Device for stopping flow of fluid

A device for stopping a flow of fluid in a fixed length of tube with an actuator simple in construction is provided. The stopping device is free of direct touch with the fluid inside the tube, expected not to obstruct the flow in the tube as permitted as possible at normal condition, expected to perform both detection and control with a single device, and further invulnerable to kinds of fluids. The device for stopping a flow of fluid includes a tube holder to keep a tube in looped configuration, a movable part pressing the looped configuration of the tube. Pressing of the looped configuration of the tube make a snapped bent to stop the flow of fluid passed through the tube. Putting the movable part back into place results in the tube's returning from the configuration having the bent, allowing the fluid flowing again through the tube.

This is a National Phase Application filed under 35 U.S.C. 371 as a national stage of PCT/JP2008/056800, filed on Apr. 4, 2008, an application claiming the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2007-099007, filed on Apr. 5, 2007, the entire content of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the technology of stopping or running a fluid flowing in a tube.

2. Related Art

Currently, various apparatuses have fluid substances such as liquid or gas flowing in a tube. For example, a certain apparatus, such as a beverage server, obtains liquid beverage stored in a tank via a tube connected to the tank. Usually, such a tube is soft, transparent, and flexible. Moreover, an ON/OFF valve installed at an end of the tube to control a flow of the liquid beverage in the tube, or a mechanism for squishing a peripheral part of the tube in the middle of the tube is further configured.

Moreover, as a device for regulating or stopping a flow of a fluid in a tube, for example, a device used in a medical tube, a clamp mechanism is well known (for example, with reference to Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. H07-313594Patent Document 2: Japanese Utility Model Patent Publication No. H07-46268

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, for a mechanism using a valve to stop fluid, as the valve is located within a tube, the contents of food or medicines in the tube are possibly contaminated. Moreover, a mechanism for squishing a tube peripheral part located in the middle of the tube may exert an excessively large load on the tube, thereby possibly causing damages to the tube.

Furthermore, a tube clamp mechanism used in medical applications is applied on very soft tubes for transfusion, which is not applicable to a high-intensity tube for containing pressurized fluid.

In view of the above problems, the present invention is directed to a device for stopping a flow of fluid. The stopping device is free of direct touch with the fluid inside a tube, which is expected not to obstruct the flow in the tube as permitted as possible at normal condition and expected to perform both detection and control with a single device, and is also invulnerable to kinds of fluids. The device for stopping a flow of fluid can stop a flow of fluid in a high-intensity tube for pressurized fluid by using an actuator simple in construction.

In order to achieve the above objectives, in a first implementation, the present invention provides a device for stopping a flow of fluid, which includes a tube holder5keeping a tube1in a looped configuration and a movable part4pressing the looped configuration of the tube1. The movable part4presses the tube1in the looped configuration to make a bent2on the tube1, in which results in stopping a flow of fluid3passed through the tube1. Moreover, when putting the movable part4back into place, the tube1returns from the configuration having the bent2, allowing the fluid3to flow through the tube1again.

Specifically, a drive means of the movable part4is preferably based on a mechanical force generated by a motor, an electromotive force generated from an electromagnetic force, or a manual force. The drive means of the movable part may be for example a motor, a plunger, a spring, and a manual knob.

Especially, in the first implementation of the device for stopping a flow of fluid, positions of the bent2and the movable part4pressing the looped configuration of the tube1are adjusted. Therefore, fluid under a high pressure flowing in the tube1is easily stopped through a leverage effect. That is to say, as the position of the movable part4exerting an external force on the tube1becomes farther away from the bent2, merely a smaller force is needed to bend the tube1under the leverage principle. Therefore, a load of the drive means is decreased and an operation cost of the device is reduced.

Next, in a second implementation, the present invention provides a device for stopping a flow of fluid, in which a rotation table mechanism is use on a holder for supporting partial periphery of a tube1. The rotation table mechanism rotates to make a bent2on the tube1, which results in stopping a flow of fluid3passed through the tube1. Moreover, when putting the rotation table mechanism back into place, the tube1returns from the configuration having the bent2, allowing the fluid3to flow through the tube1again.

Specifically, a drive means of the rotation table mechanism operates preferably based on a mechanical force generated by a motor, an electromotive force generated from an electromagnetic force, or a manual force.

Moreover, in a third implementation, the present invention provides a device for stopping a flow of fluid, in which at least two holders for supporting a partial periphery of a tube1are used. A relative distance between the holders is increased to make a bent2on the tube1, in which results in stopping a flow of fluid3passed through the tube1. Moreover, when putting the distance between the holders back into place, the tube1returns from the configuration having the bent2, allowing the fluid3to flow through the tube1again.

Specifically, a drive means of the holders operates preferably based on a mechanical force generated by a motor, an electromotive force generated from an electromagnetic force, or a manual force.

Moreover, in the device for stopping a flow of fluid in the first to third implementations of the present invention, a detection means for detecting one or more parameters including a fluid change in a tube such as liquid exhaustion, a liquid leakage, a temperature, or a vibration is included. The drive means operates automatically according to a signal from the detection means to stop or run the fluid in the tube.

Moreover, in the device for stopping a flow of fluid in the first to third implementations of the present invention, a non-contact detection means using near infrared, ultrasonic wave, electric wave, or electrostatic capacitance is included. The drive means operates automatically according to a signal from the detection means to stop or run the fluid in the tube.

Moreover, in the device for stopping a flow of fluid in the first to third implementations of the present invention, the drive means operates also automatically according to an electric signal from an operation portion installed in the device for stopping a flow of fluid and/or an electric signal from exterior, so as to stop or run the fluid in the tube.

Moreover, in the device for stopping a flow of fluid in the first to third implementations of the present invention, the drive means operates by electromotive force to stop the fluid, and in order to release the stopping status to put the drive means into place, the drive means return by using the manual force.

Furthermore, a means for informing to replace a tube when a drive time of the drive means exceeds a defined threshold value about the drive time is further included. Therefore, the drive times of the drive means corresponding to a pre-calculated endurance of the tube may be considered to determine timing for replacing the tube.

Moreover, the tube1of the device for stopping a flow of fluid is connected to a tube outside the device through a joint portion8, and if the tube1can be easily detached from the joint portion8, when the tube1is deteriorated, the device can continue to be used simply by replacing the tube.

Alternatively, the joint portion8is enabled to be easily detached from a unit case9that constitutes a housing of a body of the device, such that the joint portion8and the tube1may be replaced as a set, and thus a suitable method for replacing a tube may be selected according to a use or a purpose.

Moreover, according to the applications, in the device for stopping a flow of fluid, a plurality of fluid stop mechanisms is connected as a cascade and/or an auxiliary stop/run means such as a pinch valve is further added. When the stopping process is performed in this manner, slight leakage might occur for different applications. At this time, the device for stopping a flow of fluid may also be configured with a cascade in multi-stage to form a plurality of stop mechanisms, or a conventional pinch valve may be added to serve as an auxiliary stop/run means, so as to avoid the leakage.

Moreover, according to the applications, in the device for stopping a flow of fluid, the drive amount of the fluid stop mechanisms changes with at least one of the factors such as leakage detection, a temperature change, a pressure change, and time duration in the stopping process.

The leakage in the stopping process may also be adjusted. For example, the drive amount of the fluid stop mechanism for deforming the tube1immediately once the leakage is detected is slightly increased, so as to avoid the leakage. Alternatively, when it is figured out that a stopping function of the tube1is reduced under conditions that a temperature rises, a pressure increases, or a long time duration elapsed, the adjustment is performed according to the temperature change, pressure change, or time duration. For example, the changes are generated to the drive amount for deforming the tube1similarly, such that a stop performance is maintained.

In addition, the movable part4presses the looped configuration of the tube1may also be extended to a length capable of directly pressing the bent2during the stopping process, such that the bent2is pressed directly when the movable part4presses, thereby stopping the fluid more reliably. Alternatively, a mechanism for reliably pressing the bent2through such an extended portion may also be formed and installed.

Effects of the Invention

As the device for stopping a flow of fluid of the present invention has already been designed into the above structure, no mechanisms for contacting with the liquid in a conventional fluid control device such as a stop valve are required, so as not to directly contact with the fluid in the tube. At normal conditions, a shape (configuration or an internal diameter) of a tube is maintained constant, such that a flow in the tube is not obstructed. Both detection and control are performed with a single device. The device for stopping a flow of fluid is invulnerable to kinds of fluids. A device mechanism for stopping a flow of fluid flowing in the tube is realized in a simple structure.

For example, as for a beer server for providing draft beer, in order to properly clean a tube that is dirty inside, a cleaning sponge is made to penetrate the tube to remove bacteria. However, if a hidden valve is used, the sponge might be stuck, resulting in difficulties in usage. However, in this implementation, the internal diameter of the tube is kept constant, such that the cleaning sponge easily penetrates a whole flow path of the device.

Moreover, in other technologies of stopping fluid without contacting with liquid inside a tube, a pinch valve is included. However, as the pinch valve is a mechanism for directly pressing the tube1by a pressing portion for stopping the fluid, a great force is needed. For example, a large current is required to stop the tube1that bears a tap water pressure. Thus, the pinch valve is difficult to be realized. In contrast, in this implementation, positions of the bent2and the movable part4pressing the looped configuration of the tube1are adjusted, so that a flow of high-pressure fluid flowing in the tube1is easily stopped with a very small force under a leverage effect. This means that the drive means is subject to a small load and miniaturization of the device and decreasing of an operation cost can be easily realized.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1shows schematically a principle of a device for stopping a flow of fluid according to a first embodiment. The device in the first embodiment includes a tube holder5for keeping a tube1in a looped configuration and a movable part4for pressing the looped configuration of the tube1. As indicated by an arrow inFIG. 1(a), the movable part4presses the tube1in the looped configuration to make a bent2on the tube1, which results in stopping a flow of fluid3passed through the tube1, as shown inFIG. 1(b).

Moreover, when putting the movable part4back into place, the tube1returns from the configuration having the bent2, allowing the fluid3to flow through the tube1again.

Herein, only the movable part4moves in a downward arrow direction inFIG. 1(a). However, the tube holder5may also move in an upward arrow direction.

Next,FIG. 2AandFIG. 2Beach show schematically configuration diagram of the device for stopping a flow of fluid according to the first embodiment.FIG. 2AandFIG. 2Beach show an inner structure of the device in a form of a perspective view after a top cover of a unit case is removed. In a unit case9, the tube holder5used for keeping a tube1in a looped configuration and the movable part4pressing the looped configuration of the tube1are included. Moreover, a drive means6of the movable part4and a liquid monitoring sensor7inside the tube are included.

Moreover, a joint portion8disposed at the unit case9is a joint portion for connecting an external tube with an internal tube. Specifically, the joint portion8is a joint for connecting two tubes together. If a joint is used, the attachment/release of the joint portion8and the tube1becomes much easier. When the tube1deteriorates, the tube1can also be easily replaced. Alternatively, a structure for enabling the joint portion8to be easily detached from the unit case9may also be used. In this case, operations of periodically replacing the portions in direct contact with the fluid in the device may be simply performed. Moreover, without the joint portion8, the tube1may be directly extended in a single direction or in two directions from the device.

In addition, when the above manner of the present invention is used for stopping, a tiny amount of fluid might leak from a stop portion because of application such as different materials of the tube1, kinds of the fluids, temperature or pressure change. When such leakage is not permitted, although not shown, for example, the loop portions of the tube1may be configured into a plurality of structures, or a conventional pinch valve may be added to serve as an auxiliary stop/run means, thereby avoiding such leakage. Although it is difficult to use the pinch valve in environments of a high pressure such as a tap water pressure because of the pinch valve generating a relatively small force to press the tube1, the pinch valve can easily stop the flow path at a low pressure portion where a tiny amount of leakage occurs. By using a separated structure, the stop portion in a front stage performs for main stopping functions and the stop portion in a rear stage or the pinch valve perform for stopping a tiny amount of leakage, a structure having no fluid leakage is formed.

In the case that the means for detecting a leaked fluid at the time of stopping the tube1is further used as other means, the adjustment for more press the tube1immediately, for example, a pressing-driving amount (stroke amount) of a motor as a drive means of a fluid stop mechanism is increased, maintains the stopping function.

Moreover, sometimes deformation portions of the tube1are slowly changed due to materials of the tube, kinds of the fluids, ambient temperature, an increased pressure in the tube, or a continuously maintained high pressure status in the stopping process and a stopping function is gradually reduced. Also, a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, or a time measurement timer for recognizing a temperature change, a pressure change, or time duration is further added. Based on the information, a pressing-driving amount of a motor for deforming the tube1is made to generate a change in the same manner, so as to maintain the stopping function.

Moreover, in the same status, the movable part4energized to squish the looped configuration of the tube1may also be extended to a length capable of directly pressing the bent2in the stopping process. The movable part4presses the bent2directly when pressing, so as to maintain the stopping function. Alternatively, a mechanism for pressing the bent2more reliably by thickening at the extended portion to a pressing direction or a mechanism for holding the bent2may be further added.

Here, an electric motor serves as the drive means6of the movable part4. The electric motor actuates a joint20, so as to drive a movable stage22connected at a joint portion21. As indicated by an arrow inFIG. 2(b), the joint20is pulled towards one side of the electric motor. Subsequently, the movable stage22is pulled to approach one side of the tube holder5. Accordingly, the movable part4is drawn close to the side of the tube holder5and presses the looped configuration of the tube1.

Besides the above motions made by the joint20under the drive of the electric motor, for example, the motions may further include counterclockwise rotation with the electric motor as a center (as seen from the top). Subsequently, the movable stage22is pulled to approach the side of the tube holder5and the movable part4is drawn close to the side of the tube holder5, so as to be energized to squish the looped configuration of the tube1.

In addition, a plunger, a spring, a manual knob may also be used to replace the electric motor.

Next, a function of the liquid monitoring sensor7in the tube is further illustrated. The liquid monitoring sensor is set in the tube, which aims at monitoring whether the liquid is exhausted or whether impurities are mixed in the liquid, so as to manage a quality of the liquid in the tube. Here, a liquid monitoring sensor including a light projecting element, a light receiving element, and a signal processing portion is used as the liquid monitoring sensor7in the tube.

Specifically, in the liquid monitoring sensor in the tube, the light projecting element is disposed at an outer side of the liquid flow tube, and the light receiving element is disposed at an outer side of the liquid flow tube facing the light projecting element, so as to receive the light projected by the light projecting element. The signal processing portion detects whether liquid flows in the liquid flow tube, whether a bubble or a foreign matter exists or not, whether the liquid flow tube itself has dirt or not, or whether any combination of this kind of situations exists or not according to a level of a light receiving amount of the light receiving element.

As discussed above, the level of a light receiving amount of the light receiving element varies according to statuses of liquid exhaustion, bubble generation, or foreign matter interfusion. The liquid monitoring sensor7in the tube utilizes this feature, and the signal processing portion thereof categorizes the levels of the light receiving amount, so as to detect various internal statuses. Moreover, the liquid monitoring sensor7in the tube detects bubbles by using the light receiving amounts and takes the existence of bubbles as effective information inside the flow liquid such as a sign of liquid exhaustion or insufficient air pressure.

The drive means6of the movable part4is operated or not operated according to an output signal of the liquid monitoring sensor7in a tube corresponding to changes of statuses of the liquid in the tube1, so as to stop or run the fluid in the tube1.

As for the device for stopping a flow of fluid in the first embodiment, there is no valve in direct contact with the fluid3in the tube1and an internal diameter of the tube in the device is basically maintained constant, the device is expected not to obstruct the flow in the tube1as permitted as possible at normal condition and expected to perform both detection (the liquid monitoring sensor7in the tube) and control (the drive means6of the movable part) with a single device, and is also invulnerable to kinds of the fluids3. An actuator for choking a flow of fluid in the tube1may be implemented through a simple structure.

Second Embodiment

Next, in the second embodiment, a implementation of the device for stopping a flow of fluid is illustrated, the device stopping or running the fluid in the tube1according to a signal from a near infrared sensor.FIG. 3shows schematically a structural view of a device for stopping a flow of fluid according to a second embodiment.

As shown inFIG. 3, the drive means6of the movable part operates according to a signal from a near infrared sensor10. As indicated by an arrow inFIG. 3(b), the movable part4presses the tube1in the looped configuration to make a bent2, which results in stopping the flow of fluid3passed through the tube1. Moreover, when putting the movable part4back into place, the tube1returns from the configuration having the bent2, allowing the fluid to flow through the tube1again.

A non-contact detection means using an ultrasonic wave, an electric wave, or electrostatic capacitance may also be used to replace the near infrared sensor10. The drive means6is automatically actuated according to a signal from the non-contact detection means to stop or run the fluid in the tube.

Third Embodiment

In the third embodiment, another implementation of a device for stopping a flow of fluid used for stopping or running liquid in a tube1is illustrated. In the device for stopping a flow of fluid in the third embodiment, a rotation table mechanism12is arranged in a holder11for supporting a partial periphery of the tube1. The rotation table mechanism12rotates to make a bent2, which results in stopping a flow of fluid passed through the tube1. Moreover, after putting the rotation table mechanism back into place, the tube1returns from the configuration having the bent2, allowing the fluid to flow through the tube1again.

FIG. 4shows schematically a principle of a device for stopping a flow of fluid according to a third embodiment. As shown inFIG. 4(a), if the rotation table mechanism12rotates in a clockwise arrow direction, the holder11installed on the rotation table mechanism12also rotates. As the holder11holds the periphery of the tube1, for example, the 90-degree rotation as shown inFIG. 4(b), the bent2is made on the tube1, which in results in stopping the flow of the fluid passed through the tube1. Moreover, when putting the rotation table mechanism back into place, the tube1returns from the configuration having the bent2, allowing the fluid to flow through the tube1again.

Moreover, the actuator is merely required to actuate the rotation table mechanism12. For example, the actuator may be simply an electric motor.

In addition, the holder11may also be integrated with the rotation table mechanism12that rotates.

Fourth Embodiment

Next, in the fourth embodiment, another implementation of a device for stopping a flow of fluid used for stopping or conducting liquid in a tube1is illustrated. In the device for stopping a flow of fluid in the fourth embodiment, two holders (17,18) for supporting a partial periphery of the tube1are arranged. A relative distance between the two holders (17,18) is increased to make the bent2on the tube1, which results in stopping a flow of fluid passed through the tube1. Moreover, when putting the distance between the holders (17,18) back into place, the tube1returns from the configuration having the bent2, allowing the fluid to flow through the tube1again.

FIG. 5shows schematically a principle of a device for stopping a flow of fluid according to a fourth embodiment. If the two holders (17,18) respectively move in parallel along arrow directions as shown inFIG. 5(a), the holders (17,18) make the bent2on the tube1, which results in stopping the flow of the fluid passed through the tube1, as shown inFIG. 5(b). Moreover, after putting the holders (17,18) back to original positions, the tube1returns from the configuration having the bent2, allowing the fluid to flow through the tube1again.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention can be applied as a device for stopping/running flows of fluids in a tube in a beverage server such as beer server. Moreover, the present invention can also be widely used in medical, food, and industrial applications. In addition, the present invention is not limited to being used for liquids, but may also be widely used in technologies of powder and gas.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1Tube2Bent of tube3Liquid flowing in the tube4Movable part5Tube holder6Drive means of the movable part7Liquid monitoring sensor in the tube8Joint portion9Unit case10Infrared sensor11Holder12Rotation table mechanism17,18Holders (moving to cause a change of the relative distance there-between)20Joint21Joint portion22Movable stage