CN1750935A - Valve device and manufacturing method thereof, pressure regulator, carrier, liquid injection device - Google Patents

Abstract

A valve device has a pressure chamber, which is connected to a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet and retains liquid, and a pressure regulator decreasing the pressure in the pressure chamber to a predetermined level. The pressure regulator has a pressure receiving member. When the pressure in the pressure chamber becomes lower than the predetermined level, the pressure receiving member is elastically deformed in an inward direction of the pressure chamber. The pressure regulator generates actuation force greater than the pressing force produced by the elastic deformation of the pressure receiving member. The pressure regulator is configured to be opened by the actuation force. When the pressure regulator is open, a fluid supply from the liquid inlet to the pressure chamber is permitted. It is thus possible to minimize the valve device.

Description

Valve device and manufacturing method thereof, pressure regulator, carrier, liquid injection device

technical field

The invention relates to a valve arrangement with a pressure regulator, a pressure regulator, a carrier, a liquid injection device and a method for producing the valve arrangement.

Background technique

A pressure regulator disclosed in Patent Publication 1 is considered to be a pressure regulator for reducing the pressure of a liquid to a constant level.

As a conventional inkjet type printer, there is known a form in which an ink tank is supplied through an ink supply tube to a pressure damper installed in the ink tank (for example, see Patent Publication Document 2). Ink is then delivered from the pressure damper to the recording head for printing. If a considerable amount of ink remains in the ink cartridge, the carrier carrying the ink cartridge becomes relatively heavy. The weight then causes excessive loads to be applied to the drive motor for the carriage. Therefore, the aforementioned printer is formed as a carriage-less type in which the ink cartridge described above is not attached to the carriage. A pressure damper provided in the carriage suppresses fluctuations in ink pressure due to the reciprocating movement of the carriage.

As another conventional inkjet type printer, a form having a sub-tank mounted in a carriage for supplying ink to a recording head is known (for example, see Patent Publication Document 3). The sub tank temporarily holds ink. The main ink tank, which is an ink cartridge, is provided in a cartridge holder installed in the printer body. The main tank supplies ink to the sub tanks through ink supply tubes.

However, in the conventional pressure regulator of Patent Publication 1, the center portion of the circular diaphragm and the valve body are connected to each other by a shaft. In other words, the valve shaft is located in the central portion of the diaphragm. Therefore, the valve body is compressed by the central part of the diaphragm. Therefore, the force for pressing the valve body is limited to a level corresponding to the surface area of the diaphragm. That is, a force exceeding the level corresponding to the pressure receiving area of the diaphragm cannot be generated. This makes it difficult to minimize pressure regulators.

Furthermore, the pressure receiving part of the pressure regulator is formed by a circular diaphragm. Therefore, when pressure regulators are used in multiple quantities, the loss of surface area (ineffective surface area) becomes considerable. Therefore, it is difficult to adopt a highly integrated pressure regulator.

If the aforementioned pressure regulator is disposed in the carriage of the conventional inkjet type printer of the aforementioned corresponding document in order to reduce the ink pressure in the pressure chamber holding the ink to a predetermined level, the carriage must have a considerable thickness. Therefore, the printer may become quite large as a whole.

Patent Publication Document 1: Patent Publication Document No. Published in Japan: No.2001-227656

Patent Publication Document 2: Patent Publication Document Number: No.2003-343757 published in Japan

Patent Publication Document 3: Patent Publication Document No. Published in Japan: No.2003-251820

Contents of the invention

Therefore, one object of the present invention is to provide a valve device, a pressure regulator, a carrier, a liquid ejecting device and a method of manufacturing the valve device which can be minimized.

In order to achieve the above object of the present invention, the present invention provides a valve device. The valve device has a pressure chamber connected to the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet for holding the liquid, and a pressure regulator to reduce the pressure in the pressure chamber to a predetermined level. The pressure regulator has a pressure receiving member. When the pressure in the pressure chamber becomes lower than a predetermined level, the pressure receiving member elastically deforms in a direction toward the pressure chamber. The pressure regulator generates an actuation force greater than a pressing force generated by elastic deformation of the pressure receiving member. The pressure regulator is configured to open by an actuation force. When the pressure regulator is open, liquid is allowed to be supplied from the liquid inlet to the pressure chamber.

Another aspect of the invention is a pressure regulator. The pressure regulator maintains the liquid flowing from the inlet and reduces the pressure in the pressure chamber sending the liquid to the outlet to a predetermined level. The valve body reciprocates between a closed position for preventing supply of liquid to the pressure chamber and an open position for allowing supply of liquid to the pressure chamber. When the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined level, the valve body is in the closed position. The deformed portion is deformed corresponding to the pressure in the pressure chamber. When the pressure in the pressure chamber drops to a predetermined level, the deformation portion moves the valve body from the closed position to the open position. When the valve body is in the closed position, the sealing portion closely contacts the valve body and the outer peripheral portion of the inlet for sealing the inlet. The holding portion urges the valve body toward the closed position at a position closer to the axis of the inlet than the sealing portion. The holding portion holds the valve body in the closed position when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined level.

Another aspect of the invention is a carrier. The carrier includes a pressure chamber that holds fluid entering from the inlet and sends the fluid to the outlet. A pressure regulator reduces the pressure in the pressure chamber to a predetermined level. The liquid ejection head ejects the liquid supplied from the pressure chamber. A pressure regulator includes a valve body, a deforming portion, a sealing portion, and a holding portion.

Another aspect of the invention is a carrier having a pressure chamber connected to a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet for holding a liquid. The carriage includes a pressure regulator for reducing the pressure of the liquid in the pressure chamber to a predetermined level, and a liquid ejection head. The pressure regulator has a pressure receiving member. The pressure receiving member generates an actuation force greater than a pressing force generated by elastic deformation of the pressure receiving member. The pressure regulator is configured to open by an actuation force.

Another aspect of the invention is a liquid ejection device. A liquid ejection device includes a liquid holding portion for temporarily holding a liquid. The liquid ejection head has nozzles for ejecting liquid. The liquid supply line supplies the liquid from the liquid holding portion to the liquid ejection head. A valve arrangement is provided in the liquid supply line. The valve means includes a pressure chamber connected to the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet for holding the liquid. The liquid in the pressure chamber is reduced corresponding to the liquid ejection by the liquid ejection head, thereby reducing the pressure in the pressure chamber. The pressure regulator reduces the pressure of the fluid in the pressure chamber to a predetermined level. A pressure regulator senses pressure in the pressure chamber and selectively prevents or allows supply of liquid from the liquid supply line to the pressure chamber. The pressure regulator has a pressure receiving member.

Another aspect of the invention is a liquid ejection apparatus having a carriage. The carriage includes a pressure chamber, a pressure regulator, and a liquid spray head for holding liquid entering from the inlet and sending the liquid to the outlet. A pressure regulator includes a valve body, a deformation portion deformed according to a pressure in a pressure chamber, a sealing portion for sealing an inlet, and a holding portion.

Another aspect of the invention is a method for manufacturing a valve arrangement. The valve arrangement includes a pressure chamber and a pressure regulator. The valve device has a channel limiter comprising a groove-like channel with an opening. The pressure regulator includes a valve body, a membrane member that seals the opening of a grooved passage defining a pressure chamber, and a compression member. The membrane part is sufficiently thin to be elastically deformable under pressure changes in the pressure chamber. The membrane member is fixed to the channel defining member while maintaining a dome-like curved shape protruding outward from the pressure chamber. When the pressure in the pressure chamber becomes lower than a predetermined level, the membrane member is elastically deformed in a direction toward the pressure chamber. The manufacturing method involves bending the film piece into a dome-like shape by pressure molding using gas or liquid.

Description of drawings

The novel features of the invention are more apparent from the appended claims. The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which will make the purpose and method of the present invention clearer and easier to understand. in:

1 is a sectional view showing a valve device according to a first embodiment of the present invention taken along line A-A of FIG. 2;

Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the valve device in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 2;

4 is a plan view showing a valve device according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a sectional view showing a valve device according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a passage limiter of the valve device in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the valve body in FIG. 5;

8 is a sectional view showing a valve device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a passage limiter of the valve device in FIG. 8;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing the valve body in Fig. 8;

11 is a sectional view showing a valve device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing the structure of a printer according to the present invention;

Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing the structure of the printer shown in Fig. 12;

14 is a cross-sectional view showing a carrier according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, and a partially enlarged view thereof;

Fig. 15 is a plan view showing the carrier frame in Fig. 1 without the channel holding plate and the film protection plate;

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a nozzle forming surface of the recording head in FIG. 14;

Fig. 17 is a sectional view taken along line A-A in Fig. 15;

Figure 18 is a schematic diagram showing the carrier in Figure 14;

FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a carrier according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of the carrier according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 21 is a sectional view showing a main part of a carrier according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 22 is a sectional view showing the valve device in the tenth embodiment according to the present invention taken along line A-A of Fig. 23;

Fig. 23 is a plan view showing the valve device in Fig. 22;

Fig. 24 is a sectional view taken along line B-B in Fig. 23;

25(a) to 25(e) are views showing a method of manufacturing the valve device illustrated in FIG. 22;

26 is a plan view showing a valve device in an eleventh embodiment according to the present invention;

27 is a sectional view showing a valve device according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention taken along line A-A of FIG. 28;

Figure 28 is a plan view showing the valve device of Figure 27;

Fig. 29 is a sectional view taken along line B-B of Fig. 28;

30 is a sectional view showing a valve device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 31 is a sectional view showing along line C-C of Fig. 30;

32 is a sectional view showing a valve device according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention;

33 is a plan view showing a valve device according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention viewed from the rear side;

Fig. 34 is a sectional view taken along line D-D of Fig. 33;

Fig. 35 is a sectional view showing a section taken along line E-E of Fig. 33;

36 is a sectional view showing a valve device according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention;

37 is a side sectional view showing a carrier frame according to a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 38 is a plan view showing the main part of the carrier of Fig. 37;

Fig. 39 is a side sectional view showing the main part of the carrier of Fig. 37;

Figure 40 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the pressure regulator of Figure 37; and

Fig. 41 is a view showing an ink path illustrating an ink jet printer according to the present invention.

Detailed ways

Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. In the description, the same reference numerals denote the same elements, and descriptions thereof will not be repeated.

A valve device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the valve device 1 includes a liquid inlet 2 , a liquid outlet 3 , a pressure chamber 4 , and a pressure regulator 5 . The pressure chamber 4 is connected to the liquid inlet 2 and the liquid outlet 3 and holds a liquid such as ink. The pressure regulator 5 reduces the pressure of the liquid in the pressure chamber 4 to a predetermined level.

The pressure regulator 5 has a membrane part 6 . When the pressure in the pressure chamber 4 becomes lower than a predetermined level (reaches a predetermined negative pressure), the film member 6 acts to elastically deform in a direction into the pressure chamber 4 (downward direction shown in FIG. 1 ). The role of pressure bearing parts. When the pressure regulator 5 becomes open, liquid enters from the liquid inlet 2 to the liquid outlet 3 .

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the valve device comprises a channel delimiter 8 . The pressure regulator 5 has a valve body 9 , a pressure adjustment spring 10 , an actuating rod 11 and a diaphragm 6 . The passage limiter 8 includes a liquid inlet 2, a liquid outlet 3, and a groove-like passage 7 having a rectangular shape. A trough-like channel 7 is connected to the liquid inlet 2 and the liquid outlet 3 . The actuating rod 11 acts as a pressing member for pressing the valve body 9 to the open position against the pushing force of the pressure adjusting spring 10 . The membrane part 6 seals the groove-shaped channel 7 and thus delimits the pressure chamber 4 .

If the liquid is ink, the membrane member 6 is made of a material that does not scientifically affect the properties of the ink and exhibits relatively low permeability to water, oxygen and nitrogen. In other words, the film member 6 is formed by, for example, bonding and laminating a nylon film covered with polyvinyl chloride with a high-density polyethylene film or a polypropylene film. A thin film 6 is thermally deposited on the surface of the channel-defining member 8 in order to seal the opening of the groove-shaped channel 7 . That is to say, the membrane part 6 forms part of the outer wall of the pressure chamber 4 .

The valve body 9 is movable between an open position and a closed position (position of FIG. 1 ). When in the open position, the valve body 9 connects the liquid inlet 2 to the groove-like channel 7 . In the closed position, the valve body 9 disconnects the liquid inlet 2 from the groove-like channel 7 . The valve body 9 is pushed towards the closed position by a pressure adjustment spring 10 .

When the pressure in the pressure chamber 4 becomes lower than a predetermined level, the film member 6 elastically deforms in a direction toward the pressure chamber. The actuator rod 11 is subjected to the pressing force (elastic force) of the film member 6 held in an elastically deformed state. In this state, the actuating rod 11 transmits to the valve body 9 a force greater than the aforementioned pressing force, thereby pressing the valve body 9 toward the open position.

In the valve device 1, an elongated rectangular portion of the thin film member 6 sealing the groove-like passage 7 or a part of the thin film member 6 sealing the groove-like passage 7 corresponds to the pressure receiving portion 6a. The actuating rod 11 of the valve device 1 is arranged in the grooved channel 7 and comprises a support end 11a and a terminal end 11c. As shown in FIG. 1, the supporting end 11a corresponds to the left end of the actuating rod 11, and the end 11c corresponds to the right end of the actuating rod 11 which is the opposite end of the supporting end 11a. The actuating rod 11 is formed as a cantilever supported by the support end 11 a through the passage limiter 8 . The actuating rod 11 receives the pressing force from the film member 6 over the entire portion from the support end 11a to the end 11c. The valve body 9 is positioned so that the valve body 9 receives an actuation force from a part of the actuation rod 11 that is closer to the support end 11 a than the center of gravity of the actuation rod 11 .

As long as the rigidity of the supporting end 11 a of the actuating rod 11 is sufficient for supporting the actuating rod 11 , the supporting end 11 a meets the relevant rigidity requirements. The actuating rod 11 includes a supporting end 11a and a remaining portion that is not the supporting end 11a as a pressing portion 11b. Since the pressing portion 11b contacts and presses the valve body 9, it is preferable that the pressing portion 11b has relatively high rigidity. Therefore, the rigidity of the supporting end 11a of the actuator rod 11 is set to a lower level than that of the pressing portion 11b. In the valve device 1 of the first embodiment, the actuating rod 11 is formed of one thin plate. As shown in FIG. 3, the pressing portion 11b of the actuator rod 11 has a channel-like cross-sectional shape. By bending the pressing portion 11b, the rigidity of the pressing portion 11b becomes higher than that of the supporting end 11a.

The valve body 9 of the valve device 1 includes a valve shaft 12, an annular seal portion 13, and a clamping plate 14 as a spring receiving portion. The sealing portion 13 is formed by an O-shaped spring. The channel limiter 8 includes an inlet channel 15 , a liquid supply chamber 16 , a communication hole 17 and an outlet channel 18 . The inlet channel 15 includes the liquid inlet 2 . The liquid supply chamber 16 is connected to the inlet passage 15 and accommodates the valve body 9 and the pressure adjustment spring 10 . The communication hole 17 has a circular shape and connects the liquid supply chamber 16 to the pressure chamber 4 . An outlet channel 18 is connected to the pressure chamber 4 and includes the liquid outlet 3 . The communication hole 17 functions as an inlet, and the outlet channel 18 functions as an outlet.

The opening of the liquid supply chamber 16 is defined in the lower surface of the passage defining member 8 . The pressure regulating spring 10 is sandwiched between the clamping plate 14 of the valve body 9 and the holder 19 which seals the opening of the liquid supply chamber 16 . The valve shaft 12 passes through the communication hole 17 so that a gap is defined between the valve shaft 12 and the peripheral surface of the communication hole 17 . Due to the valve shaft 12 passing through the communication hole 17 , the valve body 9 is pushed towards the closed position by the pressure regulating spring 10 . The passage limiter 8 has a sealing surface 161 formed at a position opposite to the valve body 9 , or along the outer circumferential surface of the communication hole 17 . When the valve body 9 is in the open position, the sealing portion 13 is pressed by the sealing surface 161 in the liquid supply chamber 16 .

In the valve device 1, if the liquid in the pressure chamber 4 decreases and the pressure in the pressure chamber 4 becomes lower than a predetermined level, the pressure receiving portion 6a of the membrane member 6 elastically deforms in the direction into the pressure chamber 4. Thus, the force generated by the membrane member 6 acts downwards as shown in FIG. 1 to compress the actuating rod 11 or cantilever. Then, due to leverage, the actuating rod 11 generates an actuating force greater than the pressing force of the membrane member 6, thereby moving the valve shaft 12 of the valve body 9 from the closed position to the open position. In other words, the actuating lever 11 is configured as a lever mechanism that generates an actuating force by receiving a pressing force. That is to say, the actuating rod 11 is configured as a force amplification mechanism that amplifies the elastic force to the actuating force. Accordingly, the pressure regulator 5 is switched to the open state so that liquid is supplied from the liquid inlet 2 to the pressure chamber 4 . When the liquid in the pressure chamber 4 increases and the pressure in the pressure chamber 4 reaches a predetermined level, the pressure receiving portion 6a of the membrane member 6 returns to its original shape, recovering from the elastically deformed shape. As a result, the valve body 9 is returned from the open position to the closed position by the urging force of the pressure regulating spring 10 . Consequently, the pressure regulator 5 returns to the closed state in order to prevent the supply of liquid from the liquid inlet 2 to the pressure chamber 4 .

The valve device 1 of the first embodiment has the following advantages.

When the pressure in the pressure chamber 4 becomes lower than a predetermined level, the pressure regulator 5 is switched to an open state by an actuation force greater than the pressing force of the pressure receiving portion 6a of the membrane member 6. If the pressure in the pressure chamber 4 reaches a predetermined level, the pressure regulator 5 returns to the closed position so that the pressure in the pressure chamber 4 decreases to the predetermined level. More specifically, the actuation lever 11 generates an actuation force greater than the pressing force applied through the pressure receiving portion 6 a of the film member 6 . Through the actuation force, the actuating rod 11 overcomes the "sealing load" effect for opening the pressure regulator 5 . "Sealing load" is defined as a force to maintain the pressure regulator 5 in a closed state by pressing the sealing portion 13 against the sealing surface (seat surface) 161 . The sealing load is generated by the pressure adjustment spring 10 . In other words, the pressure regulator 5 acquires an actuation force greater than the pressing force generated by the elastic deformation of the membrane member 6 . The pressure regulator 5 is configured to open by this actuation force. This structure reduces the surface area of the pressure receiving portion 6a of the membrane member 6, so that the pressure regulator 5 and the valve device 1 can be minimized.

The pressure receiving portion 6 a is formed by an elongated rectangular portion of the membrane member 6 sealing the groove-like passage 7 . Therefore, when a plurality of groove-shaped passages 7 are arranged in parallel to arrange a plurality of pressure regulators 5, the loss of surface area (inactive surface area) becomes relatively small. Therefore, the pressure regulator 5 can be configured in a highly integrated manner.

The elements of the valve device 1 other than the valve body 9 and the pressure regulating spring 10, including the membrane member 6 and the actuating rod 11, are formed as thin plates. This structure can reduce the thickness of the pressure regulator 5 as well as the thickness of the valve device 1 as a whole.

The valve body 9 is positioned so that the valve body 9 receives the actuation force from the actuation rod 11 at a position closer to the support end 11 a than the center of gravity of the actuation rod 11 . Therefore, the actuating rod 11 moves the valve body 9 to the open position by the force generated by the amplification of the force received by the pressure receiving portion 6a of the membrane member 6, or in other words, a force greater than the pressing force of the pressure receiving portion 6a. The center of gravity of the actuating rod 11 corresponds to the power point, the support end 11a corresponds to the fulcrum, and the pressing portion 11b corresponds to the action point. This structure minimizes the surface area of the pressure receiving portion 6 a which is an elongated rectangular portion of the thin film member 6 . It is thus possible to reduce the pressure regulator 5 overall and to use the pressure regulator 5 in a highly integrated manner.

As long as the rigidity of the supporting end 11 a functioning as a supporting point (fulcrum) of the actuating rod 11 is sufficient for supporting the actuating rod 11 , the supporting end 11 a satisfies the relevant rigidity requirement. In contrast, since the pressing portion 11b of the actuating rod 11 is pressing against the valve shaft 12 of the valve body 9, it is preferable that the pressing portion 11b has relatively high rigidity. Therefore, the rigidity of the supporting end 11a of the actuator rod 11 is lower than that of the pressing portion 11b. This reduces the moment generated by the supporting end 11a of the actuator rod 11, suppressing side effects of the moment.

Since the actuating rod 11 is integrally formed from a single sheet, positioning and handling of the actuating rod 11 is simplified. Since the pressing portion 11b of the actuator rod 11 is bent so that the pressing portion 11b has a channel-like cross-sectional shape, the pressing portion 11b has a higher rigidity than the supporting end 11a (supporting portion) having a flat shape.

When the valve shaft 12 passes through the communication hole 17 having a gap defined between the valve shaft 12 and the peripheral surface of the communication hole 17 , the valve body 9 is pushed toward the opening portion by the pressure regulating spring 10 . In this state, the sealing portion 13 is pressed against the sealing surface 161 of the liquid supply chamber 16 . Therefore, there is no need to provide a shaft support structure requiring high component accuracy. Therefore, the assembly of the pressure regulator 5 is facilitated, and the cost for the pressure regulator 5 is reduced.

A valve device 1A according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 4 . The valve device 1A has six pressure regulators 5 ₁ to 5 ₆ . The valve unit 1A can use different types of liquids, such as inks of 6 colors. The valve device 1A includes six groove-like passages 7 ₁ to 7 ₆ arranged in parallel, each holding a corresponding ink color. The film member 6A is thermally deposited on the channel surface of the limiting member 8 so as to seal the openings of the groove-shaped channels ₇₁ to ₇₆ . This also defines 6 pressure chambers 4 ₁ to 4 ₆ . The membrane part 6A forms part of the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ . A rectangular portion of the thin film member 6A each of which seals a corresponding one of the groove-like passages ₇₁ to ₇₆ , or a portion of the thin film member 6A sealing the opening of the groove-like passages ₇₁ to ₇₆ , is the pressure receiving portion 6a1 to ₇₆ . 6a ₆ .

In each slot-like channel 7 ₁ to 7 ₆ a corresponding one of the actuating rods 11 ₁ to 11 ₆ is provided. Each of the actuating rods ₁₁₁ to ₁₁₆ is formed by a cantilever in which the support end _11a1 to _11a6 is supported by the passage limiter 8A.

In addition to the advantages of the first embodiment, the second embodiment has the following advantages.

The valve device 1A includes six groove-shaped passages 7 ₁ to 7 ₆ and six pressure regulators 5 ₁ to 5 ₆ arranged in parallel. This structure minimizes and reduces the thickness of the valve device 1A used in a liquid ejecting apparatus such as an inkjet printer.

A valve device 1B according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 .

In the valve device 1B, the valve body 9B of the pressure regulator 5B is a substantially L-shaped (V-shaped) rod. The valve body 9B is disposed in the groove-shaped passage 7 and is pivotally supported by opposing walls of the passage limiter 8B. The valve body 9B has a first rod portion 20 including the sealing portion 13 and a second rod portion 21 pressed by the pressing portion 11 b of the actuating rod 11 . The first shaft portion 20 is integrally formed with the second shaft portion 21 . The seal portion 13 is fixed to the front (in FIG. 5 , left side) of the first rod portion 20 .

The valve body 9B, which is a substantially L-shaped stem, includes pins 22, 22 projecting from opposite sides of the intersection between the first stem portion 20 and the second stem portion 21 (see FIG. 7). A guide groove having a substantially L-shape is defined on the inner surface of each of the opposite side walls of the passage defining member 8B (see FIG. 6 ). A corresponding one of the pins 22, 22 is inserted into each guide groove 23 to the position shown in FIG. Each guide groove 23 rollably supports the corresponding pin 22 .

An inlet passage 15 is defined in a side wall (left side wall) of the passage defining member 8B. The inlet channel 15 comprises the liquid inlet 2 and connects to the pressure chamber 4 . The valve body 9B is urged by an L-shaped (V-shaped) leaf spring 10 provided in the pressure chamber 4 as a pressure regulating spring. The sealing portion 13 is pressed against the sealing surface 4a of the pressure chamber (outer peripheral portion of the inlet passage 15). Other configurations of the valve device 1B are the same as those of the valve device 1 of the first embodiment. In Fig. 6, the step 8a1 of the passage limiter 8 is shown. The supporting end 11a of the actuator rod 11 is fixed to the step 8a1 by adhesive or the like.

In the valve device 1B, when the pressure in the pressure chamber 4 becomes lower than a predetermined level (reaches a predetermined negative pressure), the pressure receiving portion of the film member 6 (the pressure receiving portion of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 6a) Elastic deformation in the direction into the pressure chamber 4, thus compressing the actuating rod 11, or cantilever, in the downward direction in FIG. 5 . Therefore, the actuating rod 11 presses the second rod portion of the valve body 9B held in the closed state (the state of FIG. 5 ) in the downward direction by an actuating force greater than the pressing force of the pressure receiving portion 6a of the film member 6. twenty one. In this manner, valve body 9B pivots about pin 22 toward the open position (clockwise in FIG. 5 ). Therefore, the sealing portion 13 is separated from the sealing surface 4a of the pressure chamber 4, so that the pressure regulator 5B is switched to the open state. In this state, liquid is supplied from the liquid inlet 2 to the pressure chamber 4 via the inlet channel 15 .

When the amount of liquid in the pressure chamber 4 increases and the pressure in the pressure chamber 4 reaches a predetermined level, the pressure receiving portion 6a of the membrane member 6 returns to the original shape, recovering from the elastically deformed shape. Accordingly, the urging force of the leaf spring 10B causes the valve body 9B to pivot about the pin 22 from the open position to the closed position (counterclockwise). This presses the sealing portion 13 against the sealing surface 4a of the pressure chamber 4, so that the pressure regulator 5B returns to the closed state. Thus, closing liquid is supplied from the liquid inlet 2 to the pressure chamber 4 .

In addition to the advantages of the first embodiment, the third embodiment has the following advantages.

The valve body 9B of the pressure regulator 5B is a substantially L-shaped rod and is in a closed position when urged by a leaf spring 10B. Therefore, the sealing portion 13 presses against the sealing surface 4 a of the pressure chamber 4 . Therefore, in the valve body 9B, there is no need to provide a shaft support structure requiring relatively high element precision. This facilitates the assembly of the pressure regulator 5B, thus saving costs.

The leaf spring 10B is accommodated in the pressure chamber 4 of the passage limiter 8B. Since the channel limiter 8B has to comprise a single pressure chamber 4 and an inlet channel 15 connected to the liquid inlet 2, the structure of the channel limiter 8B is rather simple. Furthermore, there is no need to provide a holder for holding the leaf spring 10B. This also facilitates the assembly of the pressure regulator 5B and saves costs.

A valve device 1C according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10 .

In the valve device 1C, the valve body 9C of the pressure regulator 5C is formed by a substantially L-shaped rod provided in the groove-like passage 7 and is pivotally supported by the opposite walls of the passage restrictor 8C. The valve body 9C has a first rod portion 30 including the sealing portion 13 and a second rod portion 31 pressed by the pressing portion 11 b of the actuating rod 11 . The first shaft portion 30 is integrally formed with the second shaft portion 31 . The seal portion 13 is fixed to the front (in FIG. 8 , the lower surface of the first rod portion 30).

The valve body 9C includes pins 32 , 32 projecting from opposite sides of the intersection between the first stem portion 30 and the second stem portion 31 (see FIG. 10 ). A substantially L-shaped guide groove 33 is defined on the inner surface of each of the opposite side walls of the passage defining member 8C (see FIG. 9 ). A corresponding one of the pins 32, 32 is inserted into each guide groove 33 to the position shown in FIG. Each guide groove 33 rollably supports the corresponding pin 22 in the inserted position.

An inlet channel 15C comprising the liquid inlet 2 and connected to the pressure chamber 4 and an outlet channel 18 are defined in the bottom of the channel limiter 8C. A tension spring 10C as a pressure adjusting spring is provided in the pressure chamber 4 . The left end of the tension spring 10C is fixed to the corresponding side wall of the passage limiter 8C, while the right end of the tension spring 10C is fixed to the second rod portion 31 . The substantially L-shaped rod valve body 9C is urged toward the closed position where the sealing portion 13 presses the sealing surface 4b of the pressure chamber 4 by the tension spring 10C. The rest of the structure of the valve device 1C is the same as that of the valve device 1 of the first embodiment.

In the valve device 1C, when the pressure in the pressure chamber 4 becomes lower than a predetermined level, the pressure receiving portion of the thin film member 6 (the pressure receiving portion 6a of the first embodiment shown in FIG. The elastic deformation in the inner direction, therefore, compresses the actuating rod 11 in the downward direction in FIG. 8 . Accordingly, the actuating rod 11 presses the second rod portion 31 of the valve body 9C held in the closed position in the downward direction by an actuating force greater than the pressing force of the pressure receiving portion 6a of the film member 6 . In this manner, the valve body 9C pivots about the pins 32, 32 toward the open position (in a clockwise direction in FIG. 8). Therefore, the sealing portion 13 is separated from the sealing surface 4b of the pressure chamber 4, so that the pressure regulator 5C is switched to the open state. In this state, liquid is supplied from the liquid inlet 2 to the pressure chamber 4 through the inlet passage 15C.

When the amount of liquid in the pressure chamber 4 increases and the pressure in the pressure chamber 4 reaches a predetermined level, the pressure receiving portion 6a of the membrane member 6 returns to the original shape, recovering from the elastically deformed shape. Accordingly, the urging force of the tension spring 10C causes the valve body 9C to pivot about the pin 32 from the open position to the closed position (counterclockwise). This presses the sealing portion 13 against the sealing surface 4a of the pressure chamber 4, so that the pressure regulator 5C returns to the closed state. Thus, closing liquid is supplied from the liquid inlet 2 to the pressure chamber 4 .

In addition to the advantages of the first embodiment, the fourth embodiment has the following advantages.

For the same reasons as in the description of the third embodiment, the assembly of the valve device 1C is also facilitated and further cost-saving.

A valve device 1D according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 11 .

The valve device 1D is characterized in that the pressure regulator 5 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 functions as a choke valve. The "action of the blocking valve" mentioned here is defined as forcibly maintaining the pressure regulator 5 in the closed position of FIG. 11 , or forcibly closing the communication between the liquid supply chamber 16 and the pressure chamber 4 .

In the valve device 1D, a retainer 40 having a communication hole 41 is fixed to the lower surface of the passage defining member 8 instead of the retainer 19 in the first embodiment. The communication hole 41 is located under the valve shaft 12 of the valve body 9 . A moving pin 42 for selectively raising or lowering the valve shaft 12 is accommodated in the communication hole 41 so as to allow the pin 42 to move upward or downward. The lower portion of the moving pin 42 is covered by a sealing film member 43 fixed to the lower surface of the holder 40 for sealing the opening of the communication hole 41 . This structure prevents the moving pin 42 from falling to the outside (in the downward direction) from the communication hole 41 .

A pin actuator 50 is provided below the pressure regulator 5 of the valve device 1D for moving the movable pin 42 between a blocking position and a non-blocking position (the area below the blocking position). The movement pin 42 is raised to the blocking position for forcibly maintaining the closed position of the valve body 9 shown in FIG. 11 . Corresponding to the non-blocking position, the valve body 9 is released from the positively held closed position.

The pin actuator 50 includes a cylindrical body 51 , a piezoelectric element 52 accommodated in a central hole 51 a of the cylindrical body 51 , and an actuation pin 53 . For example, when supplied with an AC voltage, the piezoelectric element 52 can be selectively extended or compressed so that the actuation pin 53 moves up or down accordingly. The actuating pin 53 moves between a first position for moving the moving pin 42 to the blocking position and a second position (position of FIG. 11 ) lower than the first position. When the actuating pin 53 moves from the first position to the second position, the moving pin 42 descends from the blocking position to the non-blocking position due to the gravitational force of the moving pin 42 .

If the supply of AC voltage is stopped (the power supply is turned off) while the actuating pin 53 is kept at the first position (the moving pin 42 is kept at the blocking position), the actuating pin 53 passes Friction between the circumferential surfaces remains in the first position. In this manner, the travel pin 42 remains in the blocking position.

In the valve device 1D, when AC voltage is supplied to the piezoelectric element 52 while the actuator pin 53 is held at the second position of FIG. 11 , the piezoelectric element 52 is extended so that the actuator pin 53 moves to the first position. This moves the moving pin 42 from the non-blocking position to the blocking position, thereby causing the moving pin 42 to be forced to keep the valve body 9 in the closed position of FIG. 11 .

When the moving pin 42 is kept at the blocking position while the power is cut off, the actuating pin 53 is kept at the first position by the frictional force between the actuating pin 53 and the circumferential surface of the cylinder 51 . The mobile pin 42 thus remains in the blocking position.

If the supply of AC voltage to the piezoelectric element 52 is restored while the movable pin 42 remains in the blocking position, the piezoelectric element 52 is compressed so that the actuating pin 53 moves from the first position to the second position. Thus, due to the gravitational force of the movable pin 42, the movable pin 42 descends from the blocking position to the non-blocking position. The valve body 9 is released from the forcibly held closed position.

The fifth embodiment has the following advantages.

Since the pressure regulator 5 acts as a blocking valve. Therefore, there is no need to provide a choke valve separate from the pressure regulator 5, e.g. if the valve device 1D is arranged in the carriage of an inkjet printer, an inkjet printer with a relatively small number of components and a relatively low cost choke valve action can be provided .

The valve device 1D of the fifth embodiment can be applied to the second embodiment of Fig. 2 so that each of the 6 pressure regulators ₅₁ to ₅₆ functions as a blocking valve. In this case, one or more of the pressure regulators ₅₁ to ₅₆ may be forced to remain in the closed position for selective cleaning. According to "selection cleaning", for example, one or more selected ones of 6 color inks are subjected to cleaning. More specifically, the moving pins 42 of the pressure regulators ₅₁ to ₅₆ corresponding to the selected color are moved to the blocking position. In this manner, the respective pressure regulators ₅₁ to ₅₆ are forced to remain in the closed position.

The blocking valve mechanism described above is a pin arrangement in which a pin actuator 50 drives an actuating pin 53 for moving the movable pin 42 between a blocking position and a non-blocking position. Thus, the structure enabling the pressure regulator 5 to function as a choke valve can be provided in a relatively small space below the pressure regulator 5, which is also relatively small.

If the supply of AC voltage to the piezoelectric element 52 is stopped while the moving pin 42 is in the blocking position, the actuating pin 53 is held in the first position by the frictional force between the actuating pin 53 and the circumferential surface of the cylinder 51 . Therefore, the moving pin 42 remains in the blocked position. Therefore, if the valve device 1D is mounted in a carriage of an inkjet printer, ink leakage through the head of the carriage due to the position or environment of the printer can be prevented even if the power of the printer is turned off.

[printer]

An example of a printer applying the valve devices 1 to 1D of the illustrated embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13 . More specifically, an ink jet type printer in which the valve device 1 of the first embodiment is provided in a carriage will be described by way of example.

As shown in FIG. 12, a printer 100 or a liquid ejecting apparatus includes a frame 102 that is substantially parallelepiped. A paper feed tray 103 is provided on the upper surface of the frame 102 . A paper discharge tray 104 is provided on the front surface of the frame 102 . Each of the paper feed tray 103 and the paper discharge tray 104 is fixed to the frame 102 by an unillustrated hinge mechanism so that the trays 103, 104 are accommodated in the frame 102 in a folded state.

The platen 105 is formed in the frame 102 and extends in the longitudinal direction (Y direction) of the frame 102 . Recording paper is inserted into the frame 102 through the paper feed tray 103 and fed to the platen 105 in the X direction (perpendicular to the Y axis) by an unillustrated paper feeding mechanism. Then, the recording paper is discharged from the frame 102 through the paper discharge tray 104 .

A guide 106 is formed in the frame 102 and extends parallel to the platen 105 . The carriage 60 is movably supported by the guide 106 . The valve device 1 is mounted in a carrier 60 . A carriage motor (not shown) is secured into frame 102 . Carriage 60 is operatively connected to the carriage motor by a timing belt (not shown) wrapped around a pair of pulleys (not shown). Therefore, when the carriage motor is driven, the driving force of the carriage motor is transmitted to the carriage 60 through the timing belt. Accordingly, the carriage 60 reciprocates in a direction parallel to the platen 105 (main scanning direction Y) by being guided by the guide 106 .

A recording head 108 as a liquid ejection head is formed on the lower surface of the carriage 60 (the surface opposite to the platen 105 ). The recording head 108 includes a nozzle forming surface 108a (see FIG. 13 ) facing the recording paper. In the nozzle forming surface 108a, 6 nozzle rows N ₁ to N ₆ (see FIG. 16 ) each nozzle NZ (see FIG. 13 ) are arranged in the number n (n=natural number) are arranged. In this embodiment, for the sake of illustration, the number of nozzle rows _N1 to _N6 is set to 6, and the number of nozzles NZ provided in each nozzle row is set to n. However, the number of nozzles NZ per nozzle row and the number of nozzle rows _N1 to _N6 are not limited to those of the embodiment, but may be changed as needed.

A first ink carrier 109 and a second ink carrier 110 each serving as a liquid holding portion are provided in the frame 102 . As will be explained later, each of the first and second ink carriers 109, 110 will be liquid and correspond to the color ink (black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan or light cyan) of each nozzle NZ. Magenta) is supplied to the recording head 108. The ink supplied to the recording head 108 is pressurized by the piezoelectric element 108b (see FIG. 13 ) and ejected as ink droplets from the corresponding nozzles NZ of the recording head 108, thus forming ink dots. In other words, each nozzle NZ formed in the recording head 108 ejects ink of a corresponding color of black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, or light magenta.

The printer 100 includes a printing area for printing and ejecting ink droplets onto recording paper by reciprocating the carriage 60 . The printer 100 also has a non-printing area for sealing the nozzles NZ when printing is not performed. As shown in FIG. 12, a cap holder 111 is formed in the non-printing area.

The cap holder 111 is provided with a flexible cap member 112 so that the cap member 112 forms a surface 108 a opposite the nozzles of the recording head 108 . The cap holder 111 places the cap 112 in close contact with the nozzle forming surface 108a of the recording head 108 by an unillustrated driving mechanism to seal the nozzles NZ. Referring to FIG. 13 , communication holes 112 a , 112 b are defined in the bottom of the cover 112 and connected with the inside of the cover 112 . The cap opening valve 113 is connected to the communication hole 112 a through a tube T1 outside the cap holder 111 . When necessary, the cap opening valve 113 opens the space defined by the close contact between the cap member 112 and the nozzle forming surface 108a. A suction port (not shown) of the gear pump GP is connected to the communication hole 112b through a tube T2. The gear pump GP includes gears G1 and G2. When the driving force of an unillustrated driving motor is transmitted to the gear pump GP, the gears G1 , G2 rotate to supply negative pressure to the cover 112 . That is, by driving the gear pump GP having the cover 112 sealing the nozzle forming surface 108a, negative pressure can be supplied to the nozzle NZ of the nozzle forming surface 108a for cleaning the nozzle forming surface 108a.

The regulating device 114 is connected to a discharge port (not shown) of the gear pump GP through a tube T3. The first ink carrier 109 is connected to the adjustment device 114 by a tube T4.

The first ink carrier 109 includes an ink pack B for holding black ink and an ink absorber 115 for absorbing the ink. The ink pack B is connected to the recording head 108 of the carriage 60 through a tube T5. The ink absorber 115 is formed by, for example, a water-absorbing porous material such as sponge.

Therefore, the waste ink and air sucked from the cover member 112 by the gear pump GP enter the first ink carrier 109 . Then, the waste ink is sucked through the absorber 115 in the first ink carrier 109 . The amount and flow of waste ink and the air sent to the first ink carrier 109 are regulated by the regulating device 114 .

The second ink carrier 110 is connected to the first ink carrier 109 through a tube T6. The first and second ink carriers 109, 110 are connected to each other by T6. The second ink carrier 110 includes ink packs C, M, YL, LC, and LM for holding cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta inks, respectively. The ink packs C, M, YL, LC, and LM are connected to the recording head 108 of the carriage 60 through tubes T7, T8, T9, T10, and T11, respectively. The opening device 116 is connected to the second ink carrier 110 through the tube T12 for opening the second ink carrier 110 when necessary.

Therefore, when the gear pump GP is driven, waste ink and air are sucked from the cap 112 and flow from the cap 112 to the ink carriage 109 through the tube T2, the gear pump GP, the tube T3, the regulator 114 and the tube T4. Since the waste ink is sucked through the ink absorber 115 in the first ink carrier 109 , only air (hereinafter referred to as “pressurized air”) flows in the first ink carrier 109 . Pressurized air flows from the first ink carrier 109 through tube T6 to the second ink carrier 110, where it is held in an opening device 116 connected to tube T12.

In other words, the air pressure in the first ink carrier 109 and the air pressure in the second ink carrier 110 are constantly equal to each other without difference. Therefore, if the gear pump GP is driven, the air pressure in each of the first and second ink carriers 109, 110 is increased due to the pressurized air. Thus ink packs B, C, M, YL, LC and LM are pressurized. The ink held in each of the ink packs B, C, M, YL, LC, and LM is sent to the recording head 108 of the carriage 60 in a compressed manner.

That is, in the printer 100 of this embodiment, the gear pump GP includes a purge pump for supplying negative pressure to the cover 112 and boosters for pressurizing the ink packs B, C, M, YL, LC, and LM. pressure pump. Therefore, the gear pump GP in the driven state supplies negative pressure to the cover 112 for sucking waste ink and air from the cover 112 and pressurizes the ink packs B, C, M, YL, LC, and LM for sending ink to the cover 112. to the recording head 108 .

Inkjet printers have the following advantages.

The thickness of the inkjet type printer can be minimized and reduced.

The present invention is not limited to the illustrated embodiments but may include modifications and improvements achieved within the scope of the purpose of the present invention. Therefore, for example, the present invention can be implemented in the following modified forms.

In the first embodiment of FIG. 1 , a material having relatively low permeability to water, oxygen, or nitrogen represents an example of the material of the membrane member 6 as the pressure receiving member. However, the material of the film member 6 is not limited to the one shown, but may be a single-layer film or a rubber film. If these membranes are used, additional elements can be provided in the membrane element 6 for relatively low permeability requirements for water, oxygen or nitrogen.

In the first embodiment of FIG. 1 , the communication hole 17 connecting the liquid supply chamber 16 to the pressure chamber 4 is formed in a circular shape. The valve shaft 12 of the valve body 9 passes through the communication hole 17 so that a gap is defined between the valve shaft 12 and the peripheral surface of the communication hole 17 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto, but may be constituted so that the communication hole 17 has any shape other than a circle.

In the first embodiment of FIG. 3 , the actuating rod 11 is bent to have a channel-like cross-sectional shape. However, in addition to this, the supporting end 11a and the pressing portion 11b of the actuating rod 11 may be formed of different materials having different degrees of rigidity. The supporting end 11a is fixed to the pressing portion 11b by adhesive or by depositing. In this manner, the difference in rigidity between the supporting end 11a and the pressing portion 11b is ensured.

In the second embodiment of FIG. 4 , the valve device 1A using six ink colors has been described as an example. However, the invention can be applied to valve arrangements utilizing different numbers of colored inks than six. For example, if the valve device uses inks of four colors, four groove-shaped passages 71 to 74 are provided in parallel, and four pressure regulators 51 to 54 are provided.

In the third embodiment of FIG. 5 , the valve body 9B, which is a substantially L-shaped rod, is urged by a leaf spring 10B as a pressure regulating spring provided in the pressure chamber 4 . Accordingly, the valve body 9B presses the seal 13 against the sealing surface 4 a of the pressure chamber 4 . However, instead of using the leaf spring 10B, the valve body 9B may be urged by a torsion coil spring in the same manner.

The valve device of the above-described embodiment can be applied to a different liquid ejection apparatus other than an inkjet type printer, for example, an inkjet type recording apparatus (including printing apparatuses such as facsimile machines and copiers) that ejects ink, or ejects a different liquid ejection apparatus that is not ink. A liquid jetting device in the form of a liquid. For example, the present invention can be applied to or used in a liquid ejection device for ejecting electrode materials or color materials for manufacturing liquid crystal displays, EL displays, and surface emission displays, or a liquid ejection device for ejecting bioorganic substances for manufacturing biochips, or as Precision pipette sampling injection equipment.

12 and 13 , the inkjet type printer (printer of the carriage type) in which the valve device 1 of the first embodiment is mounted in the slider 60 has been explained. However, the present invention can be applied to a valve device 1 provided not in the carriage 60 but in the liquid supply line that supplies the liquid from the liquid holding portion (carriage 109, 110) to the liquid ejection head (recording head 108). Inkjet type printer.

The present invention can also be applied to an inkjet type printer in which any of the valve devices 1A to 1D of the second to fifth embodiments is installed in the carriage 60, or this valve device is provided in the supply from the liquid holding portion to the liquid ejection head, Instead of an inkjet type printer in the liquid supply row of the carriage 60 .

The liquid in each valve device of the illustrated embodiment is not limited to ink, but may be a different form of liquid other than ink.

A carrier frame 60 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 14 to 18 . FIG. 14 shows a carrier 60 of a sixth embodiment, accompanied by an enlarged view showing a portion of the carrier 60 . FIG. 18 shows a schematic diagram of the structure of the carrier 60 of FIG. 14 .

The carriage 60 is used in an inkjet type printer as a liquid ejecting device using 6 kinds of color inks as different forms of liquid. The 6 colors correspond to black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta.

As shown in FIG. 14 , the carrier frame 60 has a channel limiting part 8 and a spring receiving part 70 . The valve device 1 is mounted in a part of the carrier 60 . The carriage 60 includes a recording head 108 as a liquid ejection head. The recording head 108 is fixed to the right end portion of the lower surface of the channel defining member 8 through the channel plate 72 . A channel holding plate 73 and a film protection plate 74 are provided on the upper surface of the channel defining member 8 .

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the valve device 1 includes six pressure chambers 41 to 36 for holding six kinds of color inks respectively connected to six liquid inlets ₂₁ to ₂₆ and six liquid outlets _{31 to 36 .} 4 ₆ , and 6 pressure regulators 5 ₁ to 5 ₆ .

Each of the pressure regulators ₅₁ to ₅₆ includes one of the corresponding six rectangular groove-like passages ₇₁ to ₇₆ defined in the passage limiter 8, a valve body 9, a pressure adjustment spring 10, and a corresponding Body 9 is pressed to one of the actuating rods ₁₁₁ to ₁₁₆ in the open position against the urging force of the compression adjustment spring 10, and the film member 6 that seals the groove-like passages ₇₁ to ₇₆ and defines the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ . For example, the pressure regulator 5 ₁ includes a rectangular grooved passage 7 ₁ , a valve body 9 , a pressure adjustment spring 10 , an actuating rod 11 ₁ , and a membrane member 6 sealing the grooved passage 7 ₁ and defining a pressure chamber 4 ₁ . The pressure regulator 5 ₂ includes a rectangular channel 7 ₂ , a valve body 9 , a compression adjustment spring 10 , an actuating rod 11 ₂ , and a membrane member 6 sealing the channel 7 ₂ and defining a pressure chamber 4 ₂ . The pressure regulators ₅₃ to ₅₆ are constructed in the same manner as the pressure regulators ₅₁ and ₅₂ . In FIG. 14, of the six valve bodies 9, only the valve body 9 for the pressure regulator ₅₁ is shown.

A film member 6 is thermally deposited on the surface of the channel-defining member 8 for sealing the opening of the groove-shaped channel 7 ₁ so as to define six pressure chambers 4 ₁ to 4 ₆ . The membrane part 6 forms part of the outer walls of the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ . The rectangular portion of the thin film member 6 that seals the groove-like passages ₇₁ to ₇₆ , or the portion of the thin film member 6 that seals the openings of the groove-like passages ₇₁ to ₇₆ corresponds to the pressure receiving portions _6a1 to _6a6 (see FIG. 15 ) .

Each of the pressure regulators ₅₁ to ₅₆ is moved in the direction of the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ by an actuation force greater than the pressing force generated by the elastic deformation of the corresponding pressure receiving portion _6a1 to _6a6 of the membrane member 6. to the open position.

Inks of 6 colors are supplied to the liquid inlets 2 ₁ to 2 ₆ from the ink carriers 109, 110 each serving as a liquid holding portion through the tubes T5, T7 to T11 each forming part of the liquid supply line. Ink discharged from the liquid outlets 3 ₁ to 3 ₆ is supplied to the recording head 108 through channels defined in the channel plate 72 .

A nozzle forming surface 108 a (see FIG. 16 ) is formed at the lower end of the recording head 108 . In the nozzle forming surface 108a, 6 nozzle rows N ₁ to N ₆ each nozzle setting number n (n=natural number) are arranged. The color inks that have been sent from the liquid outlets ₃₁ to ₃₆ to the recording head 108 through the channels of the channel plate 72 are discharged as ink droplets from the nozzles NZ corresponding to one of the nozzle rows _N1 to _N6 .

As already explained, the six groove-like passages ₇₁ to ₇₆ holding the six color inks are arranged in parallel and the six pressure regulators ₅₁ to ₅₆ are arranged in the carriage 60 .

The valve body 9 of each pressure regulator ₅₁ to ₅₆ moves between an open position and a closed position (position of FIG. 14 ). When each valve body 9 is in the open position, the respective liquid inlet 2 ₁ to 2 ₆ is connected to the associated slot-like channel 7 ₁ to 7 ₆ . Corresponding to the closed position, the liquid inlets ₂₁ to ₂₆ are disconnected from the slot-like channels ₇₁ to ₇₆ . The valve body 9 is pushed towards the closed position by a pressure adjustment spring 10 .

In each of the pressure regulators ₅₁ to ₅₆ , when the pressure in the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ becomes lower than a predetermined level, the pressure receiving portions _6a1 to _6a6 of the membrane member 6 are supplied to the pressure chamber _41. Elastic deformation in the direction of ₆ to 4. The actuating rods ₁₁₁ to ₁₁₆ push the valve body 9 in the direction of the open position by an actuating force greater than the pressing force generated by the elastic deformation of the pressure receiving portions _6a1 to _6a6 .

Referring to FIG. 14 , six valve body receiving grooves 160 are defined in the lower surface of the passage restrictor 8 . Each valve body receiving groove 160 is connected to a corresponding one of the six rectangular groove-like passages ₇₁ to ₇₆ , or the associated pressure regulator, through a corresponding one of the six communicating holes 17 defined in the passage limiting member 8. 5 ₁ to 5 ₆ are corresponding ones of the pressure chambers 4 ₁ to 4 ₆ . Six valve body receiving grooves 70 a are defined in the upper surface of the spring receiving member 70 . The upper surface of the spring receiving part 70 is bonded to the lower surface of the channel limiting part 8, so that the six valve body receiving grooves 160 of the channel limiting part 8 correspond to the six valve body receiving grooves 70a of the related spring receiving part 70 , thus defining six liquid supply chambers 16 . Each liquid supply chamber 16 receives the valve shaft 12, the sealing portion 13 and the pressure regulating spring 10 of the corresponding pressure regulator ₅₁ to ₅₆ .

The pressure regulating spring 10 of each of the pressure regulators ₅₁ to ₅₆ is sandwiched between the clamping plate 14 of the valve body 9 and the inner portion (bottom) of the corresponding valve body receiving groove 70a. In this way, the valve body 9 is pushed toward the closed position by the pressure regulating spring 10, at this closed position, the sealing portion 13 is pressed against the sealing surface 161 of the valve body receiving groove 160, and at the same time, the valve shaft 12 passes through the The communication hole 17 is the gap between the shaft 12 and the wall of the communication hole 17 .

Further, liquid inlets ₂₁ to ₂₆ and six channels 81 to 86 are defined at the left end of the channel defining member 8 (relative to the right end of the channel defining member 8 where the recording head 108 is fixed). Each of the channels 81 to 86 introduces the color inks supplied to the corresponding liquid inlets ₂₁ to ₂₆ into corresponding ones of the six liquid supply chambers 16, respectively.

14 and 15, the channel 81 includes a first portion 81a extending horizontally from the liquid inlet ₂₁ , a second portion 81b extending vertically upward from the end of the first portion 81a, and a horizontally extending opening (upper end) from the second portion 81b. The third portion 81c, the fourth portion 81d extending vertically downward from the right end of the third portion 81c, and the fifth portion 81e extending horizontally from the lower end of the fourth portion 81d. The fifth portion 81e is connected to a corresponding one of the six valve body receiving grooves 70a through a groove 77 defined in the passage defining member 8 and a groove 79 defined in the spring receiving member 70 and connected to the groove 77 . Therefore, the ink supplied to the liquid inlet ₂₁ flows through the portions 81a to 81e of the passage 81 in this order, and enters the corresponding valve body accommodating recess through the groove 77 of the passage defining member 8 and the groove 79 of the spring receiving member 70. Groove 70a. The channel 81 and the grooves 77, 79 form an inlet channel.

As with channel 81, each of channels 82 to 86 includes a first section 82a to 86a, a second section 82b to 86b, a third section 82c to 86c, a fourth section 82d to 86d, and a fifth section 82e to 86e (see Figure 15). The fifth portion 82e to 86e of each channel 81 to 86 passes through a groove defined in the channel limiting member 8 like the groove 77, and a groove defined in the spring receiving member 70 and connected to the aforementioned groove (same as the groove 77). groove 79) is connected with the corresponding valve body receiving groove 70a.

In FIG. 14, only the first portion 81a of the passage 81 is illustrated, and the first portions of the passages 82 to 86 are omitted.

The channel plate 72 shown in FIG. 14 includes six individual rows (not shown) for directing color inks from the corresponding six liquid outlets ₃₁ to ₃₆ to the respective nozzle rows _N1 to _N6 of the recording head 108 .

As shown in FIG. 14 , the spring receiving member 70 includes a bearing portion 70 b acting on a guide shaft (corresponding to the guide member 106 in FIG. 16 ) for guiding the carrier 60 so that the carrier 60 reciprocates.

The outer peripheral portion of the film member 6 of FIG. 15 is pressed against the channel defining member 8 by the film protection plate 74 formed as a rectangular frame. A film protection sheet 74 is secured to the upper surface of the carrier frame 60 .

A channel holding plate 73 for sealing openings of the channels 81 to 86 of FIG. 15 is fixed to an upper surface portion of the carrier frame 60 defining the six channels 81 to 86 (see FIG. 14 ).

As shown in FIG. 18 , the main elements of the carrier frame 60 according to the sixth embodiment include: a channel defining member 8, a spring receiving member 70 having a bearing portion 70b, and a recording head 108 fixed to the channel defining member 8 through a channel plate 72. . The channel plate 72 is provided independently of the spring receiver 70 .

In the valve device 1, the ink held in each pressure chamber ₄₁ to ₄₆ is supplied to the corresponding nozzle of the recording head 108 from the corresponding liquid outlet ₃₁ to ₃₆ through one of the six channels of the corresponding channel plate 72. Rows N ₁ to N ₆ . Then, the ink is ejected as ink droplets from the corresponding nozzle rows _N1 to _N6 to the recording paper, so that the recording paper is printed.

The sixth embodiment has the following advantages.

The valve device 1 is mounted in a part of the carrier 60 . The valve device 1 includes pressure _chambers 41 to 36 each connected to a corresponding one of the liquid inlets ₂₁ to ₂₆ and a corresponding one of the six liquid outlets ₃₁ to ₃₆ and holding one of the corresponding six color inks. 4 ₆ , and 6 pressure regulators 5 ₁ to 5 ₆ . When the pressure in the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ becomes lower than a predetermined level, the corresponding pressure regulators ₅₁ to ₅₆ are supplied to the pressure chamber 4 through the corresponding pressure receiving parts _6a1 to _6a6 of the membrane member 6 The elastic deformation in the direction of ₁ to 4 within ₆ generates the actuating force of the pressing force to switch to the open state. When the pressure in the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ reaches a predetermined level, the pressure regulators ₅₁ to ₅₆ return to the closed state so that the ink pressure in the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ decreases to the predetermined level. That is, each of the actuating levers 11 ₁ to 11 ₆ generates an actuating force greater than the pressing force of the thin film member 6 . Due to this actuation force, the corresponding pressure regulator opens against said "sealing load". This structure makes it possible to reduce the pressure receiving area of the pressure receiving portions _6a1 to _6a6 of each of the pressure regulators ₅₁ to ₅₆ . Thus, a rather small and light carrier with a pressure regulator can be provided.

The spring housing 70 has the function of holding the pressure regulating spring 10 of each pressure regulator ₅₁ to ₅₆ together with the passage limiter 8, and the function of the bearing part 70b acting with the guide shaft. This structure reduces the number of components. Therefore, the thickness of the slider 60 can be further reduced and reduced, and the cost for the carrier frame 60 can be reduced.

A channel plate 72 having channels from the liquid outlets 3 ₁ to 3 ₆ to the recording head 108 is provided between the channel defining member 8 and the recording head 108 independently of the spring receiving member 70 . This structure provides an alignment mechanism for the recording head 108 located between the channel definer 8 and the channel plate 72 .

A carrier frame 60A according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 19 . The carriage 60A is characterized in that a sixth embodiment access plate 72 including access to the recording head 108 is integrally formed with the spring receiver 70 . In other words, the channel plate portion 72A configured in the same manner as the channel plate 72 and the spring receiving portion 70A configured in the same manner as the spring receiving member 70 are integrally formed. Composite member 78 is secured to channel limiter 8 so as to form carrier 60A. The other structures of the carrier frame 60A are the same as the corresponding structures of the carrier frame 60 of the sixth embodiment.

In addition to the advantages of the sixth embodiment, the seventh embodiment has the following advantages.

To assemble the carrier frame 60A, a single element 78 comprising the integrally formed channel plate portion 72A and the spring receiving portion 70A is only connected to the channel limiter 8 . Then, the recording head 108 is fixed to the element 78 . This reduces the number of steps required to assemble carrier 60A. No alignment mechanism for the recording head 108 is provided in the carriage 60A. Therefore, the position accuracy of the recording head 108 relative to the channel defining member 8 is only related to the assembly accuracy of the recording head 108 relative to the channel defining member 8 through the element 78 .

A carrier frame 60B according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 20 . The carriage 60B is characterized in that the liquid outlets 3 ₁ to 3 ₆ defined in the passage defining member 8B having the same structure as the passage defining member 8 of the sixth embodiment are directly connected to the recording head 108 . Other structures of the carrier 60B are the same as the corresponding structures of the carrier 60B of the sixth embodiment.

In addition to the advantages of the sixth embodiment, the eighth embodiment has the following advantages.

Since there is no need to provide a channel plate 72 (see FIG. 18 ) between the channel defining member 8B and the recording head 108, the number of components and the number of assembly steps of the carrier are correspondingly reduced. Therefore, the cost for the carrier 60B can be reduced.

Next, a carrier frame 60C according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 21 . The carriage 60C is characterized in that the valve device 1D of the sixth embodiment in which the pressure regulators ₅₁ to ₅₆ each function as a blocking valve is mounted in the carriage 60C. In FIG. 21, only the pressure regulator 51 of the six pressure regulators ₅₁ to ₅₆ of the sixth embodiment is shown.

In the valve device 1D, instead of the spring accommodator 70 of the sixth embodiment, a spring accommodator 70 c formed by defining the communication hole 41 in the spring accommodator 70 is fixed to the lower surface of the passage defining member 8 . The communication hole 41 is located under the valve shaft 12 of the valve body 9 . The movement pin 42 is accommodated in the communication hole 41 .

A pin actuator 50 is provided below each of the pressure regulators ₅₁ to ₅₆ of the valve device 1D.

The invention is embodied in the following modified forms.

In the sixth to ninth embodiments, the valve body 9 of each of the pressure regulators ₅₁ to ₅₆ can be improved to an L-shaped valve body as shown in FIGS. 5 to 10 .

A valve device 1 according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 22 to 24 . As shown in FIG. 22, the valve device 1 includes a pressure regulator 5 that reduces the liquid pressure of the pressure chamber 4 to a predetermined level. The pressure chamber 4 is connected to the liquid inlet 2 and the liquid outlet 3 and holds a liquid such as ink.

The film member 6 is made of a material such as PPS film (polyphenylene sulfide) that does not scientifically affect the properties of the ink, and exhibits relatively low permeability to water, oxygen and nitrogen.

The membrane part 6 is sufficiently thin to withstand elastic deformations due to pressure changes in the pressure chamber 4 . For example, a film having a thickness of 10 μm or less is used as the film member 6 . By the phrase "the membrane member 6 undergoes elastic deformation due to pressure changes in the pressure chamber 4", it is meant that when the pressure in the pressure chamber 4 drops below a predetermined level, the membrane member 6 changes from the The shape represented by the solid line is elastically deformed into the shape represented by the two-dot chain line in the figure, and when the pressure in the pressure chamber 4 is increased to a predetermined level, the thin film member 6 is elastically deformed from the shape represented by the two-dot chain line in FIG. The shape indicated by the solid line in the figure.

The valve body 9 moves between an open position for connecting the liquid inlet 2 to the trough channel 7 and a closed position for disconnecting the liquid inlet 2 from the trough channel 7 (position of FIG. 22 ).

A thin metal plate 120 formed of SUS or the like in a rectangular frame-like shape is joined to the circumference of the thin film member 6 by an adhesive 121 . As shown in FIG. 24, the thin film member 6 is fixed to the surface of the passage defining member 8 through a thin metal plate 120 while being bent in a dome-like form projecting outward.

The tenth embodiment has the following advantages.

The pressure regulator 5 is opened by an actuation force greater than the pressing force with which the actuating rod 11 is pressed by the membrane element 6 . This structure reduces the pressure bearing area of the membrane member 6, making it possible to minimize and reduce the thickness of the valve device 1.

The membrane part 6 is sufficiently thin to withstand elastic deformations due to pressure changes in the pressure chamber 4 . Therefore, when the membrane element 6 presses against the actuating rod 11 , a relatively small reaction force acts on the membrane element 6 . Therefore, a small pressure-receiving area with a dome-like curved state can be installed.

The method of manufacturing the valve device 1 of the tenth embodiment, or more specifically, the method of manufacturing the valve device 1 of the tenth embodiment, or more specifically, by bending the thin film member 6 into a convex dome-like shape, will be described below with reference to FIGS. 25(a) to 25(e). 8. The installation method of the film piece 6.

The manufacturing method includes the following steps (1) to (4).

(1) A step of bonding the thin film member 6 to a thin metal plate 120 such as SUS by an adhesive 121 (see FIG. 25(a));

In the bonding step, for example, a film having a thickness of 4 μm or less is used as the film member 6 . The thickness of the layer formed by the adhesive 121 was 3 μm, and the thickness of the SUS metal thin plate 120 was 30 μm.

(2) a step of removing a part of the thin metal plate 120 of the adhesive film member 6 corresponding to the opening of the groove-shaped passage 7 by a process such as etching (see FIG. 25( b);

(3) A step of bending the thin film member 6 into a dome-like shape by press molding (see FIG. 25(c));

More specifically, in step (3), the film member 6 and the metal sheet 120 are placed between the receiving mold 122 and the compact container 123 . Then, the mold 122 and the container 123 are placed in close contact. In this state, pressurized fluid (pressurized gas or pressurized liquid) is supplied to the groove 123b of the container 123 through the fluid inlet 123a of the container 123 . Thus, the pressurized fluid compresses the film piece 6 so that the film piece 6 deforms according to the groove 122 a of the receiving mold 122 . As a result, the thin film member 6 is deformed from the flat state shown in FIG. 25(c) to the dome-like curved state shown in FIG. 25(d).

When the film member 6 is pressure-molded in step (3), the film member 6 is heated. That is, the thin film member 6 is exposed to a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition point of the thin film member.

For example, if a PPS film having a thickness of 4 μm is used as the film member, it is required that the press molding of the film member 6 be performed at an air temperature of 130° C. and a pressure of 2.5 atm.

(4) The thin metal plate 120 to which the thin film member 6 bent into a dome-like shape (see FIG. 25( d )) is attached is fixed to the surface of the passage defining member 8 (see FIG. 25( e )).

According to steps (1) to (4), as shown in FIG. 25( e ), the thin film member 6 bent into a dome-like shape is fixed to the channel defining member 8 .

The method of manufacturing the valve device 1 has the following advantages.

The membrane element 6 is connected to a metal sheet 120 from which a portion corresponding to the opening of the slot-shaped channel 7 has been removed. Then, the thin metal plate 120 is fixed to the surface of the channel defining member 8 by an adhesive 121 . Thus, handling, fixing and positioning of the relatively thin film piece 6 are facilitated compared to fixing the film piece 6 in a bent state to the channel-defining member 8 respectively.

By heating the film member 6 in the pressure molding step (3), the film member 6 is relatively easily deformed. Thus, the dome-like curved shape of the film part 6 is stabilized.

For example, by exposing the thin film member 6 to a temperature equal to or higher than the glass transition point of the thin film member 6, the dome-like deformed shape of the thin film member 6 is stabilized. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the amount of film deformation (the amount of deformation of the film member 6 from the dome-like curved shape) over a long period of time due to the force acting against the deformation.

A valve device 1A according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 26 .

In the valve device 1A, six colors of ink are used, for example, six groove-like channels ₇₁ to ₇₆ each holding a corresponding one color ink are arranged in parallel and six pressure regulators ₅₁ to ₅₆ are provided. . The thin film member 6A is bonded to the surface of the passage defining member 8A for sealing the openings of the groove-like passages ₇₁ to ₇₆ . This defines six pressure chambers 4 ₁ to 4 ₆ .

The invention is embodied in the following modified forms.

In the manufacturing method of the valve device shown in FIGS. 25( a ) to 25 ( e ), a PPS film having a thickness of 10 μm or less, for example, a PPS film of 4 μm is used as the film member 6 . However, the membrane member 6 is not limited to the structure of the illustrated embodiment as long as the membrane member 6 for withstanding elastic deformation due to pressure changes in the pressure chamber 4 is sufficiently thin. That is, the thickness of the film member 6 is not limited to 10 μm or 4 μm.

In the above manufacturing method, a PPS film having a thickness of 4 μm is used as the film member 6 and the film member 6 is subjected to press molding at an air temperature of, for example, 130° C. and a pressure of 2.5 atm. However, the temperature is not limited to 130°C, but can be changed to different values. Also, although a pressure of 2.5 atm is applied in air at 130° C. in the embodiment, the pressure is not limited to this level.

In the manufacturing method of the valve device 1 shown in FIGS. The step (4) of fixing the partially removed metal sheet 120 to the surface of the channel-defining member 8 is performed before. However, the step (3) of press-molding the film member 6 may also be performed after the step (4) of fixing the metal sheet 120 to the surface of the channel-defining member 8 .

A valve device 1 according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 27 to 29 .

As shown in FIG. 27 , in the valve device 1 , both the inlet 17 a (see FIG. 28 ) and the outlet 18 a are defined in the bottom surface 7 a of the groove-like passage 7 . The inlet 17a is selectively opened or closed by the valve body 9 . When the valve body 9 is in the open position, the liquid is sent from the liquid inlet 2 to the pressure chamber 4 through the inlet 17a. The liquid in the pressure chamber 4 enters the liquid outlet 3 through the outlet 18a. The inlet 17a corresponds to the opening of the communication hole 17 at the bottom surface 7a. The outlet 18a corresponds to the opening of the outlet channel 18 at the bottom surface 7a.

Furthermore, the valve device 1 comprises a shielding body 220 . The shielding body 220 is located between the inlet 17a and the outlet 18a and on the bottom surface 7a of the trough channel 7 . As shown in FIG. 29 , the shielding body 220 can be accommodated by the channel-like pressing portion 11 b of the actuating rod 11 . Ink as a liquid flows from the inlet 17 a to the pressure chamber 4 and passes through the space defined by the pressing portion 11 b of the actuator rod 11 . The ink flowing in the space defined by the pressing portion 11 b is stopped by the end surface 220 a of the shield body 220 and then returns toward the supporting end 11 a of the actuating rod 11 . The shielding body 220 corresponds to a bubble discharge portion. The shield 220 guides some or all of the ink supplied from the liquid inlet 2 to the pressure chamber 4 to the support end 11 a of the actuating rod 11 in the pressure chamber 4 .

For example, if the actuating rod 11 is elastically deformed in the downward direction, the ink blocked by the shield body 220 passes through the space defined by the channel-like pressing portion 11b and flows to the supporting end 11a. After reaching the vicinity of the supporting end 11a, the ink continues to flow along the outer sides (left and right outer sides) of the actuating rod 11 and to the outlet 18a.

The twelfth embodiment has the following advantages.

In the pressure chamber 4, foam may remain in the vicinity of the support end 11a of the actuating rod 11 (part F of FIG. 27). In other words, the foam remains in the vicinity of the support end 11 a of the outlet passage 18 opposite the communication hole 17 . The retained foam is compressed by the ink prevented by the shield 220 and enters into the vicinity of the support end 11 a so that the foam is discharged from the outlet 18 a to the liquid outlet 3 through the outlet channel 18 . This structure improves the foam discharge performance of the valve device 1 .

The foam discharge channel is defined by taking advantage of the shape of the pressing portion 11b of the actuating rod 11 bent into a channel-like shape.

A valve device 1A according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 30 and 31 . The valve device 1A is different from the valve device of the twelfth embodiment in the following points.

The pressing portion 11b pressing the actuator rod 11A of the valve body 9 is not formed in a channel-like manner, but is formed in such a manner that the pressing portion 11b has a flat pressing surface as a lower surface. The pressing portion 11b is formed to have a thickness greater than that of the supporting end 11a, and thus has considerably high rigidity. As shown in FIGS. 30 and 31 , in the valve device 1A, a passage defining body 221 is provided between the inlet 17 a and the outlet 18 a on the bottom surface 7 a of the groove-like passage 7 . The channel defining body 221 forms a foam discharge portion and defines a first channel 221a and a second channel 221b. The first passage 221 a guides the ink entering the pressure chamber 4 from the inlet 17 a to the supporting end 11 a of the actuating rod 11 . The second channel 221b guides the ink guided to the support end 11a of the actuating rod 11 through the first channel 221a to the outlet 18a. Both the first channel 221 a and the second channel 221 b are located between the channel defining body 221 and the sidewall of the groove channel 7 . Each of the first and second passages 221a, 221b forms a passage formed substantially in a "9" shape.

In addition to the advantages of the twelfth embodiment, the thirteenth embodiment has the following advantages.

After flowing from the inlet 17 a to the pressure chamber 4 , the ink flows to the support end 11 a of the actuating rod 11 in the pressure chamber 4 through the guidance of the first channel 221 a of the channel defining body 221 . Then, the ink is guided to the outlet 18a through the second channel 221b. Therefore, the foam held in the vicinity of the support end 11a (part F of FIG. 30 ) is squeezed by the ink at the support end 11a of the actuating rod 11, so that the foam is discharged from the outlet 18a to the liquid outlet 3 through the outlet channel 18. . This structure improves the foam discharge performance of the valve device 1A.

A valve device 1B according to a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 32 . In FIG. 32 , the valve arrangement 1B is shown in a horizontally inverted manner relative to the valve arrangement 1 of FIG. 27 . Differences between the valve device 1B and the twelfth embodiment are as follows.

As shown in FIG. 32, in the valve device 1B, a blocking plate 223 and a flow setting plate 24 are provided. The blocking plate 223 and the flow setting plate 24 each form a foam discharge portion. The blocking plate 223 is provided between the inlet 17a and the outlet 18a, on the bottom surface 7a of the groove-shaped passage 7. As shown in FIG. The blocking plate 223 stops the ink sent from the inlet 17a to the pressure chamber 4, and makes the ink reversely flow back to the supporting end 11a of the actuating rod 11A.

A through hole 24 a through which the valve shaft 12 passes is defined in the flow setting plate 24 .

In addition to the advantages of the twelfth embodiment, the fourteenth embodiment has the following advantages.

After reaching the pressure chamber 4 from the inlet 17a, the ink stops by the blocking plate 223 in the pressure chamber 4, and flows in the space defined between the flow setting plate 24 and the bottom surface 7a of the groove-like channel 7, thus reaching the actuating rod 11 The support end 11a. Then, the ink continues to flow in the space defined between the flow setting plate 24 and the pressing surface (lower surface) of the actuator rod 11, reaching the outlet 18a. Therefore, the foam held in the vicinity of the supporting end 11a (part F of FIG. 32 ) is compressed by the ink passing through the supporting end 11a of the actuating rod 11 so that the foam is discharged to the liquid outlet 3 . The foam discharge performance of the valve device 1B is thus improved.

A valve device 1C according to a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 33 to 35 .

The valve device 1C differs from the twelfth embodiment in the following points.

As shown in FIGS. 33 to 35, in the valve device 1C, an inlet 17a, a first outlet 131, and a second outlet 132 are provided. An inlet 17a is defined in the bottom surface 7a of the grooved passage 7 and is selectively opened or closed by the valve body 9 . When the valve body 9 is in the open position, ink flows from the liquid inlet 2 to the pressure chamber 4 through the liquid inlet 17a. Ink is sent to the liquid outlet 3 through the first outlet 131 from the vicinity of the support end 11 a of the actuating rod 11 in the channel 7 . Ink is sent to the liquid outlet 3 from the region adjacent to the end 11c of the actuating rod 11 opposite the support end 11a in the groove-shaped channel 7 through the second outlet 132 .

The channel defining member 8C includes a first outlet channel 133 , a second outlet channel 34 , and a third channel 35 each serving as a foam discharge portion. The first outlet channel 133 extends from the first outlet opening 131 to the lower surface 8a of the channel defining member 8C. The second outlet channel 34 extends from the second outlet opening 132 to the lower surface 8a. After the ink passes through the first and second outlet channels 133 and 34 , the third channel 35 guides the ink to the liquid outlet 3 .

In addition to the advantages of the twelfth embodiment, the fifteenth embodiment has the following advantages.

After reaching the pressure chamber 4 from the inlet 17 a , the ink flows to the supporting end 11 a of the actuating rod 11 in the pressure chamber 4 . Then, the ink enters the first outlet channel 133 from the first outlet opening 131 and is sent to the third channel 35 . In the pressure chamber 4, the ink also flows to the vicinity of the end 11c of the actuating rod 11 opposite the support end 11a. The ink is then sent from the second outlet opening 132 to the second outlet channel 34 and thus flows to the third channel 35 . After reaching the third channel 35 , the ink is sent to the liquid outlet 3 through the outlet channel 18 . Accordingly, the ink passing through the supporting end 11 a of the actuating rod 11 in the pressure chamber 4 moves the foam held in the vicinity of the supporting end 11 a so that the foam is discharged from the first outlet opening 131 . Foam discharge performance is thus improved.

The foam is discharged through the first outlet channel 133 , the second outlet channel 34 , and the third channel 35 respectively provided in the channel defining member 8C. Therefore, the foam is discharged stably.

A valve device 1D according to a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 36 .

The valve device 1D is characterized in that the structure of the pressure regulator 5 of the twelfth embodiment shown in FIG. 27 functions as a choke valve.

The invention is embodied in the following modified forms.

The valve body 9 of the twelfth to fifteenth embodiments can be improved to an L-shaped valve body as shown in FIGS. 5 to 10 .

A seventeenth embodiment according to the present invention will be described below. As shown in FIG. 37 , the passage defining member 8D which is the carrier body of the carrier 60D is formed by a substantially rectangular plate member. Referring to FIG. 38 , six groove-like passages 7 ₁ to 7 ₆ are defined in the upper surface of the passage defining member 8 . Each of the groove-shaped passages ₇₁ to ₇₆ serves as a passage for ink which is liquid, and, as shown in FIG. 38, is formed in a rectangular shape viewed in a horizontal plane.

As shown in FIG. 37, the actuating rods ₁₁₁ to ₁₁₆ each formed as a partially deformed portion are each provided in an opening (upper portion) defined by a corresponding one of the groove-like passages ₇₁ to ₇₆ . middle.

As shown in FIG. 37 , a film protection plate 74 is provided on the film member 6 . The film protection plate 74 is formed by a rectangular plate member having an outline slightly larger than that of the film member 6 shown in the figure. The outer peripheral portion of the thin film member 6 is fixed to the passage defining member 8D through the thin film protection plate 74 . A groove 74a is defined on the lower surface of the film protection plate 74 at a position opposite to the pressure receiving portions _6a1 to _6a6 . The groove 74a has a rectangular shape seen from above and allows elastic deformation of the film member in an upward direction. In FIG. 38, the internal structure of each of the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ is illustrated, and the illustration of the film protection plate 74 is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, a communication hole 17 as an inlet and an outlet passage 18 as an outlet are defined at opposite longitudinal ends of the bottom surface of each of the groove-like passages ₇₁ to ₇₆ . Referring to Fig. 37, each communication hole 17 extends downward from the bottom surface of the corresponding pressure chamber 4 ₁ to 4 ₆ for introducing ink into the pressure chamber 4 ₁ to 4 ₆ . As shown, a pressure regulator 5D is provided below each of the grooved passages ₇₁ to ₇₆ . In other words, six pressure regulators 5D are provided below the respective communication holes 17 corresponding to the pressure chambers 4 ₁ to 4 ₆ . Referring to FIG. 37, each outlet passage 18 is defined by a circular hole extending from the bottom surface of the corresponding pressure chamber ₄₁ to ₄₆ to the lower surface 8a of the passage defining member 8 through which ink is discharged from the pressure chamber ₄₁ to ₄₆ . The recording head 108 is located below the exit channel 18 .

Next, the pressure regulator 5D according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 39 and 40 . FIG. 39 shows a sectional side view of the main part of the carrier frame 60, and FIG. 40 shows a sectional plan view of the main part of the pressure regulator 5D.

As shown in FIG. 39, each pressure regulator 5D includes a liquid supply chamber 16 as a valve body accommodating passage, a liquid regulating spring 10 forming a holding portion, a valve body 9, and an O-ring 13 as a sealing portion.

Referring to FIG. 39 , the liquid supply chamber 16 corresponds in an enlarged manner to a circular chamber extending downward from each through hole 17 . As shown in the figure, an inlet passage 15 as a communication passage is defined in an inner peripheral surface 16 a of the liquid supply chamber 16 . Each inlet channel 15 is an ink channel defined in the channel defining member 8D and is connected to a corresponding liquid inlet ₂₁ to ₂₆ (see FIG. 37 ), each of which is defined as a side surface of the channel defining member 8D. connection port. Each of the liquid inlets 21 to 26 connects the passage defining member 8D to the ink carriages 109, 110 (see FIG. 41 ), the liquid supply portion through a tube. After delivery from the ink carrier 109 , 110 , the ink flows from the liquid inlets 2 ₁ to 2 ₆ to the inlet channel 15 and then to the liquid supply chamber 16 . That is, the passage defining member 8D includes six inlet passages 15 and six liquid inlets 2 ₁ to 2 ₆ corresponding to the number of pressure regulators 5D.

As shown in FIG. 39, a positioning protrusion 16b protrudes from the bottom of each liquid supply chamber 16. As shown in FIG. The positioning protrusion 16b has a frustoconical shape. Referring to FIG. 39 , the diameter of the lower end of the positioning protrusion 16 b is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the liquid supply chamber 16 .

Referring to FIG. 39, the pressure adjustment spring 10 is fixed to the positioning protrusion 16b. The pressure regulating spring 10 is a conical coil spring shown in the figure. The pressure regulating spring 10 is arranged so that an end having a relatively short outer coil diameter (coil diameter), or an upper end portion 110a is located above an end having a relatively large coil diameter, or a lower end portion 110b. As shown in FIGS. 39 and 40 , the helical diameter of the upper end portion 110 a (upper end helical diameter R1 ) is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the communication hole 17 . The helical diameter of the lower end portion 110 b (lower end helical diameter R2 ) is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the liquid supply chamber 16 . As shown in FIG. 39 , the pressure adjusting spring 10 is positioned in a horizontal direction relative to the liquid supply chamber 16 by the action of the positioning protrusion 16 b and the inner circumference of the lower end portion 110 b.

The valve body 9 is disposed between the upper end portion 110a of the pressure regulating spring 10 and the upper surface 16c of the liquid supply chamber 16 (outer peripheral portion of the communication hole 17). The valve body 9 includes a valve shaft 12 and a splint 14 as a spring receiving portion.

Referring to Figures 39 and 40, the valve axis 12 is defined by a cylindrical shaft. The outer diameter of the valve shaft 12 is shorter than the inner diameter of the communication hole 17 (the upper end helical diameter R1). As shown in FIG. 39, opposite upper and lower ends of the valve shaft 12 are respectively inserted into the communication hole 17 and the upper end portion 110a of the pressure regulating spring 10 to allow the valve body 9 to move up and down. Ink in the liquid supply chamber 16 is inserted into the pressure chambers 41 to 46 through the space between the valve shaft 12 and the wall of the communication hole 17 .

39 and 40, the clamping plate 14 is formed in the middle portion of the valve shaft 12 in a substantially square shape viewed in a horizontal plane. As shown in FIG. 39, the clamping plate 14 extends perpendicular to the valve shaft 12 and is located between the upper end portion 110a and the upper surface 16c. As shown in FIG. 40, the outer peripheral surface of the jaw 14 includes a sliding surface 14a that slides along the inner peripheral surface 16a and a cutoff surface 14b. The truncated surface 14b is formed by cutting parts of the sliding surface 14a at equal angular intervals so that the truncated surface 14b is spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface 16a by a distance. The clamping plate 14 bears the urging force of the pressure adjustment spring 10 contacting the lower surface of the clamping plate 14, thus constantly pushing the valve body 9 to the upper surface 16c. The sliding surface 14a of the clamping plate 14 slides along the inner peripheral surface 16a so as to allow the valve body 9 to move only in the up and down direction of the inner peripheral surface 16a. The ink is sent from below the clamping plate 14 to the communication hole 17 through the gap between the truncated surface 14b and the inner peripheral surface 16a.

As shown in FIG. 39, an O-ring 13 is fixed to the upper surface of the jaw 14 (opposite the upper surface 16c). As shown in FIG. 40 , the O-ring 13 is located closer to the axis of the valve shaft 12 than the truncated surface 14b. The O-ring 13 has an O-ring diameter R3 larger than the upper end helical diameter R1. The upper end portion 110 a of the pressure adjustment spring 10 is located radially inward from the O-ring 13 as viewed in the horizontal plane.

As long as the valve body 9 pushed by the pressure adjustment spring 10 to the upper surface 16c does not react against the pressing force of the pressure adjustment spring 10, the valve body 9 remains in the position where the splint 14 and the upper surface 16c remain in close contact with the O-ring 13 (closed position). More specifically, unless the valve body 9 is subjected to the aforementioned reaction force, the valve body 9 remains in the closed position for preventing ink from being supplied to the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ . As shown in FIG. 39, since the valve body 9 is kept in the closed position, the upper end of the valve shaft 12 is constantly projected upward with respect to the bottom surfaces of the corresponding groove-like passages ₇₁ to ₇₆ .

When the ink supply is closed through the valve body 9, the pressure in the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ drops to a predetermined level (eg, the minimum pressure at which the recording head 108 prevents ink ejection problems) as ink is consumed by the recording head 108. In this state, the pressure receiving portions 6a ₁ to 6a ₂ are elastically deformed in a direction downward of the pressure chambers 4 ₁ to 4 ₆ , thereby lowering the pressing portions 11b ₁ to 11b ₆ . The pressing portions 11b ₁ to 11b ₆ press the valve shaft 12 by leverage. That is, the pressing portions 11b ₁ to 11b ₆ against the valve shaft 12 lower the upper end of the valve shaft 12 by an actuation force greater than the pressing force of the thin film member 6 . More specifically, when the pressure in the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ decreases to a predetermined level, the valve body 9 moves from the closed position to the position where the O-ring 13 is spaced from the upper surface 16c (open position) so as to allow Ink is supplied to the pressure chambers 4 ₁ to 4 ₆ .

When ink is supplied to the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ , the pressure in the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ increases from a predetermined level. When the pressure in the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ increases, the pressure receiving portions _6a1 to _6a2 elastically return to the original shape in the direction toward the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ . In this manner, the pressing portions 11b ₁ to 11b ₆ are raised. In this state, the pressing portions 11b ₁ to 11b ₆ against the valve shaft 12 are separated from the upper end of the valve shaft 12, thereby releasing the actuation force. In other words, when the ink is supplied to the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ , the valve body 9 returns from the open position to the closed position to shut off the supply of ink to the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ .

The upper end portion 110a having an upper end helical diameter R1 smaller than the O-ring diameter R3 pushes the valve body 9 toward the upper surface 16c at a position where the center of the O-ring 13 is closed by the clamp plate 14 relative to the upper end portion 110a. That is to say, the valve body 9 in the closed position bears the pressing force of the pressure regulating spring 10 , wherein the acting point is relatively close to the center point or fulcrum of the O-ring 13 . In this manner, the clamping plate 14 of the valve body 9 is placed tightly against the O-ring 13 along the entire circumference.

As shown in FIG. 41, the oscillation plate 61 and the piezoelectric element 108b are above each nozzle NZ.

The oscillation plate 61 is formed of a plate material and oscillates corresponding to the operation of the piezoelectric element 108b. According to the image signal generated based on the printing image data, the piezoelectric element 108b is extended or compressed in the direction of expansion along the direction of ink ejection. When an image signal is input to the piezoelectric element 108b, the oscillation plate 61 oscillates corresponding to the extension or compression of the piezoelectric element 108b. Therefore, the volume of the nozzle NZ increases or decreases. If the volume of the nozzle NZ is reduced, the ink in the nozzle NZ is ejected as an ink droplet. If the volume of the nozzle NZ is increased, a negative pressure is generated in the nozzle NZ, and the negative pressure causes the color ink corresponding to the nozzle NZ to be supplied to the nozzle NZ.

The printer 100 feeds the recording paper in the sub-scanning direction Y and reciprocally moves the carriage 60D in the main scanning direction X.

As shown in FIG. 41 , the absorber 65 for absorbing ink is fixedly fitted into the space defined by the cover member 112 . The absorber 65 is formed of, for example, a sponge sheet, or is formed of a porous material.

Corresponding to the reciprocating movement of the valve body 9 between the closed position and the open position, the pressure regulator 5D reduces the pressure of the ink fed from the carriage 60D to the recording head 108 to a predetermined level. In this manner, excessive pressure rise of the pressure regulator 5D, which would create ink ejection problems, is avoided.

The illustrated embodiments have the following advantages.

(1) The upper end portion 110 a having the upper end helical diameter R1 smaller than the O-ring diameter R3 pushes the valve body 9 toward the upper surface 16 c at a position near the center of the O-ring 13 . Thus, the clamping plate 14 of the valve body 9 in the closed position is placed tightly against the O-ring 13 along the entire circumference. This reliably prevents the supply of ink to the pressure chambers 4 ₁ to 4 ₆ . Therefore, the pressure regulator 5D reliably controls ink supply to and discharge from the pressure chambers ₄₁ to ₄₆ , thereby improving the stability of pressure regulation by the carriage 60D.

(2) In the illustrated embodiment, the lower end portion 110 b having the lower end helical diameter R2 larger than the upper end helical diameter R1 is positioned by the positioning protrusion 16 b as the base end of the pressure adjustment spring 10 . Therefore, although the valve body 9 is pushed by the upper end helical diameter R1 which is smaller than the diameter R3 of the O-ring, the pressure regulating spring 10 is prevented from becoming bent or biased to the deviated position. As a result, the reciprocating movement of the valve body 9 (O-ring 13 ) between the open position and the closed position is further stabilized, thereby enabling pressure adjustment by the carrier 60D and improving stability.

(3) Each sliding surface 14a that slides along the inner peripheral surface 16a is formed along the outer peripheral surface 16a of the valve body 9 (clamp plate 14). Therefore, the reciprocating movement of the valve body 9 along the inner peripheral surface 16a is guided. This also stably prevents the valve body 9 from moving to the deviated position.

(4) The truncated surface 14b spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface 16a is provided along the outer circumference of the valve body 9 (clamp plate 14). This structure reduces the sliding load of the valve body 9 against the inner peripheral surface 16a. Furthermore, the gap between the inner peripheral surface 16 a and the truncated surface 14 b reduces flow resistance in the liquid supply chamber 16 . As a result, the reciprocating movement of the valve body 9 becomes further smooth, thereby enabling pressure adjustment by the carriage 60D and improving stability.

The embodiments described above can be modified as follows.

In the embodiment described above, the pressure adjustment spring 10 has a conical shape. However, the pressure adjustment spring 10 may also be formed in a barrel-like shape. Any suitable structure may be applied as long as the pressure regulating spring 10 contacts the valve body 9 at a position radially inward from the O-ring diameter R3 and urges the valve body 9 toward the closed position.

Although the number of truncated surfaces 14b formed at equal angular intervals is four in the illustrated embodiment, this number may be, for example, one. As long as surfaces spaced apart from the inner peripheral surface 16a are formed along the outer peripheral surface of the clamping plate 14, any suitable structure may be adopted.

In the above-described embodiment, the O-ring 13 is fixed to the clamping plate 14 of the valve body 9 . However, the O-ring 13 may also be fixed to, for example, the upper surface 16 c of the liquid supply chamber 16 . Any suitable structure may be adopted as long as the O-ring 13 is positioned so that the O-ring 13 is allowed to be placed in close contact with the clamp plate 14 and the upper surface 16c.

In the above-described embodiment, the truncated surface 14 b is formed along the outer peripheral surface of the clamping plate 14 . However, the cut portion may also be formed along the inner peripheral surface 16a, in the vertical direction. As long as a gap through which ink passes is defined between the inner peripheral surface 16a and the bridge 14, any suitable structure may be selected.

Although only some embodiments of the present invention are described here, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit of the subject matter of the present invention. The invention is not limited to the above description but may be modified within the scope of protection of the appended claims.

Claims (53)

1. A valve device having a pressure chamber connected to a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet for holding liquid, and a pressure regulator reducing the pressure in the pressure chamber to a predetermined level, said valve device being characterized in that: The pressure regulator has a pressure receiving member elastically deforming in a direction toward the pressure chamber when the pressure in the pressure chamber becomes lower than a predetermined level, Wherein the pressure regulator generates an actuation force greater than the pressing force generated by the elastic deformation of the pressure receiving member, the pressure regulator is configured to be opened by the actuation force, and when the pressure regulator is opened, the liquid is allowed to be supplied from the liquid inlet to the pressure chamber. 2. The valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The pressure regulator also includes a force amplification mechanism for amplifying the compressive force into an actuation force. 3. A valve arrangement according to claim 2, characterized in that: The force amplification mechanism includes a lever mechanism for generating an actuation force by bearing a pressing force. 4. The valve device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The passage limiter includes a grooved passage connected to a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, the pressure receiving member defines the pressure chamber by sealing the grooved passage, wherein the pressure regulator includes: a valve body movable between an open position for connecting the liquid inlet to the trough channel and a closed position for disconnecting the liquid inlet from the trough channel; and A pressing member that generates an actuation force by being subjected to a pressing force, wherein when subjected to a pressing force, the pressing member transmits the actuating force to the valve body for moving the valve body to an open position. 5. A valve arrangement according to claim 4, characterized in that: The pressure regulator also includes a pressure adjusting spring for pushing the valve body toward the closed position, and the pressing member pushes the valve body toward the opening position relative to the pushing force of the pressing adjusting spring. 6. The valve device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The lever mechanism includes an actuating rod disposed in the slotted channel and functioning as a cantilever, the actuating rod having a support end supported by a channel defining member; and The valve body is positioned such that the valve body receives an actuation force from a portion of the actuation rod closer to the support end than a center of gravity of the actuation rod. 7. A valve arrangement according to claim 6, characterized in that: The actuating rod includes a terminal end opposite the supporting end, and the actuating rod is subjected to a compressive force at a portion from the supporting end to the terminal end. 8. A valve device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The actuating rod includes a pressing part for contacting and pressing the valve body, and the support end has the rigidity of the rigid pressing part. 9. A valve arrangement according to claim 8, characterized in that: The actuating rod is formed by a plate, and the pressing portion has a channel-like cross-sectional shape. 10. The valve device of claim 5, wherein: The valve device includes a valve shaft and a sealing portion; and The channel restrictors include: an inlet channel including a liquid inlet; a liquid supply chamber connected to said inlet passage and housing a valve body and a pressure regulating spring; Connecting the liquid supply chamber to the communication hole of the pressure chamber, the valve shaft passes through the the communication hole in the clearance between the valve shaft and the peripheral surface of the communication hole; and Opposite the sealing surface of the sealing portion along the circumference of the communication hole, the pressure regulating spring presses the sealing portion against the sealing surface. 11. A valve device according to claim 5 or 10, characterized in that: The liquid supply chamber includes an opening at a position opposite to the communication hole; The passage limiter also includes a retainer for sealing the opening of the liquid supply chamber; and The pressure adjustment spring is arranged between the valve body and the retainer. 12. The valve device of claim 5, wherein: The valve body is basically an L-shaped rod, which is rotatably supported in a groove-shaped passage by a passage limiter, the L-shaped rod has a first rod portion including a sealing portion and is pressed by a pressing member. The second rod portion is integrally formed with the second rod portion, and the L-shaped rod is urged toward the closed position by the compression adjustment spring. 13. A valve arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that: The trough channel is one of a plurality of trough channels holding different types of liquids, the channel channels being arranged in parallel. 14. A valve arrangement according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that: The action of the choke valve can forcefully maintain the pressure regulator in said closed position. 15. The valve device of claim 6, wherein: The foam discharge portion serves to direct at least some of the liquid supplied from the liquid inlet to the pressure chamber to a portion of the pressure chamber adjacent to the support end of the actuating rod. 16. A valve arrangement according to claim 15, characterized in that: the actuating rod is formed by a plate, the actuating rod has the pressing portion for pressing the valve body, the pressing portion has a channel-like cross-sectional shape; An inlet and an outlet are defined at the bottom of the grooved channel, the inlet is selectively opened or closed by the valve body, when the valve body is placed in the open position, liquid flows from the liquid inlet to the pressure chamber through the inlet, and the outlet allows liquid flows from the pressure chamber to the liquid outlet; and The foam discharge part comprises a shielding body arranged between the inlet and the outlet on the bottom surface of the groove-like channel, said shielding body preventing liquid from passing through said space defined by said pressing part after flowing from the inlet to the pressure chamber, so that the liquid flow is directed towards the support end of the actuating rod. 17. A valve arrangement according to claim 15, characterized in that: The actuating rod has a pressing portion for pressing the valve body, the pressing portion includes a flat pressing surface, and the pressing portion is configured to have a higher rigidity than the supporting end; an inlet and an outlet are defined at the bottom of the groove-like channel, the inlet is selectively opened or closed by a valve body, and when the valve body is placed in an open position, liquid flows from the liquid inlet to the pressure chamber through the inlet, the outlet allows liquid to flow from the pressure chamber to the liquid outlet; and The foam discharge part includes a channel defining body provided on the bottom surface of the groove-shaped channel, the channel defining body defining the support for guiding the liquid sent from the inlet to the pressure chamber to the actuating rod. A first channel at the end, and a second channel for directing the liquid sent to the support end through the first channel to the outlet. 18. The valve device of claim 15, wherein: The actuating rod has the pressing portion for pressing the valve body, the pressing portion includes a flat pressing surface, the pressing portion is configured to have a higher rigidity than the supporting end; An inlet and an outlet are defined on the bottom surface of the grooved channel, the inlet is selectively opened or closed by the valve body, and when the valve body is placed in the open position, liquid flows from the liquid inlet through the inlet to a pressure chamber, the outlet allowing liquid to flow from the pressure chamber to the liquid outlet; and The foam discharge portion has a blocking plate and a fluid setting plate disposed on the bottom surface of the channel, the blocking plate being located between the inlet and the outlet, wherein: the blocking plate blocks fluid flow from the inlet to the pressure chamber and directs fluid flow toward the support end of the actuating rod, and The fluid setting plate defines a first line extending between the fluid setting plate and the bottom surface of the channel and a first line extending between the fluid setting plate and the pressing surface of the actuator rod. Two lines, the liquid directed to the support end of the actuating rod through the blocking plate is directed to said support end through a first line, and the liquid directed to said support end is directed to said outlet through a second line. 19. The valve device of claim 15, wherein: The actuating rod has a pressing portion for pressing the valve body, and the pressing portion is configured to have a higher rigidity than the supporting end; An inlet, a first outlet, and a second outlet are all defined on the bottom surface of the grooved channel, the inlet is selectively opened or closed by a valve body, and when the valve body is placed in an open position, liquid is allowed to flow from the liquid inlet To the pressure chamber, the first outlet allows liquid to flow from a part of the grooved channel corresponding to the support end of the actuating rod to the liquid outlet, and the second outlet allows liquid to flow from the grooved channel opposite the supported end. A portion of flows to said liquid outlet; and The foam discharge portion includes a first outlet passage having a first outlet and defined in the passage restriction, a second outlet passage having a second outlet and defined in the passage restriction, and a second outlet passage defined in the passage restriction for A third channel connects the first and second outlet channels to the liquid outlet. 20. The valve device of claim 4, wherein: The pressure receiving member is a thin film member sufficiently thin to be elastically deformable under pressure changes in the pressure chamber, the thin film member being fixed to the passage restricting member while remaining outward from the pressure chamber Convex dome-like curved shape. 21. A valve arrangement according to claim 20, characterized in that: The thin film member is formed of polyphenylene sulfide, and the thin film member has a thickness of 10 μm or less. 22. The valve device of claim 5, wherein: The pressure regulating spring is a conical coil spring, and the coil spring has a first end capable of contacting the valve body and a second end opposite to the first end, the helical diameter of the second end is larger than the helical diameter of the first end. 23. A valve arrangement according to claim 22, characterized in that: The passage defining member includes a liquid supply chamber connected to the liquid inlet and accommodating a valve body and a pressure regulating spring, and a communication hole connecting the liquid supply chamber to the pressure chamber; The valve body has a clamping plate capable of closing the communication hole and an annular sealing portion provided at a part of the clamping plate at an outer peripheral portion opposite to the inlet; and A first end of the coil spring contacts a portion of the bridge opposite the communication hole, the first end being positioned radially inward from the annular seal portion. 24. A valve arrangement according to claim 22, characterized in that: The passage defining member includes a liquid supply chamber connected to the liquid inlet and housing the valve body and the pressure adjustment spring, and a communication hole connecting the liquid supply chamber to the pressure chamber; The valve body has a clamping plate capable of closing the communication hole and an annular sealing portion provided at a portion of the clamping plate facing an outer circumferential portion of the communication hole; and A coil diameter at a first end of the coil spring is equal to or smaller than an inner diameter of the annular seal portion. 25. A valve arrangement according to any one of claims 22 to 24, characterized in that: The passage limiter includes a liquid supply chamber connected to the liquid inlet and housing the valve body and the pressure adjustment spring, the liquid supply chamber has an inner peripheral surface, and a liquid supply chamber is connected to the pressure chamber. through holes; and The valve body has a clamping plate capable of closing the communication hole, wherein the clamping plate includes a sliding surface slidable along an inner peripheral surface of the valve body receiving passage, and a truncated surface defining a gap relative to the inner peripheral surface of the valve body receiving passage . 26. A pressure regulator for reducing the pressure to a predetermined level in a pressure chamber holding liquid flowing in from an inlet and sending liquid to an outlet, the pressure regulator comprising: A valve body reciprocating between a closed position for preventing supply of liquid to the pressure chamber and an open position for allowing supply of liquid to the pressure chamber, the valve body being in the closed position when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined level ; a deformed portion corresponding to the pressure in the pressure chamber and deformed to move the valve body from the closed position to the open position when the pressure in the pressure chamber decreases to a predetermined level; and When the valve body is in the closed position, the outer peripheral portion closely contacting the valve body and the inlet is used to seal the sealing portion of the inlet, The pressure regulator is characterized by: A holding portion urges the valve body toward the closed position at a position closer to the axis of the inlet than the sealing portion, and when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined level, the holding portion holds the valve body in the closed position. Location. 27. The pressure regulator of claim 26, wherein: The retaining portion includes a conical coil spring including a first end contacting the valve body and a second end opposite the first end, the coil diameter at the second end being larger than that of the first end. Helix diameter at the end. 28. The pressure regulator of claim 27, wherein: The valve body includes a splint capable of closing the inlet; The sealing portion has an annular shape, and the annular sealing portion is provided in a portion of the clamping plate opposite to an outer peripheral portion of the inlet; and A first end of the coil spring contacts a portion of the clamping plate opposite the inlet, the first end being located radially inward from the annular seal portion. 29. A pressure regulator according to claim 27 or 28, characterized in that: The valve body includes a splint capable of closing the inlet; The sealing portion has an annular shape, and the annular sealing portion is provided in a part of the clamping plate opposite to the outer peripheral portion of the inlet; and A coil diameter at the first end of the coil spring is equal to or smaller than an inner diameter of the annular seal portion. 30. A pressure regulator according to any one of claims 27 to 29, wherein: The valve body accommodating channel is used to accommodate the valve body, the valve body accommodating channel includes an inner peripheral surface, wherein the valve body includes a splint capable of closing the inlet, and the splint includes a valve body along the valve body accommodating channel A sliding surface that slides on the inner peripheral surface of the valve body accommodating passage, and a truncated surface that defines a gap with respect to the inner peripheral surface of the valve body accommodating passage. 31. A pressure regulator according to any one of claims 27 to 30, wherein said deformable portion comprises: a flexible membrane member defining a portion of said pressure chamber, said membrane member being elastically deformable in a direction toward the pressure chamber when the pressure in the pressure chamber becomes below a predetermined level; and an actuating rod for generating an actuating force greater than the pressing force generated by the elastic deformation of the pressure receiving member, and moving the valve body to the open position by the actuating force against the urging force of the holding portion. 32. A carrier comprising: A pressure chamber that holds liquid entering from the inlet and sends it to the outlet; a pressure regulator that reduces the pressure in the pressure chamber to a predetermined level; and A liquid ejection head ejecting liquid supplied from the pressure chamber, the carriage is characterized in that the pressure regulator includes: A valve body reciprocating between a closed position for preventing supply of liquid to the pressure chamber and an open position for allowing supply of liquid to the pressure chamber, the valve body being in the closed position when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined level ; a deforming portion that deforms corresponding to the pressure in the pressure chamber, the deforming portion moves the valve body from the closed position to the open position when the pressure in the pressure chamber decreases to a predetermined level; when the valve body is in the closed position, a sealing portion that closely contacts the valve body and the outer peripheral portion of the inlet for sealing the inlet; and A holding portion of the valve body constantly urged toward the closed position at a position closer to the axis of the inlet than the sealing portion, the holding portion holds the valve when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined level body in the closed position. 33. A carrier comprising: a pressure chamber connected to the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet for holding the liquid; a pressure regulator for reducing the pressure in said pressure chamber to a predetermined level, and a liquid ejection head, The carrier is characterized by: The pressure regulator has a pressure receiving member elastically deformable in a direction toward the pressure chamber when the pressure in the pressure chamber becomes lower than a predetermined level, the pressure regulator generates The pressure regulator is configured to open by an actuation force of a compressive force generated by elastic deformation, allowing liquid to be supplied from the liquid inlet to the pressure chamber when the pressure regulator is opened. 34. The carrier of claim 33, wherein the pressure regulator comprises: a channel-defining member having a channel-like channel connected to the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, said channel-like channel being sealed by a membrane member as a pressure receiving member so as to define a compression member; a valve body movable between an open position for connecting the liquid inlet to the trough channel and a closed position for disconnecting the liquid inlet from the trough channel; a pressure adjustment spring for urging the valve body toward the closed position; and A pressing member for generating an actuating force by receiving a pressing force, the pressing member transmits the actuating force to the valve body, and moves the valve body toward an open position when subjected to the pressing force. 35. The carrier of claim 33 or 34, wherein: The pressing member is an actuating rod disposed in the channel-like channel and functioning as a cantilever, the actuating rod having a support end supported by the channel-defining member; and The valve body is positioned such that the valve body receives an actuation force from the actuation rod at a portion of the actuation rod closer to the support end than a center of gravity of the actuation rod. 36. A carrier according to any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein: The pressure regulator is one of a plurality of pressure regulators, the grooved channel is one of a plurality of grooved channels holding different types of liquids, the grooved channels are arranged in parallel, and the pressure regulators are arranged in parallel. 37. A carrier according to any one of claims 33 to 36, wherein: A spring bearer is connected to the passage limiter, said spring bearer together with said passage limiter retains the pressure adjustment spring, said spring bearer has a bearing portion capable of acting with a guide shaft for guiding the carriage in a reciprocating manner . 38. A carrier according to any one of claims 33 to 37, wherein: The channel definer includes a liquid outlet directly connectable to the liquid ejection head. 39. The carrier of claim 37, wherein: The channel plate is provided separately from the spring receiving member, wherein the channel defining member includes a liquid outlet, wherein the channel plate includes a channel that can connect the liquid outlet to the liquid ejection head. 40. The carrier of claim 37, wherein: The channel plate is provided integrally with the spring receiving member, wherein the channel defining member includes the liquid outlet, wherein the channel plate includes a channel for connecting the liquid outlet to the liquid ejection head. 41. A liquid ejection device comprising: a liquid retaining portion for temporarily retaining liquid; a liquid ejection head having nozzles for ejecting said liquid; a liquid supply line that supplies the liquid from the liquid holding portion to the liquid ejection head; and valve means arranged in the liquid supply line; Wherein said valve means comprises: a pressure chamber connected to the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet and holding the liquid, the liquid in the pressure chamber decreases corresponding to the liquid ejection by the liquid ejection head, thereby reducing the pressure in the pressure chamber; and a pressure regulator for reducing the pressure of the liquid in the pressure chamber to a predetermined level, the pressure regulator sensing the pressure in the pressure chamber and selectively preventing or allowing supply of said liquid from a liquid supply line to said pressure chamber, The device is characterized by: The pressure regulator has a pressure receiving member that elastically deforms in a direction toward the pressure chamber when the pressure in the pressure chamber becomes lower than a predetermined level, the pressure regulator generates pressure greater than that passed through the pressure receiving member. The pressure regulator is configured to open by an actuation force of a compressive force generated by elastic deformation, allowing liquid to be supplied from the liquid inlet to the pressure chamber when the pressure regulator is opened. 42. The liquid ejection device of claim 41, wherein: The pressure regulator also includes a force amplification mechanism for amplifying the compressive force to the actuation force. 43. The liquid ejection device of claim 42, wherein: The force amplification mechanism includes a lever mechanism for generating an actuation force by bearing a pressing force. 44. The liquid ejection device of claim 41, wherein: Said valve means comprises a groove-like passage connected to a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet, said pressure receiving member defines a pressure chamber by sealing the groove-like passage, wherein said pressure regulator comprises: a valve body movable between an open position for connecting the liquid inlet to the trough channel and a closed position for disconnecting the liquid inlet from the trough channel; and A pressing member that generates an actuation force by being subjected to a pressing force, wherein when subjected to a pressing force, the pressing member transmits the actuating force to the valve body for moving the valve body to an open position. 45. The liquid ejection device of claim 44, wherein: The pressure regulator further includes a pressure adjustment spring for pushing the valve body toward the closed position, and the pressing member pushes the valve body toward the open position against the pushing force of the pressure adjustment spring . 46. A liquid ejection device according to claim 44 or 45, wherein: The compression member includes a cantilevered actuating rod disposed in the channel-like channel, the actuating rod having a support end supported by the channel-defining member; and The valve body is positioned such that the valve body receives an actuation force from a portion of the actuation rod that is closer to the support end than a center of gravity of the actuation rod. 47. The liquid ejection device of claim 46, wherein: The foam discharge portion serves to direct at least some of the liquid supplied to the pressure chamber from the liquid inlet to a portion of the pressure chamber corresponding to said support end of the actuating rod. 48. A liquid ejection device according to any one of claims 44 to 47, wherein: The pressure receiving member is a thin film member sufficiently thin to be elastically deformable under pressure changes in the pressure chamber, the thin film member being fixed to the passage restricting member while maintaining a direction from the pressure chamber to Outward convex dome-like curved shape. 49. A liquid ejection apparatus having a carrier, the carrier comprising: A pressure chamber for holding liquid entering from the inlet and sending the liquid to the outlet; a pressure regulator that reduces the pressure in the pressure chamber to a predetermined level; and A liquid ejection head ejecting liquid supplied from a pressure chamber, wherein the pressure regulator includes: A valve body reciprocating between a closed position for preventing supply of liquid to the pressure chamber and an open position for allowing supply of liquid to the pressure chamber, the valve body being in the closed position when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined level ; a deforming portion deformed corresponding to the pressure in the pressure chamber, which moves the valve body from the closed position to the open position when the pressure in the pressure chamber decreases to a predetermined level; and When the valve body is in the closed position, the outer peripheral portion that closely contacts the valve body and the inlet is used to seal the sealing portion of the inlet, and the device is characterized in that the pressure regulator includes: A retaining portion of the valve body is constantly urged toward a closed position at a position closer to the axis of the inlet than the sealing portion, the retaining portion retains the valve body in the closed position when the pressure in the pressure chamber exceeds a predetermined level. 50. A method for manufacturing a valve device comprising a pressure chamber connected to a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet for holding a liquid, and a pressure regulator to reduce the pressure of the liquid in the pressure chamber to a predetermined level, the Said valve device has a passage restrictor comprising a grooved passage having an opening, said pressure regulator comprising: a valve body movable between an open position for connecting the liquid inlet to the trough passage and a closed position for disconnecting the liquid inlet from the trough passage, the valve body being advanced toward the closed position; a film member sealing the opening of the groove-shaped passage for defining the pressure chamber, the film member being sufficiently thin to be elastically deformable under pressure changes in the pressure chamber, the film member being fixed to the passage restricting member while maintaining a dome-like curved shape projecting outward from a pressure chamber, the membrane member elastically deforms in a direction toward the pressure chamber when the pressure in the pressure chamber becomes lower than a predetermined level; and A pressing member that generates an actuation force greater than a pressing force generated by elastic deformation of a pressure receiving member receiving a pressing force, wherein when receiving a pressing force, the pressing member transmits the actuating force to the valve body for to move the valve body to the open position, The manufacturing method is characterized in that the film piece is bent into a dome-like shape by press molding using gas or liquid. 51. The method of claim 50, wherein: bonding film parts with metal plates; removing a portion of the metal plate to which the film member is bonded, corresponding to the opening of the groove-like channel; affixing a metal plate from which portions of the corresponding openings have been removed to the surface of the channel definer; and The film member is compression molded before or after the metal plate is secured to the channel-defining member surface. 52. The method of claim 50 or 51, wherein: The film piece is heated while the film piece is press molded. 53. The method of claim 52, wherein: The temperature for heating is 130°C or higher.

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