JP2012057526A - Tube pump and fluid injection recording device having the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a tube pump which enables cost reduction of a device and simplification of the configuration, and can be explosion proofed, and which can restrain progress of degradation of the tube and reduce variations in suction pressure and discharge pressure, and a fluid injection recording device having the same.SOLUTION: A tube pump M is configured to pressure-feed fluid inside a tube 102 by moving a roller 103 while squeezing the tube 102 between the roller and a housing 101. The housing 101 is configured to be displaceable toward a direction such that the housing 101 approaches/separates to/from the roller 103, according to a force acting on the housing 101 from the tube 102.

Description

  The present invention relates to a tube pump and a liquid jet recording apparatus including the tube pump.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a liquid jet recording apparatus that records an image, a character, or the like by ejecting a liquid such as an ink droplet onto a recording medium such as recording paper. A liquid jet recording apparatus includes a liquid container that contains a liquid, a liquid jet head that jets the liquid, and a carriage that is mounted with the liquid jet head and reciprocates with respect to a recording medium such as recording paper. Yes.
In the liquid jet recording apparatus, when recovering the non-ejection state of the liquid, the liquid jet head is sealed and the liquid is sucked from the jet nozzle, or the liquid is supplied from the liquid container to the liquid jet head. At this time, a tube pump is employed to pressurize the inside of the liquid supply pipe connecting the two (so-called pressurization and filling) and to supply ink (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

  The tube pump has a tube disposed along the inner peripheral surface of the case formed in a cylindrical shape, a roller that presses the tube toward the inner peripheral surface of the case, and a roller along the circumferential direction of the inner peripheral surface of the case And a wheel for rolling. In this case, when the wheel is rotated by the motor, the roller rolls along the inner peripheral surface of the case while crushing the tube toward the inner peripheral surface of the case. Thereby, the liquid in the tube pump is pushed out downstream.

JP-A-2005-240575 JP-A-8-28453 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-19279

By the way, in the tube pump mentioned above, in order to suppress that the pressure in a tube raises rapidly by clogging etc. in a tube, it is necessary to take an explosion-proof measure. As this explosion-proof measure, there is known a configuration in which sensors for detecting the pressure, flow rate, etc. in the tube are provided and the motor is controlled based on the detection results of these sensors, or a flow rate control valve is provided. .
However, in such a configuration, there is a problem that the cost increases due to an increase in parts and the configuration becomes complicated. In addition, since the tube pump for the liquid jet recording apparatus does not require high rotation and high stop accuracy, it is desired to employ a cheaper motor in order to reduce the cost of the apparatus.

In addition, when the tube pump is not used, if one portion of the tube is continuously pressed by the roller, there is a problem that the deterioration of the tube is caused.
Further, in the tube pump, there is a possibility that the pressure in the tube with respect to the pressing force of the roller varies depending on the manufacturing variation of the tube and the case, which causes a problem in that the suction pressure and the discharge pressure of the tube pump vary.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and can take an explosion-proof measure after reducing the cost of the apparatus and simplifying the configuration, and can further promote the deterioration of the tube. The present invention provides a tube pump that can suppress the variation in suction pressure and discharge pressure, and a liquid jet recording apparatus including the tube pump.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve such an object, a tube pump according to the present invention includes a flexible tube and an axial direction of the tube while pressing the tube from the outside. A pressing means that moves, and a support member that is disposed on the opposite side of the pressing means with the tube interposed therebetween, and that supports the tube, the pressing means holding the tube between the support member In the tube pump that pumps the fluid in the tube by moving while being crushed, the support member moves toward and away from the pressing unit according to the force acting on the support member from the tube. It is configured to be displaceable.

According to this configuration, when the pressure in the tube increases, the support member is displaced away from the pressing unit by being pushed by the tube, so that the space between the pressing unit and the supporting member is expanded, and the pressure in the tube is increased. Can be relaxed. For this reason, the pressure in a tube can be maintained substantially constant. Thereby, explosion-proof measures can be taken without providing sensors for detecting the pressure or flow rate in the tube or providing a flow rate control valve or the like. Therefore, the cost increase of the tube pump can be suppressed and the configuration can be simplified.
In addition, since it is not necessary to perform rotation control of the drive motor as an explosion-proof measure, a relatively inexpensive drive motor can be employed. Also by this, the cost increase of a tube pump can be suppressed.

Further, when the tube pump is not used, the pressing of the tube by the pressing means can be released by displacing the support member in a direction away from the pressing means. For this reason, since it can prevent that a tube always receives the pressing force by a press means, progress of deterioration of a tube can be suppressed and the lifetime of a tube pump can be extended.
Moreover, the fact that the pressure in the tube can be maintained constant means that manufacturing variations in the tube, the pressing means, and the like can be absorbed. For this reason, variations in suction pressure and discharge pressure of the tube pump can be reduced.
The same support member can be used for various tubes having different tube diameters and wall thicknesses. That is, since it is possible to share the support member, it is possible to reduce the cost and improve the manufacturing efficiency as compared with the case where the support member suitable for each tube is manufactured separately.

Further, the support member is formed by a leaf spring, and the tube is routed along one side surface of the support member.
According to this configuration, by forming the support member with a leaf spring, the support member can be deformed in accordance with various tubes having different configurations such as a change in pressure in the tube and a tube diameter with a simple configuration.

In addition, a case for accommodating the support member in an arc shape is provided, and a plurality of guides for guiding the support member are formed in the case with different curvatures.
According to this configuration, the shape of the support member can be changed according to various tubes having different tube diameters and thicknesses by selecting a guide for guiding the support member from among a plurality of guides having different curvatures.

The support member may include a plurality of support pieces arranged along the axial direction of the tube and a connection spring for connecting the support pieces.
According to this configuration, the support member is elastically deformed with the connection spring as a starting point, so that it is possible to cope with various tubes having different tube diameters and the like while taking measures against explosion prevention.

The support member includes a guide case that determines a routing route of the tube, and an elastic member that is disposed between the guide case and the tube and is elastically deformable along a radial direction of the tube. It is characterized by having.
According to this configuration, the elastic member can be deformed according to various tubes having different pressures in the tube and different tube diameters.

The elastic member is a fluid filled between the tube and the guide case.
According to this configuration, since the support member is displaced in a direction away from the pressing means, it is possible to cope with various tubes having different pressures in the tube and different tube diameters.

In the liquid jet recording apparatus of the present invention, the liquid container that contains the liquid, the liquid jet head that jets the liquid, and the liquid in the liquid container toward the liquid jet head through the liquid supply pipe. It has the tube pump of the said this invention pumped.
According to this configuration, since the tube pump of the present invention is provided, it is possible to provide a highly reliable liquid jet recording apparatus while reducing costs and simplifying the apparatus, and to extend the service life. be able to.

  According to the tube pump and the liquid jet recording apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to take an explosion-proof measure after reducing the cost of the apparatus and simplifying the configuration, and to suppress the progress of deterioration of the tube. Variations in suction pressure and discharge pressure can be reduced.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a liquid jet recording apparatus. It is a top view of the tube pump in a 1st embodiment. It is sectional drawing which follows the AA line of FIG. It is a top view of the housing in a 1st embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the normal time of the tube pump in 1st Embodiment. It is operation | movement explanatory drawing at the time of the raise of the tube internal pressure in 1st Embodiment. It is a top view of the housing in a modification. It is a side view of the fixing tool in a modification. It is a top view of the tube pump in a 2nd embodiment. It is sectional drawing which follows the BB line of FIG. It is a top view of the tube pump in a 3rd embodiment. It is a top view of the tube pump in a 4th embodiment. It is a top view of the tube pump which shows the other structure of 4th Embodiment. It is a top view of the tube pump which shows the other structure of 4th Embodiment.

(First embodiment)
Next, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Liquid jet recording device)
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a liquid jet recording apparatus.
The liquid jet recording apparatus 1 includes a pair of transport units 2 and 3 that transport a recording medium S such as paper, a liquid jet head 4 that jets liquid onto the recording medium S, and supplies liquid to the liquid jet head 4. A liquid supply unit 5 and a scanning unit 6 that scans the liquid ejecting head 4 in a direction (sub-scanning direction) substantially orthogonal to the conveyance direction (main scanning direction) of the recording medium S are provided. Hereinafter, the sub-scanning direction will be described as the X direction and the main scanning direction as the Y direction.

  The pair of conveying means 2 and 3 includes grid rollers 20 and 30 extending in the X direction, and pinch rollers 21 and 31 extending in parallel along the grid rollers 20 and 30, respectively, although details are not shown. And a drive mechanism such as a motor for rotating the grid rollers 20 and 30 around the axis.

  The liquid supply means 5 includes a liquid container 50 that stores liquid, and a liquid supply pipe 51 that connects the liquid container 50 and the liquid jet head 4. A plurality of liquid containers 50 are provided. Specifically, liquid tanks 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50B that store four kinds of liquids of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black are provided side by side. A tube pump M is provided in each of the liquid tanks 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50B, and the liquid can be pressed and moved to the liquid ejecting head 4 through the liquid supply pipe 51. The liquid supply pipe 51 is formed of a flexible hose having flexibility that can correspond to the operation of the liquid ejecting head 4 (carriage unit 62).

  The scanning means 6 extends in the X direction, a pair of guide rails 60, 61, a carriage unit 62 slidable along the pair of guide rails 60, 61, and moves the carriage unit 62 in the X direction. And a drive mechanism 63. The drive mechanism 63 rotates a pair of pulleys 64 and 65 disposed between the pair of guide rails 60 and 61, an endless belt 66 wound between the pair of pulleys 64 and 65, and one pulley 64. And a drive motor 67 to be driven.

  The pair of pulleys 64 and 65 are disposed between both ends of the pair of guide rails 60 and 61, respectively, and are disposed with an interval in the X direction. The endless belt 66 is disposed between the pair of guide rails 60 and 61, and a carriage unit 62 is connected to the endless belt 66. A plurality of liquid jet heads 4 are mounted on the base end portion 62a of the carriage unit 62. Specifically, the liquid jet heads 4Y and 4M individually correspond to four types of liquids of yellow, magenta, cyan, and black. , 4C, 4B are mounted side by side in the sub-scanning direction.

(Tube pump)
2 is a plan view of the tube pump, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tube pump M of the present embodiment includes a housing (support member) 101, a flexible tube 102 arranged along the inner peripheral surface of the housing 101, and a housing A pair of rollers (pressing means) 103 that presses the tube 102 toward the inner peripheral surface of the 101 and a wheel 104 that rolls the roller 103 along the inner peripheral surface of the housing 101 are provided.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the housing.
As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 101 is a leaf spring (for example, about 7 to 8 mm thick) formed of spring steel such as stainless steel. Specifically, the housing 101 includes a bending portion 111 formed in a substantially C shape in plan view, and a pair of bending pieces 112 in which both end portions of the bending portion 111 are bent outward. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 101 configured in this way is held by an adjustment band 113 described later in a state where the housing 101 is compressed in a direction in which the bent pieces 112 are brought closer to each other. In this case, in the housing 101, the curved portion 111 is formed in an arc shape around a predetermined angle range around the axis O1, and the bent pieces 112 extend in parallel to each other.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the tube 102 has a supply port (not shown) for the liquid tanks 50Y, 50M, 50C, and 50B (see FIG. 1) described above in which one end (suction port 102a) is arranged on the upstream side. Are connected via a tube connector (not shown). On the other hand, the other end (discharge port 102b) of the tube 102 is connected to a liquid supply pipe 51 (see FIG. 1) disposed on the downstream side via a tube connector (not shown). The tube 102 is routed over the entire circumference of the housing 101 such that a part of the outer circumferential surface thereof is in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the housing 101. Both ends of the tube 102 are bundled together with the bent pieces 112 of the housing 101 by an adjustment band 113.
The adjustment band 113 is configured such that the inner diameter can be adjusted according to the tube diameter, the plate thickness of the housing 101, and the like, and is fixed to a bracket (not shown). Thereby, the housing 101 mentioned above is hold | maintained in the compressed state (state of FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIG. 2, the wheel 104 is a disk-like member disposed coaxially with the axis O <b> 1 on the radially inner side of the housing 101 (curved portion 111). The wheel 104 is configured to rotate at a predetermined speed by driving a drive motor (not shown) such as a DC motor (G1 in FIG. 2). A pair of rollers 103 are rotatably supported on the outer periphery of the wheel 104.

  Each roller 103 is a member arranged at an interval of 180 degrees in the circumferential direction of the wheel 104, and its axis O2 is arranged parallel to the axis O1. Each roller 103 is configured such that its outer peripheral surface is in contact with the opposite side of the tube 102 from the housing 101. That is, the tube 102 is sandwiched between the roller 103 and the curved portion 111 of the housing 101 and pressed from the radial direction R. The roller 103 is configured to revolve around the axis O1 (G1 in FIG. 2) and rotate around the axis O2 (G2 in FIG. 2) as the wheel 104 rotates. The radial direction R of the tube 102 in the present embodiment is the normal direction of the peripheral wall of the housing 101 (in the embodiment described later, the housing 121, the support piece 151, etc.) among the directions orthogonal to the axial direction of the tube 102. The direction to match.

  As described above, the pair of rollers 103 are arranged to face each other at a position different by 180 degrees around the axis O1. Thereby, the tube pump M of this embodiment can press the tube 102 in the direction where the roller 103 opposes. Therefore, the pair of rollers 103 can always press the tube 102 with a constant force around the axis O1. That is, the pressing direction of the roller 103 coincides with the radial direction R of the tube 102. Thereby, the tube pump M of this embodiment can maintain the stable liquid feeding state at the time of liquid feeding. Note that, as described above, the pair of rollers 103 is shown in the present embodiment, but the embodiment described below can also be implemented using a single roller 103.

(Function)
Next, the operation of the above-described tube pump will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the tube pump in a normal state, and FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation when the pressure in the tube rises.
First, as shown in FIG. 5, the drive motor is driven to rotate the wheel 104 (see FIG. 2) about the axis O1. Then, the roller 103 attached to the wheel 104 revolves around the axis O1. The roller 103 moves along the axial direction on the tube 102 while crushing the tube 102 along the radial direction R with the curved portion 111 of the housing 101. As a result, the back side (traveling direction side) of the roller 103 in the tube 102 is pressurized, and the liquid in the tube 102 is sequentially pumped toward the downstream side. At this time, the roller 103 rotates around the axis O2 due to the frictional force with the outer peripheral surface of the tube 102, and thus moves smoothly on the tube 102.

Then, the liquid pumped through the tube 102 is discharged from the discharge port 102 b of the tube 102 into the liquid supply pipe 51 and is supplied to the liquid ejecting head 4 through the liquid supply pipe 51. Thereby, pressure filling to the liquid jet head 4 can be performed.
On the other hand, when the roller 103 revolves, the front side in the revolving direction of the roller 103 becomes negative pressure. Thereby, the liquid stored in the liquid container 50 is sucked into the tube 102 from the suction port 102 a of the tube 102. Therefore, the liquid stored in the liquid container 50 can be sequentially sucked by the tube pump M.

  Here, when the tube pump M is operated, the roller 103 always presses the tube 102 with a constant pressing force as described above. Specifically, the pressing force F <b> 1 acts along the radial direction R of the tube 102 from the roller 103. Furthermore, since the roller 103 moves along the axial direction on the tube 102 by the rotation of the wheel 104, the rotational force F2 acts on the tube 102 from the roller 103 along the axial direction. Further, when the pressing force F1 acts on the tube 102, a repulsive force acts on the roller 103 from the tube 102 so as to resist the pressing force F1. This repulsive force varies depending on the pressure change in the tube 102.

  By the way, as mentioned above, when clogging or the like occurs in the tube 102, there is a problem that the pressure in the tube 102 increases rapidly.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, in this embodiment, when the pressure in the tube 102 rises rapidly, the repulsive force acting on the roller 103 from the tube 102 increases in accordance with this pressure change. Then, the housing 101 (curved portion 111) is elastically deformed radially outward (in the direction away from the roller 103) in accordance with the pressure change in the tube 102. Thereby, the space between the roller 103 and the housing 101 is expanded, and the tube 102 is deformed following the elastic deformation of the housing 101. Therefore, when the cross-sectional area in the tube 102 increases, the pressure in the tube 102 can be relieved and the pressure in the tube 102 can be maintained substantially constant.

Further, when the rotation of the wheel 104 is stopped when the tube pump M is not used, the roller 103 continues to press one portion of the tube 102. As a result, the tube 102 may be deteriorated.
Therefore, in this embodiment, when the tube pump M is not used, at least one of the pair of adjustment bands 113 for binding the housing 101 and the tube 102 is loosened to loosen the bent piece of the housing 101. 112 is removed from the adjustment band 113. Then, the compression of the housing 101 is released, and the housing 101 is restored. Specifically, the housing 101 is displaced in a direction in which the inner diameter of the bending portion 111 is increased (a direction in which the bent pieces 112 are separated from each other). When the housing 101 is restored, the tube 102 is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the roller 103, and the pressing of the tube 102 by the roller 103 is released.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the housing 101 is formed by a leaf spring, and is configured to be elastically deformable according to the force acting on the housing 101 from the tube 102.
According to this configuration, when the pressure in the tube 102 is increased, the housing 101 is displaced in a direction away from the roller 103 by being pushed by the tube 102, so that the space between the roller 103 and the housing 101 is expanded and the tube 102 is expanded. The pressure inside can be relieved. For this reason, the pressure in the tube 102 can be maintained substantially constant. Thereby, it is possible to take an explosion-proof measure without providing sensors for detecting the pressure or flow rate in the tube 102 or providing a flow rate control valve or the like. Therefore, the cost increase of the tube pump M can be suppressed, and the configuration can be simplified. Moreover, since it is not necessary to perform rotation control of the drive motor or the like for explosion prevention measures, a relatively inexpensive drive motor can be employed. Also by this, the cost increase of the tube pump M can be suppressed.

  Further, when the tube pump M is not used, the housing 101 is removed from the adjustment band 113 and the pressing of the tube 102 by the roller 103 is released, so that the tube 102 can be prevented from constantly receiving the pressing force F1 by the roller 103. . Thereby, since the progress of deterioration of the tube 102 can be suppressed, the lifetime of the tube pump M can be extended.

  Moreover, the fact that the pressure in the tube 102 with respect to the pressing force F1 of the roller 103 can be maintained constant means that manufacturing variations of the tube 102, the roller 103, etc. can be absorbed. That is, the housing 101 of this embodiment can freely adjust the inner diameter of the housing 101 (curved portion 111) by deforming the housing 101 in a direction in which the bent piece 112 approaches and separates. The pressure variation can be reduced.

Further, by adjusting the inner diameter of the housing 101 (curved portion 111), the same housing 101 can be used for various tubes 102 having different tube diameters and wall thicknesses. That is, since the housing 101 can be shared, the cost can be reduced and the manufacturing efficiency can be improved as compared with the case where the housing 101 suitable for each tube 102 is manufactured separately.
Furthermore, by configuring the housing 101 with a leaf spring, the configuration can be simplified, and the housing 101 can be configured to be elastically deformable according to the force acting on the housing 101 from the tube 102.

  Since the liquid jet recording apparatus 1 of the present embodiment includes the tube pump M described above, it is possible to improve the reliability and extend the life while reducing costs and simplifying the apparatus. be able to.

(Modification)
FIG. 7 is a plan view of a housing in a modified example.
The shape of the housing is not limited to the shape of the first embodiment described above, and for example, a U-shaped housing 121 may be adopted. Specifically, the housing 121 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a semicircular curved portion 122 and a pair of extending portions 123 that extend from both ends of the curved portion 122 in the tangential direction of the curved portion 122. .
Also by this, the curved portion 122 is elastically deformed (arrow H1 in FIG. 6) by displacing the other extending portion 123 inward in a state where one extending portion 123 of the housing 121 is fixed. Since the curvature of the curved portion 122 can be changed, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be achieved.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a fixture according to a modification.
In the first embodiment described above, the case where the housing 101 and the tube 102 are bound by the adjustment band 113 has been described. However, the method for fixing the housing 101 and the tube 102 is not limited to this, and any method that can fix the housing 101 and the tube 102 may be used. For example, you may fix with a screw | thread.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, after the screw 131 is inserted into the washer-like fixture 132, a nut 133 is screwed into the tip of the screw 131. The housing 101 and the tube 102 may be sandwiched between the fixture 132 and the nut 133.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment described above in that the housing is accommodated in an outer case (case).
FIG. 9 is a plan view of the tube pump in the second embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. For ease of explanation, the description of the above-described rollers, wheels, and the like is omitted in FIGS. Moreover, in the following description, about the structure similar to embodiment mentioned above, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the outer case 141 is a U-shaped member in plan view formed larger than the outer shape of the housing 121, and includes an arc portion 142 and a pair of linear portions 143 extending from both ends of the arc portion 142. It has the surrounding wall 144 comprised by these. A housing 121 is accommodated inside the peripheral wall 144. In the circumferential direction of the outer case 141, one of the pair of straight portions 143 of the peripheral wall 144 is formed on a flat surface. On the other hand, from the vicinity of the connecting portion between the straight line portion 143 and the arc portion 142 to the other straight line portion 143, the inner peripheral surface is formed in a step shape in a sectional view.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, the peripheral wall 144 of the outer case 141 is formed with a plurality of step portions (guides) 145 whose thickness gradually decreases from the outside to the inside. Each step 145 is formed so that the curvature gradually increases from the radially inner side to the outer side. Of these stepped portions 145, the housing 121 is guided along any one of the stepped portions 145. In the present embodiment, the housing 121 is guided along the step portion 145 on the outermost periphery.

At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the housing 121 is in contact with one linear portion 143 of the peripheral wall 144. On the other hand, a gap is formed between the stepped portion 145 and the peripheral wall 144. Therefore, the housing 121 is held on the outer side (outer case 141 side) so as to be elastically deformable in accordance with a pressure change in the tube 102.
Further, according to the present embodiment, by selecting the stepped portion 145 for guiding the housing 121 in the outer case 141 from the plurality of stepped portions 145, according to various tubes 102 having different tube diameters and wall thicknesses. The shape of the housing 121 can be easily changed.

(Modification)
As a modification of the present embodiment, in the circumferential direction of the outer case 141, the inner peripheral surface is formed in a stepped shape in a sectional view from one of the pair of straight portions 143 of the peripheral wall 144 to the other straight portion 143. Also good. Specifically, the peripheral wall 144 of the outer case 141 is formed with a plurality of step portions (guides, see FIG. 10) 145 whose thickness gradually decreases from the outside to the inside over the entire inner peripheral surface of the peripheral wall 144. Each step 145 is formed so that the curvature gradually increases from the radially inner side to the outer side. Of these stepped portions 145, the housing 121 is guided along any one of the stepped portions 145. In this modification, the housing 121 is guided along the outermost step portion 145. Further, the outer peripheral surface of the housing 121 has a gap with the peripheral wall 144 in the stepped portion 145.
Therefore, the housing 121 is held on the outer side (outer case 141 side) so as to be elastically deformable in accordance with a pressure change in the tube 102. Further, according to the present modification, by selecting the stepped portion 145 for guiding the housing 121 in the outer case 141 from among the plurality of stepped portions 145, according to various tubes 102 having different tube diameters and wall thicknesses. The shape of the housing 121 can be easily changed.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a plan view of a tube pump in the third embodiment. The third embodiment is different from the above-described embodiments in that a plurality of support pieces are connected by an elastic member to form a housing.
As shown in FIG. 11, the housing (support member) 150 of this embodiment includes a pair of support pieces 151 made of a resin material and the like, and a connection spring 152 that connects the support pieces 151 to each other. Each support piece 151 is a target member, and includes a bending portion 153 and an extending portion 154 that extends by bending one end in the circumferential direction of the bending portion 153. Each support piece 151 is arranged in a state where the end surfaces on the other end side in the circumferential direction of the bending portion 153 are opposed to each other. The end surfaces of each support piece 151 are connected to each other by a connection spring 152 such as a coil spring. The tube 102 is routed along the inner peripheral surface of the housing 150, and each extending portion 154 and both ends of the tube 102 are bound by an adjustment band 113.

According to this configuration, the housing 150 is elastically deformed with the connecting spring 152 as a starting point, and thereby the inner diameter of the bending portion 153 is displaced in a direction in which it expands. Accordingly, the housing 150 is displaced in a direction away from the roller 103 (see FIG. 2) according to the force acting on the housing 150 from the tube 102. Therefore, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.
Further, when the tube pump M is not used, the support piece 151 (extending portion 154) is removed from the adjustment band 113 to release the pressing of the tube 102 by the roller 103, so that the tube 102 is pressed by the roller 103. Can always be prevented. Thereby, since the progress of deterioration of the tube 102 can be suppressed, the lifetime of the tube pump M can be extended.
Moreover, since the inner diameter of the housing 150 (curved portion 153) can be freely adjusted by deforming the housing 150 with the connecting spring 152 as a starting point, variations in suction pressure and discharge pressure of the tube pump M can be reduced.
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the two support pieces 151 are connected by the connection spring 152 has been described. However, three or more support pieces may be connected.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a plan view of the tube pump in the fourth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 12, the housing (support member) 210 of the present embodiment is formed in a U shape in plan view, and includes an outer case (guide case) 211 that determines the routing route of the tube 102, and An inner case 212 arranged with a gap K on the inner side and a plurality of elastic members 213 arranged in the gap K are provided.
The inner case 212 is configured in a U shape in plan view by arranging a plurality of support pieces 214 following the inner surface shape of the outer case 211. The tube 102 is routed so as to be in contact with the inner peripheral surface of each support piece 214.

The elastic member 213 includes a coil spring or the like, and connects the outer peripheral surface of each support piece 214 and the inner peripheral surface of the outer case 211.
According to this configuration, the elastic member 213 is elastically deformed according to the pressure in the tube 102. Thereby, since the inner case 212 moves in the direction approaching and separating from the outer case 211, the same effect as that of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  In the above-described fourth embodiment, the configuration in which the elastic member 213 such as a coil spring is interposed in the gap K between the inner case 212 and the outer case 211 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a single corrugated leaf spring 221 may be interposed in the gap K as shown in FIG. Further, the inner case 212 may be omitted. That is, the elastic member 213 and the leaf spring 221 described above may be interposed between the outer case 211 and the tube 102, and the tube 102 may be directly supported by the elastic member 213 and the leaf spring 221.

Further, as shown in FIG. 14, a filling body 230 filled with a fluid such as air may be provided in the gap K between the inner case 212 and the outer case 211. Also in this case, since the inner case 212 moves in a direction in which the outer case 211 and the inner case 212 approach and separate according to the pressure in the tube 102, the same effect as the above-described embodiment can be obtained.
Furthermore, since the distance between the outer case 211 and the inner case 212 can be adjusted by the pressure in the filler 230, the same housing 101 can be used for various tubes 102 having different tube diameters and wall thicknesses. Further, when not in use, the roller 103 (see FIG. 2) and the inner case 212 can be separated from each other by removing the fluid from the filling body 230, and the pressing by the roller 103 can be released. If the inner case 212 is formed as a single piece, the fluid may be directly circulated in the gap K between the outer case 211 and the tube 102.

As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was explained in full detail with reference to drawings, the concrete structure is not restricted to this embodiment, The design change etc. of the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention are included.
For example, in the embodiment described above, the case of using a leaf spring-shaped housing made of metal or the like has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the housing can be configured by a POM (polyacetal) material or a rubber material. is there. That is, the design can be appropriately changed as long as the material is elastically deformed with respect to the pressure change in the tube 102.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the inner surface shape of the housing is formed in an arc shape and the roller is moved inside is described. However, if the roller moves while crushing the tube with the housing, The design can be changed as appropriate.
Furthermore, although the embodiment mentioned above demonstrated the structure pressurized and filled using the tube pump M, it is not restricted to this. That is, a suction cap may be provided at a position facing the ejection surface of the liquid ejecting head 4 and the tube pump M may be used when sucking the inside of the suction cap.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the tube 102 is arranged in an arc along the housing has been described. However, if the roller 103 moves while crushing the tube with the housing 101, the design may be changed as appropriate. Is possible. For example, the tube 102 may be routed in a straight line.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid jet recording apparatus 4 ... Liquid jet head 50 ... Liquid container 51 ... Liquid supply pipe 101, 121, 150 ... Housing (support member) 102 ... Tube 103 ... Roller (pressing means) 141 ... Outer case (case) 145 ... Step part (guide) 151 ... Support piece 152 ... Connection spring 211 ... Outer case (guide case) 213 ... Elastic member M ... Tube pump

Claims (7)

A flexible tube;
Pressing means for moving along the axial direction of the tube while pressing the tube from the outside;
A support member disposed on the opposite side of the pressing means with the tube interposed therebetween, and supporting the tube,
In the tube pump that pumps the fluid in the tube by moving the pressing means while crushing the tube with the support member,
The tube pump according to claim 1, wherein the support member is configured to be displaceable in a direction approaching and separating from the pressing means in accordance with a force acting on the support member from the tube.   The tube pump according to claim 1, wherein the support member is formed by a leaf spring, and the tube is routed along one side surface of the support member. A case for accommodating the support member in an arc shape;
The tube pump according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of guides for guiding the support member are formed in the case with different curvatures.   2. The tube pump according to claim 1, wherein the support member includes a plurality of support pieces arranged along an axial direction of the tube and a connection spring that connects the support pieces. .   The support member includes a guide case that determines a routing route of the tube, and an elastic member that is disposed between the guide case and the tube and is elastically deformable along a radial direction of the tube. The tube pump according to claim 1, wherein the tube pump is provided.   The tube pump according to claim 5, wherein the elastic member is a fluid filled between the tube and the guide case. A liquid container that contains liquid;
A liquid ejecting head for ejecting the liquid;
The tube pump according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the tube pump pumps the liquid in the liquid container through the liquid supply pipe toward the liquid ejecting head. Liquid jet recording apparatus.

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