JP2009023233A - Formation of flow passage of fluid - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To restrain leakage of fluid in formation of a flow passage of the fluid. <P>SOLUTION: A fluid flow passage forming device is provided with a needle part and a guide part. The needle part is arranged in a first flow passage member, and is inserted into a flow-passage port arranged in a second flow passage member, and thereby, a flow passage close part in the flow-passage port is opened. The guide part is arranged in the first flow passage member, and is provided with a guide surface parallel to an axial direction of the needle part. The guide part is constituted so that the guide surface is substantially abutted to a surface of the second flow passage member parallel to an axial direction of the flow passage port during relative movement of the first flow passage member and the second flow passage member when the needle part is inserted into the flow passage port. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to the formation of fluid flow paths.

  In a printer, a configuration is known in which an ink supply needle is inserted into an ink outlet of an ink bag containing ink to form an ink supply channel for supplying ink in the ink bag to a recording head (for example, a patent) Reference 1).

JP 2002-273909 A

  In the conventional configuration described above, when the ink supply needle is inserted into the ink outlet of the ink bag, the relative position and angle between the ink outlet and the ink supply needle may be shifted, which may cause ink leakage. .

  Such a problem is not limited to the case where the ink supply needle is inserted into the ink outlet of the ink bag to form the ink supply flow path in the printer, but is a common problem when the fluid flow path is formed. It was.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for suppressing fluid leakage in forming a fluid flow path.

  In order to solve at least a part of the above problems, the present invention can be realized as the following forms or application examples.

Application Example 1 An apparatus for forming a fluid flow path,
A needle part that is disposed in the first flow path member and that is inserted into the flow path port disposed in the second flow path member to open the flow path closing portion in the flow path port;
A guide portion disposed on the first flow path member and having a guide surface parallel to the axial direction of the needle portion,
In the relative movement of the first flow path member and the second flow path member when the needle portion is inserted into the flow path port, the guide portion is configured such that the guide surface is in the axial direction of the flow path port. The apparatus is configured to be substantially in contact with the surface of the second flow path member parallel to the surface.

  In this apparatus, during the relative movement between the first flow path member and the second flow path member when the needle portion is inserted into the flow path port, the second flow path whose guide surface is parallel to the axial direction of the flow path port. It will be in the state which touched the surface of the road member substantially. Here, the guide surface is a surface parallel to the axial direction of the needle portion. Therefore, in this apparatus, the axial direction of the flow path opening and the axial direction of the needle portion are in parallel with each other during the relative movement. Therefore, when the needle part is inserted into the flow path port, occurrence of a relative angle shift between the needle part and the flow path port can be suppressed, and fluid leakage can be suppressed.

Application Example 2 The apparatus according to Application Example 1,
The guide portion is configured such that the guide surface includes at least one set of points facing each other across the needle portion.

  In this apparatus, the second flow path member can be positioned along the linear direction connecting the one set of points by the guide surface at the position of the one set of points. Therefore, when the needle part is inserted into the flow path port, the occurrence of relative positional deviation between the needle part and the flow path port can be suppressed, and the fluid leakage can be suppressed better.

[Application Example 3] The apparatus according to Application Example 1,
The guide unit is configured such that the guide surface includes at least three apexes of a triangle including the position of the needle unit on a predetermined plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the needle unit.

  In this apparatus, the second flow path member can be positioned by the guide surfaces at the positions of the three apexes. Therefore, when the needle part is inserted into the flow path port, the occurrence of relative positional deviation between the needle part and the flow path port can be suppressed, and the fluid leakage can be suppressed better.

Application Example 4 The apparatus according to any one of Application Example 1 to Application Example 3,
The second flow path member has a cylindrical portion having the surface parallel to the axial direction of the flow path port as a side surface,
The said guide part is an apparatus with which the said guide surface is comprised so that it may become at least one part of the side surface of the cylinder containing the said column-shaped part.

  In this device, the side surface and the guide surface of the cylindrical portion of the second flow path member during the relative movement of the first flow path member and the second flow path member when the needle portion is inserted into the flow path port Can form a substantially in contact state.

Application Example 5 The apparatus according to any one of Application Example 1 to Application Example 4,
The said guide part has the said guide surface located in the said 2nd flow-path member side rather than the front-end | tip of the said needle part along the axial direction of the said needle part.

  In this device, the position of the second flow path member is determined by the guide surface before the needle portion contacts the second flow path member. Therefore, when the needle part is inserted into the flow path port, it is possible to better suppress the occurrence of a relative angle and position shift between the needle part and the flow path port, and to prevent the needle part from being damaged or deformed. Can be suppressed.

Application Example 6 The apparatus according to any one of Application Example 1 to Application Example 5,
A plurality of the needle portions and the guide portions corresponding to the second flow path members for a plurality of fluids;
The plurality of second flow path members have upstream engaging portions having different shapes,
Each of the plurality of guide portions includes a downstream engagement portion formed to engage only with the upstream engagement portion of the second flow path member corresponding to the guide portion.

  In this device, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of erroneous connection in which a needle part different from the needle part corresponding to the second flow path member is inserted into the flow path port of the second flow path member.

Application Example 7 The apparatus according to any one of Application Example 1 to Application Example 6,
The apparatus is configured such that the guide portion can support a cover that covers the needle portion without bringing the cover into contact with the needle portion.

  In this apparatus, it is possible to satisfactorily suppress the adhesion of dust to the needle portion before the needle portion is inserted into the second flow path member.

  The present invention can be realized in various modes, for example, a fluid flow path forming method and apparatus, a fluid supply method and apparatus, a fluid ejection method and apparatus, a fluid flow path connection method and apparatus, and a printing method. Further, the present invention can be realized in the form of a device, a method for manufacturing the device, and the like.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order based on examples.
A. First embodiment:
B. Second embodiment:
C. Third embodiment:
D. Variations:

A. First embodiment:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a printer 10 as a first embodiment of the present invention. The printer 10 is an ink jet printer that records characters and figures by ejecting ink droplets onto a printing paper 900 that is a recording medium.

  The printer 10 includes a main body housing 20 that houses a printing mechanism unit 50 that is a fluid ejection unit that ejects ink droplets onto the printing paper 900. The main body casing 20 includes the paper feed tray 12 for introducing the printing paper 900 supplied to the printing mechanism section 50 into the main body casing 20, and the printing paper 900 discharged from the printing mechanism section 50. A paper discharge tray 14 led out to the outside of 20 is provided. A detailed configuration of the printing mechanism unit 50 will be described later.

  The main body housing 20 accommodates a control unit 40 that controls each unit of the printer 10. In this embodiment, the control unit 40 includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (Read Only Memory, ROM), and a random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM). ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuits). Software that implements various functions of the printer 10 is installed in the control unit 40.

  On the upper surface of the main body housing 20, an upper housing 30 that is a housing case for housing a plurality of ink packs 310 is disposed. The upper housing 30 is coupled to the main body housing 20 so as to be openable and closable around the rotation shaft 350. Each of the plurality of ink packs 310 functioning as an ink supply source contains liquid inks of different colors. The ink pack 310 corresponds to the second flow path member in the present invention.

  In this embodiment, the ink pack 310 is formed as a flat bag having a substantially rectangular plane having a substantially elliptical cross section by a flexible sheet, and has a pack port 60 capable of deriving ink disposed on one short side. . The detailed configuration of the pack port 60 will be described later. In this embodiment, the plurality of ink packs 310 are held in a state in which one long side is lifted and obliquely overlapped. In the present embodiment, four ink packs 310 corresponding to four color inks of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow are accommodated in the upper housing 30. The number of ink packs 310 and the color of the ink stored in the ink pack 310 can be set variously. For example, six ink packs 310 corresponding to a total of six colors of ink, including light cyan and light magenta added to the above four colors. May be accommodated in the upper housing 30.

  The upper housing 30 is provided with an ink supply unit 330 to which the pack port 60 of the ink pack 310 is connected. The ink supply unit 330 corresponds to the first flow path member in the present invention.

  Connected to the ink supply unit 330 is a supply tube 340 that forms an ink flow path that guides the ink drawn from the ink pack 310 to the ink supply unit 330 toward the printing mechanism unit 50. The supply tube 340 forms four ink flow paths corresponding to the four ink packs 310. A joint 410 is provided in the middle of the supply tube 340. Since the portion of the supply tube 340 closer to the printing mechanism portion 50 than the joint 410 has a curved portion, as will be described later, it is formed of a relatively flexible material (for example, a polyethylene elastomer). In addition, a portion of the supply tube 340 closer to the ink supply unit 330 than the joint 410 is formed of a material with relatively low flexibility (for example, polypropylene).

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a state where the upper housing 30 is closed. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 with the upper housing 30 opened. As shown in FIG. 3, the upper housing 30 is coupled to the main body housing 20 so as to be openable and closable around a rotation shaft 350. By opening the upper housing 30, the upper part of the printing mechanism unit 50 accommodated in the main body housing 20 is exposed. Therefore, in the printer 10 of this embodiment, the degree of freedom of the position where the ink pack 310 is arranged can be improved, and the upper housing 30 that houses the ink pack 310 can be used as a cover of the printing mechanism unit 50. The printing mechanism unit 50 accommodated in the main body housing 20 can be easily maintained.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom portion of the upper housing 30 (lower housing 360 described later) has a shape in which a portion where the ink pack 310 is installed protrudes downward. Thereby, the space in the upper housing | casing 30 for installation of the ink pack 310 can be increased. The printer 10 according to the present embodiment is a so-called off-carriage printer in which the ink container is disposed separately from the carriage of the printing mechanism unit 50. Therefore, the ink container is disposed on the carriage. Compared with a so-called on-carriage printer, the height of the printing mechanism unit 50 can be reduced. Therefore, in the printer 10 of the present embodiment, it is relatively easy to make a part of the lower housing 360 protrude downward without interfering with the printing mechanism unit 50. Accordingly, for example, an existing on-carriage printer housing having a scanner mechanism in a portion corresponding to the upper housing 30 can be used as the housing of the printer 10 of the present embodiment with only minor changes. Is possible.

  The upper housing 30 includes a lower housing 360 that forms the inner bottom surface of the upper housing 30 and an upper housing 370 that forms the inner ceiling of the upper housing 30. In the lower housing 360, a plurality of holder guides 362, which are part of the inner bottom surface formed by the lower housing 360, are arranged substantially parallel to the rotation shaft 350 and at substantially equal intervals.

  Inside the upper housing 30, a plurality of holders 380 on which ink packs 310 are placed are installed. The holder 380 includes an inclined plate 381 that is inclined with respect to the holder guide 362. The ink pack 310 is placed on the upper surface of the inclined plate 381 of the holder 380 so that one flat surface of the flat bag portion of the ink pack 310 contacts. In the present embodiment, the ink pack 310 is bonded with a double-sided tape on at least a part of the surface of the holder 380 that contacts the inclined plate 381. A base portion 382 that can be inserted into the holder guide 362 is formed below the inclined plate 381 in the holder 380. After the base portion 382 of the holder 380 is inserted into the holder guide 362, as will be described later, the base portion 382 is fastened and fixed to the lower housing 360 with fixing screws 388 and 389 which are fastening members. The plurality of holders 380 are arranged inside the lower housing 360 in a state where the inclined plate 381 of one holder 380 overlaps the ink pack 310 placed on the other holder 380 adjacent on the inclined plate 381 side. They are arranged side by side along the bottom. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the inclined plate 381 of the holder 380 is inclined with respect to the holder guide 362 of the lower housing 360 by the inclination angle θh from the closed state of the upper housing 30 to the open state. In this embodiment, the movable angle θc at which the upper housing 30 can be opened and closed about the rotation shaft 350 is about 45 degrees, whereas the inclination angle θh of the inclined plate 381 with respect to the holder guide 362 is about 40 degrees. is there.

  Thus, in this embodiment, since each of the ink packs 310 is placed on the inclined plate 381 of the holder 380, the weight of the ink packs 310 is increased while efficiently storing the plurality of ink packs 310. It is possible to prevent the ink pack 310 from being stretched. Further, since the ink pack 310 is held from below through the closed state of the upper housing 30 from the closed state, the ink pack 310 can be prevented from being excessively pressed against the adjacent holder 380 by its own weight.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a joining configuration of the holder 380 and the lower housing 360. 4 (a) shows a perspective view of the holder 380, FIG. 4 (b) shows a perspective view of the lower housing 360, and FIG. 4 (c) shows a fitting portion between the holder 380 and the lower housing 360 ( The cross section of A1 part of FIG. 2 is shown. As shown in FIG. 4A, the holder 380 has two joint portions 395 at the position of the base portion 382. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, the lower housing 360 has two joints 365 at the position of the holder guide 362. The holder 380 is installed in the lower housing 360 while sliding in the lateral direction so that the joint 395 of the holder 380 and the joint 365 of the lower housing 360 are fitted. 4C, when the holder 380 is installed in the lower housing 360, the L-shaped portion 396 of the joining portion 395 of the holder 380 and the L-shaped portion 366 of the joining portion 365 of the lower housing 360 are fitted. Match. By this fitting, relative movement between the holder 380 and the lower housing 360 is suppressed. For this reason, for example, even when an impact is applied to the printer 10, the holder 380 can be prevented from being detached from the lower housing 360. Further, the deformation of the holder 380 and the lower housing 360 due to the influence of changes in the external temperature and humidity environment can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the back surface of the inclined plate 381 in the holder 380, a plate-like back surface auxiliary rib 384 along the ink pack 310 placed on the adjacent holder 380 is suspended. On the inner bottom surface of the lower housing 360, a plate-like holder erected toward the lower side of the inclined plate 381 in the holder 380 positioned at the end of the inclined plate 381 on the inclined side among the plurality of holders 380 arranged side by side. An auxiliary rib 364 is provided. In this embodiment, the upper portion of the holder auxiliary rib 364 contacts the back surface of the inclined plate 381 of the holder 380. By providing the holder auxiliary rib 364 upright, the holder 380 can be reinforced against the force in the direction in which the inclined plate 381 is inclined. On the inner ceiling of the upper housing 370, along the upper side of the ink pack 310 placed on the holder 380 located at the end opposite to the side on which the inclined plate 381 is inclined among the plurality of holders 380 arranged side by side. A plate-like end auxiliary rib 374 is vertically provided. The end auxiliary rib 374 can prevent the ink pack 310 placed on the holder 380 located at the end opposite to the side where the inclined plate 381 is inclined from being excessively deformed. On the inner ceiling of the upper housing 370, a plate-like intermediate auxiliary rib 376 is vertically suspended along a portion sandwiched between the two holders 380 above the ink pack 310 placed on the holder 380. . The intermediate auxiliary rib 376 can prevent the upper portion of the ink pack 310 that is not supported by the back surface of the inclined plate 381 of the adjacent holder from being excessively deformed. An engaging portion 373 that engages with the upper end portion 383 of the inclined plate 381 in the holder 380 is disposed on the inner ceiling of the upper housing 370. The engagement part 373 can suppress the holder 380 from being deformed excessively.

  FIG. 5 is a top view showing an internal configuration of the upper housing 30. As shown in FIG. 5, four holders 380 on which the ink packs 310 are placed are installed in the upper housing 30 so as to be folded on each other, and are fixed to the lower housing 360 with fixing screws 388 and 389. At this time, the pack port 60 of the ink pack 310 is inside the guide portion 302 of the ink supply portion 330, and the supply needle 320 is inserted. In this state, the supply needle 320 functions as a part of the ink flow path from the ink pack 310 to the printing mechanism unit 50. The ink supply unit 330 is provided with a guard plate 332 (indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 5) that covers the upper part of the connection part of the ink pack 310 with the pack port 60. The guard plate 332 has an opening 333 into which a tool for fastening a fixing screw 388 for fixing the holder 380 to the lower housing 360 can be inserted.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the ink supply unit 330. 6A shows a top view of the ink supply unit 330, and FIG. 6B shows a front view of the side of the ink supply unit 330 that faces the ink pack 310. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the ink supply unit 330. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the ink supply unit 330 includes a supply needle 320 that is inserted into a supply port 612 of the pack port 60 of the ink pack 310 described later. Four supply needles 320 are provided corresponding to the four ink packs 310. The supply needle 320 has a flow path that communicates with the supply tube 340.

  A substantially cylindrical guide part 302 is disposed around the supply needle 320. The guide portion 302 is formed such that the surface facing the supply needle 320 (the surface facing the hollow portion of the cylinder, hereinafter referred to as “guide surface 304”) is a surface parallel to the axial direction of the supply needle 320. Yes. As shown in FIG. 6B, the cross section of the guide portion 302 and the guide surface 304 perpendicular to the axial direction of the supply needle 320 is substantially the same as the center of the position of the supply needle 320, with a quarter portion missing. Circular shape. A reinforcing rib 306 is formed around the guide portion 302.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing how the holder 380 on which the ink pack 310 is placed is fixed inside the upper housing 30. A through hole 386 that penetrates and engages with the fixing screw 388 is formed in the holder 380 at a position adjacent to the pack opening 60 of the ink pack 310, and a position adjacent to the side opposite to the pack opening 60 of the ink pack 310. In addition, a through hole 387 that penetrates and engages with the fixing screw 389 is formed. The lower housing 360 of the upper housing 30 has a screw hole 368 screwed with a fixing screw 388 that penetrates the through hole 386 of the holder 380 and a holder 380 at a fixing position where the holder 380 on which the ink pack 310 is placed is fixed. A screw hole 369 to be screwed with a fixing screw 389 penetrating through the through hole 387 is formed.

  When fixing the holder 380 on which the ink pack 310 is placed inside the upper housing 30, first, the base portion 382 of the holder 380 on which the ink pack 310 is placed is moved from the upper portion of the holder guide 362 of the lower housing 360. Fit together. Thereafter, the holder 380 is slid to the supply needle 320 along the holder guide 362, and the supply needle 320 is inserted into the pack port 60 of the ink pack 310. At this time, as shown in FIG. 4C, the joint 395 of the holder 380 and the joint 365 of the lower housing 360 are fitted. Thereafter, the holder 380 is fastened to the lower housing 360 with fixing screws 388 and 389.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state before the ink pack 310 is connected to the ink supply unit 330 in the AA cross section of FIG. 5. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state after the ink pack 310 is connected to the ink supply unit 330 in the AA cross section of FIG. 5. The ink supply unit 330 is provided with a supply needle 320 in which a hollow channel 322 communicating with a supply tube 340 (see FIG. 5) is formed. A tapered point 324 is formed at the tip of the supply needle 320. A supply groove 326 communicating with the hollow flow path 322 is formed at the tip 324 of the supply needle 320. The supply groove 326 of the supply needle 320 is formed from the tip 324 of the supply needle 320 to the side wall 321 substantially along the axis of the supply needle 320. As shown in FIG. 10, the supply groove 326 of the supply needle 320 is partitioned by a vertical surface 326 a that is substantially along the axis of the supply needle 320 and a horizontal surface 326 b that intersects the axis of the supply needle 320. In this embodiment, the supply groove 326 of the supply needle 320 is formed in a cross shape (“+ (plus)” shape) with the axis of the supply needle 320 as an intersection. In this embodiment, the supply needle 320 is a resin part that is integrally molded with the ink supply unit 330 using a mold.

  The pack port 60 provided in the ink pack 310 is provided with a supply port portion 610 in which a supply port 612 communicating with the inside of the ink pack 310 is formed. The supply port 612 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape. At the inlet of the supply port 612, a cylindrical packing 640 having a through hole 642 that closely fits the supply needle 320 inserted into the supply port 612 is disposed. The packing 640 disposed in the supply port 612 is press-fitted into the supply port 612 by a substantially cylindrical cap 620 that fits into the supply port 610.

  A valve body 630 having a sealing surface 634 that is in close contact with the packing 640 is accommodated inside the supply port 612. The valve body 630 accommodated in the supply port 612 is urged from the inside of the supply port 612 toward the packing 640 by a coil spring 650 that is an elastic member, and seals the through hole 642 of the packing 640. The valve body 630 corresponds to the flow path closing portion in the present invention. The valve body 630 is provided with a plurality of guides 638 that are in contact with the inner surface of the supply port 612 substantially along the central axis of the supply port 612, and between each of the plurality of guides 638, the inner surface of the supply port 612 A separating surface 636 is formed. A fitting surface 632 that fits the tip 324 of the supply needle 320 is formed on the side of the valve body 630 that contacts the packing 640.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the supply needle 320 is inserted into the through hole 642 of the packing 640, the valve body 630 is in a state where the tip 324 of the supply needle 320 is fitted to the fitting surface 632 of the valve body 630. The supply port 612 is pushed into the ink pack 310 side. At this time, the supply groove 326 of the supply needle 320 is formed from the tip 324 to the side wall 321 beyond the fitting surface 632 of the valve body 630, and thus communicates with the supply port 612. As a result, the inside of the ink pack 310 communicates with the hollow flow path 322 of the supply needle 320 through the separation surface 636 of the valve body 630 and the supply groove 326 of the supply needle 320.

  Here, the guide surface 304 (see FIG. 6B) of the guide portion 302 has a diameter of a cross section perpendicular to the axial direction of the supply needle 320 set to be substantially the same as the maximum diameter of the cap 620. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10, during the relative movement between the supply needle 320 and the ink pack 310 when the supply needle 320 is inserted into the supply port 612, the outer peripheral surface of the portion having the maximum diameter of the cap 620 (hereinafter “ The guide surface 304 is substantially in contact with the guided surface 622 ”. The guided surface 622 is parallel to the axial direction of the supply port 612.

  The guide surface 304 of the guide unit 302 is a surface parallel to the axial direction of the supply needle 320. The guided surface 622 is a surface parallel to the axial direction of the supply port 612. Therefore, when the guided surface 622 and the guide surface 304 are substantially in contact with each other during the relative movement, in the ink pack 310, the axial direction of the supply needle 320 and the axial direction of the supply port 612 are parallel. While maintaining the state, the supply needle 320 is approached. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the supply needle 320 is inserted into the supply port 612, the occurrence of a relative angular shift between the supply needle 320 and the supply port 612 can be suppressed.

  Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6B, the cross section of the guide surface 304 perpendicular to the axial direction of the supply needle 320 is formed in a substantially circular shape in which about a quarter of the portion is missing. Yes. Therefore, the guide surface 304 of the guide portion 302 includes at least one set of points (for example, P1 and P2 in FIG. 6B) that face each other across the supply needle 320. When the guide surface 304 includes at least one set of points facing each other across the supply needle 320, the guide surface 304 at the position of the one set of points positions the cap 620 along the linear direction connecting the one set of points. Is possible. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the supply needle 320 is inserted into the supply port 612, the occurrence of relative positional deviation between the supply needle 320 and the supply port 612 can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the guide surface 304 of the guide portion 302 has at least three triangular vertices (for example, FIG. 6 (B) including the position of the supply needle 320 on a predetermined plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the supply needle 320. b) P3 to P5). Therefore, the cap 620 can be positioned by the guide surface 304 at the positions of the three vertices. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the supply needle 320 is inserted into the supply port 612, the occurrence of relative positional deviation between the supply needle 320 and the supply port 612 can be suppressed.

  FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the ink pack 310 is connected to the ink supply unit 330. As shown in FIG. 11, when the ink pack 310 is connected to the ink supply unit 330, the portion having the guided surface 622 of the cap 620 of the ink pack 310 is included in the hollow portion of the guide unit 302.

  In this specification, “the state where the guide surface 304 and the guided surface 622 are substantially in contact” means a state where the two surfaces are actually in contact with each other and a state where the two surfaces are separated by a slight distance. And both. Here, the “slight distance” is appropriately determined according to the allowable amount of relative angular deviation and positional deviation between the supply needle 320 and the supply port 612 required for the printer 10, the processing accuracy of the product, and the like.

  As described above, in the printer 10 of this embodiment, when the supply needle 320 is inserted into the supply port 612, the occurrence of a relative angle and position shift between the supply needle 320 and the supply port 612 can be suppressed. Therefore, ink leakage and air intrusion into the ink flow path can be suppressed.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a state where the upper housing 30 is closed. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 with the upper housing 30 opened. 12 and 13 show a cross section viewed from the side opposite to the cross section shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration around the printing mechanism unit 50 of the printer 10.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the printing mechanism unit 50 includes a rectangular platen 530 disposed in a printing region where ink droplets are ejected onto the printing paper 900. On the platen 530, the printing paper 900 is fed by a paper feeding mechanism (not shown). The printing mechanism unit 50 includes a carriage 80 that is connected to the supply tube 340 and on which the ejection head 810 is mounted. The carriage 80 is supported so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the platen 530 along the guide rod 520, and is driven via a timing belt 512 by a carriage motor 510 serving as a carriage driving unit. As a result, the carriage 80 reciprocates on the platen 530 in the longitudinal direction. Inside the main body housing 20, a home position for waiting the carriage 80 is provided in a non-printing area that is distant from the printing area where the platen 530 is disposed to one end side. At the home position, a maintenance mechanism unit 70 for maintaining the carriage 80 is disposed.

  As shown in FIGS. 12, 13, and 14, the supply tube 340 connects the ink supply unit 330 and the carriage 80 of the printing mechanism unit 50, and supplies the ink in the ink pack 310 to the carriage 80. The supply tube 340 extends from the ink supply unit 330 in the direction of the rotation axis 350 substantially horizontally (when the upper housing 30 is closed) (hereinafter referred to as “first horizontal part H1”), and from the first horizontal part H1. A portion (hereinafter referred to as “second horizontal portion H2”) located in a substantially horizontal plane below and extending in a direction substantially orthogonal to the rotation shaft 350, and a portion substantially parallel to the rotation shaft 350 (hereinafter referred to as “third horizontal portion”). H3 ”) are connected in sequence.

  FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing a cross section of the supply tube 340. FIG. 15A shows a cross section (S1-S1 cross section in FIG. 14) perpendicular to the ink flow direction of the supply tube 340 in the second horizontal portion H2, and FIG. 15B shows the third horizontal portion H3. The cross section perpendicular | vertical to the ink distribution direction of the supply tube 340 in (S2-S2 cross section of FIG. 14) is shown. As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, the supply tube 340 is provided with four hollow ink flow paths 342 corresponding to the four ink packs 310. As shown in FIG. 15A, in the second horizontal portion H2, the direction of the supply tube 340 around the ink flow direction is such that the four ink flow paths 342 are arranged substantially horizontally (hereinafter referred to as “horizontal”). It is also called “arrangement”. The direction of the supply tube 340 in the first horizontal portion H1 is the same. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 15B, in the third horizontal portion H3, the direction of the supply tube 340 around the ink distribution direction is such that the four ink flow paths 342 are arranged substantially vertically (hereinafter referred to as “vertical”). It is also called “arrangement”.

  Between the first horizontal portion H1 and the second horizontal portion H2 of the supply tube 340 (near the rotation shaft 350), a portion curved along a vertical semicircular arc (hereinafter referred to as “first curved portion R1”). Is provided. The first horizontal portion H1 and the second horizontal portion H2 are both laterally arranged, and the first curved portion R1 does not have a twist. In addition, a portion curved along a horizontal semicircular arc (hereinafter referred to as “second curved portion R2”) is provided between the second horizontal portion H2 and the third horizontal portion H3. Since the second horizontal portion H2 is laterally arranged, and the third horizontal portion H3 is vertically arranged, the second curved portion R2 has a twist of about 90 degrees. Further, a portion curved along a horizontal semicircular arc (hereinafter referred to as “third curved portion R3”) is provided between the third horizontal portion H3 and the carriage 80.

  As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the supply tube 340 follows the operation of opening the upper housing 30 by the deformation of the first bending portion R <b> 1 provided near the rotation shaft 350. Therefore, even in the printer 10 in which the ink supply unit 330 and the printing mechanism unit 50 are connected by the relatively long supply tube 340, the presence of the supply tube 340 is prevented from obstructing the opening and closing of the upper housing 30. .

  The supply tube 340 is supported by support portions 420 and 430 disposed at two positions across the second bending portion R2. The support parts 420 and 430 are fixed to the main body housing 20 of the printer 10 directly or indirectly. Therefore, the supply tube 340 is supported by the printer 10 main body via the support portions 420 and 430.

  FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of the support section 420. 16A shows an upper plane of the support portion 420, and FIG. 16B shows a cross section perpendicular to the ink flow direction of the support portion 420 (S3-S3 cross section in FIG. 16A). ing. As shown in FIG. 16B, the support portion 420 includes a long side member 422 arranged in the horizontal direction, a short side member 424 protruding upward from both ends of the cross section of the long side member 422, and the short side member 424. And a floating prevention portion 426 protruding in the horizontal direction from the upper end of the cross section toward the inside. As shown in FIG. 16A, two floating prevention portions 426 are provided for each short side member 424, and the positions along the ink flow direction are the floating portions provided on the two short side members 424. The prevention portions 426 are set alternately so as not to be in the same position. The long side member 422, the short side member 424, and the anti-floating portion 426 form a space having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape that houses the supply tube 340, and the supply tube 340 is stored in the space. At this time, the floating prevention unit 426 prevents the supply tube 340 from floating and coming off.

  The support portion 420 further includes a positioning member 428 adjacent to the space side of the short side member 424. In the example of FIG. 16, three sets of positioning members 428 are provided, and the positioning members 428 of each set are arranged at positions facing each other across the supply tube 340. Therefore, the positioning member 428 reduces the internal dimension between the two short side members 424. By the positioning member 428, the supply tube 340 is pressed in the long side direction, and the movement of the supply tube 340 along the ink circulation direction is suppressed. Therefore, the supply tube 340 is prevented from interfering with other parts of the printer 10.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the cross section of the ink flow path 342 of the supply tube 340 is not circular, but has an oval shape that is long in the direction in which the ink flow paths 342 are arranged (the left-right direction in FIG. 15A). . For example, in order to make the supply tube 340 bend easily in the first bending portion R1 and the second bending portion R2 (see FIG. 14), the cross section of the supply tube 340 has a shape in which an ellipse is combined. This is to keep the height small. Here, as shown in FIG. 16B, at the position where the positioning member 428 of the support portion 420 is provided, the supply tube 340 is pushed from the positioning members 428 on both sides, so that the cross section of the ink flow path 342 is circular. And the cross-sectional area of the ink flow path 342 increases. Accordingly, the flow path resistance in the supply tube 340 can be reduced by the positioning member 428 of the support portion 420.

  The configuration of the support portion 430 (see FIG. 14) is the same as the configuration of the support portion 420 shown in FIG. 16, but the support portion 430 can be prevented from moving the supply tube 340 by the support portion 420. The positioning member 428 may not be provided. Further, the direction in which the support part 430 is disposed is the direction in which the support part 420 is rotated by approximately 90 degrees in accordance with the direction of the supply tube 340.

  In addition, since the support parts 420 and 430 are arrange | positioned on both sides of 2nd curved part R2 which has a twist and is easy to generate | occur | produce position shift, it can support the supply tube 340 stably. .

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a manufacturing method for manufacturing the printer 10. When the ink pack 310 is mounted on the printer 10, first, the ink pack 310 filled with ink is placed on the inclined plate 381 of the holder 380 (step S110). Thereafter, the holder 380 on which the ink pack 310 is placed is inserted into the holder guide 362 of the lower housing 360, and then the holder 380 is fixed to the lower housing 360 with fixing screws 388 and 389, and the plurality of holders 380 are fixed to the lower housing 360. 360 (step S120). In the present embodiment, in the step of arranging a plurality of holders 380 in parallel with the lower housing 360 (step S120), the pack port 60 of the ink pack 310 is connected to the supply needle 320, and the inside of the ink pack 310 is connected to the fluid ejection unit. Is connected to the ejection head 810 of the printing mechanism 50.

  Until the connection of the pack port 60 of the ink pack 310 to the supply needle 320 in step S120 is executed, the cover CV is put on the supply needle 320 for the purpose of preventing dust from adhering to the supply needle 320. It has been. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where the cover CV is placed on the supply needle 320 of the ink supply unit 330. As shown in FIG. 18, the cover CV is supported by the guide portion 302 and does not contact the supply needle 320. As described above, in this embodiment, the cover CV can be supported by the guide portion 302 without contacting the supply needle 320, so that it is possible to better prevent dust from adhering to the supply needle 320. it can.

  After the cover CV is removed, the connection of the pack port 60 of the ink pack 310 to the supply needle 320 in step S120 is executed. Thereafter, the upper housing 370 is sealed to the lower housing 360 in which the plurality of holders 380 are arranged side by side, thereby accommodating the plurality of ink packs 310 in the upper housing 30 (step S130).

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of the ink supply unit 330 and the pack port 60 in the second embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 9 is the shape of the guide portion 302a. In other words, in the second embodiment, the guide portion 302a is formed in a shape such that the tip of the guide portion 302a on the ink pack 310 side is positioned closer to the ink pack 310 than the tip of the supply needle 320 (pointed end 324). . In other words, in the second embodiment, the guide surface 304 a of the guide portion 302 a has a portion that is located closer to the ink pack 310 than the tip of the supply needle 320.

  In the second embodiment, when the pack port 60 is connected to the ink supply unit 330, the position of the guided surface 622 of the cap 620 of the pack port 60 is determined before the supply needle 320 contacts the pack port 60. 302a. Therefore, in the second embodiment, when the supply needle 320 is inserted into the supply port 612, it is possible to better suppress the occurrence of a relative angle and position shift between the supply needle 320 and the supply port 612. Further, it is possible to prevent the supply needle 320 from coming into contact with the wrong position of the pack port 60 and causing damage or deformation.

C. Third embodiment:
FIG. 20 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the configuration of the ink supply unit 330b according to the third embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is that the guide portion 302 has an engaging portion 308. The engaging portion 308 is a convex portion protruding from the guide surface 304 of the guide portion 302, and is formed to engage with a concave engaging portion 628 formed on the cap 620 of the pack port 60. Yes.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 20, the shape and arrangement of the engaging portions 308 are set to be different for each of the four guide portions 302. That is, in the example illustrated in FIG. 20, in the four guide portions 302, the engaging portion 308 is configured by two convex shape portions, but the positional relationship between the two convex shape portions for each guide portion 302. Are different. The shape and arrangement of the engaging portion 628 formed on the cap 620 of the ink pack 310 are set so as to engage with the engaging portion 308 of the guide portion 302 corresponding to the ink pack 310. Therefore, when the ink pack 310 is to be connected to the supply needle 320 that is not the connection destination of the ink pack 310, the engaging portion 308 of the guide portion 302 and the engaging portion 628 of the cap 620 are not engaged and connected. Is physically impossible. Only when the ink pack 310 is to be connected to the supply needle 320 that is the original connection destination of the ink pack 310, the engaging portion 308 of the guide portion 302 and the engaging portion 628 of the cap 620 are engaged and connected. Is achieved. Therefore, in the third embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of erroneous connection in which the ink pack 310 is erroneously connected to the supply needle 320 that is not the original connection destination supply needle 320.

D. Variations:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are possible.

D1. Modification 1:
The shape and position of the guide portion 302 in each of the above embodiments are merely examples, and the shape and arrangement of the guide portion 302 can be variously changed. For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6B, the cross section of the guide surface 304 perpendicular to the axial direction of the supply needle 320 has a substantially circular shape in which about one-quarter portion is missing. However, the cross-section may be a substantially circular shape with no missing portion, or a substantially circular shape with more portions (for example, about one-half or about three-quarters) missing. It is good. Further, the cross section may have a substantially circular shape having a plurality of missing portions. The cross-sectional shape of the guide surface 304 perpendicular to the axial direction of the supply needle 320 is not limited to a substantially circular shape or a part of a substantially circular shape, and may be an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape (for example, a quadrangle), or a part thereof. .

  Further, the guide surface 304 of the supply needle 320 is not necessarily provided to face the supply needle 320, and can be provided at various positions corresponding to the position of the guided surface of the pack port 60. is there. For example, the guide surface 304 may be provided on the outer surface of the substantially cylindrical guide portion 302. Further, in each of the above embodiments, the guided surface 622 is provided on the cap 620, but the guided surface 622 can be formed at an arbitrary position of the ink pack 310.

  In each of the above embodiments, the supply needle 320 is provided in the ink supply unit 330 and the supply port 612 is provided in the ink pack 310. However, the relationship between the supply needle 320 and the supply port 612 may be reversed. . That is, the supply needle 320 may be provided in the ink pack 310 and the supply port 612 may be provided in the ink supply unit 330.

D2. Modification 2:
In each of the above embodiments, the cover CV (FIG. 18) is indicated by the outer peripheral portion of the guide portion 302, but the cover CV can be indicated by an arbitrary portion of the guide portion 302. For example, the cover CV may be supported by the guide surface 304.

D3. Modification 3:
In the third embodiment, the shape and position of the engaging portion 308 provided in the guide portion 302 are merely examples, and the shape and position of the engaging portion 308 are the shape and position of the engaging portion 628 on the ink pack 310 side. It can be arbitrarily set according to For example, the engaging portion 308 of the guide portion 302 may have a concave shape, and the engaging portion 628 on the ink pack 310 side may have a convex shape.

  In each of the above embodiments, the plurality of ink packs 310 contain different colors of ink, but the plurality of ink packs 310 may contain the same color of ink. In the third embodiment, even when the plurality of ink packs 310 contain the same color ink, the engaging portion 308 provided in the guide portion 302 and the engaging portion 628 on the ink pack 310 side are provided. The position where an ink pack 310 should be installed can be determined using. In this way, for example, even when a plurality of ink packs 310 contain ink of the same color, when the capacity of each ink pack 310 is different, the position where the ink pack 310 should be installed Can be prevented from being installed at different positions.

D4. Modification 4:
In each of the embodiments described above, the upper housing 30 may be slidably attached to the main body housing 20 instead of pivotally attaching the upper housing 30 to the main body housing 20. Accordingly, the ink pack 310 can be accommodated in the upper housing 30 in a more stable state.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, the holder 380 may be disposed substantially along the axial direction of the rotation shaft 350 as shown in FIG. 21 in the direction in which the holder 380 is disposed in the lower housing 360. According to the form of FIG. 21, the height of each of the ink packs 310 held in the upper housing 30 is substantially the same from the closed state to the open state of the upper housing 30, and therefore the ink packs 310 are accommodated in each of the ink packs 310. The pressure heads of the formed ink can be made substantially the same. Thereby, the ejection quality of the ink ejected from the ejection head 810 can be improved.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 22, the holder 380 may be disposed so that the direction in which the inclined plate 381 is inclined faces the rotation shaft 350. According to the form of FIG. 22, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, rather than disposing the holder 380 with the inclined plate 381 inclined in the direction opposite to the rotation shaft 350, In the open state, the ink pack 310 can be placed in a stable state by the inclined plate 381 of the holder 380.

D5. Modification 5:
The fluid targeted by the fluid supply device of the present invention is not limited to the above-described liquid such as ink, but is intended to target various fluids such as metal paste, powder, and liquid crystal. As a typical example of the fluid supply device, there is an ink jet recording device provided with the ink jet recording head for image recording as described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the ink jet recording device, and an image recording device such as a printer. Color material supply device used for manufacturing color filters such as liquid crystal displays, electrode material supply devices used for electrode formation such as organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display, field emission display (FED), biochip The present invention can also be applied to a liquid supply device that ejects a liquid containing a bio-organic matter used for manufacturing, a sample supply device as a precision pipette, and the like.

D6. Modification 6:
FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a state in which the upper housing 30 in the modification is closed. In the modification shown in FIG. 23, the installation mode of the ink pack 310 is different from the embodiment shown in FIG. That is, the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 employs a mode in which the ink pack 310 is fixed and installed on the holder 380 provided in the upper housing 30. However, in the modification shown in FIG. 380 is not provided, and a mode in which the ink pack 310 is installed in the upper housing 30 as a single unit is employed. Thus, the holder 380 is not necessarily used for installing the ink pack 310 in the upper housing 30, and the ink pack 310 can be directly placed in the upper housing 30.

  FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a state in which the upper housing 30 is closed in a modified example. 24 is different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 in the shape and installation mode of the ink pack. That is, in the modification shown in FIG. 24, a box-shaped ink pack 310 is employed, and the ink pack 310 is directly placed in the upper housing 30 as in the modification shown in FIG. ing. Thus, the shape of the ink pack is not limited to the bag shape formed of the flexible sheet, and other shapes such as a box shape can be adopted.

  FIG. 25 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a modified example. In the modification shown in FIG. 25, the installation mode of the ink pack 310 is different from the embodiment shown in FIG. That is, in the modification shown in FIG. 25, the ink pack 310 is not stored inside the upper housing 30 but is arranged outside the printer 10. Also in the modification shown in FIG. 25, the pack port 60 of the ink pack 310 is connected to the ink supply unit 330 through the hole 32 provided in the upper housing 30. As described above, the ink pack 310 does not necessarily have to be stored in the upper housing 30 and may be disposed outside the printer 10.

  FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a modified example. In the modification shown in FIG. 26, the ink supply mode is different from that in the embodiment shown in FIG. That is, in the modification shown in FIG. 26, the pack port 60 (see FIG. 9) of the ink pack 310 is connected to the ink supply unit 330, and the tube 980 is provided between the pack port 60 and the ink tank 990 containing ink. is set up. The ink in the ink tank 990 is supplied to the printing mechanism unit 50 via the tube 980, the pack port 60, and the ink supply unit 330. In the modification shown in FIG. 26, for example, after the ink in the ink pack 310 is used up, the ink pack 310 is removed leaving only the pack port 60 of the ink pack 310, and the tube 980 and the ink tank 990 are installed. Realized.

1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer as a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a state where an upper housing 30 is closed. FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a state where an upper housing 30 is opened. It is explanatory drawing which shows the joining structure of the holder 380 and the lower housing 360. FIG. 4 is a top view showing an internal configuration of the upper housing 30. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration of an ink supply unit 330. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of an ink supply unit 330. FIG. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a holder 380 on which an ink pack 310 is placed is fixed inside the upper housing 30. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state before the ink pack 310 is connected to the ink supply unit 330 in the AA cross section of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state after the ink pack 310 is connected to the ink supply unit 330 in the AA cross section of FIG. 5. 4 is a perspective view of a state in which an ink pack 310 is connected to an ink supply unit 330. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a state where an upper housing 30 is closed. FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a state where an upper housing 30 is opened. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration around a printing mechanism unit 50 of the printer 10. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the cross section of the supply tube 340. FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a support section 420. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a manufacturing method for manufacturing the printer 10. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state where a cover CV is placed on a supply needle 320 of an ink supply unit 330. It is explanatory drawing which shows the cross section of the ink supply part 330 and the pack port 60 in 2nd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the ink supply part 330b in 3rd Example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the inside of the upper housing | casing 30 in a modification. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a state in which an upper housing 30 is closed in a modified example. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a state in which an upper housing 30 is closed in a modified example. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of the printer 10 in a state in which an upper housing 30 is closed in a modified example. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the printer 10 in a modification. It is explanatory drawing which shows schematic structure of the printer 10 in a modification.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer 12 ... Paper feed tray 14 ... Output tray 20 ... Main body case 30 ... Upper case 32 ... Hole 40 ... Control part 50 ... Printing mechanism 60 ... pack opening 70 ... maintenance mechanism 80 ... carriage 302 ... guide section 302a ... guide section 304 ... guide surface 306 ... rib 308 ... engaging section 310 ... Ink pack 320 ... Supply needle 321 ... Side wall 322 ... Hollow flow path 324 ... Point 326 ... Supply groove 326a ... Vertical surface 326b ... Horizontal surface 330 ... Ink supply part 332 ... Guard plate 333 ... Opening part 340 ... Supply tube 342 ... Ink flow path 350 ... Rotating shaft 360 ... Lower housing 362 ... Holder guide 364 .. Holder auxiliary rib 365 ... Joint portion 368 ... Screw hole 369 ... Screw hole 370 ... Upper housing 373 ... engaging part 374 ... Auxiliary rib 376 ... Intermediate auxiliary Rib 380 ... Holder 381 ... Inclined plate 382 ... Base part 383 ... Upper end 384 ... Back surface auxiliary rib 386 ... Through hole 387 ... Through hole 388 ... Fixing screw 389 ... Fixing screw 395 ... Joint part 410 ... Joint 420 ... Support part 422 ... Long side member 424 ... Short side member 426 ... Floating prevention part 428 ... Positioning member 430 ... Supporting part 510 ... Carriage motor 512 ... Timing belt 520 ... Guide rod 530 ... Platen 610 ... Supply port 612 ... Supply port 620 ... Cap 622 ... Guided surface 628 ... engaging portion 630 ... valve element 632 ... fitting surface 634 ... sealing surface 636 ... separating surface 638 ... guide 640 ... packing 642 ... Through hole 650 ... Coil spring 810 ... Ejection head 900 ... Printing paper 980 ... Tube 990 ... Ink tank

Claims (7)

An apparatus for forming a fluid flow path,
A needle part that is disposed in the first flow path member and that is inserted into the flow path port disposed in the second flow path member to open the flow path closing portion in the flow path port;
A guide portion disposed on the first flow path member and having a guide surface parallel to the axial direction of the needle portion,
In the relative movement of the first flow path member and the second flow path member when the needle portion is inserted into the flow path port, the guide portion is configured such that the guide surface is in the axial direction of the flow path port. The apparatus is configured to be substantially in contact with the surface of the second flow path member parallel to the surface. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising:
The guide portion is configured such that the guide surface includes at least one set of points facing each other across the needle portion. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising:
The guide unit is configured such that the guide surface includes at least three apexes of a triangle including the position of the needle unit on a predetermined plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the needle unit. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The second flow path member has a cylindrical portion having the surface parallel to the axial direction of the flow path port as a side surface,
The said guide part is an apparatus with which the said guide surface is comprised so that it may become at least one part of the side surface of the cylinder containing the said column-shaped part. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The said guide part has the said guide surface located in the said 2nd flow-path member side rather than the front-end | tip of the said needle part along the axial direction of the said needle part. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A plurality of the needle portions and the guide portions corresponding to the second flow path members for a plurality of fluids;
The plurality of second flow path members have upstream engaging portions having different shapes,
Each of the plurality of guide portions includes a downstream engagement portion formed to engage only with the upstream engagement portion of the second flow path member corresponding to the guide portion. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The apparatus is configured such that the guide portion can support a cover that covers the needle portion without bringing the cover into contact with the needle portion.

Images