in order to perform recording, the curved portion  73  (ink supplying tube  70 ) does not come into contact with an inner wall, or the like, of the main body case  13  on the farthest position FS Side. In this manner, it is possible for the ink supplying tube  70  to stably supply ink from the ink tank  15  to the adaptor  35 . 
     According to the embodiment, it is possible to obtain the following effects. 
     (1) Since a space which is necessary for pulling around the ink supplying tube  70  in the main body case  13  of the multifunction peripheral  11  is sufficient for one ink supplying tube, it is possible to make the multifunction peripheral  11  compact in the forward-backward direction Y which is orthogonal to the movement direction of the carriage  50  compared to a case in which a plurality of ink supplying tubes  70  are pulled around in a state of being aligned side by side. Accordingly, it is possible to stably and continuously supply ink to the liquid ejecting head  34  through the ink supplying tube  70  which performs follow-up deformation along with the reciprocating movement of the carriage  50  while making the multifunction peripheral  11  compact. 
     (2) Since the second extending portion  74  is arranged so as to overlap with the first extending portion  72  in the vertical direction Z along with the reciprocating movement of the carriage  50 , the ink supplying tube  70  can reliably make the apparatus main body compact in the forward-backward direction Y. 
     (3) When the carriage  50  is located at a position farthest from the ink tank  15  (farthest position FS) in the reciprocating movement range of the carriage  50 , it is possible to cause the curved portion  73  of the ink supplying tube  70  not to protrude toward the outside from the fourth side wall  55  (end portion) in the main scanning direction X. In this manner, it is not necessary to secure a space for securing protrusion of the curved portion  73 , and it is possible to make the multifunction peripheral  11  in the movement direction of the carriage  50  compact. Meanwhile, it is also possible to prevent the protrusion of the curved portion  73  from coming into contact with another structure in the main body case  13 . 
     (4) By providing the protective plate  46 , it is possible to prevent the ink supplying tube  70  which performs follow-up deformation along with the reciprocating movement of the carriage  50  from coming into contact with another member in the main body case  13 . 
     (5) The regulation unit  47  of the protective plate  46  regulates a movement of the ink supplying tube  70  in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the ink supplying tube  70  which performs follow-up deformation along with the reciprocating movement of the carriage  50 . In this manner, it is possible to prevent the ink supplying tube  70  from coming into contact with another member in the main body case  13  when moving in a direction intersecting the extending direction of the ink supplying tube  70 . 
     (6) Since the ink supplying tube  70  is connected through the joint unit  43  in the main body case  13 , it is possible to individually exchange the ink supplying tubes  70  on the upstream side and downstream side which are connected through the joint unit  43 . In this manner, it is possible to improve maintainability related to an exchange of the ink supplying tube  70 . 
     (7) It is possible to make a mounting failure of the cover  60  be easily recognized by a user who views the multifunction peripheral  11  from above in general, when the cover  60  can be mounted in a direction which goes along the main scanning direction X intersecting the vertical direction Z, compared to a case in which the cover is mounted from above in the vertical direction Z. 
     (8) When the cover  60  is mounted on the carriage  50 , the pressing unit  62   c  of the cover  60  presses the connection unit  75  of the ink supplying tube  70 , and regulates a movement thereof. Accordingly, for example, even when a force generated in the extending direction of the ink supplying tube  70  due to the follow-up deformation of the ink supplying tube  70  which is performed along with the reciprocating movement of the carriage  50  is received, it is possible to prevent the connection unit  75  of the ink supplying tube  70  from being pulled out from the connection tube portion  35   a  of the adaptor  35 . 
     (9) Changing of extending direction in the ink supplying tube  70  from the first extending portion  72  to the downstream end of the connection unit  75  is limited to a reverse at an angle of 180° in the curved portion  73 , and bending at an angle of 90° in the connection unit  75 . Accordingly, it is possible to make an arrangement form of the ink supplying tube  70  simple, and to suppress a pressure loss which occurs when supplying ink, compared to a case in which the ink supplying tube  70  is arranged by being bent many times. 
     In addition, the embodiment may be modified as the following modification example. In addition, modification examples may be combined. 
     In the embodiment, the pressing unit  62   c  or the cover  60  may be omitted. 
     In the embodiment, the cover  60  may be mounted in a direction which goes along the forward-backward direction Y. 
     In the embodiment, a plurality of the regulation units  47  of the protective plate  46  may be provided, or the regulation unit  47  may be omitted. 
     In the embodiment, only a part of the first extending portion  72  and second extending portion  74  may overlap with each other in the vertical direction Z, or may not overlap with each other. 
     In the embodiment, the mounting unit  59  on which the adaptor  35  is mounted may be another mounting unit  59 . 
     In the embodiment, only one mounting unit  59  may be provided. 
     In the embodiment, the ink tank  15  may be arranged on the left side of the main body case  13 . However, in this case, it is preferable to change the mounting unit  59  on which the adaptor  35  is mounted, and pulling around of the ink supplying tube  70  according to the arrangement of the ink tank. 
     In the embodiment, the curved portion  73  (ink supplying tube  70 ) may come into contact with the inner wall, or the like, of the main body case  13  when the carriage  50  is located on the outside of the reciprocating movement region which is related to recording. 
     In the embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus may be a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects or discharges liquid other than ink. In addition, as liquid which is discharged as a minute amount of liquid droplets from the liquid ejecting apparatus, there are a granular shape, a tear shape, and a thread shape leaving a trail. In addition, the liquid here may be a material which can be ejected from a liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, the material may be a material in a state of liquid phase, materials which flow such as a liquid body having high or low viscosity, a sol, gel water, and an inorganic solvent, an organic solvent, a liquid, a liquid resin, a liquid metal (metallic melt) other than that. In addition, the liquid includes materials in which particles of a functional material which is formed of a solid body such as a pigment or metal particles are melted, or diffused, or mixed into a solvent, not only liquid as a state of the material. As a representative example of the liquid, the ink, liquid crystal, or the like, can be exemplified as described in the above embodiments. Here, the ink includes general water-based ink and oil-based ink, and a variety of liquid compositions such as gel ink, hot-melt ink, or the like. As specific examples of the liquid ejecting apparatus, there is a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects liquid including a material such as an electrode material, or a coloring material which is used when manufacturing, for example, a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface emission display, a color filter, or the like, in a form of dispersion or dissolution. As the liquid ejecting apparatus, there may be a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects a biological organic substance which is used when manufacturing a biochip, a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects liquid as a sample which is used as a precision pipette, a textile printing device, a micro-dispenser, or the like. In addition, the liquid ejecting apparatus may be a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects a lubricant to a precision machine such as a clock, a camera, or the like, using a pinpoint, or a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects transparent resin liquid such as a UV curable resin for forming a micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) which is used in an optical communication element, or the like, onto a substrate. In addition, the liquid ejecting apparatus may be a liquid ejecting apparatus which ejects etching liquid such as an acid or alkali for etching a substrate, or the like. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
         
           
               11  MULTIFUNCTION PERIPHERAL 
               12  RECORDING APPARATUS (AN EXAMPLE OF LIQUID EJECTING APPARATUS) 
               15  INK TANK (AN EXAMPLE OF LIQUID TANK) 
               34  LIQUID EJECTING HEAD 
               35  ADAPTOR 
               35   a  CONNECTION TUBE UNIT (AN EXAMPLE OF CONNECTION PORTION) 
               43  JOINT UNIT (AN EXAMPLE OF JOINT) 
               46  PROTECTIVE PLATE 
               47  REGULATION UNIT 
               50  CARRIAGE 
               55  FOURTH SIDE WALL (AN EXAMPLE OF END PORTION) 
               59  MOUNTING UNIT 
               60  COVER 
               62   c  PRESSING UNIT 
               70  INK SUPPLYING TUBE (AN EXAMPLE OF LIQUID SUPPLY TUBE) 
               71  INTRODUCTION UNIT 
               72  FIRST EXTENDING PORTION 
               73  CURVED PORTION 
               74  SECOND EXTENDING PORTION 
               75  CONNECTION UNIT 
             P SHEET (AN EXAMPLE OF TARGET) 
             X MAIN SCANNING DIRECTION 
             Y FORWARD-BACKWARD DIRECTION 
             Z VERTICAL DIRECTION