Liquid delivery device and liquid ejection device

Abstract

To provide a liquid feeding device capable of stably feeding liquid and to provide a liquid discharge device.SOLUTION: A liquid feeding device 10 includes: a first case 21 having an annular groove 213; and a shaft 24 rotating relatively to the first case 21 using a main column 241 as a shaft. The liquid feeding device 10 includes: a tube 23 disposed in the groove 213; and a pressing body 25 mounted on a plurality of support posts 242 of the shaft 24 and capable of blocking a liquid flow passage P1 in the tube 23 by pressing the tube 23 in the groove 213. Further, the liquid feeding device 10 includes a second case 22 mounted on the first case 21 and preventing the tube 23 and the shaft 24 from coming off from the first case 21. The groove 213 is formed into a trapezoidal shape in which one side in one direction is wide. A portion introduced into the groove 213 in the pressing body 25 is formed into a trapezoidal shape corresponding to the shape of the groove 213.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid delivery device and a liquid ejection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as a liquid delivery device, a tube pump has been known, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, which includes a housing with a cylindrical inner wall surface, a tube arranged in a ring along the inner wall surface, and a plurality of planetary rollers that press the tube toward the inner wall surface.

[0003] In Patent Document 1, multiple planetary rollers are supported by an angle that is rotatably supported on a central shaft. The angle is rotated so that the planetary rollers are positioned in an area where no tubes are placed, and the tubes are released from pressure by the planetary rollers, making it easy to replace the tubes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-231413 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, in order to allow multiple planetary rollers to be placed in areas where no tubes are placed, the multiple angles are supported on the central shaft in a state where they can overlap each other. That is, the multiple angles are arranged at different levels along the axial direction of the central shaft. As a result, the position at which the tube is compressed varies for each planetary roller, and there is a risk that the internal volume of the tube between adjacent planetary rollers will differ depending on the pair of planetary rollers. Furthermore, if the internal volume of the tube between adjacent planetary rollers differs, there is a risk that the amount of liquid delivered from the tube by the planetary rollers will become unstable.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid delivery device and a liquid ejection device that are capable of delivering liquid more stably. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A liquid delivery device according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a first case having an annular groove opening to one side in a first direction, a main pillar extending in the first direction, and a plurality of support pillars connected to the main pillar and extending in a direction intersecting the first direction, a shaft driven by a drive source to rotate relative to the first case around the main pillar as an axis, a tube having a liquid flow path through which liquid can pass and arranged in the groove, a pressing body provided on each of the plurality of support pillars and capable of pressing the tube to the other side in the first direction within the groove to block the liquid flow path, and a second case attached to the first case from one side in the first direction and preventing the tube and the shaft from slipping out of the first case, wherein the shape of the groove is trapezoidal with one side in the first direction being wider, and the shape of the portion of the pressing body that is introduced into the groove is trapezoidal corresponding to the shape of the groove.

[0008] In addition, a liquid ejection device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the liquid delivery device, a tank capable of storing liquid and connected to the liquid delivery device via an upstream flow path connected to the upstream end of the tube provided in the liquid delivery device, and an ejection section connected to the liquid delivery device via a downstream flow path connected to the downstream end of the tube provided in the liquid delivery device and capable of ejecting liquid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to obtain a liquid delivery device and a liquid ejection device that are capable of delivering liquid more stably. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1A to 1C are diagrams schematically illustrating an example of a method of using a liquid delivery device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a liquid delivery device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a perspective view showing a liquid delivery device according to an embodiment, disassembled into a pump unit and a drive unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the pump unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cover of the pump unit according to the embodiment is removed. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a rear view showing the casing of the pump unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a back view schematically showing a state in which a pressing body is disposed in a groove of a pump portion according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which a tube is placed in a groove of a pump portion according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a state in which a tube disposed in a groove of a pump portion according to an embodiment is pressed by a pressing body. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a rear view schematically illustrating the arrangement relationship between the grooves of the pump portion and a plurality of pressing bodies according to the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 11]10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state in which a liquid flow path is closed by a pressing body according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid delivery device according to an embodiment. [Figure 13] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a liquid delivery device according to an embodiment, exploded into a pump unit and a drive unit. [Figure 14] 1 is a perspective view showing a joint portion of a connecting shaft and a drive joint of a shaft according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 15] 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating the contact relationship between the restricting portion of the cover and the shaft when the drive portion according to the embodiment is detached from the pump portion. FIG. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the biasing relationship between the tube and the pressing body when no biasing spring is used. [Figure 17] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating the biasing relationship between the tube and the pressing body when a biasing spring is used. [Figure 18] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example in which a biasing spring is held by a cover. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an example in which a biasing spring is held by a cover. [Figure 20] FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing a tube according to a modified example. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a side view schematically showing a state in which a tube according to a modified example is attached to a casing. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a perspective view schematically showing a pressing body according to a modified example. [Figure 23] 1A to 1C are diagrams schematically illustrating a liquid ejection device including a liquid delivery device according to an embodiment and a modification thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters or redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

[0012] The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0013] In the following embodiments, the drive unit is disposed below the pump unit, and the vertical direction (first direction) of the liquid delivery device is defined with the main pillar of the shaft extending in the vertical direction.

[0014] Furthermore, the following embodiments and their modifications include similar components, and therefore, in the following, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the similar components, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0015] First, an example of a method of using the liquid delivery device 10 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

[0016] The liquid delivery device 10 according to this embodiment includes a casing (first case) 21 having an annular groove 213, a tube 23 having a tube body 231 a portion of which is inserted into the groove 213, and a shaft 24 rotatably held by the casing 21. In this embodiment, the groove 213 is formed to open to the lower side in the vertical direction (one side in the first direction: the front side of the paper in FIG. 1). A liquid flow path through which a liquid can pass is formed in the tube 23. The tube 23 is configured so that a portion of the tube body 231 is inserted into the groove 213 by moving the tube 23 from the lower side to the upper side in the vertical direction relative to the casing 21. The liquid delivery device 10 further includes a cover (second case) 22, which will be described later, and the lower side of the casing 21 in the vertical direction is covered by this cover 22.

[0017] The shaft 24 also includes a main pillar 241 extending in the vertical direction, and three (a plurality of) support pillars 242 connected to the main pillar 241 and extending in the radial direction of the groove 213 (a direction intersecting the first direction). A roller 251 serving as a pressing body 25 is rotatably supported at the tip of each of the three (a plurality of) support pillars 242, and the roller 251 is configured to rotate (spin) around the support pillar 242 as an axis, while rotating (revolving) around the main pillar 241 as an axis. At this time, the roller 251 presses the tube main body 231 inserted into the groove 213 upward in the vertical direction (the other side of the first direction: the far side of the paper in FIG. 1 ), thereby blocking the liquid flow path of the tube 23.

[0018] The tube 23 has an upstream end 23a connected to the tank 40 via a pipe not shown, and a downstream end 23b connected to the discharge part 50 via a pipe not shown. In this way, the space in the tank 40 where the liquid agent (liquid) is stored and the discharge port of the discharge part 50 from which the liquid agent (liquid) is discharged are connected by the liquid flow path of the tube 23, thereby forming the liquid discharge device 1.

[0019] With this configuration, the liquid ejection device 1 (liquid delivery device 10) performs the following operations.

[0020] First, the shaft 24 is rotated in one direction (counterclockwise in FIG. 1) around the main post 241. In this way, the roller 251 rotatably supported at the tip of the support post 242 rotates (spins) around the support post 242 as its axis, while also rotating (revolving) around the main post 241 as its axis. At this time, when the roller 251 overlaps with the tube body 231 in the groove 213 in the vertical direction, the tube body 231 is pressed upward in the vertical direction by the roller 251.

[0021] In the initial state where the roller 251 and the tube main body 231 start to interfere with each other, the liquid flow path of the tube 23 is gradually pressed and blocked. When the liquid flow path of the tube 23 is completely blocked by the roller 251, the roller 251 moves from the upstream side to the downstream side while maintaining that state.

[0022] At this time, roller 251 revolves while rotating while interfering with tube 23 (while pressing tube 23), and the portion of the liquid flow path that is blocked also moves from the upstream side to the downstream side as roller 251 moves. Then, in the final state where the interference between roller 251 and tube main body 231 ends, the interference of roller 251 with tube 23 is weakened, and the liquid flow path of tube 23 is gradually opened. In this way, the liquid agent in the liquid flow path of tube 23 (including the gas in the liquid flow path during initial use) is sent downstream (toward discharge portion 50) by roller 251.

[0023] When the upstream side of the liquid flow path is opened as the blocked portion of the liquid flow path moves from the upstream side to the downstream side with the movement of the roller 251, the liquid flow path opened after the roller 251 has passed becomes substantially in a vacuum state. Therefore, the liquid agent (liquid) is supplied from the tank 40 to the liquid flow path opened after the roller 251 has passed.

[0024] Thereafter, the roller 251 moves through an area where it does not overlap with the tube main body 231 in the vertical direction, and then overlaps with the tube main body 231 again in the vertical direction on the upstream side of the tube main body 231.

[0025] Then, as all three (multiple) rollers 251 repeat the above-mentioned rotation, the liquid agent (liquid) in the tank 40 is supplied to the discharge section 50 through the liquid flow path of the tube 23 and is discharged from the discharge port of the discharge section 50.

[0026] As such, the liquid delivery device 10 of this embodiment is a tube pump that includes a tube 23 for delivering liquid, a roller 251 that rotates while crushing the tube 23, and a rotating part (shaft 24) that rotates the roller 251.

[0027] 2 and 3, in this embodiment, the liquid delivery device 10 includes a pump section 20 and a drive section 30 that drives the pump section 20. The drive section 30 is detachably attached to the pump section 20.

[0028] In this embodiment, the pump section 20 has a casing (first case) 21, a shaft 24, a tube 23, a pressing body 25, and a cover (second case) 22, as shown in FIG.

[0029] The casing 21 can be made of a resin material such as polycarbonate, etc. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the casing 21 includes a generally disk-shaped top wall 211 and a peripheral wall 212 extending downward from the outer periphery of the top wall 211, and has a shape that opens downward.

[0030] Furthermore, a through-hole 2111 that penetrates the top wall 211 in the vertical direction is formed in the center of the top wall 211, and the main pillar 241 of the shaft 24 is inserted into this through-hole 2111.

[0031] Furthermore, a substantially annular groove 213 is formed on the lower end side of the top wall 211 so as to open downward (to one side) in the vertical direction (first direction), and this groove 213 is formed concentrically with the through-hole 2111. A part of the tube body 231 of the tube 23 is inserted into the groove 213. An opening 2152 that opens in the vertical direction is formed in part of the groove 213, and a retaining wall 2112 that extends upward is formed on the periphery of the opening 2152 in the top wall 211. The retaining wall 2112 is configured to retain parts of the tube body 231 upstream and downstream of the part that is inserted into the groove 213.

[0032] On the other hand, on the outer periphery side of the peripheral wall 212, there are formed an engagement recess 2121 with which an engagement piece 222 of the cover 22, which will be described later, engages, and a positioning recess 2122 with which a positioning protrusion 223 of the cover 22, which will be described later, engages.

[0033] The tube 23 can be formed using a material such as silicon or fluorine, and includes a tube main body 231 having a liquid flow path P1 formed in its center, through which the liquid L1 can pass. The tube main body 231 is elastically deformable, expanding and contracting when external pressure is applied to the tube main body 231 and returning to its original state when the external pressure is removed. The tube 23 is held by a retaining wall 2112 formed on the top wall 211, with a portion of the elastically deformable tube main body 231 positioned within a groove 213 formed in an annular shape. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8 , it is preferable that the outer diameter (height) D1 of the tube main body 231 be equal to or less than twice the depth D3 of the groove 213. This ensures that 50% or more (more than half) of the tube main body 231 is positioned within the groove 213, thereby more reliably preventing the tube main body 231 from coming off the groove 213.

[0034] The shaft 24 comprises a main pillar 241 extending in the vertical direction, three (multiple) support pillars 242 connected to the main pillar 241 and extending radially of the groove 213, and a connecting shaft 243 connected to the lower end of the main pillar 241 and connected to the drive unit 30.

[0035] The shaft 24 is preferably made of a material with good sliding properties, such as polyacetal resin (POM resin).

[0036] In this embodiment, the main pillar 241 has a small diameter portion 2411 formed at the top and a large diameter portion 2412 formed below the small diameter portion 2411, and a connecting shaft 243 is connected to the lower end of the large diameter portion 2412. When the small diameter portion 2411 is inserted into the through hole 2111 in the top wall 211 from below in the vertical direction, the upper end surface of the large diameter portion 2412 abuts against the peripheral portion of the through hole 2111 in the top wall 211. In this way, the shaft 24 is rotatably supported by the casing 21.

[0037] In this embodiment, the three support columns 242 are formed so as to protrude radially outward from the upper end of the large diameter portion 2412. In this manner, in this embodiment, the three support columns 242 are connected to the main column 241 so that their height positions (vertical positions) are the same.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the three pillars 242 are connected to the main pillar 241 at approximately equal intervals. Therefore, in this embodiment, the inter-pillar angle θ1, which is the angle between adjacent pillars 242, is 120 degrees.

[0039] Rollers 251 are rotatably supported at the tip of each of the three support columns 242 as pressing bodies 25 that press the tube main body 231 upward. In this embodiment, three rollers 251 of the same shape are used. These rollers 251 are also preferably made of a material with good sliding properties, such as polyacetal resin (POM resin). It is also preferable to apply grease to the parts of the rollers 251 that come into contact with the tube main body 231.

[0040] When the shaft 24 is rotatably supported by the casing 21, the roller 251 presses the tube body 231 upward in the vertical direction within the groove 213, so that the liquid flow path P1 is closed.

[0041] Specifically, with the shaft 24 rotatably supported by the casing 21, the roller 251 presses the tube body 231 until the height of the liquid flow path P1 reaches 15% to 50% of the reference height (the height of the tube body 231 is the outer diameter D1 minus the inner diameter D2) when the height of the liquid flow path P1 is zero. For example, if the outer diameter D1 of the tube body 231 is 1.5 mm and the inner diameter D2 of the tube body 231 (the inner diameter of the liquid flow path P1) is 0.5 mm, the height of the liquid flow path P1 when the height is zero (the height of the tube body 231 is the outer diameter D1 minus the inner diameter D2) is 1.0 mm. Therefore, in this case, the tube body 231 is pressed to 15% to 50% of the height of 1.0 mm, so that with the shaft 24 rotatably supported by the casing 21 and the roller 251 pressing the tube body 231, the thickness D4 of the tube body 231 is 0.85 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0042] As described above, in this embodiment, the state where the height of the liquid flow path P1 is zero (the state where the height of the tube body 231 is the outer diameter D1-the inner diameter D2) is used as a reference, and the tube body 231 is pressed until it reaches 15% to 50% of that height. This makes it possible to prevent the liquid flow path P1 from being opened by the internal pressure applied to the liquid flow path P1. In other words, the roller 251 can more reliably close the liquid flow path P1.

[0043] With this configuration, when the shaft 24 is rotated around the main pillar 241, the roller 251 rotates (spins) around the support pillar 242 as an axis, crushing the tube body 231 until it reaches a thickness D4, while rotating (revolving) around the main pillar 241 as an axis. This makes it possible to reduce the frictional force generated between the roller 251 and the tube body 231.

[0044] This roller 251 is formed so that its radial direction is a vertical plane, and moves within groove 213 while rotating around support post 242. In this case, if the shape of groove 213 and the shape of the portion of roller 251 inserted into groove 213 are made substantially rectangular, and if the width of groove 213 is made substantially equal to the width of the portion of roller 251 inserted into groove 213, roller 251 will get caught on the inner surface of groove 213, and roller 251 will not be able to rotate (revolve) around main post 241 as an axis.

[0045] Therefore, if the shape of groove 213 and the shape of the portion of roller 251 that is inserted into groove 213 are made approximately rectangular, the width of groove 213 must be wider than the width of the portion of roller 251 that is inserted into groove 213.

[0046] However, if the width of groove 213 is made wider than the width of the portion of roller 251 that is inserted into groove 213, there is a risk that tube body 231 may be displaced in the radial direction, or that the position of roller 251 within groove 213 may be displaced in the radial direction. This would make it impossible for the center of roller 251 to press the center of tube body 231, which could change the way tube body 231 is crushed and result in a change in the tube internal volume. Thus, if the shape of groove 213 and the shape of the portion of roller 251 that is inserted into groove 213 are made approximately rectangular, there is a risk that liquid delivery may become unstable.

[0047] Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to more stably transfer the liquid. Specifically, the shape of the groove 213 is trapezoidal, with the lower side being wider in the vertical direction, and the shape of the portion of the roller 251 that is introduced into the groove 213 is a trapezoid corresponding to the shape of the groove 213. That is, the casing 21 is provided with a tube groove (groove 213) for receiving the tube 23, and this tube groove (groove 213) is a trapezoidal groove. The trapezoidal convex shape of the roller 251 is slidably inserted into the trapezoidal tube groove (concave groove: groove 213) of the casing 21.

[0048] In this embodiment, groove 213 has a trapezoidal shape defined by a bottom surface 2131 extending in the horizontal direction, an inner inclined surface 2132 connected to the radially inner side of bottom surface 2131 and inclined radially inward toward opening 213a, and an outer inclined surface 2133 connected to the radially outer side of bottom surface 2131 and inclined radially outward toward opening 213a. Roller 251 has a trapezoidal shape including a top surface 2511 corresponding to bottom surface 2131 of groove 213, and a pair of inclined surfaces 2512 corresponding to inner inclined surface 2132 and outer inclined surface 2133, respectively.

[0049] It is also possible to make either one of the inner and outer inner surfaces a vertical surface extending in the up-down direction, thereby making the shape of the groove 213 a trapezoid that is wider on the bottom side in the up-down direction.The shape of the part of the roller 251 that is inserted into the groove 213 can also be made a trapezoid corresponding to the shape of the groove 213 described above.

[0050] In this way, by making the shape of groove 213 and the shape of the portion of roller 251 inserted into groove 213 trapezoidal with a wider bottom in the vertical direction, it becomes possible to minimize the clearance formed between groove 213 and roller 251 while allowing roller 251 to rotate (spin or revolution) within groove 213. As a result, it becomes possible to suppress radial positional deviation of tube main body 231 and roller 251, and it becomes possible to press the center of tube main body 231 with the center of roller 251. Therefore, it becomes possible to more reliably suppress changes in the volume inside the tube, and liquid can be delivered more stably.

[0051] In addition, in this embodiment, the groove 213 has a horizontal portion (first portion) 214 where the amount of pressure applied by the roller 251 to the tube body 231 becomes a predetermined amount (outer diameter D1-thickness D4) and the liquid flow path P1 is blocked, and an open portion (second portion) 215 where the amount of pressure applied by the roller 251 to the tube body 231 becomes less than the predetermined amount.

[0052] Furthermore, in this embodiment, open portion (second portion) 215 has inclined portion 2151 in which groove 213 becomes deeper with increasing distance from horizontal portion 214, and opening 2152 that is located at the tip of inclined portion 2151 and opens in the vertical direction. This allows roller 251 to gradually press tube main body 231 when roller 251 is revolved, and the pressing of tube main body 231 by roller 251 to be gradually released.

[0053] Specifically, the liquid flow path P1 is closed midway along the inclined portion 2151 where the upstream side of the tube body 231 is located, and the liquid flow path P1 is opened midway along the inclined portion 2151 where the downstream side of the tube body 231 is located. At the opening 2152 that opens in the vertical direction, the tube body 231 is not pressed by the roller 251. As described above, in this embodiment, the tip of the inclined portion 2151 where the upstream side of the tube body 231 is located is the inlet 213b of the groove 213, and the tip of the inclined portion 2151 where the downstream side of the tube body 231 is located is the outlet 213c of the groove 213. That is, the inlet (inlet 213b) side and the outlet (outlet 213c) side of the tube groove (groove 213) are sloped so that the biasing force of the tube body 231 by the roller 251 can be completely released.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, three or more support columns 242 are connected to the main column 241 at equal intervals, and the central angle θ2 of the region where the horizontal section (first section) 214 of the groove 213 exists is an integer multiple of 2 or more of the inter-column angle θ1, which is the angle between adjacent columns, and is an angle smaller than 360 degrees. The remaining region of the groove 213 is an open section (second section) 215.

[0055] Specifically, three support columns 242 are connected to the main column 241 at equal intervals, and the angle θ1 between adjacent support columns 242 is 120 degrees.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 10 , the central angle θ2 of the region where the horizontal portion (first portion) 214 of the groove 213 exists is 240 degrees, which is twice the inter-post angle θ1 (an integer multiple of the inter-post angle θ1 that is two or more and is smaller than 360 degrees). The remaining region of the groove 213 (where the central angle is 120 degrees, the same as the inter-post angle θ1) is the open portion (second portion) 215. As described above, in this embodiment, a plurality of rollers 251 are provided, and the inlet (inlet 213b) and outlet (outlet 213c) sides of the tube groove (groove 213) are formed to have slopes. The tube groove (groove 213) has horizontal portions 214 that are equal to or greater than the inter-roller angle, and has a slope that allows the biasing force of the tube body 231 by the rollers 251 to be completely released in the region corresponding to the inter-roller angle. In this embodiment, the region corresponding to the inter-roller angle is 120 degrees. Therefore, a slope is formed in the 120-degree region on the inlet (inlet 213b) side and outlet (outlet 213c) side of the tube groove (groove 213) so that the biasing force of the tube body 231 by the roller 251 is completely released.

[0057] This allows two rollers 251 to be present in the horizontal section (first section) 214 when the shaft 24 is rotated around the main pillar 241 by a certain angle, regardless of the rotation angle between 0 and 360 degrees. Furthermore, one roller 251 can be present in the open section (second section) 215. This allows the tube body 231 to be always biased (squeezed) by the rollers 251 by the same amount when the shaft 24 is rotated around the main pillar 241. That is, because the same number (two) of rollers 251 always bias the tube body 231 on the horizontal section (first section) 214, the amount of interference between the rollers 251 and the tube body 231 can be kept substantially constant. As a result, the volume inside the tube (the volume of the liquid flow path P1, both ends of which are blocked by the adjacent pressing bodies 25) is prevented from changing significantly, and the amount of liquid delivered can be stabilized (see FIG. 11 ). Therefore, it becomes possible to carry out the liquid transfer more stably.

[0058] When four support columns 242 are connected to the main column 241 at equal intervals, the central angle θ2 of the region in the groove 213 where the horizontal section (first section) 214 exists can be set to 180 degrees, which is twice the angle θ1 between the support columns, or to 270 degrees, which is three times the angle θ1 between the support columns. This ensures that the same number (two or three) of rollers 251 always bias the tube body 231 located on the horizontal section (first section) 214, thereby enabling more stable liquid transfer. Furthermore, when five or more support columns 242 are connected to the main column 241 at equal intervals, the central angle θ2 of the region in the groove 213 where the horizontal section (first section) 214 exists can be set using a similar concept.

[0059] In this embodiment, the pump section 20 is formed by attaching the cover 22 to the casing 21 from below, with the shaft 24 rotatably supported by the casing 21.

[0060] The cover 22 has a substantially disk-shaped bottom wall 221, and a through-hole 2211 that penetrates in the vertical direction is formed in the center of the bottom wall 221. When the cover 22 is attached to the casing 21 from below, the connecting shaft 243 of the shaft 24 is inserted into the through-hole 2211 from above.

[0061] Additionally, an upwardly extending engagement piece 222 and a positioning protrusion 223 are formed on the outer periphery of the bottom wall 221. The cover 22 is attached to the casing 21 by engaging the engagement piece 222 with the engagement recess 2121 and the positioning protrusion 223 with the positioning recess 2122. At this time, the connecting shaft 243 of the shaft 24 protrudes downward beyond the cover 22.

[0062] The drive unit 30 is attached to the pump unit 20 by connecting the connecting shaft 243 of the shaft 24 that protrudes downward from the cover 22 to the drive joint 35 of the drive unit 30 .

[0063] The drive unit 30 rotates the shaft 24 of the pump unit 20 around the main post 241, and includes a motor 32 as a drive source. The motor 32 can be, for example, a stepping motor that is suitable for low-speed driving and can maintain a constant rotation speed without affecting the load torque of the tube 23.

[0064] 12 and 13, the drive unit 30 includes a transmission gear 33 that transmits the rotational motion of the motor 32, and a rotary shaft 34 that meshes with the transmission gear 33 and rotates about an axis in the vertical direction. The drive unit 30 also includes a drive coupling 35 that is connected to the upper end of the rotary shaft 34 and rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the rotary shaft, and a coil spring (biasing spring) 36 that biases the drive coupling 35 upward in the vertical direction. The connection shaft 243 of the shaft 24 is connected to the drive coupling 35, so that the rotational motion of the motor 32 is transmitted to the shaft 24 via the drive coupling 35. The shaft 24 is rotated at a substantially constant speed about the main post 241, so that the roller 251 rotates (spins) about the support post 242 and also rotates (revolves) about the main post 241 at a substantially constant speed.

[0065] Furthermore, the driving unit 30 has a substantially cylindrical housing 31, and a transmission gear 33, a rotary shaft 34, a coil spring 36, and a driving joint 35 are arranged in this housing 31.

[0066] In this embodiment, the drive joint 35 comprises a shaft holding portion 351 that is held by the rotating shaft 34, an engagement groove 352 in which an O-ring 37 is attached, and a joint portion 353 to which the connecting shaft 243 of the shaft 24 is connected.

[0067] 14, in this embodiment, the connecting shaft 243 of the shaft 24 is formed to have a regular hexagonal (polygonal) shape, and the fitting recess 3531 that opens upward in the joint part 353 and into which the connecting shaft 243 fits is also formed to have a regular hexagonal (polygonal) shape. By doing so, when the connecting shaft 243 is fitted into the fitting recess 3531, the connecting shaft 243 and the fitting recess 3531 rotate in conjunction with each other without spinning freely.

[0068] Furthermore, a guide protrusion 3533 is provided at the midpoint of each side 3532 of the fitting recess 3531. With this, when the connecting shaft 243 is to be fitted into the fitting recess 3531 without the connecting shaft 243 and the fitting recess 3531 being aligned, the guide protrusion 3533 allows the drive coupling 35 to rotate along with the connecting shaft 243. This makes it possible to smoothly fit the connecting shaft 243 into the fitting recess 3531 regardless of the positions of the connecting shaft 243 and the fitting recess 3531.

[0069] In addition, the coil spring 36 is arranged between a spring retainer 341 formed on the rotating shaft 34 and a spring retainer 3511 formed on the shaft holding portion 351, so that when the connecting shaft 243 is fitted into the fitting recess 3531, the shaft 24 is forced upward by the coil spring 36 via the drive coupling 35.

[0070] As described above, in this embodiment, the liquid delivery device 10 further includes a coil spring (biasing spring) 36 that biases the shaft 24 upward (to the other side) in the vertical direction (first direction). That is, the tube pump (liquid delivery device 10) is provided with a biasing spring (coil spring 36) that presses the roller 251 rotatably attached to the shaft (support 242) and the shaft 24 having a plurality of shafts (supports 242).

[0071] In other words, the tube pump (liquid delivery device 10) is configured to include a casing 21 provided with grooves 213, a tube 23 attached to the grooves 213, a shaft 24 having a plurality of axes (supports 242), rollers 251 rotatably attached to the axes (supports 242), and a biasing spring (biasing spring 36).The biasing spring (biasing spring 36) presses the tube 23 via the shaft 24 or the rollers 251.

[0072] In this way, even if the liquid delivery device 10 is made up of multiple components and there is a variation in the individual components or cumulative component variations due to manufacturing and assembly, the length of the dimensional variations can be absorbed by the coil spring (biasing spring) 36.

[0073] For example, if the coil springs (biasing springs) 36, 224 are not provided, and dimensional variations occur in the rollers 251, the amount of force that the rollers 251 apply to the tube body 231 may vary due to the dimensional variations in the rollers 251 (see FIG. 16). If the amount of force that the rollers 251 apply to the tube body 231 varies due to dimensional variations in the rollers 251, the amount of pressure that the rollers 251 apply to the tube body 231 varies. In other words, it becomes impossible to maintain a constant thickness D4 of the tube body 231 in its collapsed state. As a result, the volume inside the tube may change significantly, and the amount of liquid delivered may become unstable.

[0074] In contrast to this, if a coil spring (biasing spring) 36 is provided as in this embodiment, the coil spring (biasing spring) 36 can absorb the dimensional variations of the roller 251 that affect the variations in the amount of liquid delivered.

[0075] Specifically, the amount of force applied by the roller 251 to the tube main body 231 is determined when the tube reaction force F1 and the spring biasing force F2 are balanced. Here, the tube reaction force F1 can be calculated by F1 = (Young's modulus E × pressure-receiving area S) × biasing amount. The spring biasing force F2 can be calculated by F2 = spring constant k × (natural length - installation length - biasing amount). In this embodiment, the tube reaction force F1 and the spring biasing force F2 are each set to 4 N.

[0076] Here, by decreasing the spring constant k and increasing the natural length, the biasing force F2 can be made to be a substantially constant value even if there is dimensional variation in the rollers 251, etc. In other words, the dimensional variation in the rollers 251, etc. can be absorbed by the coil spring (biasing spring) 36 (see FIG. 17). As a result, it becomes possible to bias the tube main body 231 with a substantially constant amount of biasing force.

[0077] From this, it can be seen that it is preferable to make the spring constant k of the coil spring (biasing spring) 36 as small as possible. In this embodiment, a coil spring (biasing spring) 36 with a spring constant k of 0.7 N / mm is used. Note that if the coil spring 36 is used as the biasing spring, it becomes possible to bias the main pillar 241 of the shaft 24 on the central axis, and therefore it becomes possible to suppress variations in the biasing force generated in each roller 251.

[0078] Furthermore, by providing a coil spring (biasing spring) 36 so that when the shaft 24 is rotated around the main pillar 241, the tube body 231 is always biased (squeezed) by the roller 251 by the same amount, the volume inside the tube is prevented from changing significantly, and the amount of liquid delivered can be stabilized.

[0079] In this embodiment, a rib 2212 that protrudes upward is formed on the periphery of the through-hole 2211 in the bottom wall 221. The base portion 2421 of the support 242 abuts against this rib 2212, thereby restricting downward movement of the shaft 24 in the up-down direction. In this manner, in this embodiment, the rib 2212 functions as a restricting portion against which the shaft 24 abuts and restricts downward movement of the shaft 24 in the up-down direction.

[0080] 15, the roller 251 presses the tube 23 while the shaft 24 is in contact with the rib (restriction portion) 2212 and the liquid flow path P1 is closed. Specifically, the roller 251 presses the tube body 231 by a reaction force from the cover 22 to the shaft 24 until the tube body 231 reaches 10% to 30% of the height of the liquid flow path P1, which is set to a state where the height of the liquid flow path P1 is zero (a state where the height of the tube body 231 is the outer diameter D1 minus the inner diameter D2). For example, if the outer diameter D1 of the tube body 231 is 1.5 mm and the inner diameter D2 of the tube body 231 (the inner diameter of the liquid flow path P1) is 0.5 mm, the roller 251 presses the tube body 231 until the height reaches 10% to 30% of the height of 1.0 mm. Therefore, in a state where the roller 251 presses the tube main body 231 while the shaft 24 is in contact with the rib (restriction portion) 2212, the thickness D5 of the tube main body 231 is 0.9 mm to 0.7 mm.

[0081] By doing so, even when the drive unit 30 is removed from the pump unit 20, the roller 251 maintains the blocked state of the liquid flow path P1, thereby preventing the liquid L1 from leaking from the liquid delivery device 10.

[0082] As described above, in this embodiment, the casing around the bearing (the rib 2212 formed on the periphery of the through-hole 2211 of the cover 22) and the shaft around the base of the support (the base portion 2421 of the support 242) are positioned so as to be in constant contact with each other. The roller 251 applies a weak bias to the tube 23 (a weaker bias than the bias applied by the roller 251 to the tube 23 when the liquid delivery device 10 is in use). For example, the tube 23 is biased so that the wall thickness ratio (the ratio of the outer diameter D1 to the inner diameter D2) is approximately 10% to 30%. This makes it possible to prevent liquid leakage when the drive unit 30 is detached from the pump unit 20.

[0083] At this time, it is preferable to set the biasing force of the coil spring 36 so that the shaft 24 does not come into contact with the rib (restriction portion) 2212 when the drive unit 30 is attached to the pump unit 20. In this way, the roller 251 biased by the coil spring 36 can crush the tube main body 231 to a thickness D4. As a result, it is possible to more reliably suppress the amount of interference between the roller 251 and the tube main body 231, i.e., the change in the volume inside the tube, and it becomes possible to more stably transfer liquid.

[0084] Therefore, it is preferable that the spring constant k of the coil spring (biasing spring) 36 be as small as possible within the range that allows the shaft 24 to prevent contact with the rib (regulating portion) 2212 when the drive portion 30 is attached to the pump portion 20.

[0085] In the above embodiment, the drive unit 30 is provided with a coil spring (biasing spring) 36, but it is also possible to use a coil spring (biasing spring) 224 held by the cover 22, as shown in Figure 18.

[0086] 18 shows an example in which a spring holding portion 225 is provided in the center of the lower end of the cover 22, and a coil spring (biasing spring) 224 is arranged between this spring holding portion 225 and a spring bearing 244 provided at the lower end of the main pillar 241 of the shaft 24. With this configuration, it becomes possible for the coil spring (biasing spring) 224 to absorb dimensional variations in the roller 251 that affect variations in the amount of liquid delivered.

[0087] 19, it is also possible to configure the coil spring (biasing spring) 224 to be held by the cover 22, and to place a receiving plate 226 between the coil spring (biasing spring) 224 and the shaft 24.

[0088] 19 shows an example in which the lower end of the main pillar 241 of the shaft 24 is received by a receiving plate 226, and a coil spring (biasing spring) 224 is disposed between the spring holding portion 225 and a spring receiving portion 2261 provided on the receiving plate 226. With such a configuration, it becomes possible for the coil spring (biasing spring) 224 to absorb dimensional variations in the roller 251 that affect variations in the amount of liquid delivered.

[0089] Moreover, instead of the tube 23 described in the above embodiment, a tube 23 shown in FIG. 20 can also be used.

[0090] The tube 23 shown in FIG. 20 includes a tube main body 231 and flange portions 232 formed on both ends of the tube main body 231. That is, the flange portions 232 are formed on the upstream end 23a and the downstream end 23b of the tube 23. The flange portions 232 are held by the casing 21 shown in FIG. 21. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 21, the casing 21 is formed with an extended wall 216 that extends upward, and this extended wall 216 is formed with a holding portion 2161 that holds the flange portion 232. With a portion of the tube main body 231 inserted into the groove 213, the tube main body 231 is held by the holding wall 2112, and the flange portion 232 is held by the holding portion 2161 of the extended wall 216. This makes it possible to reliably hold the tube 23 in the casing 21 even when tension is applied to the tube 23 due to friction generated between the roller 251 and the tube 23 when the liquid delivery device 10 is operated. This makes it possible to prevent the tube 23 from being unintentionally bent or having a portion subjected to excessive stress, since the longitudinal position of the tube 23 remains almost unchanged.

[0091] Furthermore, if the shape of flange portion 232 is made to be a shape other than a circle, for example, a D-cut shape, it becomes possible to visually confirm that tube 23 is being held in a twisted state. As a result, it becomes possible to reduce stress concentration that occurs when tube 23 is biased in a twisted state.

[0092] In the above embodiment, a roller 251 is provided as the pressing body 25 on the support 242 of the shaft 24, but as shown in FIG. 22, it is also possible to have a semicircular protrusion 252 formed integrally with the support 242 of the shaft 24 function as the pressing body 25.

[0093] The upper half of this protrusion 252 (the side where the tube 23 is placed) is formed in a semicircular shape, and this semicircular part is inserted into the groove 213 to press against the tube body 231 of the tube 23. The shape of the part of this protrusion 252 that is introduced into the groove 213 is also trapezoidal, corresponding to the shape of the groove 213.

[0094] Specifically, the protrusion 252 has a trapezoidal shape including a top surface 2521 corresponding to the bottom surface 2131 of the groove 213, and a pair of inclined surfaces 2522 corresponding to the inner inclined surface 2132 and the outer inclined surface 2133, respectively.

[0095] In addition, since the protrusion 252 is fixed to the support 242, when the protrusion 252 is rotated (revolved) around the main pillar 241 as an axis, the protrusion 252 slides while squashing the tube 23. With such a configuration, it is possible to more stably transfer the liquid.

[0096] Furthermore, the liquid delivery device 10 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example can be used in the liquid ejection device 1 shown in FIG. 23, for example.

[0097] The liquid ejection device 1 shown in FIG. 23 includes the liquid delivery device 10 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example.

[0098] The liquid ejection device 1 also includes a tank 40 capable of storing the liquid L1, an ejection section 50 capable of ejecting the liquid L1, and a flow path forming section 60 that forms a flow path P2 for the liquid L1 between the tank 40 and the ejection section 50.

[0099] A liquid delivery device 10 is provided midway along the flow path P2, and is configured to deliver the liquid L1 stored in the tank 40 toward the discharge part 50 by this liquid delivery device 10.

[0100] Specifically, the tank 40 is connected to the liquid delivery device 10 via an upstream flow path P21 connected to the upstream end 23a of the tube 23 included in the liquid delivery device 10. In addition, the discharge part 50 is connected to the liquid delivery device 10 via a downstream flow path P22 connected to the downstream end 23b of the tube 23 included in the liquid delivery device 10.

[0101] The tank 40 may be, for example, a bag-shaped container (pouch) made of a flexible laminate film.

[0102] The flow path forming portion 60 can be formed of a liquid pipe such as a silicone tube. The upstream flow path P21 is defined by the upstream flow path forming portion 61, and the downstream flow path P22 is defined by the downstream flow path forming portion 62.

[0103] Furthermore, the ejection unit 50 may be, for example, a two-fluid nozzle that mixes gas into liquid to atomize it.

[0104] Inside this two-fluid nozzle, there are formed a liquid delivery device 10, a liquid supply flow path (flow path P2) to which liquid L1 is supplied from the flow path forming section 60, and an air supply flow path 71 to which air A1 is supplied from the air pump 70.

[0105] The liquid (mist M1) that has been mixed and atomized in the mixing space inside the two-fluid nozzle is then sprayed out of the two-fluid nozzle from the mist outlet.

[0106] Such a liquid discharge device 1 can be arranged in a blower such as a hair dryer, for example, so that atomized liquid (mist M1) or liquid L1 is discharged onto hair or the like.

[0107] [Actions and Effects] The following describes the characteristic configurations of the liquid delivery device and the liquid ejection device shown in the above embodiment and its modified examples, and the effects obtained thereby.

[0108] (Technology 1) The liquid delivery device 10 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example includes a casing (first case) 21 having a circular groove 213 that opens to the lower side (one side) in the vertical direction (first direction).

[0109] The liquid delivery device 10 also includes a shaft 24 having a main pillar 241 extending in the vertical direction (first direction) and a plurality of support pillars 242 connected to the main pillar 241 and extending in a direction intersecting the vertical direction (first direction). The shaft 24 is driven by a motor (drive source) 32 to rotate relative to the casing (first case) 21 around the main pillar 241 as an axis.

[0110] The liquid delivery device 10 also has a liquid flow path P1 through which the liquid L1 can pass, and is equipped with a tube 23 disposed in the groove 213.

[0111] The liquid delivery device 10 also includes a pressing body 25 provided on each of the multiple supports 242, which is capable of pressing the tube 23 upward (to the other side) in the vertical direction (first direction) within the groove 213 to block the liquid flow path P1.

[0112] Furthermore, the liquid delivery device 10 is provided with a cover (second case) 22 that is attached to the casing (first case) 21 from the lower side (one side) in the vertical direction (first direction) and prevents the tube 23 and the shaft 24 from coming out of the casing (first case) 21.

[0113] The shape of groove 213 is trapezoidal with a wider lower side (one side) in the vertical direction (first direction), and the shape of the portion of pressing body 25 that is introduced into groove 213 is trapezoidal corresponding to the shape of groove 213.

[0114] In this way, by accommodating the tube 23 in the groove 213, it is possible to more reliably prevent the tube 23 from shifting position when the tube 23 is pressed upward (to the other side) in the up-down direction (first direction) by the pressing body 25. As a result, it is possible to press the tube 23 with the pressing body 25 more stably.

[0115] Furthermore, by accommodating the tube 23 in the groove 213, it is possible to prevent the tube 23 from bending or twisting due to the frictional force generated between the pressing body 25 and the tube 23. As a result, it is possible to more reliably prevent the tube 23 from coming out of the groove 213 due to the frictional force generated between the pressing body 25 and the tube 23.

[0116] Furthermore, if the groove 213 and the pressing body 25 are shaped like a trapezoid that is wider on the opening 213a side of the groove 213, the pressing body 25 can be rotated in the groove 213 in accordance with the rotation of the shaft 24 about the main post 241, without widening the width of the groove 213. This makes it possible to minimize radial movement of the tube 23 in the groove 213, and to stably position the tube 23 at a predetermined position in the groove 213.

[0117] As a result, it becomes possible to press the multiple pressing bodies 25 at approximately the center part of the tube 23 in the radial direction, thereby suppressing variation in the pressing position of the multiple pressing bodies 25 on the tube 23.

[0118] Furthermore, by suppressing variations in the pressing positions of the multiple pressing bodies 25 on the tube 23, it becomes possible to keep the amount of pressing of the tube 23 by the multiple pressing bodies 25 at a substantially constant amount. As a result, it becomes possible to keep the internal volume of the tube between adjacent pressing bodies 25 (the volume of the liquid flow path P1 with both ends blocked by adjacent pressing bodies 25) at a substantially constant amount. In other words, it becomes possible to keep the amount of liquid L1 delivered by two adjacent pressing bodies 25 at a substantially constant amount. As a result, it becomes possible to keep the amount of liquid L1 delivered per one rotation of the shaft 24 at a substantially constant amount, thereby enabling more stable delivery of the liquid.

[0119] In this way, the liquid delivery device 10 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example can deliver liquid more stably.

[0120] Furthermore, in the liquid delivery device 10 shown in the above embodiment and its modified examples, the insertion direction of the tube 23 into the groove 213 and the pressing direction of the pressing body 25 on the tube 23 are on the upper side (the other side) of the vertical direction (first direction). That is, in the liquid delivery device 10 shown in the above embodiment and its modified examples, the insertion direction of the tube 23 into the groove 213 and the pressing direction of the pressing body 25 on the tube 23 are configured to be the same. This makes it possible to assemble the tube 23, the shaft 24 on which the pressing body 25 is provided, and the cover (second case) 22 to the casing (first case) 21 by moving them to the upper side (the other side) of the vertical direction (first direction). As a result, it becomes possible to more easily assemble the tube 23, the shaft 24 on which the pressing body 25 is provided, and the cover (second case) 22 to the casing (first case) 21. Furthermore, when the shaft 24 provided with the pressing body 25 and the cover (second case) 22 are removed from the casing (first case) 21, the tube 23 can be inserted into or removed from the groove 213, making it easier to replace the tube 23.

[0121] In this way, the liquid delivery device 10 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example can deliver liquid more stably while maintaining the ease of assembly of the tube 23, the shaft 24 provided with the pressing body 25, and the cover 22 to the casing 21.

[0122] (Technology 2) In the above (Technology 1), the pressing body 25 may be a roller 251 rotatably attached to the support 242.

[0123] This makes it possible to further reduce the frictional force generated between the pressing body 25 and the tube 23 when the shaft 24 is rotated. Therefore, if the tube 23 is pressed by the roller 251 rotatably attached to the support 242, it becomes possible to provide the liquid delivery device 10 that can deliver liquid more stably while maintaining reduced friction of the tube 23.

[0124] (Technology 3) In the above (Technology 1) or (Technology 2), three or more support columns 242 may be connected to the main column 241 at equal intervals. Furthermore, the groove 213 may have a horizontal section (first section) 214 where the amount of pressure applied to the tube 23 by the pressing body 25 reaches a predetermined amount and the liquid flow path P1 is closed, and an open section (second section) 215 where the amount of pressure applied to the tube 23 by the pressing body 25 is less than the predetermined amount. The central angle θ2 of the region in the groove 213 where the horizontal section (first section) 214 is present may be an integer multiple of 2 or more of the inter-column angle θ1, which is the angle between adjacent columns, and may be an angle smaller than 360 degrees.

[0125] This configuration allows for a configuration in which, when the shaft 24 is rotated around the main pillar 241 by a certain angle, two or more equal numbers of pressing bodies 25 are present on the horizontal section (first section) 214, regardless of the rotation angle between 0 and 360 degrees. As a result, when the shaft 24 is rotated around the main pillar 241, the tube 23 is always biased (squeezed) by the pressing bodies 25 by the same amount. That is, because the same number (two) of pressing bodies 25 always bias the tube 23 on the horizontal section (first section) 214, the amount of interference between the pressing bodies 25 and the tube 23 can be kept substantially constant. As a result, large changes in the tube internal volume (the volume of the liquid flow path P1, both ends of which are blocked by adjacent pressing bodies 25) are suppressed, and the amount of liquid delivered can be stabilized. This allows for even more stable liquid delivery.

[0126] (Technology 4) In addition, in any of the above-mentioned technologies (Technology 1) to (Technology 3), the liquid delivery device 10 may further include a coil spring (biasing spring) 36, 224 that biases the shaft 24 upward (to the other side) in the vertical direction (first direction).

[0127] In this way, even if the liquid delivery device 10 is composed of multiple components and there is variation in the individual components or cumulative component variations due to manufacturing and assembly, the length of the dimensional variations can be absorbed by the coil springs (biasing springs) 36, 224. That is, it is possible to more reliably suppress fluctuations in the amount of interference between the pressing body 25 and the tube 23 due to dimensional variations, as occurs when the coil springs (biasing springs) 36, 224 are not provided. In this way, by providing the coil springs (biasing springs) 36, 224, it is possible to absorb dimensional variations that affect the variation in the amount of liquid delivery by the coil springs (biasing springs) 36, 224. Therefore, when the shaft 24 is rotated around the main post 241, the tube 23 can always be biased (compressed) by the pressing body 25 by the same amount. As a result, the volume inside the tube (the volume of the liquid flow path P1 whose both ends are blocked by the adjacent pressing bodies 25) is prevented from changing significantly, making it possible to stabilize the amount of liquid delivered, and enabling even more stable liquid delivery.

[0128] (Technology 5) In the above (Technology 4), the liquid delivery device 10 may include a pump section 20 having a casing (first case) 21, a shaft 24, a tube 23, a pressing body 25, and a cover (second case) 22. Furthermore, the liquid delivery device 10 may include a drive section 30 having a motor (drive source) 32, a coil spring (biasing spring) 36, and a drive coupling 35 connected to the shaft 24 and capable of transmitting the power of the motor (drive source) 32 to the shaft 24. The drive section 30 may be detachably attached to the pump section 20. For example, a tube pump may be provided which includes a pump section 20 consisting of one casing (first case 21) of two casings (first case 21 and second case 22) arranged one above the other, a groove 213 formed in one casing (first case 21), a tube 23 attached to the groove 213, a shaft 24 having a plurality of axes (supports 242), a roller 251 rotatably attached to the axis (supports 242), and the other casing (second case 22) which holds the shaft 24 and the roller 251, and a drive section 30 consisting of a rotary motor (drive source 32), a spring 36, and a connector (drive coupling 35) connectable to the shaft 24, and which is separable into the pump section 20 and the drive section 30.

[0129] In this way, by separating the pump unit 20 and the drive unit 30, replacement and maintenance of the pump unit 20, which is a consumable part, can be performed easily and at low cost. Furthermore, by preparing a plurality of different pump units 20, it becomes possible to customize the liquid L1 to be delivered to a desired solution.

[0130] (Technology 6) In the above (Technology 5), the cover (second case) 22 may have a rib (restriction portion) 2212 against which the shaft 24 abuts to restrict movement of the shaft 24 downward (to one side) in the up-down direction (first direction). Furthermore, the cover (second case) 22 may be configured so that the shaft 24 abuts against the rib (restriction portion) 2212 when the drive unit 30 is detached from the pump unit 20. Then, with the shaft 24 abutting against the rib (restriction portion) 2212, the pressing body 25 located on the horizontal portion (first portion) 214 may press the tube 23 while closing the liquid flow path P1.

[0131] In this way, even when the drive unit 30 is detached from the pump unit 20, the liquid flow path P1 is maintained in a blocked state by the pressing body 25, thereby preventing leakage of the liquid L1 from the liquid delivery device 10. Furthermore, when the drive unit 30 is attached to the pump unit 20, the pressing body 25 is biased by the coil spring (biasing spring) 36, and the shaft 24 is prevented from abutting against the rib (restriction portion) 2212, so that the tube 23 is always biased (squeezed) by the pressing body 25 by the same amount. As a result, the internal volume of the tube (the volume of the liquid flow path P1 whose both ends are blocked by the adjacent pressing bodies 25) is prevented from changing significantly, stabilizing the amount of liquid delivered and enabling even more stable liquid delivery.

[0132] (Technology 7) The liquid ejection device 1 shown in the above embodiment and its modified examples includes a liquid delivery device 10 described in any one of the above (Technology 1) to (Technology 6). The liquid ejection device 1 also includes a tank 40 that is connected to the liquid delivery device 10 via an upstream flow path P21 that is connected to the upstream end 23a of a tube 23 included in the liquid delivery device 10 and that can store the liquid L1. The liquid ejection device 1 also includes a discharge unit 50 that is connected to the liquid delivery device 10 via a downstream flow path P22 that is connected to the downstream end 23b of the tube 23 included in the liquid delivery device 10 and that can discharge the liquid L1.

[0133] This liquid delivery device 10 is designed to deliver liquid more stably by pressing the tube 23 housed in the trapezoidal groove 213 with the pressing body 25 while rotating the pressing body 25 around the main pillar 241 as an axis.

[0134] Furthermore, if the liquid ejection device 1 is equipped with such a liquid delivery device 10, it becomes possible to more reliably prevent the liquid delivery performance from changing depending on the orientation of the device, compared to a configuration in which a rod-shaped liquid delivery device is spring-loaded.

[0135] In addition, since there is no need to filter the liquid through a mesh as in a configuration in which a rod-shaped liquid transport device is spring-loaded, it is possible to suppress deterioration of liquid transport performance due to the liquid being denatured by filtration and separation or the mesh becoming clogged.

[0136] In this way, the liquid ejection device 1 shown in the above embodiment and its modified example not only makes it possible to more reliably prevent changes in liquid delivery performance depending on the orientation of the device, but also makes it possible to prevent liquid denaturation and deterioration of liquid delivery performance.

[0137] [others] The liquid delivery device and liquid ejection device according to the present disclosure have been described above, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that they are not limited to these descriptions and that various modifications and improvements are possible.

[0138] For example, the present disclosure can be applied to embodiments in which the configurations shown in the above-described embodiments and their modifications have been changed, replaced, added, or omitted. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above-described embodiments and their modifications to create new embodiments.

[0139] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its variant examples, the drive unit 30 is detachably attached to the pump unit 20, but the present disclosure can also be applied to a liquid delivery device in which the drive unit 30 is integrated with the pump unit 20 in a manner that makes it impossible to detach it.

[0140] In addition, the above-mentioned embodiment and its variant examples exemplify a liquid delivery device that includes a coil spring (biasing spring) 36, 224 that biases the shaft 24 while ensuring that the central angle θ2 is an integer multiple of the inter-pillar angle θ1 that is two or more and is smaller than 360 degrees.

[0141] However, the configuration of the liquid delivery device is not limited to the above configuration and various configurations are possible. For example, it is also possible to use a liquid delivery device that includes coil springs (biasing springs) 36, 224 that bias the shaft 24, without making the central angle θ2 an integer multiple of the inter-post angle θ1 that is two or more and smaller than 360 degrees.

[0142] Furthermore, it is also possible to provide a liquid ejection device that includes the liquid delivery device according to any one of claims 3 to 6 of the claims.

[0143] In addition, the drive unit, pump unit, and other detailed specifications (shape, size, layout, etc.) can also be changed as appropriate. [Industrial Applicability]

[0144] As described above, the liquid delivery device and liquid ejection device according to the present disclosure are devices capable of more stable liquid delivery. Therefore, the present disclosure can be applied to, for example, a liquid delivery device or a beauty device equipped with a liquid delivery device that needs to deliver or eject liquid stably regardless of the state of the liquid or device. Specifically, the present disclosure can be applied to a hair care device, a face care device, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0145] 1 Liquid discharge device 10 Liquid delivery device 20 Pump section 21 Casing (first case) 213 Groove 214 Horizontal part (1st part) 215 Open part (second part) 22 Cover (second case) 2212 Rib (restriction part) 224 Coil spring (bias spring) 23 tubes 23a Upstream end 23b Downstream end 24 shaft 241 Main pillar 242 Post 25 Pressurizing body 251 Laura 30 Drive unit 32 Motor (drive source) 35 Drive coupling 36 Coil spring (bias spring) 40 Tank 50 Discharge part P1 Liquid flow path P21 Upstream flow path P22 Downstream flow path L1 liquid θ1 Angle between supports θ2 Central angle of horizontal part

Claims

1. a first case having an annular groove that opens to one side in a first direction; a shaft including a main pillar extending in the first direction and a plurality of support pillars connected to the main pillar and extending in a direction intersecting the first direction, the shaft being driven by a drive source to rotate relative to the first case about the main pillar as an axis; a tube having a liquid flow path through which a liquid can pass and disposed in the groove; a pressing body provided on each of the plurality of support columns, the pressing body being capable of pressing the tube in the groove toward the other side in the first direction to close the liquid flow path; a second case attached to the first case from one side in the first direction to prevent the tube and the shaft from coming out of the first case; Equipped with The groove has a trapezoidal shape that is wider on one side in the first direction, and the shape of the portion of the pressing body that is introduced into the groove has a trapezoidal shape that corresponds to the shape of the groove. Liquid delivery device.

2. The pressing body is a roller rotatably attached to the support. The liquid delivery device according to claim 1 .

3. Three or more of the support columns are connected to the main column at equal intervals, the groove has a first portion where the amount of pressure applied to the tube by the pressing body reaches a predetermined amount, thereby blocking the liquid flow path, and a second portion where the amount of pressure applied to the tube by the pressing body becomes less than the predetermined amount, a central angle of a region in the groove where the first portion exists is an angle that is an integer multiple of 2 or more of an inter-column angle that is an angle between the adjacent columns and is smaller than 360 degrees; The liquid delivery device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Further, a biasing spring is provided to bias the shaft in the other direction in the first direction. The liquid delivery device according to claim 3 .

5. a pump unit including the first case, the shaft, the tube, the pressing body, and the second case; a drive unit that includes the drive source, the biasing spring, and a drive coupling that is connected to the shaft and can transmit power of the drive source to the shaft, and is detachably attached to the pump unit; Equipped with The liquid delivery device according to claim 4.

6. the second case has a restricting portion that contacts the shaft and restricts movement of the shaft to one side in the first direction, The shaft is configured to abut against the restriction portion when the drive portion is detached from the pump portion, With the shaft in contact with the restriction portion, the pressing body located at the first portion presses the tube in a state in which the liquid flow path is closed. The liquid delivery device according to claim 5 .

7. The liquid delivery device according to claim 1 or 2; a tank that is connected to the liquid delivery device via an upstream flow path that is connected to an upstream end of the tube included in the liquid delivery device and that is capable of storing liquid; a discharge unit that is connected to the liquid delivery device via a downstream flow path that is connected to a downstream end of the tube included in the liquid delivery device and is capable of discharging liquid; Equipped with Liquid discharge device.

Images