Fluid Transporting Device, and Fluid Transporter

• US 20080138222A1
• Filed: 02/01/2006
• Published: 06/12/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Kawasumi, Kazuo, Ushikoshi, Kenichi, Miyazaki, Hajime
• Granted Patent: US 8,100,675 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 417/474
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/082 the tubular flexible member being pressed against a wall by a number of elements, each having an alternating movement in a direction perpendicular to the axes of the tubular member and each having its own driving mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/12 having peristaltic action
• CPC Class Codes: F04B 43/1253 by using two or more rollers as squeezing elements, the rollers moving on an arc of a circle during squeezing

Abstract

A fluid transporting device comprises a tube frame having a tube guide wall for arranging a tube having an elasticity in an arcuate shape, and a rotary pressure mechanism having a plurality of rollers. The rotary pressure mechanism is arranged, when the tube is arranged in the tube frame, on the side opposite to the guide wall side of the tube, such that its center of rotation is aligned with the center of the arc of the tube guide wall. A plurality of push pins are interposed between the tube and the rotary pressure mechanism and are arranged radially of the center of rotation of the rotary pressure mechanism. A switching mechanism moves at least one of the rollers to a position for the push pins to release the tube and a position for the push pins to press the tube.

Claims

1. A fluid transporting device characterized by comprising:

a tube frame having a tube guide wall for arranging a tube having an elasticity in an arcuate shape;

a rotary pressure mechanism arranged, when the tube is arranged in the tube frame, on the side opposite to the guide wall side of the tube, such that its center of rotation is aligned with the center of the arc of the tube guide wall, and having a plurality of rollers;

a plurality of push pins interposed between the tube and the rotary pressure mechanism and arranged radially of the center of rotation of the rotary pressure mechanism; and

a switching mechanism disposed in the rotary pressure mechanism for allowing at least one of the rollers to move, in association with the rotating motions of the rotary pressure mechanism, to a position where the push pins release the tube and a position where the push pins are capable of pressing the tube.

2. A fluid transporting device as set forth in claim 1, characterized in that the switching mechanism includes:

a rocking lever for moving at least one of the rollers to the position where the push pins release the tube and the position where the push pins are capable of pressing the tube; and

a regulating lever for engaging with the rocking lever to regulate the position of the rocking lever and to hold the same position.

3. A fluid transporting device as set forth in claim 2, characterized:

by further comprising a protruding portion fixedly protruding toward the rotary pressure mechanism; and

in that an end portion of the rocking lever abuts, as the rotary pressure mechanism rotates, against the protruding portion so that the rocking lever is rocked to move at least one of the rollers from the position for the push pins to release the tube to the position for the push pins to press the tube.

4. A fluid transporting device as set forth in claim 3, characterized in that the protruding portion is disposed apart from and near the outer circumference of the rotary pressure mechanism.

5. A fluid transporting device as set forth in claim 2, characterized:

in that the regulating lever is provided at its tail portion with a spring portion for applying a biasing force to rock the regulating lever in one direction; and

in that the spring portion biases the rocking lever in a direction to engage with the regulating lever.

6. A fluid transporting device as set forth in claim 2, characterized in that the regulating lever includes an operation member for releasing the engagement with the rocking lever and for moving at least one of the rollers from the position for the push pins to press the tube to the position for the push pins to release the tube.

7. A fluid transporter characterized:

by comprising a fluid transporting device as set forth in any of claims 1, and a fluid storing container for storing a fluid; and

in that the fluid transporting device and the fluid storing container are made to communicate with each other by a tube having an elasticity so that the fluid in the fluid storing container is transported by the fluid transporting device.

8. A fluid transporter as set forth in claim 7, characterized in that the fluid transporting device and the fluid storing container are formed in parallel in the planar direction in a casing.

9. A fluid transporting device as set forth in claim 5, characterized in that the regulating lever includes an operation member for releasing the engagement with the rocking lever and for moving at least one of the rollers from the position for the push pins to press the tube to the position for the push pins to release the tube.

10. A fluid transporter characterized:

by comprising a fluid transporting device as set forth in claim 2, and a fluid storing container for storing a fluid; and

in that the fluid transporting device and the fluid storing container are made to communicate with each other by a tube having an elasticity so that the fluid in the fluid storing container is transported by the fluid transporting device.

11. A fluid transporter characterized:

by comprising a fluid transporting device as set forth in claim 3, and a fluid storing container for storing a fluid; and

in that the fluid transporting device and the fluid storing container are made to communicate with each other by a tube having an elasticity so that the fluid in the fluid storing container is transported by the fluid transporting device.

12. A fluid transporter characterized:

by comprising a fluid transporting device as set forth in claim 4, and a fluid storing container for storing a fluid; and

in that the fluid transporting device and the fluid storing container are made to communicate with each other by a tube having an elasticity so that the fluid in the fluid storing container is transported by the fluid transporting device.

13. A fluid transporter characterized:

by comprising a fluid transporting device as set forth in claim 5, and a fluid storing container for storing a fluid; and

in that the fluid transporting device and the fluid storing container are made to communicate with each other by a tube having an elasticity so that the fluid in the fluid storing container is transported by the fluid transporting device.

14. A fluid transporter characterized:

by comprising a fluid transporting device as set forth in claim 6, and a fluid storing container for storing a fluid; and

in that the fluid transporting device and the fluid storing container are made to communicate with each other by a tube having an elasticity so that the fluid in the fluid storing container is transported by the fluid transporting device.