Peristaltic pump comprising a bearing member and a counter-member adapted to cooperate with a tube

Abstract

The peristaltic pump ( 1 ) comprises: a sensor ( 53, 57 ) of the force exerted between the bearing member ( 19 ) and the counter-member ( 24 ) between which a tube ( 6 ) is held; and a processing unit comprising means for determining, from the signal supplied by the sensor ( 53, 57 ), if predetermined conditions indicative of correct positioning of the tube ( 6 ) between the bearing member ( 19 ) and the counter-member ( 24 ) have been satisfied.

1 . Peristaltic pump comprising a rotor incorporating rollers and a mobile jaw that is provided with a bearing member and assumes: 
 an open position in which it is moved away from the rotor, the bearing member then being move away from a fixed counter-member on the pump ( 1 ), with the result that a tube on which said pump must act may be fitted between the jaw and the rotor, on the one hand, and between the bearing member and the counter-member, on the other hand, and    a closed position in which the mobile jaw is moved close to the rotor, which moves the bearing member toward said counter-member, with the result that said tube is gripped between a curved bearing surface of the mobile jaw and at least one roller of the rotor, on the one hand, and between the bearing member and the counter-member, on the other hand,    this pump being characterized in that it further comprises:    a sensor of the force exerted between the bearing member and the counter-member; and    a processing unit comprising means for determining, from the signal supplied by the sensor, if predetermined conditions indicative of correct positioning of the tube between the bearing member and the counter-member have been satisfied.    
     
     
         2 . Peristaltic pump according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the force sensor is integrated into the counter-member.  
     
     
         3 . Peristaltic pump according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the force sensor is integrated into the counter-member and the counter-member comprises a first assembly that comprise: 
 a base provided with means for fixing it to the pump;    a test body comprising a curved portion and rigidly connected by one of its ends to the base and comprising a contact member at its other end; and    a strain gauge applied to the curved portion of the test body.    
     
     
         4 . Peristaltic pump according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the counter-member comprises a second assembly identical to and independent of the first assembly.  
     
     
         5 . Peristaltic pump according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the processing unit comprises a memory in which a signal-pressure coefficient is stored, the processing unit being adapted to process the value of the signal supplied by the force sensor according to said signal-pressure coefficient to obtain the pressure of the fluid circulating in the tube.  
     
     
         6 . Peristaltic pump according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the processing unit comprise a module for compensating creep of the tube adapted to measure periodically the value of the signal supplied by the force sensor and to recalibrate the senor dynamically as a function of the lowest measured value of said signal.  
     
     
         7 . Peristaltic pump according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the processing unit comprises a module for filtering pulsation of the pump.  
     
     
         8 . Peristaltic pump according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the processing unit is adapted to slave the rotation speed of the rotor to indications supplied by the force sensor.  
     
     
         9 . Peristaltic pump according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the processing unit is adapted to stop the pump ( 1 ) if the force exerted between the bearing member and the counter-member exceeds a predetermined threshold.  
     
     
         10 . Peristaltic pump according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the pump comprises a motorized device for closing the mobile jaw at a variable speed.  
     
     
         11 . Peristaltic pump according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the closure device provides a first or approach speed and a second or closure speed lower than the approach speed.  
     
     
         12 . Peristaltic pump according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the force sensor is integrated into the counter-member and the counter-member comprises a first assembly that comprise: 
 a base provided with means for fixing it to the pump;    a test body comprising a curved portion and rigidly connected by one of its ends to the base and comprising a contact member at its other end; and a strain gauge applied to the curved portion of the test body and the contact member has a plane bearing surface adapted to come into contact with the tube.    
     
     
         13 . Peristaltic pump according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the force sensor is integrated into the counter-member and the counter-member comprises a first assembly that comprise: 
 a base provided with means for fixing it to the pump; and a test body comprising a curved portion and rigidly connected by one of its ends to the base and comprising a contact member at its other end; and a strain gauge applied to the curved portion of the test body and contact member is a rigid member attached to the test body.