Pinch valve

Abstract

The invention provides a pinch valve. The pinch valve comprises a pump shell; the pipe assembly forms a fluid path for fluid to flow, and the pipe assembly comprises at least one flexible pipe; the execution assembly comprises a pressing part and a power source in transmission connection with the pressing part, and the power source can drive the pressing part to move so as to turn off and turn on the flexible pipe; the flexible pipe comprises a pressing section extending in the axis direction, the pressing section is provided with a first end close to the pressing piece and a second end away from the pressing piece, the first end is constructed to be capable of being carried by the pressing piece to move in the pressing direction perpendicular to the axis direction, and the second end is limited by the pump shell to move in the pressing direction. Compared with a traditional mode that the flexible pipe is burst open by means of fluid pressure, the pinch valve provided by the technical scheme has higher anti-sticking capacity and can be suitable for fluid with high stickiness such as coffee liquid, sweet water and milk.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of valve technology, and in particular to a pinch valve. Background Technology

[0002] A pinch valve is a type of valve that controls the opening and closing of a flexible tube by selectively pressing it with an actuating medium. Pinch valves offer numerous advantages, including low flow resistance, excellent sealing, and strong corrosion resistance, and are widely used in food, chemical, pharmaceutical, and wastewater treatment industries. Based on the actuating medium or power source, pinch valves can be broadly classified into electric pinch valves, pneumatic pinch valves, hydraulic pinch valves, and manual pinch valves.

[0003] Chinese utility model patent CN217951290U discloses a reversible pinch valve, which includes a tee with two branch pipes and a rotating member located between the two branch pipes. The rotating member can selectively compress either branch pipe, thereby switching the flow direction of the fluid. However, after the rotating member disengages from the corresponding branch pipe, the pinch valve requires fluid pressure to push open the compressed pipe, making it unsuitable for working environments with highly viscous fluids such as coffee, sugar water, and milk. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the purpose of this application is to provide a pinch valve with good anti-adhesion capabilities.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this application provides the following technical solution: a pinch valve, comprising: a pump housing; a pipe assembly forming a fluid path for fluid flow, the pipe assembly including at least one flexible pipe; an actuation assembly including a pressing member and a power source drivingly connected to the pressing member, the power source driving the pressing member to move to shut off and open the flexible pipe; wherein, the flexible pipe includes a pressing section extending along an axial direction, the pressing section having a first end near the pressing member and a second end away from the pressing member, the first end being configured to be movable in a pressing direction perpendicular to the axial direction by being carried by the pressing member, and the second end being restricted to move in the pressing direction by the pump housing.

[0006] In the above technical solution, preferably, the second end has a T-shaped protrusion, the pump housing has a limiting seat, and the limiting seat has a groove adapted to the T-shaped protrusion. The T-shaped protrusion can be inserted into the limiting seat along the depth direction, which is perpendicular to both the axial direction and the compression direction. Further preferably, the T-shaped protrusion has a pair of side grooves extending inward along the axial direction, and the limiting seat has a pair of limiting protrusions extending into the pair of side grooves.

[0007] In the above technical solution, preferably, the pressing member includes an outer ring made of a flexible material, which is integrally formed with the flexible tube. More preferably, the pressing member also includes an inner ring made of a rigid material and fitted inside the outer ring.

[0008] In the preferred embodiment described above, it is further preferred that the inner ring has a pressure protrusion that protrudes toward the pressure section along the pressure direction, and the pump housing has a limiting protrusion that protrudes toward the pressure section along the pressure direction, so that when the pressure member presses the pressure section, the inner surface of the pressure section can form a line contact.

[0009] In the preferred embodiment described above, more preferably, the inner ring has a driving cavity, and the actuator further includes an eccentric rotating member that is drively connected to the power source. The eccentric rotating member is located inside the driving cavity and can drive the pressing member to move along the pressing direction. Even more preferably, the driving cavity has a pair of force-bearing surfaces extending along the axial direction and arranged opposite each other along the pressing direction, and a plurality of side surfaces located between the pair of force-bearing surfaces. The eccentric rotating member can contact and press the force-bearing surfaces to apply force to the pressing member; the eccentric rotating member does not press the side surfaces. Even more preferably, the side surfaces are constructed as arc surfaces adapted to the movement trajectory of the eccentric rotating member.

[0010] In the above preferred embodiment, more preferably, the power source is a drive motor, the eccentric rotating component is fixedly connected to a turbine, and the output shaft of the drive motor is fixedly connected to a worm gear, the worm gear meshing with the worm wheel. Even more preferably, the actuator further includes a central shaft, the central shaft being fixed inside the pump housing, and both the eccentric rotating component and the turbine gear being rotatably mounted on the central shaft.

[0011] In the above technical solution, preferably, the pipe assembly is configured with a first flexible pipe and a second flexible pipe, and the pressing member is disposed between the first flexible pipe and the second flexible pipe. The pressing member has a first position that shuts off the first flexible pipe and opens the second flexible pipe, and a second position that opens the first flexible pipe and shuts off the second flexible pipe. Further preferably, the pipe assembly also includes a tee pipe, a first outlet pipe, and a second outlet pipe. The tee pipe includes a main pipe, a first branch pipe fluidly connected to the main pipe, and a second branch pipe fluidly connected to the main pipe. The first branch pipe, the first flexible pipe, and the first outlet pipe flow sequentially, and the second branch pipe, the second flexible pipe, and the second outlet pipe are fluidly connected sequentially. The tee pipe, the first outlet pipe, and the second outlet pipe are all fixedly connected to the pump casing and at least partially exposed.

[0012] Compared to existing technologies, the clamping member of the pinch valve provided in this application can move along with the first end of the clamping section when it moves away from the clamping section, while the second end of the clamping section is restricted from movement by the pump housing in the clamping direction. Thus, the first and second ends of the clamping section are pulled apart by the opposing forces applied to the clamping section by the clamping member and the pump housing. Compared to the traditional method of relying on fluid pressure to open flexible tubes, the pinch valve provided in this application has higher anti-adhesion capabilities and is suitable for use in highly viscous fluids such as coffee, sugar water, and milk. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 A perspective view of the pinch valve provided in this application;

[0014] Figure 2 for Figure 1 The exploded view of the pinch valve shown.

[0015] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Cross-section of the pinch valve shown Figure 1 ;

[0016] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of a portion at point A shown;

[0017] Figure 5 Possible limiting methods between the second end and the pump housing provided in this application;

[0018] Figure 6 for Figure 1 Cross-section of the pinch valve shown Figure 2 ;

[0019] Figure 7 for Figure 1 The top view of the inner ring of the clamping element of the pinch valve shown.

[0020] Marked in the image:

[0021] 100. Reversing pinch valve;

[0022] 1. Pump casing; 11. Top cover; 12. Base; 13. Limiting seat; 131. Limiting protrusion; 14. Limiting protrusion; 21. T-shaped pipe; 22. First flexible pipe; 221. First compression section; 222. T-shaped protrusion; 23. Second flexible pipe; 231. Second compression section; 24. First outlet pipe; 25. Second outlet pipe;

[0023] 31. Pressing component; 311. Outer ring; 312. Inner ring; 313. Drive cavity; 314. Force-bearing surface; 315. Side; 316. Pressing protrusion; 32. Power source; 33. Eccentric rotating component; 34. Turbine; 35. Central shaft; 36. Worm gear. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To explain in detail the technical content, structural features, achieved objectives and effects of this application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] In this application, spatial relative terms such as “below,” “under,” “below,” “down,” “above,” “above,” “higher,” and “side” (e.g., as in a “sidewall”) are used to describe the relationship between one element and another (other) element as shown in the accompanying drawings. Spatial relative terms are intended to include different orientations of the device in use, operation, and / or manufacture other than those depicted in the drawings. For example, if the device in the drawings is flipped, an element described as “below” or “under” another element or feature would then be positioned “above” said other element or feature. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can include both above and below orientations. Furthermore, the device may be otherwise positioned (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or in other orientations), thus interpreting the spatial relative descriptive terms used herein accordingly.

[0026] This application provides a pinch valve designed to improve its anti-sticking ability, making it suitable for use with relatively viscous fluids such as coffee, sugar water, and milk. (Reference) Figure 1-3 The present application provides a reversing pinch valve 100. The reversing pinch valve 100 includes a pump housing 1, a pipe assembly that provides a delivery channel for fluid, and an actuator that controls the reversing pinch valve 100 to switch the direction of fluid flow.

[0027] The pump housing 1 consists of an upper cover 11 and a base 12, which are fixedly connected by several snaps and / or locking bolts.

[0028] The pipe assembly includes a tee pipe 21 for fluid inflow, a first flexible pipe 22, a second flexible pipe 23, a first outlet pipe 24 for fluid outflow, and a second outlet pipe 25 for fluid outflow. The tee pipe 21 and the first and second outlet pipes are all fixedly connected to the pump housing 1 by a plug-in structure and at least part of them are exposed to the outside for connection to external pipe bodies.

[0029] The tee pipe 21 has a main pipe (not shown in the figure) that is at least partially exposed to the outside, a first branch pipe (not shown in the figure) that is fluidly connected to the main pipe, and a second branch pipe (not shown in the figure) that is also fluidly connected to the main pipe. The first and second flexible pipes are both disposed inside the pump casing 1. The first branch pipe, the first flexible pipe 22, and the first outlet pipe 24 are fluidly connected in sequence to form a first fluid path for fluid flow. The second branch pipe, the second flexible pipe 23, and the second outlet pipe 25 are fluidly connected in sequence to form a second fluid path for fluid flow.

[0030] The actuator includes a pressing member 31 and a power source 32 that is driveably connected to the pressing member 31. The first and second flexible tubes each have a first pressing section 221 and a second pressing section 231 suitable for pressing. The pressing member 31 is located between the first and second pressing sections and is configured to selectively press either the first pressing section 221 or the second pressing section 231 under the drive of the power source 32 to control the opening and closing of the first and second flexible tubes and to switch the direction of fluid flow.

[0031] For ease of explanation, this application defines the axial direction as the direction of extension of the centerline corresponding to the first and second compression segments (i.e., Figure 3 The horizontal direction of the paper is defined as the direction perpendicular to the aforementioned axial direction (i.e., the compression direction). Figure 3 The direction perpendicular to both the axial direction and the compression direction (the height direction of the paper) is defined as the depth direction (i.e., perpendicular to the height direction of the paper). Figure 3 (The orientation of the paper). The first and second compression sections are arranged opposite each other along the compression direction, and the compression member 31 moves closer to or further away from the corresponding compression section along the compression direction.

[0032] The first compression section 221 has a first end (not shown in the figure) close to the compression member 31 and a second end (not shown in the figure) away from the compression member 31. The first end is configured to be carried by the compression member 31 in the compression direction, and the second end is configured to be restricted in the compression direction by the pump housing 1.

[0033] Therefore, when the pressing member 31 presses the first pressing section 221, the first end is carried by the pressing member 31 to move toward the second end, while the second end is restricted from moving in the pressing direction by the pump housing 1, so that the inner wall surface of the first pressing section 221 can be closed well, thereby shutting off the first flexible tube 22; when the pressing member 31 moves away from the first pressing section 221, the first end is carried by the pressing member 31 to move away from the second end, while the second end is restricted from moving in the pressing direction by the pump housing 1, thereby separating the inner wall surfaces of the first and second ends of the first pressing section 221, and opening the first flexible tube 22.

[0034] Similarly, the second compression section 231 has a third end near the compression member 31 and a fourth end away from the compression member 31. The third end is configured to be movable in the compression direction by the compression member 31, and the fourth end is configured to be restricted in the compression direction by the pump housing 1. The working principle of the compression member 31 in shutting off and opening the second flexible tube 23 can be referred to the above-mentioned relevant descriptions, and will not be repeated here.

[0035] In this embodiment, the compression member 31 has a first position that shuts off the first flexible tube 22 and opens the second flexible tube 23, and a second position that opens the first flexible tube 22 and shuts off the second flexible tube 23. The power source 32 can drive the compression member 31 to switch between the first and second positions, thereby switching the flow direction of the fluid. In other embodiments, the compression member may also have an intermediate position that simultaneously opens both the first and second flexible tubes, located between the aforementioned first and second positions.

[0036] Compared to traditional pinch valves that rely on fluid pressure to open flexible tubes, this application utilizes the pressure member 31 and the pump housing 1 to apply opposite forces to the first and second ends, respectively, to achieve separation of the first and second ends. This improves the anti-adhesion capability of the pinch valve and makes it suitable for viscous fluids such as coffee, sugar water, and milk. Understandably, this technical solution can be applied indiscriminately to pinch valves with a single flexible tube, and is unaffected by the power source or the driving method of the pressure member. Therefore, unless otherwise specified, the specific type of pinch valve or the number of flexible tubes does not limit the scope of protection of this application.

[0037] See Figure 4 This illustrates the limiting method between the second end of the first pressing section 221 and the pump housing 1 in this application. Specifically, the second end has a T-shaped protrusion 222, and the pump housing 1 is provided with a limiting seat 13 adapted to the T-shaped protrusion 222. The T-shaped protrusion 222 can be inserted into the limiting seat 13 along the depth direction. The waist of the T-shaped protrusion 222 is formed with a pair of side grooves (not marked in the figure) extending inward along the axial direction, and the limiting seat 13 has a pair of limiting protrusions 131 that respectively extend into the pair of side grooves. It can be understood that when the pressing member 31 moves toward the first pressing section 221, the upper surface of the limiting seat 13 abuts against the second end and restricts its movement in the pressing direction; when the pressing member 31 moves away from the first pressing section 221, the inner surface of the limiting protrusions 131 abuts against the T-shaped protrusion 222 and restricts its movement in the pressing direction.

[0038] Similarly, the fourth end of the second compression section 231 is also connected to the pump housing 1 by a T-shaped protrusion and a limiting seat. The specific structure and working principle can be referred to the relevant part of the first compression section 221 mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0039] See Figure 5It shows other possible ways in which the second end (or fourth end) is positioned relative to the pump housing 1. To avoid confusion, letters will be added after the corresponding structural markings below for distinction.

[0040] like Figure 5 As shown in (a), a positioning post 13a extending along the depth direction is fixedly installed inside the pump housing 1a. A connecting block 222a is formed on the second end of the first compression section 221a. The connecting block 222a has a through hole (not marked in the figure) into which the positioning post 13a can be inserted. By engaging the shaft hole formed by the positioning post 13a and the connecting block 222a, the pump housing 1 can restrict the movement of the second end in the compression direction.

[0041] like Figure 5 As shown in (b), a socket 222b is formed on one of the pump housing 1b and the second end, and a pin 13b extending in the axial direction is formed on the other. The socket 222b has a through hole extending in the axial direction and adapted to the pin 13b. By engaging the socket 222b with the axial hole of the pin 13b, the pump housing 1b can restrict the movement of the second end in the compression direction.

[0042] like Figure 5 As shown in (c), a boss 13c is formed on the pump housing 1c that can contact the first pressing section 221c. The first pressing section 221c and the boss 13c are directly fixedly connected by a dispensing process, thereby restricting the movement of the second end of the pump housing 1c in the pressing direction.

[0043] Back Figure 2-4 The pressing member 31 provided in this embodiment includes an outer ring 311 made of a flexible material and an inner ring 312 made of a rigid material and embedded within the outer ring 311. The outer ring 311 is configured to be integrally formed with both the first and second pressing sections (i.e., integrally formed with both the first and second flexible tubes), thereby enabling the pressing member 31 to drive the first end and the third end to move along the pressing direction. It is understood that in other embodiments, the pressing member and the first and third ends may also employ a similar design. Figure 5 The positioning pins and connecting blocks, the pin seats and pins, and adhesive bonding are used to achieve the connection, ensuring that the pressing component can carry the first and third ends to move along the pressing direction.

[0044] The actuator in this embodiment also includes an eccentric rotating member 33 that is connected to the power source 32. A drive cavity 313 is defined on the inner ring 312, and the eccentric rotating member 33 is located in the drive cavity 313. When the eccentric rotating member 33 rotates, it contacts the inner wall of the drive cavity 313 and applies a force with at least a component in the pressing direction to the inner ring 312, thereby causing the pressing member 31 to drive the corresponding first and second pressing segments to move.

[0045] Furthermore, when the eccentric rotating member 33 drives the pressing member 31, if a force in the axial direction is generated on the pressing member 31, it will cause a tendency for relative motion along the axial direction between the pressing member 31 and the corresponding pressing segment. This tendency will cause a large stress (such as...) between them. Figure 5 In structure b, the pressing section can move relative to the pressing component along the axial direction, which will cause greater wear between the two, easily causing damage to the pressing component or flexible tube, and reducing the service life of the pinch valve.

[0046] See Figure 7 To avoid the aforementioned problems, the drive cavity 313 has a pair of force-bearing surfaces 314 extending along the axial direction and arranged opposite each other in the compression direction, and several side surfaces 315 located between the force-bearing surfaces 314. When the eccentric rotating member 33 contacts and presses the force-bearing surface 314, the force-bearing surface 314 is only subjected to a force perpendicular to its own surface (i.e., a force in the compression direction). The eccentric rotating member 33 does not press any side surface 315 (there may be contact). Thus, the tendency for relative movement in the axial direction between the pressing member 31 and the corresponding pressing segment can be avoided.

[0047] Furthermore, the side surface 315 is configured as an arc surface to adapt to the motion trajectory of the eccentric rotating component 33, and the drive cavity 313 is waist-shaped.

[0048] Back Figure 2-4 Furthermore, when the compression section is compressed, if the inner surface of the compression section is in surface contact, a larger tensile force is required to pull the first and second ends apart, reducing the anti-adhesion ability of the flexible tube. Therefore, the inner ring 312 has a pair of compression protrusions 316 that protrude towards the first and third ends respectively in the compression direction, and the housing 1 has a pair of limiting protrusions 14 that protrude towards the second and fourth ends respectively in the compression direction. When the compression member 31 compresses any compression section, through the adaptive deformation of the flexible tube itself, two opposing protrusions in the compression direction are formed on the inner wall of the compression section due to the compression of the corresponding compression protrusions 316 and limiting protrusions 14, thereby forming a line contact between the inner surfaces on both sides.

[0049] Combination Figure 6 The actuator provided in this embodiment uses a worm gear transmission connection. Specifically, the power source 32 in this embodiment is a drive motor, and the actuator also includes a turbine 34 fixedly connected to the lower side of the eccentric rotating member 33, a worm gear 36 fixedly mounted on the output shaft of the drive motor, and a central shaft 35 fixedly mounted inside the pump housing 1 and extending along the depth direction. The eccentric rotating member 33 and the turbine 34 are rotatably mounted on the central shaft 35, and the turbine 34 meshes with the worm gear 36 to realize the transmission connection between the eccentric rotating member 33 and the power source 32.

[0050] The above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical concept and features of this application, and are intended to enable those skilled in the art to understand the content of this application and implement it accordingly. They should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this application. All equivalent changes or modifications made in accordance with the spirit of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A pinch valve, characterized in that, include: Pump casing; A pipe assembly that forms a fluid path for fluid flow, the pipe assembly comprising at least one flexible pipe; An execution component includes a pressing element and a power source that is connected to the pressing element via a transmission. The power source can drive the pressing element to move in order to control the flexible tube to turn off and on. The flexible tube includes a compression section extending along the axial direction, the compression section having a first end near the compression member and a second end away from the compression member, the first end being configured to be movable in a compression direction perpendicular to the axial direction by being carried by the compression member, and the second end being restricted in the compression direction by the pump housing.

2. The pinch valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second end has a T-shaped protrusion, and the pump housing has a limiting seat. The limiting seat has a groove adapted to the T-shaped protrusion. The T-shaped protrusion can be inserted into the limiting seat along the depth direction, which is perpendicular to both the axial direction and the compression direction.

3. The pinch valve according to claim 2, characterized in that, The T-shaped protrusion has a pair of side grooves extending inward along the axial direction, and the limiting seat has a pair of limiting protrusions that extend into the pair of side grooves respectively.

4. The pinch valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The compression member includes an outer ring made of a flexible material, which is integrally formed with the flexible tube.

5. The pinch valve according to claim 4, characterized in that, The compression member also includes an inner ring made of a rigid material and fitted inside the outer ring.

6. The pinch valve according to claim 5, characterized in that, The inner ring is formed with a pressure protrusion that protrudes toward the pressure section along the pressure direction, and the pump housing is formed with a limiting protrusion that protrudes toward the pressure section along the pressure direction, so that when the pressure member presses the pressure section, the inner surface of the pressure section can form a line contact.

7. The pinch valve according to claim 5, characterized in that, The inner ring has a drive cavity, and the actuator also includes an eccentric rotating component that is connected to the power source. The eccentric rotating component is located inside the drive cavity and can drive the pressing component to move along the pressing direction.

8. The pinch valve according to claim 7, characterized in that, The drive cavity has a pair of force-bearing surfaces extending along the axial direction and arranged opposite each other along the compression direction, and a plurality of side surfaces located between the pair of force-bearing surfaces. The eccentric rotating member can contact and squeeze the force-bearing surfaces to apply force to the pressing member; the eccentric rotating member does not squeeze the side surfaces.

9. The pinch valve according to claim 8, characterized in that, The side surface is configured as an arc surface to adapt to the motion trajectory of the eccentric rotating component.

10. The pinch valve according to claim 7, characterized in that, The power source is a drive motor, the eccentric rotating component is fixedly connected to a turbine, the output shaft of the drive motor is fixedly connected to a worm gear, and the worm gear meshes with the worm wheel.

11. The pinch valve according to claim 10, characterized in that, The actuator further includes a central shaft, which is fixed inside the pump housing. Both the eccentric rotating component and the turbine are rotatably mounted on the central shaft.

12. The pinch valve according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The tube assembly is provided with a first flexible tube and a second flexible tube, and the pressing member is disposed between the first flexible tube and the second flexible tube. The pressing member has a first position that shuts off the first flexible tube and opens the second flexible tube, and a second position that opens the first flexible tube and shuts off the second flexible tube.

13. The pinch valve according to claim 12, characterized in that, The pipe assembly further includes a tee pipe, a first outlet pipe, and a second outlet pipe. The tee pipe includes a main pipe, a first branch pipe fluidly connected to the main pipe, and a second branch pipe fluidly connected to the main pipe. The first branch pipe, the first flexible pipe, and the first outlet pipe flow in sequence, and the second branch pipe, the second flexible pipe, and the second outlet pipe are fluidly connected in sequence. The tee pipe, the first outlet pipe, and the second outlet pipe are all fixedly connected to the pump casing and at least partially exposed to the outside.

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