Liquid ejecting head and liquid ejecting apparatus

A liquid ejecting head includes: a head body that includes, an ejection surface on which a nozzle that ejects a liquid is provided, an intermediate unit that is provided on an opposite side to the ejection surface and that enables the liquid to flow from a liquid accommodating unit to a flow channel within the head body, a guide channel that guides a portion of the liquid that has leaked from the intermediate unit, a connector that is provided on a first side surface among side surfaces of the head body, a discharge channel that is provided so as to communicate with the guide channel and that discharges the leaked portion of the liquid to a second side surface that is different from the first side surface, and a projecting portion that is provided in the discharge channel and that projects from a bottom surface of the discharge channel.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to a technique for ejecting a liquid such as ink onto a medium.

2. Related Art

Liquid ejecting apparatuses such as ink jet printers and the like include a liquid ejecting head that introduces a liquid such as ink from a cartridge, supply tube or the like via an intermediate unit (ink introduction needle) and ejects the liquid from a nozzle. In the intermediate unit, leakage of the liquid may occur due to, for example, inferior mounting or malfunction of a cartridge or supply tube. Consequently, various measures have been taken so as to prevent a liquid which has leaked from the intermediate unit from adhering to a circuit board, connector thereof, or the like provided in a liquid ejecting head. For example, in a liquid ejecting head of JP-A-2013-233722, a standing wall is formed around ink introduction needles and a liquid discharge opening is provided at a position that does not interfere with electronic components on an inner portion of the standing wall. Further, on a side-surface side different to that on which the connector is arranged, a discharge channel that cuts through a portion of the standing wall is formed. By doing this, it is possible to discharge a liquid that has not completely discharged from a discharge opening and that has accumulated on the inside of the standing wall from a side surface of the liquid ejecting head without the liquid adhering to the connector.

However, in a structure in which a liquid that has leaked from an intermediate unit is discharged to a side surface of a liquid ejecting head, when fingers grab the side surfaces of the liquid ejecting head, the likelihood of the fingers touching the liquid that has adhered to a discharge channel becomes high. When performing work such as installing the liquid ejecting head on a carriage and installing wiring in the connector using the fingers that the liquid has adhered to, there is a concern that the liquid that has adhered to the fingers may adhere to a circuit board, the connector, or the like.

SUMMARY

An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that it is made difficult for a liquid to adhere to fingers.

A liquid ejecting head according to an aspect of the invention includes a head body that includes an ejection surface on which a nozzle that ejects a liquid is provided, an intermediate unit that is provided on a surface on an opposite side to the ejection surface and that enables the liquid to flow from a liquid accommodating unit to a flow channel within the head body, a guide channel that is provided around the intermediate unit and that guides a portion of the liquid that has leaked from the intermediate unit, a connector that is provided on a circuit board within the head body and that is arranged on a first side surface among side surfaces of the head body, a discharge channel that is provided so as to communicate with the guide channel and that discharges the leaked portion of the liquid to a second side surface that is different from the first side surface among the side surfaces of the head body, and a projecting portion that is provided in the discharge channel and that projects from a bottom surface of the discharge channel. In this case, by providing the discharge channel with the projecting portion, it is made difficult for a finger to touch the liquid of the discharge channel because the finger touches the projecting portion even if the finger is used to grasp a side surface of the head body. Consequently, it is possible to make it difficult for the liquid to adhere to the finger.

According to the aspect, the projecting portion may be arranged along the second side surface and extends up to an edge portion of the second side surface that is on the opposite side to the guide channel. In this case, compared with a case where the projecting portion does not extend up to the edge portion of the second side surface, it becomes difficult for the liquid of the discharge channel to move around to another side surface.

According to the aspect, a groove that guides the leaked portion of the liquid may be formed on one or both of a sidewall of a wall portion that forms the discharge channel and a sidewall of the projecting portion. In this case, it is possible to make it difficult for the liquid that passes through the discharge channel to move around to a surface that is easily touched by a finger because it is guided by the groove formed on the side surface that is difficult for the finger to touch.

According to the aspect, the bottom surface of the guide channel may be provided with a groove or rib that guides the leaked portion of the liquid from the intermediate unit toward the discharge channel. In this case, compared with a case where a groove or rib is not formed, it is easy to guide the liquid that has leaked from the intermediate unit toward the discharge channel.

According to the aspect, the head body is mountable on a carriage that reciprocates and a communication portion may be provided at an end portion of the intermediate unit of the head body in a direction of reciprocation of the carriage, the communication portion communicating with the guide channel. In this case, using the inertial force of the reciprocation of the carriage, it is possible to facilitate the discharge of the liquid from the communication portion of the intermediate unit to the guide channel.

According to the aspect, the discharge channel may be arranged on a side on which the communication portion is provided. In this case, using the inertial force of the reciprocation of the carriage, it is possible to facilitate the discharge of the liquid of the guide channel to the discharge channel.

According to the aspect, a plurality of liquid containers that store the liquid may be provided in the liquid accommodating unit and a plurality of intermediate members that individually correspond to the plurality of liquid containers may be provided in the intermediate unit, the plurality of liquid containers having different liquid storage capacities. Among the plurality of intermediate members, an intermediate member that enables the liquid of a liquid container having a largest liquid storage capacity among the plurality of the liquid containers to flow may be located at the end portion side of the intermediate unit at which the communication portion is arranged. In this case, even if a large amount of liquid begins to leak out from the liquid container with the largest liquid storage capacity, it is possible to facilitate the discharge of the liquid from the communication portion of the intermediate unit to the guide channel without affecting other liquid containers due to the liquid container with the largest liquid storage capacity being near the end portion side at which the communication portion is provided.

A liquid ejecting apparatus according to an aspect of the invention includes the liquid ejecting head according to the above aspect. The liquid ejecting apparatus is, for example, a printer that ejects ink onto a medium such as printing paper, however, the usage of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the invention is not limited to printing.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

First Embodiment

FIG. 1is a partial schematic diagram of a liquid ejecting apparatus10according to a first embodiment of the invention. The liquid ejecting apparatus10of the first embodiment is an ink-jet-type printing apparatus that ejects ink, which is an example of a liquid, onto a medium11such as printing paper. The liquid ejecting apparatus10illustrated inFIG. 1includes a control device12, a transport mechanism14, a maintenance unit16, a carriage18, and a liquid ejecting head20. The control device12integrally controls each component of the liquid ejecting apparatus10.

The transport mechanism14transports the medium11in a Y direction (sub-scanning direction) under the control of the control device12. The carriage18reciprocates in an X direction (main scanning direction) under the control of the control device12. A desired image is formed on the surface of the medium11by the liquid ejecting head20ejecting ink onto the medium11while the medium11is being transported and the carriage18is reciprocating. Further, the direction perpendicular to the XY plane (the plane which is parallel to the surface of the medium11) is hereinafter referred to as the Z direction. The direction of ejection of ink by the liquid ejecting head20(downward vertical direction) corresponds to the Z direction.

A liquid accommodating unit182(cartridge holder) that accommodates a plurality of liquid containers C1to C4(cartridges) that store a plurality of types of ink is provided in the carriage18. The inks are liquids (color inks) that each contains a color material such as a pigment or dye and are liquids of a total of four colors of, for example, cyan (C), magenta (M) yellow (Y), and black (K). Further, the inks may contain a resin material. The inks of cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K) are respectively stored in the liquid containers C1to C4of this embodiment. The liquid ejecting head20is mounted in a lower portion of the liquid accommodating unit182of the carriage18.

The liquid ejecting head20ejects, under the control of the control device12, each color ink supplied from the liquid containers C1to C4onto the medium11. Four ink nozzle rows L1to L4are arranged in the ejection surface (surface facing the medium11) of the liquid ejecting head20illustrated inFIG. 1. InFIG. 1, the ink nozzle rows L1to L4of the liquid ejecting head20that face the maintenance unit16after the carriage18has moved to a position above the maintenance unit16are shown by dashed lines. Each of the ink nozzle rows L1to L4is an assembly of a plurality nozzles N linearly arranged in the Y direction. Further, each of the ink nozzle rows L1to L4may be made up of a plurality of rows (for example in a zig-zag arrangement or a staggered arrangement).

Cyan (C) ink supplied from the liquid container C1is ejected from the nozzles N of the ink nozzle row L1and magenta (M) ink supplied from the liquid container C2is ejected from the nozzles N of the ink nozzle row L2. Yellow (Y) ink supplied from the liquid container C3is ejected from the nozzles N of the ink nozzle row L3and black (K) ink supplied from the liquid container C4is ejected from the nozzles N of the ink nozzle row L4.

The maintenance unit16is arranged in a non-printing area H that is the home position (standby position) of the carriage18, for example, in the X direction. The maintenance unit16performs maintenance of the liquid ejecting head20when the carriage18is in the non-printing area H. The maintenance unit16includes a cap162, discharge flow channels164, and an absorber166. The cap162comes into contact with an ejection surface A of the liquid ejecting head20and seals the nozzles N. The maintenance unit16, for example, seals the ejection surface A by using the cap162and sucks up thick ink, bubbles and the like from the nozzles N by using a suction pump (not illustrated) and discharges the aforementioned to the cap162in order to stop the nozzles N from becoming blocked.

The discharge flow channels164are flow channels for discharging ink from discharge channels54of the liquid ejecting head20(described later) to the absorber166. The cap162is provided at a position that corresponds to the ejection surface A of the liquid ejecting head20and the discharge flow channels164are provided at positions that correspond to the discharge channels54of the liquid ejecting head20. As illustrated inFIG. 2, because the discharge channels54of the liquid ejecting head20of this embodiment are on both the positive-Y-direction side and the negative-Y-direction side, the discharge flow channels164are accordingly arranged on both the positive-Y-direction side and the negative-Y-direction side. Further, the operation of the discharge flow channels164and the absorber166will be described later.

FIG. 2is an external perspective view of the liquid ejecting head20andFIG. 3is an exploded perspective view of the liquid ejecting head20.FIG. 4is a cross-sectional diagram taken along the line IV-IV (cross section that is parallel to the YZ plane) inFIG. 3. As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3, the liquid ejecting head20of this embodiment includes a head body21. The head body21accommodates each of the components and is formed in a case member made up of an upstream-side case member22and a downstream-side case member23. The upstream-side case member22and the downstream-side case member23are, for example, integrally formed by injection molding of a resin material. The upstream-side case member22and the downstream-side case member23are fixed to each other by using a plurality of screws24.

As illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, a space S1is formed on the downstream side of the upstream-side case member22. A space S2is formed on the upstream side of the downstream-side case member23and a space S3is formed on the downstream side of the downstream-side case member23. The space S1of the upstream-side case member22communicates with the space S2of the downstream-side case member23. Flow channel members221,222, and223are stacked in the space S1of the upstream-side case member22. Ink flow channels (not illustrated) are provided in the flow channel members221,222, and223. A filter (not illustrated) is provided in the middle of the flow channel in the flow channel member222. Further, the flow channel members221,222, and223are not illustrated inFIG. 3.

A seal member25, a circuit board26, and a flow channel member27are stacked in order from the top in the space S2of the downstream-side case member23. A plurality of liquid ejecting units28(head chips) are accommodated in the space S3of the downstream-side case member23and the space S3of the downstream-side case member23is closed from the bottom by a fixing board29.

The circuit board26is a board that relays drive signals, other control signals and the like sent from the control device12. Terminals262that are electrically connected to wiring boards282of respective ones of the liquid ejecting units28are formed in the circuit board26and connectors264, other electronic components thereof and the like for connecting to the control device12are mounted on the circuit board26. In the circuit board26of this embodiment, four of the terminals262corresponding to four of the wiring boards282of the liquid ejecting units28are formed on an upper surface (negative-Z-direction-side surface) of the circuit board26. Moreover, wiring members such as flexible flat cables (FFCs) are connected to the connectors264so that the circuit board26receives drive signals from the control device12via the FFCs. The connectors264of the circuit board26of this embodiment are arranged so as to be exposed from openings of a sidewall234of the downstream-side case member23on both the positive-X-direction side and the negative-X-direction side of the sidewall234.

The flow channel member27is a tabular member in which ink flow channels are formed. The periphery of the seal member25functions as an annular seal portion that has an increased thickness in both the up vertical direction and the down vertical direction. A plurality of flow channels232and272that project upwards are formed in each of the downstream-side case member23and the flow channel member27. The flow channels232pass through corresponding through holes formed in the flow channel member27and the circuit board26and communicate with the flow channels of the flow channel members221,222, and223via through holes252of the seal member25. The flow channels272pass through corresponding through holes formed in the circuit board26and communicate with the flow channels of the flow channel members221,222, and223via the through holes252of the seal member25. Ink is introduced to the liquid ejecting units28via the flow channels232and272.

In the lower end of the downstream-side case member23, a frame body236that is tubular and that forms a space that accommodates the liquid ejecting units28is formed so as to project downward (positive-Z-direction side). In this embodiment, four liquid ejecting units28that correspond to four of the ink nozzle rows L1to L4are arranged side by side in the frame body236in the X direction (main scanning direction) that is perpendicular to the transport direction of the medium11. A nozzle plate (not illustrated), on which a plurality of the nozzles N of the ink nozzle rows L1to L4are formed, is formed on a lower surface of the liquid ejecting units28. Each of the liquid ejecting units28includes a plurality of pressure chambers and a plurality of piezoelectric elements (not illustrated) that correspond to various nozzles N. A corresponding one of the wiring boards282is mounted on each of the liquid ejecting units28. The wiring boards282of the liquid ejecting units28are connected to the terminals262of the circuit board26. The piezoelectric elements vibrate in accordance with a drive signal supplied from the control device12via the circuit board26and the wiring boards282. By causing the piezoelectric elements to vibrate thereby changing the pressure inside the pressure chambers, ink in the pressure chambers is ejected from the nozzles N of the nozzle plate.

The fixing board29is a tabular member. Each of four openings292having a shape (a rectangular shape that is long in the Y direction) corresponding to each of the nozzle plates of the liquid ejecting units28is formed in the fixing board29for a corresponding one of the liquid ejecting units28. When the nozzle plates are positioned on the inside of the openings292, each of the liquid ejecting units28is, for example, adhesively fixed on the upper surface (negative-Z-direction-side surface) of the fixing board29. By doing this, each of the ink nozzle rows L1to L4is arranged inside a corresponding one of the openings292. Further, the liquid ejecting head20may have a structure that does not include the fixing board29. In this embodiment, a case where the fixing board29is provided is exemplified; however, the structure is not limited to this and may be a structure that does not include the fixing board29. In the case where the fixing board29is provided, the lower surface (positive-Z-direction-side surface) of the fixing board29becomes the ejection surface A and in the case where the fixing board29is not provided, the lower surface (positive-Z-direction-side surface) of the nozzle plate becomes the ejection surface A.

FIG. 5is a plan view of the liquid ejecting head20as seen from above (Z direction). As illustrated inFIGS. 3 to 5, an intermediate unit40that enables ink to flow from the liquid containers C1to C4to flow channels in the upstream-side case member22is provided on the upper surface (the surface on the opposite side to the ejection surface A) of the upstream-side case member22. The intermediate unit40is provided with a plurality of ink introduction needles42(intermediate members) that are erected on the upper surface of the upstream-side case member22and is provided with a surrounding wall44that surrounds the periphery of the ink introduction needles42. In this embodiment, a total of four of the ink introduction needles42that correspond to the liquid containers C1to C4of four colors are arranged side by side along the X direction (the main scanning direction) that is perpendicular to the transport direction of the medium11.

The ink introduction needles42are hollow needle-shaped members that are inserted in the liquid containers C1to C4. Introduction holes43are formed so as to open at the tips of the ink introduction needles42. The introduction holes43communicate with the flow channels inside the flow channel members221,222, and223. The introduction holes43introduce ink that is inside the liquid containers C1to C4from the flow channels232of the downstream-side case member23and the flow channels272of the flow channel member27to each of the liquid ejecting units28via the flow channels inside the flow channel members221,222, and223.

The intermediate unit40is partitioned into four cartridge placement areas46that are arranged side by side in the X direction by ribs45that are provided on the inner side of the surrounding wall44and the ink introduction needles42are each erected in a corresponding one of the cartridge placement areas46. Moreover, the liquid containers C1to C4are installed in the cartridge placement areas46.

A guide channel50that guides ink that has leaked from the intermediate unit40is provided around the intermediate unit40. InFIG. 5, the guide channel50is indicated by a dotted region. A communication portion47that communicates with the guide channel50is formed in the surrounding wall44of the intermediate unit40. The communication portion47of this embodiment is an opening that has been formed in the surrounding wall44. By forming the communication portion47in the intermediate unit40, ink that has leaked out from the intermediate unit40is easily discharged to the guide channel50via the communication portion47.

The guide channel50of this embodiment is formed of a space bounded by the upper surface of the upstream-side case member22, the inner surface of a sidewall224of the upstream-side case member22, and the outer surface of the surrounding wall44. In detail, as illustrated inFIG. 2, the sidewall224of this embodiment has an extending portion225that extends higher than the bottom surface B of the guide channel50and the guide channel50is formed by a space bounded by the inner surface of the extending portion225, the outer surface of the surrounding wall44, and the upper surface of the upstream-side case member22. By doing this, the portion of the upper surface of the upstream-side case member22that is bounded by the inner surface of the extending portion225and the outer surface of the surrounding wall44becomes the bottom surface B of the guide channel50.

Further, the guide channel50is not limited to the above-described structure and may be a groove formed in the upper surface of the upstream-side case member22. In this case, the sidewall224may or may not be provided with the extending portion225. In this case, the bottom surface of the groove that forms the guide channel50becomes the bottom surface B of the guide channel50. By providing the extending portion225of the sidewall224that forms the guide channel50as in this embodiment, compared with a case where the extending portion225of the sidewall224is not provided, more ink can be accommodated in the guide channel50.

The guide channel50communicates with the discharge channels54that discharge ink that has leaked from the intermediate unit40to the side surfaces of the head body21. The discharge channels54are provided on side surfaces that are different to the side surfaces on which the connectors264of the circuit board26are provided. That is, assuming that the side surfaces on which the connectors264are provided are first side surfaces and the side surfaces on which the discharge channels54are provided are second side surfaces then the first side surfaces and the second side surfaces are different side surfaces. Specifically, as illustrated inFIG. 5, the discharge channels54of this embodiment are provided on both the positive-Y-direction side and the negative-Y-direction side of the sidewall224of the upstream-side case member22. In contrast, the connectors264are provided on both the positive-X-direction side and the negative-X-direction side of the sidewall234of the downstream-side case member23. In this way, by arranging the discharge channels54on side surfaces different to the side surfaces on which the connectors264are provided, it is possible to avoid adherence of ink, which has been discharged from the discharge channels54, to the connectors264.

Here, the structure of the discharge channels54of this embodiment will be described. Because the discharge channels54have the same structure, here, description will be made for only the discharge channel54on the positive-Y-direction side.FIG. 6is a diagram for explaining the structure of the discharge channel54and is an enlarged diagram of a region VI inFIG. 3.FIG. 7is a cross-sectional diagram (cross section that is parallel to the XY plane) taken along the line VII-VII inFIG. 6. As illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7, the discharge channel54of this embodiment is formed by making an opening in the sidewall224of the upstream-side case member22. Specifically, the discharge channel54is formed of a flow channel P1that communicates with the guide channel50in the horizontal direction (Y direction) and a flow channel P2that communicates with the flow channel P1and that extends downward in a perpendicular direction (Z direction) along the sidewall.

End portions of the sidewall224in the positive-X-direction side and the negative-X-direction side that form the opening are bent along the Z direction and the inner surfaces of wall portions226that form these bent portions form the side surfaces of the flow channel P1and the flow channel P2. As illustrated inFIG. 7, the wall portion226on the negative-X-direction side bends toward the positive-Y-direction side and the wall portion226on the positive-X-direction side bends toward the negative-Y-direction side. Further, the wall portions226may be bent in the same direction (only toward the positive-Y-direction side or only toward the negative-Y-direction side).

The bottom surface D1of the flow channel P1of the discharge channel54is a portion of the upper surface of the upstream-side case member22, that is, a surface bounded by both ends of the wall portions226within the upper surface of the upstream-side case member22. The bottom surface D2of the flow channel P2of the discharge channel54is a portion of the side surface of the upstream-side case member22, that is, is a surface that is bounded by both ends of the wall portions226within the side surface of the upstream-side case member22. In this embodiment, both the bottom surface D1of the flow channel P1of the discharge channel54and the bottom surface B of the guide channel50are formed on the upper surface of the upstream-side case member22, even though a case where they have the same height has been exemplified, the structure is not limited to this, by making the bottom surface D1of the flow channel P1of the discharge channel54lower than the bottom surface B of the guide channel50, the ink may be easily discharged. At the lower end of the flow channel P2of the discharge channel54a step portion228that projects toward the positive-Y-direction side from the bottom surface D2of the flow channel P2in such a manner as to reduce the width of the flow channel P2in the Y direction is formed. By providing the step portion228, when ink flows down along the bottom surface D2of the flow channel P2, there is an effect such as the step portion228acting as an obstruction and suppressing the force of the flow of ink. However, the step portion228need not be provided.

In this way, in a structure in which ink that has leaked from the intermediate unit40by the discharge channel54flows along a side surface different to the side surfaces on which the connectors264of the head body21are arranged, direct adherence to the connectors264of ink flowing down from the discharge channel54can be avoided. However, because ink adheres to the bottom surfaces D1and D2of the discharge channel54, in assembly operations and the like, when a finger is used to grasp the side surface of the head body21, the likelihood of ink adhering to the finger is high. If the finger that has ink adhered thereto comes into contact with the connectors264or the like, there is a concern that the ink will adhere to the connectors264or the like.

Accordingly, in this embodiment, by providing a projecting portion60that projects from the bottom surfaces D1and D2of the discharge channel54in the discharge channel54in such a manner that a finger will come into contact with the projecting portion60, it becomes difficult for ink of the discharge channel54to adhere to the finger. As illustrated inFIGS. 6 and 7, the projecting portion60of this embodiment is arranged so as to extend from the negative-Z-direction side to the positive-Z-direction side (vertical direction) on the bottom surface D2(second side surface) of the flow channel P2of the discharge channel54. The end portion of the projecting portion60on the negative-Z-direction side extends so as to have a height that is greater than that of the bottom surface B of the guide channel50. The end portion of the projecting portion60on the positive-Z-direction side extends up to the edge portion (edge portion of the lower end of the step portion228) of the lower end of the bottom surface D2of the flow channel P2that is on the opposite side to the guide channel50.

By providing the discharge channel54with the projecting portion60such as that described above, even if a finger is used to grasp the side surface of the head body21and comes into contact with the projecting portion60, it is difficult for the ink of the discharge channel54to come into contact with the finger. Consequently, it is possible to make it difficult for ink to adhere to a finger. In particular, during arrangement of the connectors264, when grasping the head body21with a finger, the likelihood of the finger grasping the side surface (X-direction side surface) on which the connector264is arranged and the side surface (Y-direction side surface) that is perpendicular thereto is high. In this way, in this embodiment in which the discharge channel54is provided in a side surface that has a high likelihood of being grasped by a finger, because the likelihood of a finger coming into contact with the discharge channel54is particularly high, the effect of preventing ink from adhering to a finger by provision of the projecting portion60becomes particularly marked. Further, even though a case where the projecting portion60of this embodiment is arranged along the bottom surface D2of the flow channel P2of the discharge channel54and extends to the edge portion of the lower end thereof is exemplified, the structure is not limited to this and the projecting portion60need not extend to the edge portion of the bottom surface D2of the flow channel P2. Even in such a case, it is difficult for ink to adhere to a finger. However, the projecting portion60, by extending to the edge portion of the lower end of the flow path P2of the discharge channel54as in this embodiment, compared with a case where the projecting portion60does not extend up to the edge portion, can suppress ink from moving around to other portions up to the edge portion. In particular, by forming the step portion228that projects from the bottom surface D2of the flow channel P2toward the positive-Y-direction side as in this embodiment, as long as the projecting portion60does not project up to the edge portion of the step portion228, there is a concern that ink will move around from the step portion228to a portion other than the discharge channel54. Regarding this point, in this embodiment, because the projecting portion60extends up to the edge portion of the step portion228it is possible to make it difficult for ink to move around to a portion other than the discharge channel54.

FIG. 8is a cross-sectional diagram for explaining an operation in the case where ink from the discharge channels54of the liquid ejecting head20of this embodiment is discharged to the maintenance unit16. Further, inFIG. 8, the mechanism that drives the cap162and the like have been omitted. As illustrated inFIG. 8, when the carriage18on which the liquid ejecting head20is mounted moves to a position above the maintenance unit16in the non-printing area H, the discharge flow channels164are arranged directly below the discharge channels54. By mounting the liquid ejecting head20on the carriage18, the wall portions226of the discharge channels54abut against an inner wall184of the carriage18and close the openings of the flow channels P1and P2of the discharge channels54in the Y direction. Consequently, it is possible to make ink flowing through the flow channels P1and P2of the discharge channels54not move around to another portion. The discharge flow channels164communicate with the lower end of the flow channel P2of the discharge channels54and the lower end of the discharge flow channels164communicates with the absorber166. Because of this, it is possible to discharge ink from the guide channel50to the absorber166from the flow channels P1and P2of the discharge channels54via the discharge flow channels164and cause the ink to be absorbed by the absorber166. Further, when ink is discharged from the discharge channels54to the maintenance unit16, the nozzles N may or may not be sealed by the cap162.

First Modification of First Embodiment

FIG. 9is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the discharge channel54of the liquid ejecting head20according to a first modification of the first embodiment and corresponds toFIG. 7. Elements of each of the modifications given below that have the same operations and functions are designated by the same reference symbols used in the explanation ofFIGS. 2 to 8and detailed description thereof is omitted. As illustrated inFIG. 9, grooves62that guide the ink may be formed in both of the side surfaces of the wall portions226and the projecting portion60that form the discharge channel54. In this case, it is possible to make it difficult for the ink that passes through the discharge channel54to move around to surfaces of the wall portions226and the projecting portion60that are easily touched by a finger because it is guided by the grooves62formed on the side surfaces of the wall portions226and the side surfaces of the projecting portion60that are easily touched by a finger. Further, the grooves62that guide the ink may be formed in any of the side surfaces of the wall portions226and the side surfaces of the projecting portion60.

Second Modification of First Embodiment

FIG. 10is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the discharge channel54of the liquid ejecting head20according to a second modification of the first embodiment and corresponds toFIG. 7. InFIG. 9, a case where the grooves62that guide ink to the side surfaces of the projecting portion60is exemplified; however, as illustrated inFIG. 10, a hole64that guides ink to an inner portion of the projecting portion60may be formed. Consequently, because ink that passes through the discharge channel54is guided by the hole64that is formed in the inner portion of the projecting portion60that is difficult to touch with a finger, it is possible to make it difficult for ink to move around to the surface of the projecting portion60that is easily touched by a finger.

Third Modification of First Embodiment

FIG. 11is an external perspective view of the discharge channel54of the liquid ejecting head20according to a third modification of the first embodiment and corresponds toFIG. 6. A case where the projecting portion60ofFIG. 6is formed only on the bottom surface D2(second side surface) of the flow channel P2of the discharge channel54is exemplified; however, the projecting portion60ofFIG. 11is formed not only on the bottom surface D2of the flow channel P2of the discharge channel54but also on the bottom surface D1(upper surface of the upstream-side case member22) of the flow channel P1of the discharge channel54. That is, the projecting portion60ofFIG. 11is formed so as to enable communication from the bottom surface D1of the flow channel P1of the discharge channel54to the bottom surface D2of the flow channel P2. Consequently, by forming the projecting portion60so as to span across from the bottom surface D1of the flow channel P1to the bottom surface D2of the flow channel P2, compared with a case where the projecting portion60is formed only on the bottom surface D2of the flow channel P2, it is possible to increase the strength of the projecting portion60.

Fourth Modification of First Embodiment

FIG. 12is an external perspective view of the discharge channel54of the liquid ejecting head20according to a fourth modification of the first embodiment and corresponds toFIG. 6. A case where the projecting portion60ofFIG. 6is formed only on the bottom surface D2of the flow channel P2of the discharge channel54is exemplified; however, the projecting portion60ofFIG. 12is formed only on the bottom surface D1of the flow channel P1of the discharge channel54. Consequently, even in the case where the projecting portion60is formed only on the bottom surface D1of the flow channel P1of the discharge channel54, when a finger is used to grasp the head body21, it is possible to make it difficult for ink to adhere to the finger. Further, a case where the projecting portion60ofFIG. 12projects toward the negative-Z-direction side from the bottom surface D1of the flow channel P1of the discharge channel54and also projects toward the positive-Y-direction side from the bottom surface D2of the flow channel P2is exemplified; however, the structure is not limited to this. For example, as long as the projecting portion60ofFIG. 12projects toward the negative-Z-direction side from the bottom surface D1of the flow channel P1of the discharge channel54, it need not particularly project toward the positive-Y-direction side from the bottom surface D2of the flow channel P2of the discharge channel54.

Fifth Modification of First Embodiment

FIG. 13is an external perspective view of the discharge channel54of the liquid ejecting head20according to a fifth modification of the first embodiment and corresponds toFIG. 6. InFIG. 6, a case where a single projecting portion60is formed in the discharge channel54is exemplified; however, the structure is not limited to this and the projecting portion60may be formed in a plurality in the discharge channel54. In the discharge channel54ofFIG. 13, two of the projecting portions60are formed side by side on the bottom surface D2of the flow channel P2. Further, the number of the projecting portions60may be three or more. As the number of the projecting portions60increases it becomes increasingly difficult for the ink of the discharge channel54to adhere to a finger.

Second Embodiment

A second embodiment of the invention will be described. Elements of each of the embodiments given below that have the same operations and functions as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference symbols as used in the description of the first embodiment and detailed description thereof is omitted.FIG. 14is a plan view of the liquid ejecting head20according to the second embodiment of the invention as seen from above and corresponds toFIG. 5. In the second embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 14, a groove56that guides ink toward the discharge channels54from the intermediate unit40is further provided in the bottom surface B of the guide channel50. The groove56ofFIG. 14is formed of a surrounding groove562that surrounds the intermediate unit40and discharge grooves564that communicate with the surrounding groove562and that extend toward the discharge channels54on both the positive Y direction side and the negative Y direction side. In accordance with the structure of the second embodiment, ink that has leaked from the intermediate unit40is guided toward the surrounding groove562and the discharge grooves564and is discharged from either one of the discharge channels54on the positive Y direction side and the negative Y direction side. Therefore, compared with a case where the groove56such as that described above is not formed, ink that has leaked from the intermediate unit40is easily directed to the discharge channels54. Further, instead of forming the groove56in the bottom surface B of the guide channel50, a rib may be formed. However, in terms of negligibly blocking the flow of ink, the groove56is preferable over the rib.

Third Embodiment

A third embodiment of the invention will be described.FIG. 15is a plan view of the liquid ejecting head20according to the third embodiment as seen from above and corresponds toFIG. 5. InFIG. 5, a case where the communication portion47of the intermediate unit40and the discharge channels54are provided in the Y direction is exemplified: however, the structure is not limited to this. For example, as illustrated inFIG. 15, the communication portion47may be provided at the end portion of the intermediate unit40in the X direction in which the carriage18reciprocates and a single discharge channel54may be provided on the same side as the communication portion47.

In the third embodiment, as illustrated inFIG. 15, the communication portion47of the intermediate unit40is formed in an end portion of the surrounding wall44on the negative-X-direction side and the discharge channel54is provided on the same side. In the structure ofFIG. 15, the connector264is arranged in the positive-Y-direction side and the negative-Y-direction side of the sidewall234of the downstream-side case member. In accordance with the structure inFIG. 15, using the inertial force of the reciprocation of the carriage18, it is possible to facilitate the discharge of the liquid from the communication portion47of the intermediate unit40to the guide channel50and it is possible to further facilitate the discharge of that ink from the guide channel50to the discharge channel54. Further, inFIG. 15, a case where the communication portion47of the intermediate unit40and the discharge channel54are arranged on the negative-X-direction side is exemplified; however the structure is not limited to this and the communication portion47of the intermediate unit40and the discharge channel54may be arranged on the positive-X-direction side, moreover, they may be arranged on both the negative-X-direction side and the positive-X-direction side.

Moreover, in the above-described embodiment, a case is described where the ink storage capacities of the liquid containers C1to C4are the same; however, the structure is not limited to this and the ink storage capacities of the liquid containers C1to C4may differ. In such a case, for example, in the intermediate unit40ofFIG. 15, the ink introduction needle42of the liquid container that has the largest ink storage capacity among the liquid containers C1to C4may be arranged on the end portion side at which the communication portion47is provided. For example, in the case where the liquid container C4of black (K) has the largest ink storage capacity, for example, inFIG. 15, the liquid container C4of black (K) may be mounted on the end portion side at which the communication portion47is provided, that is, on the ink introduction needle42on the negative-X-direction side. As a result, even if a large amount of ink leaks out from the liquid container with the largest storage capacity, because it is near the end portion at which the communication portion47is provided, it is possible to facilitate discharge of the ink from the communication portion47to the guide channel50without affecting the other liquid containers. Further, if ink leakage occurs due to damage to the liquid container with the largest storage capacity or the like, because a large amount of ink leaks out, the ink introduction needle42of the liquid container with the largest storage capacity may be arranged near the end portion side at which the communication portion47is provided.

Further, each modification of the first embodiment may be applied in the second embodiment and the third embodiment and, consequently, the same effect as each modification of the first embodiment can be obtained in the second embodiment and the third embodiment.

Other Modifications

The above-described embodiments can be modified in various ways. Specific examples of the modifications will be described below. Two or more examples arbitrarily chosen from the following examples can be combined appropriately as long as they do not contradict each other.

(1) In each of the above-described configurations, a so-called on-carriage type structure in which the liquid containers C1to C4are mounted on the carriage18is exemplified; however, the structure is not limited to this and a so-called off-carriage-type structure in which the liquid containers C1to C4are mounted on the body of the liquid ejecting apparatus10may be applied to the liquid ejecting head20.

(2) The liquid ejecting apparatus exemplified in each of the above embodiments may be adopted in a printing-only device or any one of various devices such as a facsimile device, a photocopier or the like. However, the use of the liquid ejecting apparatus of this invention is not limited to printing. For example, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a solution of color materials can be used as a manufacturing device for forming the color filters of liquid crystal displays. Moreover, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a solution of conductive materials can be used as a manufacturing device for forming wiring or electrodes of a wiring substrate or the like.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-040740, filed Mar. 3, 2016 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.