Pinch valve device

Abstract

To provide a pinch valve device which a liquid feeding tube can be easily attached to and removed from, which has high operability, and which realizes good visibility of the compression state of the liquid feeding tube.SOLUTION: A liquid feeding tube 8 is inserted in an insertion concave groove 7a from an opening 7b. A stepper motor 1 is rotationally driven to advance or retreat a pusher 4 thereby causing a swing lever 9 to swing about a swing shaft 9a by tilting a second end part 9c. When a first end part 9b swings from a position where it is parallel to the insertion concave groove 7a to a position where it intersects the insertion concave groove 7a, the liquid feeding tube 8 held down to a groove bottom part of the insertion concave groove 7a is squashed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to pinch valve devices for use in, for example, medical equipment, industrial equipment, consumer equipment, and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Pinch valve devices are used in transfusion and dialysis machines, etc., where the tubing carrying the blood being delivered into the patient must be clamped as quickly as possible to cut off the blood supply to the patient so that air bubbles cannot enter the body's circulatory system, or to clamp the tubing as quickly and securely as possible to prevent further flow through the tubing when administering a dose of a liquid. Pinch valve devices function as an on / off switch for the flow connections between components of a fluid system.

[0003] The pinch valve apparatus includes a closure element arranged axially movably and having a closure piece for clamping a tube, a permanent magnetic holding device designed to hold the closure element in two different stable equilibrium positions, i.e., an open position and a closed position, by permanent magnetic forces without the need to supply energy to the permanent magnetic holding device to hold it in each equilibrium position, and an electromagnetic actuating device for performing a switching process to move the closure element from the open position to the closed position or from the closed position to the open position (see JP 2023-37586 A; Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-37586 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The pinch valve device of the above-mentioned Patent Document 1 is provided with an openable and closable closure cover at the axial end of the closure housing. In the open position, the closure cover inserts the tube into the receptacle, and in the closed position, the tube is clamped and fixed between the tube pinch element and the closure piece. In this way, the user must open the closure cover, insert the tube into the receptacle, and then close the closure cover, making the tube installation process cumbersome, and there is a risk of incorrect installation because the user cannot visually check how the tube is clamped. If the tube position is shifted, the tube cannot be closed by the tube pinch element and the closure piece. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve these problems, and its object is to provide a pinch valve device that is easy to attach and detach the liquid delivery tube, is less likely to shift out of position, and provides good visibility of the clamping state of the liquid delivery tube.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a pinch valve device having the following configuration. the second end is connected to the pusher and the second end is connected to the tube set block so as to pivot about a pivot axis supported by the tube set block; and the first end of the tube set block is pivoted about a pivot axis supported by the tube set block and the second end of the tube set block is connected to the pusher. The device is characterized in that the device is equipped with a drive source capable of rotating in both forward and reverse directions, a pusher which moves axially forward and backward through a screw nut which is screwed onto a screw shaft which is rotated by the drive source, an insertion groove into which a liquid delivery tube which is flexible in a direction intersecting the forward and backward direction of the pusher is inserted from an opening thereof, and a swing lever whose first end swings about a swing axis supported by the tube set block and whose first end is connected to the pusher and the second end of the tube set block is connected to the pusher. The drive source is rotated to move the pusher forward or backward to tilt the second end, thereby swinging the swing lever about the swing axis, and when the first end swings from a position parallel to the insertion groove to a position intersecting the insertion groove, the liquid delivery tube which is pressed down in the bottom of the insertion groove is crushed.

[0008] In this way, the tube set block is provided with an insertion groove into which the liquid feed tube can be inserted from the opening, making it easy to attach and detach the liquid feed tube to and from the tube set block, and the attached state can be visually confirmed, preventing setting errors. Also, by driving the drive source and using the pusher to swing the first end of the swing lever around the swing axis from a position parallel to the insertion groove to a position intersecting the insertion groove, the swing lever can press the liquid feed tube against the bottom of the insertion groove and crush it to close it.

[0009] It is preferable that a pair of lever grooves for receiving the first end of the rocking lever are provided opposite each other in a direction intersecting with the insertion groove. This allows the first end of the swing lever to be swung from a state in which it is housed in the first lever groove across the insertion groove to the opposing second lever groove, and the liquid delivery tube inserted into the insertion groove is pressed down toward the bottom of the insertion groove by the first end while being crushed, preventing the liquid delivery tube from falling out of the insertion groove, providing good operability.

[0010] When a pair of protruding wall portions that narrow the groove width of the insertion groove are arranged opposite each other on both sides of the pair of lever grooves, the liquid delivery tube can be positioned and prevented from falling out by simply inserting the liquid delivery tube into the bottom of the insertion groove by the pair of opposing protruding wall portions.

[0011] The pressing surface of the first end of the rocking lever may be tapered. As a result, the pressing surface at the first end of the rocking lever is formed in a tapered shape, so that the liquid supply tube inserted in the insertion groove can be easily crushed, and liquid supply can be reliably blocked.

[0012] A light-shielding portion may be protruded from the second end of the oscillating lever, and the closed state or open state of the liquid delivery tube may be determined based on the detection state of a photosensor provided corresponding to the light-shielding portion. This allows the swing position of the swing lever to be confirmed by the photosensor, so that work can be performed while checking whether the liquid supply tube is in a closed or open state. Effect of the Invention

[0013] It is possible to provide a pinch valve device in which the liquid supply tube is easily attached and detached, is less likely to shift position, and allows good visibility of the clamping state of the liquid supply tube. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pinch valve device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pinch valve device of FIG. 1 with a portion cut away. [Diagram 3] 3(A), (B), and (C) are front views of the pinch valve device seen from the insertion groove side before, during, and after operation. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the direction of arrows Y-Y in FIG. 3(A), (B), and (C). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pinch valve device according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of FIGS. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a stepping motor 1 is a drive source capable of rotating in both forward and reverse directions. A screw shaft 2 is connected to the rotating shaft of this stepping motor 1. A screw nut 3 is screwed onto the screw shaft 2. A pusher 4 is assembled integrally with the screw nut 3, and the pusher 4 moves forward and backward in the axial direction via the screw nut 3 screwed onto the screw shaft 2. A device body 6 assembled to the axial end face of the stepping motor 1 has a plurality of support columns 5 arranged parallel to the screw shaft 2. The support columns 5 support a mounting plate 6a. When the screw shaft 2 rotates, the pusher 4 moves forward and backward in the axial direction together with the screw nut 3.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 1, a tube set block 7 is integrally assembled to the mounting plate 6a of the device body 6. The tube set block 7 is provided with a U-shaped insertion groove 7a into which the liquid supply tube 8 is inserted in a direction intersecting (perpendicular to) the advancing and retracting direction of the pusher 4. The liquid supply tube 8 (see Fig. 4(A)) inserted from an opening 7b of the insertion groove 7a is made of silicone rubber, resin, or the like having the flexibility to deform so as to be openable and closable.

[0017] 2, the tube set block 7 is provided with a swing lever 9 having a first end 9b and a second end 9c connected in an L-shape, which is swingable about a swing shaft 9a. The first end 9b of the swing lever 9 extends to a position where it intersects with the insertion groove 7a, and the second end 9c is connected to the pusher 4. The pusher 4 is inserted into a through hole 9d provided in the second end 9c of the swing lever 9, and is sandwiched between a pair of guide shafts 4a, 4b protruding from the pusher 4 on both sides of the through hole 9d. When the pusher 4 advances, the second end 9c abuts against the guide shaft 4b and tilts, and the first end 9b rotates counterclockwise about the swing shaft 9a, squashing the liquid-feed tube 8 in the insertion groove 7a to close it so that liquid cannot be fed. Furthermore, when the pusher 4 retracts, the second end 9c abuts against the guide shaft 4a and tilts, and the first end 9b rotates clockwise around the oscillating shaft 9a, and moves away from the liquid delivery tube 8 in the insertion groove 7a to restore its tubular shape and become capable of delivering liquid.

[0018] 3(A), a pair of lever grooves 7c (first lever groove 7c1, second lever groove 7c2) are formed in an inner wall surface of the insertion groove 7a of the tube set block 7 in a direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the insertion groove 7a. Of the pair of lever grooves 7c, the first lever groove 7c1 is a groove that receives a first end 9b of the swing lever 9 before the liquid supply tube 8 is attached. The second lever groove 7c2 is a groove that receives the first end 9b when the swing lever 9 crushes the liquid supply tube 8 inserted in the insertion groove 7a.

[0019] Further, near the opening 7b of the insertion groove 7a, protruding wall portions 7d that narrow the width of the U-shaped groove are disposed opposite each other on both sides of the pair of lever grooves 7c. As a result, when the liquid supply tube 8 is inserted into the insertion groove 7a from the opening 7b, the pair of protruding wall portions 7d provided on both sides of the pair of lever grooves 7c can position the liquid supply tube 8 and prevent it from coming off.

[0020] 2 and 3(B), the first end 9b of the rocking lever 9 has a pressing surface 9e tapered like a wedge in cross section to pinch and crush the liquid feed tube 8. Since the pressing surface 9e of the first end 9b of the rocking lever 9 is tapered in this manner, the liquid feed tube 8 inserted into the insertion groove 7a can be easily crushed by the rocking lever 9, and the liquid feed can be reliably blocked.

[0021] Here, the operation of the pinch valve device described above will be described with reference to Figs. 3(A)-(C) and 4(A)-(C). Note that the liquid supply tube 8 is omitted from Figs. 3(A)-(C). Figs. 3(A) and 4(A) show the state in which the liquid supply tube 8 is inserted into the insertion groove 7a of the pinch valve device. At this time, the user can attach the liquid supply tube 8 simply by pushing it into the insertion groove 7a from the opening 7b, and can visually confirm the tube attachment state. At this time, the pusher 4 is in a retreated position, and the first end 9b of the swing lever 9 is waiting in the first lever groove 7c1 that intersects with the insertion groove 7a (see Fig. 3(A)).

[0022] 3(B) and 4(B) show the state where the stepping motor 1 of the pinch valve device is started to move the pusher 4 forward. When the stepping motor 1 is rotated in a predetermined direction, the screw shaft 2 rotates, and the pusher 4 advances via the screw nut 3. When the pusher 4 advances, the second end 9c of the swing lever 9 abuts against the guide shaft 4b and tilts, and the first end 9b rotates counterclockwise around the swing shaft 9a, and the first end 9b starts to crush the liquid supply tube 8 in the insertion groove 7a. At this time, the first end 9b contacts the liquid supply tube 8 in a state inclined such that the groove bottom side of the insertion groove 7a is higher and the opening 7b side is lower, and rotates around the swing shaft 9a while pressing the liquid supply tube 8 from the opening 7b toward the groove bottom of the insertion groove 7a, so that the liquid supply tube 8 does not escape from the insertion groove 7a and is not removed.

[0023] 3(C) and 4(C) show a state in which the pusher 4 of the pinch valve device is advanced to crush the liquid supply tube 8 in the insertion groove 7a and cut off the liquid supply. The second end 9c of the swing lever 9 tilts while remaining in contact with the guide shaft 4b, and the first end 9b further rotates counterclockwise around the swing shaft 9a, and the pressing surface 9e of the first end 9b enters the second lever groove 7c2 that intersects with the insertion groove 7a and crushes the liquid supply tube 8. As a result, the liquid supply tube 8 is elastically deformed and liquid supply is cut off.

[0024] When starting to feed the liquid through the liquid feed tube 8, the stepping motor 1 is driven in reverse rotation to move the pusher 4 backward via the screw nut 3. This causes the second end 9c of the swing lever 9 to abut against the guide shaft 4a and tilt, and the first end 9b rotates clockwise around the swing shaft 9a, and the first end 9b moves away from the liquid feed tube 8 in the insertion groove 7a and returns to the first lever groove 7c1 intersecting with the insertion groove 7a (see Figs. 3(A) and 4(A)). When the first end 9b moves away, the liquid feed tube 8 restores to a tubular shape due to its own elasticity, making it possible to feed liquid.

[0025] In this way, the tube set block 7 is provided with the insertion groove 7a into which the liquid supply tube 8 can be inserted from the opening 7b, so that the liquid supply tube 8 can be easily attached to and detached from the tube set block 7, and the attached state can also be visually confirmed. In addition, the stepping motor 1 is driven to cause the pusher 4 to swing the first end 9b of the swing lever 9 about the swing shaft 9a from a position parallel to the insertion groove 7a to a position intersecting the insertion groove 7a, so that while the swing lever 9 swings, the liquid supply tube 8 is pressed down toward the bottom of the insertion groove 7a, so that the liquid supply tube 8 does not slip out of the insertion groove 7a, and operability is good.

[0026] Furthermore, as shown by the dashed lines in Figures 3(C) and 4(C), a light-shielding portion 9f may be protruded from the second end 9c of the rocking lever 9, and the closed state or open state of the liquid delivery tube 8 may be determined based on the detection state of a photosensor 10 provided corresponding to the light-shielding portion 9f. This allows the swing position of the swing lever 9 to be confirmed by the photosensor 10, so that work can be performed while checking whether the liquid supply tube 8 is in a closed or open state.

[0027] The above-mentioned pinch valve device can be widely used in manufacturing sites where liquid medicine is delivered in fixed amounts, and as medical equipment such as dialysis equipment and blood transfusion equipment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0028] 1 Stepping motor 2 Screw shaft 3 Screw nut 4 Pusher 4a, 4b Guide shaft 5 Support 6 Device body 6a Mounting plate 7 Tube set block 7a Insertion groove 7b Opening 7c Lever groove 7c1 First lever groove 7c2 Second lever groove 8 Liquid delivery tube 9 Swing lever 9a Swing shaft 9b First end 9c Second end 9d Through hole 9e Pressing surface 9f Light shielding portion 10 Photo sensor

Claims

1. A drive source capable of driving the motor in forward and reverse directions; a pusher that moves back and forth in the axial direction through a screw nut that is screw-fitted to a screw shaft that is rotated by the drive source; an insertion groove into which a liquid delivery tube having flexibility in a direction intersecting with the advancing and retreating direction of the pusher is inserted from an opening of the tube set block; a swing lever having a first end portion of an L-shaped lever member extending to a position where the first end portion intersects with the insertion groove and a second end portion connected to the pusher, the first end portion swinging about a swing shaft supported by the tube block; A pinch valve device in which the drive source is rotated to tilt the second end portion by moving the pusher forward or backward to cause the oscillating lever to oscillate around the oscillating axis, and when the first end portion oscillates from a position parallel to the insertion groove to a position intersecting the insertion groove, the liquid delivery tube held down in the bottom of the insertion groove is crushed.

2. 2. The pinch valve device according to claim 1, further comprising a pair of lever grooves arranged opposite each other and intersecting with the insertion groove, the pair of lever grooves receiving the first end of the swing lever.

3. 3. The pinch valve device according to claim 2, wherein a pair of protruding walls that narrow the groove width of the insertion groove are disposed opposite to each other on both sides of the pair of lever grooves.

4. 3. The pinch valve device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing surface of the first end of the rocking lever is tapered.

5. 3. The pinch valve device according to claim 1, wherein a light-shielding portion is protrudingly provided on the second end of the swing lever, and a photosensor provided corresponding to the light-shielding portion detects whether the liquid delivery tube is in a closed state or an open state.

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