Valves for fluid ejection devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10569561-B2
Application number	US-201616074913-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Oct 27, 2016
Priority date	Oct 27, 2016
Publication date	Feb 25, 2020
Grant date	Feb 25, 2020

Abstract

In some examples, a valve assembly for a fluid ejection device includes a plurality of valves to control fluid supply from a plurality of fluid sources to the fluid ejection device, each respective valve of the plurality of valves actuatable between a first valve position to provide fluid communication through a first fluid path between a first fluid source of the plurality of fluid sources and the fluid ejection device, and a second valve position to provide fluid communication through a second fluid path between a second fluid source of the plurality of fluid sources and the fluid ejection device. A common actuator, when energized, controls movement of the plurality of valves. Each respective biasing mechanism of a plurality of biasing mechanisms is to maintain the respective valve at each of the first valve position and the second valve position without energizing the common actuator.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A valve assembly for a fluid ejection device, comprising:
a plurality of valves to control fluid supply from a plurality of fluid sources to the fluid ejection device, each respective valve of the plurality of valves actuatable between a first valve position to provide fluid communication through a first fluid path between a first fluid source of the plurality of fluid sources and the fluid ejection device, and a second valve position to provide fluid communication through a second fluid path between a second fluid source of the plurality of fluid sources and the fluid ejection device;
a common actuator to, when energized, control movement of the plurality of valves; and
a plurality of biasing mechanisms, each respective biasing mechanism of the plurality of biasing mechanisms to maintain the respective valve at each of the first valve position and the second valve position without energizing the common actuator.

2. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the common actuator is operatively connected to a plurality of cams that are moveable to actuate corresponding valves of the plurality of values between the first valve position and the second valve position.

3. The valve assembly of claim 2 , wherein each respective cam of the plurality of cams is rotatable between a first cam position and a second cam position, the first cam position of the respective cam corresponding to the first valve position of the respective valve, and the second cam position of the respective cam corresponding to the second valve position of the respective valve.

4. The valve assembly of claim 3 , further comprising a first stop member and a second stop member, wherein the respective cam is rotated to the first cam position when the respective cam engages the first stop member, and wherein the respective cam is rotated to the second cam position when the respective cam engages the second stop member.

5. The valve assembly of claim 3 , wherein the respective cam includes a flat portion to engage a surface of a cam plunger when the respective cam is rotated to one the first and second cam positions, the engagement of the flat portion of the respective cam to the surface of the cam plunger assists in maintaining the respective cam at the first cam position or the second cam position without energizing the common actuator.

6. The valve assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a motor, wherein friction in the motor is to assist in maintaining the respective valve at each of the first valve position and the second valve position without energizing the common actuator.

7. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein each valve of the plurality of valves is a rocker valve that pivots between the first valve position and the second valve position.

8. The valve assembly of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of biasing mechanisms comprise springs.

9. The valve assembly of claim 8 , wherein each biasing mechanism of the plurality of biasing mechanisms comprises springs having different spring rates, wherein a first spring having a first spring rate is to bias the respective valve to the first valve position, and a second spring having a second, different spring rate is to bias the respective valve to the second valve position.

10. A fluid delivery system comprising:
a fluid ejection device comprising nozzles to eject a fluid; and
a valve assembly to control a supply of the fluid to the fluid ejection device selectively from one of a plurality of fluid sources, the valve assembly comprising:
a plurality of valves each movable between a first valve position to select a first fluid source of the plurality of fluid sources, and a second valve position to select a second fluid source of the plurality of fluid sources;
a common actuator comprising a motor to, when the motor is energized, control movement of the plurality of valves; and
a plurality of biasing mechanisms, each respective biasing mechanism of the plurality of biasing mechanisms to maintain the respective valve at each of the first valve position and the second valve position without energizing the motor.

11. The fluid delivery system of claim 10 , wherein the common actuator further comprises a rotatable drive gear to be rotated by the motor responsive to energizing the motor, a drive shaft on which the rotatable drive gear is mounted, and a plurality of cams mounted on the drive shaft, the plurality of cams rotatable with rotation of the rotatable drive gear, and the plurality of cams when rotated actuating corresponding valves of the plurality of valves.

12. The fluid delivery system of claim 11 , wherein each valve of the plurality of valves is pivotable between the first valve position and the second valve position responsive to rotation of a respective cam of the plurality of cams.

13. The fluid delivery system of claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of cam plungers that are moved in response to rotation of respective cams of the plurality of cams.

14. A method of forming a fluid delivery system, comprising:
interconnecting fluid paths between a plurality of valves and a fluid ejection device comprising nozzles to eject a fluid;
connecting a common actuator to a plurality of cams that are moveable by the common actuator when energized to actuate respective valves of the plurality of valves between a first valve position and a second valve position; and
arranging biasing elements to bias the plurality of valves at the first valve position and at the second valve position without energizing the common actuator.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the biasing elements comprise springs having different spring rates, wherein a first spring having a first spring rate is to bias a respective valve of the plurality of valves to the first valve position, and a second spring having a spring rate is to bias the respective valve to the second valve position.

Assignees

• Hewlett Packard Development Co

Inventors

• Arnold Christopher John

Classifications

• F16K31/52416

  comprising a multiple-way lift valve · CPC title

• F16K11/185

  with swinging shafts · CPC title

• B41J2/17596 Primary

  Ink pumps, ink valves · CPC title

• B41J29/02

  Framework · CPC title

• F16K31/047

  characterised by mechanical means between the motor and the valve, e.g. lost motion means reducing backlash, clutches, brakes or return means (F16K31/043 takes precedence) · CPC title