US20080247892A1 - Liquid transfer device and suction unit - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid transfer device that includes: a plurality of reservers that each store therein a liquid; a plurality of elastic tubes that are linked to the reservers and retained by a tube guide; a rotation axis that is retained to be able to rotate; and a tube depressing member whose depressing section is fixed to the rotation axis for depressing the tubes with a helical-structured convex portion provided thereto. In the liquid transfer device, when the rotation axis rotates, the liquid starts to flow by the depressing section sequentially depressing the tubes in a direction from the reservers toward a flow-out side of the liquid.

Description

BACKGROUND
• 1. Technical Field
• The present invention relates to a liquid transfer device that transfers a liquid in one or two different directions by depressing a plurality of tubes using a tube depressing member formed with a helical-shaped convex portion, and a suction unit including the liquid transfer device and an atomizer.
• 2. Related Art
• There has been known a tube pump (liquid transfer device) that includes a helical roller configured by a rotation axis disposed in parallel with a tube and a helical-structured convex portion formed on the rotation axis and operates to rotate the helical roller and depress the tube by the helical-structured convex portion, whereby a liquid is flowed (e.g., JP-A-2003-301778; p.p. 5 and 6, and FIG. 2).
• The tube pump of JP-A-2003-301778 is of a configuration that the tube is depressed by the helical-structured convex portion formed on the rotation axis. The helical roller is thus implemented by such a simple configuration.
• The problem here is that the tube pump of such a configuration has only one tube available for liquid transfer. For implementation of liquid transfer using a plurality of tubes, there requires a drive shaft with a plurality of cams, or a plurality of sets of a rotation axis with a helical-structured convex portion and a drive source such as a motor.
SUMMARY
• A first aspect of the invention is directed to a liquid transfer device that includes: a plurality of reservers that each store therein a liquid; a plurality of elastic tubes that are linked to the reservers and retained by a tube guide; a rotation axis that is retained to be able to rotate; and a tube depressing member whose depressing section is fixed to the rotation axis for depressing the tubes with a helical-structured convex portion provided thereto. In the liquid transfer device, when the rotation axis rotates, the liquid starts to flow by the depressing section sequentially depressing the tubes in a direction from the reservers toward a flow-out side of the liquid.
• With such a configuration that the tube depressing member is provided with a plurality of depressing sections provided as many as a plurality of tubes. There thus are effects of being able to transfer a liquid all at once from a plurality of tubes only by rotating a single tube depressing member without increasing any driving member.
• A second aspect of the invention is directed to a liquid transfer device that includes: one reserver that stores therein a liquid; first and second tubes linked to the reserver in different directions; a rotation axis that is retained to be able to rotate; and a depressing member including a first depressing section that is fixed to the rotation axis and depresses the first tube using a helical-structured convex portion provided thereto, and a second depressing section that is fixed to the rotation axis and depresses the second tube using a helical-structured convex portion provided thereto with a helical direction opposite to that of the convex portion depressing the first tube. In the liquid transfer device, when the rotation axis rotates, the liquid starts to flow in two different directions by the first and second depressing sections sequentially depressing the first and second tubes in a direction from the reserver toward a flow-out side of the liquid.
• With such a configuration that a single reserver is provided with two tubes each with a different linkage direction, and these tubes are depressed by a depressing section formed with two convex portions being formed with each different helical direction. As such, by rotating the tube depressing member, a liquid starts to flow in two different directions.
• In the liquid transfer device of the first aspect, the reservers are first and second reservers, the tubes include first and second tubes, the depressing sections include first and second depressing sections whose helical-structured concave portions show each different helical direction, and the first tube is linked to the first reserver and the second tube is linked to the second reserver. The first and second tubes are extended in each different direction, and the liquid starts to flow in two different directions when the first and second depressing sections respectively depress the first and second tubes.
• With such a configuration of including the first and second reservers respectively linked with the first and second tubes, when the first and second reservers store a different type of liquid, respectively, rotating the tube depressing member enables to transfer the two types of liquids at the same time in two different directions.
• Also in such a liquid transfer device, preferably, the first and second reservers are disposed along the rotation axis.
• With such a configuration that the first and second reservers are disposed along the rotation axis on a straight line, the resulting liquid transfer device can be in the shape of a long and slim tube.
• Also in such a liquid transfer device, preferably, the first and second reservers are disposed around the rotation axis.
• With such a configuration, compared with the above configuration in which the first and second reservers are disposed along the rotation axis, there are more effects of downsizing in the direction of liquid flow, i.e., in the liquid transfer direction.
• Also in the liquid transfer device of the first aspect, preferably, the helical-structured convex portions respectively provided to the depressing sections are each a coil wound around the tube depressing member in each different helical direction.
• In this way, the helical-shaped convex portion can be formed by a coil with more ease than by cutting work. Moreover, by using a coil lead having a circular cross section, as the material of the coil the surface where the first and second tubes come in contact with each other becomes smooth. Such a smooth surface leads to the effects of being able to reduce the resistance of contact of the surface at the time of depressing, thereby reducing the driving force. There are also effects of being able to increase the durability of the first and second tubes.
• The coil can be varied in shape and winding outer diameter so that the convex portions can be easily changed in height, and the first and second depressing sections can be easily changed in maximum diameter. This accordingly achieves other effects of leading to the ease of adjustment in terms of the amount of liquid transfer per unit time.
• Also in such a liquid transfer device, preferably, the tube depressing member is formed, as a piece, by a coil section corresponding to the convex portion of each of the depressing sections and the rotation axis.
• With such a configuration in which the tube depressing member is formed as a piece by a plurality of coil sections and the rotation axis, the resulting device can be of a much simpler configuration. Such a tube depressing member can be specifically formed by wire forming or the like, thereby enabling cost reduction.
• In the liquid transfer device of the first aspect, preferably, at least one of the tubes has an internal and/or external diameter different from other tubes, and the helical-structured convex portions of the depressing sections provided as many as the tubes have each different external diameter in accordance with the internal or external diameter of the corresponding tube.
• When the first and second tubes have the same internal diameter, the amount of liquid transfer thereby is the same. By varying the internal and external diameters of the first and second tubes, i.e., the internal diameter being the cross-sectional area of the tube for a liquid to flow, the amount of liquid transfer can be varied between the first and second tubes only by a single tube depressing section operating in response to the rotation of the tube depressing member about the rotation axis of the shared use by the tubes. With a configuration of including the above-described first and second reservers storing each different type of liquid, any desired amount of liquid transfer can be implemented in accordance with the type of the liquid.
• In the liquid transfer device of the first aspect, preferably, the tubes are retained by the tube guide while being linked to the reservers, and the tube guide including the reservers and the tubes is configured to be attachable/detachable to/from a device frame keeping hold of the rotation axis.
• With such a configuration, users find it easy to make a replacement of a reserver(s) and a liquid refilling. The liquid transfer device in the embodiments of the invention is a tube pump for transferring a liquid by depressing the tubes using a tube depressing member, and once it is assembled, the tubes remain depressed by a convex portion of the tube depressing member. Accordingly, there may be a possibility that the tubes may suffer from permanent deformation if the tubes remain depressed for a long time. However, such permanent deformation of the tubes can be prevented if a tube guide is attached to a device frame only at the time of driving the liquid transfer device.
• In the liquid transfer device of the first aspect, preferably, an insertion pipe is provided at an end portion of each of the tubes on a reserver side for linkage to the reservers, and a tip end portion of the insertion pipe is inserted into each of the reservers for linkage therewith, and the tubes can be inserted/removed into/from the reservers.
• This configuration enables a replacement only of a reserver(s), and with a replacement of a reserver(s), a liquid refilling can be made with ease. For replacement of a reserver(s), the components, i.e., the first and second tubes and the tube guide, are not necessarily replaced because these can be good for repeated use, thereby favorably leading to economic effects.
• In the liquid transfer device of the first aspect, preferably, an open/close lid is provided to a portion of the tube guide covering the reservers.
• With such a configuration, the reserver(s) can be replaced when the open/close lid is open, and when the open/close lid is closed, the reservers can be retained in position at the time of driving, and can be protected from any external forces and the like.
• Also in such a liquid transfer device, preferably, the open/close lid is provided in the area including the reservers and part of the tube guide supporting the tubes except end portions in the length direction thereof.
• With such a configuration, by opening the open/close lid, a replacement of a reserver(s) can be made in the state that the reservers and the tubes are linked to each other.
• In the liquid transfer device of the first aspect, preferably, the reservers are disposed in a multiple-connected arrangement along the rotation axis, at least one of the tubes provided as many as the reservers is linked thereto in a direction different from other tubes, and the depressing sections show each different helical direction in accordance with the direction of linkage of each of the tubes.
• With such a configuration, the tube depressing member is provided with a plurality of depressing sections provided as many as a plurality of reservers, i.e., tubes, and some of the convex portions of the pressing sections show the helical direction opposite to that of the remaining. This accordingly enables to increase the amount of liquid transfer, and enables a liquid to flow in two different directions.
• Also with the configuration in which a plurality of reservers are disposed in a multiple-connected arrangement along the rotation axis, the size reduction can be achieved especially in the diameter direction.
• In the liquid transfer device of the first aspect, preferably, the reservers are disposed around the rotation axis, at least one of the tubes provided as many as the reservers is linked thereto in a direction different from other tubes, and the depressing sections are respectively provided with helical-structured convex portions that show each different helical direction in accordance with the direction of linkage of each of the tubes.
• With such a configuration, the tube depressing member is provided with a plurality of depressing sections provided as many as a plurality of reservers, i.e., tubes, and some of the convex portions of the pressing sections show the helical direction opposite to that of the remaining. This accordingly enables to increase the amount of liquid transfer, and enables a liquid to flow in two different directions.
• Also with the configuration in which a plurality of reservers are disposed around the rotation axis, the size reduction can be achieved especially in the length direction, i.e., the direction of liquid flow.
• In the liquid transfer device of the first aspect, preferably, one of the reservers is disposed at one end portion of the tube depressing member, and the reservers are provided with the tubes around the depressing sections.
• With such a configuration, the area for disposing the reservers can be extended to the vicinity of the outer diameter of the liquid transfer device. This accordingly enables to increase the capacity of the reservers, and to flow a large amount of liquid in one specific direction.
• Also in such a liquid transfer device, preferably, the depressing sections are disposed in a multiple-connected arrangement, and at least one of the depressing sections is provided with a convex portion showing a helical direction different from other depressing sections.
• With such a configuration, some of the tubes make a liquid flow out from the reservers, and other remaining tubes make the liquid flow into the reservers. It means that providing the tubes for liquid flow-in as many as the tubes for liquid flow-out can equalize the amount of liquid flow-in and flow-out. If this is the case, by linking the tubes for liquid flow-in to any external liquid storage container, the liquid can be refilled by the flow-out amount while the liquid transfer device is being driven.
• A third aspect of the invention is directed to a suction unit that includes: the liquid transfer device of the first aspect; a first atomizer that atomizes a liquid coming from at least one of the tubes; a second atomizer that atomizes a liquid coming from at least another one of the tubes; a motor that provides a rotation force to the tube depressing member; a control section that includes a control circuit for controlling over the first and second atomizers, and a drive control circuit for controlling the motor to drive; and a power supply section that makes a supply of power to the control section. In the suction unit, the power supply section, the control section, the first and second atomizers, and the liquid transfer device are disposed in the inside of a tubular chassis along the longitudinal direction of the chassis, and an aperture section is provided for ejection or suction of liquid particles atomized by each of the first and second atomizers.
• With the suction unit of the third aspect of the invention, the liquid stored in the reservers is transferred to the first and second atomizers by the liquid transfer device, and is atomized by the first and second atomizers so that the atomized liquid particles can be ejected or sucked.
• With such a configuration of including the power supply section, the control section, the first and second atomizers, and the liquid transfer device in the tubular chassis, the satisfactory level of portability can be achieved.
• In the suction unit of the third aspect, preferably, one of the aperture sections is a suction port for suction of the atomized liquid particles, and the other is an ejection port for ejection of the atomized liquid particles.
• With such a configuration, the first and second reservers store therein each different type of liquid, and from the suction port, different types of liquid particles are sucked, and from the ejection port, atomized liquid particles are ejected. As such, the liquid particles can be sucked while visually observing the generating state of the liquid particles on the side of the ejection port.
• Assuming that the suction unit is an artificial cigarette, from the suction port, a user can simulate smoking by sucking flavor particles, and from the ejection port, the user can eject dummy smoke particles. As such, provided is a dummy smoking unit being safe and harmless for health and environment while allowing a user to enjoy the atmosphere of smoking.
• In the suction unit of the third aspect, preferably, the suction port is provided at both ends of the chassis in a length direction for suction of the atomized liquid particles.
• With such a configuration in which the first and second reservers store therein each different type of liquid, different types of liquid particles can be respectively sucked from the suction port provided at two positions.
• In the suction unit of the third aspect, preferably, the chassis is configured by upper and lower frames, and the upper and lower frames are configured to be attachable/detachable, and at least the liquid transfer device and the power supply section can be attached/detached thereto/therefrom.
• With such a configuration in which the upper and lower frames can be separated, consumable items such as power supply section, i.e., small-sized battery, and reservers can be replaced with ease.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like elements.
• FIG. 1 is a vertical cross sectional view of a liquid transfer device of a first embodiment.
• FIGS. 2A to 2C are horizontal cross sectional views of the liquid transfer device ofFIG. 1, i.e.,FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view of the device along a line A-A,FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view ofFIG. 2A along a line B-B, andFIG. 2C is a cross sectional view ofFIG. 2A along a line C-C.
• FIG. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of a liquid transfer device of a second embodiment.
• FIGS. 4A and 4B are diagrams showing a liquid transfer device of a modified example in the second embodiment, whereinFIG. 4A is a cross sectional view of the liquid transfer device when viewed from the above, andFIG. 4B is a cross sectional view ofFIG. 4A along a line D-D.
• FIG. 5 is a front view of a tube depressing member of a third embodiment.
• FIG. 6 is a front view of a tube depressing member in a fourth embodiment.
• FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing a liquid transfer device of a fifth embodiment, whereinFIG. 7A shows a part of the vertical cross sectional view of the device, andFIG. 7B is a cross sectional view ofFIG. 7A along a line E-E.
• FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a liquid transfer device of a sixth embodiment.
• FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams showing an exemplary liquid transfer device of a seventh embodiment, whereinFIG. 9A is a vertical cross sectional view of the device,FIG. 9B is a layout diagram when the liquid transfer device ofFIG. 9A is viewed from the direction of a tip end, andFIG. 9C is a layout diagram showing a modified example.
• FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a liquid transfer device of an eighth embodiment, whereinFIG. 10A is a vertical cross sectional view of the device, andFIG. 10B is a front view of the device when viewed from the direction of a tip end, i.e., right side in the drawing.
• FIG. 11 is a vertical cross sectional view of an exemplary suction unit in an embodiment of the invention, showing the schematic configuration thereof.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
• In the below, embodiments of the invention are described by referring to the accompanying drawings.
• FIGS. 1 to 2C each show a liquid transfer device of a first embodiment,FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment,FIGS. 4A and 4B each show a modified example of the second embodiment,FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment,FIG. 6 shows a tube depressing member of a fourth embodiment,FIGS. 7A and 7B each show a fifth embodiment,FIG. 8 shows a sixth embodiment,FIGS. 9A to 9C each show a seventh embodiment and a modified example thereof,FIGS. 10A and 10B each show a liquid transfer device of an eighth embodiment, andFIG. 11 shows a suction unit of an embodiment of the invention.
• Note here that the diagrams to be referred to in the below are schematic diagrams in which, for convenience, components and sections are under a different scaling from those in actuality.
First Embodiment
• FIG. 1 is a vertical cross sectional view of a liquid transfer device of a first embodiment, andFIGS. 2A to 2C are horizontal cross sectional views of the liquid transfer device ofFIG. 1, i.e.,FIG. 2A is a cross sectional view of the device along a line A-A,FIG. 2B is a cross sectional view ofFIG. 2A along a line B-B, andFIG. 2C is a cross sectional view ofFIG. 2A along a line C-C. InFIGS. 1 to 2C, aliquid transfer device10 is configured to include areserver40 storing therein a liquid, first andsecond tubes50 and60, and atube depressing member70. Thefirst tube50 is made elastic, and is extended in one direction after being linked to thereserver40. Thesecond tube60 is also made elastic, and is extended in a direction opposite to that of thefirst tube50 after being linked to thereserver40. Thetube depressing member70 is provided for depressing both the first andsecond tubes50 and60.
• As shown inFIG. 1, at the lower portion of thereserver40, i.e., in the vicinity of the bottom portion thereof, first andsecond outlet sections41 and42 are provided for ejection of a liquid to the outside of thereserver40. The first andsecond outlet sections41 and42 are respectively provided to the sides of thereserver40 in the longitudinal direction, and are each formed with a tubular protrusion portion toward the outside. To these protrusion portions, the first andsecond tubes50 and60 are respectively attached.
• The first andsecond tubes50 and60 are made of a material having an elasticity which allows them to deform in the cross sectional direction when being depressed, and to quickly return to the original cross sectional shape when the depressing force is released, and a resistance against any liquid for use. In the state of being linked to thereserver40, the first andsecond tubes50 and60 are retained with their positions controlled by atube guide30. In this embodiment, the first andsecond tubes50 and60 have the same cross sectional shape, and are both extended along substantially the same straight line.
• Thetube guide30 has a semicircular transverse cross section, and is configured to include, on the side of thefirst tube50, areserver housing section31, a throughhole32, and a first tube retaining groove33 (refer toFIGS. 2A and 2B). Thereserver housing section31 is formed like a concave portion for housing most of thereserver40. The throughhole32 is inserted with thefirst tube50, and keeps hold of thefirst tube50. The firsttube retaining groove33 serves for position control over the cross sectional direction.
• Thetube guide30 is configured to include, on the side of thesecond tube60, a throughhole34 and a secondtube retaining groove35. The throughhole34 is inserted with thesecond tube60, and keeps hold of thesecond tube60. The secondtube retaining groove35 also serves for position control over the cross sectional direction.
• As such, thetube guide30 is attached with the first andsecond tubes50 and60 both being linked to thereserver40, thereby allowing the handling of the components as a piece, i.e. thetube guide30, thereserver40, and the first andsecond tubes50 and60, that is, enabling attachment/detachment of those components as a piece to/from adevice frame20.
• In thetube guide30, in the cross sectional direction, thereserver housing section31 is disposed with a space from thetube guide30, and in the longitudinal direction, controls the movement of thereserver40.
• Thedevice frame20 is provided to oppose thetube guide30. Thedevice frame20 has a semicircular transverse cross section, and on the side of thetube guide30, is formed withconcave sections22 and23, and areserver retaining section24 being concave.
• Thetube depressing member70 is made of a material with a rigidity, and in the directions of both ends, first and seconddepressing sections72 and73 of a cylindrical shape are respectively provided. To the perimeter of the firstdepressing section72, a helical-structuredconvex portion72ais provided, and to the perimeter of the seconddepressing section73, a helical-structuredconvex portion73ais provided.
• Theconvex portions72aand73ahave the same cross sectional shape but have opposite helical directions, and in the example ofFIG. 1, assuming that theconvex portion72ais of a left-handed helical structure, and theconvex portion73ais of a right-handed helical structure. The first and seconddepressing sections72 and73 are disposed on the extension of a common rotation axis P, and are coupled together by acoupling shaft71.
• Thetube depressing member70 is respectively provided with,support shafts74 and75 at the ends thereof. Thesupport shaft74 is inserted into a through hole formed in asupport frame section21 of the device frame20 (refer also toFIG. 2A), and the remainingsupport shaft75 is inserted into a through hole formed in a tube depressingmember support frame80. Thetube depressing member70 is allowed to be able to freely rotate. Note that the tube depressingmember support frame80 is fixed to thedevice frame20 by a screw90 (not shown).
• Although not shown, the tip end portion of thesupport shaft75 of thetube depressing member70 is protruded from the tube depressingmember support frame80, and is coupled to a motor that is also not shown.
• Thetube depressing member70 is disposed in parallel with the direction along which the first andsecond tubes50 and60 are extended with a predetermined distance therefrom. Herein, the predetermined distance is of a range that allows theconvex portions72aand73ato tightly close the holes formed in the first andsecond tubes50 and60 for liquid flow therethrough, and the perimeter of the cylindrical portion of the firstdepressing section72 and that of the seconddepressing section73 do not come in contact with, respectively, the perimeter portion of thefirst tube50 and that of thesecond tube60.
• Note here that thedevice frame20 is provided with thereserver retaining section24 to be protruded below thereserver40 so that thereserver40 is supported thereby to be in place (refer also toFIG. 2C).
• Thetube guide30 attached with thereserver40 is combined, to be a piece, with thedevice frame20 attached with thetube depressing member70 using a screw91 (not shown), i.e., combined by bringing their surfaces of the chords of the semicircles very close to each other. As a result, theliquid transfer device10 becomes a cylinder with the cross section of substantially circular. Alternatively to the position inFIGS. 2A to 2C example, thetube guide30 and thedevice frame20 may be fixed together by screws at a plurality of positions where fixation is possible with good balance.
• Also by referring toFIGS. 1 to 2C, described next is how to drive theliquid transfer device10 of the embodiment. When thetube depressing member70 is rotated in the direction of an arrow R by a motor, theconvex portion72aof a left-handed helical structure provided in the firstdepressing section72 depresses and blocks thefirst tube50. As to theconvex portion72adepressing thefirst tube50 as such, the depressing portion thereof sequentially moves in the direction of F1 in response to the rotation. At this time, the liquid in thefirst tube50 is moved in the direction of F1 for flowing out. Theconvex portion72ais set with the winding count and pitch such that at least one part of theconvex portion72aalways blocks thefirst tube50.
• Also in the seconddepressing section73, theconvex portion73asimilarly depresses thesecond tube60, but its depressing portion sequentially moves in the direction of F2 because theconvex portion73ais of a right-handed helical structure, and the liquid in thesecond tube60 is moved in the direction of F2 for flowing out.
• As such, in the first embodiment described above, thetube depressing member70 is provided with thedepressing sections72 and73 corresponding to a plurality of tubes, i.e., thetubes50 and60. This leads to effects of enabling transfer of a liquid all at once from the tubes only by rotating thetube depressing member70 with no increase of components for driving use.
• Also in the first embodiment, thefirst tube50 is depressed by the helical-structuredconvex portion72aprovided in the firstdepressing section72, and thesecond tube60 is depressed by theconvex portion73aprovided in the seconddepressing section73 so that a liquid is transferred to the outside from thereserver40. Theconvex portion72aof the firstdepressing section72 is helically structured with a helical direction opposite to that of theconvex portion73aof the seconddepressing section73. As such, when thetube depressing member70 is rotated about the common rotation axis P of shared use, the liquid can be moved to flow from thereserver40 all at once through the first andsecond tubes50 and60 in the directions of F1 and F2, respectively.
• Also in the first embodiment, thetube depressing member70 is configured as a piece by the first and seconddepressing sections72 and73 and thecoupling shaft71. As such, a small-sized liquid transfer device of a cylindrical shape, i.e., a liquid transfer device of a size especially small in the diameter direction, can be implemented with a simple configuration while enabling liquid transfer in two different directions.
• Also in the first embodiment, thereserver40 is retained by thetube guide30 in the state that the first andsecond tubes50 and60 are linked thereto. With the configuration that thetube guide30 including the first andsecond tubes50 and60 is attachable/detachable to/from thedevice frame20, removing thetube guide30 from thedevice frame20 allows an easy replacement of thereserver40 attached with the first andsecond tubes50 and60, thereby leading also to easy liquid refilling.
• Theliquid transfer device10 of the first embodiment is a tube pump for transferring a liquid by depressing the tubes using the tube depressing member, and once it is assembled, the first andsecond tubes50 and60 remain depressed respectively by part of each of theconvex portions72aand73a. As a result, the first andsecond tubes50 and60 may suffer from permanent deformation if those remain depressed for a long time. However, such permanent deformation of the first andsecond tubes50 and60 can be prevented if thetube guide30 is attached to thedevice frame20 only at the time of driving theliquid transfer device10.
• Also in the first embodiment above, the first andsecond tubes50 and60 have the same cross sectional shape, and thetube depressing member70 is rotated at the same rotation speed. Accordingly, the amount of liquid flowing through the first andsecond tubes50 and60 can be made the same.
• Exemplified in the above first embodiment is the case where the first andsecond tubes50 and60 have the same cross sectional shape. Alternatively, the first andsecond tubes50 and60 may have different internal and/or external diameters, respectively. If this is the case, by setting the external diameters of the first and seconddepressing sections72 and73 and the maximum diameters of theconvex portions72aand73aso as to able to open and block the respective tubes, the amount of liquid flowing through the first andsecond tubes50 and60 can be changed as appropriate.
Second Embodiment
• Next, a liquid transfer device of a second embodiment is described by referring to the accompanying drawings. In the second embodiment, a reserver is characteristically configured by two parts. Herein, any difference from the first embodiment is mainly described, and any component similar to that in the first embodiment described above is not described twice, and is provided with the same reference numeral.
• FIG. 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of the liquid crystal device of the second embodiment. InFIG. 3, a reserver is configured by first andsecond reservers140 and150. In this embodiment, the first andsecond reservers140 and150 are disposed along the rotation axis P, and the first andsecond tubes50 and60 are disposed along the rotation axis P in directions opposite to each other.
• Thefirst reserver140 is formed with anoutlet section141 for moving a liquid to flow to the outside of thefirst reserver140, and thefirst tube50 is linked thereto. On the other hand, thesecond reserver150 is formed with anoutlet section151 for moving a liquid to flow to the outside of thesecond reserver150, and thesecond tube60 is linked thereto.
• The first andsecond reservers140 and150 may store the same or different types of liquids.
• The first andsecond reservers140 and150 may have the same or different capacity.
• In thetube guide30, apartition wall37 is provided between the first andsecond reservers140 and150. That is, thefirst reserver140 is housed in areserver housing section31, and thesecond reserver150 is housed in a secondreserver housing section38 so that the first andsecond reservers140 and150 are under the position control not to move at the time of driving theliquid transfer device10.
• In the second embodiment, the first andsecond reservers140 and150 are provided as such. When the first andsecond reservers140 and150 store therein each different type of a liquid, rotating thetube depressing member70 enables to transfer two different types of liquids all at once.
• In this case, if the first andsecond reservers140 and150 have the same capacity, the liquid flow-out can be completed substantially at the same time, and if with each different capacity, the completion time of liquid flow-out can be made different.
• If the internal and/or external diameters of the first andsecond tubes50 and60 are set with various value combinations in a range of allowing to open and block the tubes, under the same rotation requirements for thetube depressing member70, the amount of liquid transfer can be set as appropriate in accordance with the type of a liquid to be stored, and the completion time for liquid flow-out can be made different.
• With a configuration that the internal and/or external diameters of the first andsecond tubes50 and60 are set differently respectively, the value setting of allowing to open and block the tubes is made for the external diameters of the first and seconddepressing sections72 and73 and the maximum diameters of theconvex portions72aand73a. With such a value setting, the amount of liquid flowing through the first andsecond tubes50 and60 can be changed as appropriate.
• Moreover, with the configuration that the first andsecond reservers140 and150 are disposed along the rotation axis P, the resultingliquid transfer device10 can be shaped like a long and slim tube.
Modified Example of Second Embodiment
• Described next is a modified example of the second embodiment by referring to the accompanying drawings. Compared with the second embodiment described above, this modified example is characterized in that the first andsecond reservers140 and150 are disposed around the rotation axis P, i.e., thetube depressing member70. Therefore, any component similar to that of the second embodiment is provided with the same reference numeral, and any difference from the second embodiment is mainly described.
• FIGS. 4A and 4B are each a diagram showing a liquid transfer device in the modified example of the second embodiment, i.e.,FIG. 4A is a cross sectional view of the liquid transfer device when viewed from the above, andFIG. 4B is a cross sectional view ofFIG. 4A along a line D-D. InFIGS. 4A and 4B, thesecond reserver150 is disposed on the side opposite to thefirst reserver140 with thetube depressing member70 disposed therebetween. As such, thesecond reserver150 is housed in the secondreserver housing section26 provided in thedevice frame20.
• Thetube depressing member70 is supported by a tube depressingmember support frame180 to be able to freely rotate. The tube depressingmember support frame180 is disposed between thedevice frame20 and thetube guide30.
• The tube depressingmember support frame180 is a plate-like frame member, and its perimeter portion is press-contacted between thedevice frame20 and thetube guide30. Between the first andsecond reservers140 and150,reserver support sections181 and182 are protruded, thereby supporting the first andsecond reservers140 and150 (refer toFIG. 4B).
• Thesecond tube60 linked to thesecond reserver150 is protruded to the outside of thedevice frame20 through the secondtube retaining section27 provided in thedevice frame20.
• Also in this modified example configured as such, when thetube depressing member70 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R, from thefirst tube50, a liquid stored in thefirst reserver140 is moved to flow in the direction of F1, and from thesecond tube60, a liquid stored in thesecond reserver150 is moved to flow in the direction of F2.
• InFIG. 4B, exemplified is the case where the first andsecond reservers140 and150 both have a circular cross section. The cross section is not necessarily circular in shape, and may be of a shape along the inner wall of thereserver housing section31 of thetube guide30 and that of the secondreserver housing section26 of thedevice frame20, respectively. The first andsecond reservers140 and150 may vary in size, i.e., liquid capacity.
• If this is the case, theoutlet section141 of thefirst reserver140 and theoutlet section151 of thesecond reserver150 are both preferably provided in the vicinity of the bottom portion of the respective reservers. This configuration enables to reduce the amount of liquid to be left in the reservers at the time of driving theliquid transfer device10.
• In such a modified example, if with a liquid transfer device of the capacity same as that in the second embodiment described above (refer toFIG. 3), a reserver for use can store a larger amount of liquid.
• Note that exemplified inFIG. 4B is the case where the outer cross section of theliquid transfer device10 is a rectangle. The cross section is not necessarily rectangular in shape, and may be of a shape along the inner wall of thereserver housing section31 or that of the secondreserver housing section26 so as to increase the volumetric efficiency.
• In the above-described modified example, removing thetube guide30 from the device frame20 (attached with the tube depressing member support frame180) allows a replacement of thefirst reserver140, and removing thedevice frame20 from the tube guide30 (attached with the tube depressing member support frame180) allows a replacement of thesecond reserver150.
• Note here that the placement direction of the first andsecond reservers140 and150 is not restrictive to the plane direction shown inFIG. 4B, and may be any arbitrary position, i.e., position in the rotation direction about the rotation axis P, as long as the distance between thefirst tube50 and the firstdepressing section72 is made the same as the distance between thesecond tube60 and the seconddepressing section73.
Third Embodiment
• Next, a liquid transfer device of a third embodiment is described by referring to the accompanying drawings. The third embodiment is characterized in the configuration of a tube depressing member, and any remaining components are structurally adaptable to those in the first and second embodiments described above. A description is thus given about the tube depressing member by referring to the drawing.
• FIG. 5 is a front view of a tube depressing member of the third embodiment. InFIG. 5, atube depressing member170 is configured to include first and seconddepressing sections172 and173, acoupling shaft171, andsupport shafts176 and177. Thecoupling shaft171 serves to couple together the first and seconddepressing sections172 and173, and thesupport shafts176 and177 are respectively provided to end portions of thetube depressing member170.
• Note here that these components, i.e., the first and seconddepressing sections172 and173, thecoupling shaft171, and thesupport shafts176 and177, are coupled together on the extension of the common rotation axis P.
• The firstdepressing section172 is provided with afirst coil160 as a helical-structured convex portion, which is wound around a firstdepressing shaft174 of a cylindrical shape. At both ends of thefirst coil160, fixingportions160aand160bare provided to be inserted respectively to hole portions drilled in the firstdepressing shaft174. Utilizing the elasticity of thefirst coil160, the fixingportions160aand160bare fixed to the firstdepressing shaft174.
• On the other hand, the seconddepressing section173 is provided with asecond coil161 as a helical-structured convex portion, which is wound around a seconddepressing shaft175 of a cylindrical shape. At both ends of thesecond coil161, fixingportions161aand161bare provided to be inserted, respectively to hole portions drilled in the seconddepressing shaft175. Utilizing the elasticity of thesecond coil161, the fixingportions161aand161bare fixed to the seconddepressing shaft175.
• Herein, assuming that thefirst coil160 is of a left-handed helical structure, thesecond coil161 is of a right-handed helical structure.
• Thesupport shafts167 and177 respectively correspond to thesupport shafts74 and75 of the first embodiment (refer toFIG. 1), and thetube depressing member170 is rotated about thesupport shafts176 and177 as the rotation axis.
• As such, similarly to the first embodiment, when thetube depressing member170 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R, on the side of the firstdepressing section172, a liquid is moved to flow in the direction of F1, and on the side of the seconddepressing section173, a liquid is moved to flow in the direction of F2 (refer toFIG. 1).
• As described above, with such a configuration in which the first andsecond coils160 and161 each serve as a helical-structured convex portion, the convex portions can be formed by wire forming or the like so that the helical-structured convex portions can be formed with much ease than by cutting works. Moreover, the material of a coil in use is of a coil lead having a circular cross section, thereby being able to make smooth the surfaces which come in contact with the first andsecond tubes50 and60. Such a smooth surface leads to the effects of being able to reduce the resistance of contact of the surface at the time of depressing, thereby reducing the driving force. There are also effects of being able to increase the durability of the first andsecond tubes50 and60.
• Note that the cross sectional shape of the first andsecond coils160 and160 is not necessarily circular as long as the surfaces which come in contact with the first andsecond tubes50 and60 are shaped like a smooth arc.
• Moreover, the first andsecond coils160 and161 can be varied in shape and winding outer diameter so that the convex portions can be easily changed in height, and the first and seconddepressing sections172 and173 can be easily changed in maximum diameter. This accordingly achieves the effects of leading to the ease of adjustment in terms of the amount of liquid transfer per unit time.
Fourth Embodiment
• Described next is a liquid transfer device of a fourth embodiment by referring to the accompanying drawings. The fourth embodiment is characterized in the configuration of a tube depressing member, and any remaining components are structurally adaptable to those in the first and second embodiments described above. A description is thus given about the tube depressing member by referring to the drawings.FIG. 1 is also referred to.
• FIG. 6 is a front view of a tube depressing member of the fourth embodiment. InFIG. 6, atube depressing member190 is a coil member, which is configured to include afirst coil section191 serving as a first depressing section, asecond coil section192 serving as a second depressing section, acoupling shaft193, andsupport shafts194 and195. Thecoupling shaft193 serves to couple together the first andsecond coil sections191 and192, and thesupport shafts194 and195 are respectively provided at tip end portions of the first andsecond coil sections191 and192.
• Note here that these components, i.e., thesupport shaft194, thecoupling shaft193, and thesupport shaft195 are provided on the extension of the common rotation axis P.
• The maximum outer diameters of the first andsecond coil sections191 and192 respectively correspond to the maximum outer diameters of the first andsecond coils160 and161 of the third embodiment (refer toFIG. 5), i.e., correspond to the helical-structuredconvex portions72aand73aof the first embodiment (refer toFIG. 1). Thesupport shafts194 and195 respectively correspond to thesupport shafts74 and75 of the first embodiment (refer toFIG. 1), and thetube depressing member190 rotates about thesupport shafts194 and195 as the rotation axis.
• In this embodiment, because thetube depressing member190 is formed as a piece by a coil lead, thecoupling shaft193 may not be rigid enough. In consideration thereof, part of thereserver retaining section24 being a protruded from the device frame20 (refer toFIG. 1) is used as a reinforcing section, thereby ensuring the depressing amount and force of the first andsecond coil sections191 and192 with respect to the first andsecond tubes50 and60.
• As such, in the fourth embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment described above, when thetube depressing member190 is rotated in the direction of the arrow R, on the side of thefirst coil section191, a liquid is moved to flow in the direction of F1, and on the side of thesecond coil section192, a liquid is moved to flow in the direction of F2 (refer toFIG. 1).
• In thetube depressing member190 of this embodiment, the first andsecond coil sections190 and191 are formed as a piece, thereby leading to the simpler configuration to a further extent. Such atube depressing member190 can be formed by wiring forming or the like so that the cost reduction can be achieved thereby. Moreover, the first andsecond coil sections191 and192 can be varied in shape and winding outer diameter similarly to those in the third embodiment, thereby leading to the effects of being able to easily adjust the amount of liquid transfer per unit time.
Fifth Embodiment
• Described next is a liquid transfer device of a fifth embodiment by referring to the accompanying drawings. The fifth embodiment is characterized in that a reserver is configured so as to be attachable/detachable to/from a tube. The liquid transfer device of this embodiment is structurally adaptable to those in the first to fourth embodiments described above, and thus the liquid transfer device of the first embodiment is exemplified as a basic configuration. The sides of the first andsecond tubes50 and60 are of the same configuration, and thus the side of thefirst tube50 is described as an example.FIG. 1 is also referred to.
• FIGS. 7A and 7B each show a liquid transfer device of a fifth embodiment, i.e.,FIG. 7A shows a part of the vertical cross sectional view of the device, andFIG. 7B is a cross sectional view ofFIG. 7A along a line E-E. InFIGS. 7A and 7B, at the end portion of thefirst tube50 on the side of thereserver40, aninsertion pipe130 is inserted.
• Theinsertion pipe130 is formed by being bent like a letter L, and oneend portion132 thereof is inserted to thefirst tube50. The other end portion thereof, i.e., aninsertion section131 whose tip end portion is cut at an acute angle, is inserted to the bottom portion of thereserver40, and thefirst tube50 and thereserver40 are linked together via theinsertion pipe130.
• Aseptum45 is provided at the bottom portion of thereserver40, and a linkage is established by inserting theinsertion section131 of theinsertion pipe130 to theseptum45. By removing thereserver40 from theinsertion pipe130, thereserver40 can be removed from theliquid transfer device10. At this time, because theseptum45 is tightly sealed by its own elasticity, no liquid leaks from thereserver40.
• At the position between thedevice frame20 and the lower portion of theinsertion pipe130, i.e., the side opposite to thereserver40, an insertionpipe retaining frame110 is disposed. The insertionpipe retaining frame110 is provided with an insertion pipe guidance section112 (refer toFIG. 7B) shaped like a groove for position control over theinsertion pipe130, thereby preventing any possible deformation of thefirst tube50 at the time of inserting thereserver40. On the side of thedevice frame20 of the insertionpipe retaining frame110, aconcave section111 is provided for preventing the insertionpipe retaining frame110 from coming in contact with thecoupling shaft71 of thetube depressing member70.
• As shown inFIG. 7B, on the side of thetube guide30 from which thereserver40 is removed, i.e., the upper portion in the drawing, an open/close lid120 is provided. One end portion of the open/close lid120 is attached to thetube guide30 to be able to freely open and close by ahinge125 of thetube guide30. The other end portion of the open/close lid is provided with a hook mechanism (not shown) for attachment of the open/close lid120 to thetube guide30 to be able to open and close.
• As such, when the open/close lid120 is removed from thetube guide30, thereserver40 becomes insertable/removable to/from the first andsecond tubes50 and60, thereby allowing a replacement only of thereserver40 and liquid refilling with ease. For a replacement of thereserver40, the components, i.e., the first andsecond tubes50 and60 and thetube guide30, can be good for repeated use, thereby favorably leading to economic effects.
• With such a configuration of allowing a replacement of a reserver, thereserver40 can be replaced by opening the open/close lid120, and when the open/close lid120 is closed, thereserver40 can be protected from external forces or the like while being in a position at the time of driving.
Sixth Embodiment
• Described next is a liquid transfer device of a sixth embodiment by referring to the accompanying drawings. The sixth embodiment is characterized in the configuration of allowing attachment/detachment of a reserver attached with a tube. The liquid transfer device of this embodiment is structurally adaptable to those in the first to fifth embodiments described above, and thus the liquid transfer device of the first embodiment (refer toFIG. 1) is exemplified as a basic configuration, and any component different from that of the first embodiment is mainly described.
• FIG. 8 is a cross sectional view of a liquid transfer device of the sixth embodiment. InFIG. 8, thetube guide30 is provided with the open/close lid120 in the area including thereserver40 and part of thetube guide30 supporting the first andsecond tubes50 and60 except end portions in the length direction thereof.
• To be specific, thetube guide30 is open except at a portion where thefirst tube50 provided in thetube guide30 is inserted into the throughhole32, and at a portion where thesecond tube60 is inserted into the throughhole34. The open/close lid120 is provided so as to cover this open portion.
• As shown inFIG. 7B, one end portion of the open/close lid120 is attached to thetube guide30 to be able to freely open and close by thehinge125 provided in thetube guide30. The other end portion is provided with a hook mechanism (not shown), and the open/close lid120 can be attached to thetube guide30 to be able to open and close.
• The open/close lid120 is provided with thetube retaining grooves33 and35 so as to respectively perform position control over the first andsecond tubes50 and60 when the open/close lid120 is closed, and to allow easy removal of the first andsecond tubes50 and60 when the open/close lid120 is open.
• As such, when the open/close lid120 is open, thereserver40 being linked with the first andsecond tubes50 and60 becomes insertable/removable, thereby allowing a replacement not only of thereserver40 but also of the first andsecond tubes50 and60. This favorably leads to easy liquid refilling. That is, before driving of theliquid transfer device10, thereserver40 can be stored with no attachment to the first andsecond tubes50 and60 so that the first andsecond tubes50 and60 can be protected from any possible deformation due to depression.
Seventh Embodiment
• Described next is a seventh embodiment by referring to the accompanying drawings. Compared with the liquid transfer devices of the first to sixth embodiments described above, the seventh embodiment is characterized in including a larger number of tubes, and a tube depressing member including depressing sections as many as the tubes.
• FIGS. 9A to 9C are diagrams showing an exemplary liquid transfer device of the seventh embodiment, i.e.,FIG. 9A is a vertical cross sectional diagram,FIG. 9B is a layout diagram when the liquid transfer device ofFIG. 9A is viewed from the direction of a tip end, andFIG. 9C is a layout diagram showing a modified example. In theliquid transfer device10 ofFIGS. 9A and 9B, a plurality ofreservers140,145,150, and155 are disposed in a multiple-connected arrangement along the rotation shaft P, i.e., thetube depressing member70, and thereservers140,145,150, and155 are linked withtubes50,55,60, and65, respectively.
• Thetubes50 and60 are extended in the direction opposite to that of thetubes55 and65. Thetube depressing member70 is provided with first to fourthdepressing sections72,73,76, and77 on a straight line of the rotation axis P respectively corresponding to thetubes50,55,60, and65. Thereservers140 and150 are disposed all in the same direction with respect to thetube depressing member70. As shown inFIG. 9B, thereservers145 and155 are disposed on the side opposite to thereservers140 and150 with respect to thetube depressing member70.
• Thethird tube55 is linked to thefirst reserver140, and is disposed between the firstdepressing section72 and atube retaining groove20b. As such, thethird tube55 is able to be depressed by the firstdepressing section72, but is bent at a point not to come in contact with the thirddepressing section76. Thefourth tube65 is linked to thethird reserver145, and is disposed at a position to be depressed by the thirddepressing section76 while being retained by atube retaining groove30b.
• On the other hand, thefirst tube50 is linked to thesecond reserver150, and is disposed between the seconddepressing section73 and thetube retaining groove20a. As such, thefirst tube50 is able to be depressed by the seconddepressing section73, but is bent at a point not to come in contact with the fourthdepressing section77. Thesecond tube60 is linked with thethird reserver155, and is disposed at a position to be depressed by the fourthdepressing section77 while being retained by thetube retaining groove30a.
• In this example, the first and thirddepressing sections72 and76 are respectively formed with convex portions of the same helical direction for both moving a liquid to flow in the direction of F1. The remaining second and fourthdepressing sections73 and77 are respectively formed with convex portions of the helical direction opposite to the first and thirddepressing sections72 and76 for both moving a liquid to flow in the direction of F2.
• The first andsecond reservers140 and150 are disposed between the first and seconddepressing sections72 and73, thethird reserver145 is disposed between the first and thirddepressing sections72 and76, and thefourth reserver155 is disposed between the second and fourthdepressing sections73 and77. With such a configuration, as shown inFIG. 9B, the resultingliquid transfer device10 can be small in outer diameter even with a plurality of reservers provided therein.
• Note here that theliquid transfer device10 is driven in a manner similar to that in the first embodiment (refer toFIG. 1) or that of the second embodiment (refer toFIG. 3), and thus no further description is given.
• In this embodiment, exemplified is the case with four reservers, but a larger number of reservers can be surely provided. If this is the case, the tubes and the depressing sections can be provided as many as the reservers.
• As such, with the configuration of the seventh embodiment, liquid transfer is enabled with a singletube depressing member70 depressing a plurality of tubes, and this favorably leads to the effects of being able to increase the amount of liquid transfer without increasing the number of components.
• Also in the configuration of the embodiment, thetube depressing member70 is provided with the first and seconddepressing sections72 and73 respectively formed with convex portions of each different helical direction. The first andsecond tubes50 and60 move a liquid to flow in the direction of F2, and the third andfourth tubes55 and65 move a liquid to flow in the direction of F1. As such, compared with the first embodiment described above, the amount of liquid transfer can be increased.
• Moreover, with a plurality of reservers being disposed in a multiple-connected arrangement along the rotation axis P, i.e., axial direction of thetube depressing member70, the resulting liquid transfer device can be reduced in size especially in the diameter direction even with a plurality of reservers provided therein.
• As an alternative configuration, at least one of the tubes provided as many as a plurality of reservers may be linked in the direction opposite to those of the remaining tubes, and in accordance with the linkage direction of the tubes, i.e., direction of extension, the depressing sections each may have opposite helical direction.
• If this is the case, the amount of liquid flow can be varied depending on the direction of liquid flow, and any desired amount of liquid flow can be set in accordance with target uses.
Modified Example of Seventh Embodiment
• Described next is a modified example of the seventh embodiment by referring toFIG. 9C. This modified example is characterized in the configuration that a plurality of reservers are disposed around the rotation axis P. Any component different from that of the seventh embodiment is mainly described.FIG. 9A is also referred to, and any functional component same as that in the drawing is provided with the same reference numeral. InFIG. 9C, the first tofourth reservers140,150,145, and155 are disposed around the rotation axis P, i.e., thetube depressing member70.
• Thetube depressing member70 is provided with the first and seconddepressing sections72 and73 sharing the same rotation axis P, and the first and seconddepressing sections72 and73 are provided with helical-structured convex portions each showing a different helical direction. The first tofourth reservers140,150,145, and155 are disposed between the first and seconddepressing sections72 and73 each with a space in the circumferential direction.
• Thefirst reserver140 is linked with thethird tube55, thesecond reserver150 is linked with thefirst tube50, thethird reserver145 is linked with thefourth tube65, and thefourth reserver155 is linked with thesecond tube60. The third andfourth tubes55 and65 are extended along the rotation axis P, i.e., in the direction different from that of the first andsecond tubes50 and60.
• The first and seconddepressing sections72 and73 are provided with the convex portions showing each different helical direction. As such, liquids are moved to flow in the directions different from each other through the first andsecond tubes50 and60, through the third andfourth tubes55 and65.
• With such a configuration of the modified example, the first tofourth reservers140,150,145, and155 are disposed around the rotation axis P and between the first and seconddepressing sections72 and73. Accordingly, the resulting liquid transfer device can be reduced in size especially in the length direction, i.e., direction of liquid flow.
• Also possible is a configuration of adapting the technical scope of the seventh embodiment described above and that of the modified example of the seventh embodiment. As a possible configuration, thethird reserver145 may be disposed at the position same as thefirst reserver140 ofFIG. 9A in the axial direction, and thefourth reserver155 may be disposed at the position same as thesecond reserver150 in the axial direction.
• Exemplified in the first to seventh embodiments described above is the configuration in which a liquid is moved to flow in two different directions. Alternatively, the tubes may be extended from the reservers all in the same direction so as to flow a liquid in the same direction, e.g., the configuration of including thesecond reserver150 and thefirst tube50, thefourth reserver155 and thesecond tube60, and thetube depressing member70 with the second and fourthdepressing sections73 and77, which are described in the seventh embodiment (refer toFIG. 9A).
• Such a configuration enables to implement a small-sized liquid transfer device whose amount of liquid flow is large in one specific direction. Note that, in this case, the second andfourth reservers150 and155 may be disposed at the same position in the axial direction. As shown inFIG. 9C, the first tofourth reservers140,150,145, and155 may be disposed around the rotation axis P, and the tubes may be disposed in the same direction so that the resulting configuration allows liquid transfer of a larger amount in one specific direction.
Eighth Embodiment
• Described next is a liquid transfer device of an eighth embodiment by referring to the accompanying drawings. The eighth embodiment is characterized in that a single reserver is linked with a plurality of tubes being extended in the same direction. Note here that any functional component same as that in the first embodiment described above (refer toFIG. 1) is provided with the same reference numeral, and not described twice.
• FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the liquid transfer device of the eighth embodiment, i.e.,FIG. 10A is a vertical cross sectional view of the device, andFIG. 10B is a front view when the liquid transfer device is viewed from the direction of a tip end, i.e., right side in the drawing. InFIGS. 10A and 10B, areserver156 is disposed at one end portion of thetube depressing member70, and thereserver156 is provided with the first tofourth tubes50,60,55, and65 around the firstdepressing section72.
• The first tofourth tubes50,60,55, and65 are all linked to one end portion of thereserver156, and are extended in the direction opposite to thereserver156. As such, the direction of liquid flow in the respective tubes is the direction of F2.
• With such a configuration, the area for placement of a reserver can be extended to the vicinity of the outer diameter of theliquid transfer device10 so that thereserver156 can be increased in capacity, and a large amount of liquid can be moved to flow in one specific direction.
• Moreover, when four of the tubes, i.e., the first tofourth tubes50,60,55, and65, are disposed as shown inFIG. 10B, in the course of a liquid gradually reducing in thereserver156, the number of tubes available for liquid flow can be varied, e.g., four, two, and then one, so that the amount of liquid flow can be changed in accordance with the stored amount of the liquid.
• If the first tofourth tubes50,60,55, and65, are disposed on the bottom portion side of thereserver156, i.e., the side of thesecond tube60 ofFIG. 9B, all of the four tubes remain available for liquid flow until the liquid in thereserver156 is completely drained.
Modified Example of Eighth Embodiment
• Described next is a modified example of the eighth embodiment. Although the modified example is not shown, a description is given by referring toFIGS. 10A and 10B. In theliquid transfer device10 of the modified example, a plurality of depressing section of thetube depressing member70 are disposed in a multiple-connected arrangement. At least one of the plurality of depressing sections is provided with a helical-structured convex portion of a helical direction opposite to those of others. In this case, the tubes which are provided as many as the depressing sections and are to be depressed thereby are each bent so as not to come in contact with other depressing sections. As a possible configuration, the first andsecond tubes50 and60 may be depressed by the depressing sections each formed with a helical-structured convex portion of one helical direction, i.e., theconvex portion72aofFIG. 10A, and the third andfourth tubes55 and65 may be depressed by the depressing sections each formed with a helical-structured convex portion of the other helical direction.
• If this is the case, the first andsecond tubes50 and60 flow a liquid out from thereserver156, and the third andfourth tubes55 and65 flow the liquid into thereserver156. It means that providing the tubes for liquid flow-in as many as the tubes for liquid flow-out can equalize the amount of liquid flow-in and flow-out. In this configuration, by linking the tubes for liquid flow-in to any external liquid storage container, the liquid can be refilled by the amount of flow-out while the liquid transfer device is being driven.
Suction Unit
• Described next is a suction unit using theliquid transfer device10 described in the first to seventh embodiments above. Note that the suction unit according to the invention is of sucking a liquid after atomizing it into particles by an atomizer, and is provided to atomize various types of liquids such as flavor liquid and liquid drug preparations. The suction unit is provided as a smoking unit such as electronic cigarette being safe and harmless for human health and environment, and an oral suction unit for liquid drug preparations. In this embodiment, the suction unit is exemplified by a smoking unit.
• FIG. 11 is a vertical cross sectional view of an exemplary suction unit in an embodiment of the invention, showing the schematic configuration thereof. Exemplified here is a configuration using the liquid transfer device of the first embodiment (refer toFIG. 1). InFIG. 11, in asuction unit200, theliquid transfer device10 is disposed to the tubular chassis configured by upper andlower frames220 and210 substantially at the center portion in the longitudinal direction. As shown inFIG. 1, theliquid transfer device10 is configured to include thereserver40 storing therein a flavor liquid, the first andsecond tubes50 and60, and thetube depressing member70.
• Thesuction unit200 is configured to include amotor250 and asecond atomizer280. Themotor250 is disposed on the right side of theliquid transfer device10 in the drawing for providing a rotation force to thetube depressing member70. Thesecond atomizer280 is disposed in the vicinity of the tip end portion of thesecond tube60 for atomizing a flavor liquid coming from thesecond tube60.
• On the other hand, on the left side of theliquid transfer device10 in the drawing, provided are acontrol section260, abattery270 serving as a power supply, and afirst atomizer290. Thefirst atomizer290 is disposed in the vicinity of the tip end portion of thefirst tube50 for atomizing a flavor liquid coming from thefirst tube50.
• These components configuring thesuction unit200 are disposed in the chassis substantially linearly in the longitudinal direction, and are shaped as a whole into a long and slim pillar.
• In this embodiment, the first andsecond atomizers290 and280 are each a surface acoustic wave element. Thecontrol section260 includes a control circuit for drive control over the first andsecond atomizers290 and280, and a drive control circuit for control over themotor250 to drive. Thebattery270 supplies power to thecontrol section260.
• The components described above are each disposed in a concave portion formed in thelower frame210, and are fixed in position by mounting theupper frame220 to thelower frame210. Herein, on the side of thesecond atomizer280, provided is agrip port section230 having asuction port231 for flowing and sucking the atomized liquid particles. The tip end portion of thegrip port section230 is formed long and slim for easy gripping, and the other end thereof is attached so as to sandwich the end portions of the upper andlower frames220 and210.
• By referring toFIG. 8, described next is how to use thesuction unit200 configured as such. In accordance with a drive signal coming from thecontrol section260 themotor250 is driven, and thetube depressing member70 of theliquid transfer device10 is then rotated. The first and seconddepressing sections72 and73 of thetube depressing member70 respectively depress the first andsecond tubes50 and60, and in response, a flavor liquid in thereserver40 is supplied to the surfaces of the first andsecond atomizers290 and280 from the first andsecond tubes50 and60, respectively.
• The first andsecond atomizers290 and280 excite surface waves in response to a drive signal, i.e., excitation signal, coming from thecontrol section260, thereby atomizing a flavor liquid into liquid particles. The liquid particles atomized by thesecond atomizer280 remain in aspace281 above thesecond atomizer280, and when a user takes a suck at thegrip port section230, the particles are sucked from thesuction port231.
• Note here that theupper frame220 is formed with anair guide hole221 for a linkage between thespace281 and the outside for helping the user to take a suck at thesuction port231 by capturing air from the outside.
• The flavor liquid here means a liquid which does not include substances alleged to be hazardous to health and found in the smoke of general cigarettes such as nicotine and tar, but enables users to enjoy the flavor and taste of cigarettes. The smoking unit of this embodiment is of sucking such a flavor liquid after atomizing it into liquid particles by an atomizer.
• On the other hand, on the side of thefirst atomizer290, the liquid particles atomized by thefirst atomizer290 remain in aspace291 above thefirst atomizer290, and is ejected naturally from a throughhole222, corresponding to an ejection port in this embodiment, formed in theupper frame220.
• Note here that the upper andlower frames220 and210 and thegrip port section230 are attached as a piece and inserted into atubular member240. Thetubular member240 is formed so as to allow close placement of the upper andlower frames220 and210, and to allow insertion/removal thereof.
• As such, by removing thegrip port section230 from thetubular member240, the upper andlower frames210 and220 are separated from each other, thereby enabling a replacement of thebattery270 being a consumable item and theliquid transfer device10. The inspection and maintenance of thecontrol section260 and themotor250 can be also performed.
• Further, with theliquid transfer device10 of the fifth embodiment (refer toFIGS. 7A and 7B) described above, a replacement of thereserver40 can be solely completed by opening the open/close lid120 of thetube guide30, thereby enabling a easy refill a flavor liquid.
• Still further, with theliquid transfer device10 of the sixth embodiment (refer toFIG. 8) described above, a replacement of thereserver40 having the tubes linked with can be completed by opening the open/close lid120.
• As such, with thesuction unit200 described above, a flavor liquid stored in thereserver40 is transferred to the first andsecond atomizers290 and280 by theliquid transfer device10, and the flavor liquid is atomized so that the resulting liquid particles can be available for suction.
• In this case, thegrip port section230 is provided on the side of thesecond atomizer280, and the throughhole222, i.e., ejection port, is provided on the side of thefirst atomizer290 for liquid particles. With this configuration, a user can enjoy dummy smoking with the smell and atmosphere of smoking. What is more, the user can take a suck while checking the amount of atomization and others.
• When employing the configuration of the second embodiment (refer toFIG. 3) described above, i.e., including the first andsecond reservers140 and150, the first andsecond reservers140 and150 store therein each different type of flavor liquid. Users thus can enjoy different types of flavors and scents. If thesecond reserver150 stores therein a flavor liquid for dummy smoking, and if thefirst reserver140 stores therein a flavor liquid smells like the smoke of cigarette, the atmosphere of dummy smoking can be enhanced to a further extent.
• With the configuration of including thegrip port section230 formed with thesuction port231 on both sides of the first andsecond atomizers290 and280, the liquid particles can be sucked from two different directions. With the configuration of including two reservers, different types of liquid particles can be sucked from the grip port sections provided at two positions.
• Moreover, because the upper andlower frames220 and210 are inserted into thetubular member240, the attachability/detachability between the upper andlower frames220 and210 can be of a satisfactory level. Thetubular member240 can be of various types of designs in terms of color and surface treatment, thereby implementing designs meeting users' tastes and preferences.
• Thesuction unit200 of the embodiment of the invention is shaped like a tube, thereby achieving a good portability.
• The suction unit described above is an example using the liquid transfer device of the first embodiment described above (refer toFIG. 1), i.e., the device including one reserver. Alternatively, the liquid transfer device of the second embodiment (refer toFIGS. 3 to 4B) can be used, i.e., the device including two reservers. If this is the case, the first andsecond reservers140 and150 can store each different type of scented-liquid.
• Moreover, using theliquid transfer device10 of the seventh embodiment (refer toFIGS. 9A to 9C) enables suction and ejection of a large amount of liquid particles, and using the liquid transfer device of the eighth embodiment (refer toFIGS. 10A and 10B) enables suction of a much larger amount of liquid particles.
• In the above, the suction unit described above is exemplified by a smoking unit. This is surely not restrictive, and the suction unit can be adapted for a unit of sucking various types of liquids, e.g., flavor liquid and liquid drug preparations, after atomization thereof. When the sucking unit is used for oral medication using liquid drug preparations, for example, adjusting the oscillation frequency of the atomizer can change the particle diameter of the liquid, thereby being able to be used as a device for medication specifically for oral cavity, bronchus, lung, and others.
• The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application Nos: 2007-097210, filed Apr. 3, 2007 and 2007-324325, filed Dec. 17, 2007 are expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Claims (20)

1. A liquid transfer device, comprising:

a reserver that stores therein a liquid;

a plurality of elastic tubes that are linked to the reservers and retained by a tube guide;

a rotation axis that is retained to be able to rotate; and

a tube depressing member in which a depressing section is fixed to the rotation axis for depressing the tubes with a helical-structured convex portion each provided thereto, wherein

when the rotation axis rotates, the liquid starts to flow by the depressing section sequentially depressing the tubes in a direction from the reserver toward a flow-out side of the liquid.

2. A liquid transfer device, comprising:

a reserver that stores therein a liquid;

a first tube and a second tube linked to the reserver in different direction;

a rotation axis that is retained to be able to rotate; and

a depressing member including a first depressing section that is fixed to the rotation axis and depresses the first tube using a helical-structured convex portion provided thereto, and a second depressing section that is fixed to the rotation axis and depresses the second tube using a helical-structured convex portion provided thereto with a helical direction opposite to the convex portion depressing the first tube, wherein

when the rotation axis rotates, the liquid starts to flow in two different directions by the first depressing section and the second depressing sections sequentially depressing the first tube and the second tube in a direction from the reserver toward a flow-out side of the liquid.

3. The liquid transfer device according toclaim 1, wherein

the reserver include the first reserver and the second reserver,

the tubes include the first tube and the second tube,

the depressing section include the first depressing section and the second depressing section whose helical-structured concave portions each have different helical direction, and

the first tube is linked to the first reserver and the second tube is linked to the second reserver, the first and second tubes are extended in each different direction, and the liquid starts to flow in two different directions when the first depressing section and the second depressing section respectively depress the first tube and the second tube.

4. The liquid transfer device according toclaim 3, wherein

the first reserver and the second reserver are disposed along the rotation axis.

5. The liquid transfer device according toclaim 3, wherein

the first reserver and the second reserver are disposed around the rotation axis.

6. The liquid transfer device according toclaim 1, wherein

the helical-structured convex portions respectively provided in the depressing sections are each a coil wound around the tube depressing member in different helical direction.

7. The liquid transfer device according toclaim 6, wherein

the tube depressing member is formed, as a piece, by a coil section corresponding to the convex portion of each of the depressing sections and the rotation axis.

8. The liquid transfer device according toclaim 1, wherein

at least one of the tubes has an internal and external diameter different from other tubes, and the helical-structured convex portions of the depressing sections provided as many as the tubes have different external diameter in accordance with the internal or external diameter of the corresponding tube.

9. The liquid transfer device according toclaim 1, wherein

the tubes are retained by the tube guide while being linked to the reserver, and

the tube guide including the reserver and the tubes is configured to be attachable to, and detachable from a device frame keeping hold of the rotation axis.

10. The liquid transfer device according toclaim 1, wherein

an insertion pipe is provided at an end portion of each of the tubes on a reserver side for linkage to the reserver, and

a tip end portion of the insertion pipe is inserted into each of the reserver for linkage therewith, and the tubes can be inserted into, and removed from the reservers.

11. The liquid transfer device according toclaim 1, wherein

a lid is provided to a portion of the tube guide covering the reserver.

12. The liquid transfer device according toclaim 11, wherein

the lid is provided in a area including the reserver and part of the tube guide supporting the tubes except end portions in the length direction thereof.

13. The liquid transfer device according toclaim 1, wherein

the reserver is disposed in a multiple-connected arrangement along the rotation axis,

at least one of the tubes provided as many as the reserver is linked thereto in a direction different from other tubes, and

the depressing section show different helical direction in accordance with the direction of linkage of each of the tubes.

14. The liquid transfer device according toclaim 1, wherein

the reserver is disposed around the rotation axis,

at least one of the tubes provided as many as the reserver is linked thereto in a direction different from other tubes, and

the depressing section are respectively provided with helical-structured convex portions that show each different helical direction in accordance with the direction of linkage of each of the tubes.

15. The liquid transfer device according toclaim 1, wherein

the reserver is disposed at one end portion of the tube depressing member, and

the reserver is provided with the tubes around the depressing section.

16. The liquid transfer device according toclaim 15, wherein

the depressing section is disposed in a multiple-connected arrangement, and

at least one depressing section is provided with a convex portion showing a helical direction different from other depressing sections.

17. A suction unit, comprising:

the liquid transfer device ofclaim 1;

a first atomizer that atomizes a liquid coming from at least one of the tubes;

a second atomizer that atomizes a liquid coming from at least another the tube;

a motor that provides a rotation force to the tube depressing member;

a control section that includes a control circuit for controlling the first atomizer and the second atomizer, and a drive control circuit for controlling the drive of the motor; and

a power supply section that supplies power to the control section, wherein

in a tubular chassis, the power supply section, the control section, the first atomizer and the second atomizer, and the liquid transfer device are disposed along the longitudinal direction of the chassis, and

an aperture section is provided for ejection or suction of liquid particles atomized by each of the first atomizer and the second atomizer.

18. The suction unit according toclaim 17, wherein

one of the aperture sections is a suction port for sucking the atomized liquid particles, and the other of the aperture sections is an ejection port for ejecting the atomized liquid particles.

19. The suction unit according toclaim 17, wherein

the suction port is provided at both ends of the chassis in the length direction for sucking the atomized liquid particles.

20. The suction unit according toclaim 17, wherein

the chassis is configured by upper and lower frames, and

the upper and lower frames are configured to be attachable/detachable, and at least the liquid transfer device and the power supply section can be attached thereto, and detached therefrom.

Images