JP2006168224A - Valve unit and liquid injection device equipped with the valve unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a valve unit which retreats air bubbles to prevent a filter member from being stuck with the air bubbles, and a liquid injection device equipped with the valve unit. <P>SOLUTION: When ink is introduced into the valve unit 37, the ink flows into a degassing chamber 105. If the ink flowed into the degassing chamber 105 contains air bubbles 130, the air bubbles 130 retreat in an upward direction of gravity of the degassing chamber 105 and stay in a retreating space 106. The air bubbles 130 staying in the retreating space 106 flow together with the ink in the degassing chamber 105 by the suction force of a suction pump upon execution of a choke cleaning operation by a printer, to be removed when the flowing ink passes through the filter F. In this case, the air bubbles 130 which cannot flow together with the ink by the suction force of the suction pump remain in the degassing chamber 105, retreat and remain in the retreating chamber 106 when the next ink is introduced into the valve unit 37. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a valve unit and a liquid ejecting apparatus including the valve unit.

  Conventionally, as one of liquid ejecting apparatuses, an ink jet recording apparatus that performs recording by ejecting ink supplied from an ink cartridge from a recording head and forming dots on a recording medium is widely known.

  As such an ink jet recording apparatus, there is a so-called off-carriage type ink jet recording apparatus in which a recording head and an ink cartridge are connected by an ink supply tube. In an off-carriage type ink jet recording apparatus, an ink pack in an ink cartridge is pressurized with pressurized air generated by a pressure pump, and ink is pumped to a recording head via an ink supply tube.

  Normally, in an off-carriage type ink jet recording apparatus, a valve unit that adjusts the flow pressure of ink between the ink cartridge and the recording head in order to supply the ink pumped from the ink cartridge to the recording head at a constant pressure. (For example, Patent Document 1).

In the valve unit described in Patent Document 1, an ink supply tube is connected to the introduction portion, and a recording head is connected to the lead-out portion. The valve unit temporarily stores the ink introduced from the introduction portion via the ink supply tube in the pressure adjustment chamber via a filter member that removes bubbles, impurities, and the like, and then installs the valve body provided in the pressure adjustment chamber. Ink is supplied to the recording head through the lead-out portion by opening the recording head. The valve body is opened when the ink jet recording apparatus is in a printing state and ink is ejected from the recording head, and is closed when no ink is ejected due to a non-printing state. Then, when the ink jet recording apparatus is in a printing state, the valve body slightly opens in response to ink ejection from the recording head, and sequentially replenishes the recording head with ink. As a result, the valve unit suppresses a change in the fluid pressure of the ink and suitably supplies the ink to the recording head.
JP 2004-142405 A

  By the way, in general, bubbles, impurities, and the like may be mixed in the ink supplied from the ink cartridge. However, in the valve unit described in Patent Document 1, when bubbles mixed in ink adhere to the filter member, there is a possibility that the flow of ink may be hindered by the bubbles.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a valve unit that retracts bubbles so that bubbles do not adhere to the filter member, and a liquid ejecting apparatus including the valve unit. There is to do.

  The valve unit of the present invention includes a filter member that removes bubbles, impurities, and the like contained in the liquid in the valve unit that adjusts the flow pressure of the liquid introduced from the introduction portion in the pressure adjustment chamber and leads out from the lead-out portion. And a retreat space in which bubbles contained in the liquid are retreated from the filter member in the upward direction of gravity in the deaeration chamber.

  According to this, the bubbles contained in the liquid retreat upward in the gravity in the deaeration chamber and stay in the retreat space. Thereby, the valve unit can suppress bubbles from adhering to the filter member, and can ensure the flow of liquid through the filter member. As a result, the valve unit can suitably lead out the liquid introduced from the introduction part from the lead-out part.

  The retreat space of the valve unit was provided immediately above the filter member.

  According to this, since the bubbles move in the upward direction of gravity, the bubbles in the vicinity of the filter member can be quickly evacuated to the evacuation space by providing the evacuation space directly above the filter member. Thereby, it can suppress that a bubble adheres to a filter member and can ensure the flow of the liquid via a filter member. As a result, the valve unit can suitably lead out the liquid introduced from the introduction part from the lead-out part.

  The deaeration chamber of the valve unit was formed to have a width larger than the horizontal width of the filter member.

  According to this, since the width of the deaeration chamber is larger than the width of the filter member, the width of the retreat space in the deaeration chamber is also larger than the width of the filter member. As a result, the bubbles near the filter member can be quickly retracted to the retreat space, and the bubbles can be prevented from adhering to the filter member. As a result, the valve unit can ensure the flow of the liquid through the filter member, and can suitably lead out the liquid introduced from the introduction part from the lead-out part.

  The width of the valve unit in the horizontal direction of the valve unit was formed so as to increase in the upward direction of gravity.

  According to this, the width of the deaeration chamber increases as it goes in the upward direction of gravity, so that the width of the escape space in the deaeration chamber also increases as it goes in the upward direction of gravity. Since the bubbles are retracted in the upward direction of gravity, the bubbles in the vicinity of the filter member can be quickly moved and retracted in the retracted space by increasing the width of the retracted space as it goes upward in the direction of gravity. As a result, the valve unit can prevent bubbles from adhering to the filter member and ensure the flow of the liquid through the filter member, so that the liquid introduced from the introduction part can be suitably led out from the lead-out part.

  The deaeration chamber of the valve unit was provided between the introduction portion and the pressure adjustment chamber.

  According to this, by providing the deaeration chamber between the introduction part and the pressure adjustment chamber, the deaeration chamber is positioned upstream of the pressure adjustment chamber with respect to the flow of the liquid. Accordingly, since the liquid introduced from the introduction portion flows into the pressure adjustment chamber through the deaeration chamber, the liquid after air bubbles and impurities are removed by the filter member of the deaeration chamber flows into the pressure adjustment chamber. To do. As a result, the pressure adjusting chamber can accurately adjust the flow pressure of the liquid without being affected by bubbles or impurities, so that the valve unit can suitably draw out the liquid from the outlet.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus of the present invention includes a supply flow path for supplying the liquid from a liquid container that stores the liquid and supplying the liquid to a liquid ejecting head that ejects the liquid, and a valve unit provided in the supply flow path. The liquid ejected from the liquid container is introduced from the introduction portion of the valve unit, the flow pressure of the liquid is adjusted in the pressure adjustment chamber, and then the liquid ejection head is led out from the lead portion of the valve unit. In the liquid ejecting apparatus to be supplied to the apparatus, the valve unit is the valve unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

According to this, bubbles, impurities, etc. contained in the liquid are removed by the filter member in the deaeration chamber of the valve unit as described above. In addition, the valve unit retreats the bubbles to the retreat space, thereby suppressing the adhesion of the bubbles to the filter member and ensuring the liquid flow through the filter member. Accordingly, the liquid ejecting apparatus can suitably supply the liquid from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting head and eject the liquid from the liquid ejecting head.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus includes: a cap member that seals the liquid ejecting head; a suction unit that applies a negative pressure to the cap member that seals the liquid ejecting head, and sucks the liquid from the liquid ejecting head; And a valve device that brings the supply channel into a communication state or a non-communication state. The valve device sets the supply channel to a non-communication state upstream of the valve unit.

  According to this, the supply of the liquid from a liquid container can be interrupted | blocked by making a supply flow path into a non-communication state with a valve apparatus. When suction is started by the suction means from the state where the supply of the liquid is shut off, negative pressure can be accumulated in the liquid ejecting head, the deaeration chamber of the valve unit, and the pressure adjustment chamber. Then, from the state where the negative pressure is accumulated, the supply flow path is changed to the communication state, and the supply of the liquid from the liquid container is resumed, so that the liquid flows in the deaeration chamber, the pressure adjustment chamber, and the liquid ejecting head in order It can be ejected at a stroke from the head. Here, the bubbles staying in the retreat space of the deaeration chamber are removed by flowing together with the liquid and passing through the filter member. At this time, the bubbles that could not flow with the liquid remain in the deaeration chamber and can stay in the retreat space when the liquid is next introduced.

Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating an outline of a printer as a liquid ejecting apparatus according to the present embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 11 includes a frame 13 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. A platen 15 is disposed in the longitudinal direction of the frame 13, and a recording sheet (not shown) as a target is fed onto the platen 15 by a paper feed mechanism (not shown). A guide member 17 is installed on the frame 13 so as to be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the platen 15. A carriage 19 that is movable along the guide member 17 is inserted into and supported by the guide member 17. A carriage motor 21 is provided on the frame 13, and a drive pulley 23 is attached to the carriage motor 21. A driven pulley 25 is provided in the frame 13, and a timing belt 27 is hung on the driven pulley 25 and the driving pulley 23. The carriage 19 is drivingly connected to the carriage motor 21 via a timing belt 27 and is supported by the guide member 17 by the driving of the carriage motor 21 so as to reciprocate in parallel with the platen 15.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a recording head 29 as a liquid ejecting head is provided on the bottom surface of the carriage 19 (the surface facing the platen 3). The recording head 29 includes a nozzle plate 31 on the bottom surface facing the platen 15. The nozzle plate 31 is provided with six nozzle rows (not shown) composed of a plurality of nozzles N. Each nozzle row (nozzle N) communicates with six first supply channels 29 a formed in the recording head 29.

  A flow path forming member 33 is provided in the carriage 19 and on the upper surface of the recording head 29. The flow path forming member 33 includes six second supply flow paths 33 a communicating with the first supply flow paths 29 a of the recording head 29. On the upper surface of the flow path forming member 33, six ink supply needles 35 communicating with the respective second supply flow paths 33a are erected, and each of the ink supply needles 35 is provided with six valve units 37. It is worn.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a cartridge case 39 is disposed on the right side in the frame 13. Six ink cartridges 41 are detachably mounted in the cartridge case 39. Each ink cartridge 41 accommodates an ink pack (not shown) storing corresponding ink, and each ink pack is connected to the valve unit 37 via six ink supply tubes 43. Each ink cartridge 41 is configured to pressure-feed ink to the valve unit 37 via an ink supply tube 43 when the ink pack is pressurized by pressurized air supplied from a pressure pump (not shown). The ink pressure-fed to the valve unit 37 is supplied to the recording head 29 via the flow path forming member 33 (see FIG. 2), and is then pressurized by the piezoelectric element provided in the recording head 29. Each nozzle N ejects ink droplets toward the recording paper.

  Note that each ink pack of each ink cartridge 41 in the present embodiment stores black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta inks, respectively. Accordingly, black, cyan, magenta, yellow, light cyan, and light magenta inks are ejected from the nozzle rows composed of the nozzles N of the recording head 29, respectively. The printer 11 forms dots on a recording sheet (not shown) on the platen 15 by ejecting ink from each nozzle N of the recording head 29 while reciprocating the carriage 19 in parallel with the platen 15 as described above. The image is printed.

  Further, a non-printing area is provided on the right side in the frame 13 shown in FIG. 1, that is, a position close to one end of the platen 15, and a cap 45 is provided in the non-printing area. The cap 45 has a box shape with an open upper surface, and is lifted by driving an elevating mechanism (not shown) when the carriage 19 is retracted to the non-printing area. The cap 45 is raised so that the contact portion 45a is brought into close contact with the nozzle plate 31 of the recording head 29 to seal each nozzle row (nozzle N) and to receive ink ejected from each nozzle N. (See FIG. 2). A waste ink tank 49 is connected to the cap 45 via a suction tube 47, and a suction pump 51 such as a tube pump is provided in the middle of the suction tube 47. The suction pump 51 generates a negative pressure in the cap 45 by being driven. The suction pump 51 sucks the ink received by the cap 45 by generating a negative pressure in the cap 45 through the suction tube 47 and discharges the ink to the waste ink tank 49. Further, the suction pump 51 is driven when the cap 45 comes into close contact with the nozzle plate 31, thereby applying a negative pressure in the space formed by the cap 45 and the nozzle plate 31. Then, by applying a negative pressure, a cleaning operation for sucking ink from each nozzle N is executed. Further, when this negative pressure is applied, each nozzle N of the recording head 29 is made non-communication by the choke valve 53 such as an electromagnetic solenoid valve provided in the middle of the ink supply tube 43. Negative pressure can be accumulated inside. Then, after the negative pressure is accumulated in each nozzle N, a so-called choke cleaning operation is performed in which ink is ejected from each nozzle N at once by bringing the ink supply tube 43 into communication with the choke valve 53. It has become.

Next, the configuration of the valve unit 37 will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2, the valve unit 37 includes a unit case 61 formed in a flat and substantially rectangular shape. A substantially cylindrical introduction port 63 is provided on the upper surface 61 a of the unit case 61. As described above, the ink supply tube 43 is connected to the introduction port 63. As shown in FIG. 4, the introduction port 63 includes an introduction flow path 63 a and communicates with one end of a first groove 65 that is recessed in one side surface 61 b of the unit case 61. The other end of the first groove 65 communicates with a first recess 69 provided on the other side surface 61 c via a first through passage 67 that penetrates the unit case 61. The first recess 69 is provided adjacent to a first accommodating portion 81 to be described later so as to occupy an area of about one third from the left end portion (see FIG. 3) of the other side surface 61c toward the center portion. ing. Specifically, the first concave portion 69 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape from the lower end portion to the upper end portion of the first concave portion 69 shown in FIG. 3 up to about two thirds of the area of the first concave portion 69, and the remaining about three minutes. 1 is formed in a substantially fan shape. That is, the horizontal width of the first recess 69 increases from the lower end to the upper end of the first recess 69. As shown in FIG. 4, the unit case 61 has a substantially funnel-shaped second recess 71 recessed in the first recess 69 toward the one side surface 61 b. The second recess 71 is formed such that the opening of the second recess 71 is smaller than the first recess 69, and the area of the first recess 69 extends from the lower end to the upper end of the first recess 69 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. It is provided in a substantially rectangular shape so as to occupy about two thirds. In the second recess 71, a substantially rectangular filter F is provided so as to cover the opening on the other side surface 61c side of the second recess 71. The filter F is formed such that the horizontal width of the filter F is smaller than that of the first recess 69, and the plane portion of the filter F is perpendicular to the lower surface 61d when the unit case 61 takes a normal posture. It has become. The second recess 71 communicates with one end of a second groove 75 that is recessed in the one side surface 61 b via a second through passage 73 that penetrates the unit case 61. The other end portion of the second groove portion 75 communicates with one end portion of a third groove portion 79 that is recessed in the other side surface 61 c via a third through passage 77 that penetrates the unit case 61. The other end of the third groove 79 communicates with a first housing portion 81 that is recessed in a cylindrical shape on the other side surface 61 c of the unit case 61. As shown in FIG. 5, the first storage portion 81 is provided with a cylindrical second storage portion 83 having a smaller diameter than the first storage portion 81 so as to be concentric with the first storage portion 81. Yes. The second housing part 83 is formed in a cylindrical shape on one side surface 61b of the unit case 61 through a communication hole 85 concentrically formed with the first and second housing parts 81 and 83 in the unit case 61. 3 communicates with the recess 87. A groove 87a is provided in the third recess 87 from the center of the third recess 87 toward the lower surface 61d of the unit case 61 (see FIG. 2). One end portion of the groove portion 87a communicates with one end portion of a fourth groove portion 91 that is recessed in the other side surface 61c through a fourth through passage 89 that penetrates the unit case 61 (see FIG. 3). The other end of the fourth groove 91 communicates with a lead-out flow path 95a of a lead-out port 95 provided on the lower surface 61d of the unit case 61 via a fifth through-flow path 93 that passes through the unit case 61 (see FIG. 4). The lead-out port 95 includes an insertion portion 97 that communicates with the lead-out flow path 95a. The insertion portion 97 opens in the direction of the lower surface 61d of the unit case 61, and the ink supply needle 35 of the flow path forming member 33 described above is inserted therein. A rubber member 99 for positioning the inserted ink supply needle 35 is provided in the insertion portion 97.

A film material 100 made of polyethylene having gas barrier properties is attached to one side surface 61b and the other side surface 61c of the unit case 61 thus configured. As shown in FIG. 2, the first groove 65 and the second groove 75 are sealed with the film material 100 on the one side surface 61 b of the unit case 61, so that the first guide flow path 101 and the second guide flow are formed. Each path 102 is formed. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the third groove 79 and the fourth groove 91 are sealed with the film material 100 on the other side surface 61 c of the unit case 61, so that the third guide channel 103 and the fourth guide flow are formed. Each path 104 is formed. A deaeration chamber 105 is formed on the other side surface 61 c by sealing the first recess 69 with the film material 100. Since the deaeration chamber 105 is formed of the first recess 69, the deaeration chamber 105 is approximately up to about two thirds of the area of the deaeration chamber 105 (first recess 69) from the lower end to the upper end. It is formed in a rectangular shape, and the remaining one third is formed in a substantially fan shape. As a result, the horizontal width of the deaeration chamber 105 is larger than the horizontal width of the filter F, and expands in the upward direction of gravity of the deaeration chamber 105 (from the lower end to the upper end). The substantially fan-shaped portion shown in FIG. 3 in the deaeration chamber 105 serves as a retreat space 106 and is located immediately above the filter F. The evacuation space 106 occupies the area of the deaeration chamber 105 (the first recess 69) from about two-thirds from the lower end portion to the upper end portion, so that the remaining one-third space is occupied. Formed. The horizontal width of the retreat space 106 is larger than the horizontal width of the filter F, and expands in the upward direction of gravity (in the direction of the upper surface 61a of the valve unit 61). Further, the upstream pressure chamber 107 is formed by sealing the first accommodating portion 81 with the film material 100. A disc-shaped spring seat 109 is fitted into the first accommodating portion 81 in the upstream pressure chamber 107 formed in this way, and one end portion of the coil spring 111 is attached. At the other end of the coil spring 111, a disc-shaped bearing portion 113 provided in the second accommodating portion 83 is attached. A cylindrical shaft 115 is provided at the center of the bearing 113, and the tip of the shaft 115 protrudes into the third recess 87 on the side surface 61 b side through the communication hole 85. The bearing portion 113 is provided with an annular seal rubber 117 so as to be positioned at the base end portion of the shaft portion 115. The seal rubber 117 comes into contact with the wall portion 84 in the second housing portion 83 by the bias of the coil spring 111 via the bearing portion 113 and seals the communication hole 85.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, the downstream pressure chamber 120 is formed in the unit case 61 by sealing the third recess 87 with the film material 100. A disc-shaped pressure receiving plate 122 is provided in the downstream pressure chamber 120 and is fixed to the film material 100. The pressure receiving plate 122 is opposed to the tip portion of the shaft portion 115 described above, and can come into contact with the tip portion when the film material 100 is bent. The pressure receiving plate 122 abuts on the shaft portion 115 and pushes the coaxial portion 115 into the upstream pressure chamber 107 (in the second housing portion 83), thereby separating the seal rubber 117 from the wall portion 84 of the second housing portion 83. The communication hole 85 is in a communication state. At this time, the pressure receiving plate 122 is supported by a support member 124 provided in the third recess 87.

  When ink is introduced from the ink cartridge 41 into the introduction port 63 of the valve unit 37 configured as described above through the ink supply tube 43, the introduced ink is first guided from the introduction flow path 63a of the introduction port 63. After flowing into the channel 101, it flows into the deaeration chamber 105. The ink that has flowed into the deaeration chamber 105 flows through the second guide channel 102 and the third guide channel 103 in order after the bubbles, impurities, and the like are removed by the filter F, and then flows into the upstream pressure chamber 107. To do. The ink that has flowed into the upstream pressure chamber 107 flows into the downstream pressure chamber 120 through the communication hole 85. The ink that has flowed into the downstream pressure chamber 120 is led out from the lead-out flow path 95a of the lead-out port 95 to the ink supply needle 35 via the fourth guide flow path 104, and then the second of the flow path forming member 33. The ink flows into the first supply channel 29 a of the recording head 29 through the supply channel 33 a and is supplied to each nozzle N. That is, the first supply channel 29 a, the second supply channel 33 a, and the ink supply tube 43 constitute a supply channel that supplies ink to the recording head 29. The deaeration chamber 105 is provided between the introduction port 63 and the upstream pressure chamber 107, and is located upstream of the upstream pressure chamber 107 with respect to the flow of ink introduced.

At this time, when the printer 11 is in a printing state and ink is ejected from each nozzle N of the recording head 29, the ink in the downstream pressure chamber 120 is consumed and the film material 100 bends. It abuts on the tip of 115. By this contact, the shaft portion 115 is pushed into the upstream pressure chamber 107 (in the second housing portion 83), and the seal rubber 117 is separated from the wall portion 84 of the second housing portion 83 to bring the communication hole 85 into a communicating state. As a result, ink flows from the upstream pressure chamber 107 into the downstream pressure chamber 120 and is supplied to the recording head 29. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 5, when the printer 11 is in a non-printing state and no ink is ejected from each nozzle N of the recording head 29, the ink is filled in the downstream pressure chamber 120. Since it does not bend, the pressure receiving plate 122 is separated from the shaft portion 115. As a result, the seal rubber 117 comes into contact with the wall portion 84 of the second housing portion 83 and the communication hole 85 is in a non-communication state, so that the inflow of ink into the downstream pressure chamber 120 is blocked and the ink is supplied to the recording head 29. Is cut off. In the valve unit 37 of the present embodiment, ink is supplied to each nozzle N little by little by setting the communication hole 85 in communication according to the ejection of ink from each nozzle N of the recording head 29. It is designed to suppress changes in the fluid pressure. That is, the upstream pressure chamber 107 and the downstream pressure chamber 120 constitute a pressure adjustment chamber. In addition, when the ink supply tube 43 is disconnected and the suction from the suction pump 51 is started by the chalk cleaning operation, the ink in the downstream pressure chamber 120 is sucked and the film material 100 is bent. Since the pressure receiving plate 122 pushes the shaft portion 115 into the upstream pressure chamber 107 (in the second accommodating portion 83), the communication hole 85 is in a communication state. As a result, the negative pressure supplied from the suction pump 51 is accumulated in the valve unit 37. When the ink supply tube 43 is in a communication state, the ink flows into the valve unit at once due to the accumulated negative pressure, and flows toward the recording head 29.

Next, the operation of the above-described deaeration chamber 105 of the valve unit 37 will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 4, when ink is introduced into the valve unit 37, the ink flows into the deaeration chamber 105. At this time, if bubbles 130 are included in the ink that has flowed into the deaeration chamber 105, the bubbles 130 are retreated in the upward direction of gravity in the deaeration chamber 105 (on the upper surface 61 a side) and stay in the retreat space 106. When the printer 11 performs a chalk cleaning operation or a cleaning operation, the air bubbles 130 staying in the retreat space 106 flow together with the ink in the deaeration chamber 105 by the suction of the suction pump 51, and the ink passes through the filter F. When removed. Here, the bubbles 130 that could not flow together with the ink by the suction of the suction pump 51 remain in the deaeration chamber 105, and in the upper part of the deaeration chamber 105 when the next ink is introduced into the valve unit 37. Retreats and stays in the retreat space 106.

As mentioned above, according to this embodiment mentioned above, there exist the following effects.
(1) In the present embodiment, the bubbles 130 are retreated in the retreat space 106 and the bubbles 130 are prevented from adhering to the filter F. As a result, the valve unit 37 can ensure the flow of ink through the filter F, so that ink can be suitably supplied to each nozzle N of the recording head 29. As a result, the printer 11 can suitably eject ink from each nozzle N of the recording head 29.
(2) In the present embodiment, the evacuation space 106 is provided directly above the filter F. Since the bubbles 130 move in the upward direction of gravity, by providing the retreat space 106 directly above the filter F, the bubbles 130 can be quickly retreated to the retreat space 106. Thereby, the valve unit 37 can suppress the bubbles 130 from adhering to the filter F, and ensure the flow of ink through the filter F. As a result, the printer 11 can suitably supply ink to each nozzle N of the recording head 29 and eject ink suitably from each nozzle N.
(3) In this embodiment, the horizontal width of the deaeration chamber 105 is formed larger than the width of the filter F, and the horizontal width of the retreat space 106 is formed larger than the width of the filter F. Thereby, the bubble 130 in the vicinity of the filter F can be quickly retreated to the retreat space, and the bubble 130 can be prevented from adhering to the filter F. As a result, since the valve unit 37 can ensure the flow of ink through the filter F, the printer 11 suitably supplies ink to each nozzle N of the recording head 29 and ejects ink from each nozzle N suitably. can do.
(4) In this embodiment, the horizontal width of the deaeration chamber 105 is increased in the upward direction of gravity, and the width of the retreat space 106 is increased in the upward direction of gravity. Since the bubbles 130 are retreated in the upward direction of gravity, the bubbles 130 retreated in the upward direction of gravity can be quickly moved and retreated in the retreat space 106 by increasing the width of the retreat space 106 in the upward direction of gravity. it can. Thereby, it can suppress that the bubble 130 adheres to the filter F. FIG. As a result, since the valve unit 37 can ensure the flow of ink through the filter F, the printer 11 suitably supplies ink to each nozzle N of the recording head 29 and ejects ink from each nozzle N suitably. can do. Further, by forming the deaeration chamber 105 in the unit case 61 in this way, the bubbles 130 can be quickly removed without providing a separate deaeration mechanism or changing the shape of the unit case 61, for example. Therefore, space saving of the valve unit 37 can be realized. Furthermore, it is possible to efficiently retract the bubbles 130 as compared with the case where the width of the deaeration chamber 105 is not increased as it goes upward in the gravity direction.
(5) In this embodiment, the deaeration chamber 105 is provided between the introduction port 63 and the upstream pressure chamber 107, and is positioned upstream of the upstream pressure chamber 107 with respect to the flow of ink to be introduced. . As a result, the ink introduced into the valve unit 37 flows into the upstream pressure chamber 107 and the downstream pressure chamber 120 after flowing through the deaeration chamber 105 and removing bubbles and impurities by the filter F. As a result, the seal rubber 117 in the upstream pressure chamber 107 can bring the communication hole 85 into a non-communication state or a communication state without being affected by bubbles or impurities, and the flow of ink supplied to the recording head 29 A change in pressure can be accurately suppressed. As a result, the printer 11 can suitably eject ink from each nozzle N of the recording head 29.

In addition, embodiment of invention is not limited to the said embodiment, You may change as follows.
In the above embodiment, the valve unit 37 is connected to the flow path forming member 33, but the valve unit 37 may be provided in the middle of the ink supply tube 43. At this time, the configuration of the valve unit 37 may be changed as appropriate.
In the above embodiment, the choke valve 53 is provided in the ink supply tube 43, but it may be formed integrally with the valve unit 37. At this time, the choke valve 53 may be provided on the upstream side closer to the introduction port 63 than the deaeration chamber 105.
In the above embodiment, the seal rubber 117 is moved by the contact between the shaft portion 115 of the bearing portion 113 and the pressure receiving plate 122, so that the communication hole 85 is in a communication state or a non-communication state. A material having conductivity such as metal may be used for 115 and the seal rubber 117 may be moved by an electromagnetic solenoid.
-In above-mentioned embodiment, although the evacuation space 106 was located right above the filter F, it is not restricted to this, You may change suitably if the bubble 130 adheres to the filter F can be suppressed. Therefore, the arrangement of the filter F may be changed as appropriate so that the retreat space 106 is positioned obliquely above the filter F.
In the above embodiment, the deaeration chamber 105 is provided on the upstream side of the upstream pressure chamber 107 and the downstream pressure chamber 120, but may be provided on the downstream side.
In the above embodiment, the filter F is formed in a substantially rectangular shape, but may be formed in a quadrangular shape, a circular shape, an elliptical shape, or the like.
In the above embodiment, the width of the deaeration chamber 105 is increased as it goes in the upward direction of gravity. Further, the width of the deaeration chamber 105 may be the same as that of the filter F.
In the above-described embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus is embodied in the printer 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the liquid ejecting apparatus may be embodied in a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects another liquid. For example, as a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting liquids such as electrode materials and color materials used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL displays and surface-emitting displays, as a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting bioorganic materials used in biochip manufacturing, and as precision pipette The sample injection device may be used.

FIG. 2 is a plan view illustrating the configuration of the printer according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a configuration of a valve unit of the printer. The front view explaining the structure of the valve unit. Sectional drawing of the valve unit in the AA line of the same FIG. Sectional drawing of the valve unit in the BB line of the same FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Printer as liquid ejecting device, 29 ... Recording head as liquid ejecting head, 37 ... Valve unit, 41 ... Ink cartridge as liquid container, 45 ... Cap member, 51 ... Suction pump as suction means, 53 ... A choke valve as a valve device, 63... An introduction port as an introduction portion, 95... A discharge port as a lead-out portion, 105... Deaeration chamber, 106.

Claims (7)

In the valve unit for adjusting the flow pressure of the liquid introduced from the introduction part in the pressure adjustment chamber and leading out from the lead-out part,
A deaeration chamber provided with a filter member for removing bubbles, impurities, etc. contained in the liquid;
A valve unit comprising a retreat space for retreating bubbles contained in the liquid from the filter member in an upward direction of gravity in the deaeration chamber. The valve unit according to claim 1, wherein
The valve unit characterized in that the retreat space is provided immediately above the filter member. The valve unit according to claim 1 or 2,
The valve unit, wherein the deaeration chamber is formed to have a width larger than a horizontal width of the filter member. The valve unit according to claim 3,
The valve unit according to claim 1, wherein a width in the horizontal direction of the deaeration chamber is formed so as to increase in the gravity upward direction. In the valve unit according to claims 1 to 4,
The valve unit, wherein the deaeration chamber is provided between the introduction portion and the pressure adjustment chamber. A supply flow path for deriving the liquid from a liquid container that contains the liquid and supplying the liquid to a liquid ejecting head that ejects the liquid;
After the liquid led out from the liquid container is introduced into the valve unit provided in the supply channel from the introduction part of the valve unit, the flow pressure of the liquid is adjusted in the pressure adjustment chamber, and then the valve In the liquid ejecting apparatus that is led out from the lead-out unit of the unit and is supplied to the liquid ejecting head,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valve unit is the valve unit according to claim 1. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 6,
A cap member for sealing the liquid jet head;
A suction unit that applies a negative pressure to the cap member that seals the liquid ejecting head and sucks the liquid from the liquid ejecting head;
A valve device for bringing the supply channel into a communication state or a non-communication state,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the valve device sets the supply flow path in a non-communication state upstream of the valve unit.

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