JP2019111704A - Liquid jet device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a liquid jet device of an on-carriage-type, which has high printing quality.SOLUTION: The liquid jet device comprises: a carriage that jets liquid through a plurality of nozzle of a liquid jet head and makes the liquid adhere to a target while moving relatively to the target; a liquid storage body, provided at a position away from the carriage, which stores the liquid to be supplied to the carriage; a supply pipe with flexibility arranged between the liquid storage body and the carriage to form a liquid flow path leading from the liquid storage body to the carriage; and a valve mechanism mounted in the carriage and provided in the liquid flow path leading through the supply pipe to the liquid jet head. The liquid storage body is arranged upward by a predetermined height than the valve mechanism, in a range in which the carriage moves.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1D

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to an on-carriage type liquid ejecting apparatus.

  Conventionally, an attachment mounted on a carriage provided with a liquid jet head for jetting a liquid and mounted on the carriage so as to be exchangeable with a liquid container for containing the liquid, and which supplies a liquid introduced from the outside to the liquid jet head Is known. In the liquid ejecting apparatus, pressure adjusting means is provided in a flow path for supplying the liquid introduced from the outside formed in the attachment main body to the liquid ejecting head (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP, 2011-230513, A

However, in the above apparatus, when the liquid is supplied from the outside to the liquid jet head, the pressure loss increases and the shortage of the supply pressure occurs because the liquid is supplied via the ink supply tube, or the supply pressure is pulsated due to the printing operation. There is a problem that it happens and the printing quality is lowered.
An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus with high print quality in an on-carriage type liquid ejecting apparatus.

  The present invention can be realized as the following forms or application examples.

  According to the application example, the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the application example includes: a carriage that ejects liquid from a plurality of nozzles of the liquid ejecting head to cause the liquid to adhere to the target while moving relative to the target; A liquid container for storing the liquid to be supplied to the carriage, and a liquid flow passage extending from the liquid container to the carriage and disposed between the liquid container and the carriage. The liquid container includes a flexible supply pipe and a valve mechanism mounted on the carriage and provided in a liquid flow path extending from the supply pipe to the liquid jet head, the liquid container comprising: The carriage is within a range of movement, and is disposed above the valve mechanism by a predetermined height.

  According to this configuration, by configuring the on-carrier type liquid ejecting apparatus, the pressure loss related to the supply of the ink can be reduced, and the supply capability of the ink can be improved. In addition, since there is no supply of ink from a tube or the like, it is possible to suppress the pulsation at the time of ink supply. Therefore, it is possible to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus with high print quality.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid tank according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an internal configuration of the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first embodiment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The conceptual diagram for demonstrating the flow-path structure of the liquid tank concerning 1st Embodiment mainly. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 1st Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 2nd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 2nd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 2nd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 2nd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 2nd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 2nd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 2nd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the head unit concerning 3rd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 3rd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 3rd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 3rd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 3rd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 3rd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 3rd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 3rd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 3rd Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment. Schematic which shows the structure of the valve unit concerning 4th Embodiment.

First Embodiment
First, the configuration of the liquid ejecting apparatus will be described.
FIG. 1A is an external view of a liquid ejecting apparatus 1 including a liquid tank according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 1A, three space axes orthogonal to one another, that is, an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis are illustrated. The direction along the X axis is taken as the X axis direction, the direction along the Y axis as the Y axis direction, and the direction along the Z axis as the Z axis direction (vertical direction). The liquid ejecting apparatus 1 is installed on a plane (XY plane) parallel to the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. The -Z-axis direction is the vertically downward direction, and the + Z-axis direction is the vertically upward direction. The X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are attached as necessary in the other drawings described below.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus 1 is a so-called inkjet printer, and performs printing on a recording medium by ejecting ink as a liquid onto the recording medium such as a sheet.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus 1 includes an outer shell 100 that forms an outer surface. The outer shell 100 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has an upper surface (first surface, first wall) 101, a lower surface (second surface, second wall) 102, and a front surface (third surface, third wall) 103. It has a back surface (the fourth surface, the fourth wall) 104, a right side surface (the fifth surface, the fifth wall) 105, and a left surface (the sixth surface, the sixth wall) 106. The upper surface 101 and the lower surface 102 face in the Z-axis direction. The front surface 103 and the back surface 104 face each other in the X-axis direction. The right side surface 105 and the left side surface 106 face each other in the Y-axis direction. The front surface 103, the back surface 104, the right side surface 105, and the left side surface 106 are surfaces substantially perpendicular to the installation surface of the liquid ejecting apparatus 1. The upper surface 101 and the lower surface 102 are surfaces substantially horizontal to the installation surface of the liquid ejecting apparatus 1. In the present embodiment, "substantially vertical" or "substantially horizontal" includes the meaning of being substantially "vertical" or "horizontal" in addition to the meaning of being completely "vertical" or "horizontal". That is, each of the surfaces 101 to 106 may not be a perfect plane, but may be uneven or the like, and may be substantially “vertical” or “horizontal” in appearance.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus 1 further includes a front cover 2, a discharge port 3, an operation unit 4, and an upper surface cover 6. The front cover 2 constitutes a part of the front surface 103, is pivotally supported at the lower end, and can be opened and closed by rotating the upper end side. In FIG. 1A, the front cover 2 is in an open state. By opening the front cover 2, the outlet 3 is exposed.

  The discharge port 3 is a portion from which the recording medium is discharged. The recording medium may be disposed in a tray provided on the back surface 104 side (not shown). Printing on the recording medium is executed by ejecting the liquid onto the recording medium while the recording medium disposed in the tray is conveyed inside the shell 100.

  The operation unit 4 is a button for receiving various operations from the user. Examples of the various operations include an operation for starting printing of the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 and an operation for executing a discharging operation for discharging the fluid in the liquid tank described later to the outside.

  The upper surface cover 6 constitutes an upper surface 101. The upper surface cover 6 is pivotally supported at its end on the back surface 104 side, and can be opened and closed by rotating the front surface 103 side. By opening the upper surface cover 6, it is possible to confirm the internal state of the liquid ejecting apparatus 1, to perform the mounting and demounting operation of the liquid tank described later, and to inject the liquid into the liquid tank.

  In the front surface 103, an apparatus-side window 103a is formed in an area overlapping the home position of the carriage 19 in the Y-axis direction (the reciprocating direction of the carriage 19 described later). In the present embodiment, the device-side window portion 103 a is disposed at a position different from that of the front cover 2 and on the −Y-axis direction side with respect to the front cover 2. The device-side window portion 103 a is provided for the user to visually recognize the front surface (viewing surface) 1404 of the liquid tank 30 mounted on the carriage 19 positioned at the home position from the outside. In addition, on the front surface 1404, signs M1 and M2 are provided. The device-side window portion 103 a may be, for example, a through hole penetrating the front surface 103 or may be a transparent member. The labels M1 and M2 are elements for indicating the standard for the water level of the liquid contained in the liquid tank 30, and in the present embodiment, the label M1 indicates the standard of the upper limit, and the label M2 indicates the standard of the lower limit. The details of the labels M1 and M2 will be described later. If the front surface 1404 of the liquid tank 30 at the home position can be viewed from the outside, the device-side window 103 a may not be provided on the front surface 103. For example, the device-side window 103 a may be provided on the top surface 101. In this case, the user can visually recognize the front surface 1404 of the liquid tank 30 by visually recognizing the apparatus side window portion 103 a from the upper front side.

  FIG. 1B is a schematic view showing an internal configuration of the liquid ejecting apparatus 1. The liquid ejecting apparatus 1 includes a control unit 17, a carriage 19 provided with a liquid ejecting head 12, and a liquid tank 30 detachably mounted on the carriage 19 inside the outer shell 100. The control unit 17 controls various operations (for example, printing operation) of the liquid ejecting apparatus 1.

  The carriage 19 has a mounting portion 11 disposed on the liquid jet head 12. The mounting portion 11 has, for example, a concave shape that opens in the + Z-axis direction, and forms a mounting space in which the liquid tank 30 is mounted. In the mounting portion 11, a liquid introduction needle portion 122 which protrudes in the + Z-axis direction side protrudes from the lower surface which divides the mounting space. The liquid introduction needle portion 122 is connected to the liquid tank 30. The liquid introduction needle portion 122 is hollow, and a communication hole communicating with the inside is formed on the tip end side. The liquid supplied from the liquid tank 30 flows through the communication hole of the liquid introduction needle portion 122 into the inside of the liquid introduction needle portion 122. The liquid jet head 12 communicates with the liquid introduction needle portion 122, and jets the liquid supplied from the liquid tank 30 to the recording medium 20 (for example, printing paper).

  Moreover, the mounting part 11 has the mounting part side window part 11a for a user to visually recognize the front surface (visual recognition surface) 1404 containing label | marker M1, M2. The mounting portion side window portion 11 a is provided at a position facing at least the mark M 1 of the liquid tank 30. The mounting portion side window portion 11a may be, for example, a through hole penetrating a wall forming the mounting portion 11, or may be a transparent member. When the carriage 19 is positioned at the home position, the user can visually recognize the front surface (viewing surface) 1404 having the markers M1 and M2 through the device side window 103a (FIG. 1A) and the mounting side window 11a.

  The carriage 19 on which the liquid jet head 12 is mounted is driven by a drive mechanism (not shown), and repeatedly reciprocates on the recording medium 20 while being guided by a guide rail 13 extending along the Y-axis direction. In addition, the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 has a transport mechanism for transporting the recording medium 20 toward the discharge port 3 (FIG. 1A). An image or the like is printed on the recording medium 20 by ejecting the liquid from the liquid ejecting head 12 in accordance with the movement in which the carriage 19 reciprocates and the movement in which the recording medium 20 is conveyed.

  The liquid tank 30 contains a liquid to be supplied to the liquid jet head 12. The liquid contained in the present embodiment is an ink in which pigment particles are dissolved in a solvent. The liquid tank 30 is detachably connected to the liquid introduction needle portion 122. By connecting the liquid tank 30 to the liquid introduction needle portion 122, the liquid in the liquid tank 30 can flow to the liquid introduction needle portion 122.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus 1 further includes a discharge unit 18 that executes an operation (discharging operation) for periodically sucking out a fluid (for example, liquid or air) from the liquid jet head 12.

  The discharge unit 18 is disposed inside the outer shell 100. The discharge unit 18 includes a cap 14, a suction tube 15, and a suction pump 16. While the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 is not performing the printing operation, the carriage 19 is disposed at the home position which is a position out of the movement area in the printing operation.

  The cap 14 is a bottomed box-like member disposed below the home position. The cap 14 is movable in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction) by an elevating mechanism (not shown). The cap 14 is pressed against the lower surface side of the liquid jet head 12 by rising. Thereby, the cap 14 forms a closed space so as to cover the nozzle hole formed on the lower surface of the liquid jet head 12 (closed space state). This closed space can suppress drying of the ink in the liquid jet head 12 (nozzle).

  The suction tube 15 brings the cap 14 (specifically, the through hole formed on the bottom of the cap 14) into communication with the suction pump 16. The suction pump 16 suctions the fluid (liquid or air) of the liquid jet head 12 or the liquid tank 30 via the suction tube 15 by driving in the closed space state. As a result, the liquid can be initially filled with the liquid jet head 12 or the deteriorated liquid (dried and thickened liquid) in the liquid jet head 12 can be sucked out.

Next, the configuration of the liquid tank 30 will be described.
FIG. 1C is a conceptual view mainly illustrating the flow path configuration of the liquid tank 30. As shown in FIG. The “upstream side” and “downstream side” used in the following description are based on the flow direction of the liquid from the liquid tank 30 toward the liquid jet head 12. In FIG. 1C, dots (note that the display of the liquid in the valve unit 1241 is omitted) are attached to the area where the liquid exists.

  The liquid tank 30 has a second liquid chamber 52, a connection channel 54, a first liquid chamber 51, a liquid communication channel 80, and a liquid supply unit 50 in order from the upstream side as a channel through which the liquid flows. Equipped with In addition, the liquid tank 30 includes an air communication channel 70 as a channel through which air flows.

  A liquid can be injected from the outside into the second liquid chamber 52 through the liquid injection unit 42. In addition, the second liquid chamber 52 communicates with the atmosphere through the atmosphere communicating portion 300 including the atmosphere opening portion 44 at one end. The second liquid chamber 52 communicates with the first liquid chamber 51, and can store the liquid supplied to the first liquid chamber 51, that is, the liquid before being stored in the first liquid chamber 51.

  The connection channel 54 connects the first liquid chamber 51 and the second liquid chamber 52, and can supply the liquid in the second liquid chamber 52 to the first liquid chamber 51. The connection channel 54 has a filter chamber 542, an intermediate channel 544, and a valve unit 1241 in this order from the upstream side. The filter chamber 542 is formed below the second liquid chamber 52 when the liquid tank 30 is mounted. The filter chamber 542 is connected to the second liquid chamber 52. Specifically, the filter chamber 542 has an inflow opening 548 which is an opening formed on the bottom of the second liquid chamber 52. That is, the inflow opening 548 is connected to the second liquid chamber 52. A filter member 541 that divides the filter chamber 542 into the upstream side and the downstream side is disposed in the filter chamber 542, and is connected to the second liquid chamber 52 via the filter member 541. The filter member 541 captures foreign matter in the liquid flowing from the upstream side to the downstream side, and suppresses the foreign matter from flowing to the downstream side. As a result, the possibility of foreign matter flowing into the liquid jet head 12 can be reduced, so that the occurrence of clogging of the liquid jet head 12 or the occurrence of a liquid jet failure can be reduced. Further, the filter chamber 542 is disposed on the upstream side of the valve unit 1241 so that the possibility of foreign matter flowing into the valve unit 1241 is reduced. This can reduce the possibility of problems occurring in the opening and closing operation of the valve unit 1241 described later. The filter member 541 is a filter formed of a plate-like stainless steel, and has a plurality of pores through which the liquid can pass and the passage of foreign matter can be suppressed. The filter member 541 may be formed of another member as long as it can pass the liquid and suppress the passage of the foreign matter.

  The intermediate flow path 544 is a flow path connecting the filter chamber 542 and the first liquid chamber 51, and is a flow path connecting the filter chamber 542 and the valve unit 1241. The valve unit 1241 is provided with a valve mechanism for controlling the inflow of liquid from the second liquid chamber 52 to the first liquid chamber 51. When the valve mechanism is in the open state, the second liquid chamber 52 and the first liquid chamber 51 communicate with each other, and the liquid in the second liquid chamber 52 flows into the first liquid chamber 51. In addition, when the valve mechanism is in the closed state, the second liquid chamber 52 and the first liquid chamber 51 are in the non-communicating state. The detailed configuration of the valve unit 1241 will be described later.

  The first liquid chamber 51 can accommodate the liquid supplied to the liquid supply unit 50. The liquid communication channel 80 connects the first liquid chamber 51 and the liquid supply unit 50, and can supply the liquid in the first liquid chamber 51 to the liquid supply unit 50. The air communication flow path 70 connects the first liquid chamber 51 and the liquid supply unit 50, and allows air to flow between the first liquid chamber 51 and the liquid supply unit 50.

  The liquid supply unit 50 has a liquid supply port 505 at the downstream end. The liquid supply port 505 receives the liquid introduction needle portion 122. The liquid supply unit 50 is detachably connected to the liquid introduction needle unit 122 of the liquid jet head 12. Specifically, the liquid introduction needle unit 122 is connected to the liquid introduction needle unit 122 by inserting the liquid introduction needle unit 122 into the liquid supply unit 50 via the liquid supply port 505 of the liquid supply unit 50. Thereby, the liquid can be supplied from the liquid supply unit 50 to the liquid introduction needle unit 122.

  Inside the liquid supply unit 50, a supply unit valve mechanism 200 for opening and closing the flow path of the liquid supply unit 50 is disposed. The supply part valve mechanism 200 includes a valve seat 202, a valve body 203, and a spring 204 in this order from the downstream side.

  The valve seat 202 is a substantially annular member. The valve seat 202 is made of, for example, an elastic body such as rubber or an elastomer. The valve seat 202 is press-fitted into the liquid supply unit 50. The valve body 203 is a substantially cylindrical member. The valve body 203 closes a hole (valve hole) formed in the valve seat 202 in a state before the liquid tank 30 is mounted on the carriage 19 (pre-mounting state). The spring 204 is a compression coil spring. The spring 204 biases the valve body 203 in the direction toward the valve seat 202. In the mounted state of the liquid tank 30 in which the liquid tank 30 is mounted on the carriage 19 and the liquid supply unit 50 is connected to the liquid introduction needle unit 122, the liquid introduction needle unit 122 pushes the valve body 203 upstream. The valve body 203 moves away from the valve seat 202. As a result, the supply part valve mechanism 200 is opened, and the liquid can be supplied from the liquid supply part 50 to the liquid introduction needle part 122.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1B, the liquid tank 30 according to the present embodiment is disposed above the liquid jet head 12 (in the + Z-axis direction). More specifically, the valve unit 1241 is disposed above the liquid jet head 12 (in the + Z axis direction), and the second liquid chamber 52 is disposed above the valve unit 1241 (in the + Z axis direction). Therefore, the valve unit 1241 is configured to receive the supply pressure corresponding to the head difference from the second liquid chamber 52. Then, in the valve unit 1241, the valve mechanism performs the opening and closing operation by the differential pressure between the negative pressure accompanying the ejection of the ink from the liquid ejecting head 12 and the atmospheric pressure.
Further, the second liquid chamber 52 and the valve unit 1241 are detachably connected. The second liquid chamber 52 and the valve unit 1241 are detachably connected to the liquid jet head 12 (carriage 19), respectively. Thereby, a combination of a plurality of second liquid chambers 52 and a plurality of valve units 1241 becomes possible, and for example, a second liquid chamber 52 containing ink of a desired color and a valve unit 1241 corresponding to the color of the ink Can be connected, and the convenience of the user can be enhanced.
Hereinafter, the configuration around the valve unit 1241 will be described.

  Above the liquid jet head 12, four second liquid chambers 52 capable of containing ink of each color (for example, four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow and black) are exchangeably disposed. One end of an intermediate flow passage 544 is attached to each second liquid chamber 52.

  As shown in FIG. 1D, the carriage 19 is provided with a liquid ejecting head 12 in which a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink are formed. Further, the carriage 19 is provided with valve units 1241 (1241 a, 1241 b, 1241 c, 1241 d) corresponding to the second liquid chambers 52 so as to be located above the liquid jet heads 12. Each valve unit 1241 has the same structure, as shown in FIGS. 1D to 1E. In FIG. 1D, the valve unit 1241a is shown by a cross-sectional view along the line AA of FIG. 1E, and the valve units 1241b and 1241c are shown by the cross-sectional view along the line BB of FIG. 1241 d is shown by the cross-sectional view along the C-C line of FIG. 1E.

  As shown in FIGS. 1D, 1E, and 1F, each valve unit 1241 includes a substantially cylindrical case 1245 made of, for example, a rigid synthetic resin. As shown in FIG. 1E, a substantially cylindrical recess 1245 a and two bent grooves 1245 b and 1245 c are formed on the first side surface of the case 1245. The introduction side film 1248 is attached to the first side surface of the case 1245 by thermal welding so as to cover the recess 1245 a, the groove 1245 b and the groove 1245 c. As a result, the recess 1245 a becomes the supply chamber 1250, the groove 1245 b becomes the supply passage 1251 communicating with the supply chamber 1250, and the groove 1245 c becomes the discharge passage 1253.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1F, a substantially cylindrical recess 1245 d is formed on the second side surface of the case 1245. The discharge side film 1249 as a driving body is attached to the second side surface by heat welding, whereby the recess 1245 d constitutes a pressure chamber 1252.

  Here, it is important that the introducing film 1248 and the discharging film 1249 be soft, have no chemical influence on the ink properties, and have a low water permeability, oxygen and nitrogen permeability. Thus, the films 1248 and 1249 have a structure in which a nylon film coated with vinylidene chloride (Saran) is adhesively laminated to high density polyethylene or polypropylene film. This is to efficiently sense the pressure state of the supply chamber 1250 and the pressure chamber 1252 with both films. In addition, the introduction side film 1248 and the discharge side film 1249 of the present embodiment are transparent.

  Further, a through hole 1245 e for connecting the supply chamber 1250 and the pressure chamber 1252 to each other is provided at the center of the case 1245, and a communication path 1253 a for connecting the pressure chamber 1252 and the discharge path 1253 is provided. .

  Further, in the case 1245, a connection portion 1246 to which the intermediate flow passage 544 is connected and an ink lead-out portion 1247 connected to the first liquid chamber 51 are formed. A passage forming hole 1246a connecting the supply passage 1251 and the intermediate flow passage 544 is formed in the connection portion 1246, and a passage forming hole 1247a continuing from the discharge passage 1253 to the first liquid chamber 51 is formed in the ink lead-out portion 1247. It is formed.

  Therefore, the ink from the intermediate flow passage 544 to the passage forming hole 1246a of the connection portion 1246 is supplied to the supply passage 1251, the supply chamber 1250, the through hole 1245e, the pressure chamber 1252, the communication passage 1253a, the discharge passage 1253 and the passage forming hole 1247a. The liquid is supplied to the first liquid chamber 51 and is further supplied to the liquid jet head 12.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1D, the valve body 1255 is composed of a shaft 1255a and a disk 1255b integrally formed with the shaft 1255a, the shaft 1255a being inserted into the through hole 1245e, and the disk 1255 b is located in the supply chamber 1250. Further, one end of a valve closing spring 1257 is in pressure contact with the back surface of the disc portion 1255 b, and the other end of the valve closing spring 1257 is in pressure contact with the spring seat 1258. Therefore, the valve closing spring 1257 biases the valve body 1255 toward the discharge side film 1249 (right side in the drawing). A seal member 1259 is fixed around the through hole 1245 e on the supply chamber 1250 side (left side in the drawing). Therefore, when the valve closing spring 1257 biases the valve body 1255 to the right in FIG. 1D, the disc portion 1255b of the valve body 1255 presses the seal member 1259, and the valve body 1255 passes through the through hole 1245e. Close and close (see valve unit 1241b in FIG. 1D).

  On the other hand, a rigid pressure receiving plate 1254 is concentrically fixed to the through hole 1245 e of the case 1245 outside the discharge side film 1249. The pressure receiving plate 1254 prevents the flexible discharge side film 1249 from being deformed as much as possible each time it receives the pressure of the pressure chamber 1252, and similarly the supply chamber 1250 side (left In order to press the stem 1255a of the valve 1255 in the same manner. Further, a negative pressure holding spring 1260 is disposed in the pressure chamber 1252. The negative pressure holding spring 1260 is in contact with the periphery of the through hole 1245 e and presses the discharge side film 1249. Therefore, the negative pressure holding spring 1260 prevents the pressure in the pressure chamber 1252 from becoming uneven due to the ink's own weight in the pressure chamber 1252, and prevents the shaft portion 1255 a of the valve body 1255 from being biased as much as possible. It is.

Next, a method of setting the height H (mm) of the second liquid chamber 52 with respect to the valve 1255 of the valve unit 1241 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1D, 1G, and 1H.
The pressure Pv of the pressure chamber 1252 when the liquid jet head 12 is consuming the ink is equal to the open pressure Po of the valve 1255. Since the open pressure Po is a negative pressure, it has a minus sign and is expressed by the following equation.

Pv = −Po (1)
Further, as shown in FIG. 1G, the opening pressure Po is the biasing force Ke of the valve closing spring 1257 disposed in the supply chamber 1250, and the biasing force Ko of the negative pressure holding spring 1260 disposed in the pressure chamber 1252. The resistance fm when the discharge side film 1249 is deformed and the sum of the force Pc applied to the back surface of the disc portion 1255b of the valve 1255 by the position water head H need to be larger. Therefore, the open pressure Po is expressed by the following equation.
Po Ko Ko + Ke + fm + Pc
Here, since the force Pc applied to the disc portion 1255b of the valve 1255 changes depending on the position head, the pressure Pv of the pressure chamber 1252 is as shown by the dotted line dL in FIG. 1H. However, since the area of the disc portion 1255 b is minute, the force Pc applied to the disc portion 1255 b is small enough to be ignored. Therefore, even if the position head H is changed, the large open pressure Po can not be influenced, and the open pressure Po can be considered to be represented by a straight line L1 of Po = a (constant).

  On the other hand, the pressure Pk of the supply chamber 1250 is the sum of the position head H by the height from the second liquid chamber 52 to the supply chamber 1250 and the pressure loss Pt of the intermediate flow passage 544. Since the pressure drop Pt is a negative pressure, it has a minus sign and is expressed by the following equation.

Pk = -Pt + H (2)
When the position head H is zero, Pk = -Pt, and if the position head H is raised, the pressure Pk of the supply chamber 1250 is as shown by the straight line L2 in FIG. 1H.

Then, when the pressure Pk of the supply chamber 1250 represented by the equation (2) during ink consumption is equal to or higher than the pressure Pv of the pressure chamber 1252 represented by the equation (1), the ink flows from the supply chamber 1250 to the pressure chamber 1252 It will be supplied enough. That is,
Pk ≧ Pv = -Pt + H ≧ -Po
From the above equation, the position head He for sufficient supply of ink from the supply chamber 1250 to the pressure chamber 1252 is expressed by the following equation.

He −-Po + Pt
Further, when the position head H is changed, the pressure Pv of the pressure chamber 1252 is represented by a line connecting the straight line L1 and the straight line L2 in FIG. 1H.

  When H ≧ He, even when the liquid jet head 12 consumes ink for printing, the ink is sufficiently supplied from the supply chamber 1250 to the pressure chamber 1252. Therefore, the valve 1255 opens and closes (self-seals) while adjusting the pressure of the pressure chamber 1252, the pressure Pv of the pressure chamber 1252 becomes equal to -Po, and Pv = -Po is established.

  If H <He is set, when the liquid jet head 12 consumes ink for printing, the supply of ink from the supply chamber 1250 to the pressure chamber 1252 may be insufficient, and the valve 1255 may be used to eliminate it. The ink is supplied to the pressure chamber 1252 with the pressure chamber 125 always open. In this case, the pressure Pv of the pressure chamber 1252 is expressed by the following equation: Pv = −Po−H.

  The pressure of the pressure chamber 1252 is the pressure supplied to the liquid jet head 12, so the smaller the better. Therefore, the height H of the second liquid chamber 52 in the present embodiment should be He or more.

Next, the height H (mm) of the second liquid chamber 52 will be described using specific numerical values. For example, it is assumed that the pressure loss Pt of the intermediate flow passage 544 from the second liquid chamber 52 to the supply chamber 1250 is 150 (mm H ₂ O) and the open pressure Po of the valve 1255 is 100 (mm H ₂ O). . At this time, the position head He necessary for sufficient supply of ink from the supply chamber 1250 to the pressure chamber 1252 is expressed as follows.

_{He = -100 (mmH 2 O)} +150 (mmH 2 O) = 50 (mmH 2 O)
Further, when the pressure loss Pt is increased to 200 (mm H ₂ O) by, for example, lengthening the intermediate flow passage 544 while the open pressure Pv and the pressure loss Pf are the same, as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The position of the head He is as high as 100 (mm H ₂ O).

Next, the operation of the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described.
When using the liquid ejecting apparatus 1, the second liquid chamber 52 of each color is disposed. Further, an intermediate flow passage 544 is connected to each second liquid chamber 52.

  Then, when the print data is received from the computer (not shown), the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 stores the print data in the memory. Next, when printing of print data is executed, the recording medium 20 is transported by a paper feeding device (not shown). Then, the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 reciprocates the carriage 19 in the Y-axis direction while appropriately discharging ink from the ejection ports of the liquid ejecting head 12 mounted on the carriage 19 to the recording medium 20 to be conveyed. Do printing.

  More specifically, when ink is ejected from the liquid ejecting head 12, the volume of the pressure chamber 1252 of the valve unit 1241 is reduced by the volume of the ejected ink, and a constant negative pressure is generated. This negative pressure becomes the above-mentioned open pressure Po. By this negative pressure, the discharge side film 1249 is deformed to the introduction side film 1248 side against the valve closing spring 1257 and the negative pressure holding spring 1260 (see the valve unit 1241 c in FIG. 1D). When the discharge side film 1249 is deformed, the pressure receiving plate 1254 fixed to the discharge side film 1249 moves to abut the valve body 1255 to press the valve body 1255 leftward. As a result, the valve body 1255 moves leftward, the disc portion 1255b separates from the seal member 1259, the supply chamber 1250 communicates with the pressure chamber 1252 via the through hole 1245e, and the ink is pressure chamber 1252 from the supply chamber 1250. Flow into When the ink flows into the pressure chamber 1252, the negative pressure of the pressure chamber 1252 is eliminated, and the valve body 1255 is moved to the right by the biasing force of the valve closing spring 1257 to close the valve (see the valve unit 1241b in FIG. 1D). ).

  The liquid ejecting apparatus 1 drives the paper feeding mechanism (not shown) every time the carriage 19 reciprocates in the Y-axis direction while discharging the ink as described above to lower the recording medium 20 below the liquid ejecting apparatus 1. Move to Then, printing is performed while repeating the above-described series of operations.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
The second liquid chamber 52 is a movable area of the carriage 19 and is provided above the liquid jet head 12. Therefore, since the ink is supplied to the liquid jet head 12 due to the water head difference from the liquid jet head 12 of the second liquid chamber 52, it is not necessary to provide an ink supply device such as a pressure pump. In addition, the length of the intermediate flow passage 544 can be shortened. That is, since the pressure loss can be reduced, the ink can be reliably supplied to the liquid jet head 12 even if the height from the liquid jet head 12 to the second liquid chamber 52 is lowered. Therefore, the height from the liquid jet head 12 to the second liquid chamber 52 can be made lower than in the prior art, so that the liquid jet apparatus 1 can be miniaturized.

  A valve unit 1241 is provided on the upstream side of the liquid jet head 12 of the carriage 19. The valve unit 1241 closes when the pressure in the supply chamber 1250 is higher than the pressure in the pressure chamber 1252. Therefore, even if the second liquid chamber 52 is above the liquid jet head 12, the pressure does not cause the ink to leak from the liquid jet head 12. Also, since the ink in the second liquid chamber 52 is supplied to the liquid jet head 12 using the water head difference from the liquid jet head 12 to the second liquid chamber 52, pressure for supplying the ink to the liquid jet head 12 There is no need to provide a large-scale device such as a pump. Therefore, the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 can be further miniaturized. In addition, since the second liquid chamber 52 is disposed above the carriage 19, even if the printed recording medium 20 is discharged below the carriage 19 during printing, the ink can be replaced. Easy to do.

  The height H from the valve body 1255 of the valve unit 1241 to the second liquid chamber 52 is due to the pressure head due to the pressure loss Pt of the intermediate flow passage 544 and the opening pressure Po (negative pressure) of the valve body 1255 of the valve unit 1241. It has a position head equal to the sum of pressure head. Therefore, the energy generated by the height H can more reliably supply the ink in the second liquid chamber 52 to the liquid jet head 12. Therefore, the ink can be discharged smoothly from the liquid jet head 12.

  The height H from the valve body 1255 of the valve unit 1241 to the second liquid chamber 52 is determined by the pressure head of the pressure loss Pt of the intermediate flow passage 544 and the opening pressure Po (negative pressure) of the valve body 1255 of the valve unit 1241. It has a position head equal to the sum of pressure head. That is, it has the lowest height H at which the ink in the second liquid chamber 52 can be more reliably supplied to the liquid jet head 12. Therefore, the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 can be further miniaturized.

  Since the second liquid chamber 52 is formed in a flat box shape and disposed flat, the height dimension of the ink jet liquid ejecting apparatus 1 can be further reduced.

  In the on-carrier type liquid ejecting apparatus 1, the pressure loss in the supply of the ink is reduced, and the supply capability of the ink can be improved. In addition, since there is no supply of ink from a tube or the like, it is possible to suppress the pulsation at the time of ink supply. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 with high printing quality.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows.
In each of the above embodiments, the negative pressure holding spring 1260 is disposed in the pressure chamber 1252. This negative pressure holding spring 1260 may be omitted for cost reduction and the like.

  In the above embodiment, the height H from the valve body 1255 of the valve unit 1241 to the second liquid chamber 52 is the pressure head by the pressure loss Pt of the intermediate flow path 544 and the open pressure Po of the valve body 1255 of the valve unit 1241. The position of the sum with the pressure head due to (negative pressure) was made the same as the head He. However, the height H from the valve body 1255 of the valve unit 1241 to the second liquid chamber 52 may not be exactly the same as the position water head He, but may be the position water head He or more. Even in this case, the ink in the second liquid chamber 52 can be more reliably supplied to the valve unit 1241.

Second Embodiment
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The configuration of the liquid ejecting apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
Hereinafter, configurations different from the above-described embodiment, that is, configurations around the valve unit will be described.

2A to 2F are schematic views showing the configuration of the valve unit.
A valve unit 2010 as an attachment is detachably connected to the carriage 19. The valve units 2010 may have separate configurations, but their operability is improved by connecting them as shown in FIG. 2A.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the valve unit 2010 includes a unit case 2015 made of a synthetic resin which has a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a curved surface and a flat shape. The intermediate channel 544 is connected to the connection portion 2017 formed at the upper part of the unit case 2015. Further, at the lower part of the unit case 2015, an ink lead-out portion 2019 as a connecting portion is formed, and the ink lead-out portion 2019 is connected to the first liquid chamber 51. Further, as shown in FIG. 2B, the unit case 2015 is provided with storage means 2021 in the vicinity of the ink lead-out portion 2019.

  FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view taken along the line aa of the valve unit 2010 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2C, a substantially cylindrical small recess 2025 is formed on one side surface 2015a of the unit case 2015. Further, an ink storage recess 2027 communicating with the connection portion 2017 is formed in the one side surface 2015a. An ink introduction passage 2029 is formed in the ink storage recess 2027 in the direction of the small recess 2025, and the end of the ink introduction passage 2029 communicates with the small recess 2025. A first film member F1 covering the small recessed portion 2025 and a second film member F2 covering the ink storage recessed portion 2027 are attached to the one side surface 2015a by heat welding. The first liquid supply portion having a substantially cylindrical shape by the small recess 2025 and the first film member F1 and the ink supply chamber 2033 as a flow path have a substantially cylindrical shape by the ink storage recess 2027 and the second film member F2. The ink storage chamber 2035 is formed. Therefore, the ink flowing in from the intermediate flow path 544 flows into the ink supply chamber 2033 through the connection portion 2017, the ink storage chamber 2035 and the ink introduction passage 2029.

  Further, in the ink supply chamber 2033, a spring receiver 2037 having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the ink supply chamber 2033 on the surface on the first film member F1 side is concentric with the ink supply chamber 2033. It is attached to be located in. The spring receiving seat 2037 is provided with an annular groove 2039 on the surface opposite to the first film member F1.

  Further, on the other side surface 2015b of the unit case 2015, a large concave portion 2045 having a substantially truncated cone shape is formed. The large recess 2045 is provided so as to be concentric with the small recess 2025 while having a diameter larger than that of the small recess 2025. An ink lead-out path 2047 is formed on the inner side surface of the large recess 2045 in the direction of the one side surface 2015a. As shown in FIG. 2B, the end 2047 a of the ink lead-out passage 2047 is in communication with the communication hole 2049 formed in the ink lead-out portion 2019. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 2C, a flexible third film member F3 is attached to the other side surface 2015b by heat welding so as to close the large concave portion 2045. The large concave portion 2045 and the third film member F3 form a second liquid supply portion having a substantially truncated cone shape and a pressure chamber 2051 as a flow path. The third film member F3 is a material that is soft so that the negative pressure state of the pressure chamber 2051 can be efficiently detected, and does not have a chemical influence on the ink properties. The ink in the pressure chamber 2051 is discharged to the first liquid chamber 51 through the ink lead-out path 2047 and the communication hole 2049 of the ink lead-out portion 2019.

  Further, a disk-shaped pressure receiving plate 2053 formed of a material harder than the third film member F3 is provided on the surface of the third film member F3 opposite to the pressure chamber 2051 as the pressure chamber. It is attached by, for example, heat welding so as to be located concentrically with respect to 2051. The pressure receiving plate 2053 has an outer diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the pressure chamber 2051, and is formed of a lightweight plastic material such as polyethylene or polypropylene.

  A partition 2055 is formed between the ink supply chamber 2033 and the pressure chamber 2051 of the unit case 2015 so as to separate the ink supply chamber 2033 and the pressure chamber 2051. The partition wall 2055 includes the ink supply chamber 2033. A support hole 2057 is formed which constitutes an on-off valve for communicating the pressure chamber 2051 with the pressure chamber 2051. A movable valve 2059 constituting an on-off valve is slidably inserted and supported in the support hole 2057. Specifically, the movable valve 2059 is configured by a cylindrical rod member 2061 and a plate-like member 2063 having a circular cross section integrally formed on the rod member 2061.

  The plate member 2063 is disposed on the ink supply chamber 2033 side, and the outer diameter thereof is larger than the outer diameter of the rod member 2061. A rod member 2061 extending from the plate member 2063 is slidably inserted in and supported by the support hole 2057, and the tip end thereof protrudes into the pressure chamber 2051.

  As shown in FIG. 2D, in the support holes 2057, four notch grooves 2057a are formed at equal intervals. Therefore, in the state where the rod member 2061 is inserted into and supported by the support hole 2057, four ink channels 2057b are formed by the rod member 2061 and the notch groove 2057a. Further, as shown in FIG. 2C, the plate-like member 2063 is formed with an annular step 2063a, and a coil spring 2065 is disposed between the step 2063a and the groove 2039 of the spring seat 2037. There is. The plate-like member 2063 is always biased toward the partition wall 2055 by the action of the coil spring 2065.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2C and FIG. 2D, a rubber seal member 2067 formed in an annular shape so as to surround the support hole 2057 is attached to the partition 2055 on the ink supply chamber 2033 side. Therefore, the plate-like member 2063 in the movable valve 2059 abuts on the seal member 2067 by the biasing force of the coil spring 2065. When the plate member 2063 and the seal member 2067 abut, the four ink flow paths 2057 b are closed, that is, the space between the ink supply chamber 2033 and the pressure chamber 2051 is shut off. Conversely, when the plate-like member 2063 moves toward the first film member F1 against the biasing force of the coil spring 2065 and separates from the seal member 2067, the ink supply chamber 2033 and the pressure chamber 2051 communicate with each other.

  The sealing member 2067 is preferably formed integrally with the partition wall 2055 by two-color molding when the unit case 2015 is formed. In the same manner, the seal member 2067 may be formed not on the partition wall 2055 but on the plate-like member 2063 of the movable valve 2059 so as to be in contact with and separated from the partition wall 2055.

  In the valve unit 2010 configured as described above, when the liquid jet head 12 is in a non-printing state, that is, in a state where the ink is not consumed, the spring load W1 by the coil spring 2065 is the plate member of the movable valve 2059 It has joined 2063. Further, the pressure force P1 of the ink supplied to the ink supply chamber 2033 is also applied to the plate member 2063. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2C, the plate-like member 2063 abuts on the rubber seal member 2067, and the ink flow path 2057b (see FIG. 2D) is closed. That is, the ink supply chamber 2033 and the pressure chamber 2051 do not communicate with each other, and the valve unit 2010 is in a self-sealing state.

  On the other hand, when the liquid jet head 12 is in a printing state and the ink is consumed, the pressure chamber 2051 becomes negative pressure as the ink in the pressure chamber 2051 decreases, and the third film member F3 is on the ink supply chamber 2033 side. The central portion of the third film member F3 abuts on the end of the rod member 2061 constituting the movable valve 2059. At this time, a displacement reaction force required for the displacement of the third film member F3 is Wd. Then, the ink is further consumed in the liquid jet head 12 so that a negative pressure P2 is generated in the pressure chamber 2051. At this time, the third film member F3 presses the rod member 2061 when P2> W1 + P1 + Wd, whereby the contact between the plate member 2063 and the seal member 2067 is released, as shown in FIG. 2E. As shown in FIG. 2, the ink flow path 2057b (see FIG. 2D) is in an open state. The ink in the ink supply chamber 2033 is supplied into the pressure chamber 2051 through the ink flow path 2057 b from the ink supply chamber 2033 to the pressure chamber 2051.

  That is, even if the pressurizing force P1 of the ink supplied to the ink supply chamber 2033 is increased, the valve closing state is maintained unless the negative pressure P2 exceeding that is generated in the pressure chamber 2051. That is, the pressure fluctuation of the ink in the pressure chamber 2051 is limited to be within a certain range by opening and closing the movable valve 2059, and is separated from the pressure change of the ink in the ink supply chamber 2033. . Therefore, the liquid level of the ink in the second liquid chamber 52 fluctuates depending on the installation position of the second liquid chamber 52 and the remaining amount of the ink, and the pressure of the ink in the ink supply chamber 2033 fluctuates, Not affected. As a result, since the weight of the ink droplet discharged from the pressure chamber 2051 to the liquid jet head 12 becomes constant, the printing quality becomes constant.

  Then, when the ink flows into the pressure chamber 2051, the negative pressure P2 of the pressure chamber 2051 is eliminated, and P2 <W1 + P1 + Wd. Along with this, the movable valve 2059 is moved to be closed again as shown in FIG. 2C, and the supply of ink from the ink supply chamber 2033 to the pressure chamber 2051 is stopped.

  The operation of the on-off valve of the movable valve 2059 described above does not necessarily require an extreme operation in which the states shown in FIG. 2C and FIG. 2E are repeated repeatedly. In reality, during the printing operation, the third film member F3 is in balance with the end of the rod member 2061 constituting the movable valve 2059, and opens slightly as the ink is consumed. It acts to supply ink to 2051 sequentially.

As mentioned above, according to the said embodiment, the following effects can be acquired.
The pressure adjustment unit (valve device) including the movable valve 2059, the coil spring 2065, the seal member 2067, and the like is provided in the valve unit 2010 that can be attached to the liquid jet head 12 (carriage 19). Therefore, regardless of the remaining amount of ink in the second liquid chamber 52, the ink having a constant pressure can always be supplied to the liquid jet head 12, so that the printing quality can be kept constant.

  · The pressure chamber 2051 of the valve unit 2010 is provided with the ink supply chamber 2033 according to the decrease of the ink inside by the pressure adjusting means (valve device) comprising the movable valve 2059, the coil spring 2065, the seal member It receives ink supply from the Therefore, the pressure fluctuation of the ink in the pressure chamber 2051 is limited to be within a certain range. That is, even if the pressure P1 of the ink supplied to the ink supply chamber 2033 is increased, the negative valve P2 is not closed if the negative pressure P2 is not generated in the pressure chamber 2051. Even if pressure fluctuation occurs upstream (on the side of the second liquid chamber 52), the liquid jet head 12 is not affected. As a result, the liquid level of the ink in the second liquid chamber 52 fluctuates depending on the installation location of the second liquid chamber 52 and the remaining amount of the ink, and the pressure of the ink in the ink supply chamber 2033 fluctuates, Since there is no influence, the degree of freedom of the installation place of the second liquid chamber 52 is increased.

  Since the valve unit 2010 is mounted on the carriage 19 so as to be attachable to the liquid jet head 12, for example, the ink from the second liquid chamber 52 having a large ink storage amount can be supplied to the liquid jet head 12. Therefore, the trouble of changing the liquid tank 30 and the running cost can be reduced.

  Since the storage unit 2021 is provided in the valve unit 2010, even if the valve unit 2010 is mounted on the carriage 19, the attribute information of the ink, the information of the second liquid chamber 52, etc. can be correctly recognized. can do.

  It is possible to connect the second liquid chamber 52 containing the ink desired by the user and the valve unit 2010 corresponding to the second liquid chamber 52 to the carriage 19, thereby improving the convenience of the user. .

The above embodiment may be modified as follows.
As shown in FIG. 2F, a groove 2030 is formed on one side surface 2015a of the unit case 2015, and the groove 2030 is covered with a single film F covering the small recess 2025 and the ink storage recess 2027. The introduction path 2029 may be formed. The film F is preferably attached to the one side surface 2015a by heat welding, as in the first and second film members F1 and F2. With this configuration, the ink introduction path 2029 can be easily formed.

Next, the configuration of the valve unit according to FIG. 2G will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2G, a substantially cylindrical first recess 2095 is formed in one side surface 2015a of the unit case 2015, and the first recess 2095 communicates with the connection portion 2017. And the film member 2097 which covers said 1st recessed part 2095 is affixed by heat welding on this one side 2015a. Accordingly, the substantially cylindrical first liquid supply portion and the ink supply chamber 2099 as a flow path are formed by the first concave portion 2095 and the film member 2097. The ink flowing in from the intermediate flow path 544 flows into the ink supply chamber 2099 through the connection portion 2017.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2G, a substantially cylindrical second recess 2101 is formed in the other side surface 2015b of the unit case 2015, and the second recess 2101 communicates with the ink outlet 2019. There is. And the film member 2103 which covers the said 2nd recessed part 2101 is affixed by heat welding to this other side 2015b. Therefore, a substantially cylindrical second liquid supply portion and an ink discharge chamber 2105 as a flow path are formed by the second concave portion 2101 and the film member 2103.

  A plurality of through holes 2109 are formed in the partition wall 2107 that divides the ink supply chamber 2099 and the ink outlet chamber 2105. Further, at the central position of the partition wall 2107, a support convex portion 2111 protruding to the ink discharge chamber 2105 is formed.

  In the ink discharge chamber 2105, a spring receiving seat 2113 having an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the ink discharge chamber 2105 is disposed concentrically with the ink discharge chamber 2105 on the surface on the film member 2103 side. Is attached. A recess 2115 is provided in the center of the spring seat 2113 on the surface opposite to the film member 2103. Further, on the outer peripheral end of the spring seat 2113 and on the surface opposite to the film member 2103, an annular convex portion 2117 is provided in a protruding manner.

  A cylindrical valve housing cylindrical portion 2119 is disposed between the spring seat 2113 and the partition wall 2107. The valve accommodating cylindrical portion 2119 is formed by expanding the fitting portion 2121 inside thereof, and the membrane valve 2123 is fitted to the fitting portion 2121. The membrane valve 2123 is supported by an annular retaining ring 2125 sandwiched and fixed between the spring seat 2113 and the valve housing cylindrical portion 2119 so as not to come out of the valve housing cylindrical portion 2119. The membrane valve 2123 is formed of an elastically deformable material such as an elastomer, and a convex portion 2127 is formed at a central position facing the support convex portion 2111. A cylindrical through hole 2129 is formed at the center of the projection 2127. The membrane valve 2123 divides the ink discharge chamber 2105 into a spring receiving seat 2113 side and a partition 2107 side with the membrane valve 2123 as a boundary. Then, when the convex portion 2127 abuts on the support convex portion 2111, the through hole 2129 formed in the convex portion 2127 is closed by the support convex portion 2111 and the spring receiving seat 2113 side of the ink outlet chamber 2105 and the partition wall 2107 side Blocking, that is, the ink outlet chamber 2105 and the ink supply chamber 2099 do not communicate with each other.

  Conversely, when the convex portion 2127 is separated from the support convex portion 2111, the through hole 2129 formed in the convex portion 2127 is opened, and the spring receiving seat 2113 side of the ink outlet chamber 2105 communicates with the partition wall 2107 side. The ink outlet chamber 2105 is in communication with the ink supply chamber 2099.

  A coil spring 2133 intervenes in the ink outlet chamber 2105 between the recess 2115 of the spring seat 2113 and the projection 2127 of the membrane valve 2123. The coil spring 2133 urges the through hole 2129 of the membrane valve 2123 to abut against the support protrusion 2111. Therefore, in the state where no external force is applied, the through hole 2129 is closed by the support convex portion 2111. In the present embodiment, the valve device is configured by the support convex portion 2111, the membrane valve 2123, and the coil spring 2133.

  In the valve unit 2010 configured as described above, the spring load W1 by the coil spring 2133 and the ink in the ink supply chamber 2099 in the non-printing state, ie, the state in which the liquid jet head 12 does not consume ink. The pressure P3 and the ink pressure P4 in the ink discharge chamber 2105 are applied to the membrane valve 2123. As a result, as shown in FIG. 2G, the membrane valve 2123 abuts on the support convex portion 2111 and the through hole 2129 is closed. That is, the ink supply chamber 2099 and the ink discharge chamber 2105 are not in communication, and the valve unit 2010 is in a self-sealing state.

  On the other hand, when the liquid jet head 12 is in the printing state and the ink is consumed, the ink pressure P4 in the ink outlet chamber 2105 is added to the ink in the ink supply chamber 2099 as the ink in the ink outlet chamber 2105 decreases. It decreases from pressure P3. The displacement reaction force required for the displacement of the membrane valve 2123 at this time is Wd. Then, the ink is further consumed in the liquid jet head 12, and the ink pressure P4 in the ink discharge chamber 2105 is further reduced. At this time, in the case of | P3−P4 |> W1 + Wd, the membrane valve 2123 is separated from the support convex portion 2111, and the ink supply chamber 2099 and the ink discharge chamber 2105 are in communication.

  Therefore, the ink in the ink supply chamber 2099 is supplied from the ink supply chamber 2099 into the ink outlet chamber 2105 through the through hole 2129, and the negative pressure of the ink outlet chamber 2105 is caused by the inflow of the ink into the ink outlet chamber 2105. It is eliminated. Along with this, the membrane valve 2123 is moved to be closed again as shown in FIG. 2G, and the supply of ink from the ink supply chamber 2099 to the ink outlet chamber 2105 is stopped.

  That is, a differential pressure is generated between the pressing force P3 of the ink supplied to the ink supply chamber 2099 and the ink pressure P4 in the ink outlet chamber 2105, and the differential pressure causes the spring load W1 by the coil spring 2133 and the displacement of the membrane valve 2123. If the sum with the required displacement reaction force Wd is not exceeded, the valve remains in the closed state. That is, the pressure fluctuation of the ink in the ink discharge chamber 2105 is limited by the opening and closing of the membrane valve 2123 so as to be within a certain range. The differential pressure between the pressure of the ink in the ink supply chamber 2099 and the pressure of the ink in the ink outlet chamber 2105 is less than the sum of the spring load W1 by the coil spring 2133 and the displacement reaction force Wd required for the displacement of the membrane valve 2123. If so, even if the pressure of the ink in the ink supply chamber 2099 fluctuates, the ink outlet chamber 2105 is not affected. As a result, since the weight of the ink droplet discharged from the ink discharge chamber 2105 to the liquid jet head 12 is constant, the print quality is constant.

According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be further obtained.
The valve unit 2010 attachable to the liquid jet head 12 is provided with pressure adjusting means (valve device) including the support convex portion 2111, the membrane valve 2123, the coil spring 2133 and the like. Therefore, since the ink having a constant pressure can be supplied to the liquid jet head 12, the print quality can be kept constant.

Third Embodiment
Next, a third embodiment will be described. The configuration of the liquid ejecting apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 3A is a plan view (a view seen from the side facing the recording medium) showing the configuration of the head unit according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3A, on the bottom surface of the head unit 3030, four sets (24 in total) of six liquid ejection heads 12 each having a substantially rectangular shape are provided. Further, the six liquid jet heads 12 in each set are arranged in two rows of three, and the liquid jet heads 12 in the respective rows are arranged alternately. Further, each liquid jet head 12 is provided with a plurality of jet nozzles for jetting ink in a row. The lower surface of the liquid jet head 12 on which such a jet nozzle is provided may be referred to as a "nozzle surface".

  Such liquid jet heads 12 are arranged alternately, so that the six liquid jet heads 12 are integrated to constitute one jet unit 3033. It has a so-called line head configuration. The head unit 3030 is provided with twenty-four liquid jet heads 12, so eventually four jet units are provided, and each jet unit 3033 jets Y (yellow) ink, jet unit 3033 y, An ejection unit 3033m for ejecting M (magenta) ink, an ejection unit 3033c for ejecting C (cyan) ink, and an ejection unit 3033k for ejecting K (black) ink.

Next, the configuration around the valve unit will be described.
3B to 3I are schematic views showing the configuration of the valve unit.
As shown in FIG. 3A, in the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 (line printer), as shown in FIG. 3A, four types of ink, C (cyan) ink, M (magenta) ink, Y (yellow) ink, and K (black) ink The ink is supplied to the liquid jet head 12 of the jet unit 3033 provided for each type of ink. Note that since the configurations of the respective ink supply systems are completely the same, in FIG. 3B, only one ejection unit 3033 is displayed as a representative.

  As described above, the ejection unit 3033 is configured of six liquid ejection heads 12, and correspondingly, six liquid ejection heads 12 are displayed in FIG. 3B. The ink from the second liquid chamber 52 is supplied to these six liquid jet heads 12.

  Further, a valve unit 3120 is connected to the downstream side of the second liquid chamber 52. Although the details of the valve unit 3120 will be described later, the valve unit 3120 automatically opens to take in the ink when the pressure on the downstream side (the side of the liquid jet head 12) is reduced, It has a function to adjust so that the ink is always supplied at an appropriate pressure. The first liquid chamber 51 branched on the downstream side of the valve unit 3120 is connected to the liquid jet head 12.

  As described above, in the ink supply system of the present embodiment, the ink stored in the second liquid chamber 52 is supplied to the plurality of liquid jet heads 12 through the valve unit 3120. Therefore, when the ink is ejected by the liquid ejecting head 12, the ejected ink is supplied from the second liquid chamber 52. As a result, the pressure of the ink from the valve unit 3120 to the liquid ejecting head 12 is always constant. It is adjusted to pressure. Below, the valve unit 3120 which has such a function is demonstrated.

  FIG. 3C is an explanatory view showing a detailed structure of the valve unit 3120. The internal structure of the valve unit 3120 is shown in FIG. 3C by taking a vertical cross section passing through the center of the valve unit 3120. The valve unit 3120 is provided with two pressure chambers, a pressure chamber 3121 connected to the first liquid chamber 51 and a pressure chamber 3122 connected to the second liquid chamber 52. A passage extends through a partition separating the two pressure chambers, and a passage shaft 3123 having substantially the same diameter as the passage is provided slidably in the passage. A plurality of passage grooves 3124 are provided on the side surface of the passage shaft 3123. One end of the passage groove 3124 opens to the pressure chamber 3121 side, and the other end opens to the pressure chamber 3122 side.

  A base member 3125 is fixed to an end of the passage shaft 3123 on the pressure chamber 3121 side, and the base member 3125 is provided from the bottom side of the pressure chamber 3121 by a support spring 3126 provided to surround the passage shaft 3123. It is lifted to a fixed height. Further, the base member 3125 is bonded to a substantially central position of the thin film film 3127 that constitutes one side surface (upper surface side in FIG. 3C) of the pressure chamber 3121.

  In addition, a rubber sealing valve 3128 is provided at an end of the passage shaft 3123 on the pressure chamber 3122 side. The sealing valve 3128 is pushed up by the sealing spring 3129 from the bottom surface side of the pressure chamber 3122, and normally, the projecting portion provided above the sealing valve 3128 is pressed against the upper surface of the pressure chamber 3122. The periphery of the passage shaft 3123 is sealed from the pressure chamber 3122 side.

  FIGS. 3D to 3F are explanatory views showing an operation of the valve unit 3120 adjusting the pressure for supplying the ink to the liquid jet head 12. FIG. As described above, the valve unit 3120 is supplied with ink from the second liquid chamber 52 (see FIG. 3B). At this time, the ink in the second liquid chamber 52 is supplied to the pressure chamber 3122 (the pressure chamber on the second liquid chamber 52 side) of the valve unit 3120 by the water head difference. Further, since the sealing valve 3128 provided on the pressure chamber 3122 side is pressed by the sealing spring 3129, the passage groove 3124 is closed by the sealing valve 3128. Therefore, in this state, ink is not supplied from the pressure chamber 3122 to the pressure chamber 3121 via the passage groove 3124.

  When ink is jetted from the liquid jet head 12 in the state shown in FIG. 3D, the ink corresponding to the jetted ink is supplied from the pressure chamber 3121 to the liquid jet head 12 via the first liquid chamber 51. As a result, as the ink is ejected from the liquid ejection head 12, the pressure in the pressure chamber 3121 decreases. Here, since the upper surface side of the pressure chamber 3121 is constituted by the film film 3127, the film film 3127 is pulled down according to the pressure drop in the pressure chamber 3121. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3E, the film film The base member 3125 and the passage shaft 3123 provided in 3127 move against the repulsive force of the support spring 3126. Then, the seal valve 3128 is pushed by the passage shaft 3123 and the sealing valve 3128 is opened, and the two pressure chambers (the pressure chamber 3122 on the second liquid chamber 52 side and the liquid jet head) are opened via the passage groove 3124 provided in the passage shaft 3123 The pressure chamber 3121) on the 12 side is in communication. As a result, as shown by the thick broken arrow in FIG. 3F, ink is supplied from the pressure chamber 3122 on the second liquid chamber 52 side to the pressure chamber 3121 on the liquid jet head 12 side via the passage groove 3124. Ru.

  Thus, when the ink is supplied to the pressure chamber 3121, the pressure in the pressure chamber 3121 is recovered, so that the film film 3127 returns to the original state, and the base member 3125 and the passage shaft 3123 also return to their original positions. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3D, the sealing valve 3128 again seals the periphery of the passage shaft 3123 on the pressure chamber 3122 side, and the supply of ink from the pressure chamber 3122 to the pressure chamber 3121 is completed.

  As described above, in the valve unit 3120 according to this embodiment, the sealing valve 3128 is normally closed, but the amount of ink in the pressure chamber 3121 is smaller than a predetermined amount, and the supply pressure of ink in the pressure chamber 3121 Decreases temporarily, the sealing valve 3128 opens. Thus, the ink is supplied from the pressure chamber 3122 and the ink pressure in the pressure chamber 3121 is recovered. As a result, only the amount of ink jetted from the liquid jet head 12 is supplied, and the pressure for supplying the ink to the liquid jet head 12 is kept constant.

  Here, in the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 provided with the plurality of liquid ejecting heads 12, the valve unit 3120 is provided for each liquid ejecting head 12 for the purpose of strictly managing the pressure for supplying the ink to the plurality of liquid ejecting heads 12. Although this may be considered, this increases the number of installed valve units 3120. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as in the above-described ink supply system, a configuration in which the first liquid chamber 51 is branched from one valve unit 3120 and connected to each liquid jet head 12 is adopted (FIG. 3B) See). Further, even in the configuration in which one valve unit 3120 is connected to each liquid jet head 12, it is possible to keep the pressure for supplying the ink to the plurality of liquid jet heads 12 sufficiently constant. The following is a supplementary explanation of this point.

  FIGS. 3G to 3I are explanatory views showing how the pressure for supplying the ink to the plurality of liquid jet heads 12 is kept constant. In the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 in which a plurality of liquid ejecting heads 12 are provided as in the present embodiment, ink is not always ejected from all the liquid ejecting heads 12 during printing. Therefore, at a certain timing, for example, as shown in FIG. 3G, the ink is ejected from the liquid ejection head 12 at the left end in the drawing. At this time, as described above, in the valve unit 3120, the pressure in the pressure chamber 3121 is reduced and the sealing valve 3128 is opened (see FIG. 3F), and the portion jetted by the liquid jet head 12 at the left end Ink is supplied to the pressure chamber 3121. In the drawing, the state in which the ejected ink is supplied to the pressure chamber 3121 of the valve unit 3120 is indicated by the hatched arrows.

  At another timing, as shown in FIG. 3H, ink may be ejected from the third liquid ejection head 12 from the left and the sixth liquid ejection head 12 from the left, as shown in FIG. 3H. At this time, the total of the ink jetted by these two liquid jet heads 12 is supplied to the pressure chamber 3121. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3I, when ink was ejected from the second, fourth, and fifth liquid ejection heads 12 from the left in the figure, these were ejected by these three liquid ejection heads 12. The total amount of ink is supplied to the pressure chamber 3121. Hereinafter, even when the number of liquid jet heads 12 that jet ink increases, the total amount of ink jetted by the liquid jet head 12 is similarly supplied to the pressure chamber 3121.

  As mentioned above, according to the said embodiment, the following effects can be acquired.

  The amount of ink ejected by the liquid ejection head 12 is appropriately replenished with respect to the pressure chamber 3121 of the valve unit 3120 that supplies the ink to the plurality of liquid ejection heads 12, whereby the ink is supplied to the plurality of liquid ejection heads 12. Ink pressure can be kept constant. As a result, even with a configuration in which one pressure adjustment valve is provided for a plurality of liquid jet heads 12, high-quality images can be obtained by suppressing the variation in the ejection amount of ink among the plurality of liquid jet heads 12 It becomes possible to print.

In the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, since it is not necessary to provide the valve unit 3120 for each liquid ejecting head 12, the supply of ink between the liquid ejecting heads 12 due to the variation in the operating pressure of the valve unit 3120. Variations in pressure can be suppressed. In addition, since the valve unit 3120 can be shared by each liquid jet head 12, the number of parts can be reduced to reduce the possibility of failure, assembly errors at the time of manufacture, and reduce the manufacturing cost. In addition, it is possible to suppress an increase in the size of the entire apparatus.
Further, in the on-carrier type liquid ejecting apparatus 1, the pressure loss related to the supply of the ink can be reduced, and the supply capability of the ink can be improved. In addition, since there is no supply of ink from a tube or the like, it is possible to suppress the pulsation at the time of ink supply. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 with high printing quality.

  In the present embodiment, a line head in which six liquid jet heads 12 are integrated is provided to supply ink to each liquid jet head 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a longer liquid jet head may be configured, a plurality of nozzle groups may be formed in the plurality of nozzles according to the jet head, and the ink may be supplied to each nozzle group. Even in this case, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

Fourth Embodiment
Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The configuration of the liquid ejecting apparatus is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
Hereinafter, configurations different from the above-described embodiment, that is, configurations around the valve unit will be described.

4A to 4D are schematic views showing the configuration of the valve unit.
The valve unit 4036 can be used for ink pressure control, filtration, or a combination of pressure control and filtration. Furthermore, it can also function as a pressure damper. In this embodiment, the valve unit 4036 has a combined function of pressure control and filtration.

  The valve unit 4036 includes a unit base member 4041 formed of a thick plate-like member. The external shape of the unit base member 4041 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. One side of the unit base member 4041 is recessed to form a valve chamber 4042. On the other hand, the other side of the unit base member 4041 is recessed to form a pressure chamber 4043. As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, the valve chamber 4042 and the pressure chamber 4043 have a circular shape when viewed from the thickness direction of the unit base member 4041. Further, the valve chamber 4042 and the pressure chamber 4043 are arranged coaxially, that is, the positional relationship in which the center of the valve chamber 4042 and the center of the pressure chamber 4043 coincide when viewed from the thickness direction of the unit base member 4041 It is arranged by.

  The valve chamber 4042 and the pressure chamber 4043 are in communication with each other by a communication hole 4044 provided at the center of them. A valve stem 4045 is penetrated through the communication hole 4044 and a support plate 4046 is connected to an end of the valve stem 4045. Further, an annular valve body 4047 made of an elastic material such as an elastomer is fixed to the support plate 4046. The valve body 4047 is provided with a raised annular seat 4048. The seating portion 4048 is adapted to seat on a seating surface 4049 formed on the bottom surface of the valve chamber 4042, that is, a valve seat. The diameter of the seating portion 4048 is set larger than the diameter of the communication hole 4044. As a result, the communication hole 4044 is opened and closed by the valve body 4047 being seated on or away from the seating surface 4049. On the other hand, the diameter of the valve stem 4045 is set smaller than the inner diameter of the communication hole 4044. Thus, the ink flow passage is formed by the difference in diameter. The valve stem 4045 is provided with a guide ridge 4050 in the axial direction. The outer peripheral surface of the guide ridge 4050 slides on the inner surface of the communication hole 4044.

  As described above, the on-off valve 4051 is configured by the valve body 4047 and the seating surface 4049, and the on-off valve 4051 is accommodated in the valve chamber 4042.

  On the other hand, a disk-shaped receiving plate 4052 is fixed to the end of the valve shaft 4045 located in the pressure chamber 4043. A compression coil spring 4054 is inserted between the receiving plate 4052 and the bottom surface 4053 of the pressure chamber 4043. The spring force of the compression coil spring 4054 acts in the direction in which the valve body 4047 is seated on the seating surface 4049.

  In this embodiment, a plate spring 4062 is disposed in the valve chamber 4042. The plate spring 4062 has a structure through which ink can flow. Specifically, for example, a circular plate spring may be provided with a spiral slit or an S-shaped slit. A spring force in the same direction as the compression coil spring 4054 acts on the on-off valve 4051 by the plate spring 4062.

  A sheet member 4061 made of a flexible elastic material having high gas barrier properties, for example, a synthetic resin film such as a polyphenylene sulfide film or a polyimide film, is formed on the surface of the unit base member 4041 where the pressure chamber 4043 is open. It is joined by heat welding or an adhesive. A circular portion covering the opening of the pressure chamber 4043 in the sheet member 4061 is an elastic partition 4055 which constitutes a part of a pressure control valve 4077 described later. The pressing force obtained by the atmospheric pressure acting on the elastic partition 4055 opens and closes the on-off valve 4051 as described later.

  An inflow pipe 4056 for receiving the ink sent from the intermediate flow path 544 is provided in the upper part of the unit base member 4041. The inflow pipe 4056 is provided with an inflow port 4057. The side surface of the unit base member 4041 on the same side as the valve chamber 4042 is recessed to form a filter storage chamber 4058, and the inflow port 4057 communicates with the filter storage chamber 4058. In the filter storage chamber 4058, a sheet-like filter 4059 is attached. The filter 4059 is disposed in a state (posture) along the flat side surface of the unit base member 4041. A portion of the filter storage chamber 4058 on the downstream side of the filter 4059 and the valve chamber 4042 are in communication with each other by a communication groove 4060. With the above-described configuration, the filter 4059 is disposed on the upstream side of the valve chamber 4042.

  In order to close the valve chamber 4042, the communication groove 4060 and the filter storage chamber 4058, the sheet member 4061 is joined by heat welding or adhesion also to the side of the unit base member 4041 where the valve chamber 4042 is open. . That is, the sheet member 4061 positioned on the valve chamber 4042 side is made of a synthetic resin film such as a polyphenylene sulfide film or a polyimide film similar to the sheet member 4061 disposed on the pressure chamber 4043 side.

  On the other hand, in the lower part of the unit base member 4041, a filter storage chamber 4063 for storing a filter for filtering the ink sent out from the pressure chamber 4043 is provided. A filter 4064 is provided in the filter storage chamber 4063. The filter storage chamber 4063 is formed by recessing the side surface of the unit base member 4041 on the same side as the pressure chamber 4043. Similar to the filter 4059, the filter 4064 is in the form of a sheet, and is disposed in a state (posture) along the flat side surface of the unit base member 4041. At the lower part of the unit base member 4041, an outlet pipe 4074 is provided, and the outlet pipe 4074 is provided with an outlet 4075. A portion of the filter storage chamber 4063 on the downstream side of the filter 4064 is in communication with the outlet 4075. The pressure chamber 4043 and the filter storage chamber 4063 (on the upstream side of the filter 4064) are communicated by a communication groove 4076 formed on the side surface of the unit base member 4041. With the above configuration, the filter 4064 is disposed downstream of the pressure chamber 4043.

  In the above description, the filter 4059 disposed upstream of the valve chamber 4042 is the upstream filter, and the filter 4064 disposed downstream of the pressure chamber 4043 is the downstream filter.

  In the above description, the pressure control valve 4077 which constitutes a part of the valve unit 4036 is formed on one side of the unit base member 4041 to receive ink, and on the other side of the unit base member 4041 The pressure chamber 4043 controls the ink having passed through the on-off valve 4051 in the valve chamber 4042 to a predetermined pressure, and the elastic partition 4055 receives the atmospheric pressure to open and close the on-off valve 4051.

  The ink passing through the valve unit 4036 passes through the inlet 4057, the filter storage chamber 4058, the valve chamber 4042, the on-off valve 4051, the communication hole 4044, the pressure chamber 4043, the communication groove 4076, the filter storage chamber 4063, and the outlet 4075. Do.

  The valve chamber 4042, the pressure chamber 4043, the communication hole 4044, the filter storage chambers 4058 and 4063, the inflow pipe 4056, the outflow pipe 4074 and the like are preferably manufactured by injection molding of a synthetic resin material.

  Next, the operation of the valve unit 4036 is as follows.

  The valve unit 4036 of FIG. 4A is in a state where ink is not consumed. In this state, the seating portion 4048 of the valve body 4047 is seated on the seating surface 4049 by the force of the compression coil spring 4054 and the plate spring 4062, and the communication hole 4044 is closed.

  From this state, when the printing operation is started and the ink is discharged from the liquid jet head 12, the pressure of the ink in the pressure chamber 4043 decreases according to the consumption of the ink. When the pressure of the ink falls below a predetermined value, the atmospheric pressure acts on the elastic partition 4055, so the compression coil spring 4054 is contracted and the plate spring 4062 is also deformed to the right in FIG. Leaves the seating surface 4049. As a result, the communication hole 4044 is opened, that is, the on-off valve 4051 is opened (see FIG. 4B).

  When the consumption of ink progresses and the pressure of the ink in the pressure chamber 4043 further decreases, as shown in FIG. 4C, the on-off valve 4051 is fully opened. Accordingly, the ink sent from the intermediate flow path 544 flows into the pressure chamber 4043 through the valve chamber 4042 and the communication hole 4044. Accordingly, when the pressure in the pressure chamber 4043 rises, the seating portion 4048 rests on the seating surface 4049 by the force of the compression coil spring 4054 and the plate spring 4062, and the communication hole 4044 is closed again.

  The spring constants of the compression coil spring 4054 and the plate spring 4062, the pressure receiving area of the elastic partition 4055, and the like are adjusted so that the amount of change in the internal pressure of the pressure chamber 4043 accompanying ink consumption is repeated within a small range. Therefore, the amount of change in the pressure of the ink supplied to the liquid jet head 12 is controlled within a narrow range. Thereby, the discharge state of the ink droplet is stabilized.

  A filter 4059 disposed on the upstream side of the valve chamber 4042 filters impurities in the flow passage from the intermediate flow passage 544 to the valve chamber 4042 to maintain the seating performance of the on-off valve 4051 normally. Further, the filter 4064 disposed downstream of the pressure chamber 4043 filters impurities such as a piece of material of the unit base member 4041 that may be generated at the sliding portion between the guide ridge 4050 and the communication hole 4044, for example. The normal operation of the liquid jet head 12 is secured.

  The description based on FIGS. 4A to 4C is made for a single pressure control valve 4077. However, one of the main features of the present invention is that two pressure control valves 4077 are provided in one unit base member 4041 as shown in FIGS. 4E to 4L. In the following description, the pressure control valve 4077 itself and the filter on the upstream side and the filter on the downstream side have the same structure as those shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, but the reference numerals of the parts of one pressure control valve 4077 "A" is attached, and "b" is attached to the reference numeral of each part of the other pressure control valve 4077. 4E is a cross-sectional view of the pressure control valve unit in the present embodiment, and FIG. 4F is a view schematically showing the arrangement of the pressure control valves 4077a and 4077b and the filters, and the flow path state.

  As shown in FIGS. 4E and 4F, the valve chamber 4042a of the pressure control valve 4077a is formed on one side of the unit base member 4041, and the valve chamber 4042b of the pressure control valve 4077b is formed on the other side of the unit base member 4041. It is done. The pressure chamber 4043a is formed on the other side surface of the unit base member 4041, and the pressure chamber 4043b is formed on the one side surface. Thus, valve chambers 4042a and 4042b and pressure chambers 4043a and 4043b are formed on both side surfaces of the unit base member 4041, respectively. Similarly, filter housings 4058 a, 4058 b, 4063 a and 4063 b are also provided on both sides of the unit base member 4041.

  The pressure control valve 4077a is disposed to be obliquely lower than the pressure control valve 4077b. That is, the valve chamber 4042a provided on one side surface of the unit base member 4041 and the valve chamber 4042b provided on the other side surface are disposed in a positional relationship in which they are diagonally offset from each other. Further, as shown in FIG. 4F, the outer peripheral circle of the pressure chamber 4043a and the outer peripheral circle of the pressure chamber 4043b overlap each other when viewed from the thickness direction of the unit base member 4041. As a result, the two pressure control valves 4077 a and 4077 b can be disposed closer to each other, and the valve unit 4036 can be made compact.

  Filters 4064a and 4064b are disposed downstream of the pressure chambers 4043a and 4043b, respectively, as downstream filters. The filters (downstream filters) 4064 a and 4064 b are disposed near the downstream end of the valve unit 4036. That is, as shown in FIG. 4F, the filter storage chambers 4063a and 4063b and the filters 4064a and 4064b are arranged side by side under the unit base member 4041.

  With the above configuration, the ink introduced from the inflow pipe 4056a includes a filter (upstream filter) 4059a, a valve chamber 4042a, an on-off valve 4051a, a pressure chamber 4043a, a filter (downstream filter) 4064a, and an outlet 4075a. The ink flows through the channel system, while the ink introduced from the inflow pipe 4056b includes a filter (upstream filter) 4059b, a valve chamber 4042b, an open / close valve 4051b, a pressure chamber 4043b, a filter (downstream filter) 4064b, and an outlet 4075b. Flow independently including the flow path system. Although this embodiment has two flow path systems, it is also possible to have three or more flow path systems.

  4G-4I and 4J-4L illustrate a valve unit 4036 'according to another embodiment of the present invention. Also in the valve unit 4036 ', the valve chambers 4042a and 4042b, the pressure chambers 4043a and 4043b, etc. are arranged on both sides of the unit base member 4041, and the ink flow path system is the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4E and 4F. Is the same as In the valve unit 4036 ', specific arrangement positions of the pressure control valves 4077a and 4077b, the filters 4059a and 4059b, and the like are changed.

  FIG. 4G is a side view of the valve unit 4036 'viewed from the front side (one side), and FIG. 4H is a side view viewed from the rear side (the other side). Further, these side views illustrate the flow paths, assuming that the sheet members 4061 joined to the front side and the back side of the unit base member 4041 are transparent or translucent. In each drawing, the hatched portion indicates the portion where the ink is present.

  As shown in FIG. 4G, the ink introduced from the inflow pipe 4056a flows through the communication groove 4060a illustrated by a chain line and the communication groove 4060a hatched, and the back surface shown in FIG. 4H from the through hole 4078a. Flow into the filter storage chamber 4058a (filter 4059a), and further flow into the valve chamber 4042a on the back side. Then, it passes through the on-off valve (not shown) from the back side valve chamber 4042a and flows into the front side pressure chamber 4043a again, and then passes through the filter storage chamber 4063a (downstream side filter 4064a) and the outlet pipe 4074a to the valve Flow out of unit 4036 '.

  FIG. 4J is a side view of the valve unit 4036 ′ viewed from the front side (one side) similarly to FIG. 4G, and FIG. 4K is a side view viewed from the back side (other side) similar to FIG. 4H. . Further, these side views illustrate the flow paths, assuming that the sheet members 4061 joined to the front side and the back side of the unit base member 4041 are transparent or translucent. In each drawing, the hatched portion indicates the portion where the ink is present.

  As shown in FIG. 4K, the ink introduced from the inflow pipe 4056b passes from the flow path (inflow port) 4057b on the back side where hatching is performed through the through hole 4078b to the filter storage chamber 4058b on the front side shown in FIG. It flows into the (filter 4059b) and further into the valve chamber 4042b on the front side. Then, it passes from the valve chamber 4042b on the front side through the on-off valve (not shown) to flow into the pressure chamber 4043b on the back side again, and then passes through the communication groove 4076b and the filter storage chamber 4063b (downstream filter 4064b). It flows out of valve unit 4036 'from the outflow pipe 4074b.

  The filter storage chambers 4063a and 4063b and the filters (downstream filters) 4064a and 4064b are disposed near the downstream end of the valve unit 4036 ', as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4E. That is, as shown in FIGS. 4G to 4I and 4J to 4L at the lower part of the unit base member 4041, the filter storage chamber 4063a, the filter (downstream filter) 4064a and the filter storage chamber 4063b, the filter (downstream filter) 4064b are arranged side by side. The filter storage chambers 4063a and 4063b are formed in a state of being recessed to the front side and the back side of the unit base member 4041, respectively, and as shown in FIGS. 4G to 4I and 4J to 4L, unit base members As viewed in the plate thickness direction 4041, the filter storage chamber 4063a overlaps with the filter (downstream filter) 4064a, and the filter storage chamber 4063b with the filter (downstream filter) 4064b.

  As described above, the filter storage chamber 4063a, the filter (downstream filter) 4064a, the filter storage chamber 4063b, and the filter (downstream filter) 4064b are disposed in an overlapping manner as viewed from the thickness direction of the unit base member 4041. Thus, the outlet pipes 4074a and 4074b communicating with the filter storage chambers 4063a and 4063b can be arranged to be close to each other.

  The pressure control valves 4077a, 4077b shown in FIGS. 4G-4I and 4J-4L are arranged in a diagonally offset positional relationship, similar to that shown in FIG. 4E. Therefore, the valve chamber 4042a provided on the back surface side of the unit base member 4041 and the valve chamber 4042b provided on the front surface side are disposed in a positional relationship in which they are diagonally offset from each other. Further, as shown in FIG. 4G to FIG. 4I and FIG. 4J to FIG. 4L, the outer circumference circle of the pressure chamber 4043a and the outer circumference circle of the pressure chamber 4043b overlap when seen from the thickness direction of the unit base member 4041. ing. As a result, the two pressure control valves 4077 a and 4077 b can be disposed closer to each other, and the valve unit 4036 ′ can be made compact.

  According to the above embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

  As described above, at least two or more types of ink can be circulated independently in the valve unit 4036. Therefore, the number of valve units 4036 can be reduced. Therefore, downsizing of the liquid tank 30 including the small number of valve units 4036 is realized. Along with this, the liquid jet apparatus 1 can be made smaller in size.

  Further, since the valve chambers 4042a and 4042b in which the on-off valves 4051a and 4051b are provided are provided on both sides of the unit base member 4041, a structure including the valve chambers 4042a and 4042b can be formed from both sides of the unit base member 4041. That is, it becomes possible to dispose the plurality of valve chambers 4042a and 4042b and the on-off valves 4051a and 4051b by effectively utilizing the material portion of the unit base member 4041. This improves the layout efficiency and is effective for downsizing the valve unit 4036. Then, by forming the valve chambers 4042a and 4042b from both side surfaces of the unit base member 4041, the thickness of the valve unit 4036 can be reduced. Such miniaturization of the valve unit 4036 itself is extremely effective in making the liquid tank 30 compact.

  Further, by making the thickness of the valve unit 4036 thin, it is possible to directly bond the valve unit 4036 to the liquid jet head 12. This eliminates the need for connecting members as in the prior art. As a result, the length of each flow path from the ink outflow point of the valve unit 4036, that is, the outflow ports 4075a and 4075b, to the ink inflow point of the liquid jet head 12, that is, the ink introduction port 4069 becomes short. Further, even if there are a plurality of valve units 4036, the lengths of the respective flow paths can be set substantially uniformly. Therefore, the flow path resistance and the like of each flow path of the ink become substantially uniform, and along with this, the discharge pressure of the ink droplet discharge is also substantially uniform, and stabilization of the discharge characteristics is realized.

  The unit base member 4041 is formed in a flat and substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the valve chambers 4042 a and 4042 b are provided on both side surfaces of the unit base member 4041, so the flat thin valve unit 4036 has at least two kinds of ink. Can flow. Therefore, the space required for each valve unit 4036 can be reduced, and the integrated unit of the valve unit 4036 and the liquid jet head 12 can be miniaturized.

  As described above, the valve chamber 4042a (which requires a space in the side direction of the unit base member 4041) provided on one side of the unit base member 4041 and the valve chamber 4042b (same as the unit base member 4041 provided on the other side). Spaces are required in the lateral direction), and are arranged in a positional relationship in which they are diagonally offset from each other. As a result, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the unit base member 4041 can be reduced, and the miniaturization of the valve unit 4036 is promoted.

  Further, since the downstream filters 4064 a and 4064 b having high pressure loss are respectively disposed in the vicinity of the downstream end of the valve unit 4036, the flow path length between the downstream filters 4064 a and 4064 b and the discharge portion of the liquid jet head 12 Can be made constant for each flow path. Thereby, the discharge characteristics between the flow paths can be made uniform.

  Further, the on-off valves 4051a and 4051b provided in the valve chambers 4042a and 4042b are opened and closed by drive operation from the pressure chambers 4043a and 4043b side formed on the side of the unit base member 4041 opposite to the valve chambers 4042a and 4042b. The drive operation from the pressure chambers 4043a and 4043b faithfully acts on the on-off valves 4051a and 4051b, and the ink pressure in the pressure chambers 4043a and 4043b is suitably controlled to a predetermined pressure. That is, the operation as the pressure control valves 4077a and 4077b is reliably performed. Further, since the valve chambers 4042a and 4042b and the pressure chambers 4043a and 4043b are disposed to face both side surfaces of the unit base member 4041, the pressure control valves 4077a and 4077b are compact.

  In addition, the centers of the circular valve chambers 4042a and 4042b and the centers of the circular pressure chambers 4043a and 4043b are arranged in a coaxial positional relationship, so that the valve chambers 4042a and 4042b and the pressure chambers 4043a, 4043b and can be arranged well. Accordingly, the arrangement of the pairs of valve chambers and pressure chambers can be performed easily and compactly. Further, it is easy to transmit the driving force from the pressure chambers 4043a and 4043b to the on-off valves 4051a and 4051b of the valve chambers 4042a and 4042b.

  The pair of valve chamber 4042a and the pressure chamber 4043a or the pair of valve chamber 4042b and the pressure chamber 4043b are communicated by the communication hole 4044 provided at the center thereof, and the communication hole 4044 is opened and closed by the valve body 4047. It is done. That is, the communication hole 4044, the valve body 4047, the valve chamber 4042a (4042b), the pressure chamber 4043a (4043b) and the like are arranged concentrically. Thereby, the opening and closing operation of the valve body 4047 can be performed in a stable state.

  Further, by providing the upstream filters 4059a and 4059b, impurities in the ink can be removed, and the valve functions of the on-off valves 4051a and 4051b can be normally maintained. In addition, it is possible to prevent the impurity from flowing down to the liquid jet head 12.

  The valve chambers 4042a and 4042b and the upstream filters 4059a and 4059b are disposed on the same side of the unit base member 4041, and the pressure chambers 4043a and 4043b and the downstream filters 4064a and 4064b are valve chambers 4042a and 4042b. And the same side of the unit base member 4041 on the opposite side. Thereby, the flow path structure is simplified and unnecessary flow path arrangement is avoided. Further, since both side surfaces of the unit base member 4041 are utilized, further thinning of the structure can be achieved.

  Further, in the so-called on-carriage type liquid jet apparatus 1, the supply pressure of ink to the valve units 4036 and 4036 'is equivalent to the water head difference. Therefore, for example, the supply pressure can be suppressed to a very low pressure as compared with the supply pressure to the valve unit in the off-carriage type liquid ejecting apparatus. Accordingly, the pressure on the thermally welded portion of the sheet member 4061 in the valve units 4036 and 4036 'is relieved, so that the adhesion of the sheet member 4061 is secured and the ink leakage can be prevented.

  Also, for example, in the off-carriage type liquid ejecting apparatus, it is necessary to supply the ink from the liquid tank to the valve unit with a tube or the like, but in the on-carriage type liquid ejecting apparatus 1 There is no need to provide a tube etc. in the supply of Therefore, since the ink supply path is short, it is possible to reduce the amount of consumed ink generated by cleaning or the like before printing. Furthermore, since there is no supply of tubes or the like, it is possible to suppress pulsation at the time of ink supply.

  Further, in the on-carrier type liquid ejecting apparatus 1, the pressure loss related to the supply of the ink can be reduced, and the supply capability of the ink can be improved. In addition, since there is no supply of ink from a tube or the like, it is possible to suppress the pulsation at the time of ink supply. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 with high printing quality.

Next, the configuration of the valve unit periphery (ink ejection unit) according to FIGS. 4M to 4U will be described.
In FIG. 4M, the ink jetting unit is indicated at 4083. The ink jet unit 4083 includes the liquid jet head 12 and a plurality of valve units 4036. The configuration of the valve unit 4036 is the same as that described above, and the same reference numerals are given to the portions that perform the same functions.

  The outer shape of each valve unit 4036 is a flat and substantially rectangular parallelepiped. In the present embodiment, the five valve units 4036 are joined to the liquid jet head 12 in an upright state. The upper surface portion 4020 a of the liquid jet head 12 is located on the opposite side of the nozzle formation surface 4006 a of the liquid jet head 12. FIG. 4N shows the detailed structure of the junction. As shown in FIG. 4N, the control substrate 4071 is joined to the upper surface portion 4020a of the head case 4005 of the liquid jet head 12, and the introduction pipe 4069a projecting from the head case 4005 is connected to the through hole 4071a of the control substrate 4071. It penetrates and slightly protrudes on the control substrate 4071. And, a packing member 4072 for sealing the ink is attached to the joint portion between the introduction pipe 4069a and the outflow pipes 4074a and 4074b.

  As shown in FIG. 4N, in the state where the valve unit 4036 is directly joined to the liquid jet head 12, the ink introduction of the outlet 4075a, 4075b of the valve unit 4036, the through hole 4072a of the packing member 4072 and the head channel 4019. The port 4069 and the port 4069 are disposed in a substantially coaxial positional relationship. The valve unit 4036 standing on the upper surface portion 4020a of the liquid jet head 12 is joined within the range (area) of the upper surface portion 4020a, as shown in FIGS. 4M and 4P. That is, the valve unit 4036 can be arranged upright in a region determined by the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the nozzle forming surface 4006 a.

  As a method of stabilizing the connection between the valve unit 4036 and the liquid jet head 12, a coupling fitting is provided between the valve unit 4036 and the head case 4005. Alternatively, various structures can be employed instead of the fitting. In the example of FIG. 4M, a cover box 4079 having a substantially rectangular external shape is attached to the head case 4005. Thereby, the stability of the above-mentioned junction is secured. The lower portion of the cover box 4079 is open, while the upper plate 4079 a is provided at the upper portion. Inflow pipes 4056 a and 4056 b protruding from the upper portion of the unit base member 4041 pass through the upper plate 4079 a. A bore 4079b through which the inflow tubes 4056a, 4056b extend is shown in FIG. 4R. An intermediate flow passage 544 is connected to the inflow pipes 4056 a and 4056 b protruding from the hole 4079 b.

  In order to couple the cover box 4079 to the head case 4005, for example, the head case 4005 is strongly inserted inside the opened lower portion of the cover box 4079. Alternatively, various other attachment methods may be employed. In this example, as shown in FIGS. 4P and 4U, a narrow flange 4005a is provided at the top of the head case 4005, a frame-like insertion groove 4005b is formed on the top surface, and a cover box 4079 is formed in the insertion groove 4005b. The open rim of the is fitted. The width of the flange 4005 a is set as narrow as possible in order to make the maximum outer peripheral dimension of the head case 4005 as small as possible.

  One end of the flexible cable 4024 is connected to the control substrate 4071, and the flexible cable 4024 extends upward along the inner surface of the cover box 4079. The other end of the cable 4024 protrudes to the outside from a slit hole 4079c provided in the upper plate 4079a. A wire connection connector 4080 for connection is joined to the protruding flexible cable 4024.

  As shown in FIG. 4S, when the valve unit 4036 is inserted into the cover box 4079, the inner side wall of the cover box 4079 so that the relative position between the valve unit 4036 and the cover box 4079 is not easily deviated. The guide means 4081 is provided in. Specifically, the guide means 4081 is a guide groove provided parallel to the inner side wall of the cover box 4079. The end of the valve unit 4036 slides relative to the inside of the guide groove. Thus, the valve unit 4036 is mounted at a predetermined position in the cover box 4079.

  Each valve unit 4036 incorporates two pressure control valves 4077. The five valve units 4036 are joined to the liquid jet head 12. Thus, ten types of ink can be supplied to the liquid jet head 12. In the present embodiment, eight types of ink are used.

  4V to 4Y show a structure in which a plurality of ink jetting units 4083 formed as described above are combined. A wall plate 4085 is provided around a flat substantially rectangular plate member 4084 to form a coupling member 4086. As shown in FIG. 4X, the coupling member 4086 is provided with four attachment openings 4087 into which the main body of the head case 4005 is fitted. When a plurality of (four) ink jet units 4083 are fitted into the mounting openings 4087, abutment surfaces formed by the lower surfaces of the flanges 4005a of the head cases 4005 are in close contact with the upper surfaces of the coupling members 4086. As a result, the nozzle forming surfaces 4006a are aligned in the same plane as shown in FIG. 4W.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4Q, the flange 4005a is provided with a positioning pin 4088 directed downward. And, a positioning hole 4089 for receiving the pin 4088 is provided in the coupling member 4086. As shown in FIG. 4X, the positioning pins 4088 are fitted into the positioning holes 4089, whereby the nozzle formation surfaces 4006a are positioned in a predetermined relative positional relationship.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4Y, the nozzle rows 4001a provided on each nozzle formation surface 4006a are in a predetermined alignment state. As a result, when the printing operation is performed in the main scanning direction indicated by arrow line 4090, the printing operation can be performed over the wide width L range.

  In order to mount the assembly unit having the plurality of ink jetting units 4083 shown in FIGS. 4V and 4Y on the apparatus main body, a structure as shown in FIG. 4W is adopted. That is, a head 4092 is integrally provided at an end of the arm member 4091 fixed to the coupling member 4086, and a guide hole 4093 is provided in the head 4092. The guide hole 4093 is penetrated in a slidable state by the guide rail 13 shown in FIG. 1B. As a result, an assembly unit having four ink jet units 4083 and a coupling member 4086 is assembled to the liquid jet apparatus main body.

  Then, at least two or more types of ink can be circulated in the valve unit 4036 independently. Therefore, the number of valve units 4036 can be reduced. Therefore, the miniaturization of the integrated unit (the ink jet unit 4083 in the above example) of the small number (five in the above example) of the valve units 4036 and the liquid jet head 12 is realized. Along with this, the liquid ejecting apparatus 1 can be downsized.

  Further, since the valve chambers 4042a and 4042b in which the on-off valves 4051a and 4051b are provided are provided on both sides of the unit base member 4041, a structure including the valve chambers 4042a and 4042b can be formed from both sides of the unit base member 4041. That is, it becomes possible to dispose the plurality of valve chambers 4042a and 4042b and the on-off valves 4051a and 4051b by effectively utilizing the material portion of the unit base member 4041. This is effective to miniaturize the valve unit 4036. Then, by forming the valve chambers 4042a and 4042b from both side surfaces of the unit base member 4041, the thickness of the valve unit 4036 can be reduced. The miniaturization of the valve unit 4036 itself is very effective in making the integrated unit (ink ejection unit 4083) of the valve unit 4036 and the liquid ejection head 12 compact.

  Further, by making the thickness of the valve unit 4036 thin, it is possible to directly bond the valve unit 4036 to the liquid jet head 12. As a result, the length of each flow path from the ink outflow point of the valve unit 4036, that is, the outflow ports 4075a and 4075b, to the ink inflow point of the liquid jet head 12, that is, the ink introduction port 4069 becomes short. Further, even if there are a plurality of valve units 4036, the lengths of the respective flow paths can be set substantially uniformly. Therefore, the flow path resistance and the like of each flow path of the ink become substantially uniform, and along with this, the discharge pressure of the ink droplet discharge is also substantially uniform, and stabilization of the discharge characteristics is realized.

  The unit base member 4041 is formed in a flat and substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the valve chambers 4042 a and 4042 b are provided on both side surfaces of the unit base member 4041, so the flat thin valve unit 4036 has at least two kinds of ink. Can flow. Therefore, the space required for each valve unit 4036 can be reduced, and the integrated unit (4083) of the valve unit 4036 and the liquid jet head 12 can be miniaturized.

  As described above, the valve chamber 4042a (which requires a space in the side direction of the unit base member 4041) provided on one side of the unit base member 4041 and the valve chamber 4042b (same as the unit base member 4041 provided on the other side). Spaces are required in the lateral direction), and are arranged in a positional relationship in which they are diagonally offset from each other. As a result, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the unit base member 4041 can be reduced, and the miniaturization of the valve unit 4036 is promoted.

  Further, since the downstream filters 4064 a and 4064 b having high pressure loss are respectively disposed in the vicinity of the downstream end of the valve unit 4036, the flow path length between the downstream filters 4064 a and 4064 b and the discharge portion of the liquid jet head 12 Can be made constant for each flow path. Thereby, the discharge characteristics between the flow paths can be made uniform.

  Further, the on-off valves 4051a and 4051b provided in the valve chambers 4042a and 4042b are opened and closed by drive operation from the pressure chambers 4043a and 4043b side formed on the side of the unit base member 4041 opposite to the valve chambers 4042a and 4042b. The drive operation from the pressure chambers 4043a and 4043b faithfully acts on the on-off valves 4051a and 4051b, and the ink pressure in the pressure chambers 4043a and 4043b is suitably controlled to a predetermined pressure. That is, the operation as the pressure control valves 4077a and 4077b is reliably performed. Further, since the valve chambers 4042a and 4042b and the pressure chambers 4043a and 4043b are disposed to face both side surfaces of the unit base member 4041, the pressure control valves 4077a and 4077b are compact.

  In addition, the centers of the circular valve chambers 4042a and 4042b and the centers of the circular pressure chambers 4043a and 4043b are arranged in a coaxial positional relationship, so that the valve chambers 4042a and 4042b and the pressure chambers 4043a, 4043b and can be arranged well. Accordingly, the arrangement of the pairs of valve chambers and pressure chambers can be performed easily and compactly. Further, it is easy to transmit the driving force from the pressure chambers 4043a and 4043b to the on-off valves 4051a and 4051b of the valve chambers 4042a and 4042b.

  The pair of valve chamber 4042a and the pressure chamber 4043a or the pair of valve chamber 4042b and the pressure chamber 4043b are communicated by the communication hole 4044 provided at the center thereof, and the communication hole 4044 is opened and closed by the valve body 4047. It is done. That is, the communication hole 4044, the valve body 4047, the valve chamber 4042a (4042b), the pressure chamber 4043a (4043b) and the like are arranged concentrically. Thereby, the opening and closing operation of the valve body 4047 can be performed in a stable state.

  Further, ink inflow pipes 4056a and 4056b are provided above the unit base member 4041, and ink outflow pipes 4074a and 4074b are provided below the unit base member 4041, so that the inflow pipes 4056a and 4056b can be It is easy to connect the two liquid chambers 52 and connect the outflow pipes 4074 a and 4074 b to the ink inlet 4069 of the liquid jet head 12. In particular, when the valve unit 4036 is disposed upright with respect to the liquid jet head 12, inflow pipes 4056a and 4056b and outflow pipes 4074a and 4074b are provided above and below the unit base member 4041. It is very suitable for connection with the intermediate flow path 544 and the ink inlet 4069 of the liquid jet head 12. This is also effective for miniaturizing the liquid ejecting apparatus 1.

  Further, by providing the upstream filters 4059a and 4059b, impurities in the ink can be removed, and the valve functions of the on-off valves 4051a and 4051b can be normally maintained. In addition, it is possible to prevent the impurity from flowing down to the liquid jet head 12.

  The valve chambers 4042a and 4042b and the upstream filters 4059a and 4059b are disposed on the same side of the unit base member 4041, and the pressure chambers 4043a and 4043b and the downstream filters 4064a and 4064b are valve chambers 4042a and 4042b. And the same side of the unit base member 4041 on the opposite side. Thereby, the flow path structure is simplified and unnecessary flow path arrangement is avoided. Further, since both side surfaces of the unit base member 4041 are utilized, further thinning of the structure can be achieved.

  The valve unit 4036 described above may not be integrated with the liquid jet head 12, but may be integrated as a liquid tank 30a having an ink storage portion 4232 as shown in FIG. 4Z. A liquid tank 30a having a valve unit 4036 as shown in FIG. 4Z is also a subject of protection in the present case. Such liquid tank 30a is collected for every two colors of ink.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications, improvements, and the like can be added to the above-described embodiment. A modification is described below.

  (Modification 1) In each of the above embodiments, the liquid jet apparatus is embodied as an ink jet printer, but it is not limited to this, other fluids other than ink (liquid or particles of functional material dispersed or mixed in liquid) The present invention can also be embodied in a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects or consumes a liquid body (including a fluid such as gel). For example, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid containing, in the form of dispersion or dissolution, materials such as electrode materials and coloring materials (pixel materials) used for manufacturing liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, and surface emitting displays A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a bioorganic substance used for producing a biochip or a liquid ejecting apparatus that is used as a precision pipette and ejects a liquid to be a sample may be used. Furthermore, a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin is used to form a liquid ejecting apparatus that injects lubricating oil at precise points, such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used for optical communication elements and the like. Liquid jet apparatus for jetting a liquid onto a substrate, a liquid jet apparatus for jetting an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch a substrate, a fluid jet apparatus for jetting a fluid such as gel (for example, physical gel) It may be The present invention can be applied to any one of these fluid consumption devices. In the present specification, “fluid” is a concept that does not include a fluid consisting only of gas, and as the fluid, for example, liquid (inorganic solvent, organic solvent, solution, liquid resin, liquid metal (metal melt), etc. And liquids, liquids and the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid ejection apparatus, 12 ... Liquid ejection head, 15 ... Suction tube, 16 ... Suction pump, 19 ... Carriage, 30, 30a ... Liquid tank, 50 ... Liquid supply part, 51 ... 1st liquid chamber, 52 ... 2nd Liquid chamber, 544: Intermediate flow path, 1241, 1241 a, 1241 b, 1241 c, 1241 d, 2010, 3120, 4036: Valve unit.

Claims (1)

A carriage that ejects liquid from a plurality of nozzles of a liquid ejecting head to cause the liquid to adhere to the target while moving relative to the target;
A liquid container provided at a position separated from the carriage and storing the liquid supplied to the carriage;
A flexible supply tube disposed between the liquid container and the carriage and forming a liquid flow path from the liquid container to the carriage;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a valve mechanism mounted on the carriage and provided in a liquid flow path from the supply pipe to the liquid ejecting head;
The liquid ejecting apparatus is disposed in a range in which the carriage moves and the liquid container is disposed above the valve mechanism by a predetermined height.

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