Patent ID: 7163282
Filing Date: 2007-01-16
Classification: B41J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A valve unit provided part way along a liquid supply channel for supplying a liquid from a liquid reservoir part to a liquid ejecting head, the valve unit comprising: a pressure chamber that temporarily retains the liquid, wherein a retained amount of liquid in the pressure chamber decreases as the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejecting head, and a pressure of the pressure chamber decreases accompanying the decrease in the retained amount of liquid; and an open/close valve that selectively permits supply of the liquid from the liquid supply channel to the pressure chamber; the open/close valve comprising: a valve seat provided between the liquid supply channel and the pressure chamber; a valve element provided within the pressure chamber, wherein when the valve element contacts the valve seat, supply of the liquid from the liquid supply channel to the pressure chamber is prevented, and when the valve element is separated from the valve seat, supply of the liquid from the liquid supply channel to the pressure chamber is allowed; the valve element having a power point part, a fulcrum part and an application point part, wherein the power point part receives a pushing force in accordance with a decrease in pressure in the pressure chamber, the fulcrum part supports the valve element with respect to a wall surface defining the pressure chamber such that the valve element rotates as a result of the pushing force, the application point part separates from the valve seat accompanying rotation of the valve element caused by the pushing force, and the fulcrum part is not fixed to the wall surface; and an urging member that urges the application point part towards the valve seat, wherein the urging member and the valve seat face each other with the application point part in between.