JP5304372B2 - Liquid supply device, liquid ejection device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To miniaturize a liquid supply device and to suppress ink consumption. <P>SOLUTION: A printer 500 includes: a recording head 150; and an ink supply section 400 supplying ink to the recording head 150 from an ink cartridge IC1. The ink supply section 400 includes: a pump 440 for supplying the ink; a first valve 420 provided between the ink cartridge IC1 and the pump 440; a second valve 460 provided vertically below the pump 440, between the pump 440 and the recording head 150; a first ink flow passage 34 extended in a vertical direction and communicating the ink cartridge IC1 and the first valve 420; a second ink flow passage 35 having a portion extended in a direction crossing the vertical direction and communicating the first valve 420 and the pump 440; and a third ink flow passage 36 extended in the vertical direction and communicating the pump 440 and the second valve 460. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply apparatus that supplies liquid, and more particularly, to a liquid supply apparatus in which a valve that allows liquid to pass only in one direction with a liquid supply pump is provided on the introduction side and discharge side of the liquid supply pump.

  There is a so-called off-carriage type printer in which an ink cartridge is disposed on the main body side of the printer, ink is sucked from the ink cartridge by an ink supply pump, and is supplied to a recording head of the ink jet printer. In such a printer, an ink supply pump provided on an ink supply path is provided as a supply system for supplying ink, and an introduction side where ink is introduced into the ink supply pump, and ink is discharged from the ink supply pump. A one-way valve that allows ink to flow only in one direction is provided on the ink supply path to the discharge side (for example, cited document 1).

JP-A H5-185603 JP 2007-313806 A

  However, in the conventional supply system, the ink supply pump and the one-way valves provided on the introduction side and the discharge side of the ink supply pump are all configured on one surface of the flow path base constituting the ink supply path. As a result, the plane area of the supply system has increased, leading to an increase in the size of the system.

  Further, since the ink supply pump and the one-way valve provided on the input / output side of the ink supply pump are all configured on the same side of the flow path base constituting the ink supply path, the ink supply pump and the one-way valve The ink supply path connecting the two is connected from one surface of the flow path base to the other surface, and is configured to return to the one surface again. For this reason, the length of the ink supply path is increased, the volume of the ink supply path is increased, and the amount of ink consumed for the cleaning of the nozzles of the recording head and the ink filling when the ink cartridge is replaced is increased. There is a problem.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has an object of increasing the size of a supply system and suppressing ink consumption.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

[Application Example 1]
A liquid supply device that supplies liquid to an ejecting means for ejecting liquid from a liquid storage container, the liquid supply pump supplying the liquid, and between the liquid storage container and the liquid supply pump A first directional valve that passes the liquid only in one direction from the liquid container to the ejection unit, and between the liquid supply pump and the ejection unit, A second directional valve that is provided vertically below and allows the liquid to pass only in one direction from the liquid container to the ejection unit, and extends in the vertical direction, and includes the liquid container and the first directional valve. A first liquid supply path that communicates with the first liquid supply path; a second liquid supply path that communicates between the first direction valve and the liquid supply pump; and a portion that extends in a direction that intersects the vertical direction; And the liquid Liquid supply apparatus comprising: a third liquid supply passage for communicating the feed pump and the second directional valve, the.

  According to the liquid supply apparatus of Application Example 1, the liquid storage container and the first direction valve are communicated with each other through the first liquid supply path extending in the vertical direction. The second directional valve is disposed directly below the liquid supply pump, and the liquid supply pump and the second directional valve are communicated with each other by a third liquid supply path extending in the vertical direction. In addition, between the liquid storage container and the liquid supply pump is on the flow path of the liquid flowing between the liquid storage container and the liquid supply pump, and between the liquid supply pump and the injection means is between the liquid supply pump and the injection means. Including on the flow path of the liquid flowing between the means. Accordingly, it is possible to shorten the length of the first liquid supply path that communicates the liquid container and the first directional valve and the third liquid supply path that communicates the liquid supply pump and the second directional valve. Therefore, the liquid supply device can be reduced in size.

  In addition, since the overall length of the liquid supply path can be shortened, the volume of the liquid supply path can be reduced, and the amount of ink consumed for cleaning the nozzles of the recording head and filling the ink when replacing the ink cartridge can be reduced. Can be reduced.

In addition, the second liquid supply path that communicates the first directional valve and the second directional valve is provided with a portion that extends in a direction that intersects the vertical direction. Therefore, the resistance when the liquid flows through the third liquid supply path is smaller than the resistance when the liquid flows through the second liquid supply path. As a result, when the liquid is discharged from the liquid supply pump, the liquid is more likely to flow to the third liquid supply path than the second liquid supply path, and the responsiveness of the second directional valve can be improved.

[Application Example 2]
In the liquid supply apparatus according to Application Example 1, the second liquid supply path includes a bent portion that is bent substantially perpendicularly to a vertical direction, and the third liquid supply path includes the liquid supply pump and the first liquid supply device. It is formed so as to extend linearly in the vertical direction between the two directional valves. According to the liquid supply apparatus of Application Example 2, the second liquid supply path is configured to have a bent portion that is bent substantially perpendicularly to the vertical direction. Therefore, the resistance when the liquid flows through the second liquid supply path can be increased with a simple configuration. Therefore, the responsiveness of the second directional valve can be further improved.

[Application Example 3]
In the liquid supply apparatus according to Application Example 1, the second liquid supply path is formed to extend linearly in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. According to the liquid supply apparatus of application example 3, the second liquid supply path is configured in a straight line. Therefore, the second liquid supply path can be easily formed as compared with the case where the bent portion is formed.

[Application Example 4]
The liquid supply apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 3, wherein the liquid supply path, the liquid supply pump, the first directional valve, and the second directional valve are configured using a flat substrate. The liquid supply pump is disposed on one surface side of the substrate, and the first directional valve and the second directional valve are disposed on the other surface side of the substrate. According to the liquid supply apparatus of Application Example 4, the liquid supply pump is disposed on one surface side of the substrate, and the first directional valve and the second directional valve are disposed on the other surface side. Therefore, compared with the case where the liquid supply pump, the first directional valve, and the second directional valve are arranged on the same surface side of the substrate, the plane area of the substrate can be reduced and the liquid supply device can be downsized.

[Application Example 5]
The liquid supply apparatus according to any one of Application Examples 1 to 4, wherein at least one of the first directional valve and the second directional valve is a liquid storage chamber that stores the liquid, and the liquid A liquid storage chamber having a liquid inlet for introducing a liquid into the storage chamber, a liquid outlet for discharging the liquid from the liquid chamber, and provided between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet A flexible valve body that is bent in response to a pressure change in the liquid storage chamber by driving the liquid supply pump, and that communicates the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet. According to the liquid supply device of Application Example 5, a directional valve that allows liquid to flow only in one direction can be configured on the second surface of the substrate without providing an urging means such as a spring.

[Application Example 6]
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: an ejecting unit that ejects a liquid; and a liquid supply unit that supplies liquid to the ejecting unit from a liquid storage container in which the liquid is stored. A liquid supply pump for supplying a liquid, and a first direction that is provided between the liquid storage container and the liquid supply pump and allows the liquid to pass only in one direction from the liquid storage container toward the ejection unit. A second valve disposed between the valve, the liquid supply pump, and the ejection unit and vertically below the liquid supply pump, and allows the liquid to pass only in one direction from the liquid container toward the ejection unit. A first liquid supply passage that extends in the vertical direction and communicates with the liquid container and the first directional valve, and a portion that extends in a direction crossing the vertical direction. Directional valve and said A second liquid supply path communicating the body feed pump was stretched in the vertical direction, the liquid ejecting apparatus and a third liquid supply passage for communicating the said liquid feed pump and the second directional valve. According to the liquid ejecting apparatus of Application Example 6, since the liquid supply device provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus can be reduced in size, the entire liquid ejecting apparatus can be reduced in size.

  In the present invention, the various aspects described above can be applied by appropriately combining or omitting some of them.

2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer 500 as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of an ink supply unit 400 shown in FIG. The perspective view explaining the structure of the 1st valve | bulb 420 in an Example. Explanatory drawing explaining the ink supply operation | movement in an Example. Sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the ink supply part 400a in a modification (1).

A. Example:
A1. Device configuration:
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer 500 as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention. The printer 500 of the first embodiment is an ink jet printer that can eject inks of four colors (black, cyan, magenta, and yellow). The printer 500 includes a black ink ink cartridge IC1, a cyan ink cartridge IC2, a magenta ink cartridge IC3, a yellow ink cartridge IC4, a carriage 100, a recording head 150, and a guide rod 260. , Platen 270, four ink supply parts 400, 401, 402, 403, four ink outlet pipes 30, 31, 32, 33, four pipes 120, 121, 122, 123, and pump driving part 300 It has. The ink supply units 400, 401, 402, and 403 according to the embodiments correspond to the “liquid supply device” in the claims.

  The printer 500 is a so-called off-carriage type printer in which four ink cartridges IC1 to IC4 are mounted on the printer body side. The ink cartridge IC1 is connected to the carriage 100 via the ink outlet tube 30, the ink supply unit 400, and the piping 120. Similarly, the ink cartridge IC2 passes through the ink outlet tube 31, the ink supply unit 401, and the pipe 121, and the ink cartridge IC3 passes through the ink outlet tube 32, the ink supply unit 402, and the pipe 122, and the ink cartridge IC4. Are connected to the carriage 100 via an ink outlet pipe 33, an ink supply unit 403, and a pipe 123, respectively. Each of the ink cartridges IC1 to IC4 is attached to a main body frame (not shown) of the printer 500 by a cartridge holder (not shown).

  The ink supply unit 400 supplies the black ink in the ink cartridge IC1 to the carriage 100 via the pipe 120. Similarly, the ink supply unit 401 supplies cyan ink in the ink cartridge IC2, the ink supply unit 402 supplies magenta ink in the ink cartridge IC3, and the ink supply unit 403 supplies yellow ink in the ink cartridge IC4 to the carriage 100, respectively. To do.

  The pump drive unit 300 is connected to four ink supply units 400 to 403, and these ink supply units 400 to 403 are used to supply ink of each color to the carriage 100. An ink flow path and a negative pressure supply path (not shown) are provided in the four pipes 120 to 123.

  The guide rod 260 is disposed along the longitudinal direction (Z axis) of the platen 270 above the platen 270 (+ Y direction). The carriage 100 is supported so as to be able to reciprocate in the Z-axis direction along the guide rod 260, and is driven by a carriage motor (not shown) via a timing belt (not shown). The recording head 150 is disposed on the bottom surface of the carriage 100 and ejects ink droplets from a number of nozzles (not shown) in the −Y direction as the carriage 100 reciprocates. At this time, the recording paper P is fed in the + X direction on the platen 270 by a paper feeding mechanism (not shown), and an image or the like is formed on the recording paper P.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the ink supply unit 400 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the first valve 420 in the embodiment. The example of FIG. 2 shows the internal structure related to the supply of black ink, but the same applies to the internal structure related to the supply of ink of other colors.

  The ink cartridge IC1 has a hollow case 200 and stores black ink. The case 200 includes an air communication hole 202 on the upper surface and an ink supply unit 204 on the lower surface. The atmosphere communication hole 202 allows the inside of the case 200 to communicate with the atmosphere, and causes atmospheric pressure to act on the liquid surface of the black ink in the case 200. An ink outlet needle 250 provided at the tip of the ink outlet tube 30 is inserted into the ink supplier 204, and supplies the black ink in the case 200 to the ink supplier 400.

  The ink supply unit 400 includes a cover member 10, a flow path forming member 12, and a film 14. The flow path forming member 12 is a flat substrate, and has a first surface 12b and a second surface 12c. The cover member 10 and the flow path forming member 12 are each a single member made of resin. The cover member 10 is laminated on the first surface 12b of the flow path forming member 12, and the film 14 is formed on the surface of the flow path forming member 12 opposite to the cover member 10 (second surface 12c). Vapor deposited. A metal member can also be used as the cover member 10 and the flow path forming member 12. The ink supply unit 400 having such a configuration includes a first valve 420, a second valve 460, and a pump 440. In the embodiment, the first valve 420, the second valve 460, and the pump 440 are respectively referred to as “first directional valve”, “second directional valve”, and “liquid supply pump” in the claims. It hits.

  The first valve 420 is disposed vertically below the ink cartridge IC1 and on the second surface 12c side. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the first valve 420 includes a first valve chamber 20, a valve body 22, and a lid member 21. The first valve chamber 20 is formed by a concave (dented) space formed on the second surface 12c of the flow path forming member 12 and a lid member 21 fitted in the concave space. . The first valve 420 includes an ink introduction port 26 for introducing ink into the first valve chamber 20 and an ink outlet port 27 for discharging ink to the second ink flow path 35. The valve body 22 is a member having flexibility, for example, a member formed of a resin material such as rubber, and has two openings 22a and a central portion 22b. The valve body 22 is fitted into the first valve chamber 20, and forms a lower space 23 and an upper space 24 in the first valve chamber 20. The upper space 24 is communicated with the first ink flow path 34 via the ink inlet 26, and the lower space 23 is communicated with the second ink flow path 35 via the ink outlet 27. The valve body 22 can be displaced in the vertical direction in the first valve chamber 20, and in a state where ink is not supplied, the opening 22 a is formed in the protruding portion 12 a formed in the flow path forming member 12. Abut. This state is a closed state, and the first valve 420 stops the flow of ink from the ink cartridge IC1 to the pump 440. When the valve body 22 (center portion 22b) is displaced downward, a space is created between the projecting portion 12a and the center portion 22b, and the first valve 420 is opened via the opening portion 22a. Ink flows from the ink flow path 34 to the upper space 24, the lower space 23, and the pump 440. In FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation, the opening 22 a and the center 22 b are shown by the same hatching, but the opening 22 a communicates the lower space 23 and the upper space 24.

  The first ink flow path 34 is connected to the ink lead-out needle 250 and is formed to extend vertically downward from the ink lead-out needle 250. The ink cartridge IC 1 and the first valve 420 are connected via the ink lead-out needle 250. Are ink flow paths communicating with each other. The first ink flow path 34 in the embodiment corresponds to a “first liquid supply path” in the claims.

  The pump 440 includes a pump chamber 40, a diaphragm 42, and a coil spring 41. The pump chamber 40 is a convex space formed between the cover member 10 and the first surface 12 b of the flow path forming member 12. The diaphragm 42 is disposed in the pump chamber 40 and divides the pump chamber 40 into a lower space 43 and an upper space 44. The pump 440 includes an ink introduction port 46 that introduces ink into the lower space 43, and 47 that extracts ink from the lower space 43. The coil spring 41 urges the diaphragm 42 vertically downward with a predetermined urging force. When the upper space 44 is opened to the atmosphere, the diaphragm 42 is displaced downward by the urging force. The diaphragm 42 is formed of a flexible member and is displaced in the vertical direction in the pump chamber 40. The diaphragm 42 sucks ink from the ink cartridge IC1 via the first valve 420 when displaced upward, and supplies the ink to the carriage 100 via the second valve 460 when displaced downward. The lower space 43 is connected to the second ink flow path 35 via the ink inlet 46 and is connected to the third ink flow path 36 via the ink outlet 47. The upper space 44 is connected to a negative pressure supply path 352 described later.

  The second ink flow path 35 is an ink flow path that connects the first valve chamber 20 and the pump chamber 40 by connecting the ink outlet 27 and an ink inlet 46 of the pump 440 described later, and is in the vertical direction. It has the part extended | stretched in the direction which cross | intersects. Specifically, in the embodiment, it is formed so as to have a bent portion 35a substantially orthogonal to the vertical direction. The second ink flow path 35 in the embodiment corresponds to a “second liquid supply path” in the claims.

The second valve 460 is disposed immediately below (vertically below) the pump 440 and on the second surface 12c side. In other words, the second valve 460 is disposed directly behind the flow path forming member 12 with respect to the pump 440. The second valve 460 has the same configuration as the first valve 420, and includes a second valve chamber 60, a valve body 62, and a lid member 61. The second valve 460 is provided with an ink introduction port 66 for introducing the ink into the second valve chamber 60, the ink outlet port 67 to derive the ink in the fourth ink flow path 3 7. The second valve chamber 60, the valve body 62, the lower space 63, and the upper space 64 have the same configuration as the first valve chamber 20, the valve body 22, the lower space 23, and the upper space 24 of the first valve 420, respectively. . The central portion 62b of the valve body 62 is in contact with the protruding portion 12a formed on the flow path forming member 12 in a state where ink is not supplied. This state is a closed state, and the second valve 460 stops the ink flow to the recording head 150. When the valve body 62 is displaced downward, a space is created between the projecting portion 12a and the central portion 62b, and the second valve 460 causes ink to flow through the opening 62a. The upper space 64 communicates with the third ink flow path 36 via the ink introduction port 66, and the lower space 63 communicates with the fourth ink flow path 37 via the ink outlet port 67.

  The third ink flow path 36 is an ink flow path that connects the pump chamber 40 and the second valve chamber 60. The third ink flow path 36 is formed to extend linearly downward from the ink outlet 47 and connect to the ink inlet 66. By forming in this way, the pump 440 and the second valve 460 are connected with the shortest distance. The third ink flow path 36 corresponds to a “third liquid supply path” in the claims.

  The pump drive unit 300 is connected to the upper space 44 of the pump 440 via the negative pressure supply path 352, and repeats supply of negative pressure to the pump 440 and release of the upper space 44 of the pump 440 to the atmosphere. The pump 440 is driven by displacing the diaphragm 42 of the pump 440 in the vertical direction.

A2. Ink supply operation in the ink supply unit 400:
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the ink supply operation in the embodiment. FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view showing the ink supply unit 400 during ink suction driving. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view illustrating the ink supply unit 400 during ink ejection driving. When ink is supplied to the recording head 150, first, the pump 440 executes ink suction driving from the ink cartridge IC1.

  Specifically, the pump drive unit 300 (FIG. 2) supplies negative pressure to the upper space 44 of the pump 440 via the negative pressure supply path 352. When the inside of the upper space 44 becomes negative pressure, the diaphragm 42 overcomes the urging force of the coil spring 41 and is elastically deformed and displaced upward. At this time, since the inside of the lower space 43 becomes a negative pressure, the pump 440 performs a suction operation. That is, the pump 440 sucks ink in the lower space 23 of the first valve 420 through the second ink flow path 35.

  When the pump 440 is driven to suck, the pressure in the lower space 23 of the first valve 420 decreases, and the central portion 22b of the valve body 22 is elastically deformed and displaced downward. As a result, a space is formed between the central portion 22b of the valve body 22 and the protruding portion 12a, and the upper space 24 and the lower space 23 are communicated with each other through the opening 22a, so that the first valve 420 is opened. It becomes a valve state. Accordingly, the black ink in the ink cartridge IC1 (FIG. 2) passes through the ink outlet needle 250, the first ink channel 34, the upper space 24, the opening 22a, the lower space 23, and the second ink channel 35. Then, it is sucked into the lower space 43 of the pump 440.

  On the other hand, in the second valve 460, the ink in the upper space 64 is sucked into the pump 440 through the third ink flow path 36 when the pump 440 is driven to suck. Accordingly, the valve body 62 maintains the state where the central portion 62b is pressed against the protruding portion 12a of the flow path forming member 12 (valve closed state).

  After the ink is stored in the lower space 43 of the pump chamber 40 by the suction drive described above, when the upper space 44 is opened to the atmosphere, the pump 440 performs ink ejection drive. Specifically, the upper space 44 is opened to the atmosphere via the negative pressure supply path 352, and the diaphragm 42 is pressed downward by the urging force of the coil spring 41 and descends. At this time, the ink stored in the lower space 43 is discharged to the second ink channel 35 and the third ink channel 36. The pressurized ink discharged from the lower space 43 to the third ink flow path 36 presses the valve body 62 from above in the second valve 460. As a result, the central portion 62b of the valve body 62 is displaced downward to create a space between the central portion 62b and the projecting portion 12a of the flow path forming member 12, and the second valve 460 is opened. . Therefore, the ink that has flowed into the upper space 64 from the lower space 43 of the pump 440 is ejected toward the carriage 100 via the fourth ink flow path 37.

On the other hand, the first valve 420, pressurized ink through the second ink flow path 35 to the lower part space 2 3 flows. Then, the valve body 22 is displaced upward by the pressure of the ink that has flowed in, the central portion 22b of the valve body 22 comes into contact with the protruding portion 12a of the flow path forming member 12, and the upper space 24 and the lower space 23 communicate with each other. It becomes a state that does not. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress the pressurized ink discharged from the lower space 43 due to the discharge driving of the pump 440 from flowing back to the ink cartridge IC1 through the first valve 420.

  Since the second ink flow path 35 is formed to have a bent portion 35a and the third ink flow path 36 is formed in a straight line in the vertical direction, the flow path of the third ink flow path 36 The resistance is smaller than the channel resistance of the second ink channel 35. Therefore, the ink in the lower space 43 is more likely to flow to the third ink flow path 36 than to the second ink flow path 35 during ink ejection driving. Accordingly, since a large amount of ink flows from the second ink flow path 35 to the third ink flow path 36, the two valves 460 are smoothly opened during the ink ejection drive.

  When ink is ejected from the recording head 150 (FIG. 1), an amount of ink corresponding to the ink consumption associated with ink ejection is supplied to the recording head 150. An amount of ink corresponding to the ink consumption is supplied to the carriage 100 by the pump 440. At this time, ink is supplied in a state of being pressurized by a downward pressing force of the diaphragm 42 (a pressing force by the biasing force of the coil spring 41). The pump 440 repeats the above-described suction operation and discharge drive, and the consumed amount of ink is appropriately supplied in a state where it is pressurized from the ink cartridge IC1 to the recording head 150.

  According to the printer 500 of the embodiment described above, the first valve 420 provided between the ink cartridge IC1 and the pump 440 includes the ink cartridge IC1 and the first ink flow path 34 extending in the vertical direction. A second valve 460 connected between the ink lead-out needle 250 and provided between the pump 440 and the recording head 150 is disposed immediately below the pump 440 and is extended in the vertical direction. 36 is connected. Therefore, the lengths of the first ink flow path 34 that connects the ink cartridge IC1 and the first valve 420 and the third ink flow path 36 that connects the pump 440 and the second valve 460 can be shortened. Therefore, the ink supply unit 400 can be reduced in size, and the printer 500 can be reduced in size. Further, since the overall length of the ink flow path can be shortened, the volume of the ink flow path can be reduced, and the amount of ink consumed for cleaning the nozzles of the recording head 150 and filling the ink when the ink cartridge is replaced. Can be reduced.

  The second ink flow path 35 connecting the first valve 420 and the pump 440 is a portion extending in a direction intersecting the vertical direction, specifically, a bent portion 35a bent substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. Is provided. Accordingly, the resistance when ink flows through the third ink flow path 36 is smaller than the resistance when liquid flows through the second ink flow path 35. Therefore, when the liquid is output from the pump 440, the liquid is more likely to flow to the third ink flow path 36 than to the second ink flow path 35, and the responsiveness of the second valve 460 can be improved.

  Further, according to the printer 500 of the embodiment, the pump 440 is configured on the first surface 12b side of the flow path forming member 12, and the first valve 420 and the second valve 460 are disposed on the other second surface 12c side. The first valve 420 is disposed immediately below the ink cartridge IC1, and the second valve 460 is disposed directly below the pump 440. Therefore, compared with the case where the pump 440, the first valve 420, and the pump 440 are arranged on the same surface side of the flow path forming member 12, the plane area of the cover member 10 and the flow path forming member 12 can be reduced, and the ink supply The unit 400 and thus the printer 500 can be downsized.

  Further, according to the first valve 420 and the second valve 460, the directional valve that allows the liquid to flow only in one direction without providing an urging means such as a spring is provided on the second surface of the flow path forming member 12. 12c.

B. Variations:
(1) In the embodiment, the second ink flow path 35 connecting the first valve 420 and the pump 440 is provided with a bent portion 35a. For example, the second ink flow path 35 includes: It may be formed on a straight line.

  FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the printer in Modification Example (1). The ink supply unit 400a of the modified example (1) has the same configuration as the ink supply unit 400 of the first embodiment except for the shape of the second ink flow path 135. In the modification example (1), the second ink flow path 135 extends linearly in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and connects the ink outlet 27 and the ink inlet 46. By configuring in this manner, the second ink flow path 135 can be easily formed as compared with the case where the bent portion 35a is formed.

(2) In the embodiment and the modified example (1), the second ink flow paths 35 and 135 are formed linearly. For example, the shape includes a curved portion, for example, a shape like a sin wave. It may be formed. If there is a portion that goes in the direction intersecting the vertical direction, the flow resistance becomes larger than that of the third ink flow path 36, and therefore the response of the second valve 460 can be improved.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the ink jet printer has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to any liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid other than ink. For example, electrodes such as image recording devices such as facsimile machines, color material ejection heads used in the manufacture of color filters such as liquid crystal displays, organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays, and surface emission displays (Field Emission Displays, FEDs) Electrode material injection device used for forming, liquid injection device for injecting liquid containing bio-organic matter used for biochip manufacturing, sample injection device as a precision pipette, lubricating oil injection device, resin liquid injection device Etc. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto the substrate or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as an acid or an alkali to etch the substrate may be employed. The present invention can be applied to any one of the various liquid ejecting apparatuses including a liquid ejecting head that ejects a minute amount of liquid droplets.

  In addition, a droplet means the state of the liquid discharged from the said liquid ejecting apparatus, and shall also include what pulls a tail in granular shape, tear shape, and thread shape. The liquid here may be any material that can be ejected by the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, it may be in the state when the substance is in a liquid phase, and may be in a liquid state with high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metals (metal melts) ) And a liquid as one state of the substance, as well as particles in which functional material particles made of solid materials such as pigments and metal particles are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. In addition, typical examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiments. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot-melt inks.

  As mentioned above, although the various Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to these Examples, A various structure can be taken in the range which does not deviate from the meaning.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Cover member 12 ... Flow path formation member 12a ... Projection part 12b ... 1st surface 12c ... 2nd surface 14 ... Film 20 ... 1st valve chamber 21 ... Lid member 22 ... Valve body 22a ... Opening part 22b ... Central part 23 ... Lower space 24 ... Upper space 26 ... Ink introduction port 27 ... Ink outlet port 30, 31, 32, 33 ... Ink outlet tube 34 ... First ink channel 35 ... Second ink channel 35a ... Bending Portion 36 ... Third ink flow path 37 ... Fourth ink flow path 40 ... Pump chamber 41 ... Coil spring 42 ... Diaphragm 43 ... Lower space 44 ... Upper space 46 ... Ink inlet 47 ... Ink outlet 60 ... Second valve Chamber 61 ... Lid member 62 ... Valve body 62a ... Opening 62b ... Central part 63 ... Lower space 64 ... Upper space 66 ... Ink inlet 67 ... Ink outlet 71 ... Third valve 100 ... Carry 120, 121, 122, 123 ... pipe 135 ... second ink flow path 150 ... recording head 200 ... case 202 ... atmospheric communication hole 204 ... ink supply portion 250 ... ink outlet needle 260 ... guide rod 270 ... platen 300 ... pump Drive unit 352 ... Negative pressure supply path 400, 400a, 401, 402, 403 ... Ink supply unit 420 ... First valve 440 ... Pump 460 ... Second valve 500 ... Printer

Claims (6)

A liquid supply apparatus that supplies liquid to an ejecting means for ejecting liquid from a liquid storage container,
A liquid supply pump for supplying the liquid;
A first directional valve provided between the liquid storage container and the liquid supply pump and allowing the liquid to pass only in one direction from the liquid storage container toward the ejection unit;
A second directional valve provided between the liquid supply pump and the ejection unit and vertically below the liquid supply pump, and allows the liquid to pass only in one direction from the liquid container toward the ejection unit. When,
A first liquid supply path that extends in a vertical direction and communicates the liquid container and the first directional valve;
A second liquid supply path having a portion extending in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and communicating the first direction valve and the liquid supply pump;
A third liquid supply path that extends in the vertical direction and communicates the liquid supply pump and the second direction valve;
A liquid supply apparatus comprising: The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1,
The second liquid supply path has a bent portion that bends substantially perpendicularly to the vertical direction,
The third liquid supply path is formed to extend linearly in the vertical direction between the liquid supply pump and the second directional valve.
Liquid supply device. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1,
The second liquid supply path is formed so as to extend linearly in a direction intersecting the vertical direction.
Liquid supply device. A liquid supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The liquid supply path, the liquid supply pump, the first directional valve, and the second directional valve are configured using a flat substrate,
The liquid supply pump is disposed on one surface side of the substrate,
The first directional valve and the second directional valve are disposed on the other surface side of the substrate,
Liquid supply device. A liquid supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
At least one of the first directional valve and the second directional valve is:
A liquid storage chamber for storing the liquid, the liquid storage chamber having a liquid inlet for introducing the liquid into the liquid storage chamber, and a liquid outlet for discharging the liquid from the liquid storage chamber;
A flexible valve provided between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, which bends in response to a pressure change in the liquid storage chamber driven by the liquid supply pump; A valve body communicating with the liquid outlet;
Comprising
Liquid supply device. A liquid ejecting apparatus,
Jetting means for jetting liquid;
A liquid supply unit that supplies liquid from the liquid storage container in which the liquid is stored to the ejection unit,
The liquid supply unit is
A liquid supply pump for supplying the liquid;
A first directional valve provided between the liquid storage container and the liquid supply pump and allowing the liquid to pass only in one direction from the liquid storage container toward the ejection unit;
A second directional valve provided between the liquid supply pump and the ejection unit and vertically below the liquid supply pump, and allows the liquid to pass only in one direction from the liquid container toward the ejection unit. When,
A first liquid supply path that extends in a vertical direction and communicates the liquid container and the first directional valve;
A second liquid supply path having a portion extending in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and communicating the first direction valve and the liquid supply pump;
A third liquid supply path that extends in the vertical direction and communicates the liquid supply pump and the second direction valve;
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising:

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