JP2010054018A - Valve unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a valve unit connecting two connection flow paths to each other while surely preventing the leakage of liquid to the outside. <P>SOLUTION: In a valve mechanism 11 before connected, a large diameter portion 44a of a valve member 44 energized upward by a spring 45 abuts upward on the lower face of a lip 42 to block the upper end of a cylindrical body 41. In a valve mechanism 23 before connected, a valve member 52 energized downward by a spring 54 abuts downward on an O-ring 53 to bock the lower end of a cylindrical body 51. When the valve mechanism 23 and the valve mechanism 11 are connected to each other, the cylindrical body 51 is guided and moved downward by a guide member 43 until contacting the wall face of a through-hole 42a to seal a space in the through-hole 42a. Then, the valve member 52 is thrust and moved upward by a protrusion 44b and the valve member 44 is thrust and moved downward by the cylindrical body 51 to communicate the ink flow path 41a with the ink flow path 51a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a valve unit for connecting two liquid flow paths.

  In the cartridge connection device described in Patent Document 1, in the cartridge supply unit, the developer is prevented from flowing out by pressing the ball against the O-ring by the elasticity of the first compression spring. On the other hand, in the suction portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus, a hole for sucking the developer in the cylindrical member is closed by a rubber member. When the cartridge supply unit and the suction unit of the image forming apparatus main body are connected, the rubber member is pressed by the support member of the cartridge supply unit and moved, so that the hole of the cylindrical member is exposed to the outside of the rubber member. The cylindrical member is inserted into the cartridge supply unit while pressing the ball, so that the hole of the cylindrical member is arranged at the inner side of the O-ring of the cartridge supply unit. As a result, the developer is supplied from the cartridge supply unit to the suction unit. At this time, the cylindrical member is inserted into the O-ring to seal the cartridge, and the developer is prevented from leaking to the outside.

JP 2001-158108 A

  However, in the cartridge connection device described in Patent Document 1, the tip of the cylindrical member moves before the cylindrical member is inserted into the O-ring so that the tip of the cylindrical member contacts the ball and moves the O-ring. There is a possibility that the developer leaks to the outside from the gap between the O-ring and the cylindrical member between the contact with the ball and the insertion of the cylindrical member into the O-ring.

  The objective of this invention is providing the valve unit which can prevent the leakage of the liquid to the exterior reliably.

  A valve unit according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a first tubular body having one end connected to a first flow path through which a liquid flows, a first valve member closing the other end of the first tubular body, and a first A first valve mechanism having a first urging means for urging the valve member toward the other end of the first tubular body; and a second tubular shape having one end connected to a second flow path through which liquid flows. A body, an elastic body disposed at the other end of the second cylindrical body, a second valve member that closes the other end of the second cylindrical body by contacting the elastic body, and the second valve member And a second valve mechanism including a second urging means for urging the second cylindrical body toward the other end of the second cylindrical body, and the other end of the first valve mechanism and the other end of the second valve mechanism. When the first cylindrical body is in contact with the elastic body to form a sealed space between the elastic body and the second valve member, the second valve member is The first tubular member contacts the first valve member to open the other end of the first tubular member, and the first tubular member contacts the second valve member to open the other end of the second tubular member. It is characterized by this.

  According to this, when the first valve mechanism and the second valve mechanism are connected, the second valve member contacts the first valve member to open the other end of the first cylindrical body, and the first cylindrical body. Before the second valve member contacts the second valve member and opens the other end of the second tubular body, the first tubular body contacts the elastic body and a sealed space is formed between the elastic body and the second valve member. Therefore, the liquid in the first liquid channel and the second liquid channel does not leak outside from the other end of the first cylindrical body and the other end of the second cylindrical body, respectively.

  A valve unit according to a second aspect of the present invention is the valve unit according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the second valve member extends in the direction of the other end of the second cylindrical body, and is inside the first cylindrical body. It is characterized by having a protrusion that can be inserted into the.

  According to this, after the projection is inserted into the first cylindrical body, the first cylindrical body moves along the projection, so that the first valve mechanism and the second valve mechanism are connected. It becomes easy.

  A valve unit according to a third aspect of the present invention is the valve unit according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the second tubular body is formed when the first valve mechanism and the second valve mechanism are connected. And a guide portion for guiding the first cylindrical body.

  According to this, since the first cylindrical body is guided by the guide portion of the second cylindrical body, the connection between the first valve mechanism and the second valve mechanism is facilitated. Further, since the first tubular body is guided by the guide portion of the second tubular body, the first valve mechanism and the second valve mechanism are aligned and connected, so that the elastic body and the first tubular body are connected. The sealed space formed between the valve member and the valve member is reliably sealed, and the liquid can be more reliably prevented from leaking out.

  A valve unit according to a fourth aspect is the valve unit according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the second valve member is in contact with the first tubular body. In this case, a rib for forming a gap through which a liquid flows is provided between the second valve member and the first tubular body.

  According to this, when the second valve member comes into contact with the first cylindrical body, there is a gap between them, so that the first cylindrical body and the second cylindrical body are communicated with each other through the gap. Can do.

  A valve unit according to a fifth invention is the valve unit according to any one of the first to fourth inventions, wherein the second valve member closes the other end of the second cylindrical body. The urging force by the second urging means is larger than the urging force by the first urging means in a state where the first valve member closes the other end of the first cylindrical body. is there.

  According to this, the urging force of the second urging means in a state where the second valve member closes the other end of the second cylindrical body, the first valve member closes the other end of the first cylindrical body. Since it is larger than the urging force of the first urging means in the state, the other end of the first cylindrical body is reliably opened when the second valve member contacts the first valve member.

  A valve unit according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the valve unit according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the first flow path is a tube connected to an ink cartridge, and the second flow path is an inkjet. The ink flow path is formed inside the head.

  According to this, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of ink leakage when connecting the ink cartridge and the inkjet head.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.

  1A and 1B are schematic configuration diagrams of a printer according to the present embodiment, in which FIG. 1A shows a state where a cartridge unit 7 described later is attached, and FIG. 1B shows a state where a cartridge unit 7 is removed. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a main body case 2, a lid 3, an inkjet head 4, a transport roller 5, a cartridge mounting unit 6, and the like.

  The main body case 2 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped case whose upper surface is open, and an ink jet head 4, a conveyance roller 5, and the like are disposed inside the main body case 2. The lid 3 is disposed on the upper surface of the main body case 2 and is rotatable about the back end in FIG. 1 so that the opening on the upper surface of the main body case 2 can be opened and closed. Then, the user of the printer 1 performs attachment and replacement work of the cartridge unit 7 in a state where the lid 3 is rotated to open the upper surface of the main body case 2.

  The ink-jet head 4 is a so-called line-type ink-jet head that extends over the entire length of the recording paper P in the scanning direction (left-right direction in FIG. 1), and from the nozzle 10 (see FIG. 2) formed on the lower surface thereof. Ink is ejected. Further, four valve mechanisms 11 are formed on the right end of the upper surface of the inkjet head 4 in FIG. As will be described later, the four valve mechanisms 11 have lower end portions connected to the ink flow paths inside the inkjet head 4 and upper end portions connected to the tube 22 of the cartridge unit 7. It can be connected. When the valve mechanism 11 and the valve mechanism 23 are connected, the ink in the ink cartridge 21 is supplied to the inkjet head 4.

  The transport roller 5 transports the recording paper P in the paper feed direction (front side in FIG. 1). The four cartridge mounting portions 6 are portions for mounting the ink cartridges 21 of the cartridge unit 7. In the printer 1, the four cartridge mounting portions 6 are arranged on the front surface of the main body case 2 in the scanning direction. The ink cartridge 21 can be fixed to the printer 1 by mounting the ink cartridge 21 in the cartridge mounting portion 6. The four cartridge mounting portions are mounted with ink cartridges 21 filled with black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks in order from the one arranged on the left side of FIG.

  In the printer 1, an image is printed on the recording paper P by ejecting ink from the nozzles 10 of the inkjet head 4 onto the recording paper P conveyed by the conveying roller 5.

  Next, the cartridge unit 7 will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the cartridge unit 7. As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge unit 7 includes an ink cartridge 21, a tube 22, and a valve mechanism 23.

  The ink cartridge 21 includes a case 31, an ink pack 32, a pressing plate 33, a spring 34, and a gear mechanism 35. The case 31 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a space 31a is formed therein. The ink pack 32 is disposed in the space 31 a of the case 31 and is filled with ink to be supplied to the inkjet head 4. In addition, the left end of the ink pack 32 in FIG. 2 is exposed to the outside of the case 31, and one end of the tube 22 is connected to this portion.

  The pressing plate 33 is disposed above the ink pack 32 in the space 31a of the case 31 so as to contact the ink pack 32, and rotates about a shaft 32a provided at the right end in FIG. It is possible. The spring 34 is disposed in a compressed state in the space 31a of the case 31, and its lower end is connected to the upper surface of the pressing plate 33, and its upper end is connected to the ceiling surface of the space 31a. Yes. As a result, the pressing plate 33 is urged downward by the spring 34, and the pressing plate 33 urged by the spring 34 presses the ink pack 32 downward.

  The gear mechanism 35 is configured to support the left end portion of the pressing plate 33 in FIG. 2 from below, and the gear mechanism 35 prevents the pressing plate 33 from being pressed by the spring 34 and rotating. . Thereby, the magnitude of the force with which the pressing plate 33 presses the ink pack 32 is adjusted.

  The tube 22 is made of a polymer material such as a synthetic resin, and has one end connected to the ink pack 32 as described above and the other end connected to the valve mechanism 23.

  Next, the valve mechanism 11 connected to the ink flow path inside the inkjet head 4 and the valve mechanism 23 connected to the tube 22 will be described. 3 to 6 are sectional views of the valve mechanisms 11 and 23. FIG. 3 shows a state in which the valve mechanism 11 and the valve mechanism 23 are not connected, and FIGS. 4 to 6 show the valve mechanism 11 and the valve mechanism 23. Each shows a process of connecting. In the present embodiment, the combination of the valve mechanism 11 and the valve mechanism 23 corresponds to the valve unit according to the present invention.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the valve mechanism 11 (second valve mechanism) includes a tubular body 41 (second tubular body), a lip 42 (elastic body), a guide member 43, and a valve member 44 (second body). Valve member) and a spring 45 (second biasing means). The cylindrical body 41 is a substantially cylindrical member having an ink channel 41a formed therein. The lower end (one end) of the ink flow path 41a is connected to the ink flow path (second flow path) formed inside the inkjet head 4, and the upper end (the other end) is opened. .

  The lip 42 is a member made of an elastic material such as rubber, and is provided at the upper end (the other end) of the cylindrical body 41. Further, the lip 42 is formed with a through hole 42a penetrating the lip 42 in the vertical direction at a substantially central portion thereof. The guide member 43 is a cylindrical member having a space 43a formed therein, and is provided at the upper end portion of the cylindrical body 41 in which the lip 42 is disposed. The guide member 43 is for guiding a cylindrical body 51 (to be described later) of the valve mechanism 23 when the valve mechanism 11 and the valve mechanism 23 are connected as will be described later.

  FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the valve member 44. As shown in FIGS. 3 to 7, the valve member 44 is disposed in the ink flow path 41 a, the upper end portion of which has a larger diameter than the other portions, and is larger than the through hole 42 a of the lip 42 in plan view. The large-diameter portion 44a extends to the outside. Thereby, the upper surface of the valve member 44 (large diameter portion 44a) can be brought into contact with the lower surface of the lip 42. When the upper surface of the valve member 44 is in contact with the lower surface of the lip 42, the lip 42 and the valve member 44 closes the opening at the upper end of the cylindrical body 41 and blocks the communication between the ink flow path 41a and the inkjet head 4 and the outside.

  Further, on the upper surface of the valve member 44, a protrusion 44b and a rib 44c are formed. The protrusion 44 b extends upward (in the direction of the other end of the cylindrical body 41) from a substantially central portion of the upper surface of the valve member 44. The rib 44c has a substantially cross-shaped planar shape centered on the protrusion 44b on the upper surface of the valve member 44.

  The spring 45 is disposed below the valve member 44 in the ink flow path 41a, and urges the valve member 44 toward the lip 42 by pressing the lower surface of the large diameter portion 44a upward. Thereby, the upper surface of the valve member 44 is in contact with the lower surface of the lip 42 in a state where the valve member 44 is not pressed by the cylindrical body 51 as will be described later.

  The valve mechanism 23 (first valve mechanism) includes a tubular body 51 (first tubular body), a valve member 52 (first valve member), an O-ring 53 and a spring 54 (first urging means). . The cylindrical body 51 has a diameter slightly smaller than the space 43a of the guide member 43 in which the ink flow path 51a is formed, and has a smaller diameter at the lower end portion than other portions. It is a substantially circular cylindrical member in plan view. Further, as the diameter of the lower end portion of the cylindrical body 51 is smaller than that of the other portions, the diameter of the ink channel 51a is reduced at the lower end portion thereof. The cylindrical body 51 has an upper end (one end) connected to the tube 22 (first flow path) and an open lower end (the other end).

  The valve member 52 is a sphere and is disposed in the ink flow path 51a. The O-ring 53 is disposed at a portion where the diameter of the ink flow path 51a is reduced, and is positioned below the valve member 52. The valve member 52 and the O-ring 53 are configured such that the valve member 52 can come into contact with the O-ring 53. When the valve member 52 is in contact with the O-ring 53, the valve member 52 and the O-ring 53 are in contact with the O-ring 53. The ring 53 closes the opening at the lower end of the cylindrical body 51.

  The spring 54 is disposed above the valve member 52 in the ink flow path 51a, and urges the valve member 52 downward. As will be described later, in a state where the valve member 52 is not pressed against the protrusion 44 b of the valve member 44, the valve member 52 is biased by the spring 54 and is in contact with the O-ring 53. Here, the biasing force of the spring 54 when the valve member 52 is in contact with the O-ring 53 is smaller than the biasing force of the spring 45 when the valve member 44 is in contact with the lip 42.

  Next, a process of connecting the valve mechanism 11 and the valve mechanism 23 will be described. In a state where the valve mechanism 11 and the valve mechanism 23 are not connected, as described above, the opening at the upper end of the cylindrical body 41 is blocked by the lip 42 and the valve member 44, and the valve member 52 and the O-ring are closed. The opening at the lower end of the cylindrical body 51 is closed by 53.

  When connecting the valve mechanism 11 and the valve mechanism 23, the tubular body 51 of the valve mechanism 23 is inserted into the space 43 a of the guide member 43 of the valve mechanism 11 from above. Then, after the cylindrical body 51 passes through the space 43a, as shown in FIG. 4, the protrusion 44b of the valve member 44 is inserted into the ink flow path 51a from below, and the cylindrical body 51 is lip 42 from above. Is inserted into the through hole 42a. Thereby, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 51 and the wall surface defining the through hole 42a of the lip 42 are in contact with each other, and thereafter, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 51 moves downward while sliding with the wall surface of the through hole 42a. Thus, the through hole 42a of the lip 42 becomes a sealed space closed by the valve members 44 and 52. That is, a sealed space is formed between the valve member 52 and the lip 42.

  At this time, since the cylindrical body 51 has a slightly smaller diameter than the space 43 a of the guide member 43, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical body 51 is guided by the wall surface of the space 43 a, and the valve mechanism 23, the valve mechanism 11, Is inserted in an aligned state. Thereby, the valve mechanism 23 and the valve mechanism 11 can be easily connected.

  Further, since the valve mechanism 23 and the valve mechanism 11 are aligned and connected, the through hole 42a of the lip 42 is reliably sealed.

  Further, when the tubular body 51 is inserted into the space 43a in a state where the valve mechanism 23 and the valve mechanism 11 are aligned, the protrusion 44b is reliably inserted into the ink flow path 51a. Does not contact the projection 44b, and damage to the projection 44b is prevented.

  Furthermore, since the cylindrical body 51 moves along the protrusion 44b after the protrusion 44b is inserted into the ink flow path 51a, the valve mechanism 23 and the valve mechanism 11 can be more easily connected.

  Here, the protrusion 44b and the tubular body 51 are in contact with the tubular body 51 on the wall surface of the through hole 42a of the protrusion 44b in a state where the upper surface of the valve member 44 is in contact with the lower surface of the lip 42 in the vertical direction. The length L1 of the portion protruding upward from the portion is configured to be shorter than the length L2 from the lower end of the cylindrical body 51 to the O-ring 53. Therefore, the protrusion 44b is not in contact with the valve member 52 in a state in which the cylindrical body 51 starts to contact the wall surface of the through hole 42a. As a result, before the through hole 42a becomes a sealed space, the valve member 52 is pressed against the protrusion 44b as will be described later, so that the ink flow path 51a does not communicate with the outside.

  When the valve mechanism 23 is inserted further downward, as shown in FIG. 5, the protrusion 44b of the valve member 44 abuts on the valve member 52 and presses the valve member 52 upward. As a result, the valve member 52 moves upward against the urging force of the spring 54 to create a gap between the valve member 52 and the O-ring 53 (the lower end of the cylindrical body 51 is opened), and the ink flow path. 51a communicates with the through hole 42a, and the ink in the ink flow path 51a flows out to the through hole 42a. At this time, before the ink flow path 51a communicates with the through hole 42a, the through hole 42a becomes a sealed space, so that the ink that has flowed from the ink flow path 51a to the through hole 42a is outside the valve mechanisms 11 and 23. There is no leakage. At this time, the biasing force of the spring 45 when the valve member 44 is in contact with the lip 42 is larger than the biasing force of the spring 54 when the valve member 52 is in contact with the O-ring 53. When the protrusion 44b and the valve member 52 come into contact with each other, the valve member 52 is reliably pressed by the protrusion 44b and moves upward.

  When the valve mechanism 23 is further inserted downward from this state, the lower surface of the cylindrical body 51 comes into contact with the upper surface of the rib 44c and the valve member 44 is pressed downward by the cylindrical body 51 as shown in FIG. . Then, the valve member 44 moves downward against the urging force of the spring 45 and does not come into contact with the lip 42, so that a gap is formed between the upper surface of the valve member 44 and the lower surface of the lip 42 (tubular body 41). Open at the top.

  Furthermore, since the rib 44c has a substantially cross-shaped planar shape, a part of the opening of the ink flow path 51a is not opposed to the rib 44c, and the gap between the opening of the cylindrical body 51 and the rib 44c. Has a gap, and the ink flow path 51a and the ink flow path 41a communicate with each other through the gap. In this manner, since a gap is formed between the opening of the cylindrical body 51 and the rib 44c, holes or notches for communicating the ink flow path 51a and the ink flow path 41a on the side surface of the cylindrical body 51 are formed. The lip 42 is not easily damaged even if it slides in a state where the side surface of the cylindrical body 51 and the wall surface of the through hole 42a of the lip 42 are in contact with each other.

  In this state, the ink flow path 51a of the cylindrical body 51 and the ink flow path 41a of the cylindrical body 41 include the gap between the opening of the ink flow path 51a and the rib 44c, and the lower surface of the lip 42. The valve member 44 communicates with the upper surface through a gap. Thereby, the ink in the ink pack 32 is supplied to the inkjet head 4 through the tube 22 and the valve mechanisms 11 and 23.

  Even in this state, since the cylindrical body 51 and the wall surface of the through hole 42a of the lip 42 are in contact, the through hole 42a does not communicate with the portions other than the ink flow paths 41a and 51a, and the ink The ink that has flowed into the ink flow path 41a from the flow path 51a does not leak out of the valve mechanisms 11 and 23.

  Furthermore, in this state, since the cylindrical body 51 is supported by the guide member 43 by arranging the cylindrical body 51 in the space 43 a of the guide member 43, an external force is applied from the side of the cylindrical body 51. When added, the valve mechanism 23 is prevented from being detached from the valve mechanism 11.

  On the other hand, when removing the valve mechanism 23 from the valve mechanism 11, the valve mechanism 23 is pulled upward from the state shown in FIG. Then, first, as shown in FIG. 5, the valve member 44 is not pressed against the cylindrical body 51, so that the upper surface of the valve member 44 (large diameter portion 44 a) biased by the spring 45 is the lower surface of the lip 42. The opening of the upper end portion of the cylindrical body 41 is closed by the lip 42 and the valve member 44.

  After that, as shown in FIG. 4, the valve member 52 is not pressed against the protrusion 44 b of the valve member 44, whereby the valve member 52 biased by the spring 54 comes into contact with the O-ring 53, and the valve member 52 and the O The ring 53 closes the opening at the lower end of the cylindrical body 51.

  After that, as shown in FIG. 3, the cylindrical body 51 is pulled out from the through hole 42 a of the lip 42, and the valve mechanism 23 is removed from the valve mechanism 11.

  Thus, when removing the valve mechanism 23 from the valve mechanism 11, the opening at the upper end of the tubular body 41 is closed by the lip 42 and the valve member 44, and the tubular body is formed by the valve member 52 and the O-ring 53. Since the cylindrical body 51 is pulled out from the through hole 42a of the lip 42 after the opening at the lower end of the cylinder 51 is closed, before the opening at the upper end of the cylinder 41 is blocked by the lip 42 and the valve member 44, And in the state before the opening of the lower end of the cylindrical body 51 is closed by the valve member 52 and the O-ring 53, the through hole 42a of the lip 42 is not in communication with the portions other than the ink flow paths 41a and 51a. . This prevents ink from leaking out of the valve mechanisms 11 and 23.

  Next, modified examples in which various changes are made to the present embodiment will be described. However, components having the same configuration as in the present embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  In one modification, as shown in FIG. 8, the rib 44c is not formed in the valve member 44, but the notch 51b is formed in the front-end | tip part of the cylindrical body 51 (modification 1). In this case, when the valve mechanism 23 and the valve mechanism 11 are connected, as shown in FIG. 9, the opening on the lower surface of the tubular body 51 completely contacts the upper surface of the valve member 44, and the tubular body 51. Although there is no gap between the opening on the lower surface of the valve member 44 and the upper surface of the valve member 44, the notch 51 b is formed in the cylindrical body 51, so the ink channel 51 a and the ink channel 41 a It communicates via 51b.

  Further, the cylindrical body 51 in the case where the rib 44c is not formed on the valve member 44 is not limited to the one in which the notch 51b is formed at the tip, and the ink flow path 51a is formed on the side surface of the cylindrical body 51. A communicating through hole may be formed.

  In another modification, as shown in FIG. 10, a guide member 61 is provided instead of the guide member 43 (see FIG. 3), and a guide 62 is provided in the valve mechanism 11. The guide member 61 is a substantially cylindrical member having a space 61 a formed therein, and the diameter of the inner peripheral surface thereof is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical body 51. The guide 62 is a substantially cylindrical member that is integrally formed with the cylindrical body 51 and surrounds the cylindrical body 51. The diameter of the inner peripheral surface of the guide 62 is slightly larger than the diameter of the outer peripheral surface of the guide member 61 (Modification 2).

  In this case, when connecting the valve mechanism 23 and the valve mechanism 11, as shown in FIG. 11, the guide 62 is guided by the guide member 61, thereby forming a cylindrical shape integrally with the guide 62. The body 51 is also guided by the guide member 61, and the valve mechanism 23 and the valve mechanism 11 are aligned. Thereby, the valve mechanism 23 and the valve mechanism 11 can be easily connected.

  Further, since the valve mechanism 23 and the valve mechanism 11 are aligned and connected, the through hole 42a of the lip 42 is reliably sealed.

  Furthermore, when the tubular body 51 is inserted into the space 61a with the valve mechanism 23 and the valve mechanism 11 being aligned, the protrusion 44b is reliably inserted into the ink flow path 51a. Does not contact the projection 44b, and damage to the projection 44b is prevented.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the guide member 43 for guiding the cylindrical body 51 was provided in the upper end part of the cylindrical body 41, the guide member does not need to be provided. In this case, when connecting the valve mechanism 23 and the valve mechanism 11, the user may adjust the position so that the cylindrical body 51 is inserted into the through hole 42 a of the lip 42.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the biasing force of the spring 45 when the valve member 44 is in contact with the lip 42 is larger than the biasing force of the spring 54 when the valve member 52 is in contact with the O-ring 53. However, on the contrary, the biasing force of the spring 45 when the valve member 44 is in contact with the lip 42 is smaller than the biasing force of the spring 54 when the valve member 52 is in contact with the O-ring 53. It may be.

  In this case, when the protrusion 44b comes into contact with the valve member 52, the protrusion 44b is pressed by the valve member 52 and the valve member 44 moves downward, whereby a gap is formed between the lip 42 and the valve member 44. Can do. Thereafter, when the biasing force of the spring 45 compressed by the movement of the valve member 44 becomes larger than the biasing force of the spring 54 in a state where the valve member 52 is in contact with the O-ring 53, the valve member 52 is pressed by the projection 44 b and moves upward, whereby a gap is formed between the valve member 52 and the O-ring 53.

  However, in this case, the spring 45 is attached to the valve mechanism 52 before the valve mechanism 23 and the valve mechanism 11 are completely connected so that the valve member 52 is pressed by the protrusion 44b and moves upward. The urging force needs to be larger than the urging force of the spring 54 in a state where the valve member 52 is in contact with the O-ring 53.

  In the present embodiment, the valve member 44 is provided with a protrusion 44b, and when the valve mechanism 23 and the valve mechanism 11 are connected, the protrusion 44b presses the valve member 52, which is a sphere, upward. However, the valve member provided in the valve mechanism 11 is not limited to the one provided with the protrusion, and the upper end of the cylindrical body 41 is brought into contact with the lip 42 without being connected to the valve mechanism 23. As long as the lower end of the cylindrical body 51 is opened by contacting the valve member of the valve mechanism 23 when connected to the valve mechanism 23, the projection is not provided. Also good.

  In the above description, the valve mechanism 11 is connected to the ink flow path inside the ink jet head 4 and the valve mechanism 23 is provided on the tube 22. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Valve mechanisms 11 and 23 may be provided for two liquid flow paths to be connected to each other, which are different from the tubes connected to the flow paths and the ink cartridges.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) shows a state where a cartridge unit is attached, and (b) shows a state where a cartridge unit is removed. It is a schematic block diagram of a cartridge unit. It is sectional drawing of the valve mechanism in the state where two valve mechanisms are not connected. It is a figure which shows the process in which two valve mechanisms are connected. It is a figure which shows the process in which two valve mechanisms are connected. It is a figure which shows the process in which two valve mechanisms are connected. It is a perspective view of the valve member which comprises the valve mechanism provided in the inkjet head of FIGS. FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 6 of Modification 1; FIG. 10 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG.

Explanation of symbols

4 Inkjet Head 11 Valve Mechanism 22 Tube 23 Valve Mechanism 41 Tubular Body 42 Lip 43 Guide Member 44 Valve Member 44b Projection 44c Rib 45 Spring 51 Tubular Body 52 Valve Member 54 Spring 61 Guide Member

Claims (6)

A first tubular body having one end connected to the first flow path through which the liquid flows, a first valve member closing the other end of the first tubular body, and the first valve member of the first tubular body A first valve mechanism comprising first biasing means for biasing toward the other end;
A second cylindrical body having one end connected to the second flow path through which the liquid flows, an elastic body disposed at the other end of the second cylindrical body, and the second cylindrical body by contacting the elastic body A second valve mechanism comprising: a second valve member for closing the other end of the body; and a second urging means for urging the second valve member toward the other end of the second tubular body,
When connecting the other end of the first valve mechanism and the other end of the second valve mechanism, the first tubular body comes into contact with the elastic body and is between the elastic body and the second valve member. The second valve member contacts the first valve member to open the other end of the first tubular body, and the first tubular body becomes the second valve member. A valve unit that contacts and opens the other end of the second cylindrical body.   2. The valve unit according to claim 1, wherein the second valve member includes a protrusion that extends in a direction of the other end of the second cylindrical body and can be inserted into the first cylindrical body.   The said 2nd cylindrical body was equipped with the guide part which guides the said 1st cylindrical body, when the said 1st valve mechanism and the said 2nd valve mechanism are connected. 2. The valve unit according to 2.   The second valve member forms a gap through which liquid flows between the second valve member and the first tubular body when the second valve member contacts the first tubular body. The valve unit according to claim 1, further comprising a rib.   The urging force by the second urging means in a state where the second valve member closes the other end of the second tubular body causes the first valve member to close the other end of the first tubular body. 5. The valve unit according to claim 1, wherein the valve unit is larger than an urging force by the first urging unit in a state of being. The first flow path is a tube connected to an ink cartridge;
The valve unit according to claim 1, wherein the second flow path is an ink flow path formed inside an inkjet head.

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