Patent Publication Number: US-10328710-B2

Title: Recording apparatus

Description:
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE 
     The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2017-096231, filed May 15, 2017, is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a recording apparatus that records information on a medium, especially by ejecting ink onto the medium. 
     2. Related Art 
     Ink leakage has been a concern with recording apparatuses such as ink jet printers. When an ink jet printer records information on a medium by ejecting ink onto the medium, some of the ink may adhere to its internal part other than the medium, in which case the ink jet printer is vulnerable to a risk of various troubles. For example, if ink adheres to a wire inside an ink jet printer, this ink may be transferred to an end of the wire due to a capillary phenomenon, causing an electrical short-circuit. As a result, the ink jet printer can no longer conduct appropriate communication. 
     In some instances, ink leaks from a passage between an ink cartridge and a recording head. JP-A-2004-58633 discloses an ink jet recording apparatus in which a pair of electrodes that detects ink leakage is provided in the recording head. When the potential difference between electrodes exceeds a preset threshold, the ink jet recording apparatus displays a predetermined warning. 
     SUMMARY 
     The above ink jet recording apparatus requires a dedicated sensor to detect ink leakage and thus may involve cost increase. 
     An advantage of some aspects of the disclosure is that a low-cost recording apparatus can detect ink leakage. 
     A recording apparatus according to an aspect of the disclosure includes: a recording head from which ink is ejected; an ink supply section that supplies the ink to the recording head; a carriage that reciprocates in predetermined directions and that is provided with the recording head and includes a passage junction to be connected to or disconnected from an ink passage formed between the ink supply section and the recording head; and a detection unit that converts a result of detecting a detection target into an electrical signal, the detection unit being used to control at least one of the recording head and the carriage. One of the detection target and the detection unit is mounted in the carriage. The carriage has an ink guiding mechanism that guides the ink from a region positioned below the passage junction in a vertical direction to the detection target or an installation part for the detection unit. 
     According to the above aspect, the detection target to be detected by the detection unit or the detection unit used to control at least one of the recording head and the carriage is provided in the carriage. The carriage has an ink guiding mechanism that guides the ink from a region positioned below the passage junction in a vertical direction to the detection target or an installation part for the detection unit. If the passage junction leaks ink, this ink is guided to the installation part by the ink guiding mechanism. In response, a detection state of the detection unit changes so that the detection result is, in most cases, different from that obtained when the detection unit detects the detection target. On the basis of this detection state, the recording apparatus determines that the passage junction leaks ink. 
     In the above way, the recording apparatus can use existing components to detect leakage of ink from the passage junction without having to provide any dedicated sensor. In short, it is possible to provide a low-cost recording apparatus that can detect ink leakage. 
     The installation part is preferably mounted on an outer bottom of the carriage. The ink guiding mechanism preferably includes an ink exhaust port provided in a bottom of the carriage, the ink exhaust port allowing leaking ink to flow out from an inside to an outside of the carriage. 
     In the above configuration, the ink exhaust port provided in the bottom of the carriage allows leaking ink to flow out from the inside to the outside of the carriage, thereby guiding the ink to the installation part provided on the outer bottom of the carriage. 
     The ink guiding mechanism preferably includes an ink guiding path provided on an inner bottom of the carriage, and the ink is preferably guided from a region positioned below the passage junction in the vertical direction to the ink exhaust port along the ink guiding path. 
     In the above configuration, the ink is guided from the region positioned below the passage junction in the vertical direction to the ink exhaust port along the ink guiding path provided on the inner bottom of the carriage. Thus, this configuration can reliably guide the ink to the installation part by way of the ink exhaust port. 
     The ink exhaust port is preferably provided within a region positioned below the passage junction in the vertical direction. The ink guiding mechanism preferably includes an ink guiding path provided on the outer bottom of the carriage, the ink being guided from the ink exhaust port to the installation part along the ink guiding path. 
     In the above configuration, the ink exhaust port is provided within a region positioned below the passage junction in the vertical direction. The ink guiding mechanism includes an ink guiding path provided on the outer bottom of the carriage, and the ink is guided from the ink exhaust port to the installation part along the ink guiding path. Providing the ink guiding path in this manner can reliably guide the ink to the installation part. 
     The ink guiding path is preferably a rib. By forming the ink guiding path with the rib, the ink guiding path can be formed easily at low cost. 
     The ink guiding path is preferably a groove. By forming the ink guiding path with the groove, the ink guiding path can be formed easily at low cost. 
     The ink guiding path preferably includes a corner section formed in the carriage, the corner section having two surfaces that intersect each other. 
     By forming the ink guiding path with the corner section in the carriage which has two intersecting surfaces, the ink guiding path can be formed easily at low cost. 
     The outer bottom of the carriage is preferably provided with a cover that covers the installation part. The cover is preferably positioned between the detection target and the detection unit. The cover preferably guides the ink that has been guided to the installation part to a location at which the detection target and the detection unit are aligned with each other. 
     In the above configuration, the outer bottom of the carriage is provided with a cover that covers the installation part. The cover is positioned between the detection target and the detection unit. The cover guides the ink that has been guided to the installation part to a location at which the detection target and the detection unit are aligned with each other. Therefore, this configuration suppresses the detection target or the detection unit from being contaminated directly by ink. By replacing the cover with a new one, thus, a contaminated condition of the recording apparatus can be returned to be a normal clean condition. Consequently, this configuration can be maintained more easily than a configuration in which the detection target or the detection unit may be contaminated by ink. 
     The detection unit is preferably provided in the carriage, and preferably sets the detection target to a medium and detects an edge of the medium. 
     In the above configuration, the detection unit is provided in the carriage, and sets the detection target to a medium and detects an edge of the medium. This configuration can produce the effect of any of the foregoing configurations. 
     The detection unit is preferably provided in the carriage, and preferably sets the detection target to a linear scale meter and reads the linear scale meter. 
     In the above configuration, the detection unit is provided in the carriage, and sets the detection target to a linear scale meter and reads the linear scale meter. This configuration can produce the effect of any of the foregoing configurations. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a printer according to a first embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the apparatus main body of the printer according to a first embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the carriage to which ink tubes are connected. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the carriage from which the ink tubes are disconnected. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the bottom of the carriage. 
         FIG. 6  is a plan view of the housing of the carriage. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an ink guiding mechanism in the printer. 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a passage junction of the carriage. 
         FIG. 9  is a side cross-sectional view of the carriage. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a detection unit mounted on an installation part of the printer. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the detection unit to which a cable is connected. 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the detection unit to which a cover is attached. 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a wire extending from a connector connected to a connecting part in the apparatus main body. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the wire covered with a cover member and a drip-proof member. 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the positional relationship of the cover member, the drip-proof member, and the carriage. 
         FIG. 16  is a plan view of a housing of a carriage in a printer according to a second embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an ink guiding mechanism in the printer according to a second embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     Some embodiments of the disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that substantially the same components described in embodiments are denoted by identical characters, and will be described only once in the first embodiment and thus will not be described again in other embodiments. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a printer according to a first embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the apparatus main body of the printer.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the carriage to which ink tubes are connected.  FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the carriage from which the ink tubes are disconnected.  FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the bottom of the carriage. 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of the housing of the carriage.  FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an ink guiding mechanism in the printer.  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a passage junction of the carriage.  FIG. 9  is a side cross-sectional view of the carriage. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a detection unit mounted on an installation part of the printer.  FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the detection unit to which a cable is connected.  FIG. 12  is a perspective view of the detection unit to which a cover is attached.  FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a wire extending from a connector connected to a connecting part in the apparatus main body. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the wire covered with a cover member and a drip-proof member.  FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the positional relationship of the cover member, the drip-proof member, and the carriage.  FIG. 16  is a plan view of a housing of a carriage in a printer according to a second embodiment of the disclosure.  FIG. 17  is a perspective view of an ink guiding mechanism in the printer. 
     In the XYZ coordinate system of  FIGS. 1 to 17 , the X axis extends along the width of recording media, namely, the width of a recording apparatus; the Y axis extends along the depth of the recording apparatus; and the Z axis extends the height of the recording apparatus. Further, a +X direction is the leftward direction on the page of  FIG. 1 , whereas a −X direction is the rightward direction. A +Y direction is the forward direction on the page of  FIG. 1 , whereas a −Y direction is the backward direction, the recording media being transported along the transport path of the recording apparatus in the +Y direction. A +Z direction is the upward direction on the page of  FIG. 1 , whereas a −Z direction is the downward direction. Likewise, a +X side is the left side on the page of  FIG. 1 , whereas a −X side is the right side. A +Y side is the front side on the page of  FIG. 1 , whereas a −Y side is the back side. A +Z side is the upper side on the page of  FIG. 1 , whereas a −Z side is the lower side. A +X end is the left end on the page of  FIG. 1 , whereas a −X end is the right end. A +Y end is the front end on the page of  FIG. 1 , whereas a −Y end is the back end. A +Z end is the upper end on the page of  FIG. 1 , whereas a −Z end is the lower end. 
     First Embodiment 
     Outline of Printer 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a printer  10  includes an apparatus main body  12  and a scanner unit  14 . For example, the printer  10  may be a multifunction printer (MFP), and the apparatus main body  12  may be a recording apparatus main body. The scanner unit  14  is disposed on the upper side, namely, the +Z side of the apparatus main body  12 . The scanner unit  14  has an original cover (ADF)  14   a  that is rotatable around an axis on the back side, namely, the −Y side of the printer  10  and relative to the scanner unit  14 . The ADF  14   a  of the scanner unit  14  can selectively have closed and open positions. In the closed position, the ADF  14   a  covers the top of the scanner unit  14  as depicted by the solid line in  FIG. 1 . In the closed position, the ADF  14   a  exposes the top of the scanner unit  14  as depicted by the alternate long and two short dashes line  14   a - 1  in  FIG. 1 . 
     Provided on the front side, namely, the +Y side of the apparatus main body  12  is an operating section  16  and an exhaust port  18 . Provided under the exhaust port  18  is a medium tray  20 , and provided under the medium tray  20  is a medium cassette  22 . The medium cassette  22  is detachably inserted into the apparatus main body  12  from its front side. 
     In the first embodiment, provided under the apparatus main body  12  is an extension unit  24 . The extension unit  24  has a medium cassette  26  that is detachably inserted into the extension unit  24  from its front side. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the apparatus main body  12  includes a housing  28 , an ink supply section  30 , a carriage  32 , a controller  34 , and a power source  36 . The housing  28  forms at least a portion of the bottom of the apparatus main body  12 . The medium cassette  22  is detachably inserted into the housing  28 . Both the ink supply section  30  and the carriage  32  are disposed over the housing  28  and in a front portion of the printer  10 . More specifically, the ink supply section  30  is disposed within the apparatus main body  12  and near the +X side of the apparatus main body  12 . Provided in the ink supply section  30  are a plurality of ink cartridges  38 . These ink cartridges  38  are detachably inserted into the ink supply section  30  from the front side. For example, the ink cartridges  38  may contain black, magenta, cyan, yellow, and other colored inks. 
     The carriage  32  is disposed on the right of the ink supply section  30 , namely, on the −X side of the apparatus main body  12 . The carriage  32  is movable in the ±X directions. Provided under the carriage  32  is a recording head  40  as depicted by the broken line in  FIG. 1  or as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The recording head  40  has a plurality of nozzles through which inks supplied from the ink supply section  30  are to be ejected. 
     In the apparatus main body  12 , the controller  34  and the power source  36  are disposed behind the ink supply section  30  and the carriage  32 , namely, near the −Y direction sides of the ink supply section  30  and the carriage  32 . In the first embodiment, the controller  34  is disposed in the right portion of the apparatus main body  12 , whereas the power source  36  is disposed in the left portion of the apparatus main body  12 . Although not illustrated, the power source  36  and the controller  34  are connected together by a cable, and the power source  36  thereby supplies electricity to the controller  34 . In this embodiment, the controller  34  may be implemented using a circuit board on which a plurality of electronic components are mounted. 
     Carriage 
     A configuration of the carriage  32  will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 3 to 12 . In the first embodiment, the carriage  32  is provided with a housing  32   a  that has a box shape. This housing  32   a  is open on the top. A guide shaft  42  is inserted into a back portion of the housing  32   a . This guide shaft  42  is provided in the apparatus main body  12  and extends along the X axis. In the first embodiment, the carriage  32  is movable along the guide shaft  42  in the ±X directions. 
     Disposed in the back portion of the housing  32   a  is a linear encoder  44  as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . In addition, a linear scale meter  46  that extends along the X axis is inserted into the linear encoder  44  as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . When the carriage  32  moves in the +X or −X direction, the linear encoder  44  also moves together with the carriage  32 . As a result, the linear encoder  44  is displaced relative to the linear scale meter  46 , so that it is possible to detect the location of the carriage  32  within its movable area. 
     Mounted inside the housing  32   a  of the carriage  32  is a recording head attachment member  48 . The recording head  40  is mounted on the lower side of the recording head attachment member  48 . When the recording head attachment member  48  is mounted inside the housing  32   a , the recording head  40  protrudes in the −Z direction from the housing  32   a  of the carriage  32  through an aperture  32   b  formed in the bottom of the housing  32   a  as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . In this instance, the recording head attachment member  48  and the recording head  40  may be integrated together. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , provided in an upper portion of the recording head attachment member  48  are a plurality of passage junctions  50 . The recording head attachment member  48  has unillustrated ink passages inside. These ink passages are formed so as to extend from the passage junctions  50  to the recording head  40 . The passage junctions  50  are connectable to an ink passage connecting member  52  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . The ink passage connecting member  52  is connected to a plurality of ink tubes  54 . These ink tubes  54  extend in the −X direction from the ink passage connecting member  52 , then is curved in the +Z direction, and extend in the +X direction to reach the ink supply section  30 . The ink passage connecting member  52  and the ink tubes  54  constitute an ink passage  56  extending from the passage junctions  50  to the ink supply section  30 . In the first embodiment, the connection between the passage junctions  50  and the ink passage connecting member  52  enables the ink supply section  30  to supply ink to the recording head  40 . 
     Ink Guiding Mechanism 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the housing  32   a  of the carriage  32  is provided with a plurality of recesses  32   d  on an inner bottom  32   c  and near the +Y side of the housing  32   a . The recesses  32   d  are arranged along the X axis and separated from one another by ribs  58 . These ribs  58  is erected in the +Z direction from the bottom of the recesses  32   d  and extends along the Y axis. In addition, a rib  60  is provided on the −Y sides of the recesses  32   d . This rib  60  is erected from the bottom of the recesses  32   d  in the +Z direction and extends along the X axis. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , one of the recesses  32   d  which is positioned on the furthest +X side is provided with a plurality of ink guiding paths  62  on its +X side. The ink guiding paths  62  extend in the −Y direction from this recess  32   d . In the first embodiment, as an example, the ink guiding paths  62  may be ribs that extend along the Y axis. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , each ink guiding path  62  has a +Y axial end  62   a  within the recess  32   d  positioned on the furthest +X side. The ink guiding paths  62  extend in the −Y direction from the +Y axial ends  62   a , go beyond the rib  60 , and further extend in the −Z direction. 
     In the housing  32   a  of the carriage  32 , a flat area  32   e  is formed on the −Y side of the recesses  32   d  positioned on the furthest +X side. The ink guiding paths  62  go beyond the rib  60 , then go across the flat area  32   e  in the −Y direction, and extends in the −Z direction again. Then, the ink guiding paths  62  extend on the inner bottom  32   c  in the −Y direction and reach an ink exhaust port  32   f  provided in the inner bottom  32   c . Each ink guiding path  62  has a −Y end  62   b  at a location related to the ink exhaust port  32   f.    
     Referring to  FIGS. 3, 8, and 9 , if the ink passage connecting member  52  is connected to the passage junctions  50  imperfectly or if the ink passage connecting member  52  is disconnected from the passage junctions  50 , the ink passage connecting member  52  or the passage junctions  50  may leak ink. In this instance, the leaking ink may flow into a plurality of recesses  48   a  provided in the recording head attachment member  48  which are positioned near the ±X sides of the passage junctions  50 . Then, the leaking ink may spread out in ±X directions, and some of the leaking ink may flow into a plurality of through-holes  48   b  provided in the recesses  48   a  and flow in the −Y direction through the through-holes  48   b . This ink may be transferred along sides of the recording head attachment member  48  and further flow in the −Y direction. In  FIG. 8 , examples of the routes along which the leaking ink flow from the recesses  48   a  are indicated by the alternate long and short dash lines. 
     As can be seen from  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the recesses  32   d  are positioned under the routes of the leaking ink. The recesses  32   d  are positioned within a region containing a lower portion of the passage junctions  50 . In the first embodiment, the region containing the lower portion of the passage junctions  50  corresponds to a region containing a site at which the leaking ink may flow down. In this embodiment, as an example, the region may be a region S defined by the alternate long and short dash line in  FIG. 6 . 
     When the ink leaking from the passage junctions  50  flows into the recess  32   d  positioned on the furthest +X side, the ink may further flow to the ink guiding paths  62 . Then, the ink may flow from the recess  32   d  to the ink exhaust port  32   f  along the ink guiding paths  62  due to the capillary phenomenon. After having entered the ink exhaust port  32   f  along the ink guiding paths  62 , the ink may flow out from the inside to the outside of the housing  32   a  through the ink exhaust port  32   f.    
     A configuration of a detection unit  64  will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 10 to 12 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , the housing  32   a  of the carriage  32  has an outer bottom  32   g  provided with installation parts  32   h  for the detection unit  64 . In the first embodiment, as an example, the detection unit  64  may be an optical sensor. The detection unit  64  includes a reflective sensor  66  and a connector  68 ; the reflective sensor  66  has a light emitter  66   a  and a light receiver  66   b.    
     The detection unit  64  is detachably attached to the installation parts  32   h  on the outer bottom  32   g  of the housing  32   a  from the −X side of the housing  32   a . In the first embodiment, as an example, the sensor  66  may set a detection target to a medium such as recording paper. More specifically, the sensor  66  may detect an edge of the medium. In this embodiment, the detection unit  64  is detachable from the housing  32   a  in the −X direction. Thus, this configuration helps maintain the detection unit  64  and replace the detection unit  64  with another. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the ink exhaust port  32   f  is provided at a location related to the installation parts  32   h  of the detection unit  64 . Herein, the expression “at a location related to the installation parts  32   h ” refers to “near the installation parts  32   h ”. Referring to  FIG. 11 , the connector  68  of the detection unit  64  is connected to an end of a cable  70 . When the detection unit  64  outputs a detection signal, this detection signal is transmitted to the controller  34  through the cable  70 . On the basis of the detection signal from the detection unit  64 , the controller  34  controls an operation of at least one of the recording head  40  and the carriage  32 . In this embodiment, as an example, the cable  70  may be a flexible flat cable (FFC). In the embodiment, at least a portion of the cable  70  may extend below the −Z side of the inner bottom  32   c  across the ink exhaust port  32   f.    
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , a cover  72  is attached to the outer bottom  32   g  of the housing  32   a  by a fastener  74  so as to cover the detection unit  64  mounted on the installation parts  32   h . In the first embodiment, the cover  72  is positioned between the sensor  66  and the detection target, or the medium. In this embodiment, as an example, the fastener  74  may be a screw member. 
     When the ink is guided to the ink exhaust port  32   f  (see  FIG. 10 ) along the ink guiding path  62  (see  FIG. 7 ), the ink may flow in the −Z direction through the ink exhaust port  32   f . Then, the ink may adhere to the cable  70  positioned below the ink exhaust port  32   f . When adhering to the cable  70 , the ink may be transferred along the cable  70  due to the capillary phenomenon and then may reach the connector  68  (see  FIG. 11 ). When reaching the connector  68 , the ink may be further transferred to the periphery and sides of the detection unit  64  due to the capillary phenomenon and then may adhere to the light emitter  66   a  and/or the light receiver  66   b  in the sensor  66 . As a result, the ink adhering to the sensor  66  may break into the optical path of the sensor  66 . 
     As an example, if adhering to the light emitter  66   a , the ink may attenuate or block the light that the light emitter  66   a  has emitted toward the detection target, or the medium. As another example, if adhering to the light receiver  66   b , the ink may attenuate or block the light that the light emitter  66   a  has emitted and the detection target, or the medium has reflected. In either case, the light receiver  66   b  may fail to detect the reflected light appropriately. As a result, the detection signal output from the sensor  66  differs from usual. On the basis of this detection signal, the controller  34  determines that the passage junctions  50  leak the ink. This configuration makes it possible to use existing components to sense leakage of ink from the passage junction  50  without having to provide any dedicated sensor. In short, the first embodiment provides a low-cost printer  10  that can sense leakage of ink. 
     In the first embodiment, the recesses  32   d , the ink guiding paths  62 , the ink exhaust port  32   f , the cable  70 , and the connector  68  constitute an ink guiding mechanism  76  that guides ink from the passage junctions  50  to the sensor  66 . 
     Wire Between Apparatus Main Body and Extension Unit 
     A wire between the apparatus main body  12  and the extension unit  24  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2 and 13 to 15 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , mounted in the extension unit  24  is an extension unit circuit board  78 . Referring to  FIG. 13 , the apparatus main body  12  has a bottom  12   a  on which a connecting part (connector)  80  is mounted. The connecting part  80  is connected to a connector  82   a  provided at a first end of the wire  82 . A second end of the wire  82  is connected to the controller  34 . Furthermore, the connecting part  80  is also connected to an unillustrated wire extending from the extension unit circuit board  78 . The extension unit circuit board  78  is thereby electrically connected to the controller  34 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the wire  82  extends in the −Y direction from the connecting part  80  and then is curved upward and further extends in the +Z direction. In the first embodiment, the wire  82  is covered with and supported by a drip-proof member  84  with a tubular shape, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . Mounted on the bottom  12   a  of the apparatus main body  12  is a cover member  86  that is disposed above the connecting part  80  so as to cover both the connecting part  80  and the connector  82   a . The drip-proof member  84  is coupled to the cover member  86  through a joint part  88 . In this embodiment, the wire  82  connected to the connecting part  80  passes through the interiors of the cover member  86  and the drip-proof member  84  and is connected to the controller  34 . 
     In the first embodiment, at least a part of the wire  82  covered with the drip-proof member  84  is positioned within the region in which the carriage  32  is permitted to move, more specifically below a home position of the carriage  32 , as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . In this embodiment, even if the carriage  32  leaks ink through the ink exhaust port  32   f , the drip-proof member  84  that covers the wire  82  suppresses the ink from adhering to the wire  82 . Moreover, the cover member  86  that covers both the connecting part  80  and the connector  82   a  also suppresses the ink leaking through the ink exhaust port  32   f  from adhering to the wire  82 . 
     Modification of First Embodiment 
     (1) In the first embodiment, the ink is guided to the detection unit  64  by way of the cable  70 ; however, as an alternative example, the ink may be guided to the detection unit  64  by way of the cover  72 . In this example, ink may be guided by the installation part  32   h  and flow through the ink exhaust port  32   f . Then, the cover  72  provided below the ink exhaust port  32   f  may receive this ink and guide the ink to a location where the sensor  66  and the detection target are aligned with each other. After the ink is guided to the gap between the detection unit  64  and the cover  72 , the ink may stay at the location where the sensor  66  and the detection target, or the medium, are aligned with each other, in other words, on the optical path of the sensor  66 . In this configuration, the cover  72  suppresses the detection unit  64  and the cable  70  from being contaminated by the ink. By replacing the cover  72  with a new one, therefore, the detection unit  64  and the cable  70  can be returned to be in a normal clean condition. Thus, this configuration can be maintained easier than a configuration in which the detection target or both the detection unit  64  and the cable  70  may be contaminated by ink. Furthermore, a screw member is used as the fastener  74  in this embodiment; however, for example, a bolt may be used instead. Moreover, in the embodiment, the cover  72  serves as a portion of the ink guiding mechanism  76  and guides ink from the passage junctions  50  to the sensor  66 ; however, as an alternative example, ink may adhere to the cover  72  and break into the optical path of the sensor  66 . 
     (2) In the first embodiment, a rib is used as the ink guiding path  62 ; however, a groove may be used instead. Furthermore, the housing  32   a  of the carriage  32  may include, as the ink guiding path, a corner section that has surfaces intersecting each other. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , as an example, the ink guiding path may be a corner section  32   k  in which a side surface  32   j  of the housing  32   a  intersects the bottom of the recess  32   d  positioned on the furthest +X side. 
     (3) In the first embodiment, the ink guiding paths  62  are provided on the inner bottom  32   c  of the housing  32   a  of the carriage  32  to guide ink from the recess  32   d  positioned on the furthest +X side to the ink exhaust port  32   f  of the housing  32   a . Instead of this configuration, as an alternative example, the ink exhaust port  32   f  may be provided in the recess  32   d  positioned on the furthest +X side, and the ink guiding paths  62  may be provided from a site related to the ink exhaust port  32   f  to the detection unit  64  on the outer bottom  32   g  of the housing  32   a.    
     (4) In the first embodiment, the ink exhaust port  32   f  may be provided at a site related to the recesses  32   d  that can contain a preset amount of ink. If ink overflows from the recesses  32   d , the ink may be discharged to the outside through the ink exhaust port  32   f . In addition, vibrations of the carriage  32  moving during a recording operation may drip ink onto the recording surface of the detection target, or the medium. This configuration can inform a user of ink leakage even if the detection unit  64  does not detect the overflowing ink, because the ink adheres to the recording surface of the medium and thus contaminants the recording surface. 
     (5) In the first embodiment, the detection unit  64  provided in the carriage  32  serves as a medium sensor that detects an edge of the detection target, or the medium, in the apparatus main body  12 . Instead of this configuration, prisms that measure remaining amounts of inks in the ink cartridges detachably attached to the housing  32   a  of the carriage  32  are provided as detection targets. In addition, ink amount sensors may be provided in the apparatus main body  12  as detection units and detect the remaining amounts of ink by irradiating the prisms with light. Instead of the prisms, reflectors or reference white boards may be used. Alternatively, a linear encoder may be provided, as a detection unit, on the bottom of the carriage  32  and read a linear scale meter that serves as a detection target. Moreover, the detection unit  64  may be implemented using a mechanical switch. For example, this mechanical switch may detect ink leakage in response to an occurrence of a short circuit of its switch contact which may be attributed to ink leakage. 
     Second Embodiment 
     Next, a description will be given of an ink guiding mechanism in a printer according to a second embodiment of the disclosure, with reference to  FIGS. 16 and 17 . Referring to  FIG. 16 , a plurality of recesses  90   b  are disposed on the +Y side of a housing  90   a  of a carriage  90  and arranged along the X axis. In the second embodiment, each recess  90   b  has a sloping surface  90   c  (see  FIG. 17 ) on its +X side, and each sloping surface  90   c  is erected in the +Z direction. In this embodiment, the recesses  90   b  are separated from one another by ribs  92 , each of which extends along the Y axis and has a −Y end  92   a  at a site related to the −Y side of the recesses  90   b . More specifically, formed between the −Y end  92   a  of each rib  92  and a rib  94  to be described later which extends along the X axis is a gap  96  (see  FIG. 17 ). In this embodiment, adjacent recesses  90   b  communicate with each other near the −Y ends  92   a  along the Y axis and through the sloping surfaces  90   c  and the gaps  96 . 
     In the second embodiment, the rib  94  extends along the X axis near the −Y ends  92   a  of the recesses  90   b . In this embodiment, the rib  94  has a +X side  94   a  that is positioned near a +X side  90   d  of the housing  90   a  with a gap  98  therebetween. 
     The recess  90   b  positioned on the furthest +X side in  FIGS. 16 and 17  has a plurality of ink guiding paths  100  that extend along the Y axis and is formed on the +X side of the sloping surface  90   c . In the second embodiment, as an example, each ink guiding path  100  may be a rib that extends along the Y axis. As illustrated in  FIG. 17 , each ink guiding path  100  extends in the −Y direction, then goes across the gap  98  in which the rib  94  is not provided, and further extends in the −Z direction. 
     Provided below and adjacent to the gap  98  in the −Y direction is a recess  90   e , which is positioned at the site corresponding to the flat area  32   e  in the first embodiment. This recess  90   e  has a notch  90   f.    
     Provided on the inner bottom  90   g  that is positioned lower than the recess  90   e  is an ink guiding path  102 , which has the form of a rib and extends along the Y axis. This ink guiding path  102  has a −Y end, and an ink exhaust port  90   h  is provided at a site corresponding to the −Y end. 
     In the second embodiment, if the passage junctions  50  leak ink, the ink may flow into the recesses  90   b , and then when the ink overflows from the recesses  90   b , the ink may flow into the recess  90   e  along the ink guiding paths  100 . Then, the ink may be guided from the recess  90   e  to an ink exhaust port  90   h  along the ink guiding path  102 , after which the ink may flow out from the inside to the outside of the housing  90   a  of the carriage  90  by way of the ink exhaust port  90   h.    
     Modification of Second Embodiment 
     (1) In the second embodiment, a rib is used for each of the ink guiding paths  100  and  102 ; however, a groove may be used instead. Alternatively, a corner section that has surfaces intersecting each other may be used. 
     (2) In the second embodiment, the ink exhaust port  90   h  is provided at the end of the ink guiding path  102 ; however, the ink exhaust port  90   h  may be provided at a site related to the recesses  90   b . In this case, after having flown out from the inside to the outside of the housing  90   a  through the ink exhaust port  90   h , the ink may be guided to the detection unit  64  along the ink guiding paths  100  and  102  provided on the outer bottom of the carriage  90 . 
     As described above, a printer  10  includes a recording head  40  from which ink is ejected. An ink supply section  30  supplies the ink to the recording head  40 . A carriage  32  or  90  reciprocates in predetermined directions and is provided with the recording head  40  and includes a passage junction  50  to be connected to or disconnected from an ink passage  56  formed between the ink supply section  30  and the recording head  40 . A detection unit  64  converts a result of detecting a detection target into an electrical signal and is used to control at least one of the recording head  40  and the carriage  32  or  90 . One of the detection target and the detection unit  64  is mounted in the carriage  32  or  90 . The carriage  32  or  90  has an ink guiding mechanism  76  that guides the ink from a region S to the detection target or an installation part  32   h  for the detection unit  64 , the region S containing a lower portion of the passage junction  50 , a plurality of recesses  32   d  are provided within the region S. 
     In the above configuration, the detection unit  64  is used to control at least one of the recording head  40  and the carriage  32  or  90 . The detection target is to be detected by the detection unit  64 . One of the detection unit  64  and the detection target is mounted in the carriage  32  or  90 . The carriage  32  or  90  has an ink guiding mechanism  76  that guides the ink from a region S to the detection target or an installation part  32   h  for the detection unit  64 , the region S containing a lower portion of the passage junction  50 , a plurality of recesses  32   d  or  90   b  being provided in the region S. If the passage junction  50  leaks ink, this ink is guided to the installation part  32   h  by the ink guiding mechanism  76 . In response, a detection state of the detection unit  64  changes so that the detection result is, in most cases, different from that obtained when the detection unit  64  detects the detection target. On the basis of this detection state, the printer  10  determines that the passage junction  50  leaks ink. 
     In the above way, the printer  10  can use existing components to detect leakage of ink from the passage junction  50  without having to provide any dedicated sensor. In short, it is possible to provide a low-cost printer  10  that can detect ink leakage. 
     The installation part  32   h  may be mounted on an outer bottom  32   g  of the carriage  32  or  90 . The ink guiding mechanism  76  may include an ink exhaust port  32   f  or  90   h  that is provided in a bottom of the carriage  32 . Through the ink exhaust port  32   f , the ink flows out from an inside to an outside of the carriage  32 . This configuration can guide the ink to the installation part  32   h  mounted on the outer bottom  32   g  of the carriage  32 . 
     The ink guiding mechanism  76  may include an ink guiding path  62 ,  100  or  102  provided on an inner bottom  32   c  or  90   g  of the carriage  32  or  90 . Along the ink guiding path  62 ,  100  or  102 , the ink is guided from a region S to the ink exhaust port  32   f  or  90   h , the region S containing a lower portion of the passage junction  50  mounted, a plurality of recesses  32   d  or  90   b  being provided within the region S. This configuration can reliably guide the ink to the installation part  32   h  by way of the ink exhaust port  32   f  or  90   h.    
     The ink exhaust port  32   f  may be provided within the region S, the region S containing the lower portion of the passage junction  50 , a plurality of recesses  32   d  being provided within the region S. The ink guiding mechanism  76  may include an ink guiding path  62 ,  100  or  102  provided on the outer bottom  32   g  of the carriage  32  or  90 , the ink being guided from the ink exhaust port  32   f  or  90   h  to the installation part  32   h  along the ink guiding path  62 ,  100  or  102 . This configuration can reliably guide the ink to the installation part  32   h  along the ink guiding path  62 ,  100  or  102 . 
     The ink guiding path  62 ,  100  or  102  may be a rib. This configuration enables the ink guiding path  62  to be formed easily at low cost. 
     The ink guiding path  62 ,  100  or  102  may be a groove. This configuration enables the ink guiding path to be formed easily at low cost. 
     The ink guiding path  62 ,  100  or  102  may include a corner section  32   k  formed in the carriage  32  or  90 , the corner section  32   k  having two surfaces, such as a bottom surface of the recess  32   d  and a side surface  32   j  of the housing  32   a , that intersect each other. This configuration enables ink guiding path  62 ,  100  or  102  to be formed easily at low cost. 
     The outer bottom  32   g  of the carriage  32  may be provided with a cover  72  that covers the installation part  32   h . The cover  72  may be positioned between the detection target and the detection unit  64 . The cover  72  may guide the ink that has been guided to the installation part  32   h  to a location at which the detection target and the detection unit  64  are aligned with each other. 
     In the above configuration, the outer bottom  32   g  of the carriage  32  may be provided with a cover  72  that covers the installation part  32   h . The cover  72  may be positioned between the detection target and the detection unit  64 . The cover  72  may guide the ink that has been guided to the installation part  32   h  to a location at which the detection target and the detection unit  64  are aligned with each other. Therefore, this configuration suppresses the detection target or the detection unit  64  from being contaminated directly by ink. By replacing the cover  72  with a new one, thus, a contaminated condition of the printer  10  can be returned to be a normal clean condition. Consequently, this configuration can be maintained more easily than a configuration in which the detection target or the detection unit  64  may be contaminated by ink. 
     The detection unit  64  may be provided in the carriage  32 , and may set the detection target to a medium and detect an edge of the medium. Alternatively, the detection unit  64  may be provided in the carriage  32 , and may set the detection target to a linear scale meter  46  and read the linear scale meter  46 . 
     In the first and second embodiments and their modifications, the ink guiding mechanism  76  is applied to an ink jet printer, which is an example of liquid ejection apparatuses. However, the ink guiding mechanism  76  may be applied to other types of liquid ejection apparatuses. 
     An example of such liquid ejection apparatuses is recording apparatuses, such as printers, copiers, and facsimiles, that have ink jet recording heads and record information on recording media by ejecting ink from the recording heads. Another example is apparatuses that eject liquid from liquid ejecting heads to ink receiving media, instead of ejecting ink, thereby causing the liquid to land on the ink receiving media. In this case, the liquid may be selected as appropriate in accordance with an application. In addition, the liquid ejecting heads correspond to the liquid ejecting heads of the recording apparatuses, and the ink receiving media correspond to the recording media for the recording apparatuses. 
     Non-limiting examples of such liquid ejecting heads include; in addition to recording heads, color material ejection heads used to fabricate color filters for liquid crystal displays or other similar displays; electrode material (conductive paste) ejection heads used to fabricate electrodes for organic electroluminescence (EL) displays, field emission displays (FEDs), and other similar displays; living organic material ejection heads used to fabricate biochips; and sample ejection heads serving as precise pipets. 
     Liquid ejection apparatuses may employ a serial system in which a liquid ejecting head is movable. Alternatively, liquid ejection apparatuses may employ a line system in which a stationary recording head ejects liquid onto a whole width of a recording medium. 
     The disclosure is not limited to the foregoing first and second embodiments and modifications and may be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims. Obviously, such modifications also fall within the scope of the disclosure.