CN101462409B

CN101462409B - Liquid supplying device and liquid ejecting apparatus

Info

Publication number: CN101462409B
Application number: CN 200810186653
Authority: CN
Inventors: 横内秀弥
Original assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Current assignee: Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date: 2007-12-18
Filing date: 2008-12-16
Publication date: 2012-12-05
Anticipated expiration: 2028-12-16
Also published as: JP2009166472A; CN101462409A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid supplying device, capable of restraining mixture of gas into a liquid supply flow path when driving a pump for absorbing liquid into the liquid supply flow path from a liquid supply source, and maintaining the attraction efficiency of the pump well, and a liquid ejecting device having the liquid supplying device. The liquid supplying device includes a ink supplying flow path (15) that supplies ink from an upstream side as a ink box (13) toward a downstream side on which the ink is consumed; a pump (43) that is driven for changing the volume of a pump chamber that is a part of the ink supplying flow path (15); and a flow velocity reducing valve (41) that reduces the flow velocity of the ink passing through the ink supplying flow path (15) on the upstream side of the pump chamber by changing flow path resistance of the ink supplying flow path (15) in accordance with the speed of change of the volume of the pump chamber, in a case where the pump is driven for a suction operation that increases the volume of the pump chamber.

Description

Fluid Supplying apparatus and liquid injection apparatus

Technical field

The present invention relates to supply with fluid Supplying apparatus and the liquid injection apparatus of the upstream side of source to the downstream of consumable liquid feed fluid from becoming liquid.

Background technology

In the past, as liquid injection apparatus, extensively knew ink-jet printer (below be called " printer ") to the target atomizing of liquids.This printer goes out from the nozzle ejection that is formed on the record head through the ink (liquid) that will be provided for record head (jet head liquid), implements to the printing as the recording medium of target.And, in such printer, proposed in the way that connects the ink flow path (liquid supply stream) between print cartridge (liquid supply source) and the record head, to have scheme recently for the pump that carries out the pump driving from print cartridge side direction record head side forced feed ink.For this printer, drive if be accompanied by the attraction of pump, pump chamber becomes negative pressure, then from print cartridge ink is attracted in the pump chamber, and ink drives under the pressurized state in the ejection that is accompanied by pump, supplies with to the record head side.

, in such printer, drive if be accompanied by the attraction of pump, pump chamber becomes negative pressure, and then ink sharply flow in the pump chamber that becomes negative pressure from upstream side.That is, ink is attracted in the ink flow path from print cartridge with fast flow velocity, and inflow pump is indoor.Therefore, when when print cartridge attracts ink with fast flow velocity, gas might produce bubble in ink in ink attracted to ink flow path.And the ejection that is accompanied by pump when the alveolate ink of such mixing drives when side is supplied with downstream, and bubble growth in ink flow path becomes and stops that ink flows, and perhaps the reason stopped up takes place record head.Therefore, attract, proposed in the way of the ink flow path between pump and print cartridge, flow path resistance to be set, reduce the scheme (for example with reference to patent documentation 1) of the flow velocity of ink in order to suppress such gas.

In the printer of this patent documentation 1, be main purpose with the foreign object removal capabilities, in the way of ink flow path, be provided with filter.And when the driving of the negative pressure pump that is accompanied by the downstream, side is when this filter downstream from upstream side for ink, and this filter also works as flow path resistance, and the speed of the ink that passes through is descended.That is, filter has the function of from ink, removing foreign matter and suppressing the attraction of bubble.

[patent documentation 1] spy opens the 2005-81744 communique

; Attraction for gas can be enumerated following reason: when when print cartridge sharply attracts ink; Extraneous gas can be sneaked into from the coupling part (specifically being the insertion portion of ink supply needle) of print cartridge and ink flow path; Perhaps when the through hole that links up by atmosphere by the gas in the print cartridge of atmosphere opening at ink remaining amount hour, be attracted with ink., when the attraction of pump drives gently, the flow velocity of the ink that in ink flow path, flows of side is slow downstream from upstream side, and when print cartridge slowly attracted ink, the gas of ink is not sneaked into can become problem so.

But in the printer of patent documentation 1,,, become the essential factor of the driving efficient that hinders pump on the contrary so when slowly attracting ink, work as flow path resistance too because fixed configurations has filter in the way of ink flow path.

Summary of the invention

The present invention proposes in view of such thing; Its purpose is; Gas sneaking in liquid is supplied with stream in the time of suppressing in liquid is supplied with stream, to attract the attraction of the pump of liquid to drive from the liquid supply source is provided, and well the driving efficient of holding pump fluid Supplying apparatus and have the liquid injection apparatus of such fluid Supplying apparatus.

To achieve these goals, fluid Supplying apparatus of the present invention possesses: supply with the liquid supply stream of the upstream side of source to the downstream of consumable liquid feed fluid from becoming liquid; The part that this liquid is supplied with stream is as pump chamber, the pump that drives according to the mode of the volume in this pump chamber of change; When this pump drives the attraction of the volume increase of said pump chamber; Through speed according to the volume-variation of said pump chamber; Change said liquid and supply with the flow path resistance of stream, be reduced in the flow velocity that leans on the said liquid of upstream side to supply with the flow velocity of the liquid that passes through in the stream than this pump chamber and reduce mechanism.

According to this structure; If make pump attract to drive; Then, supply with in the stream at the liquid that leans on upstream side than pump chamber negative pressure takes place, attracted in the pump chamber from the upstream side that becomes liquid supply source so liquid is supplied with stream through this liquid because the volume of pump chamber changes to the direction of increase.At this moment; Under the fireballing situation of the volume-variation of pump chamber; Supply with in the stream via liquid, liquid is attracted with fast flow velocity from the liquid supply source, but because flow velocity reduces the speed of mechanism according to the volume-variation of pump chamber; Change liquid is supplied with the flow path resistance of stream, so the flow velocity of such liquid is lowered.That is, the flow velocity of the liquid in the time of in the liquid supply source attracted to liquid supply stream is when this flow velocity is too fast, because the flow path resistance increase, so be reduced for the flow velocity of the degree of sneaking into that can suppress gas.And when the speed of the volume-variation of pump chamber was slow, it is such big that flow path resistance can not become, and flow velocity also reduces hardly.Therefore, gas sneaking in liquid is supplied with stream in the time of suppressing in liquid is supplied with stream, to attract the attraction of the pump of liquid to drive, and the attraction efficient of holding pump well from the liquid supply source.

In fluid Supplying apparatus of the present invention, possess: supply with the liquid supply stream of the upstream side of source to the downstream of consumable liquid feed fluid from becoming liquid; The part that this liquid is supplied with stream is as pump chamber, the pump that drives according to the mode of the volume in this pump chamber of change; When this pump drives the attraction of the volume increase of said pump chamber; Speed according to the volume-variation of said pump chamber; Change leans on upstream side, liquid can supply with the flow path resistance of stream with the said liquid that first flow velocity passes through than said pump chamber, and the flow velocity that makes the flow velocity of supplying with the liquid of stream through said liquid be reduced to second flow velocity slower than said first flow velocity thus reduces mechanism.

According to this structure; If owing to make pump attract to drive; Then the volume of pump chamber changes to the direction of increase, supplies with in the stream at the liquid that leans on upstream side than pump chamber negative pressure takes place, and attracted in the pump chamber from the upstream side that becomes liquid supply source so liquid is supplied with stream through this liquid.At this moment; Under the fireballing situation of the volume-variation of pump chamber; Supply with in the stream via liquid, attract liquid with first flow velocity from the liquid supply source, but because flow velocity reduces the speed of mechanism according to the volume-variation of pump chamber; Change liquid is supplied with the flow path resistance of stream, so first flow velocity of such liquid is reduced for second flow velocity slower than first flow velocity.That is, the flow velocity of the liquid in the time of in the liquid supply source is attracted to liquid supply stream is when this flow velocity is too fast, because the flow path resistance increase, so be reduced for second flow velocity of the degree of sneaking into that can suppress gas.And when the speed of the volume-variation of pump chamber was slow, it is such big that flow path resistance can not become.That is, owing to liquid is attracted with the flow velocity near second flow velocity, so even flow path resistance is so not big, liquid also passes through with second flow velocity.Therefore, gas sneaking in liquid is supplied with stream in the time of suppressing in liquid is supplied with stream, to attract the attraction of the pump of liquid to drive, and the attraction efficient of holding pump well from the liquid supply source.

In fluid Supplying apparatus of the present invention; Said flow velocity reduces mechanism under the fireballing situation of the volume-variation of said pump chamber; Compare with the slow-footed situation of the volume-variation of this pump chamber, it is faster to make said liquid supply with the reaction speed of flow path resistance change of stream.

According to this structure, the volume-variation speed of pump chamber is fast more, promptly is attracted to liquid from the liquid supply source and supplies with the flow velocity of the liquid in the stream fast more the time, and flow velocity reduces mechanism, and to make liquid supply with the reaction speed of flow path resistance change of stream fast more.Therefore, supply with liquid in the stream when its flow velocity accelerates, reduce mechanism by flow velocity and reduce flow velocity rapidly, so can suppress sneaking into of gas effectively owing to be attracted to liquid from the liquid supply source.

In fluid Supplying apparatus of the present invention, said flow velocity reduces mechanism and comprises the displacement parts that the flow path resistance ground that can change said liquid supply stream carries out displacement.

According to this structure,,, can reduce the flow velocity of liquid simply then through the flow path resistance of this increase if make flow velocity reduce of the direction displacement of the displacement parts of mechanism to the flow path resistance increase of liquid supply stream.

In fluid Supplying apparatus of the present invention, possess: supply with the liquid supply stream of the upstream side of source to the downstream of consumable liquid feed fluid from becoming liquid; The part that this liquid is supplied with stream is as pump chamber, the pump that drives according to the mode of the volume in this pump chamber of change; When the attraction that the volume of said pump chamber is increased at this pump drove, according to the speed of the volume-variation of said pump chamber, change was changed mechanism than the flow path resistance that this pump chamber leans on the said liquid of upstream side to supply with the flow path resistance of stream.

According to this structure; If owing to make pump attract to drive; Then the volume of pump chamber changes to the direction of increase, supplies with in the stream at the liquid that leans on upstream side than pump chamber negative pressure takes place, and is attracted in the pump chamber from the upstream side that becomes liquid supply source so liquid is supplied with stream through this liquid.At this moment; For example under the fireballing situation of the volume-variation of pump chamber; If mechanism changes by the mode that increases flow path resistance through the flow path resistance change; The flow velocity of the liquid that then in liquid is supplied with stream, passes through is lowered, gas sneaking in liquid supply stream in the time of suppressing in liquid is supplied with stream, to attract the attraction driving of pump of liquid from the liquid supply source.In addition, in the time of the volume-variation of pump chamber slow-footed, it is such big that flow path resistance can not become, and flow velocity can not reduce so yet.Therefore, the attraction efficient of holding pump well.

In fluid Supplying apparatus of the present invention, change the flow velocity that mechanism has changed the liquid that passes through in the said liquid supply stream of flow path resistance at said flow path resistance, change mechanism's change flow path resistance before slowly than said flow path resistance.

According to this structure, the flow velocity that the liquid that has changed flow path resistance is supplied with the liquid that passes through in the stream is lowered, gas sneaking in liquid supply stream in the time of suppressing in liquid is supplied with stream, to attract the attraction driving of pump of liquid from the liquid supply source.

In fluid Supplying apparatus of the present invention, said flow path resistance change mechanism compares when slow with the speed of the volume-variation of this pump chamber when the speed of the volume-variation of said pump chamber is fast, and it is faster to make said liquid supply with the reaction speed of flow path resistance change of stream.

According to this structure, the speed of the volume-variation of pump chamber is fast more, that is, when the flow velocity of the liquid in the liquid supply source is attracted to liquid supply stream was faster, the reaction speed that the flow path resistance that flow path resistance change mechanism makes liquid supply with stream changes was fast more.Therefore, be attracted to liquid from the liquid supply source and supply with liquid in the stream when its flow velocity accelerates, owing to flow velocity is reduced rapidly through flow path resistance change mechanism, so can suppress sneaking into of gas effectively.

In fluid Supplying apparatus of the present invention, said flow path resistance change mechanism comprises the displacement parts that the flow path resistance ground that can change said liquid supply stream carries out displacement.

According to this structure,,, can reduce the flow velocity of liquid simply then through the flow path resistance of this increase if make of the direction displacement of the displacement parts of flow path resistance change mechanism to the flow path resistance increase of liquid supply stream.

In fluid Supplying apparatus of the present invention; Said displacement parts are configured to be indexed to said liquid and supply with the position that the interior said pump chamber of ratio of stream leans on upstream side; During the negative pressure that produced having received the attraction that is accompanied by said pump to drive, supply with the mode displacement that narrows down in the stream by said liquid.

According to this structure; If being accompanied by the attraction of pump drives; Contrast the interior effect of the liquid supply stream negative pressure that pump chamber leans on upstream side, the displacement parts that then are arranged in variable bit in this liquid supply stream carry out displacement by the mode that narrows down in the liquid supply stream, make the flow path resistance increase.Therefore, do not use complicated structure, just can change flow path resistance according to the speed of the volume-variation of pump chamber with simple structure.

In fluid Supplying apparatus of the present invention; Said displacement parts are by supply with closing valve position and making it open open free to deflect between the valve position of stream at the said liquid of obturation; And always by with the regulation the power that applies to the direction application of force of closing valve position; And during the negative pressure that has produced having received the attraction that is accompanied by said pump to drive, overcome the said power of applying, constitute to the valve body of the direction displacement of driving valve position; In this valve body, be formed with when from closing valve position when opening the direction displacement of valve position, allow said liquid from the upstream side through hole that passes through of side downstream.

According to this structure, when the displacement parts drive in the attraction of pump, as only allow from upstream side downstream the check valve of side through liquid work.Therefore,, can cut down number of components, and can when the ejection driving of pump, suppress liquid is supplied with adverse current from source to liquid through the displacement parts through this check valve is reduced the inscape dual-purpose of mechanism as flow velocity.

In fluid Supplying apparatus of the present invention; At least one side in the inner face that the outside and the said liquid of said displacement parts are supplied with stream; Be provided with the direction displacement that increases at the flow path resistance that makes this liquid supply with stream when said displacement parts; When becoming the state of inaccessible said liquid supply stream, allow the throttling formation portion of leaning on the liquid between upstream side and the downstream to pass through than said displacement parts.

According to this structure, even the displacement parts are supplied with the direction displacement of the flow path resistance of stream to increasing liquid, become the state that inaccessible liquid is supplied with stream, liquid also can flow to the downstream from upstream side through throttling formation portion.That is, the flow path resistance through throttling formation portion slows down liquid, and can guarantee stream, on one side can suppress sneaking into of gas, Yi Bian side feed fluid downstream.

Liquid injection apparatus of the present invention has the jet head liquid of atomizing of liquids and the fluid Supplying apparatus of said structure.

According to this structure, can supply with the liquid of sneaking into that has suppressed gas to jet head liquid by fluid Supplying apparatus.Therefore, from the jet head liquid atomizing of liquids time, can suppress obstruction and wait the bad generation of injection that causes.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the sketch map of the ink-jet printer of first embodiment.

Fig. 2 (a) is the sketch map of the fluid Supplying apparatus of pump when attracting to drive, and (b) is the sketch map that pump sprays the fluid Supplying apparatus when driving.

The sketch map of the fluid Supplying apparatus when Fig. 3 (a) is the ink injection, the sketch map of the fluid Supplying apparatus when (b) being ink injection and pump attraction.

Fig. 4 (a) is the sketch map that closes valve position of the attraction side valve of second embodiment, (b) is the sketch map of driving valve position that attracts side valve, (c) is the sketch map that attracts the upper dead center position of side valve, (d) is the floor map that attracts side valve.

Fig. 5 (a) is the sketch map of the attraction side valve of first variation, (b) is the sketch map of observing from the path direction that attracts side valve.

Fig. 6 is the sketch map of the attraction side valve of second variation.

Description of reference numerals: 11-printer (liquid injection apparatus); 12-record head (jet head liquid); 13-print cartridge (liquid supply source); 14-ink-feeding device (fluid Supplying apparatus); 15-ink flow path (liquid supply stream); 36-attracts side valve body (displacement parts); The 36a-through hole; 36b-ink flow path groove (throttling formation portion); 41-attracts side valve (flow velocity reduces mechanism, flow path resistance change mechanism); The 43-pump; The 43a-pump chamber; 56-tongue piece portion (displacement parts); 57-hold assembly (displacement parts).

The specific embodiment

(first embodiment)

Below, with reference to Fig. 1～Fig. 3, first embodiment of a kind of inkjet recording device of the present invention being embodied as liquid injection apparatus (below be called printer) is described.

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

In addition, corresponding with the number of colors (kind) of the ink that uses in this printer 11 in printer 11, be provided with a plurality of ink-feeding devices 14.But because their structure is identical, so in Fig. 1, an ink-feeding device 14 supplying with any one color ink is illustrated with record head 12 and a print cartridge 13.And, below with the ink flow path 15 through this ink-feeding device 14 shown in Figure 1, from the print cartridge 13 of upstream side downstream the record head 12 of the side situation of supplying with inks describe as an example.

As shown in Figure 1, in record head 12, form forming face 12a upper shed with the opposed nozzle of pressing plate (not shown) with corresponding a plurality of (in this embodiment 4) nozzle 16 of quantity that is provided with of ink-feeding device 14.And, to these each nozzles 16, supply with ink through valve cell 17 from the ink flow path 15 of corresponding respectively ink-feeding device 14.Promptly; In valve cell 17; Be provided with the balancing gate pit (not shown) of the ink that temporary transient storage flows into from ink flow path 15 with nozzle 16 with being communicated with,, be equivalent to ink by the component of the quantity of ink that injection consumed of this ink when when nozzle 16 sprays inks; Switch motion according to not shown stream valve suitably flow in this balancing gate pit from ink flow path 15.

And in the printer 11, the initial position when record head 12 is positioned at non-the printing is provided with the maintenance unit 18 that carries out the cleaning of record head 12 for the obstruction of the nozzle 16 of eliminating record head 12.This maintenance unit 18 has: the cap 19 that can form face 12a butt according to the mode of surrounding nozzle 16 with the nozzle of record head 12; Driven suction pump 20 when in this cap 19, attracting ink; With the driving that will be accompanied by this suction pump 20 and from the waste fluid container 21 of the cap 19 interior inks that attract as useless ink discharge.And, when cleaning, cap 19 is moved from state shown in Figure 1; Form under the state of face 12a butt at nozzle, drive suction pump 20, make the inner space of cap 19 produce negative pressure with record head 12; Thus, the ink that viscosity is increased in the record head 12 etc. attracts to discharge to waste fluid container 21.

On the other hand, print cartridge 13 has the box 22 of inside as the approximate box shape of the 22a of ink chamber that accommodates 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, the front end in tube portion 23 is formed with the ink supply port 24 that can derive ink.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 in the 22a of ink chamber that has taken in ink and the air connectivity hole 26 of atmosphere, to being incorporated in the liquid level effect atmospheric pressure of the ink in the 22a of ink chamber.

Below, the structure of ink-feeding device 14 is elaborated.

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 parts 27, pliability parts 29 that are made up of rubber slab etc. between 28.Here, a plurality of positions (being 3 positions in this 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 this 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 through 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, be formed with air connectivity hole 35a with atmosphere in the bottom that the 2nd stream forms the recess that is formed on the leftmost side among Fig. 1 35 of parts 28.

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 this 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 the 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, as through in two recesses 30, strain and attraction side valve body (displacement parts) 36 that can displacement is brought into play functions between 33.

Equally, form the 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, as through in two recesses 31, strain and diaphragm 37 that can displacement is brought into play functions between 34.And same, form the 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, as through in two recesses 32, strain and ejection side valve body 38 that can displacement is brought into play functions between 35.

In addition, about the area of overlooking of the deflection 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 each other, and diaphragm 37 is than attracting side valve bodies 36 and to spray side valve body 38 big.

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 ink supply needle 25 and the 1st stream 15a between the recess 30 that the 1st stream forms parts 27 of outstanding setting, 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; Stream openend at the inner bottom surface opening of the recess 32 in the downstream of the 3rd stream 15c; Be provided with and only allow that it is the state that closes the valve direction of being pushed close to the 3rd stream 15c by not shown force application part usually from the upstream side that the becomes recess 31 sides ball valve 39 to the downstream circulation ink that becomes recess 32 sides.

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 cell 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 has been formed centrally through hole 36a therein; And under the spring force effect of the coil spring in the recess that is disposed at upside 33 (coil spring) 40, quilt is towards the inner bottom surface application of force of the recess 30 of downside.Therefore, attract side valve body 36 be positioned at through hole 36a upstream extremity and recess 30 the inner bottom surface butt close valve position.And, if to attracting side valve body 36 to apply the power that applies that overcomes coil spring 40, then attract side valve body 36 to move to and drive valve position (with reference to Fig. 2 (a)) from what recess 30 left.

Like this, when attracting side valve body 36 to be positioned at out valve position, owing to attract the inner bottom surface of side valve body 36 near recess 33, so in recess 33, the stream of the second stream 15b narrows down.Therefore, attract side valve body 36 to play a role as flow path resistance, when ink when the first stream 15a flows to the second stream 15b, its flow velocity is reduced.

Therefore; In this embodiment; By these

recesses

30,33 and attraction side valve body 36 and coil spring 40, constituted the attraction side valve 41 that only allows to pass through to the downstream of spraying the ink ink consumption because of record head 12 ink as flow velocity reduction mechanism and flow path resistance change mechanism from the upstream side that becomes print cartridge 13 sides.

In addition, in ink-feeding device 14, the part that becomes diaphragm 37 of pliability parts 29 is through the power that applies of the coil spring 42 of configuration in the recess 34 of upside, and quilt is to the inner bottom surface application of force of the recess 31 of downside.And; In this embodiment; Constituted the pump 43 of jerk type by these

recesses

31,34 and diaphragm 37 and coil spring 42, surrounded pump chamber 43a (with reference to Fig. 2) the performance function of the area of space of the variable volume that forms as pump 43 by the recess 31 of diaphragm 37 and downside.

And, 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 44 the recess that is disposed at upside 35 in, quilt is towards the inner bottom surface application of force of the recess 32 of downside.And; In this embodiment; Constituted ejection side valve 45 by these

recesses

32,35, ejection side valve body 38 and coil spring 44 with pressure accumulation state ink reservoir; The area of space that surrounds the variable volume that forms by the recess 32 of ejection side valve body 38 and downside constitutes the part of ink flow path 15, as bringing into play function with the 45a of pressure accumulating chamber of pressure accumulation state ink reservoir.In addition, the volume of the volumetric ratio pump chamber 43a of the 45a of pressure accumulating chamber is little, and be roughly the same size by recess 32 with attracting side valve body 36 to surround the area of space that forms.And the application of force of coil spring 44 acts on the direction of the volume reducing that makes the 45a of pressure accumulating chamber.

And as shown in Figure 1, the 2nd stream forms the air flow circuit 46 of the recess 34 of parts 28 through two bursts of shape branches, is connected with atmosphere opening mechanism 48 with the depression generator 47 that is made up 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 through 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 that is formed parts 28 by the 2nd stream surrounds the area of space of the variable volume that forms with diaphragm 37, 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 through 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 inversion driving, move based on the cam mechanism 55 that moves through the driving force of not shown one-way clutch transmission, through the action of 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 through 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 in each of with each ink look corresponding respectively a plurality of ink-feeding devices 14, depression generator 47, atmosphere opening mechanism 48 is set and drives their CD-ROM drive motor 49 for example, 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; Can open and close the ball valve 39 of the 3rd stream 15c in the ink flow path 15 of ink-feeding device 14; Be in by force application part (not shown) application of force of correspondence and be in the state that closes valve position, and atmosphere opening mechanism 48 is in the valve state that closes that atmospheric open valve 53 has sealed atmosphere opening hole 50.

Beginning from such state shown in Figure 1, when print cartridge 13 side direction record heads 12 sides are supplied with ink, at first driving, making CD-ROM drive motor 49 just change driving in order pump 43 to be carried out pump by ink-feeding device 14.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 through 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 (a)) 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 through making the direction displacement of diaphragm 37 to the volume increase of pump chamber 43a.Particularly and since diaphragm 37 from lower dead point position shown in Figure 1 to the upper dead center position displacement shown in Fig. 2 (a), so, become negative pressure state in the pump chamber 43a.The size of the negative pressure that produces in the pump chamber 43a in addition, changes according to the speed of diaphragm 37 displacements.That is,, when the volume of pump chamber 43a sharply increases, compare when gently increasing for a long time, can produce big negative pressure hastily with cost when the lower dead point position from diaphragm 37 carries out to the displacement of upper dead center position at short notice rapidly.

And; Act on the recess 33 of the upside that attracts side valve 41 through the second stream 15b by the negative pressure of pump 43 generations; According to the recess of downside 30 in the pressure differential of ink pressure, make the power that applies that attracts side valve body 36 to overcome coil spring 40, to top (being valve opening position) strain (displacement).

The result; Attract side valve body 36 approaching with the inner bottom surface of recess 33; In recess 33, the flow path resistance that is in the second stream 15b that ink can pass through with first flow velocity increases, and the state that the first stream 15a and the second stream 15b is communicated with through the through hole 36a that attracts side valve body 36.Therefore, ink is interior via the first stream 15a, recess 30, through hole 36a, recess 33, the second stream 15b from print cartridge 13, and (second flow velocity) is attracted in the pump chamber 43a under the repressed state of its flow velocity.

In addition, the addendum modification that attracts side valve body 36 is determined by the pressure of the second stream 15b pressure differential with the pressure of the first stream 15a.That is, if diaphragm 37 rapid displacements, the negative pressure of the second stream 15b increases, and then attracts the addendum modification of side valve body 36 to increase, and attracts side valve body 36 that coil spring 40 is shunk, and is indexed to the upper dead center position shown in Fig. 2 (a).On the other hand, when diaphragm 37 displacement gently, attract side valve body 36 to be indexed to the degree of the state that the first stream 15a and the second stream 15b be connected through through hole 36a.Therefore, in recess 33, the sectional area of the second stream 15b reduces when the rapid displacement of diaphragm 37, and its flow path resistance increases.And, hour to compare with the negative pressure variation of the second stream 15b, the reaction speed that the attraction side valve body 36 of this moment begins to be indexed to till the end is faster when negative pressure variation is big, and flow path resistance increases fast.

On the other hand, when the attraction of this pump 43 drove, the negative pressure of pump chamber 43a also acted on the downstream of leaning on the ink flow path 15 in downstream than pump chamber 43a through the 3rd stream 15c, that is, and and the 3rd stream 15c.But; Downstream at the 3rd stream 15c; Ball valve 39 is in to closing the valve direction by the state of the application of force, and this closes the valve state and is set to, only otherwise drive from the ejection based on pump 43 of the upstream side of the 3rd stream 15c; The ink ejection of the malleation that 39 effects are stipulated to ball valve (the for example above pressure of 3kpa) is pressed, and does not just shift to opening the valve state.Therefore, in this case, ball valve 39 closes the valve state owing to be applied negative pressure so keep this.

Then, under the state shown in Fig. 2 (a), CD-ROM drive motor 49 carries out inversion driving.So, the action of the cam mechanism 55 through atmosphere opening mechanism 48, atmospheric open valve 53 overcomes the spring force of coil spring 54 and 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. 2 (b)) downwards.So along with the volume of the 43b of this negative pressure chamber increases, the pump chamber 43a of the pump of dividing through diaphragm 37 and the 43b of negative pressure chamber 43 reduces volume on the contrary.

That is, pump 43 sprays driving through making the direction displacement of diaphragm 37 to the volume reducing of pump chamber 43a.Particularly, shown in Fig. 2 (b), diaphragm 37 is some to the direction displacement of lower dead point position from upper dead center position, with the pressure of stipulating (the for example pressure about 30kpa) ink that attracted in the pump chamber 43a is pressurizeed.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 through 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 through the valve events that closes that attracts side valve body 36; Make from the suction via the ink that attract side valve 41 of print cartridge 13 and stop to pump chamber 43a; 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 through the 3rd stream 15c from the pressure (the 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 ball valve 39 that closes the valve state and opens valve events, makes recess 32 by the ejection side valve body 38 of ejection side valve 45 and downside surround the 45a of pressure accumulating chamber that forms and passes through the 3rd stream 15c and be communicated with pump chamber 43a.As a result, ink passes through the 3rd stream 15c in pump chamber 43a, supply with in the 45a of pressure accumulating chamber of ejection side valve 45 with pressurized state.

So in ejection side valve 45, based on the pressurized pressure that supplies to the ink in the 45a of pressure accumulating chamber, ejection side valve body 38 overcomes the spring force of coil spring 44, to top (being valve opening position) strain (displacement).As a result, shown in Fig. 2 (b), in the 45a of pressure accumulating chamber, ink is stored with the pressure accumulation state.Wherein, The spring force of the coil spring 44 in the ejection side valve 45 for example is set to about 13kpa; Thereby when ink flow in the 45a of pressure accumulating chamber with the ejection pressure that can make ball valve 39 drive valve, can make ejection side valve body 38 based on the pressure of this ink to the top strain.

Then; Will be through 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 the upside of side valve 41 to lean on the state of equilibrium in each stream zone (comprising pump chamber 43a and the 45a of pressure accumulating chamber) in downstream.That is, in the 45a of pressure accumulating chamber, 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 45a of this pressure accumulating chamber is communicated with the 4th stream 15d.

Then, when ink from record head 12 when target (not shown) is sprayed, the ink of the component of the exhausted amount of ink that is equivalent to spray along with this ink is supplied with to record head 12 sides in ink flow path 15 through valve cell 17.Therefore; Consumption of ink along with this downstream (record head 12 sides); The ink of respective amount is from pump chamber 43a; Be based on the pressing force that has been applied under the effect of spring force of spring 42 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 via the 45a of pressure accumulating chamber.

As a result, shown in Fig. 3 (a), the volume in the pump chamber 43a reduces gradually, and final, diaphragm 37 is indexed near the lower dead point position.And, at this moment, be maintained at the state of the isostasy about 13kpa in the pump chamber 43a and in the 45a of pressure accumulating chamber, therefore, be in ejection side valve body 38 and be positioned at upper dead center position, and the volume of the 45a of pressure accumulating chamber is retained as maximum state.

So; Drive motors 49 is just being changeed driving once more, and 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, shown in Fig. 3 (b), 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 this action of negative pressure, attract side valve body 36 to valve opening position strain (displacement).Therefore, the state that the state that the 1st stream 15a and the 2nd stream 15b become to be increased with its flow path resistance through the through hole 36a that attracts side valve body 36 is communicated with, ink attracted in the pump chamber 43a with the state that has suppressed flow velocity in print cartridge 13 once more.

On the other hand, low leaning among the 45a of pressure accumulating chamber in downstream through the pressure in the 45a of pressure ratio pressure accumulating chamber in the pump chamber 43a than pump chamber 43a, make ball valve 39 be indexed to and close valve position.Therefore, in the 45a of pressure accumulating chamber,,, the attraction of pump 43, continues the record head 12 forced feed inks of side downstream in driving also through the 4th stream 15d along with ejection side valve body 38 is pushed by coil spring 44.After, drive through the ejection of carrying out with above-mentioned same pump 43, make ink in the pump chamber 43a via the pressurized record head 12 that supplies to of the 45a of pressure accumulating chamber in downstream.

Ink-feeding device 14 and printer 11 according to above-mentioned first embodiment can obtain following effect.

(1) if owing to makes pump 43 attract to drive; Then the volume of pump chamber 43a changes to the direction that increases; Leaning on generation negative pressure in the ink flow path 15 of upstream side than pump chamber 43a, so through this ink flow path 15, ink is attracted in the pump chamber 43a from the upstream side that becomes print cartridge 13 sides.At this moment, when the speed of the volume-variation of pump chamber 43a is fast, in ink flow path 15; Attract ink from print cartridge 13 with fast flow velocity; But owing to attract the speed of side valve 41 according to the volume-variation of pump chamber 43a, the flow path resistance of change ink flow path 15 is so the flow velocity of such ink is lowered.That is, because the flow velocity of the ink when print cartridge 13 attracted in the ink flow path 15 is when this flow velocity is too fast, flow path resistance increases, so be reduced for the flow velocity of the degree of sneaking into that can suppress gas.And when the speed of the volume-variation of pump chamber 43a was slow, flow path resistance can not increase so, and how flow velocity also is lowered hardly.Therefore, in the time of suppressing in ink flow path 15, to attract the attraction of the pump 43 of ink to drive from print cartridge 13 gas to the sneaking into of ink flow path 15, and the driving efficient of holding pump 43 well.

(2) if the speed of the volume-variation of pump chamber 43a is fast, then the negative pressure to the second stream 15b effect increases.Therefore, be accompanied by the size of this negative pressure, the flow velocity of ink accelerates.And the addendum modification that attracts side valve body 36 is by the pressure reduction decision of the pressure of the pressure of the second stream 15b and the first stream 15a.That is,, then attract the addendum modification of side valve body 36 to increase, attract side valve body 36 that coil spring 40 is shunk, be indexed to upper dead center position if the negative pressure of the second stream 15b increases.And,, hour compare for the reaction speed that begins to be indexed to end at this moment attraction side valve body 36 with the negative pressure of the second stream 15b, faster in the time of big, flow path resistance increases sharply.Therefore, be applied in the direction flow path resistance that postpones and offset, so when the flow velocity of ink accelerates more, reduce more fast owing to act on the part of negative pressure of the direction of acceleration.Therefore, owing to attracted to ink in the ink flow path 15 when its flow velocity accelerates, by attracting side valve 41 that flow velocity is reduced fast, so can effectively suppress sneaking into of gas from print cartridge 13.

On the other hand, compare during with rapid increase when the increase of the volume of pump chamber 43a is carried out gently, it is mild that the negative pressure variation of the second stream 15b becomes.Therefore, attract side valve body 36 gently to be indexed to out valve position, ink is attracted to pump chamber 43a side through through hole 36a., because in this recess 33, the variation of sectional area of the second stream 15b that is accompanied by the displacement that attracts side valve body 36 is little, and makes the reaction speed of flow path resistance change also slow, so the flow path resistance of ink flow path 15 does not sharply increase.Therefore, can further suppress its flow velocity to the ink that flows by little vacuum suction, with lower-speed state is hindered.

(3) if make the attraction side valve body 36 that attracts in the side valve 41, then can reduce the flow velocity of ink simply through the flow path resistance of this increase to the direction displacement that the flow path resistance of ink flow path 15 increases.

(4) drive if be accompanied by the attraction of pump 43; Contrast pump chamber 43a leans on the ink flow path 15 interior effect negative pressure of upstream side; Then be arranged on and have flexual attraction side valve body 36 according to making the mode strain that narrows down in the ink flow path 15 in the ink flow path 15, flow path resistance is increased.Therefore, do not use complicated structure, use simple structure, just can change flow path resistance according to the speed of the variation of the volume of pump chamber 43a.

(5) attract side valve body 36 when the attraction of pump 43 drives, as only allow from upstream side downstream the check valve of side through ink work.Therefore,, can cut down number of components, and can when the ejection driving of pump 43,, suppress the adverse current of ink to print cartridge 13 sides through attracting side valve body 36 through with the inscape dual-purpose of this check valve as attraction side valve 41.

(second embodiment)

Below, with reference to Fig. 4 second embodiment of the present invention is described.Wherein, because the difference of second embodiment and first embodiment only is that changed the shape that attracts side valve 41, other structures have, thus same component part is paid identical symbol, and omit detailed explanation.

As shown in Figure 4; When the attraction side valve body 36 of this embodiment is positioned at upper dead center position; Become opening portion and the inner face butt of recess 33 of the downstream of through hole 36a, the through hole 36a that is in a part that forms ink flow path 15 is by the state of obturation (with reference to Fig. 4 (c)).And; In the outside that attracts side valve body 36 with the face of the opposed side of the inner face of recess 33; Be formed with and attracting side valve body 36 to be positioned at upper dead center position; Under the state of the inner face butt of recess 33, upstream extremity is connected with through hole 36a, and the ink flow path groove 36b as throttling formation portion that is connected with the second stream 15b of downstream.In addition, the sectional area of the sectional area ratio through hole 36a of ink flow path groove 36b is littler.

The attraction side valve 41 of such structure than the power that applies of coil spring 40 hour, shown in Fig. 4 (a), through attracting the inner bottom surface butt of side valve body 36 and recess 30, becomes the valve state that closes in the negative pressure of the second stream 15b.

And if pump 43 is attracted driving, the volume of pump chamber 43a increases; And the negative pressure of the second stream 15b than coil spring 40 to apply power big; Then shown in Fig. 4 (b), attract side valve body 36 to become out the valve state, approach the inner bottom surface of recess 33; In recess 33, the sectional area of the second stream 15b narrows down.Then,, then attract side valve body 36 shown in Fig. 4 (c), be indexed to the upper dead center position with the inner bottom surface butt of recess 33, become the state of inaccessible ink flow path 15 if the volume of pump chamber 43a further increases.

, under this situation, also allow ink through being formed on the ink flow path groove 36b that attracts side valve body 36 from upstream side passing through of side downstream.Therefore, the first stream 15a and the second stream 15b become connected state by through hole 36a and ink flow path groove 36b, and especially in ink flow path groove 36b, flow path resistance increases.

Therefore, the size regardless of the negative pressure that is produced by pump 43 does not attract ink to pump chamber 43a stagnantly, if the diaphragm 37 of pump 43 is indexed near the upper dead center position, then pump is switched to the ejection driving.Therefore, the second stream 15b is applied malleation, shown in Fig. 4 (a), attract side valve 41 displacements to close the valve state once more.

According to above-mentioned second embodiment, the effect except (1)～(5) of first embodiment can also obtain following effect.

(6) owing to attract the direction displacement of side valve body 36 to inaccessible ink flow path 15, so be accompanied by the displacement that attracts side valve body 36, the flow velocity of the ink that in ink flow path 15, flows descends., increase in the displacement that attracts side valve body 36, inaccessible under the situation of ink flow path 15, ink is also through the slow side shifting downstream of ink flow path groove 36b, on one side can suppress sneaking into of gas, on one side to pump chamber 43a supply ink.

(7) can supply with the ink of sneaking into that has suppressed gas to record head 12 through ink-feeding device 14.Therefore, when from record head 12 injection inks, can suppress obstruction and wait the bad generation of injection that causes.

In addition, above-mentioned embodiment also can change as follows.

Shown in Fig. 5 (a) and (b), reduce mechanism and flow path resistance change mechanism as flow velocity, also can by in the ink flow path 15 of upstream side the tongue piece portion 56 (first variation) as the displacement parts be set than pump 43.That is, the tongue piece portion 56 of this first variation makes than the little discoid elastomeric element of the sectional area of ink flow path 15 the front end bending that falls down of side upstream from tab-like the becoming of the inner face of ink flow path 15.When the flow velocity of the ink that tongue piece portion 56 flows through in ink flow path 15 was slow, shown in solid line, front did not erect in Fig. 5 (a) and (b); Keep crooked shape; And flow velocity is when fast, and shown in double dot dash line, front erects in Fig. 5 (a) and (b); The sectional area of ink flow path 15 is narrowed down, increase the flow path resistance of ink flow path 15.

Promptly; In ink flow path 15, tongue piece portion 56 is configured to from the ink that passes through stressed in the direction that erects, but when the flow velocity of ink is slow; Compare with the power that receives from the ink that passes through; Because it is bigger to keep self elastic force of curved shape, so tongue piece portion 56 does not make front erect, the flow path resistance of ink flow path 15 is also little.On the other hand, when flow velocity was fast, because that the force rate that receives from the ink that passes through is kept self elastic force of curved shape is bigger, so tongue piece portion 56 erects, the flow path resistance of ink flow path 15 increased.In this first variation, the flow velocity that also can be accompanied by the ink that in the ink flow path 15 of ink, flows accelerates, and flow path resistance is increased.

As shown in Figure 6; Ink barrel that strain also can take place by having pliability etc. forms ink flow path 15; Through by the hold assembly 57 cramping ink flow paths 15 that outside ink flow path 15, are provided with, make the sectional area of ink flow path 15 change (second variation) as the displacement parts.According to this second variation, not be used in the special structure of ink flow path 15 set inside, just can change flow path resistance.

Also can attract side valve body 36 to be indexed to upper dead center position, when becoming the state of inaccessible through hole 36a, form ink flow path groove 36b at position (inner face on Jimo current road 15) with second stream formation parts, 28 sides that attract butt above the side valve body 36.And, when in first variation, having used the tongue piece portion 56 of size that can inaccessible ink flow path 15, also can form ink flow path groove 36b in the part that the part of the ora terminalis of tongue piece portion 56 or the stream that constitutes ink flow path 15 form the inner face of parts.And; In above-mentioned embodiment and first and second variation; When attracting side valve body 36 to be indexed to upper dead center position, when becoming the state of inaccessible through hole 36a, in order between the inner face of outside that attracts side valve body 36 and ink flow path 15, to guarantee the gap; Can projection be set at least one side of the inner face of outside that attracts side valve body 36 and ink flow path 15, guarantee to form ink flow path groove 36b.

Attract side valve 41 as the parts that provide the power that applies that attracts side valve body 36 application of forces, for example can use the force application part beyond leaf spring, coil spring and the rubber etc.According to such force application part, the device of keeping the power of applying need not be set in addition, just can keep the power that applies to attracting side valve body 36 to pay.In addition, same, conduct provides the parts of diaphragm 37 with the power that applies of ejection side valve body 38 application of forces pump 43 with the 45a of pressure accumulating chamber, for example also can use the force application part beyond leaf spring, coil spring and the rubber etc.And, according to such force application part, can irrespectively keep the power that applies that the ink in pump chamber 43a and the 45a of pressure accumulating chamber is paid with the driving condition of depression generator 47.

Only allow from upstream side downstream side can independently constitute through the check valve of ink and the displacement parts of change flow path resistance.

As attracting side valve body 36, can use magnetic valve.Like this,, make the mode that attracts side valve body 36 to drive valve carry out Electromagnetic Control, then can make to be accompanied by this and to drive valve and open flow path cross sectional area changes, variable flow path resistance if according to volume-variation according to pump chamber 43a.

Lean on the flow path resistance of ink flow path 15 in upstream side and downstream different through making than pump 43, perhaps to the print cartridge 13 additional structures that suppress adverse currents, ink-feeding device 14 can become be not provided with only permission from upstream side downstream side pass through the structure of the check valve of ink.

Can flow path resistance be changed through the concavo-convex or direction of advance in the change stream.In addition, can be through in the different a plurality of streams of flow path resistance, the stream that selection is passed through according to flow velocity changes flow path resistance.And, even the identical stream of flow path resistance through selecting a plurality of streams, also can change its flow velocity.

The speed of the volume-variation of pump chamber 43a can not have dependency relation with the reaction speed that makes the flow path resistance change yet.

Reduce mechanism as flow velocity, can directly control the displacement speed of diaphragm 37.

Pump 43 can use the piston through ability back and forth movement in the 43b of negative pressure chamber, directly pushes pump chamber 43a, and is accompanied by back and forth movement, makes the piston pump of the volume-variation in the pump chamber 43a.And the volume-variation of pump chamber also can be in gear pump, and the part that is communicated with the attraction mouth of pump is accompanied by the driving of pump, the variation that its volume is increased.

As the drive source of pump 43, can not depression generator 47, and the application of pressure generating means.In addition, also can not the compression spring as the coil spring 42 of force application part, and use extension spring.In addition, also can the coil spring 42 of compression spring be set in pump chamber 43a side not in the 43b of negative pressure chamber side.In addition; When under the situation of such variation, making pump 43 attract to drive; Utilize the power that applies of these springs; Diaphragm 37 makes the volume increase ground displacement of pump chamber 43a, and when pump 43 ejections are driven, from recess 34 (embodiment be negative pressure chamber 43b) the importing forced air of pressurization generating means to the upside of pump 43.

In addition, can substitute such depression generator 47 and pressurization generating means, and use cam mechanism as the mechanism that makes diaphragm 37 displacements.That is,, fixedly be formed with the base end part of the traction element of fastener for example for the diaphragm of pushing by the coil spring 42 of compression spring 37.Then, through making the fastener butt of cam part and traction element, make diaphragm 37 displacements by this traction element.In addition, but when using extension spring, the fixing base end part of pressing component on diaphragm 37 utilizes cam part that leading section is pressed into diaphragm 37 sides.

Wherein, " liquid " in this specification comprises other liquid (comprising inorganic solvent, organic solvent, solution, aqueous resin, aqueous metal (molten metal) etc.) beyond the ink, in liquid, disperses or mixed the aqueous body and the such stream shape body of gel of the particle of functional material.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 through micropore to the liquid injection apparatus of precision optical machinery jet lubrications such as clock and watch and camera oil, 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 stream shape body injection apparatus that liquid injection apparatus and the injection gel (for example physical gel) etc. of etching solutions such as acid or alkali flow the shape body in order substrate etc. to be 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 other liquid beyond the ink.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 solids 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 ink and the liquid crystal of explanation 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 through micropore to the liquid injection apparatus of precision optical machinery jet lubrications such as clock and watch and camera oil, in order to be formed on the small packaged lens (optical lens) used in the optical communication device etc. etc. on substrate the liquid injection apparatus of transparent resin such as injection ultraviolet curable resin, in order substrate etc. to be 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;

The part that this liquid is supplied with stream is as pump chamber, the pump that drives by the mode of the volume in this pump chamber of change; With

When this pump drives the attraction of the volume increase of said pump chamber; Speed according to the volume-variation of said pump chamber; Change said liquid and supply with the flow path resistance of stream, make the flow velocity reduction mechanism that supplies with the flow velocity reduction of the liquid that passes through in the stream at the said liquid that leans on upstream side than this pump chamber thus.

2. fluid Supplying apparatus is characterized in that possessing:

The part that this liquid is supplied with stream is as pump chamber, the pump that drives according to the mode of the volume in this pump chamber of change; With

When this pump drives the attraction of the volume increase of said pump chamber; Speed according to the volume-variation of said pump chamber; Change leans on upstream side, liquid can supply with the flow path resistance of stream with the said liquid that first flow velocity passes through than said pump chamber, and the flow velocity that makes the flow velocity of supplying with the liquid of stream through said liquid be reduced to second flow velocity slower than said first flow velocity thus reduces mechanism.

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

Said flow velocity reduces mechanism when the speed of the volume-variation of said pump chamber is fast, compares when slow with the speed of the volume-variation of this pump chamber, and it is faster to make said liquid supply with the reaction speed of flow path resistance change of stream.

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

Said flow velocity reduces mechanism and comprises the displacement parts that the flow path resistance ground that can change said liquid supply stream carries out displacement.

5. fluid Supplying apparatus is characterized in that possessing:

When the attraction that the volume of said pump chamber is increased at this pump drove, according to the speed of the volume-variation of said pump chamber, change was changed mechanism than the flow path resistance that this pump chamber leans on the said liquid of upstream side to supply with the flow path resistance of stream.

6. fluid Supplying apparatus according to claim 5 is characterized in that,

Supply with the flow velocity of the liquid of stream through the said liquid that has changed flow path resistance by said flow path resistance change mechanism, than slow before the said flow path resistance change mechanism change flow path resistance.

7. according to claim 5 or 6 described fluid Supplying apparatus, it is characterized in that,

Said flow path resistance change mechanism compares when slow with the speed of the volume-variation of this pump chamber when the speed of the volume-variation of said pump chamber is fast, and it is faster to make said liquid supply with the reaction speed of flow path resistance change of stream.

8. according to claim 5 or 6 described fluid Supplying apparatus, it is characterized in that,

Said flow path resistance change mechanism comprises the displacement parts that the flow path resistance ground that can change said liquid supply stream carries out displacement.

9. fluid Supplying apparatus according to claim 4 is characterized in that,

Said displacement parts are configured to be indexed to said liquid and supply with the position of the interior said pump chamber of ratio of stream by upstream side, during the negative pressure that has produced having received the attraction that is accompanied by said pump to drive, by making said liquid supply with the mode displacement that narrows down in the stream.

10. fluid Supplying apparatus according to claim 9 is characterized in that,

Said displacement parts are by supply with closing valve position and making it open open free to deflect between the valve position of stream at the said liquid of obturation; And always by with the regulation the power that applies to the direction application of force of closing valve position; And during the negative pressure that has produced having received the attraction that is accompanied by said pump to drive; Overcome the said power of applying; Constitute to the valve body of the direction displacement of driving valve position, in this valve body, be formed with when when opening the direction displacement of valve position, allowing said liquid from the upstream side through hole that passes through of side downstream from closing valve position.

11. according to any described fluid Supplying apparatus in claim 4 or 9～10, it is characterized in that,

At least one side in the inner face that the outside and the said liquid of said displacement parts are supplied with stream; Be provided with the direction displacement that increases to the said flow path resistance that makes this liquid supply with stream when said displacement parts; When becoming the state of said liquid supply stream obturation, allow the throttling formation portion of leaning on the liquid between upstream side and the downstream to pass through than said displacement parts.

12. a liquid injection apparatus is characterized in that possessing:

The jet head liquid of atomizing of liquids and in the claim 1～11 of this jet head liquid feed fluid any described fluid Supplying apparatus.