JP2009534568A - Peristaltic pump including an elastically displaceable locking plate - Google Patents

Abstract

  Provide a peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump includes a motor housing, a receiving plate attached to the housing, a locking plate, and a biasing member. The locking plate includes a first opening that can receive a cable extending from the pump head, a second opening that can receive a drive shaft of the pump head, and a release member. The urging member elastically connects the receiving plate and the locking plate. Due to the use of the release member by the user, movement of the locking plate relative to the receiving plate causes the hook to release when the hook is received in the first opening, thereby releasing the pump head from the locking plate.

Description

  The disclosed technical field generally relates to peristaltic pumps. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a peristaltic pump head that is attached to a peristaltic pump using an elastically displaceable locking plate.

  Peristaltic pumps have been known for many years and are commonly used for medical and research purposes. Peristaltic pumps are used, inter alia, in research, environmental science, and chemical laboratories, as well as in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, agriculture, and food industries. Peristaltic pumps move liquid through a tube without touching any part of the pump. As a result, it is possible to pump a liquid such as blood that is sensitive to external contamination.

  Typically, the pump includes a rotating roller that, when moved, compresses a portion of the flexible tube to drive liquid through the tube. Some peristaltic pumps have at least one removable head through which a tube through which fluid flows. A roller attaches around the central hub of the head and is driven to rotate, thereby continuously pressing the tube against the fixed wall. Alternate pressurization and release of an area of the tube pumps the fluid to be delivered.

  Some peristaltic pumps include a plurality of heads mounted adjacent to each other and driven to rotate by the same actuator. As a result, the first head of the stack can be secured to a module having a motor connected to means for driving the central hub of the head. The remaining heads can be fixed continuously starting at the front of the first head. Each head is connected to means for driving the central hub of the head described above. By including multiple heads, a single drive module can be used to supply fluid. This is particularly useful, for example, in animal testing laboratories, so that multiple animals can receive the same amount of the same liquid simultaneously. Peristaltic pumps with stackable heads are described, for example, in EP-A O 619859 and EP-A O 339857.

  However, what is needed is that the head can be added to the pump and / or removed from the pump very easily without interrupting the operation of the pump, especially for the addition or removal of the head. A peristaltic pump having a stackable head.

  A peristaltic pump is provided in an exemplary embodiment that includes a mechanism for adding and / or removing one or more pump heads from the peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump includes, but is not limited to, a motor housing, a receiving plate attached to the housing, a locking plate, and a biasing member. The locking plate includes, but is not limited to, a first opening that can receive a hook extending from the pump head, a second opening that can receive a drive shaft of the pump head, and a release member. The urging member elastically connects the receiving plate and the locking plate. By use of a release member by the user, movement of the locking plate relative to the receiving plate causes the hook to be released when the hook is received in the first opening, thereby releasing the pump head from the locking plate.

  Another exemplary embodiment provides a peristaltic pump. The peristaltic pump includes, but is not limited to, a motor housing, a receiving plate attached to the housing, a locking plate, and a biasing member. The locking plate includes, but is not limited to, a hook, an opening that can receive the drive shaft of the pump head, and a release member. The urging member elastically connects the receiving plate and the locking plate. Use of the release member by the user causes movement of the locking plate relative to the receiving plate to release the hook from the pump head when the pump head is attached to the locking plate.

  Other major features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings, detailed description, and appended claims.

  Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements.

  Referring to FIG. 1, a peristaltic pump 30 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. The peristaltic pump 30 may include a drive module 1, a first pump head 32, a second pump head 34, and a third pump head 36. The drive module 1 includes a housing 38 that encloses the motor. The motor drives the central hub of the pump heads 32, 34, 36. The housing 38 includes a control panel 4 and a display screen 5 that allow an operator to adjust the operating parameters of the peristaltic pump 30. The receiving plate 6 is attached to the housing 38. The receiving plate 6 includes an upper surface 2 to which the push button 3 is attached. Using the push button 3, the operator can release the first pump head 32 connected to the drive module 1 or the stack of pump heads as described below. The receiving plate 6 is attached to the drive module 1. As used in this disclosure, the term “attach” refers to joining, joining, joining, assembling, inserting, hanging, holding, securing, tightening, pinching, sticking, adhering, Includes bolting, screwing, riveting, soldering, and other similar terms.

  The first pump head 32 includes a cassette 40, a second push button 9, and a second receiving plate 10. The cassette 40 includes an orifice 7 and a slide control device 8. Cassette 40 allows a flexible tube (not shown) to be inserted into the cassette through orifice 7 in a conventional manner. Regardless of the diameter of the tube used, the slide control device 8 provides the position of the inner member to provide permanent contact between the inner member of the cassette 40 and the tube inserted into the orifice 7 with sufficient pressure. Conventional methods can be used to adjust. The internal members of the cassette 40 are essentially a central hub driven by the drive module 1 and a central hub cylinder, which periodically compresses the wall of the tube and thus should be delivered. Create a fluid flow. Cassette 40 is of a conventional design and is therefore not described and illustrated here. The prior art documents cited above provide exemplary embodiments of these internal members, the general design of which can be included within the scope of the invention in a non-limiting manner. The second push button 9 can be used to remove the pump head attached to the second receiving plate 10 of the first pump head 32 by the following mechanical means.

  The second pump 34 is shown ready to be attached to the second receiving plate 10 of the first pump head 32. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the second pump head 34 includes four cassettes 40, a mounting plate 11, a third push button 9 ', and a third receiving plate 10'. Each of the four cassettes 40 includes an orifice 7 '. As a result, four flexible tubes can be inserted into the second pump head 34 instead of one. The third push button 9 ′ can be used to release a pump head attached to the receiving plate 10 ′ of the second pump head 34.

  The third pump 36 is shown ready to be attached to the third receiving plate 10 ′ of the second pump head 34. In the exemplary embodiment of Fig. 1, the third pump head 36 includes two cassettes 40 ', a second mounting plate 12, a fourth push button 9 ", and a fourth receiving plate 10". Each of 40 'includes an orifice 7 ". As a result, two flexible tubes can be inserted into the third pump head 36 instead of one. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the two orifices 7 "allow passage of two flexible tubes of larger diameter than the tubes that can be passed through the orifices 7, 7 '. The third pump head 36 is as thick as the second pump head 34 which allows four small diameter tubes to pass through. The fourth push button 9 "is the fourth receiving plate of the third pump head 36. Can be used to release any additional pump head attached to 10 ".

  Referring to FIG. 2, a perspective view of the second pump head 34 associated with the exemplary embodiment is shown. A surface 13 of the mounting plate 11 is shown. The second mounting plate 12 and / or the receiving plate 6 may include a similar surface 13 for attaching to other pump heads. The surface 13 includes a plurality of hooks 17 that extend from the surface of the surface 13 to face the cassette 40. The surface 13 includes an opening 42 through which the drive shaft 14 of the central hub of the second pump head 34 extends. With the plurality of hooks 17, the operator fixes the second pump head 34 to the front surface 19 of the receiving plate 6 or to the mounting plate of another pump head.

  With reference to FIG. 3, the opening 42 of the surface 13 is shown in more detail. The drive shaft 14 includes a spline 15 formed by longitudinal protrusions, the end of the spline having a chamfer 16, whose functions are described below. With reference to FIG. 4, a housing 38 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown in which the front face 18 of the receiving plate is visible. The receiving plate 6 includes an opening 44. The end 19 of the shaft driven by the motor of the drive module 1 is accessible through the opening 44. A locking plate 22 attaches to the receiving plate 6 and includes the push button 3. When the push button 3 is pressed, it is displaced elastically and the pump head connected to the drive module 1 is released. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4, the locking plate 22 includes four locking openings 23 with which the plurality of hooks 17 of the mounting plate engage. Referring to FIG. 6, the entrance of each of the four locking openings 23 includes a chamfer 24 that assists in inserting the corresponding hook 17.

  Referring to FIG. 5, shaft end 19 is shown in more detail. The end 19 is shaped in the form of a sleeve, its inner surface has a second spline 20 formed by longitudinal projections, and its end has a chamfer 21. The second spline 20 is designed to receive a spline 15 at the end of the drive shaft of the second pump head 34 between them. The drive shaft 14 is attached to the shaft of the drive module 1. The chamfers 15 and 21 facilitate the reception of the end 19 of the drive shaft 14 of the head into the sleeve 19. As a result, the drive shaft 14 can be received in the end 19 without stopping the drive module 1.

  Referring to FIG. 7, a perspective view of the locking plate 22 attached to the receiving plate 6 according to an exemplary embodiment is shown. The push button 3 extends from the locking plate 22 through the opening on the upper surface 2 of the receiving plate 6. The locking plate 22 includes four locking openings 23, an opening 46, and an opening 28. The end 19 of the shaft driven by the motor of the drive module 1 extends through the opening 46. The locking plate 22 tends to be pushed upwards by the biasing members 25, 26, and for this purpose by a fixing stud 27 that extends from the receiving plate 6 and penetrates into the opening 28 of the locking plate 22. Guided. The urging members 25 and 26 may be springs.

  The pump head is attached to the receiving plate 6 by a simple axial movement that engages the plurality of hooks 17 with the chamfers 24 of the four locking openings 23 of the locking plate 22. The plurality of hooks 17 tend to push the locking plate 22 downward so as to pass through the four locking openings 23. At this time, the springs 25 and 26 push the locking plate 22 upward again to lock the plurality of hooks 17 into the four locking openings 23 of the locking plate 22. When there are no chamfers 24 or similar chamfers formed on the plurality of hooks 17, it is necessary to push the push button 3 in order to align the plurality of hooks 17 with the four locking openings 23. To release the push button 3, the plurality of hooks 17 are locked to the four locking openings 23. At the same time, the end of the drive shaft 14 of the pump head enters into the shaft end 19 of the motor of the drive module 1 and the two shafts engage one another. Thus, rotation of the motor shaft causes rotation of the drive shaft of the pump head.

  Subsequent depression of the push button 3 releases the plurality of hooks 17 from the four locking openings 23. The locking plate 22 is pushed back downward, thus releasing it from the drive module 1 by pulling the hooks and pump head away from the drive module 1.

  The receiving plate 10, 10 ', 10 "of each pump head 32, 34, 36 is advantageously shaped in the same way as the receiving plate 6 and likewise comprises a locking plate attached to the receiving plate as described above. Specifically, each receiving plate 10, 10 ′, 10 ″ includes a push button 9, 9 ′ corresponding to the push button 3 of the drive module 1, and four locking openings 23. It includes a locking plate that exactly coincides with the plate 22. Thus, the plurality of pump heads 34 and 36 can be sequentially attached starting with the first pump head 32. The front end of the drive shaft 14 of the central hub of each pump head 32, 34, 36 is shaped the same as the end of the shaft of the motor of the drive module 1, and the central hub of a given pump head 32, 34, 36. The drive shaft receives the central hub shaft of the pump head that follows the stack to drive the next shaft under control of the motor. Thus, any number of pump heads can be mounted sequentially, limited only by the driving force of the motor of the drive module 1. The pump head can be attached by stopping the motor or driving the motor. Specifically, this result is achieved by a spline chamfer configuration at the end of the shaft that facilitates engagement even when there is no exact alignment between the shafts.

  If a plurality of additional pump heads 34, 36 are attached to the first pump head connected to the drive module 1, the push button 3 of the drive module 1 keeps the heads connected to each other, the heads 32, 34, 36. Can be pushed down to release the entire stack. It is also possible to release a single head 32, 34, 36 or a group of consecutive pump heads without having to stop the drive module. As an alternative embodiment, a head having a mounting plate but no receiving plate can be used. In this case, the pump head is the last head in the stack or is the only head connected to the drive module 1.

  Various modifications are possible. For example, a fewer or greater number of hooks 17 and openings 23 may be used in different configurations. In addition, the direction in which the locking plate 22 is removed together with the shapes of the hook 17 and the opening 23 can be changed. The push buttons 3, 9, 9 ', 9 "can be replaced by any functionally equivalent means that allows the user to displace the locking plate 22. The central hub of the heads 32, 34, 36 is a shaft. These exact configurations may vary in relation to the way in which they are connected to each other and to the shaft driven by the motor, for example the sleeves at the end 19 (and the corresponding pumps 32, 34, 36). And the position of the shaft end 14 that interacts therewith, specifically, the respective positions of the locking plate 22, the hook 17 and the corresponding opening 23 are reversed. In this case, the locking plate 22 and the opening 23 are arranged on the surface 13 of the mounting plate of the pump heads 32, 34, 36, and the hook 17 is The configuration described and illustrated above provides a drive module with a front face 18 that does not secure a brittle projecting element that, when broken in a crash, results in the drive module 1 being unusable. And most advantageous.

  The foregoing description of exemplary embodiments of the invention has been introduced for purposes of illustration and description. The description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and changes may be made in light of the above teachings or from the practice of the invention. The embodiments have been chosen and described to illustrate the principles of the invention and practical applications of the invention so that one skilled in the art can utilize the invention in various embodiments, but for specific applications, Various suitable modifications are also conceivable. It is intended that the scope of the invention be specified by the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a peristaltic pump including a plurality of pump heads in a position to be attached to the pump and a pump head attached to the peristaltic pump, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the mounting side of the pump head, according to an exemplary embodiment. 2 is a perspective view of the pump head of FIG. 1 showing details of the drive shaft of the pump head, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a receiving plate of the drive module of FIG. 1 without a pump head attached to the drive module, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a drive module showing details of the drive shaft of the drive module, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the drive module of FIG. 4 showing details of an attachment mechanism for attaching a pump head to the drive module, according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the attachment mechanism of FIG. 4 with a pump head attached to the drive module, according to an exemplary embodiment.

Claims (20)

A peristaltic pump,
A motor housing;
A receiving plate attached to the housing;
A locking plate including a first opening capable of receiving a hook extending from the pump head, a second opening capable of receiving a drive shaft of the pump head, and a release member;
An urging member that elastically connects the receiving plate and the locking plate,
Due to the use of the biasing member by the user, movement of the locking plate relative to the receiving plate causes the hook to be released when the hook is received in the first opening, thereby releasing the locking plate. Release the pump head from,
Peristaltic pump. Further including a motor,
The peristaltic pump according to claim 1. The motor includes a motor drive shaft;
Furthermore, the end of the motor drive shaft is accessible through the second opening.
The peristaltic pump according to claim 2. The motor drive shaft includes a sleeve and a spline extending from the inner surface of the sleeve.
The peristaltic pump according to claim 3. The end of the motor drive shaft includes a central hub and a spline extending from the outer surface of the central hub.
The peristaltic pump according to claim 3. A drive module for controlling the motor;
The peristaltic pump according to claim 1. The drive module includes a control panel including a controller for selecting operating parameters of the pump head,
The peristaltic pump according to claim 6. A pump head,
The pump head includes a cassette configured to receive a tube; and a mounting plate attached to the cassette;
The mounting plate includes a hook and a third opening, and an end of the drive shaft is accessible through the third opening.
The peristaltic pump according to claim 1. The drive shaft of the pump head can be operably connected to a motor drive shaft of the motor to control fluid pumping through the received tube.
The peristaltic pump according to claim 8. The pump head is
A second receiving plate attached to the cassette;
A second opening including a fourth opening capable of receiving a second hook extending from the second pump head, a fifth opening receiving a second drive shaft of the second pump head, and a second release member. A stop plate;
A second urging member that elastically connects the second receiving plate and the second locking plate;
When the second hook is received in the fourth opening by the use of the second biasing member by the user, the movement of the second locking plate with respect to the second receiving plate causes the second hook to move. Releasing, thereby releasing the second pump head from the second locking plate;
The peristaltic pump according to claim 8. The second receiving plate is attached to the cassette on a side substantially opposite to the mounting plate;
The peristaltic pump according to claim 10. The second drive shaft of the second pump can be operably coupled with the drive shaft of the pump head to control pumping of fluid through the received tube;
The peristaltic pump according to claim 10. The drive shaft of the pump head includes a central hub and a spline extending from an outer surface of the central hub;
The drive shaft of the motor includes a sleeve and a second spline extending from an inner surface of the sleeve;
The sleeve can receive the central hub;
The drive shaft is operatively connected to a motor drive shaft by abutment of the spline and the second spline;
The peristaltic pump according to claim 9. The drive shaft of the pump head includes a sleeve and a spline extending from an inner surface of the sleeve;
The drive shaft of the motor includes a central hub and a second spline extending from an outer surface of the central hub;
The sleeve receives the central hub;
The drive shaft is operably coupled through contact between the spline and the second spline;
The peristaltic pump according to claim 9. A second pump head,
The second pump head includes a second cassette configured to receive a second tube;
A second mounting plate attached to the second cassette,
The second mounting plate includes the second hook and a sixth opening, and an end of the second drive shaft is accessible through the sixth opening.
The peristaltic pump according to claim 12. The end of the spline is chamfered,
The peristaltic pump according to claim 13. The motor includes a motor drive shaft, and
An end of the motor drive shaft is accessible through the second opening;
The peristaltic pump according to claim 2. The release member is a push button;
The peristaltic pump according to claim 1. The push button is attached movably in a first direction that causes compression of the biasing member,
The peristaltic pump according to claim 17. A peristaltic pump,
A motor housing;
A receiving plate attached to the housing;
A locking plate including a hook, an opening capable of receiving a drive shaft of the pump head, and a release member;
An urging member that elastically connects the receiving plate and the locking plate,
When the pump head is attached to the locking plate by use of the release member by a user, movement of the locking plate relative to the receiving plate causes the hook to be released from the pump head.
Peristaltic pump.

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