Fluid transporting device of the peristaltic type with a push pin and push plate arrangement

• US 8,888,473 B2
• Filed: 12/19/2013
• Issued: 11/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Miyazaki, Hajime, Kawasumi, Kazuo, Ushikoshi, Kenichi
• Primary Examiner(s): ZOLLINGER, NATHAN C
• Application Number:
  US14/134,519
• Publication Number:
  US 20140105771A1
• Time in Patent Office: 334 Days
• Field of Search: 417/474, 417/475, 417/476, 417/477.1, 417/477.2, 417/477.3, 417/477.4, 417/477.5, 417/477.6, 417/477.7, 417/477.8, 417/477.9, 417/477.11, 417/477.12, 417/477.13, 417/477.14
• US Class Current: 417/477.1
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 5/14232 Roller pumps
• 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 43/1223 the actuating elements, e.g. rollers, moving in a straight line during squeezing
• 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 includes an elastic tube, a tube frame that holds the elastic tube in an arc, a rotary push plate arranged in the arc for facilitating fluid flow inside the elastic tube, and a plurality of push pins disposed between the elastic tube and the center of the arc. Each push pin includes a semispherical end portion that contacts the rotary push plate, a pushing end portion that places a bias on the elastic tube, and adjacent end portions of at least two push pins close the elastic tube when the semispherical end portions are pushed by an outer circumference arc of the rotary push plate.

Claims

1. A fluid transporting device, comprising:

a first substrate;

a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate;

a third substrate spaced apart from the second substrate and coupled to the first substrate so that the second substrate is located between the first and third substrates;

a spindle rotatably supported at a first end by the first substrate and rotatably supported at a second end by the second substrate, an entirety of the spindle being enclosed within a space between the first and third substrates;

a drive unit driveably engaging the spindle, an entirety of the drive unit being enclosed within the space between the first and third substrates;

a rotary push plate attached to the spindle between the first and second substrates; and

a push pin extending radially relative to the spindle and operatively translated by rotation of the rotary push plate.

2. The fluid transporting device of claim 1, wherein the entirety of the spindle is enclosed within a space between the first and second substrates.

3. The fluid transporting device of claim 1, wherein the drive unit is axially aligned with the spindle.

4. A fluid transporting device, comprising:

a first substrate;

a first frame having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first surface of the first frame being coupled to the first substrate;

a second substrate coupled to the second surface of the first frame so as to be spaced apart from the first substrate by the first frame;

a second frame having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, the first surface of the second frame being coupled to the second substrate;

a third substrate coupled to the second surface of the second frame so as to be spaced apart from the second substrate by the second frame;

a spindle rotatably supported at a first end by the first substrate and rotatably supported at a second end by the second substrate;

a drive unit disposed within a space between the second and third substrates, the drive unit driveably engaging the spindle via a through hole in the second substrate;

a rotary push plate attached to the spindle between the first and second substrates; and

a push pin extending radially relative to the spindle and operatively translated by rotation of the rotary push plate.