Pressure-regulating valve and liquid droplet ejection apparatus
A pressure-regulating valve for opening and closing, based on atmospheric pressure, a valve body provided to a communication flow passage via which a primary chamber and a secondary chamber communicate inside a valve housing, with the aid of a pressure-receiving membrane that constitutes one surface of the secondary chamber, for regulating the pressure of a liquid fed to the primary chamber via an inflow port, and for feeding the liquid from the secondary chamber via an outflow port; the pressure-regulating valve wherein a cover is provided for allowing action of the pressure-receiving membrane and for covering the pressure-receiving membrane; and the cover has light-blocking properties.
1. A pressure-regulating valve for opening and closing a valve body provided to a communication flow passage via which a primary chamber and a secondary chamber communicate inside a valve housing, with the aid of a pressure-receiving membrane that constitutes one surface of the secondary chamber, for regulating the pressure of a liquid fed to the primary chamber via an inflow port, and for feeding the liquid from the secondary chamber via an outflow port, wherein
a cover for allowing action of the pressure-receiving membrane covers an entirety of the pressure-receiving membrane from one side of the pressure-receiving membrane,
the cover is formed in the shape of a cap using a covering wall portion that faces the pressure-receiving membrane, and a peripheral wall portion that extends to the covering wall portion,
the cover is detachably attached to the valve housing,
the cover has a communication hole for communicating to atmosphere, the communication hole being formed in the peripheral wall portion, and
the cover has light-blocking properties.
2. The pressure-regulating valve according to claim 1 , wherein
the cover is made of metal.
3. The pressure-regulating valve according to claim 1 , wherein
a functional liquid fed from functional liquid feeding means via the inflow port is adjusted for pressure, and fed to an inkjet-type functional droplet ejection head via the outflow port.
4. A liquid droplet ejection apparatus comprising:
the pressure-regulating valve according to claim 3 ;
the functional liquid feeding means; and
the functional droplet ejection head, wherein
a functional liquid is ejected onto a workpiece and drawing is performed while the functional droplet ejection head is moved relative to the workpiece.