Improved peristaltic pump

Abstract

The present invention relates to a peristaltic pump for operation with a deformable tube, said peristaltic pump comprising a bearing (12) having an inner face, a drive device for driving rollers (13) in rotation so as to compress said tube at at least one point on the inner face of said bearing (12), this drive device being a direct-drive device. According to the invention, - said peristaltic pump comprises a central roller (16), positioned between said rollers (13) and in contact with them, said central roller (16) forming a central support point for transferring the forces applied to said at least one roller compressing said deformable tube against said inner face, said central roller (16) having a longitudinal axis, - said peristaltic pump comprises a gear support element,which is pierced in its center and has prongs on at least one of its faces to support peripheral gears, a central gear cooperating with said peripheral gears to drive the latter, the assembly forming a gear drive device to drive said rollers (13) in rotation so as to compress said tube at at least one point on the inner face of said bearing (12), and / or - said central roller (16) has an orifice extending along its longitudinal axis and opening onto at least one of the lateral edges of said roller, said orifice having a female recess configured to be connected to the shaft of a motor to ensure its rotational drive, and thus the rotational drive of said rollers (13), this rotational drive of said rollers (13) being said to be friction drive, and - said pump is thus configured to provide with the same set of rollers,at least three different reduction ratios, when it includes the three roller drive devices (13).

Description

Domaine technique

[0001] The technical field of the present invention is that of volumetric pumps, and more specifically of peristaltic pumps with deformable tube. Technique antérieure

[0002] Peristaltic pumps are well known and used in many technical fields, for example the chemical industry, the cosmetics industry, the petroleum industry, the food industry, and in medicine, particularly for transporting blood or other fluids administered by infusion, ...

[0003] A peristaltic pump consists of a frame on which is fixed a motor whose axis drives in rotation a cage containing a plurality of rollers.

[0004] These rollers, free on their axis, successively crush a deformable tube until it is sealed.

[0005] The alternating pressure and release on the walls of the deformable tube creates a vacuum and suction so that a fluid trapped between the rollers in the deformable tube is thus pushed along the length of the tube.

[0006] A fluid pumped at one open end of the deformable tube, called the inlet or upstream end, is thus discharged at the other open end of the deformable tube, called the discharge or downstream end.

[0007] A key advantage of this peristaltic pump is that the fluid thus displaced remains intact during its transfer since it is never in contact with the rollers but only with the internal wall of the deformable tube.

[0008] The peristaltic pump therefore constitutes a particularly healthy pumping solution.

[0009] Classically, three distinct parts are distinguished in a peristaltic pump, each having a specific function, all of these functions being required to ensure the operation of the pump.

[0010] The first part consists of the peristaltic pump motor, which has a shaft, or motor shaft, mounted to rotate on two bearings spaced apart in the motor body.

[0011] This motor performs a motorization function.

[0012] The peristaltic pump is also equipped with a set of reducers ensuring a "transmission / reduction" function of the motor torque.

[0013] Finally, and as mentioned above, a roller rotor performs a "pumping" function.

[0014] The proper functioning of a peristaltic pump requires a controlled and careful alignment of these three "functions".

[0015] In particular, the two bearings of the motor must be precisely aligned with the bearing formed by the pump rotor.

[0016] However, it is observed that such alignment is generally difficult to achieve.

[0017] To overcome this difficulty, it is known to add parts or to mount the pump in a way that compensates for any misalignment.

[0018] These peristaltic pumps are, however, longer and more expensive to manufacture.

[0019] Furthermore, it is observed that such a state-of-the-art pump is typically designed for the application, or the few well-defined applications, for which it is intended, by presenting a predetermined reduction ratio. Pumps known in the prior art are described in documents JP 2012 233427 A, US 2016 / 017880 A1, US 2006 / 245964 A1, and US 5 941 696 A. However, documents JP 2012 233427 A and US 2016 / 017880 A1 do not disclose that the pump incorporates a direct-drive device to drive the rollers, such that the peristaltic pump is configured to offer, with the same set of rollers, at least two different reduction ratios.US documents 2006 / 245964 A1 and US 5 941 696 A do not disclose that the pump includes a gear-driven or friction-driven device to drive the rollers so that the peristaltic pump is configured to offer, with the same set of rollers, at least two different reduction ratios.

[0020] For separate operations, it may therefore be necessary for the operator to have peristaltic pumps with different reduction ratios in order to carry them out.

[0021] Managing these pumps poses a problem of cost and storage.

[0022] There is therefore a pressing need for a peristaltic pump, whose original design makes it possible to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art described above. Object of the invention

[0023] The present invention aims to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by proposing a peristaltic pump, simple in its design and in its operating method, offering different reduction ratios to ensure greater versatility of use.

[0024] Another object of the present invention is such a peristaltic pump which is particularly economical and can be mass-produced.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is such a pump which makes it possible to do without precise alignment between the motor and the rotor.

[0026] The present invention also relates to a pre-assembled sub-assembly comprising such a peristaltic pump and a deformable tube. Description of the invention

[0027] To this end, the invention relates to a peristaltic pump intended to operate with a deformable tube, this peristaltic pump comprising a bearing having an inner face, a drive device for driving rotating rollers so as to compress said tube at at least one point on the inner face of said bearing, this drive device being a direct-drive device. According to the invention, said peristaltic pump includes a central roller, positioned between said rollers and in contact with them, said central roller forming a central support point for the transfer of forces applied to said at least one roller compressing said deformable tube against said inner face, said central roller having a longitudinal axis, said peristaltic pump includes a gear support element, which is pierced in its center and has prongs on at least one of its faces for supporting peripheral gears, a central gear cooperating with said peripheral gears to drive the latter, the assembly forming a gear drive device for driving said rollers in rotation so as to compress said tube at at least one point on the inner face of said bearing,and / or said central roller has an orifice extending along its longitudinal axis and opening onto at least one of the lateral edges of said roller, said orifice having a female recess configured to be connected to the shaft of a motor to ensure its rotational drive, and therefore the rotational drive of said rollers, this rotational drive of said rollers being called friction drive, and said peristaltic pump is thus configured to offer, with the same set of rollers, at least two different reduction ratios when it has two of said roller drive devices, and at least three different reduction ratios when it has all three roller drive devices.

[0028] Advantageously, such a peristaltic pump allows a wide range of applications thanks to its different reduction ratios.

[0029] It is therefore versatile, economical and particularly simple to implement.

[0030] Featuring a cage formed by two separators, it is reversible with respect to the shaft of a motor, or motor torque, to present different reduction ratios.

[0031] Advantageously, a single peristaltic pump thus offers several modes of driving its rotating rollers, presenting up to four drive modes: direct drive, gear drive, friction drive, and hybrid drive.

[0032] Furthermore, and advantageously, the original design of the rotor of this peristaltic pump and the freedom implemented at its level, particularly at the level of the roller hubs, makes it possible to do without precise alignment between the motor shaft and the rotor.

[0033] Preferably, this central roller is wedged between the said rollers.

[0034] According to one embodiment of this peristaltic pump, said peristaltic pump comprising a gear drive device for the rollers and said central roller having an orifice extending along its longitudinal axis and opening onto at least one of its lateral edges, said central gear is removable to allow direct drive of the central roller only by the shaft of a motor so as to drive said rollers in rotation by friction, said peristaltic pump thus offering a third different reduction ratio.

[0035] According to another embodiment of this peristaltic pump, it includes a gear drive device for the rollers, a lateral edge, or end, of said central roller is inserted into the central hole of said gear support element to provide support for said central roller.

[0036] According to yet another embodiment of this peristaltic pump, comprising a gear drive device for the rollers and said toothed wheel support element having pins to support said rollers and thus forming a separator, this peristaltic pump has a single separator and is said to have a single separator, the central hole of this separator determining a female footprint complementary to the male footprint of the shaft of a motor for their assembly by complementary interlocking so as to allow the direct drive of said rollers in rotation.

[0037] Preferably, this central roller is configured to ensure that it remains in position between said rollers.

[0038] For example, this central roller having a longitudinal dimension greater than that of the rollers, each of its lateral edges, or ends, has a flared shape or a boss to prevent a displacement of said central roller along the main axis around which said rollers are driven in rotation by said gear drive device.

[0039] Alternatively, the gear support element also having pins to support the rollers and thus forming a first separator, this peristaltic pump includes a second separator with a hole in its center and having pins on at least one of its faces, the first and second separators defining a cage to receive and support at least the rollers and the central roller, the second separator having a central hole supporting a pinion intended to be driven directly by a motor shaft to rotate the rollers, or this central hole of the second separator defining a female socket complementary to the male socket of the motor shaft for their assembly by complementary interlocking so as to allow the direct rotation of the rollers. This female socket is, for example, chosen from the group including square, hexagonal, grooved, cylindrical with a flat, ...

[0040] For purely illustrative purposes, this pinion, or external gear, is assembled to the second separator by clipping, or elastic deformation of the latter, into the central hole of this separator.

[0041] Preferably, this peristaltic pump comprises an external gear, or pinion, supported by a separator separate from said gear support element, an assembly element projecting from the opposite face of this external gear to that intended to be oriented towards the motor, said assembly element being configured to provide the assembly of said external gear and said central roller, or a central opening configured to house one end of said central roller and permit its assembly with said central roller, said peristaltic pump further comprising an individual part having an external periphery or surface defining an imprint such as square or hexagonal, intended to cooperate with an orifice of complementary shape of a separator of said peristaltic pump, said individual part having a central orifice configured to permit the passage of the end of said central roller.

[0042] According to yet another embodiment of this peristaltic pump, it comprises at least one separator with a hole in its center and including at least six pins. These pins may be placed on the same face of the separator or distributed between opposite faces of this separator.

[0043] By way of purely illustrative example, this peristaltic pump comprising n rollers, said gear support element having pins to support said rollers and thus forming a separator, said or at least one of said separators comprising two opposite faces, at least one of said faces receiving at least two sets of n pins, the n pins of a first set being distributed over a circle of diameter D and the n pins of another set being distributed over a circle of diameter G to define two distinct reduction ratios of said peristaltic pump with corresponding rollers.

[0044] Of course, these two sets of studs could be provided on the same face of this separator.

[0045] This separator can be a disc with a hole in its center, but it could take any other suitable shape such as square, rectangular, triangular, etc.

[0046] Alternatively, said pump comprising n rollers, said gear support element having pins to support said rollers and thus forming a separator, said or at least one of said separators comprising at least two sets of n holes distributed on corresponding circles of different diameters and a single set of n needles to form pins with each set of holes to support corresponding rollers, said sets of n holes defining distinct reduction ratios of said peristaltic pump.

[0047] According to another embodiment of this peristaltic pump, the rotor of this pump comprises between three (3) and five (5) rollers.

[0048] In yet another embodiment of this peristaltic pump, it comprises a single separator; this pump is referred to as a single-separator pump. This embodiment advantageously simplifies the assembly of the peristaltic pump while reducing its cost.

[0049] According to yet another embodiment of this peristaltic pump, it is configured so that this secondary drive, called friction drive, of said rollers by said central roller is added to the gear drive of said rotating rollers, the drive thus formed being called hybrid.

[0050] Preferably, this peristaltic pump comprising a gear drive device for the rollers and said central roller having an orifice extending along its longitudinal axis and opening onto at least one of its lateral edges, said central gear having a hole placed opposite the orifice of said central roller, the hole of said gear and the orifice of said roller having the same female imprint complementary to the male imprint of the shaft of a motor for their assembly by complementary interlocking so as to allow the rotational drive of said rollers and said central roller.

[0051] Alternatively, said peristaltic pump comprising a gear drive device for the rollers and said central roller comprising an orifice extending along its longitudinal axis and opening onto at least one of its lateral edges, said central gear comprising an assembly element projecting from its face opposite that which is intended to be oriented towards the motor, said assembly element being configured to ensure the assembly of said central gear and said central roller.

[0052] According to yet another embodiment of this peristaltic pump, and according to a so-called hybrid drive system, this central roller is connected to the drive shaft to ensure its rotational drive, and therefore that of the rollers with which it is in contact. This secondary drive is added to the gear or direct drive of the rotating rollers. Such an embodiment also advantageously prevents any potential twisting of the rollers when they are rotated by the rotor and at least one of these rollers compresses the tube against the inner face of the peristaltic pump's contact area.

[0053] For example, the drive system being geared and comprising an epicyclic gear train, the planetary pinion includes an assembly element forming a protrusion on its face opposite to that intended to be oriented towards the motor, said assembly element being configured to ensure the assembly of said planetary pinion and said central roller, or has a central opening configured to receive one end of said central roller and allow its assembly with said central roller.

[0054] Alternatively, said drive device being direct drive, this peristaltic pump comprises an external gear, an assembly element projecting from its face opposite that intended to be oriented towards the motor, said assembly element being configured to ensure the assembly of said gear and said central roller, or comprises an external gear having a central opening configured to house one end of said central roller and permit its assembly with said central roller, said peristaltic pump further comprising an individual part having an external periphery or surface defining an imprint such as square or hexagonal, intended to cooperate with an orifice of complementary shape of a separator of said peristaltic pump, said individual part having a central orifice configured to permit the passage of the end of said central roller.

[0055] According to yet another embodiment of this peristaltic pump, the protruding assembly element is configured to ensure its assembly by clipping, or elastic deformation of the latter, in a recess of the end of the central roller.

[0056] Alternatively, the opening of said planetary pinion or of said external gear having an oblong shape, one end of said central roller has an assembly face of complementary shape to ensure assembly by interlocking said central roller into said planetary pinion or said gear.

[0057] According to yet another embodiment of this peristaltic pump, the constituent parts of said pump are made of plastic, the body of the peristaltic pump, also called casing, being formed of two half-casings assembled together, said half-casings being identical.

[0058] Advantageously, the component parts of said pump are made of plastic and are identical for the parts common to said gear-driven and direct-drive pumps, that is to say for the parts common to the two peristaltic pumps covered by the present invention.

[0059] According to yet another embodiment of this peristaltic pump, comprising at least one rotor, said peristaltic pump includes an electric motor driving said rotor(s) in rotation, this electric motor being chosen from a stepper motor, a direct current motor or an alternating current motor, possibly with epicyclic reducers.

[0060] According to yet another embodiment of this peristaltic pump, it comprises a housing consisting of a first housing portion and a second housing portion. The first housing portion includes a hole for the passage of the motor shaft, an inner face, and an outer face. A portion of the outer face of the first housing portion defines, at the level of the hole, a recess or support for housing a fully open end of the motor body. The peristaltic pump includes at least one means for securing the motor body in this recess or support. Thus, the motor comprises a motor body in which a front bearing and a rear bearing are received. A shaft is mounted to rotate on these two bearings. This shaft projects from a front end of the motor body. This front end of the motor body is open.

[0061] Advantageously, the peristaltic pump motor can therefore be fixed directly onto the pump body, ensuring simplification and giving this pump an economical aspect.

[0062] Preferably, this support protrudes from the said outer face of the first part of the case, being centered on this hole.

[0063] Advantageously, since the motor body is tubular, this support forms a flange or two concentric annular lips to receive the open end of the motor body. Alternatively, the support forms a tubular portion into which the pump body is intended to be received.

[0064] As an example, the said means of attachment consists of threaded holes to receive attachments to the engine body.

[0065] The present invention also relates to a pre-assembled sub-assembly comprising a peristaltic pump as described above and a deformable tube for a peristaltic pump.

[0066] The present invention further relates to such a pre-assembled sub-assembly comprising at least two different sets of rollers to allow changing the reduction ratios of said peristaltic pump. Brief description of the drawings

[0067] Other advantages, purposes, and special features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given for explanatory purposes only and not as a limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 [ Fig. 1 ] is an exploded view of a peristaltic pump according to a first embodiment of the present invention, said pump comprising a geared rotor drive device; Fig. 2 [ Fig. 2 ] is a cross-sectional view of the peristaltic pump of the Fig. 1 showing the arrangement of the pebbles and the central roller; Fig. 3 [ Fig. 3 ] is an exploded view of a peristaltic pump according to a second embodiment of the present invention, said pump comprising a device with direct rotor drive; Fig. 4 [ Fig. 4 ] is a cross-sectional view of the peristaltic pump of the Fig. 3 showing the arrangement of the pebbles and the central roller; Fig. 5 [ Fig. 5 ] is a schematic representation of the peristaltic pump separator illustrated in the Fig. 3 ; Fig. 6 [ Fig. 6 ] is a view of the rear face, intended to be directed towards the pump drive, of the separator illustrated in the Fig. 5 ; Fig. 7 [ Fig. 7 ] is a schematic and exploded representation of a peristaltic pump according to a third embodiment of the present invention, said pump being said to have hybrid drive; Fig. 8 [ Fig. 8 ] is a schematic representation of the central roller, the perforated wheel, and the ring of the peristaltic pump illustrated in the Fig. 7 ; Fig. 9 [ Fig. 9 ] is a schematic representation of a peristaltic pump according to another embodiment of the present invention, said pump comprising a gear drive device and a direct drive device for the rollers, the rollers being here driven directly in rotation; Fig. 10 [ Fig. 10 ] shows the peristaltic pump illustrated in the Fig. 9 in which the rotational drive of the rollers is ensured by the sole gear drive device of this pump; Fig. 11 [ Fig. 11 ] shows the peristaltic pump illustrated in the Fig. 9 in which the rotational drive of the rollers is ensured by a friction drive, the central toothed wheel of the gear drive device having been removed; Fig. 12 [ Fig. 12 ] shows the peristaltic pump illustrated in the Fig. 9 in which the rotational drive of the rollers is ensured by a hybrid type drive, combining friction drive and gear drive of the rotor; Description of the implementation methods

[0068] The drawings and description below contain, for the most part, elements of a definite nature. They can therefore not only serve to better explain the present invention, but also contribute to its definition, if necessary.

[0069] Firstly, it should be noted that the figures are not to scale.

[0070] THE Figures 1 et 2 schematically illustrate a peristaltic pump 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0071] This peristaltic pump 10, which includes a geared rotor drive device, is said to have a single separator, that is to say, it has only one separator.

[0072] It includes a housing 11 which is formed by two identical housing body parts assembled together by defining a space to receive a bearing 12. These housing body parts 11 are here obtained by molding a plastic material.

[0073] It also includes a pump body tube (not shown) for transporting a liquid. This pump body tube is made of an elastomeric material.

[0074] The peristaltic pump 10 comprises a rotor carrying three free-rotating rollers 13, the rotor being driven in rotation by the gear drive device comprising here an epicyclic geared motor 18. The rollers 13 carried by pins 14 of the separator 15, are regularly distributed around the periphery of the rotor, each roller 13 being thus angularly spaced from its neighbor by an angle of 120°.

[0075] The inner face of the bearing 12 forms a support against which the pump body tube is crushed by the rollers to ensure the sealing of this tube and to ensure the movement of the liquid received in it.

[0076] This peristaltic pump 10 further includes a central roller 16, positioned between the rollers 13 and in contact with them, this central roller forming a central support point for the transfer of forces applied to said at least one roller 13 compressing said deformable tube against said inner face at every instant.

[0077] The ends of this central roller 16 have bosses 17 for holding it in position and self-centering on the rollers 13.

[0078] All the parts of this peristaltic pump, except for its motor, are made of plastic. This makes the peristaltic pump particularly economical while also being highly reliable.

[0079] THE Figures 3 et 4 schematically illustrate a peristaltic pump 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0080] The components of the peristaltic pump 20 illustrated in Figures 3 et 4 bearing the same references as those of the peristaltic pump 10 illustrated in Figures 1 et 2 represent the same objects, which will not be described again below.

[0081] This 20-unit peristaltic pump, known as a single-separator pump, differs from the one shown in the... Figures 1 et 2 in that it includes a direct drive device.

[0082] THE Figures 7 et 8 show an exploded view of a peristaltic pump 30 according to a third embodiment, this peristaltic pump 30 being said to have a hybrid drive.

[0083] The components of the peristaltic pump 30 illustrated in Figures 7 et 8 bearing the same references as those of the peristaltic pump 10 illustrated in Figures 1 et 2 represent the same objects, which will not be described again below.

[0084] In addition to a main drive of the rollers 13 provided by the direct drive device of the peristaltic pump, a secondary drive of the rollers is achieved by linking the drive shaft to one end of the central roller 16.

[0085] For this purpose, the peristaltic pump 30 includes a wheel 31 with external teeth, the latter having an oblong central opening to receive an end of complementary shape to the central roller 16 and to allow its assembly with the latter.

[0086] The peristaltic pump 30 further includes a ring 32 whose periphery or external surface defines a hexagonal imprint, intended to cooperate with an orifice of complementary shape placed in the separator 15 of the peristaltic pump, this ring 32 having a central orifice configured to allow the passage of the end of the central roller 16.

[0087] The end of the drive shaft is directly inserted into a longitudinal opening in the central roller opening at the tip 33 of the roller end to link this drive shaft and the central roller 16.

[0088] Not only is the central roller 16 axially immobilized by its connection to the drive shaft, but the drive of this central roller 16 by the drive shaft generates additional drive by friction of the rollers 13 in contact with this central roller.

[0089] It is observed that this double drive of the rollers 13 prevents any possible torsion of the latter during the operation of the peristaltic pump 30.

[0090] THE Figures 9 à 12 show the different driving modes of a peristaltic pump 40 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0091] This single 40 peristaltic pump offers several advantageous reduction ratios, featuring up to four drive modes: direct drive ( Fig. 9 ): reduction ratio equal to 1, gear drive ( Fig. 10 ): reduction ratio here equal to 7, friction drive ( Fig. 11 ): reduction ratio here equal to 8, and hybrid drive ( Fig. 12 ): reduction ratio here equal to 7.

[0092] The body of this peristaltic pump 40 is formed of two identical plastic half-cases assembled together. Each of these half-cases thus has a central opening for the insertion of the shaft of a motor 41.

[0093] Most of the parts of this 40 peristaltic pump are also made of plastic, making the production cost of this pump very economical.

[0094] It includes two separators 42, 43 supporting its rollers 44 and its central roller 16.

[0095] Advantageously, the separators 42, 43 are also identical and have on one face of their opposite faces pins to support the peripheral gear wheels of the gear drive device.

[0096] Furthermore, this peristaltic pump comprising three rollers 44, each separator 42, 43 comprises two sets of three (3) holes distributed on corresponding circles of different diameters and a set of three (3) needles 45 to form with each set of holes, supports to support corresponding rollers 44.

[0097] By changing these single rollers 44 having a first diameter D with other rollers having a second diameter D', the present peristaltic pump offers new reduction ratios to compress the tube 46 at at least one point on the inner face of the bearing surface of this peristaltic pump 40.

[0098] A separator 42 supports a pinion 47 to ensure the direct drive of the rotating rollers. Alternatively, the central hole of this separator 42 could have a female recess complementary to the male recess of the motor shaft 41 for their assembly by complementary interlocking so as to allow the direct drive of said rotating rollers 44.

Claims

1. A peristaltic pump intended to operate with a deformable tube, said peristaltic pump comprising a support surface (12) comprising an interior face, a drive device driving the rotation of rollers (13) so as to compress said tube at least at one point on the interior face of said support surface (12), this drive device being a direct-drive device, - said peristaltic pump comprising a central roller (16), positioned between said rollers (13) and in contact therewith, said central roller (16) forming a central point of contact for relaying the load applied to said at least one roller compressing said deformable tube against said interior face, said central roller (16) having a longitudinal axis, - said peristaltic pump comprising a gearwheel support element which is pierced at its center and comprises pins on at least one of its faces to support peripheral gearwheels, a central gearwheel engaging with said peripheral gearwheels so as to drive same, the assembly forming a geared drive device for driving the rotation of said rollers (13) so as to compress said tube at least at one point on the interior face of said support surface (12), and / or - said central roller (16) comprising an orifice extending along its longitudinal axis and opening onto at least one of the lateral edges of said roller, said orifice having a female socket shape configured to be connected to the shaft of a motor for driving the rotation of said roller and, therefore, for driving the rotation of said rollers (13), this rotational driving of said rollers (13) being what is known as friction drive, and - said peristaltic pump being thus configured to offer, using the same set of rollers (13), at least two different reduction ratios when it has two of said devices for driving the rollers (13), and at least three different reduction ratios when it comprises all three devices for driving the rollers (13).

2. The peristaltic pump according to claim 1, with said peristaltic pump comprising a device for the geared driving of the rollers (13) and with said central roller (16) comprising an orifice extending along its longitudinal axis and opening onto at least one of its lateral edges, said central gearwheel is removable so as to allow just the central roller (16) to be driven directly by the shaft of a motor so as to drive the rotation of said rollers (13) by friction, said peristaltic pump thus offering a third different geared-down reduction ratio.

3. The peristaltic pump according to claim 1 or 2, with said peristaltic pump comprising a device for the geared driving of the rollers (13), one lateral edge, or end, of said central roller (16) is inserted into the central hole in said gearwheel support element in order to support said central roller (16).

4. The peristaltic pump according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, with said peristaltic pump comprising a device for the geared driving of the rollers (13) and with said gearwheel support element comprising pins for supporting said rollers (13) and thus forming a separator, said peristaltic pump comprises a single separator and is said to be a single-separator pump, the central hole in this separator determining a female socket that complements the male end shape of the shaft of a motor so that these can be assembled by fitting the one into the other so as to allow direct rotational drive of said rollers (13).

5. The peristaltic pump according to claim 4, said central roller (16) being configured to maintain its position between said rollers (13).

6. The peristaltic pump according to claim 5, with said central roller (16) having a longitudinal dimension greater than that of the rollers (13), each of its lateral edges, or ends, has a flared shape or a boss to prevent movement of said central roller (16) along the main axis about which said rollers (13) are rotationally driven by said geared driving device.

7. The peristaltic pump according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, with said gearwheel support element also comprising pins for supporting said rollers (13) and thus forming a first separator, it comprises a second separator pierced at its center and comprising pins on at least one of its faces, said first and second separators defining a cage to receive and support at least said rollers (13) and the central roller (16), said second separator comprising a central hole supporting a pinion intended to be driven directly by a shaft of a motor in order to drive the rotation of said rollers (13), or this central hole in said second separator defining a female socket that complements the male end shape of the shaft of a motor so that these can be assembled by fitting the one into the other so as to allow direct rotational drive of said rollers (13).

8. The peristaltic pump according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, with said pump comprising n rollers (13), said gearwheel support element comprising pins for supporting said rollers (13) and thus forming a separator, said or at least one of said separators comprises two opposite faces, at least one of said faces receiving at least two sets of n pins, the n pins of a first set being distributed on a circle of diameter D and the n pins of another set being distributed on a circle of diameter G so as to define two distinct reduction ratios for said peristaltic pump using corresponding rollers (13).

9. The peristaltic pump according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, with said pump comprising n rollers (13), said gearwheel support element comprising pins for supporting said rollers (13) and thus forming a separator, said or at least one of said separators comprises at least two sets of n holes distributed on corresponding circles of different diameters and a single set of n spindles so as to form, with each set of holes, pins for supporting corresponding rollers (13), said sets of n holes defining distinct reduction ratios for said peristaltic pump.

10. The peristaltic pump according to any one of the claims 1 to 9, said peristaltic pump being configured in such a way that the secondary, so-called friction, driving of said rollers (13) by said central roller (16) combines with the geared-driving of the rotation of said rollers (13) the drive thus formed being said to be hybrid.

11. The peristaltic pump according to claim 10, with said peristaltic pump comprising a geared-drive device for driving the rollers (13) and said central roller (16) of comprising an orifice extending along its longitudinal axis and opening onto at least one of its lateral edges, said central gearwheel has a hole placed facing the orifice of said central roller (16), the hole in said gearwheel and the orifice of said roller having the same female socket shape that complements the male shape of the shaft of a motor so that these can be assembled by fitting the one into the other so as to allow rotational driving of said rollers (13) and of said central roller (16).

12. The peristaltic pump according to claim 10, with said peristaltic pump comprising a device for the geared driving of the rollers (13) and said central roller (16) comprising an orifice extending along its longitudinal axis and opening onto at least one of its lateral edges, said central gearwheel comprises an assembly element projecting from its opposite face from the one that is intended to face toward the motor, said assembly element being configured for assembling this central gearwheel with said central roller (16).

13. The peristaltic pump according to claim 7 or according to claim 7 and claim 8 or 9, said peristaltic pump comprising an externally-toothed gearwheel supported by a separator distinct from said gearwheel support element, an assembly element projecting from the opposite face of this externally-toothed gearwheel from the face that is intended to face toward the motor, said assembly element being configured to allow assembly of said externally-toothed gearwheel and of said central roller (16), or a central opening configured to house one end of said central roller (16) and allow it to be assembled with said central roller (16), said peristaltic pump additionally comprising an individual component of which the periphery or external surface defines a shape, such as a square or hexagonal shape, intended to collaborate with an orifice of complementary shape belonging to a separator of said peristaltic pump, said individual component having a central orifice configured to allow the passage of the end of said central roller (16).

14. The peristaltic pump according to any one of the preceding claims, the components that make up said pump being made of plastic, the body of the peristaltic pump, also known as the pump casing, being made as two half-casings assembled with one another, said half-casings being identical.

15. A preassembled subassembly comprising a peristaltic pump according to any one of the claims 1 to 14 and a peristaltic-pump deformable tube.

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