Pressure control device for an inkjet pen

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6644795
  • Patent Number
    6,644,795
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, May 16, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, November 11, 2003
    20 years ago
Abstract
A pressure control device for an inkjet pen. The inkjet pen is provided with a reservoir having a first opening and maintaining a back pressure established therein. The pressure control device comprises a bag, a pressure plate, an isolation member, a bias member, and an elastic member. The bag, disposed inside the reservoir, communicates with outside the reservoir so as to expand inside the reservoir. The pressure plate is disposed inside the reservoir and adjacent to the bag so as to move inside the reservoir. The bias member is disposed inside the reservoir and adjacent to the pressure plate, the isolation member, and the reservoir respectively such that the bag expands to move the pressure plate when the back pressure inside the reservoir changes, then the pressure plate moves the bias member so that the isolation member separates from the first opening.
Description




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




1. Field of the Invention




The invention relates to a pressure control device for an inkjet pen; in particular, a pressure control device that can enhance assembly yield and reduce assembly time.




2. Description of the Related Art




Conventional ink-jet printing generally relies on the controlled delivery of ink droplets from a reservoir of an inkjet pen to a print medium. Among the printing methods for delivering ink drops from the reservoir to the print head, drop-on-demand printing is known as a commonly used method. Drop-on-demand typically uses thermal bubble or piezoelectric pressure wave mechanisms. A thermal bubble type print head includes a thin film resistor that is heated to cause sudden vaporization of a small portion of ink. The vapid expansion of the ink vapor forces a small drop of ink through a print head nozzle. Although drop-on-demand printing is ideal for sending ink drops from a reservoir to the print head, some mechanism must be included to prevent ink leaking out from the print head when the print head is inactive. Such a mechanism usually can build a slight back pressure at the print head to prevent ink leakage from the pen whenever the print head is inactive. Herein, the term “back pressure” represents the partial vacuum within the reservoir. Back pressure is defined in the positive sense so that an increase in back pressure means the degree of partial vacuum has increased.




When the back pressure is established at all times inside the reservoir, ink is prevented from permeating through the print head. However, the back pressure can not be so high that the print head is unable to overcome the back pressure to eject ink drops. Furthermore, as ambient air pressure decreases, a correspondingly greater amount of back pressure is needed to keep ink from leaking. Accordingly, the back pressure within the inkjet pen has to be regulated whenever ambient pressure drops. Also the pressure within the pen is subjected to what may be termed “operational effects”, as the depletion of ink from the reservoir increases the back pressure of the reservoir. Without regulation of this back pressure increase, the inkjet pen will fail soon because the back pressure is too high for the print head to overcome it and eject ink drops.




Conventionally, the back pressure within the reservoir is controlled by mechanism referred to as accumulators. In general, an accumulator includes an elastomeric bag capable of moving between a minimum volume position and a maximum volume position in response to changes in the back pressure within the reservoir. For example, as ambient pressure drops so that back pressure within the reservoir decreases simultaneously, the accumulator will move to increase the volume of the reservoir to thereby increase the back pressure to a level that prevent ink leakage. Another example is depletion occurring during operation of the pen. In such a case, accumulators will move to decrease the volume of the reservoir to reduce the back pressure to a level within operating range, thereby permitting the print head to continue ejecting ink.




However, although accumulators such as elastomeric bags can automatically adjust the volume of the reservoir to keep the back pressure within the operating range, the extent to which elastomeric bags are capable of expanding is quite limited. Consequently, when ink level gradually drops from the print head, the bag may reach its maximum extent and therefore incapable of any further adjustment of the volume of the reservoir. Hence, the back pressure within the reservoir may increase such that ink droplets are prevented from leaving the print head.




To resolve the aforementioned problems, some inkjet pens employ a device called a “bubble generator”. The bubble generator has an orifice through which ambient air can enter the reservoir. The dimension of the orifice is such that ink is trapped within the orifice to seal off the reservoir by capillary effect. When ambient air pressure is high enough to overcome the liquid seal, air can bubble into the reservoir. Therefore, the back pressure within the reservoir can decrease and capillary effect will take over and re-establish the liquid seal again to prevent entrance of more air bubbles.




In general, bubble generators of inkjet pens must satisfy a few conditions. Firstly, the bubble generator must be able to control back pressure precisely. Secondly, the range of fluctuation of the back pressure within the reservoir must be as small as possible. In other words, as air bubbles enter the reservoir leading to a drop in back pressure, the bubble generator must be able to stop the entrance of bubbles soon enough that a suitable back pressure remains inside. Thirdly, the bubble generator must have self-wetting capability. The liquid seal must be able to prevent the entrance of bubbles even when most of the ink within the reservoir is used up, or alternately when the inkjet pen is tilted so much that the bubble generator is no longer immersed below the ink.




Referring to FIG.


1


and

FIG. 2

, a conventional bubble generator


118


according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,030 is shown. The bubble generator


118


installed within the reservoir


102


has an orifice


122


and a sphere


124


.

FIG. 2

is a top view showing the surrounding structure of the bubble generator


118


. As shown in

FIG. 2

, the internal side-walls of the orifice


122


contain equidistantly spaced protruding ribs


126


,


128


for centering the sphere


124


. The circular gap


120


between the sphere


124


and the orifice


122


is located where ambient bubbles are produced. Normally, a bubble generator


118


as above is able to meet the demands required for printing with an inkjet pen. In general, the entrance of bubbles into the inkjet pen is determined by surface tension of the ink itself, static pressure of the ink column and the gap


120


between the sphere


124


and the orifice


122


, as shown in FIG.


3


. Usually, the greater the surface tension of the ink or smaller the gap between the sphere


124


and the orifice


122


, the higher will be the back pressure required within the reservoir


102


before air bubbles will start to enter. In addition, the static pressure of the ink column within the reservoir


102


can affect the value of back pressure required before air bubbles begin to enter the reservoir. Therefore, as ink level gradually drops, static pressure of the ink column will decrease leading to the entrance of air bubbles at a smaller back pressure. In summary, major drawbacks of the aforementioned pressure control technique includes:




1. The value of back pressure within the reservoir before the bubble generator starts to function is related to surface tension of the ink used. Since various inks may have different surface tension, the minimum back pressure under which air bubbles can enter the reservoir may be different for each type of ink. Consequently, the gap between the sphere and the orifice must be designed for various inks.




2. The value of back pressure within the reservoir before bubble generator starts to function is also related to the static pressure generated by the column of ink. As ink level within the reservoir drops gradually, static pressure acting on the bubble generator will drop making it easier for air bubbles to enter the reservoir. Often this will lead to a lowering of back pressure within the reservoir, and the adjustable range of the accumulator will be reduced.




3. The gap between the sphere and the orifice has to be precisely engineered to permit the entrance of air bubbles at the correct back pressure within the reservoir. This will increase difficulties in fabricating the reservoir of an ink-jet pen.





FIG. 4

shows another conventional pressure control device


410


for an inkjet pen according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,598. During the assembly, a flat spring


330


is welded to the bottom of an inkjet pen


400


so that the flat spring


330


presses a sphere


320


of a bubble generator. Since the flat spring


330


is located at the bottom of the inkjet pen, it is difficult to dispose the flat spring


330


at a predetermined position during the assembly. In addition, an expandable bag


416


is in contact with a pressure plate


412


, and the pressure plate


412


is supported by a spring


414


. The arrangement between the pressure plate


412


, the spring


414


, and the bag


416


is unreliable, and the assembly between them is laborious.




In light of the foregoing, there is a need to provide a better pressure control device within a reservoir.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




In order to address the disadvantages of the aforementioned pressure control device for inkjet pen, the invention provides a pressure control device that can enhance assembly yield and reduce assembly time.




Another purpose of this invention is to provide an inkjet pen with a stable pressure control device.




Accordingly, the invention provides a pressure control device for a reservoir having a first opening and maintaining back pressure established therein. The pressure control device comprises a bag, a pressure plate, an isolation member, a bias member, and an elastic member. The bag, disposed inside the reservoir, communicates with outside the reservoir so as to expand inside the reservoir. The pressure plate is disposed inside the reservoir and adjacent to the bag so as to move inside the reservoir. The isolation member, disposed inside the reservoir in a moveable manner, seals the first opening. The bias member is disposed inside the reservoir and adjacent to the pressure plate, the isolation member, and the reservoir respectively so as to move inside the reservoir. The bias member adjusts the isolation member to seal the first opening based on the movement of the pressure plate. The elastic member, disposed inside the reservoir and adjacent to the pressure plate and the bias member respectively, restrains the expansion of the bag. Thus, the bag expands to move the pressure plate when the back pressure inside the reservoir changes, then the pressure plate moves the bias member so that the isolation member separates from the first opening.




In a preferred embodiment, the reservoir is provided with a second opening, and the bag is provided with a third opening communicating with the second opening.




In another preferred embodiment, the isolation member is a sphere.




In another preferred embodiment, the bias member is provided with an extension plate, adjacent to the reservoir, for the convenience of the assembly of the bias member.




Furthermore, the extension plate is provided with at least one support for fixing the elastic member, and the extension plate is fixed on the reservoir.




In another preferred embodiment, the bias member is a flat spring.




In another preferred embodiment, the elastic member is a spring.




In another preferred embodiment, the outside of the reservoir refers to the atmosphere.




In another preferred embodiment, the bias member and the elastic member are made of stainless steel.




In another preferred embodiment, the bias member and the elastic member are integrally formed.




Furthermore, the reservoir is provided with at least one post, and the integrally formed bias and elastic member is provided with at least one first through hole. Thus, the integrally formed bias and elastic member is fixedly disposed inside the reservoir by inserting the post through the first through hole.




Furthermore, the post is fixed inside the first through hole by welding.




Furthermore, the reservoir is provided with a rib for fixing the integrally formed bias and elastic member.




Furthermore, the integrally formed bias and elastic member is provided with at least one second through hole for adjusting the elastic coefficient of the integrally formed bias and elastic member.




In another embodiment, the invention provides an inkjet pen. The inkjet pen comprises a reservoir, a bag, a pressure plate, an isolation member, a bias member, and an elastic member The reservoir has a first opening and maintains a back pressure established therein. The bag, disposed inside the reservoir, communicates with outside the reservoir so as to expand inside the reservoir. The pressure plate is disposed inside the reservoir and adjacent to the bag so as to move inside the reservoir. The isolation member, disposed inside the reservoir in a moveable manner, seals the first opening. The bias member is disposed inside the reservoir and adjacent to the pressure plate, the isolation member, and the reservoir respectively so as to move inside the reservoir. The bias member adjusts the isolation member to seal the first opening based on the movement of the pressure plate. The elastic member, disposed inside the reservoir and adjacent to the pressure plate and the bias member respectively, restrains the expansion of the bag. Thus, the bag expands to move the pressure plate when the back pressure inside the reservoir changes, then the pressure plate moves the bias member so that the isolation member separates from the first opening.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The invention is hereinafter described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:





FIG. 1

,

FIG. 2

, and

FIG. 3

are schematic views of a conventional bubble generator according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,526,030;





FIG. 4

is a schematic view of a conventional pressure control device according to U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,598;





FIG. 5



a


is a schematic view that shows an inkjet pen as disclosed in a first embodiment of this invention;





FIG. 5



b


is a schematic view that shows a bias member in

FIG. 5



a;







FIG. 6



a


and

FIG. 6



b


are schematic views that shows an inkjet pen as disclosed in a second embodiment of this invention;





FIG. 7



a


is a schematic view that shows an integrally formed bias and elastic member in

FIG. 6



a


; and





FIG. 7



b


is a schematic view that shows the integrally formed bias and elastic member in

FIG. 7



a


fixed inside a reservoir.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




First Embodiment




As shown in

FIG. 5



a


, an inkjet pen


1


, as disclosed in a first embodiment of this invention, comprises a reservoir


2


, a bag


10


, a pressure plate


20


, an isolation member


30


, a bias member


40


, and an elastic member


50


. The bag


10


, the pressure plate


20


, the isolation member


30


, the bias member


40


, and the elastic member


50


constitute of a pressure control device


100


of the first embodiment of this invention.




The reservoir


2


is provided with a first opening


3


and a second opening


4


, and maintains a back pressure established therein. The reservoir


2


communicates with the atmosphere through the first opening


3


and the second opening


4


.




The bag


10


is disposed inside the reservoir


2


, and is provided with a third opening


11


communicating with the second opening


4


of the reservoir


2


. The bag


10


communicates with outside the reservoir


2


through the third opening


11


so as to expand inside the reservoir


2


. It is noted that the outside of the reservoir


2


refers to the atmosphere.




The pressure plate


20


is disposed inside the reservoir


2


and adjacent to the bag


10


so as to move inside the reservoir


2


. It is noted that the air from the atmosphere enters into the bag


10


through the third opening


11


to expand the bag


10


when the back pressure of the reservoir


2


increases.




The isolation member


30


, disposed inside the reservoir


2


in a moveable manner, seals the first opening


3


of the reservoir


2


. The isolation member


30


may be a sphere.




The bias member


40


is disposed inside the reservoir


2


and adjacent to the pressure plate


20


, the isolation member


30


, and the reservoir


2


respectively so as to move inside the reservoir


2


. The bias member


40


adjusts the isolation member


30


to seal the first opening


3


of the reservoir


2


based on the movement of the pressure plate


20


. The bias member


40


is provided with an extension plate


42


at one end. The extension plate


42


is disposed inside the reservoir


2


so as to be adjacent to the reservoir


2


, and used for the convenience of the assembly of the bias member


40


. The other end, opposite to the extension plate


42


, of the bias member


40


is adjacent to the pressure plate


20


. The position that the bias member


40


is in contact with the isolation member


30


is located between the extension plate


42


and the other end of the bias member


40


. As shown in

FIG. 5



b


, the extension plate


42


is provided with three supports


41


for fixing the elastic member


50


. The bias member


40


may be a flat spring. It is noted that the elastic coefficient of the bias member


40


is very important. When the value of the elastic coefficient of the bias member


40


is too high, the pressure plate


20


cannot press the bias member


40


to separate from the sphere


30


even if the pressure plate


20


is in contact with the bias member


40


. As a result, the air cannot enter into the reservoir


2


.




The elastic member


50


, disposed inside the reservoir


2


and adjacent to the pressure plate


20


and the bias member


40


respectively, restrains the expansion of the bag


10


. Thus, the bag


10


expands to move the pressure plate


20


when the back pressure inside the reservoir


2


changes, then the pressure plate


20


moves the bias member


40


so that the isolation member


30


separates from the first opening


3


of the reservoir


2


. The elastic member


50


may be a spring. It is noted that the elastic member


50


is a key part to control and balance the back pressure inside the reservoir


2


. The back pressure inside the reservoir


2


increase when the elastic force of the elastic member


50


is too strong, and the back pressure inside the reservoir


2


decrease when the elastic force of the elastic member


50


is too weak. Thus, the elastic force of the elastic member


50


affects the printing quality of the inkjet pen


1


.




Furthermore, the bias member


40


and the elastic member


50


are made of stainless steel.




When the ink-jet pen


1


is used for printing, the air pressure within the reservoir


2


decreases as ink is depleted. Hence, the back pressure inside the reservoir


2


increases. During printing, the bag


10


will then expand. As the bag


10


expands, it will push on the pressure plate


20


and compress the elastic member


50


thereby reducing the volume of the reservoir


2


to maintain the back pressure of the reservoir


2


within a adequate level such that the inkjet pen


1


is able to continue ejecting ink from the reservoir


2


. When ambient air pressure decreases, for example, during air transportation of the inkjet pen


1


, the elastic member


50


will push the pressure plate


20


against the bag


10


so that the bag


10


will contract due to a lower ambient pressure. The contraction of the bag


10


will increase the volume of the reservoir


2


so that the back pressure within the reservoir


2


, relative to ambient, does not drop to a level that permits ink to leak from the inkjet pen


1


.




As the bag


10


expands to its largest possible expandable volume, the volume of the reservoir


2


can not change further. From this moment on, if the inkjet pen


1


continues to eject ink, the back pressure within the reservoir


2


will increase to a level that the inkjet pen


1


will no longer be able to overcome the back pressure such that the inkjet pen


1


stops ejecting ink. Therefore, it is the object of the invention to provide a device for regulating the pressure in an inkjet pen


1


that minimizes the amount of unusable ink discarded with an inkjet pen


1


that stops printing because the back pressure exceeded the operating range.




As bag


10


continues to expand, the pressure plate


20


will be pushed toward the extension plate


42


. The lower portion of the pressure plate


20


is in contact with the other end of the bias member


40


. Due to compression by the pressure plate


20


, the portion, contacting the isolation member


30


, of the bias member


40


will be lifted up such that the bias member


40


and the isolation member


30


are separated. When the bias member


40


is no longer pressing on the isolation member


30


, the back pressure within the reservoir


2


will raise the isolation member


30


briefly to not seal the first opening


3


. Consequently, the back pressure overcomes the capillary forces of the ink so that ambient air bubbles into the reservoir


2


to reduce the back pressure.




As ambient air is bubbled into the reservoir


2


, the back pressure within the reservoir


2


will decrease, thus the bag


10


will move in a direction opposite to the extension plate


42


due to the compression of the elastic member


50


. At this moment, the bias member


40


is no longer pushed by the pressure plate


20


. Under its restorative force, the bias member


40


moves back, and is again pressing on the isolation member


40


to seal off the first opening


3


. Once the first opening


3


is re-sealed, air can no longer enter the reservoir


2


.




Since the bias member


40


is provided with an extension plate


42


, it is more convenient to assemble the bias member


40


inside the reservoir


2


. Specifically, in the prior art, the bias member is individually welded to the reservoir so that it is difficult to assemble the bias member inside the reservoir. By contrast, because of the extension plate, the bias member can be assembled inside the reservoir along with the elastic member and the pressure plate. Thus, the assembly process is reduced. In addition, due to the extension plate, the bias member can be stably disposed inside the reservoir.




Furthermore, compared with the prior art, the assembly time of this invention is largely reduced.




Second Embodiment




As shown in

FIG. 6



a


and

FIG. 6



b


, an inkjet pen


1




a


, as disclosed in a second embodiment of this invention, comprises a reservoir


2


, a bag


10


, a pressure plate


20


, an isolation member


30


, an integrally formed bias and elastic member


60


. The bag


10


, the pressure plate


20


, the isolation member


30


, the integrally formed bias and elastic member


60


constitute a pressure control device


100




a


of the second embodiment of this invention.




The difference between this embodiment and the first embodiment is that the bias member


40


and the elastic member


50


of the first embodiment are integrally formed into the integrally formed bias and elastic member


60


in this embodiment.




Furthermore, referring to

FIG. 7



a


, the integrally formed bias and elastic member


60


is provided with two first through holes


61


and a plurality of second through holes


62


. The second through holes


62


are used for adjusting the elastic coefficient of the integrally formed bias and elastic member


60


.




Referring to

FIG. 7



b


, the reservoir


2


is provided with two posts


5


. Thus, the integrally formed bias and elastic member


60


is fixedly disposed inside the reservoir


2


by inserting the posts


5


through the first through holes


61


. It is noted that the posts


5


may be fixed inside the first through holes


61


by welding.




In addition, referring to

FIG. 7



b


, the reservoir


2


is provided with two ribs


7


for fixing the integrally formed bias and elastic member


60


.




It is understood that the ink enters into the reservoir


2


through a fourth opening


6


as shown in

FIG. 6



a.






As the ink is depleted and the bag


10


continues to expand, the pressure plate


20


will be pushed in a Direction X


1


as shown in

FIG. 6



a


. The lower portion of the pressure plate


20


is in contact with the integrally formed bias and elastic member


60


. Due to compression by the pressure plate


20


, the portion, contacting the isolation member


30


, of the integrally formed bias and elastic member


60


will be lifted up such that the integrally formed bias and elastic member


60


and the isolation member


30


are separated. When the integrally formed bias and elastic member


60


no longer presses on the isolation member


30


, the back pressure within the reservoir


2


will raise the isolation member


30


briefly to not seal the first opening


3


. Consequently, the back pressure overcomes the capillary forces of the ink so that ambient air is bubbling into the reservoir


2


to reduce the back pressure.




As ambient air is bubbled into the reservoir


2


, the back pressure within the reservoir


2


will decrease, thus the bag


10


will move in a direction X


2


as shown in

FIG. 6



b


due to the compression of the integrally formed bias and elastic member


60


. At this moment, the integrally formed bias and elastic member


60


is no longer pushed by the pressure plate


20


. Under its restorative force, the integrally formed bias and elastic member


60


moves back, and is again pressing on the isolation member


30


to seal off the first opening


3


. Once the first opening


3


is re-sealed, air can no longer enter the reservoir


2


.




Since the integrally formed bias and elastic member


60


is a single element, assembly is easier and assembly time is largely reduced. In addition, by means of the integrally formed bias and elastic member


60


, the back pressure inside the reservoir


2


can be properly maintained. Thus, the ink inside the inkjet pen


1




a


can be prevented from permeating while the inkjet pen


1




a


can normally process printing.




While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is intended that the claims be interpreted to cover the disclosed embodiment, those alternatives which have been discussed above, and all equivalents thereto.



Claims
  • 1. A pressure control device for a reservoir, having a first opening and maintaining a back pressure established therein, comprising:a bag, disposed inside the reservoir, communicating with outside the reservoir so as to expand inside the reservoir; a pressure plate disposed inside the reservoir and adjacent to the bag so as to move inside the reservoir; an isolation member, disposed inside the reservoir in a moveable manner, for sealing the first opening; a bias member disposed inside the reservoir and adjacent to the pressure plate, the isolation member, and the reservoir respectively so as to move inside the reservoir, wherein the bias member adjusts the isolation member to seal the first opening based on the movement of the pressure plate; and an elastic member, disposed inside the reservoir and adjacent to the pressure plate and the bias member respectively, for restraining the expansion of the bag, whereby the bag expands to move the pressure plate when the back pressure inside the reservoir changes, then the pressure plate moves the bias member so that the isolation member separates from the first opening.
  • 2. The pressure control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the reservoir is provided with a second opening, and the bag is provided with a third opening communicating with the second opening.
  • 3. The pressure control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the isolation member is a sphere.
  • 4. The pressure control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bias member is provided with an extension plate, adjacent to the reservoir, for the convenience of the assembly of the bias member.
  • 5. The pressure control device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the extension plate is provided with at least one support for fixing the elastic member.
  • 6. The pressure control device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the extension plate is fixed on the reservoir.
  • 7. The pressure control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bias member is a flat spring.
  • 8. The pressure control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elastic member is a spring.
  • 9. The pressure control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outside of the reservoir refers to the atmosphere.
  • 10. The pressure control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bias member and the elastic member are made of stainless steel.
  • 11. The pressure control device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bias member and the elastic member are integrally formed.
  • 12. The pressure control device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the reservoir is provided with a second opening, and the bag is provided with a third opening communicating with the second opening.
  • 13. The pressure control device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the isolation member is a sphere.
  • 14. The pressure control device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the outside of the reservoir refers to the atmosphere.
  • 15. The pressure control device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the integrally formed bias and elastic member is made of stainless steel.
  • 16. The pressure control device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the reservoir is provided with at least one post, and the integrally formed bias and elastic member is provided with at least one first through hole, whereby the integrally formed bias and elastic member is fixedly disposed inside the reservoir by inserting the post through the first through hole.
  • 17. The pressure control device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the post is fixed inside the first through hole by welding.
  • 18. The pressure control device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the reservoir is provided with at least one rib for fixing the integrally formed bias and elastic member.
  • 19. The pressure control device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the integrally formed bias and elastic member is provided with at least one second through hole for adjusting the elastic coefficient of the integrally formed bias and elastic member.
  • 20. An inkjet pen comprising:a reservoir having a first opening and maintaining a back pressure established therein; a bag, disposed inside the reservoir, communicating with outside the reservoir so as to expand inside the reservoir; a pressure plate disposed inside the reservoir and adjacent to the bag so as to move inside the reservoir; an isolation member, disposed inside the reservoir in a moveable manner, for sealing the first opening; a bias member disposed inside the reservoir and adjacent to the pressure plate, the isolation member, and the reservoir respectively so as to move inside the reservoir, wherein the bias member adjusts the isolation member to seal the first opening based on the movement of the pressure plate; and an elastic member, disposed inside the reservoir and adjacent to the pressure plate and the bias member respectively, for restraining the expansion of the bag, whereby the bag expands to move the pressure plate when the back pressure inside the reservoir changes, then the pressure plate moves the bias member so that the isolation member separates from the first opening.
  • 21. The inkjet pen as claimed in claim 20, wherein the reservoir is provided with a second opening, and the bag is provided with a third opening communicating with the second opening.
  • 22. The inkjet pen as claimed in claim 20, wherein the isolation member is a sphere.
  • 23. The inkjet pen as claimed in claim 20, wherein the bias member is provided with an extension plate, adjacent to the reservoir, for the convenience of the assembly of the bias member.
  • 24. The inkjet pen as claimed in claim 23, wherein the extension plate is provided with at least one support for fixing the elastic member.
  • 25. The inkjet pen as claimed in claim 23, wherein the extension plate is fixed on the reservoir.
  • 26. The inkjet pen as claimed in claim 20, wherein the bias member is a flat spring.
  • 27. The inkjet pen as claimed in claim 20, wherein the elastic member is a spring.
  • 28. The inkjet pen as claimed in claim 20, wherein the outside of the reservoir refers to the atmosphere.
  • 29. The inkjet pen as claimed in claim 20, wherein the bias member and the elastic member are made of stainless steel.
  • 30. The inkjet pen as claimed in claim 20, wherein the bias member and the elastic member are integrally formed.
  • 31. The inkjet pen as claimed in claim 30, wherein the reservoir is provided with a second opening, and the bag is provided with a third opening communicating with the second opening.
  • 32. The inkjet pen as claimed in claim 30, wherein the isolation member is a sphere.
  • 33. The inkjet pen as claimed in claim 30, wherein the outside of the reservoir refers to the atmosphere.
  • 34. The inkjet pen as claimed in claim 30, wherein the integrally formed bias and elastic member is stainless steel.
  • 35. The inkjet pen as claimed in claim 30, wherein the reservoir is provided with at least one post, and the integrally formed bias and elastic member is provided with at least one first through hole, whereby the integrally formed bias and elastic member is fixedly disposed inside the reservoir by inserting the post through the first through hole.
  • 36. The inkjet pen as claimed in claim 35, wherein the post is fixed inside the first through hole by welding.
  • 37. The inkjet pen as claimed in claim 30, wherein the reservoir is provided with at least one rib for fixing the integrally formed bias and elastic member.
  • 38. The inkjet pen as claimed in claim 30, wherein the integrally formed bias and elastic member is provided with at least one second through hole for adjusting the elastic coefficient of the integrally formed bias and elastic member.
Priority Claims (1)
Number Date Country Kind
90222823 U Dec 2001 TW
US Referenced Citations (5)
Number Name Date Kind
5719609 Hauck et al. Feb 1998 A
5917523 Baldwin et al. Jun 1999 A
5988803 Komplin et al. Nov 1999 A
6186620 Hsieh et al. Feb 2001 B1
6213598 Hou et al. Apr 2001 B1