Patent Publication Number: US-9840084-B2

Title: Liquid ejecting apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus. 
     2. Related Art 
     Ink jet printers have been known as an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus that perform printing on paper (recording media) by ejecting ink (liquid) from an ink jet head (liquid ejecting head). In such liquid ejecting apparatuses, in some cases a head flow path connected to a liquid ejecting head is removed in order to perform maintenance on the liquid ejecting head. However, the head flow path is in a state filled with liquid and handling in this state is problematic. 
     JP-A-2001-18412 describes an ink jet recording apparatus including a joint portion for connecting a recording head. The joint portion includes a joint cylinder for connecting a supply tube, a joint cap formed from an ink-sealing member for preventing ink within the joint cylinder from leaking, and slender ink supply needle to be fixed and attached in a cylinder cap. According to the technique described in JP-A-2001-18412, when the joint portion is removed from the recording head, the ink supply needle is covered by the joint cap and the ink stored in the supply tube is prevented from leaking. 
     However, the technique described above is configured so that the head flow path is closed simultaneously with the removal of the head flow path from the liquid ejecting head. Consequently, unless the head flow path is removed slowly, the seal will be imperfect, resulting in a risk of the liquid leaking from the head flow path at a time of replacing the liquid ejecting head. Additionally, maintenance work needs to be performed in a short period of time in order to minimize downtime of the liquid ejecting apparatus and, if the liquid leaks, unnecessary cleaning time may be required. 
     SUMMARY 
     An advantage of some aspects of the invention is that a liquid ejecting apparatus is provided whereby leakage of liquid from a head flow path can be prevented and maintenance can be performed in a short period of time. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, a liquid ejecting apparatus has a configuration including a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid; a head flow path connected to the liquid ejecting head, that supplies the liquid; an attaching member that is attachable at a position adjacent to the head flow path; and an opening/closing mechanism that opens the head flow path when the attaching member is attached at the adjacent position and closes the head flow path when the attaching member is removed from the adjacent position. 
     According to this configuration, the attaching and removing of the attaching member that is attachable at the position adjacent to the head flow path can be associated with the opening and the closing of the head flow path. As such, the attaching member is removed from the position adjacent to the head flow path before the head flow path is removed from the liquid ejecting head and, therefore, the head flow path can be closed in advance by the opening/closing mechanism. Accordingly, when removing the head flow path in order to replace the liquid ejecting head or the like, leaking of the liquid can be prevented, maintenance can be performed in a short period of time, and serviceability can be improved. 
     It is preferable that the adjacent position be set outside the head flow path. 
     According to this configuration, the head flow path can be closed from the outside by removing the attaching member that is attached outside the head flow path and, therefore, leaking of the liquid can be reliably prevented. 
     It is preferable that the opening/closing mechanism have a configuration that includes, within the head flow path, a valve body that is movable between an open position where the head flow path is open and a closed position where the head flow path is closed, and of which at least one portion is formed from a magnetic material; within the head flow path, a urging member that biases the valve body from the open position toward the closed position; and a magnet that is provided on the attaching member and that resists the urging and positions the valve body at the open position while the attaching member is attached at the adjacent position. 
     According to this configuration, while the attaching member is attached at the position adjacent to the head flow path, the magnet provided on the attaching member is magnetically attracted to the valve body that includes the magnetic material, thereby opening the head flow path. Additionally, when the attaching member is removed from the position adjacent to the head flow path, the magnetic force of the magnet ceases to act, the urging member causes the valve body to move to the closed position, and the head flow path is closed. 
     It is preferable that the opening/closing mechanism have a configuration that includes a flexible film that forms a portion of the head flow path; within the head flow path, a valve body that is movable between an open position where the head flow path is open and a closed position where the head flow path is closed; within the head flow path, a urging member that biases the valve body from the open position toward the closed position; and a pressing member that is provided on the attaching member and that resists the urging and positions the valve body at the open position by pressing the valve body via the flexible film while the attaching member is attached at the adjacent position. 
     According to this configuration, while the attaching member is attached at the position adjacent to the head flow path, the pressing member provided on the attaching member presses on the valve body via the flexible film, thereby opening the head flow path. Additionally, when the attaching member is removed from the position adjacent to the head flow path, the pressing by the pressing member ceases to be applied, the urging member causes the valve body to move to the closed position, and the head flow path is closed. 
     It is preferable that the liquid ejecting apparatus have a configuration further including a first fixing member that fixes the head flow path to the liquid ejecting head; and an interfering portion positioned on an operation path of the first fixing member when the attaching member is attached at the adjacent position. 
     According to this configuration, the interfering portion disables the operation of the first fixing member and, therefore, unless the attaching member is removed in advance, the head flow path cannot be removed from the liquid ejecting head. As a result, situations can be avoided where the head flow path is removed from the liquid ejecting head while the head flow path is not closed, which would lead to leaking of the liquid. 
     It is preferable that the liquid ejecting apparatus have a configuration further including a supporting member that supports the liquid ejecting head; and a second fixing member that fixes the liquid ejecting head together with the attaching member to the supporting member. 
     According to this configuration, the attaching member is removed when the second fixing member operates and releases the fixing between the liquid ejecting head and the supporting member. As a result, the head flow path can be closed simultaneously with the releasing of the fixing between the liquid ejecting head and the supporting member. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an overall appearance of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention, in a state where a side portion is opened. 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic configuration diagram of an interior of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state of connection of a coupling member to a second relay portion according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the coupling member being attached to the second relay portion according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an unattached state of the coupling member according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a drawing of the coupling member according to the first embodiment of the invention, viewed from a connecting direction. 
         FIG. 8  is a side view illustrating a state of connection of a head flow path to a liquid ejecting head according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an open state of the head flow path according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a closed state of the head flow path according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view illustrating an attached state of an attaching member according to a second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an open state of the head flow path according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a closed state of the head flow path according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the invention will be described while referencing the drawings. In the drawings used in the following description, the scale of each constituent is appropriately adjusted to a recognizable size. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating an overall appearance of a liquid ejecting apparatus  1000  according to a first embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view illustrating the liquid ejecting apparatus  1000  according to the first embodiment of the invention, in a state where a side portion is opened. 
     Note that, in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an XYZ orthogonal coordinate system is set. In the liquid ejecting apparatus  1000 , a front/rear direction is the X-axis direction, a direction orthogonal to the X-axis direction in the horizontal plane is the Y-axis direction (horizontal direction), and a direction (vertical direction) orthogonal to each of the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is the Z-axis direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the liquid ejecting apparatus  1000  includes an apparatus body  10  and two liquid supplying devices  20 . In a state of usage of the liquid ejecting apparatus  1000 , the apparatus body  10  is set on a horizontal plane defined by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The liquid supplying devices  20  supply ink as a liquid to the apparatus body  10 . A liquid container  50  that contains a liquid is detachably connected (mounted) to the liquid supplying devices  20 . In the present embodiment, a pack-type container in which a liquid is stored is used as the liquid container  50 . 
     The apparatus body  10  is an ink jet printer. The apparatus body  10  is provided with a paper feeding tray  16  and a discharge tray  17 . The paper feeding tray  16  and the discharge tray  17  are provided on an apparatus front face  102  of the apparatus body  10 . The paper feeding tray  16  is provided in plurality at positions of different heights in a vertical direction. Recording media (e.g. paper), on which text, images, and the like are to be printed (recorded) by the apparatus body  10 , is stored in the paper feeding tray  16 . Recording media on which images have been recorded by the apparatus body  10  is discharged on the discharge tray  17 . 
     The two liquid supplying devices  20  are provided on an apparatus left side  104  and on an apparatus right side  106  of the apparatus body  10 . One of the liquid supplying devices  20  provided on the apparatus left side  104  is called first liquid supplying device  20 A, and the other of the liquid supplying devices  20  provided on the apparatus right side  106  is called second liquid supplying device  20 B. Note that in cases where the first and second liquid supplying devices  20 A and  20 B are used without differentiating between them, the first and second liquid supplying devices  20 A and  20 B are simply called the liquid supplying devices  20 . 
     The liquid supplying devices  20  include a case member  22 , the liquid container  50 , and an attachment unit  30  ( FIG. 2 ). One of the liquid container  50  and one of the attachment unit  30  are housed in the first liquid supplying device  20 A ( FIG. 3 , described later), and three of the liquid container  50  and three of the attachment unit  30  are housed in the second liquid supplying device  20 B. Note that the number of the liquid container  50  and the number of the attachment unit  30  are examples. 
     Types of liquid that are different from each other are stored (filled) in the four liquid containers  50 . In the present embodiment, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) liquids are each stored respectively in the four liquid containers  50 . A liquid container  50 K in which the black liquid is stored ( FIG. 3 , described later) is housed in a housing space  26 A inside a case member  22 A (third case member) of the first liquid supplying device  20 A. A liquid container  50 C in which the cyan liquid is stored, a liquid container  50 M in which the magenta liquid is stored, and a liquid container  50 Y in which the yellow liquid is stored are housed in a housing space  26 B ( FIG. 2 ) inside a case member  22 B (second case member) of the second liquid supplying device  20 B. 
     The attachment unit  30  is detachably mounted on the liquid container  50 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the attachment unit  30 C is mounted on the liquid container  50 C, the attachment unit  30 M is mounted on the liquid container  50 M, and the attachment unit  30 Y is mounted on the liquid container  50 Y. The attachment unit  30  is arranged inside the case member  22 . When the attachment unit  30  is mounted on the liquid container  50 , the liquid stored in the liquid container  50  is supplied to a liquid ejecting head  60  ( FIG. 3 , described later) of the apparatus body  10  by a supplying mechanism (not illustrated) having a pump function provided in the apparatus body  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the case member  22  is configured to open and close by rotating a second edge portion  24  that has a first edge portion  23  rotatably connected to the apparatus body  10  as a fulcrum. After the liquid stored in the liquid container  50  has been consumed, a user opens the case member  22  and removes the consumed liquid container  50  from the attachment unit  30 . Then, the user mounts a new liquid container  50  on the attachment unit  30  and, thereafter, closes the case member  22 . 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic configuration diagram of an interior of the liquid ejecting apparatus  1000  according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the apparatus body  10  includes a case member  11  (first case member), a liquid ejecting unit  12 , and a maintenance unit  13 . The liquid ejecting unit  12  and the maintenance unit  13  are housed in a housing space  14  inside the case member  11 . 
     The liquid ejecting unit  12  prints images on the recording media by ejecting liquid while moving the liquid ejecting head  60  in the Y-axis direction (primary scanning direction), while simultaneously transporting the recording media in the X-axis direction (secondary scanning direction) using a transporting device (not illustrated). The liquid ejecting head  60  is an ink jet head and, for example, drives a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators to eject liquid from a plurality of nozzles. Nozzle rows are formed in the liquid ejecting head  60  for each type of liquid. 
     A region called a home position is provided at a position outside a printing region to which the liquid ejecting head  60  is moved in the primary scanning direction and, the maintenance unit  13  that performs maintenance to ensure normal printing is disposed at the home position. The maintenance unit  13  includes a cap member  70  that presses on a nozzle surface where a nozzle of the liquid ejecting head  60  is formed and that forms a closed space so as to enclose the nozzle; a lifting/lowering mechanism (not illustrated) that lifts/lowers the cap member  70  in order to press against the nozzle surface of the liquid ejecting head  60 ; a suction pump (not illustrated) that introduces negative pressure to the closed space formed by the cap member  70  being pressed against the nozzle surface of the liquid ejecting head  60 ; and a waste liquid tank  71  that stores the liquid suctioned via the suction pump. 
     The liquid ejecting apparatus  1000  includes a liquid supply system  80  that supplies liquid from the liquid container  50  to the liquid ejecting head  60 . The liquid supply system  80  includes a head flow path  81 , a first relay portion  82 , first flow paths  83 , a second relay portion  84 , and second flow paths  85 . The head flow path  81  includes a coupling member  86  that connects to the liquid ejecting head  60 , a multi-row flexible tubing  87  in which flow paths for each of the types of liquid are formed, and a coupling member  87   a  that connects to the first relay portion  82 . A first end of the head flow path  81  is connected to the liquid ejecting head  60  and a second end of the head flow path  81  is connected to the first relay portion  82 . 
     The first relay portion  82  connects the head flow path  81  with the first flow paths  83 , and is housed in the housing space  14  inside the case member  11 . 
     The first flow paths  83  are provided in plurality for each type of liquid. A first flow path  83 K through which black liquid flows is a liquid supply tube that constitutes a connection between the first relay portion  82  and the attachment unit  30 K. The first flow path  83 K includes a coupling member  88  (referred to as “coupling member  88 K”) that connects to the first relay portion  82 . As distance to the first relay portion  82  is short, the first flow path  83 K directly connects the first relay portion  82  with the attachment unit  30 K. 
     First flow paths  83 C,  83 M, and  83 Y through which cyan, magenta, and yellow liquid respectively flow are liquid supply tubes that each constitute a connection between the first relay portion  82  and the second relay portion  84 . The first flow paths  83 C,  83 M, and  83 Y each include the coupling member  88  (referred to as “coupling members  88 C,  88 M, and  88 Y”, respectively) that connects to the first relay portion  82 , and a common coupling member  90  that connects to the second relay portion  84 . 
     The second relay portion  84  connects each of the first flow paths  83  with a corresponding one of the second flow paths  85 , and is provided across the case member  11  and the case member  22 B. 
     In the present embodiment, the first flow path  83 K is configured to directly connect to the attachment unit  30 K, but may be configured so as to connect to via a relay portion provided across the case member  11  and the case member  22 A, in the same manner as the first flow paths  83 C,  83 M, and  83 Y. 
     The second flow paths  85  are provided in plurality for each of the cyan, magenta, and yellow liquids. Second flow paths  85 C,  85 M, and  85 Y through which cyan, magenta, and yellow liquid respectively flow are liquid supply tubes that each constitute a connection between the second relay portion  84  and the attachment units  30 C,  30 M, and  30 Y. 
     The second flow paths  85 C,  85 M, and  85 Y include coupling members  91  (referred to as “coupling members  91 C,  91 M, and  91 Y”) that connect to the second relay portion  84 . 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state of connection of coupling members  90  and  91  to the second relay portion  84  according to the first embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of the coupling member  91  being attached to the second relay portion  84  according to the first embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an unattached state of the coupling member  91  according to the first embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 7  is a drawing of the coupling member  91  according to the first embodiment of the invention, viewed from a connecting direction. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the second relay portion  84  includes a first connection portion  110  to which the coupling member  90  connects, and a second connection portion  112  to which the coupling member  91  connects. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the first connection portion  110  is connected via the fixing members  111  to the coupling member  90  common to the first flow paths  83 C,  83 M, and  83 Y. The fixing members  111  are screw members and fix the first connection portion  110  and the coupling member  90  together. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the coupling member  90  is positioned in the housing space  14  inside the case member  11  and, as such, can be assembled completely within the case member  11 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the coupling members  86  and  87   a  housed in the housing space  14  inside the case member  11  are affected (subjected to vibration or the like) somewhat by the movement of the liquid ejecting head  60  and, as such, are preferably fixed with screws or the like in the same manner as the coupling member  90 . 
     The second connection portion  112  is provided for each of the coupling members  91 C,  91 M, and  91 Y. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the coupling members  91  have a sealing mechanism  120  that prevents the liquid from leaking when the second connection portion  112  is not connected to the coupling member  91 . Note that the configuration of the sealing mechanisms  120  provided in the coupling members  91 C,  91 M, and  91 Y is the same for each and, therefore, only the configuration of the sealing mechanism  120  provided in the coupling member  91 Y is described below. 
     The coupling member  91  has a roughly cylindrical shape and includes a fitting groove  121  in which the tubing  92  that forms a portion of the second flow path  85  is fitted, and a receiving groove  122  that receives the sealing mechanism  120 . The receiving groove  122  includes a large diameter portion  122   a  open toward a connecting face of the coupling member  91 , and a small diameter portion  122   b  that is in communication with the large diameter portion  122   a . A roughly cylindrical gasket  123  formed from an elastomer is housed in the large diameter portion  122   a . An annular valve seat  123   b  is formed in the gasket  123  that protrudes toward the small diameter portion  122   b  and follows a periphery of an aperture  123   a  penetrating a center of the gasket  123 . 
     A cylindrical valve guide  124  is housed in the small diameter portion  122   b . An inner diameter of the valve guide  124  is larger than an inner diameter of the gasket  123  (the aperture  123   a ). A valve body  125  capable of contacting and separating from the valve seat  123   b  is provided inward of the valve guide  124 . The valve body  125  has a bottomed cylindrical shape capable of closing the aperture  123   a . A urging member  126  that biases the valve body  125  in a direction of close contact with the valve seat  123   b  is interposed between the valve body  125  and a bottom surface of the small diameter portion  122   b . The urging member  126  is a compression coil spring and maintains a closed state by bringing the valve body  125  into close contact with the valve seat  123   b  of the gasket  123 . 
     A flange  127  and a pair of engaging protrusions  128  are formed on an outer circumferential surface of the coupling member  91 . On the other hand, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the second connection portion  112  includes a pair of contacting portions  113  where the flange  127  contacts; engagement grooves  114  where the pair of engaging protrusions  128  engage; and an insertion portion  115  that causes the valve body  125  to resist the urging force of the urging member  126  and move, and set the sealing mechanism  120  to the open state. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the pair of contacting portions  113  are each formed in an arcuate shape, and both ends of the arcuate shapes face each other across a gap. The gaps between the pair of contacting portions  113  are of a size such that the pair of engaging protrusions  128  can be inserted. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the engagement grooves  114  are formed on a back side of the pair of contacting portions  113 . The pair of engaging protrusions  128  is passed through the gaps in the pair of contacting portions  113  and rotated about a central axis. Thus, the pair of engaging protrusions  128  is engaged with the engagement grooves  114 . As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the pair of engaging protrusions  128  have an asymmetrical shape. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a slanted surface  128   a  is provided on one of the pair of engaging protrusions  128  so as to facilitate ease of engagement with the engagement groove  114 . As a result, it is possible to rotate the coupling member  91  about the central axis without completely inserting the second connection portion  112 . Additionally, due to the action of the slanted surface  128   a , when the coupling member  91  is rotated about the central axis, the coupling member  91  is plugged completely into the second connection portion  112 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the insertion portion  115  is disposed in the center of the pair of contacting portions  113 . The insertion portion  115  has a cylindrical shape of which a tip portion is bisected. When the coupling member  91  is plugged completely into the second connection portion  112 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the tip portion of the insertion portion  115  resists the urging force of the urging member  126  and presses the valve body  125  down. At this time, the gasket  123  is in close contact with the outer circumferential surface of the insertion portion  115  and a seal is maintained. When the valve body  125  separates from the valve seat  123   b  of the gasket  123  the open state will be assumed and liquid from the tubing  92  will pass through the gap between the valve body  125  and the valve guide  124  and flow into the gap formed by the bisected tip portion of the insertion portion  115 . 
     On the other hand, the second flow paths  85  are removed from the second relay portion  84  in order to perform maintenance on the attachment unit  30 . When removed, the tip portion of the insertion portion  115  of the second connection portion  112  separates from the valve body  125 . As such, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , in accordance with the urging force of the urging member  126 , the valve body  125  closely contacts the valve seat  123   b  of the gasket  123  and assumes the closed state in which the aperture  123   a  of the gasket  123  is closed. As a result, the open end of the connecting surface of the coupling member  91  is sealed by the sealing mechanism  120 . Accordingly, the liquid remaining in the tubing  92  is prevented from leaking out through the open end. 
     As described above, leaking of liquid when the second flow paths  85  are removed can easily be prevented by providing the sealing mechanism  120  in the coupling member  91 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the coupling member  91  is housed in the housing space  26 B inside the case member  22 B. As such, when performing maintenance on the attachment unit  30 C,  30 M, or  30 Y, the second flow paths  85  can easily by removed by opening the case member  22 B and maintenance can be performed without opening the case member  11 . Note that preferably, a detachable cover member covering the coupling member  91  is provided on the housing space  26 B inside the case member  22 B so as to prevent a user from unintentionally touching the coupling member  91 . 
     Next, a configuration for preventing leaking of liquid in the head flow path  81  will be described while referencing  FIGS. 8 to 10 . 
       FIG. 8  is a side view illustrating a state of connection of a head flow path  81  to a liquid ejecting head  60  according to the first embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an open state of the head flow path  81  according to the first embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a closed state of the head flow path  81  according to the first embodiment of the invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the liquid ejecting head  60  is supported on a supporting member  61 . The supporting member  61  is a carriage that moves the liquid ejecting head  60  back and forth in the primary scanning direction. The liquid ejecting head  60  is fixed to the supporting member  61  via a fixing member  62  (second fixing member). The fixing member  62  is a screw member and fixes the liquid ejecting head  60  to the supporting member  61  at a plurality of locations. 
     The head flow path  81  is fixed to the liquid ejecting head  60  via a fixing member  63  (first fixing member). The fixing member  63  is a screw member and fixes the coupling member  86  of the head flow path  81  to the liquid ejecting head  60  at a plurality of locations. 
     The attaching member  130  is attached at a position X adjacent to the head flow path  81 . The adjacent position X is set outside of the head flow path  81 . As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the adjacent position X of the present embodiment is set at a position adjacent to an inner flow path  86   a  of the coupling member  86  via a dividing wall  86   b . As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the attaching member  130  is fixed to the coupling member  86  via a fixing member  64 . The fixing member  64  is a screw member. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , when the attaching member  130  is attached at the adjacent position X, the attaching member  130  includes an interfering portion  131  positioned on at least one operation path L of the plurality of fixing members  63 . The operation path L of the fixing member  63  is a path to access the fixing member  63  using a tool (in the present embodiment, a screwdriver for rotating the screw member). The interfering portion  131  has a plate shape that crosses the operation path L, and prevents a tool from accessing the fixing member  63 . 
     A distance D 1  from a fixing surface (seat) of the fixing member  63  to the in  131  is shorter than a distance D 2  that the fixing member  63  is inserted (screwed) into the liquid ejecting head  60 . As such, the fixing member  63  cannot be removed without removing the attaching member  130 . The material and shape of the attaching member  130  are not particularly limited, but the attaching member  130  is preferably formed from, for example, a light-weight resin material or the like because the attaching member  130  moves together with the liquid ejecting head  60 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the liquid ejecting apparatus  1000  includes an opening/closing mechanism  140  that opens the head flow path  81  when the attaching member  130  is attached at the adjacent position X and closes the head flow path  81  when the attaching member  130  is removed from the adjacent position X. The opening/closing mechanism  140  includes a valve body  141  and a urging member  142  provided within the inner flow path  86   a  of the coupling member  86 , and a magnet  143  provided on the attaching member  130 . 
     An upstream flow path  86   a   1  in communication with a tubing  87 , a downstream flow path  86   a   2  in communication with the liquid ejecting head  60 , and an aperture  86   a   3  constituting a connection between the upstream flow path  86   a   1  and the downstream flow path  86   a   2  are provided in the inner flow path  86   a . The coupling member  86  includes an annular valve seat  86   b   1  that follows the periphery of the aperture  86   a   3 . A valve chamber  144  is provided in the upstream flow path  86   a   1  A cylindrical valve guide  145  is housed in the valve chamber  144 . A valve body  141  capable of contacting and separating from the valve seat  86   b   1  is provided inward of the valve guide  145 . 
     The valve body  141  includes a head portion  141   a  capable of closing the aperture  86   a   3 , and a shaft portion  141   b  guided by the valve guide  145 . At least a portion of the valve body  141  is formed from a magnetic material such as iron or the like. For example, in a case where the valve seat  86   b   1  is formed from a resin member such as packing material or the like, an entirety of the valve body  141  may be formed from the magnetic material. For example, in a case where the valve seat  86   b   1  is a portion of the dividing wall  86   b  and the head portion  141   a  is formed from a resin member such as packing material or the like, it is preferable that at least an end portion of the shaft portion  141   b  facing the dividing wall  86   b  be the magnetic material. 
     The valve body  141  is movable between an open position ( FIG. 9 ) where the head flow path  81  (the aperture  86   a   3 ) is open and a closed position ( FIG. 10 ) where the head flow path  81  (the aperture  86   a   3 ) is closed. The valve guide  145  includes a step portion  145   a  on an outer circumferential surface thereof. A urging member  142  is interposed between the step portion  145   a  of the valve guide  145  and the head portion  141   a  of the valve body  141 . The urging member  142  is a compression coil spring and biases the valve body  141  from the open position ( FIG. 9 ) toward the closed position ( FIG. 10 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the magnet  143  resists the urging force of the urging member  142  and positions the valve body  141  in the open position while the attaching member  130  is attached at the adjacent position X. The magnet  143  is fixed to the attaching member  130  by, for example, an adhesive or the like. Note that a configuration is possible in which a fitting groove is formed in the attaching member  130 , and the magnet  143  is fitted into the attaching member  130 . The magnet  143  faces the end portion of the shaft portion  141   b  of the valve body  141  via the dividing wall  86   b  while the attaching member  130  is attached at the adjacent position X. 
     The dividing wall  86   b  may be any substance provided that the magnetic force of the magnet  143  is allowed to act on the valve body  141  and, for example, may be formed from a non-magnetic material such as a resin material or the like. The magnet  143  causes a magnetic force larger than the urging force of the urging member  142  to act on the valve body  141 , and preferably a suitable material is selected depending on the material (spring constant) of the urging member  142 . 
     According to opening/closing mechanism  140  configured as described above, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 , while the attaching member  130  is attached at the position X adjacent to the head flow path  81 , the magnet  143  provided on the attaching member  130  is magnetically attracted to the valve body  141  that includes the magnetic material and, thereby, the head flow path  81  can be opened. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , when the attaching member  130  is removed from the position X adjacent to the head flow path  81 , the magnetic force of the magnet  143  ceases to act, the urging member  142  causes the valve body  141  to move to the closed position and, thereby, the head flow path  81  can be closed. 
     As such, according to the opening/closing mechanism  140 , the attaching and removing of the attaching member  130  that is attachable at the position X adjacent to the head flow path  81  can be associated with the opening and the closing of the head flow path  81 . That is, the attaching member  130  is removed from the position X adjacent to the head flow path  81  before the head flow path  81  is removed from the liquid ejecting head  60  and, therefore, the head flow path  81  can be closed in advance by the opening/closing mechanism  140 . Accordingly, when removing the head flow path  81  in order to replace the liquid ejecting head  60  or the like, leaking of the liquid can be prevented, maintenance can be performed in a short period of time, and serviceability can be improved. 
     The position X adjacent to the attaching member  130  is set outside of the head flow path  81  (the dividing wall  86   b ). According to this configuration, the head flow path  81  can be closed from the outside by removing the attaching member  130  that is attached outside the head flow path  81  and, therefore, leaking of the liquid can be reliably prevented. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , in the present embodiment, the fixing member  63  for fixing the head flow path  81  to the liquid ejecting head  60  is provided and, when the attaching member  130  is attached at the adjacent position X, the attaching member  130  includes the interfering portion  131  positioned on the operation path L of the fixing member  63 . According to this configuration, the interfering portion  131  disables the operation (access of a tool to the fixing member  63 ) of the fixing member  63  and, therefore, unless the attaching member  130  is removed in advance, the head flow path  81  cannot be removed from the liquid ejecting head  60 . As a result, situations can be avoided where the head flow path  81  is removed from the liquid ejecting head  60  while the head flow path  81  is not closed, which would lead to leaking of the liquid. 
     As described above, according to the present embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus  1000  includes the liquid ejecting head  60  that ejects the liquid; the head flow path  81  that is connected to the liquid ejecting head  60  and that supplies the liquid; the attaching member  130  that is attachable at the position X adjacent to the head flow path  81 ; and the opening/closing mechanism  140  that opens the head flow path  81  when the attaching member  130  is attached at the adjacent position X, and closes the head flow path  81  when the attaching member  130  is removed from the adjacent position X. As such, leaking of the liquid can be prevented when removing the head flow path  81  to replace the liquid ejecting head  60  or the like, maintenance can be performed in a short period of time, and serviceability can be improved. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, a second embodiment of the invention will be described. In the following description, constituents that are identical or equivalent to those recited in the first embodiment are assigned the same reference signs and description thereof if simplified or omitted. 
       FIG. 11  is a side view illustrating an attached state of an attaching member  130 A according to a second embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view illustrating an open state of the head flow path  81  according to the second embodiment of the invention.  FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a closed state of the head flow path  81  according to the second embodiment of the invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 11 , an attaching member  130 A of the second embodiment is fixed together with the liquid ejecting head  60  to the supporting member  61  via the fixing member  62  (second fixing member). The attaching member  130 A has a rough gate-like shape and, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , when the attaching member  130 A is attached at the adjacent position X, the attaching member  130 A includes a plurality of interfering portions  131 A positioned on the operation paths L of the plurality of fixing members  63 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , an opening/closing mechanism  140 A of the second embodiment includes a flexible film  146  that forms a portion of the head flow path  81 , a valve body  141 A and a urging member  142 A provided within the inner flow path  86   a ′, and a pressing member  147  provided on the attaching member  130 A. In the second embodiment, a portion of the dividing wall  86   b  of the downstream flow path  86   a   2  of the inner flow path  86   a ′ is formed from the flexible film  146 . Additionally, the position X adjacent to the attaching member  130 A is set at a position adjacent to the inner flow path  86   a ′ of the coupling member  86  via the flexible film  146 . 
     A valve body  141 A includes the head portion  141   a  that is capable of closing the aperture  86   a   3  at the upstream flow path  86   a   1 , the shaft portion  141   b  that passes through the aperture  86   a   3 , and a flange portion  141   c  that is pressed on by the pressing member  147  at the downstream flow path  86   a   2 . The urging member  142 A is interposed between the flange portion  141   c  and the bottom surface of the downstream flow path  86   a   2 . The urging member  142  is a compression coil spring and biases the valve body  141 A from the open position ( FIG. 12 ) toward the closed position ( FIG. 13 ). 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , the pressing member  147  presses the valve body  141 A via the flexible film  146  and resists the urging force to position the valve body  141 A in the open position while the attaching member  130 A is attached at the adjacent position X. The pressing member  147  includes a pressing part  147   a  and a urging member  147   b . The pressing part  147   a  faces the flange portion  141   c  of the valve body  141 A via the flexible film  146  while the attaching member  130 A is attached at the adjacent position X. The urging member  147   b  is a compression coil spring, has a spring constant that is greater than a spring constant of the urging member  142 A, and causes urging force greater than that of the urging member  142 A to act on the valve body  141 A. 
     According to the opening/closing mechanism  140 A thusly configured, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , while the attaching member  130 A is attached at the position X adjacent to the head flow path  81 , the pressing member  147  provided on the attaching member  130 A will press on the valve body  141 A via the flexible film  146  and, thereby, the head flow path  81  can be opened. As illustrated in  FIG. 13 , when the attaching member  130 A is removed from the position X adjacent to the head flow path  81 , the pressing of the pressing member  147  ceases to be applied, the urging member  142 A causes the valve body  141 A to move to the closed position and, thereby, the head flow path  81  can be closed. 
     As such, according to the opening/closing mechanism  140 A, the attaching and removing of the attaching member  130 A that is attachable at the position X adjacent to the head flow path  81  can be associated with the opening and the closing of the head flow path  81 . That is, the attaching member  130 A is removed from the position X adjacent to the head flow path  81  before the head flow path  81  is removed from the liquid ejecting head  60  and, therefore, the head flow path  81  can be closed in advance by the opening/closing mechanism  140 A. Accordingly, when removing the head flow path  81  in order to replace the liquid ejecting head  60  or the like, leaking of the liquid can be prevented, maintenance can be performed in a short period of time, and serviceability can be improved. 
     In the present embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the supporting member  61  that supports the liquid ejecting head  60 , and the fixing member  62  that fixes the attaching member  130 A together with the liquid ejecting head  60  to the supporting member  61  are provided. According to this configuration, the attaching member  130 A is removed when the fixing member  62  operates and releases the fixing between the liquid ejecting head  60  and the supporting member  61 . As a result, the head flow path  81  can be closed simultaneously with the releasing of the fixing between the liquid ejecting head  60  and the supporting member  61 . 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention have been described while referencing to drawings, but the invention is not limited to these embodiments. The shapes and combinations of the constituents described in the embodiments should not be construed to be more than examples, and various modifications based on design requirements and the like are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     For example, a configuration is possible in which a pressure-regulating valve is integrally mounted on the liquid ejecting head. According to such a configuration, leaking of the liquid from the liquid ejecting head can be reliably prevented, even in cases where the head flow path is removed from the liquid ejecting head. 
     For example, a configuration is possible in which, the liquid stored in the liquid container is not supplied to the liquid ejecting head by a supplying mechanism having a pump function, rather the liquid stored in the liquid container is supplied to the liquid ejecting head by a water head difference introduced by providing the liquid container above the liquid ejecting head. 
     For example, a configuration is possible in which the liquid container is not a pack type in which a liquid is stored, but rather is a cartridge type, a bottle type, or a refillable tank. 
     For example, a configuration is possible in which, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the head flow path is open when the attaching member is removed and the head flow path is closed by attaching the attaching member. In this case, the urging member within the inner flow path is preferably configured to bias the valve body in the opening direction. 
     Configurations are possible in which the liquid ejecting apparatus in the embodiment described above is a thermal jet printer or a line ink jet printer. Moreover, the liquid ejecting apparatus is not limited to a printer and may be a copier, a facsimile, or similar device. 
     A configuration is possible in which the liquid ejecting apparatus ejects or discharges a liquid other than ink. The invention is usable in any type of liquid ejecting apparatus that includes a liquid ejecting head or the like for discharging minute amounts of liquid droplets. Note that granular shaped liquid droplets, tear shaped liquid droplets, and thread shaped liquid droplets leaving a trail are included in the definition of “droplets” ejected from the liquid ejecting apparatus. Additionally, “liquid” as used herein, may be any material, provided that it can be ejected from the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, the material may be any material in a state of liquid phase, and examples thereof include materials which flow such as liquids of high or low viscosity, sols, gel water, inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metallic melts), and the like. In addition, the term “liquid” includes not only the liquid state of a material, but also 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. Representative examples of the liquid include the ink described in the embodiment described above. Herein, the term “ink” includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and also a variety of liquid compositions such as gel inks, hot-melt inks, and the like. 
     The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-215006, filed Oct. 30, 2015 is expressly incorporated by reference herein.