JP2007237584A - Valve mechanism, valve gear, liquid jet device, laser welding method, and laser-welded joint - Google Patents

Valve mechanism, valve gear, liquid jet device, laser welding method, and laser-welded joint Download PDF

Info

Publication number
JP2007237584A
JP2007237584A JP2006063831A JP2006063831A JP2007237584A JP 2007237584 A JP2007237584 A JP 2007237584A JP 2006063831 A JP2006063831 A JP 2006063831A JP 2006063831 A JP2006063831 A JP 2006063831A JP 2007237584 A JP2007237584 A JP 2007237584A
Authority
JP
Japan
Prior art keywords
valve
laser
laser beam
joined
bonded
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
JP2006063831A
Other languages
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
Takeshi Fujishiro
武 藤城
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Seiko Epson Corp
Original Assignee
Seiko Epson Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Seiko Epson Corp filed Critical Seiko Epson Corp
Priority to JP2006063831A priority Critical patent/JP2007237584A/en
Publication of JP2007237584A publication Critical patent/JP2007237584A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1629—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface
    • B29C65/1664—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface making use of several radiators
    • B29C65/1667—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface making use of several radiators at the same time, i.e. simultaneous laser welding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1629—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface
    • B29C65/1635—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface at least passing through one of the parts to be joined, i.e. laser transmission welding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1629—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface
    • B29C65/1654—Laser beams characterised by the way of heating the interface scanning at least one of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1677—Laser beams making use of an absorber or impact modifier
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1696—Laser beams making use of masks
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/12—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments; Tongue and groove joints; Tenon and mortise joints; Stepped joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/124—Tongue and groove joints
    • B29C66/1246—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the female part, i.e. the part comprising the groove
    • B29C66/12461—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the female part, i.e. the part comprising the groove being rounded, i.e. U-shaped or C-shaped
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/12—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments; Tongue and groove joints; Tenon and mortise joints; Stepped joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/124—Tongue and groove joints
    • B29C66/1246—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the female part, i.e. the part comprising the groove
    • B29C66/12463—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the female part, i.e. the part comprising the groove being tapered
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/12—Joint cross-sections combining only two joint-segments; Tongue and groove joints; Tenon and mortise joints; Stepped joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/124—Tongue and groove joints
    • B29C66/1246—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the female part, i.e. the part comprising the groove
    • B29C66/12463—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the female part, i.e. the part comprising the groove being tapered
    • B29C66/12464—Tongue and groove joints characterised by the female part, i.e. the part comprising the groove being tapered being V-shaped
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/40—General aspects of joining substantially flat articles, e.g. plates, sheets or web-like materials; Making flat seams in tubular or hollow articles; Joining single elements to substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/47—Joining single elements to sheets, plates or other substantially flat surfaces
    • B29C66/474—Joining single elements to sheets, plates or other substantially flat surfaces said single elements being substantially non-flat
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/73—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/739—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset
    • B29C66/7392—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic
    • B29C66/73921—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the intensive physical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the optical properties of the material of the parts to be joined, by the extensive physical properties of the parts to be joined, by the state of the material of the parts to be joined or by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of the parts to be joined being a thermoplastic or a thermoset characterised by the material of at least one of the parts being a thermoplastic characterised by the materials of both parts being thermoplastics
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/14—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using wave energy, i.e. electromagnetic radiation, or particle radiation
    • B29C65/16—Laser beams
    • B29C65/1603—Laser beams characterised by the type of electromagnetic radiation
    • B29C65/1606—Ultraviolet [UV] radiation, e.g. by ultraviolet excimer lasers
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/71—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the composition of the plastics material of the parts to be joined
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/70—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material
    • B29C66/72—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/723—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts characterised by the composition, physical properties or the structure of the material of the parts to be joined; Joining with non-plastics material characterised by the structure of the material of the parts to be joined being multi-layered
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/737—Articles provided with holes, e.g. grids, sieves
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2031/00—Other particular articles
    • B29L2031/767—Printing equipment or accessories therefor

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Optics & Photonics (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Lining Or Joining Of Plastics Or The Like (AREA)

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a valve mechanism which can secure stable sealing performance easily at a low cost while integrating a seal member with a valve or a sealing face forming member, a valve gear, a liquid jet device, a laser welding method which can efficiently integrate the seal member with a member to be joined, and a laser-welded joint produced by the laser welding method or the like. <P>SOLUTION: An annular channel 53 with a trapezoidal cross section is formed in the plane part 51 of the seal member 43 made of a laser beam absorbing material, and an annular projection 54 corresponding to the annular channel 53 is formed on the joining plane 55 of a passage forming member 31 made of a laser beam transmitting material. The seal member 43 and the passage forming member 31 are laser-welded together by being irradiated with laser beams which recess-projection engage the annular channel 53 and the annular projection 54, plane-join the plane part 51 and the joining plane 55, and has a cross section of approximately the same shape as a joining interface on the irradiated plane 56 of the passage forming member 31. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

本発明は、弁機構、弁装置、液体噴射装置、レーザ溶着方法、及びレーザ溶着接合体に関する。   The present invention relates to a valve mechanism, a valve device, a liquid ejecting apparatus, a laser welding method, and a laser welding assembly.

一般に、液体噴射ヘッドからターゲットに対して液体を噴射させる液体噴射装置として、インクジェット式プリンタ（以下、単に「プリンタ」という。）が広く知られている。このようなプリンタには、インクカートリッジ等から加圧状態で液体噴射ヘッドへと供給されるインクの圧力を調整する弁装置が設けられ、その弁装置には供給されるインクを一時的に貯留する圧力室が設けられている。そして、圧力室の入口には、インクを所定の圧力に減圧するための減圧弁が圧力調整弁として設けられている。この減圧弁は、弁体と、弁孔を有するシール面形成部材と、弁体とシール面形成部材との間に介装されるシール部材とを備えた弁機構を有している。   In general, an ink jet printer (hereinafter simply referred to as “printer”) is widely known as a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid from a liquid ejecting head to a target. Such a printer is provided with a valve device that adjusts the pressure of ink supplied from the ink cartridge or the like to the liquid ejecting head in a pressurized state, and the supplied ink is temporarily stored in the valve device. A pressure chamber is provided. A pressure reducing valve for depressurizing ink to a predetermined pressure is provided as a pressure adjusting valve at the inlet of the pressure chamber. The pressure reducing valve has a valve mechanism including a valve body, a seal surface forming member having a valve hole, and a seal member interposed between the valve body and the seal surface forming member.

このような減圧弁として、従来は、例えば弁体とは別部材であるＯリングが組み付けられた弁体をばねによりシール面形成部材側に付勢することにより、シール面形成部材に形成された弁孔を弁体がＯリングを介在させた状態で閉止するようにしたものが知られている（例えば特許文献１参照）。   As such a pressure reducing valve, conventionally, for example, a valve body assembled with an O-ring, which is a separate member from the valve body, is formed on the seal surface forming member by biasing the valve body toward the seal surface forming member side by a spring. There is known one in which a valve hole is closed with a valve body interposing an O-ring (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

また、近時においては、低弾性率の樹脂材と高弾性率の樹脂材との二色成形により樹脂成形品を一体成形する技術も知られている（例えば特許文献２）。そこで、こうした成形技術を利用して、エラストマからなるシール部材を二色成形により弁体に一体的に形成した減圧弁も開発されてきている。
特開２００５−１８６３４４号公報 特開２００４−１８８８００号公報 In recent years, a technique of integrally molding a resin molded product by two-color molding of a low elastic modulus resin material and a high elastic modulus resin material is also known (for example, Patent Document 2). Therefore, a pressure reducing valve in which a sealing member made of an elastomer is integrally formed on the valve body by two-color molding has been developed using such molding technology.
JP 2005-186344 A JP 2004-188800 A

ところが、Ｏリングを使用する減圧弁では、弁体とＯリングとが完全には一体化されておらず、部品洗浄や実使用中の摺動の繰り返し、インクの流速変動等の要因により、Ｏリングが弁体上で変位したりして、シール性が低下する危惧があった。その一方、シール部材が二色成形によって弁体に一体形成された減圧弁では、シール部材を別途組み付けるといった煩雑な作業を必要とせず、またシール部材の変位も生じにくいものとなる。   However, in a pressure reducing valve using an O-ring, the valve body and the O-ring are not completely integrated, and due to factors such as cleaning of parts, repeated sliding during actual use, and fluctuations in the flow rate of ink, etc. There was a risk that the ring could be displaced on the valve body, resulting in a decrease in sealing performance. On the other hand, the pressure reducing valve in which the seal member is integrally formed with the valve body by two-color molding does not require a complicated operation of assembling the seal member separately, and the seal member is hardly displaced.

しかしながら、この二色成形の減圧弁においては、弁体に一体形成されたシール部材に対して成形時にウエルドラインが形成されてしまうことがあり、シール部材のシール面形成部材に対する接合状態が不均一となり、シールが不安定となるおそれがある。また、二色成形においては、小さな部品に対して、スプール及びランナを大きく取らざるを得ず、大量の捨て部材が発生してしまう。   However, in this two-color molded pressure reducing valve, a weld line may be formed at the time of molding with respect to the sealing member formed integrally with the valve body, and the joining state of the sealing member to the sealing surface forming member is not uniform. The seal may become unstable. Further, in the two-color molding, a large spool and runner must be taken for a small part, and a large amount of discarded members are generated.

さらに、近年では、印刷原稿に耐水性を付与するため、プリンタにおいて溶剤系のインクを用いることも増えてきているが、一般に二色成形でシール部材の成形用に使用されるエラストマでは、十分な耐溶剤性を有するものが少なく、柔軟性と耐溶剤性との兼ね合いから材料選択の自由度が小さくなるという問題があった。なお、この点は、減圧弁における弁機構に限らず、複数の部材同士を二色成形により一体化する場合にも、一方の部材がシール部材である場合には同様の問題が指摘されていた。   Furthermore, in recent years, in order to impart water resistance to printed originals, the use of solvent-based inks in printers has also increased. However, elastomers generally used for molding seal members in two-color molding are sufficient. There were few things which have solvent resistance, and there existed a problem that the freedom degree of material selection became small from the balance of a softness | flexibility and solvent resistance. This point is not limited to the valve mechanism in the pressure reducing valve, and when a plurality of members are integrated by two-color molding, the same problem has been pointed out when one member is a seal member. .

本発明は、このような従来技術に存在する問題点に着目してなされたものである。その目的とするところは、シール部材を弁体またはシール面形成部材に一体化しつつ、安定したシール性を容易に且つ低コストで確保することのできる弁機構、弁装置、及び液体噴射装置を提供することにある。また、シール部材を相手方となる被接合部材に効率よく一体化することのできるレーザ溶着方法及びそのような方法で製造されたレーザ溶着接合体を提供することにある。   The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems existing in the prior art. The object is to provide a valve mechanism, a valve device, and a liquid ejecting device that can ensure a stable sealing property easily and at low cost while integrating the sealing member with the valve body or the sealing surface forming member. There is to do. It is another object of the present invention to provide a laser welding method capable of efficiently integrating a seal member with a member to be joined, and a laser welded assembly manufactured by such a method.

上記目的を達成するために、本発明の弁機構は、弁体と、その弁体がシール部材を介して当接することにより閉止される弁孔を有するシール面形成部材とを備えた弁機構において、前記弁体及び前記シール面形成部材のうち一方を、前記シール部材が接合される接合面を有すると共に、その接合面の反対側には前記レーザ光線が照射される照射平面を有する被接合部材とし、当該被接合部材をレーザ光線が透過する材料で形成すると共に、前記シール部材をレーザ光線が吸収される材料で形成し、当該シール部材における前記被接合部材の前記接合面と面接触する接合面には開口部の幅と底部の幅とが異なる凹部を設ける一方、前記被接合部材の前記接合面には前記シール部材側の前記凹部と対応する凸部を設け、当該凸部と前記凹部が嵌合するように前記両接合面同士を接合させた状態にて前記シール部材が前記被接合部材に対してレーザ溶着により接合固定されたものである。   In order to achieve the above object, a valve mechanism of the present invention is a valve mechanism including a valve body and a seal surface forming member having a valve hole that is closed when the valve body abuts via the seal member. One of the valve body and the sealing surface forming member has a bonding surface to which the sealing member is bonded, and a bonded member having an irradiation plane on which the laser beam is irradiated on the opposite side of the bonding surface And joining the member to be joined with the joining surface of the member to be joined in the seal member, while forming the member to be joined with a material that transmits the laser beam and forming the seal member with a material that absorbs the laser beam. The surface is provided with a concave portion having a width different from the width of the opening and the bottom portion, while the joint surface of the member to be joined is provided with a convex portion corresponding to the concave portion on the seal member side, and the convex portion and the concave portion Is mated In which the sealing member wherein at a state of being joined to the joining faces to so that is joined and fixed by laser welding to the workpieces.

この構成によれば、シール部材が弁体またはシール面形成部材に一体化されてなる弁機構を形成する場合において、弁体を二色成形により形成する場合に比べて、使用する材料の量が大きく低減されるとともに弁体を製造するための金型の簡素化が可能となり、また、安定したシール性の確保とシール部材における材料選択の自由度の拡大が可能となる。また、シール部材側の凹部に嵌合する被接合部材側の凸部がシール部材におけるレーザ光線の吸収されやすい導波路形状となるため、この凸部と凹部との嵌合部分にシール部材を被接合部材に溶着する際に発生する熱の滞留部が形成され、シール部材と被接合部材とのレーザ溶着を効率よく行うことができる。   According to this configuration, in the case of forming a valve mechanism in which the seal member is integrated with the valve body or the seal surface forming member, the amount of material to be used is smaller than when the valve body is formed by two-color molding. In addition to being greatly reduced, it is possible to simplify the mold for manufacturing the valve body, and it is possible to secure a stable sealing property and to expand the degree of freedom of material selection in the sealing member. In addition, since the convex portion on the bonded member side that fits into the concave portion on the seal member side has a waveguide shape in which the laser beam is easily absorbed in the sealing member, the sealing member is covered on the fitting portion between the convex portion and the concave portion. A staying portion of heat generated when welding to the joining member is formed, and laser welding between the seal member and the member to be joined can be performed efficiently.

本発明の弁機構において、前記凹部は、前記開口部の幅が前記底部の幅よりも大きくなるよう形成されている。
この構成によれば、シール部材と被接合部材との両接合面を接合させる場合に、シール部材側の凹部に被接合部材側の凸部を嵌合させることにより、位置合せ機能を発揮させながら接合させることができる。 In the valve mechanism of the present invention, the recess is formed so that the width of the opening is larger than the width of the bottom.
According to this configuration, when both the joining surfaces of the seal member and the member to be joined are joined, the convex part on the member to be joined side is fitted to the concave part on the seal member side, thereby exerting the alignment function. Can be joined.

本発明の弁機構において、前記被接合部材は熱可塑性樹脂からなるものである。
この構成によれば、シール部材を被接合部材に容易に接合固定することが可能となる。
また、本発明の弁装置は、流入口と流出口とに連通し且つ流入口から流入した液体を一時的に貯留可能であると共に当該液体を圧力変動に基づき流出口から流出させる圧力室と、前記流入口からの前記圧力室への前記液体の流入を断続して前記圧力室内での前記液体の圧力を所定の圧力に調整する圧力調整弁とを有する弁装置において、前記圧力調整弁は、上記構成の弁機構を有する。 In the valve mechanism of the present invention, the member to be joined is made of a thermoplastic resin.
According to this configuration, the seal member can be easily joined and fixed to the member to be joined.
In addition, the valve device of the present invention communicates with the inflow port and the outflow port and can temporarily store the liquid flowing in from the inflow port, and allows the liquid to flow out of the outflow port based on pressure fluctuations; In the valve device having a pressure adjusting valve that intermittently interrupts the inflow of the liquid from the inlet to the pressure chamber and adjusts the pressure of the liquid in the pressure chamber to a predetermined pressure, the pressure adjusting valve includes: The valve mechanism having the above-described configuration is provided.

この構成によれば、圧力調整弁の弁機構を良好なシール性を確保しつつ簡便に実現することができる。
また、本発明の液体噴射装置は、液体を噴射する液体噴射ヘッドと、上記構成の弁装置とを備え、当該弁装置における圧力調整弁は、前記液体噴射ヘッドからの液体の噴射に伴って液体が減少する圧力室内の圧力を感知して、前記圧力室への液体の供給を断続することにより、前記液体噴射ヘッドへの液体の供給圧力を調整する。 According to this configuration, the valve mechanism of the pressure regulating valve can be easily realized while ensuring good sealing performance.
According to another aspect of the invention, a liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head that ejects liquid and the valve device configured as described above, and the pressure adjusting valve in the valve device is adapted to eject liquid from the liquid ejecting head. By detecting the pressure in the pressure chamber that decreases, and intermittently supplying the liquid to the pressure chamber, the supply pressure of the liquid to the liquid ejecting head is adjusted.

この構成によれば、液体噴射ヘッドへの液体の供給圧力が弁装置において適正な圧力に調整されるため、液体噴射ヘッドから噴射される液体の噴射不良の発生を抑制することができる。 また、本発明のレーザ溶着方法は、レーザ光線を吸収する材料で形成されたシール部材を、レーザ光線を透過する材料で形成された被接合部材に接合させ、レーザ溶着するレーザ溶着方法において、シール部材の断面リップ形状をなすシール部の反対側に形成された接合面と、該接合面に対応した被接合部材の接合面とを面接触させ、被接合部材の接合面とは反対側の照射平面にレーザ光線を照射することによりレーザ溶着を行う。   According to this configuration, since the supply pressure of the liquid to the liquid ejecting head is adjusted to an appropriate pressure in the valve device, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of defective ejection of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting head. The laser welding method of the present invention is a laser welding method in which a sealing member formed of a material that absorbs a laser beam is bonded to a member to be bonded formed of a material that transmits the laser beam, and laser welding is performed. Irradiation on the opposite side of the bonded surface of the member to be bonded is brought into surface contact with the bonded surface formed on the opposite side of the seal portion having the lip shape of the member and the bonded surface of the bonded member corresponding to the bonded surface. Laser welding is performed by irradiating a plane with a laser beam.

この構成によれば、シール部材側の凹部に嵌合する被接合部材側の凸部がシール部材におけるレーザ光線の吸収されやすい導波路形状となるため、この凸部と凹部との嵌合部分にシール部材を被接合部材に溶着する際に発生する熱の滞留部が形成され、シール部材と被接合部材とのレーザ溶着を効率よく行うことができる。   According to this configuration, since the convex portion on the bonded member side that fits into the concave portion on the seal member side has a waveguide shape in which the laser beam is easily absorbed in the sealing member, the fitting portion between the convex portion and the concave portion A stay portion for heat generated when the seal member is welded to the member to be joined is formed, and laser welding between the seal member and the member to be joined can be performed efficiently.

本発明のレーザ溶着方法においては、光軸と直交する平面における断面径が、シール部材と被接合部材とのレーザ溶着部の最大径とほぼ同じであるレーザ光線を用い、このレーザ光線をフィルタを介して、前記光軸と直交する平面における断面形状を前記レーザ溶着部の形状とほぼ同じになるように成形して、前記被接合部材に照射する。   In the laser welding method of the present invention, a laser beam having a cross-sectional diameter in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis is substantially the same as the maximum diameter of the laser welded portion between the seal member and the bonded member, and this laser beam is filtered. Then, a cross-sectional shape in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis is formed to be substantially the same as the shape of the laser welded portion, and the bonded member is irradiated.

この構成によれば、溶着面全体をほぼ同時に加熱することができて、温度ムラや段差を生じることなくシール部材と被接合部材とが良好に溶着される。
本発明のレーザ溶着方法は、前記レーザ光線が、パルス光である。 According to this configuration, the entire welding surface can be heated almost simultaneously, and the sealing member and the member to be joined can be favorably welded without causing temperature unevenness or steps.
In the laser welding method of the present invention, the laser beam is pulsed light.

この構成によれば、パルス間隔を制御することにより、微細で熱容量の小さな部材であっても、急激な温度上昇による部材全体の溶融を抑制しつつ、シール部材と被接合部材とを良好に溶着させることが可能になる。   According to this configuration, by controlling the pulse interval, the sealing member and the member to be joined can be welded satisfactorily while suppressing the melting of the entire member due to a rapid temperature rise, even if the member is fine and has a small heat capacity. It becomes possible to make it.

また、本発明のレーザ溶着接合体は、レーザ光線を吸収する材料で形成されたシール部材とレーザ光線を透過する材料で形成された被接合部材とが接合された状態でレーザ溶着されてなるレーザ溶着接合体において、前記シール部材は断面リップ形状をなすシール部の反対側に形成された接合面に開口部の幅と底部の幅とが異なる凹部が形成される一方、前記被接合部材には前記シール部材の前記接合面と面接触する接合面に前記シール部材側の前記凹部と対応する凸部が設けられ、当該凸部と前記凹部が嵌合するように前記両接合面同士が接合させられた状態において前記被接合部材の接合面とは反対側の照射平面にレーザ光線が照射されることにより前記シール部材と前記被接合部材がレーザ溶着により接合固定されてなる。   The laser welded assembly of the present invention is a laser formed by laser welding in a state where a sealing member formed of a material that absorbs a laser beam and a member to be bonded formed of a material that transmits the laser beam are bonded. In the welded joined body, the seal member is formed with a recess having a width different from the width of the opening and the width of the bottom on the joint surface formed on the opposite side of the seal portion having a lip shape in cross section. A convex portion corresponding to the concave portion on the seal member side is provided on a joint surface in surface contact with the joint surface of the seal member, and the joint surfaces are joined to each other so that the convex portion and the concave portion are fitted. In this state, the sealing member and the member to be joined are joined and fixed by laser welding by irradiating a laser beam to the irradiation plane opposite to the joining surface of the member to be joined.

この構成によれば、例えば弁装置においてシール機能を有する弁機構を形成する場合、弁体を二色成形により形成する場合に比べて、使用する材料の量が大きく低減されるとともに弁体を製造するための金型の簡素化が可能となり、また、安定したシール性の確保とシール部材における材料選択の自由度の拡大が可能となる。また、シール部材側の凹部に嵌合する被接合部材側の凸部がシール部材におけるレーザ光線の吸収されやすい導波路形状となるため、この凸部と凹部との嵌合部分にシール部材を被接合部材に溶着する際に発生する熱の滞留部が形成され、シール部材と被接合部材とのレーザ溶着を効率よく行うことができる。   According to this configuration, for example, when a valve mechanism having a sealing function is formed in the valve device, the amount of material used is greatly reduced and the valve body is manufactured compared to the case where the valve body is formed by two-color molding. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the mold for this purpose, and it is possible to secure a stable sealing property and to expand the degree of freedom of material selection in the sealing member. In addition, since the convex portion on the bonded member side that fits into the concave portion on the seal member side has a waveguide shape in which the laser beam is easily absorbed in the sealing member, the sealing member is covered on the fitting portion between the convex portion and the concave portion. A staying portion of heat generated when welding to the joining member is formed, and laser welding between the seal member and the member to be joined can be performed efficiently.

以下、本発明を、液体噴射装置の一種であるインクジェット式プリンタ、そのプリンタに設けられるサブタンク、及びそのサブタンク内に装着される減圧弁の弁機構に、それぞれ具体化した一実施形態を図１〜図４に基づいて説明する。   Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is embodied in an ink jet printer that is a kind of liquid ejecting apparatus, a sub-tank provided in the printer, and a valve mechanism of a pressure reducing valve installed in the sub-tank will be described with reference to FIGS. This will be described with reference to FIG.

図１に示すように、液体噴射装置としてのインクジェット式プリンタ（以下、「プリンタ」という。）１１は、平面視矩形状をなすフレーム１２を備えている。フレーム１２内の下部にはプラテン１３が架設され、そのプラテン１３上にはフレーム１２外に配設された紙送りモータ１４を有してなる紙送り機構の駆動によりターゲットとしての記録用紙Ｐが給送されるようになっている。また、フレーム１２内においてプラテン１３の上方には、プラテン１３の長手方向と平行に、棒状のガイド部材１５が架設されている。   As shown in FIG. 1, an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as “printer”) 11 as a liquid ejecting apparatus includes a frame 12 having a rectangular shape in plan view. A platen 13 is installed in the lower part of the frame 12, and a recording paper P as a target is supplied onto the platen 13 by driving a paper feed mechanism having a paper feed motor 14 disposed outside the frame 12. It is supposed to be sent. A rod-shaped guide member 15 is installed above the platen 13 in the frame 12 in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the platen 13.

ガイド部材１５には、キャリッジ１６が、該キャリッジ１６に貫通形成された支持孔１６ａにガイド部材１５が挿通されることにより、該ガイド部材１５の軸線方向に往復移動可能に支持されている。また、キャリッジ１６は、フレーム１２に設けられたタイミングベルト１７を介してキャリッジモータ１８に駆動連結されている。そして、キャリッジ１６は、キャリッジモータ１８の駆動により、ガイド部材１５に沿って往復移動されるようになっている。   A carriage 16 is supported by the guide member 15 so as to be reciprocally movable in the axial direction of the guide member 15 by inserting the guide member 15 through a support hole 16 a formed through the carriage 16. The carriage 16 is drivingly connected to a carriage motor 18 via a timing belt 17 provided on the frame 12. The carriage 16 is reciprocated along the guide member 15 by driving the carriage motor 18.

キャリッジ１６の下面には、液体噴射ヘッドとしての記録ヘッド１９が搭載され、記録ヘッド１９の下面にて構成されるノズル形成面には、複数のノズル（図示略）が設けられている。キャリッジ１６における記録ヘッド１９の上側には、インクカートリッジ２１が着脱可能に搭載され、インクカートリッジ２１内には、液体としての複数色のインクがそれぞれ記録ヘッド１９に供給可能に収容されている。   A recording head 19 as a liquid ejecting head is mounted on the lower surface of the carriage 16, and a plurality of nozzles (not shown) are provided on a nozzle forming surface constituted by the lower surface of the recording head 19. An ink cartridge 21 is detachably mounted on the carriage 16 above the recording head 19, and a plurality of colors of ink as liquids are accommodated in the ink cartridge 21 so as to be supplied to the recording head 19.

また、フレーム１２内の右端部に位置する非印刷領域には、記録ヘッド１９のノズル内からインク・気泡等を廃インク（廃液）として吸引するためのクリーニング機構２２が設けられている。このクリーニング機構２２は、非印刷時に記録ヘッド１９のノズル形成面を封止するキャップ２３と、このキャップ２３に接続される廃インクタンク（図示略）と、キャップ２３側から廃インクを吸引して廃インクタンクに送出する吸引ポンプ（図示略）とを備えている。   In addition, a cleaning mechanism 22 is provided in the non-printing region located at the right end in the frame 12 to suck ink, bubbles, and the like from the nozzles of the recording head 19 as waste ink (waste liquid). The cleaning mechanism 22 sucks waste ink from the cap 23 that seals the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 19 when not printing, a waste ink tank (not shown) connected to the cap 23, and the cap 23 side. And a suction pump (not shown) for feeding to a waste ink tank.

一方、キャリッジ１６内において、インクカートリッジ２１と記録ヘッド１９との間には、弁装置としてのサブタンク２６（図２参照）が設けられている。このサブタンク２６は、図２に示すように、流入口２７及び流出口２８にそれぞれ連通し、インクカートリッジ２１から圧送されてくるインクを一時的に貯留する圧力室２９と、その圧力室２９内のインクを所定の圧力に減圧する圧力調整弁としての減圧弁３０を備えている。   On the other hand, a sub tank 26 (see FIG. 2) as a valve device is provided between the ink cartridge 21 and the recording head 19 in the carriage 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the sub tank 26 communicates with an inlet 27 and an outlet 28, and has a pressure chamber 29 for temporarily storing ink pressure-fed from the ink cartridge 21, and the pressure chamber 29. A pressure reducing valve 30 is provided as a pressure adjusting valve for reducing the ink to a predetermined pressure.

そして、記録ヘッド１９に備えられた図示しない圧電素子の駆動により、インクカートリッジ２１からサブタンク２６を介して記録ヘッド１９へと各インクが供給され、該各インクが各ノズルからプラテン１３上に給送された記録用紙Ｐにそれぞれ噴射されて印刷が行われるようになっている。   Each ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 21 to the recording head 19 via the sub tank 26 by driving a piezoelectric element (not shown) provided in the recording head 19, and each ink is fed onto the platen 13 from each nozzle. Each of the printed recording sheets P is ejected and printed.

次に、サブタンク２６が備える減圧弁３０の弁機構について、詳細に説明する。
図２に示すように、減圧弁３０は、サブタンク２６の主体をなすシール面形成部材及び被接合部材としての流路形成部材３１と、弁体３２と、圧力調整ばね３３と、作動レバー３４と、フィルム部材３５とからなっている。 Next, the valve mechanism of the pressure reducing valve 30 provided in the sub tank 26 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 2, the pressure reducing valve 30 includes a sealing surface forming member that forms the main body of the sub tank 26 and a flow path forming member 31 as a member to be joined, a valve body 32, a pressure adjusting spring 33, an operating lever 34, And the film member 35.

流路形成部材３１は、例えばポリプロピレン又はポリエチレン等の樹脂製材料によって薄型の略直方体形状に成型された部材であり、その一面（図２では上面）には、流入口２７及び流出口２８に連通する平面長方形状の溝状流路３８が凹み形成されている。また、流路形成部材３１内には、流入口２７を有する入口側流路３９と、入口側流路３９に連通し且つ弁体３２及び圧力調整ばね３３を収容する収容孔４０と、収容孔４０と圧力室２９とを連通する弁孔としての円形孔４１と、圧力室２９に連通し且つ流出口２８を有する出口側流路４２とが形成されている。   The flow path forming member 31 is a member formed into a thin, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape by a resin material such as polypropylene or polyethylene, and communicates with the inlet 27 and the outlet 28 on one surface (upper surface in FIG. 2). A planar rectangular channel 38 is formed in a recessed manner. Further, in the flow path forming member 31, an inlet-side flow path 39 having an inflow port 27, a receiving hole 40 communicating with the inlet-side flow path 39 and containing the valve body 32 and the pressure adjusting spring 33, and a receiving hole A circular hole 41 serving as a valve hole that communicates 40 and the pressure chamber 29, and an outlet-side flow path 42 that communicates with the pressure chamber 29 and has an outlet 28.

そして、流路形成部材３１における円形孔４１の周縁には、環状体からなるシール部材４３がレーザ溶着により接合固定され、流路形成部材３１とシール部材４３とからなるレーザ溶着接合体が形成されている。なお、収容孔４０は、流路形成部材３１における前記溝状流路３８が凹み形成された一面（図２では上面）とは反対側の面（図２では下面）から形成された穿孔であり、その開口端は封止板４６により封止されている。   A seal member 43 made of an annular body is joined and fixed to the periphery of the circular hole 41 in the flow path forming member 31 by laser welding, and a laser welded joint made of the flow path forming member 31 and the seal member 43 is formed. ing. The accommodation hole 40 is a perforation formed from the surface (the lower surface in FIG. 2) opposite to the one surface (the upper surface in FIG. 2) where the groove-shaped flow channel 38 of the flow path forming member 31 is formed to be recessed. The open end is sealed with a sealing plate 46.

弁体３２は、収容孔４０内において、流路形成部材３１の円形孔４１を開放することにより流入口２７と溝状流路３８とを連通状態にする開弁位置と、流路形成部材３１の円形孔４１を閉止することにより流入口２７と溝状流路３８を非連通状態にする閉弁位置との間で変位可能に配置されている。弁体３２には、流路形成部材３１の円形孔４１内に遊挿されるバルブ軸４４と、このバルブ軸４４が中心を貫通する鍔状のばね受け部４５とが形成されており、そのばね受け部４５と収容孔４０の開口端を封止する封止板４６との間には圧力調整ばね３３が介装されている。そして、弁体３２は、圧力調整ばね３３により、常にはバルブ軸４４が円形孔４１内に遊挿された状態で、ばね受け部４５がシール部材４３を押圧する閉弁位置側へ付勢されている。   The valve body 32 has a valve opening position in which the inflow port 27 and the groove-like flow path 38 are in communication with each other by opening the circular hole 41 of the flow path forming member 31 in the accommodation hole 40, and the flow path forming member 31. The circular hole 41 is closed so as to be displaceable between the inflow port 27 and the valve closing position at which the groove-like flow path 38 is brought into a non-communication state. The valve body 32 is formed with a valve shaft 44 that is loosely inserted into the circular hole 41 of the flow path forming member 31 and a hook-shaped spring receiving portion 45 through which the valve shaft 44 penetrates the center. A pressure adjustment spring 33 is interposed between the receiving portion 45 and the sealing plate 46 that seals the opening end of the accommodation hole 40. The valve body 32 is urged by the pressure adjusting spring 33 toward the valve closing position where the spring receiving portion 45 presses the seal member 43 while the valve shaft 44 is always loosely inserted into the circular hole 41. ing.

作動レバー３４は、溝状流路３８内にあって一端３４ａ側を流路形成部材３１に支持された片持ち梁であり、弁体３２は、そのバルブ軸４４の一端（図２では上端）が作動レバー３４の重心よりも一端３４ａ側に寄った位置で作動レバー３４から作動力を受けるように配置されている。作動レバー３４の一端３４ａ側は、作動レバー３４自体を支える程度の剛性があれば良い。また、作動レバー３４の一端３４ａ以外の部分である押圧部３４ｂは、弁体３２を押すための部位であるので、なるべく剛性が高い方が良い。そのため、作動レバー３４は、例えば１枚の金属薄板で構成し、押圧部３４ｂのみを断面コの字状に折り曲げ加工することにより、剛性が一端３４ａ側で低く、押圧部３４ｂで高くなるように設定されている。   The actuating lever 34 is a cantilever beam in the groove-like flow path 38 and supported at the one end 34a side by the flow path forming member 31, and the valve body 32 is one end of the valve shaft 44 (the upper end in FIG. 2). Is arranged so as to receive the operating force from the operating lever 34 at a position closer to the one end 34a side than the center of gravity of the operating lever 34. The one end 34a side of the operating lever 34 only needs to be rigid enough to support the operating lever 34 itself. Moreover, since the press part 34b which is parts other than the one end 34a of the action | operation lever 34 is a site | part for pressing the valve body 32, the one where rigidity is as high as possible is good. Therefore, the actuating lever 34 is composed of, for example, a single metal thin plate, and only the pressing portion 34b is bent into a U-shaped cross section so that the rigidity is low on the one end 34a side and high on the pressing portion 34b. Is set.

フィルム部材３５は、液体としてインクを用いる場合にはインク性状に化学的な影響を及ぼさず、水分透過度や、酸素や窒素透過度の低い材質で作られている。すなわち、フィルム部材３５は、例えば、高密度ポリエチレンフィルム或いはポリプロピレンフィルムに、塩化ビニリデンをコーティングしたナイロンフィルムをラミネートした構成の積層フィルムによって構成されている。このようなフィルム部材３５が、溝状流路３８の開口部を密封するように流路形成部材３１の表面となる前記一面（図２では上面）に熱融着されている。これにより、流路形成部材３１の溝状流路３８とフィルム部材３５との間に圧力室２９が形成されている。   When ink is used as the liquid, the film member 35 does not have a chemical effect on the ink properties, and is made of a material having low moisture permeability, oxygen or nitrogen permeability. That is, the film member 35 is configured by a laminated film having a configuration in which, for example, a nylon film coated with vinylidene chloride is laminated on a high-density polyethylene film or a polypropylene film. Such a film member 35 is heat-sealed to the one surface (upper surface in FIG. 2) that becomes the surface of the flow path forming member 31 so as to seal the opening of the groove-shaped flow path 38. Thereby, a pressure chamber 29 is formed between the groove-like flow path 38 of the flow path forming member 31 and the film member 35.

このサブタンク２６では、圧力室２９内のインクが記録ヘッド１９のノズルからの噴射に伴って記録ヘッド１９に吸引され、圧力室２９内が所定の圧力より低くなると、フィルム部材３５が圧力室２９の内方へ弾性変形し、一端３４ａ側が支持された作動レバー３４を図２の下方へ押圧する。これにより、作動レバー３４は、フィルム部材３５の弾性変形に伴う押圧力を倍力した作動力により、閉弁位置にある弁体３２のバルブ軸４４を開弁位置側へ変位させる。そして、弁体３２とシール部材４３とが離間され、減圧弁３０は開弁状態となり、流入口２７側から入口側流路３９及び収容孔４０を介して圧力室２９内へインクが供給される。   In the sub tank 26, the ink in the pressure chamber 29 is sucked into the recording head 19 as it is ejected from the nozzles of the recording head 19, and when the pressure chamber 29 becomes lower than a predetermined pressure, the film member 35 is moved into the pressure chamber 29. The operating lever 34 that is elastically deformed inward and supported on the one end 34a side is pressed downward in FIG. As a result, the operating lever 34 displaces the valve shaft 44 of the valve body 32 in the valve closing position to the valve opening position side by an operating force obtained by multiplying the pressing force accompanying the elastic deformation of the film member 35. Then, the valve body 32 and the seal member 43 are separated from each other, the pressure reducing valve 30 is opened, and ink is supplied from the inlet 27 side into the pressure chamber 29 through the inlet-side channel 39 and the accommodation hole 40. .

圧力室２９内のインクが増加するのに伴い圧力室２９内の圧力が所定の圧力に達すると、フィルム部材３５が弾性変形した形態から元の形態に戻るので、弁体３２への作動レバー３４による作動力が消失し、弁体３２のバルブ軸４４が圧力調整ばね３３の付勢力により開弁位置から閉弁位置へ変位する。これにより、弁体３２がシール部材４３に押圧され、減圧弁５は閉弁状態に戻り、流入口２７側から圧力室２９内へのインクの供給が遮断される。   When the pressure in the pressure chamber 29 reaches a predetermined pressure as the ink in the pressure chamber 29 increases, the film member 35 returns from the elastically deformed form to the original form. And the valve shaft 44 of the valve body 32 is displaced from the valve opening position to the valve closing position by the biasing force of the pressure adjusting spring 33. As a result, the valve body 32 is pressed by the seal member 43, the pressure reducing valve 5 returns to the closed state, and the supply of ink from the inlet 27 to the pressure chamber 29 is shut off.

次に、シール部材４３と流路形成部材３１との接合構成について、詳細に説明する。
図２及び図３（ａ）に示すように、シール部材４３には、流路形成部材３１に接合される接合面としての平面部５１と、弁体３２のばね受け部４５に接離可能に当接する曲面状のリップ部５２とが設けられている。リップ部５２は、その先端部（図２では下端部）の断面形状が略半円形状をなすように形成されている。また、平面部５１には、断面台形状をなす凹部としての環状溝５３が設けられている。すなわち、この環状溝５３は、その開口部の幅と底部の幅とが異なるように、より具体的には、その開口部の幅が底部の幅よりも大きくなるように、その断面形状が形成されている。 Next, the joining configuration of the seal member 43 and the flow path forming member 31 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, the seal member 43 can be brought into contact with and separated from the flat surface portion 51 as a joint surface joined to the flow path forming member 31 and the spring receiving portion 45 of the valve body 32. A curved lip portion 52 that abuts is provided. The lip portion 52 is formed so that the cross-sectional shape of the tip end portion (the lower end portion in FIG. 2) is substantially semicircular. Further, the flat portion 51 is provided with an annular groove 53 as a concave portion having a trapezoidal cross section. That is, the annular groove 53 has a cross-sectional shape so that the width of the opening and the width of the bottom are different, more specifically, the width of the opening is larger than the width of the bottom. Has been.

一方、流路形成部材３１には、シール部材４３の平面部５１と面接触する接合面としての接合平面５５が設けられ、その接合平面５５にはシール部材４３の環状溝５３と対応する断面台形状をなす凸部としての環状突条５４が設けられている。すなわち、この環状突条５４は、その先端部の幅と基端部の幅とが異なるように、より具体的には、その先端部の幅の方が基端部の幅よりも小さくなるように、その断面形状が形成されている。   On the other hand, the flow path forming member 31 is provided with a joining plane 55 as a joining surface that comes into surface contact with the planar portion 51 of the seal member 43, and the joining plane 55 has a cross-section table corresponding to the annular groove 53 of the seal member 43. An annular ridge 54 is provided as a convex portion having a shape. That is, the annular ridge 54 is more specifically configured such that the width of the distal end portion is smaller than the width of the proximal end portion so that the width of the distal end portion and the width of the proximal end portion are different. Moreover, the cross-sectional shape is formed.

そして、図３（ｂ）に示すように、シール部材４３の平面部５１と流路形成部材３１の接合平面５５とを平面接合させるとともに、環状溝５３と環状突条５４とを凹凸嵌合させた状態で、流路形成部材３１における接合平面５５とは反対側の照射平面５６側からレーザ光線を照射することにより、シール部材４３は流路形成部材３１にレーザ溶着にて接合されるようになっている。なお、この場合のレーザ光線には、光軸と直交する平面での断面形状がシール部材４３の環状溝５３を含めた平面部５１の形状となるように絞ったパルス光のレーザ光線が用いられる。   Then, as shown in FIG. 3B, the flat portion 51 of the seal member 43 and the joining plane 55 of the flow path forming member 31 are joined to each other, and the annular groove 53 and the annular protrusion 54 are engaged with each other. In this state, by irradiating a laser beam from the irradiation plane 56 side opposite to the bonding plane 55 in the flow path forming member 31, the seal member 43 is bonded to the flow path forming member 31 by laser welding. It has become. In this case, a laser beam of pulsed light that is narrowed so that a cross-sectional shape in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis becomes the shape of the flat surface portion 51 including the annular groove 53 of the seal member 43 is used. .

ここで、流路形成部材３１は、照射されるレーザ光線を透過する熱可塑性樹脂で形成されている。このような熱可塑性樹脂としては、例えばポリアミド（ＰＡ）、ポリエチレン（ＰＥ）、ポリプロピレン（ＰＰ）、ポリエチレンテレフタレート（ＰＥＴ）、ポリスチレン（ＰＳ）、スチレン−アクリロニトリル共重合体、ＡＢＳ樹脂、アクリル樹脂（ＰＭＭＡ）、ポリカーボネート（ＰＣ）、ポリブチレンテレフタレート（ＰＢＴ）等を挙げることができる。なお、必要に応じてガラス繊維、炭素繊維等の補強繊維や着色材を添加したものを用いてもよい。   Here, the flow path forming member 31 is formed of a thermoplastic resin that transmits the irradiated laser beam. Examples of such thermoplastic resins include polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, ABS resin, acrylic resin (PMMA). ), Polycarbonate (PC), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and the like. In addition, you may use what added reinforcing fibers and coloring materials, such as glass fiber and carbon fiber, as needed.

一方、シール部材４３は、照射されるレーザ光線を吸収する熱可塑性の柔軟性を有する（流路形成部材３１より低弾性率の）樹脂又はエラストマで形成されている。このようなレーザ光線を吸収する低弾性率の材料としては、例えばポリアミド（ＰＡ）、ゴム成分を含んだ熱可塑性エラストマ等に、カーボンブラック、染料や顔料等の所定の着色材を混入したものをあげることができる。   On the other hand, the seal member 43 is formed of a resin or an elastomer having thermoplastic flexibility (lower elastic modulus than the flow path forming member 31) that absorbs the irradiated laser beam. As such a low elastic modulus material that absorbs the laser beam, for example, polyamide (PA), a thermoplastic elastomer containing a rubber component, or the like mixed with a predetermined coloring material such as carbon black, dye or pigment. I can give you.

また、このレーザ溶着に適したレーザ光線の種類としては、レーザ光線を透過させる流路形成部材３１の材料の吸収スペクトルや板厚（透過長）等の関係から適宜選択して用いることができる。例えばガラス：ネオジム３＋レーザ、ＹＡＧ：ネオジム３＋レーザ、ルビーレーザ、ヘリウム−ネオンレーザ、クリプトンレーザ、アルゴンレーザ、Ｈ２レーザ、Ｎ２レーザ、半導体レーザ等のレーザ光線を挙げることができる。 The kind of laser beam suitable for this laser welding can be appropriately selected from the relationship of the absorption spectrum, plate thickness (transmission length), etc. of the material of the flow path forming member 31 that transmits the laser beam. Examples thereof include laser beams such as glass: neodymium 3+ laser, YAG: neodymium 3+ laser, ruby laser, helium-neon laser, krypton laser, argon laser, H 2 laser, N 2 laser, and semiconductor laser.

次に、レーザ溶着時におけるレーザの照射方法について説明する。
まず、図３（ｂ）に示すように、シール部材４３の平面部５１を流路形成部材３１の接合平面５５に接合させた状態で、流路形成部材３１の照射平面５６側からレーザ光線を所定の照射条件にて照射する。 Next, a laser irradiation method at the time of laser welding will be described.
First, as shown in FIG. 3B, a laser beam is emitted from the irradiation plane 56 side of the flow path forming member 31 in a state where the flat portion 51 of the seal member 43 is bonded to the bonding plane 55 of the flow path forming member 31. Irradiation is performed under predetermined irradiation conditions.

溶着に使用するレーザ光線は、次のように成形する。図４に示すように、光源装置５７から発振され、シール部材４３と流路形成部材３１とのレーザ溶着部（接合部）の最大径とほぼ同じ径の断面円形のレーザ光線としての第１平行光束Ｌ１を、輪帯状の光学的開口５８を有するフィルタとしてのスリッタ５９に照射する。このスリッタ５９は、ガラス板にクロム等の金属蒸着で遮光部を形成したものであり、光学的開口５８はシール部材４３の平面部５１の形状と略一致した形状となっている。   The laser beam used for welding is formed as follows. As shown in FIG. 4, the first parallel as a laser beam having a circular cross section, which is oscillated from the light source device 57 and has a diameter substantially the same as the maximum diameter of the laser welded portion (joint portion) between the seal member 43 and the flow path forming member 31. The light beam L1 is applied to a slitter 59 as a filter having an annular optical opening 58. The slitter 59 is formed by forming a light-shielding portion on a glass plate by vapor deposition of metal such as chrome, and the optical opening 58 has a shape substantially coinciding with the shape of the flat portion 51 of the seal member 43.

第１平行光束Ｌ１は、このスリッタ５９を通過することにより、断面円環状をなすレーザ光線としての第２平行光束Ｌ２に絞られる。そして、この第２平行光束Ｌ２が、流路形成部材３１の照射平面５６に照射される。流路形成部材３１に照射された第２平行光束Ｌ２は、流路形成部材３１を通過し、シール部材４３との接合界面に到達し、シール部材４３で吸収され発熱する。なお、図４においては、理解を容易にするために、各構成要素が分離した状態で描いてあるが、実際にはそれぞれ接合された状態となっている。   By passing through the slitter 59, the first parallel light beam L1 is narrowed down to a second parallel light beam L2 as a laser beam having an annular cross section. Then, the second parallel light beam L2 is irradiated onto the irradiation plane 56 of the flow path forming member 31. The second parallel light beam L2 irradiated to the flow path forming member 31 passes through the flow path forming member 31, reaches the bonding interface with the seal member 43, is absorbed by the seal member 43, and generates heat. In FIG. 4, for easy understanding, each component is drawn in a separated state, but in actuality, each component is in a joined state.

ここで、流路形成部材３１の環状突条５４が、断面台形状に形成されているため、流路形成部材３１内に、入射側に広く、出射側に狭いレーザ光線の透過しやすい導波路が形成される。このため、透過してきたレーザ光線が、シール部材４３との接合界面の近傍において不用意に反射されることが回避される。そして、シール部材４３内での発熱により、流路形成部材３１の環状突条５４の周辺に熱だまりが形成される。これにより、流路形成部材３１の接合界面の材料が効率よく融解され、シール部材４３と流路形成部材３１とのレーザ溶着を効率よく行うことができるようになっている。   Here, since the annular protrusion 54 of the flow path forming member 31 is formed in a trapezoidal cross section, the waveguide in which the laser beam is easy to transmit in the flow path forming member 31 is wide on the incident side and narrow on the output side. Is formed. Therefore, careless reflection of the transmitted laser beam in the vicinity of the joint interface with the seal member 43 is avoided. Then, due to heat generation in the seal member 43, a heat pool is formed around the annular protrusion 54 of the flow path forming member 31. Thereby, the material of the joining interface of the flow path forming member 31 is efficiently melted, and the laser welding between the seal member 43 and the flow path forming member 31 can be performed efficiently.

以上、詳述した実施形態によれば以下の効果を得ることができる。
（１）上記実施形態の減圧弁３０では、シール部材４３をレーザ光線が吸収される材料で形成すると共に、シール部材４３が接合固定される流路形成部材３１をレーザ光線が透過する材料で形成し、シール部材４３を流路形成部材３１に対してレーザ溶着により接合固定している。 As described above, according to the embodiment described in detail, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) In the pressure reducing valve 30 of the above embodiment, the seal member 43 is formed of a material that absorbs the laser beam, and the flow path forming member 31 to which the seal member 43 is bonded and fixed is formed of a material that transmits the laser beam. The seal member 43 is bonded and fixed to the flow path forming member 31 by laser welding.

このため、一定形状をなすシール部材４３が流路形成部材３１に対して一体化されることになり、安定したシール性を確保することができる。また、耐溶剤性に優れ柔軟性に富むが接着性に乏しい材料であっても、レーザ溶着により流路形成部材３１に対して確実かつ強固に接合固定することができ、溶剤系のインクに使用するシール部材４３における材料選択の自由度を拡大することができる。さらに、弁体３２上にシール部材を二色成形により形成する場合に比べて、その製造金型の構造を簡素化することができるとともに、製造時におけるスプールやランナの量を削減することができる。これにより減圧弁３０における弁機構を極めて単純なものとすることができ、顕著に製造コストの低減効果が発揮される。   For this reason, the sealing member 43 having a fixed shape is integrated with the flow path forming member 31, and a stable sealing property can be ensured. In addition, even a material with excellent solvent resistance and high flexibility but poor adhesion can be securely and firmly bonded and fixed to the flow path forming member 31 by laser welding, and is used for solvent-based inks. The degree of freedom of material selection in the sealing member 43 to be expanded can be expanded. Furthermore, compared with the case where the sealing member is formed on the valve body 32 by two-color molding, the structure of the manufacturing mold can be simplified and the amount of spools and runners during manufacturing can be reduced. . Thereby, the valve mechanism in the pressure reducing valve 30 can be made very simple, and the effect of reducing the manufacturing cost is remarkably exhibited.

（２）上記実施形態の減圧弁３０では、環状体からなるシール部材４３が流路形成部材３１の接合平面５５と全周にわたって平面接合状態で面接触する平面部５１を有している。また、流路形成部材３１は、その接合平面５５の反対側にその接合平面５５と平行で第２平行光束Ｌ２が照射される照射平面５６を有している。さらに、シール部材４３の平面部５１には環状溝５３を設けられ、流路形成部材３１の接合平面５５には、環状溝５３に対応するように環状突条５４が設けられている。   (2) In the pressure reducing valve 30 of the above-described embodiment, the seal member 43 formed of an annular body has a flat surface portion 51 that is in surface contact with the bonding flat surface 55 of the flow path forming member 31 in a flat surface bonding state over the entire circumference. Further, the flow path forming member 31 has an irradiation plane 56 that is parallel to the bonding plane 55 and irradiated with the second parallel light beam L <b> 2 on the opposite side of the bonding plane 55. Further, an annular groove 53 is provided on the flat surface portion 51 of the seal member 43, and an annular protrusion 54 is provided on the joining flat surface 55 of the flow path forming member 31 so as to correspond to the annular groove 53.

このため、レーザ光線を効率よく流路形成部材３１に入射させることができ、シール部材４３と流路形成部材３１との密着性を高めることができる。また、環状突条５４と環状溝５３とを、シール部材４３を流路形成部材３１に接合させる際の位置決め溶のガイドとして利用することもできる。   For this reason, a laser beam can be efficiently incident on the flow path forming member 31, and adhesion between the seal member 43 and the flow path forming member 31 can be improved. Further, the annular protrusion 54 and the annular groove 53 can be used as a guide for positioning solution when the seal member 43 is joined to the flow path forming member 31.

（３）上記実施形態の減圧弁３０では、環状溝５３が、開口部の幅が底部の幅よりも大きくなるよう形成された断面台形状と形成されている。このため、環状突条５４により、流路形成部材３１内にシール部材４３にレーザ光線の吸収されやすい導波路形状が形成される。また、この環状突条５４に、シール部材４３で発生する熱の滞留部が形成され、レーザ溶着をさらに効率よく行うことができる。   (3) In the pressure reducing valve 30 of the above embodiment, the annular groove 53 is formed in a trapezoidal cross section formed such that the width of the opening is larger than the width of the bottom. For this reason, a waveguide shape in which the laser beam is easily absorbed by the seal member 43 is formed in the flow path forming member 31 by the annular protrusion 54. Further, a stay portion for heat generated by the seal member 43 is formed on the annular protrusion 54, so that laser welding can be performed more efficiently.

（４）上記実施形態の減圧弁３０では、流路形成部材３１が熱可塑性樹脂からなっている。このため、シール部材４３を流路形成部材３１に容易に接合固定することができる。
（５）上記実施形態のレーザ溶着方法では、光軸と直交する平面における断面径が、シール部材４３と流路形成部材３１とのレーザ溶着部の最大径とほぼ同じである第１平行光束Ｌ１を用いている。そして、この第１平行光束Ｌ１をスリッタ５９を介して、光軸と直交する平面における断面形状をレーザ溶着部の形状とほぼ同じになるように成形して、流路形成部材３１の照射平面５６に照射している。このため、溶着面全体をほぼ同時に加熱することができて、温度ムラや段差を生じることなく、シール部材４３と流路形成部材３１とを良好に溶着することができる。 (4) In the pressure reducing valve 30 of the above embodiment, the flow path forming member 31 is made of a thermoplastic resin. For this reason, the sealing member 43 can be easily bonded and fixed to the flow path forming member 31.
(5) In the laser welding method of the above embodiment, the first parallel light beam L1 whose cross-sectional diameter in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis is substantially the same as the maximum diameter of the laser welding portion between the seal member 43 and the flow path forming member 31. Is used. Then, the first parallel light beam L1 is shaped through the slitter 59 so that the cross-sectional shape in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis is substantially the same as the shape of the laser welded portion, and the irradiation plane 56 of the flow path forming member 31 is obtained. Irradiating. For this reason, the whole welding surface can be heated almost simultaneously, and the sealing member 43 and the flow path forming member 31 can be welded satisfactorily without causing temperature unevenness and steps.

（７）上記実施形態のレーザ溶着方法では、レーザ光線としてパルス光を使用している。このため、パルス間隔を制御することにより、微細で熱容量の小さなシール部材３５であっても、急激な温度上昇により部材全体が溶融されたりすることを抑制しつつ、シール部材４３と流路形成部材３１とを良好に溶着させることができる。   (7) In the laser welding method of the above embodiment, pulsed light is used as the laser beam. Therefore, by controlling the pulse interval, the seal member 43 and the flow path forming member can be suppressed while the entire member is melted due to a rapid temperature rise even if the seal member 35 is fine and has a small heat capacity. 31 can be welded well.

なお、上記実施形態は以下のような別の実施形態（別例）に変更してもよい。
・ 上記実施形態では、シール部材４３の環状溝５３及び流路形成部材３１の環状突条５４を断面台形状に形成したが、この環状溝５３及び環状突条５４を、例えば図５に示すような断面三角形状、図６に示すような断面半円形状に形成してもよい。このように形成した場合にも、断面台形状に形成した場合と同様の効果が期待できる。また、この環状溝５３及び環状突条５４を、例えば蟻溝状に形成してもよい。 The above embodiment may be changed to another embodiment (another example) as follows.
In the above embodiment, the annular groove 53 of the seal member 43 and the annular protrusion 54 of the flow path forming member 31 are formed in a trapezoidal cross section, but the annular groove 53 and the annular protrusion 54 are, for example, as shown in FIG. The cross section may be formed in a triangular shape or a semicircular cross section as shown in FIG. Even when formed in this way, the same effect as when formed in a trapezoidal cross section can be expected. Further, the annular groove 53 and the annular protrusion 54 may be formed in a dovetail shape, for example.

・ 上記実施形態では、シール部材４３の凹部としての環状溝５３及び流路形成部材３１の凸部としての環状突条５４を、平面部５１及び接合平面５５の全周にわたって形成したが、例えば周方向へ所定間隔をおいて各々対向するように配置された複数の溝及び突部により凹部及び凸部を構成してもよい。   In the above embodiment, the annular groove 53 as the concave portion of the seal member 43 and the annular protrusion 54 as the convex portion of the flow path forming member 31 are formed over the entire circumference of the plane portion 51 and the joining plane 55. You may comprise a recessed part and a convex part by the some groove | channel and protrusion which are arrange | positioned so that it may mutually oppose at predetermined intervals in a direction.

・ 上記実施形態では、流路形成部材３１の接合平面５５にシール部材４３を接合固定したが、弁体３２におけるばね受け部４５の円形孔４１と対向する面上に環状突条を設け、この環状突条が設けられた弁体３２におけるばね受け部４５の円形孔４１と対向する面上にシール部材４３を接合固定するようにしてもよい。なお、この場合は、弁体３２をレーザ光線が透過する材料で形成する必要がある。   In the above embodiment, the seal member 43 is bonded and fixed to the bonding plane 55 of the flow path forming member 31, but an annular ridge is provided on the surface of the valve body 32 that faces the circular hole 41 of the spring receiving portion 45, The seal member 43 may be bonded and fixed on the surface of the valve body 32 provided with the annular protrusions, which faces the circular hole 41 of the spring receiving portion 45. In this case, it is necessary to form the valve body 32 with a material that transmits the laser beam.

・ 上記実施形態では、流路形成部材３１を熱可塑性樹脂で構成したが、例えばレーザ光線が透過する透明ガラス等で構成しても、アンカー効果によるシール部材４３の接合固定が可能である。   In the above embodiment, the flow path forming member 31 is made of a thermoplastic resin. However, even if the flow path forming member 31 is made of, for example, transparent glass that transmits a laser beam, the sealing member 43 can be bonded and fixed by the anchor effect.

・ 上記実施形態では、流路形成部材３１の照射平面５６に断面円環状に成形した第２平行光束Ｌ２を照射するようにしたが、第１平行光束Ｌ１を直接照射するようにしてもよい。また、照射するレーザ光線は、平行光でなくてもよい。さらに、スポット状のレーザ光線を照射平面５６に照射して円を描くように走査することにより、レーザ溶着を行うようにしてもよい。   In the above embodiment, the irradiation plane 56 of the flow path forming member 31 is irradiated with the second parallel light beam L2 shaped in an annular cross section. However, the first parallel light beam L1 may be directly irradiated. Further, the irradiated laser beam may not be parallel light. Further, laser welding may be performed by irradiating the irradiation plane 56 with a spot-like laser beam and scanning in a circle.

・ 上記実施形態では、サブタンク２６がキャリッジ１６に内蔵されたインクジェット式プリンタに具体化したが、サブタンク２６がキャリッジ１６の外部に配置されたインクジェット式プリンタに具体化してもよい。   In the above embodiment, the sub tank 26 is embodied in the ink jet printer built in the carriage 16, but the sub tank 26 may be embodied in an ink jet printer arranged outside the carriage 16.

・ 上記実施形態では、インクカートリッジ２１がキャリッジ１６に搭載されたオンキャリッジタイプのインクジェット式プリンタに具体化したが、これに限らず、オフキャリッジタイプのインクジェット式プリンタに具体化してもよい。   In the above embodiment, the ink cartridge 21 is embodied in an on-carriage type ink jet printer in which the carriage 16 is mounted. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and may be embodied in an off-carriage type ink jet printer.

・ 上記実施形態においては、液体噴射装置として、インクを吐出するプリンタ１１について説明したが、その他の液体噴射装置であってもよい。例えば、ファックス、コピア等を含む印刷装置や、液晶ディスプレイ、ＥＬディスプレイ及び面発光ディスプレイの製造などに用いられる電極材や色材などの液体を噴射する液体噴射装置、バイオチップ製造に用いられる生体有機物を噴射する液体噴射装置、精密ピペットとしての試料噴射装置
であってもよい。また、液体もインクに限られず、他の液体に応用してもよい。 In the above embodiment, the printer 11 that ejects ink has been described as the liquid ejecting apparatus, but other liquid ejecting apparatuses may be used. For example, printing apparatuses including fax machines, copiers, etc., liquid ejecting apparatuses that eject liquids such as electrode materials and color materials used in the production of liquid crystal displays, EL displays, and surface emitting displays, and bio-organic materials used in biochip manufacturing It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus for ejecting a liquid or a sample ejecting apparatus as a precision pipette. Also, the liquid is not limited to ink, and may be applied to other liquids.

実施形態における液体噴射装置としてのプリンタの斜視図。FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a printer as the liquid ejecting apparatus according to the embodiment. 実施形態におけるサブタンクの断面図。Sectional drawing of the sub tank in embodiment. （ａ）は、レーザ溶着前のシール部材と流路形成部材とを拡大して示す断面図、（ｂ）はシール部材がレーザ溶着により接合された流路形成部材の円形孔に弁体のバルブ軸が遊挿された状態を拡大して示す断面図。(A) is sectional drawing which expands and shows the sealing member before laser welding, and a flow-path formation member, (b) is a valve | bulb of the valve body in the circular hole of the flow-path formation member in which the sealing member was joined by laser welding. Sectional drawing which expands and shows the state by which the axis | shaft was loosely inserted. 実施形態におけるレーザ溶着方法に関する説明図。Explanatory drawing regarding the laser welding method in embodiment. 別例におけるシール部材と流路形成部材とを示す断面図。Sectional drawing which shows the sealing member and flow-path formation member in another example. 他の別例におけるシール部材と流路形成部材とを示す断面図。Sectional drawing which shows the sealing member and flow-path formation member in another example.

符号の説明Explanation of symbols

１１…液体噴射装置としてのインクジェット式プリンタ、１９…液体噴射ヘッドとしての記録ヘッド、２６…弁装置としてのサブタンク、２７…流入口、２８…流出口、２９…圧力室、３０…圧力調整弁としての減圧弁、３１…レーザ溶着接合体の一部を構成するシール面形成部材及び被接合部材としての流路形成部材、３２…弁体、４１…弁孔としての円形孔、４３…レーザ溶着接合体の一部を構成するシール部材、５１…接合面としての平面部、５３…凹部としての環状溝、５４…凸部としての環状突条、５５…接合面としての接合平面、５６…照射平面、５９…フィルタとしてのスリッタ、Ｌ１…レーザ光線としての第１平行光束、Ｌ２…レーザ光線としての第２平行光束。   DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Inkjet printer as a liquid ejecting device, 19 ... Recording head as a liquid ejecting head, 26 ... Sub tank as a valve device, 27 ... Inlet, 28 ... Outlet, 29 ... Pressure chamber, 30 ... As a pressure regulating valve , 31 ... a seal surface forming member constituting a part of the laser welded joint and a flow path forming member as a member to be joined, 32 ... a valve body, 41 ... a circular hole as a valve hole, 43 ... laser welded joint A sealing member constituting a part of the body, 51: a flat surface portion as a joining surface, 53: an annular groove as a concave portion, 54: an annular ridge as a convex portion, 55 ... a joining flat surface as a joining surface, 56 ... irradiation plane 59, a slitter as a filter, L1, a first parallel light beam as a laser beam, and L2, a second parallel light beam as a laser beam.

Claims (9)

弁体と、その弁体がシール部材を介して当接することにより閉止される弁孔を有するシール面形成部材とを備えてなる弁機構において、
前記弁体及び前記シール面形成部材のうち一方を、前記シール部材が接合される接合面を有すると共に、その接合面の反対側には前記レーザ光線が照射される照射平面を有する被接合部材とし、
当該被接合部材をレーザ光線が透過する材料で形成すると共に、前記シール部材をレーザ光線が吸収される材料で形成し、
当該シール部材における前記被接合部材の前記接合面と面接触する接合面には開口部の幅と底部の幅とが異なる凹部を設ける一方、前記被接合部材の前記接合面には前記シール部材側の前記凹部と対応する凸部を設け、
当該凸部と前記凹部が嵌合するように前記両接合面同士を接合させた状態にて前記シール部材が前記被接合部材に対してレーザ溶着により接合固定されたことを特徴とする弁機構。 In a valve mechanism comprising a valve body and a seal surface forming member having a valve hole that is closed when the valve body abuts via the seal member,
One of the valve body and the sealing surface forming member is a member to be bonded having a bonding surface to which the sealing member is bonded and an irradiation plane on which the laser beam is irradiated on the opposite side of the bonding surface. ,
The member to be joined is formed of a material that transmits a laser beam, and the seal member is formed of a material that absorbs the laser beam,
In the sealing member, a joint surface that is in surface contact with the joint surface of the member to be joined is provided with a recess having a width different from the width of the opening and the bottom portion, while the joint surface of the member to be joined is provided on the seal member side. Provided with a convex portion corresponding to the concave portion,
A valve mechanism characterized in that the sealing member is bonded and fixed to the member to be bonded by laser welding in a state where the bonding surfaces are bonded so that the convex portion and the concave portion are fitted. 前記凹部は、前記開口部の幅が前記底部の幅よりも大きくなるよう形成されていることを特徴とする請求項１に記載の弁機構。 2. The valve mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the recess is formed such that a width of the opening is larger than a width of the bottom. 前記被接合部材が熱可塑性樹脂からなることを特徴とする請求項１又は請求項２に記載の弁機構。 The valve mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the member to be joined is made of a thermoplastic resin. 流入口と流出口とに連通し且つ流入口から流入した液体を一時的に貯留可能であると共に当該液体を圧力変動に基づき流出口から流出させる圧力室と、前記流入口からの前記圧力室への前記液体の流入を断続して前記圧力室内での前記液体の圧力を所定の圧力に調整する圧力調整弁とを有する弁装置において、
前記圧力調整弁は、請求項１〜３のうちいずれか一項に記載の弁機構を有することを特徴とする弁装置。 A pressure chamber communicating with the inflow port and the outflow port and capable of temporarily storing the liquid flowing in from the inflow port and allowing the liquid to flow out of the outflow port based on pressure fluctuation, and to the pressure chamber from the inflow port A pressure regulating valve that intermittently interrupts the inflow of the liquid and adjusts the pressure of the liquid in the pressure chamber to a predetermined pressure,
The said pressure regulation valve has a valve mechanism as described in any one of Claims 1-3, The valve apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. 液体を噴射する液体噴射ヘッドと、請求項４に記載の弁装置とを備え、当該弁装置における圧力調整弁は、前記液体噴射ヘッドからの液体の噴射に伴って液体が減少する圧力室内の圧力を感知して、前記圧力室への液体の供給を断続することにより、前記液体噴射ヘッドへの液体の供給圧力を調整することを特徴とする液体噴射装置。 A liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid and the valve device according to claim 4, wherein the pressure adjusting valve in the valve device is a pressure in a pressure chamber in which the liquid decreases as the liquid is ejected from the liquid ejecting head. And a supply pressure of the liquid to the liquid jet head is adjusted by intermittently supplying the liquid to the pressure chamber. レーザ光線を吸収する材料で形成されたシール部材を、レーザ光線を透過する材料で形成された被接合部材に接合させ、レーザ溶着するレーザ溶着方法において、
シール部材の断面リップ形状をなすシール部の反対側に形成された接合面と、当該接合面に対応した被接合部材の接合面とを面接触させ、被接合部材の接合面とは反対側の照射平面にレーザ光線を照射することによりレーザ溶着を行うことを特徴とするレーザ溶着方法。 In a laser welding method in which a sealing member formed of a material that absorbs a laser beam is bonded to a member to be bonded formed of a material that transmits the laser beam, and laser welding is performed.
The joining surface formed on the opposite side of the seal portion having the cross-sectional lip shape of the sealing member is brought into surface contact with the joining surface of the joined member corresponding to the joining surface, and the joining surface of the joined member is opposite to the joining surface. A laser welding method comprising performing laser welding by irradiating a laser beam onto an irradiation plane. 光軸と直交する平面における断面径が、シール部材と被接合部材とのレーザ溶着部の最大径とほぼ同じであるレーザ光線を用い、このレーザ光線をフィルタを介して、前記光軸と直交する平面における断面形状を前記レーザ溶着部の形状とほぼ同じになるように成形して、前記被接合部材に照射することを特徴とする請求項６に記載のレーザ溶着方法。 A laser beam having a cross-sectional diameter in a plane orthogonal to the optical axis is substantially the same as the maximum diameter of the laser welded portion between the seal member and the bonded member, and this laser beam is orthogonal to the optical axis through a filter. The laser welding method according to claim 6, wherein a cross-sectional shape in a plane is formed to be substantially the same as the shape of the laser welding portion, and the member to be joined is irradiated. 前記レーザ光線が、パルス光であることを特徴とする請求項６または７に記載のレーザ溶着方法。 The laser welding method according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the laser beam is pulsed light. レーザ光線を吸収する材料で形成されたシール部材とレーザ光線を透過する材料で形成された被接合部材とが接合された状態でレーザ溶着されてなるレーザ溶着接合体において、
前記シール部材は断面リップ形状をなすシール部の反対側に形成された接合面に開口部の幅と底部の幅とが異なる凹部が形成される一方、前記被接合部材には前記シール部材の前記接合面と面接触する接合面に前記シール部材側の前記凹部と対応する凸部が設けられ、当該凸部と前記凹部が嵌合するように前記両接合面同士が接合させられた状態において前記被接合部材の接合面とは反対側の照射平面にレーザ光線が照射されることにより前記シール部材と前記被接合部材がレーザ溶着により接合固定されてなることを特徴とするレーザ溶着接合体。 In a laser welded assembly formed by laser welding in a state where a seal member formed of a material that absorbs a laser beam and a member to be bonded formed of a material that transmits a laser beam are bonded,
In the sealing member, a concave portion having a width different from the width of the opening and the width of the bottom portion is formed on the joint surface formed on the opposite side of the seal portion having a lip shape in cross section. In a state in which a convex portion corresponding to the concave portion on the seal member side is provided on a joint surface in surface contact with the joint surface, and the joint surfaces are joined to each other so that the convex portion and the concave portion are fitted. A laser welded assembly, wherein the sealing member and the member to be joined are joined and fixed by laser welding by irradiating a laser beam to an irradiation plane opposite to the joining surface of the member to be joined.
JP2006063831A 2006-03-09 2006-03-09 Valve mechanism, valve gear, liquid jet device, laser welding method, and laser-welded joint Pending JP2007237584A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2006063831A JP2007237584A (en) 2006-03-09 2006-03-09 Valve mechanism, valve gear, liquid jet device, laser welding method, and laser-welded joint

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2006063831A JP2007237584A (en) 2006-03-09 2006-03-09 Valve mechanism, valve gear, liquid jet device, laser welding method, and laser-welded joint

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
JP2007237584A true JP2007237584A (en) 2007-09-20

Family

ID=38583583

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
JP2006063831A Pending JP2007237584A (en) 2006-03-09 2006-03-09 Valve mechanism, valve gear, liquid jet device, laser welding method, and laser-welded joint

Country Status (1)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2007237584A (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2010012710A (en) * 2008-07-04 2010-01-21 Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co Ltd Inkjet recorder
JP2011046070A (en) * 2009-08-26 2011-03-10 Mimaki Engineering Co Ltd Liquid sealing film member and controlled pressure supply device using the same
CN107627601A (en) * 2017-09-19 2018-01-26 中国科学院上海硅酸盐研究所 A kind of sealing type pressure formula slurry pool device for overhead light source 3D printer

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2010012710A (en) * 2008-07-04 2010-01-21 Hitachi Industrial Equipment Systems Co Ltd Inkjet recorder
JP2011046070A (en) * 2009-08-26 2011-03-10 Mimaki Engineering Co Ltd Liquid sealing film member and controlled pressure supply device using the same
CN107627601A (en) * 2017-09-19 2018-01-26 中国科学院上海硅酸盐研究所 A kind of sealing type pressure formula slurry pool device for overhead light source 3D printer

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20090290005A1 (en) Liquid Container, and Method for Manufacturing the Same
US5606352A (en) Ink jet cartridge having a can filtered ink supply member and ink jet apparatus including the same
KR20010007519A (en) Liquid supply method, liquid supply container, negative pressure generating member container, and liquid container
EP1717040A2 (en) Method for manufacturing liquid supply system, and liquid ejection apparatus
JP2005225164A (en) Method of manufacturing liquid container and liquid container
US8256879B2 (en) Self-sealing unit, liquid ejecting head unit and liquid ejecting apparatus
CN108944054B (en) Valve unit and liquid ejecting apparatus
JP2012148411A (en) Flow path member and liquid jet head and liquid jet apparatus
JPH04211954A (en) Ink jet recording apparatus
JP2000211130A (en) Ink-jet recording head and ink-jet recording apparatus
JP5942410B2 (en) Valve unit, liquid ejecting unit, liquid ejecting apparatus, and valve unit manufacturing method
JP2007237584A (en) Valve mechanism, valve gear, liquid jet device, laser welding method, and laser-welded joint
JP6003052B2 (en) Valve unit, method for manufacturing valve unit, liquid ejecting unit, and liquid ejecting apparatus
JP2006315419A (en) Ink cartridge and method for charging ink
JP2021020342A (en) Liquid jet head and liquid jet device
JP4710420B2 (en) Liquid distribution device and liquid ejection device
JP2010228238A (en) Valve unit, fluid supply device, fluid injection device, and method and device for manufacturing valve unit
JP6601010B2 (en) Valve unit manufacturing method and valve unit
US8016397B2 (en) Liquid supply device and liquid ejecting apparatus
JP4915515B2 (en) Liquid ejector
JP5007586B2 (en) Valve unit and fluid ejection device
JP2018035862A (en) Valve mechanism and manufacturing method for the same
JP2009226722A (en) Fluid jetting apparatus
JP6090611B2 (en) Channel member, liquid ejecting head, and liquid ejecting apparatus
JP6103020B2 (en) Liquid ejector