Patent ID: 8152479

Claim:
A liquid pressure-feed device comprising: a closed vessel, the closed vessel having: a working fluid inlet port, a working fluid discharge port, a liquid inlet port, and a liquid discharge port; and a float, a change-over valve, a snap mechanism, and a liquid discharge valve provided within the closed vessel; wherein the snap mechanism comprises: a pivot shaft supported within the closed vessel, a float arm and a sub-arm both adapted to rotate about the pivot shaft, a first shaft supported by the float arm, a second shaft supported by the sub-arm, and a spring mounted between the first and second shafts; wherein the liquid discharge valve comprises: a third shaft supported by the float arm, a liquid discharge valve arm mounted to the third shaft, and a liquid discharge valve body mounted to the liquid discharge valve arm to establish and block communication between the interior of the closed vessel and the liquid discharge port; wherein the float is connected to the float arm, wherein the change-over valve is connected to the sub-arm through a power transfer shaft, and wherein the third shaft is provided between the pivot shaft and the second shaft and a window is formed in the sub-arm so as not to obstruct movement of the third shaft.