JP2016141063A - Liquid spray device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid spray device that can discharge fluid from a pressure regulating valve without using a liquid spray portion.SOLUTION: The liquid spray device comprises: a liquid spray portion 12 having a nozzle 17 for spraying liquid; a supply path 23 which can supply liquid stored in a liquid storing portion 14 to the liquid spray portion 12; a pressure regulating valve 24, arranged in the supply path 23, which has a pressure chamber 42 that can store liquid, has a derivation port 31, which derives the stored liquid to the liquid spray portion 12, provided in the pressure chamber 42, is opened when liquid is derived from the derivation port 31 to the liquid spray portion 12 and pressure in the pressure chamber 42 is decreased, so as to communicate a supply chamber 27 with the pressure chamber 42 and regulate the pressure of the liquid to be supplied to the liquid spray portion 12; a discharge path 25 connected to a communication port 35, which is communicated with the pressure chamber 42 at a position different from the derivation port 31, which is opened at a position above an air bubble capturing portion 135 formed in the pressure chamber 42; and an opening/closing valve 39 provided in the discharge path 25.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus such as an ink jet printer.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, there is an ink jet printer that performs printing by ejecting ink (liquid) supplied from a liquid storage unit (liquid storage unit) from a liquid ejecting unit onto a medium. Some of these printers include a pressure adjustment valve, also called a self-sealing valve, in the middle of an ink supply path from the liquid storage unit to the liquid ejection unit (for example, Patent Document 1).

  This pressure regulating valve has a pressure chamber for retaining ink, and when the ink is consumed by the liquid ejecting head (liquid ejecting unit) and the pressure of the ink in the pressure chamber is lowered, the valve body moves to the valve opening position. Open the valve. Therefore, the ink is supplied from the liquid reservoir to the liquid ejecting head while being adjusted by the pressure adjusting valve so as to have a predetermined pressure at which a meniscus can be formed by the nozzle.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-255543

  By the way, in the case of such a printer, bubbles may be generated in the pressure chamber of the pressure regulating valve. Conventionally, such bubbles are discharged together with ink from the pressure chamber via the liquid ejecting head. However, when ink (fluid) mixed with bubbles is discharged from the pressure chamber through the liquid ejecting head, bubbles may remain in the liquid ejecting head, which may adversely affect liquid ejection.

  Such a problem is not limited to an ink jet printer, but is generally common in liquid ejecting apparatuses in which a pressure adjustment valve is disposed in a supply path for supplying liquid to a liquid ejecting unit.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus capable of discharging a fluid from a pressure regulating valve without using a liquid ejecting unit.

Hereinafter, means for solving the above-described problems and the effects thereof will be described.
A liquid ejecting apparatus that solves the above-described problems is provided with a liquid ejecting unit having a nozzle for ejecting liquid, a supply path that can supply the liquid stored in the liquid storing unit to the liquid ejecting unit, and the supply path. The pressure regulating valve has a pressure chamber capable of storing the liquid, and the pressure chamber is provided with a lead-out port through which the stored liquid is led out to the liquid ejecting unit. The valve is opened when the liquid is led out and the pressure in the pressure chamber decreases, and is connected to the supply path and the pressure chamber through a through hole, and is supplied to the liquid ejecting unit A pressure regulating valve that regulates the pressure of the liquid, and a communication port that communicates with the pressure chamber at a position different from the outlet port, and is open to a position above the bubble intake portion formed in the pressure chamber. A discharge path connected to the communication port; And a on-off valve provided in the discharge path.

  According to this configuration, even when bubbles are generated in the pressure chamber of the pressure regulating valve, the fluid in the pressure chamber can be discharged through the communication port and the discharge path by opening the on-off valve. Therefore, the fluid can be discharged from the pressure regulating valve without using the liquid ejecting unit.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus, it is preferable that the communication port is opened at a position above the outlet in the pressure chamber.
When bubbles are generated in the pressure chamber, the bubbles gather on the upper side of the pressure chamber because they are lighter than the liquid. In this respect, according to this configuration, since the communication port opens above the pressure chamber, the fluid can be easily discharged.

  In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the discharge path is connected to the supply path via a connection port, and the connection port is positioned on the opposite side of the supply port from the liquid ejecting unit with respect to the pressure adjusting valve. Is preferred.

  Bubbles may disappear over time or may disappear upon contact with new liquid. In this respect, according to this configuration, since the connection port is provided on the supply path on the side opposite to the liquid ejecting portion with respect to the pressure adjusting valve, the fluid discharged from the communication port is reduced in bubbles from the fluid. It can be returned to the pressure chamber via the discharge path and the supply path.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus further includes a cap capable of sealing the space including the nozzle, and the fluid in the pressure chamber is discharged by opening the on-off valve in a state where the space is sealed with the cap. It is preferable to discharge via the route.

  When the fluid in the pressure chamber is discharged through the discharge path, the pressure in the pressure chamber decreases and air may be drawn from the nozzle. In this respect, according to this configuration, the possibility of air being drawn from the nozzle can be reduced by sealing with the cap.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus further includes a fluid flow mechanism provided so as to be able to discharge the fluid in the pressure chamber through the discharge path, and the fluid flow mechanism discharges the fluid in the pressure chamber through the discharge path. In this case, it is preferable that the negative pressure acting on the nozzle is driven so as to be smaller than the pressure resistance of the meniscus formed on the nozzle.

  According to this configuration, the liquid in the nozzle can hold the meniscus even when the fluid flow mechanism is driven. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the possibility of drawing air from the nozzles when discharging the fluid through the discharge path.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus further includes a fluid flow mechanism provided so as to be able to discharge the fluid in the pressure chamber through the discharge path, and the fluid flow mechanism discharges the fluid in the pressure chamber through the discharge path. In doing so, it is preferable that the negative pressure acting on the pressure chamber is driven to be larger than the pressure for opening the pressure regulating valve.

  According to this configuration, since the pressure regulating valve is opened by driving the fluid flow mechanism, the liquid flows from the supply path into the pressure chamber. For this reason, the bubbles in the pressure chamber are vigorously discharged from the communication port together with the inflowing liquid, and the bubbles in the pressure chamber can be efficiently discharged.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus further includes a fluid flow mechanism capable of discharging the fluid in the pressure chamber through the discharge path or capable of introducing the fluid into the pressure chamber, and the fluid flow mechanism has the opening / closing valve opened. In this state, the fluid is preferably driven so that fluid is introduced into the pressure chamber from the communication port.

  According to this configuration, in addition to allowing the fluid to be discharged from the communication port, the liquid can be pressurized and supplied to the liquid ejecting unit by bringing the pressure chamber into a pressurized state. Therefore, pressure cleaning of the liquid ejecting unit is possible.

  It is preferable that the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a bypass path that connects between the on-off valve and the connection port in the discharge path and between the pressure adjustment valve and the connection port in the supply path.

  According to this configuration, by providing the bypass path, it is possible to form a circulation path that allows the liquid to circulate without going through the pressure regulating valve.

1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a liquid ejecting apparatus according to another embodiment. The side view of the pressure regulation valve of another embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 6.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a liquid ejecting apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings.
The liquid ejecting apparatus is, for example, an ink jet printer that performs printing by ejecting ink, which is an example of liquid, onto a medium such as paper.

(First embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 according to this embodiment includes a liquid ejecting unit 12 that ejects liquid, a maintenance mechanism 13 that performs maintenance of the liquid ejecting unit 12, and a liquid container 14 that stores liquid. A supply mechanism 15 capable of supplying liquid to the ejection unit 12 is provided. The liquid storage unit 14 is detachably provided on the supply mechanism 15, and the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 14 is pressurized and supplied to the supply mechanism 15.

  The liquid ejecting unit 12 has at least one (a plurality in the present embodiment) nozzle 17 on the nozzle forming surface. The liquid supplied from the liquid storage unit 14 is ejected as droplets from the nozzle 17.

  The maintenance mechanism 13 includes a cap 18 that can be moved relative to the liquid ejecting unit 12, a waste liquid storage unit 19, a waste liquid path 20 that connects the cap 18 and the waste liquid storage unit 19, and a pressure reduction provided in the waste liquid path 20. And a mechanism 21. The cap 18 has a bottomed box shape having an opening, and can move in a direction approaching the liquid ejecting unit 12 to surround a space where the nozzle 17 faces. In the present embodiment, sealing the space including the nozzle 17 by the cap 18 is referred to as “capping”.

  The supply mechanism 15 includes a supply path 23 that can supply the liquid stored in the liquid storage section 14 to the liquid ejection section 12, and a pressure adjustment valve 24 disposed in the supply path 23. The supply mechanism 15 further includes a discharge path 25 that connects the pressure regulating valve 24 and the supply path 23, and a bypass path 26 that connects the discharge path 25 and the supply path 23.

  The supply path 23 includes a supply chamber 27 that supplies liquid to the pressure adjustment valve 24, a storage section side supply path 28 that connects the supply chamber 27 and the liquid storage section 14, and the pressure adjustment valve 24 and the liquid ejection section 12. It is comprised by the injection part side supply path 29 to connect. The injection unit side supply path 29 is connected to the pressure adjusting valve 24 via the outlet 31. The supply chamber 27 is provided with a filter 32 that can capture bubbles and foreign matters in the liquid. Further, a supply valve 33 is provided in the accommodating portion side supply path 28.

  The discharge path 25 has one end connected to the supply path 23 via the connection port 34 and the other end connected to the communication port 35 of the pressure regulating valve 24. The bypass path 26 has one end connected to the supply port 36 of the supply path 23 and the other end connected to the discharge port 37 of the discharge path 25. Therefore, the discharge path 25, the bypass path 26, the supply chamber 27, and the accommodating part side supply path 28 constitute a circulation path through which fluid can circulate.

  The connection port 34 is located in the accommodating portion side supply path 28 among the supply chamber 27 and the accommodating portion side supply path 28 that are on the opposite side of the pressure adjusting valve 24 in the supply path 23 from the liquid ejecting unit 12. ing. That is, the supply part 28 is provided with the supply valve 33 and the connection port 34 in order from the side where the liquid storage part 14 is connected. The supply port 36 is provided on the connection port 34 side of the filter 32 in the supply chamber 27 on the pressure adjustment valve 24 side of the connection port 34.

  The discharge path 25 is provided with a fluid flow mechanism 38 that can flow the liquid in the discharge path 25 at a position between the discharge port 37 and the connection port 34. Furthermore, an opening / closing valve 39 is provided in the discharge path 25 at a position between the discharge port 37 and the communication port 35.

  That is, the bypass path 26 connects between the on-off valve 39 and the connection port 34 in the discharge path 25 and between the pressure adjustment valve 24 and the connection port 34 in the supply path 23. The fluid flow mechanism 38, the supply valve 33, and the on-off valve 39 are driven and controlled by the control unit 40.

  The pressure regulating valve 24 includes a pressure chamber 42 that can store liquid, a valve body 43 provided between the pressure chamber 42 and the supply chamber 27, and a biasing member 44 that biases the valve body 43 in the valve closing direction. With. That is, a through hole 45 is formed between the pressure chamber 42 and the supply chamber 27, and the valve body 43 urged by the urging member 44 is provided so as to close the through hole 45.

  The pressure chamber 42 is configured by a diaphragm 46 whose part of the wall surface can be bent and deformed along the urging direction of the urging member 44. The diaphragm 46 receives atmospheric pressure on the outer surface side (left surface side in FIG. 1), and receives the pressure of the liquid in the pressure chamber 42 on the inner surface side (right surface side in FIG. 1). Therefore, the diaphragm 46 is deflected and displaced in accordance with the pressure change in the pressure chamber 42.

  Further, the pressure chamber 42 has an outlet 31 to which the injection unit side supply path 29 is connected and a communication port 35 to which the discharge path 25 is connected. That is, the liquid stored in the pressure chamber 42 is led out from the outlet 31 to the liquid ejecting unit 12. A communication port 35 that communicates with the pressure chamber 42 at a position different from the outlet 31 is opened at a position above the outlet 31 in the vertical direction in the pressure chamber 42. Further, the cross-sectional area of the pressure chamber 42 in the horizontal direction is smaller in the upper part near the communication port 35 than in the central part in the vertical direction.

  The pressure adjustment valve 24 adjusts the pressure of the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting unit 12 in order to adjust the pressure in the liquid ejecting unit 12 that is the back pressure of the nozzle 17. That is, the inside of the pressure chamber 42 is kept in a negative pressure state within a certain range in order to form a concave meniscus suitable for liquid ejection in the nozzle 17. The meniscus refers to a curved liquid surface generated by the magnitude relationship between the adhesion force acting when the liquid comes into contact with the nozzle 17 and the cohesive force between the liquid molecules.

  On the other hand, the supply chamber 27 is maintained in a pressurized state by the liquid sent from the liquid storage portion 14 under pressure. When the liquid ejecting unit 12 does not eject liquid, the valve body 43 restricts the communication between the pressure chamber 42 in the negative pressure state and the supply chamber 27 in the pressurized state by the biasing force of the biasing member 44.

Next, the operation when the liquid ejecting apparatus 11 configured as described above ejects liquid from the nozzle 17 toward the target will be described by focusing on the operation of the supply mechanism 15.
The control unit 40 opens the supply valve 33, closes the on-off valve 39, and stops driving the fluid flow mechanism 38. When the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejecting section 12 in this state, the liquid in the pressure chamber 42 is led out from the outlet 31 and supplied to the liquid ejecting section 12 through the ejecting section side supply path 29. Then, the pressure in the pressure chamber 42 decreases and the negative pressure increases. Therefore, the diaphragm 46 opens the pressure regulating valve 24 by pressing the valve body 43 against the urging force of the urging member 44 and moving it to the valve opening position. Thereby, the supply chamber 27 and the pressure chamber 42 communicate with each other through the through hole 45, and the liquid flows into the pressure chamber 42 from the pressurized supply chamber 27.

  Then, the pressure in the pressure chamber 42 increases and the negative pressure decreases, so that the diaphragm 46 that has been bent and deformed is displaced in a direction away from the supply chamber 27. Then, the valve body 43 moves again to the valve closing position where the through hole 45 is closed, and the communication between the pressure chamber 42 and the supply chamber 27 is restricted. As described above, the pressure regulating function of the pressure regulating valve 24 keeps the inside of the pressure chamber 42 in a negative pressure state suitable for liquid ejection.

  By the way, since the liquid is stored in the pressure chamber 42, the gas dissolved in the liquid may be generated as bubbles. Next, the operation when the bubbles generated in the pressure chamber 42 are discharged will be described.

  Now, in a state where the liquid ejecting unit 12 is capped by the cap 18, the control unit 40 opens the on-off valve 39, closes the supply valve 33, and drives the fluid flow mechanism 38 to rotate forward. Then, the liquid in the discharge path 25 flows in the discharge direction A from the fluid flow mechanism 38 toward the connection port 34, and the liquid in the pressure chamber 42 is discharged to the discharge path 25 through the communication port 35 together with the bubbles. That is, the fluid flow mechanism 38 discharges the fluid in the pressure chamber 42 through the discharge path 25.

  At this time, the control unit 40 has a fluid flow mechanism so that the negative pressure in the pressure chamber 42 is smaller than the meniscus pressure resistance that can hold the meniscus in the nozzle 17 and larger than the negative pressure that opens the pressure regulating valve 24. 38 is driven. Therefore, the flow of the liquid from the outlet 31 into the pressure chamber 42 is suppressed, and the valve body 43 moves to the valve opening position so that the supply chamber 27 and the pressure chamber 42 communicate with each other. Therefore, the fluid composed of the liquid and the bubbles in the pressure chamber 42 is discharged from the communication port 35, and then flows in the order of the discharge path 25, the container side supply path 28, and the supply chamber 27. Flows into the pressure chamber 42 from the through hole 45.

Next, the operation when the liquid is circulated in the supply mechanism 15 will be described.
The controller 40 closes the supply valve 33 and the on-off valve 39 in a state where the liquid ejecting unit 12 is located at a position facing the cap 18 and drives the fluid flow mechanism 38 to rotate forward. Then, the liquid in the discharge path 25 flows in the discharge direction A. Therefore, the liquid that has flowed from the connection port 34 into the accommodating portion side supply path 28 circulates so as to pass through the supply chamber 27, the supply port 36, the bypass path 26, the discharge port 37, and the discharge path 25 in this order.

Next, the operation of the supply mechanism 15 when the liquid ejecting unit 12 is subjected to pressure cleaning will be described.
Now, in a state where the liquid ejecting unit 12 is capped by the cap 18, the control unit 40 opens the on-off valve 39 and the supply valve 33 and drives the fluid flow mechanism 38 in the reverse direction. Then, the liquid flows in the cleaning direction B from the connection port 34 toward the fluid flow mechanism 38 in the discharge path 25.

  That is, the fluid flow mechanism 38 introduces fluid from the communication port 35 to the pressure chamber 42 via the discharge path 25. At this time, since the negative pressure in the pressure chamber 42 is eliminated, the valve body 43 is located at a valve closing position that closes the through hole 45 and restricts communication between the pressure chamber 42 and the supply chamber 27. Therefore, the fluid flowing into the pressure chamber 42 is led out from the outlet 31 and discharged from the nozzle 17 of the liquid ejecting unit 12.

Next, an operation when the liquid ejecting unit 12 is suction-cleaned by the maintenance mechanism 13 will be described.
When the pressure reducing mechanism 21 is driven in a state where the liquid ejecting unit 12 is capped by the cap 18, liquid is sucked from the nozzle 17 because the inside of the cap 18 becomes negative pressure. Thereafter, the control unit 40 performs the pressure cleaning. That is, the control unit 40 opens the on-off valve 39 and the supply valve 33 and drives the fluid flow mechanism 38 in the reverse direction. Then, the liquid flowing in the cleaning direction B flows into the pressure chamber 42 from the communication port 35, and the negative pressure in the pressure chamber 42 is relieved.

According to the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) Even when bubbles are generated in the pressure chamber 42 of the pressure regulating valve 24, the fluid in the pressure chamber 42 is discharged through the communication port 35 and the discharge path 25 by opening the on-off valve 39. can do. Therefore, the fluid can be discharged from the pressure regulating valve 24 without using the liquid ejecting unit 12.

  (2) When bubbles are generated in the pressure chamber 42, the bubbles gather on the upper side of the pressure chamber 42 because they are lighter than the liquid. In that respect, since the communication port 35 is opened above the pressure chamber 42, the fluid can be easily discharged.

  (3) Bubbles may disappear with the passage of time or may disappear when touched with new liquid. In that respect, since the connection port 34 is provided on the supply path 23 on the side opposite to the liquid ejecting unit 12 with respect to the pressure regulating valve 24, the fluid discharged from the communication port 35 is discharged while reducing bubbles from the fluid. It is possible to return to the pressure chamber 42 via the path 25 and the supply path 23.

  (4) When the fluid in the pressure chamber 42 is discharged through the discharge path 25, the pressure in the pressure chamber 42 may be reduced and air may be drawn from the nozzle 17. In that regard, by sealing with the cap 18, the risk of air being drawn from the nozzle 17 can be reduced.

  (5) Even if the fluid flow mechanism 38 is driven, the liquid in the nozzle 17 can hold the meniscus. Therefore, the possibility of drawing air from the nozzle 17 when the fluid is discharged via the discharge path 25 can be reduced.

  (6) Since the pressure regulating valve 24 is opened by driving the fluid flow mechanism 38, the liquid flows into the pressure chamber 42 from the supply path 23. Therefore, the bubbles in the pressure chamber 42 are vigorously discharged from the communication port 35 together with the flowing liquid, and the bubbles in the pressure chamber 42 can be discharged efficiently.

  (7) In addition to allowing the fluid to be discharged from the communication port 35, it is possible to pressurize and supply the liquid to the liquid ejecting unit 12 by bringing the pressure chamber 42 into a pressurized state. Therefore, pressure cleaning of the liquid ejecting unit 12 is possible.

(8) By providing the bypass path 26, it is possible to form a circulation path that allows the liquid to circulate without going through the pressure regulating valve 24.
(9) Since the pressure regulating valve 24 is opened by driving the fluid flow mechanism 38, the fluid discharged from the pressure chamber 42 flows through the discharge path 25, the accommodating portion side supply path 28, and the supply chamber 27 to generate pressure. Return to chamber 42. That is, since the liquid can be circulated in the discharge path 25 and the supply path 23, for example, the liquid can be circulated even if the bypass path 26 is not provided. Therefore, even in a liquid such as a pigment ink that causes sedimentation over time, the liquid can be stirred while suppressing the consumption of the liquid.

  (10) When the supply mechanism 15 circulates the liquid, since the cap 18 faces the liquid ejecting unit 12, the liquid can be received by the cap 18 even when the liquid leaks from the nozzle 17. Therefore, the possibility that the liquid is scattered around can be reduced.

  (11) When the supply mechanism 15 circulates the liquid, since the cap 18 faces the liquid ejecting unit 12, the maintenance operation such as suction cleaning performed by capping the liquid ejecting unit 12 after the liquid is circulated. It can move smoothly.

  (12) When performing suction cleaning, by performing pressure cleaning before separating the cap 18 from the liquid ejecting unit 12, it is possible to reduce the possibility of air being drawn from the nozzle 17.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, the configuration of the supply mechanism 48 is different from that in the first embodiment. And since it is substantially the same as 1st Embodiment in another point, the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol about the same structure.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the supply mechanism 48 includes a fluid reservoir 49 provided between the on-off valve 39 and the fluid flow mechanism 38 in the discharge path 25. In other words, the discharge path 25 is closer to the pressure regulating valve 24 than the fluid reservoir 49 and is provided with the on-off valve 39, and the discharge path 25 is closer to the connection port 34 than the fluid reservoir 49. The flow mechanism side discharge path 51 is provided with a flow mechanism 38.

  The fluid reservoir 49 is provided with an air release valve 52 that can open the fluid reservoir 49 to the atmosphere, and a liquid level sensor 53 that can detect the position of the liquid level stored in the fluid reservoir 49. It has been.

  The on-off valve side discharge path 50 and the flow mechanism side discharge path 51 are connected to a lower position in the vertical direction than the opening 54 connected to the atmosphere opening valve 52 in the fluid reservoir 49. The control unit 40 acquires the detection result from the liquid level sensor 53 and controls the driving of the fluid flow mechanism 38, the supply valve 33, the on-off valve 39, and the atmosphere release valve 52.

  Next, the operation of the supply mechanism 48 will be described. However, since the actions in the case of ejecting liquid from the nozzle 17 toward the target, the case of pressure cleaning, and the case of suction cleaning are the same as those in the first embodiment, their descriptions are omitted. Therefore, hereinafter, an operation when the liquid is circulated in the supply mechanism 48 while discharging the bubbles generated in the pressure chamber 42 will be described.

  Now, in a state where the liquid ejecting unit 12 is capped by the cap 18 (not shown in FIG. 2), the control unit 40 closes the supply valve 33 and the atmosphere release valve 52 and opens the on-off valve 39, The fluid flow mechanism 38 is driven forward. Then, the liquid in the flow mechanism side discharge path 51 flows in the discharge direction A from the fluid flow mechanism 38 toward the connection port 34, and the liquid in the pressure chamber 42 is discharged along with the bubbles via the communication port 35. It is discharged to the path 50.

  At this time, the controller 40 drives the fluid flow mechanism 38 so that the negative pressure in the pressure chamber 42 is smaller than the meniscus pressure resistance of the nozzle 17 and larger than the negative pressure that opens the pressure regulating valve 24. Therefore, the flow of the liquid from the outlet 31 into the pressure chamber 42 is suppressed, and the valve body 43 moves to the valve opening position so that the supply chamber 27 and the pressure chamber 42 communicate with each other. Accordingly, the liquid flows from the supply chamber 27 into the pressure chamber 42. That is, the fluid flows in the pressure chamber 42, the communication port 35, the on-off valve side discharge path 50, the fluid storage part 49, the flow mechanism side discharge path 51, the connection port 34, the accommodating part side supply path 28, the supply chamber 27, and the through hole 45. It circulates so that it may pass in order.

  By the way, when the liquid containing bubbles is stored in the fluid storage unit 49, the bubbles gather above the fluid storage unit 49 in the vertical direction, whereas the liquid flows on the flow mechanism side discharge path 51 provided below the vertical direction. Discharged from. Therefore, the control unit 40 releases the atmosphere when the liquid level in the fluid storage unit 49 decreases based on the detection result of the liquid level sensor 53 (in other words, when the amount of gas increases in the fluid storage unit 49). The valve 52 is opened, the on-off valve 39 is closed, the supply valve 33 is opened, and the fluid flow mechanism 38 is driven in reverse. Then, the liquid in the flow mechanism side discharge path 51 flows in the cleaning direction B from the fluid flow mechanism 38 toward the fluid reservoir 49. Therefore, in the fluid reservoir 49, gas is discharged through the opening 54 and the atmosphere release valve 52, and liquid flows in to raise the liquid level in the fluid reservoir 49.

According to the second embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects (1) to (12) of the first embodiment.
(13) By providing the fluid storage section 49 including the atmosphere release valve 52 in the supply mechanism 48, the bubbles discharged from the pressure chamber 42 can be discharged out of the supply mechanism 48.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. In the third embodiment, the configuration of the supply mechanism 56 is different from those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment. And since it is the same as 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment in another point, the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol about the same structure.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge path 57 includes an adjustment valve side discharge path 58 that connects the pressure regulating valve 24 and the fluid storage part 49, and an on-off valve side discharge path that connects the fluid storage part 49 and the on-off valve 39. 59 and a flow mechanism-side discharge path 60 provided with a fluid flow mechanism 38. One end of the regulating valve side discharge path 58 is connected to a lower position in the vertical direction of the fluid storage section 49, and one end of the on-off valve side discharge path 59 is set to a position in the vertical direction of the fluid storage section 49. It is connected.

  At one end of the flow mechanism side discharge path 60, a normally closed valve 61 that opens when connected to the on-off valve 39 is provided, and the other end side is opened to provide the waste liquid container 19. Yes. The normally closed valve 61 is provided so as to be movable relative to the on-off valve 39 and opens the on-off valve 39 when connected to the on-off valve 39. That is, the on-off valve 39 and the normally closed valve 61 are opened when they are connected to each other, whereas they are closed when they are not connected to each other.

  Next, the operation of the supply mechanism 56 will be described. However, since each action when ejecting liquid from the nozzle 17 toward the target and when performing suction cleaning are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted. Therefore, in the following, an operation in the case of discharging bubbles generated in the pressure chamber 42 will be described.

  When bubbles are generated in the pressure chamber 42, the bubbles move to the fluid reservoir 49 through the communication port 35 and the regulating valve side discharge path 58. Then, the control unit 40 rotates the fluid flow mechanism 38 in the normal direction in a state where the liquid ejecting unit 12 is capped by the cap 18 (not shown in FIG. 3) and the normally closed valve 61 and the open / close valve 39 are connected. To drive. That is, the fluid flow mechanism 38 is driven in a state where the normally closed valve 61 and the open / close valve 39 are opened and the open / close valve side discharge path 59 and the flow mechanism side discharge path 60 communicate with each other. Bubbles flow in the discharge direction A and are discharged from the flow mechanism side discharge path 60.

Next, the operation of the supply mechanism 56 when the liquid ejecting unit 12 is subjected to pressure cleaning will be described.
Now, with the bubbles discharged from the flow mechanism side discharge path 60, the control unit 40 drives the fluid flow mechanism 38 in the reverse direction. Then, the fluid flows in the cleaning direction B from the fluid flow mechanism 38 toward the normally closed valve 61. Therefore, air is taken in from the flow mechanism side discharge path 60, and the fluid in the on-off valve side discharge path 59 flows to the fluid reservoir 49 side. Then, the inside of the fluid reservoir 49 is pressurized, and the liquid in the fluid reservoir 49 flows into the pressure chamber 42 from the communication port 35 via the regulating valve side discharge path 58.

  At this time, since the negative pressure in the pressure chamber 42 is eliminated, the valve body 43 is positioned at a valve closing position that closes the through hole 45 and restricts communication between the pressure chamber 42 and the supply chamber 27. Therefore, the liquid flowing into the pressure chamber 42 is led out from the outlet 31 and discharged from the nozzle 17 of the liquid ejecting unit 12.

According to the said 3rd Embodiment, in addition to the effect of (1)-(13) of the said 1st Embodiment and 2nd Embodiment, the following effects can be acquired.
(14) Since the on-off valve 39 is opened by connection with the normally-closed valve 61, the load on the control unit 40 can be reduced as compared with the case where the control unit 40 performs the on-off control of the on-off valve 39.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the liquid ejecting apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings. In the fourth embodiment, the configuration of the supply mechanism 63 is different from those in the first to third embodiments. And since it is substantially the same as 1st Embodiment from 3rd Embodiment in another point, the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol about the same structure.

  4 illustrates the common liquid chamber 64 of the liquid ejecting unit 12 that is not illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3 of the first to third embodiments, the configuration of the liquid ejecting unit 12 is as follows. This is the same as the first to third embodiments. The common liquid chamber 64 is also called a reservoir and communicates with each nozzle 17 through a cavity (not shown). Therefore, the liquid supplied from the liquid storage unit 14 is temporarily stored in the common liquid chamber 64 and then supplied to each nozzle 17.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the supply mechanism 63 includes a fluid storage part 49 provided between the supply valve 33 and the connection port 34 in the accommodating part side supply path 28. That is, the storage portion side supply path 28 is closer to the liquid storage portion 14 than the fluid storage portion 49, and the supply valve side supply passage 65 provided with the supply valve 33, and closer to the supply chamber 27 than the fluid storage portion 49. The supply chamber side supply path 66 is configured.

  Note that one end of the supply chamber side supply path 66 is connected to the supply port 36 of the supply chamber 27. Further, the ejection unit side supply path 29 has one end connected to the outlet 31 and the other end connected to the common liquid chamber 64.

  In this embodiment, the supply valve side supply path 65, the supply chamber side supply path 66, the supply chamber 27, and the ejection unit side supply path 29 constitute a supply path, and the liquid stored in the liquid storage section 14 passes through the supply path. To the liquid ejecting unit 12.

The discharge path 25 has one end connected to the connection port 34 provided in the supply chamber side supply path 66 and the other end connected to the communication port 35 of the pressure regulating valve 24.
Furthermore, the supply mechanism 63 includes a circulation path 67 that connects the fluid storage unit 49 and the liquid ejection unit 12 and is provided with the fluid flow mechanism 38. That is, one end of the circulation path 67 is connected to the common liquid chamber 64.

  Next, the operation of the supply mechanism 63 will be described. However, the operations when the liquid is ejected from the nozzle 17 toward the target and when the suction cleaning is performed are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted. And the effect | action at the time of discharging | emitting the bubble produced in the pressure chamber 42 is demonstrated.

  Now, in a state where the liquid ejecting unit 12 is capped by the cap 18 (not shown in FIG. 4), the control unit 40 opens the on-off valve 39, closes the supply valve 33, and opens the fluid flow mechanism 38. Drive forward. Then, as the liquid in the circulation path 67 flows in the discharge direction A toward the liquid ejecting section 12, the fluid containing bubbles in the pressure chamber 42 is discharged to the discharge path 25 through the communication port 35.

  At this time, the communication port 35, the discharge path 25, the connection port 34, the supply chamber side supply path 66, the fluid storage section 49, the circulation path 67, the common liquid chamber 64, the ejection section side supply path 29, the outlet 31, the pressure chamber. 42 communicates and the fluid flows to circulate. That is, in the pressure chamber 42, even if the liquid flows out from the communication port 35, the liquid flows in from the outlet port 31, so that the valve body 43 is located at the valve closing position and the communication between the supply chamber 27 and the pressure chamber 42 is restricted. Is done.

Next, the operation when the liquid is circulated in the supply mechanism 63 will be described.
Now, in a state where the liquid ejecting unit 12 is capped by the cap 18 (not shown in FIG. 4), the control unit 40 closes the supply valve 33 while opening the on-off valve 39, and opens the fluid flow mechanism 38. Drive in reverse. Then, the liquid in the circulation path 67 flows in the circulation direction C from the fluid flow mechanism 38 toward the fluid reservoir 49.

  Then, liquid flows into the pressure chamber 42 from the communication port 35, and the valve body 43 is positioned at the valve closing position to restrict communication between the supply chamber 27 and the pressure chamber 42. Therefore, the liquid stored in the pressure chamber 42 is led out from the outlet 31.

  Accordingly, the liquid is connected to the pressure chamber 42, the outlet 31, the ejection unit side supply path 29, the common liquid chamber 64, the circulation path 67, the fluid storage unit 49, the supply chamber side supply path 66, the connection port 34, the discharge path 25, and the communication. It circulates so that it may pass in order of mouth 35.

Next, the operation of the supply mechanism 63 when the liquid ejecting unit 12 is subjected to pressure cleaning will be described.
Now, in a state in which the liquid ejecting unit 12 is capped by the cap 18 (not shown in FIG. 4), the control unit 40 closes the on-off valve 39 and opens the supply valve 33 so that the fluid flow mechanism 38 is turned on. Drive forward. Then, the liquid flows in the discharge direction A from the fluid flow mechanism 38 toward the liquid ejecting unit 12.

  That is, the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 14 is supplied to the liquid ejection unit 12 through the supply valve side supply path 65, the fluid storage unit 49, and the circulation path 67 and is discharged from the nozzle 17.

According to the said 4th Embodiment, in addition to the effect of (1)-(14) of the said 1st Embodiment-3rd Embodiment, the following effects can be acquired.
(15) In addition to discharging the bubbles in the pressure chamber 42, the liquid stored in the common liquid chamber 64 can also be circulated.

In addition, you may change the said embodiment as follows.
In each of the above embodiments, if the discharge path 25 is in a pressurized state when the on-off valve 39 is opened, liquid may flow into the pressure chamber 42 from the communication port 35. Therefore, the opening / closing valve 39 may be opened after the fluid flow mechanism 38 is driven to rotate forward when the bubbles are discharged from the pressure chamber 42. When the liquid flows into the pressure chamber 42, the liquid may be discharged from the nozzle 17 with the supply valve 33 closed, and then the bubbles in the pressure chamber 42 may be discharged.

  In each of the above embodiments, the urging member 44 of the pressure adjustment valve 24 may be provided in the supply chamber 27. That is, the urging member 44 may be provided so as to press the valve body 43 toward the pressure chamber 42 from the supply chamber 27 side. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the biasing member 44 of the pressure regulating valve 24 is provided in the pressure chamber 42, the biasing member 144 is placed in the supply chamber 27, and the valve element 43 is placed on the pressure chamber 42 side from the supply chamber 27 side. You may provide so that it may press toward.

  In each of the embodiments described above, a part of the pressure chamber 42 may not be configured with the diaphragm 46. In this case, the valve body 43 does not need to be inserted into the through hole 45 and may be provided so as to close the through hole 45 from the pressure chamber 42 side. That is, the valve may be opened by the differential pressure between the pressure chamber 42 and the supply chamber 27.

  In each of the above embodiments, the pressure adjustment valve 24 may be forcibly opened with a cam or the like. Further, an air chamber may be provided on the outer surface side of the diaphragm 46, or an air chamber that covers the entire pressure regulating valve 24 may be provided. And you may open the pressure regulation valve 24 by changing the pressure in these air chambers.

In each of the above embodiments, the supply valve 33 may be opened when bubbles are discharged from the pressure chamber 42.
In the first embodiment, the bypass path 26 may not be provided. Further, the supply port 36 to which the bypass path 26 is connected may be provided in the storage unit side supply path 28. That is, the bypass path 26 may be provided so as to connect the accommodating portion side supply path 28 and the discharge path 25.

In the first embodiment, the connection port 34 may be provided in the bypass path 26.
In the first embodiment, the fluid flow mechanism 38 may be provided in the storage unit side supply path 28. The fluid flow mechanism 38 may be provided in the bypass path 26.

In the first embodiment, at the time of circulation, the fluid flow mechanism 38 may be driven with the on-off valve 39 opened.
In the first embodiment, at the time of circulation, the fluid flow mechanism 38 may be driven in reverse to circulate in the cleaning direction B. At this time, at least one of the on-off valve 39 and the supply valve 33 may be opened.

  In the first embodiment, when the bubbles are discharged from the pressure chamber 42, the control unit 40 may stop driving the fluid flow mechanism 38 before the fluid discharged from the pressure chamber 42 returns to the pressure chamber 42 again. .

In the second embodiment, the fluid flow mechanism 38 may be provided in the storage unit side supply path 28.
In the second embodiment, a bypass path that connects the supply chamber 27 and the fluid reservoir 49 may be provided. Further, a bypass path that connects the supply chamber 27 and the discharge path 25 may be provided. In the case of providing a bypass path, the fluid flow mechanism 38 is driven forward or reversely with the supply valve 33, the on-off valve 39, and the atmosphere release valve 52 closed, so that the liquid does not pass through the pressure adjustment valve 24. Can be circulated. Further, when the bypass path is provided, the connection port 34 and the fluid flow mechanism 38 may be provided in the bypass path.

  In the second embodiment, the air release valve 52 may be opened while the on-off valve 39 is closed and the fluid flow mechanism 38 is reversely driven to pressurize the fluid reservoir 49. And if the liquid level in the fluid storage part 49 rises, you may close the air release valve 52. FIG.

In the second embodiment, the control unit 40 may close the on-off valve 39 when the air release valve 52 is opened to discharge gas.
In the second embodiment, the atmosphere release valve 52 may be provided in any one of the discharge path 25, the container side supply path 28, and the supply chamber 27.

In the third embodiment, the control unit 40 may perform open / close control on the open / close valve 39.
In the third embodiment, the normally closed valve 61 may be a connector that opens the open / close valve 39 by being connected to the open / close valve 39.

In the third embodiment, a bypass path that connects the supply chamber 27 and the fluid storage section 49 and a circulation path that connects the fluid storage section 49 and the storage section side supply path 28 may be provided.
In the fourth embodiment, when the liquid is circulated, the on-off valve 39 may be closed and the fluid flow mechanism 38 may be driven in reverse.

-In the said 2nd Embodiment to the said 4th Embodiment, the permeable membrane which permeate | transmits gas may be provided in the fluid storage part 49, and you may deaerate in the fluid storage part 49. FIG.
In the second to fourth embodiments, the fluid storage unit 49 is provided at a position above the liquid ejecting unit 12 in the vertical direction, and pressure cleaning of the liquid ejecting unit 12 is performed using a water head difference. Also good. That is, the on-off valve 39 may be opened, the atmosphere release valve 52 may be opened, and the liquid stored in the fluid storage unit 49 may be supplied to the liquid ejecting unit 12 via the pressure adjustment valve 24.

  -In the said 2nd Embodiment to the said 4th Embodiment, the fluid storage part 49 may be provided with the fluid flow mechanism in which pressurization and pressure reduction are possible. That is, the gas may be discharged by reducing the pressure in the fluid reservoir 49. Furthermore, pressurization cleaning of the liquid ejecting unit 12 may be performed by pressurizing the inside of the fluid storage unit 49.

  In the above embodiments, the fluid flow mechanism 38 may not be provided. Since the bubbles accumulated in the pressure chamber 42 are lighter than the liquid, they move upward. Therefore, by opening the on-off valve 39, bubbles can be released to the discharge path 25 even when the fluid flow mechanism 38 is not provided.

In each of the embodiments described above, the fluid flow mechanism 38 can flow in two directions by forward rotation and reverse rotation, but may be capable of flow in one direction.
In each of the above embodiments, when the fluid flow mechanism 38 is driven, the control unit 40 is driven so that the negative pressure in the pressure chamber 42 is the same as or smaller than the pressure at which the pressure regulating valve 24 is opened. Also good. That is, the pressure regulating valve 24 may not be opened.

In each of the above embodiments, when the fluid flow mechanism 38 is driven, the control unit 40 may be driven so that the negative pressure in the pressure chamber 42 is equal to or greater than the meniscus pressure resistance.
In each of the above embodiments, the cap 18 may not be provided. Moreover, it is good also as a cap which does not seal the space containing the nozzle 17, but only surrounds it. Further, the cap 18 is not limited to the bottomed box shape having an opening as shown in FIG. 1, and for example, an annular elastic member surrounding the region where the nozzle 17 is opened is arranged on the liquid ejecting unit 12 side. A member that seals the space by contacting the elastic member may be used as the cap 18. Furthermore, when discharging bubbles from the pressure chamber 42, the cap 18 may be positioned at a position facing the nozzle 17 instead of capping with the cap 18.

In each of the above embodiments, the connection port 34 may be provided in the waste liquid path 20 and the discharge path 25 may be connected to the waste liquid path 20.
In each of the above embodiments, the connection port 34 may be provided in the supply chamber 27.

  In each of the above embodiments, the communication port 35 and the outlet port 31 may be provided at the same position in the vertical direction. Further, the outlet 31 may be provided at an upper position than the communication port 35.

  In each of the above embodiments, the opening of the communication port 35 is made larger than the discharge path 25 so that the bubbles in the pressure chamber 42 can be easily taken into the communication port 35 so that the discharge path 25 gradually becomes narrower from the pressure chamber 42 side. It may be. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the bubble intake portion 135 for facilitating the intake of bubbles in the pressure chamber 42 into the communication port 35 is provided, and the opening of the communication port 35 opening in the pressure chamber 42 is defined as the discharge path 25 (third embodiment). Then, it may be formed in a tapered shape that is larger than the discharge path 57) and the discharge path 25 becomes gradually narrower from the pressure chamber 42 side.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, in order to make it easier for the bubbles in the pressure chamber 42 to be taken into the communication port 35, the inner surface facing the diaphragm 46 that forms the pressure chamber 42 is oriented upward in the vertical direction toward the diaphragm 46 (FIG. 1). The upper side of the inner surface may be inclined toward the diaphragm 46 so that the upper end of the inner surface is connected to the opening of the communication port 35.

  In each of the above embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the bubble intake portion 135 for facilitating the intake of the bubbles in the pressure chamber 42 into the opening portion of the communication port 35 is provided on the inner surface forming the pressure chamber 42. The upper side in the vertical direction may be a tapered shape 135 a toward the communication port 35, and the tapered shape portion and the diaphragm 46 may be formed. The inner surface facing the diaphragm 46 forming the pressure chamber 42 is inclined upward in the vertical direction so as to approach the diaphragm 46 to form the inclined surface 135b, and the upper end of the inclined surface 135b is connected to the opening of the communication port 35. You may form in this way.

  In each of the above embodiments, the communication port 35 is connected to the outlet port 31 so that the bubbles in the pressure chamber 42 can be easily taken into the communication port 35 and the bubbles in the pressure chamber 42 are less likely to flow into the liquid ejecting unit 12. You may enlarge it. Alternatively, the opening of the communication port 35 that opens to the pressure chamber 42 may be made larger than the opening of the outlet port 31 that opens to the pressure chamber 42.

  In the first to third embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, when the fluid flow mechanism 38 is driven to flow the liquid in the discharge path 25 (discharge path 57 in the third embodiment). In addition, the flow path cross-sectional area of the discharge path 25 (discharge path 57 in the third embodiment) is supplied to the injection unit so that the liquid easily flows and the pressure change due to the liquid flow hardly affects the meniscus in the nozzle 17. The flow path cross-sectional area of the path 29 may be made larger to reduce the flow path resistance of the discharge path.

  In the first to third embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5, the flow path cross-sectional area of the discharge path 25 (discharge path 57 in the third embodiment) is made larger than the flow path cross-sectional area of the bypass path 26. Thus, the flow path resistance of the discharge path may be reduced.

  In the first embodiment to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the flow passage cross-sectional area of the accommodating portion side supply path 28 is made larger than the flow passage sectional area of the discharge passage 25, so that the accommodating portion side supply path The flow path resistance may be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges liquid other than ink. Note that the state of the liquid ejected as a minute amount of liquid droplets from the liquid ejecting apparatus includes a granular shape, a tear shape, and a thread-like shape. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected from the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, it may be in a state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a liquid with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts ). Further, not only a liquid as one state of a substance but also a substance in which particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or a metal particle are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent is included. Typical examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. As a specific example of the liquid ejecting apparatus, for example, a liquid containing a material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, a surface emitting display, or a color filter in a dispersed or dissolved form. There is a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting the liquid. Further, it may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a bio-organic matter used for biochip manufacturing, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid as a sample that is used as a precision pipette, a printing apparatus, a micro dispenser, or the like. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. May be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects the liquid onto the substrate. Further, it may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as acid or alkali in order to etch a substrate or the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Liquid injection apparatus, 12 ... Liquid injection part, 14 ... Liquid accommodating part, 17 ... Nozzle, 18 ... Cap, 23 ... Supply path, 24 ... Pressure regulating valve, 25, 57 ... Discharge path, 26 ... Bypass path, 27 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Supply chamber, 28 ... Storage part side supply path, 29 ... Injection part side supply path, 31 ... Outlet port, 34 ... Connection port, 35 ... Communication port, 38 ... Fluid flow mechanism, 39 ... Open / close valve, 42 ... Pressure chamber , 50: On-off valve side discharge path, 51: Flow mechanism side discharge path, 58 ... Adjustment valve side discharge path, 59 ... On-off valve side discharge path, 60 ... Flow mechanism side discharge path, 65 ... Supply valve side supply path, 66 ... Supply chamber side supply path.

Claims (8)

A liquid ejecting section having a nozzle for ejecting liquid;
A supply path capable of supplying the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit to the liquid ejection unit;
A pressure regulating valve disposed in the supply path, the pressure regulating valve having a pressure chamber capable of storing the liquid, the pressure chamber being provided with a discharge port for leading the stored liquid to the liquid ejecting unit; A valve body that opens when the liquid is led out from the outlet to the liquid ejecting section and the pressure in the pressure chamber decreases, and connects the supply path and the pressure chamber through a through hole; A pressure adjusting valve for adjusting the pressure of the liquid supplied to the liquid ejecting unit;
A communication port that communicates with the pressure chamber at a position different from the outlet port, and a communication port that is open at a position higher than the bubble intake portion formed in the pressure chamber;
A discharge path connected to the communication port;
An on-off valve provided in the discharge path;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising:   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication port opens at a position above the outlet in the pressure chamber. The discharge path is connected to the supply path via a connection port,
3. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection port is located on a side opposite to the liquid ejecting unit with respect to the pressure adjusting valve in the supply path. A cap capable of sealing the space including the nozzle;
4. The fluid according to claim 1, wherein the fluid in the pressure chamber is discharged through the discharge path by opening the on-off valve in a state where the space is sealed with the cap. The liquid ejecting apparatus described. A fluid flow mechanism provided so as to be able to discharge the fluid in the pressure chamber through the discharge path;
The fluid flow mechanism is driven so that a negative pressure acting on the nozzle is smaller than a pressure resistance of a meniscus formed in the nozzle when the fluid in the pressure chamber is discharged through the discharge path. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1. A fluid flow mechanism provided so as to be able to discharge the fluid in the pressure chamber through the discharge path;
The fluid flow mechanism is driven such that when the fluid in the pressure chamber is discharged through the discharge path, the negative pressure acting on the pressure chamber is larger than the pressure for opening the pressure regulating valve. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A fluid flow mechanism capable of discharging the fluid in the pressure chamber through the discharge path or introducing the fluid into the pressure chamber;
The liquid according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fluid flow mechanism is driven such that fluid is introduced into the pressure chamber from the communication port in a state where the on-off valve is open. Injection device.   The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: a bypass path that connects between the on-off valve and the connection port in the discharge path and between the pressure adjustment valve and the connection port in the supply path.

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