CN101456293A

CN101456293A - Liquid supply device, liquid ejecting apparatus, and liquid supply method

Info

Publication number: CN101456293A
Application number: CNA2008101851157A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 横内秀弥
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Current assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date: 2007-12-11
Filing date: 2008-12-09
Publication date: 2009-06-17
Also published as: JP5338204B2; JP2009160913A

Abstract

The present invention provides a liquid supply device, a liquid ejection device and a liquid supply method. The liquid supply device includes a liquid supply channel that supplies liquid from an upstream side as a liquid supply source side to a downstream side on which the liquid is consumed and simultaneously a strong flow pressure is produced to act on the liquid supply channel when a value installed in the liquid supply channel is closed. Besides, when the strong flow pressure is produced to act on the liquid supply channel, the waste consume of liquid flowing from an upstream liquid supply source side to a downstream side can be avoided even if the value installed in the liquid supply channel is open. The liquid supply device comprises an ink flow path (15) supplying ink to the ink consuming downstream side from the upstream side of an ink box (13), a liquid attracting side valve (41) installed in the ink flow path (15) to open and close the ink flow path and a liquid ejection side value (45) installed in the downstream side of the ink flow path (15) relative to the liquid attracting side valve (41) to open and close the ink flow path (15). The liquid attracting side valve (41) is configured in that it is closed when the liquid ejection side value (45) is open.

Description

Fluid Supplying apparatus, liquid injection apparatus and liquid supply method

Technical field

The present invention relates to fluid Supplying apparatus, liquid injection apparatus and liquid supply method.

Background technology

In the past, as from the liquid injection apparatus of jet head liquid to the target atomizing of liquids, known had an inkjet recording device (hereinafter referred to as " printer ").In this printer, owing to ink solvent causes ink viscosity to rise or solidifies, stops up because of dust adheres to make the nozzle from the nozzle evaporation as the record head of jet head liquid, perhaps bubble is blended in the record head from nozzle, so, exist the possibility that causes the print quality difference.

To this, shown in patent documentation 1, in printer in the past, sneak into the method for problem as solving this spray nozzle clogging, bubble, can carry out the so-called cleaning method that cleans (choke cleaning) that blocks.In blocking cleaning, be closed in from supply with the valve that is provided with of the providing ink stream (liquid supply stream) of ink midway to record head as the print cartridge of liquid supply source, under this state, from the nozzle of record head form the face side via nozzle to attracting in the record head.Like this, produce negative pressure in the record head making based on this attraction, allow be present in air bubble expansion in the record head after, by opening this valve ink is flow in the record head from print cartridge side advantage, the ink, the bubble that solidify in the record head are forced discharge from nozzle.

[patent documentation 1] spy opens the 2004-90453 communique

But under the situation of the printer of patent documentation 1, the valve that can open and close the providing ink stream that connects print cartridge and record head only is provided with one midway at the providing ink stream.Therefore, if open this valve when blocking cleaning, then corresponding to the negative pressure of nozzle act in the providing ink stream via record head, ink flows into to the record head side via the providing ink stream in a large number from the print cartridge side.Therefore, in this printer, there is the problem of the wastage increase of blocking ink when cleaning.And have a following problem: a plurality of providing ink streams from each self-corresponding liquid supply source with under state arranged side by side and the situation that record head is connected, poor because of the flow path resistance of each providing ink stream can make the exhausted amount of ink in each liquid supply source create a difference.

Summary of the invention

The present invention In view of the foregoing proposes, its purpose is to provide a kind of fluid Supplying apparatus, this fluid Supplying apparatus is under the state of having closed the valve midway that is arranged at liquid supply stream, with make liquid from the upstream side that becomes liquid and supply with source downstream the surging pressure that flows of side act on liquid and supply with in the stream, even opening under this state under the situation of above-mentioned valve, also can suppress liquid and supply with consumption in vain from liquid supply source side direction downstream.And its purpose also is to provide a kind of the possess liquid injection apparatus of such fluid Supplying apparatus and such liquid supply method.

To achieve these goals, fluid Supplying apparatus of the present invention comprises: supply with the liquid supply stream of the upstream side of source to the downstream of consumable liquid feed fluid from becoming liquid; Supply with first valve that is provided with in the mode that can open and close this liquid supply stream of stream midway at this liquid; With second valve that is provided with in the mode of this liquid supply stream of energy switch in the downstream of supplying with stream than this first valve by described liquid; Described first valve constitutes, and is out at described second valve under the situation of valve state for closing the valve state.

According to this structure, if open second valve in downstream, then first valve of upstream side closes valve and supplies with stream with sealing liquid.Therefore, under the state of the valve midway of having closed the downstream that is arranged at liquid supply stream, with make liquid from the upstream side that becomes liquid and supply with source downstream the surging pressure that flows of side act on liquid and supply with in the stream, even when under this state, opening above-mentioned valve, also can suppress the supply of liquid downstream side by first valve that is in the upstream side that closes the valve state.Therefore, the liquid that can suppress the liquid supply source is consumed in vain.

And, in fluid Supplying apparatus of the present invention, also possess the part of the described liquid supply stream between described first valve and described second valve is carried out the pump that pump drives as pump chamber; At this pump the volume of described pump chamber is increased when described liquid being attracted to attraction in this pump chamber and driving, described first valve is for opening the valve state, and the while, described second valve was for closing the valve state; On the other hand, when described pump made the volume reducing of described pump chamber drive with the ejection that described liquid is sprayed in this pump chamber, described first valve was for closing the valve state, and described second valve is for opening the valve state simultaneously.

According to this structure, carry out pump by the pump that has pump chamber between first valve in liquid supply stream and second valve and drive, alternatively be switched to out the valve state and close the valve state by first valve of upstream side and second valve in downstream than pump chamber.Therefore, be not provided for the large-scale pressue device of one-tenth to liquid supply source pressurization, just can from the upstream side of supplying with source as liquid downstream side supply with stream via liquid and supply with ink with a small amount of.

In addition, in fluid Supplying apparatus of the present invention, described pump possesses: the displacement parts, carry out displacement in the mode of the volume that increases and decreases described pump chamber; And force application part, on the direction of the direction of the volume reducing of described pump chamber or increase to this displacement parts application of force.

According to this structure, pump is being carried out under the situation of pump driving with feed fluid, the power that applies that only overcomes force application part under a kind of situation that pump is attracted drive or spray in the driving just can the displacement of displacement parts, the power that applies by force application part under the opposite situation makes the displacement parts be indexed to reset condition, therefore can reduce the driving load of pump.

In addition, in fluid Supplying apparatus of the present invention, described second valve comprises: described liquid is being supplied with the valve body of opening free to deflect between the valve position that closes valve position and it is opened that stream seals; With to the force application part of the direction of closing valve position to this valve body application of force; Under the situation of pressure as the malleation effect of the liquid that described valve body sprays from described pump chamber in the ejection driving that is accompanied by described pump, the power that applies that overcomes described force application part is to the direction displacement of driving valve position.

According to this structure, second valve becomes following structure: valve body always is in the valve state that closes by the power that applies of force application part, but the ejection by pump drive and from the pressure of the ink of pump chamber ejection as the situation of malleation to the valve body effect under, be switched to out the valve state.That is,, do not possess just can the automatically switch on off state of second valve of special control structure by said structure.

And in fluid Supplying apparatus of the present invention, described first valve comprises: described liquid is being supplied with the valve body of opening free to deflect between the valve position that closes valve position and it is opened that stream seals; With to the force application part of the direction of closing valve position to this valve body application of force; Described valve body drives and attracted under the situation of pressure as the negative pressure effect of the liquid in the described pump chamber in the attraction that is accompanied by described pump, and the power that applies that overcomes described force application part is to the direction displacement of driving valve position.

According to this structure, first valve becomes following structure: valve body always is in the valve state that closes by the power that applies of force application part, but the pressure of the ink that is attracted by pump chamber driving based on the attraction of pump as the situation of negative pressure to the valve body effect under, be switched to out the valve state.That is,, do not possess just can the automatically switch on off state of first valve of special control structure by said structure.

And liquid injection apparatus of the present invention possesses: the jet head liquid of atomizing of liquids and the fluid Supplying apparatus of said structure.

According to this structure, liquid injection apparatus is when making suction function in liquid is supplied with stream by jet head liquid, the valve midway that is arranged at this liquid supply stream is switched to out the valve state from closing the valve state, thus, liquid is forced to discharge from jet head liquid, when promptly carrying out so-called obstruction and cleaning, can suppress liquid and be consumed in vain.

In addition, the liquid supply method of fluid Supplying apparatus of the present invention, make from become upstream side that liquid supplies with source downstream the liquid of side feed fluid supply with stream midway, with can switch this liquid supply with in first valve and second valve that the mode of stream is provided with respectively, be arranged at than second valve of first valve and be under the state that closes valve by the downstream, with make liquid from upstream side downstream the surging pressure that flows of side act on described liquid and supply with in the stream, when under this state, opening described second valve described liquid downstream side of this second valve upstream side is supplied with, make described first valve close valve.According to this structure, can obtain the effect identical with the invention of aforesaid liquid feedway.

In addition, the liquid supply method of fluid Supplying apparatus of the present invention, by carrying out after the pump that mode that pump drives is provided with attracts to drive, makes described second valve close valve as pump chamber with a part of the described liquid between described first valve and described second valve being supplied with stream, with make liquid from upstream side downstream the surging pressure that flows of side act on described liquid and supply with in the stream.

Here, the pump that midway is provided with that the liquid between first valve and second valve is supplied with stream has carried out after the pump action, is used to make second valve in downstream become out the valve state from the ejection pressure of pump chamber.And, if open under the valve state at this, with make liquid from upstream side downstream the surging pressure (negative pressure) that flows of side act on liquid and supply with in the stream, then make because of this negative pressure second valve before closing valve during in, liquid in the pump chamber attracted to the liquid in downstream and supplies with in the stream, as a result, ink is consumed in vain before the second valve close moment.

In this,,, together close valve by second valve in downstream with it, close under the valve state negative pressure at this and act on liquid from the downstream and supply with stream than pump at first by pump being attracted to drive the pressure that reduces in the pump chamber according to said structure.That is, the negative pressure of supplying with in the stream with liquid increases simultaneously, has closed second valve reliably, and the liquid that can suppress in the pump chamber flows out in the liquid supply stream in downstream.And, make this second valve for after closing the valve state, by pump is sprayed driving, the indoor ejection of origin self-pumping is pressed second valve is opened, and flows to liquid by ink and supplies with in the stream, can carry out the less obstruction of exhausted amount of ink and clean.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the schematic diagram of the ink-jet printer in the present embodiment.

The schematic diagram of the ink-jet printer when Fig. 2 is the decompression driving.

The schematic diagram of the ink-jet printer when Fig. 3 is pressurised driving.

Description of reference numerals: 13-is as the print cartridge of liquid supply source, 15-supplies with the ink flow path of stream as liquid, 36-attracts side valve body (valve body), 37-is as the diaphragm of displacement parts, and 38-sprays side valve body (valve body), and 40,42,44-is as the coil spring (coilspring) of force application part, 41-is as the attraction side valve of first valve, the 43-pump, the 43a-pump chamber, 45-is as the ejection side valve of second valve.

The specific embodiment

Below, the present invention is embodied as an embodiment of inkjet recording device (hereinafter referred to as " printer ") according to Fig. 1～Fig. 3 explanation as a kind of liquid injection apparatus.

As shown in Figure 1, the printer 11 of present embodiment has: supply with the ink-feeding device 14 as fluid Supplying apparatus that is incorporated in as the ink in the print cartridge 13 of liquid supply source to what target (not shown) was sprayed ink (liquid) as the record head 12 of jet head liquid with to this record head 12.In ink-feeding device 14, be provided with ink flow path (liquid supply stream) 15, this ink flow path 15 is connected with print cartridge 13 at upstream extremity, and under downstream and the state that record head 12 is connected, supply with ink to the downstream that becomes record head 12 sides from the upstream side that becomes print cartridge 13 sides.

In addition, in printer 11, number of colours (kind) that should printer 11 employed inks is provided with a plurality of ink-feeding devices 14.But because these structure is identical, so, in Fig. 1, only illustrate ink-feeding device 14 and record head 12 and a print cartridge 13 of supplying with ink of the same colour arbitrarily.And, below illustrate this ink flow path that passes through an ink-feeding device 14 15 shown in Figure 1, from the print cartridge 13 of upstream side downstream the record head 12 of side supply with the situation of inks.

As shown in Figure 1, in record head 12, forming face 12a upper shed formation with the opposed nozzle of pressing plate (omitting diagram) with corresponding a plurality of (in the present embodiment the being four) nozzle 16 of number that is provided with of ink-feeding device 14.And, supply with ink via 17 pairs of above-mentioned each nozzles 16 of valve module from the ink flow path 15 of each self-corresponding ink-feeding device 14.Promptly, in valve module 17, temporary transient storage is provided with in the mode that is communicated with nozzle 16 from balancing gate pit's (omitting diagram) of the ink that ink flow path 15 flows into, spraying from nozzle 16 under the situation of ink, spray of the switch motion of the suitable ink of the quantity of ink that consumed with this ink, suitably flow in this balancing gate pit from ink flow path 15 based on not shown stream valve.

And, in the printer 11, residing initial position (homeposition) when record head 12 non-printings, be provided with obstruction for the nozzle 16 of eliminating record head 12 etc. and carry out record head 12 cleaning safeguard assembly 18.This safeguards that assembly 18 has: can form face 12a with the cap 19 of the mode butt that surrounds nozzle 16, driven suction pump 20 and will attract in the cap 19 along with the driving of this suction pump 20 when attracting ink from this cap 19 in the ink waste liquid box 21 as the ink discharge of giving up with the nozzle of record head 12.And, when cleaning, from state removable cap 19 shown in Figure 1, nozzle at itself and record head 12 forms under the state of face 12a butt, drive suction pump 20, by producing negative pressure in the inner space of cap 19, in the record head 12 with tackify ink and the ink that is mixed with bubble attract to be discharged to waste liquid box 21.

On the other hand, print cartridge 13 has the box (case) 22 of inside as the roughly box shape of the 22a of ink chamber that takes in ink.From the lower wall of box 22, the outstanding downwards tube portion 23 that is communicated in the 22a of ink chamber that is formed with is formed with the ink supply port 24 that can derive ink at the front end of tube portion 23.And, when print cartridge 13 is connected with ink-feeding device 14, insert the outstanding ink supply needle 25 that is provided with to this ink supply port 24 for the upstream extremity that constitutes ink flow path 15 from ink-feeding device 14.And at the upper wall of box 22, perforation is formed with and makes the air connectivity hole 26 that is communicated with atmosphere in the 22a of ink chamber that has taken in ink, to being incorporated in the liquid level effect atmospheric pressure of the ink in the 22a of ink chamber.

Then, describe the structure of ink-feeding device 14 in detail.

As shown in Figure 1, ink-feeding device 14 has resin system the 1st stream that becomes base station and forms parts 27, is assembled in the 1st stream with layer-by-layer state and forms and be sandwiched in two streams when same on the parts 27 forms parts 28 and this assembling by resinous the 2nd stream and form pliability parts 29 that are made of rubber slab etc. between the parts 27,28.Here, a plurality of positions (being 3 positions in the present embodiment) on the 1st stream forms parts 27 are formed with the

recess

30,31,32 of overlooking rounded shape.That is,,, laterally dispose recess 30, recess 31, recess 32 successively according to the order from the right side to the left side among Fig. 1 with a recess 31 and littler and have 2

recesses

30,31 of roughly the same volume respectively than the volume of this recess 31.

On the other hand, a plurality of positions (being 3 positions in the present embodiment) below the 2nd stream formation parts 28 of the 1st stream formation parts 27 superimposed layers are formed with and the mutual

opposed recess

33,34,35 of overlooking rounded shape of each

top recess

30,31,32 above-below directions that is formed on the 1st stream formation parts 27.That is,,, laterally dispose recess 33, recess 34, recess 35 successively according to the order from the right side to the left side among Fig. 1 with a recess 34 and littler and have 2

recesses

33,35 of roughly the same volume respectively than the volume of this recess 34.

That is, ink-feeding device 14 is by being respectively formed at recess 30～32 and recess 33～35 on the same plane, the stromatolithic structure of a plurality of tabular component parts that can adopt lamination.

In addition, form the bottom of the recess that is formed on the leftmost side among Fig. 1 35 of parts 28, be formed with the air connectivity hole 35a that is communicated with atmosphere at the 2nd stream.

And, pliability parts 29 are sandwiched in the 1st stream and form between parts 27 and the 2nd stream formation parts 28, the position that a plurality of positions of these pliability parts 29 (being 3 positions in the present embodiment) separates up and down between each recess 33～35 of each recess 30～32 that the 1st stream is formed parts 27 and the 2nd stream formation parts 28.The result, form part between the recess 33 of parts 28 at recess 30 that the 1st stream forms parts 27 and the 2nd stream in the pliability parts 29, bring into play functions as attraction side valve body (valve body) 36 that can displacement by strain between two

recesses

30,33.

Equally, form part between the recess 34 of parts 28 at recess 31 that the 1st stream forms parts 27 and the 2nd stream in the pliability parts 29, bring into play functions as diaphragm (displacement parts) 37 that can displacement by strain between two recesses 31,34.And it is same, form part between the recess 35 of parts 28 at recess 32 that the 1st stream forms parts 27 and the 2nd stream in the pliability parts 29, bring into play functions as ejection side valve body (valve body) 38 that can displacement by strain between two

recesses

32,35.

In addition, about the area of overlooking of the flexible crushed element that attracts side valve body 36, diaphragm 37, ejection side valve body 38, attracting side valve body 36 and ejection side valve body 38 be roughly the same size mutually, and diaphragm 37 is bigger than attracting side valve bodies 36 and spraying side valve body 38.

And, as shown in Figure 1, form in parts 27 and the 2nd stream formation parts 28 at the 1st stream, be formed with connection from the 2nd stream form parts 28 above the ink supply needle 25 of outstanding setting and the 1st stream 15a between the recess 30 that the 1st stream forms parts 27, it constitutes the part of the ink flow path 15 in ink-feeding device 14.Equally, form in parts 27 and the 2nd stream formation parts 28 and the pliability parts 29 at the 1st stream, be formed with and be communicated with the 2nd stream and form the 2nd stream 15b between the recess 33 of parts 28 and the recess 31 that the 1st stream forms parts 27, it constitutes the part of the ink flow path 15 in ink-feeding device 14.In addition, form in the parts 27 at the 1st stream equally, be formed with connection the 1st stream and form the recess 31 of parts 27 and the 3rd stream 15c between the recess 32, it constitutes the part of the ink flow path 15 in ink-feeding device 14.

And, form in parts 27 and the 2nd stream formation parts 28 and the pliability parts 29 at the 1st stream, be formed with and be communicated with the 1st stream and form the 4th stream 15d between the recess 32 of parts 27 and the upper face side that the 2nd stream forms parts 28, it constitutes the part of the ink flow path 15 in ink-feeding device 14.And the stream openend of opening on the 2nd stream forms parts 28 among the 4th stream 15d is connected with the end (upstream extremity) of the ink supply conduit 15e of the part of formation ink flow path 15 in the ink-feeding device 14.And the other end (downstream) of this ink supply conduit 15e is connected with the valve module 17 of record head 12 sides.

In addition, as shown in Figure 1, in ink-feeding device 14, the part that becomes attraction side valve body 36 of pliability parts 29, be formed centrally through hole 36a therein, and under the spring force effect of the coil spring (force application part) 40 in the recess 33 that is disposed at upside, quilt is towards the inner bottom surface application of force of the recess 30 of downside.And, in the present embodiment, by these

recesses

30,33, attract side valve body 36 and coil spring 40, constituted the attraction side valve 41 of conduct the 1st valve of being arranged to open and close ink flow path 15 midway at ink flow path 15.

Equally, in ink-feeding device 14, the part that becomes diaphragm 37 of pliability parts 29, under the spring force effect of the coil spring (force application part) 42 in the recess 34 that is disposed at upside, quilt is towards the inner bottom surface application of force of the recess 31 of downside.And, in the present embodiment, constituted the pump 43 of jerk type by these

recesses

31,34, diaphragm 37 and coil spring 42, surround the area of space of the variable volume that forms as the pump chamber 43a performance function in the pump 43 by the recess 31 of diaphragm 37 and downside.

In addition, equally in ink-feeding device 14, the part that becomes ejection side valve body 38 of pliability parts 29, under the spring force effect of the coil spring (force application part) 44 the recess 35 that is disposed at upside in, quilt is towards the inner bottom surface application of force of the recess 32 of downside.And, in the present embodiment, by these

recesses

32,35, ejection side valve body 38 and coil spring 44 constituted than attract side valve (first valve) 41 by the downstream of ink flow path 15 be arranged to open and close ink flow path 15, as the ejection side valve 45 of second valve.

And, in the present embodiment, the volume of volumetric ratio pump chamber 43a of area of space that is surrounded the variable volume that forms by the recess 32 of ejection side valve body 38 and downside is little, and be roughly the same size by recess 32 and the area of space that attracts 36 encirclements of side valve body to form.And the masterpiece that applies of coil spring 44 is used in and makes the direction of being surrounded the volume reducing of the area of space that forms by the recess 32 of ejection side valve body 38 and downside.

And as shown in Figure 1, the 2nd stream forms the air flow circuit 46 of the recess 34 of parts 28 by two bursts of shape branches, is connected with atmosphere opening mechanism 48 with the depression generator 47 that is made of suction pump etc.Depression generator 47 constitutes, just changeing when driving at CD-ROM drive motor 49 that can positive and negative rotation, based on the driving of the driving force of transmitting by not shown one-way clutch, produce negative pressure, in the recess 34 of the 2nd stream formation parts 28 that connect by air flow circuit 46, produce negative pressure too.Thus, the recess 34 and the diaphragm 37 that are formed parts 28 by the 2nd stream surround the area of space of the variable volume that forms, as the 43b of the negative pressure chamber performance function that becomes negative pressure state along with the driving of depression generator 47.

On the other hand, atmosphere opening mechanism 48 constitutes, in the box 51 that has formed atmosphere opening hole 50, take in by seal member 52 being arranged on the atmospheric open valve 53 that atmosphere opening hole 50 sides constitute, this atmospheric open valve 53 is closed the valve direction application of force to closed atmosphere open bore 50 usually under the spring force effect of coil spring 54.And, atmosphere opening mechanism 48 constitutes, when CD-ROM drive motor 49 counter-rotatings drive, move based on the cam mechanism 55 that moves by the driving force of not shown one-way clutch transmission, action by this cam mechanism 55, make atmospheric open valve 53 overcome the spring force of coil spring 54, to the valve opening position displacement.That is, when atmosphere opening mechanism 48 becomes negative pressure state at the 43b of negative pressure chamber that connects by air flow circuit 46, open valve events by making atmospheric open valve 53, with the 43b of this negative pressure chamber to atmosphere opening, to remove negative pressure state.

In addition, Fig. 1 has represented the structure that depression generator 47, atmosphere opening mechanism 48 is set and drives their CD-ROM drive motor 49 for example in each of with each ink look corresponding respectively a plurality of ink-feeding devices 14, but also can adopt following structure.Promptly, the connection of the air flow circuit 46 that will be connected with the 43b of negative pressure chamber of the pump 43 of ink-feeding device 14 is distolateral, the number that is provided with of corresponding with each ink look corresponding respectively a plurality of ink-feeding devices 14 carries out branch, with each link of the air flow circuit after this branch 46, the 43b of negative pressure chamber of the pump 43 of the ink-feeding device 14 corresponding with each connects.According to such structure,, can drive ink-feeding device of all kinds 14, thereby can realize the miniaturization of printer 11 as long as a plurality of relatively ink-feeding devices 14 are provided with a depression generator 47, atmosphere opening mechanism 48 and CD-ROM drive motor 49.

Therefore, regard to the effect of the printer 11 that as above constitutes down, especially the emphasis that act as with ink-feeding device 14 describes.

At first, as prerequisite, state shown in Figure 1 is the replacing of just having carried out new and old print cartridge, attract the attraction side valve body 36 of side valve 41, the diaphragm 37 of pump 43 and the ejection side valve body 38 of ejection side valve 45 all to be under the application of force of

coil spring

40,42,44, be crushed on the state of inner bottom surface of each

recess

30,31,32 of downside.And atmosphere opening mechanism 48 is in the valve state that closes that atmospheric open valve 53 has sealed atmosphere opening hole 50.

From such state shown in Figure 1,, when supplying with ink, print cartridge 13 side direction record heads 12 sides at first drive by ink-feeding device 14 for pump 43 being carried out pump, and make CD-ROM drive motor 49 just change driving.So depression generator 47 produces negative pressure, the 43b of negative pressure chamber of the ink-feeding device 14 that is connected with this depression generator 47 by air flow circuit 46 becomes negative pressure state.Thus, the diaphragm 37 of pump 43 overcomes the spring force of coil spring 42 to the 43b of negative pressure chamber side strain (displacement), makes the volume reducing (with reference to Fig. 2) of the 43b of negative pressure chamber.So along with the volume reducing of the 43b of this negative pressure chamber, the pump chamber 43a of the pump of dividing by diaphragm 37 and the 43b of negative pressure chamber 43 volume on the contrary increases.

That is, pump 43 attracts to drive by making the direction displacement of diaphragm 37 to the volume increase of pump chamber 43a.Particularly, diaphragm 37 from lower dead point position shown in Figure 1 to upper dead center position displacement shown in Figure 2.Therefore, become negative pressure state in the pump chamber 43a, this negative pressure acts on the recess 33 of the upside that attracts side valve 41 by the 2nd stream 15b, based on downside recess 30 in the pressure differential of ink pressure, make the spring force that attracts side valve body 36 to overcome coil spring 40, upward (being valve opening position) strain (displacement).As a result, the 1st stream 15a and the 2nd stream 15b become connected state by the through hole 36a that attracts side valve body 36, and ink attracted in the pump chamber 43a via the 1st stream 15a, recess 30, through hole 36a, recess the 33, the 2nd stream 15b in print cartridge 13.

On the other hand, when the attraction of this pump 43 drove, the negative pressure of pump chamber 43a also acted on the downstream by the ink flow path 15 in downstream than pump chamber 43a by the 3rd stream 15c, that is, and and the 3rd stream 15c.But, the downside recess 32 of the ejection side valve 45 that the downstream was communicated with of the 3rd stream 15c, be in ejection side valve body 38 by coil spring 44 at the state that closes the application of force on the valve direction, this closes the valve state and is set to, only otherwise drive from the ejection of the upstream side of the 3rd stream 15c based on pump 43, the ink ejection of the malleation that 38 effects are stipulated to ejection side valve body (for example above pressure of 13kpa) is pressed, and does not just translate into out the valve state.Therefore, in this case, the ejection side valve body 38 of ejection side valve 45 closes the valve state owing to be applied negative pressure so keep this.

Then, under state shown in Figure 2, CD-ROM drive motor 49 driving of reversing.So, the action of the cam mechanism 55 by atmosphere opening mechanism 48, atmospheric open valve 53 overcomes the spring force of coil spring 54, opens valve events, and the 43b of negative pressure chamber that will be in negative pressure state is to atmosphere opening.Therefore, the diaphragm 37 of pump 43 is under the application of force effect of coil spring 42, and (that is, the inner bottom surface side of pump chamber 43a) strain (displacement) makes the volume of the 43b of negative pressure chamber increase (with reference to Fig. 3) downwards.So along with the volume of the 43b of this negative pressure chamber increases, the pump chamber 43a of the pump of dividing by diaphragm 37 and the 43b of negative pressure chamber 43 reduces volume on the contrary.

That is, pump 43 sprays driving by making the direction displacement of diaphragm 37 to the volume reducing of pump chamber 43a.Particularly, as shown in Figure 3, diaphragm 37 pressurizes to the ink that attracted in the pump chamber 43a with the pressure of stipulating (for example pressure about 30kpa) from the direction displacement of upper dead center position to lower dead point position.Therefore, ink is sprayed in pump chamber 43a, and this ejection is pressed in than pump chamber 43a and leans on upstream side, acts on the recess 33 of the upside that attracts side valve 41 by the 2nd stream 15b, with the spring force of coil spring 40 synergy, make to attract side valve body 36 strain (displacement) of (promptly closing the valve direction) downwards.The result, the 1st stream 15a and the 2nd stream 15b become non-connected state by the valve events that closes that attracts side valve body 36, make from print cartridge 13 and stop to sucking of pump chamber 43a via the ink that attracts side valve 41, and limited along with the ejection of pump 43 drives, from the ink of pump chamber 43a ejection via attracting side valve 41 to print cartridge 13 side adverse currents.

On the other hand, when the ejection of this pump 43 drives, also affact the downstream of ink flow path 15 by the 3rd stream 15c from the pressure (for example pressure about 30kpa) of the ink of pump chamber 43a ejection.Therefore, the ejection of this pump 43 is pressed to make and is in the ejection side valve body 38 that closes the valve state and opens valve events, by the recess 32 of the downside of ejection side valve 45 the 3rd stream 15c is communicated with the 4th stream 15d.As a result, ink via recess 32, the 4th stream 15d, the ink supply conduit 15e of the downside of the 3rd stream 15c, ejection side valve 45, is supplied with to valve module 17 with pressurized state in the pump chamber 43a.Wherein, the spring force of the coil spring 44 in the ejection side valve 45 for example is set to about 13kpa, thereby drive and when flowing in the recess 32 of downside of ejection side valve 45, can make based on the ejection pressure of this ink to spray side valve body 38 strain upward in the ejection that ink is accompanied by pump 43.

Then, will be by diaphragm 37 pressurization be pressed from the ejection of the ink of pump chamber 43a ejection, be maintained ratio in ink flow path 15 and attract the recess 33 of upside of side valve 41 by balanced state in each stream zone (recess 32 that comprises the downside of pump chamber 43a and ejection side valve 45) in downstream.That is, in ejection side valve 45, ejection side valve body 38 is maintained the state that is positioned at upper dead center position, and keeps the valve state of opening that the 3rd stream 15c is communicated with the 4th stream 15d.

Then, when ink from record head 12 when target (not shown) is sprayed, be equivalent to the ink of the component of the exhausted amount of ink of spraying along with this ink, supply with to record head 12 sides in ink flow path 15 by valve module 17.Therefore, consumption of ink along with this downstream (record head 12 sides), the ink of the quantity of ink corresponding with this consumption, based on the pressing force that under the effect of the spring force of coil spring 42, has been applied in to the diaphragm 37 of the power of the direction of the volume reducing of pump chamber 43a, supplied with to the downstream that becomes record head 12 sides with pressurized state.

The result, volume in the pump chamber 43a and the volume that surrounds the area of space that forms by downside recess 32 in the ejection side valve 45 and ejection side valve body 38 reduce gradually, final diaphragm 37 is indexed near the lower dead point position, sprays side valve body 38 simultaneously and is indexed near closing the valve position of sealing the 4th stream 15d.Wherein, in the present embodiment, pushed by diaphragm 37 this moment and press to about 13kpa from the ejection of the ink of pump chamber 43a ejection.

So, CD-ROM drive motor 49 is just being changeed driving once more, in atmosphere opening mechanism 48, atmospheric open valve 53 is indexed to the valve position that closes of closed atmosphere open bore 50, and depression generator 47 produces negative pressure, make the 43b of negative pressure chamber become negative pressure state, diaphragm 37 overcomes the spring force of coil spring 42, to the 43b of negative pressure chamber side strain (displacement).That is, pump 43 begins to attract to drive once more.As a result, because diaphragm 37 becomes negative pressure state to the upper dead center position displacement of the volume increase of pump chamber 43a in the pump chamber 43a, so under the effect of this negative pressure, attract side valve body 36 to valve opening position strain (displacement).Therefore, the 1st stream 15a and the 2nd stream 15b become the state that is communicated with by the through hole 36a that attracts side valve body 36, and ink attracted in the pump chamber 43a in print cartridge 13 once more.After this, the ejection of carrying out pump 43 same as described above drives, make ink in the pump chamber 43a via the ink flow path zone in downstream to record head 12 forced feeds.

In addition, in printer 11 following situation can take place: bubble enters in the record head 12 by nozzle 16, or owing to ink solvent produces ink viscosity rising or curing, stops up because of dust adheres at nozzle from nozzle 16 evaporations.To this, in this case, with the state of the butterfly gate (choke valve) that is provided with that is closed in ink flow path midway to attracting in the record head 12, open butterfly gate in the stage that negative pressure rises to a certain degree, in record head, attract to remove to mix alveolate tackify ink quickly, promptly carry out so-called obstruction and clean.In the printer 11 of present embodiment, carry out such obstruction as follows and clean.

That is, at first under state shown in Figure 1, make cap 19 form face 12a butt, under this state, drive suction pump 20 with the mode of encirclement nozzle 16 and the nozzle of record head 12.Like this, become negative pressure state owing to form in the cap 19 of face 12a butt with the nozzle of record head 12, thus by based on the attraction of this negative pressure to attracting in the record head 12.At this moment, even the ejection side valve body 38 of the ejection side valve 45 that works as butterfly gate is in out the valve state, because negative pressure acts on by ink flow path 15 ejection side valve body 38 is closed, so ejection side valve 45 is also kept the valve state that closes.

Then, because CD-ROM drive motor 49 is just changeed driving, be accompanied by the driving of depression generator 47, pump 43 is attracted driving, so attract the attraction side valve body 36 of side valve 41 to become out the valve state, ink is attracted in the pump chamber 43a from print cartridge 13 sides.Then, increase and the attraction ink to the displacement pump chamber 43a of upper dead center position internal volume if be accompanied by diaphragm 37, then then CD-ROM drive motor 49 is inverted driving.So atmosphere opening mechanism 48 makes atmospheric open valve 53 drive valve, removes the negative pressure state of the 43b of negative pressure chamber, thus diaphragm 37 on the direction of the volume reducing of pump chamber 43a by the application of force, ink is pressed with for example ejection of the ink about 30kpa in the pump chamber 43a and is discharged from.

As a result, attract the attraction side valve body 36 of side valve 41 to become the valve state that closes, the ejection side valve body 38 that sprays side valve 45 simultaneously becomes out the valve state, the ink of the pressurized state that sprays in the pump chamber 43a to than ejection side valve 45 by the downstream forced feed.And,, make and drawn to record head 12 side draughts by advantage than the ink flow path 15 interior inks of ejection side valve 45 by upstream side in conjunction with the negative pressure of this moment with the attraction increase of suction pump 20.Then, the residual alveolate tackify ink of mixing is discharged in the cap 19 from nozzle 16 quickly in the record head 12, and then is discharged to waste liquid tank 21.

And, in the case, for lean on the attraction side valve 41 of upstream side than pump chamber 43a for, owing to attract side valve body 36 to close valve, even, can not draw ink to record head 12 side draughts from the upstream side that attracts side valve 41 so the ejection side valve body 38 of ejection side valve 45 is driven valve, advantage is drawn ink to record head 12 side draughts yet.Therefore, in the printer 11 of present embodiment, can in a large amount of consumption of the ink in suppressing print cartridge 13, carry out to block and clean.

According to present embodiment, can obtain following effect.

(1) in the above-mentioned embodiment, under the situation of the ejection side valve 45 of opening the downstream, the attraction side valve 41 of upstream side is closed with sealing ink flow path 15.Therefore, the ejection side valve 45 that midway is provided with at ink flow path 15 is under the state that closes valve, the negative pressure that the attraction of suction pump 20 produces acts in the ink flow path 15 via record head 12, even this state also can be by being in the attraction side valve 41 limit ink supply of side downstream of the upstream side that closes the valve state down under the opened situation of ejection side valve 45.Therefore, the ink that can suppress in the print cartridge 13 is consumed in vain.

(2) in the above-mentioned embodiment, between attraction side valve 41 in ink flow path 15 and ejection side valve 45, pump 43 with pump chamber 43a carries out pump and drives, and can will switch to out the valve state alternately and close the valve state by the attraction side valve 41 of upstream side and the ejection side valve 45 in downstream than pump chamber 43a.Therefore, be not provided for large-scale pressue device to print cartridge 13 pressurization, just can be from supplying with ink via ink flow path 15 with a small amount of as record head 12 sides in downstream as print cartridge 13 side direction of upstream side.

(3) in the above-described embodiment, when pump 43 attracts to drive, be accompanied by the driving of depression generator 47, the diaphragm 37 of pump 43 overcomes the power that applies of coil spring 42 to the displacement of the 43b of negative pressure chamber side, not only reduce the volume of the 43b of negative pressure chamber thus, on the other hand, pump chamber 43a correspondingly increases volume corresponding to this reduction, makes the pressure in the pump chamber 43a become decompression (negative pressure) state.Then, when ejection drives, the negative pressure state of the 43b of negative pressure chamber is eliminated by atmosphere opening, the diaphragm 37 of pump 43 comply with coil spring 42 the power that applies and to the displacement of pump chamber 43a side, the volume of the 43b of negative pressure chamber increases thus, and pump chamber 43a correspondingly reduces cubical content corresponding to this recruitment, makes that the pressure in the pump chamber 43a becomes pressurized state.Therefore, when pump 43 being carried out the pump driving with the supply ink, the power that applies that only overcomes coil spring 42 under the situation that attracts driving pump 43 just can diaphragm 37 deflection deformations, the power that applies by coil spring 42 under opposite situation makes diaphragm 37 be indexed to reset condition, therefore can reduce the driving load of pump 43.

(4) in the above-described embodiment, ejection side valve 45 is constructed as follows: ejection side valve body 38 always is in the valve state that closes based on the power that applies of coil spring 44, but under the situation about as malleation ejection side valve body 38 being acted on from the pressure of the ink of pump chamber 43a ejection, be switched to out the valve state driving based on the ejection of pump 43.Therefore, can not possess the open and-shut mode of special control structure with regard to the ejection side valve 45 that can automatically switch.

(5) in the above-described embodiment, attract side valve 41 to be constructed as follows: to attract side valve body 36 always to be in the valve state that closes based on the power that applies of coil spring 40, but the pressure of the ink that is attracted by pump chamber 43a driving based on the attraction of pump 43 under the situation that attracts side valve body 36 and act on, is switched to out the valve state as negative pressure.Therefore, can not possess special control structure and attract the open and-shut mode of side valve 41 with regard to automaticallying switch.

In addition, above-mentioned embodiment can carry out following change.

In the above-described embodiment, also can attract driving to pump 43, the pressure in the pump chamber 43a is reduced, make to spray side valve 45 at obstruction cleaning having become when beginning the to carry out valve state that closes by before carrying out the obstruction cleaning, making CD-ROM drive motor 49 just change driving.

Promptly, suppose under the ejection side valve body 38 of the ejection side valve 45 that works as butterfly gate is opened the state of valve, to have carried out to block to clean, because pump chamber 43a and recess 32 are in connected state, become the pressure (not enough 13kpa) that makes ejection side valve 45 close valve so ink side draught ejectment downstream goes out the pressure of up to two chambers (pump chamber 43a and recess 32), spray side valve 45 subsequently and close valve.Therefore, exist ejection side valve 45 before closing valve during in the worry that flows out in vain to record head 12 sides of ink.

To this, if as this variation, before carrying out the obstruction cleaning, pump 43 is attracted to drive, make the ejection side valve body 38 of ejection side valve 45 be in the valve state that closes, begin subsequently block to clean, then can be suppressed at and block that ink flows out in vain between the incunabulum that cleans in pump chamber 43a in the ink flow path 15 in downstream.And, make like this ejection side valve 45 ejection side valve body 38 be in close the valve state after, by pump 43 is sprayed driving, can open ejection side valve body 38 by pressing from the ejection in the pump chamber 43a, flow to by ink in the ink flow path 15 in downstream, carry out the few obstruction of exhausted amount of ink and clean.

In the above-described embodiment,, also can not use depression generator 47, and use the pressurization generation device as the drive source of pump 43.And, also can not use the compression spring and use extension spring as the coil spring 42 of force application part.In addition, the coil spring 42 as the compression spring can be arranged on the 43b of negative pressure chamber side and be arranged on pump chamber 43a side yet.In addition, when under the situation of such variation, making pump 43 attract to drive, the power that applies with these springs makes the mode displacement of diaphragm 37 according to the volume increase of pump chamber 43a, on the other hand, when pump 43 ejection is driven, forced air is imported to the recess 34 (in embodiment, being the 43b of negative pressure chamber) of the upside the pump 43 from the pressurization generation device.

In addition, also can replace such depression generator 47 and pressurization generation device, and use cam mechanism as the mechanism that makes diaphragm 37 displacements.That is, for example, fixedly be formed with the base end part of the traction element of fastener to by diaphragm 37 as coil spring 42 pushings of compressing spring.And, can make diaphragm 37 displacements by this traction element by making the fastener butt of cam part and traction element.In addition, under the situation of having used extension spring, the base end part of pressing component can be fixed in diaphragm 37, leading section be pushed to diaphragm 37 sides by cam part.

Pump 43 also can use by can pistons reciprocating directly pushing pump chamber 43a in the 43b of negative pressure chamber, and along with reciprocating motion, changes the piston pump of the volume in the pump chamber 43a.Equally, ejection side valve 45 also can use piston structure.

In the above-described embodiment, as the drive source of pump 43, also can use the device of the function that has both pressurization generating means and depression generator 47.Under these circumstances, the generation by hocket pressurization and negative pressure can make diaphragm 37 displacements under the situation that force application part is not set, drive by pump and supply with ink.

In the above-described embodiment, can use magnetic valve as ejection side valve 45 or attraction side valve 41.At this moment, need switch the open and-shut mode of each

valve

41,45 according to the driving condition of pump 43.

In the above-described embodiment, as with ink from the upstream side device supplied with pressurized state of side downstream, can be not ink flow path 15 pump 43 is set midway, and be provided for pressue device that the inks in the print cartridge 13 are pressurizeed.

In the above-described embodiment, force application part can not use

coil spring

40,42,44, and uses for example other forms of force application part such as leaf spring, rubber.Utilize such force application part, can irrespectively keep the power that applies that the ink that attracts in side valve 41, ejection side valve 45 and the pump chamber 43a is given with the driving condition of depression generator 47.

In the above-described embodiment, use the working fluid of air, but for example also can use liquid such as silicone oil as working fluid as pump 43.

In addition, " liquid " in this specification comprises other liquid (comprising inorganic solvent, organic solvent, solution, aqueous resin, aqueous metal (molten metal) etc.) beyond the ink, disperses or mixed the aqueous body and the such stream shape body of gel of the particle of functional material in liquid.And, as the liquid injection apparatus that sprays or spray such " liquid ", for example also can be spray with the form that disperses or dissolves comprised the aqueous body of the electrode material that in the manufacturing of LCD, EL (electroluminescent) display and face active display etc., uses, look material (pixel material) material of etc.ing aqueous body injection apparatus, be injected in the organic liquid injection apparatus of the organism of using in the biochip manufacturing and as the acute titrator use and injection becomes the liquid injection apparatus of the liquid of reagent.And, also can be by micropore to the liquid injection apparatus of precision optical machinery jet lubrication oil such as clock and watch and camera, for be formed on the small packaged lens of using in the optical communication device etc. (optical lens) wait and on substrate, spray transparent resin such as ultraviolet curable resin liquid injection apparatus, spray the liquid injection apparatus of etching solutions such as acid or alkali and spray the stream shape body injection apparatus that gel (for example physical gel) etc. flows the shape body for substrate etc. being carried out etching.

In the above-described embodiment, liquid injection apparatus is embodied as ink-jet printer 11, but also can adopts the liquid injection apparatus that sprays or spray ink other liquid in addition.Various liquid injection apparatus applicable to the jet head liquid that possesses ejection small quantity drop etc.Wherein, so-called drop is meant from the state of the liquid of aforesaid liquid injection apparatus ejection, comprises the shape of granular, tear shape and wire hangover.In addition, said here liquid is so long as can be got final product by the material that liquid injection apparatus sprays.For example, the state when as long as material is in liquid phase, not only comprise the high or low aqueous body of viscosity, colloidal sol, gel water, other inorganic solvent, organic solvent, solution, aqueous resin, the such fluid state of aqueous metal (molten metal), and, except liquid, also be included in dissolving in the solvent, disperse or mixed the liquid of the functional material that constitutes by solid such as pigment or metallic particles etc. as a kind of state of material.In addition, as the typical example of liquid, can enumerate in the above-described embodiment the ink of explanation and liquid crystal etc.Here, so-called ink comprises general water-base ink and oily ink, and gluey ink, heat melt various liquid constituents such as ink.As the concrete example of liquid injection apparatus, can be to spray the liquid injection apparatus that comprised the liquid of materials such as the electrode material that in the manufacturing of LCD, EL (electroluminescent) display and face active display, color filter etc., uses and color material with the form that disperses or dissolves, be injected in the organic liquid injection apparatus of the organism of using in the biochip manufacturing, and become liquid injection apparatus and the printing device and the differential orchestration etc. of the liquid of reagent as the injection of acute titrator use.And, can also adopt by micropore to the liquid injection apparatus of precision optical machinery jet lubrication oil such as clock and watch and camera, in order to be formed on that the small packaged lens of using in the optical communication device etc. (optical lens) waits and on substrate transparent resin such as injection ultraviolet curable resin liquid injection apparatus, for substrate etc. being carried out the liquid injection apparatus that etching solutions such as acid or alkali are sprayed in etching.And the present invention can be applicable in any one liquid injection apparatus in these.

Claims

1. fluid Supplying apparatus is characterized in that possessing:

Supply with the liquid supply stream of the upstream side of source from becoming liquid to the downstream of consumable liquid feed fluid;

Supply with first valve that is provided with in the mode of can this liquid of switch supplying with stream of stream midway at this liquid; With

Second valve that is provided with in the mode of this liquid supply stream of energy switch in the downstream that relies on described liquid supply stream than this first valve;

Described first valve constitutes, and is out at described second valve under the situation of valve state for closing the valve state.

2. fluid Supplying apparatus according to claim 1 is characterized in that,

Also possess the described liquid between described first valve and described second valve is supplied with stream a part as pump chamber, carry out the pump that pump drives;

This pump make the volume of described pump chamber increase, when described liquid is attracted to attraction in this pump chamber and drives, described first valve is for opening the valve state, the while, described second valve was for closing the valve state; On the other hand, when the ejection that make the volume reducing of described pump chamber at described pump, described liquid is sprayed in this pump chamber drove, described first valve was for closing the valve state, and the while, described second valve was for opening the valve state.

3. fluid Supplying apparatus according to claim 2 is characterized in that,

Described pump possesses: the displacement parts, carry out displacement in the mode of the volume that increases and decreases described pump chamber; And force application part, in the direction of the direction of the volume reducing of described pump chamber or increase to this displacement parts application of force.

4. according to claim 2 or 3 described fluid Supplying apparatus, it is characterized in that,

Described second valve comprises: described liquid is supplied with stream seals close valve position and the valve body of opening of opening free to deflect between the valve position and to the force application part of the direction of closing valve position to this valve body application of force; Drive in the ejection that is being accompanied by described pump, under the situation of pressure as the malleation effect of the liquid of described pump chamber ejection, described valve body overcomes the power that applies of described force application part to the direction displacement of driving valve position.

5. according to each described fluid Supplying apparatus in the claim 2 to 4, it is characterized in that,

Described first valve comprises: described liquid is supplied with stream seals close valve position and the valve body of opening of opening free to deflect between the valve position and to the force application part of the direction of closing valve position to this valve body application of force; Drive in the attraction that is accompanied by described pump, attracted under the situation of pressure as the negative pressure effect of the liquid in the described pump chamber, described valve body overcomes the power that applies of described force application part to the direction displacement of driving valve position.

6. liquid injection apparatus is characterized in that possessing: the jet head liquid of atomizing of liquids and supply with each described fluid Supplying apparatus in the claim 1 to 5 of described liquid to this jet head liquid.

7. a liquid supply method is characterized in that,

Make from become upstream side that liquid supplies with source downstream the liquid of side feed fluid supply with stream midway, with can switch this liquid supply with in first valve and second valve that the mode of stream is provided with respectively, be arranged at than second valve of first valve and be under the state that closes valve by the downstream, with make liquid from upstream side downstream the surging pressure that flows of side act on described liquid and supply with in the stream, when under this state, opening described second valve, in the time of will supplying with by the described liquid downstream side of upstream side than this second valve, make described first valve close valve.

8. liquid supply method according to claim 7 is characterized in that,

By attracting to drive to carrying out the pump that mode that pump drives is provided with as pump chamber with a part of the described liquid between described first valve and described second valve being supplied with stream, after making described second valve close valve, with make liquid from upstream side downstream the surging pressure that flows of side act on described liquid and supply with in the stream.